taijos

I have been banded exactly 2 years this month. I must admit, I haven't really followed the restrictions or eating the correct food, etc, not until recently. I found a new surgeon in August, and I think I am finally in the green zone. I have lost 13 pounds in 2 months, so I am on the right track. I too feel hungry, but when I eat, I realize that is really in my head. I can only eat a very very small amount of food now. There are times that my head says I am famished, and want to eat a "real" meal, however when I set down to eat, and eat a few forks full, I am done. So, you will get there. I have a 5 3/4 cc fill now. I have been banded exactly 2 years this month. I must admit, I haven't really followed the restrictions or eating the correct food, etc, not until recently. I found a new surgeon in August, and I think I am finally in the green zone. I have lost 13 pounds in 2 months, so I am on the right track. I too feel hungry, but when I eat, I realize that is really in my head. I can only eat a very very small amount of food now. There are times that my head says I am famished, and want to eat a "real" meal, however when I set down to eat, and eat a few forks full, I am done. So, you will get there. I have a 5 3/4 cc fill now. I have been banded exactly 2 years this month. I must admit, I haven't really followed the restrictions or eating the correct food, etc, not until recently. I found a new surgeon in August, and I think I am finally in the green zone. I have lost 13 pounds in 2 months, so I am on the right track. I too feel hungry, but when I eat, I realize that is really in my head. I can only eat a very very small amount of food now. There are times that my head says I am famished, and want to eat a "real" meal, however when I set down to eat, and eat a few forks full, I am done. So, you will get there. I have a 5 3/4 cc fill now. I have been banded exactly 2 years this month. I must admit, I haven't really followed the restrictions or eating the correct food, etc, not until recently. I found a new surgeon in August, and I think I am finally in the green zone. I have lost 13 pounds in 2 months, so I am on the right track. I too feel hungry, but when I eat, I realize that is really in my head. I can only eat a very very small amount of food now. There are times that my head says I am famished, and want to eat a "real" meal, however when I set down to eat, and eat a few forks full, I am done. So, you will get there. I have a 5 3/4 cc fill now.

I am kind of experiencing the same things that you are experiencing Rich. I agree, it is weird, I throw up more than I should, not everyday, but enough. Sometimes, my band is so tight feeling that I can't get a smoothy down without feeling like it will get stuck. It is the strangest thing because then i can eat an entire turkey burger. I know I am not at the green zone, but I don't know what the green zone is supposed to feel like.

Well....the first 3 fills, I was fine. I just received my 4th fill and have gotten stuck 3 times now. I have to remember to slow down and chew, I think that has been my problem. I got stuck today while eating lunch and forgot and drank a sip of water, why did I do that? Oh boy...not good. So, just eat slowly, small bites, chew well, and don't drink with your meals....you will be fine.

Missy, do you take a double dose of the vitamins, one dose in the morning and one in the evening, or do you just take one dose each day? I was told to take two doses each day, but that seems like it's too much.

Thanks, I may switch to whole smaller pills like that. I just ran out of my Unjury chewable vitamins, they are just so expensive.

Is anyone taking multi vitamins that are whole, or is everyone using the chewable form?

I was banded on 10/24 and was originally 238 pre op. I lost 8 pounds the two weeks before surgery. Now I am between 216 - 218. It has been over 2 months and I need to lose more, and am so frustrated that I haven't. I've been really active, haven't started a committed excersise regime yet, however I get a work out doing my everyday chores, which causes me to sweat. I eat low carbs and only a fist full of food during meals. I must admit, I have to increase my water intake, but I am getting better. I have only received two small fills, and do still feel hungry between meals. Any suggestions is appreciated.

Thanks again everyone, you all have been wonderful! I am still not seeing the scale move, but I am still hopeful. I received another "mini" fill on Monday. I still can't feel much restriction, however I am still limiting my intake and drinking my 'melting juice' ---I will ust keep going!

Thanks everyone!! I just registered for Lose It!!! I love it, thanks so much for the recommendation!!

Thanks everyone, I needed those words of encouragement. My close don't fit snug anymore, so I am losing inches, just not pounds. You are so right Laurie, I definitely have to kick this into high gear and increase my excercise and Water intake. Wildrose, you are right it didn't take 2 3- 4 months for the weight to get on, I have to learn patience here. Missy, can you suggest where I can get an app or some type of tracker that I can take with me? I am no longer on Weight Watchers, but that concept really help me for a minute. I really need to begin counting calories again. I eat 1 cup of food per meal, or a fist size as my doctor recommends. You guys are really great, thanks so much!

