B-52

Christmas party last night....4 Gin and Tonics! It's been a while since I was buzzed like that.....but we all had a great time. It's 5am, and I need to get to the gym and sweat!! Sweat, Sweat! when they open at 6 on weekends.... BTW, with all that wonderful food, I barely ate anything....I think I was the only one who did not get in the buffet line.....tasted a few things is more accurate, and did "graze" on some canapes the servers were walking around with early on...I quess that's all I needed.......the band performed marvelously as it does everyday.... no matter where I'm at!

Apples gave me problems early on....so they became one of the foods I now avoid....I may have one or 2 slices, peeled of course... as is the case with many raw fruits and vegetables...too crunchy and hard and the feedback my band gives me is not always positive....and I'm always mindful of being nice to my band....

Just about everybody has experienced similar pains post-op as you describe.... The gas trapped inside the body cavity will travel up under the rib cage an eventually to the left shoulder...no one knows why the left... At one point, for me, it was so painful under my ribs, I could not take a deep breath..... On surgical floors in Hospitals, there are standing orders to get post-op patients up and walking asap, and as much as possible because this is believed to be the best treatment....some people say heating pads helped.... Reglan on the other hand, is used to treat Acid Reflux....Is your Dr. suggesting the 2 are the same??? Does your pain radiate out the backside of your ribcage? Where are you with you post-op eating? Are you a stressful person? A worrier? Reflux seems to be a common occurrence with WLS people....I'm sure someone here has been prescribed Reglan....and hopefully share what, if any side effects they experienced.... I learned to give up spicy foods, and not eat anything after a certain hour at the end of the day....

Honestly...I am rarely interested in eating, let alone snacking.... I'm not going to say I feel "Full", like some people experience....because that is not what it is with me, don't get that feeling.... I simply do not feel hungry...therefore food does not interest me...my taste buds have definitely changed also... If I snack, it is because I am curious what it tastes like...especially if everyone else is raving about it....

Putting my socks on....could not do it with both hands...had to do it with one hand, sort of from the side...now I can stand on one foot on put them on in 2 seconds....

Yes it can-will....coincidental Meat and Bread products were the first foods I gave up altogether....but I learned the hard way......

Nice post....too often there are people here frustrated, feeling like failures, when they are only within the early adjustments phases of this process.....sometimes only a WEEK! They need to know that given time, all things will level out and then the true weight loss journey, and new life begins.....

First, I'm not sure how you can "Mess Up" your band...... Whenever I read posts such as these, I always ask myself "Is it the person who is at fault? OR is the Band not functioning as it should be" I feel a lot of people on this forum are too hard on themselves when they should be asking themselves why is the band not helping me??? There is a reason we all had this surgery after all...... Not to step on anyone's toes...but it always makes me scratch my head when I read posts where people did great for a long time, then "Fell Off the Wagon" and "Need to get back On Track" And when I read the Title "Failure" well, it get's my blood going...I don't like it....something is out of balance although it is not my place to tell anyone what I think...only what I know from my experience... So I ask myself..... What happened? Did the band spring a leak? was there some medical issue and they needed their band emptied? (which is usually the case)...or was the band not properly adjusted in the first place, and their weight loss was more dependent upon themselves as opposed to the band.....and they finally lost their motivation as was the case for me with all those traditional diets I tried and eventually failed at.... But this is different...this is SURGERY.... Early on, I was up and down, forward and backward and even upside down with this weight loss stuff....UNTIL my Dr. finally got the band, (and me) adjusted to where a balance was struck.....(took me a good 4-5 months)...after that, everything changed...now I am a firm believer in this..... Again, not meaning to step on anyone's toes, it's just where my head is with all this....

