Losing_It_In_Texas

I felt exactly like you do for the first month after my surgery. You have to remember that you did have major surgery although it was probably only day surgery. And if you are exercising now (which you probably didn't before, like me) you are still getting used to your new lifestyle. I thought I was going to die that first month (not literally) but I was so damn tired. It just takes time. Before you know it, you'll have more energy than you know what to do with, which still suprises me to this day. Just keep doing what you are doing (you are doing all the right things BTW) and it will soon all fall into place. Good luck!!!

Hello.....I had this page bookmarked as something I was thinking of getting due to the same problem you are having....you might want to check it out!Keep Warm Dish - ElderStore

I swear by dried apricots, which is what my surgeon recommended. I was suffering from terrible constipation immediately after surgery and tried all the usual suspects: MOM, Benefiber, Dulcolax etc, etc....then asked my surgeon and he told me about the apricots. I would caution you to cut them up into 1/4 pieces if you are restricted at all...they can be a little tough from time to time, but I assure you they will work. Good luck!

Oh wow, thats perfect....thank you!!

Ummm....being exercise challenged as I am, could you explain how those are done? Thanks!!

Thats so awesome....congrats:thumbup:. Keep up the good work!!

Yeah, I forgot to add that part. I am drinking beween 60-70 oz of water a day and I drink a 20 oz sugar free sports drink while I am exercising. That was one of the things the nurse asked me also, and I assured her that I was well hydrated. Its just a little scary and very puzzling. I also have no insurance right now as my husband started a new job last month so going to the dr is going to cost me a fortune. UGH!! I guess better to be safe than sorry though for sure.

To me, I knew I was at my "sweet spot" when I could no longer eat 1 cup of food. Its just a feeling that I am satisfied with much less food (approx 1/2 cup, sometimes less) and when I am eating, I get to the point that I think if I eat one more bite its going to get stuck. Its very subtle in my opinion. I am no longer obsessed about my next meal. I am completely satisfied (satiated) for about 4-5 hours between meals. I wondered the same thing at first; how would I know; but with time it just happened. I don't eat till I'm stuffed feeling like I did pre-band, I just eat till I'm no longer hungry. I don't purposely try to test it either.....meaning I don't keep trying to eat more just to see if I can feel stuffed, I just stop ahead of time and am satisfied with that. Good luck to you!!

Being able to cross my legs Cutting and painting my own toe nails Shorts in the summer Summer PERIOD...now that I'm not so hot all the time Getting out of a chair without rocking first Not cringing when DH runs his hands over my body:tt1:

I didn't have any restriction after my first fill, a little after my 2nd fill, none after 3rd, and at sweet spot after 4th. Everyone is so different, so if you feel like you have some restriction then thats great:thumbup:. I have never experienced this but I have read that for some people it takes a week or so for their fill to "settle in". Good luck to you!!

Hi Sandra, I was banded on 9-22-08 so we are near the same mark and I have only lost 35 since surgery, but 52 total with pre-op diet included. Is your 48 lbs all post op weight loss, or was some of it pre-op as well? Either way, I think you are doing great and we all have our moments whether it be a slow losing week, a plateau, or a few pounds gained. I gained a few over Christmas that took me a coupke of weeks to lose....too many sweets!!! I am overall a pretty slow loser I think compared to some others. What is the most you have lost in a month since you started getting fills? I think the most I lost was last month....9 lbs. I wish it was faster, but it is what it is. Just get back on track and you'll see a loss before you know it. Best of luck!!!

I think its time for some progress pics but I don't even know where to begin. I searched the FAQ's for instructions but didn't find anything. I would sure appreciate the help!

Thanks for trying!! I've got the album part down, now I've just got to get the before and after to work. Grrrrrr!!!!

I think I will post them in the before and afters, but I would like to know how to do both if you don't mind helping me. I appreciate it!

