MistyD65

Water and Jello for two weeks? And nothing else? I know all doctors have different post-op requirements, but that seems a little extreme to me. If it's sugar-free jello, then you are really not taking in any nutrition at all, so it's no wonder you are weak and dizzy. Generally, people are allowed Protein drinks, broth, diluted fruit juices in the first couple of weeks. You might want to call your doctor to verify his post-op diet requirements, and if water and jello are indeed all you are supposed to eat, ask what you can do to combat the dizziness. I did feel somewhat weak and shaky at the end of the first week post-op, but I was allowed the things I mentioned above. I did notice that I was only getting about 300 calories a day. When I added a different Protein Drink with a higher calorie count, it brought my calories to 400 or so, and that little difference made me feel better. Hope you feel better soon!

Oh, wow! That would be horrible to have to live with, I agree. I wonder why some people have so much more trouble with it than others? One more reason I'm very happy with my band.

Last week: 244 This week: 243 1 pound lost. I was hoping for more, but I know the reason...TOM cravings that I gave in to. On the up side, I have worked out at Curves every day this week.

But having stinky poos is an occasional thing. Being obese is full time.

And don't forget, most of us have a rather skewed perception of what "full" is. Until you reach the sweet spot, I'd suggest you not try to eat til you are full. Instead, put the amount of food recommended by your doctor or nutritionist on your plate and eat only that. Make your meal last 20 minutes. When you have finished what is on your plate, stop, think, and ask yourself if you are still hungry. You'll probably be surprised to find that you are not. You may still WANT to eat more, but if your true, physical hunger is satisfied then you have had all you need. I encountered this very early after moving from liquids to soft foods, and it was kind of a WOW moment! Remember - don't eat as much as you CAN; eat as much as you SHOULD. :crying:

I have had 3 fill appointments, but only got a fill (of 0.6 cc in a 4 cc band) on the first one. When the time came for my second one, I had pretty much decided that I didn't want one. I was losing steadily, was finding myself able to make good food choices, and could only eat about a cup of food at a sitting, as long as I ate solid Proteins. Yes, I would get a bit hungry between meals, but it was bearable. I even welcomed the hunger because it was "real" hunger, and I could either have a low-calorie snack or just wait about 20 minutes and it would pass. I also liked the fact that I didn't have any "problem" foods as long as I chewed things well. My doctor agreed that I didn't need a fill. The same thing happened at my third appointment - we both decided that I didn't need a fill. There are some times when I wish I was a bit more restricted - when the head hunger wins out - but those times are really getting farther and farther apart, and I am more and more able to recognize head hunger for what it is and put it in its place. I think I kind of look at my band in the same way as your doctor does - as a safety net. A couple of months down the line, if my weight loss stalls or I'm just having a hard time making the good choices, I can choose to have that safety net tightened, to do a little more of the work for me. You said that you had lap band done because you have failed before on so many diets. But you are most certainly NOT failing now. 12 pounds in one month is incredible! YOU are making the good choices and doing the things you need to keep losing. When you find yourself starting to slip back into bad eating habits - IF that happens - you can go back for a fill. I think your doctor's approach is right on the money! Keep up the great work!

I've been so fat for so long that I don't think anything is going to prevent me from having saggy skin. I'm doing what I can to tone up the muscles underneath though. That should help a lot in the long run (I hope):confused:

PJD it sounds like you should consider getting a slight unfill. You should not be getting stuck and throwing up a lot - that is an indicator of being too tight. Turning to soft carbs like potatoes and mac and cheese because they go down easily is another indicator. From what I have read, that is one of the main reasons for people to not lose weight, and even to gain weight, with the band. At proper restriction you should be able to eat solid proteins, vegetables and other healthy foods. Yes, you will have to take small bites, chew really well, and you may find foods here and there that just don't work for you, but you should be able to eat plenty of appropriate things and not feel like you are starving yourself. Please, see your doctor about a possible unfill. It may take some back and forth before you are at proper restriction, but this is for the rest of your life. The time it takes to get it right is well worth it!

Congratulations! You are off to a great start! I've seen it pointed out before, and I believe it to be true, that we, as overweight people, mistake "stuffed" for "full". Having said that, since you are only 2 weeks post-op and have not had a fill, it is quite normal for you not to fill full yet. You said you are not hungry - THAT is what you are looking for, even more than being full. As you move to solid foods, you will find that they fill you up faster and stay with you longer. The mushies that you are eating will move through your pouch fairly easily. But solid Proteins and appropriate vegetables, fruits and grains, when you are okayed to eat them, are going to be your friends. Sherbet, unless it is low-calorie, is definitely going to be something you will want to cut out or limit severely. It is one of those "slider" foods - high carb, high sugar things that slip oh-so easily through the band. For the time being, follow the plan your doctor gave you, only eating the amounts recommended, regardless of whether you feel you can eat more or not. Keep notes for yourself about how long it is before you feel hungry again, and be on the lookout for head hunger. When I first started solid foods I would eat the amounts on the plan my nutritionist gave me. On the first evening I finished my meal and noticed that it had satisfied my physical hunger. But I still wanted MORE! That's the part the band isn't going to be much help with. But that's why we are all here on LBT - to help each other with the tough parts!

Last weigh-in: 245.8 (1/15/09) Today: 244 Loss: 1.8 Well, I got back from my trip and, as expected, had put on a few pounds, but not as many as I feared. I did liquids for two days earlier this week and it all came off, plus a couple more. Then TOM hit. But I still managed to hit the 60 pound mark by my birthday and 6 month bandiversary!

