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I'm nearing @ my 5 month mark and lately it's been challenging eating and loosing weight - So... I went to Jenny Craig <JC> on Saturday and got started once again on Jenny and I certainly have mixed emotions about it and very curious (voice inside - "be careful what you wish for") what the LapBand community thinks, especially to those who have joined JC or Nutri-system post band. I'll start with this - YES - I discussed with doc at my last visit and fill, he was concerned that it would be too many calories but other than that he didn't say "absolutely NOT". My issue right now is knowing what to put in my mouth and, more importantly, having it on hand so that when I'm ready to eat I have something available. I've been successful on JC in the past - twice I lost 30+lbs - but twice I put it back on because I AM an OVER-EATER! This time I have the band which is really helping with the overeating side of things - I firmly believe that it will help me for the remainder of my life - hence the reason I let a surgeon cut my abdomen - right - right . What I really like about JC, (besides I was fortunate to originally join when they were offering a lifetime enrollment so my food is discounted by 30% making it very reasonably priced to eat weekly) is the no brain involvement - it's good food portioned to the right size and if I follow the program it has lead me to lose about 2lbs a week. Plus, the food consists of all things, carbs, Protein, sugar, sodium, fat - everything - so I won't be eliminating anything to have to reintroduce it into my diet down the road. And I can eat off plan occasionally and still be safe. What I hate about JC is eating out of a box. plus the additives that go into the box to keep it shelfable... So here is my mindset and what I'm hoping for; I stay on the JC course, loose the next 50lbs over the next X amount of months and with the aid of the band be able to maintain my 150- self for the rest of my life. Another thing that I believe, is this... if I didn't do JC now - that the weight WOULD come off, I just don't think it would come off as quickly. So, the two reasons I'm embarking yet again on the JC road is for the no thought involvement of my daily bread & for the proven results - I've hit a plateau right now and I need something to kick me over - I'm choosing JC and praying that it works... I go in tomorrow to see my doc again for fill #4 - let's see what he says too. so what do YOU think?

Hi Veterans! I am 13 months post lapband operation and I've lost 62lbs and I feel FREE!!! But besides that, I cleaned out my closet on Friday night and I have two very large bags of mostly size 18W and 16W that I will NEVER need again. I know many are losing and don't want to spend money on that size knowing they will only be in them temporarily - so how and where do I post them to get rid of them? Most are comfy jeans, corduroys, some shirts, some dress pants (mostly black) a few dresses and skirts... at least 10 pairs of shorts - I live in Georgia so shorts are worn from April til October. I really would like to offer them to this forum - how do I do that? And if any of you are interested - you can have them you just either have to come get them or pay for shipping.

Hi guys - i'm 10 months post-op and I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed that their voice gets a bit deeper after a fill? I'm being very kind to myself this next few days and only having liquids b/c I'm at the most fill I've ever had - even tighter than when I had the mishap and almost collapsed my esophagus - just wondering if this deep voice could be an indicator of being too tight... let's hope not!

My doc won't do it closer than 30 days I don't ever think it's an issue but ya gotta follow doc orders - right!?.

I was over filled (my fault) on March 25th for one week and nearly collapsed my esophagus - it was a horrible feeling, so not only was I unable to eat or drink anything until 8pm and still very little at that time, I had this pulsing in my throat that hurt so much. My doc is a one-man office (he's REALLY GREAT) saw him on that Tuesday afternoon and went from 7.5 to 8 CC's - I did the drinking Water test in the office, it was a little slower but nothing alarming - where I went wrong is that I ate chicken for dinner that night which probably irritated the fill (Lesson learned now I will only have fluids for 48 hours after every fill) - but by Thursday I was unable to eat anything and couldn't even drink without pain,so I called doc and they said to come in and they'd fit me into his schedule, well I got busy with work and blew off the appointment and on Friday he was in surgery so they told me I could go to the emergency room I hate the emergency room so I suffered until Monday went to his office at open to find out he was in surgery all day - so couldn't see him til Tuesday - an entire week (10lbs down in one week and I've never done that before either). Well... NEVER AGAIN!! I'm lucky I didn't kill myself - so in that much needed appointment he took out 4cc's and that completely opened me up and he wouldn't see me again for a month. I was TERRIFIED!!! I think in that month I really learned the most about the band - I was able to eat everything and anything but primarily didn't allow myself - I didn't want that week of suffering to be all for not... in late April, 5 weeks later he put back 3 cc's and in the beginning of June he put in .5... so I'm back to where I was before the over-fill and although I am still not in the green I'm more aware as to how close I am. I'm down 45lbs since surgery and I have another 25lbs to go to get to high end of my ideal weight. It's a journey no doubt and these journey's are as individual as each and everyone of us. I Love my band - I'm so happy I did this surgery - but it's proven that it's a mindful life every moment of every day - it's helped make me a better me. One last tidbit - I go July 30th for what I hope to be my last fill - probably as little as .2 or .3 and I bet that's going to be the one... TTFN

