NJGirl32

Okay, so I guess I was getting rather cocky with no restriction. Yes, eating more than I should and just crossing my fingers that the 2nd fill will help. I went food shopping and order chinese (egg drop Soup and salt and pepper shrimp). I had the shrimp dish 2 nights ago as well from a different chinese resturant with no problems.

Well I popped a shrimp in my mouth while I was unpacking my (healthy) groceries and I admit I didn't chew it-it sort of went down whole. Well, OMG is all I can say!! I hear people talk about how uncomfortable it is but this was torture! I had mini-teeny stuck-type feelings before but it went right away. This was a BIG stuck moment. I started to slime (clear rabies-looking slime-no foam though)....and it felt like a rock was in the middle of my chest that I simply couldn't move one way or another. I was bent over the sink (no one was home thank God). I was thinking why did I get this band and I promise to chew my food! After a a couple of minutes it worked it's way through. So I guess I have a band in there afterall, even though I don't have restriction!

Here is my question-I was fortunate this happened in my home with no one around. What the hell happens if I am in work or worse yet in a restuarant?!! What do you do? Any suggestions other then chewing your food really good-I mean accidents happen. I heard Papaya Extract helps-should I keep some in my pocketbook? Do you keep a plastic bag in your purse just in case it happens in the car?

My throat still hurts a little!

OMG!! I feel the SAME way! It's terrible! I feel like I am eating more than when I was banded-probably due to the stress. I am due for my 2nd fill in 2 weeks, but I am going tio call tomorrow to see if I can come in earlier. It's so frustrating! I never thought 5 weeks post surgery I would still be able to eat this much-WTH?!!

I told my Hubby but did not tell my daughters (ages 24 and 19). The reason I didn't tell them is because I didn't want them to have the burden of keeping it a secret. I will tell them once I start losing some darn weight! I did tell them I am on a diet (which I am). So it is absolutely 100% possible. I didn't tel them I had any kind of surgery because I didn't want them to worry. They thought i wentto a conference for work overnight. I have mixed feelings about not being 100% honest but I really didn't want them to keep a secret that is mine to kept.

That's a question that only your doctor can answer. Give your doctor a call.

Good luck!

Share that post with your MUM. Copy it and print it out. It was wrongto have a dinner party with your favorite foods-that's just torturous! Okay I understand she did the same at Christmas-but that was a choice SHE made. If she had the band and strugged with it why would she do this? Did she lose with the band?

Next time she plans a dinner party make other plans (go to a friend's house or go to a book store to browse, or to the movies...anything but sitting there in front of all the food!

Mums do love us and mean well, but they are not perfect. Let her know how you felt. Good luck with your journey.

You will need to get your Protein in because it is very importantto the healing process. An hour for a shake isn't bad, Are you on mushies yet? If so you'll need to find ways to get a high level of protein in. Can you mix the Unjury in with SF Jello? My NUT recommended that post op. As long as the proetin levels are good you should be fine. It can take up to 5 weeks for the swelling to settle down. Get yr protein in though!

That gives me hope!!! You are doing great!

I agree, trying writing down every single bite you eat for 2 weeks and see what happens. SChedule an appointment with your doc and your NUT and go over the food log. If you are not excersising pland for it 3 times a week to start (go swimming, walk the mall, a picnic lunch in the park with a walk, go up and down stairs a few times-whatever it takes.

My metablism is VERY slow also!! EXercise is the only thing that can take it up a notch.

So make some appointments with the professionals. Good uck to you!!

Alex- thank you!! That was a great read!

Could you also give us some options for dining out, BBQs and handling social events (parties)? I agree I would love some ideas on options for loose skin. Thanks again!

