happy2lose

Yes I have noticed this to happen. Also noticed when camping it happens too. My take on it is that if for any reason you slow down on your Water intake the band either tightens or the stomach swells. It is very important to keep well hydrated at all times.

Chewable Papaya Enzymes are a must have. Carry them wherever you go so they are always available. Sometimes when I am stuck I drink a few sips of Water and the water will make me throw up whatever is stuck. Leaning with your chest on the the kitchen sink will also help you to vomit after drinking water. It applies the right amount of pressure right where you need it. When all else fails I stick my finger down my throat and repeat until it comes out. I hate to state the obvious but what the heck was your mom thinking? It's just wrong to put something in your food that is going totally against what you are trying to accomplish. You had surgery because you want to lose weight. Sneaking bread in your food sounds a little like sabotage to me.

The fill policy is a biggie. I would ask how aggressive the surgeon is with fills. I would want to know how long it is going to take to reach proper restriction and how frequently they will give you a fill. Some doc's make patients wait 6 weeks in between fills. I see many people in these forums complaining because it has taken them so long to reach proper restriction. Some of them are taking 8 months to get there. I have the older style band and at first worried it would become a problem at some point but it only took me 2 fills to get good restriction or my "sweet spot" so I began losing immediately. Best of luck to you.

You have taken on quite a challenge for yourself doing all this over the holiday season. You will surprise yourself how wonderful you will do though because you now are motivated to change your life. Your success during this time will really help to keep you motivated. You will think to yourself, if I can stick to this pre-op and post-op diet during the holiday season I CAN DO ANYTHING! I wish you great success! You can do this!

TexasGirl, There is a huge difference in fill level between 8.5 and 6.25. I don't know why doctors are so drastic when doing an unfill. Just .25 cc's can make the world of difference. My advice to you is get another fill. Try increments of 1 cc at a time. Get yourself on an exercise routine and you will step up your weight loss significantly.

Yeah! What Plain said.

Elfie, Have you done any research on the gastric sleeve? I've heard that people that have the sleeve no longer experience hunger. Just a thought!

I guess I see things from the perspective of wanting to be healthy not just to lose weight. I hope everything works out for you ElfiePoo

I am always a little sore after a stuck episode too. I actually posted a very similar question after my first stuck episode. I think the first few months as new bandsters we tend to worry about every little ache and pain. I have learned to relax some now. I look at it this way.....If something happens, a flipped port, slipped band, etc. Its gonna happen whether I worry about it or not. So relax! Everything will be fine.

With all do respect Elfie, studies old and new show that diet and exercise together contribute to a healthy lifestyle. There is no way I could have hiked up the Big Sur River and climbed over huge boulders as big as an average sedan last month if I didn't have the upper body strength or stamina I earned through hard exercise. Not to mention how much worse my body would look with all the hanging excess skin if I didn't exercise. Exercise is the only way to maintain lean muscle through weight loss. You are in denial if you don't see the health benefits of exercise. I don't care if you exercise or not, it's your choice. I just hate to hear you misinforming other bandsters.

I was told by my surgeon that 1-2 pounds per week is average. Keep in mind that your body will plateau possibly for weeks at some point. Don't get discouraged, this is normal. Also, I have found that since I exercise a lot, sometimes it takes a while for the scale to catch up. This is why it is a good idea to take measurements of your body so that when this happens you can see the progress without the scale. I went all last month without losing but 4 pounds but I lost 10 inches.

Way to go! You stuck it through the hardest part.

How much excess skin one has also depends upon the elasticity in their skin. My way of thinking is to work as hard as I can not to have it and whatever is left I will deal with best I can.

I applaud you Colorado. Well said!

If the queasy feeling is bothersome, your surgeon can prescribe some meds for it. Port pain can last approx. 6 weeks.

Yes, I did experience this. My surgeon told me to expect the port pain to be bothersome for approx. 6 weeks. My incisions healed for the most part in about 2 weeks I think.

The puppy in this avatar is the cutest I have ever seen. What breed is it?

Just one more thing........you do not have to go on a diet. You should be able to eat a normal high Protein, low fat, low carb diet and still lose. Whoever told you that you had to do weight watchers is incorrect. I'm sure it would be of some benefit but hardly necessary. If fact, I don't think of what I am doing as a diet at all. I went into this knowing I needed to make a lifestyle change which is what I have done. I just make healthy food choices and eat 3 meals per day. I rarely snack. I no longer live as a couch potato. I am active and enjoy life so much more then I ever dreamed possible. Getting into shape (exercise) has helped me to achieve this. Note: I am only half way to my goal.

Elfie, If you are not planning to exercise then I don't think the band is going to give you very good results. I exercise daily for the results that I have obtained and I still feel the weight is coming off very slowly. The average with the lapband is 1-2 pounds per week. This is the result I am getting with exercise and I am right at 6 months post-op. If I were you and not wanting to exercise I would look into a different WLS such as the gastric bypass where you will lose the weight faster whether you exercise or not. Sorry if you don't like my answer but this really is my honest opinion. Hope I have helped you.

77, It sounds to me like you are not eating enough calories and your body is storing fat cells. If you are not able to add another meal then I suggest perhaps getting a slight unfill so you can eat just a little more at each meal. Or, perhaps try adding a Protein shake to your day. I recommend you keep a food journal to keep track of your calories so you can see exactly what you are eating. You should also consider making an appointment with a nutritionist who can plan a meal guide for you and advise you how many calories of what type your body needs. I hope my suggestions work for you. Donna

Yes, shrimp is a protein. I hope your nut. can help you out. Donna

Gloria, Didn't your surgeon explain to you that the band is only a tool to help you eat less? You still have to make healthy food choices. If you stuff your face all day with slider foods not only will you not lose the weight but you will get even bigger. You need to eat Protein first (3 oz.), veggies and fruit after if you still have room. I suggest you contact your surgeon and ask him/her to explain to you the lapband rules.

Honestly, what is described above only lasted a short time for me. Once you have restriction you will require much less food, thus you will lose weight without starving. The period of starving as described above is referred to as "Bandster Hell". It has a name because it is a common experience. Be patient people, the band really does work.

Gloria, You have lost nothing in 18 months? You must be so disheartened. What does your doctor say?

I'm glad your doctor was able to help you. I too suffer from depression but haven't noticed it to be any worse since being banded. Around time for my period I sink pretty low into depression but I'm otherwise okay. Having the band has given me back the control of my weight that I was lacking for so long. I hope it has this effect on you as well. Hang in there. Take each day as it comes. Donna