victoria52

I agree, my band may be a little tight. But, I'm still running my experiment. I'm eating way more slowly, way less volume of food, and trying to listen to my "throat" you now that full volume feeling, like fluid in a cyllinder where the level keeps rising almost to overflow. That feeling, I am trying to stop before that actually happens. I think this last fill is requiring a whole new learning curve. Today , with my new technique, no problems. Just going to slow down and back away sooner from food and see how it goes. I still am thinking that this is finally the "sweet spot", and I just haven't been attentive enough to listen to my body.

I also was banded exactly 7 mos ago (give or take a few days). I have lost 63 # counting the 14 I lost preoperative. Not exercising as I should be. Just recently got my fourth fill last week, I now have 10.4 in a 14 cc band. I am trying to get used to this most recent fill. It may be too tight. I have certainly had some difficulties I really haven't experienced before, such as having to "relieve" the "stuck" sensation 3-4 times this week. Could it be that my band is finally, restrictive to the point of OBVIOUS now. I know before this last fill, I really had only been stuck 1-2 times in all those months, and I think that was because I ate too fast. Tell me what you guys think, is this the "Sweet spot" or is this a Problem Spot for me? This part is new for me. Overall, still extremely happy with having the band and it has proven a valuable tool for me to lose weight. Victoria 52

You have to follow what they say, the Drs. I was just instructed--no in between meals, it's hard but it gets easier.

Okay, first off. I didn't eat at all in between meals. I too, am one of those who eats between 670 and 850 calories a day. A typical day for me might have been 1 egg (scrambled in microwave-no butter) 1 or 2 slices turkey bacon (also cooked in microwave), 1 thin thin slice cheese. For lunch (at work) a protein shake (I preferred Unjury, chocolate).At dinner, green beans (canned & seasoned with a bouillion cube), 4 oz baked fish (talapia, or salmon) and maybe steamed broccoli. Never drink water or anything with meals. I drink no closer than 1.5hrs before or after meals. I also drink 1-2 cups coffee per day with Equal. Sometimes at nite will have sugar free hot chocolate.

Just wanted to share that I have now lost 49.5#. Was banded 10-29-07. Wondering how others, who were also banded around this time are doing? Hasn't been easy..but have relied on will power, restraint, and of course the help of the lap band. Have only had one fill so far, 4ml in a 14ml band. Go back in a couple of weeks for 2nd fill. Hope I feel some restriction after that. Honestly, I don't feel much, if any, restriction thus far. Have never vomitted and have never been nauseous.. Thankful for all that. Just wanted all to know, that the sacrifies have been worth it..Have about60 more # to lose, looking forward to the new me. Would love to know, how the journey has been for you?

Nisaa, I guess I really must have wanted a pat on the back, now that I look back of what I wrote. Oh well, that's what this site is for...positive strokes..and those positive strokes can maybe encourage someone else!Good luck and much success.

I guess I just say, I can't have this or that because of the band. The band, I use it as an excuse to say ..I can't eat that...For instance, I haven't had one morsel of bread since Oct, no corn, no rice, no popcorn, no nuts...I eat high protein, not shakes or supplements, just meat and fish. Lots of fish..talapia, salmon, etc. Canned chicken, deli slices smoked turkey and ham, with this slices of cheese melted on the sandwich type meat in the microwave, and eat breadless sandwiches! At night I'll drink sugar free hot chocolate, or skinny cow frozen fudge bar. Another think I really like is to take a Fugi apple, peel and slice it..Put a teaspoon of butter in a small skillet and saute the apple a few minutes. Put a tsp of Splenda brown sugar on it , mix it up and eat that. It really tastes like a dessert..

I have only used Unjury and I have liked it, to make shakes with skim or 1% milk. To me the chocolate and vanilla are the best. I have no experience with unflavored protein powder that you add to broths, etc.

