mypov

I agree that if are properly filled, your calories go down. I don't rigidly stick to a certain amount of calories. I just am not generally that hungry anymore and when I eat I eat the right things and then when I have had a few ounces I am full and done. that all adds up to not having many calories daily. Also, I am short and so if I weren't so overweight I'd be petite, so I think my body just needs fewer calories. I am losing pretty steadily right now though I fully expect that will slow down as I get closer to goal. That's the one problem if you aren't having many calories, and you stop losing, you have to change SOMETHING so I will probably have to majorly step up my exercise efforts.

Before my first fill I'd started to get up to around 1400 calories. Between 2nd and 3rd fill it was more like 1100-1300 and after my 3rd fill recently I'm between 900-1100 calories. I'm losing an average of 2 lbs a week so I'm happy at this pace.

I made a new post but my doc basically thinks it is either nothing, a hiatal hernia that was undetected during surgery, or one that has come up since surgery. I'm going to do a barium swallow test at my next appt and htey SHOULD be able to tell. Of course, I'm hoping that its nothing:nervous

Okay so I've been having these weird symptoms of pain right under my sternum- like stuck air unrelated to eating/drinking etc. My NP talked to the doc who says it could be a hiatal hernia they just didn't detect it during surgery (you'd think it have to be pretty mild then) or could be the result of weakening to the muscles in that area after the surgery. OR it could be nothing and just, well, trapped air now and then. Anyone had hiatal hernia AFTER surgery??? Did you have to have additional surgery? Will I lose my band? Anyone else have these symptoms and NOT have hiatal hernia??? I posted my doc's actual email on my blog if that helps. Just click the link below.. Thanks in advance!!!

Kat brought up some excellent points. I would simply add that you think about the fact that if she is being treated for the bipolar those meds are dangerous to an unborn baby. If she isn't being treated medically, then then will the hormones or stress of the pregnancy lead to major problems for her, the baby, your family and her family? Something to think about..... I am infertile and have adopted 3 children, but I know how difficult infertilty is. I personally would thank your sister but decline the offer. Good luck on your decision!!!

Thanks bubblebutt, I'm going to start looking into that. At least it gives me something to check!

I posted a lil while back about having some pain. I'm frustrated because I don't know how to explain it well enough to search for an answer. The best I can describe it is that pain you get in your chest if you way overeat- only this happens first thing when I wake up in the morning, and then off and on during the day, sometimes when I take a deep breath, sometimes I can't relate it to anything- seems completely random. This has been going on for at least a week now. The pain is not as bad as when something feels stuck, more like an annoying pressure or ache right under my sternum. I still have restriction, and have never PB'd, rarely ever slime (only 3-4 times since banding and only for a short time), don't have any acid reflux problems, don't feel pain anywhere else, can eat any food including breads as long as I'm careful and sometimes eating food actually relieves it. The first time I noticed it I thought I might have some trapped air, and then when it went away the next day I figured I was right. But since then I have noticed off and on every day. WHAT IS GOING ON???? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!! My symptoms don't seem to match signs of dilation, slips, or erosions.

Puddin, I have been following your progress and am impressed with your accomplishments especially in your dedication to fitness. I am AMAZED at your current training and goals WTG!!! Have you always been pretty athletic? I am having a hard time getting STARTED on a fitness program and would love to have even some of your dedication. How did you get there???? I am still having difficulty exercising because of pains in my knees and hips and even though I want to take up biking my stomach is proving to be a HUGE obstacle- pun intended there. Any advice? Can you share your story of how you got from where you were to the point of training for a triathalon????? THANKS!!!

Thanks everyone! I had some liquid maalox on hand that I took in the middle of the night last night to see if that would help that trapped gas feeling. This morning I feel tons better- whatever it was. Anyway I'm going to stay on liquids most of the day so if I am swolllen or irritated as was suggested, I can let my stomach have a lil' healing time. Thanks all! I was worried, but I think I'm going to be ok!

For the last 24 hours I have been having some discomfort. I had a fill about 8 days ago and all went fine. But last night I had a feeling of soreness/pressure just under my sternum (which is incidently the same place I have felt pain in the past when accidently overeating.) Now this feeling of soreness and pressure comes and goes and I feel like there is a build up of air in my stomach and every time it passes through it brings that sore feeling back. I don't know how to explain it better than that.....Just feels like I have to burp but the air is trapped or something and that trapped air is putting pressure on the band??? I don't have any clue what's going on. Any Ideas??? Thanks!

