gkeyt

Here are some thoughts: 1. You have lost 26 lbs in less than 4 months...that is more than the average of 1-2 lbs/week. Yes, some people lose more quickly than that, but you are still above average. 2. Protein shakes will always go right through the band and you will not feel full from them. If you eat solid band foods, protein first, and you don't drink for the recommended time after eating, you should feel full for 3-4 hours. If you do this and you get hungry iin less than 3 hours, you are not at optimal restriction yet. Try to develop the habit of getting your protein from solid lean protein sources (lean meat if you eat it, fish, legumes, tofu, etc.). 3. "Full" as a bandster is not the same as "full" before banding. Full should just be "satisfied". 4. Your experience of having restriction after a fill and then it going away is normal. Your band is around your stomach and the fat that is around your stomach. When you lose some weight, the fat pad shrinks and your band becomes a little bit looser as a result. I wasn't really adequately restricted until my 3rd fill, and it's never been "tight" restriction. I've stopped wondering if this is bad and just learned to work with it. My weight loss is average, 1.5 lbs per week. It does add up over time. It won't come off overnight, it didn't go on overnight. I hope this helps you a bit, you are doing great even if you don't feel like it!

Neveragain, so glad you are recovering from your scary crash! I was a trauma nurse for 10+ years before quitting recently to start grad school, so I'll try to answer a bit of your question. With your nutritional requirements, it sort of depends on the kind of injuries you had. USUALLY if you had a lot of severe injuries that require extra or special nutrition, they will tell you that before you are sent home. Trauma patients do have a period of time where their metabolism is higher because the body releases lots of chemicals like epinepherine over a surprisingly long period of time. During this time they need more calories, and they will tend to burn lean muscle and organ mass even if they get extra nutrition. But it depends really on how many injuries you had and what kind they were, how severe etc. Obviously they were severe enough to land you in nursing care for a pretty long time. Were you taken to a trauma hospital when you had your accident? (I think there are at least 5 level I trauma centers in Phoenix, I did work at one of them for a little while.) Because usually there is a trauma surgery team that follows you in that case, and you follow up with them in their clinic later. Usually they even have a nutritionist on their service that you might be able to see. I would ask in clinic if they think you have any special nutritional needs. Your primary doctor and your band doctor won't be of a lot of help with this, although your band doc can advise on whether you need a slight unfill. I hope you get some good answers about this. Unfortunately most doctors don't get any real nutrition education in their training and are surprisingly unhelpful about nutrition--even some bariatric surgeons! But not all. And your trauma docs should be able to gauge if you need to increase your Protein intake, any Vitamins, or even increase your caloric intake for a while and just try to maintain your weight while your body continues to heal, all based on exactly what your injuries and your hospital course was like. If you only had orthopedic injuries (broken bones) you might have only been followed by ortho docs (it varies from hospital to hospital how they do this) and they might have less to say about your nutritional needs. But do talk to them about your lapband and the restricted amount of food you eat as a result. Don't assume they know what an adjustable gastric band is or how it works, because they stay pretty focussed on their specialty. Good luck, and keep asking until you get a good answer!

The reason most surgeons recommend all the stages is so your sutures (the ones holding the stomach over the band) have a chance to heal without having to churn solid food. Most surgeons believe that not allowing your stomach time to heal without churning could lead to a slipped band down the road. You will be able to "tolerate" solid foods now, but could end up with a slipped band in a year or two. Maybe there is new data that shows this isn't the case and that's why your surgeon said you could eat real food, but that's what I've heard from my doc and from other lap band people. I'd stick to mushies at the very least. And you might gain weight at that point, or just not lose any. You might have some restriction without a fill, you might not. I certainly didn't until my 2nd fill, about 3 months after surgery. Good luck!

I chew gum all the time, no problems. My doc's office just said not to swallow it. I also use mints sometimes. It helps. Chewing right after a meal isn't a problem and might help you feel full, if you don't already.

I only told a few close friends and my immediate family. Some people tell less or more and I think it's all a matter of your personal circumstance. For me, the hard part was before surgery, when I had this big secret that I was thinking about all the time and only had a few people to talk to about it. My dh got really tired of hearing about it all, but was (and still is) a real trooper about it. Also it was hard when coworkers were asking me why I was taking time off, but I just said I had some health issues to take care of. I didn't feel it was anyone's business who wasn't a close friend, certainly not most of my coworkers. After my surgery, when I returned, people didn't really ask until my weight loss became obvious. When coworkers and friends asked, I told them about my surgery, mainly because they were all nurses and I didn't think they would be obnoxious about it, and I had already had surgery so I didn't feel as vulnerable at that point. I didn't have any negative experiences doing this, and people were very interested. Some people had thought of doing it themselves, some had just heard about it and it was an opportunity for education. Another nurse I worked with had DS at the same time, and another nurse's wife had RNY then too, so there were lots of questions about the differences. Overall it was a positive experience for me, but I just wouldn't tell anyone if I thought they might want to give me a lecture about why WLS was bad or about me taking the "easy way out" or all the other nonsense that people have to put up with hearing. I made my decision using the best information I had access to, and it just wasn't anyone else's right or business to butt in. So I didn't let them. Don't ask, don't tell? Definitely, if you aren't pretty positive that the person you tell will be supportive, and if you might be really swayed by a negative reaction. So many people have their own agenda when it comes to sharing their opinions about WLS, and frankly it's your life, not theirs. If you aren't asking for their opinion, you shouldn't have to be subjected to it.

