YngGram

If you have meds, take them. Move around as much as possible, walk through the house, don't just sit or stay in bed. The gas can build up and it is killer. FOLLOW THE DOCS INSTRUCTIONS! Sip your Water slowly, it takes a long time at first to get them down but your body needs it to heal. Congrats and good luck.

Be very happy, but make sure to follow his instructions to the letter. This will give you time to heal and you should find good loss the first month or so. Congrats

That's me, yeterday and today I look up it's 3:15 and all I had had was Water and a cofffee. NOT GOOD, if I think of I eat because I know I need to . But if I am busy with chores, it doesn't happen.

I have been using OLD AGE and CHEMO BRAIN, I'll just add this one when needed. Maybe that's why I forget to eat

Brave girl, I get seasick just thinking about a ship. That added to a tight band, I might have taken over the ship as a crazy woman. Glad you had fun and you found a way to make things work.

I wonder if the doc meant clear liquids for that time or full liquids. The two are not equal, clear liquids the days after a fill do NOTHING for me. I don't ever have a hunger problem, but clear is less satisfing for me than wate, they flow the same. I'm sure it's just mental but when I am on them I am disappointed, unhappy and cranky! I don't feel like I had anything, my saving grace is egg drop Soup.< img src="https://s.bariatricpal.com/uploads/emoticons/default_rolleyes.gif" alt=":rolleyes:" />

You are doing a great job! It depends on many things, but for me it was the way I lost. It seemed to come off my face first so folks saw it early. If your arms, legs or just your tummy are getting smaller first it might take a little longer for them to see. Until they do it is your private joy to get on the scale and keep seeing the number go down. Keep up the good work!

First...not until it's time, not funny I know. Some docs put in a few cc at surgery and often those patiens will see early loss. The first few weeks are for healing. It is also about your body adjusting to the changes you've made. You have a forgein object in your body, you had major surgery and you are changing your lifestyle. This is a lot for the body and mind to adjust to. It isn't easy because if you have a pre op diet you followed, especially if it was most liquid; and then liquids after the surgery when you add back in the mushies and then solids, body gets all happy and grabs those calories. This is normal, it is most important that you follow the rules (yes think of them as rules) that you were given. Measure, don't drink with meals, don't do seconds, eat Proteins first; I was told a min of 65 grams daily and 64 oz of calorie free liquids. It will take your full committment to this. Smile, work and it will come off when it's time for your body to start the process. Your body will change in different ways, not always the scale. Take your body measurements now and weekly and the inches might leave first.

Traci T, please read my earlier post. I truly hope my suggestions will be helpfull to you. I didn't realize it would show the way it did, as if I hadn't said anything if you didn't look closly.

Great job!

I use whey Protein in Van., orange (crystal lite type) mix, ice , Water & litlle milk if you can. Blens and it's like an orange slush with what you need.

:lol:This is a very good sign, you are off to a good start. Just follow the rules, don't over do it with anything as you heal.

Hi all. I got my second fill last Wednesday (8/24). I was banded 5/24/11. I now have a total of 4 cc's in my 10 cc band. Here are the answers/advice I am looking for:

1.) Since my surgery I have counted calories and Protein grams. I try and eat around 1100-1200 calories/day and 100 g of protein/day. I am very hungry most days. I don't actually measure a cup or two of food but I am not eating a lot. I do not have any restriction but every once in a while I will get a stuck feel ing (I think). Does this mean the fills are working?!?! I have no other indication that they are.

I am not a counter, never have for many reasons. I haven't had restriction until my last fill; now at 5.5cc in a 10cc. You have not been stuck, you overate. Stuck leaves NO DOUBT! The band is to help you eat the smaller protiens, but doesn't stop you from the wrong foods. It should be helping you not be hungry. Are you getting enough Water, or are you drinking when you eat? Water helps with hunger throughout the day, but will cause you to get hungry quicker if you eat with meals.

2.) What exactly is the "stuck" feeling? I get a sharp pain in my upper chest. I have never had sliming or PBing (Thank Goodness!). Is what I am experiencing "being stuck"?

That is just a mind kicker; bite to large, not chewed enough or eating to fast. For me it's like lite indigestion. Theses can also cause PBing.

3.) I have only lost 8 lbs since my surgery. I lost 60 prior to surgery and think that I did better without the band. I sometimes wonder if I am not eating enough?!?!?

