vlp1968

I totally agree you should sit with the family. When I am with a group, I kind of do my own thing as far as eating. If it's time for me to eat when they do, great. If not, I just sit with the group. None has seemed disturbed by this at all. Have fun!

I was banded Nov. 09. I reached my goal in about 10 months- 107 pounds. I workout regularly and eat a lowcarb/lowfat/high protien diet. To get back on track, I would start with one thing at a time. First you might make sure your getting all your water in. Next, cut out some carbs and then some fat. Once you have your water and food plan in place start excersising. Start out slow and gradually increase your duration/intensity. I started walking on the treadmill- and not very fast- to now jogging for 40 minutes. It was so hard to start (I was about 4 months postop) but it has become a matter of routine. I admit I haven't grown to love it but it's not bad. I do miss it a little when I take a few days off. Hope this helps a little. Good luck!

You have gotten good advice so far, I really just want to second it. Excersise is a huge piece of the puzzle. Can you walk early in the morning or in the evening when it's a bit cooler? A home excersise video is also a great idea. I used to do a step aerobic tape that was lots of fun and a great workout at the time. As I have improved, it got too easy. Is joining a gym an option? Could you cut back on other expenses to afford it? You want to start slow and gradually build up what your doing by increasing the duration/intensity. I started by walking on the treadmill for 20 minutes, and not very fast. I now jog for 40. I know it's so hard to start, it took me until I was about 4 months post op to hit the gym. You may not learn to love it, but it will become a matter of routine. Take the plunge, the water's fine. Keep us posted on your progress.

You don't say how much your eating or how long it is keeping you satisfied. If your eating say 4oz protien and a cup or so of veggies and feeling full for 4 hours or so, I say no fill. If you are experiencing a lot of hunger and/or able to eat a fairly large amount I would go in for a fill. Hope this helps! Oh and lay of the icecream lol!

You are in what is known as "bandster hell", the time inbetween surgery and when you get restriction. Hang in there! Seems like most docs do the first fill 6 weeks out. Not to be negative, but the first fill may not do much. If often takes several fills to get to that "sweet spot". Took me 3 fills before I felt any restriction. Good luck and congrats on your surgery.

I think the speed of weight loss you want is a little unrealistic. 2 pounds a week is excellent! Keep up the good work.

Great NSV. Keep up the good work! You are doing awsome.

Lots of good advice here. My 2 cents is, while of course you don't want to vomit, it's really not that bad. It's not heaving like when you have the flu. The food just sort of comes up gently, at least that's my experience. Best wishes.

I have to admit I didn't follow the 1oz every 15 minutes. I drank much more quickly than that. I was fine. You might want to call your doctor and see if you can try more fluids, see if you tolerate it. Congrats on your surgery!

I couldn't feel my port until I lost a significant amount of weight. Now it sticks out a little.

I used shakes for breakfast while I was in loosing mode. My band was too tight for food in the morning. I now use them sometimes if I want to loose a few pounds that I gained.

I have found the response to a compliment to me is "thanks for noticing". You may want to come up with a respone you use whever you get a compliment. Sometimes I add "I've been working hard".

congrats on your weight loss, you are doing great!

My advice is since it's getting better, I would wait out the weekend. Stick to liquids if you are feeling really tight. Call Tue. morning if your not better. Best wishes.

I am so sorry you are having a hard time. I have to say, I was successful in loosing my excess weight, but the band wasn't the tool I hoped it would be. I spent a lot time either hungry or getting sick. Did slight fills that caused me to be way to tight, even though I was hungry a lot before the fill. I was in a good place for a few weeks here and there, but I feel like I did it on my own for the most part. I kinda wish I had given it one more try before having surgery. I hadn't gotten on a healthy eating plan or excersised in years. I don't know much about the sleeve so I really can't comment on that. Just wanted you to know your not the only one who doesn't get good restriction with the band. Good luck!

I think you are just fine. I was on solids 2 weeks out and had no problems. My doc. said full liquids for a week, then mushies for a week, then onto solids. Seems like a lot of doctors call for more times on liquids/mushies. I would call your doctor and see if you can progess on to solids. On a side note, be careful about bread. It's an easy food to get stuck, and has lots of carbs. Congrats on your surgery and good luck.

I counted calories and protien for the first 4 months or so postop. Now I don't track anything. It started to feel too much like a diet for me. I got into a routine in terms of my meals and planned snacks. I was successful in loosing all my excess weight, 107 pounds in about 10 months. I agree, everyone needs to find what works for them. Good luck!

You are doing awsome! It's a real milestone to get to onederland. Keep up the good work!

I second the protien drinks. Even if you have to force yourself a little, you want to get in enough calories and protien. Congrats on your surgery. Best wishes.

I agree on the excersise. It is a huge piece of the puzzle. Tracking your food may also be helpful. You may want to concentrate on eating the right foods, even if your portions are larger than they will be once you have restriction. Hang in there, it will come. Good luck!

Instead of having it removed, I would think about a large unfill. That's what I did after maintaining my weight loss for a few months. I wanted to be able to eat in the morning (when I was tight all I could tolerate was a protien shake) and have some bread, pasta, rice. I am happy with the way things are now. Just think of all the money you'll save lol! Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

It seems to take 3-4 fills for a lot of people. Your probably hungrier now because the swelling from surgery went down. I would say I really saw a change after I lost about 15 pounds. Congrats on your surgery and keep up the good work.

I think you are too tight for sure. I have been tight, and hesitated to go to the doc. because I though it might be swelling. Every time I ended up getting an unfill. I suffered longer than necessary. After the unfill I had pretty good restriction. I would call for an appt. monday morning. Tell them it's an emergency if they give you any trouble with fitting you in. My doc.'s office was really good about that. The doc even came in from the hospital on a day he's usually not in the office. Hope you feel better soon!

glad you are starting to feel better!

glad things are going so well for you! Keep up the good work!