Well ABC (August Band Crew) members we have made it to the end of our banding month. Each and every member has been very supportive during our procedures and the post-op period, but now is when we will REALLY need to lean on each other for support more than ever. Now the real work of working the band begins and I am sure we will all run into a hurdle or two or three (you get the point) along the continued journey. So, here we go!

Please post your short term weight loss goal for October 1st. I think little goals are where we should start for now so we don't get too overwhelmed.

:gluck: and to all.

Pebbles---- If you took Rx pain meds and its still that bad you HAVE to call your GYN. If it did ease up some after the med., and your flow is heavy you might have PCOS wich is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.Thats what I have, and the best treatment is birth control pills. They regulate your cycle and shrink the cysts its acualy pretty common. It hasent stopped me from having 6 kids! and the only really stange part is that I still have to take b/c pills even though my husband is now...well "just for show" ya know!? Hope you feel better....chrissie

Jamie, watch the carbs honey. If you're hungry, try and stick to proteins, they'll keep you full longer than carbs anyway. For example, don't eat the potato and eat more chicken, or snack on some nuts instead of pretzels. I noticed as soon as I started going carb crazy again, my weight loss stalled.

This is good advice, I remember reading on one of the posts somewhere on this board that women who weren't filled but getting hungry tried very small servings of salt free peanuts and it seemed to help curb their hunger and cravings for carbs.

I am finally starting to get the "not so full" feeling everyone has been talking about. So, I will be looking for salt free peanuts soon myself.

HopeW, that is totally the standard feeling for being only a few days post-op. Don't worry! You'll find as your swelling subsides you'll be able to have more and more. Make sure you get enough water right now. Trust me,s oon you'll be ready for food again -- probably in a few weeks.

Jeeze Jamie - I am so scared to eat anything - I feel like I'll be eating chicken broth my whole life. The few bites of pea soup and pudding I've had have made me feel sick to my stomach an hour after eating them...maybe it's all in my head?

HopeW,

I was late August myself and everyone was talking about how hungry they were just about the time I got banded. I remember thinking...."gawd, I can barely drink or sip soup, I can't imagine actually being hungry". Well..... accept that my "head hunger" tried to control me a couple of times. PeloRojo is right, you are right on target where you should be....

thanks for the peanut tip, I'll have to try that! I am eating a lot of protein though, like today I had turkey lunch meat and white american cheese for lunch with no bread and it stayed with me for a long time....I'm just now starting to feel hungry about 4 hours later. Its just hard to take that with me to eat so I'll have to try the peanuts!

thanks for the peanut tip, I'll have to try that! I am eating a lot of protein though, like today I had turkey lunch meat and white american cheese for lunch with no bread and it stayed with me for a long time....I'm just now starting to feel hungry about 4 hours later. Its just hard to take that with me to eat so I'll have to try the peanuts!

I have found a wonderful protein bar, that tastes very similar to a candy bar, but doesn't have all the fat. They are called "Pure Protein" Bars and I have tried the chocolate and the peanut butter. They are great. Even if I don't have time to have a lunch, I grab a Pure Protein Bar and am full for hours! I found them at Wal-Mart.

Hi August Band-ettes.....

Sounds like everyone's kind of going through the same thing. Feeling hungry, waiting for the first fill, feeling guilty.

One of the things that helps me with the guilts is to post all my "food" on Fitday.com. I find that I'm not eating as much as I think. I've been pretty much keeping at 1,000 cals p/day. A far cry from the 2,800 I was eating pre-band.

Well, I had an exciting day today. My first day on mushies (although I did have some for dinner last night - confession is good for the soul), and I had scrambled egg beaters with feta cheese. OH ... it was like the best thing I ever ate.

Here's a question...how can you have mushie chicken? I need protein and I am not that hot on cottage cheese. What have you mushie eaters been doing?

Diva Girl,

I was getting way too hungry on the liquid phase or the soup phase and knew I needed protein to quell the hunger pangs. The way I have mushie chicken is to take pieces of rotisserie chicken or broiled chicken thighs and put them in the blender along with a little bit of whatever starch the others are having for dinner and some hot water. Blend until all is smooshed and mooshed.

