kbinaz

Yes, the way to get the optimum results from the band is to eat regular food, not to mention the fact that regular food is healthier. Protein shakes and bars are fine in a pinch, but you should be able to get all the protein your body requires in real food. The liquid protein shake is the same as drinking with a meal.

Hi fellow October bandsters ...and hi bandster 1007, I have been having those discouragement blues, too. I have my 5th fill scheduled on Tuesday and feel strongly that it is going to put me where I need to be. I noticed a big difference after fill # 4 ( I was beginning to think that this 'restriction' thing was an urban myth!!!) but can still eat larger quantities than I think I should. I follow the rules closely and only eat dense foods and I work out and still have only lost 18 (14 according to my dr.) He assures me this is within normal range. I, too, keep looking at the scale and seeing that same number and I think if I ever stepped on the scale and saw a different one I would have a heart attack... but I am optimistic that that will happen! I'll be keeping close tabs on my fellow 10/07 bandsters and can't wait to see the numbers going down!

When they put the band around the stomach it can cause irritation and swelling post op. A foreign body has been introduced and there is a physical response to it. It isn't this major, painful, irritation. It just requires care - eating soft things - to prevent slippage. Also,as mentioned above, there is a lot of messing around in there by the surgeon to get the band and port placed - it's major surgery.

I stayed for about 8 hours post-op. It depended on health issues and I had very few. Those with diabetes, heart issues etc. had to stay overnight. I only took pain meds for days 1 and 2. Could have gone back to an office job at 1 week. I was told to lift no more than 10 pounds for the first two months but 'forgot' a few times, lifted my 30 pound grandson once and felt it the next day in my port area but had no long-lasting repurcussions.

I am in your shoes! I had surgery 10/26/07 and have only lost 18 pounds. My doctor also says I am doing fine. I understand your frustration with these boards at times. They are really helpful and really hurtful at the same time! The thing we all need to remember is, like someone mentioned above, the band is supposed to allow you to lose 1-2 pounds a week. That 'average' seems to have gone by the wayside. It seems that in every area in life there are people who tweak the system to get what they want. Some people get their band so tight they lose 10 pounds a week and eat 500 calories a day.It seems that a lot of bandsters want to lose weight quickly and are willing to do anything to get there. I have chosen the path of least resistance (In other words I'm not willing to suffer too much to get where I'm going) and will only get the minimum amount of restriction necessary to lose weight. I refuse to be one of those people who eat 3 peas and 1 oz. of chicken for dinner. I love food. I believe God gave us food not just for sustenance but also for enjoyment. I am not willing to live a life where food is a chore, or repugnant to me. That said, I have come to grips with the fact that I'm going to lose weight slowly and that is okay. It is frustrating, and I want to wear a bikini today not next year, but oh well. The other thing is that some of the people who are losing so much started out with really unhealthy eating habits. For instance, if I started out drinking two liters of coke every day, then suddenly stopped doing that when I had surgery, I would naturally lose a lot more weight than normal just by cutting out the 2 liters of coke. I was basically a really healthy eater before surgery. My problem was eating way too much of really good food! Other considerations are age, metabolism etc. Slow losers, let's keep our chins up (all our chins.. I have at least two of them...) and keep on keeping on. We will be victorious eventually!

No. 1/2 cup of food does not keep me full and I was never told to eat only 1/2 cup of food. First of all, you haven't had a fill yet, so your band isn't even working yet. You are basically the same person as you were before surgery. The only restriction you get after surgery is from the swelling from surgery. I have had 4 fills, am scheduled for my 5th and still am not at my sweet spot. I was told that once I am at the right restriction I should be able to eat 1/3-1/2 of what I ate before surgery. Depending on the food (how dense) I can still eat a cup of food easily. Were you really told to eat only 1/2 cup of food? That would give you a really low caloric intake, I think. I think the wisest thing to do, especially before you have your first fill (that is the very hardest part of the whole band journey- hunger has returned, no fill yet) Is to eat and listen to what your body is telling you. Eat according to 'the rules' (slowly, small bites, no drinking etc...) and don't worry that much about quantity. Stop eating when you are satisfied, not necessarily full. Don't torture yourself by only allowing a certain amount regardless of how you feel. That is what we were all trying to do before band surgery and it is not a nice way to live. Once you get enough fills to give you restriction, you will be limited in how much you can eat and won't have to suffer to do it. Don't try to eat like a restricted person without restriction,it is going to make you miserable. If you are starving, eat.

