christa94

i suppose you all are probably right. i am just all nervous. and i hate to see the scale go up. i am starting to feel not so good. my body is sore. i don't know if i am not getting enough nutrients or what. probably not enough protein and other stuff. i eat 3 meals a day and that is it. i try to get in some water first thing in the morning then an hour later breakfast. (3 oz of something. yogurt, or fruit) then water after an hour or two after breakfast. then i wait another hour or so and have lunch. then about another 4 hours for dinner.

i could stand the peeing alot if i could see some results. you know what i mean. i don't want to start retaining fluid because i am drinking like a fish. and that is what my previous experience was. i drank tons and lost nothing. the other benefits are good too, but i am more concerned about the weight loss.

has anyone tried the blood type diet? a long time bandster suggested it.

wheetsin--i believe i have proper restriction. i have 3ccs in a 4ccs band. 3 ccs was placed in the band at the time of surgery. did i expect to lose everyday until i reached my goal? no. but i don't think i am being off the hook by being a little disappointed now that it has stopped. as far as the water is concerned, pre surgery i drank at least 72ozs of water a day to help alleviate water retention. it didn't work. but thanks for the advice anyway.

i am experiencing the same thing. EVERYDAY since i was banded my scales have gone down by a half a pound or more. all of a sudden, this week they have remained the same or flutated up by half a pound. it is seriously depressing! and this week i have exercised more than i did at other points in the banded stage. i figured maybe i needed to quit drinking water since it must be "water weight". i know i don't take in crazy amounts of calories. i don't graze. i have good restriction so i just don't get it. it makes me wonder if i just spent $9,000 in vain!!!

barbara465, after i drink i don't have any room to eat until that water goes down, and it seems like that takes a little while. you know what i mean. i did have this one protein drink by isopure, but it was so nasty. the guy at gnc didn't recommend me get any of the other protein drinks because he said the other would make my body work too hard to process it. whatever that means!

guys is it something wrong with me? i read about the water challenge and i am amazed that you all are getting that much water in! i can only drink about 4 oz of water at any given time! then it takes about 30 minutes or so for that to pass through. the thought of having 32 or 64 oz in a day is blowing my mind! my weight has been pretty stable this week. i am on the mushies. i eat three times a day. breakfast. lunch. dinner. i am still having a 1/3 cup of food at each meal. i find it hard to get in all the stuff they say you are supposed to have in a day. take yesterday. as soon as i got up, i had about 4 oz of water. then by the time i got to work, i forgot about breakfast because i was still full on the water. then for lunch i had 3 oz. of pink salmon in a bag. it was good. that lasted me for about 4 hours. then i had more water. then a couple of hours later, i had dinner, 1/3 of cauliflower and cheese. then a couple of hours later, some water. this is pretty typical for me. rarely do i feel hungry. i want to get more water and stuff in, but it just doesn't seem too possible for me. i do have the 3ccs in the 4cc band. but i don't feel too tight--like experiencing vomitting and burping and reflux. i have been real careful to watch for the signs. i don't know. i read about how others can eat more and drink more and i wonder what is my problem. my fiance says it is probably good that i have the 3ccs and have restriction but if i have such great restriction, why has my weight been stable all this week? i am probably rambling so i will just stop now.

alexandria, why did you have to have your band unfilled. is that normal for people that have the bands for awhile?

barbara465-that pb stuff is crazy scary. remember, i had an episode of pb with those grits. i thought i was going to die and that my esophagus was going to shred. then i thought, why did i get this band and do this to myself. i was miserable for the rest of the day. the next day was better. i guess that is another reason why i am being more cautious now. i guess in a way, it was good for it to happen. it put "the fear of the band" in me.

melissa lea, all the time pre surgery, my surgen's office told me that they put saline in the band at the time of the surgery. originally, they told me the amount would be 1 cc. then when i got there for the surgery and asked again about the amount that they were going to put in there, i was told, they would put in however much it took for the band to have a good secure tight fit. after surgery i asked how much they put in and they said 3ccs. i was more than shocked because i began to remember what people on here had to say about being too tight. but then i figured, they (the surgeons) know best. at least they should. so, 3 ccs it is. as far as taking the bites and eating slow.... i count the number of chews that i take. i try to chew everything at least 20 times. i want the pieces to be small enough to make it through the stoma. don't want anything getting stuck. and i am sure i won't have to do that forever, just until i get into the groove of this banded life. according to my surgeon's staff, i should be on soft foods for 3 weeks before i switch to regular food. is that the norm?

