Sabrinaaa

Has anyone ever noticed that during a single meal, they have variations in their restriction? For the first 20-30 minutes of a meal, I have very tight restriction, and after that, I am able to eat much easier? Ive read where some have tighter restriction in the mornings, but never the type of variation I have!

I have 2 small children, one in school and one at home, and have been finding it very difficult to get my exercise in. Does anyone have suggestions? Also, rainy day suggestions? It doesnt rain here much in Los Angeles, but just as I have determined I need to get exercise in just to lose a pound or two, its been consistently rainy.

Hi Betsy, To get that 80g of protein on the 800-900 calorie restriction, I find to be very difficult. How do you pack the punch? I love the low carb/high Protein shakes, but trying to avoid them for more filling Proteins, since I dont have good restriction yet, so how could I get the protein in? Also, have you recently changed your pic? Wow you look great! Congrats!

For me its been reeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllll slow going. Ive been struggling with the 1st 6lbs lost for 2 months. I have realized that I need to do a real "diet" just like before the band until I get restriction. That seems to be the only way to go, until restriction does its part. So, if your slow going like me, follow the recommendations of your doctor to a "T" and exercise it up, and youll be there in no time.

Samd Your right, I havent been consistently exercising yet, I was trying to lose without exercise and then use exercise when I stopped loosing, but it looks like the only alternative I have at this time. Ill give it a try starting tomorrow and update in 1week. Please share more about the sweet spot being lower. I do have restriction, but today out of curiosity, I decided I would eat until I felt full, not unconfortably full though. I think I was able to eat 1 1/2 - 2 cups and by my calculation thats WAY too much. Would you agree that Im not at my sweet spot?

I origninally started with a low bmi and a "lower" weight than the most @ 185 and cant belive how difficult this has been. I lost 6lbs from the Fluid diet and now have been yo-yo'ing up and down with the last 3lbs. I am following the strict diet, but cant imagine how precise this science is, I mean one extra item on any particular day (ie 1 cookie) will add a pound. How many of you have the same experience with having to precisely count every single calorie to see any loss at all? If so, what range of calories produces loss for you? Ps. I already have 8.5cc's and seems not to have phased me as far as sweet spot or restriction. I have never eaten to be full, but feel like no matter what I would eat, fullness would not be found.

This is what it is like for me: I have 8.5cc in my band and still have not gotten to my sweet spot, but it has helped reduce hunger and feel "satisfied" earlier. I dont ever eat until full, because thats what the rules are with the band, but I am satisfied and can get up from the table without thinking of food! What you'll have to do even with the band: 1) still have to restrain from junk food (which is a battle for me) 2) still have to restrict calories 3) still have to eat Protein and green carbs 4) still have to exercise

I am at 8.5 and still dont have restriction or sweet spot. The only thing I do have is difficulty getting some things down, but I can eat over 1cup and still have plenty of room. I am thinking that the sweet spot is where you can only eat a couple of spoons and feel full, but everyone says their sweet spot means something different. I am not sure where you started, but I started @ 185lb and below 35bmi, and my doctor says that since our stomach is smaller than those who are well over weight, it takes longer to reach restriction. Im not sure, just my experience.

Wow! Its good to see the honesty with the small cheats, but I do it all the time, just not with excess, and yes, we are all ahead of the game with the band, considering it wasnt just a few licks of pb that got us here! Where do you get the PB2, Ive never heard of it. Is it high fat? Im super interested! Sabrina

Two super important things that help me 1) Make sure to get enough PROTEIN 2) Make sure to get enough WATER This is my go to and has worked everytime.

You are definately not alone. It seems like most people are not honest here when it comes to speaking up about cheating. I am by no means encouraging it, nor am I a doctor, but I was in the same boat. I was able to eat solids within the week without being stuck and turned to eating junk food as well. i am six weeks out with on fill under my belt and just have a little restriction. It is really difficult to hold back on the old habits of eating, as we wouldnt needed the band if we were able to control ourselves. Just hang in there until you get some restriction, my only suggestion is increase protein, like others said and try to stay away from carbs. If you are unsuccessful at that, just dont overeat, stuffing yourself, it could cause damage. Also, dont beat yourself up, it will come with restriction. Good Luck1

I too would seek professional help soon, it could be from some injury to your back, and the nerve is getting damaged. Let us know how it goes. I dont think its related to the band.

Just take gasx chewables, dont need strips!

