fitchick911

I haven't ever had tightness from after the first few weeks. Monthly fills for a year. Now trying to maintain.

Yes, but only after you are allowed to eat soft food. Make sure it is no sugar, or at the least low sugar.

Help! I was put on Synthroid for my thyroid which, after years of up and downs, has finally gone haywire (underperforming). I started on the meds about 8 weeks ago and since I have been craving, snacking, flat lined on weight loss. I am not looking for an excuse. I was doing SOOOO well managing the program. ANother concern is that I have skipped two menstrual cycles out of the last four months - this has NEVER HAPPENED! While I have never felt one bit of restriction from the band, I have done so well. Now, that lack of restriction is a detriment as I eat a bit more! Scared sh**less. Moody, feeling blah... Knowing these things, does either one explain my renewed cravings and slip? Is it a coincidence that the meds and skipped periods occurred at the same time I started to feel new cravings and so on. Any scientific information appreciated. If you need to just tell me to get over it, and offer a gentle kick in my butt, help yourself. I want to continue with the success I have had, and although back on the wagon, I am just not seeing the scale move like it was. Surgery weight 287 Feb 25, 2011 Lost to date 69 pounds. Up 2 pounds from my lowest of 71 pounds about 5 weeks ago. Started Syntroid for thyroid 6 weeks ago. Skipped June and August period (I am 2 weeks late). LOL! NO chance of pregnancy! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!

My band doc required a full psych exam. Having been on bi-polar meds in the past, I was asked to return for a full eval. While I was managing myself well, going back on my meds was the best thing ever. Happier, stronger relationships and more success in my career. "Smoothed things out" so to speak. It has definitely put me in a great position to handle any challenge, including the frustrating days with the new eating habits. While this worked for me, I can't see how the surgery or changes would have been anything but a help. THe nutrition changes alone have been tremendous in my sleep and well being. GOOD LUCK!

Funny you wrote that. Speaking for only me... Looking at both a "start date" photo and a head shot photo of me taken 45 days after surgery, I thought my hair had started to grow rapidly - Better eating, perhaps? After closer inspection, it wasn't my hair that was longer. My chin was shorter and my neck was longer!!! So, keep the hope alive!

Thanks for sharing. I too had a long slip (about 4 weeks). Traveling for business, a mini vacation spent hiking like crazy but crap for food, all got me spinning off my pristine eating. I too gained exactly 10 pounds. Finally the scale is down a little. I have to see the doctor next week but I haven't lost ANYTHING in 6 weeks! They are going to flip! I was losing like 2 pounds per week. Like you said, I need a kick in the ass. My nurse (called her out of desperation) recommended I reread all of my training materials and my program binder. I haven't yet. Congrats on getting so far toward your goal. And thanks for letting me know I am not alone. I think I need to be a little less hard on myself and realize to err is human. (Or to pig out for a moment is a OK for a stressed out business woman with a thyroid issue and menopause breathing down my neck!) QUESTION: It sounds like you were worried because it seemed like you could eat larger volumes of food. That scares me, too. I have had ZERO restriction since my surgery. I worry that I have messed up my stomach! (Still, I am down 70 pounds since Feb 25, 2011. No complaints!) Thanks for your time! Carrie

Formerly, Me, too! I have been worried about the complete lack of restriction. My only saving grace is the reduction in the Ghrelin hormone. I have always suspected my food cravings were chemical. Well, darned if that was 90% of my weight battle. Apparently, the band cut off the production or at least blocked it. I am so grateful for the "monkey off my back!". I had 4 ccs put in about a week ago. NO CHANGE! Only two incidents of "stuckness" in 3 months. But, not having the pangs to EAT EAT EAT is remarkable. Good luck, Formerly. As my co-worker lovingly tells me all the time as I leave for lunch: Make good choices. Some days I could just slap her! :-)

Sounds like 100% advertisement.

