BetsyB

I primarily stick with Protein and veggies, but have found that Beans work very well for me, both in terms of going down easily, and being satisfying as a "carb." (In my plan, they count as a protein and/or veg...but they have that carb satisfaction thing going for them.) My current favorite dinner is chicken chili with black beans. It's got everything I need, and goes down beautifully.

I agree that a 15 cc band is a big one--and that you likely need considerably more fill to get restriction. I totally understand your frustration! It's a shame your doctor has not been more helpful, both in terms of helping you achieve restriction and in terms of providing useful guidelines for eating. If you want a quick online resource that pretty much mirrors my doctor's recommendations, bariatriceating.com outlines an eating plan that is really very effective. Most of the posters on the site have had gastric bypass, but many of us have been banded, and many of our doctors recommend the way of eating they promote. The book Jen recommended is also quite good. I personally am not a proponent of "eating the way I used to, only less"---only because what I used to do very clearly did NOT work for me. During the weight loss phase, I feel that learning NEW habits is really important. That doesn't mean giving everything up. It means making changes that allow you to incorporate old favorites in the context of newer, overall healthier eating. I think this is particularly important during the (way too long!) phase when we don't have restriction. During this time, you can do one of two things: resign yourself to not losing (lots of bandsters do adopt the stance that bandster hell is not a time for losing), or work hard to lose by shifting your eating focus. Of course, the choice is yours--and either is fine. Just don't give up! Ultimately, you will have restriction--and then I think your view of the band will change considerably!

I am able to take capsules--the ones that are Gelatin with a powder or gel inside--with no problem. Caplets and tablets cause me trouble, even though I still have some wiggle-room in terms of restriction. They are the *only* thing I have gotten stuck on. If I had a cough and wanted to take something with a cough suppressant, I'd opt for Robitussin D (the D= dextromethorphan, which is a suppressant) over Mucinex D (same drug combo) because the Robitussin is a gelcap and the Mucinex is a tablet. I'd still take it with lots of Water, and follow with sips of a warm drink to promote the dissolution of the gel capsule. Your mileage may vary significantly from mine---but this is what works for someone who DOES get stuck with pills if not very, very careful. I hope you feel better fast!

What did your doctor recommend? For me, it was 48 hours of clear liquid, and then my diet advanced according to a schedule. For about two weeks, each meal was 1.5 Tbs of pureed Protein. After that, it was moist, solid protein. Over time, the amount increased very gradually. At 2 months, nonstarchy veggies were introduced. At 3, I can add a serving of fruit each day.... Each doctor has his/her own recommended schedule for advancing diet---it's always interesting to see what others are doing!

Are you having hormone assays?

If you are unable to eat nourishing foods--and instead are relying on sliders that are putting on weight--you need to bite the bullet and get a partial unfill. It WON'T make you gain more weight. It will permit you to eat the solid Protein and vegetables your body needs to be healthy and lose weight. Find another doctor---you don't need to see someone you don't trust. But please---get this taken care of before you do serious damage to your body. Vomiting all solids for three years is ....outrageous. You have very good reason to doubt the judgment of any doctor who has not addressed this!!

I thought it would be difficult, but really, it just hasn't been. I am allowed to drink right up until eating, which helps. After meals, I just busy myself with other things. I exercise, I work, I do whatever....and the time passes pretty quickly. It's an adjustment, to be sure--but it's not nearly as difficult as it seems. If you start "practicing" now, you'll likely find that it's nothing to be concerned about.