I had to buy a new full length wool overcoat yesterday....went to Jos. A. Bank, in instinctively pulled my size off the rack and tried it on.... I looked like a 8 year old playing dress up with their parents clothes....it was strange....I could not understand why the difference..... The salesmen measured me, then went looking for my size...said he didn't think they had anything left "THAT SMALL !!!" Finally found one...the last one in the store...... (I have to brag....Man it looks GOOD! can't wait to wear it tonight) It's really great to walk into any store, and purchase any clothing items with no problems....the cheapest T-shirt at Wall Mart looks and feels good! Also, now that I think of it....I Play softball (yes I'm 62 and play with guys lot younger than me) and they were recently ordering jerseys for next spring....I told her (one of the Wives) to order me a LARGE....she looked at me and said "You're kidding, right? You're a Medium at best" I quickly recovered and said it was in case they shrink...she assured me they won't and she put me down for a medium....

Alcohol does not bother me one way or the other, and my habits have not changed all that much....(I'm not a calorie counter) I do have to take my Bloody Mary's less spicy, as is the new habit now with all things because of reflux.... I also drink carbonated drinks now and then,,,and I will have a Beer, or 2, or 3, at times but NEVER within hours of eating any food.... My Dr. has a strict "No Carbonation Rule" also...then one day I told him I was going to a Yankee game and said "Don't drink too much beer!" and "Remember the warning signs when you do" That stopped me in my tracks, asked him to explain...he thought we already had "That talk"...so after some questions, etc, he gave me his permission...ONLY because I was banded for over 2 years, and ONLY because I was done with my weight loss and and understood many things I would not understand earlier on when I was still learning more important lessons on how to live successfully with the band........ So I DO NOT advocate drinking Carbonated drinks to anyone....I DO advocate you follow your Dr.'s treatment plan to t "T". Like my Mother used to say...just because one person jumps off the bridge does not make it right or wrong.....and no one here should ever do things because other people say they do...or worse yet, tell others it is OK or Not OK.... Got a BIG Christmas party tonight...dos not start till 8:30pm at a Swank Country Club.....and I don't eat after 7 as a general rule that works for me........I doubt I will be eating anything, soooo........

Any idea what caused the erosion??? Something I am always mindful of, and do routine maintenance time to time, hopefully it will help in prevention.

Congratulations....now the FUN Starts!!! But don't worry, this DOES WORK!

No No No No No...you poor thing....right now, you just had the surgery and are getting back in shape - healing, to feel the way you did before you ha the surgery more or less.... In 6 weeks, you get your first fill...it can the first of many, or perhaps the only one you need...some don't need a fill at all....everyone is different.... But it can take months...yes months! Before you get the band properly adjusted,,,it does take time. There will be many, many lessons to learn along the way... Just be patient, follow your Dr.'s treatment plan...it will all fall into place eventually....I can say first hand this DOES WORK....but not overnight. I was very frustrated...no make that ANGRY as can be in the beginning. Then 4-5 months and a few adjustements later, it all started to work like a smooth machine....then it took me a few more months to figure out what was happening...but that's another story. Hang in there!! BTW...I GAINED WEIGHT after my first fill, 5 weeks after surgery....4 cc's at that!

Because of restriction I cannot sit down and eat what I want.....I have tried, throwing caution to the wind and it is simply impossible....today I could not get through one single crab cake for dinner.....on top of that I have not been hungry all day, was not interested in eating so I skipped lunch also....... So right now I am slowly sipping a "Protein Plus" coffee flavored drink...it was just one of those days...and it was not me, it was all band...tomorrow will be different I'm sure. I was at the gym at 5;30 am today, ran my 5 miles and lifted weights, and I will be there again to do the same tomorrow morning....lack of energy has never been a problem with me..... I know if I should get some fluid taken out of my band = less restriction, then I know I would be able to eat considerably more...and it would take some discipline on my part to control it...more of a struggle...perhaps frustrating. But I have no self control....I rather let the band do the controlling...that's why I had surgery...to do what I was unable to do on my own.... I know a lot of people say they are only satisfied 3-4 hours between meals....I personally think that has to do with how the band is adjusted..... It was that way for me after my 2nd fill, satisfied between meals only.....but after my 3rd and final fill, I'm simply not interested in food...which is another way of saying I have no hunger....I can go all day without eating or even thinking about food....if I wanted to. And I have when I am pre occupied with doing something else. Completely forget... So what may true for one person, does not mean it is true for everybody....that much I have learned just from reading all the different posts here over the years.....so I have learned never to tell other people what they should or should not do...only share my story.... And sorry, but in my case, the band does do 90% and I only have to do 10%...but that's me...not everybody.

