carole6836

My weight loss has been so slow, its making me wonder if its not just the lifestyle change that is making the 1lb a month loss. It's been very discouraging and got somewhat off the wagon a couple of weeks ago. I had back surgery almost 2 weeks ago and for some reason, everything I ate got stuck and kept vomiting after each meal. Now its ok but a few days before surgery and over 1 week after surgery, everything got stuck. I was at a loss, so I resorted to the mashed potatoes and the carb stuff I am not supposed to eat. Now that I am healing from surgery, I am fine with absolutely everything I eat. Not good in many ways because now, I am testing myself and at my expense. All this to say that I finally realized that stress and just stress alone can flare up the stuck episodes that so many fear. I know I am not in the "green zone" yet as I am soooo frigging hungry all the time and can eat big portions so I said to myself that I do not want any more adjustments until after xmas and am doubting my capabilities of achieving success for this surgery as I am mentally preparing myself that this is the way that I will be for the rest of my life and there is nothing I can do about it as I have tried everything and wasted enough money. Whoa, that's a load off...thanks for listening.

you are ALL right. I am kind of bummed out about it and just feel like throwing in the towel but all I can do is move forward and not give up I guess. I will get a fill next week (appoint the 27th) and see if it helps with the hunger. I have paid close attention to the hunger and this one is different. I feel nauseated because of how hungry I get. So I eat a little something. It might very well be the frame of mind that I am in also that is "tricking" me into making me think that I am starving. Who knows. Back to low carb as of right now and more Water intake.

I know how you feel. Been a problem for me also. What I find works is a heating pad for the pain of the gas and it helps to pass it and exercise. I stand up, put my feet abit apart, then put my hands on the floor in front of me (like trying to touch your toes)...you will literally feel the gas move from chamber to chamber. Keep that position for at least 10-15sec then repeat a few times. You will see that the gas will come out. It was so bad me for at one point that I was saying to myself that my social life was over...lol. When I decided to eat strictly Protein and veggies, my gas diminished considerably. I notice that when I eat Pasta, grains, etc..and heavy gluten my gas increases so keep a journal of what gives you more gas. Good luck.

I went on a nice long 2 month holiday and was happy to report that I had only gained 1 lb while on holidays. However, a lot has happened since I have been back (2 weeks now. I had a car accident while away, which led to a sciatica problem. Finally decided to go see the doctor last week for the problem and been given injections and put on a 2 week steroid/cortisone treatment to treat a sciatica problem I have with my left leg and lower back and OMG...I am a bottomless pit of hell. I can't exercise and all I do is sleep and eat. I feel myself bloating up and CRAVING the sugars for some odd reason. I am eating huge portions and the only time I really feel my band is if I eat too fast...then I get stuck. I feel like there is an alien trapped in my body and there is nothing I can do about it. My family is at their wits ends as they clearly can see its not me, its someone else and was wondering if anyone else ever had problems like that being on these kinds of meds. I am having severe side effects and am trying to hang in there since I have got 5 days left on the treatment, but not sure if I can hold off cause I really want my leg and back to get better so that I can get back on my elliptical and walking. Any thoughts..??

thks everyone. appreciate it.

to answer a question asked, I had a "fake" full because of all the gas I experience. I feel too full, too fast because of the quick gas buildup but had a fill last week of 1.6 cc and my restriction is not much I think. I eat small portions cause I really don't want to get stuck but so far, I can basically eat any meat (except for steak that I haven't tried yet). So I think I might feel restriction at my next fill but that will not be until August since I am leaving for 2 months and won't see my doctor. Good luck.

Exact same for me. He said they typically put in 3cc at surgery but he determines the right amount in surgery. He put in only 1cc for me at surgery. So yeah, I would say its normal.

ttThat is great news. Keep up the good work. You should be proud of yourself.

You seem ready so just do it...just like you would anything else really. Think of all the struggles you've been through and re-tell yourself you did not alter your anatomy for nothing...you did not suffer for nothing...that you are worth it and will not let this beat you and that you are so worth it. Restart of the protein to help with the hunger and restart measuring your portions maybe...not sure how to restart something like that but you can re-start your brain. If you are eating because of emotional issues, then you might want to address those issues straight on first. You did it once, you can certainly do it again. Keep the faith.

stMay 3 was banded. Lost 22 lbs so far on the band but almost 40 lbs gone since I started lifestyle changes in January. Struggling with gas and bloating constantly but its becoming part of my life now so am dealing with it. Looking forward to the journey ahead of me and seeing the "new" me.

when I had my 1st fill last week, the doc said to me "if you throw up in the parking lot or in the next 24 hrs on liquids come right back in". So based on what the doc told me, you should at least call him to see what he says.

dietdirect.com. They have a bunch of bariatric stuff in there. I bought the Bariwise ones and so far so good except for the "straw=-kiwi" one. There are 7 in a box and are approx. $11. A bit pricey but worth it. Your doctor's office should have some too but will probably be more expensive than buying online.