Although I am greatly jealous, since my doctor is conservative, my doctor will not sway from protocol, which does not allow a fill more often than 4-6 weeks. He makes me wait 6 weeks and the reason being is to prevent slipping. The chances for slipping are greatly decreased once scar tissue begins to form at about 6 months on. I think that your doctor is being careless, since your not even on solid foods yet. Once you do begin, will anything go down? I would hold back and possibly push the liquid diet foward to see how your band will react to the tighness. Good luck!

Your not alone! I am 6 weeks out and had no choice but to lift my 40lb little within a few days of surgery either! I had the same panic and fear about my port and band. My port was more sensitive and swollen, as well as a long 1'' wide area from where they inserted the band tubing to the port was swollen as well. It took a good 3plus weeks for all the swelling to go down, but if you have burning where your port is, be careful and just refuse to do the lifting, it will take a day or two for the burning to go away and is probably some type of damage to the areas it was anchored. Youll more that likely be fine, but listen to your body.

I appreciate your responses and the support of most of you. Those who are condeming in their response, seem to have forgotten where their coming from. If it were only that easy to "follow" doctors orders, you wouldnt have needed banding in the first place, just like the rest of us. Its not like we dont know pre and post band what is necessary to lose weight, or we would all be skinny already. Just dont forget, when you condem others, it will usually come right back to you. Although we are all responsible for our eating behaviors, this is a place of support, not judgment. Good luck to all.

Am I the only non-losing loser? I am almost 6 weeks out with no fill. I only had some restriction for 2-3 days after surgery! I have been on my own, since that. I lost 5 lbs on the post fluid diet and have been teetering up and down that 5 lbs since. I see people loosing left and right, but no body with the minimal 5lb loss. I feel like a complete loser and one who will never be able to lose weight even after being banded. I am not sure if its because of my lower starting bmi (35) or no fills? I am starving and will get a fill next monday, my dr wont fill more often than every 6 weeks, to prevent slipping. Has anyone ever experienced this? Please share your inspirational stories if so. Thanks

Through all the setbacks, you've lost tons and shows to be from great effort. My question to you is, how could you be pooling, if you felt like you didn't have restriction? Thanks

I read in a thread before and has worked every time for me. Cluck your left arm like a chicken! Seriously, put your left hand under your armpit and move your elbow/arm up and down like a chicken. Today I was a little stuck and swear I heard the piece "pop" out from the band to the lower stomach. Good luck.

Dr. Lyass in Glendale charges $150-$200, but no flouro and only every six weeks.

Okay my friends, its on. And Mo, Ill take your offer on the 5 pounds. Unfortunately, I use my kids and husband as the excuse for buying ice cream, but in reality, they are super thin and Im the one eating almost all of it. At this point, I have ic in the house, so its going to take super will and extra scoops for the others in the house to try to finish it up. Please post next monday and let me know how its going. Thanks for the icecream help. Sabrina:grouphug:

This has always been my weakness and still is! Its preventing me from losing like I should! Just wondering if anyone out there is in the same boat and would like to make a promise not to have ice cream of any sort until next Monday! Just to see what happens to our weight? :biggrin:

I know that cost is not the most important part of a fill, but I am researching to find the best for the best, since Im a self pay bander! What do you pay for your fills? Especially, in the Los Angeles area?

I completely understand your disappointment, I too am 10days out (w/o fill) and starving! It really is a daily battle to maintain the recommended 3 meals of 3-4 ounces, and I have fallouts daily, but it will get better (based on research) just really has to do with the fills. My doctor too, doesnt fill more than once every 6 weeks. I have two fills with him for free and will definately search another place to fill, as long as I recover from the fills quickly. I dont think others will recommend seeing another doctor, but being here in the Los Angeles area, there are doctors on every corner. I do know a doctor in Glendale, that doesnt have restrictions on the time, but its not under flouro sp? and its around $200, let me know if you need a reference. Hes a good doctor too. Hang in there, it will get better.

I was banded about 10 days ago and since the very beginning, I could feel the edge rim of my port, which my doctor placed right next to my belly button (literally right next to). It feels like its at a 15 to 20 degree angle, with the highest rim futhest from my bellybutton. I would guess that its 1/4 to 1/2 inch below my skin and assume that with minimal weight loss, it will be veeeeeerrrrryyyy apperent. I have an appt on Monday to speak with him and see what he says. Has anyone had this experience?