Enchanted

I had my surgery in April of 2008. I lost like mad until the beginning of this year. Then, I was able to maintain my weight for a number of months, but in May - I started gaining. Yikes. Some of the weight gain is due to eating the wrong foods - and I'm fixing that. I've been right on plan this week and I'm down an incredible 6 pounds. Part of the problem has also been finding that "sweet spot". It's been frustrating. I'll have .25 cc put in...and I'm too tight. Back to the doctor the next week to have .25 taken out...and then I'm hungry. I was back and forth like this for months (not every week, but definitely every 2-3 weeks for a few months). And..I just got tired of it. This week, I went in for a fill....the nurse said it was even less than .25 cc ("just a couple of drops") and it feels like this might be right. But I know....I know that right after ovulation, I will get too tight again. Then, the cycle begins. Go in to have some of it taken out, get too hungry, go back..blah blah blah. So. I don't know. It's frustrating...and I'm not the easily frustratable type of girl. I am thinking that in the couple of weeks before my period, I might switch to mostly shakes / soft foods. Think that would help? The hunger is real hunger. I'm sure of that. Obviously, I'm in control of what kinds of foods I put into my mouth and I've been making some bad decisions. I guess my question is - does anyone else who has had the band for awhile now experience this same thing? I've asked a couple of times at the doctor and they say that it sometimes takes a long time to get to that perfect level. And...has anyone else here gained some weight and then successfully lost it? I feel fortunate that I've "only" gained 20+ pounds in the past five months. In the bad old days, I would have regained every ounce much more quickly. But still. So...looking for some support and input. Thank you in advance for being kind. xo

It's unlikely (though possible) that you will need to be filled to the full capacity of your band. They fill slowly to avoid complications - and the difference between being "just right" and "too tight" really can be the difference of .25 cc. It's frustrating (I know!) and tiring to have to wait for the perfect restriction . . . but you're not alone and one day, you'll get there.

You may be getting rehydrated since you're now able to take in more liquids than you were previously. Also, if you're eating the wrong soft foods, you will gain. Tell your husband you need support and his comment was not supportive. Twelve pounds since mid-October is incredible. xo

I only told a few people before my surgery. I have a feeling that after you start losing, you may not be so worried about telling people about it. I've head that when asked how they're losing weight, people say, "Healthy food and exercise." It's not a lie - you will be eating better foods and moving it. Good luck to you!

You could try a liquid laxative like Milk of Magnesia. Or...as a preventive, you could try Benefiber. Drink lots of Water. They also make the stool softeners that you . . . insert. They are effective, but if you ask me how I know, I'll deny all knowledge. Feel better. xo

You should try to follow your doc's recommendations post-op and if you find that you cannot, you should call and talk with them. Like your doctor, mine has a very strict "for life" diet. While losing weight, he wants us on two shakes and one small meal each day - it really is very impossible to do that for months on end. I don't follow it to the letter every day, but my surgery was 18 months ago. While in the post-op stages, you should be doing what the doctor says. Healing relies on it.

I had a cough before my surgery, too. About a week prior, I got on some good meds to help control things and was in good shape for my surgery.

Such a good thing! Glad it's moving right along for you!

Unless you know which brands you love, I would buy in very small quantities. As for how much.... Right after surgery, I was on 3 shakes / day. I did more like two. (I believe this lasted 10 days?) Then, for a week I had 2 shakes + 1 soft meal.

The issue I would have with sushi is controlling the size of the bite. With most pieces, the tendency would be to pop the whole thing right into the mouth - that would be a huge mistake for me. Huge.

Sounds like you might be too tight. Any fill of any amount can do this. I'm down to .25cc making the difference between "just right" and "too tight." xo

I frequently fly across the country. I try not to eat anything and have only Clear liquids the day of the flight. I can feel tightening, but it's never hurt and I always go back to normal that same day.

After you get a fill, there is some swelling. The swelling can make you feel tighter. The liquids after are to give your stomach some time to rest and heal. Once that happens, you should be able to have soft foods and then transition to regular people food. Try super-soft foods when the timing is right. Small bites. Chew lots. Wait between bites. You'll know if you're too tight. My doc suggests that if soft foods don't go down easily, that you go back to liquids for another day or so. Of course, if you can't swallow liquids, you need to be seen right away since that would always mean you're too tight. I hope this helps. xo

I've never heard of that either. I wonder if the port is about to flip if it's "crooked" I hope they are numbing you for this. xoxo

After my surgery, I was not really hungry for a couple of weeks. I know other people really suffer during this time with hunger. I count myself lucky.

ROFL I thought I was the only one. Mine is named Murray. It's a really geeky story. If anyone plays World of Warcraft (I've not for more than a year), you'll know the sounds of the murlocs in the game. On days when I'm too tight, my band sounds like a murloc. Mur....Murray! So..I'm a geek.

Excited for you!! Hopefully, it won't be much longer for your surgery day.

I get a sweet taste in my mouth with splenda (sucralose). If you have the equipment, check your blood glucose level when this happens. Mine goes up with splenda - even though "they" swear that's not supposed to happen.

It's interesting.....consistently unhappy people working a doctor's office usually means they are not being treated well - usually by the doctor.

Sounds like you're right on track with recovery!

Ditzy..that is really dangerous and irresponsible advice.

Band erosion happens when the band erodes into the stomach. Things that can cause it include....repeated vomiting, use of NSAIDS (ibuprofen, etc.), maybe alcohol, maybe smoking. Sometimes, there are no symptoms. Sometimes, the symptoms are infection-like around the port. Once it's been confirmed (endoscopy), I believe the only solution is to remove the band.

Stress definitely makes me tighter. Tighter in the mornings than in the afternoons. Tighter during PMS. If you're frustrated because you can't eat well and you're eating junk, you should probably have a little unfill.

If you're in a lot of pain, you should call your surgeon to see what s/he wants you to do. I'm surprised the ER didn't do that when you were there - even if your doc operates out of the other hospital. Sorry you're having trouble.

Rock on! Glad things are progressing for you!