happy2lose

I have had this problem for 13 years now. Nothing to do with the band for me. You probably have some unresolved issue that manifests itself in your sleep. I take Trazadone for this and it helps immensley. Also, now that I exercise regularly and I am physically exhausted when my head hits the pillow it has decreased some. I sure hope it gets better for you because it really sucks.

You are human therefore subject to mistakes. You just start anew. What has happened has happened and beating yourself up for it isn't going to help. You have got to find a way to stick to your plan. Have healthy foods readily available and stick to eating those foods. Avoid the drive thru period if good choices are too hard for you to make. If going to lunch with friends is too difficult for you to make good choices or you are weak to peer pressure then avoid those lunches with friends or co-workers. A good friend would not twist your arm to eat bad foods. A good friend would encourage you to order something healthy when they know you had lap band surgery not encourage you to eat greasy pizza. Now if you continually cave-in to peer pressure or to your own weakness perhaps you need to consider seeing a therapist who specializes in the area of obesity and behavioral modification. The biggest thing here is you have got to believe in yourself and make healthier food selections. Going to McDonald's doesn't mean you have to order the most fattening thing on the menu. I've been eating at McDonald's Monday - Friday for the past several months. I order 3 pieces of chicken selects. That's it...no fries....no drink...just chicken and still manage to lose weight. JUST DO IT!

I agree, you need another fill. Don't beat yourself up for being able to more then those of us with good restriction. When you get good restriction you too will eat much less. Hang in there, Donna

I think it is terrible that fat people are so close minded and judgemental and I will leave it at that. TO EACH HIS OWN!

Please give us an example of what the foods and portions you consume each day?

I'm curious what size band you have. If you have a 14cc band like most people being banded nowadays or even a 10cc band, then 3cc really isn't gonna give you much restriction. I'm sure you haven't stretched your pouch with such little restriction. If you get your fill under fluorscopy your doctor will be able to tell if it is stretched or slipped. Don't worry, I'm sure you just need more fill. Donna

You said it yourself, you plan to keep working out and watching your portion size. With your frame of mind I don't think you have anything to worry about girl! Just relax and enjoy being gorgeous.

Your stomach may still be very swollen from all the PBing. You need to go back to a day of Clear liquids only and then a day of all liquids and see if it gets better. After a PB experience, my surgeon instructed me to always finish that day off with clear liquids only. One incident of PBing will cause your stomach to swell around the band and make it harder to eat. Having a cold or sinus problem will also cause your stomach to swell. So this would also be a good time to return to a liquid diet. Try the above first because it may not be necessary to get an unfill. Donna

There may be some other reason why you are in so much pain. I would insist your surgeon make the time to see you ASAP. Some level of post-surgical pain is normal and can last for several weeks. You are the best judge of your pain level and if you think something is wrong then demand the care you paid for. As for removing the band, you are not the first person to feel this way in the beginning. Just stick with it and things will get easier. Right now you are in a weakend state because of the trama from surgery and feeling more emotional from food deprivation but give the band some time. A week after my surgery I laid in bed crying and asking myself why the hell did I do this. One month and 37 pounds later, and I was elated and knew I had made the best decision I ever made. Hang in there, and call your surgeon. Donna

I have never heard of band patients never needing a fill. Most surgeons make their patients wait until 4-6 weeks post-op for the first fill. Unless you have restriction you will most likely be hungry all the time and have to rely solely on your own will power to lose weight. If this is the case, why would any of us get banded?

I too guzzle my water during and after working out. No problem here. However, if you take a diuretic like I do you will need to be extra careful to drink more.

I remember during the first few weeks post-op feeling so depressed about giving up the foods I love. Now I don't even think about it. It's only because you are hungry that you feel depressed. When you start to feel this way go outside and go for a walk. Changing your focus will save you every time and exercise helps to release endorphins and serotonin that will help eliminate the depression.

No sore tummy but I can tell you that all my fills have been pain free and pretty uneventful if this makes you feel any better.

Usually it is located at the area of the biggest scar or the area that is most tender.

I'm not sure if I yet fit into the successful bandster category but I'll share my strategy anyway. 1. I focus on eating my Protein first then veggies (I don't eat fruit because I just don't have room for it. 2. I exercise daily for at least 45 minutes Monday-Friday and ride my bicycle for about 2 hours on the weekends. 3. I keep up with my fills when I get hungry between meals. I like my band tight. I get great support from my husband and kids as well as friends I have made at the gym. I try to avoid negative people whom I seem to allow to drag me down to the depths of depression (this is a biggie for me). These people do not contribute anything positive to my well being so I avoid them like the plague. This is what seems to work for me.

You are VERY welcome!

I am so glad you are feeling better. Being stuck is sometimes agonizing.

Very normal! You don't have any restriction so you have to rely on will power. Once you reach good restriction you wont be very hungry at all. You may still have "head hunger" to deal with but real hunger wont be nearly as bad. Hang in there, this is the hardest part.

Very normal. My surgeon warned me about this. Remember liquids in = liquids out.

Your doctor is telling you this because solid foods will give you satiety (you will feel full longer). Soft foods, soups and Protein shakes will not stay in your pouch very long. My band is so tight right now that my chest feels a little sore but I can still get down chicken if I take very tiny bites. Take tiny nibbles of chicken and chew well and you will be fine.

I have certainly experienced the same feelings you are. I still can't see any difference in myself from having lost 79 pounds. Everybody tells how great I look but I just can't see it. My body is shrinking but my shape is exactly the same. I know the scale doesn't lie so there must be something wrong with my perception of myself. I have seen many posts on bandsters perception of their body image and it seems to be commonplace what you are going through. I'm sure there are many body parts that are thinner but when looking at the body as a whole it is just not as obvious. Give it a little more time. Keep working toward your goal because at some point it will be noticeable to even you. Make sure you are getting exercise everyday and eating only the foods you should be eating. I say this because I feel thinner when I work out and I feel fatter when I eat beyond what I am suppose to. I believe obesity is every bit as much psychological as it is physiological. Hang in there, Rome wasn't built in a day and you didn't become overweight overnight. Just keep working toward a happier, healthier you and the rewards will be obvious and lasting. Take care, Donna

I don't see any reason why you couldn't take stool softeners. If in doubt, always ask your surgeon.

I've had three fill and none of them hurt. My doc numbs the area first then inserts the fill needle. While he is filling he has me drink the barium to see it go through the band. This way he knows if I have enough fill.

If you don't eat enough then your body will hold onto your stored fat and get fuel from it. You really need to find a new doctor and get checked out as soon as possible.

Do you need the malabsorption factor or do you need restriction? Once you decide which will work best for you then you have your answer. There are other options that should also be investigated before you decide, such as DS or sleeve. Please do your homework and know the difference before you jump into anything. :drool: