Sojourner

As others have posted, the amount of Fluid in your band to create proper restriction is very individual, and varies on a case by case basis. I had to wait for 14 weeks post op for my first fill due to medical complications, and I still was able to lose weight during that time. My band was not primed with fluid when it was placed, First fill was 3cc. I how have 4.5cc, and am in the green zone, or at least as close to it as I believe I will ever get. I have an 11cc Realize band. My surgeon has shared that usually 5cc is enough to create reasonable satiety and stave off hunger for 4 hours. He and I agree that a band too tight only places you at risk for complications, so I have been very conservative with my fills. Best wishes for a successful journey...

I never use a laxative...I take fiber chewable a daily, try to keep my Water intake up, and occasionally use a stool softener. Constipation can be a problem...but remember you are eating less than you did before having your band placed. It took a full 6 months post op for my system to adjust to the new normal for me. Best wishes...

I can't eat broccoli unless it is overcooked, and I don't like overcooked broccoli. I also cannot tolerate asparagus, green Beans, celery, fresh apples or fresh pineapple. Soft breads of any description, rolls, pizza, unless is super thin and crispy, which is totally ok with me, because I'm not supposed to eat those things anyway. There are only a few vegetables which I enjoyed pre-band which I have had to place on my avoid list. A very small sacrifice for improved health!

I agree with elcee...weight loss plateaus are a normal part of this weight loss journey. Sometimes we need to change up the routines of our level of exercise or modify what foods we are eating. We can also become complacent about measuring portions. Be certain to track your daily foods, as it is also easy to forget what we eat over the course of the day. My surgeon advised me that for many Bandsters, the fabled "green zone" does not exist. I still get hungry between meals, but continue to cope with my hunger by using it as a cue to begin drinking Water which is also necessary for weight loss. I know that I am as close to the green zone that I am ever likely to get as I am usually able to go 4 hours before feeling hungry. It is important to me to be able to take my medications and not worry about getting anything stuck. It does not seem that you have an excessive amount of Fluid in your band, but sometimes we have to rely on our own coping skills to continue losing weight. It would be helpful for you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon. If you have had a positive professional relationship with them, communication goes a long way to resolve any perceived differences in opinion.

Love, You are an amazing woman, and the inner strengths you have tapped into will take you to the finish line of everything you set off to do... Thank you for this eloquent post...it serves to center one's thoughts on the choices we have every day. Our success in every journey will be determined by the choices we make every day. For success, we will all come to enjoy SF lemonade... Thank you for sharing this...and for being the positive inspiration you are every day! Big hugs to you...

I have the Fitbit and enjoy having my daily number of steps tracked for me, and to know how many calories I have burned over the course of the day. It has motivated me to become more aware of my level of activity during the course of the day. It has motivated me to become more active on a consistent basis. It was money well spent!

"Disease is a term that means more than infection. There are behavioral diseases (in addition to obesity) like depression, eating disorders, all sorts of things." Clarification: Mental illnesses such as all mood disorders are not classified as "diseases", as per the DSM IV-TR. They are commonly classified as "disorders", and do not have the same progressions and symptom etiology as a medical model of disease would require. This is really about big business and dictation of policy. Every one has choices. Those in this thread who are sharing their anger about "fat" discrimination obviously have an "ax to grind" with this issue. Just be thankful that you are engaged in a positive process of change to become healthier and modify your lifestyle. There are many people who are "damaged" by the slights they encounter in life...if you have experienced "fat" discrimination, don't allow that negative experience define you as an individual. Holding on to your anger only takes away from your energy which is better used when channeled in a positive direction. It's a choice you make for yourself...

The reality is that it is just business, and the ever powerful "bottom line" on the budget which drives these incentives. We can't allow ourselves to personalize this... Many people are lazy about doing what they need to to keep their health or regain their health. Money is usually a good motivator to get the point home and spur people into action to take measures to improve their health. The research does not lie. People with chronic health issues are more expensive to insure. Some medical conditions are not preventable. Obesity, and the many co-morbid medical conditions which often accompany obesity are preventable if people choose to act on revising their eating and activity. Big business is trying to cut their costs...people who would rather be obese are resistant to change. You can make a choice to use another pharmacy, but it will make no difference to CVS. Their employees who balk at the idea of their new requirements for weight disclosure can choose to be employed somewhere else. It's all about choices...and discrimination for weight is just another social issue which travels just under the radar and doesn't get much press because it s so difficult to prove. I'm not saying the CVS corporate policy is correct, but it was not put in place to discriminate against obese people. It's not personal...it's just business.

