Desdemona

Yes. I was slipping everything past my band again too. Chips, popcorn (with lots of butter and salt of course), ice-cream went down like a charm. On to chocolate bars, Doritos. And then that helped pave the way for some potato, pasta and even managed to get some great crusty bread in there. I could eat it all right through what my MD said was the best safe restriction he could give. I'd eat it all and then get hungry a few hrs later. I also was drinking water, coffee --whatever with my meals. I just figured that the honeymoon was over with the band and that it wasn't working anymore. But when I went back and really reviewed all the info on the 5 Day Pouch Test I realized that most of those foods I was eating were "slider foods" that all go though the band very easily and then I was just washing them right through my pouch as fast as I was eating them. All those calories were going straight into my body. Since my insulin levels were going up on all those carbs -- I was HUNGRY--and since I was washing it down with liquid -- my pouch was empty most of the time. Once I did the pouch test ---BOY! --- could I FEEL that restriction!!! A few TABLESPOONS at a time was ALL I could handle for the first week! LBS poured off of me. Especially when I drank all the water/fluild they told me too. I will never make the mistake of drinking fluid 1/2 before or an 1 after again. I will also not get into those slider foods again.

Yes. I have done exactly that and was off track for months and months. Also wanted to get back on LC and just could not. Sugar, sugar, sugar --- pasta -- larger servings of food, just plain out of control, etc. But then I went back and took a look at that 5 Day Pouch Test for the band online. I was home for a few days and not feeling well anyway -- so I got up the next day and started the pouch test. Fortunately, I didn't have to do much but sit around and watch TV. It worked like a charm. I "found" my band again immediately (for the first time in a very long time). It had all the tightness of when it was new by the 3rd AM - but it didn't feel over tight. It was excellent. That made it easy to get back on LC and it was even very small meals because of the pouch test. ALL the sugar and carb cravings were completely GONE! I lost everything I gained very quickly and am now at a new band low. Energy came back. The last time I was at my current weight was 1988. Try doing the pouch test. Just decide that when you get up tomorrow you are going to only drink Atkins protein for the next 48 hrs, broths, water, tea, and coffee and that's it. Then follow the 5 day pouch choices which are LC. On the 3rd AM I had a mix of cottage cheese and chopped hard boil egg. After that it was protein choices that they give you. Starting with the 3rd day --the food was very filling with the band. I WAS tired during those 5 days and for a day or 2 more --- but it made a world of difference. I did it in the beginning of June and I'm still going very strong on LC. I'm completely confident that I will be at 25 BMI within a few months. Here's the link: http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ Best wishes

It is, indeed, possible that he did not understand the situation. It's also possible that he was also caught off-guard and his gut instinct was to PROTECT the practice by acting like it was nothing. They worry a lot about things like lawsuits so they have a tendency not to see or hear problems. However, once they clearly understand your concern and also understand that you intend to stand firm until you get satisfaction, they will start jumping. You're reaction was completely normal and understandable. Keep us posted here. I really want to know how it works out.

Teapot-- I did not end up with a leak but I also had a student who jabbed that darn thing in and out 10 to 15 times and never did find the port hole. He obviously was becoming upset and finally stopped without filling. It was VERY upsetting for me to keep being stuck over and over like that. I was also very upset that I didn't get a fill. I had to wait 1 month before they could get me in to the flouro and my experienced surgeon. When I finally got there --- he didn't see any reason why the student should have had a problem. He did say that, at first, the port can feel a bit tight and perhaps the student was afraid to push down. I had 2 issues with all of this. First, if the students are new to the process --someone should at least be in there with them supervising them and ready to take over if there is a problem. Second, I lost 2 whole months in the early months of my banding without a proper start in fills. I honestly think I lost some the the advantages of early stage post-banding weight loss. I also know that getting a fill under flouro allows the MD to fill it more quickly to the most effective level. You may want to wait a whole 4 weeks before going back to check on it but if I were in your situation -- I'd get on the phone and talk to whoever is in charge and make some noise about what the student did and your concerns that there is a leak. I'd insist on a flouro check immediately to see if the student damaged the tubing. If he did --- they need to repair that pronto! And if they didn't damage it -- then you will have some peace of mind in addition to a more accurate fill. Do not be afraid to call and tell them what you want. What happened to you is simply unacceptable and if there was damage - they need to make it right --- NOW---and they KNOW that--so I seriously doubt they will argue the point with you. Hope this helps.

