BetsyB

Meg, you're fresh postop. Your body, right now, is contending with Fluid from IVs, meds, anesthesia, swelling, and all sorts of other things related to the trauma known as surgery. I know our incisions postop are tiny. They only represent part of what was done to our bodies. Our bodies' responses to being anesthetized, incised, banded, and medicated include retaining a good deal of fluid. This will resolve over time. Until then, try to stay off the scale if it frustrates you. The weight loss will come. Depending on your doctor's postop diet, it may well come before you even approach restriction. But the real loss is down the road a little bit. I know it's really hard to be patient, and I really know the difficulty of staying off the scale. If you can't do that, at least reframe the messages it's sending you. At this point, there is NO need to be concerned about the (possibly mythical) starvation mode, or not eating enough. You're just a few days from surgery---while I'm all for tracking calories, they have nothing to do with what is going on right now. It will pass, Meg. Your body will heal, and you will experience the loss you're hoping for.

I'm going back to read & respond to all--but I start at the end and move backwards, so of course your post, TJ, stood out and definitely needs a BRAVO! Way to go on your great loss!

Yes, Water does move directly into the "lower 48"---but when the stoma is smaller, it does so at a slower rate. Imagine pouring water into a funnel before it can empty. Same thing happens when you drink too quickly. The stomach may overflow into the esophagus. I am approaching good restriction (may even be there; waiting to see if it subsides)---and I can still drink normal-sized swallows/gulps of water. But I can't drink as many of them as quickly any more. I don't have a problem getting Fluid in, but if I go a little too far, I do feel the water lapping at the shores of my esophagus. Some people genuinely do have problems with this---they vomit, or can only take small sips, or whatever. We all are affected quite differently by this restriction on our stomachs. ETA: Oh, yes--and there is the logistics factor. I'm "allowed" to drink fluid up until I eat, but am not supposed to for 90 minutes after. That knocks out 270 minutes of my day--four and a half hours!---when I can't drink fluid. Getting it in during the remaining time can be a challenge. (This is why my Snacks, when I have them, are Protein dissolved in fluid.)

Yes, it's common. Very, very common. You may or may not experience a difference related to your first fill. For me, Fill #2 effected some change, but it was Fill #3 that made a real difference. (It remains to be seen whether it will linger.) Hang in there--it does get better!

My surgeon asked me if I had a preference, and I said, "No. Should I?" He told me he prefers to use Realize except in his very-high BMI patients. I deferred to his judgment. I don't think there is really any way for patients to make a particularly educated decision about this, to tell you the truth.

Welcome, Jacki! Anne, you're about 10,000 steps ahead of me--Truman and I have yet to hit the pavement. Guess I'd better log off and lace up my shoes!

I agree that the Inspire line of Protein powder from Bariatric Eating is out of this world. I love the Peanut Butter, but my favorites are the Dutch chocolate cake and Pom Razz Sangria. For the latter, I use 1 scoop in a liter of Water to which I've added Crystal Light lemonade. It's very refreshing, and has no protein-y taste or smell. I also very much like their PURE unflavored Protein Powder.

I completely understand your feelings. But you will reach a point where you trust the process---and know you will not fail. It's a process, truly it is. Everything you are experiencing is completely normal---and it's awesome that you're already seeing a therapist to help you deal with these feelings.

Yep, definitely. Even before I had restriction, I tightened up when I ovulated and for the first couple days of my period. Weird! Our hormones really are far-reaching!

How far out are you? If you're not too far out of the starting gate, I'd be inclined to stick to things that are very safe, such as egg drop soup---only because Chinese is a problem for many. The veggies can be fibrous, and often are julienned finely enough that they are difficult to thoroughly chew before they "escape" down the hatch. In other words, they stay stringy, which can cause problems. For me, sugar is also a concern. I don't know if this is something that worries you, but many of the sauces are quite high in sugar, so I'd watch out for that. I'd choose something in which the Protein was not breaded, and was still moist. I'd want the veggies to be chunky, not julienned, and I'd want the sauce not to be super-sweet. For me, this would translate into something pretty simple like ginger chicken wit broccoli---the chicken and broccoli are in chunks big enough for me to cut into appropriate-sized chunks for my needs, there's no breading, and while the sauce has some sugar, its nutritional info is not too bad. (And man, does it sound good!) Enjoy your meal!

