ElfiePoo

First, why do you believe you're in the green zone if you can't eat normally? At this point it would be hard to tell whether your band is too full or whether you've aggravated things with forcing food through your band and your band area is now swollen which continues to make eating difficult. Been there, done that...my .02...go get an unfill and allow your band area to rest. The band does not work by restricing how much you can eat. It works by eliminating the hunger after you eat for roughly 4 hours or so. If you're taking small bites and chewing well, then food should not be getting stuck on a regular basis. I'm a bit confused when you say you only eat in the evenings but you also said you eat 2 meals...so both are in the evening? If so, and if you aren't eating anything until these two meals, then you're doing something called 'intermittent fasting'. Short term studies suggest this is not a good way for diabetics (or even those who are just insulin resistant) to eat because it increases the insulin resistance and raises blood sugars causing even slower weight loss. Also, it's possible that by not eating all day, your band is a bit tighter (like it is first thing in the morning for many banders). I always drank a hot cup of tea before my breakfast which seemed to help a lot. Why eat when you don't feel like it? Because you're a diabetic and that means we do what we must to stabilize our blood sugar. I'm curious what kind of readings you're getting on your glucometer throughout the day because a lot of what you're doing would cause problems with most diabetics. I highly recommend getting a copy of Dr. Richard Bernstein's "The Diabetes Solution". A lot of my comments are based on his advice for controlling diabetes in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. No grains, fruits or starches. Just Protein and green vegies. The Splenda is a bad idea because that's real brown sugar you're using and sugar is never recommended for diabetics. Also the Splenda portion contains maltodextrin which raises blood sugar in diabetics. Diabetics don't need to eat several times a day. They used to believe that but more recent studies suggest that the frequent insulin production (because we're either giving ourselves insulin with every meal or our body is producing it) actually leads to greater insulin resistance (which means slower weight loss) so we're better off eating 3 meals with 5 hours between meals. If you aren't hungry in the mornings, then at least start off with some type of low carb Protein shake. When I'm not hungry in the morning, I just make a protein shake with EAS chocolate whey powder, 1 oz heavy cream and 8 oz unsweetened almond milk. It's only about 240 calories...the same or slightly less than if I actually ate breakfast. Oh, the reason for the cream is to keep my fats at 60% since studies show that a low carb, high fat (60%) diet is better than a low carb, low fat. Better lipid profile and faster weight loss. Anyway, if you're really not hungry by noon, then have another protein shake. When you do get to dinner in the evening, it should be a normal dinner. Excess protein also causes a glucogenic response just like carbs, so no more than 5 oz of that pork chop and 1 cup of cooked vegies (green)...and I'd start that meal with a hot cup of tea or coffee or even hot Water to help loosen the band. *Tiny* bites if you like pork chops because I found them to be the toughest to do with a band. The best thing you can do is to quit eating that cream of wheat at night. That, along with the topping of sugar, has got to be killing your morning blood sugar readings. Oh...and regular oatmeal is not recommended any longer for diabetics. They've discovered it actually raises blood sugar levels. Only the steel cut is recommended but keep in mind that those recommending it also think 140 carbs per day is what a diabetic should be eating. I know this is more than you asked, but take what you want and disregard the rest. .

That seems to be a common reason for stalls in a lot of the low carbers. Possibly because there are carbs and they do add up depending on how much you drink. Also, for diabetics, these products contain maltodextrin which causes blood sugar spikes, which cause insulin production which causes calories to be stored as fat instead of burned (simple explanation). I'd go back to water and see what happens. It may give you your answer. .

It depends on if you can handle them. Some people drink the artificially sweetened drinks and have no problems. If your weight loss starts to stall, take a look at how much artificial sweetener you're using. Many find when they hit stalls and then eliminate or seriously cut back on their Crystal Lite or similar, that they start losing again. If you're not a diabetic, no problem with adding splenda. If you are a diabetic, powdered splenda contains maltodextrin which causes blood sugar spikes.