I had a fill over a month ago that was aggressive and nearly collapsed my esophagus - so he unfilled me 4 cc's and I'm able to eat whatever I want - no restriction at all. The good news was I lost 10lbs in that one week time and over the month I've been able to sustain the loss but no further movement on the stupid scale... I go back in one week to get a fill and I cannot wait, and I'm wondering how my weight loss will go...??? I'm at 184, 38 lbs in 6 months since surgery and I really want to get to 140, albeit I'm wondering if 150 will be where my body stops... I'm praying that by my b'day August 7th I see 150 - oh please oh please Walking this journey with y'all and trying to keep positive.

Ketosis really does give you bad breath - it's a bummer of a side effect - I recommend the ICE gum - it's cool and refreshing and it does help - it seems like I have bad breath no matter what I do - even now that I'm not really in ketosis anymore. I think it just comes with the territory Hoping someone else has some good insight too - I know that I can sure use it.

I'm so sorry for your struggles - it's hard to be a food addict - I know that I am certainly one! I'm a newbie compared to you (only 6 months banded) but in the past couple of months I've gone from no restriction at 6 cc's to complete restriction (couldn't even drink for a week) and now I'm at 4 cc's with ability to eat almost everything - fortunately I'm being pretty good and get another fill after waiting 30 days from the over fill on Tuesday - yay! I must say that it's been a relief knowing that #1 I can be completely restricted b/c 6 weeks ago I didn't believe that to be the case AT ALL... that said I don't ever want to be that cut off again - but I also know that at 4 ccs I can get a reprieve from the banded life if ever I need it - years down the road when I've maintained my desired weight for several years - or if something comes up... so I don't feel like the band would need to be permanently removed. That said - if you need to stop P&Bing maybe you should just get a substantial unfill and live life that way for a while...??? I don't see how the sleeve and/or RYN will be much different - in fact that's what I like about the band that it IS adjustable in a way. This is ONE HARD ROAD - regardless - prayers out to you my friend wishing you all the best! peace

I'm just about 6 months out from my surgery date - and about 40 lbs down and another 40 lbs to go... i've had 4 fills and unfortunately my 4th fill was too much, nearly collapsed my esophagus, so had to get 4 cc's unfilled and now I'm waiting 30 days to get back to the right spot... that said, I was able to eat and drink quite a bit after i healed after surgery until my 3rd fill which took me to 7 cc's - which in hindsight I should have stayed for a few months - I'm hopeful to get back to 7 next week. Right now I am at 4 cc's and honestly I could eat almost anything without getting stuck albeit I'm not b/c I'm LOVING the weight loss and NOTHING is going to derail me - but if I didn't have this mindset I could easily gain back a good amount of weight. So - enjoy the fact that you ARE able to drink too much but try not to b/c this is the training "bandster hell" time you will go thru - hindsight is so interesting and having experience no restriction, some restriction, much restriction and then complete restriction - there is definitely a middle ground that is the best most useful place (I believe they call it the green zone) where the band works but isn't starving you - it takes a long while to figure this out - kind of live and learn. If I had it to do all over again I would have taken my fills a little slower - and let them ease me into this lifestyle - but Noooooo I wanted real restriction and I wanted it NOW LOL - so I am enjoying this little reprieve but one week from tomorrow Part C of my journey begins and I plan on making the most of it - gaining comfort in the restriction I get from my fill. I hope this helps a bit.