Our profiles are so similar. What have you been doing to get you to this point? I am really getting frustrated, wondering if this was worth it.

Congrats!!! I was banded on 10/24 and things are moving awfully slowly for me, so I am so glad to hear that this band really works. I was 238 prior to surgery and still hanging at 216 - 218---so frustrating.

I have the same pain sometimes and I have always wondered if it was pain from my liver being moved around for the surgery. Just a thought, because I have these pains even when I haven't eaten.

I would like to hear from others as well on this topic. I have 3.5 cc and have the Lapband. I received 2 ccs on my first filling and two weeks later I went in for my second filling and my doctor first gave me 3 cc, and I couldn't swallow, so he took 1/2 out. I too can't really feel any restriction. There are times when I can feel a tightness in my chest, but other times, I feel nothing. I have only lost 2 - 3 pounds over the last month, I am starting to wonder if this is going to work for me. I wanted to see more rapid weight loss.

Hi...not moody, just have severe hot flashes. The hot flashes are unbelievable, they even wake me up at night. Anyone else experiencing this since banding?

I had my second fill on Thursday. My dr gave me 3cc, since I told him that the previous fill two weeks prior left me still feeling hungry. After the fill I sat and sipped water, and immediately got pain, couldn't swallow, slime came, and I threw up the water. It was awful. I am just glad that I was still in the office, and he removed 1.5cc. I just hope I am not going to be hungry like I was before. It's only been a few days, but I do feel a slight difference in being full quicker, just hope it lasts a while. Any experience bandsters please let me know if this is a normal process to reaching my green zone---and if so how will I know when I reach it?

Hi Holly, Congrats, you are doing the right thing, but remain patient. In my case, my insurance company does have me enrolled in a medical provider group who is the liaison between my doctor and the insurance company. They are the ones that actually authorize the surgery. I would suggest that you contact your insurance company and inquire about the procedure yourself. Your doctor has several other patients and it may take him time to respond to letters, calls and emails returned by your insurance company. Another thing, there are many many evaluations and tests that you probably have to take that will help the doctor paint a better picture of you in order to justify your need for the surgery. In my case, it actually took a few months to complete all the tests. Tests/evaluations that I had included: psychological test, nutrition consultation, several lab work visits, and gall bladder ultrasound even before I was referred to a specialist who was the weight loss surgeon. My surgeon isn't a part of a larger bariatric center, so you may not be referred to one of those. It is actually whomever your insurance company approves (preferred provider) and ultimately whomever your doctor has a relationship with and is comfortable sending his/her patients. Hang in there it will work out I am sure. You have a couple of other weight related health concerns that the insurance companies look for in authorizing surgery. In addition, you have a history of trying to lose weight over the years. My doctor and I had to really work together because although I am obese, I don't have any other medical conditions. We did finally realize that I have arthritis in my knees, which was the factor that put my referral request over the top. I completed all the preliminary tests/evaluations and within a month or so, I was referred to surgery. Hang in there!

Does anyone have any suggestions for calorie counting tools I can use?

Fabulous!! Thank you all soooooo much!!

Hi Mle, Congrats on your surgery Monday...whoo hooo!! My surgery was on 10/24. I was nervous and excited too. You will be amazed at how quick the surgery is and how small the incisions are. This is a great support group as well, you will like it.

How do you know when you are in the green zone? How does it feel when you eat, are you full quicker and for a longer period. Just want to know when I get there. I just receive my first fill on Thursday, it was 2 cc, I go back in 2 weeks for another fill. I still don't really feel restricted, I have to restrict myself. On the other hand, I am not totally sure how I should feel. Right after my surgery is was evident that I was full because I felt it in my chest, but not now. I have to limit myself. I thought the band was supposed to help limit me.

I started feeling actually "normal" by week 3 post op. I went back to work the 2nd week, and felt fine, but still not "normal." No worries, you will feel really good after the first full month. I am now 5 weeks post op and feel great. Got my first fill on Thursday, but still feel "normal." Keep the faith, isn't this great!? Congrats by the way.

5 almost totally healed...one month post op!

Thanks Minime and Carolyn, this helps a lot. I woke up this morning with serious hunger pangs, so much so that i was almost nauseous. It is so good to hear from both of you....I will keep going. Carolyn, you look awesome, I love to see pictures.