slm2007

Thanks. I needed to read something like this because I am so so frustrated! I was banded 4/18 and am losing any and all motiviation. I had 4cc's in my first fill and felt nothing....lost a 1 1/2 pounds in 4 weeks - big freakin' deal. ANyhow NP put in another .5 cc's and I feel NOTHING again. I'm miserable and I'm mad! I came right out and told her that if I wanted to starve myself I could have joined Weight Watchers again and failed again. I didn't need to go through surgery to put myself on a diet. I feel like that is what I'm doing....a 1100 calorie diet....I get the lifestyle change. BUT my thoughts were "restriction ='s less hunger and less food = weight loss" - I"M HUNGRY! I eat my protein, and I measure.....in two hours I'm hungry and my NP just didn't get it. I'm hoping that she gives me more than a 1/2cc when I go back because I need to get this moving along before I go eat a bag of Oreos!

I slept on my stomach a week out....but also just had to add that i LOVE your user name......hysterical

I had a cath put in so I didn't have that happen but I'm sure it was nothing to worry about......nurses have seen it ALL...which is worse, having that happen or being the one who PUTS the cath in.....hopefully THAT little bit of TMI will make you feel better!!!

They took mine off at my post op follow up because I was having a HUGE allergic reaction to them.....what I thought was healing itchyness was a reaction. I actually still have square scars from the tape and I was banded 4/18/11. Anyhow, I think after 7 days you should be fine....get them wet and really really wet and they might just "oops" fall off....

I wish I could see it....I don't have an iphone so I can't get the download. I have 4.5 cc in my Realize 11 cc band and feel NOTHING. Frustrating and I can eat anything big bite or little bite, so I'd like to see the size of the opening just as an FYI. This is very interesting. Thank you.

I just got back from follow up. Had surgery 4/18...High Expectations but not unrealistic, let me be clear on that. Frustrated, confused and disgusted. I try, I really do. I'm not perfect and I'll admit it but I try. 2 pounds in 4 weeks, not a happy dance result. I said to the PA who keeps tell me that I need to get under 1100 calories... "I could have suffered through 1100 calories without getting surgery" - - I know I have this "Tool" but I thought your tools were supposed to help you. If I need help building a house I need a hammer and it doesn't do the work for me but makes it a little easier than ramming a nail in with my head. Well everyone, my head is really sore cuz my tool isn't helping me. I am struggling with this 1100 calories and honestly am not maintaining this count daily because I'm hungry often! I don't gorge but I'm eating more than 1100 calories a day. I'm doing great with my Protein so I know that it is not lack of "Protein"...get more protein. I'm hungry two hours after I eat. I wait, and wait, and wait...yep, still hungry. I make better choices and like I said I'm not perfect so I'm okay with not losing 2 or 3 pounds a week like someone who was really strick would probably be doing. I'm good with it because I know there are things I can do better....BUT, I have made huge changes in my life and am proud of those changes. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day. SHe gave me another .5cc today so I'm hoping that helps. 4.5 cc in my Realize 11 cc band...we'll see how it goes. I'm NOT expecting miracles, and I'm working to change my life and doing well, but man, I wish this "tool" would help me out a little. I'm really stuggling and loosing my motivation. I thought this would be my friend, and really help me. I know, I know....it takes time, maybe more fills.....I know in my head all these answers but it doesn't make my heart any less sad and any less discouraged. The bright side is that Yes, I've lost more weight than I would have without the band but that is only because I'm really trying. Thanks for listening....sometimes a vent just makes me feel better.

I have a really stupid question because I'm confused. My PA this a.m. says that the band "won't help your hunger." I thought that was the purpose? She said it's only purpose was to control portion size. This was NOT the impression I was given while going through the process. Here is what I thought....The band will help control your portions by making you feel fuller longer (i.e. that helps my hunger, right?). I'm confused....and also wondering why did I do this....I'm waiting for better results and not giving up yet because I can tell a difference. I'm glad in one instance that I did this because I've failed with WW, Bariatrics, etc. to only gain it back. I've lost some weight and even if this band stops me from gaining I would consider it a slight success

I like the Oh Yeah ready to drink brand. I mix a choc/van because chocolate is TOO chocolate. Love the Cookies N Cream. Also like the GNC Lean shakes. The Oh Yeah are a little higher calorie but I drank them at the beginning because I wasn't eating much and would have rather drank them than waste them. There are others that I bought that I just couldn't drink so they went down the sink...calories and Protein, so to me it was better to get the protein and a little higher calories at the time. I think the 14 ounce Oh Yeah drink has 32 grams of protein. The GNC Lean shake is a close 2nd. I also went on to www.vitalady.com and bought a bunch of samples of powder. She sells them for $1.99 per sample and it was well worth it to save the $$. I learned that I don't like anything with cinnamon in it Good luck to you.....

You will have to probably be unfilled until after you give birth or are done nursing (if you do that?). I was scared of getting pregnant right after surgery because they wanted me off birth control a month before and a month after and I got pregnant when my husband just breathed on me. I've heard it happens quite often because of this reason. Congratulations to you and best wishes for a happy healthy pregnancy!

I didn't read all the responses to I may be repeating but I feel your frustration. I know I'd have to work at this and I don't have a problem with that BUT I could have done this exact same thing w/o going through surgery! I'm frustrated too. I don't have much of a fill (4cc's in a 11 cc band) BUT there is NOTHING happening.....no difference. I don't want to be throwing up so I don't mind "working" it a little, I don't want it so tight that I'm sick, but, I'm wishing my band was helping a little. IF I could have done this by myself, I would have and I wouldn't be fat. I was hoping for some help with my weight loss but it doesn't seem to be happening. GOod luck....I hope "we" get some help from our band friend soon....

I was banded on 4/18. High hopes.....I know it is a "Tool" - I get it - but my "tool" is not working me with me despite my failing attempts to work with IT! I'm so frustrated. I've lost 20 pounds since my pre-surgery liquid diet. Okay, that is good....20 more than I would have lost. Whoo hooo. BUT, I'm starving. Eating my chicken first isn't cutting it....I wait, drink Water, I'm hungry...literally shaking hungry. My 100 calorie Snacks aren't cutting it and holding me over. I had my first fill on 6/2, 4cc's. NO DIFFERENCE. I read on another post that if you can eat a cheeseburger and fries that you need a fill. I can eat anything with no problem. I don't want so much Fluid that I get sick and stuck all the time, I'd rather stuggle a little than deal with that but I'm trying here, I'm counting and portioning and I'm hungry! I wait, I drink, I drink....I'm HUNGRY! Not head hunger....stomach hunger. I'm supposed to do 1,100 calories per day. I'm over every day due to hunger issues. I can eat anything with no problem and I don't get that "full" feeling any sooner than I did before the band. I have to force myself to stop over fear of stretching the band. I don't eat to the point of "Thanksgiving dinner" fullness, but I've probably eaten too much because I don't have the full sensation. That is when I REALLY started portioning and watching......at first I was hoping the band was going to work as a tool and help me but it hasn't.....but now that I'm watching and portioning...I'm starving. I know this is just a vent and I'll get there. I have another appointment on 6/27 so I'm hoping that she will give me more fluid so my tool can help me help myself.

I was banded 4/18 and have had 1 fill of 4cc's on 6/2. Here's my question. I've lost some weight (20 pounds) since my pre-surgery liquid diet. Okay, not bad BUT, I wonder if I've stretched my pouch or I just haven't hit my restriction point yet. I put a previous post about "So this is Bandster Hell" but then I started thinking about the stretching thing. I've heard that it takes a lot of constant, constant over eating to stretch your pouch, which I have not done. I would say that I'm eating "less" than I used to but more than I think I should be able to do at this point. As I said in my previous post, I'm hungry. Not head hunger, not boredom hunger.....stomach, shaking hunger. So with that said, I know I'm eating more than the 1,100 calories they are suggesting. I eat Protein first and have to admit that the not drinking with or right after my meal is something I need to concentrate more on. It is a hard thing to break but I'm getting better. Anyhow, IF I stretched my pouch, how would I know? Would I have symptoms? OR, do you think I just need more fill to get better restriction. Honestly, I don't feel any different than I did before surgery. If I wanted to eat an entire cheeseburger (and not the kids version at McDonalds) and french fries I could do it with no problem and not feel "over stuffed" - just feel full/satisifed. I have no stuck issues, no reflux, etc. I just wish I could feel full faster. My will power is about to go south. As I said in my previous post, I understand this is a "tool" that I have to work with but I'm hoping it was going to help me a little too......If I could have done it without the help of my "tool" I wouldn't have gone through surgery and right now I feel like everything I'm doing is a solo project. Thoughts?

I think I had my first "if you take one more bit you are going to lose it" moment last night. I portioned out my turkey meatballs (4, and not huge ones) and some veggies. I ate, waited and waited. I was still hungry so I warmed up two more....got 1/2 way through the first one and was like WHOA, what is that feeling. Nope, not another bite because I was literally going to lose it. I didn't feel uncomfortable or "full" but my stomach was telling me ENOUGH. I liked that!

