CarlaG

I do think that is part of it but I really do not feel any hunger at all. When I do PB it is always after I have not eaten in a long time. The doctor doesn't understand why that is happening but when I don't eat every 3 hours or so, when I do finally eat my stomach cramps up and I end up getting stuck. It is just really hard to eat when you don't feel hungry. I really thought with this surgery food would no longer be my life, but it really still is about food. Now it is just making sure to get enough and the right things. It also doesn't help that I work shift work and am constantly changing my sleep and eating habits.:thumbup:

I love your avatar picture. Is the girl a relative of yours? The picture looks exactly like one of a granddaughter of a coworker. What a coincidence if she is one in the same:biggrin: Carla

I've had 3 fills now and have found that it takes from 2 to 4 weeks for the fill to "settle" in. I kept debating with my last fill if I should get some taken out but I am glad I didn't. It has been a month and I can now eat fairly normal. It is still a small amount and some days it is more than others but I'm glad I didn't go for the unfill. Give it a little time and see how you do. Good luck! :thumbup:

Denise, You started at the same starting weight as me. How far down did you lose to? Your current weight says that you are moving closer to your starting weight? Do you feel like you have restriction? I hope you get back on track. I feel that since I've had this surgery I owe it to myself and my family to make it a success. I can definitely see how I could still eat out of control even with it by what I choose to eat but I can't do that to myself. I have come to the conclusion that I am worth it and I will continue to succeed. Some days I am not perfect but I am trying my best. That is all any of us can do really. Maybe now that your band is not a secret you will get the encouragement that you need and that will help. Good luck!

I am five months out from my banding and have had 3 fills for a total of 5.7 cc in a 10 cc band. This last fill was only .5 cc and I am miserable. Eating is painful and alot of PBing. My dilemma is this....I work 12 hour shifts switching from 7a-7p to 7p-7a once a month. I got my last fill right at the beginning of night shift. I struggled for the first 2-2.5 weeks and finally got where I could eat and thought I was through the worst of it. Well now I'm back to day shift and can't eat again. Has anyone else who works shifts noticed that they have a problem eating when their schedule is switched? I literally cannot get the food down and it is painful. I'm guessing once my body gets used to the new shift is when the eating becomes easier but then it is time to switch again.:thumbup: I don't know if I should ask for an small unfill or if I should just deal with it each month. I chose this path of WLS to try and preserve my nutritional health but I really don't think not being able to eat for 2-3 weeks out of the month is all that smart. Eating is becoming a dreaded chore but I'm afraid if I get an unfill I will be able to eat more than I should. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Julia, I think that is hilarious but you may be on to something. Did you ever watch the show Popular? There was a really big guy on there who after the show was cancelled had bypass surgery. He made a comment on a talk show about being 2 inches shorter due to the fat he lost in his feet and the top of his head so your theory might work about the scalp being stretched. Its something to think about

Cheryl Ann, I was just wondering the same thing. I have trouble eating one time and I just got through eating Wendy's chili and a baked potato no problem. If I knew I was going to be able to eat, I would have opted for salad! I'm so frustrated by the whole thing right now because it either goes down fine or I'm PBing or in pain because even the smallest bite gets stuck. I don't think I'm overeating (even though what I ate today seems like alot), I just wish there was a rhyme or reason to it!!

Jeff, Number to WLSC is 591-9572. I too had surgery there and am self pay. My insurance had an exclusion so no matter how much I fought, they would not pay at all. You might want to check into that before you try to fight. If you know they don't have an exclusion, just keep plugging away. I sure wish I had done it sooner but I had to get my husband on board. I really felt I had to have his support (especially since I am self pay) so I could succeed. He was fearful and it took a while for him to understand what the surgery was and what it meant to me/us. He saw the special on TV about 6-7 months ago and that was it! Good luck and keep us informed!

Aubrie, My nails were doing that too and they have cleared up with the upped Biotin. I originally started taking 300 mcg a day and the bottle said that was the RDA but apparently it wasn't enough. Someone else on the site recommended a hair and nails biotin from GNC. Its 3000 mcg. I had just bought a bottle of 1000 so once I am done with that (I've doubled my dose to 2000 a day) I'm going to get the one from GNC. I think I should buy some stock in that store :biggrin:

I've also noticed my hair falling out. I've upped my Protein, I'm taking 2000 mcg of Biotin daily and using a biotin shampoo and conditioner every other day. Obviously I'm freaking out about it too! I am starting notice a difference in how much hair comes out while in the shower and I've been doing all 3 for about the last 2-3 weeks. It is getting less and less every day. Some people also say it is the shock of the surgery but yours was awhile ago so I would assume its from lack of protein. If you decide you want the shampoo, I got it at GNC. Good luck!