Whew! I think I'm caught up--and will do my best to respond to everyone...please forgive me if I miss something. I'm still kind of scattered. Bob, first of all, CONGRATULATIONS! 100 pounds is a huge accomplishment. I totally understand the inclination to sort of hold back a little, in terms of excitement. It's kind of weird being in the position where regain just isn't in the cards any longer. (No, it's NOT. I know some bandsters do, but we do not. It's all in the attitude, right?) You sound an awful lot like Mark when discussing your cat. If I didn't occasionally catch him kissing one or the other of them (he calls it "tasting" them), I might take his threats to barbecue them seriously. Elfie, your dog is adorable. I'm so glad you rescued her from a life of neglect. Truman loves to eat snow, too. Then again, Truman likes to eat pretty much anything. He takes after his mother. Denise, WTG on your mega-loss! I wish you felt better, but hey---it did the trick for you, so maybe I'll take you up on the diseased Kleenex. Also, congratulations on your excellent blood sugar! That is really wonderful news---and so, so important for your long-term well-being. Barb--nice to meet you! I'm so glad you're beginning to feel better postop. I look forward to getting to know you. Leigha, I know you've jumped the hurdle, but try to remind yourself the next time it happens (and it will) that 10 days does not a plateau make. That's just a body being a bit stubborn. Plateaus can last weeks. When any of us hit them (and we will), we'll just forge ahead, doing what we have to do....and we'll get past 'em. Somewhere, I have a good list of things to shake things up to bust a plateau; I will have to dig it up and post it. Anyway, I'm glad you're heading downward again--I knew you would! I agree with your assessment that there are different kinds of bandsters. I'd bet most of us are #2s. (That doesn't sound as good as I thought it might!) Again, attitude is everything! Juliansmom--I'm glad you're back! I hadn't seen you on this thread for a few days before I "disappeared." Theknewme--Welcome! Keep reading, and you'll find that, while requiring plenty of planning and dedication to new good habits, the band makes life so much more enjoyable. Bob's right--attitude is everything; those of us who approach the "work" in a positive way (think of the changes as something healthful and good) really do tend to do better in the long run. Plus, it just makes the process lots more pleasant. I just know you'll do fine :frown: Countrychic--By now, you're one of "us"--congratulations! I hope you were pleasantly surprised as you eased out of anesthesia, and are well on your way to recovery by now. Gloria--I always love your guide for using the band as a tool. Amey--welcome! Illuminationlady--If you check in while on your travels, Happy Birthday! I hope Monday's an especially good day for you :frown: Liz--hasn't the taste of spring we've been getting been heavenly? We're getting rain right now, but man, does it ever beat the snow we were buried under for so long! Whew---I think that's everyone! Things here are somewhat calmer. Mark is home and hanging in...we were supposed to return to see the transplant dudes on Monday, but the honcho got called out of town on an emergency, so we go in on the 29th. We were given lots of reassurance that this wait will be safe. (It kind of worries me that this was offered unsolicited...but I may just be reading too much into things.) Anyway, he's feeling okay, knock wood---so we're just living life as best we can... I'm glad to be slipping back into routine a bit more. The hospital commute days were hard, food-wise. The hospital cafeteria was surprisingly easy for a bandster, but I was spending so much time on the road that by the time I got home at night, stressed, getting anything down was tricky. Stress apparently does a number on my stoma. Now, though, I'm much better. The scale is going down in tiny increments--which is fine with me. DOWN is all I care about! I found myself able to wear a pair of size 18 pants I hadn't been able to get over my hips in over 2 years, which thrilled me. And people are starting to notice my loss...people who don't necessarily know I am banded. I like that part! I've got a lovely pot of black bean chicken chili simmering for dinner, and am S.T.A.R.V.I.N.G. Truman and I walked a ton today---and my body is saying, "Feed me, Seymour!" I hope you all have a wonderful evening!

It really depends on your doctor's instructions. My first must-have was lip balm--that was necessity #1 post-op because I was SO dry from anesthesia Once home, I needed Gas-x sugar-free popsicles broth unflavored Protein powder (PURE from bariatriceating.com) flavored protein (I like the Inspire line from bariatriceating.com, especially Dutch chocolate cake flavor) Proteins that could be easily pureed---chicken breast, lean beef, tuna, etc (I started on protein puree on Day 3; your mileage may vary) antibacterial soap--for showering And that's about it!

Overhydration can be a cause of electrolyte disturbances---more commonly than dehydration. We're drinking TONS of Fluid now, and while the kidneys do a great job of conserving potassium and magnesium, the more Water they move out of the body, the less "accurate" they are. I'd talk with your doctor about this. A supplement might be a good idea. But in the meantime, you can do a pretty good job of gauging your hydration status by the color of your urine. It should be pale yellow. If it's clear, you can ease off a little bit. (Once you're hydrated, there's really no such thing as better hydrated.)

One of the steroid properties that I would view as at least a relative contraindication is the increased incidence of gastric ulceration in patients using spironolactone.

From what I understand, spironolactone is used for hair loss in women with androgen excess. I don't believe that is a problem for most who lose hair post WLS; in our case, it's a complex combo of the trauma of surgery, (sometimes) Protein deficiency, and (sometimes) Vitamin deficiency. The one thing that is pretty universally agreed-upon is that getting adequate protein can help hold the loss at bay (and promote regrowth when loss occurs). I don't know about your doctor, but mine recommends 65 g/day. From what I've read, 85-100 is more effective for preventing the loss in those of us for whom loss can be prevented. I aim for 100 g/day. My weight loss is still good, but so far, my hair is intact. (Of course, I'm way earlier in the game than you are....I may yet be treated to gobs in my shower drain.)