I don't think you are crazy - AT ALL! In fact because I have recently been both unrestricted and restricted so much that I couldn't even get Fluid down I can tell you that there is a very fine line between the band working and not working... all in MY opinion and experience. That said, at 7 cc's I was still very much able to eat quite a bit albeit I am a pretty compliant patient so eating what I'm supposed to be eating but still able to eat more than a cup a sitting - then at 7.5 I was definitely feeling like "ok, this is how the band is supposed to work" in that I was only able to eat less than a cup especially earlier in the day but by days end (when I personally need the most restriction) I was still able to eat over a cup of food at a sitting. So, I went in for another fill really believing that I'd never get restricted enough - boy oh boy - I learned the HARD and DANGEROUS way where I was so tight I couldn't eat or drink anything and nearly collapsed my esophagus. Now I'm back to 4cc's and WIDE open - like I can eat a hamburger from Fudruckers open. I've got to wait 30 days to be able to get a fill again - but now I know that my sweet spot is somewhere near 7.5 and I'm hopeful that doc will get me back there next fill. Even if he gets me to 7.0 I'll be happy. Also, I have learned that not eating before the fill and eating fluids the next 24-48 hours after a fill is VERY important b/c of swelling that may not occur right away - I'll definitely will not eat solids until a few days after a fill b/c I believe that me eating solids after a fill contributed to the trouble I got into last month. This is probably too much info - but to offer some commiseration I don't think you are crazy I just don't think you are adjusted to the level you need to be at with your band.

Oh how 24 hours can't get here soon enough! I had a fill on Tuesday and I'm certain it was an over fill... well how bad could it really be, right... - let me tell you, BAD! boohoo for sure. Firstly, I'm not dehydrated I'm keeping that in check and watching for any signs (so is my husband)... but i'm very limited in what i'm getting down mostly because it's so painful and if I eat or drink anything with more than one bite every 2-5 minutes it comes back up. The worse part is this spasm feeling that is hurting the back of my throat and then I can feel the area around my band pulsing in pain. I've taken some liquid Tylenol which takes me 30 minutes to swallow the 2Ts but it does seem to chill out the aching pain. I've been reading up on esophogeal spasm and that sounds like a good explanation however it's not really chest pain I'm feeling - mine is more a pulsing up and down by throat from the back of my mouth to my band with lots of gurgling sounds that are very painful. I sort of feel like I'm being choked and that there is a rock in the back of my throat. Everything from Water to eggs to cottage cheese to Soup hurts to eat - but I am managing to get some down to keep me going. After 4-5 bites I'm ready for a 2-3 hour break from eating. It's weird but crackers seem to be the easiest thing to get down. Anyway - back to the title of this post - the RED ZONE - never really paid attention to that and I'm sure regretting it now. I am PRAYING that after doc unfills me a bit tomorrow that I'll be back to feeling normal b/c I was doing so well and really managing my post-op lapband life and loving it... I cannot stand set backs and I certainly wasn't expecting this one - I was blindsided for sure and now feeling worried that the issue won't be solved with a simple unfill. I'm regretting not chilling out after fill number 3 for a few months and letting me ease into the tightness that I felt compared to fill #2. I hope this experience of mine can help some of you newbies - take it slow b/c everyday changes. And no matter how many lbs are flying off me this week it CERTAINLY is not worth this agony and fear - no thanks, I'll gladly go back to losing 5-7lbs a month. I'm going 1st thing in the morning to see my doc - I'll keep you all posted. I really do pray that it takes care of itself with an unfill. Any similar experiences I'd love to hear. Peace

From now on I will do liquids at least 24 hours and more like 36-48 hours after being filled and then eat softer foods and slow and chew chew chew - b/c I think that I caused my band area to swell by eating hard Protein right away - duh me! I'm better but still very sore in the throat area and not like a scratchy sore throat more like a muscle sore throat from being too tight. Rybearsmomma - you and I are at the same point in our journey with similar things happening hard lessons to learn that's for sure! I hope that you are well!

