Kelliebelly

1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet? My Dr only does pre op diets for ppl with a BMI over 50. 2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison? I have had 2 ceasars and it wasnt even comparable. I will say it was painful but NOTHING compared to my ceasars. 3. Now this is one I really haven't seen at all and am a bit shy to ask, but it's better to ask now then end up in the ER. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <WHISPERS>positions? I waited about 2 weeks or so. 4. After going on solids, is there a weight gain? I plan on eating only healthy (low carbs) on the liquid and solid stages and fear that once I go on solids I may actually gain weight. Should I jus eat whatever I can tolerate on liquids and solids and worry about losing the weight and low carbing after I go on solids? I gained back a fair few lbs switcing, and then some more when I needed a fill. Nothing huge just Fluid mostly I think. 6. For some reason it is very easy for me to lose 40lbs (after each of my 3 pregnancies I have lost all of my pregnacy weight which has been 40-45lbs within 2 weeks after delivery AND each time I have done Atkins I have lost 40lbs and then I stall). Do people stall on this and if they do and it has nothing to do with the restriction, how can you tweak your program to break the stall? Or is it a matter of just being patient and waiting it out? I have lost 59 lbs and mine has stalled alot over the last few months. I dont mind though, at least it is coming off. Good Luck :eek:

BMI Before - 43.4 Height - 5'6 BMI Now - 33.2 Weight Before - 260lbs Weight Now - 201lbs I think I worked it out right. I have been banded 8 months and have lost 1.8lbs per week on average.

I could chug a lug up until I got good restriction, now if I do it it causes a PB type thing.

I ate smaller mouthfuls but now I have proper restriction I cant imagine having a big mouthful and not suffering greatly for it. Small teaspoons at a time and chew chew chew :eek:

Im the same, sometimes I have trouble getting a few bites in and then the next day I can eat so much more, probably more than a cup. I get the lite ravioli and I have that a couple of times a week. I think I have pretty good restriction and I eat a cup of it. I think if you can eat a cup or so you have good restriction. I mean if you were wolfing down a couple of cups easily and hungry not long after .... but the cup I have fills me for hrs. I wouldnt want to eat much less than I do now, I spose if I did Id lose a bit faster but oh well...

I actually posted the same thing after my last fill. I had a fill of .75ml and felt less restriction than ever before, and it has happened with most of my other fills. I have now worked out that my fills take 3 weeks to kick in.

Thats great news, at this rate you will be a skinny minnie in no time. WTG!!!

My Dr really doesnt have much to do with me either, just for fills and such. The dietician I see is more like my "coach". Shes the one that helps me, gives me advice and lays everything out on the table. I really would recommend seeing one. Good Luck

I put on alot of weight pre band too. I had all the last suppers of all my fave foods I thought I would never be eating again. Well sitting here 8mths later with pretty good restriction there is nothing I really cant eat if I am careful...so all that binging trying to get everything on was a waste. Actually I can eat steak but I find it so not worth the chewing chewing for so long...so if you like a good sized steak Id recomend that, because I dont think I have seen anyone here who is properly restricted and can eat steak easily. Anyhow I really wouldnt worry too much about the weight gain, but I do look back and wish I hadnt put on so much pre op because it was so much more I had to lose. Good Luck

With proper restriction I find it impossible to eat when I am full. I mean I could graze a bit if I wanted to, but once I am full as in satisfied or start getting the siganls to stop I really cant go on.

I was moved to solids by week 3 to 4. I know I was really worried about it, but discovered quickly enough I really had no restriction and it was no different to eating preband. It was when I started getting fills that I began eating different it was either that or PB every meal. I quickly learnt. As they say now is the time to start training yourself to eat different whether you have restriction or not. Use small plates and small forks etc. Chew your food chew chew chew till you cant chew anymore Good Luck

I have pretty much the same fill amount as you and I am nearly 8 mths out. I have had reflux since I had about 7.5mls in the band. I have only started taking medication for it in the last 2mths. If I forget my medication I certainly know about it...painnnnnnnn. If it has just come on you might want to just get it checked out...or watch the kind of foods you are eating and no eating after 6pm or so...sleep with your head raised. I am sure someone else will offer some advice on things to try.

Hey Loulou thanks for the compliment. I have and still am going through the huge loss of food thing. I was and still am an emotional eater, so I am trying to find other ways of dealing with issues instead of with food. The reason my weight loss has been so slow is because of this reason. I lose 2 kgs and put them back on and lose them for a couple of months and so on. I am alot better than what I was, but nowhere near "cured". I really wonder if I ever will be. Im also fighting the head hunger thing alot too. You will have to meet up with Jess and I one day we will organise an Aussie LBT meet up.

I have been like that from the start...I cant really eat in the morning, I can eat a little at lunch, alot more at dinner and then I have to fight not to eat until I go to bed. I have trouble eating bread at anytime except late at night so I know I am definately less restricted after about 7pm.

I know it wont make you feel any better but 3 weeks out I remember asking my Dr why I was still getting shoulder pain. He said it was normal and not to worry about it...Dont worry you will look back in 12 mths and it will all be a distant memory...especially when you will have probably lost stacks of weight by then.

OH man, I am so so so sorry this has happened. Concentrate on healing first and the other stuff later. I am at a loss for what to say - Just know we are thinking about you and pulling for you. Like pps have said everything happens for a reason....

Congratssssss, you are doing so well and boy I am jealous. I just wanted to publicly congratulate you. 80kgs wow!!!!!

I agree with Terri, that is what I did. Hubby had been holding out on me. Telling me all these years he cant cook but when it came down to it he made some really nice meals for the family. Incase I am not on before Friday good luck with your surgery and I will see you on the Banded side. Hugs

Hi Fee I am in Aus too and have been researcing for months. How did you have yours completely covered by medicare and who done it? I cant get much covered from Medicare at all, some minute amount not even worth worrying about. Please let me know your secret. Thanks

I think the same way...where ever I go whatever I do...constantly comparing. Am I as fat as that person, is my butt as big as that. The list goes on and on. I will compare how much room someone has left in their chair to how much I have left so I can work out if my thighs are bigger than that person or not. Weird I know!!! After this thread at least we all know if we meet what the other is thinking haha jk

I have had 2 ceasars and a life of up and down weight. When I started at the gym and explained it all to my fitness trainer she said she would be honest with me. There is no way I could do anything about my belly. There is too much loose skin. You cant tighten loose skin, you can only lose or tighten fat. The stretched skin is there to stay and man do I have alot of it. I have an appointment in Feb with a PS for a TT...its the only way Ill be getting rid of the big ol danglin thing.

I am sorry you had to go through all that and I want to thank you for your post, it was informative and eye opening. I was just wondering if the infection all clears is there a possibility you will be banded again, or would the infection come back or do you think it was just a one off that happened?

I cant offer advice only support. I too am an emotional eater and food controls alot of my waking moments...with head hunger or eating for emotional reasons. Sometimes knowing you arent alone can help....and...you definately arent alone. Hugs

I had my first fill 4 weeks out because I have the VG band my Dr doesnt wait as long to do the fills as by 4 weeks most have no restriction.

Welcome Home and I glad you made it through without any problems. I am sorry about your band but knowing you, you will do just as well without it.