crzytchr

It isn't stomach fluid, it is more like excess saliva that your body produces to try to unstick the food that you shouldn't have eaten. It will make it come up easier. Definitely not like vomiting since there isn't any stomach acid, but not fun either.

I have heard of it taking a week or even two for a fill to "kick in". I guess it comes from swelling, but I am not sure. I would, however, wait the week before getting more. You don't want to wind up too tight.

I eat 1200-1500 calories per day and consume anywhere from 60-90g of protein per day.

You may be referring to the post that someone made that their friend warned them about being banded because they "knew" someone who choked in their sleep and died. If that is it, the band didn't actually strangle them. I have been banded for 18 months and it has been incident free. I don't, however, keep my band really tight. I think that is where most of the problems occur. A band that is too tight can cause issues. Research the band and the rate of problems. Find out the kinds of problems that occur and what causes them. Then, make an informed decision. For me, it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. As far as being scared and stressed, I was 40 years old and had never had surgery before. I was TERRIFIED! The surgery was easy and I have never regretted it. You chose this surgery for a reason. Don't rethink yourself because you heard a horror story or two. There are those in everything from childbirth to dental surgery. Realize it is not the norm and you will be calmer.

Ditto. I would nix the shake. The only liquid Protein I get is when I drink skim milk. I think your calorie count is probably good for you, you may even need a little more since you are male and active. It doesn't sound like you need a fill. You say you are tight in the am (I am as well), so what are you able to eat?

Welcome. First, check your insurance to see if WLS is covered. Lurk around these boards and read about people's experiences and ask questions. Also, while reading this, realize that everyone's experience is their own, and yours will be somewhat different. Find surgeons in your area that perform the surgery and attend some seminars. Listen and ask any questions you may have. Once you find one you feel comfortable with, attend a consultation appointment and become friends with the "case manager" who will handle your paperwork (insurance, etc). They probably know more about what you need to do at this point than the surgeon does. Good luck!

A warning before you slime...ummmmm. Nope, I dont' get one, but I usually know that I shouldn't take the bite that does it to me. You know the feeling, you are satisfied, but it tasted so good you just want that last bite, so you do it! Yep, that is it. I do, however realize AFTER the bite is swallowed that it was a BAD idea and the sliming will probably begin.

That is my attitude. I eat most foods that I used to, I just eat a lot less of it. Heck, I even had IHOP last weekend. I ate 1 pancake, 1 egg and 1 slice of bacon! I used to eat the 3 eggs and 3 pancakes with a side of toast and sometimes grits:blushing:. Eating normally and not feeling deprived is how I have survived 3 plateaus, including the one I am in the middle of now. I have not gained any weight, even during the holidays, I am maintaining. I just recently (like last week) joined a gym and am starting to exercise. I am hoping this will help me lose some more weight. But, even if I never lose another pound, I would be happy about my band experience. ***remember the moral of The Tortoise and the Hare; slow and steady wins the race!!!!!***

You need a new scale. It should not fluctuate that much in a matter of minutes. Mine only cost around $20 from walmart, is digital and is consistent. Sometimes scales just quit working correctly.

I have had 2 fills without numbing shot. Both were painless, but I suggest not looking at the needle. I just look at the ceiling and everything is a breeze.

If you have to take them with 8 oz of water, then no, I wouldn't eat them. You should not drink with any food after being banded. Also, is it supposed to maybe "expand" to give you the feeling of fullness? If so, that may be a recipe for disaster with your band. I just wouldn't risk it.

I agree. I have the size 11 band and I only have 2cc total in mine, and I have been at that level since 11/08. My friend has the same band and she has 7-8ccs in hers. Everyone is different.

Everyone that I know personally who has had bypass has gained a significant amount of their weight back after 3-4 years ( not all of it back, but about half). My dad had bypass this past year and is doing well, but it has still been less than a year. He chose that over band, because he knew he didn't have the discipline to follow the band rules and he was counting on having the dumping to help keep him in line. I have been banded 18 months. I have had 3 plateaus including the one I am enduring now. During all of those, my weight remained stabilized and my eating remained in control. Prior to banding I would have said "screw it" and ate myself into oblivion and gained all my weight back. I am healthy and eat most of the foods that I want, I just eat a lot less of it. Most of the problems your friend refers to, arise from having and keeping a band too tight/too restricted. If you keep your band at a safe restriction level you should not experience those types of problems. Your weight loss will be a little slower, but in the long run, you will be healthier. Keep researching and use that information to help you make your decision.

