RestlessMonkey

I agree with LindaD. Either you'll learn to slow down and chew well, or you'll be in pain a lot, or you'll turn to slider foods only and not lose. For most of us, it just takes putting your hand on the hot stove once to learn that we need to CHEW and take small bites! If you're like me, it takes more than once (LOL) but you do learn.

Ask your doc. I was on liquids for 2 weeks post op and can't imagine even WANTING a drink then...I Wanted FOOD! Not liquor ! and liquor would've just made me more likely to cheat, sadly!

Anyway let your surgeon guide you on this.

7 cc's. And it took 7 fills (and 1 unfill) to get there.

Ask your surgeon! :thumbup:

I guess you decided not to have your band removed?

I honestly suggest therapy. The band won't take care of head hunger; you have to handle that on your own.

Yes that's what a minor "stuck" incident feels like.

You apparently weren't well educated and shame on your surgeon for that; for most the band doesn't do much until it is filled to the "sweet spot" or the "Green zone" as the chart in my doc's office calls it. If your surgeon is conservative as mine is it may take 3-5 fills to hit good restriction.

Regardless right now you are healing and you need to concentrate on that, not loss. It will come; this is the band, not bypass. The loss is slower initially.

You're expecting too much too soon from yourself and your band. Relax, follow your docs orders. It will happen, just not as fast as, unfortunately, you expected it would.

Ok Bandster25. I do know that dry=tight in band world, so you may be onto something about drinking loosening the band! I'm going to experiment with that. I'll keep my Papaya enzyme handy though! :thumbup:

Yes, call your doc for clarification. For example, I was on liquids for 2 weeks but week one was Clear Liquids and NO Protein Shakes. Each doc is different. Call and find out exactly what yours wants you to do.

I can eat popcorn fine. I honestly can eat any food fine, or at least any I've tried! I'm at my sweet spot, too.

I guess it just depends. I can even eat white bread untoasted (I know because I tried! LOL) Some things I have to take more care with than others, but nothing is on the "never" list.

Ok so I’m still getting used to the idea of buying M shirts and 32 pants – I’ve NEVER been there before. But today I got a real shocker. I ordered a costume online for a party I’m going to this weekend, I plan to wear the costume for Halloween as well. In the bad old days I would have been worried about bursting out of an off the shelf costume (one size fits all, yeah right:cursing:). Well, I put the thing on today and it drapes on me. The shoulders are saggy, I got no a$$, and the belt falls off. That was the happiest I ever felt about not fitting in a costume:thumbup:

You may have to go as "The Incredible Shrinking Man" :thumbup:

But Bel, the liquid doesn't STAY in the pouch 10 minutes! I mean, unless you drink a lot or are super tight. It goes through. Liquids flow...they aren't just going to hang around up there for the fun of it. That's why i wonder. Maybe it's only REALLY tight people, or a LOT of liquid?

Because for me when I forget and drink while I am eating, let me tell you there's no food flowing through. It may come back UP but it isn't flowing. It hurts like the devil. So if there's still Water or liquid in there when I eat it's going to hurt, not make me able to eat more.

AND I'm not arguing in case it sounds like it. I'm really honestly trying to understand the logic of it.

I don't believe in "disregard authority" but I DO believe in "Question authority". If the reason isn't sound, THEN I'll disregard! LOL

AH where we get stuck! Right? Yes I will. I'd better write it on my calendar so I don't forget. I'd been going to go at the end of Aug but am still well restricted, losing well, feeling great, so I postponed. :w00t: Thanks for reminding me.

BUT I am really curious about the pre meal liquid thing. DH is pretty good with anatomy and mechanics etc and he has no clue either. Anyone?

I have to say I went on a job interview in April and the jacket I wore is too big. I bought the same jacket (LOVE that jacket) in 2 sizes smaller (and it's not stretchy, and it buttons. so there's no "forgive" in it) and it fits and is a little loose. THAT is exciting.

When you have a lot to lose it is hard to see it, and it takes a bunch to go down a size, but when it happens, there's a PARTY! :w00t: (no food, just fun! LOL)

Restless - wow that really puts it in perspective. Pre and Post and Filled. Thanks for sharing that. I am so glad I have this band in me now.

Thanks again for sharing with us. :w00t:

I'm glad to help! :blushing: I know we're all a little different but I figured that what happened to me would be at least a starting point for others!

It honestly took me about 55-60 pounds to look different. I felt better sooner, but I'm looking slimmer (figuratively, I'm still really large but I'm a smaller large!) and moving more smoothly etc. :w00t:

It'll happen!

Sounds to me like you should be pretty glad you changed now. I don't really understand why you are so blue. Your surgery may be delayed a week or two but that beats getting incompetent care. Believe me, the aftercare is just about more important than the band itself. You're lucky you switched now, IMHO.

Scroll on through the forums. There are sections to address docs and hospitals etc and you'll probably get more play there.

If you are military aren't you tricare? If so I don't think you have that 6 month thing. I didn't, anyway.

I'd give them a day and call again.

Locally I had to attend a seminar, then see the surgeon for an initial consult, then have psych and nutrition clearance and paperwork was submitted. Once approved (about 48 hours; I'm tricare standard and no referral was needed) I had surgery scheduled, preop tests done, and surgery. Seminar was 7/10; first surgery 8/11.

Wait, you are mad because people don't think you are fat? Are you sure? LOL

Actually 41 isn't a low BMI! :w00t: (I know because I was just tinkering around with the calculator wondering when I'd be in just the "obese" range instead of the "check your numbers" range)

Bottom line, who cares? They think you look good like you are and that is making you angry so why give a rip if they think you should have surgery? You have to do what pleases you and you know you need it! :blushing:

I don't think they are being polite so much as being honest. It's complimentary, to my way of thinking (well most of it anyway)

And if they think that now, you'd better brace for the commentary you're going to get as you lose. They'll probably think you're sick or something! You'll just have to tune 'em out!

Hi All! I'll ask my surgeon this when I see him in October but inquiring minds are curious now.

What do you think is the rationale behind not drinking for a period BEFORE you eat? I understand the "no drinking during" and in fact when I do, it HURTS. I understand the "no drinking afterward" and in fact if I just allow the time my doc requires, it HURTS! :w00t:

But before? liquids flow through the stoma down into the lower part of the stomach easily, unless you are uber tight. As far as I know they don't linger there long, either.

So I can't quite figure it out. Anyone know, or have a good guess?

you'll probably recover faster than it took you to get to that point before. Remember too you did have surgery; your lungs had gas in them, etc. And it takes a while to heal; however your surface incisions look, internally it is NOT that healed yet! So walk and wii (LOL) but don't be too discouraged or down. It'll come back quickly.

I was thinking I felt more energetic post op than you did but then i was so sluggish preband that almost anything would've been an improvement! :w00t:

The fatigue will pass!

The most I ever lost on a diet was 45 pounds, so I was super pumped when I hit 46 down. HOWEVER honestly I got excited on May 8 when I realized my May 7 fill had put me at the "sweet spot" or "green zone" as my surgeon called it. I realized then "This is what the fuss is all about!" and I also realized then that if I was willing to work it, there would be no limit on how much I could lose. So May 8, 2009 is when I got excited! :w00t: And I still am. I lose in chunks but that's fine with me! I LOVE it. I am stunned I've lost over 75, can hardly wait to get to Twoterville, but am generally happy every day whether the scale goes down or not because except for some Water fluctuation (which is getting less as I lose) I do not go UP. THAT is wonderful.

I did just lose the rest of that pesky 3/4 chihuahua, and just over 1/5 of another one. :w00t: My cat prefers that I lose chihuahuas.

I actually had more energy and stamina post op, but I lost 32 pounds in 5 weeks on preop diet and losing that amt of weight really made it easier for me to get around. I am sure this is individual. People lose muscle mass rapidly when they are sedentary. Just start building back up and you'll be to where you were in no time.