magicfanpjc

I'm experiencing heartburn, too. I don't have any other symptoms. I'm going on liquids beginning tomorrow. Do you do Clear Liquids or full liquids when trying to reduce the pouch? Any Protein Shakes?

For those of you who have had trouble losing weight if you are in the green zone/have adequate restriction u need to change what u are doing to start getting the weight off. Are you burning more calories than you are eating' date=' are you keeping a food journal to log how much you eat ?

Sometimes its not just about smaller portions of food, but its more about what sort of food you are eating, maybe too many Protein shakes, too many carbs or fat, even if you are eating only a 1000 calories a day, if those are 'bad/unhealthy' calories its unlikely you will lose weight.

Sometimes this 'losing weight' is a real battle for some people but it always is possible u just have to find the right method.. Not one person on the biggest loser has ever gone there and not lost weight, and that includes our one here in the UK aand the one in Australia ...

Make some small changes and see for a week or two if that makes a difference, if not change something else, then try that for a couple of weeks etc etc ..

The band is there as a support to weight loss, it wont choose what food you eat, or how much u eat, it will just make making healthier choices easier. Get a fill if u think u need one, its never about how many fills u have its about how much fill u have and how much restriction u get, at the end of the day tho the rest is up to you ..

good luck ![/quote']

Cazzy, can you tell us what you do? I know each person has to find her/his own way, but with do many options, it's a bit overwhelming. Honestly, I'm not doing what I should. I'm supposed to do 2-3 oz of Protein and green veggies only for a total of 800-900 calories a day. I find that rather difficult. I need more variety in order to be successful. Since you've had success, perhaps you can give suggestions of your food plan?

I feel your pain. I'm 2 1/2 years out now and over 100 lbs down' date=' but my band didn't start helping till 5 mths post op and 3 fills. I ate like a trucker till then. Except for my 4 week post op liquid diet, I ate just like I did before the surgery - hence not losing any weight. Thought I'd failed yet another diet. Then at my 3rd fill, magic happened. When I was able to eat the next day, I took 4 bites of chicken, 3 bites of a baked potato, and a couple of bites of green Beans. And I'd had enuf. Ended up taking most of my meal home with me and saving for about 4 others meals. Over the next year or so, I lost most of my weight. After 2 1/2 yrs, I've kept most of it off. I say most because I had a slip last month and they had to unfill me and I've gained 8 lbs. But I will get back on track and lose that 8 + the extra 9 I need to get to goal.

You can do this! Restriction will come. It has to, right? I wish I had followed the rules after my surgery - measured portions, ate lo carb, etc. But I didn't and it still worked. Good luck to you!

Marci[/quote']

You have no idea how much I needed to hear this! Thank you so much for posting this! It gives me, and many others, hope and lets us know we're not failures bthank you!!

Don't regret!!! I list more this second year than the first 267...now I'm 187! Don't give up you still have fill adjustments you have much time to take this journey before regretting.

I'm not giving up at all. I just thought I wasn't normal. Everyone I talk to lost weight quickly and I thought something was wrong with me. I started my exercise program and look forward to success. Thanks for your support!

You have only had your band two months? Well you have several options' date=' have it removed, or get rid your negative thinking. Didn't your surgeon tell you it takes months for things to kick in for the band? You have to get to good restriction. Maybe your body just doesn't lose weight fast. Why on earth are you comparing your weight loss to others? This will really mess up your mind. I lost an average of 5 to 6 lbs a month and then had an eight week stall. Guess what, I eventually lost all of my weight and then some and have kept it off for six years. IT IS NOT HOW FAST OR SLOW YOU LOSE THE WEIGHT, IT IS KEEPING IT OFF PERMANENTLY. The band works if you let it. Good luck.[/quote']

My surgeon didn't tell me that. I'm not having it removed. I just needed some support. Most people told me what I needed to hear. Thanks.

The band doesn't work for everyone. Unfortunately nobody talks about that and many people are told that if the band fails' date=' it's not the band, it's the person. Wrong. My surgeon was quite clear that the band won't work for everyone because in order for it to work, it has to sit just right on the vagus nerve and that isn't possible for everyone and they won't know ahead of time.

