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Ok first the caveats: I am not a pro, just a person! Not a surgeon. I AM a newly graduated nurse BUT I'm not posting this because I am a medical expert, ok? Just a fellow bander who's going to share what I know from reading, google, my surgeon, and my experience. None of this replaces what your doc tells you. :wub: Firstly; are you getting AT LEAST 64 ounces of Water each day? I don't mean tea or coffee (even decaf) or crystal light but water? Are you on any medications that would require you to have more water (like allopurinol for high uric acid, for example) One thing I have learned is this: if you aren't overfilled, a tight band happens in a dry person. Dehydrated=tight. This ties in with your problems starting in the AM. Most people aren't well hydrated and if you wake up, drink a little coffee and then try to eat, BAM! too tight. IF you aren't drinking 64 ounces of water each day, DO IT. I drink 4 16oz bottles spaced several hours apart. Some sip all day long. Do 8 oz an hour, whatever works for you, but get it in. Secondly: how large is your band? 3ccs in a 10cc band is pretty aggressive for a first fill and aggressive fills have been linked to esophageal spasms. (I'm not dissing your surgeon; again I'm not a pro. Many people get fills that much, or more, and are happy as clams because they lose and don't have your issues. I'm just saying that it could be what caused them). Once unfilled, as you are, can you eat ok? Thirdly: PB'ing often causes swelling. If you eat/PB and then eat again without giving your stomach and esophagus time to settle down, then the next time you try you'll be even tighter. You might have exacerbated your problem unintentionally by trying to eat again too soon. IF I were you, I'd start over. I'd review the "rules" of small bites, well chewed, eat slowly, over 30 minutes (that last one is my doc's rule...he says no eating beyond 30 or you're grazing). DO THIS NOW even if you can wolf down a cheeseburger. PRACTICE!!! THEN once you feel like you are following the rules, getting the water in, and your doc agrees, get a fill, but a SMALLER one. Get 1.5 ccs. See how you do. Give it 3 weeks or more (because some people need 2 weeks for a fill to even be perceived, odd but true). If that works, get another cc. CREEP UP ON IT! Always practice the small bites, well chewed, eat slow, no drinking during or after meals (per your docs order) and see if you can ease back into it. I have found that if I PB then I am tense and tense=tight, so mastering the eating habits while still open will give you a weapon to fight that. You'll know, once you start getting filled, that you CAN do it; you know how to eat properly, etc. It does become 2nd nature but not as fast as you'd think. I can get distracted by conversation or an interruption (and God forbid I let myself get too hungry before eating!) and then can get into "trouble" but if I chew well (I counted once; it's 40 times for me. way more than I thought it would take! of course it depends on what I'm eating but 40 is a good number for beef and poultry) and watch my bite size (for me it's about 1/2 to 2/3 of my old norm. cut stuff up, then cut it AGAIN. Do it before you sit down to eat so you won't have to think about it) then I can eat anything. I hope some of this helps. Hydrate, follow the rules, ease back into fills, and I hope you'll be on the road again!

I was banded by Dr. Bessell just over 3 weeks ago so I have 5 more days of pureed/mushy food. I am so sick of it---what is next?!?! It says soft but how long for and does that include anything good? :thumbup: I am dying to crunch and chew!!! Please let me know, love to hear from you! Cheers, CallieOzgirl

Thanks for the tip on the Biotin. I will get some today and see if that helps a bit. More than anything is is reassuring that to know that it won't all fall out. I am just amazed at how fast the change in my hair occurred. It seemed that most of the loss happened over just a 2 week period. I have noticed the loss is slowing down some. During those initial weeks I would run my hands through my wet hair and they would come out with 20-30 strands each time.....now I am down to about 5 strands. I am not sure if it is the Nioxin or if it is just slowing down on its own. Thanks again for the info on the Biotin. I will try ANYTHING at this point to save my remaining locks!

