vlp1968

I can't believe what some people think is ok to say. I am glad your not letting it discourage you. However, I think it's something you should get out in the open. Let them know their comments hurt your feelings. I don't think it's ok to let them get away with what they are saying. It is abuse in my book.

That's great your working out- that would have been my first piece of advice. You might want to change up what your doing. Muscles get used to the same excersise routine. Are you doing cardio? If not, I would start for sure- it burns lots of calories and increases your metabolism. You might also want to try varying your calories from day to day. That is- one day eat 1200 another 900 another 1400. It is suppossed to keep your body guessing about how many calories it will get on any given day. Congrats on the weight you've lost already- try to be patient with that last 15. It will happen. You are doing great!

I have had some vomiting when I am too tight- suffered longer than I needed too because I hesitated to go in for an unfill. Didn't want to be hungry. Overall, it shouldn't happen. When it does, it isn't that bad. It's not like heaves for anything- I cough and the food comes up pretty gently. I wouldn't let it discourage you from gettting banded. Good luck!

I miss the emails too- haven't gotten them since they updated the site. Don't know if there is a way to get them.

Are you excersising this time around? That may make a difference. Also, I think I lost weight a little differently with the high protien diet than I have in the past. If the clothes are discouraging you, I would get rid of them. No sense in keeping something around that is discouraging.

I think it's common to get off track during the holidays. There is so much temptation. I know I ate some things I normally stay away from. Don't beat yourself up about it, it's in the past. Focus on the future. Everyday is a new day to do the right things. Every time you eat is an opportunity to feed your body what it needs for good health. I suggest you do a few things- get all the junk out of the house start journaling what your eating get your 60gms of protien. drink at least 64 oz of water a day Excersise at least 3 times a week, Best of luck to you- you can do it!

I have to disagree with Misty. I think it should be understood that advice given is based on experience by a bandster. It is not a substitute for medical expertise. A lot of times I think people are looking for the comfort that they are not alone. Lets keep posts positive, negative ones are simply not helpfull.

I agree- you probably don't need a fill since your hunger is very much under control. Your doc. will probably want to see you anyway, but honestly I don't think I would bother. Of course, the choice is yours. Congrats on your weight loss.

I also had my bp meds cut in half and then discontinued. I was thrilled. Once you loose some weight (maybe 30 pounds or so,)- and hopefully start excersising- I would make an appt. with your primary. Good luck!

I totally agree about the South Beach diet. It's very healthy and works. Sounds like you have a little restriction since you say you can't eat as much as you used to. 17-20 pounds is great! Sounds like you are right on track. Your first fill may or may not do the trick- everyone is different. It took me 3 fills to get there. Best wishes!

Lots of good advice so far. As far as a fill, I think you may need one since you are having a lot of hunger. Are there certain foods you can't keep down? You may need to just cut them out of your diet. Are you eating too fast- large bites, not enough chewing? I would deffinatly go see your doc. and discuss it. Bringing a weeks worth of a food journal would be great. You sound very motivated to get back on track- you can do it!

Very interesting article- thanks for the post.

I lost 107 pounds and have had plastic surgery. I had a tummy tuck and breast augmentation. I am thrilled with the results. I did have a complication with fluid retention- had to be opened back up. However, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Next is a face lift and bat wings lol. I don't believe there is excersise that helps with extra skin, the skin has lost it's elactisity. Wait and see what you are dealing with once you loose the weight. Then find a good surgeon lol.

Hang in there- it took me 3 fills to get any restriction. It will happen. Good luck!

Thanks for your response Brian- it helped. Anyone else have thoughts on weight maintaince? Responses appreciated!

I agree with the above posts. Providing healthy meals for your family will be awsome. Find things they like that fit your plan. It may work to do a meat, veggie and carb. You can cut out the carb and just eat the meat and veggies. I also stick to Wendys and Taco Bell for fast food. Although I don't eat there very often, I think they provide reasonable choices. I get the chili at Wendys or one taco at Taco Bell. Good luck!