I felt some retriction after my first fill, but not much. I really began feeling restriction after my 3rd and 4th fills. My seond one I felt nothing!! It all depends on the person in my opinion. Like someone else said, when you have restriction, you will know when to stop. It won't feel the same as before you were banded and it make take some time before you recognize the signals. I never feel full like before, I just eat till I am no longer hungry. The sensation that your pouch is getting filled will definitely be there...no mistaking that feeling. I usually get one big hiccup, that is my signal. If I eat beyond that point, something will definitely be getting stuck. I try to err on the side of caution and stop eating before I get the signal to insure that I won't get stuck but I sometimes still do. It will all start falling into place for you soon. best of luck!!

This is a very premature question for me as I still have at least 40-50 pounds to lose, but I can't wrap my head around how you finally stop losing when you get to your goal. My surgeon hasn't answered that question for me yet (hardly answers any questions at all to be honest), so I'm very curious as to how it all happens. Any help would be appreciated!!

My doctor told me "no more than a cup" which I think is very vague but thats how he is overall. I could eat a cup after my 3rd fill but I can only eat maybe 2 oz. TOTAL after my 4th fill last week. I would listen to your docs advice becuase he knows you better than anyone else does (hopefully). Best of luck to you!!

I'm in my fourth month post op and I just had my 4th fill which gave me good retstriction. The problem is that now that I can only eat such small portions, how am I supposed to eat enough calories to break a weight loss plateau? How do you all get in all the calories you need? I'd ask my nutritionist but he hasn't called me back yet. I'm not allowed protein shakes as per my surgeon...he doesn't want me drinking my calories. I'm only able to eat 500-600 calories a day right now, and believe it or not, I'm not losing weight. And, yes I have started exercising. I'm so frustrated right now. I can't believe I'm not losing any weight between the exercise and the limited calories. Someone please help!!!

WOOOHOOOO!! As of today I am 199, thats 51 pounds total lost and 34 since surgery on 9-22-08. I was trying to make it below 200 by New Years Day but better late than never. I cannot describe how much better I feel already. In fact, I feel a lot lighter than I actually am. My energy is thru the roof, and I'm starting to out in public again and hearing very positive remarks about my weight loss. I've still got a long way to go but I just wanted to share my great news with everyone. Have a great weekend!!

Thank you Mary! Congrats to you as well for getting your band and reducing your medications....thats no small feat!!

Sorry to post again....just testing my ticker

Hi Cleo's Mom....I have had episodes of food getting stuck but strangely enough it was mainly after my second fill which did not leave me with very good restriction. I attribute it to eating too fast because I was so hungry during that time. If I honestly take my time, take small bites and chew very well (like we are supposed to) then I don't have a problem (usuallY). I eat pretty much the same types of food now as I did then, just much less. I haven't had bread or pasta since my surgery (just my choice), but I have had rice a couple of times with no problem. Fills shouldn't scare you....if you do things right then you shouldn't be getting stuck. I just have to remember to take my time and not let myself get too hungry between meals. Good luck!!

Hi everyone, I'm just wondering what is the best way to get my weight loss going again. I've been stuck at the same weight for slightly over 2 weeks even though I have pretty good restriction right now. My eating habits have not changed (I promise!), I eat somewhere between 900-1100 calories a day. I'm satisfied with small protions so thats not the problem right now.....I've just quit losing. Any help with getting through this plateau would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the replies! I will try both suggestions and see what happens. I just joined a gym today and will be starting in the morning....I sure hope it helps cuz I'm felling a bit frustrated at this stall.

I feel like I have had decent success with the AP band. My surgery was 9-22-08 and I have lost 31 pounds since then. I have had 3 fills though and the last one gave me pretty good restriction. I just want to warn you like my dr warned me.....just because you are getting stuck doesn't necessarily mean you have restriction. It could be that you are eating too fast or swallowing before your food is completely chewed up. How much are you eating at each meal...1/2 cup, 1 cup, more? restriction to me has meant that I can only eat approx. 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food at each meal and am satisfied for 4-5 hours. I would think that you would be due for a fill since you haven't had one yet. Why haven't you had one if you don't mind my asking?