midwestchickie

Hey! I've been pretty much a perfect lap band patient. Got mine in Sept 2008. I've lost 100 pounds. I'm in awesome shape, exercise everyday, life is grand. I found my sweet spot about two years in...and stayed with that the last 1.5 years or so....then in Feb., I started having all sorts of issues. In the end, found out it was my gallbladder. I had done quite a bit of throwing up from the gallbladder before a doctor finally said, "unfill the band, have your gallbladder out, and we will refill". He said that would give my band and stomach a break, settle down, etc. Plus, my surgeon for the gall bladder also does weight loss surgeries. (my original doctor is 1200 miles away, we moved.) Anyway...got my gall bladder out, got my fill back in and I feel great. My complaint? I can eat more now than before my surgery! Same amount of fill (7 cc). Anyone experience this? Seems so weird to me. I'm scared to go get more fill because I settled on 7 ccs after going up to 8 ccs, and that was too much. How can the same fill feel so different? I don't really need to lose anymore...I'm now 5'8, 150ish pounds...but there is a part of me that wouldn't mind getting down to 135-140, or not feel like I will gain due to not feeling as much restriction. I also feel like since I had the gall bladder removed about 3 weeks ago, I should just let my body rest before messing with my fills again....Any advice?

Just curious if any of the people at the seminar where posters on this board?? BTW, I really liked Dr. Pitt and his staff.

I'm on day 7/10 of my preop diet...I've done great so far! No cheating! I get just two protein shakes (400 cals) and broth/jello/popsicles. It was hard at first, but I'm making it. Today, my 7th day, I feel i hit a wall! Total lack of energy! I don't feel like doing anything.....I suppose this would be normal after days of not eating?? :thumbup: I've never not ate for 7 days! Ha! I almost feel like I'm in a depressive funk...I'm not really craving food anymore, or really feel hungry. I just want to lay in bed till surgery on Wed. ?? Anyone else feel like that?

Hey all, I was banded Sept. 24. I've done okay, but the last couple months, I haven't lost any. I don't "blame" the band. I know I've been snacking/grazing on things I shouldn't. I've had 5 or 6 fills I think. I'm at 6.5 in a realize band right now. (or close to it.) I don't feel like I have any restriction...and that is causing me to lose hope and turn to snacking, eating junky food. At my last fill, I told her that I kept waiting to feel a FULL feeling, and I don't ever seem to get that. I can eat more than they recommend. I don't eat near what I used to, but in all honesty, I can eat a McDonalds double cheeseburger and probably a small fry. (I don't eat fast food normally, but I figure that is an example we can all picture!) I get no strange feelings, no feeling of a full pouch..nothing. I'm fine if I'm just not at my sweet spot, but I'm stressing that something wasn't done right, or I've ruined something along the way...which is giving me that excuse to behave poorly. Occasionally, usually in the morning, I'll have a tight feeling with my first bites of food, but that is it. Now that I'm getting close to 5 months out, I'm finding myself getting depressed when people ask me how the weight loss is going, etc. I feel like a complete loser. I know what I need to do, and I'm just not doing it. On the plus side, I do go to the gym...but I'm using the "not restricted" excuse to eat poorly. Any advice...does restriction mean that I WILL physically feel like there is no way I could eat more than what is recommended, b/c right now...I just feel like I need to relay on will power. Sorry to ramble..thanks for listening.

My post op diet is suppose to be 4 oz of food per meal, 3 times a day, no snacks. Two oz of protein, two oz of fruit/veg/carbs. I'm just curious how this compares to what others eat or what their doctors recommend. I'm having trouble sticking to it. I worry that I've stretched out my band. I need to gain some control! Thanks,

Thanks Losing it, Yes, I'm *trying* to stick to what he says and what the nurse directs me on...just curious as to if I've done damage to myself...but I think when I do eat more than 4 oz., it is usually slider foods. (Not that that makes it any better!) It's curious how different each doctor can be. And each patient too! I've had 4-5 fills, I think and I still feel like I could eat just keep on eating, even though I stop myself. One of the lucky ones I guess! Ha!

Hey all, I had my 4th fill..I'm up to 6 ccs. No restriction, I think...??? I don't seem to get that full feeling after eating a small portion. I can't say that I'm overly hungry, but I have never felt like, "wow..there is no way I could eat another bite b/c it will come back up if I do." This expectation may be wrong?...I'm not sure...but that is what I was thinking would happen. So after my last fill 5 days ago, I've been going along eating my smaller meals. BUT, I've started to notice something. I have been drinking with my meals. I know I'm not suppose to, but I felt like it wasn't making a difference either way. (Bad... I know) BUT, I've been noticing that if I do drink with my meal, it feels a little uncomfortable, is this a sign that I'm actually starting to feel restriction???? I've been losing focus b/c I feel like I'd never feel restriction!!! Thanks for any input!!!

