Bardy

Well, here I am almost 4 months out and have lost 42 pounds - I'm halfway to my goal weight! I am really happy and feel like I'm in the green zone -- when I first got this last fill on February 3rd (the 2nd) I was miserable and threw up several times in the first week -- I decided instead of going and getting unfilled, I would shift to liquids for a while and then ease back into soft foods. Fortunately this worked for me and I am able to eat very small portions and have learned how things feel going down. I find I have to eat VERY slowly, chew very deliberately and keep to very small bites and take my time - this works and I have been feeling pretty good for the last two months ... I know I will probably need another fill maybe in another month as the weight loss will slow down. But I have been losing about 1-2 pounds a week which I am very happy with. It is definitely a learning process. I always avoid bread and bread products, potatoes, rice, and other "sticky" foods -- and stay with chicken or fish. If I get hungry between meals I snack on protein bars. Seems to be working so far, but it is a balancing act for sure. I still am very glad I am here rather than where I was before, continuing to gain weight. Good luck to all banders out there!! Deb

I think that sometimes after a fill we are too quick to unfill if we have an experience with throwing up or whatever. I think my best course of action after a fill was to go back to smoothies for a few days and then gradually try small bites and really eat slowly, and wait between bites to make sure everything goes down -- I avoid bread and bread products at all cost and stick with tuna and chicken salads, some soups, very tender chicken and some veges and fruit. It is definitely true that everyone is different - and you need to get to know your body and be careful and deliberate in your choices. I snack on the protein bars between if I feel a little hungry and it really helps. It is definitely a challenge at times to find the right combination. Hang in there! Deb

Well, just had my second fill and not liking the feeling much -- guess i should wait a few days to really judge but I can hardly eat anything without feeling pain -- no likey. I have been losing at a steady 2 pounds a week so I am pleased, but not happy about feeling so hungry and then hardly a few bites of food and feeling pain -- not satisfaction that is for sure. I guess part of the process of getting used to adjustments -- I'm trying to be patient, and it is good to know that I'm not alone in this journey.

I'm actually having the same exact situation -- just got my second fill on Thursday and can hardly eat anything. I think I'm going to give it a week and if it still is this way maybe go back in and have a little removed -- i do think it is a little extreme at this point but will wait a few days to see if things start to ease up a bit. Good luck. Deb

I have found that I need to eat really slowly and small bites chewed well. I have been able to eat tuna salad, chicken salad, soft cooked veges, some fruits -- but all need to be eaten and swallowed very slowly and then wait to feel that it has gone down before taking another bite. You should definitely talk to your doctor -- perhaps your band is too tight. Hope this helps. Sometimes it can be frustrating but hang in there and remember your exercise and water.

The thing I keep hearing is that we need to have adjustments every few months -- sounds like you need a fill to get things going again -- I'm sure you will do well again, we just need to get those fills and make sure we stick with wise food choices and portion control.

I'm in the same boat -- haven't yet had a fill and have to wait until the 13th - I am sure that it wlil give more restriction and make it easier to tell when you are full. Also we need to remember to try to eat more slowly and not drink water too soon after eating, choose the proteins first, etc. We need to get to the "sweet spot" with the band feeling the restriction and then eating less of the right things. Hang in there!! Deb

I too have not yet had a fill -- and feeling hungry. I try to control portion sizes and stay away from the carbs but sometimes it's hard. I had scrambled eggs this morning, a protein bar at lunch and lots of water -- I will have some turkey and a salad tonight and probably another protein drink, but I do still feel hungry. I can't wait for my fill on 1/13 so I can feel that restriction for the first time. Hang in there -- we can do this! Deb

April, you have done so great -- losing 80 pounds is FANTASTIC! I too am rather new - just banded on 12/3 -- I haven't had a fill yet so seems I can still eat a little too much, but still have lost about 10 pounds since the surgery. I hope to lose another 65 and feel better as well as look better -- reading your post as well as others encourages me to stay the course and get going with exercise as well as the diet and I know I will get there -- by this time next year I will feel like a new person! This is such a great site to get and give encouragement as we are all in this journey together! Happy New Year! Deb

I did the same thing in the last 2 weeks -- ate small portions but more varieties of things than before so that is probably why the weight gain. I haven't yet had a fill so hopefully that will make a difference in feeling more restricted so I will eat less again -- and I will probably go back to the liquid proteins and then mushies to get back into a more conscious eating pattern -- we still need to make the right choices (protein and veges rather than carbs) and get the exercise in -- I hope to start a better routine with going to the gym a couple times a week to start and building up -- don't fret, I'm sure with a fill and getting back on track you will start losing again -- I think we all go through this at different times and just need to get back on track. Good luck and hang in there! Deb

I really am not an expert and haven't even had my first fill yet so haven't experienced the feeling of restriction, but am actually looking forward to it as I feel like I probably ate too much over the holidays. As far as getting back on track maybe you can try going back to the liquid protein diet for about 3 days and then mushy foods for 3 days and then shift to the measured foods -- making sure you get your protein first and sticking to veges and fruits - cut out the potatoes and breads and just basically start over and train yourself back to the good habits. Just a thought, hope it helps. Deb

