ccc0206

As much as I want to do a LOW CARB diet, I find eating protein, gets "stuck." I am a 2 year bandster "loser",(not losing weight loser...). It is so much easier to eat "sugar" and carbs, since it goes down easier. That is my main problem. It is much easier to 'grab" something. When I sit down to(ie) chix or meat or even some fish, I invariably gulp too big of a bite and then have to run to the bathroom--to purge. Don't want to, but it happens. I am not too tight..have been back and forth to surgeon in the past 2 years..opened and tightened..I am some where in the middle now. Not lost ANY weight in a very very LONG time!!! Help!!

My surgery is scheduled for next Thursday, March 20,2008. Any one not get general anaesthesia?? I don't want to be put out that deeply...I don't want to be intubated.....Thanks cc

I am so sorry that happened to you, but thank you for the post . I thought I was the only one with such issues such as EARL...I had my surgery 3/20 and have been dealing with eating too fast and too big of bites... I thought I was too tight, but now I know I will ALWAYS NEED TO CONCENTRATE at meals and NEVER let my guard down and NEVER FORGET... it is a real humbling experience to feel the "elephant and want to talk and pray it down", but then it doesn't.... and having to run to the bathroom and PB in the napkin on the way... Thanks for the post. cc

I too, had my 3rd fill and am at 5.5 in a 10 cc band. I am PB'ing at virtually every meal since my fill. I can drink liquids and eat soft foods, but I believe I am eating way too fast/and/or still taking too big of bites. I find when I am first stiing down to a meal, I may gulp the first bite and then it goes downhill from there. I find when I am first very hungry at a meal, I want to eat too much at first(even if the bites are small) so too much food enters my pouch too quickly, PB, then come back to the table, and am able to eat a little more. Eating is not fun anymore... I guess that is the point.... The question I have to decide is, do I go for a little unfill or keep at this at this level.. Even when i think I am chewing,chewing, chewing, and really think I am taking small bites and eating slow, I really am not....and sitting at lunch or dinner(with friends), I find myself only concentrating on my eating (or my chewing, or my small bites, and then dealing with, will the "stuckness" go down or will I have to excuse myself and go the bathroom to PB)and not dealing with the conversation because of the other issues. But, in reality, I am scared to unfill, bacause the demons still creep up at me at this level of tightness and I am still able to eat that cookie(or 2) and KNOW that at a lower level of tightness, I would eat the whole sleave... and that really scares me. cc surgery 3.20/08 217 now 195

Thank you all so much for your posts. I appreciate reading and learning what is happening to others.... I had my 3rd fill 3 days ago (5.5 total in a 10cc band), and am way too tight...PB'ing during every meal that I DON"T CHEW CHEW CHEW, or take VERY small bites. Wow, what a difference a .5 fill makes. I have to learn to remember and plan snacks between meals, so I am not too hungry at a meal and take too big of a bite in the beginning... that is what does me in...Even drinking my protein milk shakes takes much longer... I can only sip and not gulp!!! My kids have always teased me(previously) that I eat too big of portions on my fork and gulp my drinks....now I understand what they are saying. I want to give my body a chance to settle down... I don't want to go for an unfill yet.... I have resorted to taking a little plastic bag and many napkins with me at a meal, in case, I don't make it to the bathroom... Last night the ouside door of the restaurant was closer than the bathroom, so i took my little bag, hid myself from anyone in the street, PB'd, felt a whole lot better and sat while my husband finished dinner.... what a way to live!!!! My little secret is that I am LOVING eating less!!!! Had my surgery 3/20/08, lost 17 pounds; 2 pounds to go to break 200!!!! cc

I was initially banded 3/20/08. My surgeon had me wait the full 6 weeks before the first fill. My surgeon also waits 4 weeks between fills, but I had my 1st fill, wasn't restricted enough, and went again after 2 weeks, and now I feel VERY filled. I get my fill at Beaumont Hospital(Royal Oak) and the surgeon will give a fill when it is necessary with symptoms dictated by the patient. You may want to try Dr. Krause at Beaumont. cc

