LollyMoe

They have restriction if slimming & PBing. It's there alright. You may never have a problem with it depending on how slow you eat and how much you chew. Since my 4th fill, I have now have restriction. Some days I do fine and others, I don't do as well. My main problem is being distracted when eating and not being careful enough. That's not the band's fault...it's mine. Follow the rules and you'll be okay.

Devin: Sounds like you are doing fine. This is what is called "Bandster's Hell" by some people. Now is the time you will have to be very motivated to eat properly, in proper amounts, drink your water and exercise. As for restriction, I'm one of those people that it has taken four fills to get any lasting restriction. I have a friend who has NOT had a fill yet and she has lost over 75 pounds. So, go figure. Everyone is different. Good luck and don't worry. You're on the right track.

Get up to walk as soon as you can. Make sure you can drink water and urinate BEFORE leaving the hospital. Ask your doctor for something for pain at home. Have plenty of GAS-X strips (read directions on box) and liquid Tylenol on hand at home. Sleep with a pillow supporting your tummy and back. Good luck.

Well I made it thru the Thanksgiving and Christmas foods w/o gaining any weight! Hooray for me. I have continued to lose regularly and am so thankful for every ounce. I would never have done that in the past. I am fast beginning to realize that food isn't that important to me. I think my New Year's resolution is going to be "I'll eat to live...not live to eat.":smile2: Does anyone else feel successful about the holidays?

I agree! Thanks Jackie for all your advice.

It takes some people longer to shake off the effects of being put to sleep during surgery. The energy will come. Are you drinking your protein? The protein is what will give you the energy and also help with the hair loss (if you have any). Just be patient and it will get better. Try to walk as much as you can also.

Don't do that to yourself! So you ate some food you shouldn't have....but you didn't gorge did you. You didn't eat what you would have last year. So forgive yourself and look to tomorrow. Put the past behind you and plan for what you will eat today. Don't put yourself down.

Minimeme: My friend had a chicken farm and sold the eggs to a commerical company. We would go out to the farm to help her gather eggs and get them cleaned & weighed to be ready for pickup. They were picked up every 10 days, taken to the plant for processing. By the time they hit the grocery stores, they are anywhere from 3-5 weeks old. Fresh yard eggs are so much better. They taste really good and I am so fortunate to have fresh eggs often. If anyone reading this posting has the opportunity to buy fresh yard eggs from a local person, you won't be sorry.

Wow, what wonderful news. Thanks for sharing.

Everyone is different, therefore some can eat a lot and others cannot. The main thing you have to do is eat slowly & chew really well. You may also find that you can eat pizza one day and a couple of days later, you can't. This band thingy is really fickle. It doesn't stay on a constant line. I can eat chicken but can't eat cheese. Don't be discouraged. Work with your band to try different things but be aware that your body will accept some things and reject others. Don't give up. It may take you several months to really learn what your body will allow.

I am thankful that you are okay. As you said, "a car can be fixed". I know you have already said a thanksgiving prayer. Have a Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone. My wish for you is to have all the blessings of love you deserve from your family & friends. Remember the reason for the season is our Savior and all blessings come from Him.

I love scrambled eggs with a little cheese. My daughter has chickens and she brings me fresh laid eggs all the time. They taste better than the three week old eggs you buy at the stores.

Hey, congrats on 70 pounds! I know how you feel about the move. Been there, done that too. This is a time for you to get out of the house, explore the city, libraries, museums, etc. Find yourself a church of your choice and meet people. Involve yourself in a new hobby, volunteer some where. Shake off the depression and don't let it rule your life. I know you're homesick but this is your home for now and you have to make the best of it. You love that husband more than you do a place that you call home. Buck up and start all over again. You can do it. You deserve to be what you want to be. Now go for it!

Not exactly sure if I'm at my sweet spot yet but think I'm close anyway. This is what is happening. I have 7.5ccs, can drink anything w/o any discomfort but a few tiny bites of food will cause pain in the chest. Sometimes, I will slime with the pain and sometimes not. The only thing I can eat comfortably some of the time, is scrambled eggs with some cheese and a bite or two of baked chicken. I can eat Wheat thins and Fiber One Cereal and green Beans. Should I be concerned? DO I have too much in band or not quite enough?

I was banded in August and have lost 62 pounds. It isn't easy but it also isn't torture either. I made up my mind before surgery that whatever it takes to be successful...I was there. I didn't find the liquid diet that hard to follow but I have to admit that I was happy when I could eat solid foods again. There is far more choices now. I went to the movies to see "Blind side" the other day. I went by myself and I could have had anything I wanted from the snack counter. No one was with me, it was first time going to this place, so who would it hurt if I cheated just a little bit? Popcorn smelled sooooo good, nachos with cheese looked good too, & oh, the candy bars selection was great. Well, I'll tell you who it hurt if I cheated......ME, ME, Me. I thought it but I didn't do it to myself. It just isn't worth it. Planning ahead is the answer for you. If people don't know you have a band, tell them you're trying to follow a liquid diet to "cleanse" your system before starting a healthier eating problem. Hang in there and don't ruin your chances for the future. You owe it to yourself to be healthier, skinner, and more self-secure. You can do it. Plan, plan, plan.

It's the gas that they pump into you during surgery. Walking and Gas-X strips will help. Read directions on box. Hang in there, it will pass in a few days.

Thank you. Great information!

I have lost 62 pounds in four months. I haven't set an exact long-term goal yet. I just want to be a lot healthier than I've been this past year.

Benefiber, water, protein, and walking. Sleeping with a pillow to support your abdomen and back will help the port pain. I am four months out and still have sometimes that my port is tender. Just take it a day atthe time, know that you're not along and most of, FOLLOW your doctor's directions. We're here to help but you are paying him/her for this service.... so use it.

I'm not worrying about five little scars after having gallbladder, tubes ties, & hysterectomy. I'm going to have a tummy tuck and a panni surgery when this is all over anyway...so what's a few more scars. No one but me, hubby and doctor sees them anyway. I'd rather be healthy than scar free.

My first fill was 4ccs and I'm now at 7.5ccs after the foruth fill. I haven't felt anything until the last two days. (Filled last week) All of a sudden, I am really having to watch myself. Chewing even more slowly and smaller bites than before. I guess I have finally gotten my restriction. Hope it lasts for awhile. As for doctors. I have worked with many many doctors thru the years of being a nurse. Some are idiots, true, but others are wonderful men/women with caring and concern for their patients. Some are learning doctors in that if they don't know something they will seek advice or hit the medical books again. Some are God-like in their attitudes and think they are the ONLY one that knows anything. It's important to ask your doctor questions and learn about your own body . If you blindly follow your doctor, then you reap whatever he comes up with for you. Build a trusting relationship with your doctor and if you don't have one...by all means, go find another one. They aren't perfect but they are all we have.

Zobee: Thanks so much. I ordered it. Will let everyone know if it's worth the money.

Recently someone posted a site for a plate that you put in microwave and it would stay hot for 30 min. If anyone knows that site, please let me know. I need to order one. I'm sick of having cold food!:thumbup:

You have to realize that the use of the band isn't years & years old. The stats are based on the few years it's been in use. My doctor says that it will be up to me as to what I lose. I went to group support mtg on Saturday and met a lady who has lost 287 pounds. She started at over 350 but didn't want to say how far over.