Yes, the color is unattractive, (my husband and children are forbidden to comment on the color or texture) but the essence of the meal is there. In fact, I've been adding the vegetables as well. Pour it all into a cup you can't see through and spoon into your mouth and enjoy. It tastes like real food instead of "recovery" food. See if it works for you.

Jo Ann

PS How do I get on the ABC?

I can't really tell if this fill is working or not. I have some restriction but it is not great. I have lost 3 pounds since my fill on Monday but 2 of it was pounds I had regained beforehand. But it is still 3 pounds down. I really want to feel like I am hitting a wall - the way I felt immediately after surgery -three bites of anything and my stomach screamed - STOP! I find myself stopping more out of fear of what might happened than out of restriction. I don't feel full, but I also don't have much hunger at anytime during the day. Also, I started with chewing 25 times before I swallowed, now I noticed I can chew half that amount and I still don't feel any restriction. I certainly do not have the appetite I did before. So maybe it is working.

Anybody else not feeling a strong restriction after their first fill?

I read this the other day. I don't know if all of you had a chance to read it, but I found it really interesing. I thought it might help all of you guys going for your fills right now...

http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=22611&highlight=fill

Thanks Faybie! That is a great thread and makes me feel ALOT better. I was very upset that I only got .5 for my first fill, sounds like now it wasn't so bad!

I can't really tell if this fill is working or not. I have some restriction but it is not great. I have lost 3 pounds since my fill on Monday but 2 of it was pounds I had regained beforehand. But it is still 3 pounds down. I really want to feel like I am hitting a wall - the way I felt immediately after surgery -three bites of anything and my stomach screamed - STOP! I find myself stopping more out of fear of what might happened than out of restriction. I don't feel full, but I also don't have much hunger at anytime during the day. Also, I started with chewing 25 times before I swallowed, now I noticed I can chew half that amount and I still don't feel any restriction. I certainly do not have the appetite I did before. So maybe it is working.

Anybody else not feeling a strong restriction after their first fill?

Robin,

I didn't feel much restriction with my first fill either, which was a huge let down. I thought that after my fill, I'd be on my way. I've already scheduled my second fill for September 29th. I was actually hoping for sooner but this was the soonest my surgeon could take me. I lost 3 pounds initially after my first fill and that was it. So basically, I haven't lost anything in 2 weeks. I've been charting my foods on fitday.com and I've been between 750 - 900 calories, so I'm not eating too much (BTW, they are healthy calories, no junk) I can't wait for that second fill. I want to start losing again. This is getting frusterating!:angry

Jahair---you've found us! Welcome to the ABC band group!

Faybie---Thanks for the great link info. it had alot of suggestions to keep in mind @ fill time.

Libra--- Keep your chin up! We knew it was going to take some time for us to get the hang of this. I know how frusterating it is, Im dying over here! Still no restriction, still able to eat way too much, still waiting for that 1st fill 10/2. Thank the good lord I havent put any weight ON-I just havent lost ANYTHING since my 3rd week out.Auugg!!

The best part of my day is reading all the ABC posts and knowing were all in it together, and that we will all make it.

Hey I dropped almost 2 pounds when I got on the scale this morning. Finally!! I'm still getting that second fill though. I may be eating less than I was, but it's still too much.

Chrissie, I agree. It's so good to know we have each other to turn to when we're frusterated, have questions or want to celebrate some victory in our journeys.

Cheers to the ABC!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Hi guys,

I'm going to call Monday, and ask for my 3rd fill!! Yes 3, and I've only had the band for 7 weeks!!! I just have absolutely NO restriction!! It is very frustrating, and I'm very grateful to read that others are going through this same phenomenon. I thought I was "doing it wrong". So far I have 1.5 CC's in my Inamed 10 band. I really hope my doctor can squeeze me in before my upcoming vacation to the Outer Banks - which is the last week of Sept. I'm so afraid that the trip would turn into an eat-fest!! Old habits die hard.

Sign me: Feeling Unbanded in New England

I have no restriction with my first fill as well. I am sad and glad that I am not alone and it is not just in my head....

I only got .5 ccs. PRETTY MUCH NOTHING.... I will no longer be going to that Dr!

:puke: