BetsyB

Hi, y'all! Whew! I have a lot of catching up to do. I've been reading when I can, but was so, so overwhelmed with work and life last week. I'm sorry! I think about you all all the time. Things are okay here--just busy. I just finished doctoring a manuscript, and now am back with just my usual workload....whee! I feel free! Weight-wise, I juggled the same 1.8 pounds from my last fill (3 weeks ago) until this past weekend, when it finally started going DOWN. I'm not at the sweet spot yet, but getting close enough that I have to listen to my band much more carefully. Talk about a learning curve! I have not yet fully mastered it! Now I'll go back, read, and re-read so I can properly post ETA: Okay, here goes: Amy--Congratulations on your excellent loss so far! You are doing so, so well! Regarding fills, every time I’ve had a fill, the doctor has used fluoroscopy to assess restriction. For safety purposes, he won’t go beyond a certain level---but that level does provide restriction. The caveat is that it provides restriction right then and there; that means that, two days hence, I may not have it. Chances are, even being taken to the brink of sweet spot at Filling #1 will be ephemeral---you may enjoy restriction for a while, though. Especially since you still have enough to slime (congratulations! LOL) I think it’s kind of a misconception, though, that we have a great deal of input for the first fill. Certainly, we give feedback to the doctor about what we are feeling. But we can’t specify, “I’d like you to fill ‘er up,” or “Take it easy today, doc.” I would wager you’ll go in, and see a line of 100 syringes, all filled with exactly the same amount of saline. For my doctor, that’s 4 ccs. For the first fill, all patients get around that much---or a little less, depending on what fluoro shows. Denise-- I’m so impressed that your diabetes is being nipped in the bud! In terms of future health predictors, this is the biggest big deal I can think of! Congratulations! Your most recent illness sounds horrendous. I’m glad you’re finally on the road to recovery. What a lousy way to lose weight! You mentioned a baby sweater. Are you a knitter? (ETA: Okay, I just saw the frog hat, so I have the answer to that question---TOO CUTE!) I am aching to learn how to knit; I can do the very basics (cast on, knit, purl, cast off), but have never acquired the skills to actually make something. Would you say that the best way to learn is to take classes at a knitting shop? I wonder if there are any in this area---my aunt had one with marvelous, gorgeous, sumptuous wools. Hm. Maybe that will be my career in my dotage. Re: potassium and blood pressure--there’s a complicated cell action-potential explanation I’ll skip (unless you want it!). But potassium is critical to maintaining heart function and blood pressure. Christie--congrats on your great loss! Under 250---awesome!! I’m so sorry you’re sad about your brother’s impending deployment. It must be so hard for you. What is your brother’s name---I’d like to keep him in my prayers. Also, I am an excellent care-package maker---if you ever get the sense he needs a boost, let me know and I will send him goodies. My daughter’s lobster is deploying to Afghanistan soon, too. Abby is crushed and so, so scared. When he enlisted, his mother was beside herself. She’s very, very proud of him, but there is such ambivalence. Those men and women sacrifice so, so much for us. Bob--Are you tired of Farmville yet? Leigha-- Yes, I do think so. I think that the real, hard, using-your-whole-body physical labor can be a better workout than many gym regimens. My body agrees with me, this morning, too! Take your vitamins! They are not like processed food (whatever that means lol)! If they are good-quality bariatric vitamins, they are made to be readily used by the body. Green smoothies are fine, but they address only a portion of the micronutrients we need. (Track on Fitday.com for a while---you’ll be surprised to see what you’re missing out on, even with a good multi! I take my bariatric multi, cal-mag, biotin, selenium, pantothenic acid, CoQ-10, and vitamin D. Why? Because over time, I noticed that even with my multi, and upping veggies, etc, I was missing out on those nutrients. When you reorder protein, consider Bariatric Eating’s PURE unflavored protein. IMO, it “disappears” better than Unjury, and it’s less expensive, too J It’s a bit of both, myth