So you had 2 fills in 5 weeks from surgery? Do you know how much total that is? Serving size that of a golf ball...would that be your entire meal? Or the size of say, the Protein portion.... I know my Dr. always made a fist and said whatever I eat, it should be smaller than that....and it generally is. Today was one of those days I could not eat much more than a golf ball size. for dinner..... Anyway...it sounds like your Dr. is aggressive....mine is too and I always liked that....no fooling around. Once the surgery was completed, made no qualms what the next step was....and goal was to get there.....

Thanks for clearing that up....if it were me, I would suspect I could not tolerate the slightest amount of restriction,

I have been in the Green for 2 years now, at least, never wavering, no complications.......my last fill was 2 -1/2 years ago.... Have no idea what you are experiencing....but for my last fill it was difficult to keep or get anything down for at least 2 weeks...I called my Dr. and he suggested patience, the band is setting the rules, and I should try to Learn and understand what is happening and adjust myself, my eating, my foods, everything....to what the band is dictating.....in other words, I had to learn to "Listen to the Band", and obey! Not all Dr.'s will say that I know...some will give an immediate un-fil, putting you back to where you were... I'm glad I did....things DID settle down, I DID change just about everything...the foods I eat, the amount I can eat, how thorough I really needed to chew, and above all, don't try to force it...don't try to overeat...which to this day I cannot do....also, within all this adjusting on my part, I learned I was not really hungry in the first place...that while the band was limiting my food intake, I was becoming aware I did not want/need to eat in the first place....I don't miss eating less....I could walk in a room full of food and not even notice.... Finally everything began to fall into place.....NO Hunger, LIMITED portion sizes, UNABLE to eat certain (mostly unhealthy) foods......Green Zone. I hear time after time people refer to the band as a "Tool"....I get it, and understand (I think) what they are trying to say....but for me and my mental process, the band is not a Tool...it is the "Boss" telling ME what I can and cannot do, telling me I am not hungry.....telling me to stop when it's time to stop......telling me what foods are hazardous... To me, if it was truly a tool, then I would be in charge, I could set the rules, choose to use it or not, choose to turn it on or off...but I can't...it is there 24hrs, doing it's thing regardless if I'm at a party, on vacation, Thanksgiving or just sitting in front the TV...it's always there, it's always a constant.... If it were a tool. then the choices are up to me and change under various circumstances..... Everyone has their comfort level....everyone has their "Happy" place where they find success with this WLS...and that is all that matters......everyone approaches this a little different....some people do not ever want a fill at all....if they're happy, we all should be happy. I know I could not be happier....

You're newly banded....in other words, other than having the surgery, you are no different now than you were before the surgery...left to your own will power, determination, motivation, etc, etc. And if any of us could loose weight with that, we never would have needed surgery...you're still at a place were you can fail just as before....yes...BANDSTER HELL..... You are now in the next phase where YOU and your Band gets adjusted, and eventually find that place where everything comes together optimally.....it can take some time...after my first fill I GAINED weight....absolutely no control...took me at least 4 months and 3 fills...then another 2-3 months of learning how to deal with it..... Everyone is slightly different....and goes through a slightly different adjustment phase with slightly different results based upon your comfort level...where You and your Dr. feel it works best for you.... That's why this is adjustable after all....you'll get there, for now you just have to "White Knuckle" it, and follow traditional diet plans as though you wee never banded...but it will change... BTW...I'm not a chocolate lover, but I do have my favorites...So WHAT??? You have to look at the big picture...a lifestyle....NOT a day by day, hour by hour slow torture.....actually, living with the band is very liberating....

