fatme

Please get the band adjusted I just went to my dr. today because I was sick and throwing up for several days. Even though my restriction was good- from being sick my dr. explained that my stomach was more than likely swollen and she wanted me to feel some relief and boy was she right as soon as she took some fluid out I felt better immediatley. I do feel different from day to day and the morning is more difficult than evening but what you are experiencing is dangerous and not normal. If possable find another dr.

:w00t: I can't stand this!! I have trouble getting everything down until late- afternoon early evening. It is becoming more and more difficult to follow a healthy diet. I have to cram all of my eating into the evening and I am not a night person. I go to bed fairly early so I don't have the chance to work off what I eat. Does anyone else have this problem? I also find myself eating at night just because I can. Is there anyway of getting food down earlier in the day?:wink2: Even liquids are hard to get down before p.m. and it's not that I don't feel hungry throughout the day I am just very limited in what I can get down. Usually it's garbage food with no nutritional value. I know I have to take responsibilty for poor choices at night and eating just because I can and not because of real hunger but if anyone has any suggestions for getting things down earlier in the day PLEASE let me know. Even eating healthy at night is a problem because then I don' t get enough calories in to continue weight lose. I never thought I would say this but I wish I could eat more!!!

I have the same problem with when I can eat and when I can't. It is difficultr

Thanks for the feedback. I guess the thing I didn't mention is that no matter whether I just had a fill or if I do not have much restriction I still experience this problem. But I definitively have been making poor food choices. I will call my dr Tuesday about an unfill and I'll try and stop playing games with what I am eating.

I not surprised but it is so wrong. I went to WW for a while after WLS and I never did tell anyone about the surgery because I feared all the negativity. I know from past experience at WW meetings most people are very judgemental about WLS I have to be honest and tell you I felt the same way at one point. I think WW is alot like any other group or organization- they have their way and if you disagree they take it very personally. But perhaps this will be a way to educate others. I think we all know that WLS is not an east way to lose, these negative people need to learn that WLS is just like WW it is a tool to aid and guide our weight loss. WLS doesn't work for everyone and neither does WW. Good Luck and try not to let these ignorant people get you down.

I've been going to curves since 3 weeks post op.I have to say it has made a big difference. I was banded 11/07 and have only lost 60 lbs but I have gone down 10 pant sizes from 28 to 18 and my dr tells me I lost 50% of my body fat. I know that the curves workout is a big part of that. Also the clientele is great- there are all kinds of women there some old,young,fat and thin. I have found all of them to be really supportive and none of that competitiveness that is so common at other gyms. I highly recommend Curves.

Has anyone else experienced esophageal spasms since surgery? At first my surgeon and I thought it was gas but when I went for my yearly physical my family doctor told me she thought it was esophageal spasms and it does make sense because it immediatly goes away when I drink something. It would also explain why sometimes with no warning I get nauseous after eating foods that normally don't bother me.

Millie, I couldn't agree more about drs. listening to us. I can't believe what you went through!! I thought I had it bad with the pain without knowing what it was but now I realize how bad it could have been. My family dr. to more interest in my symptons than the surgeon. I too discovered drinking hot liquids makes a HUGE difference-I wish drs. would pass these things along to their patients. It seems like once the surgery is done they lose interest. I have also noticed that what I can eat in the morning is alot different than what I can eat at night. I can't get much down in the a.m. but at p.m. I can eat almost anything. Good Luck and thanks for sharing-now I don't feel so alone. Thanks!

Since my surgery a year ago I've lost about 60 lbs.- not alot compared to some. I've also noticed that I lost weight differently now than in the past. I used to see a steady weight lose but now it seems as though all of a sudden anywhere from 5-8 lbs. just come off. Is it my body changing with menopause- I'm 48- or perhaps the band creates a different type of weight lose. One thing though that makes a HUGE difference is mixing up exercise. As soon as my body adjusts to a routine I stop and go to something different it's not always easy but it does seem to make a difference. Has anyone else noticed that the weight comes off differently since their surgery?