So, here I am, 1 month to the day since I had surgery. It's been quite the ride, and I'm a bit.....frustrated, still. The only real weight I've lost was during my first week on liquids. I'm still not understanding how I can eat 1/4 of what I used to eat, and still not lose any more weight. It just doesn't make sense to me. I have an apt for my first fill this Wednesday, the 19th. I know they'll make the band tigher, but what I don't understand, is how that will help me lose weight. I'm going to be eating less than now, so how will this make me lose weight where I couldn't the last few weeks? What's the difference, eating even less? I met someone this weekend that had the sleeve done last week. After talking to her, I wonder if I should have gone with that procedure instead I know, too late now. I hate being discouraged because that's doesn't help my journey. I'm having doubts on everything I'm doing and eating now. My surgeon only had us do liquids for a few days, then very soft food (purees and such) then select soft foods. I've been pretty much eating cottage cheese, yogurt, PB, homemade soups, and turkey chili. Well, I have another nutrition class before my fill, so I'll ask questions & see what's going on. I'm sure that I'm not getting as much protein as I should be either, but I don't think that's the issue? Quite the negative Nelly here today. Could be because I have a cold, and am feeling a little run down. The good news is that I'm already on my 4th bottle of water I feel so thirsty... I'll post again after my fill along with notes I take from the Nutritionist. It's gotta get better than this, and.... I'm sure it will...in time! :-)

Bill, I have a 13cc capacity in my VG and am currently at 10.5cc fill. I still don't have great restriction. (I long to be in the 4-6 oz club). But it has been better since my last fill last week. Hang in there, I notice that you are losing weight. Nearly 60 lbs in 4 months is awesome. good luck with your next fill.

Hi Everyone, The last month hasn't been a cakewalk to say the least. When I got my first fill in July, my dr put in 3 cc. The first few days were cool, and I lost another 7 pounds. Unfortunately, things went south from that point. I began to have daily stuck episodes, particularly with my first meal of the day. It got so bad that even Soups with noodles or vegetables got stuck. Two weeks ago, I went in for what was supposed to be my 2nd fill, by they wound up taking out 0.3 cc plus air after I described my symptoms. Apparently, daily stuck episodes aren't normal. They had me to come back in two weeks which was this past Thursday (Aug. 27). I'd had no change in the stuck episodes, and no weight loss. He did a complete unfill this time. Doc thinks that my esophagus is spasming, which could cause the stuck episodes. When I got on the scale this morning, I'd actually gained 2 pounds. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? I don't want to undo my progress, but I'd like to eat without being in excruciating pain!! Losing more weight would be great too, especially since I'm nearly three months into this journey!!!

Hey Restless, Thanks so much for your advice. Unfortunately I had two bad vomiting episodes this week. That really scared me because even with the problems, I hadn't vomited since the night of the surgery. I went straight to the hospital from the clinic after getting sick at work. They did an upper GI study, and nothing had slipped, so that was a huge relief. My doc is still at a loss as to why I started throwing up AFTER the unfill, so I'm on liquids for 7 days. I took your advice, especially on the Water intake and chewing, but the only thing I can get down easily is Soup and liquids. I'm really beginning to wonder if I'll ever eat normal food again. If you have anything else to share, I'd appreciate it.

I was almost two weeks post op before I had my first #2. I didn't feel constipated up to this point and when I did have to go I didn't have any trouble.

Allison, can I hire you to come over to my house and do my room too? lol. (It's HARD when there's a hubby to help keep it messy. ha ha ha) I really can't think of anything else to add. I can tell you that the Rachael Ray broths are REALLY GOOD! There's also another kind in a box out there that are organic and those are excellent too. As for Protein shakes, I bought the EAS Soy Protein in the chocolate flavor at Walmart this week and they're pretty good! (I like it best when I blend it with aew ice cubes- it's like drinking a REAL shake.) The first two weeks after surgery my Dr makes us drink the clear protein though, so I need to find out where I can get Isopure or Pure Pro at. Good luck getting the room organization done! I know the show you're talking about with the clutter in your house = clutter in your life. I saw the guy on Oprah and he also does a show on TLC. He has a book out called "Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Big?" I've REALLY been wanting to go buy it, but then I'd have that much more clutter from it. (Trust me, I have five or six books on decluttering and organizing- NONE of them have done a bit of good. lol)

