mel07

Hi, I have been banded for almost two years and am still learning that it is a tool. I was not paying attention to my Protein and wound up becoming malnurished and severly anemic. I felt lousy! So now I am back on track and paying attention. Today- bkfst- egg beaters with 1oz cheddar, two pieces low cal bacon, one slice bread with added protein (7g per slice) Lunch- yogurt and 1/4c ricotta (with splenda and unsweetened baking chocolate) Dinner- 3 oz pork, 1/2 c mashed califlower,small sweet potato If I want a snack later I will have sugar free pudding or "ice cream sandwich" which is two chocolate graham crackers with 2tbsp of ff cool whip, I freeze them and it is sort of like an ice cream sandwich. :confused:

Hi, I think you should definately get to see a lap band surgeon, they will give you the best advice. I had a problem too, it started with waking up coughing at night and soon progressed to such severe reflux that I was actually having liquid come up at night from my mouth and my nose (sorry for the graphics). I went back to my surgeon and he said I was overfilled and took 1.5 cc out and told me to take prevacid for two weeks. It cleared up immediately for me. He did say that it may be a slip and I asked if that meant that it needed to be removed and he said NO, that does not mean a removal and just means a rest. Good luck with whatever you decide, hope you get an MD appt very soon.

It is not a bust, you have to be patient. I didn't have any restriction until my third fill. Now that I am well past those first few months, I am glad it was a slow progression. It is hard to get used to not being able to eat all that you "want" to eat. Looking back I appreciate that I had time to adjust to my new way of eating. Hang in there, everyone is different. Just remember you are 12 pds lighter than you were before surgery and you have a plan to keep getting lighter and lighter.

Hi, I have been banded for 1yr 8mos. I am very happy with the band. I had been having vague, wierd symptoms for quite some time, my PCP ordered some tests. I am apparently severely Protein deficient... oopppssss, I guess I am not the greatest bandster. I never really pay that much attention to how much protein I eat, I assumed I was getting enough eating three meals a day. So now I have to take some prescription protein supplement three times a day. Has anyone else dealt with this? Once it got better did you have to continue on the supplements. Any advice would be appreciated! In case you are wondering, the symptoms I have are extreme fatigue, lack of energy and interest, getting lightheaded and dizzy when I bend down or get up too quickly, low blood pressure, night sweats, headache, irriability, poor concentration, craving sweets constantly:eek::biggrin::eek:

Thanks for all of your support ! I guess our MDs are not beating the Protein drum for the fun of it. I really am not sure about the supplements, I believe it is just liquid Protein. Unfortunately, my MD did not call me, my least favorite person in the office did, who could not give me ANY information. I looked up what she told me he had ordered and at this point, I am not even sure it requires a script.- Pro Stat

Hi, I think you should go back to your PCP and ask him to do blood work. It could be that you are not getting enough protein.

Hi Everybody, I am about 4 1/2 months out. I am steadily losing about a pound a week. I am just wondering if others experience the feeling of fullness differently now with the band. When I eat I get a feeling of being filled. Almost like the food is sitting at the bottom of my throat. I always stop eating at that point, I have never PB'd (thankfully). The only consequence to taking an additional bite that I have is getting the hiccups. I dont get that feeling of being "full" like I did pre-band. That nice comfortable feeling that you have after Thanksgiving. Instead it it a feeling of "if you eat one more bite you are going to be sorry" . :hungry: Just totally different and wanted to check it out. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience

Thank you all for your replies. It helps to check in with other people to find out how everyone gets through these stages. I am happy to hear that the feeling of wanting to be full does go away. I know I waste more food now than ever, and going out to dinner is much less expensive now that I am banded. Overall, I am very happy with the band and would do it again in a second. Thanks again everyone, from your tickers looks like you are all doing GREAT! :clap2:

lizrbit- you and I seem to be following the same path. Slowww losers. I have had two fills and barely restriction. I could eat just as much as I used to (just have to take smaller bites) I called and am going in for my third fill early. Don't get discouraged, I have seen some folks post that they didnt get their restriction until they were six months out.

It is a really strange feeling when I eat, all of a sudden I can feel the food drop through my band. I still dont have restriction yet, I have 2.5cc, next fill this week. Just wondering.........