THANK YOU EVERYONE.....you guys are the best. A BUNCH of great suggestions and I've written them all down. I have tried getting rid of "white" food...pasta is my biggie. I've replaced it with a whole wheat pasta and even tried spaghetti squash which I like but I"ve learned that I need to now make two different meals...one for me and one for my husband (my kid ususally shares whatever I make for myself). My H whines about the whole grain bread (which I don't eat) and the wheat pasta etc. I've learned to just put some sauce on the noodles in the pot so they are colored and he can't tell the difference now. ANyhow, pasta is my big thing and i adore potatoes so I'll try the purple ones and sweet potatoes are awesome. You guys really are the best...thanks for the boost. Feeling better about things today.

I want to do Zumba, dancing "games" and fun exercises that are more dancing than a standard aerobic workout. I have NO IDEA what to get or what would be best. From what I gather the Kinect is motion activated and you don't need the controller in your hand like the Wii....other than that....I'm lost. The last video "Game" I owned or played was the original Nintendo and the orginal Donkey Kong and Smurfs game....that was a step above the Atari and pacman at the time...Yes, that is a long, long time ago. Thanks Staci

I understand your pain....I could have written a lot of what you did. I think I'm in what they call Bandster Hell.....I am so frustrated partly on my own doing because I "can." I got my first fill on 6/2, 4cc's. NOTHING. No change. I understand the no-willpower situation and it stinks. I know this is a "tool" but I'm hungry darn-it. Counting 1100 calories is nothing when you are starving. I'm frustrated with my "tool" - I try to follow the rules because I do want to be successful. I'm walking, not going to the gym because I'm not comfortable in the Ballys commercial but I figure once I get some weight off and by winter hopfully I'll be more comfortable among the beautiful bodies. I try to watch what I eat, portions etc.....I'm hungry! I drink Water....I wait....I'm hungry! Protein...seriously, eating my chicken first isn't helping me not be hungry. I want this to be successful but I know I'm eating more than 1,100 calories because I'm hungry, my "Tool" isn't helping me build this house. I know how you feel BUT on the postive side 40 pounds is awesome! That is pretty much average weight loss 1-2 pounds per week (I"m not even there yet). WE ( you and I ) have to get our butts in gear literally and work with our tool. Someone posted on here that if you can eat a cheeseburger and fries you need a fill. Honey, I can do that with absolutely NO PROBLEM....they put in 4cc and I feel absolutely no different than before my surgery. I starve myself between Breakfast and lunch and am shaking by the time 1:00 rolls around for lunch hour at work. I don't want to end up being sick from the amount of Fluid but I'd like something from my band friend. I know I have to work with it, but it has to work with me too! Fingers crossed for you and I hope the postive responses here have helped you.... they have helped me so I'm glad you vented.

I wouldn't plan on much for the first 7 days. I felt good and came back to work on day 5 but have a desk job. There is no way I could have done "rancher" responsiblities. there is NO heavy lifting for at least 4 weeks. You are healing internally so while you incision may look nice and healed, your insides are not so you don't want to mess them up. There were days 3 weeks out that I'd pick up my son who is 35 pounds and I could feel it......not a good feeling.

You are doing great......I went for my first fill yesterday and when I stepped on the scale was sooo upset with the number. I only lost 3 pounds!!! I wanted to break out in tears. I'm not nearly as disciplined as you are but I thought I would have done better because my clothes are so loose.....I haven't stepped on a scale since my post-op appointment a week after surgery. 3 pounds....but I've had to buy a size smaller in pants????? My NP gave me advice on things I've been doing wrong and I know I've been doing them wrong because I feel NOTHING. I feel no different, I can eat anything and make wiser choices and I eat significantly less but I get so hungry after an hour or two. I would have LOVED to see 12 pounds lost on that scale and losing 2 pounds a week is fantastic. You are doing awesome, don't get discouraged. We didn't gain it overnight so we aren't going to lose it overnight....and we choose the band which is slower.

I don't care for too many of the powder mixes, but that is just me. I do have a suggestion that I did....I went to www.vitalady.com and bought a bunch of samples of different ones that sounded good to me. The samples are $1.99 each and it was totally worth it to me to spend the $$ on samples or I would have wasted a lot more money. I found a few that I liked and found out that I definately don't like ones that have cinnamon in them. I prefer the ready-to-drink shakes but they can get kind of expensive if you are drinking 2 or 3 a day. My favorite is the Oh Yeah brand but they are pricey....my second favorite is GNC Lean shake. I actually bought them when they were buy one get one free so I got 8 shakes for about $8.00. (I think the are usually $8 for a 4 pack?) I think the Milk Muscle is okay, but dislike the "light" version but that one is better for you because it is less calories. In the beginning I chose to drink the higher calorie one shakes because I could at least tolerate it where I wouldn't even drink the lower calorie one so I wasn't getting the Protein I needed. The GNC Lean Shake is 14 ounces, 170 calories and I think 25 grams of protein. The Oh Yeah brand is 14 ounces and I think it is 32 grams of protein and around 230 calories but don't quote me. The chocolate in the Oh Yeah is to sweet for me so I mixed it with 1/2 vanilla and 1/2 chocolate. The cookies-n-cream Oh Yeah is my favorite. The one thing is that they are 14 ounces and I was only supposed to drink 8 ounces for a "meal" so I split them in two. Hope this helps, but I'd highly suggest getting samples. Oh, I also use the GNC 100% whey unflavored protein for mixing in my oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, Soups etc. Every little bit helps.

