LapBandit

First off...good luck w/ surgery. Pretty soon, huh?! That's exciting for you! I get the EAS Advant Edge right from my grocery store and local pharmacy in the "diet" section. You can also order it online from www.eas.com Of course there are lots of really good products out there, but I like these because I don't have to mix the powder...it's ready to drink and it's nutritionally balanced. Best wishes for your surgery!!

Good job! Thanks for the update!

Thanks for sharing. Most of us have a shameful food habit from the PAST. That's the key...to make these things from our past. Admitting it out loud is the first wonderful step towards your future. My latest "thing" is that although I openly put my weight on my LBT signature, I've never actually said it out loud but the other day I told my sister where I started and where I am right now. It took a lot of courage.

Whoa! A whole month of liquid?? I had a week post-op then I moved to mushies. I'd definately say No to the pizza, but if you are starving (which you probably are) then (with the disclaimer that I'm not your doc so don't just take my word for it) I'd say it's OK to eat some mushie stuff now. Refried beans were the most delicious thing while I was recovering, I also ate cream of wheat etc. PS-Congrats on the 19lbs, that's great!

Find a new doctor. That's a real shame. What are you gonna do? Don't give up. If the band is what you want to persue then don't give up. Like I said, I was bigger than you and my band has been a wonderful thing in my life.

You are definately not a failure! I was really swollen post-op and so I felt no hunger for the first week...none at all! Now I miss it. Ha Ha. Everyone seems different...some are hungry immediately post op and others report never really being too hungry ever. Think of it as a surprise...you don't know which way you'll be yet!

You are not crazy. I also had a weird stage of severe depression/emotional issues soon after surgery. I swear I think it had something to do with the anethesia. Mine lasted about a week then one morning I woke up and felt better. But, it was embarassing...I would just bust into tears for no reason. It was a really tough time for me so I know how you feel and am sending good wishes your way! :Banane27:

I agree with Tricia. My doctor explained that the size of your internal organs is not a real reflection of your size...some people just have larger organs and so a bigger band is installed. Personally, I had the VG put in. I was told there wasn't a real way to decide which one will work best until they are able to get in there and see for themselves.

Christy...how's it going???? Have you been eating any more? Do you feel any better about things? Please give us an update when you have a chance. Thanks!

Brenda...that is RIDICULOUS! Too big for the band??? I weighed more than you at the time of surgery and I made out just fine. Plus, I've had pretty good success so far. If you don't have any other co-morbidites that are making it risky for your doctor to do surgery then I say they are full of it. What are they saying is the alternative?? The bypass? That makes me mad!

Yeah, you guys are right. I've made up my mind...there are two other doctors from that practice so I'm only going to see the ones I feel comfortable with.

That's wonderful! Congratulations! It sounds like you're kicking butt this month!!

Personally, I don't think your fill could be causing the insomnia. Do you have some extra stress going on that you just haven't realized? I hope things calm down for you soon before you run yourself ragged! I see a baby in your photo...is that little cutie keeping you up??

My total lost is from February of this year. I was a "wannabe bandster" for about 2 months before surgery so that really gave me a jump start on the process. Thanks!~ You guys are doing awesome too! We're a cool group!

I use my steering wheel as a measurement too! I'm kinda too far back in my seat now but I don't want to adjust it because I LOVE the feeling!!!Congrats and happy driving!!

You guys are AWESOME! I knew I could get some encouraging words from you all! I feel better now because you guys are right...there's lots of doctors out there so it's my job to visit one I feel comfortable with. Thanks for the support!