I think I enjoy food more. The experience of eating has changed, for sure, but in many ways that is for the better. (I am not so tight that I can't enjoy food, and don't plan on ever getting to that place. I am trying to get as little restriction as necessary while still losing weight.I would rather lose slowly and still enjoy eating) For me it has been a good thing because now I am discerning in my choices of food. While I used to eat in large quantities because I was trying to fill up (choosing menu items based on how full they would get me rather than nutritional value) now I choose what I really like and what I know is going to nourish my body. Because I'm limited in how much I can eat, I find I choose healthier things and enjoy them more. The band has caused me to slow down and think about what I am eating - I never did that when I was wolfing down three slices of pizza.

It is much easier to follow the rules when you have this tool - that is the difference. If there were no difference, surgery would be kind of stupid, huh? I had the same questions before surgery. Yes, you do need to follow the rules, but because you have the band you can do it! I am still working toward getting to that place - it can take several fills to get to where your band is doing it's job - but even with the small amount of restriction I have at this point I can tell a big difference. It is easier to stay motivated to do the right thing when you don't feel constantly hungry. I also found that before surgery the doctor/staff very much play up the 'you have to do your part' thing. By the time my surgery date arrived I felt like you are feeling "If I have to work so hard to do this why have surgery at all?" Listen to what they say, follow the rules, keep in contact with others who have been through this, and be patient with yourself and you are going to do great. Just remember that everyone has a different path with the band (don't get too discouraged when you read about people who are doing better than you) and there is a learning curve with it. But with the help of the band you can do it. Good luck!

Me too.Don't tell my doctor, please. It was the one thing I just couldn't do. I tapered off before surgery and stayed off it for two weeks but finally just decided it wasn't worth living without my Joe. I followed every other rule I was given 100% but giving up coffee was too much to ask. I only drink about two cups a day, so it's not like I'm a fanatic or anything...and I am loving life!!!

They don't keep me satisfied at all. I would rather eat real food. I'll have an apple and a string cheese or nonfat greek yogurt and strawberries and they help me stay fuller longer. Sometimes there are days where you just have to grab something and go, so at least a protein bar is getting you what you need, but you will probably get hungry quickly.

I eat very similarly to you, and I am doing fine. My doctor put me on 'soft proteins' starting on day 4 after surgery and I never had a phase where I had to drink protein shakes or do mushies. I was allowed to eat chicken, turkey, fish, beans(legumes,not green), cottage cheese, low fat cheese, low fat/low sugar yogurt. I followed this until my first fill. Once I had my first fill (and did liquids the soft foods again for a few days) I could eat virtually anything. I could eat all vegetables and fruits (being careful with the ones that are common troublemakers for banders, like citrus and asparagus). Basically, because I'm trying to lose weight, my diet consists of proteins and vegetables, then fruit if I have room. I avoid starches pretty much, but sometimes have brown rice or whole wheat pasta. Basically you can eat anything with the band that you can tolerate. Weight loss comes faster if you avoid starches.My doctor is a strong advocate of eating real food and we are not advised to eat any protein bars or drink any protein shakes. Have you chosen a doctor yet? That might be something to consider as you look for one. I am very happy that I have been encouraged to eat real food. One of the best parts of the band, for me, is that since my portions are so restricted I have to be very particular about what choices I make and it has gotten really easy to choose wisely. My diet is very healthy now.

I eat all kinds of things with seeds and skins. I eat apples and strawberries almost every day. I love grapes and have no trouble with them, either. Tomatoes are a staple of my diet. I don't drink milk much because I try not to ever drink calories. It isn't that conducive to weight loss. But there is no medical reason for not having it. With the band you lose weight by eating solid food, which stays in the pouch and moves slowly into the digestive tract, allowing you to feel satisfied for a long time. When you drink with a meal it defeats the purpose of the band and that is why bandsters don't drink with meals.It causes the food to be washed quickly through the stoma, or opening, into the stomach. I was instructed not to drink 30 minutes before eating, and to wait for 30 minutes after eating. I also don't drink during my meals. It is hard to imagine at first but really, you do get used to it and it isn't that big of a deal, it just takes practice. Basically you can eat any food that you can get down. Some of the common problem foods are beef (not ground, but steak), dry chicken, citrus fruits, and stringy foods like asparagus, and popcorn. But you will find people on this sight who eat the above - it really depends on the person, we all vary in what we can eat.

