2muchfun

Unfortunately, that seems to be the norm. My doc is great but he's no Chatty Cathy and it's obvious he needs to be somewhere else real quick.

I leaned heavily on egg drop soup. Lots of protein and very filling.

Lots of details missing Lisa? Have you been going back to your doctor for adjustments and what does he/she say? Have you visited with a nutritionist? Do you feel satisfied with one cup of food for 4+ hours? Do you track calories or foods on an app? Do you exercise? Do you feel the soft stops when you eat and do you obey them? Sorry but there's no clear method to get back on the bandwagon. If there was, we'd all be at goal with not a problem in the world

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/05/30/317345983/how-a-food-stylist-made-squirrel-and-earthworm-look-appetizing yum. I don't know whether I should thank you or recommend a therapist and I'll still pass on the worms even if they're on lemon custard or my fav, Crème brulee.

I bookmarked this just for questions like yours. She shares her routine and some daily menus, so read it all: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/305070-i-cant-believe-it-is-this-reallty-happening-for-me/?p=3445432

I went in for fill today. First one in over a year. I wasn't feeling satisfied with just one or even 2 cups of food. I talked this over with my doc and the nutritionist and they agreed with my own analysis. I believe I've become such a chewing machine, that every bite becomes a slider food and the only time I feel a little stuck is if I eat too quickly or take too large of bites. It's taken 2 years to get to this point and I never thought I would, but here I am. They agreed it happens. So, .5 CCs today. A little aggressive I think but Soup went down fine tonight. For the last 6 months or so, I've developed this spidy sense when I've eaten too quickly. It's similar to being stuck but much less obvious. It's a little pressure directly under my Xiphoid which is the same spot I felt my painful stuck episodes. A year ago, a stuck episode lasted up to 45 minutes. Now, when I feel that soft stop, it last 2-3 minutes and then I can slowly resume my meal. I do have to say that I feared my pouch or esophagus was dilated but Dr believes that's just not possible. tmf

I wasn't aware of the soft stops at all till 4 months in. You're so far ahead of where I was at this stage. You're going to get a lot of different answers on this one. For me, I just ate healthy most of the time and just having the band made me eat a little less. But, I decided that I wasn't going to go back to that diet feeling again. You know, the feeling that I had to eat a certain diet food but being hungry most of the time? Being hungry is uncomfortable. I tried not to have that feeling. But, I sometimes slipped up and ate the wrong foods or hit McKie D's or Taco Bell. But, I didn't beat myself up over it.

I missed the pics in post #1? Hey Fiona, we want to see what Shrek looks like

Hi back at ya. You look so pretty. Don't be a stranger. Lots of folks here need people like you to look up to. This journey is a difficult one for so many.

See, I knew I'd screw it up. Fiona, yes, and Shrek, no way.

OK, I hope this comes across like I intend it? But, if you have kids, you must have seen Shrek? Looking at your pics? Before and after? Cameron Diaz has nothing over you(except tons of money maybe). Anywho, you look wonderful now and you are an inspiration to so many. tmf

My insurance made me wait 6 months but around 5 months they said never mind. I still waited it out and it is disappointing.

You should always stop when you are full. As long as you don't continue to drink or eat to the point you're uncomfortable. No need to stretch your stomach so early.

MyDreamComeTrue is projecting her own version of BH. BH is not getting stuck like she described(food cannot sit on your port). The common definition is as I posted and has been for years. If food gets stuck in your pouch or esophagus, you need to eat slower and chew much more. There may be some foods that don't agree with your band and you'll learn which ones to avoid. If you follow the rules, stuck episodes are few. You can call them your own Bandster hell but it's not the true definition. Bandster Hell is the period of time between being banded and getting the fill that gives you satiety for 4+ hours. It went on for 3.5 months for me till I got my 3rd fill. tmf

Yes. Your band is not filled so the opening(stoma) is wide open. food passes through easily so there's no restriction or stimulation to the vagus nerve. This phase is just like before having the band. For me, until my 3rd fill, I was hungry just like before band but I found I could eat less and feel satisfied for an hour or two. I just ate healthy foods so I didn't gain weight. Until you get your band adjusted so you feel satisfied for hours, it's just another diet. Good luck.

Some of what you say may be true but the odds of a manufacturer paying to replace or repair your tubing is slim. Good luck.

I survived on Progresso Soups, refried beans(they don't give me gas, that's what I told my wife ), egg drop Soup and shakes. And stop worrying about weight loss. I know you wanted this journey to start immediately but it doesn't. It won't start till your band is adjusted properly. Sorry, the docs and nutritionists didn't tell you this.

You may get scheduled for surgery but before you have surgery a good doctor will require you attend a nutrition class and an orientation. All your questions should be answered in those meetings. You can't feel the band from the outside or inside. Fills sequences will be up to your doctor and your progress. The doctor has never had a problem finding my port but I've read where sometimes it is hard to find for extremely obese people. But, they do find it.

This is me doing my Horshack impression at the back of the class. Sorry, you're way too young to even know who Horshack is? Anywho, yes, I was hungry just days after sugery. http://youtu.be/-cDAqrywsHE http://youtu.be/7YHFAeM7sz4

I don't know who Vanguard is and don't know how long the warranty is either. But, leaks do happen and I'd say you're far beyond the warranty period. Sorry, but I don't think you have much choice but pay out of pocket to fix your tube? jmo tmf

You've got a good doc there Yadi, way to go!!

So, what's your progress so far and are you happy with your WLS choice?

I get lazy and sleepy 2.5 years out so yes, it's normal. Congrats!

You should be happy. You look great. And fit too!!

The list of culprits causing stomach cramps is long, very long. I've never got cramps from drinking Water or running so I'm no help? Being dehydrated could cause cramps as you mentioned? You're so newly banded it could be gas or constipation.