YngGram

I had 2cc I think. I have had 3 fills in the last 7 months. I find that the first week or so the band seem to change some. For most it seems to tighten up. Make sure you are getting in your liquids, they seem to hold off my hunger.

My doc had me do a "Liver Shrink" for two weeks. It is to help with the band placement. I think it also helps to get the right mind set for after surgery. Those first few weeks of eating are so very different from what we had eaten previously. I didn't have an amount to loose, but I followed the rules and did loose; it was high protein. I was told that the liver fat was the target.

You might be OK, the guidelines can be found online. I was 5'1 240lbs., but we are retired and I think that makes it harder. I had some comorbids, and a history of failed weight loss attemps. My process went smoothly, and was covered 75% for me, non-network facility. Pretesting was covered as any of my other medical care. The Center of Excellence I used included my nut. classes, and was will to set up all the test I needed. I didn't use that because I live over an hour away. First appt. was Nov. 17, 09 did the testing around the holidays. Submitted to TriCare in Jan. and got approval in just over a week. The big waiting was the doctor's scheduling. I don't have problems getting my follow ups though.

How about using the yogut to make a protein smoothie. I add powdered low fat milk and protein powder. Or you can just add protein powder to the yogurt. Another thought would be to drink a protein bullet. WalMart carries New-Whey Liquid Protein 42g protein 0 sugar 0 fat. I find it a little pricey but keep a few on hand for the days that get crazy schedule wise.

Ha, I asked the same question! I picked up a couple at the Maiden Form outlet. For some reason they bother my back and are just in the drawer, I keep trying to wear them, but no luck yet.

I started taking B6 and Aloe Vera, they are for dgestive health and motabilizm(sp). My gas in general calmed way down.

I got a fill yesterday and was told my low profile port had tilled up. This was my second x-ray fill and she had me lie down (after 4 tries) to insert the needle. I had to get off the table with the needle in so she could fill. I had a fill in July in the office and the PA didn't seem to have a problem so I guess it happened in between. It was mentioned that the weight loss may have been the cause. 207 first time 177 yesterday. No mention of repair, they just made note for next time.

My primary reason for the band over other WLS was that I thought my mind would need time to accept the changes I would need to make to my eating habits. The weight is coming off slowly, but the office feels the pace is right for me. I have had 2 fills and 1 scheduled tomorrow. This has been the way I wanted it. The big thing for me is that I don't feel that I'm being denied anything. I can eat bread, beef, chicken, and pizza. I just have to keep in mind that a taste of it is not all of it. When I get all my fluids in I don't have a problem with hunger. I can't make myself exercise regularly but I am now ready to eat the right protions. Currently a cup is not a problem and it should be half the amount. I am getting this fill tomorrow because I think I am ready for more restriction, I am now ready to give up some of what I'm eating. Your weight is coming off, and just maybe your doc knows what he's doing. Remember this is just a tool not the magic wand. It will work, bu you must work with it. You have to make changes in your life to get the changes you want.

I have an x-ray fill scheduled tomorrow. My first was this way and the second in July was by the PA without a problem. It is the practice of my doc to do it this way when there has been some time in between fills. This allows them to check for band slippage. Also the fill can be more aggressive this way since they can see how much restriction there is.

DANG!! This was all straight from my head, get out of there!! I started making changes in Nov. didn't have the surgery until March and I think it made my life much easier. The smaller plate, putting on only what you plan to eat and DON'T REFILL!! I gave up my " SOUTHERN" sweet tea completely, not much of a soda drinker. I figured if I made it without tea, I could give up anything. The band is great, but you are the control. If your head isn't into it, nothing will happen. You can eat "around" the band by eating more often than you should, wrong foods and pushing your limits. Try to pay attention to what makes you eat. The stressers that make you reach for the chips. I need the band and I am still working to understand it and how it works in my life.

Couple of thoughts: Exersice makes you hungier, muscle weighs more than fat and Protein lasts longer to help keep you satisfied. Check your measurments, that is where your success is showing, be proud! I had an appointment today that cleared a few things for me. I don't want anything in the mornings and the best I can do is a SlimFast on the days I work. I have it just so I won't fall on my face. I was told that the band can loosen durning the day and you can be more hungry because of it; the food flows through more quickly. Don't over-chew food, makes it flow fast. She suggested that I have a slice of deli meat rolled as a snack. I will have a fill on Mon. and am frightened to have it (3rd), I don't have a lot of restriction and I want the weight to come off but......I don't want to be stuck! I won't back away from this, and I am tired of being OBESE!

Chocolate is my downfall also. Because of this I use chocolate protein powder, slimfast, sf hot chocolate, love them 40 cal fudgepops. To pump me up some, I add a pinch of freeze dried coffee & some vanilla extrac.

YES YOU CAN! Just saw my doc today and I was told that if you over chew the food goes down to fast like slider food. He saw aim for a cottag cheese consistancy and this makes the stomach work better.

I am 7 months out. My doc says no to the shakes unless it is a Meal Replacement, and he doesn't really want it at all. I am not a breakfast person and work part time. On those days I start with a SlimFast. I try not to snack at all and eat only when I have gotten hungry or it has been more than 4 hours. I feel full most mornings (tight) and just don't want anything. Getting in my fluids seems to help me with the hunger because I feel full. sugar free popcicles and Crystal lite were the lifesaver for me in the early stage. My problem is that I get the urge to chew something. Sometimes my mind says I didn't eat (soup) because I didn't chew.:scared2: My lifestyle has me in the poolhall several nights a week from about 6 to midnight and somebody is always having hot wings, pizza or nachos. If I get the day timed right I eat dinner at home and have a shake in the travel mug for backup, a yogurt or banana. Egg Drop Soup is a major for me because of the proten. coffee also chases off the hungries me. I have only had 2 fills so a small salad saves me. Don't forget that will power is a big part of all of this no matter what.