I needed that laugh this morning. Thanks!

Elcee: Why are you stressing?

I found that by getting the carbs out of my system, the hunger went away...but the desire didn't. I was still counting down the minutes until my next meal. So, based on Dr. Bernstein's "Diabetic Solution", I found a reputable supplier of Hoodia since he said it works to suppress this desire in 65% of his patients. Skeptically, I ordered a 2 month supply (wanting to give it plenty of time). After taking it for about a week or more, I have to say it really works for me but I'm still going to hold judgment for another 2 months since this may just be a fluke. As many have said before, it's too bad we can't get our brains banded. Talk to normal weight people and they aren't thinking about food 24/7. There's something going on in some of our brains...faulty wiring?...and the band doesn't help with that. I know because it didn't help with mine. I don't know much about all the appetite suppressants out there, so I'll only say that before you take one, research it...thoroughly. Some have some serious side effects. .

One of the reasons I got the band was due to constant hunger. Unfortunately, I did have to have my band removed due to a related complication (phrenic nerve pain) *BUT* discovered the source of my 'hunger'...and the solution. This may not be true for you, but it's worth a try, no? First, I'd get rid of the Protein bars and go back to real food. Many contain maltodextrin which cause blood sugar spikes (and ultimately the physical cravings/hunger that follow). Even if they don't, that sweet taste sets up a craving for more sweets. On top of which, they're usually high in calories, high in carbs and do little to stop the hunger. I eat a diet that is low carb (under 30gm), moderate protein (30%) and high fat (60%). I've made a few changes recently and am using olive oil in place of butter since there are so many good benefits from olive oil but I do use full fat blue cheese dressing on my salads. A typical day looks like this: B: 2 eggs, 2 sl bacon (maybe...sometimes it's just the eggs) L&D: 3-4 oz protein, 1/2-1 cup vegies I make sure to drink at least 20 oz of liquids (tea, coffee or water) between meals and in the evening. It keeps me from feeling fatigued. I don't eat grains, fruits or starches since they spike my blood sugar and cause those feelings of hunger. Just food for thought.

Gingy, Glad to hear you like it and are doing well. Many people have a hard time giving up the carbs, but it really is a very healthy way to eat. I've been doing not just low carb, but grain/starch/fruit free as well in order to control my diabetes and I can't believe how much more alert and energetic I feel now that these items are out of my system. Plus, it's so easy to eat out if I have to...even at a fast food place. My son took me out to lunch and a movie the other day and we stopped at Wendy's where I was able to get a single cheeseburger and a side salad (brought my own blue cheese dressing). .

We're 11 days away from the wedding and I stepped on the scale this morning and...up 4 pounds? I've been a lot more restrictive in what I've been eating for the last week, hoping to shed that last 2 pounds and I gained 4 pounds. Then again, I did start taking Metformin at about the same time, so maybe that's it? Yeah, my primary care is really thrilled that I'm controlling my blood sugar with diet, but said the fact that I'm still carrying a lot of belly fat and still having difficulty losing weight, indicates I'm still quite insulin resistant and that the Metformin will help with this. Re: the granny panties. I guess I'd better go buy some new underwear. I had a visual of my being escorted up the aisle at the wedding and my underwear sliding to my ankles. Well, I'm hoping the rain will hold off today. I seriously need to mow my lawn but up until now it's just been too wet. At least with the snow, the grass didn't grow. .

Elcee: Yes, I know what a kewpie doll looks like and what a visual of me as a kewpie doll. Vicky: Oh yeah...another 20 pounds and my 'girls' are going to be saying 'hello' to my navel.

I had to go look it up to see what it was. I could never stick to that. First, it's just way too high in carbs for me and way too restrictive on fats, but hey...even while all the "experts" (she says laughingly) are arguing about the best 'diet', they all agree that the absolute best is the one you can stick with. So, if you can stick with this, then it's the best for you.