also, i am wondering about something. i see throughout the post where folks are able to eat the same amount of food that they ate before surgery and it is absolutely mind blowing to me. i just can't do that. maybe it is because they put 3 ccs of saline in my band at the time of surgery? do you all measure out your food. i am super anal. i carry around this little 1/3 cup measuring thing to make sure i don't have anymore than that. sometimes i can't finish that. and i stay full for like 3 or 4 hours off of that. is that normal? my best friend and i went out to tgif and she ordered this big plate of nachos and i thought to myself, that looks really good. but, i knew i couldn't go there. i ordered a cup of chicken soup and told the lady that even though i ordered the cup size to only half fill it. she looked at me like i was crazy, but i was adament. my friend knew that i wasn't supposed to drink with my meals and she moved my water from in front of me because i was taking sips of it. my fiance eats like a big pig. huge plates of food all of the time. sometimes i look at what he has and i think to myself, WOW i used to could eat like that! yesterday, he fixed this big ole dinner plate of food, and i had 2 ozs of egg salad on a saucer and he still finished before me. he thinks i am anal with measuring out my food and chewing my food till it is almost non-existent, but i am scared of pb again, and i want to do all i can to make this thing work for me. i kind of feel like it is my last hope. if this doesn't work for me, i feel as though i am out of options.

i am assuming that nsv means non-scale victory? if not, that is what it will mean for me. that being said, i hope this one isn't tmi (too much information) but here it goes. i usually have to buy queen plus size pantyhose for sunday morning services. about one week after surgery i noticed that i had on just a pair of queen sized pantyhose and they didn't hurt in between my thighs nor did that make that annoying sound that pantyhose make when they run up against your inner thighs as you walk. i was elated over that. pre surgery, my panties used to be so tight that they cut into my upper thighs but i just refused to go buy a larger size than they already are. about a week out of surgery, and definitely now, i don't experience that anymore. no pair of panties are too tight on me. they are so comfortable. and i have alot of extra space in my bra now and my breasts aren't hanging over the sides competing for underarm space!!!

well, the grits didn't come up at all. just the saliva. i just tried some bean soup and that has worked nicely. no saliva or anything at all. i took my time and went slow with them. i figured they might be better as well since they weren't dry. you know, they had some "juice" with them. i feel really full. i am so glad it went down better than the grits.. boy, i NEVER want to experience that again. i can't believe i pb on the very first thing i tried. and i had been going along so nicely the first 2 weeks.

hello june bandsters! today was my first day on "soft foods" and let me tell you it didnt' go over (down) too well at all. my surgeon had grits on the soft foods list, so i figured i would give it a try. i don't know if they were to thick or what, but they burned the back of my throat so badly when i swallowed. i didn't eat them too fast and no they weren't hot. but it was like this scratchy feeling whenever they were going down. so, i stopped half way through and didn't finish them. then my nose started running and i blew it a couple of times. then it was like this hard feeling in my chest that hurt like never before. then all of a sudden i spit up a whole bunch of thick saliva. i felt much better after that. i didn't vomit, because my stomach never felt like it moved and the grits never came back up. then i got in my car and drove to work. by the time i got to work, i had a build up of that thick saliva again. spit it up on the side of my car a couple of times. by the time i made it to my desk/office i couldn't make it to the trash can quick enough before i spit up a whole bunch more thick saliva. still no grits. now, it is all over (it has been a couple of hours) what was all of that. did i traumatize my band?

melissa lea, i haven't had any problems with drinking or anything. but, i guess the true test will be when i try to have regular food. i will start mushies on tomorrow.

kim, i had 3 ccs put in my 4ccs band at the time of surgery! now that is aggressive if you ask me!

i know alot of folks on here have been having the isopure SHAKE for their protein, but isopure also makes a clear protein drink. it comes in several different flavors like alpine punch and peach. i bottle has 40g of protein and the taste isn't that bad. i bought it at GNC. it was about $3