I had surgery on 4/18. I got weighed at my post-op appointment on 4/27 and haven't stepped on the scale since. Yes, I'm dying to know but I can tell a difference in my clothes and people are noticing so that keeps me motiviated. I get my first fill tomorrow and they will weigh me then....I know I'm going to be disappointed in the "number" but I don't have any restriction and nothing in my band at all so anything I have lost has been willpower and if I had much of that I wouldn't have needed the band to help me. But, even if I only lost 6 pounds, that is a pound a week and that is good for me. The scale would just be a disappointment to me so I go by my body changing and the clothes.

I'm picky and I like the ones called Oh Yeah (the cookies and cream or mix a chocolate and vanilla...chocoate is too sweet for me..amazingly). I also like the GNC Go Lean brand...cheaper and don't taste too bad. I also found something called the Ultimate Chocolate Milk diet and the chocolate mix they sent me in my trial pack is really good....my son even likes it.

AWESOME! Thanks for the bit of inspiration. It's a journey, not a race. I have to keep that in mind. I know there will be times where I'm frustrated & want to quit but reading this made me realize it can be done! :party:

I was banded on 4/18......and from what I've learned on here....do the low carb, high protein and don't stand on the scale. I'd get frustrated if I were a scale junkie at this point. Everyone tells me it is about healing and not losing at this point until we get our "fill." My clothes fit differently and people have asked me if I've lost weight....so I know something is happening. I'm sticking with that. I watch what I eat and how much I eat. I treat myself on occassion and I refuse to step on a scale.....that is what I have to do and that is just my two cents. Good luck and 15 pounds is great in 4 weeks! I'm going to be happy with 1 or 2 pounds per week so you are doing more awesome than my expectations....

I was banded 4/18 and totally understand where you are coming from. I tested the waters and I'm a horrific follower of the rules.....I did well for the most part with the post op diet but tested what I could and couldn't eat. I could eat anything....the only issues i had is if I didn't chew a little more than normal or ate a little too fast, I'd get that "stuck" feeling that would pass if I sat up straighter. I have no restriction and have an 11cc Realize band. But for some reason, for me, after I tested the waters and realized I can pretty much do whatever I want....something clicked in my head. The desire to eat has changed for me. I don't know what happened. YES, there are times when the food tastes so good that I have to shut myself off. I went to a communion party yesterday and they had the best catered food.....I limited myself to a small plate and two little bites of cake. I mentally wanted more because it was so good, but I sat, talked to myself and realized .... "HEY, I'm full" I didn't go back. Later than night, I was "hungry"....only to realize after I made myself a bowl of potato salad and baked Beans from the picnic the day before, I took two bites and didn't want it. It was head hunger and I'm progressing in that department. I pitched it right in the garbage. I was totally like you, but I've done a lot of talks with myself the past few weeks and just because I can doesn't mean that I should. I have to control it but I ask myself....Why did I get this band in the first place?? I did it for a reason and if I want to remain fat, I can just continue to eat the way I used to or I can do this for myself. I KNOW this doesn't help you with your hunger issues, believe me....but it helps me somehow. Just thinking of my goals, helps me not put that extra food on my plate and even helps me throw out food because I'm really not hungry anymore. Eat what you want, in moderation, talk to yourself, listen to your body, make good choices before you put in your mouth and ask yourself if that particular food (or extra helping of food) will help you accomplish your goal? That is the only advice I can offer at this point, because until we get some restriction to help us a little and our band becomes our friend....it is up to us...an inevitably even with the band, it is still up to us to make the right choice. The band isn't going to make us reach our goal, just help us in the journey. Good Luck.

I have been with my husband for 17 years (married for 4) and have never burped in front of him that he has noticed (yes, I can do it quitely so he doesn't know). But now...oh my goodness, these things develop inside of me and I don't know where they come from. Is this normal for us bandsters? I try to control them and they just rumble for 2 minutes...it's funny. My husband actually laughed at me the other day because I was trying to control it and keep it quite and he still heard me....he said he didn't know I could make sounds like that. I also get hiccups all the time....I do not drink from a straw. Maybe because I have no restriction and I'm able to still drink (not sip) is my problem?