Hungrybetty

wondering if anyone has heard if this type of drink is ok? I know slimfast is a nono but i've never heard anything about this one. Its H.E.B brand Opti-Meal. Any advice is welcome!

Repost from another topic, but it applies here as well. I was banded 5-19-11I just got my third fill last week, 7ccs in a 10cc band. I felt restriction on the second one but I could still eat about 10oz which was more then I wanted. So now after this last fill I can get full on around 6oz, which is awesome, but the downside is I get stuck ALOT. I'm trying to take small bites and chew really well, but sometimes it doesnt matter, and unless I'm really determined to eat, I can only take a bite or two then give up because it gets stuck really bad. Good news is, I'm using my calorie counter and have stayed under 1200 calories every day since this last fill! I lost a few pounds but now its almost my time of the month so I'm retaining water and have put them back on. At first I was sure I was too tight because liquid would go down VERY VERY slow. Scarily slow. But it goes down and thats what matters, because once you lose a bit of weight and the fat pad around your stomach shrinks, it loosens up a bit. I concidered going in for a slight unfill, but after those couple of lbs dropped I could tell the difference. The moral of the story is...if its still moving through, your good!

I just got my third fill last week, 7ccs in a 10cc band. I felt restriction on the second one but I could still eat about 10oz which was more then I wanted. So now after this last fill I can get full on around 6oz, which is awesome, but the downside is I get stuck ALOT. I'm trying to take small bites and chew really well, but sometimes it doesnt matter, and unless I'm really determined to eat, I can only take a bite or two then give up because it gets stuck really bad. Good news is, I'm using my calorie counter and have stayed under 1200 calories every day since this last fill! I lost a few pounds but now its almost my time of the month so I'm retaining water and have put them back on. At first I was sure I was too tight because liquid would go down VERY VERY slow. Scarily slow. But it goes down and thats what matters, because once you lose a bit of weight and the fat pad around your stomach shrinks, it loosens up a bit. I concidered going in for a slight unfill, but after those couple of lbs dropped I could tell the difference. The moral of the story is...if its still moving through, your good!

Oh dear, I think it might have been a stitch holding the port not the band itself. I felt this the other day while doing crunches at the gym but the soreness only lasted a few hours. My appointment for another fill is monday so I won't have any advice til then! Seeing as you are only 1 week post op you should definatly make an appt with your surgeon to check it out. Good luck, and keep us posted!

Well, this is my greatest fear, and honestly I have not been anywhere near perfect either! I know if it was me I would want a sleeve if I needed another surgery. I couldn't go without anything or I would gain back what little I have lost so far. BTW I was banded on may 19th, 2011. Good luck, and hopefully it will shimmy its way back into place! Please keep us posted on your progress.

I got insurance in January, and its the first time I've had any in 7 years, which is why I was able to get my band. I also found out I have PCOS, which causes me to not have a period for sometimes a few years. Now i'm on birthcontrol to regulate my cycle, and I'm having trouble recognizing water retention. So my PCP gave me a script for water pills, and told me to take them if I felt bloated or my rings felt tight. I had neither of these symptoms but after three weeks of no weight loss (I work out 6 days a week as well) I decided to try one. Yesterday my gyms scale read 249lbs, the same its been the last month. I took the diuretic this morning and when I weighed tonight it read 244lbs! Does anyone have any advice about water retention? I've never experienced it really, or maybe I've had it all along and just didn't know. I'm also unsure of how often to take the pills.. any advice is appretiated!

I never have PB or vomiting, I also have little restriction though. 3rd fill next week *crosses fingers*

Also you guys with chronic dry mouth, there is an over the counter product called biotin. Comes as tooth paste, mouth wash, and gum. As a dental assistant I'm asked about dry mouth alot. My office was sent samples awhile back to try and that stuff is amazing!

I regret not doing a little more research. I have two friends with lapbands and I only really went on what they told me. I thought I was prepared when I really wasn't. In hindsite, I might have looked into the gastric sleeve a little more. I'm a worryful person and I constantly worry about my band. This foriegn object in me that could break or slip or errode, or be rejected, causing more surgery... ugh its pretty frustrating for me. But I have to get over all these worries myself, no one can help me.. Goodluck to you on your journey

I was banded may 19th, so far I have had 2 fills. After the second fill I felt pretty good restriction, and I started eating solids slowly and a little at a time. A few days ago I took a shot of alcohol with my friends (peer pressure?) and experienced my first episode of dry heaving sinced being banded. Nothing came out and I only dry heaved a few minutes. The next day my band was tight, so I stuck to liquids then slowly went back to mushies/solids. Now everything is going down. I can eat a cup or more of food, feel little to no restriction, but i have had 2 stuck episodes but they aren't like the horror stories some people talk about when they are stuck. It only lasts a few seconds then I can eat just fine. I'm worried about slippage and stretching my pouch, but i cant get in to see my surgeon for another month. Any advice? How much are you able to eat usually with your band? Maybe I need to use a measuring cup and only eat what fits in it. I think the normal amount is about 4-6 ounces, right? Thanks in advance for your advice! P.S. Since all of this my weight loss is at a standstill, I partially blame exercise, and partially eating too much. Thoughts?