Check your measurements. Some people loose inches first, how are things fitting. This journey won't only be about the scale. It's only been 3 months and it will take some time to get to the green zone. I am just getting there. This isn't a diet but a lifestyle change. Mindset is going to be very important for success. Don't think the band will give you every signal you need to make the right choices. I have been able to eat bread, pizza and all the meats I like. As long as I stopped with what I considered the right amount I was fine. I was very carefull early on and lost; as soon as I got lazy I stopped. I am not trying to get it going again. I was told 65 grams of Protein and at least 64 oz of no cal liquids. I use a 32 oz cup filled throughout the day that I sip on. coffee, if you can have it, replaces chocolate for me and unfortunatley hunger. I forget to eat because I'm not hungry,. I drink to much right now and I use the flavored Creamers (bad, bad, bad)

Please let me know if you have any advice or similar stories. I am so confused and frustrated !

Thanks so much!!

You're Very Welcome!

Check out lapband.com info is there

Some buffett will give a small discount, others charge kid price.

It's always great to post after Niterun because she has such practical advice to offer! I'll answer the two simple questions based on personal experience - recovery wasn't too bad at all, very little pain with the incisions, just shoulder pain for about 10 days or so. I took two weeks off work. And I don't get sick from eating - this may make me lucky, or simply that I am too scared to break the eating rules because I hate vomiting! I've significantly changed my eating habits and am really doing well with weight loss. The only difficulties I have are when I eat too fast or too much and then I get shoulder pain.

Thanks

I got a fill on the 12th and I have been feeling really stressed as well. I'd not made a connection between the two. I have some life issues that have been going on for some time. Doc gave me Zoloft but I still needed something extra so I have some backup for the really bad days. DH was recently diaignosed as diabetic. Last week Tues we had an earthquake, my first even though I lived in CA for 3 years; his blood sugar dropped twice . This weekend there was Irene coming up the coast, so I have really been stressed. I don't usually get hungry, and I haven't been eating much. Greek yogurt or a slim fast to start the day, a couple of oz of deli meat and crackers then I try to get in dinner. Everything is going down ok, but my happy pills aren't making me happy as I should be. Also having problems sleeping.< /p>

Just a few personal opions

What is up with the nurse...you need to talk to a surgeon, they are better trained to understand and resolve problems

If you have problems...wait and can then eat..something is wrong. I sugguest you try full liquids for 3 days, then mushies for 3. When adding back the soilds try to measure the 4oz of Protein and the veggies as you should have been directed after surgery. This way if your throat is swollen or irriated it will give it some healing time.

As a health care provider nobody should ever not listen to what you have to say about how you feel. Being this far out, it's hard to follow the rules, at least it is for me. I am in the process of starting again. I need to get things moving again and to do this I have to go back to the rules.

You are the only person who knows how you feel. Make somebody listen to you. I can request to see the doc not the PA if I have a problem, you should be able to do the same.

My doc only told me what my recommened BMI was and to keep it in mind as I set my goal. I am pushing for 5'2", that would put me at 135 which I haven't seen since I left boot camp in 1978. I told him that I didn't want to look like some starving kid in Africa. I also didn't want that caught in headlights look that Star Jones has. Most importantly I didn't want to set a goal and not make it; then I would feel like I failed. I set myslef at 170 thinking I could do it. I'm about 7lbs short and they just won't go. I feel better, hate the fact that I am still obese but I'm not doing all I can to get more off. A recent fil gave me restriction for the first time. Now I just have to get my head in the game.

Lots of info is here, just browse and you will find many things of value.

I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I was 240 when I went to the seminar. Nov. 08, I started making changes in how I ate to help me get ready mostly mentaly. Surgery was March 09, doc put in about 2 cc at that time. I was overnight because of insurance, I was able to keep down fluids on first try and was on full liquids (carnation instant breakfast) when I left the hospital. Little pain, gas was the big deal; I went out that night and the next two. I was just sitting, but I was out. Most folks seem to have a problem with hunger until they get to the just right fill spot. I never have had that hunger issue, as long as I followed the guidelines the weight came off. My "problem" is that I forget to eat. You need to learn how to eat, when and how much. Smaller bites, more chewing and don't drink with meals, but you still need to get in plenty of liquids. Inches came off sometimes even if pounds didn't; making better food choices seems to be the key. I lost about 60 lbs and got lazy and have not followed the course as I should. When you don't problems can come up. I got stuck and had the food come up. I went back to the table and I shouldn't have. I didn't know that and caused some problems for myslef that were really just swelling but that's not good for us. That required an unfill, then I waited to long to refill and gained 19 lbs. I have gotten them off but it took almost 6 months. I had a fill 2 weeks ago and have ture restriction for the first time. I am relearning some things because it is new for me. I hope to start geting some more weight off in the next few weeks.

