HeatherinCA

First off check what you are eating. Make sure you are still on your diet. If it's not your diet then try changing it up a little to jumpstart it.

Yea, be honest with yourself, you aren't eating only broccoli and fish... or if that is your dinner, what is Breakfast and lunch? Snacks? Record your calories if you are unsure. 1200 calories! You'll lose weight, even without crazy exercise. Also yes if you are getting stuck you don't need a fill. What is your hunger level?

I never had a problem, it not as bad as it looks

I could do this, and I wouldn't puke. I eat sushi, I've eaten macaroni, I've eaten a donut, I eat bread. I occasionally drink with my meals. That isn't a good assumption. Every body reacts differently to the band. Getting "stuck" isn't what the band is there for, some people just have problems with certain foods, but it isn't the point of the band. The food passes right through regardless of what you eat. That is why I don't quite understand the "pouch" the food doesn't sit there. For me, I feel like crap if I eat too much and I get really gassy. But nothing is really stopping me. Yea, I believe what he wrote. It makes the most sense. All the band does for me is kill my hunger, it's gone. I control what goes in my mouth, not my band. I think a lot of people are misinformed and think the band will RESTRICT them from eating, but it simply doesn't do that. That is why people lose less weight with the band, it's all about making the right decisions, not being hungry helps your make better decisions.. but if I wanna eat, I wanna eat.. it won't say no you can't. Also yes what you said about being stuck. I've only been "stuck" once I swallowed a big chunk of bread, but it was immediate. So it obviously is immediately trying to pass through my band. Not just sitting there.

You are just healing, don't worry just yet. I eat a VERY normal amount of food for my meals. I'm never hungry.. but I can certainly eat tons of food if I choose to. I try not to drink with meals. I do sometimes (but I'm 6 months out), but it all depends on how your band reacts to it, mainly you want to fill up on food, not on liquids. Following the rules is very important, the band is nothing but a piece of plastic, with out the rules it's useless.

If you are thirsty, drink more simple enough. Also.. maybe it's just me, but the band.. since it kills your hunger, should mean you don't need to snack...you should be able to go 4-5 hours w/o eating... or if you are snacking make sure you are counting those calories. For me, I eat 3, about 400 calories meals a day. If I was snacking I'd have to subtract the calories from my meals.

That doesn't make sense. Are you sure that is all you eat? You should be eating 3 solid food meals a day about 1200 calories. There is no physical way if you are doing this that you won't lose weight. Be honest with yourself about what you are eating.

You can drink as much Water as you want it goes right through your band. Yes, find a local doctor to do the fills. I know I don't know your whole story, but I'm not sure I would consider the band at your weight, the average weight loss with the band is about 50 or so lbs...the band controls your hunger level, the rest is up to you to control what you eat. I would think most doctors would recommend the bypass or a sleeve. Especially since you are paying out of pocket. Also since you don't have insurance you have to consider any revisions you might need in the future, or problems with your band, you could get hit with HUGE bills.

You could, but why would you want to.. I didn't even really puree things, I just ate foods that are mushy like chili, soup, oatmeal..

When I'm not hungry for 4-5 hours. Then I don't feel the need to snack... which helps me control what I eat. That is all the band is designed to do, control your hunger. It's not designed to stop you from eating. I wish it was . Some people just unfortunately have trouble eating certain foods. I don't think it has anything to with a sweet spot. My green zone is when I stick to my diet

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.

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.