bmj851

I have a question, just to see if anyone has experienced anything similar so I won't be worrying myself to death. Tuesday (6/17/14) I had my Breakfast and my lunch with no issues. I ate a tad bit too much at lunch, but not so much that I was miserable or sick. But, when I tried to eat dinner that night, I had excruciating pain and vomited hard for several minutes. Since then, I can't eat solid food. I don't have any problem with liquids, but even cottage cheese hurts going down (though it is tolerable). I also have swelling on my stomach where the band area is (it's right under my sternum). I have gotten this when I've eaten too much (rarely) or after each fill. However, it doesn't seem to be going down. I'm living on nutrition shakes right now because I just can't eat. I don't know if it's just irritation from throwing up so hard, or if something is really wrong. It doesn't hurt unless I eat, though the swollen part is always there. I don't have any reflux or night cough. Liquids go down just fine (though my first few sips of coffee in the morning are a bit uncomfortable though). I'm scared something may be really wrong, so if anyone has experience this, I'd be glad to hear your story. Thanks in advance!

Thank you both. It's just worrying me. I can drink liquids just fine, thankfully, which is why I'm thinking it's just excessive swelling. I figured it would be better by now, but maybe it's just taking a little bit to heal. I also allowed myself to get dehydrated Monday, which I'm sure didn't help anything on Tuesday when I got sick. If I still can't eat by Monday, I'm definitely calling my office to see what they suggest.

This is a really personal question, but I'm curious. My husband and I want children, so I'm wondering if anyone has had the same problems. I was diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago, and was banded this year. I haven't had my period since I was 18. I was told it was related to my weight (when I started my journey, my BMI was 75). So, my question is, has anyone gotten a normal cycle after starting their weight loss? If so, how much did you have to lose? We want children badly, but I know that without losing the weight, I'll never produce eggs, and this offspring. I'm down 70lbs and I'm getting frustrated. I just want to know that there is some hope for the future. I just turned 29 and everyone I know is having children (I also have 2 nieces from my siblings, which doesn't help though I love them to pieces!). It's really getting to me (probably because of the holidays). I just want to have some confirmation that it is possible. Thanks for listening and replying in advance.

Anyone have any issues getting back to your diet after surgery (had to do a 6 month insurance required diet beforehand)? I feel like I'm eating everything in the house because I'm starving. Sugar is definitely a big problem for me, so we try not to buy any. I don't have my first fill until the 18th, but I don't want to gain all my weight back by then either! Any suggestions? I've tried filling up with water, doing something besides eating, etc. I also eat my protein first, and make sure my meals are mostly protein. I'm trying to be good

My doctor makes us stop drinking protein shakes once we get back to eating real food. It's just an easy way to shrink your liver before surgery (if you have to do the pre-op diet) and definitely a good way to get your nutrition after surgery until you can eat real food again. I used either the protein powder or Ensure High Protein. They were the best tasting that I found, though the powder was cheaper in the long run.

I used the Ensure high protein, or I bought the powder and made smoothies. The whole point is to shrink your liver. As long as you do that, I don't think it matters which liver diet you actually follow. Mine was a shake for breakfast and lunch, then a light/diet meal for dinner. I made a blender full of smoothie in the morning and that usually did all three meals, but some days I did a lean cuisine or something for dinner. I had to stay around 800 calories and at least 60g protein. Otherwise, my doctor wasn't very strict about what I actually ingested. I'd ask the doctor's office and just flat out tell them you can't stand the shakes. Or, just find out your calorie limit and make some that you can stand.

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

I was wondering if anyone started with a ton to lose and managed to get to their goal. I have about 300lbs to LOSE before I get to my goal and I'm wondering if anyone has successfully done so when looking at such a huge amount. It's intimidating to me sometimes, and I'm just starting out. I don't want to get discouraged already!

Exactly! I hope your surgery went well! I was nervous the morning of mine, but the nurse gave me some lovely lalaland juice and I was fine! Of course, once the anesthesiologist got done with me, I didn't know anything anyway lol. I'll help you along the way as you help me. It helps to know I'm not alone looking at the huge chasm between where I am now and where my "healthy" weight is.

Thank you, Jim. I know there are going to be some bad periods just because I know how I am. However, I know I work well with support. which is why I joined this site. People like you who have been there and have done wonderfully give me encouragement.

Have you tried writing down everything you're eating? That would help you see where you're binging (if you are). Also, if you think it's emotional eating, try talking things out with someone instead of eating. You can message me if you'd like to talk. I'm always around (I get notifications on my phone from here, as well as checking the site when I'm at my computer). I'm also more than willing just to listen if you need it! Chin up! It'll get better.

Thank you all for the support. I fully believe I can do it. It's just a little daunting looking at the amount. I'm definitely proud of myself because I lost the 57 on my own! It was a lot of work, but I got there. I'm aiming for the 100 mark by the end of the year. I think 43lbs in 6 months is reasonable. It also helps being a member of a supportive community like this one, and having my family being a huge support group as well.

Thank you! I have been browsing the recipes! I also figured out the knot. I was eating too much too fast. I asked the nurse at my post-op appointment and actually showed her what I was doing so she could get a good idea before she said anything (I had taken my lunch shake with me). It's gotten much better now that I've slowed down.

