I thought that I would bring us over to the "Post" side to continue are talks.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Let's all keep in touch - we all have a common cause.

Have a great weekend.

Hi all Chuck here ! I was banded on April 23,2010. So for me its a few days past Three Weeks. I get my first fill on June 2 and can not wait. I am starting to try more soild foods and trying to keep my calorie intake below 1000. I started last week at the gym just doing cardio but no lifting weights yet. I get very hungery in between meals but keeping my eye on the prize which is my new life and a better me. I have not cheated on myself in four weeks. So to me this means no soda, coffee, breads, candy, cakes, or ice cream as well as no big meals. I have been planning my meals and planning when I will eat. I have an app on my phone and log what ever Ieat. It seems extreme to me but I must keep myself accountable. In time it will be second nature and I can let up on my self after I relearn how to eat. Thanks for taking the time to read me Chuck.

Hello all,

It so good to read how everyone is progressing. I was banded on the 23rd of April and so I am going into my fourth week post op. I have tried eating some chicken now with some mushie refried Beans and it seemed to go ok. I am still getting pain in my left shoulder after I eat so I think I need to cut down on how much I am eating or drinking but I am running at less then 800 calories a day so not sure how much I can cut out. Another challenge has now been my sugar levels. They are all over the place. I have always had high sugars running in mid 200s and up. They are down lower now closer to mid 100's but there are still times where they are over 200. Then they drop down to under 100 and it is so confusing what to do. I am going to talk to my primary doctor this week and see what she thinks. It is all good though as they are getting lower which was my whole reason for this surgery and weight loss.

Way to go everyone.. steady slow wins the race right!

We was banded on the same day ! How cool is that. I hear what you are saying about the pain in the left shoulder what is up with that ? I have that too... I never experienced anything like that before do you know what that is. Keep me posted Chuck.

Another challenge has now been my sugar levels. They are all over the place. I have always had high sugars running in mid 200s and up. They are down lower now closer to mid 100's but there are still times where they are over 200. Then they drop down to under 100 and it is so confusing what to do.

I also have diabetes so I sympathize with you. Are you still taking medication or insulin to help control it? Perhaps it's the food choices you're making. Do your blood glucose readings go up after carb-heavy meals? Maybe there are hidden carbs in your meals that you are not accounting for.

I know for me, starches and breads send mine upward. I noticed during the pre-op diet of Protein shakes and 1 meal of chicken or fish and veggies, my numbers were consistently down and I only used 1/3 of the insulin I was normally taking. If it were me, I'd try eating the same meal several days in a row then switch to something else for another few days. It's likely your comparisons will tell you which meal is causing the problem. Hope that helps!

I was banded April 22. I'm doing well in terms of physically feeling very good--I've lost about 20 lbs total, but most of that was while I was on liquids. Since I started solids the weight loss is slow but I do notice that the inches are coming off. I am able to eat just about anything at all, which is a mixed blessing. I do get hungry but I also get completely satisfied with much less food than before, even though I don't have the first fill till next Monday. I've been spending my "bandster hell" time and focus on making my habits solid--exercise, not drinking while eating, really paying attention to my hunger and fullness signals. In addition to the surgery, I just started a new job and I'm pleased that my new food habits have not been derailed at all. Life's good, and going to be even better when I start losing again!

Morning April Bandsters! I was banded on the 9th of April. Had my first fill four days ago. All went real smooth, found the port on the first try. She added 1.5 to the 1cc that was already there. ZERO restriction, but that is expected for the first few fills. I started a good work out routine last night that should get things kicked into gear. When they filled my they measured my waist and neck, 1.5" lost from my neck and 3" from my waist! Feels good. I really hope to get over this stall though, the scale hasnt moved for a couple of weeks. Take care, Wayno

Yesterday I was so hungry. I have my first fill on Thursday and it cannot get here soon enough.

I have not lost any weight since my first post-op, but was told that was probable. I am okay with that. Just want to get a fill and feel a little restriction.

I know everyone is different and I am amazed how well everyone is doing. I wish that I had lost a little more than NONE but I have been doing what I am supposed to.

Everyone keep up the good work.

I was banded on 4/8 and have been doing pretty well so far. I've lost about a third of my goal, so I'm VERY happy about that!