Hey liquidbluegal, I just wanted to introduce myself b/c I noticed we had a few things in common. I am 27, my highest weight was 235 and my goal is 140. I was just banded on June 13th. I will be getting my first fill on Monday and very excited about it. I've lost 11 lbs in the first 2 weeks after surgery but haven't lost anymore since. I am worried about the flabby skin also but think the best thing to do is exercise. I am joining the gym tomorrow. Do you know if you are allowed to have alcohol with the band? Nice to meet you, fntasa98 (Jessica)

Hi! My name is nancy i was banded almost 11 months ago (9-13-07) i have only lost 18lbs as of this date. I have had 10 fills in 10 months since surgery. I have no restriction or maybe very little for only a few days. I have a 4cc band and filled 4cc still no restriction. I have kept a food journal for 2 weeks as per my nutritionist and she said the quality for food was fine but the amount i should not be able to eat at one time(like pre-band). I am an x-ray tech. And have taken alot of pictures of my abdomen because if i didn't feel the port i would actually think i had no band placed.i also drank baruim and baruim laced food and watched it go down to see if it gets hung up on the band but it doesn't. I also had an ugi on the record and the radiologist said that the band isn;t working properly because it is not restricting anything. I went to my dr. Appt in june and the nurse practioner said that she looked at the disc and everything is fine i just need another fill,so i was filled to 4.5cc in my 4cc band and i could not even swallow water so she pulled .3 out. I did feel some restriction for about 4-5 days now nothing i can eat anything ,nothing is a problem. I do have another dr. Appt. On aug 5 with the doctor so hopefully i will get some answers ?leak ?malfunctional band wish me luck

I am a new bandster. It will be 2 weeks on Mon. From everything i have read and heard,hair loss is usually more from not enough protein.

I know we've all been told the same thing about liquids during meals, and I'm five weeks post op so I'm not claiming to be as knowledgable as most of you... But I drink during my meals and have since surgery. I only drink water, but drinking water with my meal actually makes me fuller, faster. My doctor is also of the mind set that you can chew too much. He advises 15 chews a bite, because too much can result in slider foods which goes straight though the pouch. It's very hard for me to swallow some foods 15 chews in, so the water helps.

Sorry! Just found you! Yes, tight in the morning is the case for many many bandsters, but at a week out from surgery, you are more likely just experiencing some post-op swelling. Was this your first attempt at potato soup? Did you puree the chunks out of it? I know you said it was soupy, but you may be better off with a thicker soup with the lumps of potato blended out? Keep it liquid till it goes away. That burpy feeling means you need to burp...I doubt anything is stuck, like you said, but if the potato soup caused your upper stomach to have to churn to get it down, well, then you may have caused a slight case of swelling. That's what I think anyway. Does this sound like the right diagnosis? If it doesn't ring true for you, please ignore. It may be something else, although I couldn't guess what. At any rate, staying liquid and small sips is in order no matter what. Congrats on your banding! Hope that helps.

I have literally just got out of hospital. I'm supposed to on fluids for 2 weeks then 2 weeks of puree stuff. I'm also interested to hear what were your favourite meals during this period.

lianna, It takes at least three months for your port to become encapsulated with scar tissue. Since you are six months out, you might have somehow "jogged" it a little to cause the soreness. I had my surgery on April 20th, and since the date of surgery I have used a lightly wrapped ACE banage around my middle to help with pain and support. I wear it a night and a few hours during the day. It has helped my soreness tremendously -- and my scars are as flat as can be. You might try a light wrapping to help until your soreness goes away and to help hold your port back in place until it "re-heals."

