ladybug_popo

I'm not an expert by any means. But I was exactly the same. I've gone almost a year without a fill and 2 years since my surgery. I was talking to a coworker who was banded 8 months before me and is near her goal weight. I told her I felt like my band was broke because I've never felt restriction and can eat as much as I want. I would sometimes get stuck and thought that I was te problem and must have stretched my pouch or something. She said that it sounded like I didn't have enough restriction and suggested I see our surgeon (we went to the same one). So I made an appointment. It's been a little less than a week and I've already lost 4lbs! I would say its at least worth a trip to see if that's your issue as well. I was at the point where I was regretting my choice. I'm feeling better and optimistic about my weight loss. Good luck to you! U

I have soreness sometimes at my port site too, but never anything that caused a bruise. I had soreness for a couple of months, but after that it went away. You might want to ask your surgeon at your next visit. GL! U

Thanks do much everyone!! I'm on day 3 after my full and I do feel like I'm getting good restriction. I've made good food choices and have lost a few lbs, most likely water weight, but it's a move in the correct direction!

Even if it were as big as we thought (not the video size) one cup is pretty big...I'm imagining my pouch the size of the measuring cup in my kitchen and that's pretty large! U

I always thought it odd that a whole cup of food could fit in a pouch that small. This theory actually makes more sense to me.

Thanks all for your responses! Bluetigereyes, I'm glad you brought up the 2 week thing...why is that do you think? Can anyone answer that for me? Ursula

Sandman, no worries! I'm so happy that I could provide a thread where so many people have learned or got to thinking. Elver, while I definitely can't answer your questions, I think I can say that I think Sandman is on to something...medicine is always evolving and changing. Things are learned that weren't previously known or realized. I'm sure many different surgeons would give many different answers. Doctors aren't perfect and what they say isn't the end all. Sometimes we probably have to figure things out for ourselves. Thanks so much, Sandman! I love thought provoking conversations!

I too thought the animation was interesting...totally different then what I've seen and the models in the doctors office. Although it makes sense. I'm also happy about the wine...I LOVE me some wine! lol

I'm curious...at what cc's did you begin to fill restriction? I have had my band for almost 2 years but haven't had a fill in over a year...I'm getting back on the "band"wagon. I went to the doc yesterday and he put in .5cc's of Fluid. I have the large 14cc band, and currently have around 8cc in the band. He wanted me to do fluids yesterday and mushies today, and solid foods tomorrow. So I haven't yet had a chance to ascertain where I'm at with my restriction. I'm curious where others started feeling restriction?

I'm curious about this as well. I became vegetarian again after being banded, with the exception of some fish...so I guess I'm really a pescetarian. But I never really got into the green zone with my band, I just went for a fill, and am trying to get back on the wagon. I am curious if there are any veggie banders out there that can talk about what they eat.

I was able to watch the rest of the videos....if anyone is having trouble, just click on the top line of the video (if the video itself is showing up in the post), they will play back to back through youtube. It is interesting that he has some different suggestions then we've traditionally been told. For instance, he says it's OK to drink while eating as long as you aren't combining Fluid and food in the same swallow. Very interesting...I'm curious what others thought about the videos. Ursula

Sandman, Thank you, thank you, thank you! I needed to see this! I've only watched the frist one because it's the only one that popped up...I'm looking for the other 4, could you post the others in case others cant find them? I'm also surprised that this isn't a tid bit of information given to us pre and post surgery. I've been thinking that it was ME that was the problem. I thought that maybe I was eating around my band because I occasionally was drinking with meals (I know, still a big no no). But it didn't seem to matter either way...I was always hungry! Now I know that a properly adjusted band is going to help to keep you NOT feeling hungry! You know, I bet a good majority of the lap-band "failures" could've used these videos. Thanks again!

Hello I've actually been a member of the forum for almost 2 years but I haven't really been on the forum since I had my band put in almost 2 years ago. I have not used my band to its full potential at all, and have not lost but 30 or so lbs and have about 150 left to lose I'm determined to get this right and finally lose some weight. I go to see my doctor tomorrow and most likely get a fill. I need a support group and I think that my family members need to see me putting in some effort before they are jump gonna on board again. Therefore I'm here to get some support...if y'all are up to it! I'm looking forward to participating and finally using the tool I'm lucky enough to have! I look forward to getting to know everyone! Ursula

lol you know...I should've been able to figure that one out! Thanks!

