Crystal76

@@Crystal76 I feel EXACTLY what you say. In fact, I think our stats are VERY similar and I have also had 2 fills. Going to see my dr tomorrow. I'm so discouraged at this point

I was banded in June & I too am at a stand still. I've had two fills but still feel like I'm eating to much. Its so frustrating!

I feel the same way, 2 fills and still eating/hungry. So stressed out abt gaining. Ugh

I'm a Christian so I'm going to throw a Christian phrase at you: humble yourself.
I'm still preop so I don't know what kind of reactions physically and mentally me and my body are about to experience but I pray to God it doesn't make me a mean person because meanness is an ugly thing.
The two women at the the gym, try encouraging them, or working with them. They may not have the funds or the support to consider WLS, but they've made a conscious decision to get the gym and try rather than sit at home and snack. It's not about them working hard, it's about them at least being there and working what they have.
I wish you the best on your journey. Just remember, that therapist is there for a reason and if your attitude and mood is poor, than they need to know that or there may be consequences for it.

Start by writing down intake for a few days , drink lots Water an show the doctor your log he will adjust according to that. Good luck , temper baby steps this is for the. Rest of your life .

Crystal76 - sorry to hear that you have had such a rough time. Hopefully you are past the worst of it. I saw your weight loss and that part is incredible. Wow! Funny - I don't even know when they did my lap band if they just put it in or did they do any type of fill. I'm going to guess not, but isn't that sad - i don't even know. It does scare me some that you never know when you are going to hit a rough patch with the band. Between each persons individual experience and just the erratic side effects of the band, you never know what is going to happen next! Hang in there.

A repost and my apologies if it's too descriptive:
So I'm sorry to be too graphic here but remember, someone filled your body cavity full of gas, they pumped fluids, medications, antibiotics and anesthesia into your body. They punched 5 holes in your abdomen, moved all your inner body parts around, shoved a tube down your throat, took an electric scalpel and burned away excess fat and tissue wrapped around your upper stomach, then wrapped a plastic strap around your stomach just below the lower esophogeal sphincter, stitched it in place with 5-6 sutures bringing your lower stomach up and over the band and then snaked a tube out of your body and sewed another plastic piece to the muscle tissue on your rib cage.
Now, thinking about all that has been done to your body, you're doing quite well aren't you?

I've taken it two different times, the first time was great! I lost 68 pounds in three & a half months. But, like the others said it only works for a short time & you end up packing it all back on. Plus some! The second time I think I lost like forty pounds. My sister is currently taking it for the first time & she likes it bc she has so much energy.

I have also tried Phentermine. It works great for a while, then suddenly not so well. It will curb your appetite and make you clean the heck out of your house . I lost all my excess weight with it, though not in a healthy manner. When I stopped taking it, the appetite and the weight i'd lost returned with a vengence, AND brought 30 pounds extra along for the ride.

Hi crystal76
Poor you, I thought I was having a bad time.
Today I took my paracetamol half an hour before eating and the pain wasn't as bad. But I only ate a little.
Keep me up to date, would be nice to hear your experience as we started our journey so close together.
Good luck.. Hope we succeed
Romana

That spud(I'm from Idaho) you ate sounds delicious? I do miss a good baked potato now and then but once you get to the green zone they're kindof off limits. But, I give myself a cheat day every 2-3 months so I think I'll add a baked spud to my list of wanna-eats

For that stuck feeling, get some chewable papaya!! I got some at the drug store in the Vitamin section. My surgeon's Physician's Assistant told me that trick. Try it!!

Well I gotta say, this 4th of July was the best! I had my band June 16th & had been miserable everyday. I wasn't eating or drinking bc I felt so restricted, I was tired & moody. It was awful! But Friday my mom brought me a butter & sour cream baked potato & I thought to myself I'm eating this! Well it took me 2 days to finish it & it was amazing! Amazing to finally chew, to have actual food in my mouth, just pure bliss! Since Friday I've ventured out & had some scrambled eggs, refried Beans with sour cream & fish. I'm doing great but still trying to take it easy for fear of that "stuck feeling". So for anyone that's still having a rough time, I promise it'll get better. I know all you "veteran banders" told me it would. It sucked having to wait that long but worth it bc I know I'm on my way to a healthier me!!

That's a great way to stay busy! Put those things on fb & sell them.

I agree.... stay away from potatoes, pastas and breads!!! I haven't had any of those things and don't plan to. You don't need those calories or carbs!!! My surgery was Feb. 17th of this year. I just had my second fill yesterday (Monday the 23rd). I'm down 48 lbs so far.

I was on liquids for 3 weeks post surgery so you may just want to be very liquidy with the foods. I started with soft scrambled eggs. I think instant potatoes expand so might not be the best choice. Hope you do better in a few days.

The doc told me to eat & drink the things on my list bc the 1st month is abt healing the band more than trying to lose the weight. I'm still not abt to eat anything tho. My surgery was June 16th. I actually had to get a cc of "primary fluid" removed yesterday bc I went 4 days w/o eating or drinking bc I felt so restricted & stuck.

