OnTheWay to Thin

Wow that is fantastic, I am so happy for you! You also give me hope that I will be there 1 year post op too!

I am stuck with you! I was doing well with first fill then the fat between band and stomach went away, I have had 2 fills since and still am not as restricted as I was a month ago... so I go back tomorrow for more. Hopefully that will get it going again, also we have been very hot here too, so that does make you very slugish...

Here is a funny one, we go camping a lot and my husbands truck is a big dodge, never fails I drop something in the floor, used to be I could not reach it without getting out and all that, this weekend I was able to reach down and get it, guess I have lost enough belly that bending is easier!

KitKat - that is so sad, it tells me you have lots of issues in your marriage, I cant imagine doing anything without my husband helping and supporting me. Besides the obvious 5 holes in your belly and post op healing, after surgery your whole way of eating has to change, he cant help but notice when you eat nothing but liquid for 2 weeks then nothing but mushies for 2 more... You really do have to tell him, this can only go badly for you if you dont. My husband was not initially thrilled but like the others I took him to a seminar and then he was 100% supportive.

I had my surgery on Thursday, worked from home Monday and Tuesday, went back full time on Wednesday. Wednesday was a pretty tiring day but each day got better, and by the following Monday I was at about 90%!

Being dehydrated can make you feel awful. So make sure to get your fluids, and if you have continuing problems call your doctor, that is what they are there for!

I know just when I thought I was really getting somewhere backslide due to the fill problems... I guess this is a work in progress... LOL

Wow good to hear you are all having some of the same problems I have had had. I had restriction after my first fill but not quite to green zone yet. Went in for my 2nd fill and suddenly I had NO restriciton even though I was supposed to have more. So suddenly I was starved all the time. I called the doctor and went back in and they measured and said I had the right amount so they added 1 more cc, so I am now up to 4 cc, I have a LITTLE restriction but near like I was before fill 2 if that makes any sense at all. They said I had likely lost fat between band and stomach... So I go next week for a 4th fill to see if I can get back to where I was 2 weeks ago..

My doctor had on our discharge instructions to take milk of magnesia for this issue. Check any paperwork you received it may address this issue. Also you could use clear fruit juice like apple juice and add a bit of prune juice.

The nutritional is not a big deal, they go over portion sizes with you and explain the importance of protein after surgery. They talk about the pre and post op diets your doctor expects you to follow and so on.

My doctor is the same way, very cautious and if you are losing at the right rate they dont want to add fill. I had my second fill this week up to 3 cc, but it is weird, I dont feel a change since this fill and if anything it feels less restricted if that is possible? After the first fill it was very noticable and I had instances of getting stuck.. No stuck instances after adding .5 cc at all so dont know if I am getting better at it or if they accidently put in less? I guess I will let it sit for a week or two and decide if I need to go back.

No not a myth, you have fat everywhere including on the outside of your stomach. The doctors dont take the time to peel it all away as it would be risky so as you lose that goes down, also my doctor told me when they put the band on there is a bit of a blind pass around the back and they can also grab some extra fat there... You are doing great!

I was the same as you, I 5'4" but weighed 307 at the top of this, I had the surgery May 28th and it is worth it, it is lots of hard work but oh so worth it. I have just had my 2nd fill and my doctor says I am right where I should be, dont let anyone discourage you from doing what you feel is right.

Also as you have lost you may have lost a bit of fat between the band and your stomach and that will also loosen you up...

Long Congrats, that is so awesome, your success gives me the incentive to keep fighting this battle day after day!

I would LOVE to get to 5-6 hours, but not there yet... we just have to keep working the program I guess.

You have to talk to your doctor, my doctor used how quickly I was getting hungry after a meal to determine I needed a bit more fill. So for me being hungry 2-3 hours after dinner was what made them give me a bit more. But they also look at your weight loss and check to see if you are averaging 1-2 lbs a week. Good luck, but call your doctor or their nurse and discuss with them I am sure they can help you decide.

I was banded in May, have had 2 fills now. For breakfast I usually make a shake of 1 banana, 1/2 cup fat free yougurt, 4 frozen strawberries. I drink this or SF instant breakfast on the way to work. Once at work pound Water, special k protien water, or crystal light. For lunch I usually have leftover meat/veggies from a previous dinner, I skip starches as much as possible. I eat only about 1 cup of food max at a time now so there is usually a couple lunches left from dinners and I make them up in little containers and freeze them. For dinner I fix a protien, a veggie and then for my husband and son a starch or other side dish. I eat the meat and veggies but not the startches. Snacks sometimes between lunch and dinner I will have a SF 1/2 cup of fruit or applesauce, occasionally after dinner before bed I will have a little something like a string cheese or ff cream cheese on a couple crackers.

I had my 2nd fill today, so I am at a total of 3cc in my band. After the first one I felt restriction for about 2 weeks then it backed off, probably swelling, so today they only added .5 cc... They think I am pretty close to my correct spot, we will see, fingers crossed. They had a much harder time finding port today, so lots more pokes and pressing around... Thank goodness for the numbing shots!

I had my second fill today, .5cc for a total of 3cc in band. She had a harder time finding port today for some reason but thank goodness for the numbing shots. So crossing my fingers that this one lasts a little longer than the 1st one did. She said she thinks I am pretty close so we will see what happens.

Salad seems to be my ugly at the moment. So sad, I love salad. I am doing ok, have my second fill tomorrow and seem to have kind of stalled at loss again. I go up 2 down 2 up 1 down 2 but still seem to be at 273 so hopefully fill 2 will get me going again. Otherwise I am learning what I can eat now post fill and each new food item is a learning experience.

getting gall stones after major weight loss is pretty common and unfortunatley there is no alternative to correct it without surgery...

There are a number of good marinades out now that add great flavor to fish. I just use them to baste the fish while cooking, I like chipolte lime, raspberry pepper, there are jamaican jerk.. experiment and see what you like.

Salad kicked my butt tonight too, first time I have tried it since my fill and oh man not good, not sure if I ate to fast, did not chew enough or what but it was the worst episode I have had. Normally if i get the golf ball, worst case I may throw up a bit but once the offending bite is gone then life is good, not with the salad it went on for a while...

I struggle with protien powders but I took unjury unflavored, 1/2 scoop, add 1 pk of sugar free hot chocolate mix, and about 6 oz of skim or fat free milk, add a couple ice cubes and blend like crazy, that I was able to get down.