Good morning all... so here's the update - I'm feeling much better but boy oh boy was I in TROUBLE! I'm hopeful that many newbies view and read this because I really didn't know any of this and I'm blessed that worse didn't happen to me and that's way above and beyond dehydration which is what most were worried about - including my nagging mama LOL (I do love her so) - what was really troublesome is the fact that my esophagus could have collapsed - that pulsing pain in the back of my throat - yep that was my esophagus screaming at me to go to the doctor! So doc, after giving me deep penetrating eyes saying I should have never waited this long, took out 4cc's - so I'm now very open but still on liquids and taking it very slow and being very mindful of everything - mind body and soul. What an ordeal - one that I never ever considered... What I've learned: There IS a point where a fill can be too tight (I was the one who rolled her eyes and said Yeah Right) - Caution Red Zone If the band is giving subtle signs like a small burp, a little discomfort, tightness - it's saying "slow down" or stop eating - listen and get used to those small signs - they are FAR better than not being able to get anything down. Give fills/adjustments some time - it takes a while for adjustments to take shape and every day and every hour in a day may be different than the last. I do want to be able to get food down into my body and have it stay to nourish my body and brain. Fluids after a fill for at least 24 hours - I'll probably go 48-72 from now on. What happened to me is the Water at the doctor's office went down fine - tighter yes but it went all they way thru. But I ate (albeit less than 1/4 cup) chicken and salad that night and then 3 small regular meals the next day which much have caused swelling which then closed up my entire band area and then my esophagus started to spasm - even when I tried to swallow my own seliva - dreadful! Give fills time to chill out because food can irritate the opening causing swelling causing no where for the food/drink to go but come back up. If this happens go to the doc immediately to get an unfill. No amount of lost pounds is worth destroying the healthy body God gave me - be smarter and relinquish that it's going to take time - give it the rightful time otherwise I may compromise much more than myself. My poor family having to witness the week of torture was unfair to them - I'm very sorry. Good news is I'm feeling better and all the wiser - I pray someone sees this and this doesn't happen to anyone else - I was stupid and selfish and definitely ignorant. I'm course corrected, going to the gym, eating small (Yes JC meals) meals 3x a day and staying focused. I go back April 29th for my next fill with hopes of getting closer to the green zone.

I did go over to his office but he was in surgery all day yesterday hence no visit... I'm scheduled today at 1:00 and I cannot wait. I'm still in a lot of pain and unable to eat or drink much - I'm shocked that I feel as good as I do with only a few things consumed over this past week - I guess I had enough in reserve. I AM looking forward to seeing doc today - that's for sure. I'll let you know what he tells me and what he does to relieve this spasm and choking feeling. Thanks for checking in with me

I have had 4 fills over the past 5 months and now I'm too tight - and honestly each day is different for me. In hindsight I wish that I would have just spent some more time on my 3rd fill to understand life in the day with the lapband in the green zone - b/c I almost believe that I was there and then I went in for a 4th and I'm in agony now headed to docs this morning for an unfil with hopes that I'll get back to my 3rd fill self... so I hope that this rambling doesn't confuse you more - but honestly it's a personal thing this "green zone" - but if you can eat 1/2-1 cup of food and stay satisfied for 3-4 hours I think that you are close. WARNING - you don't want to get over filled - take it from someone who is learning the horrible hard way oh - and not that this matters too much b/c we're all different but I have 8 ccs in my band presently and will likely go down to 7.5

Thank you Parisshel! I am so worried that this pain will not go away and today I am so nauseous, I really feel like hell but hearing your experience really gives me hope. Thanks so much for your post

So much for eating my Jenny Craig food - LOL - I had my 4th fill to 8cc's on Tuesday and I'm thinking I'm way too tight. I was hoping that it would adjust and get better but I'm not able to eat or drink anything - including Water. I've been able to manage a Protein drink per day that takes me a few hours to get it down - all with agony. My best luck has been around 11:00 a.m. eating - I've tried to eat Soup last night and Thursday night and it's real painful. Let me describe the pain and what's happening in my body. I feel like I have a deep lump in my throat like right beneath were an adams apple would be - it's real tight, almost a muscle tightness. When I try to drink or eat soup, yogurt, cottage cheese it just feels like it's choking me however I feel a rhythm of pulsing and gurgling in my esophagus. I have thrown up a little bit, usually after I've eaten 1-2 sips - another thing that has been happening is like a stuck episode - where the back of my thought gets really salty and fills with saliva, really not good I know! I did call the doc on Thursday and the nurse told me to come in but I got busy and stupid me I was hoping that it would get better - that this was the tightness that I'm supposed to have to get to the green zone. ... well probably not. I'm going to take it real easy this weekend and suffer quietly and sip sip sip albeit very painful and go sit at his office door on Monday morning. I guess a little unfill is what I'll need. Bright side - I'm in the 180's!!! My intention however is not to starve to get there. I've got mixed feelings over this, happy to see that my band is capable of completely cutting me off because for a while there I didn't feel like I'd ever have the right amount of restriction - now I see I can have too much and this again is a journey and day to day life experience - wowza - I don't wish this on anyone. Thanks for listening! Cheers