Sue-- I share your feelings about the emotional impact of being asked to lose weight before surg and I do think there are lot of poorly informed surgeons -- but --there are also some really excellent medical reasons for asking people to lose some weight before surg. For openers --the first several lbs/kg significantly reduces the amount of fattiness around the liver. That means the surgeon can get at the stomach area a lot better to get the band in a good position. Good position makes for a more effective band. Also, asking people to lose a bit before banding can help a good surgeon better assess if a person is, or is not , a good candidate for banding (vs gastric bypass). Finally, if someone is super obese or has certain surgical risks factors, losing some weight can significantly lower their surgical risk and improve their recovery time. The most important thing here is to find a really good surgeon who has lot of experience w/WLS and a good rep. Then you need to trust her/him and follow their directions. There are a LOT of surgeons out there that are turning to WLS for the money but who don't know as much as they should.

cactusmon-- Wow! First of all --- THANKS for posting your story. I was banded in spring 08 and I probably would have responded the same way you did. Now -- I will be more careful if I see a sudden change. I'm also thinking of you getting your second band. Best to you.

elcee-- LOL! Now that'S what I call a growing boy! I know what you mean about how much boys eat at that age but I do think that they seem to need a lot of calories with all the growing and activity at that age. I wonder if Aussie is just doing a lot better with child/teen obesity than the U.S. We have a serious problem in the U.S. -- especially with lower income families. Our children are developing some very serious medical problems. So far it sounds like --you, Juchut and rafa have strong histories of healthy family cooking/serving. Loving Everyday -- Thanks for your thoughtful response. I don't want to put any words in your mouth (sos to speak!!) but it sounds like you might be seeing see some changes in awareness and behavior in your loved ones because of the changes in YOU. It does make sense -- doesn't it? And I just think that this is a very interesting question because it's about the people we love and their health. How about other people? ARE YOU SEEING ANY SIGN THAT YOUR CHANGE IN WEIGHT OR CHANGE IN EATING IS HAVING SOME KIND OF IMPACT (FOR BETTER OR WORSE) ON YOU FAMILY?

Thank you Diana-- It sounds like he is being more mindful of what he's eating.

Hi Jachut- Thanks for the response. You gave a really interesting answer and made some good points. One of the reasons I asked the question is because in the U.S. we are seeing very serious childhood obesity problems. Are you seeing that in Australia too? True -- your kids are young and you're right about having less control over what they eat as they get older. But we are also seeing overweight young children -- and then it gets worse as they get older. In some cases the family eat healthy (like yours) but in other cases it begins with what they eat at home and then it gets worse as they are teens. I was just wondering what is happening for kids when their parents have lost a lot of weight and make big changes in what they eat. I wonder if the banded mothers (like you) become more conscious of what the kids are eating - or are more likely to notice weight and eating habits in their kids. I see your husband also got banded so now both of your kids parents have lost a lot. I just wonder if and how parental weight loss and change of diet (even activity level) impacts kids or the family in any way.

I'm very curious about how everyone's family is reacting to our weight loss? If you have been banded for at least 1 year and you have lost a good amount of weight -- have you seen any changes in your kids weight? If so --do you know why?

elcee----HA! Good one!! Well --- if it will make you feel any better I saw her on the side walk outside the theater the other day and she doesn't look like Catherine Zeta Jones either!!!

