Debbie P

Don't be too discouraged. I was banded on 12/3/07 and have had 5 fills. The first one 1/4/08, second 1/11, third 1/15, fourth 1/18 and fifth 1/25 and they still don't have my "sweet spot". I feel like I eat too much, but the doctor tried to fill my band tighter and I threw up Water. I have a small band 10 cc. and my fills are now up to 2.4 cc with the maximum being 4 cc. He tried to go to 2.7 cc and that is when I got sick. I'm waiting now for at least 4 weeks and then he will do the x-ray fill again to see what is going on. He said sometimes it takes a few trys until he finds the right fill. So like you, I'm still searching for it. But...I'm still losing 1-2 lbs. per week, so I can't complain. I believe its what you eat that truly makes a difference. I now only eat baked or broiled foods. No more fried, no bread, no Pasta, and no sweets unless they are sugar free. Check out the recipie section here you will find a lot of good foods. Best of luck. Banded 12/3/08 Weight loss 31 lbs. as of today

I too was a diet coke fanatic. Now, I only drink Water with lemon, or skim milk, o.j. or iced tea (sugar-free). Its been 6 months and I do not miss it. In fact, my husband still drinks it and we were out and I took a sip of his to swallow a pill and YUCK, all that carbonation. It felt like I was taking a sip out of the ocean. Eventually, it will be the same for you. Now if you made me I could not drink a soda. Good luck, it will get easier, you don't want the pain of the gas after your banded. Banded 12/3/07 Weight loss so far 31 lbs.

1 pkg. pita bread (kanagroo type) 1 can Contidena sauce (lower cal and fat content) 1 pkg. Low fat Mozzerella cheese Italian seasoning Garlic powder Black pepper Vegatables of your choice Turkey pepperoni olive oil Take pita bread, split into 2 pieces, brush with olive oil. Sprinkle seasoning on pita bread, top with vegs, sauce to your tastes, sprinkle small amount of cheese and top with turkey pepperoni. Bake 400 degree oven for 10-12 min until brown. Tastes terrific, and is low in fat. This is tried and true (coming from a pizza lover).

go onto the Splenda.com webpage or low fat/healty foods and you will find a few suggestions. I know there is a good web page called eating well. Try it

Candy, I just about have the same schedule as you. My surgery was 12/3 and my 1st fill was 1/4. I have had 2 more fills since then. My band also is 10 cc. My first fill was 1.4, then he went to 1.8, and now 2.2. I have no feeling of restriction either. I can usually eat my food in the same size bite capacity as I have before. I don't understand why the doctor isn't filling me more, but he said slow and easy. He dosen't want me to throw up I guess. He also said don't eat the following foods: Soup, the worst, goes right through you, salad, no reason to waste calories on the dressing, won't fill you up. In fact the only thing he did say is to eat Protein. Is your doctor similar to mine? I'd love to know that my next fill will be restricting, cuz my boss is not liking the fact I need to leave work so often. Debbie

You know, now that I think of it, I'm the same way. I'm only thirsty when I can't be. All throughout the day I have a small glass of Water sitting on my desk, and by the end of the day there still is water in there. Why is that? I know we have all been told to drink, drink, drink water, but I don't. Debbie

Jean, Thanks for the output, and everyone else too. Maybe I should try getting rid of all the stuff in the house too. Good idea. And it wouldn't hurt me to exercise. I have Parkinsons Disease which limits my mobility, but I can walk. I'll have to start! I also think I will contact the doctor in a few weeks for another fill as suggested. Thanks to all. P.S. Check out the recipie section, I've posted 2 good ones under low fat enchiladas. Try them, yummy!

Heres another great recipie I made this week - yummy! Feta Stuffed chicken Breasts 1/4 cup low fat feta cheese 2 tbls. low fat cream cheese 2 tbls walnut pieces or use what ever nut you like Olive oil 1/4 cup Water salt and pepper fresh mushrooms- sliced Take chicken breast, cut into the thickest part of the breast to make a pocket. Using above ingredients, that you have mixed together, stuff the breast. Season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in pan and place breast in oil. Fry on each side until golden brown. Then I add some water about 1/4 cup to reduce the frying and place sliced fresh mushrooms in skillet. Cover and simmer until done about 12-15 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken. You could serve this with spinach too in place of the mushrooms. But I would add chicken broth instead of the water for more flavor. Cal. 242 cal. per breast, NO FAT. Really Good!

