teacherica

Where is everybody at for their 1/2 marathon plans? I did a 10K and jogged the whole thing two weeks ago! I am very proud of myself. Although I was hoping to be ready for a 1/2 marathon by now, I will do one in October.

About the Endoscopy... It was really easy. The wait time was the worst. The procedure only took about 10 minutes but I had to wait about an hour and a half until they were ready for me. It didn't hurt, I was just groggy afterwards. I wish all procedures were that easy.

Every person is different. I had my surgery on 12/3/08 and I just had my 4th fill on the 7th. I too have a 10 cc band and the Dr. has put in a total of 6.2 cc's. I started to fill major restriction after my second fill and I was told that I was lucky. Many don't feel restriction until their 4th or 5th fill. The restriction has made a huge difference but so has exercise. I am training for a 10K and I jog 3 miles at least two to three days a week. (Usually more) When I get frustraited and I know it's too early for a fill, I change my exercise routine. Next week I'm hitting the boxing gym in addition to my jogging to change it up and increase my workout intensity. Another thing to consider is that I had a lot more weight to lose than you. I started at 276 lbs and am down to 226 lbs. I may feel exactly the same way as you if I were as small as you. The smaller you are the harder it is.

I struggled with this until restriction hit. Once you hit restriction, you will understand how much it hurts to eat and drink at the same time. I don't even try anymore. Relax and do the best you can until then. It will work itself out eventually.

Jodi_620 I have had 3 fills. The first did nothing, the second gave me a lot of restriction until I lost about 15 lbs and now I am on my 3rd fill. It was so tight that I was on liquids for 2 weeks and I have been on mushies for the last 3 weeks. It has only been this last week that I started eating solid foods again. I tried scheduling an unfill after week three, but the Dr. was unavailable to fit my schedule, so I just decided to tough it out. I am finally eating solids, but I also notice that the quantity I am eating is a lot more. I am reluctant to go in for another fill because the last one was so tight, but I don't think I should be eating so much. (I had two regular size portions of lasagna, plus a regular size piece of cheese cake at my sister's birthday party. I haven't been able to do that for a long time.) The Dr. has told me that just eating mushies is not where I should be. I should be able to eat regular solid food. My question to you is: How long after a fill should I be able to eat solid foods? Should I try to get another fill? Thanks for your advice.

It is very common for people to use a different Dr. for fills than the one that actually did the surgery. Just find a place, do some research and find out their policy and what paperwork they need from you. The least you can do is call their office and ask them. I wish you all the best!

What you are talking about is psychological hunger. It does go away as you start to eat mushy food and regular food. Try more variety to your liquid intake. Try smoothies. Jamba juice is great and even Starbucks has a great banana chocolate vivano drink that is only 260 calories and is a Protein drink! I love those. I don't feel deprived when others are getting the good stuff, I just get creative. I get Soup from Subway, and once I was okay to eat mushies, rice and Beans from Taco Bell. When you get to mushies, try eggs, refried beans and mashed up rice. Baby food is also great to add for more nutrients.

Thanks for all the information. I feel better about having my espresso. I will definately stay away from carbonated drinks though.

Can someone please tell me why it is bad to have anything with caffeine or anything that is carbonated? I went to starbucks and dranks a Vivianno Protein drink and added espresso to it. I feel guilty about adding the caffeine but it went down without any problems. I don't drink soda or coffee, but I would like to know why it is bad for the band. Thanks Erica

I have noticed that I have tended to eat more mushy foods than solid foods lately, because they are pretty much all I can get down. Slider foods to me means any food that slides down easy that is not good for you to eat. Any food that is healthy for you is considered mushy food to me. I don't consider rice and beans slider foods because they have nutritional value, I consider them mushy foods. I do consider ice cream and milk shakes slider foods. Either way, the Doc. told me not to get into the habit of eating mushy/slider foods only. The band should allow me to eat healthy solid foods. Thanks for all the advice. I think I will call the Dr. and see if he wants to unfill me.

How long should I wait before I go in for an Unfill? It's been 2 weeks and I know that the fill usually loosens up after a while.

Why is my band so picky? Some days I can eat, some days I can't eat. I don't think I'm eating things that irritate the band. I have had 3 fills and have successfully lost 30 lbs post op sice my surgery, December 3rd. I have 5.8 cc's filled in my band. I was a little tight after fill number 2, but it loosened up after 2 weeks and was really tight immediately after fill #3 which was two weeks ago. My problem is that my band has been real picky. I was so hungry last Friday, but I couldn't tolerate any solid food - not even mushies that day, until evening. I ended up eating 3 cups of Soup, had a milk shake (I hardly ever have those) and a few bites of mud pie. It all went down with minor problems. Why I couldn't eat any food until dinner time? Saturday and Sunday, I couldn't stop munching on food. I had animal crackers and graham crackers dipped in milk and macaroni and cheese. Things went down fine. I even ate fish with very little problems. Today, I am soooo hungry, but I tried to eat rice and Beans and after 3 bites, I PB'd it and I can't tolerate any other mushy food. I have only been able to keep liquids down. This is really frustraiting!