Sojourner

If you feel that other forum participants are posting negative comments in response to your posts...perhaps that's your perception. What did you believe that participating on a forum of individuals would be like? Newer bandsters have much to learn, and more experienced bandsters only want to share their knowledge from their experiences. It's helpful to share best practices and encourage others. And through that, we all should remain grounded in the reality of what is. That said, perhaps it is your interpretation of the post which is the issue. Elcee was only sharing her experiences with you...and in that area she has much insight to offer.

You're absolutely correct that as bandsters make their adjustments to healthier eating, we can actually mourn the loss of our comfort foods as we say good bye to them. Like carolinagirl, I usually allow myself to have a bite of what food I am craving...it does not happen often, but I accept that we are not perfect, and will not be compliant with our bandster diet 100% of the time. Mourn your loss...and focus on how much healthier you will feel in the future without your cookie who is not your friend.

Once you have surgery, you will have scars. Over time they do fade, but will always be there. The only product I have used, and it did help to fade scars from my 3 abdominal surgeries is Mederma gel. It's over the counter, and has helped to fade my scars...but usually they are permanent.

No, you did not do anything to affect your surgery...provided you have already lost the amount of weight your surgeon required. This series of events has no doubt been stressful for you...but there is an opportunity to take away from it a valuable insight. You now have insights into one of your triggers...emotions. Once you have the insights, the next step is to retool your thoughts, and look for alternative coping skills which do not involve food. I'm also an "emotional eater"...and I've learned that it's helpful to stay busy with projects that do not involve food. When I get stressed or angry it helps me to exercise...your coping skills may be different but I encourage you to develop them. Now it's time to focus forward, and plan for success. Good luck...

You only hurt yourself when you "cheat" on your diet...and you should not feel horrible or guilty for non-compliance. What you should do is refocus on your goals and reasons for wanting the band placed...and increase your determination to be compliant. Not complying with your surgeons instructions so early into your weight loss journey does not bode well for long term success... Best wishes...

Not wanting to "rain on your parade"...but just wanting to let you know that the reality of fills is that likely you will not feel much restriction with the first fill...and it may take several fills for you to get significant restriction. Another reality is to know and understand that not every bandster reaches the level of restriction where they no longer feel hunger. The restriction helps keep you from getting hungry for a longer length of time between meals. Your level of diet compliance and exercise will likely be key factors to your rate of weight loss. The majority of the responsibility for weight loss rests with you. Best wishes...

It's imperative for you to stay properly hydrated...and if you don't take in sufficient calories, your body will adjust it's metabolism to compensate. If that happens, then it will likely be more of a challenge to loose weight. You should do whatever works for you. Initially post op, I kept a bottle of water with me all the time, so I would remind myself to drink because the water bottle was never more than a foot away from me. As for eating, it's not a good feeling to force yourself to eat...but you do need some calories. Perhaps a protein shake would be more palatable for you. I also had to remind myself to eat newly post op, however it was easier for me to manage as I am retired. I've observed that there are 3 situations which slow/stop my weight loss: not enough protein, not enough calories, and not enough exercise. Best wishes...

Don't feel like a failure, because you're not! And it's good insight into helping you with diet choices to join Weight Watchers. Loosing around 50 pounds in 4 months is not failure...and no one will be compliant with their diet 100% of the time. What is essential is to get your focus back on your goals and take a day at a time. You seem to be in the process of doing that... Best wishes for continued success...

I don't believe anyone who participates on this forum is "trying to play doctor"...just the opposite. Many participants encourage others to consult with their surgeons for the answers they are seeking, and they emphatically state that they are not physicians. This forum is designed to allow individuals on the same type of weight loss journey to share their ideas, experiences, and best practices with diet, exercise, and other relevant information. There is also an extensive emotional support system here for encouragement and positive feedback. Did it ever occur to you that your scale moving after cheating was nothing more than a coincidence? If you're entertaining the idea that continued cheating on your surgeon recommended diet will consistently produce weight loss results, then you are engaging in faulty thinking. In the long run, none of us will be 100% compliant with our respective diets, but for success with weight loss, we will need to comply with the surgeon and dietitian diet recommendations the vast majority of the time. Wishing you accurate insights and desired results as you continue your weight loss journey...

