als74

Caffeine makes my stomach hurt now. Even one pop ripps me up.

That's ok. Because everyone is so different, it really is hard for them to tell us what to expect. I learn better by experiencing anyway. I don't mind learning the hard way (lol).

I am not sure if it is the pills, but my weight loss did slow when I started back on my BC.

Your right, it could be what I am eating. I mean, like today, I had oatmeal for Breakfast (which is more of a carb then a protein). I couldn't eat the whole package, but I ate most of it and was full (well, hiccups and tightness). Not 2 hours later I was hungry, so I ate a Protein Bar because I was on my way out to a pet appt. I used to not ever be hungry. Then I started taking Adipex for energy (it is also an appitite supressant) and that is when the hunger pains started. I think it may be related some how. When the meds wore off in the evening I really started getting hunger pains. I will try to get in more Proteins and see if that makes a difference. Thanks for the tip.

The better my restriction, the harder it is to get down the chicken. The best way for me to eat it is shredded. I make chicken and homemade noodle Soup, and use chicken tenderloins. By the time the Soup is done, the chicken is so tender it falls apart into little shredds and goes down great.

Thanks for the other suggestion, I will try that one next.

Hi everyone,

Lately I have been having really bad hunger pains in the evening, only about 2 hours after eating. I have good restriction, and am not overeating, so what is the deal? I am not drinking too early after eating or anything either. I can't handle another fill, I have a hard enough time getting stuff down as it is sometimes.

I had my surgery Dec. 22, 2008 by Dr. Farhan and am very happy with the process and results. I would highly recommend him to anyone considering surgery in this area!

I am finding more and more people that are similar. There should be a book called "The truth about the lab band, myths and realities." For example, I never really feel full. I have signs that tell me to stop, like hiccups, but I don't feel full. Not like I used to. But in the beginning, you remember what full feels like, so you have a hard time adjusting. I don't remember what that was like now, so it is easier to stop myself. They don't tell you you will be tighter around your MP or stress or morning time. Or to gradually incorporate solids into your day. Any why is there so many chicken- especiall white meat- dishes in my lap band cookbook? I don't think I have heard many people say white meat goes down great, have you?

I just had bloodwork done and found I was low in VitD

Go to doc and tell him your fatigue and other issues. Ask for a full blood work-up of everything. They took about 11 vials of blood out of me (I wanted juice and cookie when they were done).

Get checked.

Don't be too hard on yourself, but not too easy either. I have done the same on a couple of occations, and sometimes I continue the habit and stop loosing, and even gain 1 or 2 lbs. Then guilt kicks in, and I punish myself by drinking shakes and not eating hardly anything. WHICH IS BAD and messes with my band! So I try not to do that anymore.

Also, do NOT get comfortable with what you can eat now, because once you get the fills, things change. Things I could eat in the beginning I can't eat now without pain. Some slider foods actually hurt more than solids.

I went through the overeating phase, and I think I am past it now. I stopped eating to be full, and started eating a certain amount and stopping. Because I never really have that full feeling, just heartburn, hiccups, and ickyness.

Good luck with this phase, and whenever you feel like "cheating," do something (physically).

P.S. 100 cal snack packs are the enemy. I went through a phase where I thought if I bought low cal Snacks, it would satisfy. I ate through them so fast, it was ugly.

Now I just stick to normal foods that are healthy, in a smaller portion size.

Oh SunnyRachel- you are so big hearted. Didn't we already talk about not getting into these messy threads, and not to take anything personal?

I miss you buy the way. Mail me.

This may sound weird, but I PB when I don't eat enough solids throughout the day. Like let's say I sleep in and don't eat first until noonish. Let's say I have a Protein shakes or or soft solid. By 4 pm I am still having a hard time with solids- and so on.

However, if I start earlier with soft solid (oatmeal, Fiber One Bar, Cereal, etc) I am great to eat and not pb throughout the day. My band likes to be streatched out throughout the day. The down side, by pm, I can eat almost anything, and overeat at night. The plus side, I know this now, so I eat just the right amount of solids to keep my band tight enough at night were I will get pain off the wrong foods.

What a wackey new life I have...

Another thing, we just had venison in crock pot, and I put in the carrorts and red skin potatoes (which are an ok starch) and ate meat, carrots, and a couple bites of potatoes. I just eat more meat than anything else. Don't be afraid to put those things in. The nutrients go into the meat, and you get the good stuff without eating the bad stuff!!!:tongue_smilie:

Thanks for the weight loss praise. Whenever I get discouraged, I look at the weight loss of others who were banded the same time as me as realize I am doing quite well.

