bandedehs

So I was banded i10/21/11 & have lost about 19lbs. And that was what I lost right after surgery. Nothing in the last 4 months. At my last visit, doc suggested a little un-fill but I was stubborn & pleaded my case to keep 5cc in my 10cc band. I was convinced I just needed more practice at slowing down while eating & not relying on "slider foods". But I am beginning to wonder. I seem to have to vomit a lot more often than other folks I know who are banded. For example--I had a busy weekend & I did not have time to even think about what would be a "good choice". I barely ate at all. Couple of spoonfuls of chicken salad, lots of Water, some coffee, some cheese/fruit.....no I did not get good Protein levels in this weekend but that's not my point. Saturday evening I was so hungry I ate a little bit of deli turkey & a piece of cheese. Ate slowly but immediately felt "stuck"....ended up in bathroom for about an hour vomiting.

Today--I had greek yogurt for Breakfast & during the a.m. I've had about 50 oz water. For lunch I've tried to get down some grilled chicken w/ broccoli. Very moist--chewing forever--but I'm getting that gurgling sound in my gut/throat & I know it's coming back up. This can't be normal. And yet w/ the little bit I'm eating---no weight loss....guess my body is in that starvation "save everything" mode... Any thoughts?

Just throwing in that I've had some significant Hair loss even getting all my Protein in. I'm struggling b/c I'm not losing like some have....(banded 10/21/11 & only down 20lbs)...so when I asked my doc about the hair loss....strongly suggested Biotin (so I'm taking that now & it has helped a lot). But my doc also said they rarely see hair loss in lap band patients unless you've lost 60-70lbs really fast. Because lap band is not mal-absorptive we shouldn't suffer the hair loss risk that gastric bypass patients do. She suggested that part of my hair loss was from stress....and I think she may be right b/c I've been soooo stressed trying to find ways to eat all this protein & still lose weight...

1. I'm surprised to hear you got 4cc's on a first fill. My doc's office won't do more than .5cc's at a time....slow, slow, slow. You do need to do the liquid or mushies right after a fill.
   

First of all--congrats on the major loss! I've been banded 4 months & have only lost 15 lbs, so I am completely envious of you! I really just wanted to say that the bad breath thing comes when your body is in ketosis (I think that's the right spelling) as you are adjusting to not eating so many carbs... I've had that experience & have friends who have been through it & other than brushing your teeth & chewing gum...not much else you can do until you pass through that phase. Have you tried the colgate wisp brushes? disposable toothbrushes...very cool....tiny little things. And I've been chewing gum just fine. You know the reason they caution you against it is in case you accidentally swallow it, but I've never been a gum swallower. So I'm still "chewing". And I'm still having a cup or 2 of "leaded" coffee every morning & an occasional diet drink. My nutritionist said the reason for suggesting we go off coffee & sodas isn't always the caffeine. Instead it is the concern that these things have acids that leach Calcium out of our bones. it isn't the caffeine...it's the acid. With our nutrient intake reduced & the need to take supplements religiously....they want us to know if we continue drinking coffee & sodas....we may be leaching more calcium out of our bones.

@Joel--congrats to you! 92 lbs???? That is AWESOME! I have to say I'm a little jealous & need to know what you are doing. I had surgery on 10/21/11 & am only down 13lbs. You gotta share some tips w/ me!