What's interesting about your question is your comment that you are having some trouble with solid protein (swallowing) but that your tummy is still hungry. You also mention that you can eat quite a bit of semi mushies like Turkey Chili. Ariel Ortiz Lagardere is the main developer of the LAP-BAND. He has a book, 'Lap-Band® for Life" that is useful. One important point he makes is that the lap-band is made for solid foods (especially proteins). He says you can eat a LOT of liquid, soft and semi soft foods and you can get fat -- or you will at least slow your weight loss by doing that. He says to stay away from soups, soft foods, drinks or you will "fool" the band. The soft food goes down easy and gets digested fast so you are hungry fast. The fact that solid protein goes down slowly shows that your band is properly adjusted. You don't want it tighter because if it's too tight it can do very serious damage to your esophagus. When you chew that solid food well and it goes down slowly -- it will sit in your stomach for quite a while. I have noticed that when I stick with lower amount of carbs and rely on solid protein and veggies I don't get hungry. When I go more for soft foods (that have more carbs) I get hungry. Ortiz says that if you are actually hungry then your body wants/needs more solid protein. He also says that it might be better for you to have 4 or 5 very light meals (snacks) a day than 2 or 3 meals. You will end up with fewer calories and no hunger if you eat frequently. I do keep a low carb protein drink, a small packet of nuts, and a small foil wrapped stick of cheese with me at all times in case I need protein or a snack. I also have it handy if I get a strong craving. One of those snacks with a cup of tea or coffee will take care of you. (Remember that if you are eating a lot of sugar/carbs then it makes your glucose level rise and that will make you feel hungry.) There are days -- I probably eat 2 very light meals and a snack in the eve. Other days -- I'm hungrier and end up eating 5 light meal/snacks. If you ARE eating solids and don't feel ANY tightness as you are eating solids and you are STILL hungry ---(and if you are NOT eating a lot of sugars and carbs that would make your blood sugar rise and make you hungry)-- you probably need a fill. If your MD says no ---SMACK HIM ONE!!!!! Best Wishes.

Hmmm--this sounds good-- outside. I've never seen a recipe like this before. It's nice to have things that you can just grab. Especially when you're on the go like I am. And I think that recipes like this one are less likely to cause stalls like a lot of those processed low carb products. I can do fairly well on the Atkins protein bars so long as I don't have more than a few a week. The Drinks work better than the bars because they don't have the sugar alcohol like the bars do.

HeatherO- The thing about research that a lot of people don't realize is that the media doesn't use it properly. They are always reporting the results of an individual study here and there and they make people think that the study proves something. That's why the public is getting so confused/frustrated about what to do to avoid cancer. It's not that easy for research to get to the bottom of what's going on. It takes quite a few very well conducted studies over a long period of time to support a statement. The truth is (like Hammer suggests) the body of research done on low carb over the last several years is really starting to show that carbs not only make us fat -- they are also unhealthy. You don't have to have a Ph.D (I do) to know that Grandma was right when she said that if you want to lose weight you have to leave the bread, potatoes, soda, cake and candy alone. Grandma always said eat your veggies, meat and you can have a little fresh fruit for a snack. It just makes good sense. Protein and veggies and fruit contain most of the nutrition we need. Starches and sugar (especially the man made processed ones that they have been pushing since the 1960s are not nutritious and are not natural food. It takes 40,000 yrs for a gene to mutate. Our bodies just don't know what to do with all that processed starch and sugar that we are eating. Maybe most doctors don't know but the ones who are staying up on their research do know. We can do very nicely without more than 40 or 50 grams a day and more than a couple hundred is down right bad for us. I got my band at a large teaching and research hospital. The MDs there strongly support low carb. They tell everyone who gets the band or bypass with them what my Grandma said --- to eat protein, veggies, fruit and leave the starches, sugars and processed foods alone. I have also seen a leading neuroendocrinology surgeon at Harvard School of Medicine. He told me not to ever let anyone tell me that low carb was bad. He actually told me that, specifically, Robert Atkins was RIGHT! He says it's the best diet possible and that all these carbs are reeking terrible problems with our endocrine systems (hormores) and promoting serious diseases. They are showing connections with too many carbs and obesity, cancer, diabetes, MS etc.

