2muchfun

This is a common fear that was shared by many of us. I found this quote on another forum and I think it fits many of us: "In my case, the most fearful thing I had to do in order to succeed with my band wasn't switching to skim milk, surviving a liquid diet, or giving up bread. The most fearful thing was giving up my emotional attachment to food. In the nearly 5 years since I was banded, I've made a lot of progress with that, but the attachment is still there. It forms one of the innermost layers of my turtle shell. Working on that layer will probably be a lifetime job for me. At times I'm not even sure I truly want to get rid of it altogether. At times I'm afraid that if I shed my shell completely, I won't be able to survive. On the other hand, I seem to be doing fine without that thick old b***h layer. So I'm going to pay attention to my dreams rather than my fears and pray for a miracle. And why not? It can't hurt to try!" Another reminder came from another forum member, PinkDahlia. She said: "I'm so stinkin' thrilled with my weight loss i dont even care about what i cant eat!" tmf

I think you misunderstood or were informed incorrectly. Look at this video, watch it all but the question you raise is covered about 6 minutes into the video. And, swelling at the band site can cause more stuck episodes but swelling alone isn't usually the cause. Eating too fast, too much and chewing improperly can cause a stuck episode with no fills or 6 fills. It's always a possibility. part 2

I think it's good you take as many tries at diets as possible before you take the WLS plunge. You want to be 100% sure it's the right path for you before you take such a drastic step. I know I tried several different diets before my surgery and I knew 3 years before I was banded I would never be able to lose the weight as easily as I had done in the past. As time and age progresses, it becomes so much more difficult to create those lifestyles that enable us to diet successfully. For me, I successfully dieted for 30 years but as I entered the 50's I could no longer push myself as I once did. I think one must know this is the last resort or forever regret not trying harder. Personally, I think WLS has been unfairly scorned by the press and the public. I think society has unfairly labeled us lazy and taking the easy way out. I now know this is not easy. Not by any stretch. I'm eating healthier now than I've ever eaten in my entire life. If only I could have done this 30 years ago? tmf

Your post reminded me of a post I like to refer to. Here it is again. This is by another bandster on another forum and I'm sorry but I don't recall the name. "In my case, the most fearful thing I had to do in order to succeed with my band wasn't switching to skim milk, surviving a liquid diet, or giving up bread. The most fearful thing was giving up my emotional attachment to food. In the nearly 5 years since I was banded, I've made a lot of progress with that, but the attachment is still there. It forms one of the innermost layers of my turtle shell. Working on that layer will probably be a lifetime job for me. At times I'm not even sure I truly want to get rid of it altogether. At times I'm afraid that if I shed my shell completely, I won't be able to survive. On the other hand, I seem to be doing fine without that thick old b***h layer. So I'm going to pay attention to my dreams rather than my fears and pray for a miracle. And why not? It can't hurt to try!" Another reminder came from another forum member, PinkDahlia. She said: "I'm so stinkin' thrilled with my weight loss i dont even care about what i cant eat!" tmf

"Could I have damaged my band"?? Not hardly. You already made a detour into bandster hell. This is the phase where you're back on a diet, but it's a diet from hell. Most all of us experienced what you're going through although I think most of us were allowed to eat 1/2-1 cup of food at a time. Enjoy the ride but the first 45 days will be very bumpy and uncomfortable. tmf

Typical meals: Breakfast:= Egg beater omelette w/turkey sausage and salsa= 200 calories Snack:= Apple 80 calories Lunch:= Lean cuisine or slim bread turkey sandwich 300 calories Snack:=1.25 ozs beef jerkey 90 calories Dinner:= .8 ozs grilled salmon on bed of greens and veggies 600 calories

Yes I do. Don't know why but yes, my tummy can be very boisterous. tmf

If you're doing the same thing day after day, sometimes it's a good idea to change up your diet regimen since your body seems to be in a survival mode. Try going a week with 900 or so calories per day. Try something new like no/low carb for one week. Or cut out all processed foods for a week. Then fool your body by increasing calories to 1400 for a couple of days. Mix it up and you may see some new results? Remember Einstein's comment that insanity is doing the same thing day after day and expecting different results? Also, I highly recommend you sit down with a nutritionist who is very familiar with lapband patients. I only lost 12 lbs my first 4 months and a visit with my nutritionist made all the difference. tmf

Prolapse? I'm trying to picture this in my mind? So the band slid north or south of where it's supposed to be? In other words, is the stomach now above the band or is the band above the upper esophogus? Can you get a 2nd opinion? tmf

There's no saline in your band so it's wide open just for the reason that you need to heal and may make a mistake like this. Liquids or slider foods as we call them, just flow right through to your lower stomach so no harm no foul. I'm very close to my green zone right now and I could do the same with no problem. Don't beat yourself up over little slips like this. It will happen again, just do not do it with solids before you heal. That could be disasterous. tmf

For me, to make an informed opinion, I'd have to live with someone for a month or at least a week to see how they ate, what they ate and observe how they behaved when dining out or away? There are so many reasons why a band or bander fails it's nearly impossible to offer any valid suggestions? For exampe: If I lived with someone who did not follow the band eating rules, and just could not be compliant, I'd say remove it. If that person followed the rules, you know, eat slow, chew big, slow and healthy, but the symptoms remained? I would advise them to remove all the fluids or as much as possible to keep some kind of restriction? Or, just remove it altogether. If the patient is failing the band, they have to make a decision? Wise up or give up? If the band is failing the patient? If nothing else works, remove it? Only you can know what patient you are? Just my two bits. tmf

It is called supercooled water. If the water is extremely pure, as in has very little to no particulate in the water, there will not be any nucleation sites in the liquid, which is required to start the freezing process. Once the bottle is shaken or disturbed, air bubbles introduced to the liquid will act as nucleation sites around which the water will begin freezing. Once it begins freezing, the ice will spread until the entire bottle is frozen.

