Nooshie

Good Morning Everyone, I haven't been here for a long while. Had my one year bandiversary in October and have lost 71 pounds. Everything is going great. Well, sort of.... I haven't had a fill in a few months because I feel like I have good restriction. I lose very slowly now...around a 1/2 pound every 1-2 weeks...but as long as it's not going up, fine. A couple weeks ago, I started feeling "tight". I've had trouble with food getting stuck again, tho I am eating little bites to keep this from happening. But I'm experiencing reflux at night for the past couple nights...and that is just not nice. I wanted to see if any of you experience the same kinds of things. Band feeling tighter after no adjustment. Reflux. I just called the doc and have an appointment at noon today. So we'll see how it goes. Of course, the main worry si "omg...does this mean the band slipped?" i'm hoping not because I love my band. any thoughts?

i'm interested in the finding out the cause too. I've had my band over a year. I haven't had a fill for a while, but in the last couple weeks i've had a lot of gurgling and stomach gas....the gurgling vibrates up my esophagus. It's totally embarassing in social situation...yet, I don't really know that other's are tuned in to it, but I sure am. I've told my doc about it...but because it's not all the time, I can't seem to have it happen when i'm in the office.

Checking in after 1 year and 1 month. I just hit 70 pounds lost today! Woot! The past 3 months have been very slow....but i'm still exercising at Curves 3 x a week and we are now taking a weekly yoga class as well. I'm having a little trouble with reflux and gurgling...for some weird reason. it's like my band decided to self adjust? i have good restriction though and haven't had a fill in months. I feel great...and so much better about myself. Hope you're all doing well.

Hi Everyone, I haven't posted in a long while. I was banded on October 15. I'm really enjoying my journey. Not losing too quickly, but as my doc says, "don't compare yourself to others." I've lost 44 pounds! And when was the last time I could say I've lost that amount in 4.5 months? uh....never! I've been working really hard at exercising. I'm going to Curves 3-4 times a week, and my daugther and I signed up to do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (39 miles in two days) in September. So we're starting our training walks. I'm a 17 year breast cancer survivor, so being able to do this walk with my daughter is really special. I have my appointment this afternoon. I'm really not sure if I want a fill or not. I mean, I do because I want more weight loss, but since my fill 6 weeks ago, I've been experiencing more stuff getting stuck....so not sure if that will get worse with a fill...or what. I'll talk to the doc about that. Another thing is that I've been experiencing hair loss lately. I am orthodox christian and during this period of lent, we abstain from ALL animal products (including dairy, eggs, cheese), so it's a total vegan diet for me. Though I'm having my morning protein shake with soy milk, I feel that the hair loss is a direct result of the lessening of protein. I'll have to discuss that with the doc too and see what he says. So that's the update for me! I hope you are all well. love, me

hey there. I'm a bit discouraged myself but that doesn't mean I'm not thrilled to be banded. I go in for a fill this afternoon. I haven't lost but 6 pounds in six weeks since my fill. : ( And this is really disappointing to me because it's hard not to compare ourselves to one another. I see one person has lost 70+ pounds and I think...why can't I do that??? It's in my nature to be hard on myself and beat myself up about stuff like this...and thus the weight problem, no? So I'm trying to do the best I can. I have really been exercising regularly. Last time I went to the doc's they said that I needed to do more than 1/2 hour of cardio a day, so I've been going to Curves regularly and doing 3 circuits, if not four...or doing the Leslie Sansone 2 mile walk video on demand...or some other video. Still....slow weight loss. But my clothes are really big on me now...so I need to use that as a measure rather than the numbers. We'll see what they say today.

hey peeps, how are you all doing? i haven't been on the site too much lately. i had my second fill yesterday. My first fill was 3ccs....yesterday she put in another 2 cc's. I'm feeling restriction, though yesterday when I was there, my tummy was very bloated from my lunch, so i didn't know if what i was feeling was restriction, or just discomfort. HDMAMA, you're amazing to only be eating 1/2 cup of food and measuring it out. I try to eyeball it, but I know that I sometimes have more...but i'm not tempted for all the goodies like I used to be pre-band. Here at my office, they've got the candy and Cookies and all that right here, but i'm not even interested, and this, is miraculous! I've lost a total of 30 pounds (including pre-op) since October 1. The last 2-3 weeks has been just dealing with an up/down thing hovering back and forth over a 2 pound loss...but I think it's good now. oh! I have to tell you a negative behavior that came up the other day. So it's late at night, my husband and daughter are in bed. I'm working on my jewelry orders...and I walk into the kitchen, open the cupboard and there in front of me are some mini candy bars left from halloween (my husband's stash). You have to picture it. I get the bag, pull out an almond joy and take it back to my work table....and then i woke up. it was soooo weird. it was one of those "what are you doing!?" I put the candy bar back and just talked to myself to see what was going on. It was an old behavior that was coming back (the ghost of christmas past?). but it was mindless...totally. I felt good for saying no to it. But since "sneaking" was part of my past, I wanted to post it here. So how are you all doing?

I think it depends on your dietary requirements before and after surgery. My doctor has us on the liquids 2 weeks prior, and Clear Liquids 2 days prior...and then liquids again for 2 weeks after...and then mushies for 2 weeks after that...and then more textured foods...but still not everythign for weeks 5-8. I know in the weeks immediately after I wasn't getting very many calories at all because of the diet...not because of restriction from the band. I was banded on 10/15. Two weeks prior, on the liquids, I lost about 11 pounds, and have since lost a total of 27 pounds (including preop diet).

HDMama, No, i'm not really sure what you're supposed to eat, but remember the nutrition class pre-surgery? They kept saying, "you're only going to eat about a 1/4 of a cup." So I totally thought that's what life was going to be like -- at least for the first year. But maybe that's for bypass? I also thought that "having good restriction" would mean that things would have trouble going down...but that's not the case. I found that it just means (at least in my short experience) that you get fuller faster on way smaller portions. I also feel like I stop after eating my portion...but if it was in front of me, I could eat more...but really, i'm not hungry at all. my eyes are hungry sometimes but then I remind myself that I've come so far....I was just doing a look back at the year. Last January, I started this journey by coming to this site, looking at lapband, asking about it...February I talked to my doc and started the 6 month check in...did some fun vacationing this summer, banded in October and here I am...Hard to believe it's all behind me now, I'm banded. It's been a good year so far.:bored:

Hey Peeps, Just checking in. Banded on 10/15/09. I've lost 27 pounds so far (including 2 week pre-op). Doing well. Joined Curves and actually like it! Been going 3-4 X a week. This is a big deal for me, since I've never ever been a "public exerciser". Weight loss slowed down last week...lost nothing, then this morning found 2 pounds missing. so maybe it's a good sign. Had my first fill on 11/4. He put in 3cc. I feel good restriction, but can eat more than 1/4 cup. eating about 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup...but still semi soft foods for another 2 weeks. Next fill is 12/16. If you haven't taken your "before" measurements...do it now. It really helped when the scale wasn't moving. I've lost inches! Woot. Good luck to all of you.

Liz, thanks so much for the diagram. I had no idea that it could be so high up. Interesting.

I have a question for you all. I'm trying to figure out what STUCK feels like. I've read posts about how it's kind of like a bubble in the chest area, as if you have swallowed air. But logistically speaking, WHY? Why would you feel it in your chest? If the band is at the lower end of the newly created stomach pouch, wouldn't the food that gets stuck be stuck in the band area as it empties into the lower stomach? This morning I had a couple slice of peeled fresh apple for my Breakfast with a couple spoons of yogurt. I didn't get a feeling of stuck in the chest...but I did feel it in the stomach....not pain, but just this pressure...like it was sitting there and not going down. This was the first of this feeling, so I thought, "hmmmm...maybe it's stuck" and took a papaya enzyme, a few minutes later, it was better. But the threads all point to "stuck" being in the chest...so I'm trying to figure out, anatomically, why. Any revelations?

Had my follow up appointment today and first fill. I was banded on October 15. I've lost 20 pounds so far. I was leary about my weight loss thinking, "what if my scale is weighing me differently than the doctor's" but it was confirmed. woot. I got my stitches out and everything seems to be healing well. I got to see my surgeon (not his assistant physician). I talked to him about the constipation and the protein shake causing it. He said I didn't have to take it, but to make sure I'm getting protein in my diet. Mushy foods for another week, and then weeks 5-8 bring in some more textured foods like ground beef/turkey, cooked veggies, fruits with no skin, etc. The fill was a little more painful that people had led on, but it was okay. He only put in 3cc, had me drink a glass of water. it went down fine...no problem. I told him but he said, we're taking it slow. In six weeks he will add more and said I will definitely feel it then. Liquids only for today. I had some soup for dinner, and I really feel a lot fuller. That's the update. How are you all doing?

Hey there! I work a desk job. I was banded on 10/15 (Thursday) and went back to work on 10/20/09 (Tuesday).

I wouldn't go swimming til you're all healed up. Since they tell you you can shower, but not soak in a tub, I imagine that would be similar in that you're incisions shouldn't be submerged for long periods of time. My doc said to wait about 3 weeks...but walking was recommended...a mile or more a day.