Hi, I had the same worry - my port site was very tender, too. I went for my first fill really dreading it, but wanting and needing it so bad that I was willing to suffer. Well, it really wasn't bad. No numbing at all, felt like a needle stick and was over very quickly. When they felt for my port it took a second, but not long enough to really bother me. I do have a very easily accessible port, and I guess sometimes it is harder to get to, but my experience was pretty easy. And a lot changes in a few weeks, your pain in that area will probably subside quite a bit between now and then. Hope you do well!

I think your feelings are pretty much shared by all lap banders. I remember going to my initial informational seminar with my doctor and the first thing she said when she got up to speak was "There is one thing I know about everyone in this room....and that is none of you need one more failure in your life..." When she said that, I almost started crying! I knew at that moment I was going to have the surgery. The doctor went on to say that their job was to make sure we didn't have another failure. I honestly thought (and still have my days) that I was going to be in that small percentage of people who fail at the lap band. But here is what I have learned. The lap band works as long as you work it. Follow all your doctor's instructions. Do what he says. (and hopefully he will give you some!) I had to go through a pretty extensive educational process before my surgery so I knew exactly what I was supposed to do when. The other thing to remember is that losing weight with the band is not FAST. It is a slow, gradual process. (it is really fast for some people, really slow for others, but it happens.) You have to be patient and remember that it can take some time to reach your best restriction level so don't get discouraged during that process. If there is anything you don't understand, ask questions. You will do great. Good luck and I hope the surgery goes well!

Oh,one more thing...there is nothing wrong with needing or wanting fills. Fills are not a sign of failure. Not needing fills or needing them is strictly a physiological issue - it has to do with your body (how thick your stomach is etc.) I am happy for those of you who didn't need fills at all, but I am not one of you. The band is a tool and some of us, in order to get maximum benefit out of our tool, need more fills to get restriction. I didn't pay thousands of dollars and go through major surgery to white knuckle my way through weight loss feeling hungry and miserable all the time. I got the band because it will allow me to feel satisfied with smaller portions and stay satisfied longer. I am going to get as many fills as I need to reach my sweet spot and achieve maximum weight loss and this does not make me a bad person. Sometimes when I read posts on this sight I get the feeling that it is a competition to see who needs fewer fills and my doctor says there is no reason not to have as many fills as you need.If you don't need one, by all means don't get one. If you need one, by all means get one! (or five, like I'm working towards! still not there!)

Why do you want to eat less when you have lost 75 pounds in 7 months? Your band has done exactly what it was supposed to do - you have lost 10+ pounds per month. Do you think you haven't lost enough? I can't see where smaller portions are necessary unless you think you should have lost more. My goal is to lose as much weight as possible with as little restriction as necessary. I want to stay as close as I can to 'normal' and still lose weight. Food is a pleasure, and I don't want to make my portions smaller if I don't need to. And I don't think there is anything wrong with that view. If I could lose 75 pounds in 7 months with 0 or 1 fills, I would be all over it!

I suppose anything is possible. You could probably technically do brain surgery at home, too! I guess it depends on who the nurse is. Is she experienced at giving lap band fills? Is she just a friend who happens to be a nurse? I'd be really careful because something goes wrong and anything gets messed up, there isn't a doctor who is going to want to touch you.

I can go once every ten days if I need to but it is getting hard to get appointments at my doctors because they have had such an increase in bands. They are in the process of hiring someone else to do them, but in the meantime it takes about 3 weeks to get in for me.

I have the AP (small) band (10ccs) My fills were 1.5,1.5,1.5, and 2 ccs. I always felt restriction after a fill,but it only lasted for about 5 or 6 days. Then is would go away. With my fourth fill, though, I have more restriction than in the past and it has stayed - I think I am getting close to my sweet spot.