well, everyone, i am back. i went to the molding clinic in Tijuana, mx. i survived it and it wasn't that bad. i did have some things that concerned me about the place once i got there, but overall the experience was okay. i got the inamed band (they offer you the johnson & johnson band-which is NOT approved in the united states) and it holds a maximum of 4ccs. well, the surgeon placed the band (surgery was a breeze he said) and filled the band with 3ccs. that was a shocker to me, but he says that the amount of ccs he puts in the band is determined based on how many ccs would make the band have a tight fit on the stomach. so, for me, 3ccs did it. so, i am back and doing well. i have lost 13.2 pounds since i had the surgery on 6/29. i seem to lose everyday. i am not ever hungry. here of late i have to remind myself that it is time to have something to eat. is this normal? i mean, most times i don't want to eat or drink anything. i feel very guilty when i open a can of Soup and just have 3oz and then don't have a desire for that particular soup again. i mean, i don't even want it in a couple of days. they told me i have a 3 oz capacity holding stomach now, so i never have more than 3 oz at a time and i usually wait a couple of hours (at the very least) before i have anything else again. even liquids. my fiance feels i should start a liquid Multivitamin. i also bought an Isopure drink that has 40g of Protein in it for the whole bottle. which is a 20 oz bottle. i have yet to drink the entire bottle. i had 3ozs of it yesterday. i am on full liquids now but nothing really interests me. i guess i am just wondering if my experience is normal. the people from the clinic said it is normal for me to have a lack of interest in food and that i am "losing weight beautifully" and should expect for my excess weight to be gone in about 6 months and that i can expect my rate of weight loss to slow down in about 3 months. that seems kind of crazy to me. thus far i have been following the rules as to what to eat (when i eat). i am too scared to try something that i am not supposed to have because i don't want to do anything to cause the band to slip. also i can feel where my port is. a hard round thing is what it feels like. my fiance called me a "freak of nature" for having some manufactored piece of plastic hanging in my body after he felt the port. but, i know he was just joking. he was originally not with me having the surgery, now he is all proud of me and everything for the process that i am making.

hello all! i was banded on june 29th at the molding clinic in Mexico. i am doing great. my gas pains are gone (they weren't that bad in the first place. i could mainly feel them in my shoulder when i would change positions. like from laying down to sitting upright). i have lost 8.8 pounds since the surgery. i was on clear liquids for the first seven days. now i am on full liquids for another seven days before adding soft foods. my surgeons told me that i now have a 3 oz stomach and not to take in more than that at anytime. so, i tried to eat (if that is what you want to call this) every 2 hours, but it is hard. i am not hungry. and it is hard for me to eat when i am not hungry. me and my fiance go for a walk every day after "dinner" for at least 20-30 minutes. i took off of work for a week and i am glad. i feel pretty good for the most part. sometimes after exerting myself i feel tired and need to rest for about an hour, but after that i feel pretty good again. i am sure i am not getting in enough liquids, but i feel okay. i am trying to listen to my body and give it more when i think it is calling for it. at the time of surgery, the surgeons put in 3 ccs. so, i have 3 ccs in a 4 cc maximum capacity band. yep, that is right, i double, triple checked that piece of information out before i was discharged. and that is what they said. they idea of that scared me at first, but for now, i am feeling pretty okay with it. i will keep you all posted. ps. how do i change the ticker to indicate a change in my weight?

what is your average weight loss per week? the literature that i have suggest that the average bandster loses 1-2 pounds per week? do you find that to be true? what about during the liquid phase post op? did you lose more then?

does anyone have the johnson and johnson band? i hear it is a better band and that erosion and slippage occurs LESS with that band over inamed. any feedback?

hmm. you are 3 hours from me. i am in rochester, ny! how do you feel otherwise? lost anything? trouble with the liquid diet? did you get a fill at the time of band placement?

do you live in the US? did you get it in the US? have you had problems getting fills with it? dr. c. says that he has seen the band and it basically looks like the inamed band and that the port looks the same. so it should be the same to fill it. the johnson and johnson band can hold more saline. and is more flexible (which is why it can hold more saline) i have heard that there is less slippage and erosion with the johnson and johnson band.

