Sojourner

Choose your Protein powder based on taste and nutrition,,,I was advised to use only 100% whey Isolate Protein shakes, and like the Wheybolic Extreme from GNC. I find that the shakes taste better if mixed with milk...and you can throw an ice cube or 2 into the blender to make the shake thicker. I've not yet discovered a ready mixed shake which has the same nutritional value as protein powders, but the Atkins premixed shakes seem to have a fair amount of protein (though it is not all whey protein), and to me are more palatable than most I have tried.

I was basically a diabetic, though was just keeping my A1C levels down under the diabetic threshold with diet and exercise...then came the near fatal car accident, multiple fractures and the months of intense physical therapy which seriously restricted the amount of exercise I could do like I had before. I had other comorbidities which I coped with, but could never wrap my mind around being a compliant diabetic. I was facing the diabetes related complications...so the decision to have the band became a no brainer for me. No regrets! My A1C levels have returned to normal...

I hope you received some suggestions from your surgeon about how to manage mushies and soft foods stages... I stayed with the basics, and structured meals like I was going to have to do with returning to regular foods. Everything went into the blender to get pureed! I got Protein from moist roasted chicken or turkey...and added chicken broth. I had pureed home made chicken, egg, and tuna salad. I pureed fresh fruits...strawberries, and my all time favorite cantaloupe. The only thing which did not get put in the blender was scrambled eggs, though I waited until I was through the mushies stage to try them. You still need to be aware of the carbs in your diet...and understanding that for many, eating carbs leads to craving more carbs. As you continue to heal, try to continue the diet rules you learned about before the surgery...high protein, and smart Fiber carb choices...limit fats, and nothing with added sugar. If you have not yet done so, now is the time to become a nutrition label reader...many foods have hidden carbs, especially "processed" anything! Best wishes as your journey continues...

Gas X never helped me to feel better post op...what helped me the most was to walk around the house for several minutes for every hour I was awake. Moving yourself around the house will help things inside return to normal faster...it literally helps everything inside you to get moving again! I also had the same instructions post op while still in the hospital for a different surgery...and it really did help me feel better. Best wishes to feel better...

I'm not an expert on possible nutrition related withdrawals...the only one which I have experienced is one from caffeine which happened years ago when I had to stop all caffeine suddenly for medical reasons. Literally, it felt like a small person was in my head with a sledge hammer swinging it from side to side...for several days. I would want to get some feedback from my doctor on the way you have been feeling...and I do believe that the switch to a liquid diet while continuing to work with your position may be a contributing factor for feeling unwell. Best wishes to feel better fast...

No, it is not...it is a symptom indicating that you may be dehydrated. In addition to your Protein shakes, continue to sip Water or any other sugar free and fat free beverage of your choice. I mean, continue to continuously sip fluids. Dehydration is a serious medical condition...so if you are not starting to feel better within an hour or 2 at the most, you should contact your surgeon's on call service to ask for medical advice. I ended up in the hospital with severe dehydration which I did not recognize...my only symptom was nausea. I felt better after IV fluids and drinking alot of water... I hope you feel better fast!

I have read that both heat and feelings of stress will cause the band to feel tighter. I am most aware of feeling my band tight when I am driving...which for me is stressful since being in a near fatal car accident last year. Being away from familiar surroundings may also cause some stress...though the tightness you describe seems more than what stress or heat would cause. I would definitely focus on staying properly hydrated, as dehydration is more common in hot environments, and that would create some emergency medical issues. Sip on Water or another SF/FF beverage constantly. If you can purchase or make your own Protein Shakes, that may help also. If the tightness does not resolve when you return home, definitely let your surgeon know what is happening. Hope you feel better...and can enjoy your trip!

Yes, from a medical standpoint, there are risks associated with GI tract bleeding and taking NASIDS. That's the reason that we are as a rule told to never take them. I have some significant arthritis issues, which have limited my physical abilities to continue to exercise since being banded, not to mention the chronic pain I have had to learn to live with. My primary care physician has allowed me to continue to take meloxicam (a drug I had been on for years prior to band surgery) on a limited basis (which my WLS does not approve of). Also, while experiencing the severe pain associated with pancreatitis recently, my surgeon did allow me to take Advil Liquigels until the pain subsided to tolerable levels. I also continue to take Prevacid daily, which I have taken for years. My point is that there sometimes need to be exceptions to the "rules" about NASIDS...however I would never take them without first consulting with my physician or surgeon.