Hey all... I've had 2 fills, but have ZERO restriction. I can drink, eat, do everything normal. Frustrating, but I'm okay with it till I get a couple more fills. This weekend, I was throwing away my kids mcdonald fries and took 2 cold fries and ate them. First time I've had something "stuck" I got a lot of saliva and felt the urge to cough it up and it eventually passed through. Here is what I don't understand. I have no restriction, so food passes straight through for me, atleast right now. For some reason, those fries didn't pass through. BUT, once you do have restriction, the food ISN'T suppose to pass through, right?? So what is the difference between a "stuck" food and food that is just sitting in your little pouch waiting to digest?? maybe I'm overthinking things, but essentially, isn't everything suppose to get "stuck" in the little pouch and digest slowly???

haha! And I was prepared for a fantastic answer from ya! :laugh:

Sooo, I had my first fill, and I have no restriction. None. Nada. I expected this could happen. I keep on trucking along, as of Saturday, I've lost 30 pounds. I am able to eat up to 4 oz 3x a day. I got on the scale yesterday and I was up .8 pounds. I *know* in my head to just let it go, but I got in a funk. I ate candy yesterday. I ate 3 musketeers, thinking, "ohh well...it will just slide on through...who gives a fluck? I ate chips...and the bad behavior has continued today. My "justification" is b/c I have no restriction and I'm very hungry. I hate myself right now. What the hell is that??? I paid cash for this surgery and I eat chips?? FYI...I don't really have any deep seated problems tht cause me to do this...it's just bad habits...me wanting that ONE LAST piece of crap to eat. It's sooo silly. I know I can do it. I was perfect for my preop diet and up until a few days before my fill. *sigh* ps...I think I'm also feeling a sense of "this isn't going to work" I know in my brain that it may take 2,3, 4 fills before I feel restriction, but since I feel nothing, it's hard for me to understand that there will come a point when I eat a tiny meal and feel full....right????? It's almost like my mind is saying, "well, you fat azzz, nothing worked so far, why would you think this would work?" As my dh would say, "that is stinkin' thinkin"!

Thanks dal, that was a very sweet reply...brought a little tear to my eyes!! I'm thinking a good nights sleep and a fresh day tommorow....!!! Thank you, thank you all...

Thank you Jack for that insightful answer. I've always appreciated your posts since I've been around. Some good points to ponder as I start a new day tommorow. Yes, I will rise above this, and yes...I will eat tommorow until I'm nurished...not stuffed and feeling horrible. :biggrin:

Hi, I just got my first fill on thursday, 3 cc in a realize band (10cc??) I feel absolutely the same as before the fill...no restriction at all. I can eat 4 oz of food 3x a day and I'm still pretty hungry from lunch till dinner. I get another fill two weeks from my first fill, so I'm just going to keep at it till I feel something. I also can eat anything and drink fast with no ill effects...not that I do that, but I know I could. Yesterday I had beef stew for dinner, my first bites of red meat since before surgery and it went down just fine.

We should have a group hug! I was banded sept. 24 and followed every single rule to a "T"....before and after....until last week. I'm just SOOO hungry. I am suppose to only have 2.5 oz of food 3x a day, plus 8 oz of Protein liquid. I too, have done very good, losing 26 pounds as of last Wednesday. (Still the same today.) I found myself eating more than I should and feeling zero restriction, much less a full feeling. 2.5 oz wasn't doing it for me. I called the nurse and they moved up my fill to Thursday, instead of 2 weeks from thursday. I'm soo happy. I know I'm eating more like 4 oz at my meals, but I just couldn't take it..I was reaching for the wrong foods... At this point, I'll be happy to just maintain until I get a fill or two. I'm hoping to feel some restriction with my first fill...we will see! My fear was that I was (am) stretching my pouch out or doing damage...but I'm not really eating that much compared to a normal person. Hang in there everyone!

My nurse coordinator emailed me back and told me to stay strong and that based on what I said, it sounds like I need a fill and will get one next week!! (4 weeks post op vs. 6 weeks.) Makes me feel much, much better! Her advice was that if I was really struggling, to just make very wise choices and continue to do what I'm doing. (don't pig out on chips, etc.) I hope and pray that the fill will come next week. I want it so bad, I emailed her back to verify that is exactly what she meant!! I plan on starting back at the gym tommorow or by the end of the week. Yay!

I lost quite a bit beforehand too, plus I gained/lost 5 from surgery...soo let's see, started 249 (preop diet) 232 (surgery day) 237 (day after surgery) 222.8 (today) (damn, I need to hide the scale!!!)

