tkcuvelier

Hi all, I did a search for this, and didn't find anything that really answered my question, so I apologize if this has been discussed before. I'm 3.5 months out from my surgery (Oct. 16, 2008) and am down by 40 lbs -- I've only had 1 fill, too. I seem to have hit a plateau the last few weeks though. Now, I am struggling with eating habits -- foods aren't the problem, nor amounts. I have difficulty eating an actual 3 meals a day, though I do try. I'm really trying to keep to a schedule of: 9:00 AM - Breakfast 1:00 PM - lunch 6:00 PM - dinner Doesn't always work as planned, as I am not used to eating breakfast (I've spent the last 33 years not eating a morning meal -- it's hard to break the habit). As a result, I know that I'm not always getting enough Protein. I seem to have hit a wall at 306. I recently started bellydance classes (yes, bellydance). Perhaps I need more exercise? Another fill? Any suggestions on breaking the plateau? Tara

Hi guys, Well, today marks 3 months after surgery. I think I need a buddy/mentor. LOL! I have a tendency to forget about eating, taking meds on time, but the BIGGEST issue is I forget about exercising. I am losing -- slowly, as expected, but losing. Although I had gained 1.5 lbs when I went for my first fill on Dec. 10th, which was disappointing. I think what I need most is encouragement to exercise. That's my biggest problem, I really do think. So, perhaps I need a mentor/buddy? Tara EDIT - I'm in Flint, Michigan, btw.

Okay, so this has been going on for the last few days, and I have to ask, as I'm becoming a bit concerned. I was banded on Oct. 16, 2008 and am nearing the end of my 6th week post-op. I've not had any real issues with any of the foods being slowly added into my diet until now... My mother sent home some turkey to me on Thursday. It was the first turkey I'd eaten in quite some time, very moist and chewed well, of cours. Unfortunately, several hours later, I was struck by a horrible bout of gas that kept me awake all night. I finally got to the point where if I was somewhat sitting up and reclining, say on the couch, or up and walking, I was fine and without pain, but laying back down again caused the same gas pains. Unfortunately, several days later, the gas has not really gone away. I'm left with a pinching feeling in my right side that aches when I lay flat on my bed, and so have been sleeping propped up on the couch. The pain almost feels similar to appendicitis, though I had my appendix out when I was 12. When I'm standing up and moving, I still can't feel anything at all -- no pain, nothing. I can pass gas alright, and have been having bowel movements, and of course I've the back and spine ache that comes with bad gas. I can feel things gurgling about, etc, but the pinching pain stays on my right side in the same place. I'm pretty sure this is just intestinal gas, but the fact that it's lasting so long has me worried. What exactly is it like to have a twisted bowel, if any of you have experienced this complication? I have an appointment to see my doctor, but it's not for a few days yet, and I really think I just need some peace of mind, which is why I'm posting this here. Is this just an example of a food that does not agree with my band? I already know eggs and I no longer get along, though the experience was much different... Thanks! Tara

On pre-op, I was averaging about 650-790 calories a day. Post-op, I'm averaging between 1000-1100. So, you're within normal ranges, I think. Tara

Congrats on your surgery date! I was just banded on Oct. 16th. Nice to see another name from Michigan. Tara

Hi! I'm a pagan bandster as well! :smile2: I was wondering if there were any others on here, too. Nice to see I'm not alone. Tara

