Whitepants

WOW! You must of been at a good restriction for popcorn to get stuck. You're the first I've heard of anything getting stuck like that. I would not of thought that could of happened. It's great that you sort help. I could only imagine if you tried to continue to eat regularly. How long did it take before you decided to go to the doctor? I'm imagining after a few days of not being able to eat properly.

Hello All, I would like to add another reason to this. If you eat hot and spicy foods to much in a small time frame, you will inflame or irratite your esophagus, stoma, area around the band and stomach. This recently happened to me. I was on a hot and spicy binge. After several weeks of this it finally took it's toll. I had stopped eating hot and spicy foods, for bathroom reasons. I PB for several weeks after this, every sense of it. By stopping eating hot and spicy foods, my stomach began to heal/settle down. It was the most horrible experience of banding I've experienced yet. All that time I thought I had gotten too tight after my fill. Thank God for sites like LapBandTalk. I was reading about inflammed stomach area and realized that that was what my problem was. Not being to tight. So of course this is another lesson I've learned and something else to stay away from. Hope this helps someone who eats hot and spicy foods.

Good Morning To all. I just want to share with everyone something I just learned. I like hot and spicy foods. Last month for several weeks I couldn't get enough of hot and spicy foods. This went on for several weeks. Until it took it's toll on me. As the weeks went on my PBing kept getting worse and worse, giving me the impression that my band was to tight/restriction to tight. When I read on this site or another site about inflammed/ senstitive/ irritated stomach/stoma interferring with digestion and eatng of my food. With each meal there was more pain and pbing than before. Which sometimes I couldn't finish my meal till 30min to 1 hour later. It got to the point that I was afraid to eat. So I decided to let up on eating too often and taking to dring protein drinks and broth or soup. In doing this I cut back on the spicy foods. I began taking the Papaya Enzyme pills and drinking warm liquids prior to my morning meal and sometimes lunch. Along with eating something to help with digestion. After a week or more of not eating spicy foods, the irratition stop and my stomach/stoma began to heal itself. When I did get back to regular eating the problem stopped and I am now able to eat my meals without too much problems. Say that to say this, if you eat hot spicy foods beware of what happens the next day or several days after. You may not have tight restriction, but may have irritated your digestive system, stomach or stoma. Remember the stoma only holds but so much food before it passes the band into the stomach. Which of course has to pass the esphogus first. Hope this bit of info has helped someone. This Site is great for learning things.

Good Morning to Everyonne. Juli, congrats on finishing your trek. Glad you were very excited about doing it as well as finishing it. Where is the link to see you.

Hello Everyone, we all have not posted in a while. Hope it's because you're so busy losing weight you only have time admiring yourself. Or is it that you're so busy replying to all the compliments on your good looks. Well, come back and share your good and not so good results. We all still need to bask in others glory besides our own. Happy Mother's Day to All and Everyone.

Hi All, I'm glad my hot and spicy food story was able to help someone. After all that's what this site is for. To help inform and get informed. I too am close to gettting to my next goal weight of 200 lbs. I'm looking forward to it for if I stay on track, I'll hit it for my Birthday. My gift to me... I am both anxious and scared. Juli, the 100 mile bike journey you're taking. Is that the one you were talking about last year? Good Luck with it. ....TEXAS, is it too early to have this surgery done now? You're still losing weight and will lose more. demsvmejmgkeyt & - great for getting back on track. And great about getting that much exercise in for one week. I only have the gym to rely on. Exercise classes and the gym. So most of my exercises rely on indoor activities. Or the occasional walk 3 to 4 mile walk home from work. But just as we all get it in. Have good weekend and Stay The Course.

Hi Everyone, glad we're all finding time to come on and login. We have much to share and goals to tell. I would really want to share this. I may have figured out why I was having trouble eating these last 2-3 weeks. And I want you to pay close attention to what you eat. I'm a fan of hot and spicy foods. Already knowing I should not eat my meals too spicy and hot. Well, I've been adding hot peppers, black pepper, an African hot pepper paste, curry, crushed red peppers and red hot pepper grandules. This was with each meal for those weeks. Well, I was on another lapband thread or maybe even this site and someone mentioned inflammed stomach. Inflammed stomaches interferring with the digestion process and and band making the stomach/stoma sentative to anything trying to pass through. Well, after having bathroom issues, which caused me to stop eating spicy and hot foods, my system calmed down and began to heal. (I'll not go into details here, but if you've eaten to much hot spicy foods, you know what I mean). After not having anything spicy and hot foods for more than a week I'm able to eat my meals without any, too much problems. I'm still drinking something warm and taking the papaya enzyme pills prior to my first meal, Breakfast. Then I'm okay for the balance of the day. I also try to eat something about 30 minutes before to have it pave the way for my meal. Eating small bites and chew and chew and chew well. When I swallow wait for that mouthful to pass through and take another bite. And all this time I was thinking I was too tight at this time. Maybe yes, maybe no. I also found out that I cannot any longer eat sandwiches, or crunchy things, like chips, peanuts and some hard crackers. Well, thought I would share this.