anyon'e post op diet look like this: Your first week Keep in mind that you now have a new stomach, much smaller than a few days ago, the volume needed to fill your stomach is now 2 oz. During the first week of the gastric band placement, you will be experiencing not only the adaptation to your new food habits, remember that you will also be recovering from a minimally invasive surgery, symptoms like mild pain and soreness are normal. The first and second week you will be in a liquid diet, using straw is recommended to avoid big gulps that may cause nausea or discomfort. During the fist week Clear liquids are recommended (water apple and grape juices, tree top, ocean spray and welch's are recommended) From fourth day on, natural fruit juices (strained and Gelatin can be added if well tolerated) The largest volume take that your stomach can accept is 2 fl. Oz. At a time, let it rest for 2 hours before serving this quantity again. Have all the clear Water that u can in between "meals". Miscalculations may lead to nausea. Room temperature during first week is the most recommended, slightly cold gelatin is acceptable. Take gelatin in small chunks and chew and dissolve. Take care of wounds: clean daily bath using only water and soap, scrubbing only in the same direction of it, cover with gauze or band aid. NEVER: keep on eating if you are already satisfied. Try to eat more that you stomach can handle. Your second and third week Keep in mind that you now have a new stomach, much smaller than a couple of weeks ago; the volume needed to fill your stomach is now 2 oz. It is time to include variety and a few more consistent foods to your diet: On your second week continue with clear liquids and gelatin and add:Whole natural fruit juice, use synthetic sugar to sweeten. Pear and apple pure Soups (broth):Potato Tomato Lentil Vegetable chicken [*]On your third week add: Chopped fruit (very small pieces) Whole Vegetable juices Whole Vegetable juices At this time you should be able to handle correctly your new stomach capacity. But always remember to let it rest for 2 hours before repeating the serving of more consistent food or the 2 oz. Measure, miscalculation may lead to nausea and stomachache. Food temperature: Fruit juices are well tolerated cold (no exaggeration) Warm soups. The care of your wounds: As a normal symptom of healing, itching will appear. NEVER: keep on eating if you are already satisfied. Try to eat more that you stomach can handle. Your fourth, fifth and sixth week Day 1 Breakfast 3 strawberries 2oz. of yogurt Morning snack Chopped peach Tea lunch Canned tuna (half a can) 1-2 cup of pea Soup Afternoon snack ½ cup of lentil soup ½ a cup of chopped fruit dinner ½ cup cheerios ½ cup milk Last day snack Vegetable soup Day 2 breakfast canned tuna (1/3 of can) crackers (ritz-oatmeal) morning snack 4-6 baby carrots lunch 1/2 cup of lentil soup slice of cheese afternoon snack 2 oz. of blended chicken breast 2 spoons of corn dinner 1/2 cup of chopped fruit top with granola last day snack vegetable soup Day 3 Breakfast ½ cup milk ½ cup of grape fruits or raisin bran Crackers Morning snack ½ cup of lentil soup Crackers Lunch ½ cup of chicken soup ½ cup of blended chicken Crackers Afternoon snack 3 - 4 crackers Canned tuna Dinner ½ a cup of chopped fruit 1 spoon of yogurt Last day snack Carrots day 4 breakfast strained pineapple juice 2 oz. of chopped chicken crackers morning snack canned tuna (half a can) crackers (ritz-oatmeal) lunch 1/2 cup of peas 1/2 cup of chopped fruit afternoon snack vegetable soup dinner 2 oz. of chopped chicken breast Day 5 Breakfast ½ cup of chopped fruit Morning snack ½ cup of yogurt 1 or 2 oatmeal crackers spread some jelly if desire Lunch Canned tuna (half a can) Sliced tomato pieces Crackers Afternoon snack Chicken soup (Campbell's) Crackers (ritz / oatmeal) Dinner Dinner 2oz. of grilled chicken breast mushroom cream Last day snack Chopped fruit Gelatin day 6 breakfast 1/2 cup of grape nuts with milk morning snack 1/2 cup of chicken fajitas mixed with onion and veggies. and vegetabe soup. lunch sliced tomato and cheese piecees. crackers Dinner 3 strawberries 2 oz. of yogurt Day 7 Breakfast ½ cup chopped fruit 1 spoon of granola top with honey Morning snack Tuna and vegetables with crackers Lunch Grilled chicken breast split, pea soup (or choose vegetable) Afternoon snack Gelatin crackers Dinner Vegetable soup white rice Last day snack Broccoli cream Remember: Chew, Chew, Chew! Cold coffee is OK Use low fat / low calorie yogurt and milk Carbonated drinks are not recommended Bread, tortilla and banana are nor yet recommended Never try to eat more than your stomach can handle Keep in touch with your surgeon and nutritionist: Every 15 days for 3 months Every month for the next 3 months Every 3 months for the next 3 years NEVER: keep on eating if you are already satisfied. Try to eat more that you stomach can handle.

janelle, not yet banded. will be on june 30th. but, the doctor's office shared with me what my post op diet should look like. at first it was scary because it is so detailed, but now i can appreciate that. it will take the guesswork out of it for me. hopefully it will work for me. i will keep you all posted.