and fact. In most people, the body does an exquisite job of maintaining blood sugar within very tight parameters. If you eat sugar--or foods easily broken down into sugars---the pancreas responds by producing insulin. Insulin “ushers” sugar molecules from the bloodstream into cells, where it is used for energy. In most people this is seamless, and blood sugar is brought back to within normal limits very rapidly. Some people experience reactive hypoglycemia, though. Instead of going back to “normal,” they crash. And that does, indeed set up cravings. For MOST of us, the craving that follows sugar or simple carb consumption is NOT physical---it’s just in our minds. We like the stuff. We miss it when we’re not eating it. Simple as that. Re: your fill decision. I’d hold off, if you think it might make you too tight. It may be a “free” fill, but I bet the Unfill won’t be free! I just moved out of the free-fill zone, too--thank goodness I only have a $30 copay--my doctor charges $250 with fluoro. Bobbie--I’m so sorry you’re on the rollercoaster. Job loss is so stressful; we’ve been there more than once, and it can be so hard to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I hope you get GOOD news very soon! In the meantime, I am so glad you’re making use of resources available to you. Re: calories. I do think their source matters, particularly when stomach space is finite. Right now, I concentrate on protein--because I’m still figuring out how much real estate I have in there, and it’s the most important for cell maintenance and repair. But when I reach goal, I plan to eat a balance of lean protein, veggies, heart-healthy fat, legumes, whole grains, and fruits (the latter two in more moderation than many people, based on my own peculiarities of metabolism). While there are as many opinions about the proper mix of macronutrients as there are people with opinions, I do think the general consensus is that the foods going in should be nutrient-dense rather than junky. (At least most of the time.) Anne--I’ll trade you beautiful New England for Illinois pollen and farm dust. (I live in an area that was, until recently, exurban. Out my front window is a farm; behind me (though not visible) is the usual Generica: Home Depots, Applebees, WalMart, etc. No wonder I have an identity crisis. Congratulations on your losses! You are going to be in SUCH a good place when you have surgery! Hummingbird--I am laughing so hard at your NSV. Hammered shit! That’s the best expression I’ve heard in a long, long time. I totally understand getting the warm fuzzies from other people’s deterioration in appearance. Count me in with the mean-spirited bunch, but there have been times when about all I’ve had going for me is the good genetics that keep me looking younger than many of my peers. (Of course, there IS the fear that it’s just that the fat is plumping out the wrinkles, and I, too, will look like hammered shit when all is said and done LOL! This is why I am already researching plastic surgeons.) Dottie--I think we’re in much the same place, fill-wise. I have days when I think I’m (almost) there, and days when I’m sure I’m not! I hope your fill tomorrow gets you where you need to go. Stacie--I’m so sorry you’re experiencing so much stress. It’s good you’re seeing your doctor on Thursday. I bet you’ll find that as your anxiety diminishes, so does your need to scale-hop as much. Compulsive stuff like that tends to be tied to anxiety… It will get better (((Hugs)))) Karen--it definitely sounds like you need a fill! And TWENTY pounds from goal--you must be ecstatic. Or frustrated, depending on the day! I wonder: I see that you’re very focused on restriction (as we all are!), but also referring to foods you “can” eat. Is it possible that you could substitute others, and reach your goal in a less-frustrating (and maybe more comfortable) manner? I mean, just ‘cause you can eat bread and pizza doesn’t mean you should. Don’t get me wrong--I think all of our lives have room for those foods. But if you’re really pushing to reach goal, maybe they should be reserved for further down the road? Just a thought---worth the paper it (wasn’t) written on! Jacki! OMG--LOOK at you! Awesome. Congratulations on your running! You must be SO proud of yourself! I am in the market for a new bike, too. Lee Anne--welcome! I’m glad you’re joining us! Whew! We're a prolific bunch! Have a great Monday, everyone!