Keep it simple and make it easier on YOU. Until you adjust don't eat with others, let your sister eat after you go home. Early is hard sometimes, your mind has to get on board with what you have done and what you have yet to do. Give it time because it does come. The band is the tool, but your mind is the magic. I started making adjustments to how I ate when I made up my mind to have surgery. I need to fully understand what I am trying to do so I go slow with things. I am in the pool hall with junk 3-4 nights a week. Wings, chips, nachos yeah real struggle all the time. At first I ate before I left home and would have a thermo of skim milk in car and slimfast powder on me just in case. I drank gallons(it seemed) of Water just to keep my mouth full.

It was over 3 months and I was still blowing up everything every time I even thought about eating! I started taking B6 and Aloe Vera. I get them at WalMart and they are for digestive health and motabolism. It really has helped, I still have some gas and the tummy rummble but is so much better.

I love the beef, but my doc says full liquids for two days following a fill, I may have been on my knees over the potty if I tried that. Also, my doc would drop kick me. I could not have handled 9-10 days of discomfort like you did. Whatever I feel, I am the only one feeling it and that guy needs a knee in the throat for his big mouth.

I did a private message, but since I am not hiding anything I will add this. I have been very lucky in this journey. I had little pain following surgery. My doc put in an IV like system that I wore home so I didn't have to take anything else. I went out the night I was discharged, I was even able to sleep well. It was two weeks before I felt tired or worn out. I didn't and still don't feel hungry after my meals. I eat what I want(within reason), last nite had some German Chocolate Cake as a treat. I will have my thrid fill next week, I have restriction but it's not what it could be. This has been my choice, the reason is that I wanted to go slowly with this because I felt I needed the time to make mental changes that would alow me to get healthier and still be happy. I don't want to drop the pounds and hate my band at the same time. Seven months and over 50lbs gone, it could be more if I followed the rules more closely. I don't go to the gym very often, I am just not that person. When I do go it is a very light workout of treadmill and bike for about 45 mins. I keep my portions small and try to eat the right food most of the time; I also try to hear my body say "FULL". Every now and then something catches my eye and I won't deny myself. I have a taste of it and move on. My taste for things have changed and I season my foods differently. I did the band because I needed to drop some weight, but I didn't want to be on a diet the rest of my life so I am not. I feel ready to push foward and scheduled the fill. 135 will never be my goal, another 10 or so pounds and this 52 year old will feel like a kid again.

Bad girl here, seven months out and I tend to misbehave. I am down about 54lbs since starting this. I eat everything but I am dropping the weight slowly. I admit that I don't exercise so I try to watch how much I eat. If I don't drink, leave the sweet tea alone and keep the protions small I seem to do OK I work hard to keep the rules in mind, I have had some PB issues; not fun. I have only had 2 fills so far from my "spot". I didn't want to be a slave to this and I feel that the control must be from me so I am going slow with the adjustments.

Same here, in the past week I have been 183 to 190. No exercise that would have given muscle. I have a digital and it is 3- 5 lbs. higher than my surgeron's digital. They told me theirs is calibrated daily. I am just happy that mine says more that theirs. And yes, I can get on mine, walk out the room and get back on for a different weight. Husband says if the size 12's fit, just don't kill the scale.

Hi Cathy, I live in VA also. Southern food makes our lives a little harder, (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!). I had fears also, but I had knee and foot pain, my back hurt and clothes were a joke. I was 240lbs., 5'2", 51 years old and just tired of all of this stuff. I have high blood pressure, had breast cancer and was tired all the time. My doc said that all of the problems were side effects of being overweight. I have been overweight since I was about 25 and to hear I was "morbidly obese" was just to much. My surgery was 3/9/09, and I have lost almost 60lbs. since I started this journey. It's been almost a year, I started by giving up some things in preperation for surgery. Soda and sweet tea were the first to go. That alone took out 4lbs., I then started working on having smaller portions. It takes a commitment from you, this is a tool that only you can make work. I have only had 2 fills, need another but got a dumba** reason for not getting it. I love steak and not ready to give it up yet. I have had no problems that I didn't cause. If I eat to fast, or the wrong thing, maybe a little to much, I get stuck or PB. As long as I follow the rules I am fine. There really isn't to much that I can't eat. No surgery problems and I didn't even have to get my pain. Do the research, get as much info as you can; that will help you to make an informed decision. Hit me with a pm if you want to talk one on one. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Where might I find this wonder slim?

I think I am stalled also, but some other things are going on with me...so I'm not sure. This one thing did come to mind over the weekend. What are you drinking? I haven't been feeling well, weather change, and I need my comfort drinks which are also my nightly "treat". Unfortunately that drink is hot chocolate. Made with skim milk, but to many cals. I hadn't realized that I was up to 3 cups a day. I'm not a coffee drinker so I would start the day with one if I felt tight, middle of the day if I wanted something and didn't know what and a nightcap. It adds up quick and with my meals and snack it was to much. I was counting what I ate, but not what I drank! Give that a look as well as what the others have mentioned.

I now have some (little bit) shape to my butt. It has been really flat for years, and now it is finding a curve. My face is slimmer and I look younger.

I don't know what causes mine, some things are OK at lunch but not at diner. I only come up with slime, not the food. I feel better most of the time after one trip to the toilet, but feel stuffed for hours no matter how much I had actually eaten befor the "incident." No food 2 hrs. before a fill and liquids after and the next day.