Thanks for the advice. I'm feeling better now. I'm going back on the liquids tomorrow.

@@Crystal76 Sorry you are having so much discomfort. When I was banded I was on liquids for 2 weeks. Everyone is different and even though the doc said it's ok to move on to mushy foods your probably still very swollen.
Mashed potatoes is really not the best choice of food to start with, you want to find foods that have Protein in them and potatoes are all carbs. Give yourself a few days to allow the swelling to ease a bit more stick to the liquids for a day or two more. When you move to the mushy foods again think "blender". Get one if you don't have one, and put things in it for a beat or two until they are smooth and thin.
Try to choose things like thick Soups blend up the chunks. A favorite of mine was chili thrown in the blender. Wendy's makes a great chili, pre-measured so your not having to make a huge pot of it but if you are go for Turkey meat. Throw that into the blender for a second or two you can get some fat free sour cream if you like and enjoy.

That's scary. And I bet really uncomfortable, too. So sorry to hear. I never had any problems but I went two weeks on liquids and two weeks on soft foods. Maybe it is just too soon for any soft foods? Or did you have trouble with the Carnation Instant? If so, call your doctor's office and report this. It could be that something is wrong and needs attention! You shouldn't have to suffer like that and I'm sure you will be really paranoid to drink anything after this! GOOD LUCK!! (Take things SLOW!!)

So sorry abt your husband Wendy. Praying things will get better for u & ur family. Don't give up, you worked to hard in the past!

Thanks for the advice. I'm feeling better now. I'm going back on the liquids tomorrow.

When the band talks, we have to listen -- and you are getting a prime example of that right now. Your body does not want those potatoes. Maybe later in the game, but many people eliminate the whites -- wheat, potatoes, pastas, rice, etc. -- as those carbs are not really good choices anyway. I hope you're feeling better (and if not call the doctor!) but know that many of us had a learning curve for finding out what is band-friendly. Sorry you had to go through this. My first one was beets. We are all different. You may want to back up a stage to continue full liquids a few days then ease into something other than potatoes. Good luck -- you are on your way! And do call it in if you're nervous -- they are there for you, your medical professionals.

I just got banded Monday June 16th & I'm starving! I'm so sick of broth. I can't wait till Monday when I can go to "full liquids". Any suggestions on getting by a few more days?

I started my journey at 33 years old, weighing 289lbs on a 5'1" frame, and looked like I had no neck or eyes:-) My blood pressure was 180/98. This surgery was my ONLY hope because without it I knew I was only going to get bigger and the healthy issues more severe. So, One year ago today I remember checking into the surgerical center and waiting to be called back for my surgery; I was nervous as hell and wondering if I was making the right decision. Well today, 1 year later, I'm confident I made the right decision and would do it all over again in a heartbeat!!!
This has truly been a life changing experience for me on so many different levels. I'm definitely not the same person I was a year ago, I'm healthy, happy and just thankful to have my life back! I didn't realize how much of life I was missing out on until I was given the opportunity to live again! I feel like I can do anthing now with no restrictions!
Has this been a cake walk?? Well, honestly, for ME I never really thought about it, i just did what I knew I had to do and with every passing month I was less of a person than I was the month before:-) Several people have asked, how did you do it, how did you lose all that weight in a years time, even the nurse at my doctor's office asked me this and the honest answer is, I'm nothing special, I chose to follow my doctors instructions to the T, I chose to believe in myself, I chose to have a positive attitude. Going into this I told myself failure wasn't an option, I knew there were certain things I was going to chose to give up forever, I accepted that, moved on and never looked back. The best piece of advice I can give to anyone starting out on this journey or is needing a restart is believe in yourself, if you put in 100% you'll get 100% back, don't set and dwell on the things you can't have, think of all the things you can have because you made the choice to kick some unhealthy habits out of your life. The reward will be so much sweeter than anything you can imagine!!
We all started this journey out with similar worries and fears, always keep that in your mind and remember that one person(s) that encouraged you through the tough times, pay it forward!!! One of the greatest joys for me is being able to help someone else who is where I was. That's why this site is so great! So if you find yourself stuck in a rut one of the greatest ways out is by helping someone else.
May 14, 2013- Before Pre-op Diet- 289
May 30, 2013- Day of Surgery- 273
May 30, 2014- 147ish (I haven't weighed, go for my check up next week)
Total weight lose- 142lbs
I started out wearing a size 20-22W in pants
A size 3X Shirt (24-26)
TODAY, I'm in a size 5 pants, and med/small shirts!
My blood pressure is 128/78, my cholestorol is NORMAL, my liver is NORMAL
I've almost lost more than I actually weigh now:-) I'm just thrilled!
I HAVE A NECK NOW AND 2 EYES THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE!! I MAKE IT A POINT TO MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH EVERYONE I MEET NOW INSTEAD OF WALKING WITH MY HEAD DOWN.
Just know if you stay the course you will achieve your goal!!