I totally agree with gratful1 you have been through it all and it will only get worse. I hope everything goes smoothly for you. I'm 48 and although I had a high BMI I hadn't yet had health issues and I'm so grateful that I had the surgery. I am a slow loser but I am losing and my health is improving with every pound that comes off. The weight gets so much more difficult as we get older and it's harder to take it off. Everyones situation is different but the bottom line is we all need to keep or regain our health. Good luck I hope we hear from you in the future so that we can celebrate your success.

It's funny I keep seeing these post about getting fills and maybe thats the cause for slow losing. I' m the opposite I'v had many fills- although my dr. calls them adjustments I prefer fills, anyway I have great restriction and I still only lost about fifty lbs. and 11/27 marks a year since my surgery. As frustrating as being a slow loser is I will say this what is the alternative? At the rate I was going I would have gained fifty lbs. instead of losing them. When I first joined this site I really didn't know if the WLS was worth it. I no longer feel that way because as slow as the lbs. come off I'm still getting healtier ever day. I exercise more and I haven't gained anything back. Before WLS I'd lose some weight- which was so much easier when I was younger( I do think age is a factor)- anyway I'd lose some and as soon as I stopped dieting it went right back on plus some. At least now I am keeping off what I have lost. It's hard to hear about people losing in a months what has taken me a year but hey we all have different experiences. I have been over weight since I was a child and I'm not going to change anything overnight. It took time to create this mess it's going to take time to undo it. Reading everyones stories is such a great help, to know that other people are going through the same problems puts things in perspective.Good Luck to all of us slow losers WE WILL PREVAIL!!!

I have been eating popcorn with no problems at all. Unless the food such as- carbonated beverages- really are dangerous it's really up to each person. I'd be lost without my popcorn and Shrinlin is right it doesn't take much to fill you up and it's really satisfying.Shrinklin is also correct about the liquid calories, in the long run they'll hurt you more because you can consume them without even noticing the fat, calories ect. They also don't help you with learning to eat slower with is so important to being able to enjoy a larger variety of foods. Sorry I got off track, try the popcorn just take it slow. It takes some time to see what each person can handle.

Good for you Shassy!! There is a big difference between someone who is 5 ft weighing 200 lbs. and someone who is 5'6" or more. For me 200 lbs. is almost a healthy weight I can't wait until I get to 200 lbs. I'm not that tall 5' 5" &1/2 but I am a large woman. My feet are bigger than my husbands and so are my hands ect. I think you get what I'm saying. Even at my thinest the smallest size I ever got into was a 10 , by societies standards that huge. We have gotten to where if a women isn't a size 2 or less she's considered fat. Also health concerns should trump everything else. If losing weight will make a difference for someones health that's the most important factor. What is fat for me may not be for another. We all come in different shapes and sizes. Good Luck Shassy and everyone else in improving their health. As much as I enjoy the compliments on my weight lose what really makes me happy is knowing my health is improving each day.We wouldn't have this discussion about any other life saving surgery.

I think what alot of people don't realize is that WLS does not solve the problems of yo-yo dieting and all the other pitfalls. WLS is only a tool to aid in healthy weight lose. There are people that WLS has not worked. I'm curious are any of those people out there? Or do they avoid this site because they are not doing well or perhaps gained weight back or maybe were not successful at all.

I have the same problem with the good food and it's not that a couple of bites fills me up it's that it HURTS!! it is so hard to look at certain foods and just know that they are going to cause pain. other than the protein shake my diet consists of yogurt-ff/sf pudding and rice cakes not much else will consistently go down except the junk food, I really don't even worry about it much anymore I'm not losing fast but I am losing and I always try to keep in mind that I had these issues before the surgery and they are not going to go away overnight it took a lifetime to pick up these habits and without the WLS I wouldn't even be close to addressing these problems. I don't know if what I'm saying is making much sense I don't mean to ramble I just thought I share my point of view.

Hey this is great info. Someone told me it's a good idea to mix different types of protein. I just bought a whey/soy mix. Has anyone else heard about mixing up the different proteins?