Now...that said...you are still way to early in the process to put it down to band failure. It took me a year and a half and numerous fills/unfills to figure out that it just wasn't working. The only reason I lost any weight was because there were times my band was so tight I couldn't eat and was 'eating' Protein shakes for my meals.

Give it time. Get your fills and find your optimum fill level (which may or may not change as you lose weight). Make sure you're following your eating plan.[/quote']

No, my surgeon didn't tell me that and I never read it in the research. I go back Monday. The eating plan is hard if the band doesn't work. Of course I'm working towards success. Some of the advice here was very good. My support group meets Mondsy, too. That always helps. Thanks for your post.

You're not very far out' date=' only two months now. It's slow when you first start out and takes a few adjustments to get to the restriction level you need. I had mine on April 16th and just now got my second fill. My first fill didn't give any restriction so I felt a little bummed out about it but reassured myself that this isn't an overnight thing. Your 30 lb loss is great though and you should be very proud of accomplishing that much. I gained several pounds after starting solid foods, then lost all of it, then stayed the same weight for almost 2 weeks.. didn't budge at all. Now I'm starting to lose weight again. So it's an up and down battle but it will be worth it in the end. You will do great on your journey, just give it some time. Good luck![/quote']

I haven't had my second fill yet. I don't go until the 25th. I wish there was more of a "general practice" for this among surgeons. I haven't list anything for 6 weeks now. I know it's early in my journey and I'm by no means giving up! I just thought I would have more success with my fill. Based on what I've read here, this is common. I guess the people I've spoken with have been lucky to lose a lot in the beginning.

I am not a big fan of journaling especially writing stuff by hand. I find myfitnesspal very useful and easy. You can get it on a smartphone as well and you can use the phone as a bar code scanner and scan food products directly.

I downloaded it today. Thanks!

Thank you all so much! I'm very careful what I eat...I measure my Proteins, but I'm not writing it down. I guess that's where I need to start. I've had one fill and go back on the 25th. Your advice and encouragement is very helpful. I did do my research, but it seemed that the forums I read pre-op were through rose-colored glasses. I've started my exercise program, so that coupled with proper tracking should put me on the road o wight loss. I guess we all feel that self-pity at times? Thanks again.

I had my surgey on April 13. I lost 18lbs pre-op. I lost another 12 in the post-op liquid stage. Since then, I've lost nothing. I did a lot of research and read forums beforehand. I read about people not having success. I thought they weren't doing what they should be doing. Now, I'm one of them. I guess my frustration is that if I could have lost the weight without being hungry, I would have. I paid cash for my band and I feel like such a failure. I know people who have lost over 100lbs in just over a year's time. Here I am, losing nothing. Yesterday, I started working out with a trainer, so I'm hoping to see results, but quite honestly, I'm feeling rather negative right now. Why isn't ths working for me?

Is anyone having problems not being able to go to the bathroom unless they take something. I am sitting here by myself while my family is off for a pool party because I have taken Milk of Mag and once I take it im stuck in the house all day and then pains all day the next day. I just don't understand if I don't take something I will not go for days One time it was 10 days. Any ideas to keep me from suffering every day. I was thinking I needed a probiotic but can't find one in small pill form. I can't handle this anymore. Im miserable and my stomach bloats and gets huge.

Definitely! I'm starting a Fiber supplement.

Why did they say that u can't have dairy

My doc wants me on Protein and green leafy. If I get hungry between meals, I should eat cucumbers, dill pickles, or celery. Dairy has carbs and he doesn't want me to have carbs. I cheat a little with my coffee creamer, but it's only once a day.

Almost one month with the band. Just got my first fill. 2.4 cc. im wondering if anyone is having difficulty toleration dairy??? Im having pretty bad pains in my chest and I guess it's gas. Trying to figure out if it's something specific I'm eating.

I'm not allowed to have dairy. My doc has me restricted to Protein and green leafy.

