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Banded on 4/21 and I have had 2 fills and I don't think I'm feeling restriction I'm eating a lot less than pre-op but still way more than 1 cup of food. I have yet to slime or pb, probably because I'm really afraid of it so I try to stop as soon as I feel full or hiccups. I'm down about 2 lbs this week bringing my total weight loss to 48 lbs. I'm real happy with that number and I'm feeling much healthier however if I only made better food choices I think I could be down a lot more. Oh well I try to keep reminding myself this is a way of life and not a diet to race to the finish line. I just want to be able to wear a cute outfit before summer is over!

Hi I'm a bit late to the game I've been reading the blogs and this website and forum have been great for me. I only told 4 people that I had the surgery so it's nice to have a place where people understand! Surgery April 21st - 10cc band (1st fill 3cc 5/21, 2nd fill 2cc 6/15) 4/13 - Highest 315 lbs 6/21 - 269 I'm still able to eat more than a cup at a time but I'm trying to make better food choices and with commuting to my new job I'm walking and doing a ton of stairs hence a 5 lb weight loss this week (1st week on the job hopefully it will keep coming off).

Well said!!!!!! This week will be 8 weeks post op and I go for my 2nd fill tomorrow and I too have had similar struggles . . . that darn pizza will get you everytime (lol).

I go for my second fill tomorrow morning and I wasn't sure what to do the first time so I didn't eat and my doctor told me I should eat before I get my fill so I'm not so hungry? I can tell you I'll be getting up early tomorrow to eat because I was starving last time and I had to eat some cottage cheese to hold me over that night. Good luck on Wed!

I too fell asleep everytime I took the prescribed pain medicine so on day 3 postop I switched to liquid tylenol and I found that it worked much better for the pain plus I was able to function. Hang in there it gets much better.

BG that is horrible but so funny at the same time. You and I really are on the same track, I tried Chinese on Thursday night and it didn't really agree with me. Although I have yet to slim or PB I was able to eat the egg roll and some LoMein but the other stuff just wasn't going down right and of course Friday afternoon I went to lunch with some girl friends and guess where everyone wanted to go . . . Chinese! Again I ate an egg roll, edaname and a little bit of my lunch but not much since I felt some chest pain restriction and I almost made the mistake of trying to drink it away. I go for my second fill tomorrow morning and I'm thinking that's it for chinese food.

I have found that there's a big difference in taste from one brand to another. I like chocolate designer whey powder and I mix 1 scoop for 8oz of skim milk (this is what the dietician recommended) and if you need a premade drink I found that Muscle Milk isn't all that bad. I've also used EAS double chocolate or strawberry but I dilute it with skim milk and much like BG I add a banana. I find the premade drinks to be a bit chalky so if I can I will add skim milk. I hope this helps Good Luck.

I couldn't agree more with Hopefulmechelle. I know I'm a major food addict and I battle with food daily with or without the band. I'm still new to being banded (april 21, 2009) and I have made mistakes but I'm trying to learn from them as well as learn more about my addiction and what my triggers are. It is so soon after surgery and it sounds like you have "buyers remorse". Please take some time to make yourself a priority and think about this before you make another hasty decision. Best of luck

Hi - Reading your blog I can only totally relate during my many years of yo-yo dieting I have felt like I failed. My disclaimer, I'm a new banster (April 21, 2009) but I want you to know you are not alone and most importantly don't allow anyone to cause you to throw in the towel on your health. The doctor and the office staff are there to support you. Have them review your food diary and make them understand how this is frustrating you. Also just some other suggestions maybe sitting with the dietician or therapist again will give you some additional insight. Good Luck and don't give up!

Since this is only for a quick fix I would recommend Master Cleanser fast. I have done this many times to shed will weight in the past. If you google it you can read about the fast but esentially it is 8oz of water 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemons, 1 tablespoon of Grade B maple syrup and some cayanne pepper. Good Luck!

Have a great summer and enjoy the time with your family. I hope as you have spare time you keep us up to date on your weight loss journey.

I'm holding out hope that we can get a grip on the "food issues" and learn to deal with the addiction. Maybe this forum will help!