Thanks for the replies so far. See, it's not that I'm unhappy about 2-3 lbs a week. That's more than I ever could ask for. It's just that I'm eating more calories and able to easily eat larger volumes than what someone should in a sitting- ie, over 1 cup of food. So mb I will wait a while till my weight loss slows down before I get a fill. I ask because I'm trying to figure out if I should take a day off next week to travel to my fill appt or just bag it for now, ya know?

I have had 1.5 cc's put in so far for my fill level. I can eat a lot in one sitting and with proper chewing there is really nothing that is off limits. I'm eating about 1200 calories a day and don't feel hungry between meals but I think that's because I make sure to get plenty of Protein in at meal times and drink lots of Water. So- even though I can eat "a lot" still, I'm losing 2-3 pounds weekly. I imagine this is because I started out at a very high BMI. So do i go for my fill next week so I eat much smaller portions or should I wait until I stop losing. What do you all think????

I started college last year and I'm majoring in Social Work. It's very stressful. I had surgery during Christmas Break between semesters and have scheduled all my classes this semester on Tuesdays and Thursdays so i have Mon/Wed/Fri open for fill appts etc. I really want to focus on my health right now but with raising my three kids and having endless papers, projects and studying the stress is outrageous. On School days I have a Protein shake before school and drink my Water all day but then often don't get to eat again until after school because all that's available is those icky vending machine foods. Still, the lapband is the best decision (health-wise) I've ever made and hey- at least I fit more comfortably in the desks now!!

Thanks for the replies. My husband does worry about wasting food, so I wonder if that contributes to it. As for the money incentive- that is a great idea. he's got some rather expensive hobbies and that may be a motivating factor. We'll give it a shot. Thanks for everyone else who had and advice and/or could sympathize. I appreciate it!!!

The only thing overshadowing my success thus far with the lap band is the guilt I feel. The more I lose, the more my husband seems to gain. He is 6'1 and 274 lbs. He has gained about 10 lbs just since I've been banded. It used to be that I was the one that ate more. We used to overeat together alot. But now his portions seem to be larger than ever and he is constantly complaining about his weight. His own mother is 5'9 and weighs over 600 lbs!! I do not want that to happen to him and I know he lives in fear of it too. I don't know how to help him because without the band I wasn't able to figure out how to help myself. I told him that once we pay off my band (in two years) he can get the band if he wants but he was INCREDIBLY insulted with me that I'd even SUGGEST that HE needed weight loss surgery. I don't know how to help him. I feel like I can't share my success with him I think he now feels lonely in this struggle that he didn't even ever mention before I was banded. I really want him to be happy and healthy. Any advice??????

MANY overweight people have some sort of emotional issue, so there would be a drastic reduction in the amount of people getting weight loss surgery if they didn't operate on people who had emotional issues IMHO. I have had depression for years that has been treated fairly well over the past couple of years. However, since surgery things have gotten tougher for me. I think that I felt a major source of my depression was my weight- but lately it is seeming the other way around. Without the foods to dull the emotional pain I feel sometimes- it has been difficult. It hasnt' stopped me from losing weight though. Another thing is that I think my antidepresants aren't working as well. I attribute this to the major hormonal changes that are happening in my body as a result of the weight loss. I've got a doc appt to help me change things up a bit as far as my meds. Also, talking to my gorgeous, thin, 5-year-post-op-from-bypass neighbor, she attributes having kept off all that weight by having a great therapist who has helped her not turn to the food again when times got tough. I'm going to start seeing a therapist regularly now per her advise. Be honest with your dr.'s and have a plan of action to show them you are prepared for the issues that will come up- cause I'll be honest- This has been very hard for me emotionally despite the success I'm having. Good luck!!!

Hmm...I'm surprised you haven't gotten any responses yet! I'll bite- I'm afraid of the camera. People think I'm weird. I guess its easy to be in denial if you don't have to look at yourself through the unforgiving lens of a camera. Anyway, I like taking pictures with my digital camera because then I can take a look at my progress without having to print the actual picture out and have a hard copy for me and everyone else to see. Anyway, I think that if we DON'T have pictures to remind us of how far we've come in our journey, someday we will regret it. That thought makes it a bit easier to get my photo taken. That said- there is nothing wrong with getting yourself all "dolled up" for the photo and having someone take it who's willing to work with you until you have a good angle etc. But just know, you are not alone in your phobia!!!!! Best of luck to ya!!!!

