2muchfun

You might want to lower your expectations? 7 lbs a month is better than average. Even if it's only 4 lbs a month it's much better than gaining weight. We live in this era where we all want it fast and we want it now. Be patient, the weight didn't all come on in 5 months and it will take more than this to say buh bye to it. The band can be the slowest of all WLS to lose weight. But that's why many of us chose to be banded and not have our stomach's rearranged or removed. I'm nearly 3 years out and still not at goal, but I'm so much healthier now than I was 3 years ago.

Flying has never affected my restriction. I don't see why anyone would have difficulties as long as they don't eat during the flight?

Sounds like a minor version of Bandster Hell? Until you get a fill that takes away your hunger you'll continue to want to eat more food. I was where you are for 4 months after surgery. I focused on eating healthy solid food but I didn't eat the 1/2 -1 cup of food they recommended. No way. It's like being on a diet and I didn't get surgery to deprive myself. Porridge or cooked Cereal is a slider food. It slides through your stoma/pouch and offers very little in the way of satiety. meats, veggies and breads offer much more satiety. Yoghurt, pudding and many fruits are also slider foods. Not that we can't eat slider foods, but just know you may feel hungry soon after eating slider foods. Also, fruit is a high glycemic food and can also cause insulin increases that cause you to be hungry soon after eating them. Go in for your fills and watch for satiety from solid non processed foods. It may take a few months to get there. It took me 4 months to feel any restriction/satiety and 6 fills(7months) to find the green zone. tmf

As you know, your issue is universal with all WLS techniques. I know I'd be at goal now if I always followed the rules but I seem to back pedal over the holidays or if I'm at any gathering where there's food. I try to keep my fridge and pantry free of trigger foods. If I didn't, I'd be heavier now than I am. First step is to avoid the trigger foods and the only way to do this is to make a full commitment. Maybe tie it into a new eating protocol? I tied mine into the 5:2 diet(I made it 4:3). The band makes this diet so much easier since we don't get as hungry as we did before band. Whatever you do, you'll have to make a commitment or you'll continue to be wishy-washy?

My daughter had one a few years ago. They gave her a valium or valium equivalent to make her dopey and then they inserted the scope to find some lesions on her esophagus. They're probably trying to find out if you have a herniated esophagus or any other problems like ulcers. Not really a biggy and it's over before you know it.

^5 73 lbs is incredible.

Every doctor has their own thoughts on this subject. What does your doctor require? You'll probably get a half dozen different answers to this question but you should follow your own doctor's protocol for eating and drinking at least until you're a veteran and know how your body works with your band. Having said this, my doctor asks us not to drink 30 before, no fluids while eating and no drinking for 30 minutes after. But, he also understands that every patient is different and is open to drinking while eating. I usually drink before eating. I seldom drink while eating and if I do I try to allow the last bite to clear my stoma/band(about 1 minute) before taking a sip. I sometimes drink shortly after a meal too. I'd say I follow the Dr's rule 80% of the time. Eating chicken, steak, burgers, dry fish and leftovers can be difficult for our bands to accept. This is the times I usually break the rule so I don't get meat stuck in my stoma or esophagus. tmf

Most of us were hungry too. You won't feel satiety till you get a few fills. So don't get down on yourself you will not always be this hungry.

Here's a very good explanation of the 5:2 diet. I did this diet when I was stalled and lost 17 lbs. I changed it to a 4:3 diet though. Argggg, I'm trying to add a youtube video but this pos kindle won't allow it. Search in youtube for "the 5:2 fast diet for people too lazy to read the book ". Also, www.5daypouchtest.com

Well done John. Are you in the green zone you think? 16 lbs is so awesome. tmf

Welcome to the forum. Lean on us for anything. Lots of experience and knowledge on this forum. It's never a substitute for your own doctor's advice but there are some things even doctors don't understand since they've not been banded. Most advice will be in good spirit but don't be surprised if some of us don't sugar coat our advice. Sometimes you just need a kick in the butt ya know

I've seen a few other posts like yours. Sometimes it's just your valgus nerve being overstimulated. Let us know how it goes?

Sure is! The stoma(hole) in your stomach is smaller and you must eat slower since it will take more time for food to pass through. Eating too fast, not chewing food to a mush and eating bites too big can cause food to get stuck.

9 lbs in one month is slow and a stall? I know patients/forum members who would trade places with you in a heartbeat!

No worries. Me either. I have no idea how many CCs are in my band. I do think mine is a 14 CC band though.

If you're on a PC, click on the surgeon search engine and enter your zip code to find surgeons near you. Go to as many seminars as you can to learn more. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

I was about 7 months out and 6 fills before I found the green zone. I read posts like yours often. Many doctors have the same protocol of .5 CCs/fill. Fortunately mine didn't so I had good restriction from fill 3 to 6. I know how you feel. I was in Bandster Hell for 4 months before that 3rd fill and all you can do is try to eat smart and healthy. That's how I kept from gaining weight but I was like you and didn't gain and didn't lose. Very frustrating. Can you speak to your doctor and bypass the skinny nurse? Sometimes these nurses and PAs behave like petty little despots and enjoy the power too much. Otherwise, you'll just have to keep going back for fills till you get enough to give you satiety. But beware, I've read several posts here where people kept going back for those itty bitty fills only to find that they're port, band or tubing was leaking. They wasted an entire year or more with faulty equipment.

I don't consider I'm in a stall unless it's at least 4-6 weeks. Too many factors go into our weight including excess fluids from exercise, illness, sodium and TOM(women). Throw in the fact that I exercise 4-6 days a week and I maybe replacing fat with muscle. So, I really never panic but I do get concerned if I go 2 months with no weight loss and my clothes still feel snug. You said on the 11th you were losing again so I would think you can still lose fat if you continue to eat >1000 cals.

Sorry, but I gotta ask? Are all these extreme weight gains due to food you're eating or is it your body retaining fluids? tmf

Everyone will have a different experience. I felt very little pain, maybe just a little discomfort. I had no pain immediate post op since we're pumped full of anesthesia.

I use silk coconut milk or a blend of almond/coconut milk. There are other brands too. Only about 35-45 cals per 8 oz. I also add shots of espresso to my shakes. That takes away some of that health supplement flavor.

So many things it could be. TOM, stomach bug, stress, sodium, swelling from stuck episode to name a few. Hope you can get in to see your doctor?