koolkel

So-- I had my third fill and refused a fourth because I keep getting stuck. Several times a week, I have to "spit" out food stuck above my band. I feel this is self-induced( though time of day influences it as well.) I'm actually scared of another fill. I am afraid I will actually choke or vomit. I'm hungry. Some days I feel like i can eat and eat and eat( bottomless pit!) I'm hungry every few hours. I'm guessing I am not in green zone but I'm afraid of more fill! Any advice? I'm modifying my bites and chews, but I've even been stuck on yogurt!

I think my biggest battle right now is STOPPING! I eat and enjoy the food and its hard to stop eating. It makes perfect sense that when I take in more than my band can handle, it backs up and forces itself out. This is a huge mental fight for me, especially when eating out or in a social setting. Everyone is still eating and I'm just sitting there, so i will try another small bite. One bite over capacity and I'm heading to the ladies room. My son now hands me napkins and says he can see it on my face. At home I will remove all food from the table but in restaurants or at friends homes, it more difficult. I'm still chalking this up to my behavior and considering it a learning curve. The aversion of choking on food is going to teach me my limits( I hope!!)

I wasn't losing for the last few weeks but this morning I was down 2lbs and felt lighter. I'm going to focus on my behavior and see if that helps. If I keep getting stuck, I'll consider a tiny unfill. I may be hungry due to my thyroid med dosage( I'm guessing it needs to decrease because of my weight loss.) when I'm hyperthyroid, I experience unending hunger!

I chose band for a number of reasons: It's less invasive It's reversible I remain in control And most importantly, because the weight loss is slower. I form hypertrophic scars. I was afraid of losing too fast, having excess skin, and not being able to have corrective surgery. My surgeon suggested sleeve a few times. I will admit, the idea of rapid weight loss tempted me. I just think its healthier in the long-term for us to lose slowly and to work at it. I had my band placed in Feb 2013 and I've lost 40lbs. I've fought for each pound! This isn't easy and you absolutely have to burn more calories than you eat every single day. I know people who have experienced complications from each of the bariatric procedures. I will say, the band complications are easier to fix!

Bread was my downfall before surgery, now I don't even think about it! However, my biggest craving these days is PIZZA! Thin crust, cheesy pizza that I never cared much about before.

I've been having PBs quite a bit since my third fill. Lettuce will cause it for me as well as eating on the go and not concentrating. I haven't had extreme pain but I feel like I'm gagging. My mouth gets watery and slimy. I sort of burp up what's stuck. The other night I drank water without thinking and it was a BIG mistake! Everything flew out of my mouth, right in a restaurant. Sometimes it's only one expulsion and other times it "spit up" several times. I have had no lasting pain after these episodes and I can eat again shortly after. It's definitely a learning period for me--- it's like aversion therapy. I have become super aware of what and how I'm eating. It now takes me 20 minutes to eat a container of yogurt, especially in the morning.

That's awesome!!! I'm experiencing the same. Seems that seeing results is the best possible reinforcement. Cheers to you!! I'll swim some extra laps in your honor! Lol

I was banded on 2/19/13 and I've lost 40lbs so far. Before banding, I thought 40lbs was a LOT of weight. I thought 40lbs would be a couple sizes in clothes. I thought 40lbs would be a lean body frame. I thought 40lbs would be shorts and dresses. The thing is--- when I look into the mirror, I don't see a woman who weighs 40lbs less. I see the same person I have seen for years. My face has thinned out, I can see that, but my body looks the same( even my boobs stayed the same I am 5'8" and have a true hourglass shape. So I gain all-over and apparently lose all-over. At what weight loss point did you start to see the changes? Will I always see the "big-boned, thick girl" when I look in the mirror?

