Skyvic

Uggh won't do shots but will drink Isopure zero carb (lots of flavor) not syrupy line the shots. 40 grams protein.

Some things: Ricotta w/ Splenda and unsweetened cocoa Cream of wheat Honey Greek yogurt w/ cottage cheese and granola Low sugar oatmeal

Awesome...proud of you! I've really had to learn to take this journey slow after close to two years banded. I'm learning along with you and always here to support anyone in our highs and our lowest lows. We will change and adapt to our new lives and take this band in stride. My local support group and this forum have kept me from feeling isolated with the band. We must embrace our life changes. Keep up the good work!!!!

This so tough to make the decision but I agree with many posts. If you aren't getting things down with fill and following rules, an unfill may be needed. I would not want reflux. This last fill is what I call "the make it or break it". I was on the edge if contemplating unfill, but all has gotten better except belching. But, I eat too fast and take too big of bites which is an old habit I have to break. I find I have to really concentrate now that I'm at 6cc in 10cc band. Good luck to all as this is a thread I have needed.

I'm wondering if you need a fill and three days of liquids to get you jump started.

I love my band!!!! I have a niece that had low BMI but based on all of her aunts and mom she was headed to the heavy point. She banded and is doing awesome!

Congrats!!!! Take it in stride wen u hit those plateaus as they do occur. Lisyen to your body when you need fills or get too restricted. Great job!

The stuck thing is just a reminder of rules and what we can tolerate. Corn, rice, bread not for me but these are what got me heavy in first place:( No one enjoys the stuck episodes or PB but it can happen. Mine do about a week after my fills so I have to re-assess how I eat, how fast I eat, and my bite sizes. It's crazy how in the beginning I could eat a half a plate, then a quarter, to a cup, 1/2 cup, to now finally 1/4c green zone for the most part.

Yay!!!!! An occasional margarita is nice!!!! Honestly I like the regular margarita over the Skinny Girl! I enjoy my favorite Mexican restaurant, too...but so much less than I used to which is so nice with the band.

I have to really take it slow after my fills, too. It takes me over two weeks to adjust. This may not be normal but it's a pattern for me. I don't usually do baby foods though. I will do cream of wheat, oatmeal, whey protein in soups, deviled ham or chicken, greek yogurt, ricotta cheese, as well as Isopure zero carb beverage. This gets me through those tough times. By third week I'm normally back on regular food: rotisserie chicken, chili, tilapia, and foods in smaller amount. Good luck ( some of those baby food fruits don't look half bad)

Sounds awful but I resorted to liquid Benadryl for sleep during that no sleep time I had at various times after my surgery.

I am two years banded this December. One word of advice...it's okay to take it slow and in stride. For me it was the best way to get used to the band as the restriction became more evident. I don't tolerate bread but occasionally u can eat 1/4 of a French dip...crazy! I can't eat corn or rice but I can have popcorn if I'm careful. I eat filet mignon but fish and dark meat chicken go down better than dry white meat. I will not drink carbonated beverages but I have had a frozen coke on a tablespoon just to try it. Wasn't that great. I have had some stuck episodes but they are not that scarry, you just have to learn what works. I do not regret my band, I went from a size 24 to now almost a size 10...I am thrilled. I feel healthy and better about myself. I will admit, I love to shop in normal size clothing stores ( but thrift stores work beat while you are dropping). Carefully listen to your body as you begin to get fills. You will know if you might need one or are too restricted. Follow those golden rules because they become so much more important as you get fills. I love my decision it was right for me. I am a quantity eater and that was soon curtailed!!!!! I still have things I enjoy including sweets but so much less amount. You will go through plateaus and you will learn so much as you live with your band. I am getting close to goal and happy.

About 8-10 pounds per month...when this would happen, it seems like my fills were about once every three months. I would slip out of green zone, get a fill 1/4cc (lately) and be between red and green zone for a couple weeks. By third week I was losing rapidly and eating normally, now 1/4 cup per meal. I'm in my fourth week since this make it or break it fill at 6cc pretty right. But, I'm drinking and eating using good old rules. I have been told that one or two pounds a week is good, but know there may be plateaus that occur over a month.

When my surgeon asked me what my realistic idea of goal weight should be, I told him about 160-165. Over the past two years I really thought I might make it to a size 16. When I came back to see him this last month, my ideal weight should be about 154. I started at I think 276 before Pre-surgery. Today I weighed in at 165...size 12 I would have never dreamed I could lose it. This band has been the best for me, not always the easiest, and many sacrifices.

On my stuck episodes, I usually don't feel like eating again anyways. I opt for a nice cool protein shake sipping really slowly or a tall glass of peach mango Mio. Or crystal light. My stomach will be irritated for a few hours. I feel for you. I try to avoid stuck episodes, but sometimes it happens reminding us the band is there:(

I'm not supposed to eat five hours before a fill, and fu liquids for three days after a fill working into foods I can tolerate.

I've believed in .25cc fills for the last 3 fills giving me a 6cc total in 10cc band. Have they ever scoped you for Barrottes esophagus? Not sure if spelling is right.

I don't think it is safe unless the friend was a bariatric nurse, doctor, or PA.

When was your fill? I always struggle a good week and a half after fill. But maybe too tight...I've had a little of that but, mostly belching! I have to learn to eat slower and take smaller bites...something I have to work hard at my band us at a 6cc in 10 band.

Oops so my question is...is it safe to use Benadryl after a not so good night of tight band?

Yes stress certainly doesn't help. This is a crazy question but I need to know. The other night I had a stuck episode my stomach did not feel well so I took a Zofran and later took two little Benadryl. I had not slept good, thought this would help. My band did not feel as irritated (1 hour later) I got sleepy and relaxed. Now I don't think I should think this is ok to do, but it certainly helped my band, body, and rest. I woke up feeling so much better.

I agree. I think you should just call your doc. It's so hard to know when to make that call. I had to do soft mushies two weeks after fill but kept it fairly healthy, by this third week I'm normal but eating about 1/4 cup food, drinking fine, in green zone...but there were a few days that were questionable last week as to whether to unfill or wait it out. Your doc and your body knows best:)

Just an update...this third week after fill is so much better. I don't think I would wait if I feel miserable. But, I did take it slower with soft mushies while at the same time while keeping my caloric intake low. I am finally eating good solids but do have to pay much more attention to those bites, chews, and time!!!!! If I had bad acid reflux maybe a doc should be called. I can't drink water in bed and just lie down directly...I have to sit up for a few minutes. Finally in green zone!!!!

Possibly up your protein or consider maybe a 1/4cc fill just to take edge off. I remember feeling that way and I drank more crystal light and other zero calorie beverages. If it is not head hunger and you ate actually feeling hungry, you may not be in your green zone.

Yep...anything that is yeasty, dough, white bread just doesn't go down like before. I remember my last Einstein bagel with cream cheese and chives. That was after second fill!!!!! I have quite an aversion to bagels now!!!! Tough steak, fried chicken, flour tortilla, many foods I have to work around. Pizza toppings only but not the bread. But I see some people on the forum that can. I tried a French dip (1/4 size) and it was heaven!