I just received my band on 8/1/2013 after almost a year journey to get there. I started last November preparing for this. My insurance required a minimum 6 month doctor supervised diet among other hoops to jump through. From then until my surgery date, I lost 45 lbs. I am extremely proud of that considering I've been obese for my entire life (literally from the time I was about 6 months old). I haven't had any of the normal problems I've been reading about or seen through my family who have gotten then band (my dad, my mother in law, and 2 of my aunt in laws). The biggest problem I'm having is sticking with the mushy foods, because quite frankly, it gets old eating the same thing over and over! I'm also having a little bit of a problem with feeling like there's a knot in my chest when I do eat. I don't know if it's because I'm eating too much (though I'm not sure how that's possible!) or if it's something else. I didn't have any problems with the after surgery gas, and this only happens when I eat. Any one else have this problem? Otherwise, I'm excited to see where this journey will lead me and I'm hoping that it will allow me to have children one day. My husband and I were told I couldn't have kids, but my bariatric surgeon thinks that will change once I'm in a normal weight range (I have PCOS). Here's hoping!

The nurse should not have told you that. The pre-op diet is just to shrink your liver before surgery. As long as you're not gaining, I wouldn't worry about what she said. I also highly doubt your surgeon would cancel over something like that. I lost about 5 lbs on my pre-op diet, but I started it a month before my surgery (I didn't know when my surgery would be, and I have a high BMI so I wanted to get my liver as small as possible beforehand). I cheated a lot, but only so much as I ate a regular dinner instead of a diet meal (my diet consisted of 2 protein shakes and a diet meal for dinner, a high protein/high fiber snack if I had enough calories left). I think I was supposed to get 800-900 calories and I usually ended up eating around 1000. I only lost the 5lbs BUT my surgeon said my liver and stomach had shrunk considerably. They were almost to normal size when he did my surgery. Even with being really heavy and having a very high BMI, because of the diet he was able to use a small band on me. That's the whole goal of the diet. Stick to it the best you can and don't worry. The only thing you definitely have to do is the 12 hr fast, but that's easy because you'll be asleep for most of it!

Don't feel bad for feeling hungry before your first fill. There's nothing in there to tighten you up right now! However, as Solrac Spree said, think about your choices. This isn't something that's a miracle cure, but it is definitely a useful tool to change your eating habits for the better and for life. A little dessert now and then will not hurt anyone, but you still have to be mindful or your portions. If you're just having a day where you're craving something bad for you, have a teeny bit, then distract yourself with something. Talk to a friend, exercise, clean the house, or just whatever you like to do. It helps to keep you from thinking about food. Honestly, though, you've only been banded a month. You're going to slip up. Don't beat yourself up over it. We're all either going through the same thing (I've been banded a week) or have been through it. Just be patient. The learning takes time!

Oh dear! Everyone should have a support system! That's actually why I'm glad they have things like this forum and myfitnesspal. Gives strangers a chance to be friends and support each other because we know exactly what the other is going through having been there. Feel free to send me a message anytime!

My aunt is a nurse and said that if your weight plateaus you should eat 500 more calories a day for a week then drop it back down to your normal calorie intake the next. It tricks your body and kicks your metabolism back in gear. I've lost 57 lbs since last November and part of it is from doing that whenever my weight steadied. I get my first fill in September, so I'm hoping to drop even more! I fight with PCOS as well, so I can definitely understand your pain and frustration. Keep heart and don't give up!

I don't know about the stretching thing. My dietician has oatmeal on my meal planner, so I eat it. I can't do a lot of it, and it has to be super thin. I think the water makes the oats expand as much as they can because I use 1/8 cup of oats to a full cup of water. Then I add in my butter substitute to thin them out even more. I'm still new to all this. I have a lot of information considering how many family members have done this, but I also know that each person is different when it comes to what they can/were told to eat.

Thank you for the support. They told us at our post op meeting to slowly move on as whatever stage we're on isn't keeping us full for about 4 hours. We just need to watch how fast we eat and how big our bites are. I take advice but also sort through it to what fits me. It helps that a bunch of my in laws and my dad are all banded, so I can get first hand advice/tips.

That's not too bad then! I just had my first post op appointment today. I've lost 17 more pounds just since my surgery last week so I've changed my goal to hit my 100 mark by the end of the year (I'm at 57lbs down now.....43 in 6 months should be doable!). Have you had any problems or just haven't decided to get another fill?

Thank you very much! I had my post-op appointment today and I figured I'm not doing too badly considering I lost 17 lbs since my surgery day lol. I think it'll be ok once I'm back to normal food because I don't care much for junk food, and since I know sweets are a real problem for me, we just don't buy them. I'm so ready for something other than cream soups and protein shakes though!

Wow, you got a fill pretty quick. My first fill isn't until September 18 (6 wks post op). I know all about the logging of what you eat too. When I was on my diet beforehand, I had to keep a journal of everything I ate, along with the calories, carbs, and Protein. It's crazy how something so small could have a ton of calories and carbs. Right now, I'm just kinda eating what I can. Like today I had about 4 tsps. of oatmeal, a small thing of light and fit greek vanilla yogurt, then about 1/3 of a can of cream of chicken Soup. I drink unsweetened tea or Water in between my meals. I don't think that's a whole lot considering my day starts around 445 am lol. I don't know. I'm going to ask my doctor tomorrow and see what he thinks. About the food thing: I will eat just about anything, but things like V8 juice just aren't happening. The taste is just downright awful. That's what I'm talking about when I say there are some things I just will not eat.

I was banded a week ago (8/1) and was able to start mushy foods (thin oatmeal, strained cream soups, yogurt, etc) as well as doing my liquids and I'm having trouble as well. I end up feeling like I have a knot in the center of my chest. I need to take my own advice, but seriously take is super slow. Take a sip, let it go down, then do another. I've found that it helps a lot.

I'm not eating solid foods. Like I said, my one slip up was the piece of chicken and 2 bites in was as far as I got. I really am going by what the dietician gave me for the most part. There's some stuff on there I just won't ingest.