Sojourner

The band is a highly self-empowering weight loss tool...you will determine the level of your success, or lack of success with weight loss and your band by the choices you make every day. Each of us has a responsibility to ourselves to become educated about this tool, how to use the band, and understand the limitations of the band. I find it difficult to be sympathetic towards someone who has not been responsible with their band, and/or who has not been proactive to resolve the medical issues they may have encountered along their journey. This journey is definitely not a "one size fits all"...but I sincerely believe that the results we achieve will be directly related to the effort we put forth to be successful. IMHO...other's mileage may vary.

I had to crush several of my prescriptions post op for 2 weeks...I never did find anything which could adequately disguise the extreme bitterness. I came to dread morning and evening...but you do what you have to do...

There are some differing opinions on the forum about how aggressively a band should be filled. I have chosen to be quite conservative with my fills, as I don't choose to experience the effects of an over filled band. I also had to wait for 14 weeks post op for my first fill. My surgeon has been supportive of my choice to be conservative with my fills. This journey does require patience, and I sincerely hope that you will be able, in time, to find the amount of Fluid that will give you adequate restriction that you can live with and still eat a healthy and band appropriate diet. Best wishes...

Was the broccoli raw? I've not been able to tolerate broccoli unless it's a bit over cooked since I began to resume my "new normal" diet... Sincerely sorry to read of your incident...hope you are feeling no ill effects. Take good care...

Congratulations as you move forward with your weight loss journey. You have the positive attitude which will help to make you successful with your weight loss. Best wishes...

I'm sincerely sorry to read of the loss of one so dear to you...I can understand the void in your life this creates, and the many adjustments which you are facing. I encourage people to keep the memories of the good times you shared close in your heart. We never totally loose the ones we love; they stay with us forever in our heart; he will continue to be there to encourage you.

Yes, the scale is frustrating at times...and as others have mentioned it is normal to have small fluctuations in weight. The key is to not loose your focus and determination to remain compliant with your bandster diet. Over time, you will see the results you want. I've often written on this forum that this journey has taught me a life skill which long eluded me...patience. Our society conditions us to want everything "yesterday"...when that's just not realistic with weight loss. You likely did not gain the weight you want to loose rapidly, and it will not be lost rapidly. Slow and steady is the healthier approach. Stay the course, and you will see the results you want. And it's true...weighing in too often does tend to create unnecessary negative feelings, so avoid becoming obsessed with your scale.

The only way to get beyond your anxieties is to confront them and to continue to challenge your thoughts...because they are distorted. You mentioned that you have had prior surgeries without an adverse outcome. Why should the band surgery be any different? If this current anxiety is situation induced, then you might want to consider seeing your doctor for a short term prescription of anti-anxiety medication.

My surgeon advised that having soup would be like drinking liquids. If I were to want to have some old fashioned chicken soup, I would need to drain away all of the broth first, then eat the chicken, veggies and noodles. That sort of ruins the experience for me, so I have just not had any. Remember the "rule": high quality Protein first and carbs second...however you can follow that rule with soup and a sandwich would work. Soup is not going to keep you satiated for as long as protein will.

This is not accurate...there are statistical measurement scales incorporated into the seemingly redundant questions to assess the degree of validity and honesty in the respondent's answers. Read the questions, and do your best to answer them accurately and honestly. It helps to understand that you are being assessed for realistic expectations regarding the band surgery, any unstable mood issues, history of past or current substance abuse/dependency and also any history or tendencies towards eating disorders. Do your best to relax and be accurate with your answers...there is really nothing to anxious about.

