ssankofa73

I just made a pretty good Protein shake. Here's the recipe... 2/3 cup crushed ice 1/2 sliced banana 1 seving sugar free butterscotch pudding 1 pcket vanilla Alba 77 (it had 19% of the d 1/4 cup Water Blend for a minute or so. Its VERY thick and very filling.

Everyone has said what I would have and more. Try to saty focused on your weight loss journey. Don't worry...It gets better (I did it TWICE) and if it doesn't, there are people who will help you.

Wow! I like that this thread has picked up some action!

Thanks for the offer Ron.

Maybe you could be the catalyst that gets more of Dr. Geiss' patients to go to the support meetings. I went but felt discouraged because so many of the over 1 year banded people that were at the meetinsg were still extremely over-weight and were talking about issues that I didn't have. Now that I had my revision I'm going to make an effort to go to more meetings. If not there then at NUMC because its closer to my home.

I haven't been to one of his meetings in more than a year. Do you go regularly?

Hi Mandiman How are you doing with the eating so far? Have you tried my suggestion? I'm interested in seeing how you've progressed.

I'm back everybody! I was orginianlly banded a few years ago in 2007 and had a revision done a week ago due to a leak in the band. All that time when the Dr., PA's, people on this website, my mom and finally I thought that the weight wasn't coming off due to compliance issues on my part, it turns out I've been vindicated! All that time I thought the band was being filled with saline when in fact, the saline was leaking out. I have friends who lost almost all their excess weight who were banded after me and to be honest, I was a tad bit jealous that it worked for them. I'm hoping and praying that it works this time for me, for good. BTW, when you look at my ticker, I kept the old information on there regarding how much weight I lost with the old band. I'm just going to update it as much as possible.

The 5 day pouch test is a high protein, low carb diet that is 5 days long. Its starts with full liquids and works its way down to solid foods on the 5th day. You can find info on it at http://www.5daypouchtest.com/. I used it a few months ago before I had my lapband revision and I plan on using it when I get my fills. People generally use it to help them to jump start weight loss after a plateau, get them back into the habit of using the band technique of eating proteins first, remind them of the feeling of satiety they should feel when eating the right portions, etc.

I was off for a week and felt fine going back to work.

I'm so sorry you're feeling judged by people who responded to your post. Not all of us know how to help in a way that is actually "helpful." I was judged by people on this site before and I hated that feeling. My band was failing and I was made to feel as if I was a failure because I had stopped losing the weight. My doctor and a few of his P.A.s, my mother, and then I started to believe that the weight wasn't coming off due to non-compliance instead of a hole that had developed in my band. Its a terrible feeling when you think you are sabotaging yourself. You have posted that you're eating around the band so I can only assume that you want help. Journaling helped me a few months ago when I was preparing to get my band revision. Its a quick and tangible way for me to track my meals. Its something that I plan on showing my Dr. and his PA when go in to ask for a fill. I hope you try my suggestion. Good luck to you.

Sometimes a person may try to eat around the band out of boredom, emotional pain, joy or habit. Realizing that you are doing it it the first step to recovery. The next step is to intervene. If it were easy to just stop then you would and I'm sure intellectually, everyone on this site knows that "just stop" just doesn't work. Here's a suggestion. The next time you feel like eating around the band, drink about 8 oz. of water first. Take small sips and finish all of it. Wait 20 minutes then eat the food you were just dying to eat and write down what you just did. Read and re-read what you wrote down along with any thoughts about your actions. Don't make it long. Only write about 2 lines of info.

I'm sorry to hear that this is happening to you. Its sounds frightening but its good that you were able to get in touch with a local doctor. Something is definitely happening with your throat, band and stomach. While waiting for the Dr. to get back to you, don't push it with the protein shakes because they may be too thick for you at this point. Try drinking tiny sips of hot, clear, thin liquids through out the day (broth, tea, hot water, etc.) so that you can keep hydrated. The warmth from the hot beverage will help to relax the muscles. I hope you start to feel better soon.

I was banded on the same day as you! For the 1st 2 days I couldn't even swallow my own saliva so I was happy to be able to drink at the end of my 2nd day out. I have an appetite now though but its much smaller than before and I too am having difficulty getting in all my calories. I started drinking protein shakes and clear protein drinks to get in as much nutrition and hydration as possible. I've been adding broth, protein powder and low fat cottage cheese to my soups to thin them out while boosting protein. Please remember that this full feeling won't last forever. Take advantage of it. Good luck!