VickieSH

Hello! I'm in Costa Mesa and was banded in late 2008 at UCI. Overall, my experience has been a positive one. I've had to learn to eat differently, but it's been worth the changes. I could have never accomplished this degree of weight loss without the band. My last fill was in June of 2010 (at 5 cc's), but I'm scheduled to see my surgeon in two weeks. I had a total knee replacement a few months ago, and healing from that has caused me to be less diligent with my eating habits. I've sort of hit a plateau and need a jumpstart. Sorry to hear of those who haven't had success with their band. I miss sammichs.

Breakfast - 42 gram New Whey liquid protein shot and two cups of coffee Snack - Hard boiled egg Lunch - Lentil soup and 100 calorie Cheez-It snack pack Snack - cup of greek yogurt with applesauce Dinner - Iceburg salad with egg, kidney beans, chicken, feta, black olives with olive oil and wine vinegar Can't eat: Bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, or cereal...can't easily tolerate meat unless it is cold...no lunchmeats...or hamburger...can't tolerate fresh fruit except watermelon...no string beans or corn...and the only lettuce I can manage is Iceburg. But, hey...I ain't complaining!! Weighed in at 209 yesterday...it's all been worth it!!

About not eating everything and nosy servers...I request a "to go" container as soon as my food arrives and pack much of it away. lunch for tomorrow!! :smile:

Having my weight go up-and-down my entire life, I've saved clothes in every size from 16 to 30. I was excited to get back into smaller sizes, but discovered that they didn't fit quite the same way they did the first (or second) time around. My weight has come off in different places than in the past. Finally I just gave up and packed 30 bags of clothes and donated them. When I shop now, I bring to the dressing room outfits that I might have never tried on before and am pleasantly surprised at the way clothes fit my body now. I never thought I'd wear a pair of tights. :thumbup:

Okay...let's not yell or chastise the newly-banded. :thumbup: It takes a while, some trial and error, before you find a peace between eating what's healthy (making wise choices), and falling back to those old eating patterns. LOL...the very first thing I ate when I got home from the hospital was a half bag of Cheddar cheese Straws. Those suckers were DELICIOUS. Be patient with yourself and try to avoid temptation. Personally, I can't eat pizza anymore. The gooey cheese forms a plug and it all comes right back up. Ugh.

Productive Burp.

I snag a few extra air sick bags whenever I fly and always keep one in my handbag for situations like this.

Haha...yes, you will, Erin. It takes a while to unlearn what you've done most of your life.

It's kinda like instant "aversion therapy", isn't it? Usually, if you have a PB or a really bad "stuck" feeling, you can bet you've either eaten too quickly, taken too large of a mouthful, not chewed it well enough, or eaten something your band just isn't going to be able to tolerate.

It amazes me how different everyone and their experience with the band is!! I didn't have my first fill until three months after the surgery, then another three months later, and finally the most recent last week. I'm only at 5 cc's and can barely keep anything down (other than soft foods) due to the restriction. Don't give up yet...maybe try eating as if you were feeling a restriction? Avoid breads, stick to meat and other proteins... Sorry...wish we could be more help.

This was one of the most frustrating aspects of my band procedure!! I wasn't able to sleep on my side for at least four weeks. That sucked.

Vickie...be thankful that the procedure you had for weight loss is, in fact, both adjustable and reversible...just in case. Hang in there and be patient! You'll be back on track in no time!!

I'm envious...my band cannot tolerate any kind of soft starchy products...i.e. bread, muffins, cake, tortillas, etc. I had a fill a few days ago, so I'm back on soft foods. B - Fiber One lime yogurt L - 1/2 cup blended bean soup D - 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1/4 cup applesauce S - 42 g. protein shot

Top baked potatoes, mixed with finely chopped chives. Mix with seasonings for dipping baked sweet potato chips Add applesauce Dollop on top of tomato or butternut squash soup As a base for salad dressing

Vickie from SoCal checking in!! Feeling good, healthier...losing a steady 2-3 pounds every week. Had a third fill on Tuesday and I'm at 5cc's. Having a difficult time keeping anything down right now, but that seems to be par for the course for me. It'll loosen up in a week or so. My only complaint so far is I can't afford to keep buying new clothes every four or five weeks. Oh...and I miss McDonald's. :thumbup:

You're welcome. One more: RESPECT YOUR ELDERS. :thumbup:

One of the best gifts we give ourselves is to trust our internal instincts. My grandmother used to say, "If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't." Stick with your gut! :thumbup:

Don't become obsessed with the bathroom scale. Weigh in once a week at the same time, same day (i.e. Sunday, 9:00pm) Greek-style yogurt is your friend. Celery is not your friend. Small bites, chew really well. Join a support group. Moisturize your skin. Avoid alcohol. Take it slow and easy; be patient with yourself. :thumbup:

Hello from Vickie in Newport-Mesa! I might also be interested in meeting up! :thumbup:

I'd be kinda skeered of those nachos if I were you

I was banded on 12/1 and still don't have any appetite yet. I'm having food cravings (steak, potatoes, veggies, etc.) in my head, but don't actually feel hunger in my body yet.

My guy was also banded in Mexico and not permitted any type of food (only clear liquids) for the first three weeks or so after surgery. Personally, I'd go insane. :sad_smile: Have you connected with a bariatric program local to you? If so maybe ask them if they have a prescribed diet for you to follow?

Hi Anne! I'm really fortunate that my physician provides a handbook which details week-by-week what I'm allowed to eat and drink during recovery...even a shopping list for the first few weeks!! The nutritionist is also available through email and that's probably going to be helpful too! My program doesn't allow coffee for six months. :sad_smile:

:girl_hug: My little brother used to do that when we were growing up because he hated meat, or he'd hide it inside his baked potato skin. It was my job to clear the table and load the dishwasher after dinner. I would always sneak his hidden food and not tattle on him. Wonder how I got to be a chubster?! :thumbup:

Happy Saturday morning early December bandsters!! I feel scared that I'm still experiencing port site pain. On a scale of 1 - 10 I'd say I'm at a 5 or 6 most days (surgery date was 12/1). The most comfortable position is either sitting up straight (then hurts like Hades when I stand up) or reclining on my back on my bed. I still can't tolerate laying on my side even with a firm pillow braced against my stomach. Walking (I think it's the weight of my lower belly "dragging" the port site down) is tough and I'm still taking LorTab exilir every 7 hours or so. I'm scheduled to return to work on Monday and am scared I'm not going to be well enough to go back. I think if I'm not feeling considerable relief by Monday morning, I'm going to call my doctor (my post-op appointment isn't until 12/16). I'm worried that I'm injured myself either coughing or dry heaving the first night I was home from the hospital. Ugh. I didn't expect this much pain. :thumbup: