Gus-Gus

Hello, I am six months post-op and I keep my day pretty structured. During the week I revolve around work, so coffee first thing in the AM, b-fast about 9, lunch at 12. I get off work at 4:30 and drink a Protein shake on the way home, dinner about 6-7pm and usually a small snack (string cheese, sugar free pudding) between 9-10 (I stay up till 11 each nite). I try to keep each meal about 2-3 oz's of meat, 1/4 cup Beans maybe a few vegetables or a dab of rice. I don't have much restriction yet so I have to be careful. I generally stay within 900- 1200 calories a day. If I do really well all day, I treat myself to a fat-free hot chocolate in the evening with a sugar-free peep (easter peep) floating on top. Main thing to remember in the beginning is too go slow and chew small bites. You don't want to get stuck. I panicked the first few times it happened to me. so be careful and good luck.

I have always been able to eat bread as well. It's different for some. One of my co-workers was banded two years ago and still can't tolerate bread. It's your individual system, where you might be able to handle bread and not chicken etc... someone else may be able to handle chicken and not bread. And then you'll get a good fill and sometimes all that will change. Good choices, three small meals and slow and steady. 40 pounds since December is awesome. Don't let anyone but your body tell you where you should be.

Hi girls, I know it can be frustrating especially when you are not eating alot and keep in mind if you are not eating enough calories, then you won't lose that way either. I started keeping a journal and try to keep my calorie count between 900 to 1200, but sometimes I go over and hit the 1400-1500 mark a day here and there. I keep my protein level at 60 or more. This seems to help because it shows that even though I feel like I'm eating too much I'm really not. Don't get discouraged, just take it one day at a time.

Teri, It's good to hear that things with your band are a-ok. I am sorry to hear about all the other stuff. A few years back I found myself in a position where I had to go on anti-depressants for a while and so I know things are going tough for you right now, but hang in there. Things can only go up right? Just keep thinking about those beautiful babies you got with you. I hope the pain eases up soon. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I know how hard it is when the pain is constant so I'm praying for you girl. I know it's hard right now but hopefully things will start to get better soon.

I will reach my 6 month date on Sunday. I have had bad days but for the most part things have been going well. I haven't reached my sweet spot in spite of 4 fills but I have been keeping journal and watching what I eat. I only weigh once a week and either stay the same or lose 1-2 pounds a week. I can't complain. I'm sorry to hear about terilynn's health issues. Hang in there and hopefully things will get back on track soon.

I had the pain in my side for several weeks after surgery but found if I used a very fluffy pillow and tucked it under my side, it went fine. Mainly because I wasn't fully on my side but still able to sleep sideways. Now I am 6 months post-op and sleeping fully on my belly now. As for Spanx, love them. I wear them all summer long, just smaller ones now. Good luck.

I am in the same boat. I haven't had any restriction since my last appointment almost two weeks ago and I have the munchies BIG time. I can't seem to get a hold of it. I'm not gaining any wait but I'm worried if I don't get this under control soon I will.

I want to be 180 on my birthday which is June 12th. So I am 193 right now and my goal is 185 by May 5th. That would leave me a month to get that final 5 pounds by my birthday.

Pre surgery I was a crazy diet pepsi addict. Now post surgery, I drink coffee with no problems. A cup of coffee with fat-free flavored creamer gets me through those crazy hungry times between meals. But I also make sure to get in at least 48 hours of water every day.

I was in the same boat as you about two weeks ago and I tried to tuff it out, but it was so painfull and everything was coming back up, including water, I decided it wasn't worth it. I went back and had a little bit taken out. I am back to being hungry in between meals but I would rather have that and keep track of my food intake then go through all that pain. I plan on waiting a few more weeks than going in earlier than scheduled for a re-fill. The main thing is you don't want to get dehydrated and end up in the hospital with other complications. Even with an unfill, you won't gain all your wieght back. Maybe a little in the beginning, but you'll stay on track, have faith.

Don't be scared. If your doctor did what mine did and left for band empty, then you won't have too much restriction till your first fill. Enough, that you'll know it's there, but not too much at first. My first meal was very soft chicken and mashed potatoes. Some suggestions I have are: Chicken thighs cooked in the crock pot, they cook up very soft. And add some corned beef hash to your scrambled eggs as a variety. I haven't tried more than a bite or two of steak so far and pork if it's too dry is a little hard to get down, but chicken thighs in the crock pot has been the best so far. It's very tender. As for worrying about over eating. As long as you don't snack on junk food and follow the eat your Protein first, you won't overeat. The band, even unfilled, will let you know it's there. You may get hungry in between meals, but some cheese or a Protein shake will help you with that. Good Luck

Remember that you are healing. I was on full liquids for two solid weeks after my band was put in. Also remember that it takes some time to get the gas out of your system, not to mention the anasthesia, antibiotics and everything else that goes with major surgery. And it was major surgery. As for the quick weight loss in the first four days? That's not so unusual post-op. Your on liquids. You will see your greatest weight loss in the first few months and then it will taper down to about 1-2 pounds a week once your on solid foods. You'll get there. Be calm and let your doctor know about your concerns, he'll get you through them.

I had my fourth fill two weeks ago, 7 cc's in a 10 cc band. I got stuck and went three days with major problems. I had an unfill and am now at 6.4 ccs. I can eat more and I am hungry every three hours which has me very disappointed. But I am keeping track of my food intake and being careful, because I would rather do that then experience the three awful days of pain before the unfill. I am confident though that next fill will make a difference.