Hi tammyj, you're right we are all working out hard. I just finished over 5 hours of gym time since the 1st of May. I'm down to 221lbs now. I'm only a losing streak at the moment. So I need to work hard and try and lose all I can before I stop. You may want to go back to the April thread and post the new one. This way no one else will start up a new thread. Everyone should be logging on this week.

Hi All, I to am wondering if I will ever have this under control. Since we are in are second year, how much more will be learn. The restriction I'm at now, will probably hold me till the end of the year. From how I'm feeling, I don't think I'll need another fill for quite some time. My last appt. last week, the dr. said that I'm at a good restirction now. Especially when I told him I can't eat chips any more without some issues. He said food like that and crackers will add weight and help undo what I'm trying to accompish. When everyone go for their next visit, there may be a chart in the dr's office to show where you are with your restrction. I'm between the 2nd and thrid restriction area. Which is good for I'm closer to be at the best restriction for me. Yesterday I had my third restrauant meal. It was better than the first, which almost sent me gagging. The second, which wasn't a challenging meal, it was a fondue meal. Yesterday, was and I eyeballed the portion size well, and it all fit nicely on the bread plate. Grilled salmon, greens and mac & cheese. After eating the salmon I wanted more, but I hadn't eaten the veggies and carb yet. After eating the veggies I began to fill full. Then ate the mac & cheese and was glad I didn't take any more fish. Get this, I couldn't finish the mac & cheese, that same old feeling, that familiar feeling started. After letting that feeling pass, although I shouldn't of I finished the mac & cheese. That portion I finished was the portion that gave me trouble getting onto my plate. Did I miss the sign or not? But, to help I had a cup of tea, took 3 papaya pills and eat the corn muffin first. Once again Mrs. Husker, thanks for that piece of advice. Also, Juli, I did my first mini, and I mean mini walk. I walked first 3 miles home. Couldn't make that last mile. Then walked the 4 miles home. But, there is something you seasoned runners, forgot to tell use beginners, that your legs and knees will let you know, they're not used to that much walking for that long a distance and at a steady pace. But, I plan to do this at least once a week weather permitting, especially for now. So......How's everyone else doing? Fine and I hope fine as well.

Hi All, lot of busy work going on. Glad you have time to stop by and share your results. Hope they're good ones. I myself am still having trouble getting food down. Can't seem to time it at which meal will be the troublesome meal. Nor what food will give me problems to eat/digest. Tomorrow is my dr's appt. May get a little unfill. .1 or .2. Not .3 for that is the amount that was put in last time, to get me where I am now. I did find that chewing something crunchy, like crackers/cookies, kept the gas out of my stomach. So I was able to eat w/ no trouble. Since I only just discovered this out, this week,i t's not a tried and true fact. Slikchik10, one step at a time, one pound at a time. It'll take time but you'll be there. So, hope things are well at home and school. Good Nite.

Hello Everyone: I see that there is another 100lb looser. With tammyj soon to join. Each and everyone of you are a strong inspiration to me. I'm only 29lbs from loosing 100lb, but with people like you, I believe I will make it. With 71lbs lose so far and 51 more to go to reach my goal. Keep up the good work. I thank you and this website for this inspiration and support offered here.

Hello Everyone, hope your weekend is a good one. Much will power needed to stay focused these next few days.. I'm still learning about this restriction thing. Yesterday and today I was able to eat without any problems. The food went down much easier. So, I may be experiencing the tight and not tight feeling. But, I'm trying to figure out what causes these tight and not tight days. I thought with the loss of weight the band would get looser, 'cause the stomach is shrinking, which would cause the stoma to shrink also. Any thoughts or ideas? Due to these tight days and not eating well this week I lost 4 lbs. Was able to get to exercise 4x this week. Good for me, but didn't get in much nutrients this week. Some days I was only able to get in two meals. And they weren't much, very little breakfast and lunch. dinner some nights was only toast and that took almost and hour to eat. Or it was for breakfast the next day. Well, hope your meals were better than mines this week.