Want To Be Thin --Glad to hear it's warming up a bit. My heart is really going out to those poor farmers down there -- they've been getting really slammed. Well --- today I blew it. I'm in the process of getting a tooth implant. Several mos ago they did a bone graft and put some steel base in my lower jaw. Today I went back to have it re-opened so they could put some other gizmo in there. Next they'll build the implant on that. SO -- well ---what can I say---I had a cup of coffee and a low carb Atkins protein drink this AM. I didn't get home until supper time and had bowl of canned ham and split pea soup and then . . . . . . 2 bowls of coffee ice cream with sugar free whipped cream!!!! I know. BAD!! BAD TO THE BONE (sos to speak!!!). But the swelling is going down. I'll have to do better tomorrow.

There are several very good comments on here from people defending low carb. But Hammer is the only 1 who actually demonstrates that he or she has READ the studies! He mentions a number of very important studies here -- but there are MANY more --- and NOT from just "diseased obsessed Western countries." I'm a researcher. I read the whole body of studies and I know HOW to read them. Given the mounting evidence from a wide range of low carb studies done at major research centers that include everything from weight loss to disease development -- it is clear that the world --particularly Americans -- are eating far too much crap --and that crap is basically made up of processed foods --- which is basically carbs. I don't think anybody thinks carb in the form of beans, whole grains, veggie are the great culprits. You can eat some of that and it's perfectly fine. But all that flour and sugar is crap. It has almost no nutritional value and turns becomes sugar in the body. All that glucose is bad for the human cells and it is causing a lot of problems --including obesity and disease.

I agree with sberrys. It does seem to me from what you are saying that you are probably OK. The next thing for you to do is try to eat at least a quarter cup of solid meat (chicken, beef etc). Take little bites, chew well and completely swallow before taking the next bite. I'd say you should be able to get it down in within 15 or 20 mins. If you can do that -- then I'd say things are snug but fine. The belt will loosen as you lose fat around your belly in the next several weeks. Once you find you can get the solid food down -- try adding a little veggie. Veggie and meat is the first thing to get in because of the nutritional importance of them. Beans are far less important to your nutrition than the high quality protein of meat. You can work those in later (if you really want those carbs) but you'll lose better sticking to protein and veggies. After a fill you can feel very snug but you should not feel pain. Water should go down. Thicker drinkers (like Atkins Protein drinks can feel snug going down but still not hurt and you should be able to comfortably drink 1 over a half hour or less). Your better to eat solid foods but many people find that having a carton of pre-mixed protein drink with them during the day is very helpful in case they get hunger or craving or need a meal while they are on the go. They don"t have many calories, are satisfying, supply energy/nutrition and prevent the type of bad, unplanned eating we can do when we skip meals. I tend to have 2 small solid meals a day and have either an Atkins protein drink or Atkins cho. Advantage bar either as a meal or snack during the day or eve. I keep either a low carb bar, a low carb drink, an individual small pack of cheese and an individual little bag of nuts with me almost all the time. That way I can just pick 1 if I'm in a situation where I can't sit down and have a little solid meal or if I get a bad craving.

I understand your anxiety about it but it's very hard for others to judge accurately how it feels to you. In theory -- if you can swallow liquids and get down small bites of solids then it is OK. However, you got your fill 5 days ago. I would expect that you can get down enough liquid and food each day to be healthy. If you are eating too few calories and are too limited in liquid because of the slowness of things going down then I'd say it's too tight. If you are in doubt call your MD. Too tight can cause trouble.

You're doing great! Breakfast was half of a Jimmy Dean omelet and coffee. Lunch was an Atkins bar and coffee, dinner was a small slice of daisy ham with small serving of cabbage, 1/2 of cooked carrot, 7 or 8 sting beans. Eve snack was 15 almonds, 2 breadless chicken wings and 3 cups of chia tea (no milk).

I have been watching weather in Georgia on the TV. I'm in MA and I have been very concerned about you down there w/your weather over the past few years. We are used to it up here and we have the equipment to deal w/it but it's gotta be very hard on people there. My best regards to you. I was BAD over the holidays. I think I gained a few lbs but I climbed back on the wagon toward the end of Dec with my good ole low carb plan and I'm happy to say I losing again. I keep forgetting how helpful it is for me to check-in on this board every day. It really does help to keep me focused. Happy New Year to all of you. Let's be careful out there!!!