Carnation breakfast essentials doesn't contain enough Protein to meet the special nutritional needs of bariatric patients. That's one essential reason to read nutrition labels...and to shop only the periphery of your grocery store. I avoid the bakery, and focus on the produce, dairy, and meat sections where you find the unprocessed foods which contain the most natural nutrition.

Some surgeons are more strict than others with their recommendations for Protein shakes. My surgeon is very strict about his patients using only Protein Shakes made with 100% whey isolate protein, as this considered a complete protein and remains the "gold standard" for bariatric patients. That said, I've used Wheybolic Extreme Protein Powder from GNC since day 1 of my pre op liquid diet. I prefer the chocolate and Cookies 'n cream flavors. When mixed with 8 oz of 1% milk, I get ~37g of protein from each shake. Other forum participants have used and liked

No, I did not cheat on my pre op or my post op diet...and all totaled that amounted to 4 entire weeks of liquids only, with the exception of pre op I was allowed to have 1 cup of raw salad veggies every day. Those veggies tasted wonderful... Cheating on your diet will harm only you...and this is the time to hone your skills for diet compliance and stay in touch with the reasons you have opted for band surgery. If you cheat now, you set a dangerous precedent for future diet challenges post op, because once you give yourself permission to cheat the first time, you will discover that it becomes increasingly easier to grant that permission to cheat in the future. And the success for your weight loss is directly related to your diet compliance. This is the most challenging time to stay compliant with your diet...it helps to keep your "eye on the prize" of weight loss and a healthier you. You can do this if you want it bad enough! Best wishes...

Awesome...congrats!

I had my gallbladder removed 2.5 weeks ago, under general anesthesia of course. My bariatric surgeon advised that I did not need to have my band unfilled for the surgery, so I didn't have any Fluid removed. There were no complications from the surgery... Good luck with your hand issues...feel better soon!

One key to weight loss and to avoid any negative consequences with meals, even liquids ones is to measure your portion sizes...and to understand that there is no race to consume your soup or other meals as you progress to advanced stages of the bandster diet. A bowl of soup does seem like it is way too much to have at a single sitting. I hope you received some pre op nutrition education to let you know what foods you are supposed to focus on at this stage, and also the appropriate amounts. Hope you feel better...

I agree with the previous posters...with the exception that my surgeon advised against counting calories. He said that if you are making good food choices (lean Proteins and healthy Fiber carbs (i.e. strawberries, cantaloupe, broccoli, etc) and measuring your portion sizes you don't need to count calories. Research has shown that those who measure their portion sizes rather than "eyeball" them for accuracy are more successful with weight loss. I've identified 3 situations which will stall my weight loss: not enough Protein, not enough calories, and not enough exercise. It's also normal to occasionally reach weight loss plateaus, where you are doing everything right and the scale stalls. Mis73 has shared that changing up your number of calories for a day or two helps to get through this. Others have mentioned trying to increase the intensity of their exercise or change the type of exercise will also help break through the plateau. Everyone who participates on this forum is an individual, and no two bandsters will have identical experiences along their respective weight loss journeys. It's unhealthy for you to compare yourself to others...there are just too many variables which would influence the rate of weight loss. Focus on your daily compliance with your diet and get in your exercise. I also was banded in February, and would like to be further along towards my goal weight...but there have been several challenges and medical complications which have slowed my progress. This journey has taught me a virtue which long eluded me...patience. Focus on what you have achieved (which is actually quite good!), and not on what you have not. Take a day at a time... Best wishes for your continued success...

You may be dehydrated...nausea is not only a sign of tummy troubles, but also dehydration. That's a serious medical condition... I hope you feel better...and just another thought. Though you may not want to disturb others, your surgeon's practice should have after hours coverage 24/7 to manage potentially serious situations like yours. That's part of their professional ethics they are supposed to follow and also their professional commitment they make to their patients. When I had my pancreatitis attack...you can bet I was speaking with my bariatric surgeon at midnight... Hope you are feeling better now...

