Landodixy

OK, I'm going to just add my 2 cents worth. Often, yes, we can eat things like breads and pasta, but the real question is - should we? For me, having the band is not about what I CAN eat but making the best choices about what I DO eat. My surgeon would rather my calories come from meats and vegetables. Besides, if you are going to eat carbs, pasta and breads aren't some of the better choices - they're kind of like empty calories. Chips and sweets go down easy too, but eating them isn't going to help me lose weight. One point of the band is to choose foods that will take longer to digest so they stay with you longer, so you don't feel hungry before your next meal. I know I'm one of the weird ones, but I haven't had a fill yet (12 weeks out) and I don't get hungry in between my meals. If you really feel like you're hungry, try drinking some crystal light or water instead. Many times I find I'm actually more thirsty than hungry. Also, if you are waiting at least an hour to drink after your meal it will help so you don't get hungry as quick. Hope that helps!

Hi. I can't comment on the port pain but I can about the constipation. Yes, take the advise from Crzytchr and get some Colace. DON'T WAIT - get some NOW!!! My surgery was on a Wed. and by Sat. afternoon I was so constipated I was in tears - literally! I really thought I was going to have to go to the hospital or something. I took some MIRALAX - what a mistake!!! According to my nurse, if you're not getting enough liquids in your system, the fiber products just tend to get hard as a rock in your bowels and that just makes everything worse. Once you get to the point that you can have pureed products you will probably still be a little constipated. Try a little bit of pureed prunes to keep things regular. Once I got to regular foods, I made sure that I either have a few prunes every day (they really are very delicious) or I eat an apple. They both do wonders!

Hi. I know exactly what you're talking about! I was banded 11/5/08 and have since lost 56 lbs. I still have about 60+ lbs to go but I DO notice that people treat me differently. I had read on the ObesityHelp website where someone commented that we often don't realize it, but WE change as we lose weight. I never really thought so but I'm beginning to understand what they meant. When I weighed 267 lbs, my feet hurt, my back hurt, and I was tired all the time. Now, I FEEL GOOD! So, yes, that has made a significant impact on how I project myself. Even though I'm the same person, because I feel good, I SMILE more, I LAUGH more, I want to be more ACTIVE and enjoy being around people more. So, yes, I do now understand why people are now treating me differently. It's more pleasant being around someone when they feel good than someone who doesn't feel good and hurts all the time. I think there's an energy that exudes from you when you're feeling good. I've often heard that one of the best things you can do is to distance yourself from people that bring you down. When we don't feel good I think it shows and we probably don't exude the best energy. When we are optimistic and feel good people seem to want to be around us more. Funny thing is, I don't think people are treating me good because I really look all that great, after all, I am 211 lbs, but to me, I feel great so I'm probably projecting as if I were 150 lbs! (Hope all that babbling made a little sense!)

My surgeon wants my calories to come from 'meats and vegetables' and not from liquids and supplements. Yes, he does want us to eat from all good groups. Yes, I do eat carbs such as oatmeal, and Kashi cereal but I seldom eat any kind of bread anymore (I was previously addicted to bread!). I normally either have an apple or prunes as an afternoon snack. I aim for 60-70grams of protein per day but don't normally log the carbs. So far so good - I'm down 55.5 lbs! What's great is that I don't crave carbs, I'm not hungry between meals, and my hair isn't falling out. (I'm in the U.S)

Let me begin by saying that I love my band! My pre-op wt. was 267 lbs. I'm 41 yrs old and 5'6. My surgeon required a 2 week liquid diet prior to my surgery on 11/5/08. I did not require a fill at 6 weeks nor when I went back at 11 weeks. I'm 12 weeks out and I'm down to 211.5. I walk alot and ride a recumbent bike. Last weekend I spent the day helping my dad load firewood (just for the exercise). I do not eat for 30 minutes after I've had something to drink and I wait a minimum of 1 hour to eat after I've had something to drink. I think I've been successful thus far because I Do Not rely on the band to tell me that I'm full. I know what my portion size should be and do not eat more than that. The best thing - I'm not hungry! (waiting an hour after meals before drinking helps with that) Following the rules is most important. A gentleman in my support group last week was disappointed because he'd been banded since Feb '08 and has only lost 45 lbs. However, his downfall is that he's doing ALOT of grazing throughout the day. Following the rules is most important!

I know that everyone is different, but I've had LESS gas than BEFORE I had the surgery. Had the surgery 11/5/08 so I'm 12 weeks out and I've not even needed a fill yet. Starting weight was 267 and now I'm at 211.5 (that includes what I lost on the 2 week liquid diet). After I had my gallbladder surgery in 2006, I had LOTS of gas. I'm not sure if I should attribute the lack of gas to more healthy eating but I'm glad it's less!

Hi. I was banded by Dr. Maher on 11/5/08 and I couldn't be happier. Dr. Maher and his staff are an excellent group to work with. I originally had consulted with another group in Richmond but chose Dr. Maher for several reasons - the MCV Obesity Center is designated as a Center of Excellence and that was very important to me. As to the statement that Dr. Maher has only done 50 - well, I believe that is inaccurate. I like the fact that Dr. Maher believes in helping people and stresses the importance of following the rules of the band if it's going to work. Including the 2 week pre-op liquid diet, I've lost 53 lbs to date and that was with no fill at 6 weeks. I was also extremely impressed with the care I received while at MCV. Dr. Maher and his staff are awesome!