First let me emphasize that I am not a nutritionist by profession, however I do care about my health and well being, so I have done some research to better understand the differing needs of the bariatric patient as opposed to someone who has not had WLS. The "nutshell" of what I've learned is that due to limited food consumption, it is common for bariatric patients to become deficient in the "B" complex vitamins, and also what are referred to as the "fat soluble" vitamins of A,D,E, and K as our diets typically limit fats to a high degree. You need fat in your diet to absorb the fat soluble vitamins. "B" complex vitamins are Water soluble. Biotin is in the group of "B" vitamins, though it is actually also referred to as a different letter Vitamin, which one I can't recall. Deficiency in Vitamin D is especially critical to avoid as you need enough vitamin D to properly absorb calcium. Long term deficiency in calcium will affect the health and strength of your bones. We are supposed to take calcium in the form of calcium citrate, as this is a higher quality form of calcium, however I have never been able to tolerate it. I was given permission by my surgeon to take a higher daily dose of calcium carbonate (Caltrate with D) with Vitamin-D added as a chewable substitute. I also take the Celebrate Multi-AGB brand chewable multi vitamin in blackberry flavor, which are sold through my surgeon's office where it is less expensive to purchase them than online. Their website is celebratevitamins.com. Another good source of bariatric products is BariatricChoice.com. I hope that this information will help...please remember to take your supplements...just like "cheating" with diet compliance, if you don't take your vitamins and calcium you are harming only yourself... Best wishes and good health...

Your body is now in the process of healing...and adjusting to literally a "new order" within you. Hormones which contribute to emotions and mood swings are gyrating, and your likely not feeling your best physically either. The feelings you are describing are normal and do come with the "territory". All of your efforts and change in lifestyle will be worth it...your band is a very self empowering tool. You will determine the level of success you will have with it. If you're feeling confused and over whelmed, this forum is a great place to ask questions and learn best practices from others who are on the same journey. Best wishes for your success...

They make Vitamins specially formulated for bariatric patients for a good reason...our nutritional supplement needs are different from an individual who has not had WLS. Why would you stop taking them? Not a smart move by any definition. Vitamin/mineral deficiencies are cumulative over time, so you may not be aware of a deficiency related medical condition developing until you have a problem to deal with. There are a number of websites devoted to bariatric nutrition. Why don't you visit one or more to locate a brand of supplements that will fit your needs?It's so much easier to preserve health than to regain it...

I agree with the others who have posted about using the natural and unprocessed ingredient rather than a chemical filled "alternative". I've often posted on this forum about staying with basic and unprocessed foods as much as possible. I have gotten accustomed to minimal use of fats such as butter, only shopping on the periphery of the grocery store to find the produce, dairy, and meat sections. My late mother and grandmother were years ahead of their time when they taught me from an early age to avoid white anything in food (except potatoes), and avoid over processed anything. Simply put, more additives equals less nutrition, and higher risk for negative effects on health. Not worth it to me...it's easier and healthier to do without the sweets and fats.

I agree with others...this is not healthy behavior. Any time you need consult with a physician about whether your bones or organs are damaged due to an obsession with wearing a corset nearly 24/7 to make your waist smaller is a sign of distorted thinking and concept of self image. I hope she gets psychiatric help before her health is affected...

Sometimes my hunger in the evenings is physical...at least that's what I interpret my growling stomach telling me...sometimes we have an earlier dinner and that seems to make a difference with how the evening and hunger will play out. I also know that if I am authentically hungry, there will be no way for me to fall asleep. When my stomach is rumbling, I will resort to having a small high Protein snack. My surgeon has given me the green light to have a small teaspoon of natural no sugar added Peanut Butter for this purpose...and it tastes wonderful. The key is to limit myself to only 1 teaspoon...so I make certain to put the jar of peanut butter back in the pantry, close the door, and go far away from the kitchen. I then put the spoon back in the dishwasher and leave the room again. I won't give myself permission to use a spoon more than once...or permission to wash any spoons by hand. I have to make it more complicated to get a "refill" on the peanut butter...that takes time and effort. You get into trouble when, as an example you have the peanut butter jar on your lap and have the spoon in your hand and then are reading a good book. You can easily loose track of how much you are eating. My portion size is limited to 2 teaspoons, however I've done that only 1 time to date. This may not work for others...I have a dear friend that peanut butter is a definite trigger to over eat, so she must avoid it. But it works for me...keep the temptations out of the house or make it way more complicated or difficult for you to get at them.

