rose2014

I just finished the 48hr pouch test and loss 7lbs I had picked up It reassured me that I had not stretched my band/ pouch and got me over a stall prior to gained weight. Lots of water and protein.

Wishing you the best!

I would say 60 band/40 me because if I choose to eat unhealthy the band allows it. Not the same quantity as before surgery. It is a mind thing some days are better than others. I'm dealing with head hunger. Not hungry at all but my mind says I need to munch. The doctor operated on my stomach not my mind. I'm glad I have my tool in place it has saved my life.

I threw all my straw cups away didn't want to take any chances. The only time I use a straw is by accident meaning I'm out eating, running my mouth need a Lil liquid and realized I just drank through the straw. Nothing happened but again if I can not do it then good. My doctor didn't say not to but articles I have read say don't.

I have had pizza several times mostly without crust just toppings. When I do endulge the crust I am very careful and chew chew and chew and chew some more. I get fuller faster with eating the crust. Also I have made low carb pizza crust with eggs and mozzarella cheese. There are options for pizza cravings. I don't drink beer so I can't help on that. Best of luck to you. Rose

" Normal " hmmm I must agree with KateP & cherieryde. Normal for them and their height,body makeup etc and mine may all differ. I need a doctor to help me figure out how to keep the weight coming off like in the beginning fix my head hunger issues etc. Then when I reach my by goal I need a good reasonably priced surgeon for a body contour Do you have any suggestions to my questions?

I had a c section 23 years ago and was May 2015. No numbness but I am losing in my lower abdomen however, it is sagging more.

I have the fitbit hr. My son gave it to me for Christmas.... Best gift!!!! It motivates me to move and beat records that are set such as 10,000 steps a day, 5 miles a day etc. To see your fitbit congratulate me on my accomplishments or encourage me to finish my daily goals really help me. This one tracks heart rate , steps, miles, sleep, and stairs climbed.

I was on liquid metformin and I switched to pills due to the taste of the liquid. They first gave me those huge horse pills and I refused to take them for fear of getting stuck. Call your doctor and see if you can get the liquid metformin.

Decided it was time at 44 (wish I had done it many years ago but mentally I wasn't ready. Surgery was scheduled for May 28 and by then I was 45. I will be 46 on May 5 and I don't regret having surgery at this age. CheleLynn45 we share the same birthday

My a1c was over 11 when I decided to have the band. By surgery time 3 months it was down to 8. Surgery was May 28, a1c in August was 6.6 I was taken off my insulin pump and started lantus and metformin. Nov a1c was 8. Endocrinologist wasn't concerned due to the change from continuous insulin to oral meds and one shot of lantus. I go back end of April praying my a1c is lower. I send in blood sugars weekly to my end. I should range 100-130 before meals. Better sugar control means better healing at your incision site. A small delay but in the end it won't matter. Best wishes on your WL journey.

Hello everyone, just wanted to start by saying CHEW CHEW and CHEW some more. Yesterday I was eating lunch and talking on the phone(I normally don't do) and apparently did not chew enough or took a bite too soon and had a stacking situation. I noticed the stuck feeling right away and a few minutes later had to make a mad dash to the bathroom (this was at work). Thought I would be ok after that but NO after a few minutes the pressure returned in my back area and the throat area felt like a ball was in it. Again ran to the bathroom this time didn't make it, this went on for about 30 minutes. Lots of sliming after the first two trips to the bathroom, my boss just gave me a trash can and said go for it(eww). Called doctor and they suggested I jump up and down to try and dislodge it, it helped me a little but still had that something just is not right. Called doctor back and they told me to come in for an emergency unfill and I would feel relief right away. On my way to the doctor I start feeling better and figured it finally either worked it way down or I had finally brought it up. Was going to call and let her know but I decided it was better to get checked out to be on the safe side. Get to the office(after hours) and she takes a look at my band through fluoroscope(sp?) and I drank some barium and we could see it just sitting above the band and slowly going through. She did an unfill with most of the 5cc that taken out. I again drank more barium and this time it went down much better BUT because of all the heaving I had tissue overhanging the band. This will eventually go back to normal and the tissue will return to the inside of the band. If I had not gone it was a possibility that this would have been caught much later and possibly interfered with my continued weight loss. Other patients of hers had this and did not come in for awhile and when they did the tissue was not able to all return to the inside of the band. Crazy stuff but wanted to share and remind everyone to CHEW CHEW and CHEW and CHEW some more. This was an AWFUL experience and I have vowed never to eat broccoli from the Chinese place ever again!! Now I have to wait 3.5 weeks and she will reevaluate if everything looks good she will add more Fluid at that time. If not it will be another 3-4 weeks. I explained how TERRIFIED I am of gaining weight during these next weeks knowing that I have very little restriction. She says this is the time where I will need to use what I have learned from surgery to now and exercise. I had thought about going back on the pre-op until then but she recommended that I eat normal as I would if my band still had 5cc's in it. I have to tell you all I AM TERRIFIED of gaining any weight. My weight loss has come to a halt and that has been discouraging me. My clothes fit looser and my medical issued keep improving but I had wanted my 1 year anniversary of deciding to change my life (not from surgery) to be a 100 pound loss. In the past year I have come off my insulin pump to oral meds/lantus, bp meds have decreased, and no cholesterol meds. I'm at 84 and my anniversary is in 17 days. Thanks for bearing with me I know this was long but I wanted to share my experience in hopes it may help someone that might get into this situation. Rose