Surgery/general anesthesia carries with it the risk of atelectasis--collapse of the little air sacs in the lungs. This sounds scarier than it needs to sound---most of us experience this, to a minimal extent, without lasting effects. But that's why they give you an incentive spirometer (the breathing device), encourage you to cough and deep breathe, and get up to walk as much as possible. All of these actions work to keep the tiny air sacs inflated, promoting good oxygenation. Pain compounds the problem, because we tend to breathe more shallowly when we have abdominal pain. Deep breathing can up our pain---so we unconsciously avoid it. Pain meds to control the pain are very helpful for this---but also can contribute, because they can depress respiration. There are lots of things conspiring to make you feel the way you're feeling! The key to good postop respiratory health, though, is deep breathing. If it hurts, splint your incisions by pressing a pillow against your abdomen. But make a point, every 20 minutes or so, to take a series of deep, deep breaths, expelling the air forcefully. You may cough--this is actually helpful. Did you receive a spirometer? If you brought it home with you, it would be a good idea to use it, as well. And moving around as much as you can is important, too. If this sensation persists, I would place a call to the doctor. Chances are s/he'll reassure you---particularly if you're able to report that you're doing all of the above (and have hopefully noted some improvement). But it's important to keep on top of it, so that you avoid some of the nastier postop respiratory complications. I hope you're feeling better very, very soon. I know I was---but I also know that it's scary when it's going on if you don't quite know what's happening to your body.

Sugar alcohols aren't 'bad' in terms of what they can do, weight-wise; your body will not absorb them. BUT--and it's a big but--they can wreak havoc on the gut. Many, many people are very sensitive to them---and even those who are not particularly sensitive generally have to limit their intake of sugar alcohols lest they experience cramping, gas, and diarrhea. Preop, I bought a box of Werther's mini butterscotches--the sugar-free kind. There are 5 in a serving---and eating just one (for a total of <3 mg sugar alcohol) made me so so so sick that I won't even touch the stuff now. Your mileage may vary---many people don't have problems, as long as they are careful with their intake. Hopefully, you'll be among them. But since you're so freshly out of the OR, I think that, in your shoes, I might postpone experimenting until you feel up to ...well, dealing with possible consequences. I'd hate for you to add cramping and diarrhea to the mix at this point. I'm glad you're doing so well postop--have fun at the movies!

Ginger, good for you for mending fences with your husband. He was put between a rock and a hard place with his meddling family. Next time, I bet he will handle it differently. You've gotten a great deal of advice about how to discuss the issue with your inlaws. This is terrific if you want to discuss it with them. Some people deserve our explanations, and others do not. You do not owe them any explanations. Their rude comments are not worthy of response, unless you wish to offer one. It's perfectly okay to look them dead in the eye and say, "How peculiar that you would find that an appropriate thing to say to me," and resume whatever it is you were doing. I have inlaws from hell---I am sure we could swap stories that would make both our hair curl. I know how hard it is---it took me years and years of trying before I realized that no matter what I do, they have something to say (usually behind my back, but in a way that gets back to me). If you can't win, you can't win. With them. But you can win by standing up for yourself!

It does seem as though life revolves around the band---but it really doesn't. Early on, it occupies a good deal of thought, but even right out of the starting gate, all of the same "normal" things are required of us on a day-to-day basis. We have to get up in the morning, empty the dishwasher, feed the dog, go to work, etc., etc., etc. It does take time to get to know your band. But it doesn't come close to approaching all-encompassing. It's a small part of life. It's just magnified here, where almost all discussion is on the one topic. ETA: I'm just 2 months out. I feel normal. Not like I did before (really, I spend far less time focused on food), but normal in a luckier, healthier way.

I use a scale for most measurement. I think it's more accurate than a measuring cup, which I can manipulate too much. (It's awfully easy, sometimes, to cram more in...or to mis-read that line...) I don't eat granola bars, but if I did, I would go by the serving size on the package. I wouldn't bother weighing/measuring. And no, I would NOT eat four for 4 ounces. But if it were a different food, I might. (Did that make sense? I mean, 4 oz. of granola bar would not fit in with my way of eating. But if I had a package that had pre-measured 1-ounce servings of ...say, chicken breast...then yes, I might have 3 or 4, depending on what else I was eating.) As for the stomach issues--I can relate; I just have Fill #3, and my stomach is requiring real babying. How long ago was your fill? Are you tolerating liquids well? My doctor's fine with me riding it out for several days (or a week) as long as I am able to get adequate fluid---so I am choosing foods that go down easily for now. If you're at all concerned, though, give your doctor a call.

Welcome, Delta--ooh! Your surgery date is so close! You are going to do great

Hi, Eric--welcome! The answers to your questions depend on your specific insurance policy (and doctor's requirements), but in general, once you are preapproved for surgery, you can lose weight--and in fact, it's expected during the 3-month supervision. (My insurer used the weight from my first office visit when calculating BMI.) My insurance did not require loss; my surgeon did. During the 3 month supervision, a loss of at least six pounds was required (patients with a 6-month supervision must lose 10); I had to check in with my surgeon monthly, but did not have to follow a specific diet. Your mileage (well, policy and doctor) may vary--but the doctor's office will tell you exactly what is required. For me, once all the requirements were met (the nutrition supervision, pulmonary function tests, and clearances from a variety of -ologists), everything was sent to the insurer for approval. (The earlier approval was conditional on successfully providing all this documentation.) From there, approval came very quickly. Good luck--I look forward to seeing your progress!