This is 100% normal. You have fluids in you from surgery and swelling too. Your body is healing for the first 6 weeks. Do not expect any weight loss during this time. Once you start getting your fills you will be in the weight losing zone. I was also very disappointed with the lack of weight loss for eating so little-it;s been over a month and I still seem stalled, but I am hoping my 2nd fill in 2 weeks helps me get closer to the zone. Being banded requires a lot of patience, unlike gastric by-pass surgery this is a slower road to weight loss-which I think may be a healthier way. Good luck to you!

The liquid doesn't actually go into the band (but I know you know that) because the band in wrapped around the outter part of the stomach. I know in the mornings I need to have something hot before I can eat something. I would love to know the answer to why that is?

I'll be keeping my eye on this post!

Sounds like you are doing everything right. I agree, I think a small fill might do the trick.

I totally agree with what others have said. I was banded on May 25th and have lost just a little. I question why I got the surgery and I am getting bills in from the surgery (although my insurance did cover it) and I am thinking what was the point. But I gaet a 2nd fill in 2 weeks and I am booking another fill for 3 weeks after that. I want to start losing weight!

I never knew that this process would be so slow and would stall for extended periods of time. I really thought by the end of the summer I would be a least 30 pounds thinner!

Sorry you had to hear all that!! Next time you'll know !! I know we have to do our part but it's so darn hard when the band isn't doing it's job either!

Wonderful post! I totally agree that we must change our mindset. Use a word that better drscribes the process instaed of saying : I cheated" say "I made some poor choices and if I am in a sililiar situation this is what I intend to do." It's a process of constantly adjusting and readjusting our attitudes and eating habits. We are tryingto retrain our bodies and our minds and again, it's a process that requires reflection and a shift in our thinking!

We will get to that promised bandland!!

I told my husband and just 1 person at awork who sort of lead me to the band. That's it! I am SO glad I didn'ttell more people because 6 weeks after surgery I am not losing that much weight at all! I am hoping with fills the band will kick in. I can't imagine not losing weight and everyone knowing I had the band-they would all be thinking "Hey I thought she had the band and she's not losing?" or watching what I eat at every function-no thanks...I don't need that additional pressure right now!

Once I start losing I might open the circle and tell a few more (or maybe not). This is a hugely personal decision and what fees right for 1 person might not for the other person - so it's totally YOUR choice. ONe size does not fit all. For me, I am so happy I didn't tell everyone.

I hear you all! I have been not as good as I could have been lately!! I do realize we need to a=watch what we eat and do our part-but the band needs to do it's part too!! I had excellent restriction for about 5 days after my first fill. I know what the band can do when it is propery adjusted and it's great! I wasn't even able to eat more than a very small amount. Now I can eat a big dinner. My next fill is in 17 days and I can not wait! I know for sure there's light at the end of the tunnel!

Banded May 25th and I think I was down 20 pounds (including my 1 week pre-surgery diet)...but not sure abou tthis past weekend! I wasn't the best bandester this weekend although I did get a lot more walking in. My first fill was June 22 and that worked for about 5 days...recently I have found that I can eat anything and I do mean anything! Took my mom to Red Lobster and had the Utimate Feast (with bisquits) WTH!!! That was a big slip up. I remember those first few days after my fill and how little I needed to eat. I remember not being hungry-I wantthat feeling back again and I am hoping that I will get it with my 2nd fill on July 22nd! I wish my doctor did fills every 2 weeks!

Melissa - thanks for sharing that info! I can't wait to get to "Being totally euphoric about your weight loss."

I think the most important thing to realize is that this IS a process and ike Jack said "This is not ike any other diet."