Hi Lisa F... I've just learned the term esophageal spasms - because I got a fill on Tuesday and I think I'm a bit over filled (I was looking forward to the doc being aggressive and I think I'm learning a hard lesson) I have this horrible pain in the back of my throat that hasn't let up in about 48 hours and it's been progressively worse although I have been able to drink a Protein drink so I don't think I'm in trouble with dehydration just yet... I'm going to my doc's on Monday but it sure is comforting to see something that describes these awful symptoms that I'm experiencing. I almost now feel like my throat is bruised.

The more I think and suffer thru this 2MF - I think this esophageal spasms makes sense to what's going on with me - it really is quite painful and it almost feels better to eat a dry cracker in itty bitty pieces than it is does to drink anything - do you know much about these spasms and the lap band? I'm off to go google such to find out more.

I did drink 8 oz in the office after the fill and it went down pretty well, I didn't really eat anything that night and then on Wednesday I was able to eat really slow, it wasn't until Wednesday night and all day Thurs and Friday that I progressively got worse. I've been able to have a Protein drink this morning albeit it took 90 minutes to drink 12 oz - and my throat is muscle sore - 2MuchFun just commented that maybe it's an esophagus spasm - I wanted the doc to be aggressive - lesson learned. I do <now> believe that .1 makes a big difference and I WILL go in on Monday - as long as I"m able to get in at least one Protein Drink a day I feel I'll stay safe and I don't feel dehydrated - thanks very much for the concern. Actually since I've finished the protein drink I feel better I'm wondering if it's just an adjustment that I have to get used to or if I do need an unfill - probably just a little bit. I'm also writing to enlighten others to what's happening to me - so many don't have restriction and I did feel like I would ever reach restriction - well... NOW i'm restricted and I can't imagine eating anything let along Pasta, bread and dense stuff. Happy Saturday y'all!!! Thanks for all the well wishes and support. btw - just weighed in at JC and I'm down 6.8lbs in ONE week - HOLY SMOKES happy dance.

My port is on my left side pretty near my ribs on the left side I have had pain in the port area since day one five months ago and continue to do so it is moderate pain and I have discussed it with my doctor - he has shrugged it off and said that it is common but he didn't know why it keeps continuing now I have a pulled muscle in that same area so my side is sore.

I've got an 11 cc band and i'm at 8 cc's as of yesterday - I am feeling very tight and i'm eating itty bitty bites and my chest and stomach are making serious noises - what an adjustment - but it's doing it's magic.

I did get a fill - and it's definitely a FILL!!! I'm eating so slow right now and I just got back from the gym and I'm HUNGRY but I can only take one itty bite every 3-5 minutes - so much for hot food So I am at 8 ccs now and I'm very close i think. I have to say that it's so nice to go into the fridge right now and know that - boom - I'm having asian orange chicken with broccoli and rice no thinking about it I'll keep y'all posted on how the weight is coming off. Thanks for your Hooray

