illuminationlady

At first my husband was totally against the band for fear that I'd leave him and also because he said men would "hit" on me. Actually no one in my family wanted me to do it. But my husband was really against it. I did it any way and now he is thrilled with the results. I guess he had to see for himself that I won't leave or go astray. It isn't even discussed any more. Now he compliments me all the time. I'd even go as far to say he's a bit nicer. I do think that the divorce rate is higher for us post banders. Think about a heavy set woman or man trapped in a loveless or abusive relationship. That person drops the weight and the spouse much more easily than if they were to remain heavy. They get their self confidence back and a whole lot more! It will be interesting to read this thread though and hear all the stories! Best wishes!!1

No stretching. I guzzle water all the time and Snapple too. No problems...Best wishes!

As a PP stated you are healing and during this time period you may be hungry. It is important that you measure your food and count calories. It may be many months before you have restriction so just try maintaining at this point. Hang in there! You can do this! Best wishes!

I stick with a high protein, low carb, low calorie diet. I definitely try to eat firm protein. It took me a long time to learn the lesson of eating slowly...still working on it. I got stuck a lot in the beginning. I think we are getting to know our bands that way. Now I don't get stuck very often. When you have a stuck episode you should do liquids for 24 hours because of swelling. You may be swollen and need to take it easy. And then again, you may need a slight unfill as suggested by PP. Take care...

I got my first fill 4 weeks after surgery and then every two weeks until I hit my sweet spot. That's just the way my doctor is...I did start with an empty band due to complications and when I went for my fill I asked for an "aggressive" one because my band was empty. He did give it to me....That may be where you read "aggressive". But keep in mind, I was empty. If you are hungry and it's been 4 weeks I would at least call and see if he will start the fill process. Best wishes!

You'll be back to yourself in no time at all. Just take it easy and baby yourself right now. I stayed on top of the pain and took the medicine every 4 hours for the first 3 days then switched to adult strength liquid Tylenol. Don't let yourself be in pain. That just makes the situation worse. Best wishes on your journey and welcome to Bandland!

No rules about before a fill but liquids for 24 hours after one. But my daughter, who's banded, always eats a regular diet after her fills...same doc too. She tends to break this rule. I am more diligent about the rules than she is. Best wishes!

I would say I am totally at my sweet spot. Not too tight. Not too loose. I eat less than a cup of food at any one sitting. Have learned to chew, chew, chew. Do have problems with eating too fast still...but working on that. Stay full for 3-5 hours, depending on how much protein I take in. The protein really helps with hunger. I used to get "stuck" all of the time but rarely do any more. I learned the hard way, over and over...but did learn...so..for me I'm just right! And sooooo happy about it! Best wishes! Dottie

I remember being very edgy and having lots of anxiety over food pre and post op. Now it doesn't bother me at all. I chewed a lot of gum during that period. I remember even snapping at my DH and that's not like me at all! I was depressed too. Now I don't worry about food any more and those feelings have passed. But it took a while...for me at least. Best wishes!!!

HB-Oh My!!! That's all I'll say about that! Leigha, It often says you're offline to and I know you are there so I just type the message any way. And a dead monkey! I'm with Bobbie; I get creeped out by that one! I put the puzzle away. No one would help me with it. I bought a 1000 piece one at Target today and am washing my table cloth that I work on. This one has tiny photographs all over to make the image of a butterfly. I worked out at the Y today and officially joined. I walked 1 lap .25 miles, rode the stationary bike for 2 miles and then did my water aerobics. The people in my class are elderly and they are a hoot! They make me laugh all through class. Even the instructor is a hoot! I'm having such fun. Some of the people in class have had the knee replacement too so it was reassuring to hear from others who have gone through it. Have a great evening everyone...Lots of love your way, Dottie

Yes, I would do it all over again, but I'm only 6 months out. I just listen patiently to those who "know it all" and do it the way my doctor recommends and it seems to be working. Everyone in my family was against me having this surgery. Now my daughter is banded too and is losing faster than me (she's younger). So, definitely yes, yes, yes!!! Best wishes

Productive Burp...when the food comes back up...not vomiting...just regurgitating the food that becomes lodged. Usually a lot of slime comes with it...I know ...TMI

Yes, there is aftercare and it all depends on your insurance. Mine is covered with a $20 copay. You will see your doctor regularly for follow up and fills. Best wishes!

