kgloverii

Debbie, Your passion for food will dim as you get more fills and get to your sweet spot. I used to sit down and eat a whole box of macaroni and cheese for lunch and not think a thing of it... Now, I am mortified to even THINK that I thought this was 'normal.' Normal to me is a few bites for each meal and TOTAL complete satisfaction. You'll get there... but know this: everyone goes through what you are in some form or fashion, whether they want to admit it or not. We all dreamed of the buffet or the goodness of a burger and fries... and then, we get some fills, and it suddenly starts to go away. The band rewired my brain. Literally. But it takes time. Hugs!

I'd definitely have your doc order a barium swallow. GL.

It seems different for sure, and it IS. I don't eat what I used to. I don't crave carbs like I used to. We eat veggies in abundance and make better choices. Before I'd rely on prepared foods, fast foods, high-carb foods. NOW, I an admitted FOODIE. I COOK. We eat WELL in our house now. I made a fabulous whole wheat baked spaghetti loaded with FRESH Veggies, fresh tomatoes, home-roasted peppers, and sausage. We are also eating broccoli salad with cranberries, slaw, etc. And that is FOR lunch. For dinner, I am making a stir-fry with marinated chicken breasts, fresh green and yellow Beans, fresh carrots, and black japonica rice. In the olden days I would have made Hamburger Helper and dressed it up with a can of mushrooms. My kids LOVE that I make DELICIOUS foods everyday that are a party in your mouth. Your tastes will change. I made the choice to eat fresher, more organic, less processed. And I'll never go back. Life tastes too good this way. (And I look really hot in my jeans!)

Melanie, The constant PBing just irritates your stomach and makes you tighter and tighter, often creating a cycle you cannot get out of until you get an unfill to relieve the pressure. I went through something very similar and was unable to eat ANYTHING, only drink hot liquids. My upper GI came out just fine, I was just way too tight. I am betting that is what is going on with you. Keep us posted!

I hope all is well. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Keep us posted...

Sugar alcohols come out of the carb count. But as Laura said, they are also good laxatives, lol. The calories are still the same. In my humble opinion, you are doing yourself more of a disservice by eating the 'fake' chocolate with the fake sweeteners. Eat REAL chocolate, but in moderation. Those fake sugars screw with your metabolism. That's why you are not seeing weight loss. There is plenty of science out there that shows sugar free is NOT the way to go. Nor is the Fat free stuff. Off my soap box now. :wink:

You look great! What an accomplishment!!

I hate to say this, but experience has not helped me as much as I would like on this one. I had tightness today while out at lunch that I did not realize. One bite of clam chowder and I was in pain... something got stuck and I HAD chewed. I walked it off (it DOES work!) as well as went to the bathroom and twisted around, stretching my back as much as possible to relieve the tightness in my back. It DID eventually resolve itself, but I stuck with hot tea after that. DH ate my soup... The band is a very fickle thing, that is affected by stress, humidity, barometric pressure, etc, etc. Just hang in there...

I am really sorry to hear about your band. An erosion always requires removal. I hope Dr. V cuts you a break on the cost. Do not wait to have this done. Your health is paramount.

Motrin is not suggested for use if you have a band due to possible increased risk for erosion and gastritis. Some surgeons allow it if you've had your band for over a year, and/or if you pair it with a Proton Pump Inhibitor, and/or in other circumstances. BUT, for the most part, it is not recommended.

Congrats Denise! What a well-thought out, grounded post! What a way to help set realistic expectations!

I have had gastritis due to stomach acid production. I have a very sensitive stomach, and it is easily inflamed if I get too tight. I take Prilosec on occasion and it has kept the gastritis at bay, so sometimes a PPI will do the trick quite nicely.

I just ate Chipotle the other night... got the burrito bowl vegetarian style with bean and no rice. Ordered with the guacamole and the yummy tomato and onion salsa and all of the fixins. It went down just fine. You might have to improvise, but trust me, you can eat anywhere... and last night, Chipotle could not have tasted better. YUM.

A good friend of mine advised me that you can't buy a car and not be able to afford the gas... :sneaky:

Milk of Magnesia is good for short term help. The Miralax is good for long term consistent BMs. It may take a few days of consistent usage of the Miralax to work. Pain meds slow down the intestines, and the liquids you are consuming provide little fiber. If you are not in pain, just be patient with the Miralax. It WILL work.

Wanted to post an updated before and after cause I am pretty close to done losing... I'd like to lose 3 more pounds just so I've lost an even 100, but I'm not thinking that will happen for a long time. My body likes 138... Before, I was a size 18/20W, I am currently in a size six.

Our family eats a ton of beans and I love finding new recipes with them. This sounds GREAT and my kids LOVE limas. I will make this later in the week and come back and post the review!

Once you have proper restriction, you won't need to obsess over calories. If you are consistently hungry, and feel a lack of energy, you need to up your calories. I'd up yourself to 1200 at least if you are consistently working out.

NEVER EVER have that removed. It removed my hunger... without it, the weight would come right back. If I were to have band issues and need it removed, I'd immediately revise to a sleeve. No questions.

I was fat because I was hungry all the time. I didn't eat crazy big portions, but my body was built to maintain my weight at 1000 cals/day. I'd eat 2000 and think "I'm eating like everyone else" and I was still hungry. Go figure.

Cold drinks are TERRIBLE with my band. I try to drink them, and I tighten up REALLY bad... Ice is no longer my friend. And before, I was quite the ice chewer...

YES. I CAN feel my band. not all of the time, but in the morning when I wake, I can feel the band. IT is NOT painful or uncomfortable. But, I can feel the tightness of where it is. No biggie, though.

Michele, Thank you so much for this. I think there are so many bandsters out there that do not realize the amount of effort that goes into losing even with the band, the amount of follow-up that is needed, and lose patience prematurely. This surgery is NOT gastric bypass where weight loss can be quick, dramatic, and effortless. BUT, if you really put your work into it, know that you can make this a permanent change, and take one step at a time, it can be successful. Congrats on keeping the faith!