Lizzy Fu

I'm actually very happy with my weight loss so far (50lbs), it has been slow, but it was relatively steady. I've been at a plateau for about 6 weeks now. So I got a fill 3 weeks ago, and nothing. My calorie intake is 1100 on average, give or take 100 calories, but I had done no exercising. So last week in an attempt to plow through this plateau, I started a 1 hour bootcamp workout each day , and I've followed the advice of everyone and upped my calorie intake to 1500 (plan to do that for 10 days before going back to normal). Anyway, of course this is how it works for me, I've gained 3 lbs this week. I've worked too darn hard for that scale to tell me anything but some GLORIOUS weight loss. I've been more active than ever, and I am SORE from head to toe, but in that really great post workout way! But that darn scale! I used to hate exercise, but this week, I've enjoyed it, and look forward to it, but mainly because I'm so flippin' motivated! I'm determined to break this plateau! I have places to go and people to see and I'm tired to being FAT! I AM thin. I may be walking around in this fat suit, but I'm going to work my booty off until it no longer looks like someone threw a bag of nickels at it! Yeah, I said it. Someone tell me their plateau victory story! Or give me advice, or someone explain to me why the scale is going up!?

I need some advice. There probably is no way around it but pure will power, but does anyone have any tips on eating healthy while sleep deprived? My daughter (2 years old) has been sick the last couple of days, and as usual, she barely sleeps and is relatively cranky. Which means I get 3 hours of sleep (and not in a row) on average. I know it usually doesn't last more than a week, but I know I've got a couple more days of this. And I compensate sometimes by eating too much or too often and eating what's convenient and easy. So instead of slapping together a sandwich or doing something as simple as warming up some soup, I just reach in the cabinet and eat some of my daughter's graham crackers because it requires nothing from me. I get so tired during these times that I feel like I'm sleeping while I'm standing. I feel super guilty for eating such junk, and disappointed in myself for it too, but maybe some of you have some tips that I can start doing. What do you do when you're too tired to care what you eat or to count your calories?

Name, real or screen~ Liz Age~ 27 Weight on May1st~ 222 Goal Weight for May 29th~215 Exercise Goal for May~ Work myself up to 35 mins / day Dietary Goal for May~ No more late night snacking Personal Goal for May~ To call all my sisters each week Date Banded~ 2/18/2011 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~35lbs

I know this is quite late, but I had Dr. Davtyan. He was awesome, and his staff was super friendly. They held my hand through the whole thing, and Dr. Davtyan had the surgery himself, so he's very compassionate. I have some doubts about his PA's knowledge of nutrition, but that's my only complaint.

Awww, most of us were feeling precisely like you when we were 4 days out. And when your period hits, it's like there is no end to the hunger at all! I know it's hard, and each day feels like forever, but in a couple of weeks, when you're eating fuller foods and not feeling hungry, you're going to be super happy with the results! And don't beat yourself up for being hungry, it's totally normal. And most of us cheated on the post-op diet a little. The key is to keep doing it, even if you feel like you've messed up. It's sooo important to stick with the post-op diet, because you're body is healing. Introducing thicker foods that could end up getting stuck, and then you'll end up throwing up when your band is still healing into place, and that's not good. But you can do it! Vent all you need to, we're here to listen and try to give encouraging feedback.

Not getting enough fluid is definitely going to cause some issues when trying to go, but my question is for your hubby. Does he have cramping with the diarrhea or is it just the diarrhea? Is he eating sugar-free foods with sorbitol? My hubby used to do that, until he realized that some of those sugar-free chocolates and other things are like laxatives. If there is cramping with it, he needs to see his PCP, probably not band related, but should be checked out. Has he tried Immodium? Or does he eat a lot of processed meat? Because that can cause some interesting bowel issues as well for some people.

Like elcee said, it only stays up there for about 4 minutes or so. But, I had that feeling for about a month post-op, where every time I took a bite it felt like is was getting stuck in my throat, or coming back up into my throat. It passed for me though once all the swelling had gone down. You're incisions may be healing well on the outside, but the inside can take a while to heal all together. You'll notice the way you feel after and during the times you eat will change over the next few weeks. It's a brand new era of learning how your body works all over!