I have noticed several stages with the lapband-the stages tend to vary from person to person, but this is what I have come up with so far:

• Stage 1 - excitement!! You can't wai tto get through all your appoinments and make this life changing committment!
• Stage 2- doubt, right before surgery you begin to second guess yourself and wonder if you are really making the right decision and wondering why you can't do this on your own
• Stage 3- Amazed that you actually went through the surgery hoping it was the right decision and worried about healing and eating the right foods
• Stage 4- it's been a few weeks and you haven't lost that much. You are wondering if you are going to be one of the ones who struggle even with the band. You might feel frustrated at the slow weight loss and only hope that a a fill will help.
• Stage 5 - you got your fill!! At this stage you either feel some restriction and are very hopeful (at least for the first few days) or feel nothing and are wondering when the heck the band is going to start to do something-anything-you are hungry!
• Stage 6 - You cheated with some food that you know darn well that you shouldn't have eaten! You may be feeling low at this point and a little disappointed in the band and in yourself. You can't wait until your next fill! You may also be hard on yourself thinking that you had surgery and still are having problems losing the weight!
• Stage 7- I haven't gotten to this stage yet but I sure hope it brings me a little closer to the "Promised Bandland" Some good weight loss would be welcomed!

Please feel free to add some stages!!

I am amazed at how little info you get from the doctors prior to surgery. With the band you really need to know that the weight won't come off quickly (for most bandsters) and it will take several months to get into the zone. The trick is to stay motivated and committed to the process. For every bad choice you make you need to think about how you could have handled it better and plan for the future so it doesn't happen again. Once you reach stages 4-6 you need to ask yourself a few questions such as:

• Am I drinking enough Water? How much Water did I drink today? Is there a better way I can prepare for my water intake?
• Am I waiting 30-45 minutes to drink liquids after I eat?
• Am I planning meals? Are these meals high in Protein? Am I eating my Protein first?
• How am I doing with my vitamins-am I taking them every day?
• Am I trying to do a little exercise?

Every morning that you wake up take a few moments to recommitt yourself to this process-it can work and others have had the same roadblocks and have gone through the same struggles and self-doubt-but the secret is to not et your fears take over. You really are so much stronger than you know!! The fact that you even had this surgery is a huge indicator of your commitment. Keep positive thoughts in your life as you journey to the Promised Bandland!!

Yes, totally normal. I had 1 fill and had perfect restriction for about 1 week-now it's completely gone!! I don't get another fill for 19 days!! It's very frustrating to say the least, but my inderstanding is that it can take several fills to maintain good restriction-this is th ekind of info we should have had prior to surgery. I was ubder the impression that having the band would help me lose weight right away, now I know it may take several months to see a real difference. Hang in there!! I also recommend the book-I think everyone who has the surgery should read it.

Rachel-you are absolutely right! I had a really BAD weekend too. I ate the Ultimate Feast at Red Lobster (yes the bisquits too)! I mean seriously! How depressing is that??!!

When I was first filled I feltthat sensation and knew I could only eat a small amount of food and was happy with the small portion, but times have changed in just a week or so!! I had a taste of what the band can do - I do need a fill to bring back that feeling of having enough with a smaller portion.

It is a downer to think you underwent surgery have 6 incisions on your belly and can still eat an entire mea! WTH?! Not a good weekend, BUt I am trying to regroup and think through what I could have done differently and how to handle potential roadblocks in the future.

My doc does fills every 6 weeks. No way am I waiting that long! I will go 4 weeks but that's the max. My first fill worked so great for the first week-then nothing at all!! I can eat a regular dinner with no problem. I do understand we need to meet the band halfway, but I had good restriction those first couple of days after my first fill-I couldn't finish my dinner or my drink...it was awesome! I wantthat feeing again and I know it will come with proper restriction!

I have heard of some people getting restriction weeks after their fill so there's still hope. The end of JUly isn't that far away. Try keeping a food journal. I know there a few good ones online.

Hang in there-your journey is just beginning!!

I had mine too-no undies and no tampon allowed. I had to stick a pad between my legs for the surgery. You'll be fine! Good luck!!!

Nope! I won't miss one ounce of fat at all!!

My hubby fell in love with a skinnier version of me (not thin-but about 50 pounds less than I am now.

I'll be hapyto reunion with the skinnier me-I have missed HER for a long time! I miss feeing sexy and I miss looking in the mirror and feeling happy with thereflection staring back at me.