I got my Unjury at a Nutritionist in Shreveport, LA. Their distrubutor is Carmichael's in South Louisiana. Carmichaels number is 1-800-570-7263. Yeah, for them, they just got free advertising...Also if you Google Unjury, you can read all about it from their company Welcome to the UNJURY Homepage

I have strawberry, choc, and vanilla. I was banded on Oct. 29 . I like the Unjury, expecially the choc (it's a very mild chocolate) and I like the vanilla, not so keen on the strawberry. I think you'll like the Unjury--20 gms of protein and it goes easy.

I am a nurse, who works 12 hour shifts, primarily standing, or walking and very little sitting. I had surgery on Monday, and returned to work the following Tuesday (after 1 full week off work) and this was not a problem. Stamina wise, the first day I got a little tired and weak. But no problems 2 days later with 2 consecutive 12 hour work days.. Victoria52

<p>If you are on clear liquids only, you might try Isopure (flavored water with suppl, ready bottled) Isopure has 90-130 cal and 20g prot, in 10 oz..also there is Liquacel (I have the grape flavor, in only 1 oz Liquacel there is 65 cal and 16 g prot and if you use this I would advise mixing it in 4-5 oz water, it's more palatable that way. If you can have full liquids, then I would recommend Unjury prot. shakes With 8oz milk, you get 200 cal and 20 gm prot. Hope this helps..Victoria52</p>

Lessenless, Thank you for the tip about the black bean/pumpkin soup. I went to that site, made a copy and made the soup last nite. Very, very good and interesting--kind of a southwest-mex type soup. Loved it and I will be making it again I'm sure.. Victoria52

So we are officially 1 week post op. How are ya'll doing? I am pretty darn good, and going to work tomorrow for the first time since surg. Still am having a little feeling of stomach swelling from time to time, but overall way less sore. Lost 13 # on my less than 2 week high protein, low carb diet and have lost 3 more since the day of surgery. I'm happy about that, still on full liquid diet, I think for 1 more week. Good luck to you all and I wish you a speedy recovery and great success.

mms83, way to go. I know what you mean, about the hunger. My first several days post op, I went to bed hungry every nite. I just kept telling myself, this is only temporary, because the fluids are going right through. When I get the the soft or mushy stage it will be better, I'm sure. Maybe even experience satiety on some level!!! I am in the zone, focused and ready to do what I need to do. Best wishes on your journey as well....Victoria52

Dr. sends me to his Nutritionist. she put me on a high protein, low,low carb, and low fat diet. I actually was only on it for 12 days and lost 13 #. They wanted me to lose at least 5 before surg, guess you could say I was very compliant.

Tell me how your post op course has gone

I was told to expect that, post op. It is called referred pain from all the manipulation that was done during the procedure. The Dr. specifically said left shoulder pain. I did not have this however, thank God.

I too had the "swollen abdomen syndrome", felt very distended. I did not try a heating pad until last nite, and I must say it seems that really did help, woke up this am and it seems that I was deflated much more so than before. Haven't tried ice bag, but I beleive I was instructed to try either for relief. I am 4 days post op now.

Hi Sharon, I just signed up yesterday for this forum. Figured I would need to vent a little to people who know what it's really like. I am 55 also, and like you wish I would have done it a few years ago. Anyway, it's done. I was banded on the 29th and am 3 days post op. Did you ever cough after eating or drinking? That has happened to me a few times today and it sure does hurt at the port site, kind of burns when I cough. Just wondered if that's something you experienced or not.

Hope your course goes well, I stayed overnite in the hospital but went home early next a.m. I am of course on the full liquid diet now and my surgeon advised me not to "think" this thing too much but just take it one day at a time. I too am a Louisiana girl!

I prepared nothing for the gas. I just thought that was something to expect after surgery and anesthesia, and the gas won't really start moving until day 2 and day 3. Maybe gasx would have helped, over that now though.

Hi, I had my surgery 10-29-07, so I'm 2 days post op. One thing I knew I would use again is my "Trash Picker-uppers". This is a valuable tool that I used a lot when I had back sugery a few years ago, and it helps. Best of luck to you, I would say soreness and gas are going to be your biggest obstacles, initially.