Shrinkin

I've lost 2 irish setters lol (140 lbs)

Have you tried taking regular multivitamins, or pills? I have no issues at all swallowing a large multivitamin once a day, even first thing in the morning, when I am tightest. I can't stand the taste of most chewables, and the kids ones tend to be quite incomplete, even if you take 2. Everyone is different I guess. I am quite tight with restriction, yet pills don't give me any problems.

I eat 3-4 fruit every day.. more than veggies, but that is due to personal preference. I love blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, grapes, nectarines, apples, bananas, etc. I don't have an issue eating any of them, even the skin. My surgeon said to limit fruit, due to calories, to 1-2 per day, but I have never listened to that. :biggrin: I think everyone is different.. you will need to experiment and see.

The turkey wrapped around cheese is great! But even tastier if you grill it quickly in a pan, the cheese gets melty, turkey browns a bit. Mix it up with different cheeses, different flavoured turkey deli meat... I call it grilled cheese, bandster style!

They taste horrid!!! I got some free samples, and could not bring myself to take any more after tasting them. I can swallow a normal huge multivitamin with no issues whatsoever, so no need for chewables.

Almost at my one year bandiversary, down 125 lbs, could not be happier! Unfortunately I still have a ways to go, but just wait till you see me a year from now!:wink2:

Wow, it sounds like you have gone through so much with your banding experience. I hope everything goes well for you from now on, and congrats on your amazing success so far!! Odds are you will breeze through this surgery with no infection or problems. Good luck!

I think you'll find loads of people around who have lost more than 60 pounds. From the sounds of it, you may already be too tight if you can't eat meat for breakfast or lunch. If you're not able to eat solid protein, then your meals may not be keeping you feeling satisfied between meals and make you feel the need to eat more. I can eat chicken breast for breakfast, with no issues. Good luck!!

I would say you are likely too tight, it may have taken that long for the fill to fully kick in. I have had days when I am tighter, though never as tight as you are describing, I have always been able to handle liquids just fine. Sometimes hormones (ie.. monthly curse) can affect the tightness of the band. I know it does for me, but it only lasts a couple days, and have always been able to still drink liquids. If I were you, I would definately make that appointment for Sunday. You can get dehydrated quickly without being able to handle liquids, and you don't want to end up in the ER! A slight defill may bring you a ton of relief. Good luck, and hang in there!

I am so sorry you had to go through that!! Fill level, and finding the 'right' tightness is an individual decision. I don't think anyone should rush into getting filled too fast, since the result can be being overfilled, possibly causing damage, but at the very least, causing pain and needing a defill. My advice is to stick up for yourself.. if it sounds like the doctor wants to be too aggressive, and put in too much all at once, communicate with them and say that you want to take it slower. I am sure they would respect your decision. Higher fill level does not necesarily equal faster weight loss. I really don't understand wanting to be super tight though. I have perfect restriction, I can eat pretty much anything, but in smaller portions. I lose about 3 pounds a week, am never really hungry and don't feel at all deprived. I can eat any solid Protein, as long as I chew chew chew and take small bites. No-one should be too tight that they can't get in solid protein. It leads to eating unhealthy, and eating soft and liquid meals, which often have more calories, without satisfying hunger. If your doctor pushes you to fill too fast, or doesn't listen to you, find a fill centre or another doctor that can do your fills and listen to you. For those of you that are overfilled, take care, demand a defill if you feel you need it. I'd like to see some of the fill doctors feel what it is like to spend the whole day not able to swallow your own saliva. Lol it would be nice if all of our doctors/fill care providers had been banded so they knew what it really felt like.

I wasn't told to avoid popcorn, by my surgeon. The only things I was told to avoid was carbonated beverages. I was told to be careful with liquid calories, like ice cream, chocolate, etc, since they go right through the band, and won't help keep you full. I personally do eat popcorn, and find I have no problems with it. I do have problems eating most breads though. I don't have to eat all that much popcorn before I feel like I've had enough though. No huge bowl of it for me anymore! I love my band!

I don't think you really have to diet.. but planning, yes. I personally journal everything, helps keep me accountable, and still figuring out how to eat at my sweet spot. But I probably will stop this once I get the hang of things. I do find you have to plan to some degree though, to ensure you have adequate solid protein. I generally cook enough so that I have protein left over for the next day's lunch, sometimes dinner too. I don't feel like I am dieting, really, since I allow myself some treats, and don't feel hungry all the time. I definately don't feel deprived, as I am able to eat pretty much anything I want, just in smaller quantities. Good luck!