NYYnNYGFAN

I'm at 8 or so units in my 14 band and I feel I can still eat like a normal person. I usually just get stuck when I eat fast or in a rush but I don't have to cut my bites too tiny since I don't have a problem with it going down. Yes, my portions are much smaller than before the surgery but I feel like I'm eating as a normal sized person does which is why I think I haven't lost anything for awhile. Its as if my body is comfortable at this weight which is what I weighed for most of my adult life before my dad got ill & with stress I put on the extra 70+ pounds that made me unbearably uncomfortable. My doctor says that I'm "up there" in fill units but I don't feel full most times or any other symptoms most people feel at their sweet point. Anyone know how many units a band can hold...can a 14 unit be filled to the max?

Dr. Gritsus is my surgeon too! Got banded on 11/8/10. Where in north jersey are you from Wendy? Jo

I agree that my band is a lifestyle not a diet. I eat Pasta, bread, rice but it is all portion controlled. I lost 37 lbs just with 1cc in my size 14cc band. I added 2cc just a week or so ago and enjoy the fact that I never get any stuck issues unless I eat too fast. (That happened just once!!) I only treat myself with alittle sweet if I worked out that day. If I miss a workout...sweets are off limits. Gotta earn them! Its not a habit but I'm not going to stress out if I have a small scoop of ice cream. Back in the day it would have been the entire quart!! Honestly, a tub of ice cream wouldn't last in my house...I would have a dish every nite until its gone but with my band...I think differently. That's what I'm trying to have my band do...control my brain more than my tummy! Good luck!

Welcome & good luck!

The numbing cream that my mom uses for her dialysis treatments worked today! I still felt everything but with much less intensity. Yippee!

I have been doing very conservative fills...I only had 1cc until today. My doctor was so surprised I actually lost another 5 lbs because I virtually had no restriction in my 14cc size band. He told me that he would have guessed that I would have gained since I had no trouble eating anything I wanted. But I'm learning portion control and the band is giving me willpower to choose food wisely. I love that I can eat my favorite foods and not worry about getting stuck. I want to eat like a thin, healthy person so when my body is that size, my brain will already be trained! Also, I'm worried about sagging skin so I'm hoping by taking pounds off slowly will help me not sag! Good luck to everyone.

I like PureProtein Chocolate covered Peanut Butter bar. 20 grams of protein/2 sugars/200 calories. I always have 1 or 2 in my purse for when I get hungar pangs...keeps me from eating crap! Especially when I have to go food shopping...not the time to be hungry! Walmart sells the bars in 6 packs (or maybe 8 packs) pretty cheap.

Did you ever find out what the name of the numbing spray that you used? I need to get some!!! LOL...I had searing hot pain the first time I was filled in Dec. I go tomorrow and I'm soooo scared but I'm going to use this cream my mom uses when she goes for her dialysis treatments. I hope it works!

My issue isn't drinking with dinner ... its drinking coffee with breakfast!! The only habit I cannot break! I will give up Breakfast just as long as I can have my coffee! I posted this same question on here about drinking coffee and of course there are so many different ideas. I wondered why we can't drink before a meal when the liquid should just go through if there's no food to wash down. Then eat...my problem would be solved. (That's what I've been doing actually)

How much do you add of the Unfavored protein mix to yougart? I tried mixing it in my cottage cheese but I literally had to choke it down. Somehow I did taste it even though it was unfavored! I may have added too much....

I do think its normal to be envious but still happy for someone. I have a great friend that I felt was pulling away. She recently got laid off and put on about 20 lbs when she already needed to lose 40 or so pounds. She still looked great (very curvy) but started to get depressed and she kept saying that she's going to use me as her inspiration and then joined WW. I joined her gym so we can workout but I've only seen her 3x since August! I don't talk about the band with her but sometimes slip and feel guilty cause I'm able to have that extra willpower from it and she doesn't and obviously feels defeated. I personally (and honestly) think I would too if roles were reversed...

Thanks everyone!! So happy to see that my drinking with meals isn't really going to screw me up! Until recently, I've been taking sips from a tiny 5 oz. dixie cup. Its just that morning coffee that is a bad habit for me...gotta have it!!!

I finally can go without a drink at dinner. I just don't put out a glass so I basically forget about it. If its there...I reach for it! One habit I can't seem to break is coffee with my Breakfast. Those 2 go together!!!! I would skip breakfast all together if I had to choose between the meal & coffee! 1 question...I can understand why you shouldn't drink after a meal since it will just "wash everything down" but why can't we drink before the meal? I always have Water and sometimes I forget and I'm drinking away and realize that I'm going to have a meal shortly. Now what??

Kristen...are you from the Monclair area? I live in West Milford near Rt. 23. Good luck with your surgery...its all worth it!

I like DesignerWhey Protein...I get the 4lb jug online for about $40. It has 20 grams of protein & 100 calories...low on sugar too. I actually enjoy it with skim milk. Mixes very well in my plastic blenderball shaker. I find it in local grocery stores too in case I need it quickly and can't wait for my online order. I also tried Unjury...very, very good but expensive.