Justme9786

Hi all - So....we all know that the lapband is not PERFECT and is merely a tool in our weight loss journey. I initially lost a good amount of weight and am happy with my overall experience with the band. It does what I need it to do....restrict me from overeating. However, I've reached a plateau. Blah. First let me explain a little....I do not want to go in for a fill to make me tighter. I've never used the band like that, and my doctor doesn't recommend that. Adjusting eating habits is always my first option. I have "ok" restriction which is OK with me! I am able to eat "portioned" meals (i'd say a 4oz piece of meat w/a 4oz veggie side). But if i were any tighter, I wouldn't be able to eat a portioned meal. So anyways..... I am trying to lose 30lbs and I've done the whole eating right, exercising, etc. and I still seem to be at a plateau so I figured I'd give the ketogenic/low carb diet a try. My hopes are that I drop a good amount in the beginning since it is such a shock to my system and then I can gradually bring carbs back in and go to a normal healthy eating lifestyle that I usually do anyways. Anybody who has done the ketogenic diet or is low carb friendly and has some good food choices, please feel free to chime in! So far it hasn't been too bad - yesterday i had 2 eggs, 2 bacon and cup of black coffee with 2 equal for bfast, for lunch I had two beef hot dogs cut up with spicy mustard, snack I had string cheese, and for dinner I had filet mignon (med rare is the only way I can eat it) with spinach sauteed w/garlic and parm cheese. My total carb count was less than 10g yesterday and I am trying to keep it low so I remain in ketosis and burn fat. I am drinking tons of Water as well all day long. I do have 5-hour energy on hand due to the decrease in energy that comes along with low carb. But it is 0carbs.

Lol love this one

Yes. Even .1cc can make a difference. Seriously.... I have 10cc band and the highest I was at was 4.4 and it was super tight, went down to 3.9 and was a little too loose, so went to 4.1 and it's almost perfect. .2 made a difference to me...

Also, to help with not PBing...I suggest staying hydrated throughout the day. I find that I can eat more without getting that stuck feeling if I drink water all day. Sometimes I'll drink like 8 12oz bottles a day. It really makes a difference.

As another poster has said, sometimes drinking hot liquids can help...before OR after. I know that sounds contradicting because they say not to drink anything when you're eating, let alone when you're having a stuck feeling, but heating up some really hot tea or coffee and sipping on it for a few minutes has saved me from having to PB many of times.

As others have said....yes there can be complications....there's complications to any surgery and long term effects that could pop up. However, there are tons of people out there who do not have any negative side effects. Here's an example....by no means is this a statistic, but just an example: Me, my mom, my dad, my sister and brother-in-law all have the band.....big band family out of all of us, my mother is the only one who had a problem. Her port flipped and it needed to be repaired. She was also the first one to get the band when it was first coming out. (not to say that it was put in wrong, just sayin). The rest of us haven't had any problems other han gallbladder removal (which is not from the band, but more because of weight loss in general). So, point being, yes there CAN be issues, but it's a coin toss whether you'll have them or not. Just educate yourself on the dos and donts and communicate closely with your doctor.

I had the lap band placed over 4 years ago...don't regret it all. I am very happy with my decision in getting it. However..... When I first got the band, I had this pain for the first week or so after surgery that was like a "tearing" or "ripping" pain all over my stomach when I stood up and tried to walk around....I called my doctor, got checked out, no infection and was told that it was pretty common to have abdominal pain after abdominal surgery (lol). The pain eventually subsided in the beginning. But then it came back about a month later and has come back a couple times a month since then. I obviously went back to my doctor and he again said it was not band related and to check with my GI doctor...so I did. Here's all the tests I've had done: Colonoscopy Fluoroscopy EGD CAT scan Hida scan Gastric emptying Multiple trips to the ER they found I had gallstones and said that could be what was causing it, so I had my gallladder removed......but STILL have this pain! The pain feels like it starts in the center of my stomach, right below my sternum or on the left lower rib and radiates ALL over abdomen, back and chest. It is a CONSTANT tearing , ripping, pain that when severe, has made it even hard to walk without cringing. Sitting and laying down the pain subsides quite a bit, but as soon as I stand up its, in my words, ON FIRE! Doctor told me I had IBS from when I had colonoscopy, but people with IBS usually feel relief with (excuse me) passing gas or with bowel movement. Mine does not. And people with IBS usually feel it after eating particular foods...mine is not triggered by certain foods. For instance, this morning I woke up with the pain....first thing in the morning. The only thing that seems to help the pain is ibuprofen 800mg or sometimes narcotics. I've tried gasx, tums, and pepto and those don't work, I do have ovarian cysts and very heavy menstrual cycle (sorry guys who are reading!) but my doctor doesn't seem to think that the pain would go up that high. But what about endometriosis? That runs in my family. Anyways....if anyone has any insight, feel free to share. 4 years of this is tiring when I don't know what it is.

I'm moving from FL to Denver in two weeks for a job and do not know a soul out there!! I don't even have a place yet, driving out there and finding a place when I get there. Just wondering if anyone lives in the Denver area and could suggest places to live that are semi reasonable (cost of living is a bit more expensive) and things to do places to go. I'm 26 years old so lookin for kind of a hip modern environment.

Also, I know I've said this in previous posts, but staying hydrated throughout the day REALLY helps me get things down better....even the trickier foods. I drink water all day long.

Chicken is hard for me as well. I've found that I really have to marinade it for at least 4 hrs before cooking it and it has to be usually baked to hold in juices. Krispy Kreme....definitely no. Although, I try to stay away from those anyways, but can't eat them. And hibachi, surprisingly I AM able to eat. Definitely not what I used to, but if I just slowly pick at it while it's being served, eventually I've eaten quite a bit. One thing I know I can't eat are bagels. I've tried even just a half a bagel in the morning and its a no go.

Walden Farms makes awesome dressings that are calorie free, fat free, carb free, gluten free, sugar free....practically nothing. They're pretty good too. http://www.waldenfarms.com/products/dressings.html

The campbells zesty tomato soup is SO good!!

Yea, usually if I hiccup, I am eating too fast.

Have you tried a tomato soup? Any time I restrict to only thin-soft liquids I revert to lots of tomato soup, OR the idahoan instant mash potatoes (extra water to make them not as thick) and gatorade. That usually fills me up!! I know the mash potatoes aren't the healthiest, but if you are just having a small serving to take the edge off the craving, it's not the end of the world.

You sound like you are going to do great with the lap band. Already so positive. Keep the positivity up and you'll sweep through your weight loss journey! Keep us posted! ps. the 2 week pre-op diet CAN be tough...be prepared for a lot of tiredness & weakness. All I wanted to do was sleep!

I'd definitely wait. Even the slightest fill (Even .1) can make a huge difference. I wouldn't risk it right before vacation.

2muchfun hit it dead on. Everyone is different. Some people don't even NEED a fill, just the band itself is enough restriction. Others may need almost completely full. Example: Me and my friend have the same band....10cc....I could barely keep liquids down with a 4.4 fill and had to go to 3.9 and she is up to 7.5 now and JUST now feeling restriction.