simone

I've had my lap band for almost 6 years and have always had a problem with getting enough liquids in. It doesn't matter when I drink, before, with or at anytime after a meal (30 minutes or 2 hours) I almost always feel hungry again. It does not matter how much restriction I have. I have had the same problem whether I follow my surgeons 30 minute rule or not. Does anyone else out there have this problem and if so what do you do? Simone

My restriction is in what I would consider the green zone so I don't get stuck very often. I have a great deal of trouble eating meats but pretty much anything else eaten carefully is okay. I have spoken to my bariatric co-ordinator and she doesn't know what causes me to be hungry all the time when I drink. She suggested to come on the forum to ask if anyone else had this issue. I will have something to drink not even giving it any thought and very quickly afterward I will start to feel hungry. Then I will think "Oh yes, I had a drink" It has been a problem for me for several years. I've just learned to avoid liquids until just before I'm due for my next meal.

I've had my lapband for almost 6 years and have always had a problem with getting enough liquids in. It doesn't matter when I drink, before, with or at anytime after a meal (30 minutes or 2 hours) I almost always feel hungry again. It does not matter how much restriction I have. I have had the same problem whether I follow my surgeons 30 minute rule or not. Does anyone else out there have this problem and if so what do you do? Simone

Hi out there - I have not been back on the forum for several years. did so well the first couple of years and then got complacent and have re-gained a significant amount of weight back. I relearned ( or actually never forgot) old eating habits and stopped exercising for about a year because of arthritis pain. Recently rejoined a gym to do what I can and am watching what I put in my mouth again. I will get back on trackIII It's hard to think I did so well and let myself regress. I was so proud of myself but once again I have a whole closet full of clothes that don't fit. Need motivation so I guess I'll have to become a regular on this site again.

Teri - happy for you. I have had such good luck with my band that I've gotten complacent and put 10# back on. I'm going to try doing more cooking instead of grabbing the things that I know go down well and start coming back to the forum again. Keep up the good work. Simone - Sept. Samauri's 2008.

A word of caution, some papaya pills taste great (GNC) and some are AWFUL!!! I bought some from Puritan's Pride mail order vitamins because they were a good value. NOT!!! I ended up throwing them away. Also, get them on board as soon as you get stuck because they work best taken as soon as possible. Good luck on your use of them

What is the word of wisdom. I have been banded for almost 2 years and haven't heard that term before even though I spent hours on this forum for the 1st year.

Teri - I'm sorry the lapband hasn't worked for you. We all went into it with such high hopes. RNY would not be my choice but if it works better for you I say go for it!!! You need to be healthy for those 3 wonderful boys of yours. Good Luck!

Today is my 1 year bandiversary and I could not be happier. I love my band!!!! :tongue: Down almost 70#. I've gone from a tight XXL to anything from a 12-16 depending on the item and manufacturer. I've also found goodwill to be my new favorite store. I've probably spent more on clothes in the last year than in the last 5. :thumbup: Had my 1 year check up yesterday and had the dr take out .3cc because I had been having swallowing problems. Also, my mind can't seem to accept eating only 1/2 cup at a time. I figure, if I have to watch what I eat more closely and make sure my exercise stays a priority I should be able to control my weight. I am finding it's getting too easy to mindlessly snack on junk food at work. At home it's not such a problem, as I just don't buy it any more. I've had to cut back on exercise for several weeks because of knee problems but am feeling like if I take it slowly I can start working harder again. Unbelieveably I missed the exercise!!! :scared2: My 33 yr old son is doing his liquid diet this week in preparation for surgery on Tuesday, October 6. Please pray for him that he does well, both with the surgery and managing his life after the band. This is a last chance thing for him. His weight has been a major problem and has kept him from living life as he should. Keep up the good work everyone and keep in touch!

My one year bandiversary is tomorrow and I have so many reasons to celebrate!!! :tongue2: I can now walk into any stall in a public bathroom without having to practically climb up on the seat to close the door, or use the handicapped one. I never realized that bathroom stalls really aren't all that small. Also, the other day I walked past a mirror and stopped and went back again for a look. All of a sudden I have cheek bones. Haven't seen them in 30 years. So many other NSV's they are hard to count!! "LIFE IS GOOD WITH MY BAND!!!"