Thank you all for the support. I'm doing well and have dropped two pounds I had picked up. Taking things one day at a time and walking my minimum of 5 miles a day with added cardio at least 3 times a week. Been enjoying my Arnold thin sandwich for lunch. Arnold thin bun with mayo, ham, cheese and pickles Once I get filled not taking any chances with the Arnold thin bun. Again, thank you all for your support

I am 8 months out from surgery. Before surgery I was prepared to have all kinds of issues after surgery. Happy to report none of the surgery side effects, band effects have bothered me. The only problem I have had are when I do not chew enough and have a stuck episode but again that is of MY doing not the band. My new love my band and I go very well together and I am down 84 from this time last year and 55 from surgery date. A little disappointed in my weight loss over the holidays however, I maintained during that time and did not gain. So I am doing something right. I did not want to have my stomach, intestines etc cut on and wanted something that could be reversed IF necessary that is why I chose the band. Yes weight loss is a little slower but the point is I am getting healthier with each pound loss. I am off my insulin pump of 14 years and am on metformin and lantus, blood pressure pill cut from 10mg to 5mg, and no longer on cholesterol meds. Attend different seminars, talk with your doctor and make the best decision for you and your lifestyle. Best of luck to you and keep us posted...hang in there YOU are worth it!!

I too go to an after care center. They do all my fills etc. If any problems develop they will contact the surgeon. Good question and ever seeing the surgeon again. Best wishes as you continue your new journey!!

Congratulations non scale victories are WONDERFUL!! So proud of who you are becoming with the assistance of your buddy (band). One day one hour one min and one second at a time we all we be victorious with our band buddy and the support of each other..... Hugs to you my inspiration to keep going.

Hello everyone and with this being the last day of 2014, let me wish you all a Happy New Year! I am mostly a lurker on the board however, input on some topics. I was banded May 27, 2014. I decided Feb 19 to make a change and since then I have lost 87. Everything has been going good except during the holidays. I have not lost a pound nor have I gained any. In October I was in the green zone and did not need a fill. Went back Friday before Christmas and received 1cc in my band, 10cc band with 5.5 cc of Fluid. My issue: went in for adjustment new tech had issues puncturing band to fill (all under floro). She found the band no problem just had problems pushing the needle in. OK so since then everything I eat gets caught/stuck not bad but uncomfortable. No throwing up, sliming any of those issues able to keep foods down. Monday/Tuesday this week things got a little better and I was able to eat w/o issues. Woke up the wee hours of this morning sipped some Water and felt like I swallowed a rock. Tummy ached no other issues just ached for awhile I was able to belch a little. Anyways got up and drank some hot tea it helped was able to get meds down. Called the Doctor office yesterday and they are closed until after the new year. My question to those experienced bandsters would be, do you think I need an un-fill or maybe the band area is swollen due to the tech issues with the needle. Do I need to go to the ER or do you think I can wait it out till after the new year?? Could it be that I am still full from dinner last night and my band won't allow me to eat or even drink much at one time? Still belching a lot and fill very full. Again my doctors office is closed so I can't call them, had surgery in another City 4 hrs from my home. Thanking you all in advance for your help! Rose

Jake, Thank you for responding it was much appreciated. I took a chance and called my Dr.'s office today and she was in the office. After speaking with her it was decided that I was too tight and to come in for an unfill. She took out the 1cc that she put in the week before Christmas. I will go back in a few weeks and if I'm feeling ok then she will try adding 1/2cc. I feel so much better and I was down 2 more pounds...YEAH!!

I am a little over 7 months out and I am almost at my pre-surgery drinking level. Since surgery I would rather drink cool water no ice verses ice-water. The real cold water aggravates my tummy makes me feel a little achy.

ChristineZ, Congrats on your journey!! Yes you have had a few hiccups along the way but you are still healthier than before. You are doing a TERRIFIC job and how you feel about yourself is all that matters. My surgery was May 27 and I too have had some struggles. We are all conquers of being overweight one day one step one hour one minute to becoming the diva/stud that has been trapped within us for years. Hugs to you and all of us for moving forward even when hiccups in life try to discourage press on and forward we continue. Rose

Try Carmel rice cake with thin layer of natural peanut butter.... Delicious solves the sweet and crunchy and a few nuts and you cover the salty.

Thanks for sharing Bandista....congratulations on your one year band anniversary you are AMAZING!!! This whole process is about learning "us" the new body. Live each day to the fullest and blow kisses to each pound lost. Thanks for being supportive to us all....big hug

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I had those feelings too but, with each protein shake, pudding, popsicle, sip of broth it got easier. It is a mind issue we feel like we NEED to eat. Find something else to focus on maybe a book. I am in college and worked ahead on my assignment's. I am 5 months post op and 78 pounds lighter. It was worth it and you are too. Think about how you will experience things with your new body. Best wishes for a wonderful new life.

I am a type 2 diabetic was banded May 27 this year.I have been on an insulin pump for 14 years taking 5 units per hr plus additional insulin with meals. 1 month ago today I was taken off the pump. Currently taking lantis once a day with metformin. I am down 77 pounds and loving not being on the pump. In my opinion the band is a good tool for some. It is your body do what you feel is best. I wanted to keep my organs in tact that's why I chose the band. Yes not being a diabetic is cool too however, weight loss will change your diabetes. Best of luck as you embark on a new journey. Rose

I hate having stuck episodes. Mine typically subside in a few minutes. Pretzels no more for me, no problems with grilled chicken until I didn't chew enough. Been stuck but never had to bring it up,it always goes down. No fun being stuck I feel like I'm about to die can't breath, noise running and horrible chest/back pain.