Well, I guess I must have been sleeping. This is the best thread I've found, RECIPIES! Yeah. Try this recipie, I found in a cookbook in Ireland, yummy! LOW-FAT Enchiladas 1 pkg. low fat or low carb tortillas 1 can lowfat refried Beans 1 pkg. low fat shredded cheddar cheese 1 bunch fresh cilantro 1 med. onion (chopped) 1 can enchilada sauce ( l like the green medium heat) Pam cooking spray Fresh lettuce and tomatoes Bake 400 degree oven for 15-20 min. Spread beans on tortilla, next top with cheese, cilantro, onion all mixed prior in a bowl. Wrap up tortilla and place in a pam coated baking pan. Top with sauce and remaining cheese. Use Lettuce and tomato on top after baking if desired or just place on side for garnish. These are terrific. I think the cal. were around 240 or so. It wasn't to high. The tortillas are usually quite large, so one should fill most of you up.

I would love to see a section for recipies. I know myself I run out of ideas for eating healthy. I now have found several that would be beneficial to others. Low-fat is my choice, and I would like to see a section where we could post them. I know myself I search alot to find good healthly high protein foods.

I had my 1st fill on 1/4/08, and did the 2 days of liquids afterwards. I lost 2.5 lbs while on liquids. Then by Wed. of the next week, I was down another 1 lb. But by Friday am the scale said I'm up again 2 lbs. What is up with this? Does everyone weigh themselves daily? Ok, I must admit, last night was pizza night. I could eat three 4x4 pieces of pizza comfortably, and since I love pizza, I even managed to eat one more piece. Am I losing it? I would think after eating 2 pieces I would be full, but I wasn't. I have not experienced anything I am not able to eat, why is that? I wouldn't think after 1 week of my 1st fill I could eat that much. Can anyone tell me what is going on? I hate to think I need another restriction, but is that possible? Help, I really want this to work, and I know eating the pizza was wrong, and it should have been baked fish, but I LOVE PIZZA. That is how I got myself in this mess I'm sure. Its seems like since the banding I'm just eating less. I do stop when I'm full and have not experienced vomiting or getting anything stuck yet. I'm really looking to see if I am the only one experiencing this. If this applies to you, please reply.:eek:

Well, my choice is Slim fast. Strawberry is terrific. I did not do the protein shakes like you. My doctor said SlimFast was ok. I heard Optifast is good too, though more expensive. Good luck with liquids, on this website there is a section listed as Food - there are recipies there for help. Good luck.

Can anyone tell me about their first fill? Mine is coming up this Friday, and I know not to eat prior to going, and stay on liquids for 2 days after, but that is all I know. What does it feel like? Does it hurt? Will I notice the restriction right away? How much is too much to eat after your fill? Right now, I can eat anything and yes I've gained back 10 lbs. of the 20 I lost. I'm sick about it. But I"m hungry, so I eat. And with the holidays I've noticed I'm eating sweets and bread again. I'm anxious to have the feelings like I had after surgery, when I did not feel like eating. Please tell me that yes, this surgery really works if you make the correct food choices. I'd hate to think this was it. Debbie:hungry::help:

I've heard if something gets stuck, try pineapple juice. Its supposed to break down the food and help it pass. I've not experienced this yet, but I have pineapple juice in the cupboard just in case. Debbie

Sue, So glad to hear your story. Like most of these replies today, I too was banded 12/3 and lost 20 lbs right away. Yesterday, I knew I was gaining weight back and yep I did. Almost 10 lbs. I'm eating anything I want, no problems with bread either. Im having my first fill this Friday 1/4/08 and I have been told that after that I will go back to the beginining again with only a few tablespoons full of food. I'm praying thats true. I have had no problems with any food, and I went from liquids to real food within 2 1/2 weeks. I skipped the mushie stage, could'nt fathom eating anything but good real food. I know, it was wrong, but after 20 days pre and post op of liquids I could have eaten a pizza. My girlfriend is the RN at my surgeons office and she insists after my first fill this will all go away. I pray shes right, cuz I would hate to think I went through all this for nothing. So, I will post my thoughts after my first fill. Can anyone tell me what I will experience for my first fill? Will the needle hurt? Will I notice the restriction like you could after surgery? How much is too much to eat? Thanks for everyone out there who replies to these questions, I truly appreciate it. Debbie

I'm the same way, large size pills, crush ok to put in applesauce, but I would not swallow them. Like others have said, small and med. size are ok, but my doctor told me to wait 10 min. in between meds as not to block your pouch. Good luck. Try chewables there not to bad if you can.

