juliegeraci

Stay focused. You are doing great. Don't let it get you down.

I can never eat a 1/2 of a pita. More like a 1/4. I can only consume 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food, more like 1/4 at a time. I am now at my sweet spot. It sounds like your diet is right though. Are you losing weight?

Nancy, yes, you are eating like a bandster. 1/2 cup of food is perfect.

Varja, with good restriction you shouldn't be able to eat more than 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food at a time. Also, you should keep you calories to about 1200 a day. A bandster typically will eat anywhere between 800-1200 a day.

Hi Crystal blue, welcome to Lapband talk. Hug yourself. You will be okay. My breaking point was when I hit 308 lbs preop. I lost 30 lbs on my own which took me forever I feel. Long stoty short, I was banded at 282 and now I'm about 227. This year has been a slow process for me as I am an average loser. I like you couldn't stand to shop. I am now addicted to it. I have gone from a size 24 to an 18 in 13 months. I feel much better about myself. I am in a size 14/16 on the top and soon I will have to shop at normal clothing stores. Don't be so hard on yourself. We have all been there. I use to not want to wear shorts. Now I feel comfortable in skorts which are much more flattering. I love my band. I have just learned to eat 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of food now. I feel completely satisified with that. I never snack which is an added bonus. The lapband has truly changed my life. I wish you the best in your decision. Julie

Val, you should be okay. I think my doctor just had to do a submittal, nothing fancy. As soon as I had all my prework done it really flew by. Take it esay, it will come.

Please don't feel lost. What you are experiencing is perfectly normal given the fact you have no restriction. Don't be discouraged if it takes you a few fills to get there. If you have lost 1-2 lbs a week you are considered an average loser. That is what I am. Hang in there. I've gone down from a 24 to an 18 this year. Its been slow for me as I have only lost 50+ lbs but I'll take an 18 over a 24 any day. You will be okay, trust me.

I had a gamit of emotions. I cried close to my surgery thinking to myself how the hell did I get here. I don't miss food all that much now. I love my band and I wouldn't want it any other way. You are normal. Relax and enjoy the road. You should be so excited! Good luck.

This is very common. It took me 5 fills to finally feel good restriction. Just go back and and keep going until you hit your sweet spot.

It would not surprise me if you lost a little bit of your fill. That has happened to me a couple times. Just go in and get another and cross your fingers. You should lose in no time. Good luck.

I was able to wear underwear okay. I'm not sure if I wore a bra home or not. I would suggest very lose fitting close. Try and stay away from anything with button or zipper. Spandex would be better or a lose fitting dress. The port site will be the sorest. Good luck.

Hi Melissa, what an exciting time for you. I just wanted you to know I love being banded. It is the greatest thing I've ever done. Congrats on making the decision. Julie

You are okay and perfectly fine moving to creamy soups. Just make sure they don't have solid protein in them. You probably are going to be on liquids for a few more days, correct? You can have anything that fits through a straw before the mushy stage. Don't worry about the chicken for now. Changes are you didn't do any harm. In fact, I did the same thing and had a barium swallow and everything was okay. Just make sure you follow the doctors orders moving forward. Creamy soups are your friend. They will really help you. Good luck.

Melbasue, Mine has stalled for quite a few months. It seems like I have been 227 for 6 months. The only thing that has helped me is working out. I finally have broke my plateau.

I eat like a bird and I started to hit the gym about 5 or 6 weeks ago. I'm down 20 lbs since I started to work out again.

I flew a couple weeks ago and had no issues. I have heard that some people do feel more tight afterwards. I think it depends on your body.

When you have good restriction you should be eating 1k to 1200 calories a day. When you are in the beginning stages it is not uncommon to eat around 800 calories a day. Your body will tell you how much you should eat. I would say between 800-1200 depending on what level you are at. Good luck.

What you are explaining sounds exactly like restriction. 6 noodles are nothing. I would reconsider a fill if you are only able to eat 1/4-1/2 cup of food at a time. I can only eat 1/4 of a sandwich for example. As far as solid protein goes I can only eat 1-2 oz at a time. Good luck.

Yes, the band takes pressure off of eating.. Once you are at the proper fill level food is just not the same. You become full very quickly. I also think it has a lot to do with what types of foods you can eat as well. I do well staying away from junk most of the time. I'm just never hungry. Alcohol is another subject. If I could just give that up!

Sounds like you are doing greast. I have soft food syndrom as well sometimes because I am afraid I will PB. I can tell you this though. The hunger will return if you don't eat enough solid protein. I now make sure I have my protein shake in the a.m. followed by 1/2 - 1/4 sandwich with meat and cheese for lunch. That keeps me pretty full until dinner. Make sure you take really small bites and chew well. That will also help with the PBs. You should eat more than the size of a pencil eraser at once. Good luck.

Pemc, you need to recommit yourself. Meeting with the surgeon is a good start. Try and eat mostly solid proteins. Get away from the ice cream and cookies. They go down way too easy. Are you exercising and drinking your water? Julie

Yes, my doctor put a tube down my throat. It hurt like hell afterwards.

I second that. It took me about 6 months to get the right fill level. After 5 fills I finally had it.

Debbie, are you still on the liquid stage or mushy stage? I would go back to liquids for a couple days. That should help. Make sure you are following your doctor's diet.

Sorry this happened to you. My weight loss has been really slow as well. Do you have the correct restriction level?