Sorry to hear...are you going to get the sleeve? As per your story...was it a year before your first fill? Was it your one and only Fill?...... How much? And did it remain filled for the 2.5 years you've had problems.... Issues such as yours are something we all should be concerned about...at least I know I am....so knowing as much background info helps a lot... If you could not sip Water, I'm surprised the Dr. let you leave the office that way....or did He/She take some, if not all of the Fluid out....and did you go back at another time and have some fluid put back in....a second fill.... Let us know what the final outcome is.....

I gained weight between my first and 2nd fill....it takes time to get everything "Tuned"

Sometimes I read so many negative posts, or posts about people struggling, I just have to scream it out!!!! Christmas / Holiday parties starting up already!!! This Friday my Wife's co. has a big one at a swank Country Club....all that great food, open bar, live music and dancing..... This will be the first of many in the next few weeks and I can't wait...bring it, I'm all in.......every Hospital and clinic I go to is having some kind of party.... Why am I excited? Because of the band....I can enjoy myself and have no fear of being around food, no temptation, no guilt, no possibility of overeating because the band will not allow it...and bottom line, I have no interest! I don't need to get motivated, psych myself up.....the band is the band is the band and that's is what is important most of all....THE BAND!.....does not matter if I'm at a party, on vacation, or sitting in front of the TV..... Once upon a time I would eat everything I could get my hands on...but now, because of the band....it allows me to eat just so much, and then that's it...I can secretly enjoy myself watching other people pile it on their plates.... And the best part is, it does not bother me, nor do I miss being a glutton....because of the band hunger and cravings are under control....No Mas..a thing of the past..... Getting this surgery was the absolute best thing I could have ever done...why didn't someone tell me about how great this can be earlier.....but at least I can enjoy life to it's max right now!!! And thanks to the band, that's what I am doing everyday!!!! It has truly Changed and Saved my life.....It just doesn't get any better than this.... Sorry to vent, but this is so great I just have to shout it sometimes to clear all the cob webs out and put myself back in my reality.... I clicked "New Content", scrolled down the list of topics and...."WHERE"S ALL THE HAPPY GLORIOUS SUCCESSFUL BANDED PEOPLE?" I hope they did not move on......

I too failed at every diet because I always rationalized my way around it....I'll pig out today, then fast for the next 3 days, etc, etc... But this is SURGERY....I have yet to find a way to cheat....other's say they can with sliders and such, or eat around the band, but believe me, if I could have found a way, I would.. and I have tried....and surrendered to the fact that this is something different than another diet....

Don't just knock...stop being so polite and "Break the door down"

Why do people make this out to be more difficult than it actually is???? My Dr. had a 10 week course (actually a little longer).....starting from the day of surgery....it was regular office visits 4 weeks apart for weigh ins, some Q&A, perhaps a fill..... He made it perfectly clear, having that Yellow-Green-Red Chart on the wall, that that was exactly where he wanted me to be....through a series of visits and fills...... First phase - pre surgery, then then actual day of surgery 2nd Phase....series of office visits and adjustments to get the band properly working as it is designed to do.... 3rd Phase.....go live your new life to it's fullest...

Thank You..... When I first came to this forum, there were many people here who were successful, and I followed many of them and read all their posts....they were my inspiration....I recall one person in particular. Have not seen him here in almost 2 years.........for some reason they are no longer here, save but maybe one or two.... I'd hate to think they all eventually failed, or died or something.....I'd like to think they are out there enjoying their new life. I do believe many people with positive successful stories are scorned by those who don't share their views..."It can't Possibly be that easy"..if you don't agree with them, then you must be wrong....HERETIC!....Stone Him! All one can ever do is point to the door....what people choose to do is totally up to them. Like I said....I log on each morning, click "New Content" and scroll down the pages....how depressing and it can get to you day after day.... To all the new people...There's more to it than what you're reading!!!!!!