DebH

I was banded Oct. 2010 and my loss has b een extremely slow. But about your pain. There is a possibility that it could be gas. I have had episodes of very bad pain on my left side, so bad that if it was my right side I would have thought I had appendicitis. After having this happen several times I finally tried taking Gas-X when it occurred and it went away so I guess it was a huge gas pocket. Now as soon as I get a twinge I take the Gas X and feel better much faster. Just an idea. I do also get a pain in the middle of my upper back if I eat too fast.

I am 4 months out and had no problems until my last fill. I am up to 8 ccs and I have had two experiences of what I prefer to call spitting up since this last fill. I say spitting up because there is no nausea or quezzy feeling, just a stuck like pain and in a couple of very productive burps I was able to bring up whatever it was causing me the problem. Both times this occurred when I was very hungry (which is not usual for me), and began eating way too fast, so this past week I have been starting my meals very slowly and chewing more carefully. No problems since. I also agree with the previous posts that have agreed that it is NOT normal to vomit. It may occur like in my case as you learn to listen to you body, but I believe we can all avoid this unpleasantness with a little effort!!!!

Sweets have always been my biggest downfall! I do know that one sweet for me often leads to more and I am better if I resist them altogether. I also keep mints handy and for some reason cinnamon hard candies are helpful in satisfying my craving. Another trick I have is to keep a jar of Polaner all fruit preserves in the fridge and I will take a spoonful after dinner which is often when I feel I need something sweet. Over the holidays I baked and did allow myself to have a cookie or piece of candy here and there and it was not good for me. I gained 3-4 pounds (which thankfully I lost pretty quickly) and I was so mad at myself. There have been a couple occasions where I was satisfied with just a bite of something, but I also know for me that one bite can lead to another and another, etc. I think it depends on one's level of sweet addiction!

It is interesting that you say that you never feel full, because I was thinking that I may be one of those people. Prior to the band I very seldom felt hungry either. I don't allow myself to feel "stuffed", but I am satisfied and like you I don't get hungry for 4-5 hours, and sometimes I think I could go all day without eating, which I know is not good at all. I do not count carbs but when I review what I am eating I don't think I am getting too many of them. I did learn over the holidays that I have to stay far away from sugar. LOL I think I will try to mix up my calorie counts and see if that jangles my system. I would like to add more and varied activities to my workout routine, but with working full time, the weather keeping me in more, and no opportunity right now to join a gym, I am limited. I can't wait until the warmer weather. I do not intent to give up, but at my support group I hear so many people losing quicker, and I read on here that so many are doing so much better. It is good to hear that I am not alone.

In a week from today I will be 3 months post op and I have only lost about 26 lbs (6 lbs pre-surgery). I do not regret having the band, and even just the improvements in the way I feel are satisfying, but I honestly did not think that it would be so slow going. I am doing 30-40 minutes on the elliptical machine a minimum of 5-6 days a weeks (usually walking the other day or two) and I am journaling everything I eat and most days average about 800-900 calories and 60-90 grams of Protein. I feel terrific; I have energy, I am sleeping well, my color is good, BUT why am I not losing more? I did not lose anything the entire month of December but I felt that was a victory since my history was to gain over the holidays. Since 1/1/1, I have only lost 3 pounds and I am finding this very frustrating. I have had 3 fills and with the last one I did start to feel some restriction. My surgeon told me that at this point I should not have to write everything down, I should be able to rely on my "full" feeling, but I know that I can eat more than 4 ozs at a sitting so I am being very deligent about weighing and measuring right now. I also took measurements at the beginning of my journey and while I have lost about 15 inches overall, I have not lost any more inches since the beginning of December either. Has anyone else experienced this? I am hoping that if I just stick with what I am doing the pounds will have to start dropping off, right?

For her to acknowledge your success would be her having to face her difficulties and shortcomings. I have a similar situation with my sister and didn't even tell her about my surgery until 3 weeks post-op. There are many people that feel that they lose a little bit of themselves when they praise someone else, when really it makes you feel better about yourself when you lift up another person. You just keep doing what you are doing and take pride and satisfaction in the success that you have achieving. Don't let her lack of positive reinforcement discourage you, in fact she may also be fearful that you will lose weight and not want her as a friend anymore. Just be the example of good food choices and health that she needs. Keep up the good work...I only wish I was losing as well as you!!!!

