B-52

Well lets be honest with ourselves. That is what everyone is aiming for. Why else would we endure surgery. For another diet?

I had my first fill 4 weeks after surgery. I had my second fill 4 weeks after that. Between the first and second fill I gained weight! Two reasons. First, the first fill did absolutely nothing! Nada! Second, 4 weeks was the mark to come off mushies and onto regular food. So without any restriction what else would one expect? After my 2nd fill I began to loose weight again, and had some restriction, but it came and went. Third fill was the charm! That was last may, and have not had a fill since. I am honestly in the Green Zone, experiencing everything I hoped it would be. No appetite, automatic portion control, steady weight loss, and patient satisfaction. My Dr. agrees, and I only see him every 3 months now. I don't count calories, I don't measure or weigh foods, and I eat whenever I want, which isn't all that often.

2 cc's put in at surgery. Anything added since then? How long ago was your surgery and how long ago was your last fill?

Every Dr. will set time restraints, but all will tell you no heavy lifting after surgery. Can you get a home health aid? Does you son go to school and you only need to lift him certain times of the day?

CLEVER!!!!!

I'm right there with ya. It has been one year, and most times, especially if I am occupied with other things, I never think of food. A few weeks ago, my wife and I went into the city to see a play. Had my shake for Breakfast. Then we were at the rain station at 10:30. Got into the city around 1pm. Play started at 2 pm. Finished at 5 pm. It was dark, cold, windy. So we walked back to the train station, got on the train and made it back to our home destination around 8pm. In all this time I have not eaten one single thing. Had a few drinks, but that's it. Unfortunately, my wife has not been banded and I was suddenly aware she was the one sufering. So we stopped for something to eat. I could have gone on home at that point. Now head hunger, and social gatherings, that is entirely a different subject!

Congratulations!!! Now the Fun REALLY STARTS!!!!

I'm curious. Why the Dominican Republic? Are you from there. I have been there. That's why I'm nosey. Where and what hospital?

Well there is nothing anyone can do or say here to contradict you treatment plan with your Dr. But I will say, what you are experiencing is very normal. Some people can stick it out better than others. Your in a phase when your body is healing from surgery. There's nothing to work on your hunger but you. It's a process along with a time of learning that took me 3-4 months. But I did get my first fill exactly 4 weeks after surgery, then every 4 weeks after that for a total of 3 fills. Have not had a fill since last May.

Ah yes, you've hit upon a truism. After a good workout, your body is demanding you replenish it because of all the energy / calories you have expended. So logically, what will you do? Replace the calories you have just burned?? If you were skinny I'd say yes. This is why there is a large market now for "Recovery" drinks / shakes. But I read the labels on some of these, and I choose to stay away from them. But the best thing you can do is feed your body Protein right after a workout. At the gym I go to I see many people with the "Shakers". They put in the powder before coming, then add Water from the fountain after, and shake it up. There is also much discussion as to whether you should feed your body before a workout. I have done it both ways, and I am finding NOT to fuel up before. Oh, also I am not a calorie counter. But that's me. And I am not a believer in the "Starvation" mode. At least not in the way it is thrown around here.

Was there ever a time that you felt everything was totally working correctly? Comfortably in the Green Zone? If so, then you need to get it back. When I feel things are starting to get a little out of hand, I go full liquids for a few days. This is on my assumption I have stretched out my pouch a bit, and giving it a rest will let it contract. It does work for me, usually extremely tight afterwards. Also, and many people fail to mention this, that IF you are constantly eating small portions, over time, your primary stomach will shrink also, just as it stretched when we overate constantly.

I understand, but think about it. What has changed? You had surgery, you spent 4 weeks recovering from surgery,and now you are healed and back to NORMAL. As you were before the surgery. Now, it's time to put that band to work by activating it with a fill! Everyone looses weight post op. how can one not having nothing but liquids and them moosh. Start eating normally, start gaining again.

Between 1 st and 2nd fills, I GAINED! Why? First fill at 4 weeks did nothing! Also, at 4 weeks I was able to start eating normal food. So DUH! That meant pure will power for the next 4 weeks and if I had will power I wouldn't need surgery!

Many people do and have good results. My Dr and I never discussed it, other than him saying I did not have to loose that much weight and the band will work just fine for me. But I do trust him and i would have listened to whatever he advised.

This is how it was for me. One week after surgery, post op appt. to check incisions, etc. 4 weeks after surgery, first fill. 8 weeks after surgery, 2 nd fill 12 weeks after surgery 3rd and final fill (so far) My last fill was last May. Once I got into the "Green Zone" my Dr. only wants to see me every 3 months now. I see him again in Feb.

Not entirely, but this happened to me. I was not given a time for my surgery. I was told that the hospital will call me no later than 24 hrs with a time to report. I had surgery on a Monday. Friday I did not get a call. Ok, a little anxious, will wait till Sunday. Come sunday still no call. I called the hospital, was connected to the outpatient surgery scheduling office and got a recording with their hors and days of operation, and that they were closed till Monday morning. THEN I started climbing the walls. There was no one to call for answers. Then finally, around 5 pm, I got the call. It was a funky recording but nwas relieved just the same. I checked in a 7 am.

I'm surprised you have that much restriction with no fills yet. But hey, that's great you are feeling it, sliming and all. That's a sign you're right in the thick of it! Now you have to continue to work it to your advantage.

I hear what you're saying, but IMO it is not to you!! At least not in these early stages. You really should listen and learn from your Dr. in these early stages Most people, think they know what is going on, but they really don't. Not untill you have been living comfortably in that Green Zone for a while, and that should be your goal.

One thing you did not mention...are you an active person, go the gym? Do a lot of outside activities? Or are you a couch potatoe. It always comes down to calories in versus calories burned! The band is there to restict our calories in.

I make my own. smoothies. Use 100% whey as the basic starting componet for the protien only, than add whatever my imagination can come up with. Water or skim milk, mixed betrries, strawberries, mixed fruit, whatever. I have one every morning for Breakfast, along with my other supplements Vitamins, etc. Have been doing this every morning for over a year. Not to mention my band is very tight in the morning and I can not tolerate any more solid than that. I also invested in a GOOD QUALITY Blender.

Is this the Dr.? or the Nutritionist. I can tell you all about some Nutritionists!!!!!

I lnow, it was rude and inconsiderate, especially when someone like the op is still recovering from surgery. But the point I tried to make is that, in the futre, you have to learn to live in a world that is very food orientated. Watching TV there are spots after spots about some super duper (disgusting IMO) triple decker with melted cheese, bacon and God knows what else. I have gotten to the point, through my own journey, that at times when I look at foods/recipes and people are oh haing about, I find it repulsive. And when I go out to a resturaunt and observe other people eating, I am reminded of John Lennon: "Have you seen the little piggies with their piggy wives, clutching forks and kniives, to eat the bacon"

She may be a little gruff in her attitude, but I have to agree with her. The world is still there and rotates everyday the same way it did before you were banded. I know it's hard for you now because you are just starting out. But as time goes on your're going to have to deal with it. Wen everyone goes out for dinner and drinks after work, when you go to functions like weddings, thanksgiving, birthdays, it's not going away and you cannot become a social recluse. You're gonna have to learn to deal with it, with grace and style.

I'm not exactly sure what the message is. The more you progress, the more motivated you get, and the more you want to do!

Welcome, and congratulations!! Just remember that his is just the first phase......healing and getting you healthy, strong, and back to normal, BEFORE you start your weight loss journey.