vlp1968

It's my understanding that if your band slips, you can't hold anything down. Since you held down dinner, you probably don't have a slip. However, you may want to call your doctor and report your experience. Only he/she can say for sure.

Once you have had enough fills, you won't be hungry. It took me 3 fills. Try not to worry, it will work. As far as accessing your port, I have heard it mentioned on this board that the doctor couldn't find the spot. I don't know how common this is. I would try not to worry until you go in. He may be able to feel it with no problem.

Sorry to say I don't believe it exists. How your skin recovers is about it's elasticity. Many factors contribute to that, such as, pregnancy, how long you've been overweight, how many times you've lost weight, age, genetics. Instead of cream I would start looking for a good plastic surgeon LOL. Best wishes!

The mushy phase is about healing, not weight loss. You are right, some things allowed are not diet foods. They will not be allowed once your past the mushy phase. I aim to eat 60-70 grams of protien (high protien is very important) and 50 or so carbs ( my Nut says 130 but I believe that's too high). I don't count fat grams, but I eat very low fat (ie. eggbeaters instead of eggs, lots of very lean protien). I eat about 800 calories a day. Some may say that's too low but I have lost weight steadily- I am very short so maybe that's why it's working. Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck on your journey!

You are doing just fine. Don't feel bad about the creamy soups- you didn't stray that far off the path. Be aware that your doctor will probably not do a fill at your next appt. My doc. waited 4 weeks. I think 4-6 weeks is the norm for the first fill. Best wishes!

Many posts have indicated being told to eat 1 cup of food at a time. I was never told this. I was told to get at least 60 gms of protien, 5 servings fruit and veggies and 2 calcium servings. Even with restriction, I believe I eat more than 1 cup at a time- especially when it includes veggies. I agree the 20 minute time line doesn't make a lot of sense. We should be eating slowly, small bites and chew chew chew.

I am so glad to hear you are back on track. Good for you not allowing the one "binge" to totally derail you. You have done so well! As far as cheat days et... personally, I don't do them. I am sticking hard core to the rules of the band. Just what works for me. What works for you may be different. It's possible that if you let yourself have a little bit of a treat once in a while (maybe once every 2 weeks or month) you won't binge. You have accomplished so much! Keep up the great work!

Good for you! You are doing great! Keep up the good work!

My doc. has said that each fill lasts a bit longer. I have found this to be true. I really felt good restriction after my 3rd fill.

Hang in there! It will get much better once you have restriction. Until then, I reccoment focusing on eating the right things, even if portions are larger than they will be once you have restricion. As far as damaging the band, I have read on this site about stretching the pouch. Don't know if that's possible without restrction (food is going right into your "big stomach") I would talk to your doctor about it. Good luck!

My doc. says 24hrs liquid, then mushies for 24. I have had trouble after most of my fills. Think I will go ahead and stay on liquids another day or 2 after my next fill.

I got my first fill after 4 weeks. It didn't do squat. I finally had restriction after 3 fills. At this time I have a fill scheduled a week from Monday and can't wait- I have been very hungry for the last week or so. Tried to get an earlier appt. but couldn't. Just the ups and downs of being a bandster I guess.

Bringing something is a good idea but you may get "That's all your going to eat?". Personally, I am very comfortable talking about my wls. If your not, any simple excuse as to why you can't eat should work. Have fun, enjoy the company.

As long as your keeping down fluids I would give it a few more days. There is probably still some swelling. I usually have a tough time after a fill. Good luck!

Wow- sorry you had such a rough time! However, I wouldn't be telling yourself no more fills, even though the experience was horrible. You will probably need some fills to get the band working properly. Ask the doctor to take it slow. I am sure right now it feels like you'll never need another fill, but that is probably not the case. Best Wishes!

I haven't had to buy anything new yet- although I've lost 63.5 pounds. I had smaller clothes in my closet. It was so great to fit into things I haven't fit into in years. When I do need some clothes I think I'm going to rumage through the goodwill store by me. Hopefully I will find a few things to get me through.

I keep sugar free popsicles and Jello in the house for when I crave something sweet. Workout! It took me 2-3 months post band to get moving. Now I actually look forward to it. I am sure I wouldn't have had the weight loss I have without it. Measure your food. It's tough to eye ball what a serving size is. I also like to buy things already prepackaged like snack packs of cottage cheese and Perdue perfect portion chicken.

My suggestion is to not get on the scale so much- there will be flucuations from day to day. I weigh myself once a week. If I weighed more often I know I would be dissapointed anytime the scale didn't move, or God forbid went up. Best wishes!

I have avoided buffets since I got banded. I feel like there is no way I can eat enough to justify the cost. Buffets have always been a way to justify bingeing. You will find it easier to make really good choices once you have restriction. In the mean time, focus on the right foods, even if the quantity will be larger than when you have restriction. By the right foods I mean lean protien, 2 servings of calcium, vegitables, beans, whole grains.

I totally sympathsize- I love sweets too. I keep sugar free popsicles and jello in the house. They really help me satisfy that craving for something sweet. Hope that helps!

I am curious to hear from people banded around the same time as me. I was banded 11/16/09. It took 3 fills for me to reach restriction. I have found restriction is a fickel thing- some days much hungrier than others. I have lost 63.5 pounds as of yesterday morning. I am very pleased with my rate of weight loss. I workout 5-6 times a week for cardio and 3 days a week weight training with a trainer. Love to hear from you! Thanks!

No- my port site wasn't sore- I healed very quickly as far as the incisions. I am excited for you that you are getting your first fill. It took 3 fills for me to get restriction. Best wishes!

My nutritionist reccomended celebrate vitamins. They are specific for bariatric patients. They come in chewable. You can get them at celebrate.com.

You are doing great! Keep up the good work.

My doc says liquids for 24 hours and soft foods for 24 hours after a fill. I would concentrate on eating the right foods, even if they are larger portions then they will be once you have restriction. For me it took 3 fills to get restriction. By the right foods I mean lean protien (chicken, fish, egg scramblers), veggies, lowfat cheese and cottage cheese, lowfat yougurt, beans, berries. Best of luck!