Kryssa

Is it normal to get that golfball feeling after the first bite of food? I always have to wait out the pain and then eat my meal. I'm not overly restricted, I can eat 2 cups of food at a time, but I am tired of hurting every time I begin to eat. Any suggestions? :ermm

Thanks ya'll. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one. I've actually gotten to be okay with it except when I go out. Then everyone including the waitress wants to know why I'm not eating. Oh, well!

I had insurance, but they only paid 80%; so I ended up paying $3200. I also had to cover the psych and nutritional evaluation out of pocket. Then there was a madatory seminar on the mental and emotional issues related to weight loss. All of that cost another $1000. So, about $4500...

Everyone has given you some great advice; I only have one thing to add. Make sure you do some resistance training i.e. weight training. When we try to lose weight our bodies will preferentially burn muscle because it is more metabolically active than fat. Your body is fighting to keep the weight on. But if you lose muscle your metabolism is lowered and you have to eat even less to lose fat. So get your protein and build some muscle to rev up your metabolism.

I lost 10 lbs in the first week and put every one of them back on over the next 5 weeks! It's normal, you are normal. As far as suggestions for food: try for lots of protein and veggies. Try to avoid carbs, they will make you hungry. Soups are good; chicken or tuna salad with lots of mayo to make it moist, beans (refried or blended), etc. Best of luck!

My nutritionist moved me to mushies after the first week because I was starving! If she doesn't already see one, you might want to find a good nutritionist who has a clear understanding of lap-bands. That being said, make sure she is getting her protein shake and some blended soups. I found that if I avoided the usual carb filled mushies (mashed potatoes, creamy soups, yogurt, etc.), I was alot less hungry. It's all about protein and veggies! Good luck to her, I was a fat teenager and it is no fun at all.

<p><p> </p> <p> </p> <p>If you want a weightloss ticker, go to tickerfactory.com; it will walk you through creating it and give you a URL (weblink). Then go back to this website login and click on UserCP. Find edit signature, click it. Put your name or whatever and then click Insert Image in tool bar). Paste the URL from tickerfactory in and voila!</p> <p> </p> <p>For pics in your signature, it is the same thing except you link to the file.</p> <p> </p> <p>If you want your pic beside your name, go to edit avatar from the UserCP page and upload your pic from there.</p> <p> </p> <p>Let me know if I didn't cover what you needed.</p></p>

My surgery was at 7, I was discharged by 10. No barium swallow then or since.

I'm marginally happier but I can still eat and eat and eat if I don't watch myself. Time for another fill!

I totally understand, I'm in the same situation. I lost 10 lbs on liquids the month after banding, which I put back on over the next 5 weeks. Then I got my first fill and nothing was different. I've had 3 fills now and just have a little restriction; ugh, time to schedule the 4th. It seems like it takes forever to get started losing, but it will be worth it in the end!

Protein shakes do not make you gain weight "as such" especially if they are low calorie. What they do is enable you to build muscle, because it is made up of protein. Drinking protein shakes will also prevent your body from breaking down your existing muscle (and lowering your metabolism in the process which will slow weight loss). So, IMHO they are your very best friend as long as you count the calories as part of your daily intake.

At lunch on Christmas day I totally pigged out. I had turkey, a roll, potato salad, pecan pie, etc. No problems. However, when dinner time came around, I tried a tiny piece of ham, and voila! Instant pb. Ugh, fickle band!

I take Wellbutrin XL 150 mg a day. I have been on Prozac (postpartum) and Zoloft (postpartum II), but I gained weight with both. I tried Celexa for 2 weeks; worst 2 weeks of my life...

I've got 2 ccs after my third fill, before the third fill I felt no restriction. I finally feel slight restriction but can still eat too much. Fourth fill is scheduled for the end of January. Does it usually take time for a fill to "kick in"? How long? Why? Does it matter if your Dr is "creeping up" on your sweet spot or if you get an agressive fill?

I was on solids a week after surgery, but I had my nutritionists blessing... I can (and have) eaten bread, rice, beef, and alot of other things that cause problems for other bandsters. The band is about portion control for me. I am becoming a very picky eater. If it's not wonderful, I won't eat it. The downside to rebeling is very slow weight loss, but I'll be happy and not feel deprived during my weight loss journey.

I was so happy to find this thread. I thought I was the only one! I had surgery 10 weeks ago and I have lost 3 pounds. I'd like to join your group too - you guys give me hope. After reading your posts I realize I'm not abnormal, I'm just a bit of a "turtle".

Put me with the turtles! My thyroid levels are fine (just checked 2 weeks ago) but I have only lost 2 lbs. in 10 weeks. I went in for a fill (3rd) Tuesday and its the first time I have felt ANY restriction. I exercise and try to make good food choices but I'm miserable.

My nutritionist moved me to soft foods after a week and on to solids at 2 weeks. She said it was okay since I was starving all the time. So I wouldn't call it cheating; I was just following the diet progression on fast forward. I have had no ill effects except slow weight loss.

I lost 10 lbs. within the first week of surgery and then spent the next 5 weeks putting it right back on. I have had 3 fills since and have managed to lose 2 (!) pounds. I'm hungry all the time and can eat pretty much anything. I have a miserable time not drinking after meals. I totally feel your pain.