A New New Dawn

I was banded on 7/25. I do not struggle with hunger. There are a couple key points why I don't - 1. I have had a few fills now and do believe I am in my "green zone". Unlike the band, you don't come right out of surgery and are "in the zone". You will lose but until you reach your green zone, it is mostly you doing the work. 2. People that don't eat per the guidelines for the lap band will be hungrier than those that follow them. I eat my 3-4 ounces of SOLID Protein first, then veggies, then maybe a small serving of starch/carbs. As for the sweets, honestly, I like that I can still enjoy one here or there. I don't crave sweets or eat them like I used to and a small serving for me is good for many days. I couldn't imagine not being able to enjoy those from time to time. Now, my other reason for choosing the band. My mother had the bypass and like Patty mentioned about her family members, she has many health issues now and I have also noticed her gaining back weight. She may not have to get adjustments (fills) like I do on ocassion; however, she does have to go frequently to the dr because she struggles w/ many malabsorption issues. She is not a healthy person these days at all as a result. I know another person that has done well w/ the bypass but seeing my mother struggle and be very sickly now, it wasn't for me. Continue to do your homework but please don't judge based on one person at the support group. Feel free to ask us questions if you are uncertain. Best of luck to you.

You handled that with such dignity! Awesome.

Definitely, you need to let your doctor's office know this cannot wait. If you are not able to do liquids or sufficient amounts of liquids and no food you are jeopardizing your health, big time. If you are able to get liquids down, I would still call them back and express it urgent. In the meanwhile, I would stick to sipping protein drinks and avoid food so you don't irritate it worse. It sounds like the band may have slipped which requires immediate attention. Please, please call them back or go to ER.

If you do not like Water, there are many other options. I enjoy some of the diet snapple flavors, I add the mio liquid enhancer (comes in many flavors) to my water, hot tea, and decaf coffee with sugar free creamer (love the pumpkin spice). You need to focus on what you CAN have, not what you cannot. Get the milky ways out of the house. I rarely crave chocolate anymore (too sweet) however, I used to keep sugar free Jello brand chocolate mousse cups in the fridge and they are yummy and only 70 calories or a skinny cow icecream bar. You cannot make a daily habit of it but they are good to have on hand when you are really craving it. Talk to your nutritionist about how many calories you should be taking in, how much Protein, etc. It is CRITICAL to your success and your health to get it right. Also, be honest about what you have been eating with your NUT. Also, I would suggest finding distractions for yourself. A lot of our eating comes out of boredom... go for a walk, read a book, do something. Lastly, my NUT advises when I feel hungry to drink something and then in a while if still hungry go ahead and eat. Often thirst can be confused for hunger. You owe it to yourself to take this a lot more seriously. No more excuses of eating multiple candy bars and not liking water. There are alternatives. Not to sound harsh but saying that for your own good as I do want you to succeed.

MAJOR happy dance for you!!!

I agree w/ AJ. Sounds like you may have either eaten too fast or taken too big of bites. It is very easy to do as we are learning. So remember to take tiny bites and chew (even in the mushie stage), then wait 30 sec. - 1 min before taking 2nd bite. Doing liquids for a day or two until it feels back to normal is a good idea though.

DUH! I have high blood pressure and didn't even remember that one!

First, do you know what your BMI is? If you don't you should figure that out. Typically, anything over 40 (I believe) is enough to qualify if your insurance covers it. However, under 40, they often look for other "comorbities" such as sleep apnea, diabetes, arthritis, etc. Even being over 40, if you have comorbities that may make it easier to get approved as well.

No offense but if you are on your 2nd band and think your only liquid/mushie, you should probably talk to your nutritionist. Juice is empty sugar calories and there are so many options that are protein-rich for you to choose. I would urge you to consult with them. They may be assuming you remember all of this from before and taking it for granted.

Definitely talk to your dr. Your stomach churning to digest food when it isn't healed yet can be very dangerous. Especially during healing, you cannot forego the rules. The habits you stick to now are also going to either make you or break you for your overall success. You need to take them seriously. Please make sure not to have any soda either as that can be very hazardous. What's done is done so all you can do now is not do it again, talk to your dr. and find other ways to distract yourself from eating when you aren't supposed to (protein drinks), go for a walk, read, anything.

