MoTown22

I'm just about 18 months out from surgery. I'm down 112 lbs which I lost incouple months pre op and within 6 months post op. I lost very, very quickly and have now maintained this weight for about a year. Which is a perfectly healthy weight for my height, although I could still stand to lose 15-20 more being at the top of the healthy BMI range....so I get a bit frustrated now and then. I have 3cc's in a 9cc band (I think) I had my first fill about 7 months out, 2nd fill 2 months later, and then my 3rd fill was around Jan/Feb of 2012. I can't recall when I started noticing a real difference, I'd say for sure I've been struggling for at least 6-8 wks. I know that I am guilty at times of eating problem foods, too quickly, too much etc etc but yet sometimes I feel I am doing nothing differently yet have more frequent stuck episodes and they are quite painful. I used to sit through the pain and the food would work itself through within a few minutes....maybe I'd have a little sliming. But now I've had a few episodes where it hurts so bad I induce vomiting to clear it out. That's happened about 3 or 4 times and I made a Dr appt today for a possible unfill....That's what the problem sounds like to me, even .5 out or something from the sounds of other post-ers. But has anyone had such a delayed reaction to a fill? It's like some days I can take down anything and then other days I barely eat.

A-ha! Interesting..... A person can go crazy thinking of all the what ifs too! I understand slight un fills can correct minor slips as well sometimes. I had an upper GI 6 months ago and everything looked good at that time. I will be certain to tell him about the vomiting. I hate to go into too much detail on here about vomiting.... but I wouldn't call it a full on vomit versus more or less just the slime coming up? I don't know if that makes sense but I think of vomiting in the sense of prior to surgery everything in your stomach and this is more like just the mucus?? I will explain that to him as well. I'm not sure it's any different since your stomach is still contracting but I know one of his main concerns with vomiting is always dehydration which I stick on top of pretty good. There are other factors I have heard of too that can cause the band to be tighter in your environment too so it will be interesting to have a refresher on that. You hear these rules and they don't always apply to you, such as some people never needing fills and some needing it quite full. When those happen to you it's a good reminder that finding your sweet spot doesn't mean you're set for life! Thanks!!

I do understand which is why after this last time I made the appt. I do follow the rules, which is why I've had the success I've had, but as I am sure you can relate, we are all human and have a temporary lapse of judgement if we're in social situations or not mindful. That's bound to happen at some point of the course of our lives. We take that too big of a bite or too soon a bite. This is only human I assume? I'm not sure what you mean by dieting. I follow the strict 1000-1200 calorie intake for females. I get 60 grams of Protein and I eat lean Proteins, fruits and veggies. There is no diet with the lap band it is a lifestyle change. I'm not out there eating McDonalds. I'm not saying I expect it to slide off I'm simply stating the facts. At this point , if I didn't lose a singular ounce I would still be elated, I am more annoyed with the sudden stuck episodes. Despite having those slip ups I have changed NOTHING, which is why I am questioning this on a post. But thanks for the lecture.

I am replying to you as I'm drinking my coffee and cream I'm about 18 months out and down 112 lbs. I drink sort of a lot of coffee, in various fashions.. I think as long as you are allowing room for it in your daily allowance then you're totally fine. My fitness pal for my caloric intake suggests no more than 24 grams of sugar a day so you're probably well under. I also don't feel it increases my desire for sugary foods, I feel it does the opposite actually. As another mentioned, it's all about balance. I don't buy the sugar free creamers but I do buy the fat free creamers. Also I do my best to make up for the water loss by drinking more of that. Good luck!

Hi all, I am wondering if there is a relation between a fill and gas pains? Other than the gas related to surgery, I have not had any issues with it-I'm 7 months out. I got my 2nd fill a few weeks ago and since then have noticed a few boughts with gas, some severe. I remembered triggers for 2/3 times-one of which was induced by sugar free gum. bad idea. But now today I am having some gas and it almost feels like it's in my back as well, is that even possible? could it be related to the fill or is this just something triggering it? Thanks for your help!

How about coffee after a fill? My Dr. is okay with 8 oz a day (once I got out a ways from surgery) but notes the major factor of dehydration-- everyting in moderation. But I got my second fill yesterday (7 months post op) and so they have us do 48 hrs clear liquids and 48 hrs mushies before returning to regular food. Looking back at my list of clear liquids decaf coffee is on there, but just thinking I may need a cup of regular stuff to avoid a headache today. I have a little skim milk and splenda in it which are also okay no the clear liquid phase...any thoughts? I'm nervous it would be too rough on a just filled tummy....

Hey March Bandsters!! I was banded 3/4/11. I lost 30 pre-op and 72 since surgery, for a total of 102!! I am 14 lbs from my goal, which may be readjusted as I get closer we'll see. I just picked the top weight for my height and frame. I have never been this weight except for when I was in junior high. Crazy. I've been going broke replacing my wardrobe but it's a fun/good problem to have!!! I had my first fill at my 6 month appt this month, that was kind of a nice refresher on speed of eating and what to eat. Hope everyone is doing well!

Hey everyone, haven't been on here in a while! I was banded March 4th 2011 and as of yesterday down 102 lbs!!!! (including pre-op weight loss) and about 14 lbs from my goal. I had been able to go 6 months without any fills, then a few weeks before this last appointment I noticed I was eating a bit more than I should be able to, so I talked it over with the Doc and he said if we tweaked it a bit it should be no problem. He put 3 CCs in a 10CC band. It's been good so far, no problems, and I feel more restriction than prior to this first fill, but I am wondering, how long does it take for your body to adjust to the fill? So just because I feel restriction now, will that change in a week or two or three as swelling goes down? Or should the swelling already be down? Just wondering, and maybe we don't ever know the answer to that I suppose over time and a bit more loss I could need another adjustment, but just thought I would throw this question out there..thanks!