A lower heart rate, as B52 noted is no cause for alarm, unless there is an underlying cause. I can recall that while one of my sons was being monitored as a teen just prior to oral surgery, the assistant remarked that his heart rate was 36. I was concerned, but she told me that it was just a sign of a young and fit heart rate. I'm certain that if there is anything to be concerned about, you will be notified. There is usually concern if your heart beat is uneven or irregular...

Anxiety about sliding backwards and regaining any of the weight lost is common. Try to rationalize your thoughts in a positive way. Some days, the scale will be up several tenths of a pound for several reasons...and plateaus happen. The rational side of you knows that continuing your diet compliance will mean continuing progress in the right direction, even if it is delayed. So, stay the course and remain focused. I know that not being in the green zone will present challenges...and I have yet to get there. Becoming pro active and gaining the sense that you are still in control will help with neutralizing the anxiety. Because anxiety is created in your mind, you are also able to control it. I manage my hunger by drinking my required free fluids...and distracting myself with projects or exercise. It's still a monumental challenge every day... Best wishes...you are doing a great job!!

There is a formula to determine what your daily Protein goal should be...and that range of number of daily protein grams should have been given to you during your pre op nutrition education. It would be helpful to contact your surgeon's office or nutritionist to let you know what your goal should be. If you don't get enough protein, it will slow your weight loss.

So many posts...and so much emotional support. I'm impressed to see so many with similar messages, because they are valid. This is time for a reality check with yourself. One valid truism to never loose sight of is "No one can change the way another person thinks, feels, or believes." All you can do is to offer him more information, and hope that he has an open mind to really hear the message...ultimately he will choose how he will interpret that message. That's his choice...and there is nothing you can do about it. If he is closed minded, it doesn't matter if the core issue is motivated by his genuine concern for your well being or his own immature insecurities...he will not accurately hear your message, because he is closed off to being able to listen to it. Ultimately, this has to be your decision. You are much younger than I am...and I maintained a normal weight until I was past 50 years old. Even in the relatively few years of being obese, I have experienced numerous weight related health issues. Literally, my excess weight was robbing me of my health...and there is no price that I can place on good health. The commitment to the lifestyle changes which the band requires are for life, if you want to be successful...and as others have mentioned, this is not an easy way out. I have worked hard to loose every pound that I have lost to date, even with my physical limitations. Authentic love relationships should also be for a lifetime...if you experience health complications, what will it possibly mean for the length and quality of your life? I know that the BF has not even chosen to go there...maybe he would like life alone, in the horrible event something may happen to you because of deteriorating health. Or, hopefully, you would remain healthy, but continue to have a negative self image and self loathing, so what type of quality life would that be? Your writing seems to indicate that you are having some depressed feelings, and know and understand that we will always be our own worst critic. But even with this BF, you are not happy...what the future when some real problems present, as they inevitably will?? These are issues which you need to address...and decide which path will likely bring you the best quality of life. There are many "fish in the sea"...and you should never live your life solely for trying to make someone else happy. If you do, then there will be 2 unhappy people, because you will never be able to make him happy, and maintain your well being. Sorry, but he seems to be controlling and immature, and not ready to place someone else's well being ahead of his own selfish thinking. Try to get him involved with your seminar and learning more about the band. If he refuses, then it's up to you to make the choice about which is more important to you...him or your well being (both physical and psychological). And that reality check I mentioned? The reality is that you are already alone...true love means compromise and emotional support. It seems that he is giving you neither. Best wishes as you make your difficult choices...

I only felt a prick of a needle...and my first fill was done at the hospital under fluoroscopic imaging to make certain that the band and port were positioned properly and working as they should. My surgeon had me watch the imaging screen while I took a gulp of water to see the images of the water going through the band...pretty fascinating! I was in and out of the room within 15 minutes...