Oh I had no idea about gall bladder problems relating to the band. I haven't had any more back pain since lastnight but I will definitely watch for it the next time I have a drink. Thanks for the info!

I was banded May 19th this year and just wondering where everyone was in thier progress from that month? I started at 273, now at 249. Exercise almost everyday for about an hour and just had my second fill last friday July 8th. I think so far my weight loss is decent but I bet some of you have done better! I'd like to hear about it!

I ended up calling my surgeons emergency line at 4:30am I felt so bad for waking him up but I was scared! He said I must have really irritated my stomach and as long as liquids were going down then no need to come in so, here I am sipping hot broth for the next 3 days... Joy thanks for the support!

Was at a friends house lastnight and had a shot of alcohol with everyone and was instantly sick. Just got my second fill friday and have good restriction but no problems with liquids. I started dry heaving a few minutes after and only air came out like belching. Then a pain started in my back and it comes and goes every few minutes. Liquids are moving through slowly but I figured I just pissed off my stomach and it may be swollen. Now this pain in my back just woke me up and I'm thinking of going to the ER. Dear god please let my band still be in place! I need guidance, and to think all this trouble just to try the new jim bean devils cut!

The hunny and I recently joined a gym and have been going 4-5 times a week and I'm really liking it. It was hard for me to get comfortable being there, I was so ashamed and afraid everyone would be judging me, but now I realize we are all there to better ourselves and noone cares what your doing our how long you can do it for! Goodluck all!

Wow your story is gut wrenching, ive been saying if I have more problems then I can handle with my band I won't hesitate to get a revision to the sleeve. You have well surpassed the point I would have in your situation. I hope all goes well and you find a solution to make wls work for your life! Dont give up, we are here to support you!

I just had my second fill this past friday and I can tell a small difference each time. I can eat about a cup or more so I think in a month ill be ready for another fill. I get free fills for the first 3 months after surgery so I'm taking advantage of that! I still have yet to experience slimming or getting stuck (knocks on wood), but I'm sure it will happen after the third fill, I have a feeling that will be my sweet spot. Good luck to you!

My surgeon told me slim fast was a no no with lap band because it expands in your stomach. Thats why it makes you feel full, but you dont need that since you only have a small pouch now. I bet thats why you couldn't drink very much of it. I hear Optifast is band friendly. Have not tried it personally. I have had muscle milk tho and it's pretty good and has Protein.

No shame in doing this early on after surgery. I did it after two weeks of liquids. I was starving and wanted to eat so bad.. I chewed and spit a price of bread while everyone else was enjoying a picnic at the beach. Then I chewed a piece of sausage at a bbq the next weekend which was great because I was able to swallow the yummy juices of the meat then spit out the solids. Then that was all, never did it again. Waiting on my second fill now so I can really start losing some lbs!

I wish I had that problem because I think it s how it's supposed to be with the band and you feel full longer. I can drink whenever I want, going for my second fill friday. Hopefully it will help..

If it's still in your pouch maybe you can try a controlled vomit. Probably best to just see what your doctor recommends tho..

I had my first fill at 10:30 this morning too! So far liquids are going down ok, but I definitely feel it slow down when it gets to the band. Ive also had the same air bubble stuck under the band since this morning and I can't get it out. Thats only slightly uncomfortable. I'm really hungry right now and sipping my protein shakes doesn't really seem to help but I'm really going to try and hang in there the recommended 3 days of liquid only... Good luck to you on your journey!

My hunger during the first week after surgery was very painful, almost incapacitating. What helped me a little was popsicles, and I didn't bother with sugar free either! I was in hell during clear liquids, I can't go near chicken broth without gagging now. Just hang in there and maybe try some jello too. I know it's hard being hungry, and what would make me so mad when I would read that other people in the first week felt no hunger, just infuriating!

Are you able to feet fluids down? If so maybe it's an allergic reaction to medication they have given you during surgery or after.maybe try some liquid benadryl. I had pain and tightness while breathing too, mostly in the morning. The little breathing machine they give you to prevent pneumonia really helped. Hope they give you good news, I'll pray for you..