My 6 month bandiversary was February 4th and I celebrated with these stats: 61 pounds lost Went from a size 26 to an 18/20 BMI dropped from 52.2 to 41.9 I work out 5-6 days a week at Curves For the first time I really feel like I am finally going to reach goal. I've never lost this much before. I'm 1/3 of the way there and going strong!

It has, for many people. It's just a tool to help get back in control, and for many of us that means backing off the carbs. I just did the first two days and lost 5 pounds....(results not typical..your experience may vary) lol

Junk food is going to go down easily. Since you find that you get full quickly and stay satisfied when you eat Protein and veggies, I would not recommend a fill. One thing you might want to do though, if you feel you need some help to regain control, is try the 5 Day Pouch Test at Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test Also, check out this thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/starting-holiday-detox-early-anyone-wanna-join-me-84070/ You are definitely not alone in falling off the wagon on the holidays, but the Pouch Test has worked wonders for many of us!

You are most probably in ketosis. Since you are not taking in any carbohydrates, your body is using fat for energy rather than carbs. Bad breath is one of the side effects of ketosis. Once you start adding carbs back into your diet this should go away. It's a small, short-term price to pay as you begin your journey to better health! I think most of us experience it - I know I did.

Thanks! Down another 1.4 lbs today to 243....61 total Yaaayyyyaaa! o/ I did it!!

Mine is also on the right. I think it's just a personal preference thing with each surgeon.

You are certainly not alone in trying out solids before you are supposed to, and you have probably not damaged anything, but it is very important to follow your doctor's instructions for the post-op healing period. It wouldn't hurt to call your doctor and tell him that you have had solids and ask his opinion.

Thank you, thank you! Maybe I'll hit 60 tomorrow - my birthday!:w00t:

Woo hoo!! After Day 1 of the 5DPT I've lost 3.6 pounds. I'm only 0.4 lbs away from 60 lost since surgery!:w00t:

I have to agree with Jachut. Aftercare is SO important to success with the band. The usefulness of support groups, nutritionists, and exercise centers will vary widely with each person, but access to fills and unfills is VITAL! So be very sure that the fee charged by the bariatric center includes fills and doctor visits. You don't want to be given this tool, then be unable to get it "fine tuned" to where it works best for you.

It is completely normal and even expected for you to stall and, yes, even gain a bit when moving to regular foods post-op. Don't panic. It sounds like you are doing the right thing, although you didn't mention exercise. If you are not exercising already, now is a great time to start. It really makes a difference. As far as fills go, start taking notice of a few things - how much can you eat at one time, how long does it take you to eat, how long is it after a meal before you feel hungry again. You may, indeed, not need a fill right now. I am one of those bandsters who seemed to have some restriction from the beginning. I had one fill of 0.6 cc at 6 weeks post-op (in a 4 cc band) and I have declined fills at my previous two appointments. I like the fact that I can eat pretty much whatever I want, I've never PBed, and my weight is coming off steadily. Yes, there are some times when I wish I was tighter, when my own self-control leaves me and I eat more than I should, but so far those times don't happen that much and I am always able to get back on track. So, give your body a bit of time to adjust to having real food again, exercise, keep being careful with your eating, and be mindful of your hunger and when it occurs. You seem to be on the right track for success!

Oh gosh, Cheetos - the hard ones, not the puffy ones...and the Kroger brand is even better than actual Cheetos to me. I can't get my husband to give up his chips, so there are usually Pringles, tortilla chips, Fritos and cheese curls in the house. Putting them all in a big paper bag works pretty good for me - out of sight, out of mind - but sometimes the salty/crunchy cravings hit. The amazing thing is that 98% of the time I am happy with just a couple of chips, where before I would have eaten half the bag. I'd prefer they were just not in the house though.

I've just gotten back home after visiting my parents for over two weeks. I started out with the best of intentions regarding my eating, but after a few days I stopped trying as hard. When I weighed this morning I was expecting the worst but had, surprisingly, only put on 2.2 pounds. Still, I went carb crazy and need to get that out of my system, so I'm starting detox/5DPT today. I'm looking forward to getting those pounds off, plus more, hopefully. Anxious to get back to Curves, too. Wish me luck!

My experience is similar to Heather's. I don't pass gas any more than before the band, but I do seem to burp more.

There's been some great advice given and I don't really have any to add. I did, however, want to comment on the quote above - for the NP to say that you are "supposed to walk away from the table with the 'stuck' feeling and work through it for the next couple hours until you can eat again" is just unbelievable. Getting stuck is NOT supposed to be something that occurs with every meal. Rather, it is an indicator - you are too tight, you ate too fast or didn't chew well enough or took too big a bite, or maybe this is a food that just isn't going to work for you. I've been banded for 6 months and I have never PBed. The few times I've gotten stuck were because I ate too fast or didn't chew well. Also, for anyone who is frightened by threads such as this, just remember something - the nature of forums such as LBT is that people are more likely to post about problems they are having than about being wildly successful. The folks who are rolling smoothly along with their bands don't really need to come here and post about their experiences, although many do. It's kinda like the news - bad news gets much more coverage than good news. But that's one of the things I appreciate about LBT. It's a "warts and all" source of information, the good and the bad. And it's best to have all of the information you can gather on something that is going to affect the rest of your life the way this surgery will.