I have been on Prevacid for years...and sometimes now I do notice some mild heartburn from time to time. I have been able to associate it with some of the food choices I have made...it usually happens if I choose something more on the spicy side. No more jerk rubbed chicken for me! But, you may want to give the surgeon's office a call to share your concerns. The sooner you know what may be causing the problem, the sooner you can take corrective action. IMHO...Best wishes...

I have been back to basically all of the restaurants which my husband I visited on a regular basis since being banded. We very rarely visited a "fast food" restaurant, and if we did, it was Chick-fil-a. You just need to study the menu more carefully, choose items which are diet compliance friendly, and more that half of the meal always comes home with me in a box. I usually will get 3 meals now from every dinner I order.

Are those foods are on your list from your surgeon for mushies choices? You are still healing, and salsa, even the mild type seems a bit harsh with seasonings to me for that stage... Also, mashed potatoes are really heavy on carbs, and will be quickly converted to sugar by the body...for the mushies stage, I was advised to have moist lean Protein, and a conservative Fiber carb choice. Everything went into the blender to be pureed. I was not allowed to have any complex carbs (beans or potatoes of any kind) until after 6 weeks post op...

Actually, one of the best "fast food" meals I've discovered for a bandster is the Chick-fil-a grilled chicken nugget Kids Meal...grilled chicken with a small side fruit salad. I have not measured the portion size, but it's filling and fast (fast to get your order, not to eat!)! I get the small lemonade with the Splenda, and drink it prior to eating the meal!

I live in the land of "Endless Summer"...and find I am unable to tolerate much heat exposure any more like I did when I was younger. I have not noticed that my band feels any different when I am exposed to the heat... What I have noticed is that stress, primarily generated by driving does make my band feel tighter...and many times I am unable to drink Water while driving.

Yours is an inspiring journey...and thank you for sharing it! Also, congratulations on your success!

That varies widely between individuals...so there is really no way to compare one person's experience with another's. I have only 3cc of Fluid, and definitely feel some restriction, but believe I will need to have a minimum of 1-2 additional fills before I get to my green zone. I'm just a bit conservative, and have requested that my surgeon add fluid at a slower rate than many of the posters on this forum. Best wishes...

I experience hiccups several times a week...mine are not painful. I regard them as a soft sign that I have reached my limits with my meal, and stop eating. I will sometimes get them while drinking Water, a sign for me to slow down with my fluids. I've never experienced a stuck episode with food.

My surgeon advised that all alcoholic beverages, including wine are a huge NO for the entire first year post op.

You need to consult with your surgeon...your primary care doctor may not have enough knowledge or expertise to manage your situation. Do you have any of the anti-nausea medication left from being in the hospital? If so, it may help to take some...but you should really be consulting with your surgeon. Good luck...and I hope you feel better fast!

Just do it. Accept and practice the affirmation that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. From what you have written in your post, it would seem that wine is the trigger for the eating behaviors which have caused your weight gain. And, not to seem harsh, but from the perspective of an addictions counselor, if you are drinking enough wine to "lower your inhibitions", and thereby cloud your judgement, you are drinking way too much wine. Wine is empty calories...which obese people need to avoid. You are misinformed if you believe that initially the band will assist with controlling one's appetite. Just ask any bandster who is or has experienced "bandster hell", which really means just about everyone who is active on this forum. It is a tool to assist with portion control. But the journey with your band has a long way to go before you get some restriction in the band and get to the "green zone". Having a band, to be successful with achieving weight loss, you will have to change your relationship with food. You will have to change the things which are allowed on your diet, most likely for life. The foods which contributed you your weight gain will need to be restricted to the smallest of portions, or in some cases, given up entirely. These behavioral modifications are difficult under the best of circumstances...but have to happen to be successful. I seems to me that it would be helpful for you to do some additional research into the band, how it works, and the diet you need to agree to adhere to for life if you want to have a lasting success with it. Best wishes...

We are all individuals, and we will heal at different rates. It may be possible that you are still healing, though from your description it does seem that you should get back in contact with your surgeon to diagnose what may be going on. Also as a side note, you should be following the post op instructions that I hope you were given prior to leaving the hospital. It's very important for you to follow these, especially with the portion sizes and the types of foods allowed. I hope you'll be feeling better soon...call your doctor!!