Hi! Now, before I answer, let me say that I'm relatively a new bandster -- 3 weeks post-op. So, anything I say, the veterans are free to correct me. :smile2: Personally, I was frightened to death to get this surgery. Yes, I wanted it. I worked my butt off to get it, but I questioned if I did the right thing all the way to the second they wheeled me into the operating room. But, after seeing so many who've had wonderful results, it is definitely worth it. I'm a foodie -- I love cooking and preparing elegant cuisine; more for the joy of watching others enjoy it than for myself, but I enjoy it too. Unfortunately, elegant can often mean rich. For me, I see this as an opportunity for me to exercise my creativity in the culinary arts to take a favorite dish and make it lower in fat and calories and band-compatible --and that by NO means implies any loss of flavor or taste. :tt1: Having the band doesn't mean giving up good tasting food -- it just means eating much smaller portions of it. Yes, there are a few things that you may not be able to tolerate (fresh bread, deep fried foods, etc.) but that doesn't mean the diet is bland and tasteless or lacking in variety. Getting in enough Protein is the key, but you can also have pastas, veggies, and meats... even Desserts (in moderation, according to my clinic's dietician). According to my clinic's dietician (The Hurley Bariatric Center, part of Hurley Hospital), I will, after my first 8 weeks post-op are up, be able to follow a typical diabetic diet (me being a diabetic), which is what I was doing before I had the surgery. And diabetic diets, contrary to popular opinion, do NOT mean you cant have sugar -- you just have limit sugar intake, so the occassional dessert is fine. My surgeon recommended several diabetic cookbooks for me to follow once I am able to eat solid foods again, which I purchased and believe me, the dishes are to die for! Eating healthy really does not mean eating bland and tasteless food, which is a common misconception. I love my grill, and use it often (and will again once I can). Grilled marinated meats have always been a favorite, lightly sauteed veggies, mashed potatoes, oven fried chicken... even tofu in oyster sauce is wonderful (yeah, I know no one likes tofu, but I love the stuff if done right). These are all things my surgeon and dietician have said will be perfectly acceptable. And who says you can't have the occassional naughty treat, as long as it agrees with the band? (wink wink) :tt1: Of course, it does mean (for me) no more chips, KFC, or McDonalds. But that stuff isn't all that good anyway. McDonalds has always made me nauseous.... I will miss BK's Whoppers, though. The hard part of the diet is the pre-op liquid diet (if your surgeon requires it) and the first 2 weeks following surgery, which is a full liquid diet. That does get a little tedious and boring. As for the length of time one has the band, my surgeon said that I've got it for life. It can be taken out if necessary, but it really is there for good. I hope that helps. I really believe this surgery is a worthwhile step, but you do have to make sure it's something you want. Depending on your circmstances, it can be a big change in the way one relates to food. Keep in mind, too, though that, as I'm sure you've heard on here, the band is a tool. It does require commitment, diet and exercise to work. Tara

I'm in my 3rd week post-op, and saltines (4-6 per serving) are part of my mushy diet from the clinic, too. They really breakdown very quickly into mush in the mouth when chewing. To be on th safe side, it took me 20 minutes to eat 6 crackers smeared with a VERY thin bit of creamy peanut butter (also allowed on my mushy phase)... LOL! I took very small bites and chewed them a lot. So as long as you chew them well, it shouldn't be a problem. Tara

Very interesting thread indeed! Me, I was a thin ADHD child until I hit puberty. I spent my days outdoors playing and was really quite a tomboy. Then, when I hit 13, my hormones kicked in and I put on 100 lbs. over the course of 5 months without any change in diet or exercise. At 14, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and an adrenal gland disorder, which combined was the cause of the 100 lb. gain. And thanks to both the PCOS and the weight, I have also recently been diagnosed as a Type 2 Diabetic. I've tried everything to lose the weight, and despite dieting AND regular exercise (I still have ADHD and am constantly moving), my weight continued to go up. And I mean I've tried everything -- from Weight Watchers to Atkins to prescription diet pills, and the scale never budged. My weight has had me incredibly depressed since I was 14, to the point that I attempted suicide 4 times. My highest weight was 345, which was my weight just before starting the pre-op diet. I will be thrilled if I can get down to 200. Tara

Hi! Yep, I had them, too, though not quite to that extreme. I had to do it for a full 14 days before surgery. Day 1 -- Went by easy as pie.... Day 2 through 4 -- Was like they say crashing from hardcore drugs feels. I couldn't move off the couch. I was sick, had a massive headache, was weak, had mild sweats, I couldn't think straight, was very irritable -- total withdrawal symptoms. By day 5, that had cleared up all except for the mental fogginess, slight nausea, and weakness. I almost passed out trying to mow my postage stamp of a lawn and had to ask my brother to come and do it for me. The remainder of my time was spent doing what little housework I could and going to work. My biggest challenge was that the 700-800 calories supplied by the diet wasn't quite enough to keep my blood sugar up. I'm hypoglycemic, and spent the two weeks in a state of constant low blood sugar, on the verge of it totally dropping completely. Now that the surgery is over, the last 6 days haven't been so bad. My appetite only just came back yesterday, and the shakes tend to last longer than they did before the surgery -- though I'm still quite hungry. Thankfully, the nutritionist at my clinic said I can move on to the full liquid diet tomorrow. Cream of Mushroom soup, here I come! Woo hoo!! :biggrin: I'm definitely using this time to reprogram the way I think and eat, though. The diet has really helped in the way of preparing for the next 2 phases of the diet, and I'm really not craving things I used to. The pre-op diet is hard, but it'll be worth it in the long run. And after the surgery, a lot of those symptoms you're having will fade. Tara