jms462001

My Dr. said that if it will fit through the top of a water bottle it's fine to swallow. I take all of my pills without a problem, a couple are good sized. I only once had a problem with a herbal capsule early on that would not dissolve.

You should insist they see you on Monday and until they do the unfill do not eat any more food so you do not get sick. It could cause more swelling and you could end up needing a complete unfill. You might want to take some liquid motrin to help with the inflammation.

I have it all the time and it gets worse when it's cold and wet!

There you go!!! You will do it!! That's a great loss especially for this time of year so you are motivated and ready!

My band is fickle in that some days or weeks it is quite loose and then it will get tight for a period of time. I am post-menopausal so it has nothing to do with that. If I am stressed it does get tight, but sometimes there seems to be no reason. I just don't mess with it. It's not worth getting filled and unfilled. I feel it's doing it's job because I maintain my loss and could lose the 5 additional pounds I decided I would like to lose if I tried!!

It is always normal to be tight in the morning. Many people say a hot drink loosens them up. I have never been able to consume much solid food until later. My Dr. always told me to start the day with a protein shake. I always have a skinny latte and often a small muscle milk lite. I could probably do oatmeal if it's not too thick. As the day goes on I can eat better and by evening I can eat most anything and have a very healthy dinner!

Congrats to all of us 2008 Nov Bandsters!!! My nutritionist said the second year is when everyone who did not reach goal the first year can attain it. I would still like to lose 5 more pounds. I have been stuck since Dec. 2nd!

Sorry to hear you are having such a problem. I hope they are getting it resolved now. I have not heard of it happening. Let us know what they do to help you. Wishing you the best!

What does your Dr. say about that?

I never had any hair loss and was expecting it. The only thing I did that I thought was different was that I ate Peanut butter most every day which contains a lot of fat and also used olive oil. I think many people leave fat out of their diet when trying to lose weight and unless you eat lots of good fish you are not going to get the fat the body needs.

Your Dr. should not say "most people" because many people lose all of their weight with their band never needing to be over half full and some people never get a fill and have restriction. It is all so different for each individual.

If you can't get Protein shakes down easily within 24 hours, you need to go get a small amt out. If at any point you have trouble getting Water down, you need to go immediately and have some removed. A half cc or even .2 can make a big difference.

I agree. Each time I needed a fill due to being hungry all the time, I guarantee I could have PB'd on bread regardless.

Still at 81 also, but actually gained 4 over the holidays which I had to lose over the past couple of weeks!! Would like to lose perhaps 5 more.

Yes, you need to be fully healed.

Scrambled eggs are difficult for many banded people to eat who have restriction because they can be a food that gets stuck for some. I can't eat them right now and I would not think they would be good for someone 4 days out unless made with lots of milk so they are very much like liquid. As far as being hungry, most do indeed become very hungry after being banded and usually by the 4th day. If one eats 1/4 cup of food at this point and still feels hungry then perhaps it is head hunger as it does not take much to satisfy the hunger.

Everyone here will tell you to listen to your Dr which is good advise. I think sometimes, however, we have to use our own common sense. Eating eggs 4 days out may not be a good idea. Is there a nutritionist where you had your lapband done? Dr's are not always the best ones to give nutritional advise, but normally they have trained professional nutritionists working with them and they stick to the surgery for the most part. You can also visit the lapband official site for information and guidance.

No disrespect to your Dr., but 600 calories a day the first yr sounds very extreme and I doubt many Dr's or nutritionists would recommend that. Most can lose well on 1000-1400 depending on their activity level. I think less than 900 per day would be dangerous. To the poster, it does get easier, much easier. Like the others said, eating the types of foods you are eating so early on could be dangerous even if you are chewing well. You can stay full on liquids if you consume enough of them and concentrate on Proteins. Try to make your Protein drinks as thick as possible so that they stay with you longer. If you are allowed cream Soups, consume a small amt as often as needed to stay full and add some unflavored Protein Powder. Do not worry about calories now. Consume as much as you need of allowed foods to keep you satisfied. This is your time of healing. You may gain a few pounds before your first fill and that is expected. There is plenty of time for good weight loss after you start having fills. The important thing is that you allow yourself to heal well and do not suffer so much from extreme hunger which is not necessary!! Good luck to you in your weight loss journey. One year from now you will look like a new person and this period of time will seem so small in looking at all you have achieved and how simple it was overall!!

Hope you are feeling much better!! I have not experienced that thankfully!

This was for Kirsty49!!

How much more do you need to lose? Are you focusing on eating protein first? Are you limiting carbs? Well, if you are like me you probably are not this month LOL, but I should say normally!!

Hang in there. It gets easier. The gas will soon get out of you. Keep using the gas X. You do need to drink lots of water and the fluids run right through the band so that is no worry. If you are allowed protein drinks, they will help keep you fuller. I remember I was starving also, on the 4th day. I called the nutritionist and got permission to start some soups ahead of schedule, but be sure to get your Dr's permission or from his office. Walk as much as possible to get the gas out.

Congrats.......a real accomplishment this time of year!!

Do you mind sharing what happened? Were there complications? I'm sorry it didn't work out and you have to undergo another surgery, but wish you the best with the GB!

Has anyone had their one year endoscopy exam to check out their band? I simply cannot afford it after having $5,000 of unplanned medical expenses this year. I sure hope mine is fine. I haven't had any problems.