I wake up, "Oh! its an awesome beautiful day! I have a great band and i'm losing weight and I'm exercising and in love with the world." Eat great all day, take care of new baby...husband works third, leaves at 9:30, baby is asleep for the night by 10. I think, "Now I can relax, piss around on the internet, wind down." And then I fall into this thing where at least 3 days out of the week I will go binging. And of course, it leads to nothing but puking and feeling like crap and finally falling asleep disappointed in myself...etc. It seems so simple, I know I shouldn't, I know I'm tired after being up with the baby all day, I know i'm bored and probably should go to sleep, an I know this behavior is wrong and could lead to trouble if not rectified. BUT KNOWING ISN'T DOING! So, if anyone has some tips on what they do to wind down, rather than falling into old habits late at night, please share.:ranger:

i just talked to my dietician this past week because i was afraid i wasn't eating enough. i have a slimfast at 8am, string cheese at 12pm, slimfast at 3:30pm and about 4 ounces of chicken around 7pm. she said i'm getting the Protein i need so isn't overly concerned about the low calories. i'm not hungry and i feel good so it's working for me.

The gas can be surpisingly painful . If I didn't know better I would have sworn I was having a heart attack. I was banded May 18 th and got my first fill June 16th . It feels too tight to me. I have had some pretty tuff gas pains the past week. I am almost scared to eat . I have lost 32 lbs. (counting the pre-band diet). I haven't eat any bread or other problem foods I was warned about . I am keeping Gas-X in business too ! lol. I am happy with the weight loss and very concerned about the gas pains. I have done a few searches and we are not alone with the weird gas pains. However, that doesn't make me feel any better . This is band is controlling me for sure. I tolf my doc....." This thing will talk back to you and LOUDLY ! :blushing: if abused. I hope we toughen up and learn to live with it . Right now .......I am not too happy . Reading everyones advice has been very hepful too. I am not much on posting messages but I check here everyday. I am hurting now with gas pains and ........Well , Like Bill Clinton said: " I feel your pain !":eek: I have not had any acid reflux or even came close to throwing up either. I have been on a very bland diet too. I will experiment with what I can and can't eat and just see how it goes. Good luck and keep the Gas-X handy.

I just had my final weigh in. During the entire 6 months, I only lost a total of 14 pounds. At my 4th visit I had gained 2 #'s back and what my physician told me was that it was good because that will show the insurance company one of the main reasons I can't do this without the sleeve...duh because I fail at diets!!! They're submitting my paperwork for approval next week! Good luck to you all.

After todays exercise (which will be my LBWO), and tomorrows cardio session, I will have completed 2 weeks of the Body for Life Challenge - which leave me 10 week sto go or 70 days. I will complete this challenge! I'm excited about not missing any workouts, eating pretty clean for the most part. Things I need to work on - 1) Need to plan my meals better (if you don't plan, you plan to fail) 2) Need to make sure I do my carido in the am on empty stomach - burns more calories this way. 3) Need to plan my workouts so I know what I'm going to do before I go the gym - this will save some time. 4) Going to try and add 2 extra cardio session my 3rd week. 5) Will work on getting some additional supplements (Betagen - helps build muscle)

Hi I am a self pay in Mexico and going to surgeon this week to try and schedule for next week! So excited

Hi everyone, I've done Atkins etc a few times before with great success. Usually I lose weight fairly quickly for at least the first 2-3 months. I just had my first fill after having my band empty for 5 years and the band is working great. I eat 1 cup per meal, Protein first and and then mostly green veggies. I stay under 20g carbs per day and that's mostly real/ not processed food ( no atkins bars etc). I lost 17.5 lbs during the first few weeks which was fantastic but for about 10 days now the scales have barely moved. I'm wondering if the small portions could actually slow weightloss down while low carbing? What were your experiences? I've tried a fat fast since yesterday and again no loss.

I check carbs and calories. I don't worry about fat. At the begining I ate 800 - 1000 calories a day. No cheating. There were weeks that I lost nothing and then a week later 5 lbs. I till today keep a running list of calories and carbs eaten per day. I include everything no matter how small a piece. Use my fitness pal if you can. I achieved my goal and then some in 6 months. The trick don't cheat and don't give up. You will succeed.