Irish76

Help, I am confused. I got my first fill on 8 Oct. I am at 4cc in a 10cc band. I have been experiencing a lot of things getting stuck and it hurting and have had one episode of PBing. Sometimes I can eat a LOT of food at one sitting and other times even the littlest piece of well chewed food feels like it is stuck and I stop eating because I am afraid of more getting stuck. So sometimes I feel like I need a fill but then other times I feel like I need to be loosened a little. How do you know when you have hit your "sweet spot"?

I walk around with shoulders and back as straight as possible and lift my hands into the air as if stretching....reach real high. That seems to help me.

Blue: I hear ya on the gym...I am having that struggle too. But as far as food goes, I keep string cheese (low fat) and Buddig meat on hand. The Buddig is 2 oz, 90 cal or 10 grams of Protein. They cost about 79 cents each here. They really help me a LOT. Also, what about tuna? I try to keep the little cans (or the packets without liquid) around for emergencies at home or work. Good luck and hang in there...you know that you can do this, you have come so far already!:biggrin:

I had my first fill yesterday and all went well. I was on clear liquids for most of the day but got really hungry in the evening so ate some SF pudding. Today I had coffee and a Protein shake, just didn't want to eat anything. But about an hour ago, I got really hungry and the only thing at my desk was pumpkins seeds---they went down with no problems. I didn't get scolded this visit but the last time I saw the nut, she looked over my log and changed my calorie and protein counts (which I had taken directly off the product's label--but whatever). Then she told me that while she was sure that I needed a fill (this was 4 weeks post op) I couldn't have one until 7 weeks therefore I needed to do a better job at keeping the calorie intake to 500 cal a day. I thought, yeah, right. I tried my best but usually took in about 800 a day. It was the best I could do. C'mon 500 calories--now really!!! :biggrin: Fortunately, I don't see her for another month. Everyone sounds like they are doing well....keep up the good work, folks!

I definately am with you. I was banded 20 Aug and some days still wonder if I did the right thing in getting the band. It is a lot of work and there is a lot of IMHO "crap" that goes along with it. But then I look at my pants that are falling off my hips and I see that my blood sugar is <100 every morning and I have to practically slap myself out of my negative thoughts about the band. Hang in there, I do have a few good days a week...:cursing:

I am 6 weeks post-op as of today and no fill. My program says no Snacks just 3 meals with Protein shakes in between (that says snack to me). They want me to eat protein first then veggies/fruit and then carbs. The big problem is that I am limited to 500 cal a day. I have tried and tried but I cannot do it. Even with only protein, I am still at 650-750 (or more)cal a day. The only liquid Protein I can get in is Isopure cause it is zero cal. I am starving. I have an appt next Wed, hopefully I'll get a fill. I didn't sign up for 500 cal a day with no fill, ya know what I mean? :cursing:

Oh WOW! That is soo great! Congratulations and keep up the good work:thumbup:.

Nena. I am so afraid that this is going to happen to me, too. I'm going to be mighty unhappy if it does. I met with the dietician yesterday and I've been losing about 1 lb a week on about 900-1000 cal a day. Now she wants me down to 500-800 cal a day. My next Dr appt is 8 Oct and I was hoping for a fill (I can eat everything and lots of it!). I asked if I would still get a fill if I was losing and I never did get a straight answer. I am afraid that I am going to starve myself for 2 weeks and then the Dr won't give a fill cause I lost weight. How much are you eating? Are you hungry? Hang in there, hopefully that month will go fast and you'll have your fill before the holidays. I won't make it through the holidays without a fill...:thumbup:

LittleFroggy I was banded 20 Aug and right now I can eat a lot. I have to very careful not to eat too much..small plate, small spoon, sippy cup, I am using all the tricks. I can't have a fill until 1 Oct and I can't wait. When really hungry, I eat a package of Buddig Deli meats---9-10 gr of Protein and about 90 cal. It keeps me satisfied for quite a while. One day isn't going to hurt, just try to concentrate on protein, protein protein and chew chew chew!

I am 3 weeks post-op and still have the cramping and diarrhea. I have started some real food (mashed potatoes-made with chicken broth not milk, canned tuna and chicken, hard cheese) and that may have helped a little. My Dr was worried about dehydration and electrolites so I had bloodwork done last Fri---no results as yet. I think that mine may be linked to lactose also. I have switched to soy and lactose free milk, too, it's not as bad as it sounds. My "nut" has said that it may or may not be permanent...time will tell. Hang in there, things do get better with time. :thumbup:

Been there done that....and it is awful. I use Monastat Vaginal cream (the leftovers from other irritations that come from being female). It works great. I also get this under my breasts during the summer. I started applying a mild antiiperspirant (sp?) there. Actually, I think that my bras last longer now that I do that....strange, I know but it works. Good luck!

