2BtinyinTN

I lost 8pd on the liquid diet before surgery and then I have lost 14 since. It doesn't seem like a lot but I have probably never lost 14pd before in 6 weeks before. I was at a stand still for a couple weeks too. I didn't measure myself but should have. I exercise every day so according to my clothes I have lost inches too which ultimately is more important then weight. My restriction was really good until about 2 weeks ago. The first 24hrs is clear liquids and then full liquids for 2 days and then mushies for 2 weeks and then soft foods. I think it is very doable. Did you go to the nutrition class yet? I have absolutely no regrets! It is the best thing I have ever done!!

Congrats CnShawk!! It will be here before you know it. I had my second fill with Dr. Holzman Tuesday. He put another 2 cc's in my realize band. I am scheduled for another in 4 weeks. Of course he was booked up in 4 weeks but they worked me in. I really like him. He also said if it wasn't enough to call him sooner. The problem I have had is, I had such good restriction for so long and then my fullness changed from being in the upper chest area to back down in the my stomach. Even with the fill I can't tell much difference. I may call him next week if it doesn't get better. Good luck to you Beckio too!!

I was banded May 9th and had my second fill yesterday. I had 2 cc's put in 2 weeks after surgery. It is very odd because I used to fill full in the upper chest area...then it was if the fullness was back in the lower part of the stomach. Is this normal for people who don't have restriction? Even with the fill yesterday...I don't feel like have restriction. If I eat to fast, I can tell there is something there.

CnShawk-you will have an appt with the surgeon prior to having your surgery appt. Dr. Richards will probably be more accessable then Holzman. Good luck in getting in soon! Beckio-I would recommend contacting Eric McWilliams he is the manager of the clinic and let him know you can't get appts with Holzman as you need to. I think the the nurse practioners also do fills. You should even see if you can switch docs or something. I'm sorry your having such a hard time. I get my second fill Tuesday. I currently have NO restriction. Initially my fullness was in the upper portion of my stomach but now I can tell everything goes right through the band and my full is below the band. I hope he gives me 3 or 4 cc's. Keep me posted. Good luck

I have the realize band and had a small fill (2 cc's) 2 weeks after surgery. I do have some restriction but I have to eat very slow to recognize it or if I eat to fast...I feel it about 5 min after I eat. Loving my band though!!

I am 4 weeks post op and my nutritionist says no raw veggies even lettuce for 2 months. Anyone know the reason behind this or have the same guidelines?

I was banded on 5/9. As soon as I went to mushies...I was eating scrambled eggs. I then moved to egg salad. No problems here!! Good luck.

I too was banded on 5/9. I even had a small fill on Tuesday of this week. I am eating regular foods. I haven't lost any weight in the past week and can't figure out why. I am staying below 700 calories (dr. recommended) and am having 75% of my meals protein. I think we just need to hang in there and fight the battle!! We will get there!!

My nutritionist said I should be between 500-600 calories a day right now. I guess I could up it and see what happens. Thanks for the tips!

I was banded on 5/9 and have lost 17pds since my pre-op diet that started on 5/1. However, I haven't lost anything in a week 1/2. I am only eating my lil 1/2-3/4 cup of food 3 times a day. It is a little discouraging. Hopefully, I will start loosing again.

Hi Susie1732- I am 3 weeks out and haven't lost anything in a week 1/2. I too exercise and eat about 600 calories a day. I don't get it!

I was banded on 5/9/08 so I am 3 weeks post op today. For some reason I haven't been able to sleep the past 2 weeks. I toss and turn all night. I don't know if this is hormonal, more energy, lack of carbs or what. I also haven't lost any weight in the last week and a half. Anyone else experiencing this?

I haven't been having any dairy...even though I am supposed to be having protien drinks in between meals but with the pre-op diet...I got so sick of them. I have been exercising in the mornings except for yesterday I went when I got home from work and it still didn't help with the sleeping. Thanks for your thoughts.

Thanks for responding. Seems we are all at about the same place. Even with 2cc's I don't have a lot of restriction. I do find the slower I eat it is easier to recognize full. I am really only eating protien. Trying to stay away from carbs as long as possible!! Good luck to everyone.

I was banded on May 9th with the Realize band and doing great!! Had a 2cc fill yesterday. Was curious to see how the other May Realizers are doing!

I was banded on May 9th with the Realize band and my doc put in 2cc's in yesterday because he is going to be out all of June. I do feel a little restriction but not a lot. I will be looking forward to my next one July 8th. Not sure how much he is going to put in.

Hi Coondawg! Welcome to the boards! I am from Nashville and was banded on May 9th by Dr. Holzman at Vandy with the new Realizeband. Loving every minute of it!!

Hi McSteph! I have had some trouble getting appts; however, I have just learned Dr. Holzman is only there one day a week so that could be the problem. It also seems he is out of town a lot. I felt obligated to hang in there because of the ins. The clinic went through a lot of changes at the end of last year too...which caused all sorts of havoc on my process. Things seem to be straightened out now. I know Dr. Holzman through my job...so I email him directly when things aren't in a timely fashion. He has responded well to that. Good luck at Baptist!

I was banded on 5/9, returned to work yesterday part time. It is just amazing how people react or don't react. Most of the people in the office talked about how good I looked and checked on how I was feeling, etc. However, the 2 girls who are supposed to my friends...have not said the first thing to me about it!! Now one of them has been strolling through the office with cookies asking everyone but me if I want one. Of course I wouldn't take one anyway...but she is making the biggest scene!! WTF??

Congratulations to you Tourisqueen! I have been on pureed for almost 2 weeks...but got the clear to move to soft foods. So...dummy me today while at Sams decided to try a little piece of fajita meat. I have had that lump in my throat ever since. I am trying to decide if it is stuck or not. I have been able to drink and ate a little fish but feel like I could throw up!! I'm a little worried. I too...wish I hadn't told people at work. I am not eating with anyone right now like I used to because I don't want to be stared at while I eat. Hopefully people will move on soon!! Good luck in going back to work and I hope you feel better soon. I do think the more protein I eat the better off I am.

I do weigh and use measuring cups for my food to keep me in check! It helps!

WOW...what a great variety of responses! I love the humor you all have to share!! Thanks for all the encouragment! I know I will continue to just stay on plan and reap the rewards of eating less and getting healthy.

Laurinda-Yes...in fact both of them are heavy and always talk about loosing weight but it usually lasts a day. The one handing out the cookies is acting so strange...it is hard to even figure out what she is thinking. In my previous attempts to diet she would be the first one trying to sabatoge it by offering me stuff...so who knows. I love the saying "Thin feels better than food tastes" When I am all slim and trim...I will tell them that!! ha ha. Thanks for the encouragment!

The nutritionist said that carbonated drinks stretch out the stomach. That is the reason for that and as for the straws she said you tend to drink to fast with a straw. I too love my beer...but will stay clear as I don't want to stretch out anything. I don't drink with my meals right now either...but the straw was a hard one to give up too. We are all creatures of habit.

It could also be esophegeal spasms. I have actually had these on and off for the past year and I finally went to have my heart checked just to be safe. My surgeon said sometimes the banding can also make it worse. Luckily since banding I haven't had any. I would say too...just eat slower and chew chew chew! good luck.