vlp1968

I find looking at pictures really helps too. The psyc. involved with my surgery told me to take a pic. of myself once a month. I do it in my bathing suit. I have seen tremendous difference every month. It's starting to mean more to me than the scale- which is going down as well. It is a tough thing to have our minds catch up with our bodies.

Super Job! I am also a shorty- 4'11 (I think I win lol). Every pounds seems to show- going up or going down.

I like to eat 1/2 cup of cherrios or fiber one (both 100%whole grain) and a serving of canadian bacon. About 150 cals and 15 grams of protien. Sometimes I add 1/4c of strawberries or blueberries.

I had an infected incision from a suture hanging out just a little. The doc took care of it by cutting the suture and squeezing (TMI I know). Anyway, he did say if it had been a port incision he wouldn't have done a fill. I would call the doc asap and maybe he will prescribe an antibiotic. Just want you to be prepared you might not get the fill.

My nutritionist has said 130 carbs. I don't think I am getting that much, but it's more than 20 for sure. I don't count them, just calories and protien. I believe what's really important is getting carbs from the right sources. Whole grain cereal and bread, brown rice, beans, fruit and dairy has some good carbs too. As far as why it's important to keep carbs low has to do with blood sugar. When you take in carbs (espcially refined carbs like white bread or rice, cake, candy et..) your blood sugar rises, and that causes your body to produce insilin. When your body gets the insilin it stores the sugar as fat. Whole grain carbs are better because they contain some fiber that slows down this process. Hope this helps!

Atkins shakes are high in fat (I think) that could be what is causing it. I would switch shakes for sure. I drink myoplex lite 20 grams of protien and 170 cals.

I would say you have restriction, but it is probably due to swelling from surgery. I have restriction and get that burpy feeling too. Thats when I know to stop eating or at least take a break. As far as cravings, I still have them. The band doesn't take them away. However, by not feeling hungry they are much easier to resist.

Glad to hear you have weathered the storm and are back on track! As far as why the band slips, it's my understanding it's from vomiting. It's tough to keep that from happening, at least it is for me. I eat too fast and don't chew enough. I am working really hard to slow down, but it's changing a habit years and years in the making.

I had the same issue. After the swelling caused by surgery went away, I was starving. My doc only kept me on liquids one week (however, follow your docs orders). There was so much hunger until a few fills I was wishing I had had bypass. Now I love the band! Keep doing what your doing! You will get through what is known as "bandster hell".

I would call your doctor. Mine said if the band slips you won't be able to keep anything down. Since you had a fill so long ago, it shouldn't be that your too tight. I hope this hasn't happened to you!

I am a diebetic also. My sugar was high in the hospital and I asked the nurse why, since I wasn't eating anything. She said it was high BECAUSE I wasn't eating anything. She said your body has to use fat and that's not very efficient. Don't be too discauraged about your med. I had mine cut in half about a month after surgery. Since then, my doc. wants me to stay on it. I was a little dissapointed so I know how you feel.

Weight flucuations, do to water retention et.. I workout 6 days a week and weigh myself once a week. I have not seen the scale go up. However I went a couple weeks only lossing a pound or two. The next week the scale finally moved 4.5 pounds down. Absolutely keep working out! There are so many wonderfull benefits. I won't list because you probably already know them. Also, instead of just the scale, focus on other signs of fat reduction by taking measurements and/or how your clothes fit. Hope all this helps. Best of luck!

I too keep my calories low. My nutritonist has said 60gms of protien. Some days I fall a little short. Tuna has lots of protien, chicken breast does as well. Salmon is also on my eating plan. There is protien in yougurt and cheese as well ( my nut. says 2 servings of dairy a day). Beans have some protien. I supplement the food with myoplex lite shakes. 20 grams of protien and 170 cals. You can get them at Walmart. I also have trouble with the veggies, I just don't like them too much and get filled up on the protien. I stay away from fruit except for berries because of there high carbs. Be sure you are taking a multi-vitamin. I take celebrate, specifically for bariatric patients. Hope all this helps and keep up the great work!

Yes, you are totally normal! I too was afraid the band I paid so much money for (not to mention going through surgery) was never going to work. However, once I had my third fill I felt great restriction. Everybody is different that way. Hang in there! It will work!

I was in the same boat. I had my surgery nov. 16 2009. I was so excited about my first fill but it didn't do squat. I waited until my next appointment. I felt some restriction after the second fill. In hindsite I would have called to see if I could get in to see the doc sooner. Best of luck! Don't worry, your band will work and you will love it!

I have stuck to weighing myself once a week since surgery (Nov. 16). It can be hard to resist stepping on that scale! However, it's great to see a few pounds down once a week. I started weight training and my trainer took my measurements. We will do that once a month. I am excited to see those numbers go down.

I too get the pain in my chest. It tells me to stop, or at least take a break. Sometimes I walk around until I burp and then can finish what I'm eating. If I ignore the pain and keep eating I vomit.

I have been told 60 grams of protien and I haven't had any hair loss. If your getting 80 I would guess the hair loss is from something else. Are you on prescription medications? I was taking one once that caused hair loss. Good luck!

If your hungry I would say you need a fill for sure. Try not to worry about being to tight. Just explain to your doc exactly how your feeling. He/she will know what to do. All the best!

Deucus- I am so glad to hear you are doing so well! dnunzo51- I was starving on the liquid diet a few days after surgery on. I had significant hunger all the way up to my 3rd fill. Hang in there! It will get better!

I have had the same problem with 2 out of 4 fills. I didn't call the doc, and at some point the next day was able to tolerate water again. I would wait until the day after your fill if I was you. Like already mentioned, some of it is due to swelling. Of course, if you can't keep down fluids by the end of the day after your fill I would call the doctor for sure. It's important not to get dehydrated.

Your feeling of full will be different than before the band. Personally I get a slight pain in my chest and a feeling of needing to burp. A burp usually helps the chest pain. If I eat beyond this point, usually when I've eaten too fast, I vomit.

My .02 is about your workouts. Are you working up a sweat? If not your probably not working hard enough, try to kick it up a notch or 2. Please try not to be discouraged! Good luck!.

My doctor doesn't do the barium thing but always has me drink water after. In 2 out of 4 fills I couldn't keep water down but had already left the office. On all occasions the next day I was fine. I think it must have been due to swelling. About the 4c's it may be he's counting what goes into the tubing. My first fill was about that and doc said it included what needs to fill the tube. I would let the doc do whatever he thinks is best. Wish you well!

That's great you are working out everyday! That is great for stress reduction. Maybe you can increase the time or intensity of your workouts. You don't specify your stresses, is there some way to reduce them? Maybe by telling some people no, and reduce the responsibities you take on? Just my .02. Good luck!