Sounds like you're eating well Teri. I wish I could eat bread and pasta but they just dont' sit well. I can eat bread if it's full of seeds and chunks and try to have a bit every day just for the fiber. I way I wish I could eat pasta and breads more but probably not because they are part of what got me where I was a year ago. I could live on sandwiches before the band. My doctor allows up to 3 snacks a day if I get hungry between meals and some days I take advantage of them, other days not. I have the advantage of having my children grown so I don't have to cook for them and I also have time to exercise. It's a good thing that I don't have to do meals every day because I find it harder all the time to have any interest in preparing meals I won't eat. My poor husband!! Actually, I make sure he eats well, but it's not what he was used to. Keep up the good work. :thumbup:

It's amazing how my eating has changed in 11 months. I am now at my sweet spot eating only about 1/2 cup per meal. I am really having a problem with head hunger on that one. My mind is just not satisfied even though my stomach says it's full. As an example, yesterday we were traveling and stopped at an A&W for a quick lunch (chosen because we couldn't leave the dog in the car and they have car hops). I had a chili cheese dog w/o the bun and was full but my mind said "you can eat an ice cream. NOOOOO I COULDN'T!!! Still surprises me! I eat a lot of chili's and stews, etc. because they can be made with lots of vegetables and protein in small servings. I will make a big pot of it, serve it to my family a time or two and then freeze the rest in small containers that are perfect for my lunch box. For breakfast I ususally have an instant breakfast blended with a frozen banana & extra protein in the form of powdered peanut butter. Dinner might be a very small portion of moist chicken and veg's or soup or even just a couple of whole grain crackers with cheese. When I need a snack I maybe have tapioca pudding or yogurt. Has anyone else tried freezing the new whipped yogurt from Yoplait? It's like eating a tart ice cream. YUMMY!!!! Definitely not eating like I was a year ago!! STILL LOVING MY BAND!!!!

Hi All Just checking in to say I still 'LOVIN MY BAND!" :thumbup: I'm almost to the goal I set myself of 160. Just 7# to go and the surgeon thinks I can do it. Just had a fill last week and I think I'm finally back to my sweet spot again. I was there before and then had to have an emergency unfill because I suddenly, for no reason, could not even swallow water. Also just coming off of a 4 month plateau. Now that my goal is in sight I'm thinking 140-150 isn't unreasonable. Amazing what a different a year makes in how I'm looking at things. I have to admit that I'm now playing with HEAD HUNGER :rolleyes2: and I REALLY, REALLY MISS EATING! Somehow eating just 1/2 - 3/4 cups at a time doesn't satisfy my mind, although that can often times be too much. I am really fighting becoming a grazer. Oh well! It will work out in the end. I am so happy with my band that my son has now set his date for surgery. Keep up the good work.

When I posted this thread I didn't mean to imply that I was told not to eat pasta, just that it got so stuck the time I tried it that I didn't want to do it again. I've tried whole wheat pasta in the past and can't get past the grainy texture and the Dreamfields while high in fiber doesn't have that feel. I aslo don't eat white bread (just whole grain) or noodles or anything like that. I can eat a pancake if made with cornmeal as that doesn't get so pasty. Just some of the things I miss with the band. Still lovin' my band though!!

I know, I'm going to hear that we shouldn't be eating pasta for many reasons: carbs, getting stuck, etc. I've been banded for 10 months now without any pasta and I would have to say it's the one thing I really miss. I tried some right after I was allowed real food again and got stuck so tight I haven't wanted to try it again. Well, the other day I found "low carb" pasta in the store and just had to try it. I boiled it up al dente and ate a small (1/4 cup) portion with lots of spaghetti sauce and extra veg's and was able to eat it with out getting stuck. HURRAY!!!!!!! :smile2: It's called Dreamfields and is lower carb and higher fiber and so YUMMY!!! I don't plan on eating it often but on occasion it should fit into anyone's diet. Just wanted to share this exciting (to me, at least) information.