orea15

The thing to remember is, most people have no trouble with the band, particularly if they are vigialant about getting their fills, following most of the rules most of the time, and getting a speedy unfill if they do find they are too tight. You have every chance for success with the band, without the permanent malabsorption problems, and strictly regimented supplements for the rest of your life that go with bypass. I took the bypass class instead of the band class at the hospital (they signed me up for the wrong one) -- and I came out of it more convinced than ever that it was not the path for me. I'd rather do it more slowly and leave my digestive system intact.

33 pounds is really great! The expected weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week. You are well above that. Men lose faster. That is a sad fact of life. Don't compare yourself to him and make your self miserable. You have accomplished a lot! Way more than I have since my banding 7/30.

What are you eating, how long does it satisfy you, and have you been going in regularly for fills?

As one of my psych professors loved to say, "Correlation is not causation!" You know what you need to do to eat healthy. Don't kid yourself. Orea

One of the biggest mistakes we can make, is not going back to the doctor because we didn't lose, or gained weight. That is when we need them most! Good luck.

Just about anything you can run through a blender and get a mushy consistency. I don't recommend it, but I've heard of people blending lasagna and a Whopper Jr.! Better choices include things like egg, chicken or tuna salad pureed with low fat or fat free mayo, cottage cheese, applesauce, pureed bean Soup or low fat chili or stew. Or how about some low fat quiche with soft things added? Once I treated myself to some soft Stouffer's mac & cheese, but again, that wasn't the best thing. (I was on mushies for 3 weeks so I needed a break that day.) My dietician also allows a few saltines or club crackers, as they pretty much turn to mush in your mouth. She is also pretty lenient about foods, as long as you chew them to applesauce consistency. Hope this helps!

Vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. The basis of our eating should be Protein AND produce. After that come high Fiber carbs and two servings of low fat dairy. I started eating this way before banding -- lots of veggies! --I lost 67 pounds and never felt better. Frankly I am shocked at how many people here aren't eating vegetables. IMHO they are making a huge mistake. After all, this supposed to be about our health....

Remember, the first six weeks are really about healing, not losing. Some folks don't lose until they have a fill or two or three.

Too bad some men don't realize that the sexiest thing they can do is the dishes, the laundry, etc.! Orea

BRAVO!!!! Great job.

Every time you resist temptation, you strengthen your "resistance muscle" and every time you give in, you weaken it. With practice, your good habits will get strong and it will be easier. I find if I stay away from the sugars and simple carbs the craving eventually goes away, pretty much, and I am not tempted any more for the most part. Granted, it can take me months to get there, but it is so worth it to get that monkey off my back.

I hear you on that one! I'll decide on my goal somewhere down the line. Right now I'm just aiming to get under 300 and see a beautiful 2 in front. :thumbs_up: Baby steps don't seem so intimidating.

I have a sense of pressure behind my breastbone today, one day after my second fill.

I had fantasies about broccoli and hard boiled eggs.

I suspect many people lose their initial motivation. Other than that, I don't believe the band has that limitation as you can always have the Fluid level tweaked. I know I can't get where I need to go in a few months, it will take me a couple of years to get there, most likely. I plan to keep at it as long as it takes. Period.

BTW my current favorite "at project" takes no skill whatsoever. All you need is a glue stick, a piece of heavy paper or light cardboard for the backing, and some paper with patterns/ designs. Even old magazines work, you can use the pictures. Google "serendipity squares" for full instructions. I am even using old road maps!

You should emphatically not be PBing every day. If you do PB, go to liquids for a day then ease back into solid foods gradually. Make sure you are taking tiny bites about the size of an M&M and chewing thoroughly. Pause between bites. This is really hard to do if you get too hungry. (I'm still having trouble slowing down.) If you are doing all of this and still having a problem, you should talk to your surgeon and possibly have a slight unfill. Leigh, it is possible to fill your band way beyond the written capacity. Don't worry about running out of room. Also, the fuller it gets, the less Fluid it takes to make a big difference. Sometimes only a drop will do it. So dont worry about the numbers. There are only three fill levels: too little, too much and just right. :frown:

I was banded July 30 and just got my second fill yesterday. It has been difficult and at times demoralizing waiting for something to happen. I think maybe finally I have some restriction, but I won't know for sure until I get off liquids tomorrow. Don't give up. Try to make the right food choices. Just because you can eat certain things, doesn't mean you should. Try to get those good habits in place, because that is what will take you and me to our goals. There is no doubt that I underestimated the inner strength required for this stage of the journey. Hang in there. We will make it! Orea

You are not alone. Surgery and the aftermath of new ways of living and not eating so much, are very stressful. It's a real eye opener to see how much food occupied our lives. I find that simple art/craft projects really help keep me busy sometimes and away from snacking like I used to. :thumbs_up:

Your body is still healing. Surgery is a major stress, which might affect your BP. Keep the faith and keep up with following your program and good things will follow. I have reduced my BP meds some, my BP is better than it has been in a ling time, and more will follow.

I highly recommend Drs. Halmi and Tran of Virginia Weight Loss Surgical Center. They have offices in Vienna and Woodbridge. They have a great dietician (who lost 100 pounds!) and a good nurse practitioner, as well as a plastic surgeon on board. I was well educated in terms of knowing what this was about, and what it would involve. I don't know their policy about accepting patients banded elsewhere, but it's worth a try. I have a high degree of trust in both doctors. The receptionist in Vienna makes an effort to learn everyone's name. :-) Woodbridge: (703) 878-7610 | Vienna: (703) 865-8120 Also check out Fair Oaks Hospital, a Bariatric Center of Excellence, for their support options. Good luck! Orea

I'll be 54 soon and had more problem with nausea from the pain meds than the pain itself. I never had shoulder pain, started sleeping on my stomach within the first few days, and felt pretty darn good by day 5. I'll admit that 100% took longer. I know lots of bandsters your age and older who are very successful. Check out the 50's and Older thread to meet some of us, it's a friendly and supportive place. Good luck! Orea

It often takes several fills to make a difference. Hang in there. Oddly enough, 3.5 weeks out and still on mushies, I still do have restriction. A half cup will usually do me. And I am definitely tighter in the morning. I thought it would be gone by now.

Josh, that is great news! Wishing you continued success. :-) Orea:thumbup:

You are more charitable than I am! LOL The nicest thing I can say is, I hope she learns the error of her ways. And maybe a little humility. Orea