Hi Marchies, The calories question is interesting. Some say you shouldn't go below 1200 cal at all if you want to lose (I've even heard not to go lower than 1400). But I try to keep my calories around 1000. I figure that I'm probably missing 200 calories in there despite my best attempts, so it's probably 1200 calories actually, at worst. But I only enter my foods (I use fitday) every couple of weeks to see where I am at. Honestly, when I do stick very close to 1000 cal/day, I really don't notice any difference in the weight loss, but I am hungrier. I wonder about the whole starvation-mode thing, anyway. I don't know if I'm the only one. People who are starved against their will DO lose weight--their bodies might go into "starvation mode" and hang onto the weight for a while, but eventually they let it go. Obviously, they lose muscle and organ mass as well as fat, which we certainly don't want to do, but it just makes me wonder how long that "starvation mode" lasts. If your calories are 800/day (for example) I would think you'd hang onto weight for a while but eventually your body would give it up. I'm just curious about the whole phenomenon. Does anyone else ever wonder that? I was on a plateau over the holidays (Nov and Dec) but I recently started a weight training program. I've lost a little bit more weight and busted the plateau, but more importantly I lost inches and got into a smaller size within about 2 weeks. I was surprised how quickly it happened. Now that I am building more muscle, I expect the weight loss process to go a bit differently, maybe more slowly, but I'm not concerned about it, as I can tell I am getting smaller. Yay lapband!

Beka, you ARE doing this! You are losing an average of 1 lb per week, which is TOTALLY within the expected range. I am also losing 1 lb per week--it feels very slow, but I just have to keep reminding myself that it's a safe rate of weight loss and it's what the band is SUPPOSED to do. If you are exercising and losing weight at this rate, you are most likely losing fat and preserving muscle, rather than losing your muscle along with your fat. Remember what happens from all the past diets that failed? You lose the lean muscle, then you regain MORE fat than before...if you are exercising and preserving the muscle, and building more muscle, then you will INCREASE your metabolism and be more successful in keeping weight off. This journey is long and tough at times. You HAVE to keep reminding yourself why you are doing it, and give yourself credit for losing 21 lbs in 5 months. I don' t know about you, but if I didn't have my band, I would definitely have GAINED weight in that amount of time. Try not to compare yourself to others. I've done it too, and it's very tempting, but this is very individual and the weight won't just drop off for most of us. As long as you continue losing at the rate of 1-2 lbs/week AVERAGE, you are doing fine. If you are ever wondering if your fill level is right, check out the link I put in my above response. It's very helpful. Chin up, girl, and keep up the great work! :clap2:

Everything I have learned & read states that when your band is at the sweet spot, you will be satisfied with 1 to 1.5 cups of food....NOT 1/2 cup. If you eat your lean Protein first, then veggies, then carbs, don't drink with meals, and that keeps you satisfied for 3-4 hours, your fill level is right. Sometimes you do hear 1/2 or even 1/4 cup, but that is closer to the gastric bypass patient requirements. Here is a good guideline for knowing when your fill is right: Adjustments I stole it from a guy's blog, but it is posted in multiple places on the Web. :rofl:

It's something I've started paying attention to also. It's hard to eliminate it completely without going totally whole food...not that there's anything wrong with eating whole, natural foods, but sometimes it just doesn't work. The stuff is in all prepared foods, it seems. And you're right, it's totally evil, addictive stuff. I have been cooking more, using whole and organic ingredients, and using prepared foods less, that does help. I think it's going to be a long process to get the stuff out of our diets. I have a feeling that eventually HFCS will get the attention that trans fats have gotten and will someday get a bad enough reputation for all the health damage it does that companies will be forced to stop using it. But I'm sure they'll find something else to replace it...we just have to have our cheap ready-to-eat foods, at least in the US.

Juli, that's freakin' PRICELESS! :rofl:

I'm married (2nd marriage) but no kids yet. It hasn't really been my weight stopping me, but my life...career, my first marriage ending, meeting my hubby at the time that I did in relation to my career. Now I have to finish anesthesia school before I can try to be a mom. By then, I should be at my goal weight and able to keep pregnancy weight gain to the recommended level...provided I can get pregnant by then. We'll see! Balancing career and wanting to have a family has been tough.