I would love to find a recipe book too as well as a set diet to follow. I looked at Barnes and Nobel and there is no such book for lapbanders. I'm going to check online and see what there is out there. Does anyone have any idea of how much sugar or calories there are in Starbucks Chai Tea? I love it, but I must admit, its sweet and there probably is alot of calories in there.

Greeneyes is right, its from the breathing tube that they put in you during surgery. I had it too for about 2 -3 weeks. It helps if you gargle with warm salt water. Try it, it really helps.

Hi PrincessTracy: Yes, my husband sometimes is very verbal. He dosen't mean to be that way, but he is a strong Silician man. He has seen me go on many, many diets only to fail. I said when I was fighting for the insurance that this would be the diet I would not fail. Then after the 20 lb.lose, and the 1 lb gain he thought I would be going down that same road again. Thanks to Wendell post I printed it and brought it home for him to read last night, and all he could say was WOW. I think he finally gets the picture. After my fill on 1-4-08 I think he will be once again proud of me and most of all I will be proud of myself. Its a hard road ahead, and to add to it I have Parkinson's Disease which limits me walking alot. But I'm doing my best. Many prayers to God everyday for support will be my best friend. I thank all of you for your loyal, most helpful support. This is really a good website for all of us. And yes, gastric bypass patients have it alot easier than us, but in the long run, we will be in the same place as them only a little longer, and my opinion - healthier. Happy New Year to all of you lapbanders out there. God Bless all of you.

I think I ate the prime rib 1st, then the beans and potato in sequence. Then I ate a pc. of yogurt pie. Oh boy, I know I ate too much. The good thing, the prime rib was only 1/4 thick and I ate the smallest piece. The german shepard dog there are the rest and loved it!

I too went back to work in 1 week. I also sit at a desk and work on the computer all day. It still is slow getting up from the chair and moving around, but once your going its ok. I was banded 12/3/07 and feel great. Now if this weight keeps coming off, it will be something to talk about. Good luck, your going to do fine.

Yes, go to the doctor and tell him. I had the same symptoms, yawning all day, actually fell asleep while driving and went through a red light (that was the breaking point)! I have sleep apnea. I saw a sleep disorder doctor and they tested me and I was put on the CPAP machine immediately. That was 5 months ago and I can't tell you how much better you will feel. It is important the day of your surgery to tell the antistologist (the person that puts you to sleep) that you have this symptom They have to closely mointor you during your surgery. It is IMPORTANT! Tell your doctor and get in ASAP.

Yes, I cheated too. I was on clear liquids 10 days prior to surgery, and the 8th day I lost it. I ate shrimp cocktail, just 3 pieces, and dipped my finger in spreadable cheese, and a soft boiled egg. It was the best tasting food I thought I'd ever had. I made it through my surgery without any complications and my BMI was 56. My girlfriend in New York had her surgery 3 weeks prior to me and her doc let her eat 1 complete meal a day with 2 protein shakes substituting for the other meals. She is doing great and had no problems. Now, I am no doctor but this was my story...and I'm sticking to it! Good luck, you'll be fine.

Hello, I just posted the same question today, and received replies like you. I can eat 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups too I think. I never went to the Mushies stage, I went from liquids, soft, real food. I'm ok. Not even gas problems, never felt like getting anything stuck yet and really feel much better than I thought. I am now aware we will be "fuller" after our 1st fill. My is 1/4/08 and I'm really excited about it. I lost 20 lbs. after banding and gained 2 lbs. back. I have alot to lose so I'm anxious to being losing on a weekly basis. I'm sure you will too. This is a terrific website and everyone is so nice to help. Keep coming with the questions, there is always someone who has experienced it before us that can help. Enjoy your holiday. Debbie

Yes, I had my surgery on 12/3/07 and I had the same symptoms as most of you. Pain in the port site, laying down really seemed painful, and getting up from a chair or laying down position really killed me. But...good news its short lived. After a week or 2 you will not notice to much. I still have some discomfort when laying on my side but its getting better. As far as gas, get Gas X, that should help you. Keep drinking water too. Adding lemon helped me, its true, the more you drink of water, the better your going to feel. Good luck!