Hi Everyone, Hungry4help, I called today regarding the group meeting. I totally forgot that the meetings were changed to every 3rd Thursday. I didn't reset my calendar for the new time. The next meeting is May 15th. Hope you made it after all and hope to see you and Thenume at the next meeting.

Hi, Good Day and Results To Everyone Today. Hungry4help and Thenume: The meetings are held every 4th Thursday of each month. I called Sharon/Nutritionist to set up an appt. for that day. She is out until the 29th of this month. So there may not be a meeting. She didn't say so on her vocie mail. I'll call the office today to see if the meeting will still be held. It should, for it has been held w/ only the members before. I'll report back tonight.

Just Checking In.This restriction is something else. Tight days are too tight, and not that many loss days. This morning I had to drink my Protein drink w/ a spoon. Even then it took about 15 min to get down. lunch was a bust. Made an attempt to finish it for dinner and still can't get it down. They say, be careful what you ask for. My appt. is next week, I'm going to ask for an unfill. And I thought I could handle this restriction. At this rate, I'll lose the weight, but won't be getting in my nutrients. Gettting in exercise 3x a week now. So that's good. Welcome back Sugarbear. Well hope to read good posts from you.

Good Morning All and Have a Great Day drstan1 - you'll soon be getting many response to this as I did. When I tested the amount I could still eatafter one of my fills. For two weeks what I normally ate before the surgery. I put on 10 + pounds. Go back to or start measuring your foods, scale, cups, spoons, children size portions whatever it takes. Treat this time as following a diet. You'll only get upset with yourself soon. As I was told and you're being told you'll get that restriction soon. It took me 5-6 fills to get here. Take this time to explore your new lifestyle of eating. Try increasing your veggies and controlling your Protein and portions. Restrain from eating that put on weight food. Get it under control before you reach your restriction. It'll be much harder when you get there. Stay the course. It's coming and when it does, Look Out. You're in for a surprise.

Hello Everyone, Hi Thenume, I too go to the 59th St. office. I try to schedule my appt. for the same day as the Support Group. Do you attend the Support Group on Thursdays? There's one coming up next week, the 24th. I plan to make that meeting. I missed the last meeting. I read the e-mail of the correct meeting place that evening. After spending 30 minutes in and out of food markets looking for the group. Let me know if you'll be attending. I have great restriction now from my last fill on 3/5. My appts w/ the dr. is every 6 weeks now. Now I know what all the hype is about being restricted. Hope everyone is meeting their goals and staying the course.

Hi All, I only told two people on my job. One is someone who had the gastric bypass and the other is my assistant. My supervisor may know for he's seen one of my dr.'s note. I heard my supervisor say to the person who had the bypass respond to her, "you lost a who person". With that I told myself he would be one person I would not tell. Even when he asked me what type of surgery I was having, due to my medical leave. My co-work had a hard time closely being watched to see how fast she'll drop the weight. And in the beginning when it was slow coming off they kept on her as to when she'll begin to lose it. Now three years out, no one asks her any more. She lost 125lbs - 135lbs and for all that weight, she doesn't need reconstructive surgery. She showed me her thighs and they are not even flabby. Just a little saggy. I hope I'm that lucky. Just last week, I'd been asked if "I had the surgery" I answered no, for two people on my job had the bypass. So, therefore the surgery she was referring to was the bypass. Since she didn't specify which surgery, I was referring to the bypass. So, without exposing yourself, I would say, "No, I didn't have the bypass." Let them take it from there. That should keep them at bay. And since I'm losing the weight slowly, as far as they know, I'm on a diet. And get plenty compliants of my weight lose and how good I'm doing sticking to it. So, don't let them get you down and continue on your new lifetyle. Hold your head up proud and say "I'm doing well on my new lifestyle way of eating"... Then ask them, "How you're doing?" Again, that'll hold them at bay. Have a great day tomorrow everyone.