It's tough to get motivated to eat right and excersise. I didn't start working out until about 4 months post op. The hardest part was getting started. I joined a gym (I know it's expensive) and began walking at a moderate pace for just 20 minutes. I gradually increased the intensity and duration. I now do 40 minutes. I walk for 1 minute, jog for 4. I also work out with a trainer 3 days a week, we do weights. I understand what your saying about the tv-I highly reccomend you get one. Another option would be to listen to music- I bring my ipod to the gym. As far as eating, like you've said, you know what to do. Get all the junk out of the house. Ellicit the support of your husband. Hopefully if he wants food not on your plan he can eat them outside the house, or at the very least not infront of you. Designate a cabinent for his food- and you don't even go in there. You may want to start out by eating the right foods (low carb, low fat, high protien) even if your portions are larger than is ideal. Once you get in the "mode" then you can reduce your portions. Be sure you are getting all your water in. It will help you feel full and your body will more efficiently burn fat. Set small goals for yourself. Give yourself a small (non food related) reward for each goal you reach. Maybe you like to go to the spa, or you could buy a new piece of clothing or jewlery. The goal doesn't have to be a number of pounds lost. It could be getting in all your water everyday for a week or sticking to your food plan (with no "cheats") for a week. I hope this helps! Keep us posted on how your doing.

They did not check my blood prior to surgery. You need to quit! Not just because of the surgery but because it is so damn unhealthy. I know it's really hard- I used to smoke. It took me several tries to kick the habit for good. If you smoke up until surgery you are risking increased bleeding and I don't know what else, maybe things like high blood pressure. In short, your surgery will certainly have increased risks. Stop and stop now. Chewing gum helped me a bit. Just look at it as you have know choice in the matter, you must stop smoking in order to have a safe surgery. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

All the above posts give great advice. My 2 cents is I started drinking a lot of decaff. coffee. It seems to help me feel satisfied when the meal didn't quite do it. I still struggle with obsessing about food to. I am 14 months post op and have lost all my weight. Good luck!

When my band is tight I burp alot. Sometimes I would feel like I had to vomit but then would burp and feel better. I also have a lot of stomach gurggling. It all gets a little embarrassing but worth the success I have had with the band. I recently had a large unfill and so it's not really happening anymore.

I reached my goal about 31/2 months ago. Up until the holidays I avoided all sweets, fried foods et... Didn't step away from the low carb, low fat, high protien diet. I had some treats over the holidays- felt a little out of control at some points. I am confused as to wether I should allow "treats" while maintaining. What do you do? I weigh myself every day and cut back if I gain 3 pounds until I loose it. That has only been neccessary twice. I was doing great working out but haven't for the last month due to plastic surgery. I know I won't keep "bad" stuff in the house but I worry about things like going out to eat or to a party. I have a hard time when the stuff is put infront of me. I have a hard time sticking to a small portion. I tend to eat more than I planned and feel guilty about it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

My doctor has been fantastic about squeezing me in when I need an unfill He's even come into the office from the hospital on days he isn't usually there. Tell them it's an emergency. Also, I agree to stick to shakes and water until you get seen. Hopefully those are staying down ok. Let us know what happens.

Glad u are feeling better. I too recently went in for an unfill. I got a large one because I am now maintaining. Boy was I tired of getting sick and having to eat so carefully. I also missed eating breakfast and eating whole wheat bread and whole wheat pasta. I feel so much better and haven't been real hungry. I splurged on some chinese food and didn't like the scale this morning. I will cut back until I loose 3 pounds. I wonder if you even need the pineapple juice. I would try without it and see how it goes. It may be the unfill that did the trick.

I had no restriction until my third fill. Be aware it may take a couple months to get to a sweet spot. It wouldn't hurt to call your doc. and see if you can get in sooner. For now, I suggest you concentrate on eating the right foods (low carb, low fat, high protien). and eating slowly. Your portions may be larger than they will be with restrction but it should keep you from gaining anymore. Excersise is also a key component to weight loss. I highly reccomend you start if you haven't already. Start out slow such as a medium paced walk and gradually increase the duration/intensity. It's so tough to start but it will become second nature very quickly. I can't workout because of plastic surgery, boy do I miss it.

It's drastic, but I do think it may be time to look for a new job. All that exposure to food isn't good for you. You may want to try chewing gum, but be carefull not to swallow it, that wouldnt be good for the band. Having healthy things you can snack on should also help. Good luck