labwalker

I do about 900 to 1000 calories a day... and about 80 or 90 grams of Protein, but I also eat more than cup at a meal. The NUT was pushing the measuring cup (suggested 1 cup) but the APRN who does my fills said not to worry about portion size. He even suggested that I could increase my calories. It gets very confusing when everyone in the office isn't on the same page. I don't think I could meet calorie or protein intake based on three 1/2-cup meals.

Don't take this as medical advice, but my doctor told me to take the D3 supplements based on my blood tests prior to surgery. He advised that 400 units wouldn't touch the low numbers, and that I should take at least 2000 units a day. I wouldn't advise you to take the supplement in larger doses unless a doctor tells you to--but that is what I had to based on my tests.

It is critical for your bone health: http://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-d-deficiency I take 3000 units a day, but I also have blood work every six months. D3 is stored in fatty tissue, and as you lose weight the amount of D3 units you require may decrease. Too much D3 can be toxic, but I think we're talking in the 100,000 unit range. Your doctor is the best to advise how much you should be taking.

Junk foods, high in calories, and ones that easily pass through the band. Milkshakes, potato chips, birthday cake... mostly empty calories with little nutritional value. Your doctor should have given you a list of foods to avoid and a time period before introducing others. Some of us can eat anything, but a lot of folks will get stuck on common foods. It depends on your band, amount of fill, and your own body as to what foods you can tolerate or not... my nemesis is frozen meatballs with little filler. They go through the band very slowly and I try to avoid them.

It will be sore for awhile. After surgery it bothered me when I slept on my side for several weeks. There is a lot of healing that needs to take place.

Could be too much calorie intake (but you seem to have that well under control,) not enough protein... you could be building muscle mass but losing fat at a slower rate. One other consideration is short term water retention. My weight can change 5 or 6 pounds when I weigh myself each morning. 8 pounds would represent a LOT of calories and isn't easily explained. I'd try the other suggestions regarding fluid intake, etc. and see where you are in a few weeks.

I suggest counting calories and most importantly, your protein intake. For me, increasing protein and limiting calories did the trick. I try for 80 to 90 grams of protein a day, and under 1000 calories. You have to find the sweet spot where you are burning more calories than you are taking in. Proteins, at least in my case, seem to help limit the hunger urges between meals. I remember my NUT was really pushing the need for ample protein intake during our meetings.

Yes, the insurance requirements is the kicker, and they are all different! My consultation was in March, 2012... and the doctor's office told me my insurance required two nutritionist visits besides the pysc and medical screening tests. I expected to be in surgery by August. Instead, my insurance denied approval since they required 6 nutritionists visits over a six month period. That really set me back! I ended up waiting until December to get my surgery. If felt like an eternity.

After three fills my band isn't tight enough for me to get into much trouble if I eat past when I think I should stop. I know I've overeaten in the recent past, so I am very careful to count calories and protein intake, and to stop when I have the slightest feeling of being full. I think everyone is a bit different, depending on where their band fill is at, and for other reasons.

Awesome!! I can only hope to do as well!! Congrats!

You need both medical and physiologic help. This constant bashing is non productive in this forum.

Do it for yourself, and no one else. Celebrate your victories. You have friends and supporters on this forum who can appreciate what you have gone through, accomplished, and the journey to get there. Don't let anyone deter you from your goal!!!!

We all can second guess what we should have done... I would have preferred the VSG after my initial decision to go with the band, but my surgeon strongly favored the band based on the risks involved. So long as the band is working for you, don't worry about imaginary straw men. And because you are so successful with your weight loss, a revision surgery would be far less risky, if it is ever needed in the future.

My wife takes a very large number of pills, and she had WLS after I decided to have my surgery. She would have had the lapband, but due to the larger number of medications she had to take, our surgeon strongly favored VSG over the lap band. He mentioned that some of his lapband patients were filling up on pills!!!!

Indeed, I sure hope they can evolve into being decent human beings, after gaining some maturity. I wouldn't wish what most of us have had to suffer, in private or through public humiliation, on another living being... but sometimes Karma is a well deserved b***h.

I've notice that the "restriction" feeling after a fill seems to subside with time, usually within a few weeks. I wonder if the initial restriction is due to the stomach swelling as a reaction to the band tightening? My APRN wants me to follow a liquid and soft food diet for two days after a fill, so I suspect that there is some swelling or other reaction to a recent fill.

Excellent idea! Most doctors schedule a post operative visit about 3 or 4 weeks after surgery. Checking the incisions should be part of the follow up visit. Good luck to you!

Congrats!!! That is awesome!!!!!

2 or 3 weeks sounds way too soon! The sutures have to be healed completely, so talk to your doctor first. If you have glued sutures, you don't want to expose them to too much water either, or they may fail. It took my sutures over a month to heal. The body apparently heals from the inside out. The larger sutures can take a bit of time.

The band wasn't doing nothing for me until the third fill. Since then I've lost a bit of weight, but I still don't feel the restriction that others are experiencing. Next time i see the APRN I will probably go for another fill to see what it does. I'd rather be losing weight without having the band restriction making me ill for a bit of over indulgence.

You might ask your pharmacy if that script is available in liquid form. My doctor said no pills bigger than a pencil eraser, but my band isn't that restrictive.... yet.

One gent at our doctor's support group has repeatedly stated that the aroma inside of a McDonalds restaurant makes him ill. I've noticed at times that I can't stand the taste of coffee; and my taste buds now prefer fish and chicken over red meats. That works for me, since it is a more healthier food choice. I'll still cheat and have an occasional carbonated beverage, but I let it out-gas a bit before sipping on it. Anything that makes you burp is probably bad news. My doctor advises to avoid carbonation.

I wonder about the surgeon, and if you were qualified to have the surgery to begin with. Sorry, but blaming the band seems a bit lame. There are too many unanswered questions here.

I agree with walking... it is the easiest form of exercise. You will have a weight lifting restriction after surgery. If you're thinking of joining a gym, clear it with the doctor's office before you start doing anything strenuous.

Amen... and having to ask for a chair with no arms in the dining room on a cruise ship!! Sure is fun standing there while the stewards are rearranging the table. NEVER, EVER again. In fact, we cancelled an 11 day European cruise because of this. If I had the surgery a few months earlier we might have gone and been able to enjoy ourselves. Looking forward to doing it next year.