Hey Kynekke! Bodies are such fickle things aren't they? First off, congrats on your weight loss success! I am similar to you in that if I eat slightly more (between 1000-1300 calories a day) I lose better than eating less than 1000 or more than 1400. I have no idea why my body is so specific but I actually believe it's my daily weigh in that has HELPED me find my optimal caloric intake for weight loss. Anyway, our bodies just don't like to feel deprived. They seem to fight back then. If I could offer a suggestion (which you are of course are welcome to take or leave) it would be to eat healthier items when you do eat more. Such as Protein, whole grain products, fresh fruits/veggies, healthier yogurts instead of the pudding and ice cream etc. Also look for foods with healthy fats (monounsaturated) like you find in olive and canola oils. I have PCOS, which I don't know if you do or not, but I have to be dilligent in whatever amount of calories I eat to have equal amounts of protein-to-carbs at most meals. This has really been helping me control my insulin resistance better- something that had really made me not be able to lose weight in the past. In a typical day I eat 80-100 grams of each. If I eat more than about 20 grams of carbs MORE than I did protein in a day I will just maintain but have NO loss. Maybe you could try to see what your protein-to-carb intake has been??? These ideas are just some things I'm finding to be helpful in my weight loss journey. Good luck and I hope you find something that will help you start losing again!!!

I had a burger today. Well, I had a whopper jr. with no mayo and the top bun removed. I wouldn't say I really ENJOYED it but it was fine. Fast food doesn't have the same appeal to me anymore- but my husband and kids really wanted to go there for lunch so I made due. I believe things like cheeseburgers can still be a SMALL part of your life as long as your band can tolerate it- just on a much much smaller scale than before. There is no food I have given up for good. I just modify it when I do have those things. Mostly I have found a new way of healthy eating that is working for me. You are going through a pretty typical mourning period right now when it comes to food. As you transition, you will not care about those types of food or get the same feelings of satisfaction with them- Thats what happened for me anyway. You will be okay!!!

So before being banded I knew I had some emotional problems that were contributing to my being overweight, but often I assumed it was my weight that was causing me to be so down alot of the time. LAtely however, It's like my feelings are so much intensified. Especially the negative ones. I am really discovering for the first time that every time life got too real, or emotions got to be too intense, I would dull them with food; Fattening food and lots of it. Food has lost its ability to do that now. I can't eat nearly the amounts prior to banding and I even when I do have a bit of the really bad-for-you foods, it doesn't have the same appeal anymore. The habit is still there but since the pleasure level of giving in isn't, I just end up staring at the fridge feeling more discouraged than ever. Anyway I guess I am having a bit of a hard time lately. Anyone else with a similar problem? Suggestions, comments, ideas, or just share what you are going through? Thanks all!

Hey all, Just wanted to thank you again for all your kind words. I have PCOS and I think it was rearing its ugly head this past week with the gain. Basically I should have had my cycle but instead I had all the symptoms except the actual....event. Anyway its past now and I am down a pound from my lowest weight. I can't weight until my PCOS is under control. I've always heard that with weight loss it can completely turn many symptoms around. Hope so!! Thanks again!!

Thanks for The info FYI According to the FDA, any food that has 5 or less calories per serving can report as a 0 calorie food. So always watch for that.

Thanks so much for all your words of support. I hope you are all right, it's Water weight or I'm retaining or something. I guess I just live in fear that my body will suddenly outsmart the band and I'll quit losing weight or even worse- gain it all back. And thanks to your advice, I put the scale away for awhile so hopefully when I come back to it I'll be back down. tHANKs a TON!!!

How on earth did I gain 4 lbs in one night?!?!? I have been going over and over it in my mind at what caused it. I looked over my food logs to see if I was just foolin' myself with the portions- I know I drank my Water I was supposed to, had all my protein- but usually when I wake up in the morning I get on the scale and it is 1/2 to 1 1/2 pounds LESS than when I weighed before bed. It's a digital scale and is pretty expensive and logs all previous weights and so I can tell if it had been messed with or something. So but what, did I eat a whole freakin' cheesecake in my sleep??? HAs this happened to anyone else? Am I going to have to fight all over again to re-lose those lbs or will I drop back down to where I was soon.???Thoughts????

Hey guys, my fill went just fine. No pain or anything. Sandra- The nurse would only give me 1 cc. I don't know yet if I have restriction since of course I just moved to mushies for the rest of today and was on liquids since after the fill yesterday. Anyway- I hope it gives me some restriction, but if not I set another appointment for 3 weeks.