Ok...so I've been trying to figure out what the heck NSV means...I'm thinking it has to do with some type of victory...but every link I found for acronym's on this site sent me back to the forum home page...it's been really frustrating! Can someone clue me in?

LOL Tater...I know, they are yummy!

I eat the gummy ones similar to Ang, they are the Publix store brand version of the flintstone gummy's. It was actually the only chewables I could find that day at the store...they taste really good! they taste just like gummy bears, not vile at all

Well...I did have some mushies on T-day and a tiny bit today. Otherwise I'm just doing full liquids, which is where I'm at right now...I find that with the full liquids I'm a bit more satisfied having my Protein shakes. I'm hanging in there...I'll be happy once I make it the next phase!

oh yum! This reminds me of when I was young and we would have over easy eggs over grits (I'm from the south!) This is going to make an awesome meal!

Hi AJ! I just got banded last week on Tuesday, and I also had a hernia repair. I wouldn't have known that I had a hernia repair if it weren't for the doctor telling me. For me, the pain has not been that bad...I was told that the second day was the sorest so I did take some pain meds before going to bed. But my surgeon only prescribed Lortab, and for me Lortab isn't much. The second day was pretty much like the first; and the third day I barely noticed any soreness at all except if I bent over too far. Everyone is different, but I wouldn't stress about it too much, I'm sure you'll be just fine!

Hey Floridaboy! I'm from just a couple of hours north of you in Melbourne! I'm glad to hear your doing so well! I feel the same as you...other than the slight cold I had post op, I felt great! I didn't need pain meds and only had a bit of soreness the first couple of days...but it was more like the feeling of "difference," like you described. What Protein are you drinking? I found a really good whey at Publix. It's by Pure Protein. It's the chocolate flavor, and it is really good whether it's with milk or Water. Obviously it's better with milk, and I bet almond milk would be REALLY good (I LOVE almond milk!), but it's still palatable with water. I wish I was able to return to work as quickly as you...but I'm a police officer and my surgeon said with the belt it's gonna be a few weeks. Lucky you!

LMBO, Kelly, this made me giggle. Thanks everyone for commiserating with me! I think I needed that most of all! Good to hear that others are able to eat a bit more with the blessing of their surgeons...I'm not sure was Dr Velarde will say...but at least I won't feel bad when I mush my T-day food! I'm not gonna lie...I'm mushing some turkey...I'll stick with the healthy foods, but I'm mushing soon, dammit! lol I figure I'll stick everything in my Kitchenaid mini-chop (which if you don't have you def should get!!) and make it the consistency of tuna...then I'll add some broth, or a small bit of gravy. I know I can be strong and will be strong...I just needed to be reminded! It's also nice to hear from the peeps who got banded the same day as me!

Hi everyone So I was banded last Tuesday, the 16th. My surgeon put me on Clear liquids for 10 days and I'm going buggy! I did have to have some SF pudding (which is in the next stage) just so that I felt like I had something in my stomach. But I'm starting to feel so hungry like I could eat a whole cow! Everything I think about seems to be food related...I was reading a John Grisham novel, to try and keep my mind off things...and all I seemed to see was all the food the main character was eating....I had to stop reading! Someone please tell me this will go away soon! I"m driving myself crazy...a friend of mine who got her band 8 months ago told me that she did a shortened version of the doc's (we have the same surgeon) liquid diet. She moved to full liquids within a week instead of the 10 days and she said she moved on to some soft solids after the first visit with the surgeon. I'm praying that this happens for me as well...I go see him tomorrow and I'm in so need of some real food!! I'd be absolutely ecstatic to eat a salad...I know that's probably a long way off...but I can still dream! With T-day only a couple days away, I would really just like to be able to process up some turkey and mom's potato salad so I can at least have the flavors in my mouth! Am I the only one??

Hi everyone! My name is Ursula...I've been lurking around the site for awhile, and just hadn't posted. I'm 32 y/o, from central Florida, and just got banded today!! After sleeping for most of the day, then walking for awhile, and relaxing...I had to get online! I've been very lucky with my lapband journey. Insurance (BCBSFL) approved on the first try. I do work for a government entity which is self insured though BCBS, and they specifically added lapband as a covered procedure. I have the HMO plan, so my copay was only $50 for the surgery itself! So for now I'm relaxing at home, looking forward to my new life!!