A New New Dawn

Good to have goals!! First, typically you know if you need a fill if you are hungry between meals. So I would ask the following a) are you following the eating regimine for being banded (approximately 1000-1200 calories per day, no more than 1 cup of food per meal, and eating 3-4 ounces of Protein to start each meal)? If you are following that and you are finding you cannot go 3-5 hours between meals (based on real hunger, not head hunger) you may need a fill. However, if you are eating more than above and not focusing on getting your protein (approximately 60+ grams per day) that could be why you are not losing. After a couple of years, pregnancy, etc. it would be easy to stray from the guidelines that will help you be successful. If you are following the guidelines and still finding yourself hungry perhaps you could benefit from a fill. Did you get an "unfill" while you were pregnant? Good luck to you!

Glad it is going well for you!! Best wishes on your journey.

Better swelling than pain think of the bright side.

Yes, there is swelling post surgery. First from the gas they blow you up with and also the trauma (hence why you are on liquids, etc... from all the swelling). It will take a while until that subsides. I was having discomfort in my side when I would sit at my desk for the first month after surgery and the doctor said that was normal as everything was still swollen and healing. As long as you don't have any gross drainage or stabbing pain it should be normal. Congrats on your surgery!!!

Oh, I have been there and it BLOWS!!!! First, how big were the bites? Even if I chew, chew, chew... if I take too big of a bite (even an inch size) I have that issue. Also, I really have to wait in between bites. Sometimes I wait too long to eat and am hungry so I chew and chew and grab the next bite without waiting and wham! Also, I know a lot of people seem to have allergies in full swing this time of year and I have heard some mention that the drainage, extra fluids, etc. make their band tighter. Not sure if that may be part of why you are having more issues now. Good luck and have a fun-filled liquid day!

It is so critical to follow up afterwards. The initial surgery doesn't do much, it is the fills you get (which may take several visits) to get to your green zone that will really help. You also need to do your part of exercise and keeping calories under 1200 per day, meals under a cup size serving, and protein around 60 grams per day. It is very important to eat your protein (3-4 ounces) first as that is what will keep you satiated and help you get back on track. Good luck... PLEEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE follow up with your doctor for the fills. It's like buying a new car and not putting gas in it... it won't get you anywhere.

Okay I'm glad to hear that you have already done a lot of research. Reading your original post I wasn't sure if it sounded like you have just made this a quick decision. I wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into. Knowing that you do rock on this will be awesome for you.

I am very happy for you. Please, please, please take time to do your homework too. This is a very big, life altering decision. Please make sure you are informed on what those changes will be. The band is only a tool and you will have to do a lot of work to be successful. It is not saying you won't be, I just want to make sure you know what you are signing up for. Some people, even with the band, cannot change their relationship with food. If you can do that, you too will be successful!

It really is the best way to measure, if you will. Many people reach weight plateaus, yet drop in inches. Plus, some people get obsessive w/ the scale weighing so frequently and getting distraught if it goes up a pound. Sounds like you have a healthy mindset for your future success.

I had that happen early on and was MISERABLE as well. Thankfully after that initial time, it hasn't been like that. You need to be sure you are drinking lots of liquids and I would recommend the prune juice too. I upped my liquids and that helped so it didn't happen again. Good luck.

Also ask if you will be given any fill during surgery, if not what should you expect post surgery. When will your first follow up be, how often after that. Also, what requirements does your surgeon have pre-surgery (diet, other requirements, etc.).

That is awesome news! Congrats!!! No Halloween candy for you, lol. Keep up with this forum for support along the way. It isn't an easy journey but definitely rewarding and worthwhile!!! Well to the "club" of us banders.

For me it is a great feeling when I am able to avoid that temptation. It is empowering to know you are stronger than that craving. I, too, was craving pizza post surgery. So recently I bought a pack of 7" premade crusts (about 100 cal.), pizza sauce (minimal cals.), added low fat cheese, veggies, etc and "induldged" all for only a couple hundred calories and it was YUMMY and best of all satisfied my craving for pizza.

I agree with all the previous posts. Your doctor misinformed you. It is about 40-60% of your excess weight they say you will typically lose (some more, some less). I think most of us lose that within the first few months.

Very well said!

I can imagine that may be a struggle; however, what are the repercussions of not having the procedure? Try to think back to the reasons you are doing this and not what you will be missing (unhealthy food) but all that you will be gaining - your health, confidence, a new lease on life, appearance, stamina, etc.... There is much more to be gained than losing the love affair w/ food. It has been much easier (I am 3 months post op) than I ever imagined. I haven't "dieted" in years because I couldn't even try to give up food. Since surgery, it has just come naturally to eat healthier and follow the rules. I have a small treat here and there and have found tasty ways to enjoy healthy food options. Maybe in your "new life" you could find some healthy cupcake recipes and that could be your new "drive". I bet there are some lowfat cupcakes that people would really enjoy, still look induldging, and maybe even be big business for you!

Also, there have been studies where the more successful people or people that are promoted are the tall, fit, attractive, etc. that present well (physically and professionally). Certainly, this isn't the rule in all cases but I see it a lot even in my office.

I firmly believe the weight is a hinderance for many prospective employers. I feel they view overweight candidates as a liability, expense and some feel they are going to be lazy. I will be in the market for a new job next year (have to move) and will be happy to be down many pounds before I have to embark on that journey. There are some employers that don't care and I know they aren't supposed to discriminate but if given two equal candidates, I feel the healthier looking one is more apt to in most cases. Not only that but I can do well on interviews but am very self-concious w/ my weight. I know I will present much better when I feel more confident about myself.

OOPS, at least you know what I meant

hbic40 thank you for having the courage to share your story. Also, I commend you for taking ownership of where you could have done better. It really sheds light on what OUR responsponsibility is as banders and that we cannot leave it up to the band itself. Many people want to blame the band (although I know the band can fail too) and are not able to see how their actions impacted it. I admire your courage to speak to that and not place blame elsewhere. This is a huge opportunity for all of us to learn from your experiences. More importantly than that, thank God for you, your children, family, etc. that you survived and are here to share your story. You may have just saved someone else's life today in doing so. I hope you are well and on the road to being "you" again. Cherish each day and best wishes to you and your continued strength and recovery.

What's done is done. Don't beat yourself up. Brush yourself off as that doesn't define you or your success and doesn't make you a failure. If you start feeling bad about it, it may make you get back into the emotional eating as well. So move on and do better the rest of the day. If you are still stressed or upset, try going for a walk or do something with a friend to distract you from going down that path again. Big hug!

You will.... it IS secret LBT code.

LOL, I had the same questions when I came on this forum... I had to ask what all the acronyms meant. I didn't know what NSV meant either (which is a non-scale victory).

Glad it is "nothing". It is amazing what gas can do to the body.

Generally, there should be a nurse in the office you could speak with. Don't ever feel like you are bothering the doctor. That's what they are there for. I know sometimes as newbies we feel like maybe we are making too much of something. I would call your doc, speak to the nurse and explain your symptoms they should be able to offer some guidance. It isn't that we don't want to offer suggestions, we just don't want to steer you down the wrong path and want to make sure you are ok. I hope this passes soon.