Please dont get down on yourself. Imagine if you hadn't lost over a hundred pounds you probably would weight even more. You probably have hit a plateau, maybe you need to change what you are eating a little bit to jump start the weight loss. Your body probably needs some time to re-adjust to losing all the weight you have lost. Talk to your dr, and maybe see a nutrionist. Tell your mom she should be ashamed of herself. Be proud of what you have accomplished. I am very impressed. Good luck

Ddiedre- I wish I had restriction. I really dont. I can still eat as normally as I did before the band. I am trying to eat with the band rules. I stick with my proteins, but the problem is I dont get full. I stop eating when I believe I have had enough but I do not get full. I could easily eat 3 or 4 cups of food. I just dont do it. I know everyone is different. I am not looking for tablespoons. But statisfaction with one cup of food might be nice. By the way, I have never PB'd ( and hope I never do)

Marissa, Don't get discouraged. I was banded the day before you and am a slow loser as well. I think those of us who are not losing, tend not to post as often. I have had two fills total of 2.5 cc and definately need another one. I cant eat as much as I could preband but I do not get full. I stop myself when I am no longer hungry, but I can eat two cups of food no problem. i have never PB'd. Hang in there and get your fills when you can.

Hey Lizrbit, Its great that your doctor was encouraging. Mine was as well. I am so glad now that I did not tell anyone (other than spouse and in-laws) about the surgery. I am being so hard on myself, I can just imagine others looking for my weight loss as well. I would not want to have to explain about the fills and the time it takes to lose the weight. I can't believe you go all the way from Maine to Houston! I just have to drive 45 miles to my doctor and I think that is a pain! No more complaining from me- Good luck, let me know how you make out with the additional fill.

Hi All, I haven't posted in a while. I have had two fills first was 1.5cc, second was 1cc, next fill in three weeks. Not having much luck with losing weight. Was down about 20lbs then went on a cruise gained 8 back (ugh, that was before the second fill) Lost it again pretty quickly but still pretty much holding there. I have some restriction but definately need more fills. Patience, Patience, Patience

I am so glad you started this thread. I am too struggling to lose weight and not get frustrated. I read posts of others who were banded the same month as I was and they seem to be losing so much faster. I was banded Feb 6th. When I woke up the MD told me the band was really loose on my stomach. I have had two fills so far, the first was 1.5cc and then another 1cc about two weeks ago. I have another fill scheduled in about three weeks. I definately have some restriction but have not reached that "sweet spot" everyone talks about. I can still eat well over a cup of food at a time and never feel full. I just stop eating when I think I have had enough. I do find when I eat too fast I get pain in my upper stomach and I have to slow down and chew better. I have not had any PB's (thankfully). :think

Thanks for the support. I am going to call my DR and see if they will see me earlier than May 17th!

Well, today for example. I had cream of wheat for breakfast, made one serving, couldnt finish it, but then two hours later my stomach was growling. I ignored it for a while and then had about 5oz of grilled chicken. Tonight we went out to dinner. No soup, no salad, just my entree which was shrimp, scallops, ,tomatoes and aspargus. I ate half of what they gave me. I really dont have restriction and that is what is frustrating.

I'm glad to see that so many are doing so well. Not so for me, yet. I am still hopeful in time my band will be working for me. I had my first fill 1.5cc on 3/16. No restriction at all. It is a bummer. I can eat everything and anything. Of course I have to take smaller bites and chew really well or I feel it. But I am not loosing weight. My next fill is not scheduled until may 17, I wonder if i should call my MD and see if I can go sooner. I have only lost 17pds since surgery and most of that was preop weight. I am not exercising. I am making the committement to start that TODAY!! Keep up the good work everyone.

I had read somewhere on this board about fill instructions. What to eat the day before as well as the two days after to get the best results for a fill. I have been searching for three days and can't find that post. Does anyone know where it is? THANKS!!!

Thank you both for your responses. I had my fill on Thursday. I only had a protein shake before going in. My doctors instructions were to have liquids that day and then slowly start eating foods the following day. It went well, didnt hurt. So far no restriction, but I had read it can take a week or so after to feel it. I hope I do.

Nope, not that- My blood sugars run around 70. I guess I am lucky my obesity has not given me that problem.... (other problems YES)

I have a question.... Has anyone experienced their heart racing if they overeat? It has happened to me the last few times that I have eaten out. I know I need to slow down and stop eating earlier than I currently do, but I am just wondering if you experience this or if I am just WIERD!

One of the things to keep in mind is that what the MD and hospital charge is different from the contracted rate for the insurance company. I have Anthem as well but it is a virginia plan. I initially paid out of pocket ( would not recommend doing that) Anyway, my dr charged me 3850 for his fees. I just got the EOB from my insurance and they paid him 1700 which is the contracted rate. So he owes me money If you stay in network you have that advantage of the contracted rates that BCBS has . Good luck!