The reality is that when you "cheat" on following your surgeon's pre op instructions, only you are affected. It is a cause for concern though. If you are not motivated to follow instructions from your surgeon, how do you realistically anticipate being able to remain diet compliant through the post op instructions? Try not to be one of the newly banded participants on the forum who posts about eating pizza 3 days post op, and asks if anyone believes that you might have hurt your band. I'm not kidding...we see these posts often. When it comes to your well being with your band, I encourage you to follow the instructions you were given. If you don't follow them, it is your surgeon/medical team you should ask if you may have harmed yourself or your band. We are not physicians. Most of the forum participants have had to endure the weeks of pre and post op diets...and they are some of the most difficult days to get through. I was on full liquids for an entire 4 weeks. We understand how difficult this can be...but you owe it to yourself to approach your banded life prepared for success. Follow your instructions! Best wishes for a successful journey...

Insurance companies use specific guidelines when determining the medical necessity of any procedure. If they did not use the guidelines, the insurance companies could not stay solvent. Co-morbidities do help with the approval process. The surgeon's practice should have an insurance specialist whose focus is to interface with health plans. That individual should have a fairly accurate idea if you are a good candidate for approval based on the content of your medical records that will be submitted for consideration. There is also the self pay route if that is an option for you. If you are not going to be approved for insurance coverage, many physicians have payment plans or offer something called, I believe "care credit" which offers fairly low interest rates to pay for medical care.

Most likely the initial swelling post op has resolved somewhat...but it is always advisable to contact your surgeon to get those type of answers. Best wishes for a successful journey...

I did wonder what happened to you...so happy to read that you are back in the game again! Best wishes for success with your journey...keep in touch!

Only you know the answer to your question...your success, or lack of success with weight loss is going to be determined by your degree of compliance with the instructions your surgeon will provide you with. I regard the band as a highly self-empowering tool to use in an effort to become healthier. I understand that so called "cheating" on following my instructions will harm only me. There is no valid reason, at least for me, to sabotage my compliance and success with weight loss. Make certain that emotionally you are ready to make the commitments to the healthier lifestyle that successful weight loss with a band requires. None of us are perfect with compliance with surgeon instructions, however you need to make a commitment to yourself for your own success. Come back here often, and ask questions. There is a wealth of information on this forum for you to learn from. The best way to answer your own question is to ask yourself, "Am I ready to change?" Best wishes for a successful journey...

Drinking does not make you a so called "bad person"...but it does bring into question if you are ready to make the commitments necessary for successful weight loss with a band. No doubt some of your behaviors are precipitated by stress related to the scheduled surgery...now is a great time to begin to identify alternative coping skills to manage stress in your life. The empty calories of alcohol will only sabotage your efforts to loose weight if used excessively. Don't call yourself names...you deserve better than that...the power of positive thinking does wonders. Best wishes for a successful journey...

That's where educating yourself to read the nutrition labels is helpful beyond measure. Also, I referenced band friendly food choices which are compatible with guidelines as given by the individual's medical team. Ice cream and other carb and fat laden foods should not be on the "approved foods" list. At least, they are not on mine... What helps me is avoiding processed foods to the greatest extent, and staying with basics. I change seasonings and preparation to keep from getting bored and feeling deprived in any way. However, I can only write about my experiences, and what has helped me. I don't need to count calories with choosing fresh fruit/veggies and lean poultry/fish and maintaining appropriate portion sizes.

"If you're not already counting calories I would strongly suggest it. It's the only way you can be sure you're not accidentally eating too much." This is not necessarily accurate...you can also: 1. Listen to your band and internal signals that you are no longer feeling hunger, and stop eating. Or 2. Measure your portions by volume and keep them to the prescribed amounts, and make healthy food choices which are compatible with bandster guidelines as given by your nutritionist and/or surgeon. Our weight loss journey's are are as individual as we are...unique. There is no "one size fits all"...