I am officially joining this thread! If it were not for the special people on this site I would have never been able to get through the past couple of months. Not that I have had any physical issues, but the emotional ones have been lulus! The support is incredible and the information extremely valuable, as long as I keep in mind that everyone is different. I too am happy that these holidays are over and although I am not happy with how I handled it I have to admit that in previous years the damages had been much greater. It is all about perspective sometimes. Here's to a bright and successful weight loss 2011!

The blood sugar imbalance makes sense to me. In the past I also have been accused of cheating on Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem, but I never did so it must have had something to do with the carbs that I was ingesting. I have just been counting calories and Proteins nad have not paid as much attention to carbs, however when I focus on getting in more Protein rich foods I find that I can't fit in any carbs. Thanks for sharing your experience, I am going to pay more attention to my wheat intake because I know that I can't take the sugar! Earlier today I was thinking of cancelling my Tuesday Dr's appt. but I have decided to go, face the music if I have gained on his scale, and share with him what I have learned this past month.

Thank you for your replies. I don't have a problem with carbs generally. I have no problem resisting potatoes, bread, pasta, chips, etc. but I do know that sugar is my personal addiction. I really thought I was so over the obsessiveness, but I guess not. Yesterday and today I have been on my normal program and I do feel better physically, but am just so angry about those gained pounds and the fact that even after being good yesterday I still did not lose even an ounce. UUUGGHHH.

I often hear that calories are calories and if you stay under a certain level you will lose, but for me it seems that sugar just does not metabolize in my body at all. Has anyone else found this or is this just another way that my body is working against me? I went into this Christmas season thinking that it would be the first holiday season that I lost weight and did not gain. Well another failure there, as it looks like I gained 4 pounds this week alone. Until this past weekI did okay maintaining, despite several parties. A week of stress due to a big snow storm in our area and not being able to get out and do as much as I wanted and I went right back to the old comfort for me, "sugar". I journaled everything I ate (the right stuff) and kept my calories well below 1,000 but I did not account for the cookie here and the piece of chocolate there. Only one or two a day, but I am still so mad at myself that I did this. I so wanted to either lose or maintain over this past month and in one week I feel like I have set myself back a month instead. I have exercised everyday to the point that my joints and legs are aching, but that does not seem to be beneficial to me at all when I have empty sugar calories. I am so upset and even though I have no one to blame but myself I am feeling very sorry for me right now.

I had a similar fear before surgery. Everyone is different but on a previous surgery several years ago I woke up vomiting and did not want a repeat perofrmance. I told the anesthesiologist that I had vomitted coming out of surgery on a previous occasion so they gave me a patch to put behind my ear just prior to surgery. I never felt any nausea post surgery or in the couple months since surgery. Good luck in this new year!

I would be devastated if my doctor talked to me like that. I feel so bad for you. The only advice I have is to find a more compassionate doctor.

I haven't ordered from a kid's menu because nothing has yet to appeal to me from that selection. However, several times my husband and I have ordered one dinner and asked for an extra plate to share. The sharing has worked out well because most restaurants serve portions much larger than anyone needs so it is healthier for him as well. Every place we have gone has been very accomodating to our request. One place had a $6.00 sharing charge but it was because it was known for it's very large portions.

I was banded 10/25 and have already had two fills. I am up to 7 ccs. I have had no significant problems for which I am very thankful, but I am a little disappointed that the weight hasn't dropped off more quickly. I exercise at least 5 times a week and write down everything that I eat. I am careful with my calories and am getting in the recommended amount of protein. I was hoping that with the band I would not be able to eat as much so I wouldn't be so obsessive with the "dieting" aspect. But I feel that, at this point, I still need to closely monitor everything that goes into my mouth yet I still seem to be losing very slowly. I know...everyone is different, but it is still frustrating. On a more positive note, I love that I can eat a fraction of what I used to eat and feel satisfied and not hungry until hours later. YEAH!