I was able to join curves when I was 3 weeks post-op. I did though need a note from my dr. I agree with what everyone says about curves- it only works as well as your motivation. I have been going for almost 1 year and I have to say I am getting bored. But i also went from a size 28 to an 18 and it's not just weight loss I've only lost about 50 lbs. Curves is really helping with firming and i'm getting much stronger. Also at the center I go to you don't have to join for a year they do have month to month-it costs a bit more but at least your not locked in. Also the new curves smart program is much better as momcof3 says you really can see the results and work out accordingly. So yes I would recommend curves but like any exercise program it can get monotonous.

Great Post -thanks for the information. Great Job you should be very proud of reaching your goal!!!

WOW this is great to see people discussing their problems without trying to find excuses. I too have mental ilness and my main addiction is food. I quit smoking no problem -I don't care about any type of drugs including alcohol. But giving up the way I eat is an on going struggle. I compare it to the person that still smokes even though smoking is literally killing them.Thank GOD for WLS. I am losing slow but what is the alternative? killing myself with food? To me addiction is a fascinating subject.This is a great thread!! It's good to see people question and understand the reasons for their weight.No matter that I have a mental illness or addiction issues I am still the one that put me in this position.

Jachut, Thanks for sharing your perspective. I really don't think that anyone is attacking me. We all see things differently. And you are right comments don't always come accross the way we intend. But one more thing I will comment on-and this is not intended to upset anyone-it's just my perspective- Some people seem to have alot of anger for anyone that brings up questions that they are not comfortable with. After all wasn't that the point of this question to begin with -getting others opinions and thoughts? So sorry if I offended anyone but I do seem to have a knack for doing that. Good Luck to everyone in their quest for better health!!!

B-Man,I agree,everyone tells me that it's not suppose to hurt. But honestly since my first fill back in Jan 08 I've had on going pain. I'm learning to live with it and it is one of the things that keeps me losing. Lets face it unless the Dr. had the surgery themselves they really can't tell you that there shouldn't be pain. As for people who had the surgery and don't have pain and are losing- more power to them! Just remember you"re not alone. Good Luck.

I don't get you people. I'm not saying don't get surgery. That is up to you and your doctor. All I'm saying is THINK about why any of us get into this position to begin with.I have been overweight my entire life because I have eaten a tremendous amount of food.I have felt full many, many times and I still kept eating.The whole point of this thread was people of certain weight getting banded-I'm sorry I got this so off track. So what do I think of people just over 200 lbs. getting banded? Why not? As I said it's up to you and your doctor.I though,will never stop trying to understand why I have the relationship with food that I have. And I certainly want to take responsibility for MY actions.

Calm down MacMadadame. I agree with how you feel. I was also a fat kid and I wish I could have lost weight and kept it off when I was younger , but thats the whole point WHY does it take surgery to control our weight? There is something to be said for understanding why we do the things we do. Did you ever hear of a dry drunk? It's the same with food. Plenty of people have not just the banding but gastric bypass and some still gain the weight back. My whole point is understanding yourself- if possible- I just don"t think that if I had surgery in my 20's that i would have been sucessful in keeping the weight off. Nothing is fool proof!! Again think about why we need surgery to lose weight. Why are so many children obese? Back when I was a kid a fat kid really stood out-not any more.With all that we know now about health it should be the opposite. We shouldn't have so many young people in this position. Just something to think about.

It isnt't just someones weight. What bothers me are the ages of people getting surgery. Surgery is suppose to be a last resort. Most older people have spent years trying everything they can think of to lose weight but now it seems to be a quick solution. Surgery is surgery it shouldn't be taken lightly. Just because someone is overweight and has the means to pay for surgery doen't mean they are ready for it. Lap band is not an easy answer you really need to know how to change your approach to eating. Even with all my years of dieting and experience with weight lose I still struggle with the band. I'm glad I had the surgery but it isn't the answer for everyone. When you need surgery to lose weight there is more going on than just weight. Think about it.

I know what you are talking about. It's strange how even smooth food will hurt. The one thing that does help is taking a walk after eating if i'm able to. I can't even say the band makes me feel full it's more of a discomfort, but it keeps me doing what I should do. Without the band my weight would be totally out of control and thats a whole other kind of pain.