I am just about 3 months post op. Things have been going great. I had little issues with acid reflux and lactose intolerance but those have subsided. Now this week, the past 2 or 3 days I have had a vomit taste in my mouth. Sorry I nkow that's gross. But I can't shake it and I don't know if it has something to do with the band. I seem to notice it when I've eaten or drank something. I haven't changed how much I am eating, the speed I eat, how well I chew...any ideas? Also I've never had a fill. Thanks!

YAY!!!! I was so pumped prior to surgery I couldn't even sleep at night! lol I am 6 weeks out today! I didn't have a pre-op diet really, just of course only liquids the day before. So perhaps you have something similar to mine. Advice? I'd say find out which Protein shakes you like now if you haven't already done so! And, make good food choices leading up to surgery as well, don't be tempted to have that "last big meal"! Congrats!!!

That is one of the strangest thing. I feel my tummy growl but then I don't feel hungry...I definitely know when it's head hunger, and I try to read or call a family member/friend. But going back to knowing when to eat, I've just been eating small amounts at meal time to get a little nutrition...but it is strange not feeling that same empty feeling.

So, I officially can start pureed/mushies tomorrow. It will be nice to have something new, I'm actually craving some cottage cheese...but I am a bit nervous about things getting stuck. I think I've probably asked these questions in another post but seeing as I start tomorrow I wanted to get all the advice I can! 1) what does it feel like if something gets stuck...where do I feel it? esophagus area or more in the stomach? 2) what happens if something does get stuck? do you slime or puke? 3) small curd cottage cheese is okay in it's normal state right? I don't have to puree it further? 4) how did everyone handle scrambled eggs at this point? 5) any other food ideas? I think on hand I have instant mashies, canned chicken, chili to puree, pudding, apple sauce...and another post-er suggested pineapple juice for when things get stuck, so I have that. Nervous!!

The only vitamin I have not in a chewable form is my super B, which doc says minimum of 50 mg of Thiamine. Well they are quite large + I'm super paranoid, so I cut it into about 8 pieces. I can't keep doing this everyday, but yet I can't seem to find a chewable one-does it even exist? Or the liquid ones aren't the right complex. Anyone?!

Congrats and way to go!!!! What a great feeling!! Enjoy the rest of your vacation and success!!

a-ha! I see now where you said the Flinstone's work if they are COMPLETE. Duh lol I will have to check mine. You take four a day!? Do you take anythign else?

haha hi Shirley! I did buy the generic flinstone chewables. I believe I compared what was in them to an adult multi Vitamin and it was the same. And the container had adult instructions so I assumed it was sufficient. I will bring that to my docs attention though, don't want to be deficient! Now that I got this new B that should help too. I actually just bought a bunch today, but when I run out I may keep that in mind! I bought some pre-made Muscle Milk and was going to try that, haven't yet. But what I've been using is just Pure Protein from Target easy, cheap, and tastes decent. I also bought some unflavored unjury. Thanks for all the tips!

I literally just got back from CVS and I picked up the exact same thing! I am headed out of town after work so I needed something. Awesome! Have you tried swallowing yet? I haven't opened it yet, wonder if we can swallow whole? shoot, even in half would be much better than the eigths I was doing! thank you!

I do take a chewable multi vitamin, as well as a chewable calcium per doc's direction. But I am also supposed to take a super B or mega B vitamin (with at least 50mg of Thiamine). Does Centrum make those in chewable? Thanks for the tip on the Bioten! I hope I don't have any hair loss, I figured I would check again with the Doc at 6 weeks on what his recommendations are on that. I would have assumed to take an Iron supplement, but I will bring this up. And thank you for the websites, I bet I can find something here!

So 10 days out, first day back at work (boo lol). My energy level is not great but that is to be expected I suppose. I am getting about 25g of Protein and my 64 oz of liquids. I start pureed on Friday. I lost 31 lbs pre-op and then I've lost 16 lbs since surgery, I'm not complaining and I know I am not eating, but I hope that 16 in 10 doesn't seem too fast. My question as I start pureed on Friday...how much did you all find yourselves eating at 2 weeks out? I doubt I'd eat the full recommended 3/4-1 cup on-going portion, yet I'm not hungry to know what is proper. Also, if something gets stuck, what did it feel like? Does vomitting always follow? My Vitamin B that I take is the only one that I can't find in chewable, does it exist? I found liquid vitamin B, and going to get some because I am so scared I cut the B down into like 8 pieces and then it takes me forever to take it! And although I cut it down quite a bit, sometimes I feel like I can feel it. Let me know your experiences. Overall my road has been pretty smooth thank God! 70 lbs to go!

Yes, it is crazy! Like how some of these people are eating 7 days later, I wouldn't dare! Wow that is a ton of protein! Thanks for the tip! That makes sense but something I probably wouldn't have thought of! We're so conditioned to cut cut cut! I think our nutritionist recommended 1000-1200. I would imagine some days it is hard to get it that high especially in the beginning. Anxious to start the pureed stage Friday!

I gained 5 lbs as well the day after, but quickly lost that and another 16 (21 total) since then which was 11 days ago. Totally normal and not a worry. I didn't listen to the "stay off the scale" advice, I couldn't help myself!

Thanks everyone for the comments! My Doc told me to just worry about getting 20ish grams since I'm only having liquids, to increase to 40 at mushies & then eventually 60 grams from there, and of course I'd be eating too to get those... so soon! Good to know on the weight loss, if it does stall, I wonder how long before it picks back up? Perhaps till the first fill. I kind of hope to be one of those people that doesn't need any fills. Wishful thinking maybe. Anyway, thanks again!