I'm not a doctor...but I do believe in listening to one's body. I would be most concerned for my band's position, and avoiding any potential more adverse medical conditions which could result from a slipped band. Much of the equation for successful weight loss, with or without a band is making the choice to take more of the responsibility for the healthy decisions for what and how much you eat. You should also consider your level of physical activity. Without exercise, I would never have lost the weight that I have. The WL tool does not do all the work. If you don't work with it, and keep it properly maintained (properly positioned), you create risks for your health. I know I would not feel safe with a slipped band. I would consider that my health and well being was the top priority. There is nothing wrong with an unfill to attempt to correct the problem...you just need to take the responsibility for eating healthy and like a Bandster. It all comes down to personal responsibility for your weight loss. It reads to me that you have not changed your relationship with food, and still embrace some of the maladaptive behaviors which contributed to your need/choice for WLS. IMHO

Cheznoel is correct...weighing yourself too often, which for me would be every day, only contributes to unnecessary negative thoughts and feelings. Small fluctuations in weight are normal, and so are the notorious weight loss plateaus. You owe it to yourself to consider this journey a process, and not an event. We didn't gain the weight we are trying to lose now rapidly, so it is not realistic to believe that we will loose it rapidly either. Stay the course, and keep the faith...and resist the urge to weigh yourself too often. You will be happier for it...

Pre op, when my milk intake was restricted, I used water and ice in the blender, and 1% milk when allowed to. Now, I mix shakes in the blender with the 1% milk. I only use shakes post fills and occasionally when I need to increase my Protein intake to meet my daily goal.

You need to measure your portion sizes to be sure not to eat too much. Eating too large of a portion over time can stretch one's pouch. What were your post op instructions for meals and portion sizes? Be certain to follow those instructions...compliance providesmpeace of mind. Best wishes for a successful journey...

I use GNC products, and don't understand why your purchase price would be that much. I have used GNC Wheybolic Extreme (only 1.5 scoops powder per shake) since beginning my pre op diet, and have never spent over $100.00. I purchased their Gold Card, and it has paid for itself many times over in savings. What ever product you choose to use, be certain that it contains 100% whey isolate protein, as this is considered to be a complete protein containing all of the amino acids, and meets the nutritional needs of bariatric patients.

Congrats...you are off to a good start! Some people do have some restriction from day 1, even without having any Fluid in their bands. I am one of those people, and I continued to lose weight during the 14 weeks I had to wait for my first fill. Your band does begin to "work" even if you are not able to feel it or feel any restriction from it. Best wishes for a successful journey...

As other posters have already mentioned, you need to get creative with your food preparation, and change things up a bit to keep from getting bored. Portion size is paramount, so be compliant with that...the eye is tricked easily, so I still measure most meals for accuracy. Carbs are hidden everywhere, so you need to be aware of what is actually in the foods you eat. I read nutrition labels for everything before I purchase it, though this is usually for my husband, as I prefer the basic foods that are unprocessed. I love having crustless quiche for Breakfast or lunch...there are so many different veggies you can add so I don't tire of it. I have fresh fruit or a fresh or steamed veggie with every meal. I stay away from all of the starchy veggies, with the occasional sweet potato the only exception. Grilling fish, using different seasonings is easy...and it is simple to make veggie kabobs to grill at the same time. Literally, think out of the box on this. "Lean Cusine" and other box foods are heavy on carbs, and not the healthy kind. They are not designed for bariatric patients. Our nutritional needs are different. There are many acceptable Bandster meals for on the go with a little planning ahead. I have to minimize carbs, because I know that eating unhealthy carbs does lead to cravings which are counterproductive to meeting weight goals. There is a difference in the carbs which naturally occur in fresh fruit and veggies, and those you get in processed products like Pasta. I know that you will find the motivation to recenter your thoughts and get back on track. It can be frustrating, but take a day at a time. Try to focus on how far you have already come towards your goals instead of how far you need to travel.

Post fill, my surgeon wants me to have Protein shakes for proper nutrition. Clear liquids are acceptable, but not required. Remember, you still need proper nutrition, this is not the same as pre op and post op diets. Be certain to get specific instructions from your surgeon for you to follow post fill.

Initially following a fill, your surgeon will give you specific instructions, mine has me stay on a liquid diet for 48 hours, then soft foods for 24 hours. Likely it may take several fills to feel much in the way of restriction, and often people will discover that they can no longer eat foods which they formerly enjoyed. Breads are big offenders with getting stuck. Eating with restriction is a learning curve, and as such is a "trial and error" experience. Hopefully your surgeon provide you a list of allowable foods for every stage of the post op period. I can no longer tolerate bread of any description, or anything stringy, such as fresh pineapple or green Beans. We are individuals, that said, no two of us will have identical weight loss journey's. We all learn as we travel. Best wishes for a successful journey...