MaineJackie

I have a hard time with family meals. My 80 year old father lives with me (think meat and potatoes) and he is at the phase where nothing tastes good to him. And he has more limiting palate than my teenager! My teenager is very picky eater and a carb-o-holic. So, sometimes we have three separate meals! I have given up trying to find stuff we will all like to eat.

I too as a single mom was worried that I would be the unlucky statistic. But, after my research, I decided that the surgical risk was very low but that the risk of my obesity on my long term health and life expectancy was greater and very real to me. I was pretty much guaranteed that if I stayed mobidly obese, I would have diabetes, hypertension etc. I want to die of old age, not of something that I contributed to by being obese. Jackie

Cough/fever/sore throat are the respiratory form of flu. Diarrhea/nausea/vomiting is the GI (stomach flu). Jackie

You are doing AWESOME.............. Slow and steady.......it sounds like you are on your way to succeeding!!! Way to go. Jackie

Hi, How far post op are you? I know it has taken a while for me to discern head hunger from real hunger....but I think I am getting there..... Real hunger....I "feel" it in my stomach.....I 'hear" it in my stomach.......I can't distract myself away from it. Drinking Water does not make it go away. It is very hard to explain.......

It does come in pill form, however, if you are nauseous and/or vomiting---it may be hard to keep it down. The suppository bypasses your GI tract so you get the effect without adding to your symptoms.

Not to be sarcastic.....but how often are you weighing yourself? It is normal for our weight to fluctuate, even within the same day. I know if I get on the scale too often, I get discouraged. Sticking to once a week at most has really helped me. Jackie

I have not experienced being "over filled" but from what I have read here.....it sounds like you need an unfill......my doc supports micro adjustments.....would yours consider removing 0.25 or 0.5 cc and see how that goes? You should be able to eat......

HI, I totally get what you mean about not being able to eat at breakast......I usually have a Protein shake....primarily because I don't have a lot of time. My days are long and quite variable. Some times unpredictable too. I wonder if your calories are too low? Each person is different and you might have to mix it up a bit. I aim for 900/day....some days are less, some days are more....but pretty much never above 1200. I have a Protein Shake for Breakfast, a greek yogurt mid morning, a protein packed lunch (my favorite right now---perdue chicken short custs, a cheese stick cut up into pieces, grape tomatoes cut in half and some low calorie honey mustard dressing), I have a mid afternoon snack (depending on the day it may be a Kashi bar or a serving of almonds) then a protein packed dinner. If I am hungry, I try to get my fruit in as an evening snack. Jackie

Hi, I have NEVER gotten stuck, PB'd or slimed (knock on wood) so I can't offer much advice as far as that goes.......but I would think the hiccups might be a reaction to getting stuck?? I am not always perfect at taking small bites or chewing......and I don't really understand the why some people get stuck and others don't........I hope there are more experienced bandsters who can help you. Jackie

It can take a while to reach that elusive "sweet spot". I have done very well but I will admit, at time it hasn't been easy. But--it is better than pre-band. I no longer live to eat but eat to live......I know that the band doesn't take away hunger....hunger if normal. But when I really really really pay attention, it does help me feel satisfied. If you had told me a year ago that I would be eating on average 900 calories a day--I would have said you were crazy. If you had said that I would no longer crave carbs---I wouldn't have believed you. If you had told me that it is possible to go through the day without eating chocolate/cookies/ice cream/chips.....I would have argued with you until the cows come home. I am so proud of where I am right now. I would never have imagined it. food no longer controls me. If I really really really WANT chocolate/cookies/ice cream/chips....I can have a normal person sized portion. Something that 5 months ago, I would not have been able to do. My suggestions? Do your very best to get through this time....focus on re-training your brain.....portion control, eating slowly, chewing...enjoying each bite....paying attention to the signals from your body that you are SATISFIED.........that comes with time. Are there times when I want to keep on eating? Absolutely. But I am learning to listen to my body and realize I am satisfied....no longer hungry, but not over stuffed. You can do it......this is for LIFE....some days will be good and some days not so much. Jackie

I believe that crystal light is as effective as Water. I have found, since being banded, that I don't like the taste of artificial sweeteners and now actually prefer ice cold water. I also drink Minute Maid light lemonade--essentially the same as crystal light but it comes in cans.