I'm not sure there is a "normal." I have 7.3 cc in an 11 cc band--and am not at restriction yet. Close, but not quite there. The only thing that strikes me as unusual is that your surgeon has not experienced another patient who has needed 8.5 cc.

My doctor does a couple of days of clear liquid, postop, followed by 10 days of purees. Then straight to "real" food---but a very strict regimen.

Has anything else changed? Our bodies can and do change (for example, you can develop lactose intolerance after years of having no problem at all with dairy), but most often, when you have a sudden increase like this, it's due to change: foods (not just veggies), new meds, stress, adding the use of drinking straws back in, and so on. Take a look at the big picture and see if there's something you hadn't thought of that's changed.

The pain you describe after swallowing a bit of a Protein shake is not so much what "full" feels like as what "irritated stoma" feels like. You may experience it again after fills. It happens because the tissue under the band is swollen. As the swelling recedes, that pain will recede. You'll then learn what "full" feels like. However, contrary to: it may take several fills for you to really get a good feeling for restriction and fullness. If your pouch empties into your stomach below rapidly (due to non-restriction), "full" can be very ephemeral and hard to pin down. But you'll get there!

Yep---this is what I do. And I've done it since banding---even when I wasn't even "somewhat satisfied." As I teeter on the edge of restriction, I do achieve fullness (though it passes quicker than I'd like). It's VERY different from my old perception of fullness--if I were to chase that feeling again, given the anatomical changes, I'd be tilting at windmills. In your shoes, I would weigh and measure portions and, starting around halfway through the meal, slow down and really listen to what your body is telling you after each bite you swallow. You are going to get different messages now. You need to learn to recognize them. (You might also want to rethink eating the foods you relied on preop. Really, the goal is NOT to have a perpetually-full stomach. It's to put the proper foods in, in the proper amounts, to promote weight loss. As you get closer to restriction, you'll find that these satisfy you longer than you're currently experiencing.)

Have you been okayed for fruit? I'd try omitting that until shakes are going down reliably. Since you have restriction, remember to sip, sip, sip your shake. Your body won't be able to handle drinking at your old rate. (I wasn't "allowed" to add fruit back until the third month postop---I wonder if the berry's acidity bothered you.)

I've never felt a pop, but found this old thread on the topic: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/popping-sensation-stomach-50097/ Still, I think a call to the doctor would be a good idea.

If you look at what many people are advised to eat postop, you'll realize that 4 ounces is not a worrisome amount. Peanut Butter crackers, OTOH, really probably are not your best friend in terms of satiety---refined carbs and things that get mushy and slide right through can trigger hunger. If you're not yet restricted, it's a good idea to aim for foods that stick with you longer, like solid Protein. It sounds like a visit to the doctor for reassurance and fill would be a good idea.

Saboteurs only work if we let them. "No thank you, Ms. Boss." "I brought my lunch today, Ms. Boss." "You go ahead and order, Ms. Boss; but no need to get enough for me--I brought my lunch." "Silly Ms. Boss--I know you must be smart because, after all, you're my boss. But you just can't seem to grasp that I'm not going to eat the stuff you push." (Whoops sorry---the last one just slipped out. I wouldn't recommend using it.) No big talk is necessary. Just firm repetition. Chances are, she's trainable. ETA: Yes, food is the core of many social things. That does not mean those social things are inappropriate (even though it might strike you as gross, the way others eat---eat least while you're focused on it as you develop new habits). It means we have to manage ourselves. When you remember that the real purpose of the social gathering is to enjoy people, you'll find that eating becomes a non-issue. No one cares what's on your plate---and once you get used to your band and its restrictions, you won't be as concerned, either. Yes, this level of control over what you eat can irritate true saboteurs, but for the most part, people just don't pay nearly as much attention to our plates as we think they will. Most food-pushers aren't real saboteurs---they just don't know how to find common ground without including food. When food becomes deemphasized, sometimes you find new common ground. At work, that common ground is obviously---well, work. If your boss wants a stronger connection to you, she will figure out that it's no longer going to be based on an eating buddy foundation.

The kidney pain needs to be investigated--sooner rather than later. It's possible you've picked up an infection that's contributing to your fatigue. Until you get in to see the doctor, be sure to drink plenty of fluids. At three weeks out, I was pretty much back to normal---by then, the postop fatigue had receded.

They used to be among the best-quality proteins available, but it's now known that whey protein isolate is far more reliably bioavailable. You might be better off spending $$ on a low-volume whey protein supplement. The Inspire protein powders from bariatriceating.com can be mixed with just 4 oz. liquid (though they're good mixed with more), are 100% whey protein, and they taste good. They come to around $1.42 per serving (with 25-30 g protein), so they're pretty reasonable, as supplements go, too. ETA: No one really knows how much protein can be absorbed at once. Lots believe our ability to absorb changes widely according to our bodies' needs (much like the absorption of water-soluble vitamins). Most agree that excess---unless you're eating enough calories for it to be stored as fat---doesn't pose any risk. I am among those who aims for LOTS of protein--100 g/day. I do spread it out over the day, but would never achieve that level without supplementation.

The Inspire proteins from bariatriceating.com are WAY better than Unjury, IMO.