I had the same problem. Seemed that even the smallest sip would hurt...or cause a burp. but on day 6, that sensation was gone. now I can drink like normal. So I think as the swelling from the surgery goes down, it gets better. Glad you're feeling better!

DeepinFl: Thanks so much for the suggestions. I'm journaling everything today (and continuing on) to get a handle on this. I don't think it's the juices thing. I have a 4 oz juice box of apple juice that's 60 cals...and then 60 cals of sunsweet plumsmart light. Other than that, it's Water and herbal tea. The soups are pureed low fat veggie soups, Protein shakes (2) that are 160 cals/30 gms protein and 1 carb each.....and then 4 oz of light and fit which I don't have all the time. And the sf popsicles. That's pretty much it. I've never been a juice person....just doing it for the irregularity (and because it was suggested on the post -op list. But thanks for the tip of ALIGN. I'll have to check it out. Most importantly though, you're right. I really do need to count the cals and document it...at least so I can have something to show the doc when I go next week. Thank you again!

Hi Everyone, I just found this thread and am so happy to find others out there in my same boat. I need advice. I was just banded on 10/15/09. I'm still on the liquids until I graduate to mushies on thursday. For the first week the scale was moving....and now...for the past 4 days, it's stopped...and not only stopped, but starting to creep up and I don't know why? I'm doing the same thing I was....BUT the big diff is that for the past 3 mornings, i'm taking metamucil in a glass in the morning, and some light plum juice (60 cals) in the evening to help with the iron in the protein drink (if you catch what I mean). would this account for a 3 pound weight gain in 2 days??? So wanted to know if any of you out there had similar problems a week out of being banded. I know i'm doing things right...pureed liquids, 4 oz yogurt, pureed low fat soups, sf popsicles, v8 and apple juice...and tons of water. any advice you might have for me would be really appreciated.

Ref, October 6? Did you have your surgery already? or Nov. 6? - Nooshie

Hi Peeps, I have a question for you all that have been banded about a week or so. I'm still doing the liquid pureed diet (til 2 weeks, then to mushies). I have no restriction in my band. The first few days of banddom, I was watching the pounds come off....now for 4 days, no downward movement. I'm eating very little. One difference is that I'm only having one protein shake now, since i'm feeling too "bound" by the iron in them. My surgeon said to just focus on healing these first few weeks, but still....i'm excited about losing and want to see results. how are you doing (and I know everyone is different)....but are you experiencing weight loss on post op liquid diet?

Oliverdog, I think it's about diversion. If you think about it, the stomach is now sooo small. So it's not really able to hold much, but still, I know what you're saying. I think with me it's more boredom. I don't think I'll be able to look another pureed soup in the face after this. It's super hard too when we're surrounded by food...especially in the workplace. My coworkers and I play the lottery. We had decided that our small winnings would go into the "chocolate fund". They keep a supply of chocolates on hand (like 5 feet away from me) which everyone from around the office comes and enjoys as well as those around me. I find, when I hear the candy dish lid rattle, a few seconds after, I'm suddenly hungry. Pavlovian, yes? But it happens all the time. Lots of stuff going on. So maybe you need to replace the hunger reminder with something else. When you feel so hungry, take it as a cue that you need to grab your water bottle, take a few sips and walk around your office for a minute. Hope it helps....or eases up a bit. Keep me posted.

KCG, you're so brave to go back to work 2 days after surgery. take it easy and when you get home make sure you rest. i was banded on thurs and didn't go back til tuesday - and i was wiped out at work that day. So my hat's off to you! my doc doesn't do the post op xray, so i didn't have the running to the loo. Hard to believe we're getting to the end of the month. Good luck to all those in October who've yet to be banded...and speedy recovery to all of us!

Hi Salbri, are you eating enough protein? What kinds of mushy foods are you eating? I was banded on the 15th and am still on pureed liquids, but get to move on to the mushies in one more week. I am sooooo looking forward to cottage cheese! Do you know how many calories you're taking in?

Hi Holly, Congrats on getting banded. It took my 5 days to have a bm so don't worry. Try sunsweet plumsmart light juice...60 calories and not thick like prune juice. I had gas pains in my shoulders for about 5 days out. my neck hurt so bad because they lower your head below the table to put the breathing tube in, so my neck muscles were so strained. Anyways, it all gets better. I'm one week out today and it gets better every day. Hang in there!

Hi Jill, I'm so sorry you had such a hard time of it. I think the weight gain can also be partly because of the IV. If the fluids are going in and not coming out, that could attribute for weight gain. Don't be discouraged though, it'll be coming off soon. Wishing you a speedy recovery.