Protein is important because it contains the amino acids that your body needs for proper nutrition...and it is the key to maintaining your health and loosing body fat and not your muscle mass. Protein also helps to manage your hunger by keeping your feel satiated longer. Your number of recommended protein grams should have been given to you by your surgeon or the dietitian you hopefully met with pre op. The number varies by weight, height, and gender. My range is from 62-85 g daily. Not having enough protein daily will definitely slow your weight loss...and if I don't get any exercise I generally won't loose weight. I was advised to measure all portions by volume after cooking or other preparation...and can have only 3 oz lean protein and 2 oz of Fiber carb for every meal. I make up any deficits in protein for the day with a Protein Shake in the evening. Another thought to be aware of is that you may be on a weight loss plateau...when you body gets accustomed to the daily routines. Change up your exercise...and the amount of calories you have for a day or so, and that should help. Best wishes for your success...

Thanks so much for sharing your success story...and that it took your determination and motivation...along with learning how to use your band to do what it was designed to do! Nothing is impossible if you decide you want it...and then have the motivation to follow through! Congratulations...well done! What an inspiration to share...Thank you!

Bandsters have alot of responsibility for their weight loss success or lack thereof, so it's imperative for you to center your thoughts on what is different now versus when you first had your band placed. What is different in your thinking today? Are you measuring your portions? How healthy are your food choices? Do understand the differences between authentic hunger and "head" hunger? I agree with others who recommend using a food journal...many times we are surprised at what we are putting in our mouths without being aware of it...and seeing a dietitian who works with bariatric patients is definitely helpful... The other, to me, equally important part is for you to refocus yourself on weight loss...and empowering yourself to regain control over your eating patterns. No one but you is there to monitor your choices 24/7. Only you can make those changes...Best wishes...

Just sharing a different opinion...my surgeon advised against using any of the Protein bars. His reasoning was that for the amount of calories they had, their nutritional value was not high enough. As for Vitamins, it's important to compare the RDA of all of the ingredients of regular vitamins with those of Vitamin supplements formulated specifically for bariatric patients. We do have special nutritional needs.

My Fitness Pal asks you to state what rate of weight loss you would like to achieve, and then, based on your level of exercise tells you how many calories you should have to reach your goal. I definitely believe that calorie allowance are a wide range, and driven by your gender. Men definitely have a more efficient metabolism. I don't count calories, my surgeon has advised against it saying it is not necessary if you make good choices with your foods. I thought the number of calories they specified for me was too high. Other's mileage may vary...

What an inspiration you are...and a wonderful NSV! Well done!

Within a few days after my surgery, I had an appointment with my PCP; my blood pressure was ridiculously low for me (sorry, I cannot remember the readings), and had my daily dose of hypertension medications cut in half...now my BP is usually 110/70. I did not experience any noticeable drop in my heart rate... It would be a good idea to follow up with your PCP...they can likely offer your an explanation as to what is going on. Best wishes...

I also have significant issues with getting the proper exercise...my orthopedic surgeon has advised that the only place it is safe for me to exercise is in a pool. So that's where I go...at least 3 times a week. I'm unable to do any exercise that is weight bearing. My bariatric surgeon has "gotten on my case" for not taking the "brisk walks" he wants everyone to take, but since my car accident, I can no longer walk for miles like I used to. I don't count calories...my surgeon has said that I don't need to if my choices for meals are healthy. I do look for the best lean Protein and make certain to eat that first at every meal...then I can have the "fiber" carbs. Adequate protein is necessary for weight loss. From my observations, based on what other knowledgeable bandsters have posted and my own experiences (not with the calorie counting...) there are 2 significant reasons for stalled weight loss: too few calories, and not enough protein. You could be on a weight loss "plateau", where you are diet compliant and engage in regular exercise, and the scale does not move. Mis73 has written about her experiences with breaking through the plateau by changing up her daily number of calories, others have written about changing up the type of exercise you do. If the routine becomes too predictable, your body holds onto the fat. I would guess that everyone has had some bouts with frustration and negative thoughts about lack of progress...your attitude will be half the battle. You can and will do this if you are determined to be successful. I hope that some of the information I have shared will be helpful for you...Best wishes...and don't give up!