Nope. Haven't had that problem.

I am right about where you are in my 10cc band and can still eat a pretty good amount of food, too. It depends a lot on what I am eating. If I eat really dense foods I get full pretty fast. (chicken esp.) If I eat softer foods, I can pack it away. I wouldn't be too concerned if you aren't having any negative repurcussions - you don't mention pain or PB'ing or anything so my guess is you are fine. You probably aren't at your sweet spot yet (I'm not and I have 6.5 ccs). Also, portion sizes are not as small as some people think they are even at your sweet spot. I think if you are eating the right kinds of foods, which it sounds like you are, and are losing the way you are losing, you are doing great. 38 lbs is great and I am jealous! Keep up the good work!

Anything you do at any point can only help! Walk, walk, walk. And practice drinking lots of water!

Hi! We had our LB surgery on the same day and I have only lost 18 pounds, so hopefully I have made your day!!! I don't know what size band you have or how much they put in your first fill, but if your doctor is anything like mine(very conservative with fills) you probably don't have enough restriction yet. I have had four fills so far and only started feeling restriction with that fourth fill. My fills were 1.5cc's, 1.5ccs,1.5cc's and 2cc's. That totals 6.5 cc's and I am close but not at my sweet spot. So do not despair, you will get there! Can you get your fills closer together? Are you feeling a lot of restriction? I am allowed to get fills every two weeks if I need them. I am confident that fill number 5 (2/19) will get me to where I need to be. My doctor assures me that once I get to the right restriction I will lose weight. Some of us will lose it slower...remember there are all kinds of people on this sight, some have 200+ pounds to lose, some only 50. Some drank 2 liters of soda a day, some never drank any. Some ate a lot of fast food, some didn't. Some never exercised, some were exercise fanatics...so our bodies respond to our new lifestyle in different ways. If you were drinking 2 liters of coke a day and suddenly stop, that alone is going to cause you to lose a lot of weight. I never drank soda or ate fast food, so my body isn't making as big an adjustment as others who did those things. Anyway, what I am trying to say is not to compare yourself with others on this sight. You don't know what their story is. Some doctors give 5 cc's for the first fill, and that person is going to lose weight sooner than the person who got 1.5 cc's the first time. Be patient! Get the fills you need! Follow the rules for eating with a band and it's gonna come off. And remember you have a fellow 10/26-er doing this along with you and having the same frustrations!

The pain from surgery wasn't that bad. To me the worst part was the port pain - the port is 'installed' by attaching it to a stomach muscle (in most cases) and that hurts. Nothing unbearable, just discomfort. The port site was what bothered me the longest and is what you need to care for the most as it really needs to heal so your port is safely attached for a good long time (like forever!) If you need to do that much lifting on your job I would suggest maybe taking more than a week off. I was instructed not to life anything over 10 pounds for 2 months. If I forgot (I lifted my grandson once) I felt it the next day in added soreness at the port sight. AFter surgery I was not in a lot of pain, other than maybe the first day.It got progressively better each day after that. But there was still soreness and discomfort (It's major surgery~) and I didn't feel 100% normal for about a month. Certain things bothered me - bending, wearing anything that rubbed on or even touched the port incision,turning certain ways. Again,not excruciating, just sore. I didn't feel weak after surgery. The worst I felt was the last day of Clear liquids, and I was able to start on food on day four after surgery and could eat soft Proteins so I was back to feeling normal by day four. (surgery day was day one) As far as dealing with people around you, that is an ongoing issue that you will have to deal with the rest of your life. There are always going to be those people who think it is wrong to have weight loss surgery,or won't understand why you felt the need to do it, but it is something that is very personal and only you know when it is time for it and why.I just politely tell them that this was what I felt I needed to insure myself a long happy life. If they don't like it they can disagree all they want but it won't change the fact that I had the surgery!!!

I had Lortab elixer (liquid) and only took it for the first day. Then I switched to regular old Tylenol. It helped with the pain when I needed it, but made me feel weird and gave me strange dreams and the second day it seemed more important to me to feel 'normal' mentally than have total pain relief...and the tylenol did fine. I didn't have that much pain, more discomfort.