MagicFan' date=' Are you eating veggies in addition to your Protein? If not that's why you are hungry. I am shocked they will give additional fill the next day. My doctor says a minimum of 2 weeks preferrably 3. It can take up to 2 weeks for a fill to take effect.

Not to be a downer but it took me 6 months to get restriction.[/quote']

Yes, I eat green veggies. I went back to him today and he put more in. He said I definitely needed it. I have 8cc in it now. He had me drink until there was restriction. Then he released some. I'm so relieved. The hunger was horrible and I wouldn't have lasted 4 weeks without gaining a lot of weight.

Went in today for my second fill. I now have a total of 7ccs in my band. I do feel the restriction now and am happy. The doc even said I lost 3lbs since I was there 2 weeks ago. I go back in 2 weeks for another adjustment.

I had my first fill Mon and I'm starving. I don't know how much he put in but I had to drink. It went down fine but he didn't inject more. I called today because I'm way too hungry and I feel that this is defeating the purpose of the band. I go back tomorrow for an adjustment. I know it wasn't too tight, but how did my doc know it wasn't too loose? I expected more with the adjustment. I just want to know what the restriction feels like!

I had my first fill on Mon. He hade drink and it went down fine. He didn't inject any more. Today I'm back on solids and STARVING! Had 3 full meals today of Protein (3 oz each) do I Shouldn't be hungry. I wound up calling his office. I paid way to much to be hungry! I have to go back tomorrow for another adjustment. I want to know what restriction feels like! If I would lettsf, I could have eaten the entire steak instead of the 3 oz I ate.

Great news! Keep up the good work!

Got my first fill this past Monday. I've been on liquids and started Protein today. I feel so hungry! I ate scrambled egs for Breakfast and two strips of bacon. 3 ounces of turkey and lettuce for lunch. I was hoping I wouldn't be hungry between meals. Should I call my dr for more fill?

Im 2.5 weeks post-op and just hungry. I made a super bad choice and now I'm scared. I ate a few teaspoons of creamy Peanut Butter. I know I'm not supposed to have solids, but at the time, it sounded like a good idea. I'm scared because I feel kind of a heartburn feeling. I can swallow, but I don't want i because I don't want to create more problems. Have I hurt anything? Just afraid because I know the band isn't quite set yet. Didn't think about the weight of the peanut butter.

How do I stop this? I can't do clear anymore. It's been 4 weeks and the thought makes me want to cry. Is this normal? Obviously, I'm consuming more calories, but will the trend continue or will it level out?

I have it now. I think it's gas.

My surgeon had me get mine from bariatricadvantage.com. The Vitamins are okay, but the Calcium are very powdery and make me cough, even in small bites.

I allowed myself a little Protein only during those days. A can of tuna never tasted so good. I lot 18 lbs during my pre-op diet. My surgeon let me et the night before the surgery....protein and greens only, but it was te BEST meal! I just finished week 1 of post-op and it's tough too. At least the end is in sight! Stay strong and drink lots!

Hi All,,

I am post op day 4 and I still have major gas issues. I have not had any shoulder issues and all of it is lower belly and my bathroom visits are frequent and not pleasant. I spoke to the Nurse today and she suggests I try ammodium but if the problem still remains on Tuesday when I go in for a follow up they are going to send me out for lab work and make sure I do not have an infection. I was not happy to hear this. Day 1 and 2 I was OK. Day 3 was real bad and today not so bad.

Kind of nervous something is going on....oh and they just put me back on shakes today so all I've had is liquid.< /p>

Thoughts?

That's exactly what happened to me. Even went back to work. My pcp was surprised to here I had this problem and also suggested infection. I think I've narrowed down the source of my problem....sugar free Italian ice. Had it Tues when all this started, but didn't make the connection. Today, I was much better and had another. BAM! Same problem occurred. No more ice for me! Hope everything goes well for you

Thanks everyone. It's much better today. I'm not allowed to have shakes right now. Just Clear Liquids for me for another week...ugh. I'm down 23 lbs in three weeks though!