Sarabi

I had trouble with diahrrea also. I just had to wait it out. It lasted about 3 days. I wish I had an answer for you. Hang in there! For me it was all liquid in equals all liquid out!

Yay! Shirley.......wishing you complete success! I'm so glad you're getting to start over!

Man......am I glad to read these posts. I swear I thought I was the only one who was so noisy. I have never heard the sounds my stomach and throat make. It's sometimes embarrassing. And....it's not like you can pretend it isn't happening. Everyone can hear it. Needless to say, I got lots of strange looks. I just try to think of it as the sound of skinny! lol

Personally, I'm glad I had gradual fills. Each of my fills has been done by flouroscope. I think having gradual fills has helped me mentally prepare myself for this new life. I could have done better with my eating during those months that I didn't have good restriction, and probably would have lost more weight, but I'm happy with the way things are going. It's been slower than most would like, but I feel like I am really on the right track now. You will do great!

I have good restriction and think I am in the "sweet spot". I do not throw up. When your full, you will begin to feel a sensation higher than your stomach, almost in the middle of your chest. It's hard to explain but it feels like pressure in my chest. When I start to feel that, I stop eating. If I try to continue eating I will get stuck or just feel really bad. I am loving the sweet spot. I waited several months to get to this point. I, too, was confused and frustrated because I heard others talking about it but didn't know what it was. There is not a set number of "fills" to get you to the sweet spot. I think it is different for everyone. I am 6 months post-op and have just in the past month felt like I am in the sweet spot. Hopefully this helps.

I can't say I enjoy food as much as I did before. But I don't mind at all. I eat whatever I want, keeping in mind that I don't do well with some foods. Now what I am enjoying more and more is feeling so much better. I sleep better because I can actually breath while I'm sleeping. I get around better. I'm enjoying exercise because I don't have as much fat flopping around. I also love the fact that I see changes in my body often. I love having to buy new clothes because my old clothes are too big. So, do I enjoy food as much? ........No. Do I enjoy life more?......YES!

I agree with B-52. Drinking right after eating makes me hurt. I really enjoy the Water so much more if I wait the 30 minutes after eating. I have found these "rules" to be very helpful.

Definitely do liquids for a couple of days. I tried to continue eating after a stuck episode and that was a really bad idea. Once I switched to liquids things started improving. You will find that some things that bother others won't bother you and vice versa. I have a lot of trouble with chicken salad for example. For some reason chicken salad gets stuck almost every time. This journey is such a learning process. I've only been stuck twice, badly, and it definitely changed the way I eat. LOL

Congratulations on your onderland success! You'll be meandering down into the 180's in no time!! You Go Girl!

WooHoo! It does feel great when you start feeling good about the differences you see! Congratulations and keep going strong!

Helen, I am by no means an expert, but I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. I was banded in March 2011 and just had my 4th fill. Until my 3rd fill I really felt very little to any restriction. It really is an individual learning process. I could still eat anything I wanted, basically, until that 3rd fill. I lost about 15 pounds on the pre-op and post-op diet and then basically didn't lose anything else until that 3rd fill. I was disappointed but began to realize that I am still very early in my journey and just need to keep going. My body had to adjust to all of the changes in my eating. I think I threw it into shock. LOL You are early on in the process and it really is a process. I, too, was expecting things to just be wonderful and for weight to just fall off and for me to never be hungry again. That didn't happen. But.....as I continue on this journey those things are beginning to happen. With that does come some pains and even some throwing up (which I despise) but it's worth it to me. As far as the pain in your side, I did have some of those pains as well, but never be afraid to talk to your doctor about those things. My doctor is awesome and always make me feel better when I have concerns. I don't know if any of that helps. I hope so. You will do wonderfully, just give it some time.

I am a really slow loser as well. I'm 6 months post-op and have lost 23 pounds. Until recently I felt really no restriction at all. Now, however, I am finally feeling the restriction that I think I should. I am beginning to lose at a faster pace now. Thanks for sharing your story. It's encouraging to hear.

Thank you.....I'll try that!

I just had my 4th fill last week. I definitely finally have a great deal more restriction than ever before. I tried to eat a hamburger, no bun, yesterday. I took small bites and chewed very well, but I still felt like it got stuck. It eventually went down but now I hurt all the time like something is still stuck. I have pain even just drinking. I'm not sure what is causing the pain. Any ideas?

I completely understand your frustration. I was banded March 9th. Since surgery I have only lost about 3 pounds. I had one really good week of weight loss (3.5 pounds) and then gained a pound back last week. I know I am healing but it is still frustrating. I guess I feel normal and don't realize how much my body must still be healing. I sure hope some weight starts coming off soon. I am starting to deal with hunger more and more every day. I get my first fill April 26 so hopefully that will help with the hunger issue.