I suspect its NOT the Mac and Cheese he was yelling about. Its the frustrations and the changes happening in front of his eyes because his wife is taking care of herself and that alone scares a man to death. My husband admitted to that. He never screamed at me or anything like that but in a conversation we had at the therapist, it was acknowledged that men will need a little more reassurance from their wives that they are not going anywhere because they will loose weight. I have no problem in reassuring my hubby as I am sure if the roles were reversed, I would feel the uneasiness also if the roles were reversed. He's going through changes also, just remember that and be supportive of each other. That is how I feel so that is my opinion only.

Had my first fill of 1.6 cc last week and was nervous too. I was liquids for 3 days after that and now am pretty much eating meats and veggies. I eat a small plate and it fills me up. I only got 2.6 cc in my band to date as when he put in the band, he put in 1cc. Its not much restriction but I have to manage with what I have and watch what I eat constantly and make the good choices. You'll do fine. No pain as they "freeze" you.

What helps me is the "protein fruit drinks" powder that you put in your water. It takes the edge off of being "hungry". The moodiness and growling goes away and makes it much more manageable. Have one of those in between you meals. Its only 70 calories and 15 gr of protein so its not too bad. It would be a shame for you to have gone through all of this just to set yourself to fail in the long run. You just have to remember and keep reminding yourself that you did this major surgery for a reason and keep your goal in view. You can do this, you really can.

it depends on how much weight you got to lose. Some people on You Tube put up videos of themselves showing the excess skin after severe weight loss so go and check it out. I watched some of them and I determined that if that's the worste, than I would be ok with it.

Ruby Tuesday has got healthy sides now.....and the selection is pretty good for someone on a diet.

I don't know bandster hell?? I had too much gas and bloating to be able to eat I think (which could have been a savior in a way)...good that its the first time and don't be too hard on yourself. We are newbies...lol but everybody tells me in order to be successful in dieting the key is to not deprive yourself or you will go crazy. So being too strict on yourself has something to do with the relapses and eventually, you will not crave the stuff that is bad for you. Can you imagine that?? Not wanting the stuff that got us in this mess to start off with...I cannot wait for that day myself.. Cheers, C

I did not know someone could eat that much being banded!! That's scary to me as I don't want to be even able to do that cause I can see myself going off the wagon like that. I hope for you that you get back on wagon quick being so early on. You need not to deprive yourself and be so strict, but to enjoy the little things as a treat once in a while but in very small quantity. That's what I started doing recently ...but in very very small quantities...ex.I haven't had chocolat in 2 months so last night as a treat I had 4 tiny cadbury minieggs ...and I feel content with that and feel like I was not deprived since everybody else had some. Even licking the knike of strawberry jam after I make my daughter her sandwich, I guess its all mental, as long as I taste it, then I feel like I had it and don't feel deprived. Does that make sense?? The biggest reward you can do for yourself is to get back on the wagon and re motivate yourself. You are not alone and try different things to see what works for you. Good luck. You are worth it and certainly deserve it.

I get that shoulder pain but can relieve the pain with a simple downward dog yoga pose as its related to gas pain....my shoulder feels instantly better as soon as the gas starts moving in my body. Mine has nothing to do with overeating.

i also have severe bloating and gas...when I get up in the am, I am nice and flat...by the end of my first coffee, I'm already bloated...feels like I have a big elastic band around my upper stomach and called it a "fake full".. I felt so full after eating a tiny amount but it was full of gas but as soon as I would release the gas, I would get hungry. The doctor's office told me today that it should eventually go away so I hope so for us that are stuck with that..

I was banded May 3 and still get the gas and bloating as soon as water or anything comes into my stomach. Downward Dog Yoga pose, bend over ....for me is an instant relief as it helps move the gas alot faster than waiting it out....they told me it will get better today when I went for my first adjustment so I really hope so as I told them the gas and bloating is so bad that I know that my social life is over if this keeps on. Cannot go out gassy like that...its too painful and embarassing...LOL..

good job...I know what you mean tho. I've lost 39 lbs since January but cannot see it. I was expecting to react the same way in myself as when I look at pics on the internet of people who lost weight, the before and after but it ain't happening...lol Oh well. Keep up the good work.

Go to walmart and buy yourself a bottle of papaya enzymes. When u feel like that, take 4 chewable tablets. Since I got stuck a couple of weeks ago, I've been very scared to eat meats and I take it for as a precaution anyways now cause when I feel tight, it helps me. Plus, it helps the digestive track. I had meat for the 2nd time last night since my horrible stuck incident of 2 weeks ago and can honestly say that I feel good about it. They are cheap and if it works, bonus for you and if it doesn't work, then you lost only a couple of bucks. its certainly worth a try.

I prepaid some things like the "facility fee" to get a discount of 20% which saved me a over 1K..but as soon as I did my pshychological eval and passed, I was given a date. everything happened within 3 weeks.