PuraVida37

I got my fill in like the beginning of November. The the first week of Dec. I got really stressed out from work and some personal commitments and it just got mysteriously tighter and tighter in the course of 3-4 days. I thought it was from something I ate (maybe swelling?), or who knows, but actually I had been eating A LOT less than normal. I have learned that if I don't eat or drink enough, I get pain in my chest. I tried going back to a liquid diet for a few days, but it didn't seem to help.

Same thing happened to me. Ended up in the ER. It sucked. I got my fill taken out and I feel SO much better!! Even a little can make a big difference.

Shopping list: Isopure singles if you can get them (Rite Aid or maybe GNC).

Take your body measurements today and also take a "Before" pic! If you have time, write yourself a letter about why you are doing this and read it for days when you're feeling blue. And realize you WILL be in pain and ask yourself "WHY DID I DO THIS TO MYSELF?" but in a week that will be gone and you'll feel exponentially better each day. And remember to WALK!! It may hurt, but it WILL help!!! Don't bother taking a bunch of stuff with you to the hospital. You'll just have to carry it back. If you're female, wear a super easy, comfy bra or none at all. I remember struggling with it afterwards. LOL Good luck!!! Welcome to the other side! lol

Hi everyone! I used to donate blood and platelets on a regular basis before my surgery. How soon do you think is appropriate to wait after surgery (it's almost been 4 months), if ever? Of course I will have to read up on the Red Cross' website for their guidelines for after a surgery, but any ideas on the lap band side of things? Any of you regular donators?

Of course I know that you aren't my doctor, and of course I will ask him all this when I see him, I just want the bander viewpoint please. No flames, por favor!!! Due to an emergency unfill in Dec. after tightness in my chest, I now have the same amount of fill in my band as right after surgery (2cc). I am told to eat 1/4c of food at a meal, and if I'm still hungry continue to 1/2c. I try to stick with this and most times do a good job, though I could easily eat more (I really try not to because I don't want to end up in the ER again). Most times I can make it 3-4 hrs without feeling hungry again, though other times I do get hungry. Does that mean I am at restriction already or pretty close? Is that possible with so little fill? When I did have 4ccs I felt I didn't even want water--I could barely eat anything (the scale was going down at a frightfully fast pace, too). I was thinking to ask the doc to only put in .5cc this time, but I could do ok where I'm at. Feedback, please. Thanks!

Thanks very much, folks! I guess I'm going to stay where I'm at. I can always add more later. For now I'm doing ok. I agree about preferring being looser than tighter. No fun there.

Post a follow up please!! What happened?

While I can see that the doc may have reasons for it, I think for a safety standpoint, it would be smarter to let the patient know in case they have an emergency and need to tell another doctor how much is already there. I mean, what if you were on a trip and felt something was wrong, how would you be sure there was a leak or something if you couldn't tell mow many CCs were there originally? Why not ask your doc WHY he won't tell you?

PPS No iron or vitamins with your meds either!

I agree with the suggestion about seeing a nutritionist. Perhaps the calories you're taking in aren't quite the right kind for you. I do notice that for me, the scale moves lower if I eat more...but only if it's good calories (Proteins with a very few whole wheat carbs). Keep track of your foods religiously for a couple weeks before you see the nutritionist so s/he can pinpoint where things could change. I love the app Lose It, but others prefer My Fitness Pal. Good luck!! you'll get there!! ETA: PS I am hypo too and so far my meds haven't changed since having the lap band. Are you taking them in the morning on an empty stomach (no meals for 30min to an hr)? For the first year of taking Levothyroxine, I didn't know that you had to do that. I take it right when I wake up before my shower and morning routine.

I'm too scared to even try it.

My surgeon said walking only for 6 weeks. I felt better before that, but he said absolutely NO. So definitely check with your doctor to see what his/her plan is for you.

