mrsto

I think that the only person who can tell you if you're having head hunger over real hunger, is you. The band isn't built for grazing; it's geared toward three small meals a day, keeping you satiated for a good four hours or more in between. I would say, if you find that after a high protein meal, that you are getting "true" hunger within 2-3 hours, then you may need a small fill. The grazing isn't good with this surgery, so I think it may be a good idea for you to go in and talk with your doctor. It sounds like you just need to get back on track with the band program.

Given that I was scheduled for the gastric bypass first, shifting to the band felt like a piece of cake. That being said..... I went back & forth for many months on whether to have WLS surgery, or not. During that time, I managed to gain a few more pounds, and it became painfully clear that other than divine intervention, WLS was the only thing I felt would get me on the road to "health". Like most everyone here, I've been on every diet known to mankind; lost 100s of pounds over the years, only to gain it back....PLUS more. At this stage in life, there are many obesity related health issues, and I've felt for a long time that I might drop dead sooner than later. So, the answer is, when I felt bouts of fear or panic going into this, I refocused my attention on my declining health. And with crystal clarity, I knew that I was not going to get a handle on this with another f-ing diet.

Carolina - LOVE your new picture :-)

Wow - congrats! How much fluid do you have in your band?

You will have to discuss this with both your doctor and the hospital. But based on what I went through, my guess is that you will have to pay each the upfront fee they're requesting, and then they will refund you once the insurance pays. I've had a few surgeries, and every time they all want the maximum out of pocket up front. It's THEIR insurance that they won't get stuck with a large patient balance; one that they either never collect, or it takes them years as the small payments trickle in.

I have insurance, and the hospital required my full deductible up front. I paid them the $3,000, and they refunded the difference after insurance paid. I had to pay a $1,500 fee up front to my doctor, but that wasn't for the surgery. It covers the first year of aftercare; including fills. Insurance doesn't cover that fee, but it is what it is.... With all the subsequent office visits, I haven't laid out a dime. I don't know that this works out better at the end of a year, but that is the way they have it wired. kng - ask if the hospital and doctor if they accept Care Credit. It's a credit card ONLY for medical use, and they give you anywhere from 6 to 18 months to pay it off without interest. I didn't use it for my surgery, but I've used it for eye surgery and dental work. It's nice to have some breathing room to pay it off, without being dinged with a finance charge.

One more thing..... BioSil isn't biotin. It's different, so it's not overkill to use both.

You might want to try the BioSil, too. I use that as well, and it really makes a different for hair, skin and nails. It comes in capsules and drops. http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4022428

Don't worry about being too tight, yet. You're probably a little swollen from the emptying, filling, emptying and filling again. Give it a few days & see how you feel. Congrats on the great work! I've only had one fill since surgery, and I'm doing great. I'm at 6.4 cc's, and also keep thinking that maybe I need a little more. I have no issues at all. I can drink water like I did before the band, and I don't really have stuck episodes. I'm satisfied after my portioned food (although, sometimes I'll have an extra 2-3 bites), and I don't get hungry for a good 3 hours. I went for a fill last week, and the nurse said that I didn't need it. I think it takes some time before we really know what the green zone is. Some of us get there quickly; maybe just one fill. Some, it takes more. We're all SO different. I keep thinking that I should suffer a bit; stuck, PBs, vomiting, etc., before I know that I hit the zone

I get mine at Trader Joe's, but you can buy it anywhere; even at the pharmacy. All of the Biotin I've ever taken is in capsule form. I've never seen it chewable.

Just curious.....after a fill, does your doctor have you sit & drink three glasses of water? I've only had one fill so far, and they make you sit in the waiting room, long enough to comfortably drink three glasses of water. They want to make sure there aren't any issues, before you leave the office.

PS: I have found that the unflavored protein powder DOES change the texture of things. Maybe in something like cottage cheese, it won't matter. I haven't tried it in that, yet.

I take 5,000 mg of Biotin per day. I get it at Trader Joe's (don't know if they have stores all over the country). It helps, but I'm not certain that it helps with the reason we lose hair with WLS. So far, at about 8 weeks out, I haven't noticed any hair loss. Like you, my hair is already very fine, and I don't have an abundance of it. I can't AFFORD to lose any!! So far, so good. But I DO get in all of my Protein, and I keep my calories to 1,000/day. I think not letting calories drop below this number helps a great deal. Donna - are you eating protein rich foods at every meal? Then, maybe some Greek yogurt for a snack? I also hate the Protein shakes, and now most days I'm able to get in a good 70-80 grams of protein with real food. One of my favorite lunches is 1/2 can of Kirkland tuna (from Costco), made with Hellman's lowfat mayo. The tuna is 24 grams of protein, and is GREAT with the low fat mayo; VERY satisfying. Greek yogurt is another 13 grams of protein (I eat some most every day), and adding in some sort of meat/chicken/fish for dinner, and eggs for Breakfast.....I'm there! If you're having a difficult time meeting your protein requirements from food alone, are you using up a lot of calories with low protein carbs? The good news (if there is any) about WLS related hair loss, is that it grows back (so I hear). I hope that I don't go through it. I have a hair appointment on Friday, and my hairdresser will tell me if she sees thinning.