I am so sorry you are having such issues. I feel very fortunate, I love my surgeon and have had great experience with the Bariatric team. I have a friend, who went to the same surgeon, same team, and her experience was not as positive. I would look for a bariatric program affiliated with a large hospital or a teaching hospital. You mau have better luck. Did your insurance pay for the surgery? If so, you might consider complaining to the insurance company--they might be able to get you into a new doc.

Hi, While I fully support and advocate for flu shots----they only work for the respiratory flu, not the GI flu (vomiting/diarrhea). And the suppositories are okay at room temp, but are easier to use when cold. (They tend to melt in your hands!!!)

Thanks for all the kudos! I am so thankful for this board--good, bad or otherwise---we are all in the same boat. Yes---it has only been 3 months since surgery--I started my pre-op diet on October 13th.

That sounds like the flu to me. I would call your doc and see what to do about your diet etc. Clear liquids may be better with the flu.

It's official....as of today, I am down 50 lbs !!!!! :success1: :Banane21: :Banane45:

Congratulations! You are doing great! I think the word ONLY should not be used when you are talking about 17+ pounds......that is a great accomplishment!! Keep up the good work.

One day at the bariatric center, there was a woman who looked like skin on a skeleton. I overheard her talking to the person with her, and she said that they think she had an eating disorder. I know that I don't plan on getting down to my "ideal" weight. I am 5'9" and my weight should be like 165lbs. I will be tickled pink at any weight that begins with a "1". I have a goal of 185lbs. I will still be overweight but not morbidly obese.

Hi. I am sure those who had issues with pain will chime in. I just wanted to tell you that it will get better!! I know I used a heating pad on my abdomen near the port site---it help relax the muscles and it felt better. As far as a slip, I have always been told that you will most likely have vomiting and be unable to get anything down. I hope you feel better soon.

When I have good restriction and feel satisfied for 4+ hours! I am at 5cc in my 10cc band. I am hoping I am close to my sweet spot for a while. When I drop weight---in the 6 lb range---then I notice less restriction. Supposedly from losing internal fat as well, that leads to the band loosening. Jackie

You could just order an appetizer......say you had a late lunch....something like that.......

I had a great post op visit today with the dietician. It was nice to receive a lot of positive reinforcement about all that I am doing!! Everyone at the bariatric center is impressed with my weight loss and the fact that my head is in the game. I am excited to continue my journey to a healthy weight! I am just about halfway there. The end result is actually a real possibility in my mind....not a pipe dream. For the first time in almost 18 years, the thought of the number on the scale starting with a "1" seems within my reach! I don't know where I will end up for a goal weight. I think the weight on the charts for me is too low....I will look emaciated. I want to get to someplace that I feel good, look good and can maintain with reasonable effort. I had another fill today---I am up to 5cc in my 10cc band, They really support small, frequent fills at this point. I have an appointment already set up for next month.....I can always cancel it if I am still in my green zone. Sorry for "bragging".......it just feels good to be succeeding! Jackie

I agree with TKW......I don't know if I would want the added empty calories! But I suppose as a treat once in a while, it would be okay. I don't think they are carbonated.....it is syrup on ice basically. Jackie

Initially, there was a lot of will power. You do get hungry---but hunger is NORMAL. I think most overweight folks don't really know what real hunger is.......and so it is new to them. I know a lot of what I did around eating was habit or related to some activity (watch football and eat snacks--hungry or not.) Learning to eat to live and not living to eat is a big part of the lifestyle changes needed to be successful. It does take time, and possibly several "fills" before your hunger is manageable. So, when you eat dense Protein, you feel satisfied and not hungry for 4 hours or so. Even though it was a lot of will power, it was different for me this time around.....because I knew that I have the awesome tool....that once everything was the way it should be, would enable me to be successful in losing weight and keeping it off! Jackie