It sounds like you just need a change, cause what you are eating sounds great and right on track. I used to drink more Protein shakes, but I realized solids burned more calories to digest, and now I only use Protein shakes in am if needed or when band is tight (sometimes it is tight for NO reason, and I PB all day- lol).

How does chicken work out for you? Sorry- but it seems you and some of the others replying here are kind of in the same place, and I am always looking for new stuff to consider. I dont' do chicken well anymore. Another weird thing. They told me that dry meats would give me trouble, and to use stuff to make it slippery (gravy, sauces, etc). But for me and meat, dryer is better (except chicken). Beef jerkey goes down no matter what won't stay down! I produce lots of saliva when I eat now, and when it is slippery, it tries to go through to fast and causes PB and dilation and pain!!! Does anyone else experience this?

Hi there Discouraged. I could tell you not to be, but that would be pointless, being that I myself get discouraged quite frequently.

First, let us focus on the positive. Your whole life you have struggled with your weight going up. Is that still happening? NO! How many years did it take you to get where you were? It might take just as long to get it back off- so be patient.

I have hit many plateaus, and the only way I got over them was with time and change. You body is going to fight the loss- you must accept this. Plateau's are your body's natual defence against this. (I hate saying this because I hate hearing it as well).

Next, I suggest counting your calories- just for a week or so. You may not be getting the 1200 you body needs. When I eat less than 1200, I stop loosing. When I eat the 1200, but with fatty Proteins, I stop loosing. (sometimes I go overboard on Peanut Butter, nuts, and other fatty Proteins that stop my weightloss). Your Beans are starchy proteins and carbs, with lots of fat.

Try leaner meats, eat more fish, at least 4 times a week, and seafood, and if you can get it, venison. My band loves it and it is one of the leanest meats you can eat. Veggies are great, but don't really provide you with good calories. I realized this because the dressing just adds fat, not matter how much I enjoy salad. Eat greens instead (spinach, etc), tomatoes, fruits (I am eating muskmelon now, which goes down well, and strawberries) as a snack.

I am a cheese lover, but whenever I encorporate cheese into my daily diet, I stop loosing. I can only have cheese about once or twice a week. However, low fat cottage chesse keeps me loosing for some reason.

When I use too much salt, I stop loosing too. (I have been paying very close attention to what I eat and what it does to me). When I am stressed I stop loosing. When I am on my period I gain, no matter what I eat. The BC Pill has significantly slowed my weight loss, but I need that, so I just have to take my lumps I guess.

I hope you take something away from this. I love you all so much for trying, and want you to feel good about what you are doing and going through. You need to experiment and listen to your body and your band, not your head. Everyone's body is different. Let me know if any of this helped.

I want to encourage you all to keep working hard. This is a very frustrating stage when everything slows down, and fills get more complicated. I know I am having a rough time with the sweet spot, but I think I have found it. Thought I might have to go in for an unfill, but then realized I wasn't eating right. I am down to 222-221, going back and forth. I have just stepped up my exercise routine to include yoga. Big difference, and got me over the 225 hump I was stuck on. Started Adipex also, which really helps. One actaully lasts me two days! I don't really need it for the appetite supressant, just the energy boost, but is is great! Remember, even if you stop loosing weight, think about the constant gain you have had your whole life. If you are no longer going in the up direction, your band has been worth it!

I figured out what was wrong with me, and hope this helps others as well.

I have to eat all day for my band to relax.

I was in the habit of eating later and later, and expecting to start off lunch with salads and solids. That is not my body. I need to start off early with soft foods and gradually introduce solids to my band EVERY DAY.

My body does not like chicken anymore, and I need to just give in to this.

It loves dry meats. Jerkey, venison, pork chops etc. My body salivates a lot, cause solids to want to slide through before being digested properly, cause pain and regurgitation.

When I eat all day, I get hungry and overeat sometimes, which I know is a catch 22 for me, so I just got some Adepix to help control my appitite when I know I might be prone to eating more on a certain day (going to an event with food, etc.)

I am not going to call my doc at this point, because when I eat like I am supposed to, I don't have problems.

I need to each more soft foods on stressful days and around my period.

Lots of things contibute to puking, and I am in control of it. My band is just right right now. I need to listen to it instead of my head. I now am eating for my band, which is tempermental, instead of eating for me.