I'm sorry you're feeling blue--depression can make any of us feel like a failure even if we're resounding successes---like you are! You know, it may not be the fill that's the problem, but rather your food choices. How do you do with protein? Nonstarchy veggies? If those are too much for you now, how about full liquids and/or mushies? Your fill was recent---and might need a bit of babying before you advance your diet. You may also find that things that you tolerated before--like bagels---just don't work any more. That doesn't make YOU a failure. It makes BAGELS the issue! If you're not eating the way you want/need to eat, then a small unfill might do the trick. But before leaping to that conclusion (and the conclusion I was a failure), I'd back up a little bit for a few days.

I'm in my third month, too--and am a former Houstonian. I'm doing well with my band; if you need a buddy, I'm here--PM me :blushing:

No. My body does an exquisite job of cleaning itself--I don't want to interfere with that. There are certain medical indications for douching, but unless my gyne tells me i need to do so, I stick with the self-cleaning approach!

One of my favorite topics :blushing::laugh: I'm going to venture a guess. The consistency of semen can be thick and mucus-like. Mucus is notorious for causing some stickiness and that sensation of stuckness. I'd wager that the same sort of thing goes on with semen. You probably could Google all kinds of remedies to change the nature of his semen; you mention pineapple juice for YOU, but I've read that it helps when the man uses it, too. (It's also supposed to create a lovely flavor....). There may be other ways to loosen the consistency of the ejaculate so that it doesn't cause trouble. Oh--it does contain protein--but it's mostly carb. Those little swimmers are ferocious in their determination to reach their destination, and need LOTS of energy. Still, the nutritional info reflects negligible amounts of anything--certainly nothing I'd be inclined to journal on fitday :w00t::eek::laugh::laugh: (Can you imagine taking a fitday journal so honest that it contained your intake of ...spooge!....to a postop follow-up. Having the doctor read to assess how you're doing and whether you need a fill? :laugh:

Cast another vote for Instead softcups.

And really, this is--in large part--what I base my expectations on. My doctor has similar ones for the long term, and my progress so far makes me confident that I will get where I want to go...even though it's at the rock bottom of the range for my height. I am just trusting the band and the process. And working it. I do think there is a good deal of value in having a physician who has fairly well-delineated food and exercise guidelines for the early weight loss period.

Awesome, Scotty!

I walk about 7 miles/day at about 4 mph (in two sessions: one in the morning, and one in the afternoon)--I find myself going further and faster each week, which I love. I am thoroughly addicted. I have chronic pain issues (post-trauma), and right now am "babying" a relatively fresh cervical epidural (waiting for the swelling to go down and the meds to kick in)--but I also ordinarily do a weight-lifting regimen at the Y every other day, as well. I will be able to resume this tomorrow, I think. I don't usually do cardio at the gym--I really prefer to do it outdoors, no matter what the weather. I do use the equipment if snow has covered all my paths, though. Right now, I'm saving for an annual all-you-can-"eat" pass at a local power Vinyasa yoga studio---I think that by summertime, I'll be able to add that to my repertoire. That way, I'll have cardio, strength, and flexibility accounted for.

I don't know whether you're too tight, but I think it's a safe bet that if you have a gastric band, you're definitely . That's something you definitely should be doing. If you've been vomiting, I'd give it a little time on liquids/mushies (still chew, chew, chewing those mushies!) to see if things loosen up a bit before heading in for an unfill. If, however, you believe you may be dehydrated, don't wait--call your doctor right away.

Totally normal. Your body has far less to get rid of now! If you do start experiencing discomfort, check with your doctor; mine okays OTC stool softeners.

I'm glad you're feeling lots better! Beans generally do their gas producing in the intestine, not the stomach. I wonder what was going on to prevent the escape of gas from the lower portion of your stomach. Did the doctor address this at all?

I'm barely out of the starting gate, so I can't address your main question yet. However, I wanted to point out that, when my doctor said that most patients achieve a loss of 50 percent of their excess body weight, he was framing that within a year's time. He went on to say that, within 3-5 years, my loss would approach that of someone who'd had gastric bypass surgery. The people best equipped to answer this will be long-term bandsters---I hope you get lots of good information; I'll be interested to see the responses.

Ouch! It does feel miserable, doesn't it? Your message is right on. With a new fill come new rules. I learned this with my second fill last week. I've since had two stuck episodes---neither as entertaining as yours (not to make light, but you tell a good story!). I've gotten stuck on pills, halved (which worked fine before, but no longer do). It's an awful feeling, but sure does keep me on the straight and narrow, food-wise!