The Biotin I take is in the form of a tic-tac sized liquigel, and is not at all difficult for me to swallow it. Before you take any medications you need to swallow whole, make certain that your surgeon approves.

Yes, that is the place you are in...and develop some good tools to use to get you though this stage of your journey. I has helped me to use hunger as a signal to begin sipping "free fluids" we need every day to maintain proper hydration. Drinking fluids does help to trip the hunger signals in the stomach to "turn off". I've also learned how to use distraction with projects and errands to keep my mind away from hunger and on the task at hand. Every closet, drawer and cabinet in my house is clean, organized, pared down to only essentials, and has remained so since my band surgery. This stage is only temporary...so look ahead to where this stage will take you.

This reads to me as a situation meeting diagnostic criteria for clinical depression...and I can't help but feel that seeking services of a qualified professional to help you process and improve your current emotional state is essential for your long term success for your weight loss journey. You did not mention how long you have been feeling this way...or if there were any identifiable life events which contributed to your current feelings, however I would not wait to seek intervention. I hope that you will be proactive to address your current issues...and that you will be in a better emotional place soon. Best wishes...

I had to have my gall bladder removed when I was 6 months post op from having my band placed. The entire series of events began with being hospitalized for pancreatitis, which was eventually discovered to be caused as a result of my gall bladder no longer working. Ironically, my bariatric surgeon missed this diagnosis entirely...and it was my Board Certified Internal Medicine PCP who caught the "red flags" in my hospital lab work to make a definitive diagnosis. I feel it was insulting to refer to US doctors as "dumb"...they are highly skilled. There will be a few questionable doctors in all groups in general, however making a generalized assessment of US physicians being "dumb" is just not close to being accurate for many reasons and on many levels. There are many reasons why I would never consider having my health and well being entrusted to a foreign doctor, and would especially never want to have surgery so far from home. The general surgeon told me he was "not a fan of the band", however he had a broad knowledge base, and discussed my gall bladder surgery with my bariatric surgeon prior to the procedure. I did not need to have an unfill for the surgery, and thankfully had an uncomplicated recovery. If you reside in the US, I hope you will improve your assessment of the skill set of US physicians. Your life may depend on them one day...and Mexico is a long way away in the event of a medical emergency...just saying.

I don't know what you and MG had this morning...this thread has become hilarious...!!

That's likely going to be a challenge...but I know you're going to be successful...because you are so focused and motivated for success!

This is a question best answered by your surgeon...nice to read of your success to date.

For my pre op and post op diets, I was required to be on all liquids for an entire 4 weeks. During the pre op diet, I was allowed to have 1 cup of raw salad veggies every day. Compliance with that diet was one of the most difficult situations I've had to manage in my life...but I wanted to have my surgery, and knew if I cheated, I would only be harming myself. What other surgeons prescribe for their patients will vary...however that does not matter as those other physicians are not my physician. I had to loose an additional amount of weight, and I was determined to not let any fleeting temptation with food derail me...after all, those temptations and those patterns of thinking helped to get me to the point of choosing to have WLS.

Sincerely sorry to read that you had this horrible experience...though you seem to have learned some valuable insights. When I needed to be treated in the ER 2 times since having my band placed, my surgeon was adamant that I only go the the ER at the hospital where his practice is affiliated, though it is around 70 miles from my home. I did ask about his reasoning, as I would have to pass by 2 other major hospitals to get to the one he wanted me at. He said that not all hospitals know how to treat band patients and the medical issues they can present with. He advised that the ER at Celebration Heath was knowledgeable to treat his patients as he has been there to conduct training sessions with the staff. The lesson I took away from okiekat's post and my own experiences is that not all ER's are equal in their preparedness to manage bandster conditions and complications. I hope you feel better fast...