herghost

Hi all Thanks for all the info and the encouragement about getting back on track. Helped loads this week. Breaking some of the habits I had reformed that were detrimental. Hope all is well with those of you going through trials. The not being able to get anything down is not the place to be either. RE: getting fluid out when you thought it was empty. I think that may be a factor of how the needle goes into the port and if it is totally in or not. I also wonder if the fluid in the band shifts periodically and that may be the reason why all the fluid didn't come out originally. Sticking with the proteins/meats first and that is helping with the full sensation. Paying attention to how my pouch feels more often. Keep up the good work all and I hope the trials are relieved soon for those of you having difficulties. Sue Stenzel

Hi Lizalee thank you SOOOO much for posting this. You have eloquently verbalized what I've been thinnkng for some time. Weight loss has been nil for some time. Weight gain....I don't want to go there. I found out that the food I shouldn't eat goes down well and the food I'm supposed to eat sometimes comes back. Talk about negative feedback. I also seem to get a delay in my full sensation. I agree that journaling is a good way to keep track of eating, I don't like to, but maybe that's because I have to own up to what I put in my mouth. I also agree that carbs are poison, so how do you get off them? My willpower and desire seem to be gone. So, having found a kindred spirit, we can do this. I liked feeling slimmer, less aches and pains, clothes fit better, more energy, the numbness in my hands when I'm typing isn't there, I fit in an airplane seat better and don't crowd anyone (I want to fly to my girlfriends house and visit, been puttng off because of the flight issues), and so one. So, 1 hour at a time? We can do it! Sue

Way to go! You're an inspiration! Keep up the good work! Sue Stenzel

Hi Mistymoon; you won't get kicked off the board for not posting. The messages are so the board can stay active. I've done the same thing, logged in a read, and no post, and continued to get the posts. I found that when I started having problems with continuing weight loss, and major head hunger problems that I avoided the doctor, the chat board, etc. Now that I'm back on track, I have learned not to avoid those people that will help me. Good luck in continued success! Sue Stenzel

PJ some of what you are feeling is due to swelling around where the over sew of the band is. Follow the directions your doctor gave you for drinking fluids. Go slow, sip. You might be one of the lucky ones that gets some restriction post op due to the swelling. I too vomited once or twice in the post op period. Could also be related to the anesthesia too. As long as it doesn't keep happening, you should be ok. But get those fluids in! Sue Stenzel

I take Children's Flinstones or generic chewable vitamins - 2 every day. There are also chewable calcium tabs out there, but sometimes the TUMS antacids or generic supply enough calcium, and those are chewable too. Sue Stenzel

I agree that the sweet spot feels different for everyone. I think what is important is that you feel satisfied and are still losing weight (or sometimes maintain while your body adjusts to the previous weight loss). I'm on the "tight" side of sweet spot. When I was wondering some of the same things that have been voiced here, I read the general thread and learned that some people call their bands "fickle". Somedays it's tight, somedays it's loose. Well, I agree with that. Breakfast is the hardest meal for me. I eat about the equivalent of 1 scrambled egg. Sometimes there is no way I can get it down. Some days for dinner, I can eat, and eat! Another day, I can't get hardly anything down. I'm on a water pill and do think that when I'm retaining water, my stomach is a little bigger, so the band is tighter. I had my last fill (my 5th), talked the dr. into putting more in, he was kind of reluctant, and ended up not being able to get water down! Wow! Was that wierd! Had to go back into the office and have some fluid removed. Haven't had a fill since. BUT, I've also struggled with head hunger. Getting back on this board has helped tremendously with getting me on track. You all are a great group and an inspiration! Sue Stenzel

:thumbup:Hi Nancy! Thanks for the encouragement, I agree, we can do this!!! Good job on beating the heat! Great ideas! Today was a girlfriend's birthday and our tradition is ice cream cake from Culver's. So....I went and got it, got a small one, and told the other 2 gals I hang with that I wan't having any. They understood and waited until I left! Wasn't that sweet! AND, no temptation. I've been doing Atkins for a little over a week and doing pretty well. I want to keep it up. I set a goal of losing 30 pounds by the end of October (we're going to Disneyworld). WE CAN DO IT!!!:biggrin::thumbup: Sue Stenzel

Hi Nancy: That isn't a big slip up, it's a speed bump or a learning experience. You learned quicker than I did. I've been struggling with favorite slider foods for 3-4 months now and it wasn't until I started reading this board again that I'm getting back on track. AND, I also started going to the doctor again every month. I haven't needed a fill since February. Still have the restriction. After the last fill, I started spacing out my appointments and eating more slider foods. I've come to the conclusion, that I can't have the slider foods in the house, I need the doctor to help me get through the "learning" period of my band and diet adaptations that I need to do the rest of my life. Since it took me most of my 50+ years to learn my current eating habits, it's gonna take more than a few months to learn and develop the habits I need to accomplish my new journey. So glad you posted, I am relieved to hear from others who have gotten through "speedbumps". Sue Stenzel

I am soooo there with you! I also was rewarding myself for having a loss at the doctor's, and not with jewelry! So, after reading a few posts here, I decided to do the 5 day pouch test. The first day went fine, although I tasted sweet all the time, no matter what I drank! Today, still the same thing, but so far don't mind sticking to liquids. Have contemplated maybe going to the next phase a day early, but we'll see. This is a process, I have to keep reminding myself. I didn't get so overweight, overnight, so, it's not going to come off that fast either. But I'm further along than I was if I hadn't been banded. Hang in there everybody! You're thoughts are inspirational! Sue Stenzel

Oh yea, very well put. And every day is a new day. I agree that going to the dr. fill or no fill, is beneficial and also helps to keep me on track. I find that there are times I'll be contemplating eating something and knowing I have to go to the dr. will ask, do I really need this? Then I reward myself with a pat on the back for getting past that moment. Hang in there! It is well worth it, no matter how slow! Sue Stenzel

Carol: I told my doctor 2 visits ago that he banded the wrong organ, should have banded my head! I struggle with cravings and stuff I like and don't necessarily stick with what I should be eating. When I'm back on track I do lose and lose very well. So, back on track from what I have been taught is protein first, cut up, small amounts and chew chew chew. fruits and veggies next carbs last and very limited amounts. The dr. likened it to the Atkins diet. I have gained and lost the same 10 pounds over the last 6 months, and usually when I'm gaining, it's because I'm eating stuff like candy, ice cream, stuff that goes down easy. You don't want to eat the easy stuff, because you don't get the full sensation fast enough. Chicken works the best for me, I also eat meatballs with spaghetti or pizza sauce or gravy (I need the moisture to get it down). Salads also work, but small amounts. You should be eating 3-5 ounces of protein with each meal and that should give you a full sensation. And don't drink fluids with your meal! It flushes all that good food that stays in your pouch for a while right on through! I LOVE fluids and drink a LOT! So this was a major behavioral change for me. I drink at least 8 ounces before I eat just so I don't crave the fluids during and after the meal. I think th 40 + pounds you've lost is great and while we all wish we'd lose more, the band is only a tool, not the cure. Also, the other thing I was told is that the diet for the band is not totally like the diet for the RNY. There is not as much concern re: the nutrient intake as we can eat whatever we want, it is more focusing on healthy food choices. Good luck, stay in touch! Sue Stenzel