michellehoeffel

Back in March, I had an extremely bad stomach bug. Ever since then, I have had extreme pain on the left side near the port area. My surgeon said it a severe muscle strain and to take it easy (yeah ok like that is easy). Anyways long story short, I still have the pain and it is even worse. After being admitted to the hospital for the pain, he is now talking about moving the port or removing completely, which means I will not be able to utilize it like it is intended. Has anyone had this happen to them? If so, what was your out come?

Try adding an additional shake. I too felt that way and even became ketonic (spelling). My nut told me to go to 4 rather than the three. It is totally normal to feel the low energy. The gas is from the protein.

I too have days like that where I feel like I am always hungry. I just try to be more conscience about the choices. NJGirl32- I am actually just the opposite when it is hot out or stressed out. The band clampes up and is hard to get Water down.

This doctor told you that you can have a bagel? My nut says "If you are gonna eat a bagel you may as well go to the ER." I actually had forgotten about it and man I was hurting. Most of the food items you mentioned would take more that 3 bites. You should be eating small bites and would take alot of chewing. I noticed you live in Illinois. I, do also. Not sure how far you would be willing to travel, but I would find a new doctor 2 months ago. If you are trying to follow the guidelines the doc has set forth, that is why you are losing your hair. Back to point, my surgeon is out of Joliet and is absolutely WONDERFUL. This is supposed to help you live a fuller life not dread it and starve yourself.

I will try to scan and can inbox you. If you like?

I get alot of receipes from lapband.com. I also just take receipes and modify them. My support group has put together a modified cook book (so to speak). I use it all the time. My kids even like the receipes.

I have been on the skinny margarita kick. I drink a couple times a month (sometimes more even in the summer with all the bbqs and have had 110lb loss in a year and a half). I have not had any carbonation since being banded except for a glass of champagne for my sisters wedding (it actually bothered my but it was my sisters wedding). I have also done the walmart brand sf drink mix. They have margarita line, strawberry daquari, cranberry. You could also do the vodka lemonade.

There should be another stage and that is greiving the loss. What I mean is that 110 lost and I still sometimes feel that I am that heavier person. Looking in the mirror does not help until I look at pictures of the FAT me.

With the last couple of weeks with the temp increase, I have noticed that my band is tighter. This happened last summer but not as bad (maybe because I have more fluid this year compared to last). I need to take niterun advice because I still try to eat in order not to get malnurished. But that may be doing more harm than good.

I have taken some lunch meat and a small salad, or greek yogurt and a peice of fruit, or lean cuisine and eat half of it. Hope some of these ideas help you.

I have tried and still use the Body Fortress from Walmart. It is relatively inexpensive. As for bars, I like the supreme bars (I can sometimes find at Walmart but you can order from the website._

I do have days like that. On the days that I am tight, I will try to stick to softer foods (yogurt, eggs, chili, etc). Mornings everyday is not good for me. I am so tight that sometimes liquid takes time to go down. With that I just stick with Protein shakes. You will learn to know the band, it just takes time.

In addition to biotin, I have included 1200 of folic acid a day. My sister who is a physican suggested that over the biotin. So far so good.

Everyone is different with the "sweet spot" (which is where you have the best restriction with food and able to keep down water). My doctor said I am right in the range (currently at 6.0), two fills ago I was put up to 6.2 (seemed fine at the time and then the next day not so much). This last time he tried to get me to 6.4 (according to the flouro it was good) again next day not so much. It does take time to get to the good restriction/sweet spot. I am right there and can reach it but just taking some time. Just do what is good for you and not where everyone else is at. My doc has people at the sweet spot between 2 and 7.5 (most in the 60% range)

Oh and forgot, I have intense pressure in my back and chest in the band area.