prinnie

IMHO the HEAD issues are just as important as the STOMACH issues! Our post-op lifestyle is key to the success of this band. Notice I said lifestyle and not diet. This is my life now...I will never ever be "on a diet" again. Stick to your proteins and lose the high carbs. It really works.

Hi there! Getting the band was the most important and smart decision I have ever made. I have a 7 month old son, and I am able to do so much more with him now. I have so much more energy and I am so optimistic about the future. I started at 340.5 on Feb. 1st. 2006 (never thought I would EVER get to that point) I was banded on 2/14/06 Now I am 278. I have a way to go, but I feel amazing.....you will too!! Good luck!

You are doing great! There are so many different foods out there that you can eat and still lose weight. Don't fret over a pound. Last week, I gained 2 lbs. and then by Monday I was down 5. The scale is a funny thing. It varies from day to day. Go on the fact that you are wearing capris that you fit in again...that is a Non-scale victory that you should be very proud of. I was so obsessed with my scale at first that I had to take it out of the bathroom and put it in my closet so it is harder to get to. Be proud of yourself. By the way, I am able to eat pork rinds (slowly). I dip them in cheddar cheese spread- yum!!! Everyone is different. Good luck...you are on the right track!

My doctor suggested Maalox Plus liquid. I had some severe gas pains and it did help a bit.

I found myself being constipated quite a bit. I have added Romaine lettuce into my diet at least 5x per week and I am now regular. Try it slowly though, because I know tha lettuce does not agree with some bandsters!! Keep up the good work- you are doing great.

Sunflower seeds...ouch! Ice cream...goes down...I get it as a treat only!

My doc had me on Optifast for 2 weeks previous to shrink the liver. It is supposed to be important, so I would definately ask about it!

I had my first fill at the end of March. I went back to my surgeon 3 1/2 weeks later for a f/u visit with every intention of getting another fill. I had 1.1 cc's put in at first. I haven't felt much restriction, just sometimes and I PB'd once. I told the doctor that I PB'd once and that I felt the "golf ball" about 2x per week. He told me to hold off for another month because he didn't want me to be too filled to get anything down. He has been happy with my weight loss. So.... I took his advice and will wait until next month. I have just heard nightmare stories about bandsters being overfilled. Just watch what you eat and try to stick to low carbs and high protein. Good luck!!

You and I started at the same dress size. You are doing an amazing job and all of that weight in only 1 year- WOW!! I have some ? for you: What do you think has been the most important thing you have done to lose the weight that you have? How much exersize do you get in the typical week? What is an example of your daily menu? You are a true inspiration to me.. and you look fantastic! I hope you don't mind sharing your success secrets :confused: Amy

I had 2 slices of ham (cut off the honey baked crust and that practically killed me). I had a spoonfull of greenbeans and one deviled egg. I brought my candy into work today so I an watch everyone else eat it and let it stick to their butts! I am quite proud of myself.

I don't feel like my weight loss has had too much to do with the actual band itself. I am making the choice to only eat a certain amount and certain foods. That is why I am questioning more fill or not. I don't want too much of a restriction, but I am definately fighting hunger!

My baby now weighs 25 lbs. He is very heavy to me after a while. I can't believe that I have lost over 2 of him. That really puts the whole actual feel of the weight into perspective for me.

I had a 1.1cc fill on March 23rd. I have not had much restriction. The only time I really feel it is if I eat something on the dry side, like pork skins. I have lost about 10 lbs last month. I go see my surgeon today and I am thinking about filling up more...maybe to 2 cc's. Any thoughts or suggestions?????

My sister had bypass 2 years ago. She lives in St. Thomas now and I just saw her for the first time in about 6 months. She did very well with surgery, but still suffers from "dumping syndrome" on a fairly regular basis. She told me that she knows that she has stretched her pouch and is now up 10 lbs since X-mas. The thing is, she doesn't have the same "tool" as I do. She is eating larger portions now of almost anything. I feel like I made the best choice in surgery options. I am down just over 55 lbs in exactly 2 months. I would not call that slow!! Good luck to you, and ignore those that don't really know the facts.

My surgeon has all of his patients (regardless of start weight) on the Optifast diet for 2 weeks pre-op. It does shrink the liver and make the stomach easier to get to. Speaking of liver... I am an Ultrasound Tech and I have seen my liver prior to surgery. I was eating and drinking alcohol (both in excess). I am 2 months post-op today and looked at my liver and it looks do much healthier. It does not have the fatty infiltration it did before, and it has shrunk significantly. I was so excited to see how healthy I am getting inside and out!!!

I was banded the same day as you! I was filled for the first time about 3 weeks ago. I did not feel any restriction until about 10 days after my fill. It was so weird. It was delayed. That was when I had my first, and only, PB. Since then, I go day by day because some days (like today) I feel like a garbage disposal able to eat anything. Then some days I don't even really want to eat. I am going back next Monday for a f/u appt. and am considering getting a bit more of a fill. I will talk to my doc about it. Maybe you are not eating quite enough for now. Just try to pack yourself with protein because it provides a full feeling longer than carbs do. Good luck!!

Congrats to you and your husband!! I have a 6 month old and got banded in Feb. after having him. Joey is our first and everyone kept telling me that I need to get my rest before having him. I was like yeah yeah yeah. Well, girl, take it from me...GET YOUR REST!! You have a long, tiring, but wonderful journey ahead of you. Our little munchkin is still getting up at night to eat once, so we are just starting to get more rest. You have been blessed. Don't worry too much about your weight, you have plenty of time after to get back down. Just make sure you get your protein and vitamins in. Good luck to you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. :biggrin1:

Expensive brie? You poor thing. Why is it that when a PB happens it has to be something like that? I LOVE brie!!! Did you at least enjoy the chewing? I sure hope so

It is normal for me to eat at least a cup at a time. I just try to make the right choices. If I ate a cup of dry turkey I may PB. But, a cup of tuna salad goes down just fine. I have had one fill 1.1 cc's so far.

I think this may depend on your surgeon. Mine gave me a "no-no" list of foods, and yes, corn is on it. Along with other foods that are high in carbs. I know that the reason that I got so heavy is because of too many carbs...so....carbs are not my friend. If one ear of corn is 19.3 carbs, then I would be allowed no more carbs for that day. Ask your doc, they are all different.

You don't HAVE to have a fill. Just having the band on is a restriction in itself. When you do go, if you do, don't worry. My Dr. uses Ultrasound to see the port, marks it, and then sprays on lidocaine to numb the area. It is no big deal- really! I only have 1.1 cc's and it really does make a difference.

After my first fill I had to have 48 hours of clear liquids, then back to solids. No pre-fill requirements. This is apparently going to be the drill for any fill that I have.

To me it doesnt really sound like you are eating too much, but that your carb count may be a little too high. Just a thought.

I am at 1.1 cc's and losing 2-3 lbs /week.

I use the chocolate or vanilla Atkins shakes. They only have 1 carb, are high in protein, and I think they taste really good. I feel like it is a good start to the day and gives me the energy I need.