Ruthie--You said you want to be healthy and get your life back. We can identify with that. I tried and tried for years to lose weight and keep it off. It didn't work ---and the heavier I got the sicker I got. Now ---no more sleep apnea. It's gone. No more high blood pressure. It's gone. No more Protonix. I don't need it anymore. All blood levels that were too high are now perfectly normal. I can climb up and down steep sand dunes on the beach again for the first time in 20 yrs. I don't hold on to the banister for dear life as I'm walking down stairs anymore. My back doesn't hurt. I can stand on my feet all day to cook Christmas dinner or walk 6 miles and be as fresh as a dasiy at 11PM. I sleep all night. I'm calmer and happier. People treat me better --- and I suppose I act better. Just make sure you get a GOOD MD who really has a LOT of experience and really knows what their doing. There are a lot of MDs racing into this to make money and they don't have the knowledge or experience. Once you get a GOOD MD - do exactly what you are told to do. You will see a lot of people on the board who do things they aren't suppose to do. Don't listen to them. They usually are sorry in the end. Listen to people like Indigo. Good luck.

I had my band done at a teaching hospital that required a 20% weight loss before they would put the band in (along with a bunch of other requirements). They use a low carb diet for post-op so I used it for pre-op too. Linda has already pointed out that Atkins is flexible. I agree that it's important to find your comfort zone with it. The FDA has been slowly lowering the daily carb limits as more and more research emerges on health benefits and weight loss success of lower levels of carbs. Once you are on the band - you will find that it's much easier to stick to a lower carb plan. You will also see your health indicators get much better.

There are times that I have thrown up a lot -- but usually I do not unless I eat too fast. One time, after a fill - I found that I could only eat very slowly and a small amount for about 3-4 wks. One other time -- I found that it was just too tight and I had some taken out. If you have trouble getting liquid down -- you are too tight. You should not have to just eat soft foods. If you are doing that -- it's too tight. Another thing that could be happening is -- that you threw up because you ate too fast and you are swollen and you did not let the swelling go down before eating again. Once you throw up -- you really should just have liquid for the rest of that day to let the swelling go down (which happens from throwing up). If you just keep putting food in on top of the swelling it just makes it worse. Have the liquid and then try the next day to have a small amount of food and eat it slowly. If you find that it stays down -- then that was the problem. If you find that you throw up after 1 day of liquid -- go to the MD and have some fill removed.

frenchvanilla-- I agree w/confused. One thing I have found out in the year and a half I have been on this board is that people have different rates of weight loss, partly because we have different bodies, partly because we have different lives, and partly because we have different things that motivate or engage us. What will work for 1 person -- may not work for another. The board is excellent for getting ideas so you can figure out what works for you. But ---if you keep at it -- you WILL come up with the right combination that WILL work for you! I have also eaten all the right things -- and spent quite a long time avoiding and hating exercise. I had a great initial weight loss and then just plan stopped losing. I stayed there for nearly a year --- but I must also say that even though I didn't lose weight - my body seemed to be reshaping. Then I got so frustrated that I did finally get the lead out and start to slowly do some exercise. I still didn't see weight loss but I ate more because I was hunger from the exercise. My MD told me that I am simply so short (under 5 ft) that I just will not lose anymore unless I move my butt. So now I know and accept that this is what I have to do. Another thing that helped me was getting a breast reduction. I had it 2 wks ago. I have to wait 1 more wk before going back to the gym and I have to wait another 4 wks before I can do strengths training on the weight machines. I do admire all the runners here and I think it's a great way to get in shape and lose the weight but I know I just will never run. First of all -- my bones and joints will not take it. Second -- I'm just plain not motivated/interested in it but I do know that there are other ways of losing weight and our challenge is to find the right method and stick to it. I also appreciate EbonyRose statement about the way the body plateaus and insists on losing when it gets good and ready to do it. I have been in those interminable places when I just can't understand WHY I'm not losing. I think the body is complex and that we can be doing everything right and our bodies are just going to do what they need to do before giving up more weight.