SlowJourney

You didn't mention if you were working out. Working out builds muscle which weights more than fat but takes up less space. Several people have posted links to examples of this on YOUTUBE. Are your clothes fitting looser and you're just not see pounds go down on scale?

I take 7 or 8 coconut covered almonds, 7 or 8 dark cocoa dusted almonds and eat one of each at a time. Just like having a Almond Joy, but no carbs!

I've got 6.8 CC in my band now. I'm feeling restriction now but still eating too much to get there. The 3ozs of meat and half a cup of veggies is not doing it for me yet. Looks like I will still have to have another one. How much does your doctor give you at a time in your band?

Went to the doc for my 7th fill today! Because I admitted to starting to feel restriction she only gave me .3CC (maddening!) Also because I've been so bad for the last two weeks - (va-ca and no workouts due to injuries to both my feet); I checked in and weighted two pounds more than my last visit !
I'm over it and ready to hit it hard and get back on track and be harder on myself than I've been being. My workouts are good but I'm still eating too much.
My goal this month is to cut back to 3 ozs of meat and 1/2 cup of veggies and see if I can get by on that. Anybody out there not in the green zone yet getting by on that amount of food?
I'm optimistic that this last fill is going to get me to the green zone. I've been hovering around it for 6-8 weeks now, just wish my doc wasn't so stingy with the fills.

Good for you! Sounds like you had fun. I was out to nature a few weeks back and nature itself is a motivator. I climbed a mountain too and felt like a champion!! And it's so nice to get a workout in without sitting in the gym and working out with machines. My goal is to take good advantage of the spring and get outdoors and enjoy it before the heat hits. I live in OK and the summers are unbearable most of the time.
This journey I'm on is being made so much more enjoyable being able to come to this site and read/talk with folks who know and are going through the exact same thing I am. Keep up the good work.

One day I'm going to make a list of everything I didn't get told pre-band, and "Your feeling of restriction/satiety will vary day to day" will be at the top of the list. I think it is important for people to realize this, so they don't think it is odd when the tight feeling fluctuates with one's stress level, temperature, state of health, exercise, morning/evening, alcohol consumption, etc.
In a way, it's a neat thing to realize that the band is capable of modifying itself according to what is going on with your body and mind. But it would be beneficial for bariatric teams to share this information from the outset, just as they tell as about pre and post op eating directives. My surgeon, like many others, never once said it is perfectly normal for a band to feel tighter in the morning (and then explain the mechanics behind why that is), or when one is congested with a head cold.

Parisshel, I agree totally. My nurse practitioner, who does all the fills and is the primary person I'll be dealing with going forward, didn't know about this board or the Big Book of the LapBand. She's great, and I really like her, but she treats only WLS patients day in and day out. I couldn't believe she didn't know about this site or any other online support. To her credit, she asked me to send her the info, which I did. But it hit home how a non-patient may never really understand all that a patient goes through. I guess it's up to us all, collectively, to teach them. And to speak up at monthly support group meetings. I went to a few of those pre-op and learned a lot from folks who had the surgery already.
Regarding head colds and tightness, so true. I recently posted about morning tightness and I don't even have a fill yet. Well, my cold is almost gone and I am now sure the feeling was due to congestion and post nasal drip, because the tightness is gone now.
The surgical team teaches us the rules and the basics. We teach each other the finer points of day to day life with a band.

Good for you! Sounds like you had fun. I was out to nature a few weeks back and nature itself is a motivator. I climbed a mountain too and felt like a champion!! And it's so nice to get a workout in without sitting in the gym and working out with machines. My goal is to take good advantage of the spring and get outdoors and enjoy it before the heat hits. I live in OK and the summers are unbearable most of the time.
This journey I'm on is being made so much more enjoyable being able to come to this site and read/talk with folks who know and are going through the exact same thing I am. Keep up the good work.

I've got 6.8 CC in my band now. I'm feeling restriction now but still eating too much to get there. The 3ozs of meat and half a cup of veggies is not doing it for me yet. Looks like I will still have to have another one. How much does your doctor give you at a time in your band?

I take 7 or 8 coconut covered almonds, 7 or 8 dark cocoa dusted almonds and eat one of each at a time. Just like having a Almond Joy, but no carbs!

I didn't bother to ask. I assumed that it would cause discomfort or bloating or both. But I have had coke zero 3 or 4 times since my surgery and have felt no ill effects, so not really sure. As a part of my healthier life style of eating I have opted not to drink soda since it has be been getting such a bum rap in the last couple of years.

We live in a beautiful area with a much-climbed mountain, which I have to say I have not climbed much in the last ten years. Okay, maybe not at all -- certainly not to the top! So this morning when I was walking with a friend on the road and we passed one of the trail heads we decided to go for it and see if we could find one of the short loops around the base. Ha! Bushwhacking ensued, but it was really fun and great exercise. So beautiful to be deep in the woods and to feel mobile again. Able. And I guess the ability comes because of the willingness just to go for it -- I have missed that kind of spontaneity in my life and can tell that it has returned with my weight loss this winter. So happy!