Hi All, glad to see that this site is still going strong for old friends to find their way back. Welcome back. Juli, I'm able to get back on more 'cause I caught my daughter of pulling the covers over my eyes. Since we are both working off my laptop in my room, I wasn't able to get on till her homeowork was done. Being a priority and all. Well, I talked to her teachers and asked them how long should her homework take. Well, each of her teachers said no more than 60 - 90 minutes. Well how come everytime I would wake up and see her on the computer she's still doing homework?? All 2, 3 even 4am in the morning. Then when I tell her to get off or she gets off herself she sleeps late and get to school late? Well, when I asked she would tell me she's not on im with her friends but doing homework. Well one night I woke up and she's ""still doing homework"":wink2::huh2:, her fingers on the mouse about to click to the "safe screen". Well, I told her to take her hands off the mouse and not to click anything right there and then. So, what was she doing im w/ her classmate about ""homework"":wink2:. So since that night, 11pm off the computer whether homework is done or not. Then it wasn't till she clicked off that I should of read what they were talking about. My daughter is 16 yrs. As for me, still having trouble getting some foods down. I remembered something you wrote once when it took you almost 45min to get hot Cereal down. It took me about that same amt of time. Like I have that much time for the time I decide to eat. lunch have been worse. I spend more time having PB more than 20 min, gagging and spitting, then one big upchuck. And not one bite of food in it. Go figure. Today was the first day in days that lunch went okay. So right now I'm not getting in 1200 caloies a day. Even w/ a Protein drink. Don't want an unfill for I might go back into familiar eating habits. So I'm still going to work w/ this a while longer. I know I can conquer this, it's going to take time. Can't do pizza/bread any more, rice, some steamed veggies or Pasta depending on how cooked it is. Been eating fish since Lent. Tried a veggie pattie wrong thing. Even chewing bites you would give a child can go down rough. If I tak in too much Water when taking my pills, Oh Lord, I'm in Painsville,USA. Sometimes the hot tea or water don't help before eating, like Mrs Husker suggested. Well, enough for now. Hope to read good posts from everyone. Nite to All. And stay the course.

Hi Everyone, just checking in. Glad to read the news on everyone. ThickchicTexas, glad your results were okay. Hello to any new comers. Started losing weight again, but have been experiencing different issues since being at restriction. Everytime I eat I don't know what to expect to happen. Sometimes I have that PB anywhere from the beginning to just a few bites before I'm finishing eating to happen. It's has gotten to the point where I don't want to eat for fear of that the feeling again. So I'm taking a multi-Vitamin,b-12 and Calcium pills to make sure I'm getting enough nutrients. Drinkig Water is no problem. This is not what I expected when reaching restriction. It really takes me sometimes almost 20 - 30 mins to eat a meal. Chew, swallow, wait till I see if and when I can take another bite. And this is w/ 6 - 8 ounces of food. And I've taken to eating fish since it's a soft food and a Meal Replacement drink. Can't eat anything crunchy, rice, even steamed veggie hurts going down. Now I understand what the nutritionist meant when she said, there will be foods I won't be able to tolerate at times. If I eat a good Breakfast, I'm can be good till 3pm. If I eat a lite breakfast and a good lunch , I'm good till the next day. Go figure. Now I'm at the other end of the spectrum of this. But in time I hope to overcome this. Or wait out the restriction and hope it eases up, then in a few months I may need another fill. As for being cold, that's always been an issue w/ me. I suffer w/ hypothyroidism. So I tend to be cold anyway. I haven't experienced any difference. So, I'll be coming back more since I'm not sharing the computer w/ my daughter as much.