My doctor has a great way of explaining why it takes an average of 3 fills to get proper restriction. And I'm hoping that it goes this way for me, if not, better. He said, "On your 1st fill, I find your neighborhood. On your 2nd fill, I find your street. On your 3rd fill, I find your house". I LOVE THE QUOTE!!!! It is exactly how I feel. Just had my first fill, not satisfied, a very SLIGHT restriction, but I do feel a LITTLE something... I too am still eating way too much, slow weight loss, but eating less..can still eat bread...but not a whole piece...gets mildly stuck... Am eating slower, but still taking too big of bites.... Looking forward to my "street" then my "house". cc

I just had my first fill yesterday I had 3cc put in during surgery and 1cc added yeaterday. For a total of 4cc's. I too, do not feel much restriction. I feel it when I eat too fast or take too big of bites, but I can still eat large amounts and get hungry before the 4 hour mark. My doctor said that it takes until around 7cc's in a 10 cc band to really feel the restriction. Which means I will need 3-4 fills before real restriction.....I lost weight immediately for the first few weeks after surgery, then hit a plateau...before my first fill. I don't feel much more of a restriction after another 1cc added... I have to wait another 4 weeks before fill number 2.... cc

Reading stories like yours give me hope... I am a new bandster. March,'08, and had my first fill yesterday.... I had 3cc added during surgery and 1 more cc yesterday. I am still very hungry.... I initially lost weight but ate the past 3 weeks waiting for my first official fill. I was hungry all of the time, and gained 2 pounds.... I don't feel any more restriction today with a total of 4cc and I don't yet feel less hunger. I now realize, what every one has been saying, duh!!!!, that this is only a tool, and I NEED to WATCH everything I am eating...and it is soooooo easy to eat sugar. And NOT to grab for something because it goes down easily.... (What was I thinking???). I know I have to give it time to work, but reading posts like you wrote, tells me I have a way to go..Thanks for the info on tweaking the cc's...... CC

Add Sugar free popsicles... The were a life saver for me... When I wanted something sweet(but is was sugar free) and ice cold.... When I wanted warm, I made the sugar free pudding on the stove, with fat fat free milk, and ate it warm.... Never liked the instant kind.... cc

I too, was banded, March 20th, and I am now eating EVERYTHING also. My surgeon and dietician says I am doing fine, but no first fill for another 3 weeks. I am afraid I will be huge again... But, have lost 14 pounds as of today...and I am very HUNGRY!!!!I started out at 217. I am eating solids, chicken, meat, crackers,pasta, etc. Only, I think I am eating smaller amounts. I think.... If I do eat too fast or take too big of a piece, I do feel the pain...takes me a few minutes to breathe/but of course, I do eat again....after the pain subsides. I am not P'Bing or throwing up.... I am really trying to eat SMALLER bites...that is a struggle for me, especially when I am hungry.The baby spoon is a great suggestion. And I try, try , try, not to eat anything too dry.... These 6 weeks, while I am waiting for my first fill, is a real learning experience, for me. I am learning , NOT, to drink with meals; not to take too big of bites, and watch what I am eating... Not strictly dieting, though... In fact, I am trying to stretch the time between meals and snacks, and I start out in the morning being really motivated.... But, I have grabbed and not planned when I am hungry in the afternoon.. That has been a real challenge for me. But I can eat sweets...like Costco birthday cake with frosting...but at least, I stopped at one piece... Something, I was not able to do before. Interesting, is that I don't drink morning coffee anymore. I don't have any craving for coffee. Would rather drink tea...Very strange.. and I was a big coffee drinker, before my surgery. Good luck... I guess we are going through what is called Bandster Hell... Can't wait for my first fill. CC

I am just starting the procedure and was wondering if any one has used Dr. Krause as their surgeon and/or have gone through Beaumont Weight Control offices??? I would appreciate any info you may have.... thanks

No, I was just banded 3/20/08. Only a week ago...

I am going to try to add Brisket gravy--love my Mom's brisket-- on everything soft I can eat. Even on the chopped liver... I make my chopped liver with olive oil, and saute the onions in oil, until soft before adding it. I have done that for years, and am fine with the taste--add eggs, oil, sauted onions and salt....Still tastes great!!! Will hopefully get enough protein...will still have to do shakes. Just a thought....can I declare myself Sephardic for the holiday and eat, lentils, peas, legumes??? May just do that.... cc

I was banded on 3/20 and I now can take pills. I cut them up and go slowly but I can't stomach my liquid meds...I only take 1 small pill at a time.The capsules are harder, but goes down without a problem. Taking meds is definitely a challenge... cc

Was banded on 3/20 and felt decent only at the one week mark. Also, having trouble sleeping.Was cold and yucky until yesterday when I was able to eat mushies...ate pea/bean soup processed...and had a mashed scrambled egg and potato... Made all of the difference. Slept a little better(but just a little) and was not so cold...Didn't need socks to sleep... Looking forward to a "warmer" day today... It's in the food!!! But I am going SLOW!!!!