HB- Love the new room! Bobbie--just love you!!! You are by far the happiest person I've ever met (well not face to face). Leigha--you're doing great on the running...keep it up...Denise--you are only 5 lbs. from your goal...Wow! amazing! As for me, I've just about given up on the 2000 piece puzzle. I got the perimeter together and the moon but the part I'm working on right now is so darn hard! I work for hours to find one or two pieces. I think 2000 pieces is too many. I'm quite disappointed with the whole thing and I always enjoy my puzzles so much. I don't wan't to feel bad about doing it...so I may give up and buy a 1000 pieces. From now on I'll stick to 1000 pieces or less. Just checking in. Love to all, Dottie

The band is not a "magic pill"! You must do most of the work...especially in the beginning. I was told that "stretching your pouch" is a myth...that it really can't be done. However, you are consuming to many carbs, to many calories and to much food...period. If you plan to be successful than you must "diet" until you reach restriction. Then the band will help you lose weight. And to answer your question, no, I could not consume all of that food nor would I want to. You can do this! Hang in there! Call your doctor for some guidence. Best wishes!

After you get used to measuring food, counting calories, reading food labels over and over again you just know, and you don't have to do it so religiously anymore. But I still read food labels that I'm not familiar with, like in restaurants. I always ask for the menu with the nutritional values of their meals. Best of luck to you!!! You can do this!

I would say that you are at your sweet spot or close to it. However, some people choose to have their bands a little tight. I do not and weight loss is slow for me. I'm okay with that. But I'm hardly ever hungry any more, which is Heaven! My doctor said that sometimes that "hungry switch" just all of a sudden gets turned off. And mine is off! So, I say it's a personal decision that you must make after you read the responses here on this forum. Oh and by the way it took me 5 fills before that "hungry switch" got turned off. Best wishes!!!

Sounds like an acid reflux. Did you have a hernia repair also? Are you on any medication that might have an odd taste now with a burp? Remember your pouch is much smaller than what you're use to. But I would mention this to your doctor though. I'm just guessing. Get a professional's opinion if it keeps up. Feel better soon!

Frozen SF Popsicles and a loooot of gum!!! SF Jello helps too. And add fruit and ice to your shakes (if you're allowed to) to thicken them up in a blender. It gets easier. Hang in there! Best wishes!

Hi Lisa, Your husband should follow the doctors orders. That being said...I have problems with popcorn, green bean, breads and pastas. What your husband is experiencing is normal. The swelling has gone down and he may be hungry for a while until her gets some fills. It's important to measure the food and count calories in the beginning so you don't gain weight. Now that I have restriction I don't have to "diet" any more and it's easier. Some foods that I transitioned on to in the beginning were scrambled eggs, Cream of Wheat, creamed soups, or I would add some fruit to my shakes. Hope this helps! Best wishes!

I'm so sorry you are so terribly sad! You do sound suicidal and should seek help right away. It's true that you must work hard, especially in the beginning, to maintain or lose weight. I started with an empty band and was hungry almost immediately. And I didn't reach restriction until after my 5th fill. It was terrible and caused me a lot of anxiety because I was so hungry. But I was careful...measured my food...counted calories..all that. And I didn't gain any weight. Now I am losing because I have restriction. I hope this helps and really think you need to talk to someone face to face and maybe see about going on some meds. They really do work. Best wishes!

I take Viactiv chewables. The multivitamin is chocolate and the Calcium is caramel. Both are very tasty. I buy them at Target for around 10 dollars for a 30 supply. Best wishes!

I got really stuck on it once and haven't had it since. However, after reading all the replies here maybe I will try it again. I would say I was eating too fast at the time. That seems to always be my problem when getting stuck. I am learning slowly to slooooooow down!!! Best wishes!

Exactly!!! except we're the successful ones!

It would be interesting to see a statistic of people who do participate in this forum (or some other support group) vs people who do not. I believe, as a PP stated, that the people on this forum are more likely to be successful because of the support given. Best wishes!