1shauna1

I was only told about the protein, about 60-80 g a day. Also, to eat every 3 hours, with small snacks & one cup meals.

Don't be down on yourself; you had a big complication & it changed things. You still lost weight and that is something to be proud of! As for hunger between meals, drink lots of water, and maybe snack on some crunchy veggies; the fiber will help keep you full longer. And maybe you do need another fill.

Not sure I can really help but I do feel your pain. I haven't lost as much as I've wanted to either, and I've had a lot of bad days. All we can do is keep following the rules & working the plan; the band is only a tool as much as we use it that way. I just got a fill Thursday and so far I feel it is a good one; way less hunger and the main thing, feeling fuller longer. I just have to get my brain & my stomach to start communicating; my head always thinks I'm hungry even when I'm not.

Congrats on getting into the 100's! It is definitely something I'm looking forward to too!

He probably said only 4oz at a time because that's what your pouch will hold, and as you said you have no restriction. He doesn't want you to stretch your pouch. From reading your post, I think it's not that he's limiting your liquid intake but just what you could "chug" at a time. So maybe measure out 4oz so you can see how much that is, and when you drink it, wait a bit before drinkning more.

I agree, it's definitely not easy! I didn't think it would be, but I did think it would be a bit easier than it has been. I was banded August 2010 and am down 30....I had thought by now I would be at goal. I know the majority of my non-success is my own fault. I had found ways to eat around the band (and motivation has always been my downfall) and I ended up gaining some back...am down again now and am hopefully on my way. I had a fill Thursday and am noticing a big difference. I have 5 cc in a 10cc band (wow, if I was at 8 I wouldn't even be able to swallow!). Good luck! It is still mostly up to us!

Follow your doctor's advice and you should be fine! It's dangerous to compare yourself to others in this situation because everyone is different and has different results. I was on a low fat diet the week previous to my surgery (that's all my doctor recommended) and mine went great (and believe me, I know I was on a high fat diet before deciding to get this surgery!).

I find it funny the doctor can say it's at a perfect level; he's not inside your body and doesn't know how you will do with this level! I would say go with it for a while, but if you feel you need a bit more don't hesitate to ask. You now know the feeling of being too tight so hopefully that will help you get to the right levels.

To be honest, I didn't really notice much hair loss, and I have fine hair. As mentioned, get your protein in for sure; it's important for hair & nails as well as your health.

Smaller clothes are wonderful! I can't wait to get back to being the clotheshorse I used to be. I'm also worried about loose skin, but I'd rather be smaller and a bit saggy than even bigger. Guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I get to it!

It is hard, but you do have to change the way you drink also! I loved to gulp water, and that's just not possible now. Sip small, slow sips; if you're feeling something every time you drink it could be a big sip and restriction in your band. Take your time, you can do this.

I can eat rice. I can eat pizza. I can eat most of the foods I've always loved, just not as much. That is the wonder of the band. It may be a foreign body inside you, but I don't even think about that. I preferred that I didn't actually have to cut out part of my stomach to have a smaller stomach. If the band has to be removed, you still have your full stomach. I think also with bypass there is some issue with sugars, correct? So you wouldn't be able to eat chocolate/icecream....I sometimes have some dark chocolate or a scoop of icecream....would you be able to give those up? Obviously there are pros and cons to each...and you can regain weight with each. I don't know what to tell you, except don't let someone else pressure you into this lifelong decision.

I can and do eat them all....I believe the "no gum" rule is because if you swallow it, as mentioned it could be a big problem. But I never do, so I don't worry about it. Sometimes it just helps to chew something!

I hear you. I'm hoping my latest fill will give me the nighttime restriction I need. I've always had this issue; mornings I am tight, nighttimes I feel like I don't have a band. Right now I am feeling big restriction while trying to drink a protein drink. But also, you are down 20. Would you have been able to lose that 20 and keep it off without the band? I know I wouldn't have. So I have to keep that positive thing in mind when all I want to do is say screw it! And then keep trying!

I don't think I have a set time frame, I usually call when I need one. However, I've learned that to get a specific day I should call as far in advance as I can....I had a fill on THursday and before that, my last fill was in November

Anywhere you go you will find positive and negative people. I actually don't mind reading some of the "negative" side effects of the band....gives me things to look out for just in case! But there are many wonderful supportive people here too. And I'm glad I live somewhere that allows me to vent if necessary!

Ask your doctor what will happen if you fall below. You wouldn't want to find out after the surgery that they're going to make you pay!

I was banded around the same time as you and have only lost 30....it doesn't mean you have failed. This will just be more difficult for us than it is for some people. Perhaps try something like OA? Or maybe a psychologist if you feel you need that much help. Keep up with your fills and eating right, and this WILL work! Good luck.

You have lost 40 lbs since August, that is FANTASTIC! You are way ahead of me, and I've got a year on you . I have had several fills (and a couple defills), and this last one, I think might be good. It can take several months (unfortunately) to get the right levels. Can you get another fill? Please don't give up! You can do it!

Awful that your doctor is berating you, but don't give up! As mentioned, everyone loses differently. Some people struggle more than others. 1.5 years out I have only lost 30 lbs. Every fill I have gone for the nurses were very nice; no one admonished me (thankfully; like you I would probably dread going back if they had!). I have definitely struggled with this band, more than I ever thought I would. But we have it, and we want to make it work. Note, your weight IS going down, and if you are eating as you should, then what else can you do? As mentioned, perhaps it is too much salt? Or maybe you can start upping your exercise. Either way, don't get too discouraged. You can do this!

Rossy - it sounds like a nightmare and I'm sorry you suffered for so long. Worse that it seems no one would take you seriously when you knew something wasn't right. And you're right, people should think long and hard about a decision such as this; it is a major surgery with lifelong effects. Good luck with your weight loss; I hope you find a solution that works for you.

Judy, how big is your band? I have a 10cc band and am at 5 now....if it's only 10 cc then 8.5 does seem like a lot. I'm glad you've found relief & hopefully this level will work for you!

I was told to remove my own bandages after 24 hours. They used....glue I think? Something like it; I didn't have stitches or anything like that. After 1.5 years the scars are minimal.

I was self pay because the band isn't covered in Canada....but it wouldn't surprise me if they put you through all of this hoping you will give up! So, don't give up! if you meet the requirements then they should be covering you.

I haven't reached the green zone yet, so I must "try" pretty hard still. I feel like I still need to diet, which sucks. I've been on a diet almost 20 years, going up and down (but more up than down). I had a fill on Thursday and am feeling great restriction so I'm hoping my band will start helping me a bit more with portion sizes. If I could think about food less that would be great; I know some people say they do since being banded and I wish that would happen for me. Maybe I've just spent so much time in the last years thinking about it it's become abnormally important. Hoping those feelings will lessen.