Dolly you crack me up! Keep the ideas and recipes coming -- I too liked the cinnamon buns, but looking forward more now to those buns of steel -- it will take a while but we are on the right track! Stay the course, keep the protein up as well -- I sometimes snack on lean deli turkey with a spot of spicey mustard and it hits the spot. Take care and have a wonderful week! Deb

Dolly you crack me up! Keep that great sense of humor and continue with the great ideas for eats. Remember to get your protein in to help rev up your metabolism. I sometimes snack on soft deli turkey with a little spicey mustard -- fills me up and gets the protein in. I like your vege ideas too. I loved the cinnamon buns too -- but like you would rather get the buns of steel -- we are on our way! Deb

Yes, I was starving 1 week post op too! I added soft boiled eggs and some soft foods like cottage cheese and non-fat refried beans for just one meal and it really helped. I had my 2 week checkup and he said everything was fine, to keep eating the mushy foods and try to stick to proteins first - be sure to include protein drinks, soups like tomato and french onion. Check with your doctor on starting a couple of mushy soft foods. I'm still hungry this week as well -- won't get a fill until January 15! So just trying to make good choices and limit portions.

Bless your heart! This is a very emotional journey for sure! But you have taken the first step and are on your way -- this is a very positive thing that you are doing for yourself -- you are taking charge, making the decision to get the tools you need to overcome this issue -- you are not a failure - it is just really difficult to lose and keep the weight off. This tool will help you, and all of the learning and support on how to make it work for you and change your lifestyle so you will feel better and have a happier life. It is a process - I was deep in depression triggered by my mom passing away 3 years ago and the weight piled on. I finally decided to take some steps to feel better -- first I found a doctor for support, was actually treated for depression with medication and counseling, and finally took the steps to have the lapband - I am so glad I took the steps necessary to finally feel better and have a better quality of life going forward. You will too and you will feel so much better to see the weight coming off rather than going on -- Good luck, you will do great!

I hear you sister -- I definitely am looking forward to feeling better about myself, increased confidence, and a return of my personality -- also meeting men ... you are not alone and it isn't silly -- that is one of the definite benefits of losing the weight -- to feel good and sexy again! I also understand about not telling everyone - I think that is wise -- just your very closest friends/family for support - no one else needs to know until you are ready to tell them. Some tend to judge and we don't need that - we just need encouragement as this is a definite life changing event and will be ongoing for the rest of our lives. Take care and good luck -- the surgery is really minor and you will do fine. I just got banded on December 3 and feel good -- looking forward to the first fill to feel the restriction, but have already lost about 9 pounds and feeling so much better already.

I think everyone messes up now and then. Just get back on the wagon and start making better choices -- you know what you have to do and can do it again. I haven't had a fill yet either and noticed that I can eat without restriction, but I put a mental restriction on myself -- choose only certain foods and use little plates - whatever tricks I can to make sure I keep the portions small. Good luck, you'll be fine.

I don't think it is related -- I have been healthy, no issues. Did you get your flu shot this year? Take care and drink lots of liquids --

I was groggy and had a terrible sore throat -- I guess from the breathing tube -- but started sipping water and eventually up to the bathroom. Sore and gassy and very tired, but not too bad -- slept a lot -- tried to get up and walk around to ease the gas pains -- just take it easy and you will be fine. Deb

I don't know if you have a Lindora practice around anywhere but the Protein drinks that they have are really the best I have found -- high protein and low carb but with additional nutritional values -- hot chocolates to fruit type drinks and smoothies and they mix well with Water or crushed ice to make a thicker smoothie consistency. They use the soy Proteins I believe. Hope this helps. Deb

Best advice I had was to get up and walk around -- try to walk about 200 steps every hour if possible -- this will really help with the gas. Also lying on your side when you are lying down will help as well. It will eventually work its way out and you will feel much better. Take care. Deb

Try to stick to the protein choices if you can rather than carbs and you should be fine.

Need to get up and move around -- walk as much as you can - even a few steps will help move it out -- also if you lie on your side when you are lying down. It just takes some time to move out. Hang in there, it will get better.

You are awesome Dolly! You deserve to be successful - your son loves you and wants you around for a long time -- value yourself and keep staying the course -- you can do this, we can do this -- even when it gets tough we turn to our wonderful "club" of lapbanders and are reminded of what we need to do to use this tool that was given to us -- we have an extra help to get to a healthier happier life -- we need to respect it and do the work, and our success is within our grasp -- we just need to stay the course! Thanks for always posting and being an encouragement! Deb

Good luck to you! I had a very positive experience with getting my lapband - very little pain -- mostly just discomfort and gas pains. You will do fine -- keep a positive upbeat attitude as this is a very positive thing you are doing for the rest of your life! Welcome to the club! Deb