MissBS

These questions are for those of you who have had your band for awhile (years) or people who know more from their research or medical backgrounds. When people say they are at their "sweet spot" or "green zone", what exactly does that mean? I've read where people say they ate a tiny bit and then had to push their plate away - couldn't eat another bite. Is this because they are feeling full or they know if they eat more it won't be pretty? In September, I will have had my band for 3 years. Still juggling with fills, unfills, too loose, too tight. Lost a lot but gained most of it back (need to update ticker). Second question. Does anyone ever get a gnawing feeling in their band region. It's not heartburn - not really painful - uncomfortable. I recently had a LOT of fluid removed from my band. Went back - band looks great and they put most of what they took out back in. Minute I started eating/drinking - the gnawing was back. I will ask my Dr. but in the meantime - was wondering if anyone else had this/heard of it/know what it is. Thank you for any help you can give me. Frustrated and discouraged!!!

Thanks 2Good. You are doing great!!!! I have had so many setbacks, but feel like I finally have all 4 wheels back on track. The feeling is not really a pain - but it doesn't feel good. It is not heartburn, it is not nausea, it is not from overeating, and I know there is nothing wrong with my band. If I take a Pepcid, it goes away.... but I know it is NOT heartburn - I know that feeling too. Have you always had it?

oops again.... obviously I am doing something wrong when I reply. A computer wizard I'm not :redface:

Cindy, Congratulations!! You have done so very well and you look GREAT!!! Seems like I've spent lots of time and LOTS of money trying to get to the green zone. I have been through so many peaks and valleys. I've heard that the band isn't for everyone and I sometimes wonder if it is right for me. I was never one who thought the band was going to be magic and that I would just be able to sit back and the weight would drop off, but I also never thought I would still be trying to get to my sweet spot almost 3 years later. Sometimes I want to give up but I know I can't, so I keep trying. Thank you for taking time to reply to my post. The gnawing sensation in my band/port area is not from overeating - I get it when I drink something or eat a tiny portion of something. It is hard to explain how it feels.

oops

Hi. I am new to this particular site. I have had a lapband for 2 and 1/2 years now and it hasn't turned out like I thought it would. I know that some people have had the band to sleeve surgery and have had terrific results. I had to pay for my band surgery myself and really don't have the money to have the band out and the sleeve procedure done. Just a dream right now. Where is the surgery done? How much does it cost? More or less to have band to sleeve done. Any suggestions on paying for this procedure (I've thought about becoming a bank robber.... but I'm an honest citizen.... jk.... kinda). Any help/suggestions/advice anyone can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Becky

Thank you both very much for taking time to respond to my post. Your information is very helpful!!

Well let me tell you. With almost every fill I've had, I haven't felt the full effect of the fill until about 2 weeks out. I know some feel it right away.... but not me. Oh yeah... you already knew this... hehehehehehe. How are you doing? And how is your new fill doing? Just saw your post and wanted to put my 2 cents worth in. Hugs!!

Hi. I drink Atkins Advantage shakes. I've used them for a little over 2 years now and still like them. My doctor wants me to have one for breakfast every day.... forever. It works out well since my band is VERY tight in the mornings. Good luck to you.

I had to wait 4 weeks. Didn't feel a thing until my third fill.

I am addicted to coffee. Always have been and probably always will be. If I don't have it, I get a horrible headache and am not that fun to live with. I never had to stop drinking it. My doctor did not make me stop. I had it before my surgery and even right after. I do use artificial sweetner - but if I didn't have my coffee - I might have to live alone... somewhere far far away. I drink tea too. Did your doctor tell you that you couldn't have caffine? Just for the pre op or forever? Of course you should do what your doctor says. Good luck to you.

"Head Hunger" is a simple name for a lot of different mental/emotional issues that go along with being overweight. If we were able to make good food choices (low carb... high protein.... etc.) then none of us would even need the band. It's when it becomes second nature FOREVER, that we will be able to maintain a healthy weight. I too could pass up the donuts, muffins, etc. for quite a while after my surgery.... it's just the FOREVER part that I am dealing with now. Also... after getting to my so called "sweet spot" there are many foods that I liked before, or would like to eat now (yes... even some healthier ones) that I can just no longer eat. You learn to live with your band, but it takes time, lots of trial and error, and lots of patience. I still say, if you don't deal with what got you overweight in the first place before your surgery, you will have to do it later on. Again.... good luck to you.