I go in tomorrow to see if I need a fill and how I'm doing. Part of me wants a fill --although I'm a bit nervous about it. Part of me thinks I'm doing pretty well already and might not need one. So, we'll see how it goes.

Oh my goodness!! I am currently in the middle of my first stuck episode. Let me tell you if you haven't already experienced it, it HURTS!!! I can feel it in my chest, my back, and my throat. It feels like it is stuck in my esopagus!! I have been sliming from it, and of course we were out at a restaurant to eat. I had to hurry up and leave. And you know what it was on? A piece of a banana. I thought I was chewing well enough, but I guess not!! I know I will be more careful from here on out!! Guess it is liquids for me for the next 24 hours or so!!

I was banded April 7th. I had my second fill today. I had my first fill on May 3rd. During those two weeks, I lost 6 pounds! I'm doing great. I love my band. )

I am just starting to feel better. My surgery was 4/27. I had a terrible surgical experience because my bowel was perforated. I ended up having a second surgery a day after to repair it and then was in the hospital for 5 nights and 1 of those nights was in intensive care. All in all, it was horrible. I am very apprehensive now but am trying to regain my positive attitude. I have lost about 25 lbs so far and I do not feel hungry between meals at all. I am still having problems getting all the liquids down, but everything I have eaten has stayed down and I am very relieved about that. I am working on getting the protein in and have been adding new things slowly. My next appt is 5/28 and I am going to pass on a fill - after my experience in the hospital, I just want to take this very, very slow.

Well, I had not lost anything for 9 days and I increased my calories to an averge of 800 rather than 700 and today I lost a half pound. Not much, but felt great to see the scale go down again!

Hi all! I was banded 4/20/10. 4 wks post op tomorrow. I'm trying different foods. Still haven't tried bread or rice. So far everything has gone down well. However, I'm having trouble with the not drinking with meals and being hungry about 2 hrs after eating. My first fill is 6/7 when I return from vacation. I've lost about 27 lbs since my first dr. appt on 2/2. I'm down a shirt size and my pants are looser so the NSV are a nice side effect! I'm glad to see all the posts here so I know I'm not the only one wondering if all this is "normal". Still burping a lot but no pain around the port area and all systems seem to be working ok! Thanks for starting the thread. I'd like to keep in touch.:thumbup:

Hi all Chuck here ! I was banded on April 23,2010. So for me its a few days past Three Weeks. I get my first fill on June 2 and can not wait. I am starting to try more soild foods and trying to keep my calorie intake below 1000. I started last week at the gym just doing cardio but no lifting weights yet. I get very hungery in between meals but keeping my eye on the prize which is my new life and a better me. I have not cheated on myself in four weeks. So to me this means no soda, coffee, breads, candy, cakes, or ice cream as well as no big meals. I have been planning my meals and planning when I will eat. I have an app on my phone and log what ever Ieat. It seems extreme to me but I must keep myself accountable. In time it will be second nature and I can let up on my self after I relearn how to eat. Thanks for taking the time to read me Chuck.

Chuck I am with you on avoiding some foods. I am focusing on Protein foods and staying away from Pasta, bread and potato chips!! I have just started logging on spark people- although they keep telling me my calories are too low (700-900 range). :thumbup:

Hi April Bandsters!

Everyone is doing so great! It seems you all have less time to wait for that first fill than I do...I don't get one until June 7th and was banded on April 21st...oh, well. At this point, I'm able to eat everything I've tried. I was really on track and losing weight, but we are in the middle of spending two weeks with my in-laws and between being away from my normal routine, the parties, and meeting old friends for dinners out, I haven't lost any more in the week and a half we've been here. The amazing thing is that I haven't gained, either. In a prior life I'd be up another 5 pounds so I guess we have to count our blessings. If I can lose just another 3 pounds to get to 30 down by the end of this month I would be thrilled. Keep it up everyone!

Hey all! Good to reconnect here on the "other side." My surgery was 4/12 and my first fill isn't until June 2...I wish I could speed it up and I am finding it harder and harder to stick with the prescribed meal plan and not feeling satisfied. Trying to stick to 60+ grams of protein each day, but miss chewing. Sugar free gum has become my best friend. Weight loss is slow, but moving. I keep telling myself I didn't get here overnight, so I cannot expect it all to disappear quickly either. I share the frustrations of not drinking with meals and am learning to just cope. I hope it gets easier...