I felt the EXACT same way when I started...if I eat more than 1/2 cup or if I eat more than 500 calories a day then I'm not doing it right and I won't be successful. It made me feel ashamed that 1/2 cup didn't fill me up. I was in tears at my surgeon's office over it and he made me promise that I would only eat healthy stuff (no junk) and that I would eat until I was satisfied...not full. There's a subtle difference there that I'm still struggling with. So, my opinion is definately to increase your calories per day. My doc explained that it isn't realistic to eat 500 calories a day forever so you risk training your body to live off a very small amount of food per day...then eventually you will start slipping and eating more because you're starved (human nature) but unfortunately your metabolism will be used to the 500 a day and eating more than this will make you gain. Plus he said that your body will be nutritionally deprived at this level and it will essentially hold on to the fat as a self-defense against the lack of food. Some people will disagree...but my experience is that I've gotten better results maintaining a level of food intake that I can reasonably expect to keep for the rest of my life (around 1200/day). I hope that helps and PLEASE don't feel like you're messing up. You're trying and that's most important. I just would hate to see you starving yourself when in my opinion it is hurting you, not helping. I wish you lots of luck and everyone on these boards will always have good advice to offer to help you find your way as you start out!

Yikes. That is terrible. I'm sorry you're having all this trouble. I hope it works out for you soon.

Wow, interesting. I'd love to know what's different about it. Not that I can do anything about it if it turns out to be better than what I already got! Hmmm...will bands start coming out with model years like cars?? "What do you have?" "I've got an '06 with 500 treadmill miles!!"

Wow, that's scary. I haven't heard before that you could spit up blood from a tight fill! I would've FREAKED. See, this is what's good about this board...you learn something new every day! (If I spit up blood I'll still call somebody of course but at least now I wouldn't call 911 in a panic!!) Thanks for sharing and I hope things get better for you!

I am soooo sorry. I was just treated bady by a doctor today too so I feel your pain. I thought doctors took an oath to "do no harm". Although my situation doesn't compare at all to yours, I still understand. I'm proud of you for taking charge of the situation. You deserve to get the best care, we all do. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to work a little too hard to get that care. UGH!

I feel kinda ticked about a doctor's appointment I had today at my PCP, not my bariatric doctor's office. You guys are so supportive that I figured it was safe to vent a little! This is the first time I've seen this particular doctor since my band. She asked..."is it working?" and I thought...if you had taken 2 seconds to look at my chart you would have noticed that I'm almost down 100 lbs. But instead I told her "Yes, I really think it's been good for me." THEN...she proceeds to look at me and ask if I was going to have surgery to get rid of my apron. Again, I tried to be nice and said that I was just banded 4 months ago so I don't think it's time to think about it yet. Duh...4 months...give me a chance to succeed before you write me off as needing someone to cut my fat off my body. (I whole-heartedly believe in the apron surgery because I know that for some people it just won't go away regardless of how much weight you lose.) But, I took her comment as...you won't succeed. THEN...she asked if my insurance paid for my band. I said "Yes." She asked "For the whole thing?" Again, I said "Yes." and she practically rolled her eyes as to say "What a waste!" I don't know...I'm frustrated. Darn it...I'm working my butt off at this and she totally acted as if I'm a lost cause. To top it off...she's about my size. Was it jealousy? Was it a misconception about the band? Or, was she just being a b*tch?? Either way, she really put a damper on my day. Thanks for listening!!

OMG...I've been experiencing similar issues. I haven't progressed into actually feeling like throwing up but with this last heat wave I definately have been "aware" of my band. My stomach feels a little upset and I notice that my restriction is all over the place. One hour I feel really tight and the next I'm starving. I was wondering the same thing...if the temperature could really affect our bands like this?!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 - 29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/298/150 - 60 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308/298 - 94 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/231/150 - 42 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/259/150 - 51 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117 op.day/106.6/69 - 18.4 kgs/40.4 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/235/170 - 35 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/246/165 - 43 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/208/145 - 56 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/260.2/145 - 22.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/278/145 - 55 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/182/135 - 42 total

Hi and welcome! I am worried about you! Did someone tell you to eat this little? I really feel like you are not consuming enough calories per day. I started out trying to stay around 500 calories a day and my doctor set me straight. Now I average around 1200 calories a day and I am losing more weight than when I was eating 500 calories a day, honestly. Plus, I am in much better spirits. You didn't mention if you are eating this little because you feel too tight or if it's just because you think that's what you should do...but even if you're too tight then please try to get in some more calories with protein shakes then talk with your doctor. Please let us know how you're doing!