vlp1968

Sorry you are having such a rough time. Hang in there. Your hungry because the liquids go right through the pouch into your "big stomach". Unfortunately I found it didn't get much better with soft foods. However after 2 fills I feel some restriction. Give it time, you will grow to love your band! Best Wishes

I just had to chime in and say the Southbeach Diet is fantasic. It's what I'm doing as well. It's about the right fats (unsaturated) and the right carbs (fruit, whole grains and dairy)

I would wait a couple days if you can keep down fluids. I couldn't even keep fluids down after my first fill but by the morning I was fine. If I wasn't I would have called the surgeon for sure. Call immediatly if you can't keep down fluids.

Unlike most people (so it seems) I wake up hungry. I workout before I eat and then I have a 1/2 cup whole grain cereal (fiber one, cherrios) with strawberries or blueberries and 3 slices of canadian bacon (lots of protien)

Previous post is right on the money. Thanks for such a clear explanation. I have to admit though to sticking to about 650 calories and am loosing 3-4 pounds a week. My nutritionist has ok'd this. By the way, I am very short, 4'11.

Be aware that there is significant hunger involved. It takes most people a few fills to feel they are satisfied with less food. The actual surgery was a piece of cake for me. Only asked for pain meds in the hospital once. Took the perkeset I was sent home with occasionly. I found the worst pain was when moving around a lot. The band is a great tool (I've lost 32 pounds in 2 months) but you still have to do the work. I count calories and protien grams. I log everything I eat everyday. Hope this helps in making such a big descision!

I have been on several cruises and they do have healthy options. Portions are also fairly reasonable. Stay away from the alchohol of course. Have a great time!

I am 4'll and started at 217. I can relate to your frustration. However, I would try to be less judgemental about your body. Loosing 58 pounds must have made quite a change! My psyc. involved as part of the bariatric support team told me to take a pic. of myself once a month. I do it in a bathing suite. I could see a deffinate improvement in a months time. The key is to not look at the pictures with judgement. The idea is to look and let your brain tune into the change in your body. Also, focus on loosing inches and/or how your clothes have become too big. You are doing great!

I also have felt that chest pain (heartburny) feeling when I have had enough to eat. It is a sure cue it is time to stop. If I eat beyond that point I am very uncomfortable. I am working on smaller bites and eating more slowly.

Lots of good advice. I would watch your fat intake. I eat eggbeaters. Lots of protien for very little calories. I eat a cup at a time and find it filling. As far as fiber, I'm in the same boat as you, need to get more. I'm working on increasing my veggie and berries. I don't eat other fruit because of the carbs, although I know it's a natural source of carbs. I am very pleased with my rate of weight reduction. One more thing- fiber will help you stay full longer. As far as shakes I drink myoplex lite. It's at Walmart and I think at Target. 20 grams of protien and only a little carbs and fat. All the best.

I wouldn't get a fill if I where you. Sounds like you are doing just great. However, you may want to have a "just incase" appt. for a few weeks down the road. If you wait until you have a lot of hunger you'll probably have to wait additional time for an appt. That is, if your doctor is as booked up as mine. All the best, I think your doing fantastic.

Agree with all the above posts. Your girlfriend imho is doing something wrong. It is so great you are taking an interest in her new lifestyle. Anyway, I'm wondering why she isn't on the message board. Has she read the responses? Best of luck to her!

Right on the money! That is exactly how I feel about it.

Bring a soft pillow with you to the hospital. It will make the seatbelt much for comfortable on the way home. Lipbalm is helpful, your lips will get very dry. You might want chicken and/or beef broth. Good luck on your surgery. You are starting a whole new way of live!

Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time! Hang in there, the band will work eventually. I agree you should talk to your doctor about being more aggressive with the fills. I felt like the band was never going to work until I got my second fill. Now I feel restriction, although not as much as I would like. Best wishes!

Thanks guys. Sounds like what I'm feeling is normal. I will work on stopping just a little sooner. Yes, I am drinking plenty of water.

Is anyone else experiencing a different type of full with restriction? I get a slightly uncomfortable heartburning feeling when I am done eating. If I eat past that point I vomit. After the heartburn feeling goes away I am not hungry but not feeling full either.

I got my first fill 4 weeks after the surgery and second 4 weeks after that. At my appt. for the second one he said see you in six weeks. However my restriction seems to lessen everyday so i made an appt. for in a couple weeks.

I agree, he may not have been on point with some things, such as you wanting to go around the band, but much of it is worth rereading.

I couldn't wait for my first fill too. However I was very dissapointed- no restriction. I have read on this forum people taking up to 5 fills before restriction happens. Just want you to be aware of this. Hang in there it will happen! Best of luck!

You have a great attitude. Keep it up!

I didn't feel any different after the first fill either. But the second one has helped. I get a slightly uncomfortable hearburny type feeling when I've had enough. I have made the mistake of eating past this point and vomited. The heartburny feeling goes away after a few minutes and I am comfortably full.

You are doing great! I too felt pretty good after surgery, especially when I was still. Moving around a lot made me sore. I took some of the pain pills provided but didn't need them all the time. Some people complain of gas pain but I didn't have any. Glad to hear you are recovering so well.

I was on a liquid diet for a week, then soft foods for a week. I want to say my nutrionist said seeds are very hard to digest. I am not positive though. I would check with your doctor or nutritionist.