bluetigereyes

You can also try the 5 day pouch test and see if that helps 'reset' your pouch.

This thread has helped me TREMENDOUSLY!!! I have only had my band a few months, and just after this last fill 3 weeks ago, did I start feeling restriction. Now, there are times, I eat 2-3 bites and I have that tight feeling in my chest. It happened today, and I took just one more bite and ended up with that nasty slimy 'spit up' I threw the rest of my lunch away and here I am 3 hours later and still totally satisfied. I think I need to learn to listen to my body a little better so this doesnt happen again, but as long as I can listen to my full signal, I can succeed! Thanks

I am in the Boise Idaho area, and there is a store called Winco that I get it at. Sometimes I can find it at Wal-mart as well. Its cheaper than Oikos or Chiobani and I love the flavor and texture of it.

I have been making fruit/yogurt parfait with the honey flavored for Breakfast lately, and its so satisfying and tastes great.

I've never seen the Zoi brand before. Where do you buy it?

what about having your family doctor write a letter in addition to the surgeon...that typically is another way to get the insuranc company to approve you

I like Zoi brand greek yogurt the best. I get the vanilla and Honey flavors. I love the idea of adding some crystal light for flavoring to it, although I do enjoy it like it is. I like this brand much better than Chiobani or Yoplait

I was banded 12/22, and I WISH that I could say I'm doing as good as you guys! I have only lost 8lbs since surgery. I just had my 3rf fill 2 weeks ago, I can feel restriction, I'm doing great on my eating, but the weight just wont come off. Its disappointing, but I guess I'm going to end up being one of the 'slow losers' out here with the band. I was sure hoping to see at least 30 lbs by now, but I guess that wasnt meant to be

Thats VERY Scary, but I'm so glad that you are ok. Take it easy, your body has been through ALOT.

I usually have a Protein Shake for Breakfast, tuna w/ half Tblsp light mayo and an apple or raw broccoli for lunch, and a light dinner (Fish or a little ground turkey, steamed vegis). I cannot eat any chicken or dry meats because they get stuck and I dont et breads for the same reason. Maybe I'm not getting enough calories because I truly only eat 6-10 bites before I cant eat anymore

I was banded on 12/22, I did great with my pre-op diet, losing 20+ lbs. I had my surgery, and had my port flip, which caused me to not get my first fill for a while. I have since had 3 fills. And, although I do feel restriction, and I can see that I am eating alot less, I am still not seeing the scale move.

At my last fill appt, it had been 4 weeks, and I only lost 2lbs. Its been a week since my last fill, and the scale is still not moving. I eat healthy, (I dont count my calories) only fresh fruits/vegis, lean meats and 3 times a day. I feel full after about 6-8 bites, so I know that I'm not consuming alot of calories....but the scale just isnt moving.

I was hoping that by this summer I would be down at least 30 lbs, but at this rate, by the time summer hits, it will be only 5lbs max.

I work full time, and when I get home, I have to cook for the family and do all the household stuff, so dont have much time to get to the gym (I know thats a big part of my problem)

What suggestions do you have to get off this plateau? I would appreciate any suggestions to see the weight start to drop. (My next fill is scheduled for April 30th)

It all depends on your doctor. My doctor gives a large fill the first time (I got 5.5cc for my first fill) then only 1/2 to 1 cc each fill after that. When I was in this last time, I only got 1/2 cc. I am at 7.5cc in a 14 cc band, I do feel restriction, but I think when I go back at the end of the month, I will get 1/2 cc more. I can tell I am close though, but still not seeing the weight come off that quickly

My scars are not bad, but I also have 2 scars for my port. One from the original surgery, the other from 7 weeks later when I had to have a port revision. Since I am only 3 months post op, they are all still noticeable and dark, but I know they will fade. by the time I am thin enough to show off my tummy, they should be almost non existant. Plus, if you can see them, its just a reminder to me where I've been and where I dont want to go back to

If you are not feeling restriction, this fill may not get you to your sweet spot. Keep going in for fills until you get where you need to be. Let the band work for you....good luck!

I have been a diet coke fanatic as long as I can remember. At one point, I was up to a 12 pack A DAY!! I have really cut down on how much I drink, but even with my band I still drink a little. I only want it about once a week now, and then I have it over ice, or let it sit open for about an hour so some of the carbonation dies down. If I drink it right after opening it, I burp for about 2 hours....no joke. I have found that I LOVE Arizona Green Tea, and even found the tea bags so I can make it myself with splenda or the pink stuff.

I was like you, thought that I could NEVER give up my soda....but, it really does happen, even though its subtle. I am still working on breaking my habit of ordering a diet coke whenever I have the option of someting to drink. thats my hard habit to break

I had my 3rd fill on Monday, and my first diet coke since that fill, today...I can tell you, it does not feel good! I am much tighter and the carbonation is uncomfortable. I put it in the fridge and made my tea. That way I am not miserable all day at work.

You need to change your mindset about carbonated drinks....if you feel that you are making sacrifices, your change will not last. If you make a concious choice that you want to drink something that is healthier for you, it becomes so much easier.