Vegas, I had clear liquids for 48 hrs post op and then was supposed to start with thinned cream of wheat, skim milk products, SF pudding. I put myself back on clear liquids for a couple of days after trying the milk and having so many problems. Last night I got so hungry that I drank part of a Campbell's Cream of Chicken (the single serving, drink from a can variety). I am feeling much better today. I even had some coffee with soy milk. I can see using soy milk for things like coffee and thinning soups but will sure miss drinking cold skim milk. And the number of products that contain milk, OGM! Just never had to worry about it before--another thing to learn and work around.

I was banded last Wed (20 Aug) and we went out last night for DD's birthday. She chose a Japanese habatchi place. I ordered a bowl of Miso soup and used my fork to strain out the tofu, onions and seaweed. DD ate all of that. I ate about 1/3 oft he bowl of Miso and didn't feell ilke I was missing anything. We all just had a good time.

2nd2none, I know what you mean on tasting things, I USED tocook that way all the time. I am on liquids only because all of the info/comments on letting the belly heal sounds very smart. Now I let the consumers of my cooking do the taste testing...not me. Also, I have found that I have to jot down how much spice to use when they tell me to add more or less. Recommend that you get boyfriend to step up and do the tasting.

I am so sorry that you are hurting. Hang in there, we are all going to learn some things the hard way. Saying no to food is not something any of us are good at or we wouldn't be here.

Vegas What types of soup are you eating? I am 6 days post op and I am still doing clear liquids. But would like to "beef" that up a little. Bad pun, huh? How about "boost" it up a little?

Well, Folks, I am now banded.I spent the night in the hospital and agree, one night there for pain control is a good idea. I spent the first 2 days saying to myself, "I just did WHAT to myself?" :smile2: But have no true regrets. I was on clear liquids for 48 hrs post op and did fine. On Saturday, I tried skim milk in the morning and then some SF pudding in the afternoon---NOT GOOD. I had tight pain and diarrhea. I am very frustrated.....I need to crush my meds (all 12 of them) and take with a little "something", SF pudding was recommended. Now I cannot take the meds with anything----I keep gagging and wretching and I am sure that is not good for the band or my stomach. I put myself back on clear liquids for a couple of days and might try again later. Anyone else have problems with dairy products? Congratulations to all the August All Stars! Keep up the good work, keep posting (it is very comforting to read them all) and lose that weight!

I asked the same question just last week. I had to meet with the clinic's pharmacist and she gave me a pill crusher and suggestions on what to do with each of my pills. I did have to get new prescriptions for a couple of my current pills because you should not break or crush the extended release pills. So, instead of once a day I will have to crush them twice a day and eat with applesauce or put in my "slurpees" that I make with the protein powders.

I hear you there! I am 20 Aug too. I am getting freaked out about a lot of things at this point. Good luck!

Katie Each clinic is different. I went to my first seminar in Dec 07. Approached them about the process in Mar 08. I got my surgery date of 20 Aug on 10 Jul, as soon as the insurance okay'd me. I have seen the nutritionist 3 times, the psych once, the surgeon once the nurse once, the pharmasist once and the Rec therapist. I still have to see the physical therapist, the psych again, the pre-surgery instruction nurse and the surgeon again before 20 Aug. My Pre-op diet is only 2 weeks of no carbs--to shrink the liver and make it more pilable in order for the surgeon to move it out of the way during surgery. IThey have expected me to keep my weight steady or even losing through the entire process. So, it just depends on your clinic. Good luck and it is worth the wait.

I agree, call your Dr. In the meantime, have you tried using a sippy cup? I have heard that using one helps you to sip slower/smaller portions. I am not banded yet but I bought a sippy cup and child size silverware so that I take really small bites and spoonfuls. Good luck

Everyone, thank you so much for the advice. I feel better now that I have slept on it and have decided that I am not going to let this stop me from continuing through the process. C'mon 20 Aug, I am ready for you! Yes, I will be able to eliminate probably 4 pills eventually. But those are all the little ones, I'll take the big honkers for life (heart is damaged and I've been on anti-depression drugs since I was a teenager.) I will ask about the liquid meds---hadn't thought of that. :wink_smile: This is the best site ever! :thumbup:

I thought that I was good to go with the Muscle Mile and then my "Nut" said not, too much fat.

Thanks for the update. I am 2 weeks away and starting to get nervous and anxious. The sippy cup idea is great. I also got kiddie "sliverware"---much smaller spoon and fork. They work real well. Also, I went to a Goodwill and found some small cakeplates that I already use as my dinner plate. Good luck and keep up the good work.

I think that you are right, God had a different plan but the results it the same in the long run, a longer and healthier life to watch your baby grow up and give you a hard time. (I have 2 teenagers) But why leave? I love the support and info I get from this site, yeah we talk bands but some of the same issues and questions arise for bypasses too. Stick with us. We'll miss you too much.