I agree about putting it in print and the accountability that goes along with that -- it's why I'm on here so often as it really helps me to reiterate the reasons I chose the surgery and what my longer-term goals are. In the short term I just want what I want, lol -- this site helps me keep the long view in perspective.
It sounds like you were listening to your body very well and knew just what you were doing but then the surgeon inadvertently gave you permission to stop being mindful. It's such a fine line, isn't it -- for those of us who were very restrictive, all those years of dieting. One thing I've really learned is that it's not the same for any one -- we are all so different. The key is to find what works for you and stick to that. I gave myself permission to nibble on cheese and olives all day yesterday and drink wine. So today my scale is up, up, up. But I do go up and down anyway -- and often up before a real loss.
Congratulations on the great loss you have had since your surgery! Try not to worry too much about the ten pounds as a lot can be accounted for with salt and accompanying retention, stress, etc. And today is a beautiful new day, you're reconnecting with your surgeon and from here it's one foot in front of the other, as it is for each of us. Best wishes to you for spring and the renewal that brings!

Come to the support group on June 14th. Meeting people face to face...especially those who have been successful, will help you. Sometimes you just need a buddy or someone to give you some advice or tips when things get challenging. Hope to see you there.
Liz

I too have a 14cc but I was at 8.5 and had a few problems but went a head and got one more fill that put me at 9.5 which was red zone but I tried to tough through it. Stupid me should never had done that got a slip had to be unfilled completely for almost three weeks and just got half refilled and get the other half at end of this month...but I will only be going to 8 this time. Major set back but learned my lesson....but from what I read on this site everyone is different some are good a one fill some are good at 6 fills...

You didn't mention if you were working out. Working out builds muscle which weights more than fat but takes up less space. Several people have posted links to examples of this on YOUTUBE. Are your clothes fitting looser and you're just not see pounds go down on scale?

I'm 8 months out from surgery, have had 7 fills and can still gulp Water (Now at 6.8 CC in my band). I can eat bread, but not in the morning and try to stay away from it as it fills me up very fast and keeps from eating my good Proteins. Will occasionally eat half a dinner roll at supper time but I make sure I take little bitty bites and chew it up real good.

So happy for you! Congrats and best wishes for continued progress with the weight loss.

You didn't mention if you were working out. Working out builds muscle which weights more than fat but takes up less space. Several people have posted links to examples of this on YOUTUBE. Are your clothes fitting looser and you're just not see pounds go down on scale?

Well as I have been going through my new journey with my lap band I have been looking for a job. Today I was told I got a position that I have been wanting for years. I am so happy and so had to share it with all of you. Thanks for all the info you have been giving me over the last 3 months...I'm leaving offices, but not this site for sure...I still need you all!!!

I agree with catfish87 enuf!!! I felt that way as well...but stuck to the program. I haven't felt any "restrictions" yet either and I have 3 cc's in my band...but it's different for everyone as these kind folks keep reminding me. I do know that my doctor...said to drink Protein Shakes once or twice a day and that seemed to help me out a lot...not sure if you are already doing that. you are in bandster hell right now so they say...but just keep focused...get up and move around more if you can or do something that can take your mind off of food. I so loved reading all the posts on here...kept me busy...LOLRH!!! you are doing great and I'm so proud of you!!! maybe some mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes might also take the edge off...just a suggestion...they helped me too. let me know how you are doing okay...was so good to see your post on here today!!!

Hi Enuf!
Totally normal! Not a lot of us were told about this "bandster hell"....but it's very real for many. It was for me. The swelling from surgery subsides, and you feel no different than before banding. Exactly how it was for me too. Rest assured, after you start getting adjusments, the band works. Until then, its just willpower that will get you through this phase. Hang tough and do your best to limit your portion sizes. And try not to test the types of food you can eat. Stick to your surgeons choices and allow yourself to fully recover from surgery. There'll be happy days ahead! Best wishes!

I am 3 mths out and have two fills (next one 5/8), but I am also on a stall!!! not sure why, but I think 3rd time's a charm...wishing you that same charm...let me know how you feel after fill 3 will ya? will be thinking about you today hoping this fill will help you start losing again!!!

Took a little vacation last week and first part of this week and was bad. Was out in nature camping and it ate camp food, hotdogs, Beans, cheeseburgers, ALCOHOL . Have not and will not get on the scale to see what injury/damage I've done. Had a wonderful time! I've got a fill scheduled for Monday so I'll find out. Last time at the Doc's I was 185. I hope I haven't gained too much but if I gained a pound or two I'll forgive myself and get back on track. I know that March was pretty much a wash with no weight loss and not sure why cuz I worked my butt off. Will post update Monday. Just wanted to say hi, I'm glad I'm back and need my pals here to help me get back on track.

I HATE milk. I choose a vitimin supplement of Calcium w/vitimin D, plus a multivitimin and I eat yougart or hard cheeses everyday. The combination of the three gets me my 100 percent daily requirement for calcium.