I will still be in the mushie stage during Passover, but here is my take. I would eat mashed potatoes, with Brisket gravy, tzissmis(sweetpotatoes, prunes, carrots, sugar free maple syrup--cook till death), gefilte fish--small bites, sugar free jello whipped with FF cool whip. If I could, eat Brisket or turkey, I would cut it up into the smallest pieces possible, and mush with the mashed potatoes and gravy. Of course, chix soup, but no matzoh balls. A very creamy blended egg salad, no matzoh,creamy tuna. Eat lots of soft fish, soft potato kugel.. I would stay away from the macroons... Just some thoughts.... cc

I was banded March 20. The surgeon informed me, only after I inquired, any complications of the surgery, that I too had a hiatal hernia; and that he repaired it during surgery. I saw him on 2 occassions before he told me that. Interesting.... He did say that the only difference in recovery is more pressure in the chest during recovery. I believe the regular post-op diet takes care of that healing also. I knew I had heart burn prior to surgery, but didn't realize it was probably due to a hiatal hernia. It will be interesting to see if insurance picks up some of the surgery. I would keep the pressure on them. Good luck. cc

I would like to hear from bandsters who have been banded OVER 5 YEARS?? OVER 10 YEARS?? I read posts from all of you wonderful people, but most of the band dates are very recent. I would like to know what complications?? what successes?? Are you happy with the results??? Are you sorry you did it years ago?? Did you have to be re-banded with a newer lap band model?? I am being banded on Friday March 20, and I am concerned with the LONG TERM consequences. Thank you cc

Hi Nava, Just was banded on March 20 also. Mine for the first time. Just spent 3 weeks in Israel. My second time there, but just wonderful. My niece lives in Haifa and we toured both up North, Eilat and Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Sorry you had difficulties the first time. I too, was banded with the new Inamed. Hope it doesn't give us much complications. My main liquids consist of good old Jewish Chicken soup...Passover will be in a few weeks, and I am nervous as to what I will be able to eat...There's always chicken soup but no matzoah balls!!! Maybe loose mashed potatoes with brisket gravy???? Good luck cc

I was just banded 2 days ago and your BLOG is terrrific. You are doing so well and should be so proud of yourself. You are honest, terrific and funny at the same time. Keep up the good work, girl. You deserve all good things to come to you. Keep writing, you have helped me tremendously. Your pictures are gorgeous!!! Sounds like you have a great husband. cc

Kat, I was just newly banded and your response was terrific and very informative. Thank you for your information...it will help alot.

I was just banded on Thursday, and I have only told my husband and my one daughter(who is 23 and lives with me). I did not tell her until the night before surgery. I have not told ANYONE else, not my son, not my mother, sisters or friends. I want to get a handle on this and see how it goes, before I tell anyone. I am not planning on going out to dinner with any of them this week, so that shouldn't be a problem. But, if I did I would suggest we go to a deli, so I could have plain chicken soup broth--and then tell them my stomach is upset and not very hungry. Don't know how long I can keep it a secret...But I need this time for myself at this point. I am not ready to answer everyone else's questions, asking, why, where, am I hungry, how much have I lost, etc. cc

I am on day 2 post-op. I am, of course, on liquids. My doctor's diet consists of eating soft boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, canned fruit and baked potato on day 8. And soft baked fish, small amount of pasta, rice,on day 14. So, eating the french fries and a bite of fish after 2 weeks, are within my surgeon's guidelines.... So, don't worry. cc

I too, had my surgery on Thursday (2 days ago) and I am also having severe pains in my left shoulder, neck and across my upper back. Also, overall stiffness, like I have been hit by a "mack truck." But I am walking and sipping my liquids. My doctor prescribed liquid Lortab--combination of tylenol/hydrocodone... It takes the edge off. Pain from the incisions not too bad though...the other pain is bothersome. cc