I asked my doctor how much was in mine about 8 months ago. He said he didn't have any idea and doesn't keep track! That works for me. tmf

Missy is right but it's all a moot point. How much is in your band is irrelevent as some bandsters need no fills and some need 14 CC. It may be interesting to know how much is in there but it's not of any importance. tmf

Hey Kelly. You might want to drop in on some of the support group meetings at North Suburban? If you don't have the email address or contact info let me know and I can provide it for you? I considered Dr. G but went with another doc. I hear he's very good with his patients though. I only lost 12 lbs the first 2 weeks so you're doing well. tmf

30 days and 12 lbs. 3rd fill was 120 days and still only 12 lbs. 7th adjustment 8months and down 50 lbs. tmf

I've found that to end a plateau one should mix up the diet routine. I wouldn't change anything about the exercise regiment. shake up your bodies metabolism by increasing your calorie intake by 500 calories/day or so for a week. If it's in a starvation/survival mode, the body might kick back into fat and energy burning mode again. It's worked for me but it's not foolproof. And sometimes it's mentally and physically challenging to consume so much. Or, go the other way, and reduce calorie intake to 600-800/day? I'd go for increasing first and then follow it up with something under or around 1,000? That's worked for me before but we're all diff as you know? One other thing. Try to stay away from processed foods of all kinds. Especially flour and sugar products. Maybe cut back on sodium and all carbs. Not entirely of course, but minimize them for a week? And talk to a nutritionist? It did wonders for me. tmf

Allow me to pile on. One of the most difficult things for new bandsters to learn is how to eat like a bandster. Small bites, big chews and slowing down will take care of most stuck episodes. Choosing your food wisely will help too. But, I'm over a year out and I too get stuck 1-3 times a week. And yes, it's no fun. Most of my stuck episodes are a result of distraction. Eating while I'm watching TV or waiting till I'm so hungry I take 2-3 bites so quickly they plug up the pouch. Sitting down to a meal, paying attention to bite size and time spent chewing will eliminate most all stuck episodes. Now if I can only practice what I preach? Now, looking on the positive side. You obviously have restriction and once you learn how to eat the right way you could be in or very near the green zone? Congrats to you for achieving this milestone so quickly! tmf

All of the foods you mention have been notorious foods for many bandsters. But not all. In the beginning, while you are healing, doctors want you to stay away from any foods that could cause you to get stuck or vomit. Both can jeopardize your surgery by causing the sutures that were sewn into the lining of your stomach to keep the band in place, to rip away and cause slippage. Just my opinion of course, but once the healing process is over you can experiment with these and other foods to see if your band will tolerate them. It seems that all of us have a different tolerance to many different foods. Complex carbs can be consumed by many of us but I would venture to say that all of us are very aware that these foods can cause a stuck episode so we take very small bites and chew oh so well. tmf

It is normal. Once the swelling subsides in your band area you will be more open. Sometimes it takes 6 or more fills to find the green zone. You're in bandster hell till you find some restriction with a fill. Good luck. tmf

I agree with the others. Make sure you find out how much fills will cost with insurance and without? I've seen so many people post here who lost their insurance and then had to go self pay but couldn't afford it? Some docs offer lifetime fills and others 6 months to a year. Some charge as much as $200(ridiculous) for a 5 minute visit. tmf

Peacoat??? Uh, congrats I think? Don't know what a peacoat is but as long as you're thrilled! There are a few on here who have not had a fill at all since surgery and are losing weight continuously. CarolinaGirl is one of them. I envy her for the fact that she has a plan B to fall back on should plan A slow down or falter. She said she's always got the fill to fall back on if all else fails. As long as you're losing weight and not suffering from not eating enough, I have to agree with your doc. Good job!! tmf

Your doctor should have a much better grasp on this than anyone here? Most surgeons aren't going to ask you what you want and will empty based on their experience with you and other patients? But, I'll venture a SWAG with maybe .25-.50 CCs? tmf

No food for me. It was if I'd not been banded for the first 3 months. I'm thinking very few of us experienced any difficulty eating anything the first 6 weeks or so. But then again, most of us followed the rules so the dilemma never presented itself. I would imagine that eating beef, dry chicken, turkey would be the most difficult? And mostly because it takes time to develop those eat like a bandster habits. Eat slowly, small and chew big! tmf

You didn't say how long you've been at this plateau? Plateaus are very common and can last 1-3 months but usually not till you're 6 months out. And this time of year is very difficult to lose weight. A cookie here, a fudge there can throw your weight loss plans way off track. tmf