I'm trying to figure that out too, IndioGirl. I had 74 lbs to lose, have lost 45 and have 29 to go. GREAT JOB with your weight loss! Only 2 fills too--wow! I think I just had my 6th fill? Or maybe 7...I've had good restriction since my 3rd fill, but it loosens up as I lose weight. I've been getting the 0.2cc fills for months now! But I can't complain. This week I got size 10 jeans and I'm so stoked about it, I can't even tell you. But I also think that it will take me at least another year to lose these last 29 lbs, especially since I'm starting grad school next month. I'm trying to be cool about it...it's not a race, right? My surgeon is pleased with the rate of my weight loss, so I'm pretty cool with it now. Anyway, I don't know where I belong either...this group or the 50-100lb group. Hmmm....

I'm with Mrs. Husker...I think I'll pop between here & the 25+ and see where I "fit"...

Thanks for the Zappos link. Those are very cute! I am in love with these boots by Aerosoles: Aerosoles: RISKY PIZNESS They are stretch (PVC) but also zip up. My calves are still too big for most knee high boots, but these are great. They are also on sale. :biggrin1: These are the same boots but with a lower heel: Aerosoles: TIDEAWAY I love Aerosoles because they are SOOO comfortable. These boots are great quality and look HOT. I love shoes....

Average weight loss with the band is only supposed to be 1-2 lbs per week. You are WAY above average!! Don't feel bad that your weight loss is slowing. That's totally normal. Tell other people to mind their own business, or if you feel like it, you can educate them on how the band works. This isn't a Star Jones makeover!!:teeth: A slower weight loss is easier on your skin and on your body...this ain't a race...it's your life. Give yourself some credit for the great work you've done. Make sure you're exercising so you preserve your muscle as you're dropping the pounds... great job!!:thumb:

That's very sweet of you, RainyDay, thanks! Good luck, ask lots of questions, and be sure to let us know how everything goes!

Thanks Lisa! I can't make it this month but perhaps I will see you all next month.

Thank you!!

Hello Idahoans, I've just moved to Spokane WA and I was referred to Dr Pennings by my surgeon from Portland. Anyone here know anything about him? Thanks!

Hi everyone! I was banded in March 2007 in Portland, OR by Dr Dennis Hong, but I just moved to Spokane to start grad school this month. I've been referred by his office to Dr Pennings (?) in Post Falls ID to follow up but I haven't contacted his office yet. Does anyone know anything about him? What do you all think of Dr Trotter? And is the support group you talk about near Spokane? I've had a great lap band journey so far...I've lost weight at a pretty reasonable rate, have dropped 4 sizes, and haven't had any complications or issues at all. I'm working out and I have more energy than I did in my 20s. I've loved working with all the docs at Oregon Weight Loss Surgery, and am sad that I won't really be able to continue seeing them for the next 2+ years, but I am also looking forward to this next chapter in my life. It's great to meet you all...:yo:

I can't figure out if this is 50-100 LEFT to lose, or 50-100 lbs loss as the original goal. My original goal was 75 lbs, and I have 29 left to lose. Where do I belong????:help:

My symptoms all but disappeared when I started getting very serious about getting enough sleep. I figured out that I HAVE to have at least 7.5 hours per night or I am in pain. I take a low dose of nortriptyline, and I sleep with ear plugs, I avoid caffeine after noon, and I make sure I have enough time to sleep. This is a priority in my life, and it keeps me all but symptom free. This probably doesn't work for everyone, but it has worked for me. Good luck.

The test I took was the MMPI. Here's a wikipedia link: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia They basically did this to rule out any psych issues that will interfere with WLS, like schizophrenia, bipolar, eating disorders, personality disorders etc. There was also another test that was shorter and more specific to eating habits but I can't remember what it was called. A few days after I took them, I had my meeting with the psychiatrist to discuss the results. These might not be the same tests you take. These ones were pretty long, as I recall. HTH.

Do you mean risks of surgery or risks of having the band itself? The surgical risks are the same as for any other surgery and they aren't common but they do happen (blood loss, infection, anesthesia complications, etc). As far as post op banding risks, it seems like the most common one is vomiting if your fill is too tight or if you eat something too fast or too big or too much of it. I've never vomited in 10 months of banding. Infections happen but they seem pretty uncommon. The best way to avoid a port infection (the most common band infection I think) is to be absolutely meticulous about caring for your incisions, keep them clean and covered as long as your surgeon tells you and don't touch or pick at them. The other band-specific risks, like slippage or erosion, are also pretty uncommon, but slips happen more often than erosion, from what I can gather. The best way to avoid a slip is to avoid having a too-tight fill, and avoid vomiting as much as possible. Most people don't experience any of these things. HTH.

Hmm, I was very different than most of the posters here. I stayed overnight in the hospital, but stopped using the pain medicine in the hospital because it made me itchy and I didn't really need it. I was up walking a lot in the hospital. My first full day home was the day after my surgery, I got home early afternoon and had tons of energy. The worst day for me was post op day 4, I felt achy and really bloated. But overall I'd say my pain was minimal and it helped to walk. I did spend a lot of time on the couch when I wasn't walking around, and I got tired pretty easily for the first few days. I ended up taking about 4 doses of the lortab before I gave up on that and just took Tylenol. But pain was not a big issue for me, hopefully it won't be for you either. HTH.