The experience if different for everyone. Type of band, doctors experience, your committment and lifestyle will all play a part in this. I only told my family and the few people I spent the most time with. Once people started to notice I told the ones I thought would understand, others I just said thanks. Emotionaly I am in a better place, health is much better. BP down and I have more energy, I can also shop in "normal" stores.

I was not banded in Mexico and I to dislike my band, being told to do all the things I have been doing, eat slow, small bites, stop drinking 30 mins before eating and STILL i get sick, I to am a bulimic, well really a llama, as I SPIT when I get sick than puke....

I AM NOT SAYING THAT THIS DOES NOT WORK, what I am saying is...I WISH MY DOCTOR HAD FULLY EXPLAIND to me, I am working out 2 times a day from swimming to spin class, and I am doing ok, but everytime I gear away from protien drinks to food I get sick, the band is not to tight as my doctor told me it wasent.........I disagree

We all have opinions on this subject and for some it works great, others it stinks......so please dont yell when you know nothing about living with a cup to puke in and following all the damn rules.....

WOW! You make me feel better about my doc and my band. I learned early that I am luckier than many others, because I haven't had to many problems. I would be ready to smack the doc if I felt bad and he said I didn't. Can't it cause future problems for you if you are only able to protien drinks? Get on hm, he needs to take better care of you, listen to what is going on. I had someone tell me that their doc said he didn't believe that the band would ever be wrong, just the person not using it right. There is enough info here to say he is STUPID! The band doesn't work for everybody, nonething does. Take care of yourself, and good luck.

Not only did I find the questions strange, the Dr. I saw was the dad of my daughters classmate. The thought of him reading my answers made me crazy for a minute. I didn't realize it was him when the appt. was made. Good thing I took the test before talking to him, I wouldn't have been able to do it.

I am over 2 years out and I can tell you that it is easier to understand the need for the eval. It is more than having an implant, it really is a part of you that you must work with daily. In the beginning it owns you, every thought you have everyday. You must learn how it works for you (sometimes against you), early stages it even controls where you go and who you see. At a point it becomes a part of you that is just there like your leg. As long as things are as they should be, you don't really think about it;; your life with it becomes natural. Then one day you are forgetful or bold and do something you shouldn't and it lets you know who rules.

The ups and downs with the band can work on your mind. Many loose easily in the beginning; slow down and become depressed. Some never get a fill and loose, some need many fills and never feel what they thinik "restriction" would be. I am at 5.5cc and really didn't feel it was any different than 2 cc. My last fill was 2 weeks ago, there is a big difference. Today a greek yogurt was dinner at 7 and I was full. lunch had been 4 shrimp, 1tbl. of fried rice and a slice of Tomato, slim fast to start my day. I have never had a problem with being hungry since the band. I usually don't eat enough now to loose .

Then there are the "bad" times. Adjustments can be to tight, stuck can scare you real bad. The eval helps them, along with your talks with the staff to know if you are ready for the journey. Good luck.

why dont you give the band a chance instead of complaining && possibly discouraging others from surgery there's always a 50/50 chance with surgery in Mexico seriously a hit && miss some reviews are good some are bad you should have went to a center of excellence to ensure quality care ihope you succeed with your weightloss best of luck<3

Back up, remember we are here for support, to get and give. People make choices based on their life. Maybe cost drove her choice, no matter what it was she is now looking to us who struggle with the same issues she has now to help her work through it.

Yes, there are some things she can try that might help her get on track. So many things can affect your weight loss. When the outside temps are high I don't want to eat, I feel tighter and last year had to get an unfill because I didn't understand it. If youy don't drink enough Water you don't loose. Research here might give her some of the tools she needs, I know it helps me.

Where any of your fills or unfills done Fluorscopic? I think that would give you some idea of what is going on. You have lost at least 69lbs. but being sick all the time is not the way it should work. It might be time for your doc to do some test. Upper GI would show if there is a problem with the band. I am now at 5.5 cc after a fill 2 weeks ago. I have never had a problem with hunger, so I am now being told I don't eat enough to loose weight. Since the fill most days I don't feel like my tummy is open for business. I just don't want anything, I am bloated often without having anything but Water in the AM. Almost 3 years and I had expected to at least hit the goal I set for myself; I wasn't going to try to hit what I was at 20. I am happy about the weight lost, but I am stil unhealthy overweight.

Get some test or at least have a heart to heart with the doctor.

My doc does the fluro if I don't get my butt in when I should, which I usually don't. I have had fills in the office when they were when they should have been without incident. The fluro is not more excact, it just lets them see the actual flow of the liquid and how quickly it is passing. The excact part comes in the needle. Most docs, or the guidelines I have found say the the fill amount is put in the needle. When the fill is started, the saline in the band is pulled out then that and the addtional amount are put in.