Oh Denise, you are so not alone. I have had four fills. I thought I found my sweet spot last time but I had a couple of bad days when I couldn't keep anything down and went in for a slight unfill. Now I can eat. I get full but of course I am hungry three hours later. I don't think we stretch our pouch with an occasional non-diet meal, but I freak out all the time that I did. I keep track of my calorie intake and when I look over the whole day every night. I find I'm not really taking in as much as my brain tells me I am. I don't know if your one to keep track, but try it even for a few days and you may find your not eating as much as you think you are. Especially compared to how we all at pre surgery.

I haven't reached a good amount of restriction yet, I have days when I get full right away and days when I can eat anything and everything, but I continue to lose. It freaks me out because I continue to lose even though I sometimes slide into my old habits. But I also know that just when I get to the point where my bad habits are going to get me in trouble, I will finally find the right fill amount in my band and it will force me to remember and continue with the good habits I've learned since surgery. This band is a tool, we are doing the majority of the work. So enjoy your success so far and if it's been easy so far, then enjoy.

I am not at my best level of restriction yet, so I am measuring my calorie and protein intake in a diet journal that I bought at Barnes and Noble. Plus I like keeping track of things, writing them down etc. It keeps me motivated. Once your on regular foods, you'll find ways to get your required protein levels. During my post op phase I went to GNC and bought bottles of Isopure. Each bottle has 54 grams of protein. Each day I took one bottle and sipped on it in glass with ice all throughout the day. That way no matter what I ate or drank at least I got those 54 grams in.

Sugar free pudding was on the okay list from my doctor and went down really well. At times it was actually soothing to my stomach. If you are looking at higher carb foods, keep in mind that Cream of Wheat (which was also on my list) has 23 grams of carbs per serving. I made it very watery with a dab of margarine and 2% milk. That really helped me alot and kept me fairly full. If it's on your liquids list, its something else to try.

My doctor told my support group that hiccups were a sign that we've over eaten. They are very painful so I try to be very careful.

I'm approaching my six month date after surgery. I was a diet Pepsi fiend. I love my diet Pepsi. Now I have replaced that with coffee. Mainly when I'm not feeling much restriction. Coffee with non-fat flavored creamer is what gets me through the "hungry times" I haven't had any problems at all. Just make sure in addition to your coffee your getting plenty of water intake as well. I shoot for at least 3-16oz's glasses of water a day.

I was a scale whore for awhile and driving myself bonkers. I made a New Year's Resolution to only weigh myself once a week and things got way better. I am also figuring out my fills. I got a whole cc last time and then felt it was too tight and went back to have some taken out. Of course, now I don't have enough restriction, but I'm going to wait a bit before asking to go back. I keep track of my food intake everyday mainly because I'm the kind of person that likes to plan and track things and buy pretty books to keep things in etc. Anyway, it keeps me motivated, but I cheat from time to time. I won't lie. As for goals, I try to think smaller, in terms of 1-2 pounds a week. My main goal is as long as it doesn't go up.

I haven't found my sweet spot yet, I thought I did with the last fill but found out three days later that I was too tight. I got a slight unfill and once again back to feeling very little restriction. It's a crapshoot, sometimes I think I'll never get there. I keep to 1000 to 1200 calories a day. Sometimes I go over, but my regular physician says that's kind of low, so it works for me. As long as I'm losing or staying the same, even without restriction than I'm happy. You gotta figure out what works for you.

Hey Catherine, Congrats. I also recently made it to Onderland and am 45 pounds from goal weight. I just had my 4th fill and then a small unfill, so I was a little bummed about the unfill, but its hard to stay bummed when you are in Onderland. Especially when you were 213 pounds in Jr. High school, Junior High, no High School. And 225 pounds on your wedding day. Keep up the good work.

I lost a lot per month pre and post op, mostly because of being on liquids, then mushies, and the drastic reduction of calories. I have okay restriction right now and I keep between 1000-1200 calories per day and am either losing 1-2 pounds a week or staying the same. I am completely okay with that. Especially since I have made it to Onderland-WooHoo and I'm only 45 pounds from my personal goal. Remember, we chose lap-band knowing it would go a little slower, but for me, Slow and steady wins the race. Don't be bummed and keep up the good work.

Susister, I want to tell you a few things. For one, your not alone. We are all in this together. I had several fills and was feeling no restriction but losing weight so stressing only a little. Last Wednesday, I got a fill and thought FINALLY I can feel restriction. I did well on two days liquid and one day mushies, but on Sunday I woke up so restricted that I could not get anything in or keep anything down. The more I stressed the worse it got. It got to the point that I couldn't keep my HBP medication down and that made things even worse. Then last night I puked up the sips of Water I was taking and I completely freaked out and got scared. So this morning I made a doctor's appointment for an "unfill" (egads, I had been working so hard to get a good restriction) The doc says I probably got something stuck that took a while to work it's way out. He still took out .6 cc's and I may now be too loose (it's too soon to tell) but after the last few days, I would rather be a little loose and focus on my portion controls, then be way too tight. You don't want to be too tight and get dehyrdrated etc. So cheer up girl and hang in there. We're both still learning and always remember............ Slow and steady wins the race.

Well I was gonna tough it out before going back into the doctor, but last night things got so bad I was puking up water. Came into the office and made an appointment. of course by the time I got to the doctor's office, I was feeling better. He said it sounded like I had gotten something stuck that took awhile to work it's way out. But I told him if I sipped water it was fine, but if I tried to take a swig, it was like trying to swallow a golf ball. So he went ahead and took out .6 cc's. I am now at 6.4 cc's in a 10 cc band. I feel like maybe I'm too loose now, but I haven't really eaten any hard protein yet so I'm not gonna stress. I still have more in my band than I did last week so I'm going to relax and continue with my meal planning and focus on less soft protein and more hard protein to get me full faster.