Hi Everyone, I just want to say, I understand exactly what you're going through. I went through it also, as you will read others have too. My doctor was very conservative about given full cc fills at one time. The most he gave me would be .5cc. I too was ready about to give up. Although I was losing weight w/ the small fills, I was looking for the 2lbs a week loss. I took on the 5 - 6 small meals a day way of eating. (I will not refer to diet, for we are no longer on a diet, but a new way of eating.) After a while I hit a hugh plateau, lasting for 3 -4 months, yet still getting fills. I did hit that restriction once and once only. When 6 fills later with the last fill of .3cc that's when I hit my best and present restriction. So, I too thought that it was for the money also, although I have insurance covering this, I was out of my mind thinking that I would be the one to fail w/ the lapband. Of course I no longer think this now that I have restriction. So, please stick to it. It will take sometime before you're at your right restriction. It will come. It took me 6 fills and 10 months, but I've arrived. Remeber, we gained the weight over the course of years. Many years of eating what we wanted in the amount we wanted. Now we need to take this time to retrain our eating habits and gain new insight into healthy ways of eating. This will not take years but many, many months of effort and a strong mind set. Just Don't Give Up. You will not fail but you lose, despite your feelings you have now. See your nurtitionist/dietician often. Ask them to help you find foods that may compliment your new eating style. I am a strong advocate of measuring foods and drinks. If you haven't already get a food scale. Most of us already have measuring cups and spoons in our kitchens. Stick to the serving amounts, and measure all you foods before eating. Take into consideration your daily calorie intake. Even the Snacks you eat. Exercise, drink Water, cut back on salt and sugary foods, and high fat foods and measure, measure and more measuring. Like most of us who work, I carry my lunch and snack in containers. I divide them out for the week. Also, I keep a small plate at work to eat off. This takes the edge of eating smal meals off a large plate. I also, eat with the salad fork and teaspoon. The times I don't put my food on a plate, I use a two different size containers. One is 7 - 8" long, the second about 5 - 6" long. I put my snack/desserts in those small baby food containers. The stage 2 and 3 size containers, they measure 2 and 3 oz sizes. Depending of what size is the meal I'm eating. Again taking off the edge of eating a small meal. No more than 8 - 10 oz of drinks, 3 - 4oz of Protein (no more than 5oz), 4 oz of carbs and veggie are free and salad.. Again talk to your nutritionist/dietician for calories to eat, better food choices and ounces. Sorry to be so wordy, but just wanted to let you know you're not alone in what you're experiencing. We've all are going and have gone through what you are now. Just Don't Give Up. This to shall pass.

Hello, I and several people on LBT are using the "SparkPeople.com" website. You may find it easy to use also. They have a host of foods you can track and a meal plan to follow charting calories, Proteins, carbs, fat, etc. as well as an exercise plan cardio & strength along w/ a variety of exercises to use, also how many calories to have for the amount of weight you want to lose. View the site and give it a try. It also take you through four stages. Each is simple to follow and not time constraint. I did stage one - a 2 week plan, for about a month before I really decided to really give it my all. Found out I was being defiant for nothing. Was not ready to let control of my way of eating. When I did, the weight began to come off with the help of the band. Since the band is just a tool, remember? Also, did you invest in a food scale, measuring cups and spoons yet? If not, you may want to do so. This will help you no matter whether you follow a plan or not. Another one is NutritionData.com. Let me know if and when you visit the site.

Midniteblue, what you wrote really played on my mind for some reason. When you contact your insurance company about your issues ask for a flourscope fill. It's a fill taken/given under x-ray to see if the saline is going into the port/tube correctly. This way you and the doctor will see if any is in the band at all. If not then you and the doctor can determine what when/is wrong that you are not losing weight. And talk again to the others that had the surgery by the same doctor and really write and compare issues and all write and complain to the insurance company. Lastly, you may, just may have the wrong size band. There are three sizes. Inqurire if you may need a smaller, maybe. Also, contact your nutiritionist/dietician to help with your eating habits/style. My nutritionist was able to helpl me pinpoint what foods were not working for me just now. I am a great advocate of the food scale, measuring spoons and cups. I measure everything I put on my plate to put in my mouth. Good Luck and let us know what comes of your next visit and contacting the insurance company. You are not alone in this matter nor in trying to lose the weight. Please, you've hung in there for two years, please don't give up now.

March 27, 2008 will be my bandiversary. Beginning weight 297lbs. Present weight 230lbs. Target weight 175lbs.

Hello Everyone glad to see before and now pics of you. I've only taken one since losing weight. Not sure if it came out for someone else took it. I felt confident enough to take it at that time. Just seeing these pics I am so much inspired to lose weight each and every day. I've come to giving up going by the scale and just looking for my clothes to tell me of my weight loss. I'm more eagar to get into smaller sizes now than the weight on the scale. I've come from size 28/26 to 20/22. I'm going shopping on Saturday and I'm going straight for size 18's and 20's. Wish me luck. The pants I'm wearing now are drooping in the croutch. Mrs Husker looking forward to seeing your pics. Denise, I'm looking forward to getting into 14's or 16's like you. I think that's where I'll be at my best. Sophie285, I'm also tired of playing the head game. That's why I changed to having my clothes tell me of my weight lose, rather than the scale. The scale is driving me crazy, especially with its ups and downs depending on what I've eaten a day or two maybe three before. So, maybe you should give you clothes a chance in letting you know when you've lost weight. So, let's all get and keep moving towards our goal.