Congrats....Dont over-do it these first couple of weeks, you need to let yourself heal. Although, walking really does help. I sipped on warm broth and walked for the first 4-5 days after surgery and other than a sore throat I felt great! I just had my 3rd fill yesterday, so on liquids/mushies today and tomorrow, but I think I'm much closer to my sweet spot finally! You will get there too, just take one day at a time and dont let the speed bumps in the road become mountains to overcome

Great news Jim! Congrats. You're on the road to a healthier YOU! I'm so happy for you!

I have been banded since Dec 22nd, I am losing slowly, had 2 fills, and go in for my 3rd one on Monday. I cannot eat dry foods (chicken, breads, etc), however, I eat tuna, Steak, ground Turkey, salads, and almost anything I want as long as I take small bites and eat slowly.

I am still learning my body and learning to slow down. I cannot eat baked chicken at all, but if I have it cut up really small in something, I am ok. Each person is different, and no, you will not have to just eat Soups for the rest of your life. Just listen to your body and what you can and cannot eat

I am allergic to the betadine they use to prep the skin as well as the adhesive. They also use a spray adhesive to make the Steri Strips stay on longer, and yep, I'm highly allergic to that too. I took off ALL the dressings except the steri strips and healed just fine. Just leave the Steri Strips in place for at least 10 days, then they will start to peel off. Just be VERy careful as those come off because they can re-open your incisions

its perfectly normal to gain a little after surgery. You had several liters of fluids going in you during surgery, you have swelling and many other factors. Plus, liquids can be high in sodium (especially broths). Dont focus on the scale for at least 3 weeks after surgery, it will just disappoint you.

I had my port flip, so I can tell you from experience. I went in for my first fill and found that it had flipped. The doctor tried to manipulate it, but could not, so I had to go in and have him surgically repair it. The repair was not hard at all, he did it in the office while I was fully awake. It took about an hour or so total time. I did have some HORRIBLE bruising after the procedure, but he did the fill while he had my port out, he inspected it, and then sutured it back in. All in all, not horrible and if there was any complication to be had, this is the least of them all. Its not a common thing to happen, but if it does, its not the emd of the world. Just a hiccup in the long road ahead

I've tried chicken so many different ways and I always end up with the same result. I have decided at this point, its just not going to be a staple in my diet anymore. I have been eating more tuna and Fish, which work well for me. I tried a Bratwurst this weekend, was ok for the first 3 bites, after that, I started to get that feeling and stopped immediately.

Certain foods are way too easy for me to eat, others its a bite or two and I'm done. I go in for my 3rd fill next week, I'm sure I'm pretty close to my green zone, but dont think I'm quite there yet...maybe another 1/2cc

That is AMAZING....would you share what your typical diet is? I'm losing VERY slowly, and would love to see what you are eating to keep to 800 calories a day and lose so well.

I cannot eat chicken or pork, so I am limited to Steak (yes, I know that sounds odd) or tuna. It seems that my diet is very limited right now. I have only had 2 fills so far, but feeling restriction. I still get hungry every 2-3 hours. So, I would love to hear what you are eating on a daily basis

I was office manager for a Plastic Surgeon for a while, I had to write auth letters/send pics all the time. She would take a hairbrush and irritate the patients skin before taking pictures so the irritation looked much worse than it really was, but thats what it took to get approved.

I'm sure that I will need a Panni when I lose my weight, but I'm still kinda new in the process, so I have a ways to go....I just want the scale to move FASTER!!!!

Remember to get up and walk...ALOT. When was your surgery? Just take it easy, but when you keep moving it really does help. Also, take your pain meds on a schedule, if it says every 4 hours, be sure not to let it go longer than that, its harder to get pain under control than it is to maintain control.

I started my process to get the band in 2008! I had the 6 months visits, my psych eval, nutritionist, sleep study, everything done...but the discouragement from my family and friends kept me from having the surgery. I was miserable, I kept wishing that I had the band, it was always on my mind. Finally, in Oct, 2011, I decided I wanted it done before the end of the year. So I got back to the doctor, had a mammogram, got recent blood work done, and had my surgery on Dec 22, 2011. I am SO glad that I did. This time, I did not tell anyone except my mom (who was supportive this time) and my ex husband. AFTER I got the band, I told a few people, and one barely talks to me, but this person has NEVER had a weight issue in her life. She can want to lose 5 lbs and do it in 2 weeks.

I can tell you that I DO NOT regret having the band done. Find a close friend that you can confide in to take you to the hospital and bring you home. Many people at my work still do not know, My weight loss is slow and steady. I can eat a regular diet (although chicken and I are not getting along since my last fill, it gets stuck, so I just dont eat it). I can eat brown rice, in small quantities, most vegetables, and soft meats, like tuna. People that see me from work at lunch cannot tell a difference, it just appears that I am 'on a diet'

The ultimate choice is YOURS! Do not let other people make the decision for you. When the time is right, you will know it and it will happen. This forum is a GREAT place to meet people that are in all different stages of the band. They are all VERY helpful and friendly. If you ever need a listening ear, we are here for you. Good luck in your journey.

Mine is on my right side. I was banded 12/22/11, and when I went in for my first fill at the beginning of Feb, my port had flipped. So the doctor had to go back in and revise it. Now it is much closer to the surface and I can easily feel it, whereas before, I could not feel it at all.