I like Chocolate designer whey protien powder however use milk instead of water and 1 scoop of powder with 8 oz of milk (don't follow the directions on the package). Also I didn't do the baby food thing instead I ate a lot of whipped cottage cheese and ricotta cheese plus fat free pudding and jello. Also I would say the most important thing for me post op was sugar free ice pops, my throat was sore and I was very thirsty and I was scared to drink a lot at one time so they were a life saver. However just as tyhelms mentioned everyone is different and mine was also outpatient the one thing I wish I knew was to bring a fitted tank top - putting a bra on was not pleasant and having something to support your belly on the ride home would have been a bit more comfortable. All in all for me the surgery and post op were a breeze. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

I'm in the same boat. Surgery on April 21st and I had my 1st fill on May 21st and I go for my 2nd fill on June 15th and for the last week it has been a struggle to eat only 1 cup and I had a few days where I didn't make great food choices and ate more than I should have (I had 0 restriction). However I'm taking it day by day and today was a good eating day! I have noticed that if I eat a sweet even sugar free stuff it triggers my "emotional" hunger. Nice to find another April 09 Buddy!

haven't lost a big amout . . . . what . . . 34#s is fantastic don't discount your hard work and accomplishments. Great Job keep it up!

I'm not sure if this will help but I would ask the local surgeon if he offers a payment plan if the Fluro is needed. For my first fill they did not do any xray's however he may want to do one your first time since he didn't perform the surgery??? Good Luck!

Debbie I have not heard of anyone with this type of infection from the lapband. I wish I had an answer for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you! Keep us posted.

Good Luck I'll keep my fingers crossed!

BG - AWESOME job! I know exactly how you feel, many times I'm reading your blog and I feel like you're writing about me. Part of me wants everyone to notice that I've lost some weight and the other part doesn't want anyone to notice because it will be easier to deal with seeing people if I fail and gain it back again. I like you have lost and regained so many times and each time I've gained it back its harder to believe it will work the next tiime. You continue to inspire me and need to keep the great work and believe in yourself.

This is inspiring I've hit a rough patch the last few days so I needed to read this! Thanks! Great job!

lauraq - I also hated water and I was addicted to diet pepsi and starbuck chai lattes (that is all I drank prior to banding) and I can tell you I have been soda free for about 8 weeks and I actually found that the more water you drink the more it grows on you. However BG is correct about weaning yourself off the caffeine. Good Luck!

Great News! Ride the restriction wave as long as you can and try not to push it. As you know you and I were banded at the same time but I had my first fill on may 21st and I had my first real challenge yesterday hungry all day both physical and mental and I didn't make the best food choices (sausage and peppers for dinner). And of course I'm paying for it this morning I was up 2 lbs so I started my day with a protien shake and I'm going to try and get back on track!

Hi Readytobethin I had my surgery April 21st 2009 and I had my 1st fill on June 21st and I'm not sure if I actually experience "restriction" however I have been eating less probably because I'm afraid of getting sick and I'm very anxious to loose the weight. However there are many nights that I want to keep eating and I drink the water that I didn't get in throughout the day. From the posting I've read the restriction can take time and even once it happens you need to continue to work a program that is both well balanced in quanity and quality of food along with working out. If you aren't currently keeping a food diary I have found that it is very helpful and I would weight all your foods this has worked for me currently and in the past. Good Luck!

Jlray - I love you post I am also a food addict and I have battled with my weight my entire life. In 2000-2001 I had lost 130 lbs doing Weight Watchers (I was fitting into a size 8) and I struggled to keep it off and last year the scale hit my highest weight and then added a few more pounds. It was so hard for me to acknowledge that I had failed even today I think about all the time and things I've missed out on. So 6 weeks post-op I'm down about 41 lbs and I'm feeling good but it is a long road ahead and I have come to terms with being a food addict and I am really trying to obtain a "normal" relationship with food (whatever that is!).

You are not alone in this battle! I am 6 weeks post-band and I had 1st fill at week 4 and I'm down 41 lbs. I don't want to put my life on hold any longer!