Oh, and because of the band, my doctor told me that the absorption is identical than before. Only Roux-en-y and sleeve people have to worry. They've lost a portion of the stomach. That absorption is three times a band patient. We still have the same stomach. But as I lose weight, near goal, I'll not have the weight to offset alcohol. "Light weight" drinker! :-)

This one is easy for me. My pre-surgery education was amazing. Very through. A whole binder of information and a 4 hour orientation. I had a band, and I was told One YEAR. Lose th weight. I have also seen on other bariatric sites and books tht say 6 months. I love my wine. Did I say I love my wine? And my work puts me in social situations. I've been ordering water with a lime over ice in a rocks glass. LOOKS like I am drinking, but not. And to have the little glass helps. A few days ago, I put my Ocean Spray Blueberry cranberry juice in a wine glass. My husband as shocked I was drinking wine. :-) No one would know. I guess it all depends on your goals and boundaries. Is it really worth it. I do miss my wine, see above. But I am waiting for at least 6 months. Hope that helps.

Cladia, My surgery ws the 25th and I was back to work the 7th. More energy than ever and feeling great. Suture aras a little tender, but was almost 100%. :-) But everyone is different. Take care of yourself. :-)

Banded: Had my two week post op visit yesterday. Doctor told me that some surgeons attach the port to a wire mesh square that he'll attach to the muscle wall. My doc attached mine directly on the muscle... with talon like things. Yick, but he said that the mesh ones are doing the flipping. His don't. My port area was sore and "pinching" mostly the first week when walking. MUCH better now. And, yes, I can feel mine, but I have to look for it.

Wow. I can't imagine not meeting the surgeon. My orientation was so thorough, I mentioned to the recovery nurse that no one brought my spirometer (breathing thing to strengthen breathing after anesthesia). I met my surgeon at the group orientation, my prep day (10 days earlier) and the morning of my surgery. I am SO happy that, while getting into the program was fairly time consuming, I feel 99% sure about my commitment, how to handle the diet post surgery, and my opportunities to use this tool for success. My program was labeled a "Center of Excellence" and they were the founders of the international bariatric conference. I am on liquids and yogurt for another week and a half, then soft and pureed foods for another week. So in week 5 I am eating normal foods again. Exercise: I am walking 15-20 minutes twice a day already (Day 4 for me). I get a check up in 2 weeks then my first fill if needed on the 6th week. I am able to start weight training after 4-5 weeks. So for now, walking, cycling, all good. Just told to gain time then intensity over the next few weeks. I am surprised, in spite of the fatigue from the anesthesia, that I am waling so much. I am only restricted by grand expectations, and not being there yet. So far, I am very happy with the decision to band versus bypass. Good luck. Oh, and this blog has been a great help with the things I wasn't expecting like surgical gas left in my abdominal cavity. Ouchie..

I have to agree with PhilC. I am so fortunate I went to a Center of Excellence for my band. We do have a restricted program for the first 4-5 weeks.e After that, I can start making decisions... However, my Doc said the same, "It is only a tool." He likened it to automatic steering. It will keep you moving down the weight loss road, but if you let go of the wheel, you'll find yourself in a ditch. Stalling or stretching my stomach is a concern to me as well... But I have read everything I could get my hands on and can say with confidence, the learning has been the biggest benefit prior to surgery. So far I have only been blindsided by the after surgery pressure and gas. GOOD LUCK!

Ice cream? Wow. My doctor has me on a completely restricted diet. banded 25th, liquids yesterday, protein shakes and milk for one week, purees for week2 and then to soft foods. Regular eating really starts at week 4-5. An, if I have issues, return to protein shakes and/or low fat milk again. We had tons of classes and a day long orientation prior to surgery. No nausea what so ever so far. Only problem is after surgery gas... Maylox Max seems to be helping that. Much better this morning than yesterday evening. Good luck. If you doctor doesn't have you rushing in after a day or so of puking, find another doc. My main goal is to NOT puke - it messes with the band.

Michelle, I was banded yesterday, the 25th. My gas pain is 10 times worse than the band site or incisions. How soon did your go away? Walking, drinking hot tea, staying positive. Still hurts. :-)