Most of us have been exactly where you are now. For me, everything pretty much sucked for at least a week. I could NOT drink enough protein shake for the life of me, and then I knew I was also getting dehydrated, and day 3-5 were the worst for me. Then the hunger kicks in... OH the hunger. Hahaha, I can laugh about it now because I made it through, as all of these other bandsters did. We make it through. By day 10 you'll physically be feeling better, and just dealing with outrageous hunger. By 3 weeks out, you'll be able to eat more and feel pretty good about everything. It's funny, because I'm only 2 months out, and I remember making my first post-op post on here feeling like I regretted having the surgery. But it passes, and you lose weight, and you feel better. Hang in there! We're here for you!

I was banded 2/18 and I get the exact same thing, but I can usually only feel it when I stand up. I thought I was the only one, but apparently we all feel it. And it really does feel exactly like a runner's cramp.

I'm with you on that one. I think I'd lose my mind and/or fail miserably without all the support I get from everyone on here. Happy Easter to everyone!

I was menstruating when I had my surgery (I've been unlucky enough to be menstruating for every single surgery I've ever had). It doesn't affect the surgery at all, but post-care is a little interesting, since you'll want to sleep after the surgery and won't want to get up every few hours to change your pad, and bending over for the first couple of days can be quite uncomfortable (especially if you're inserting or removing a tampon). If it's going to be on a heavy day, just know you'll get through it, but it might get messy, and you might get a little frustrated. It also sucks because you may not be able to shower for up to 10 days (sponge bath only) depending on your your surgeons orders. I wouldn't worry about it too much, but make sure you have all your needed supplies before you go into the surgery, so you don't have to run to the store an hour after surgery is done! If you are doing it in an out-patient facility like I did, then bring your supplies with you so when you get out of surgery you can take care of it. In the grand scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal, but the days your actually dealing with being in pain and being so tired, then being 'on the rag' just adds insult to injury, if you know what I mean. Perhaps you can switch up your birth control pills (or get some if you don't have any) to manipulate your cycle. I can't do birth control pills, otherwise I would have considered it.

At 3 weeks out you should be concerned about healing properly. I'm surprised your surgeon would fill your band more than half full at the time of surgery and then give a fill so soon. Most surgeons won't give a fill until the patient has had 3 weeks or more of no weight loss after the initial 6 week healing period. But because you're so early in your recovery, your hunger and feelings of fullness are distorted somewhat and can change day to day and week to week. Once you get beyond the first month at least, then you can start feeling out what your body can really handle and what it doesn't like. In the meantime, know that you have to do what's best for you and how your body works. Breakfast is important! You shouldn't skip it. Starting out the day with a good healthy portion of Protein will keep you satisfied and less hungry throughout the day. And Snacks are fine, as long as they are healthy and you're eating them to curb the hunger, not because it's just something to do. The band won't give you 'restriction' in the sense that most people think. It won't keep you from eating a ton of food. But if you listen to your body and re-learn what signals your body has for being full and being hungry, it can help keep the hunger away longer than it used to. If you're looking to feel 'full' in the way you used to feel full, it may never happen again if you're going to be successful, but you can get to a point where you won't be hungry all the time. I wish you luck! Don't worry too much, at 3 weeks out most of us were somewhat out of our mind hungry and confused. Stick with it, things will begin to make more sense as you start to listen to your body as time goes on.

I was banded two months ago and had the same thing, the rash, the hernia repair, and the burping after each swallow. Don't worry, in 5 more days max you'll start feeling a ton better. The hernia repair is what causes the extra pain and uneasiness. I felt like I couldn't catch my breath for a full week after because it hurt to breath in too deeply. But each day gets better, you'll get more energy when you get off the pain meds. Like I said, give it another 5 days, and you'll feel better I'm sure. You'll be sore and move slightly slower for a month post-op. Truth be told, about a month ago I started getting super energy and I haven't felt this good in probably close to 3 or 4 years! I hope your recovery gets smoother as you go... I'm sure it will. Hang in there and congrats on your surgery!