I can only have very small bites of crusty( toasted) breads. Even wraps will get me stuck. I have been avoiding most bread since my third fill

My doctor calls that "The Last Supper" syndrome! Lol I gained 13lbs in the month before my surgery( but I also quit smoking...) I found myself eating things that I thought I wouldn't ever eat again. It happens. Now that I'm on the other side though, I can't help but think how much further along I'd be if I hadn't gain that weight. Weight loss with the band is hard work. It's slow going. It takes monumental effort and self-control. I knew that but I guess I didn't really KNOW it, if you know what I mean. Think about this: every pound you gain before surgery is a pound you will fight to lose after. Why not start the fight now so that you can be rewarded by a transformation sooner?

Go get'em!! Good Luck!!

I guess that the weight, while falling away from bodies, remains in our heads. I went into this with a realistic expectation ( I think,) but now realize that my vision of weight loss was skewed. I thought that I would be wearing normal sized clothes, I thought my boobs would be smaller, I thought I would be able to run a marathon( lol!) I'm still overweight. I still need major toning. Today I will focus on the good stuff instead of what is stuck in my head. I finally have cheekbones, my double chin has disappeared, I no longer need wide width shoes, I can swim as fast and as far as I did when I swam competitively, I can walk up several flights of stairs, I have a bit of a waist.... And I bought myself a waterproof iPod and headphones for my birthday--- now I will be able to swim laps for HOURS!! I appreciate each of you who responded. It helps to know that I'm not the only one stuck in my 263lb body image.

See, I always RAN from cameras!! Lol! I just added a pic of me right before my surgery and one of me from last month. My scale says I've lost, but photos really show the same me! Maybe my feet shrunk? Lol I am done one size comfortably. I can wriggle into clothes that are 2 sizes smaller but I crave comfort. I'm going to look for old pictures and see what they say. Thank you everyone! It's nice to know I'm not the only one. I joke that I have reverse body dysmorphic syndrome. I don't think I ever saw myself as as fat as I really was.

Perhaps the one with the longer piece of tape? It's the longest incision and usually the one that causes some discomfort. I was banded on 2/19/13 and its hard to believe how all of that discomfort went away. It takes time, it takes walking and it takes healing. My port incision and the port itself were sore for a good 2 months. Not horrible, just achy and sensitive. Good Luck!

I think I may be in the green zone( or close to it,) however, I have occasional where I chew and swallow good and it sits in my chest. My mouth starts to fill with greasy saliva and I gag and bring up the chewed up food. It's not a ton and its not a powerful expulsion. It's quiet and I can usually use a paper towel ( as opposed to a full-out vomit in the toilet.) I don't feel burning or heartburn. It usually happens within the first few bites of food, and after I can eat comfortably. Is this PB? Sliming? Vomiting? Reflux? I'm trying to identify what is happening before I see my doctor. Thanks folks!( sorry if this is gross! )

Sliming is GROSS and a bit scary. It's also a huge embarrassment. I broke out in a sweat at work the other day when I felt like it was going to happen. It's usually my first few bites so I think I need to focus on slowing down.

Congratulations!! I did not notice anything with my first fill. After the second I quickly learned about small bites and chewing. The third seems to have put me in the green zone, or close to it. Everyone will tell you that it's different for each of us. Some need many fills, some never get one! My band was placed 2/19 and I was getting frustrated... but all is happening as it should. I'm down 40lbs and still working it! Best of luck!

Hi everyone! It seems that since my first fill, I can't eat lettuce comfortably. Whenever I eat lettuce, I get a "stuck" feeling, like a rock is in my chest. I had to "slime" once because of it. I moved this weekend and figured it was because I was eating on the run. But it happened again yesterday when I was concentrating. Does anyone else have trouble with lettuce?

I just had my second fill a week ago and I don't feel a difference yet. I'm still fighting hunger most of the day and I haven't lost anymore weight. I just moved and the stress of that was extreme. My meals were not so regulated and planned so I'm thinking the lack of loss is my fault. I hate getting fills because this last one hurt like a mofo.... but I guess I have to keep working toward that sweet spot .