I followed the pre-op diet very strictly and lost about 25-30 lbs before surgery. I was banded with these guys on 9/30. Since then I've lost 40 more lbs. Except for Christmas time, I have been very careful with what I eat because I am terrified of band slippage and being stuck, especially since my ER visit in Dec. I chew very carefully, though sometimes I still find myself eating too fast. My doc recommends 1/4c at meals, but I need 1/2c--I have the same fill as right after surgery and I don't think I'm going to add too much more any time soon, maybe .5 at my next appt. For me, it seems like the more I eat the more I lose. I exercise 2-3 times a week, but not faithfully. When I do, however, I kick butt and workout hard, no faking for me. Ain't nobody got time for that!! lol I use the app Lose It! to track my food, and I'm trying for 80-100g of Protein and 1000 to 1200 calories, because like I said, the more I eat the better the scale is, and I can worry less about not getting enough protein. As a recovering food addict, I feel safe eating the same thing over and over. No room for cheating or decisions. So lately I've been having 1-2 eggs or a protein shake for Breakfast, 2 slices turkey/2 slices cheese for lunch, yogurt mid-afternoon, and 2-4 oz some kind of meat with 2-4 tbs veg for dinner. Sometimes a snack in there too, like a Quest bar. So today I am forced to have a NSV treat--my bras are way too big and aren't holding up well (pun intended) so I'm off to Soma to get some new ones! I hope I fit--I'm just in between an XL and a 1X. Wish me luck! (And no, I won't be posting photos later. LOL!!!)

Ha! I had a 2.5 lb drop this morning too. So weird how our bodies work!

Ah, but you didn't GAIN 5 lbs, so that's great!! Debbie, thanks for the pep talk!

I weigh myself daily and find it very motivating!! PS I am truly in bandster hell. I am sooooo hungry, and given the chance could eat a horse. Well maybe a small pony at least. Trying to keep it in check with protein. Got my appt for Feb 4th for a fill.

Arch, maybe try a few days of pre-surgical diet again (shakes, broth, etc.). That does it for me when I get stuck on the scale. Are you exercising also?

Hi Maggy, we are banders, but welcome! Bad news: So now that I'm unfilled I'm REALLY hungry. I've been losing and gaining the same 3-5 lbs since mid Dec. I need a fill, but I'm going to wait a little bit because I feel like I was just there. I can pretty much eat anything. I think I will ask for only 1 or .5 at a time though, so I don't end up in the ER again. Good news: I am exercising better than ever, and I feel so much better than...well, EVER. I've begun the couch to 5 k jogging program, and have hit the gym quite a bit since I started feeling better. I also got to do some shopping and have gone from 26-28 to a 16-18. WOOT WOOT!! Hope everyone is well, wish people would post more. Get with it people!!

Last night I had a cookie dough bar. OMG!!! The BEST!!!

First they have a guest speaker to speak to all WLS patients, then they separate into 2 groups, the bypassers and sleevers and then the lap banders. The lap band group is always quite small, so it's great! Once it was just 5 of us, and another time about 20. Depends on the day. Yes, please come to a meeting. Call up Dr. Ahmad's office: 689-0220 to find out when they are exactly. Also I believe there is a Facebook group called LIPO (Long Island Post Ops) that you could join. I'm not in it because I'm super secretive about my surgery, but maybe you aren't?

I vote Quest bars too!! At GNC around the register, they have single bars (which yes, are pricey, but it's worth it) so I bought one of each kind and tested them out. I prefer the berry one, but the double chocolate was quite delightful the other day when I wanted some chocolate. I take a very sharp kitchen knife and cut them up into small squares and eat them like bon bons. It makes me take smaller bites and eat them slower. The consistency isn't like other bars, these have no crunch, they are gooey like cookie dough. PS I keep one in my purse for emergency snacking. <--lol at the term "emergency snacking"!!!

Venting is so helpful, isn't it??! I'm so glad we have a place to do so. Surgery stresses everyone in the family, and being farmers, you and he both know that the action never stops on a farm. I doubt any time of year would be a good time for you to be laid up for a while. I'm sorry for the loss of your mother. You've been through quite a lot and seem to be making it out of the dark very well. Keep a good attitude and just try to love him more when he acts tough. Congratulations on your new grandbaby! May you have many more years of fun and good times with your family.

You look awesome!! What a great smile, too! Gorgeous! Keep up the good work!

I've lost nearly enough to shop in a non-"fat lady" store (Lane Bryant and Avenue). Where should I go first? Where do you think is the best place to shop now that you are thinner?