Iryshgreene

Plant foods and probiotics are what my nutritionist swears by. She warned me that I was focusing too much on protein and not enough on plant food at my meals. I had to back off the protein (and go back on shakes to get my 65g a day) and make sure I had a fruit or veggie with each meal so that I didn't get backed up with my new-found "normal" habits. I went from really loose, almost IBS-like symptoms before surgery to normal now. If a regular person had this change, I can only imagine the constipation that would result.

I am almost to that 16 mark! I started at a size 22, too. I am in 18's but I have a few 16's waiting for me to break them out! Congrats on your amazing weight loss!

During the pre-op and post-op periods, calories aren't super-critical. Make sure you get in the Protein and fluids your doc told you to get in, then worry about calories if you are feeling shaky. Right after my first fill I was getting only about 500 calories in. My nutritionist told me that was fine for right after an adjustment. She said it will increase to around 1000-1200 a day, which is a good target for weight loss. I had to add some high calorie foods (nuts mostly) during this time if I felt too weak from so few calories. It worked itself out within a week of getting the fill.

I have been stuck at 38-40 lbs lost for about 2 weeks! My first fill was on 2/10 and I loved it! Now, not feeling so much restriction, so I was working on getting into the doc to get a second fill. I am switching doctors since my original surgeon decided he was more worried about his reputation than my ability to get good care from him and his staff. I have had some upset stomach issues for the last few days, so I am waiting on the fill until I don't have any more tummy troubles when I eat meat. I am trying to increase my exercise instead. I make myself walk 4-5 times per week in the back of my development where there are lots of hills. Not showing on the scale, but I am seeing my butt get some nice definition and my jeans getting bigger on me. I also see my scale go up and down. I gained 5 lbs in 2 days last week, then it fell off 3 days after that. I am attributing it to bloating due to my "period" (I put it in quotes because I don't really have what most women refer to as their period because of my birth control). Try not to focus on the number. Focus on how you feel. The fill will help and you will find the green zone soon!

I have been banded for 2 months now. I have lost about 40 lbs since I started this journey in October and about 20 since my surgery. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety about 5 years ago, shortly after I had my first son. Had it before then, but wasn't getting treated. I have been quite stable since I went on the meds, made it though a second pregnancy and birth with no major issues. I know that my depression is likely going to mean a life-long medication routine. My mom is a lifer, too, and many people on both sides of my family have depression, OCD and anxiety issues. Right now, I feel pretty zombie-ish. I am wondering if the weight loss means that I have to reduce my dose of meds (I am on Wellbutrin 300 mg and Zoloft 100 mg a day) or if this is just the emotional roller coaster everyone is talking about. My husband keeps telling me I am walking around looking like someone killed my dog. I don't feel that bad, but then again, I am not feeling much of anything. I do know that I am short-tempered, unmotivated and irritable, often signs that my anxiety and depression aren't under control. The zombie thing is usually a sign I am overmedicated, though. Conflict! I have done therapy on and off for about 10 years, but it doesn't help with the day-to-day struggles, again another indicator that I am a lifer on meds. I still see the therapist who did my pre-op evaluation, though only monthly so far to make sure that I am not emotional eating like before the surgery. I can increase my visits with her, but I suspect that it will not help with the daily management of my diseases. Any experience/thoughts/suggestions?

I loved doing pear sauce. You make it just like applesauce with pears. Add a touch of vanilla and it's sweet without adding sugar! I also made some homemade cream of broccoli soup. It 'felt' more like real food to me than other stuff.

LauRN, my first fill did help for a while. But I am now 16 days out and have already lost my restriction. I've lost about 6 lbs since the fill, but I GAINED 2 this past weekend. I have no idea how I gained when I was at like 1000 calories a day and exercising. I am going to contact my new doctor to see how far apart they like to space the fills and hopefully get more in there. I am really struggling with the diet failure right now. I want to say screw it and pass the ice cream! I have resisted thus far, but the scale better go down again real soon!

I had that sad farewell feeling too. Honestly, it wasn't necessary. Now that I am on regular food, I am able to pretty much eat whatever I want, within moderation of course. The only thing you will have to say goodbye to after you get the band is overeating. I thought that would be a huge deal for me, since I am the type of person who just loves to taste food in my mouth and will keep eating to get that enjoyment. It really hasn't been. I eat pizza (yes, even regular crust pizza), burgers (no bun, wrap in lettuce), etc. and gain the satisfaction of the taste plus the satisfaction of fullness AND weight loss!!! I do make sure that if I eat these less-than-desirable food I still keep below 1200 calories a day. I am not yet in the green zone (2 weeks out from my first fill and losing restriction already =/) and am losing weight by sticking to the portion control and maximum calorie limit. You can do it!

35 lbs is NOT FAILURE! That is a lot of hard work to get that far. Maybe after 2 years, you should explore with your doctor the possibility of a "refresher" on the do's and don'ts of the band. A lot of people on here indicate that restarting the plan from the beginning is a great way to kick your weight loss back into gear.

Fiber! Try a fiber supplement and, as my nutritionist says, "get your plant food". I was rocking on my protein requirements, but wasn't getting enough fruits and veggies in. She stopped that right off the bat. Told me I had to get both in, even if it meant lowering my protein and having to have a protein shake to make up for the missing protein as a snack. I can see how this might be a problem for many, though. For me, since I had my gallbladder out in 2007 I have had loose stool problems on a daily basis. Now that I have the band, that's all gone! Less food really has helped me get to normal.

The fill should jump start the loss again. I lost 7 lbs in the 10 days after my first fill on Feb. 10. Now I am more steady at about 2 lbs a week. I got 5 cc in my band at the fill. I think that the liquid diet after the fill is similar to the need after the surgery. Body needs to adjust to the new sensation of restriction. Don't want to put too much pressure on a "new set-up".

Congrats on your first fill, MissBee! The first fill will really jumpstart your weight loss again. It did for me. I plateaued the week before my fill and then lost 7 lbs in 10 days after the fill.

One of my colleagues wants me to sign up for the San Francisco marathon this summer. I told him he was INSANE! I doubt that I could even walk a marathon length, let alone in SF, where its anything but flat. A 5k sounds like a nice compromise!

I talked to the director at the weight loss clinic and she contacted the other doctors that work with the clinic. One of them is willing to take me on and next fill I need, I will go to her. The director is even taking care of getting my records transferred. I love the weight loss clinic!

My biggest support from my husband has been eating "like" me. When I was on liquids, he ate Soup with me (with chunks that I couldn't have, but still soup). He cooked himself dinner and fed the kids when I was on liquids so I wouldn't be tempted. Now, we cook together and are having fun trying new healthier recipes together. He has lost weight right along with me, so I don't feel like I am the pariah in the family. Worst thing he did was buy donuts the day after my surgery! It was his first and last mistake! Best advice for you: listen to your wife. She will let you know what she needs.