This depends on when you were banded. If it was a couple of weeks ago or more, you are quite possibly ok, but the post op diet of liquids is in place for a reason. I suggest you call your surgeon and ask what he/she thinks. It is my understanding that the band is stitched in place and if you eat too soon, you may cause that to not heal properly due to the churning of your food. If this occurs too soon, you may be causing damage.

If you are chewing well and are having these problems you are probably too tight. 10 days is more than enough time for the fill to have adjusted from the initial swelling. I would go back and get a small amount taken out. Sometimes .5ccs makes all the difference. Keeping a band too tight for too long can cause problems.

Ok, wow...I think differently than most. I really feel you should call and get a little out. And you are concerned also since you posted here. At least call your surgeon's office and get their input. They may tell you to wait a day or two, but if protein shakes are not going down, that is seems too tight.

yeah, I sit lower in chairs and the car now. It is kinda cool.:biggrin:

Good luck on the fill and I just KNOW he is going to tell you how fabulous you look!

Actually, Charlene, if you slime after a couple of bites of protein, you may be a tiny bit too tight. The fibromyalgia may be causing you to be tighter than usual. You may want to think of getting maybe just .1 or .2ccs out and see if that helps.

I have been banded for 18 months and still can not feel my band. I only know it is there when I eat.:ohmy: Now, my port, I have felt from the beginning. If you run you hand over my stomach you can feel it. It doesn't bother me, but I can feel it if I touch that area. I do not eat 2 oz per meal. I consume 1200-1500 calories per day and I have during this whole process. I did not get banded to "diet" the rest of my life. I like my band to not be too tight. I can eat whole wheat Pasta and pizza, I just eat a LOT less than I did before being banded. I do watch what I eat, and by that, I mean that I try to avoid slider foods like ice cream, chips and candy. I do, however, eat ice cream if I want it. I just stop when I am satisfied. My weight loss has stalled because I am at the point now that I need to exercise to lose weight now. I have lost the entire 93 lbs so far without exercise, but my body will not let go of another pound until I get off my butt and move. That, or I need to drop my calories per day, which I won't do, so exercise it will have to be.:biggrin: To show you examples of the amount of food I eat now: I HOP: 1 pancake and 1 fried egg Chilis: small bowl of chili and 4 crackers or 1 burger bite and some chips and queso Cracker Barrel: 1 biscuit, 1 fish fillet and a few fries

Yeah, to treat Jillian and Bob as if they are stupid and don't know that she is playing the game is just wrong. Oh, and last night I got really ticked at Bob for letting Jillian AGAIN take the bad guy role and he played the sweet one. He encouraged Jillian to push Migdalia and then he played good guy "oh, I am here for you". He does this every season and it makes me mad. I almost wish Jillian would just kick his butt and get it over with.

Allie, I am glad your surgery went well. Have you asked if there is any other pain meds you can take. I hate to think you have to experience the nightmares and itching. There should be SOMETHING else that will be good enough and not affect you like that. :biggrin:

My band is very sensitive. I only have 2ccs in my band and if I am stressed, I get tight. This makes eating during the day difficult since I am a teacher and I don't EVER have duty-free lunch. This means I have a Campbell's soup-at-hand every day for lunch. I ate a small container of red beans (JUST THE BEANS, NO RICE) today for lunch, and I promise I had to slow down because it almost got stuck. Jeez. Tonight, I will have a small serving of pastalaya...yummy.

I have never heard of this diet before. Since your insurance company requires it, they should be able to help you find it. Good luck and let me know what it is. I thought, like most of us, I had heard/tried almost every diet there was prior to banding.:mad:

By not losing and maybe gaining a pound last week and then only losing one pound this week, she sets herself up to have a big loss next week. She has done this two weeks in a row when she knew her weigh-in didn't count. Contestants do it every season, Daniel even admitted to water-loading before a weigh in last season.