Not to be harsh, but you contradict yourself. You say you have no problem sticking with your plan--and then go on to describe how you're deviating from it. Believe me, I understand how hard it is---post-banding is a very hungry period! What is driving you to eat foods that are not on your plan? Why are they even an option? (I don't mean that snarkily--I am wondering whether, for example, you're preparing foods for your family, and find it tempting during those times.) Is it possible to clear your house/environment of foods that pose a "threat" to you? Until you reach restriction, you really do need to rely on willpower. Lots of people will say that it's not a time for weight loss, but I disagree. You can lose weight --- even at the same rate you will when you have restriction. But you have to commit yourself to sticking to the plan, knowing that, as with every other diet you've done in your life, you won't always be satisfied and will be hungry. (The good news is that this time around, it's time-limited!) If you are genuinely hungry, there may be ways to tweak what you're eating, within the plan your doctor provided, to provide more satiety. What are you eating on a typical day? If you post a couple of days' menus, we can offer feedback. If you find that, even by changing things up a little, you're still starving, I'd give the doctor or nutritionist a call to see if there's anything they recommend to get you through this difficult period. It IS a very difficult time---but know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. In answer to your other question, some people experience reduced hunger after the first fill. Most require several fills. I've had three. For the first week or so after the third, I had significant restriction. During the second week, it eased (as swelling reduced)---and the hunger returned. But not at full force. I do feel LOTS less hungry than I did when I had no fill and after the first two---so I'm pretty sure I'm getting close. Fill #4 may take me there. My point is that it's probably realistic for you to expect that you're in this for the long haul---my story isn't much different from that of bazillions of others (who will no doubt chime in. It's likely that it will take a while for you to reach the point where hunger is no longer an issue. Between now and then, just do the best you can with the guidelines you've been given. It's all anyone can ask of you.

Isopure used to be among the best. It's okay if VERY cold, and even better if put in a sports bottle (with a top)--that way, you can kind of avoid the Protein stench. I VASTLY prefer Inspire Proteins from bariatriceating.com. They are just much, much better. They have a couple of fruity flavors (I like them more diluted than the package recommends- a scoop in a liter of Water, sometimes with Crystal Light lemonade added to change things a bit), as well as the standard chocolate, etc.

Congratulations!

Phhht. Hardly!

Congratulations, Scott! How are you feeling today?

I totally understand. I wonder: when I start sabotaging, I try to figure out what is scaring me about my success, at that point. Is something scaring you?

My answer is going to deviate a bit from the others. I don't mean it harshly, because really---you're not "just being really bad." Eating is not a moral issue--and it's clear you're trying to eat properly, even when you're not quite hitting the nail on the head. But at five weeks postop, you should be focused on making healthy choices that give your body what it needs. And you should remain very mindful of quantity. You don't yet have restriction, so it's very easy to overdo---without feeling consequences from your band when you do. But now is the time to build good habits that will serve you well when you do have restriction. Ones that will stand you in good stead, give your body what it needs to stay healthy (because when stomach real estate is at a premium, you don't have lots of room for foods that offer little, nutritionally), and KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF when you reach goal. Did your doctor give you good guidelines for postop eating? I don't know about yours, but mine has never said, "The goal of the band is to be able to eat like a 'normal' person---only less." He's always emphasized changing eating habits---and that the band only does a small part of the work. Making long-term changes yields long-term results. I'm not suggesting there's no place in the post-band life for Chinese buffets. Certainly, EVERY life has room for this sort of eating on an occasional basis. But I'd take care to ensure that you don't slip into this kind of eating routinely. These habits got many of us to the point where we needed bands---and there really are healthier ways to eat that are just as satisfying.

There's a definite trick to it. What I do is this: I measure the Protein into a mug, and add enough cool liquid to make a paste. I set that aside. I then measure out the liquid I will be adding, warm, to the protein (broth, almond milk, whatever). I heat it until it's warm, but not super-hot. (For a cup of liquid, I nuke it for a minute on high.) Very slowly, and stirring the WHOLE time, I whisk about 1/4 of the cup into the protein paste. I make sure it's blended well, then again set it aside. I then return the liquid to the microwave or stove, and heat it to a little hotter than drinking/eating temp (because it's being added to liquid that's not quite up to temp). Again, I very slowly add the liquid to the protein mixture, stirring the whole time. The progression from cool --> warm ---> hot tempers the protein so it doesn't agglutinate. ETA: I don't do a slurry to add to a soup or other hot foods, because the protein denatures if it remains on the heat source. The hot liquid needs to be added to the warm protein, not vice versa. (For the same reason, you can't add protein to, say, a whole batch of soup, and then reheat.) When adding it to warm foods, it's far less labor-intensive. I stirred plain protein into my son's hot oatmeal this morning without doing anything special. There may have been lumps, but since it was oatmeal, no one was the wiser!