The plus side, my band likes fruit and salads (later in the day) which is healthy.

Loves fish and seafood, and lean meats. Does not like the fatty ones. Hates hamburger.

Likes some starches like red skin potatoes and yams (unfortunately also likes chips).

Likes Peanut Butter, and I LOVE trail mix (later in the day).

Trail mix could be my downfall...

thanks for all your help and support. I hope this post helps someones else in this situation.

So several weeks ago I was too tight, nothing was going through, and they took out fluid- too much- no restriction. I went back in for a partial fill, and although not tight like before, still having trouble. Not at first, but a week later, I noticed two things. One, the too much air, slime up everything on top of it to feel better. The second is new. The food goes down ok, but then I salivate and get sick. Not sliming like the first, but actual LOWER abdominal cramps bringing the food right back up. It feels different. I am worried. I am hungry but have lost my appitite (no hunger pains, but feel weak and jittery). I DONT want an unfil, just some ideas about what could be going on. Anyone else have these symptoms?

I was too tight at my last fill (lost 10 lbs in 10 days...)and had to get an unfill. They found more Fluid then should have been in there, and took out too much. Now I have NO RESTRICTION and have gained back two pounds. Still setting at 228.

My goal is 8 lbs, though I can't get a fill till the end of the month, and I am starving, so I don't see how I am going to achieve ANY weight loss at this point. Sorry to be a poo poo. Just pissed.

Hi everyone. I had a question about band Fluid. When I went in for my first fill, they said there was 3cc in the band, and they added 1, taking me to 4cc. At my next fill they added another 1cc, taking me to 5cc. At my third fill, she said she found 6cc in the band, and I asked for .5cc. After a week of pain and not eating, I got real sick, and had to go in for a partial unfill, where she found 8cc. WTF? Hopefully someone with experience or a nurse or something can tell me what is going on. They took out 1.5cc and now I have NO RESTRICTION and am starving all day long. I tried not to change my eating habits, but I didn't realize how much more control I had when I had restriction. I wake up hungry, and go to bed hungry, even still eating Protein and drinking shakes in between. They also told me I have to wait 4 weeks to get another fill. Do you think if I demand a fill, they will give it to me? HELP!!!

Were you this unhappy before you fill? I am having trouble with my last fill (hit and miss on what goes down and the pain it causes), but I am opposite you. I am on a power trip. The pain makes me not hungry or want to eat. I know that is horrible, and I will start suffering soon, but I am going for a slight unfil.

You should go back and have them take out a little bit of what they put in. Once you found your sweet spot, things should get better.

Congrats on the 60. Doesn't that make you feel good?

Thank you so much for the reassurance. Ironically last night, I asked my hubby to bring me home some beef jerkey, just to try it. I went down with NO PAIN. I could also eat chips with no pain. I seems to be slimey stuff that is getting me. What is up with that?

I am still going to go in and have them take out a little of what was put in. I think it is hard to judge, because I think some stays in the tube, and some are better about pushing all that Fluid into the band.

I wouldn't go in if I didn't have such bad heartbun, but I don't want to hurt the band. You are all wonderful! Thanks again.

Hi Everyone!

I got a fill last Friday because although my restriction was good in the am, by night I was eating way to much and not feeling satisfied. I went in for 1/2cc fill. She told me when she was done that my band was documented as have 5 cc in it, but she found 6, so now I have 6 1/2 in a 10cc band.

Well, it as been a week, and I am still not able to keep down solids. Right now I am drinking Protein Shake, and it is so tight, it burns. What is going on? What happens if I call the center andtell them this? Will they take it all out? I don't want that. I would rather have pain and throw up!!! If I wait it out, will it get better? Can't they just take out the 1/2 cc they put in? Honestly, I think SHE put in too much.

Please advise me!!!

Glad I went in yesterday! Asked for 1/2 cc fill and lost 3 lbs from yesterday to today. YEAH! It might be short lived, due to being on fluids for 24 hours, but I take what I can get!

Not much loss for me. I gained a pound the first week, then lost 2, but these have been the same couple pound for the last month.

I am going in for a check today. I don't want a fill because I am already too tight in the am. But by dinner, I am a hungry bottomless pit! I consume about 300 up until dinner time, then about 1000! It can't be good to get all your energy right before bed...

Hopefully they can help today. Keep up the good work everyone!