HeatherinCA

1-2lbs a week is totally normal... so if you don't lose for 2 weeks, then lose 6 haha you are good! That happens to me sometimes too. Remember you need a calorie deficit of 3500 calories to lose 1lbs.

I got stuck the other day! I hadn't had that happen before.. wasn't too bad, but I was eating a sandwich too quickly and I had eaten too much, and I think I swallowed a chunk of bread and it felt so weird and painful. After a couple minutes it passed though. I didn't throw it up or anything. (thankfully!) what a terrible feeling though bleh! Also an NSV, saw a lot of friends I hadn't seen in a while this week at the American Idol finale, and even one of my favorite Idols (that I've met a million times) noticed I lost weight! crazy! Even though I didn't meet my finale goal, still felt good

Yea I only had one, 5.5ccs and I'm good. My hunger is gone completely. Give it a few weeks.. then if your hunger is gone you are good! <div><br></div><div>I don't feel i'll need another one, unless my hunger returns (maybe when I lose a lot more weight)</div>

They are just expensive! I noticed lots of time CVS and Rite Aid have sales and coupons. I use Viactiv for my calcium and lots of times they have $3.00 off coupons.

If you aren't hungry all the time, you don't need a fill. For me, my hunger was much less just when I got the band then I had one fill and bam, it was totally gone.

Should be fine. Everyone is different they way they feel with the band, for me my hunger is controlled, and I'm full for hours, but I still eat a fairly large amount.. so I just chose foods that I can eat more of with less calories . I can eat a 6 inch subway, I don't feel bad about it. Just yea, if you can eat more, just make sure you watch your calories more carefully. Also remember. Subway only has 280 calories with NO mayo, mustard, cheese, ranch etc etc... all that stuff adds up.

Well, I had lost 15 pounds on my pre-op diet. I was 283 on 12/13 my surgery day. Then I was 275 on 1/4, then 1/13 I was 272. Obviously you will lose some weight because you aren't eating anything. But your body is still healing. Obviously it stall a little bit when you go back on real food. Your body is all messed up. I think in my mind I just expected this massive weight loss. So I was like oh.. 2lbs .... yay. i guess haha.

I know it sucks, but you always have to make healthy choices, the band won't ever stop you from eating too much. It's 100% up to you. Start counting your calories, and exercising. I know everyone says it isn't a diet it IS a diet. It's a full time diet, you are learning how to eat properly. You can't eat crap and lose weight. I can certainly eat way more calories than I'm aloud. But, It's more second nature now.. I know what to eat everyday to continue losing weight. The band is there to control your hunger.. which helps the diet. If you aren't hungry, you are less likely to overeat.

I check daily when I wake up. Keeps me on track. i don't obsess about it though.

I think it's every 6 weeks.. I didn't need anymore after my first one (I got a large one since it was done with a fluroscope machine). Basically your body takes a few weeks to adjust. For me, a week or two after my fill my hunger was just completely gone. Just start measuring your physical hunger level, If you can't go about 5 hours with out being physically hungry, then you need more. Obviously some doctors give really small fills.. then you may need a few. I would say don't focus on them. Focus on how you feel. Let that decide if you need more or not, not how much is in your band.

Swelling for now.. yea if you can't after a day or two i'd call your doctor.

Amazing! Congrats

I haven't had one since mushies started haha. I think some people have them because they physically can't eat.. for whatever reason, But yea there is no reason have them after healing unless you prefer them to a meal.. but i know i'd rather eat food.

A month!? Crazy, but yay mushies are so much better than liquid haha. It's like the best thing in life.

For later on, their chicken noodle soup is good and only 100 calories for a cup!

I wish I knew more about how the band EXACTLY worked before I got the surgery. But I don't regret getting it. I feel good, and I'm losing weight far easier than I ever have in the past. Nothing about this diet is torture. Being not hungry is a godsend.

I think it's a bit of both, but yes, I agree a lot of it is mental. Learning how to make the right decisions. BUT, not being hungry all the time, helps me make better decisions, because if I'm not hungry, I'm less likely to grab a snack.. I think a lot of people don't understand how the band works, and what it's purpose is.. then they expect it to do more. To be honest, if I was told exactly how it worked, I'm not sure I would have gotten it. I agree with the saying "it banded my mind" because it did! Now everything that goes into my mouth is a conscious decision.

I just busted out of my plateau after my period it seemed to even out, I know part of it was my doing, but yea sometimes it seems no matter how good you are it doesn't come off! Maybe just try little tweeks? More exercise, less or more food? Doesn't have to be drastic. I wouldn't think the protein would have anything to do with it?

Yep. Read this: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html I feel too many people don't understand how the band works. I know it's a lot different than I thought it would be... but yes, mostly you have to control what you eat.

Nothing you can chew that early. Unless it completely turns to liquid.. which gummi bears wouldn't. Also, don't start with candy! Even the sugar free stuff has a bit of calories.

Water goes right through it doesn't matter! I probably wouldn't gulp a giant glass of water right before I eat.. for me, I don't drink WITH my meal, that's about it. The sipping is only for the first couple of weeks while you are healing.

If you are hungry, before 4 or 5 hours, then you need more fill but don't ever expect to be stuffed. If I get that feeling I feel like crap and I'm SO full of gas it's terribly uncomfortable. Maybe eat a little more? Just find things that are lower calorie so you can have more of them. There is no set amount on what you should eat. Just make sure you keep your calories in check. For me, I'm not satisfied with 3 bites of food, but some people are. My meals are fairly substantial just low in calories.

Your doc should prescribe liquid pain meds, and a liquid anti nausea medication. I didn't end up needing the nausea medication.. If they don't, then liquid tylenol. I agree the gas-x didn't do much for me either. I'd say get a heating pad, that helped me more than anything else. It hurts because it's in your stomach so pretty much whenever you move it's in pain since you use those muscles a lot.

You can gulp... water goes right through, even food only sits in the pouch for a few minutes...

Doesn't mean you should . The band doesn't stop you from eating... you will always have to control what goes in. For me, I can still eat any food, nothing gets stuck. So I do have to make conscious decisions. Yes, when you get a fill, your hunger will go down, so it'll make it easier to eat less.