Thats All Folks

It's wonderful you're following up with your doctor again. It is entirely possible that a band that's too tight can slow your weight loss. In fact, it can even result in weight gain. It's great that you're realizing this and letting your doctor help you through it. Have a look at this article, I think you'll find it very interesting: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/page/index.html/_/support/post-op-support/tighter-isnt-always-better-r118 Best wishes!

Wow that's a very interesting article!! I actually do tend to eat bananas if I need an afternoon snack, after reading that I may have to start having a half an apple instead. I also find it interesting that brown pasta, apples, and oranges have more satiety than beef! Thanks for sharing

Well to be honest, if I only ate 800 calories a day I wouldn't lose weight and my doctor would get on my case for eating too little. When my calories were under 1000 per day for awhile, my weight loss drastically slowed. I have to eat between 1000-1200 to lose optimally. I guess it goes to show how surgeons' ideas of what works can vary drastically.

I've had them, they're yummy! They're a great snack on the go, too. Perfect for a sweet tooth without killing your calorie allowance.

Take a stool softner, not a laxative, because a laxative will cramp you up something wicked. Drink LOTS of Water. (TMI coming in 3... 2...1...) If you can feel the feces near the exit but just can't go because you're too constipated, you may want to try a suppository or enema. Neither are pleasant options but they're not painful either. They both work pretty quickly, too. Hang in there.

This is exactly why even 14 months after surgery, I still count calories and measure my portions. As you get more and more used to eating with your band, you can also eat more and more, especially if you ignore your body's hunger signals. I don't have a healthy history with food and the fact I weighed over 400 pounds is proof. I count calories so I don't do the calorie creep without even realizing it.

I agree. My doctor could care or less if I sweat so long as I get my heart rate up. Sweating is completely irrelevant.

Actually, watered down grits and oatmeal are both ok! Use milk to thin them so they have more Protein and flavor

I would ask the nutritionist very specifically -How many calories a day should I be eating? -How much Protein should I be eating? I would also make sure you're given a very detailed post op diet to follow by your doctor. I would also ask your doctor how often he does fills and what to expect when he does them. Good luck!

Really, anything that's baby food consistency or you can put through a blender to make it that consistency will work on the mushy stage. Mushy/puree food should have no chunks whatsoever. Scrambled eggs wouldn't be a mushy food, though. It would be on the soft food stage. Baked potatoes wouldn't be a mushy food either. The tuna and egg salad work if you put them through the blender first. Cottage cheese is great to blend into cream soups. Extra Protein and flavor. Best wishes!

How many calories a day are you eating?

That is probably why you're not losing. Most people who don't track there calories are surprised how much, or how little, they're actually consuming. If I were you, I'd start tracking your calories so you know for sure where changes need to be made. Best wishes

How many calories a day are you eating?

I personally say you should do what works for you. If Weight Watchers works for you then go for it. It's a very nutritionally sound program, you'd just have to make adjustments so it's a little more band friendly.

So the 2 protein shakes a day are the only thing you're eating or drinking? Nothing else? You're only consuming a total of 600 calories a day?

Yes, I've experienced this and heard many others talk about it. They call it "first bite syndrome". It's odd and it doesn't make sense (to me anyway) but for some reason the first bite will stick. If you then wait 5-10 minutes to resume eating, you can then eat with no problem. I find this happens if I let myself get too hungry, like I've been starving for couple hours before I finally find time to eat.

I think both should be avoided whenever possible, but if you are going to have bad food and alcohol then be sure to count their calories in your daily total. Let their calories decide what to eat and not.

Perhaps you should try the Sleeve or Bypass forums. You'll find links to them at the bottom of page here.

It's 1 cup total food per meal.

Always follow your doctor's specific instructions over all else, but most say 1 cup or less per meal. How often varies, some say only meals and others allow Snacks. I personally eat when hungry regardless of what the clock says. I focus on daily calories not the amount of meals or snacks. (though I actually miss meals sometimes because I'm not hungry and forget to eat)

I'm not trying to scare you, but please make an appointment with your surgeon too. It's not common but it is possible to cause a slip by prolonged strong coughing. I'm sure you're just fine and the band is just irritated but it's always better to be safe than sorry. Best wishes.

Whether or not you keep the weight off long term is entirely up to you. I know many people who've been great successes for years, but likewise I know many who gained all their weight back. The difference is, the ones who keep it off also maintain healthy eating habits. The ones who gain it back revert back to their old unhealthy ways. The band isn't meant to limit your intake, by the way. It's job is not to physically stop you from eating nor to control how much you eat. That's a big misconception. The band is to help you feel satisfied on less food for much longer periods of time- which is does exceptionally well once you reach the point optimal Fluid in your band. Have a look at this link, it will explain it in great detail. It's called The Lap Band is NOT about Restriction, by Dr. Simpson: http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html Best wishes!

I think it's a study from 2006, thus totally outdated and irrelevant for people being banded currently. Plus, that study is going to be largely based on the old 4cc band, which we already know had a high complication rate and is no longer used in the US or UK because of it. If you want a current study (and the largest ever done on the Lap Band), have a look here: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/ Here's just a small part of it: "The study, the longest and most comprehensive yet reported, appears in the Annals of Surgery, and finds a significant number of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (lap banding) patients maintained an average weight loss of 26 kilograms for more than a decade after their procedure."

Congratulations! Your dedication is amazing, you'll do great!

It's always, always better to turn to your doctor for advice than just assume. Obviously, if the doctor gave you an unfill then you were too tight. This is the smart thing to do and please don't let anyone make you question that or tell you otherwise. You did the right thing. Walking around too tight is the leading cause of slips- and too many people around here do exactly that. Years down the road they will wonder why their band has to be removed from severe erosion and slips. You're doing great and don't let anyone make you question that or decision.