I'm very glad you're seeing your doctor. Something I've experienced--even before banding---is stomach trouble related to really thick mucus. It's happened a couple of ways for me. Pre-banding, really ropy, thick postnasal mucus made me sick to my stomach because it stimulated the gag reflex. It didn't really cause any change, stomach-wise---but it made me throw up nonetheless. Since banding, when I have thick postnasal stuff, it can actually occlude the stoma. Now that allergy season has hit with a vengeance, I'm taking guaifenesin (I use liquid Robitussin; Mucinex is the same drug---either way, be sure to get PLAIN, not with dextromethorphan) to loosen the secretions to prevent the problem. I hope you get good news about your band position. If, indeed, you learn that it's not slipped, ask your doctor whether s/he's okay with you using guaifenesin to see if it helps prevent problems. (S/he might also prescribe an antiemetic. Many of these are antihistamine, which will help not only with the nausea/vomiting, but also with the source of the problem.) I hope you feel better FAST!

Don't worry! You don't need to be able to feel it! The person who does your fill will have no problem locating it. A previous poster stated that you're not supposed to be able to feel it. That's not quite accurate. Many of us can and do. Sometimes, this doesn't happen until we've lost a bit of weight--but sometimes it's palpable right from the outset. (I'm not posting this to be snarky or to correct the previous poster; I just don't want people who can feel theirs to worry something is wrong!) It's located on, not under the abdominal wall, just beneath the skin. As subcutaneous fat is lost, it will likely become easier for you to find. The person who does your fills will know just where to look and how to find it--it will be just fine :thumbup:

I'm sorry you're so frustrated. It gets tons better as you approach restriction. Even when you're not quite there yet, there is a huge difference as you tiptoe closer and closer. That said, the "just pay attention to texture" advice is inadequate. You do--and will need to continue to---need to pay attention to the quality of food you eat. It will cross a broad array of textures. At this point, you may not yet be ready for it all, but eventually, it should include lean Protein, a variety of vegetables, legumes, heart-healthy fats, and fruits and whole grains in moderation. Your band will help control the amount you can eat in one sitting. It will do nothing for the emotional aspects of this journey. That can really be the hard part, too! But again, when you achieve restriction, it helps so, so much. The fact is, you can stomp your feet all you want about not WANTING to exert willpower---but if you want to succeed, you have to. For now, you have to use willpower to ensure that you don't overeat during this limbo phase. Later, you will have to exert it until making healthier food choices is a habit. I'm really sorry your doctor's office hasn't been more helpful! Mine gives each patient a handbook on CD-ROM with very clear, very concrete guidelines. It's kind of nice not to have to devote much thought to it! I'd skip Weight Watchers and grab a copy of the South Beach diet. Its principles--especially phases I and II--are very closely aligned with the recommendations of all the major health-promoting agencies. Weight Watchers can be done very healthily, but that is not a given. And few of its leaders have adequate background to help you tailor for your needs.

The stomach is a very elastic organ. Even the pouch has "give." If it were terribly stretched, yes--you'd risk band slippage. But if you're focusing on eating sliders, they move through quickly enough that it's less likely that will occur. Maybe yes, maybe no. How long has it been since your last fill? I have had a little over 2 weeks of really having to baby my band after a filll---not because I'm too tight, but because I haven't listened to my body after the couple of stuck incidents I've had, and have irritated it further. BAD IDEA. Things that ordinarily give me no problem at all simply are not tolerated if I've had a recent stuck incident. If you need to baby your band by sticking with softer foods that tend to slide as swelling from your fill and stuck incidents recedes, it's probably a really good idea to get out your food scale and measuring cups, make sure you eat appropriate-sized servings, and then tell yourself NO MORE. Not really because your band is at stake, but because the way you are eating is (a) not compatible with losing weight, and (:thumbup: establishing "eating around the band" behavior that you really don't want to become firmly entrenched. If a few days of TLC doesn't take you to the point where "regular" foods--prepared in a band-friendly way--don't work, I'd let the doctor know; a small unfill might be necessary.