socalband

Me too. After a year I finally got enough fill to feel restriction. The good news, I'm losing. The bad news, I have to really be careful not to let something go down that might get stuck or cause me to throw up with the "slime" thing (is this what everyone means by PB?). Anyway, I find three things make a difference: 1) never talk while you are eating, 2) chew like a maniac, 3) take the skin off everything...cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, and especially meat. A benefit to these strategies is that I eat so slowly that I would never take seconds even if I were still hungry. I usually don't finish everything I have put on my plate.

I can understand your frustration, I have had a similar experience. I am a year in and have lost 42 pounds. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for that and it is halfway to my goal. But 12 pounds was my pre-op and the other 30 was in the first six months. From Dec. until July I lost and gained the same 3 pounds several times. Here's how it went: I had immediate loss after surgery, but after the swelling went down I felt like I had NO restriction - at 6 weeks or so I had a 4 cc fill - was restricted for a few weeks then back to not feeling like any. However occasionally if I didn't chew well I would get stuck so I was really careful to eat slowly. Just slowing down and chewing more made a difference in my weight, and I was careful to NEVER take seconds. So I was losing. But I was hungry a lot. It is like BandRanger said above, it was just dieting. I had more incentive because I was afraid of getting stuck, but otherwise, just discipline. When I plateaued I got another fill but doc kept it small (because I mentioned getting stuck a few times and I really fear that). So after several months at a plateau I went back last week and got another fill and am at 8 cc's in an 11 cc band. NOW I FEEL RESTRICTION. The best part is, now I know the difference between restriction and just getting stuck (I also found out what sliming is - ick). I am NOT hungry (for the first time since banding) and I do have to be very careful what I eat. In fact it may be too tight, but I am using protein shakes and protein shots and so far I am back on a losing streak. I lost 5 pounds in 6 days. The band seminars told us that if you have true fullness in the area above the band your brain receives a message that you are full and your metabolism in in high gear. If you are hungry, metabolism slows down. So, it does seem important to have the "fullness" in your stomach - it is not just for self-control...it is physiological. Whether you get another fill or not, two essential keys to weight loss are: 1) exercise every day. At least a 30 minute fast paced walk or swim. Something every day. 2) get plenty of protein. I try to get 70 grams a day and still keep calories at 1000. This means protein shakes and shots. Tip: I put cottage cheese in soup. Consider upping your exercise and protein (but not calories) for a week and see what happens. If nothing, then you need a fill.

I would like to hear from any of you who have port pain. Perhaps a better adjective would be port irritation. Every now and then I move a certain way and have a pang of pain. Sometimes it is just a deep breath. I assume this is normal, but want to rule out problems. Also, I am curious to know if there are any bandsters that have met their goal who can say whether or not they still feel the port or think about it often. Anyone out there with similar concerns?

Congratulations! You look absolutely beautiful. An inspiration to everyone whether they have had surgery or not. How has your skin responded?

I just saw your question of several days ago. Did the tightness subside or are you still feeling it? If you are not having any trouble getting liquids and soft foods down and you still have some pain, I would call the dr. Are you able to get solids down?

Since I am always trying to get protein without going over 1000 cal/day, I am thrilled to rediscover cottage cheese. Lowfat cottage cheese can be added to almost any soup and will melt to thicken the soup in a "filling" way. I have been making soup from sauteed broccoli, onions, garlic, and cabbage (or any combination of these), then add beef broth and stewed tomatoes. For a 1.5 cup portion you can add 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. Eat it slowly and chew the veggies carefully. This is a VERY filling dinner. Have a cup of teacaf green tea with lemon and stevia right before bed and you should see a difference on the scales.

I have had similar confusion, a bit more success, but still wonder how I haven't lost more. I lost 17 pre-op by eating low cal high protein. ( I was VERY committed to the "liver shrinking" and less worried about the weight loss...so maybe that is the key, to stick to the liver shrink diet.) I have finally started losing just in the last 6 weeks and have now lost 13 post op (July 6 surgery) but have been surprised how little I eat to get this far. And FAITHFULLY exercising 1 hour every day. Okay, so what I have figured out that might help you: 1) You need to get used to a different kind of full and figure out how to respond to it. 2) The band is restrictive or you would not have some throwing up. That's good. The tool is working. How can you use the tool to help yourself. 3) You have to be very honest with yourself about what you are eating. 4) Get at least 60 grams of protein. It will help you lose weight and keep your hair from falling out. 5) You have to exercise. HOW TO DO THIS? 1) Drink a large glass of water at least 10 min. before eating. I keep water all the time because it is hard to get as much as is recommended. Then eat very slowly and chew a lot. When you start to be uncomfortable you have to stop. Uncomfortable does not feel the same as full but I think it is what full is supposed to feel like now. Don't sacrifice quality foods for things that "go down easier" - always start with protein and eat very slowly. 2) I was getting stuck and throwing up. Now I get stuck and stop...don't try to drink anything to wash it down. Just stop eating and let it pass if possible. 3) Try fitday.com for a food diary. I love it. I cannot believe how many calories I was getting when I thought I was at 800 calories. Record every pat of butter and every tsp of olive oil. The great thing is that if you eat a lot of the same things every day it is easy to add them to the food diary on subsequent days so it won't take too long. Then it tells you how much protein you get. 4) protein is easy. Buy those protein shots at costco and add to crystal light and take a long time to drink it. Add cottage cheese to soup. Hard boiled eggs (even deviled eggs) and fish are easy to eat. 5) Exercise every day. I like swimming and water aerobics, but I walk fast every day no matter what. You don't need special clothes to go walking. You can also record your fitness activities on fitday.com. Hold yourself accountable. Final advice...I have been drinking that diet green tea from Lipton before lunch and I have a decaf hot green tea with lemon and stevia right before bedtime. I think they are helping. Don't forget vitamins. You'll see on fitday.com (nutrition is summarized based on your food log) which vitamins you are short on and it's a shocker. So GOOD LUCK! I'll be watching for a post from you.

Chele, Really enjoyed reading your original post and all the replies, comments, and threads to your post. Your dilemma is common - we all feel that way sometimes - and your pain was genuine. I can relate to your frustration. But what I am most inspired by is your attitude about the responses you have gotten. Often people complain but don't really want to hear any advice and certainly don't want to change. You seem responsive and appreciative to these rather direct replies. It sounds like you've already turned the corner. I admire you and feel encouraged by what you are doing. I was only banded in July, but I was encouraged by your story and I want to add my own response. First, I suggest you think of your journey as beginning today. Banded 2 years ago with no real weight loss is discouraging, but beginning your weight loss in Oct. '09 with a new plan and watching the success begin now will be more effective. Second, accept that your band is a tool, and only a tool, but your real goal is to develop discipline in your eating habits. This will be an important training for your daughter as well. Everyone in the family will see that you did not lose weight because of the doctor...you lost it because of your own efforts - they will be proud of you and you will be proud of yourself. Here's the real tool: you have already proven that you have discipline in your life because you worked to become a nurse and are able to handle the difficult career of being an ER nurse. Yay for you! Now it is just a matter of developing that type of discipline in your exercise and eating. You can do this! I find that I don't have any discipline at home but I have it at the grocery store. So DON'T buy food that you should not eat. No one in your house should be eating cheetos, so that one is easy - just don't buy it. Don't buy red meat for a while. Your husband will survive and may thank you. I have some great fish and chicken recipes that are really easy if you want to write me I will give you some of them. You are working so you need to think when you are at the store "I have to have foods in my fridge that are easy to prepare and easy to eat." You should also think "is this something that gives me any nutrition." If the answer is "no" then why would you waste any calories on it. You MUST get enough Protein. I like putting the no calorie protein shots (costco has them) in my Crystal Light. Finally, when you get an urge for something like cheetos, you might just want something salty or something crunchy. Try getting 5 olives or a dill pickle. Eat it very slowly and chew carefully. Use small plates, take small servings, and never get seconds. I love making a quick Soup with sauteed veggies (especially broccoli and zucchini) then add some beef broth (cheapest is with Water and bouillon cube). This is very filling...but remember to chew well. Then walk every day. The steady quick walk - work up to fast paced walking 45 min. to one hour every day - is a different exercise than being on your feet all day in the ER. A big difference is the breathing. When you walk for exercise your heart rate and breathing work to help your metabolism shift. Give this plan 2 weeks. Then reward yourself with something new to wear and start again...ramp up. You go girl.

I'm newly banded so don't have much experience but can tell you that with only 75 pounds to lose it is hard to imagine a dr. advising you to do bypass. I have had a wonderful experience with the band so far (realize-C). No pain except port site which is temporary. Lost 20+ pre surgery and five more post op. I have not been hungry at all, and am already exercising. My personal goal would be to lose 1-2 pounds per week (hey, there are 52 weeks a year...that's a lot). My friends who have had lap band lost weight more slowly but have not had excess or saggy skin, hair loss, or malnutrition issues. My friends who have had bypass seem to struggle more with health issues. Part of me felt like since I lost 20 pounds pre op I should have just kept with that and not had surgery at all, but I have never felt better. I prayed about my decision and now I will just do my best to make it work for me. Good luck to you. I hope you have success with whatever choice you make.

Wow - since I'm newly banded I am still amazed at people's success, but your before and after photos are beyond amazing. Congratulations! You look fantastic. I know you have been working really hard to get that kind of muscle tone. Very encouraging. Thank you!

Hello "twdm" I had my surgery one day before you and had almost the exact same starting weight and loss (although my last 2 days there has been no additional weight loss after steady success). I have a lot of swelling also, and clothes are not any looser, but I can really see the difference in my face and arms and, thankfully, my rear. As for your question, it could be a side-effect of the pain medication from the surgery and the 2 days postop. You might try taking a stool softener every day, and walking regularly. Also, calcium/magnesium supplement helps.