labwalker

My APRN told me not to worry about having a "cup" of food at a meal. I was concerned that I could eat 1/2 can of string beans, and two fish filets for lunch. The string beans are about 2 cups alone... that's around 250 calories total. I could never understand how anyone could be expected to get enough nutrients out of three meals of 1/2 cup each.

Salad might be pushing it... some folks with bands can't tolerate lettuce at all.

Eggs, omelets, shrimp... no problems so far.... only food I've minor trouble with is meatballs there were frozen (too dry), and few select Dunkin Donut breakfast sandwiches that are on the dry side... they go down, but I know they are there!!!

I would do a follow up with your doctor's office. Your weight loss is awesome, but it seems to be a lot for such a short period. I'm wondering if you are too tight, and perhaps not getting enough nutrients as a result. The band should not be making sick!

What is your protein intake at each meal? When were you banded, and how many fills have you had? Is the hunger a new experience, or have you had it since been being banded?

This sounds like something I'd want to discuss with my doctor's office. My surgeon has nurses on staff to deal with problems or questions such as these. You shouldn't be relying on anecdotal advice for these sort or issues! Please call you surgeon's office.

Costco has some good protein drinks--30 grams of protein which was one of the highest I could find. Calories are reasonable, too.

All surgeries have risks, and WLS surgeries aren't any different. WLS is elective, however. I think there are some clinics who put profit above the welfare of the patient. Anyone considering the band should be carefully screened to see if the band is necessary, and if the procedure is in the best interests of the patient. There were some horror stories about a clinic in the LA area that ended up being investigated by the FDA. I am sure there are many folks who have had bad experiences with the band or other surgeries. Their stories should serve as a reminder to all of us that any surgery can go wrong. I think they are doing a service by reporting the problems they encountered, and I do empathize with them. However, there are some who only bash the band... no information about the quality of the surgeon who did the procedure, etc. Or, how well they followed the pre and post surgery instructions, or follow up visits. Those are the ones I ignore. Ever notice the number of problems from posters who don't do regular follow up visits, or who have profit above patient providers? T

Can-Do's experience with the green zone is about the same as mine. Everyone has a different experience and perspective. I've read some stories where a poster's green zone is having fills to the point where they physically can't eat beyond a point without becoming sick... others, like me, rely on a feeling of being full, and just stop eating at that point, even though we could eat more without any problems.

I have United Healthcare, but bariatric surgery under my plan goes through Optum Health. I started my journey in Feb; but it took until December before I could have surgery.... six months of nutritionist visits, upper GI, blood work, pysch evaluation, and two required support group meetings! The wait was depressing, since I wanted to loose the weight sooner than later, but now that the surgery is behind me it was worth it! I should mention that it took until March before I started to see weight loss--after the third fill. It was a long start before I could even begin.

Sounds like you're doing everything right! Congrats!!!

Once you start your fills the hunger will subside. Stick with the diet recommended by the nutritionist! I eat my protein first for all three meals, and I find that the protein was the key for my losing weight and staying on course. Congrats on your success and willpower!

wow, wow, wow!!! You're awesome! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AWESOME!!!!! I can't wait until I am able to do as well as you have!

You are wise to be concerned. Any major, elective surgery should never be undertaken lightly. But, you have to weigh the risks between staying where you are at--and the longevity and quality of life you might expect without having WLS. I was scared silly having surgery for the band. My surgeon told me nothing was guaranteed, and that I could die as a result of the surgery, You're going to have to decide if you have faith in your surgeon, which was for me more important than choosing which surgery I wanted! If your surgeon has a good reputation, I'd trust his judgement. edit: corrected typo

May I offer a few comments, without appearing like a jerk? I see a lot of post about the green zone... some think they are there because the band greatly restricts their eating ability. In essence, the band is controlling their lives, instead of them being in control. If the band is too lose, or too tight, then weight loss may not occur. I'd suggest that you carefully track every bit of Protein, and every calorie, that you take in on a daily basis. Then I'd document whatever exercise program you're following, and then schedule a meeting with your doctor's office or the nutritionist to learn what the problem is, and your best course of action to correct it.

My surgeon told me that overeating is only one part of it... genetics is also involved, as is one's lifestyle. I've seen skinny people who can eat fries and the biggest burger at Five Guys everyday of the week, and never gain an ounce. Folks who never had weight issues can be judgmental. "Surgery? Just stop shoveling into your mouth!" is what I've heard and read all too often. WLS is not inexpensive, nor is undergoing major surgery something that is done on a whim or as a quick band-aid fix. You aren't copping out, you are facing a problem and trying to find a solution. You will need self-discipline and motivation for WLS to work, regardless. I opted not to tell many family members that I was having WLS, since I didn't want to be judged for having the surgery. The important thing is to do it for yourself, and not worry about what anyone else thinks.

I was stuck once, after my first fill. Since then, I've eaten or sampled a lot of different foods and have yet to have another episode. I think everyone is different. And I think that there is a very, very wide difference between how much the various members of this board have. Some have very poor food tolerances and have to chew, chew and watch what they eat... others can eat anything. I think as long as the band is signaling a feeling of being full it is probably doing its job. Sure wish I had the answers!

Being "reversible" is nice.... but, if you are banded at age 65 do you really want to worry having to have another major surgery 10 or 15 years down the road due to unexpected problems? There is good and bad with any procedure.

Based on food intake. I track using fitday.com.... kind of a vintage site, but I have been using it off and on for ten years or more.

900 to 1100 calories a day, 70 to 90 grams protein. I think I am near the green zone.

It kind of bothers me that I can eat rice, bananas, salads, etc. and I don't have problems. I often wonder if the band is really there, or if it needs a bit more fill. I do track calories and protein, but I wonder how of my success is due to the band, or just being motivated after undergoing serious surgery and wanting this to work.

Based on my age my surgeon recommended the band over the sleeve. I was a bit nervous about the problems I read that others had with band. My surgeon said there were sleeve procedures that had problems, but at least with the band it could be removed it problems arose.

Pets?

Sounds childish to me, and very immature... or insecure?