I sure do understand where you are coming from. Most of us went through the "Last Supper Syndrome" before surgery - some people's was indeed A last supper, for some it was weeks of last supperS, and for some it might have even been months of them. While that is normal, I am now finding that after having my band for a year and 8 months, that many of the food "issues" I had before my surgery are "issues" that I still have. Seems like you have to get these "issues" worked out for any program, surgery, etc. to work long term. We all know, or have heard about, people who joined a weight loss chain, had lapband surgery, gastric bypass surgery, etc. who have gained the weight back. Most all of us have lost weight and gained that same weight back and usually more. I lost a lot of weight after my lapband surgery.... and have now gained some of it back. I am presently getting help with those "issues" I've had for years and years. Hopefully, if I get them worked out, I will be able to lose my excess weight and keep it off. I've heard so many times that the band is JUST A TOOL. Boy is that right. It helps manage my eating from the neck down. Now I need to work on the neck up part and if I can get the 2 working together, I will be able to get to, and stay, at my goal weight. Good luck to you. It can be done.... just takes a LOT of work.

Screwdriver..... or cranberry juice and vodka. :biggrin:

Hi. I went through the same thing. It seems to me that it lasted about 3 or 4 months. I was eating right and took the Biotin. Nothing seemed to help. It does stop and new hair grows in. Good luck. Becky

Hi. I've flown several times, but none of my trips have been real far. I live in Albuquerque NM and had my surgery done in Houston TX. I flew home 3 days after my surgery and have flown back for 4 fills (there and back in the same day). It is a 2 1/2 hour flight each way. I've been to Vegas a couple of times too. I've never had any problems before, during, or after flying. And now I fit in the seat very comfortably and the seat belt is easy to buckle Good luck to you. Becky

Hi. I don't buy protein powders, bullets, shots, or drinks - other than my shake that I have to have for breakfast. Most of them are expensive and lots of them taste awful, or make whatever you mix them with taste bad. I did once, but now I just get my protein in with my meals. I only have to have 60 grams a day and at first I thought that would be hard to do... but it really isn't. I may not hit the 60 g. mark every day, but I'm close and I've quit stressing about it. Not sure protein is the answer to all band questions/problems that I once believed it was. Of course you should do what your surgeon tells you to do and what works for you. Good luck to you. Becky

Coffee is my friend. And it helps me keep my other friends too. Becky

Thanks for your post Rutiglius. I've spent months working on fills, restriction, and figuring out what foods agree with my band and what foods don't. Now that I have all of that pretty well down, I am beginning to do some major work on the part of my body from the neck up. Figuring out the whole hunger/satisfied/full thing.... yikes. Many years of not knowing those feelings, and not dealing with them well..... got some work to do, that's for sure. Glad I'm here to get the support from others who are in the same boat. It helps!! Take care. Becky

You are so very right nfl. I was not saying there is anything wrong with soup and yogurt. I eat them all the time. My band is not even open for business until 2:00 pm. My doctor wants me to have a protein shake for breakfast (forever) and it's a good thing he does - that is about all I can get, and keep, down. I too have trouble with some "real foods" and you are right about getting in meat and veggies in soup. They are considered slider foods, but we all have to do what works for us. Yogurt is my treat every night. Sorry if I came off like I thought there was something wrong with eating these foods - not what I meant at all. I am a firm believer in doing what you need to do to make this process work - and that is different for every one of us. Nice to have the support. We are all in this together!! Becky

Yes soup and yogurt are slider foods. They may have protein and nutrients in them, but they don't stay in your pouch as long as more solid foods might. Ice cream and macaroni and cheese.....well..... ummmmm... don't think those are on any pre-op diet. Not saying I haven't had any ice cream since my surgery, just saying those are foods that are not often seen on a list of recommended foods. The whole thing is a LOT of trial and error - and what works for one, may not be the best for the next. Good luck to you. Becky

I had coffee right after my surgery. I was never told that I could not have it. And decaf does not cut it for me. I have a cup or two every morning and it makes me and the people around me feel much better. Take care. Becky

Unforgettable. Great post!!!! It wasn't to me, but I sure got a lot out of it - the things you said are so true!! That's what I love about this site - if you keep reading and asking, you can get great advice from the people who really know what it's all about. Thank you for taking the time to help out others. You are a wise woman. Take care and keep up the good work!! Becky

Congratulations!!!! I recently moved to ONEderland too!!! It is a very good feeling isn't it? We will both be to goal before we know it! Keep up the good work and know that even though I don't know you, I am very proud of you. Take care. Becky

Hi. Oh do I know about PBing. It is when the food that you just ate cannot make it down... so it comes back up. To me, it is not the same as throwing up/vomiting - the food never makes it down to your stomach. I have not thrown up since I got my band almost a year ago. PBing can be caused by taking too big of a bite, not chewing enough, not waiting between bites, or eating a food(s) that does not agree with your band. I have trouble with chicken, white pasta, bread. When I have tried them, they just don't stay down.... so I PB. It is gross and the first time it happens, it is kinda scary. Now it is no big deal. When you get good restriction, it takes some time, and some trial and error to figure out what foods you can eat and what you need to stay away from. I also have problems if I try to eat early in the day before my band is open for business. I'm sure not everyone PB's..... but I do. Good luck to you. Becky