BIG hugs to you, Mark. And YES, you should feel VERY proud of yourself for making the choice to move toward a healthier, happier......you

Kimme - it's always a struggle, and we're not perfect people. That is what makes us, human. As you know from your own experience, sometimes this process flows pretty easily; we're highly motivated, feeling good, looking forward in a positive way.... Then, life happens & knocks us off of our foundation. This by NO means makes you a failure. It makes you, human. I've gotten a lot from your posts, and I feel confident that you will get back on track. Life is all about ebbs & flows, and I believe that a momentary setback will not stop you from moving forward on the path you charted for yourself. And please please PLEASE stop beating yourself up and driving yourself crazy with the "I should'a done this, that or the other thing". That will only keep you in a negative state. Accept where you are.....and move forward. NOT easy, I know! You've come so far, and you can continue on. A doctor once told me that success isn't being a perfect dieter. It's being someone who gets right back on track after blowing it. We all have to accept, that is the way it will always be. Life is not black & white. It's many shades of gray.

CONGRATS! You go girl - DO that happy dance. You deserve it

OMG - this is so so true!! Yesterday, while I was in the waiting room for an appointment, I picked up a copy of Bonappetit. BIG mistake, but there wasn't much else of interest to pick from. I also used to sit down with my lunch & watch The Chew (on at noon here in SoCal). Well, I stopped doing that, too. Too much temptation, and gets the appetite juices flowing. Just what I don't need!

Mark - there is so much I want to say. Your post struck a chord with so many of us, and you've gotten many great responses. Like others above, I just want to HUG you! I completely understand how you feel, and want you to know that what you are feeling today, isn't what you'll be feeling in a few more weeks. I've written and deleted my response numerous times this morning. Your struggles at the young age of 21, really press a button. I can't add much to the wealth of information and insight above. But I just want to say that life is so precious. I wasted SO MUCH of it hating who I was, who I saw in the mirror, and how I let that cripple me from doing the things I wanted to do. SO much wasted time and energy with this addiction. Please don't let that happen to you. You deserve to have the life you were meant to live. If you can get a handle on this now, you will enjoy so much more of what life has to offer, ASIDE from food. And believe me, there is so much. Mark, you will find your way with this. Right now you are in the worst part. The diet progression made me gag as well, and the thought of one more Protein shake made me crawl out of my own skin. But it's only temporary, and a very small price to pay for the reward of "traveling light" through the coming years. Try & focus on what it will feel like to wake up and face each day feeling GOOD about yourself. I'm really glad that you're in therapy, and think it's the best thing for you, now. And I have to say, from your post, you sound like a guy with a good head on your shoulders. This is not an easy venture, but I believe that once you get past the "beginnings", you will move toward, and have the life you yearn for. During this time, please try & focus on what you will have, and not so much on what you're giving up. It will never be perfect, but it can be damn good

I think having something like won ton soup broth is a great idea, to have variety during the liquid phase. And I agree that all broths, unless you make them yourself, have a lot of sodium. When I was on full liquids, I got so sick of everything that came in a can, I picked up some ready made soup at the market; strained out the solids and had myself a ball!

Biotin DOES work, and it certainly won't hurt you if you try it. I took it regularly for a period of time (before surgery), and it really helps my hair and nails. Another product I like is BioSil. It was recommended by the nutritionist at my surgeon's office. Here is a link to it at GNC. http://www.gnc.com/p...oductId=4022428

LOL!!

Those "standards"......or, the infamous "chart", is so totally off and unrealistic. Those charts & standards say that I should be between 118-132. When I was 135, I was very thin. Not TOO thin, but thinner than what would look good on me at my age. My face would be totally drawn, and I would not look healthy.

It's so true about the protein. I find that when I eat JUST protein at a meal, I'm satisfied for much longer than if I have some protein and a carb. Even if it's a complex carb, I'm much better with protein alone. Or, protein with a little bit of veggies.

Have you tried the ready made Premier Protein shakes in chocolate? Some people just don't do well with whey. The bariatric medical community seems to like it, because that's all they prescribe. However, there are other protein powders out there, with the same specs as some of the whey ones. Here are a couple of links; one for pea protein, and another for egg white protein. Maybe try one of them & see if there is any difference in the way you feel? vanilla.asp" rel="external nofollow">http://www.jayrobb.com/protein/egg-white-protein-vanilla.asp http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=OL-1039#.UZaczOtAtzQ PS: In the beginning of my lap band venture, I was okay with the protein powders. After a week of it being ALL I could have, they began to make me gag. Even still, I avoid them at all costs. If I need to grab one, I'll have the chocolate Premier. I buy them at costco.

My lowest weight (aside from birth) was 113. That was underweight for me. My highest was 225, and I've lived everywhere in between. My goal is one that I can live with; not starve myself & not be a slave to it. That number (for me) is 150. I'll see how I feel when I get there, but I'm pretty darn sure it's going to be GREAT!!! For my age and frame, it's a realistic goal.