Welcome, Ranger! You'll be banded before you know it; once it goes to the insurance company for approval, things happen pretty quickly. Good luck! I look forward to seeing your progress!

I don't know if it's what you're describing, but I have on many occasions had little muscular spasms of some sort that have felt very much like that fetal-movement sensation. I have chalked it up to disrupted muscles recovering from the insult of surgery. I have no idea what band slippage feels like--but I do know that it's usually accompanied with far greater symptoms than you've described. I think it's quite likely you can relax on that front. Certainly, tell your doctor about it--if s/he uses fluoroscopy during fills, you'll know immediately if there's been slippage. If you're really worried about it, give the doc a call before your appointment for reassurance and instructions. But I bet a million bucks your muscles are just hopping around a little. The fluctuating restriction you've described is baffling, isn't it? My band plays tricks like that, too. It used to be tighter in the morning than the evening. Last week it decided to change that! And now it's a complete new ball game after another fill... Never a dull moment! Good luck

Yes, it sounds as though you have post-op swelling. It will taper off over the next few days. If it concerns you, give your doctor a call. food isn't of paramount importance right now. As long as you're getting enough Fluid, you'll be a-okay on that front. I hope you feel better fast!

(((Hugs))) I'm sorry you got blindsided. And I do understand your feelings. But they were already watching what you ate---now isn't going to be any different. It's what they do. They sound like miserable humans. It's a shame your husband will not stand up to them for you. If my parents or sister were unpleasant to my spouse, I'd certainly put 'em in their place! I'm sorry that, instead, he's upset with you. Guys just don't get it sometimes. Can you avoid the Misery Family? I don't think I'd want to spend much time with people who were so unpleasant to me.

Dontgoggilme, just to be sure: Fiber Sure is prebiotic, not probiotic. It does help with the prebiotic growth in the gut--but it's not probiotic itself. Just wanted to make sure I didn't mislead you

Aw, Leigha, sorry you feel crappy. I hope by now your stuckness/overfullness/whatever-ness has passed. Your photo is hot, hot, hot! You look fabulous. I'm like you; once I get hungry, there's no getting UN-hungry. I have to eat on schedule, or I'm doomed. Bob-you are an overachiever, getting stuck and puking already! I had my first "incident" last night--also at a restaurant. Fun times. Liz-awesome calendar quote--I'm going to have to remember that. Elfie-You'll be well on your way to 200 by April 30. I'm betting you'll get there, or below. But even if not quite--you'll make a huge dent. Reubens were the one thing I craved insanely when on my preop and postop diets. The first postop restaurant meal I had was a reuben sans bread--it was heavenly. Christie--Steve sounds like he needs an attitude adjustment. Are you doing better now, or will you head in for a little unfill? HB- Lanky! I wanna feel lanky. My legs would need to grow several inches to achieve that, though. WTG on your closet-shopping! That's always so much fun. Bobbie--how lucky you have friends to pass on warm-weather clothes! I know you'll get into them. Karen- Are things going down for you better than they have been? I'm with you--the half inch definately counts! Anne-Don't worry--you'll be sliming with the best of us before you know it. Laura-I'm glad you joined us! (to the rest: Laura and I go to the same surgical group & know each other from our classes.) You're not PBing or sliming because you don't have anything resembling restriction yet. Believe me, it's not nearly as glamorous as you think! (I'll give you a prediction: within 8 hours of Fill #3, you will have the experience.) Denise--Sorry about your computer hell--that sounds miserable. As does the prospect of breaking in a new manager--I hope yours sticks around. Does your knee feel any better? I had Fill #3 yesterday--as always, my doctor's scale is exactly 1.1 pound higher than mine, and my clothes weighed exactly 1 pound (neurotic? me? naaahhhh....)---so I was not under 200 on his scale. However, he was very happy with my loss so far. I now have 7.3 cc in my 11 cc band, and am definitely feeling it. For now, I'm babying it---I learned the necessity of this the hard way. Nothing fun or exciting going on this weekend--I have a bit of work to catch up on, and otherwise am just sort of hanging out and relaxing. Anyone else doing anything fun?

Check with your doctor if you're concerned--but I was told that sex was okay as soon as it was comfortable enough to do.

I hate to say it, but yes--it could be holding you back. Not because cheese is "bad," but because two slices a day might bump your caloric intake above where it needs to be each day in order to promote loss. I love cheese, too. I still eat it, and can't imagine paring it out of my diet. But in your shoes, I think I'd probably try to pare it down--not out. Make it an indulgence, not a two-a-day habit, and see what the scale does.