alicia

Can we go back to the topic Alex posted for just a minute.... Alex, thank you for bringing the subject up. I am not a newbie. I have been fighting acid indigestion for about 6 months now. After having some adjustments (Fluid taken OUT) I still start and end my day with a Zantac. How does this relate to the topic of food portions? Because apparently I am still eating too much! Apparently I am only suppose to eat when hungry (you'd think I'd figure that out by now!). Today I had a cup of salad with low fat meat and cheese and 1.5 hours later my throat is burning ( atypical lunch phenomenon). My doctor's advise was to eat only when hungery and to cut my portions in half. The reason I bring this up is because I need to be taught portion control and reading what you eat and what she eats and what they eat has shown me that I am overeating.... Sure we are all going to have differnet portion sizes, but I see that I am trying to find out what I can get away with. My goal now is to look at food as a fuel. All that to say, thank you, Alex, for bringin up the topic! I needed it and wasn't even a newbie... And Donali, I wish you the very best!

So glad you're back!! You'll have to give us some trip details when you have time. The update is very useful. Congrats on one-year and 80 pounds less!!

I am very aware of this. I guess you missed that I was PB'ing even after my "perfect" fill. This is what I call the adjustment phase. Finding out what you can and cannot eat. I am now finding out that I cannot eat certain foods just as you have discovered. It's all a learning experience. My fear and reason for posting was I couldn't keep Soup or Water down for a few days there when I was really restricted. Fortunatley, the strong restriction has gone away and I am not PB'ing as much because I am avoiding foods like nuts and bread. salad and chicken are going down for me. Yea!

My insurance wouldn't approve me until I HAD the psych eval. My surgeon did not require one, the insurance company did . As long as your psych eval says you are a good candidate, then the insurance should cover it, regardless of post-op care. Wishing you the best of luck!

Thanks, Bebbly! I'm glad to know you figured out your issue. I didn't know the stomach would swell, interesting indeed! Did your Doctor suggest an un-fill or to wait it out? I believe there are 2 things that may have caused this or a combination of both: 1. After my second fill I started Pb'ing about every other day but never had before. Around Christmas time, I recall eating chex mix and the spice burning my stomach when I PB'ed. I did this a few times before I realized how stupid it was to continue eating when it didn't feel good (even though it tasted so good!). 2. On New Year's Eve night, I had a wine cooler at dinner and a glass of champagne, drinking both in about 4 hours. Problem is, I am not a drinker to begin with so I had 1 more than I normally would have (I'm 37 and I succumbed to per pressure!! ). I think it will be one of these two or both. As mentioned, I have gotten better as the days pass, but I am still limited. Today I had a Pasta lean cuisine without problems. Bebbly, good luck with that last few. You can do it!!

Bebbly, I am experiencing something similar. I have not lost the weight you have but after a month of what I thought was the perfect fill (2.5ccs) and all of the sudden I am PB'ing on everything. Because I didn't lose a lot to begin with, I have decided to live with the discomfort for a while until I lose a little more. I went on a liquid diet for 3 days, then mushy food, I was PB'ing the Soup and Water but then got a little better. Now I am PB'ing mostly on bread, nuts, chicken, and salad (I wasn't before). I have to drink Protein drinks to ensure I get enough. I will call the doctor in about 2 weeks, because there is no way I can eat like this for the rest of my life.

You are doing nothing wrong. Yes, it is normal after the first fill, even the second, even the third. For me, I may have true restriction after my second (2.7ccs in a 4cc band). Congrats on your 25 pound weight loss. If you continue to plateau and you know it's not the amount or the kind of food you are eating, then another fill may be in order. You're doing great!

Carmen, ditto on what the others said. Your husband is reaching out to others to get their thoughts on it. Some weren't so positive so I guess that's where you have to step in (maybe with reinforcement from a friend/family memeber your husband respects) and discuss the pros and cons. Maybe ask your doctor to talk to him. He is scared and once you come out of surgery okay he will know you made the right decision.

I wish I hadn't told anyone except close family and friends. I did wait until AFTER surgery to tell a few select co-workers, but now that word has "gotten out" I just assume people know and if they act surprised, I fill them in. I wish I hadn't told anyone because my weight loss has been insiginificant and I am afraid I am being judged about what I eat and what I "haven't lost" considering that I went through risky surgery and paid some good dollars. I think I am being overly paranoid about this, because there are some sincere people at work who really do care.

Donali, I am so happy for you! How exciting! You shold be proud... I, too, want to learn more about the metabolic issues. I think it is playing a big part in my lack of "serious" weight loss.

Dan, I wasn't offered a 6-week post op fill. Mine came 10 weeks post op....second fill 5 weeks after 1st. It depends on the individual and their docs. Wish my first fill had been about 3 weeks sooner, though, but because of docs schedule I had to wait. He only does them once a month.

That is totally awesome... I want to know your secrets... besides the band... haha... You are on your way!