Follow your dr. and NUT's instructions. They know what is best for you and for success. Don't compare yourself to others as we all have different circumstances. Reach out to others for support and encouragement and do the same to others going through this. Also, if you are feeling "weak", have things on hand that you can go to that won't sabbotage your healthier lifestyle (ie. sf jellobrand choc. mousse cups for that choc. craving, or sf popsicles, etc.). I keep things on hand like that and, though I rarely turn to them, I have them available if I am craving something sweet, etc. Also, my NUT advised me Snacks are ok between meals but to plan them. By planning them you have a healthy snack picked out and ready and are less likely to graze or choose something you shouldn't. If you are eating and start to feel any discomfort, STOP! The next bite will do you in (stuck, pain, etc). Initially, I felt like I felt a little resistance but am ok and proceeded to another bite and WHAM! NO FUN! Lastly, know (as discussed earlier) that this is a tool. Chip, Cookies, icecream, etc. tend to go down easily for many of us and the band won't help you there. It is up to you to make good choices. If you have junk in the house, get it out so it isn't a temptation. I have seen many say "but, I have it here for my kids, my spouse, etc." Sure, in moderation anything is ok but this could be an opportunity for everyone in your household to eat healthier. Oh, crap, that was more than "one thing" that I mentioned. Good luck to you!!

That is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!!

Don't be disgusted. We all have to start somewhere. You will do great!

I would try to avoid spaghetti myself for future as it has no nutrition. You really want to focus on protein. Grab that leftover turkey, some ff broth or gravy and blend it up, maybe add some veggies too. Getting your protein in first will help you fill up and stay fuller longer. Good luck to you!

It is normal. It is the largest incision and the one where most of the cutting, etc. was done and stitching the port, etc. Mine hurt for about a month.

What a great story!!! So happy for you and thanks for sharing!!

Sorry to hear about the issues you have been having. It is unfortunate that they made the mistake; however, my doctor doesn't even tell me what he is putting in (though, he would tell me if I asked). Essentially, he feels that the # of cc's is irrelevant. People like to compare to each other, etc and what works for one doesn't work for another. My sweet spot may be at 2 cc's and someone else may be at 8 cc. It is all relative to the person. He wants me to focus on how I am feeling and not what cc is in the band. As for your eating, what you mentioned sounds good. Just (as you mentioned too) make sure you are tracking. Sometimes we think we are following the guidelines and not realizing what we are actually doing. Also, if you are eating high sodium/processed foods, you may be retaining Water. Good luck to you.

Sorry to hear about all your struggles. There should be no reason you cannot ask to see one of the partners. You can express that you would feel more comfortable with either of them. Since they are in the same practice, I would think it should be an option. Don't be afraid or shy about being your own advocate as you are all you've got. Good luck to you.

Welcome, you mention you are considering lap band surgery. What is your plan to deciding? I know many people on here wish they would have done it sooner so congrats on possibly pursuing this at your young age.

My thought exactly is that you are building muscle (which weighs more than fat). Take your measurements as I bet you will see the difference there and don't give up! You are noticing a difference physically so let that be your motivation! Good luck to you.

Great blog and great information. I am still in the early stages and losing consistently (for now). I will definitely keep this in mind when/should I reach a point of plateau or frustration. I always appreciate hearing stories of others that are successful with the band over time to get real life tips and ideas of how to be successful long-term on this journey. You are very inspiring and keep sharing!

You could always call the office and ask the office what that visit is for. I am sure you are not the first, nor the last, that would do so. It may help set your mind at ease.

I agree that fast food was a comfort for me as well and happened more times than I care to admit. I would stress though that the band doesn't stop you from eating it, you have to still be commited to eating healthier. chips and salsa, hamburgers, tacos, etc. can still get past the band.

Have you looked at how you are eating? As we get closer and into the green zone, we have to really follow the rules of small bites, waiting in between bites and chewing each bite for about 30 seconds or 25x. I was feeling like I was too tight after this fill; however, I re-examined how I was eating and I wasn't doing what I should have. I have taken notice to take very tiny bites now, chew, chew, chew, wait and then another bite. It helped me realize it wasn't the band it was me causing the pb episodes. Just want to make sure you have considered that may the problem before going for an unfill. Now, if you are having difficulty getting liquids down then definitely you may be too tight. I know you said you are eating slow (and so was I) but it was the size of my bites that were doing me in. Good luck.

Thank goodness it isn't just me. I wake up and spend the first half hour tooting and throughout the day.