Hi everyone... So rather post in the Jenny Craig string I started a couple of days ago I decided to start a new post - with a clear mind and fresh from the doc's office. I went in for my 4th fill appointment yesterday and I'm down 30lbs to the ounce - only 5 lbs in the last month but I've been building muscle and losing inches - so calling it a victory even though inner me says WTF based on the amount of work I've been putting into the new me - but, again Yay me! food intake - I'm calling it that b/c diet sounds so controversial and I know it's a delicate subject, especially in this audience. And, it makes TOTAL sense because we are an audience who LOVES food and nearly all of us have a love/hate relationship with it hence the reason we chose to tie a ring around our stomachs. I digress quite often... so back to Food Intake - and this is for me, in my experience and direction from Dr. Daly (btw - he's a phenomenal surgeon and better doctor b/c he's the guy I see each and every time, he does my fills, he does my consults and answers my questions - love him). It would be so GREAT & IDEAL, healthy and wholesome to use organic, food from the earth, bought from a grocery store, market or farm - to my kitchen to my table to my mouth - yes, that is, in my opinion would be my #1 choice and wish. Then, dunt dunt dunt... MY real life chimes in and this is extremely out of my realm of doing (not saying I can't - it's a choice of ease and peace). I understand that I am in "bandster hell" - and what that equates to me is I'm healed from surgery, i've got some restriction but at times it doesn't feel like much, I'm learning (sometimes the painful way) that I MUST slow down, sit down and consciously, each and EVERY meal, eat my food, one little bite at a time, without drinking. Eat low fat Protein first, and by my doc's orders try not to drink calories - he would like nutrients to come from food and supplements. And I have at least 50+ more pounds to lose <KEY POINT>. CC's Reality - 3 kids (12, 11 & 3), a husband, I'm the breadwinner of the family working for a software company in marketing, girl scout leader, girl friend to many (I love my girly friends - thank god for them!!!) and full time MOM - first and foremost - so where does that lead me - to a very busy and plan all your meals ahead of time kind of a gal b/c otherwise I get into TROUBLE. I go to the gym 3-5x a week with several of those girly friends (again thank god for them!) which has been the best anti-depressant I could ever ask for - and man does it WORK! ... which leads to the decision I made last Saturday to go back to Jenny Craig (GASP lol) for these reasons: Doc said to me yesterday as he was leaving the room, he stopped and turned around and said, "Yes, good that you are doing Jenny Craig because it gives you exactly what you need at this time and will help you shed this weight - I support the decision" - yay deep breath. It's NOT forever Results will differ from previous JC attempts b/c my band will help with gaining the weight back b/c it helps prevent overeating which is how the weight got back on in the past for me. Because I have a lifetime membership w/ 30% off & no start up fee, JC is inexpensive - $70 per week for 21 meals & 7 Snacks portioned to perfection, tastes good, average 8 out of 10 on yummy scale and the best part - it's spelled out, meal for meal morning noon and night - tells me what I eat and gives me the well balanced nutrients of protein, carbs, fats, sugars and Fiber. And Doc supported by my LapBand surgeon. I can still cook and prepare my family's daily meals (which is what I do every freaking day of my life) and sit down with them as they eat what I've prepared (I still eat salad and veggies that I serve to them) and enjoy my JC meal without feeling anxious that I'm sabotaging my weight loss. My future plan once the pounds have been shed - to eat normal, like B-52, Carolina Girl, 2MF and all of the other inspiring folks on this forum who have currently already have lost the weight say constantly, "let the band work for you - listen and obey the band and you'll live a slim lifestyle". I WILL make chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad and I'll brainstorm (a special THANKS to HealthyNewMe - you rock!!) all of the wonderful REAL foods I can eat and prepare and NOT eat out of a box - but for now I am choosing to take an easy out and eat JC food and ya know what... it may be only one month and I'll be like - I can do this myself, to hell with the box. For now, well... It sure beats an alternative of going to mcdonalds and Chick Fil A everyday! So for you newbies who are considering this journey - it takes all kinds and you have to define the road you take - I just hope that this spew of words and my 5 month journey so far gives someone else some clarity and information. Note - not once did I ever say "this is what you need to do" - because only YOU know what YOU need to do Happy Hump day y'all! Jersey girl living in GA or aka Damn Yankee

Thanks everyone - and yes I do know that you all are trying to help - I should have stated a different title to the post - something like "calling all those who have done a diet plan POST OP" - because by the looks of my statement "to do or not to do..." it looks like I am seeking advice as to whether or not I should do JC... I've chose to do this and as TMF said - no harm no foul and I WILL get tired of being on her program - but if I can drop 10 lbs in a month knowing what I'm eating each and everyday to give myself a break from trying to figure it out - well that's what I'm choosing to do - plus I'm going to doc in a few hours for a fill - both of which will do the trick. I appreciate each and everyone of you peace