How do I know if I am at my sweet spot or too tight? Some days I can eat normally (approx. 1/2 cup of whatever) and some days I cannot choke down a thing. More often than not I try to eat and I just can't do it. I try to eat the small Dannon yogurts and can only get down about 1/2 of the container. I'm finding myself using the Protein drinks more and more. I am definitely getting full faster when I do eat and am not feeling hungry at all. I am basically having to force food in which I think is making it harder to swallow past the restriction. I just don't know if I should stick with what I have or go for a little unfill.

vkcse03: Actually my second fill it took about a month to loosen up some. I've noticed over the last day or so that I think this fill is starting to loosen up. It is getting a little easier to eat but I definitely still have to be very careful. I'm going to give it a little more time before I ask about an unfill since things seem to be getting better. That could change tomorrow though since it keeps changing. I have been on night shift for the last month so I'm beginning to think that is the issue. It seems to be easier to eat on my days off. I switch back to day time living on my days off so I think the nights may be making things harder. Let me know how you make out.

Well, by all the responses I think the best best is a slight unfill. I am definitely not enjoying what I do get to eat...it is such a chore and there is no weight coming off. I guess I'm not getting enough calories and it is getting harder to exercise since I don't think I'm getting enough to give me energy. Guess I will call my doctor's office tomorrow. Thanks everybody!

Brandy, How are you doing with Protein intake? My doc wants me to get 90 grams in. That is a lot and even with the Protein shake my hair is falling out. I really think I am actually getting more protein now than before I had surgery so I can't figure out the hair loss thing?

No suggestions but wanted to say congratulations on your loss. I had my surgery on March 13 and keep fluctuating between 37 and 40 lbs down. I am so aggravated that I can't get past it! I try exercise as many days as I can but it just won't budge. My husband says I am probably building muscle because I do feel a difference in my clothes but it still disappointing. If you figure something out let me know! Good luck!

Has anyone used Biotin shampoo? If so, did you see any noticeable changes. I'm losing some hair and I'm already taking biotin and keeping my Protein up so I thought maybe shampoo would help. :confused2: How much biotin do you take? I was taking 300 mg a day but have upped it to 1000 mg. My first bottle said 300 mg was the RDA so is my body just filtering out what is over the RDA? I am also having problems with the fish oil capsule getting stuck once in a while. Has anyone found smaller (round vs oval) EFA pills? Thanks! :tt1::biggrin:

How long did it take for your hair to stop falling out after you started taking that? I've upped my biotin and I think I am already seeing a difference after a few days but it could be my imagination.:thumbup:

Duke's makes a light mayo too and it is pretty good. I switched from the regular to the light and didn't notice too much of a difference.

I don't understand. Why are they calling it a failure? Because you lose weight slower? Studies show that in the end, we all end up losing about the same (band vs bypass). I believe like you...I would much rather lose slower and healthier than take the chance of decreased health status due to malabsorption. The quicker weight loss is not worth it to me. You're right about it being an implant. I think that is a good way to think about it. Your weight loss is going great! I was banded in March and have lost 35 lbs. I was stuck for a month but an now moving again so I'm very pleased with my band. Keep up the good work!

How do I get my updated ticker on my signature? I've done it before but I am drawing a blank and can't remember how to change it. I've already updated it on Ticker Factory and I've copied the link but can't remember what to do with it after that. Nothing I've tried is working

I have not tried the salads. Do they make them fresh so the salad isn't slimy and gross? I did a little experiment tonight. I was home most of the day cleaning so I only stopped to eat lunch at 1230 and then we went to dinner about 6:30. Since it had been so long I knew I was going to have a problem so I ate a couple of chips (we ate mexican) and as usual when I haven't eaten in quite some time my stomach started cramping as soon at the food hit it. I waited a few minutes for it to stop and I was able to eat the rest of my meal with no problems. I think I have decided I'm going to carry something soft with me that I can eat a couple of bites of before my meal if it has been a long time since I've eaten. It seemed to stop the cramping and I didn't get stuck.

Carla, I'd be surprised if you're at your sweet spot this soon, but you very well could be. Three and a half years later, I still do the same thing, forget to eat, then realize I'm starving, then inevitably, that first bite will get stuck, then it's slime city and numerous visits to the restroom. HarleyNana, Do you think you get stuck because you eat too fast, don't chew well enough or I think its like my stomach cramps with the first one or two bites? After I cough that up, I'm fine so I'm not really sure what causes it. I seem to eat the same way after I've gotten stuck so that's why I lean towards the cramping causing a problem. How do you know if you have hit your sweet spot really? I never feel hungry but know when I haven't eaten for a while because my stomach growls REALLY loud and start to have a cramping feeling but it isn't what I always thought was hunger pangs.

Good luck tomorrow with your surgery. I'm sure you will do great!

HarleyNana, Overall I am liking my band. I've had two fills now and I think I have restriction...don't know if it is my sweet spot, but there is restriction. I don't have any hunger, but if I wait too long to eat, I end up PBing. Sometimes, I realize I am hungry and take took big of a bite, but other times I think since it has been a while since I ate that my stomach spasms and I can't get whatever it is down. I'm still in the learning curve. I just have to tell myself slow down and chew correctly. I've lost 30 lbs over the last 3 months, one month of which was spent eating out 24/7 due to storm damage to my house so I am pretty pleased with my progress. Would I do it again? Absolutely!

HarleyNana, That is so funny...what are the odds! She does look like the typical grandma but she sure is spry and she was telling Dr. T about her new car. What a small world! Carla