Hi, I think I'm doing pretty good at this point, but I did just write a note to my doctors nurse coordinator person: "I had surgery 9/24 and I'm doing pretty good! Physically, I feel great, wounds are healing nicely, etc. I guess I need some support in the form of virtual hand holding. I knew this was coming and expected it, but I still feel kind of funky and out of sorts. I've had no problems drinking liquids and such since 24 hours after surgery. I basically can drink like a normal person, although I don't gulp things down! Nothing I put in my mouth feels weird or strange when it goes down. I've been hungry as can be since 24 hours after surgery too. Including the pre op diet, I did sooo good following each and every rule regarding my phase on the diet. Now I'm really struggling! I've found myself taking a nibble of one of the kids Snacks b/c I feel so stinking hungry. Or having an extra pudding or Jello through the day. Makes me feel horrible and like a failure! I feel like I get no relief from the 2.5 oz of food at mealtimes. A sample menu for me would be 2.5 oz oatmeal, Protein supplement, 1.5 oz of canned chicken and 1 oz cheese, protein supplement, and for dinner more canned chicken and some soft veggies. And most days, a sf pudding in the evneing. Plus drinks. I guess I just need to be tough and get through it? Any chance of a fill next week when I come in for my 4 week check up? Maybe you just need to slap me around and tell me to get a grip! :regular_smile: Thanks for listening and I appreciate all you and your program have done for me! I think you guys have a great comprehensive program and I'm glad I found you! Thanks!!!!!" So basically, that is how I feel. I guess I'm in hell? I can't believe some of you guys struggle to eat...I could eat and eat I think. Of course, I don't, but I feel like I could. !!

Sorry to hear that you are feeling that way!!! I had no clue people were restricted to not have sex....! I can't imagine why that would cause you to get sick, but I'm not a doctor! Let us know what you find out.

I've been reading up on posts on how people feel...and although I feel great physically, I have no problems with anything that I put in my mouth. For example, sometimes I still forgot, and will take a big gulp of sf koolaid...doesn't bother me in the least. Is that normal for some? I keep reading how people aren't even hungry and feel full. I feel just like I did without a band. I'm starving all the time, and although I've done really well, I know my 4 oz Soups are really about 5 oz. I've been on soups, puddings, and Protein since 24 hours after surgery. I only had to slow my eating the first two days, and now I can seemingly eat like normal, although I force myself to take my time. It's so hard to wrap my brain around the fact that I shouldn't/won't feel hungry after fills. I'm also weirded out that people have restriction with no fills!!! Fantastic for those of you who have that, but it worries me that I don't feel a single thing! ???

I'm 15 days post op. I've been a perfect little patient and not strayed from my prescribed diet, with the exception of a couple puffed cheetos last week. Today, I grocery shopped, bought some plain chips to pack in lunches and I had an overwhelming "need" to have some. I probably had 10 whole chips. I'm probably fooling myself, but I'd like to think my body was just screaming for salt...at any rate...I felt really bad about the whole thing. I'm on mushy type food right now, but I'm sure the chips won't hurt me cause I chewed and basically disolved them in my mouth. I just feel like one little thing will lead to out of control behavior. When just a month ago, I would have ate 1/2 the bag as an appetizer for dinner! I know I won't go my entire life without indulging some cravings, within reason, but having a band makes me feel like I can NEVER ever touch the stuff. I think I need to let it be, and go on. I guess I'm not "out of control" as I was able to stop and I know I shouldn't be having that type of stuff at this point.....*sigh* :biggrin::sad:

Ohhh my....this may be tmi, but this morning, my stomach has been cramping like crazy and I've been on the pot 4 times already. I have to believe that after 25 days of not having anything remotely close to potato chips, my body is revolting! Maybe it's a coincidence, but I have a feeling I'll be good and stay away from the chips!

Hi sweet, I have zero restriction whatsoever. I'm not sure I even had swelling! Atleast it seems that way. I wasn't hungry 24 hours after surgery, but I've been like "normal" ever since. Nothing affects me, not that I've done anything other than the chips. If I forget, and gulp Water, doesn't bother me. I'm on a soft diet right now...I'm eating cheese and tuna, chicken, veggies and soft fruits, so I wasn't worried about not going down or anything. But all in all...good information! Thank you! And good luck to you too!

Hi I was banded two weeks ago with the realize band. So, I can't contribute much, but I've had no problems. I have NOOOO restriction, so I'm very hungry right now, but hanging in there. I like the website to track my weight and I've been using it for my food diary, but it's not a deal maker. I find the food lists to not have exactly what i'm looking for, so I may try daily plate as I start eating more food.

Thanks! I guess I wanted reasurance I'm not the only one who has had a little cheating. Luckily, I have a fair amount of fear of ruining my surgery if I get out of control...more so since I slapped this surgery on a credit card! :biggrin: I lived in Iowa for a couple years too, West Des Moines/Urbandale area.

I've lost 24 total. I went from 249 10 days preop...I had a liquid diet.... 232 on surgery day. Gained 5 at surgery. I'm 15 days post op and I'm 225. So, really that is about what....ummm....7 post op, or 12 if you count the weight from surgery.