He really said it's just "mind over matter"? How did you keep from decking him? Mind over matter. Gee, if that's all it is, why do we bother getting banded?

I never had a problem getting 60gm of Protein per day with normal food, but then I had a surgeon who felt that the inability to eat regular food was a sign of an overfull band. Not all doctors require such a restrictive postop diet. This type of diet is necessary for bypass and sleeve surgeries because your stomach and intestines have been compromised. We do have stitches on the inside, but my surgeon said these are healed just fine in 2 weeks. I was back on normal foods, as many here are, in 2 weeks. Not everyone has physical restriction with the band and shouldn't be looking for that. They should be looking for a cessation of hunger after a reasonable meal. According to my surgeon, reasonable is 3-4 oz of protein and 1/2-1 c. vegies. Our journeys will often vary based on our surgeon's expectations, but one thing I did learn is that the band works very differently for each of us and the most important thing we learn is how to make it work for *us*. .

Dr. Bernstein in "Diabetes Solution" said that many of his patients lost their desire to eat (along with the cravings) just by eliminating the grains, starches and fruit...but some don't. I'm one of them. Despite being grain, starch and fruit free and keeping my carbs under 30, I still count down the hours from one meal to the next. Obsess is the only thing that comes to mind. He mentioned that 65% of his patients found Hoodia successful in eliminating this 'obsession'. I've heard about Hoodia for years but never took it seriously. I figured if it was that wonderful, wouldn't everyone use it and nobody would be fat? Then add the fact that people are selling 'Hoodia' that contains no Hoodia. However, based on his recommendations, I did find a reputable supplier and one with a money back guarantee. So, still very skeptical, I thought...let's try it. Well, I think I'm a convert. I'm taking 400mg in the morning and then 1200mg right after lunch. Nothing for the first 2 days, but since then 'whoa baby!' I'm not eating my first meal of the day until about 1 p.m. and I have to consciously make sure to drink my Water (it also suppresses thirst) or I'll forget to drink as well. Then I eat again with my husband at 6 p.m. I don't think about food at all except when it's time to fix my meal! Guess I'm one that Hoodia works on. I am not hungry when I eat, but I eat because I know I need to and I'm not counting off the minutes until my next meal. I can even drive by my old triggers (Wendy's) and consciously acknowledge that a double with cheese would taste great, but make the choice not to because the desire to eat when I'm not hungry is *GONE*. Me...not interested in food. Unbelievable.

Denise: Granny panties...bahahahaha! I seriously need new underwear, but it seems like all I can find are the high cuts and I'm sorry but it's really gross when your belly falls through the leg hole. TMI? I'm definitely going to need a tummy tuck...and boob job...and bat flap removal and butt lift. I'm thinking if they just pull everything up, tie a knot at the top of my head and cut it off...I'll have a goatee (think about it). ROFLMAO. Elcee: Bummer about having to deal with the postop crud again...and dealing with all the stuff that follows a hysterectomy, but it probably will be a relief (selling my stock in tampax) to have this resolved. Will you have to go through some type of hormone therapy as a result? HB: Hang in there! Only 4 more days! Belle: Wow...20 lbs! Fantastic! Keep up the good work!

I started my hoodia a few days back and I "think" it's working, but it could be just that I'm having a good day. So we'll give it awhile longer. One side effect, and they did say this was a possible, is that my blood sugars seem to be running slightly lower. A good thing since I'm trying to get them down enough that eventually my A1C will be around 5 instead of 7. Otherwise nothing new to report here. Two weeks from the wedding and that blasted scale is stuck on 201 lbs! I love in hope though! .

Denise, Woohoo...someone else who knows what the chicken dance is! My husband had never heard of it until he married me. A video is definitely good blackmail material. .

Hello Melody! I meet a fair number of Melanie's...but few Melody's. Too funny about Tinkerbell. I love her but my husband says she doesn't exactly qualify as the 'world's largest elf'...his nickname for me. Good thing I love him or I'd have to smack him. Congrats on your banding! How are you doing so far?

Depends on the WOE you choose as to whether you count calories, but even on Weight Watchers it shouldn't be difficult to get 60gm protein in...and the protein is what is going to help you keep from being hungry. If you go low carb, and many people do have difficulty giving up the carbs, you might be able to lose weight more quickly *but* don't do it for that reason. This isn't a race. Just find a WOE you can live with consistently. .

Since your fill is so recent, it may just be that the band area is a bit swollen...and every episode of 'stuck' just aggravates that problem. I'd go back to mushies for a day or two and let your band area rest. Then when you try eating solid foods again, take small (think toddler spoon size) bites, chew well and eat slowly. Do not drink with meals. If that first bite goes down a bit hard but you don't get stuck...wait. Listen to your body. If you're still having problems, then you might need a small unfill. .

There are a number of reasons your body can go into ketosis. One is, literally, starvation and yes your body is cannibalising its own muscle to get the Protein it needs. The other is through a low carb diet. Protein on low carb diets tend to be 30% or higher. On this type of diet, the body does not cannibalize its own muscle. Instead, the protein we eat is converted to glucose and that provides energy to the body. It's more involved than that but if you want to read the whole explanation, click here. Do a low carb diet long enough and the ketosis goes away. It's easy to understand why after reading Dr. Eade's blog (see link) about ketosis. When I first started low carbing, my breath reeked and I couldn't even use mints because there were too many carbs in them! Now, no more bad breath. To the OP...if you aren't low carbing below 60gm, it's most likely not ketosis and I'd look for other possible causes. . .

No, you aren't stretching the definition and you didn't mess up. Some doctors put their band patients on the same diet as their bypass patients but there's really no reason for it. Many of us go through the stages in 2-3 days and are back on solids by 2 weeks postop. If you can follow a month long journey back to solid food, more power to you. Just don't stress that you've somehow done damage to your band or to your stomach.

Dr Bernstein wrote an article in 2008 in response to the new Diabetic Associations guidelines. I thought some might find it interesting. Here's the link but I thought this was rather interesting: One concern I have is with the guidelines focusing mainly on carbohydrates. Protein doesn’t raise sugar anywhere near as much as carbohydrate; however it can still raise blood sugar. Protein raises blood sugar by two mechanisms. The first mechanism is gluconeogenesis, which is the conversion of a small percentage of the protein to glucose. It converts to about 2 grams of glucose per ounce of protein, a very small percentage. An ounce is 28.5 grams. If you eat a 12-ounce steak, those grams can add up. The other mechanism by which protein raises blood sugar is the incretin effect, which in my books, I call the “Chinese Restaurant Effect.” Just distending your gut with anything will raise blood sugar, even a handful of pebbles, if you are a severe diabetic like me. So, just the presence of that steak in your gut will distend the gut, causing you to release hormones that will raise blood sugar. The first paper that I ever wrote that got published was published in the mid-1970s, somewhere around 1975, in a remote publication called Acta Paediatrica Belgique. It was entitled, “Protein as the Principal Source of Glucose in the Treatment of Diabetes.”

Vomiting and reflux are not normal. It's most likely a symptom of being too tight. You may just need a small amount taken out, but keep in mind that if you don't, both of these things have the potential to cause enough problems that you could eventually lose your band due to the damage you're doing. You didn't say how recently you were filled. If very recently, like in the last week or so, it's possible that you just had some swelling from the last fill. Is the 'vomiting' actually just getting stuck and urping up the offending piece from the pouch...or true vomiting from your stomach? If it's just ejecting the stuck food, I'd go right back to liquids for a few days to let any swelling go down (or get an unfill). If true vomiting, I'd call the surgeon who may recommend an unfill. Don't let this go on. Attempting to lose weight this way could result in band slippage or erosion...or even damage to the esophagus. .

Congratulations!