cwm812

I was given pills for pain immediately post-op. I thought it was crazy, so I asked. Doc told me I'd have no problem with them and I didn't. I've always been able to take pills, even large ones. The only ones that give me problems are Vitamins. They don't get stuck, but they sort of upset my stomach. I stick to chewables for vitamins, but I've never done liquid meds of any kind. Cindy

Having to go back to the sweater rack for a Medium, because the Large was too big!

My band kept getting looser as I lost weight, until I had lost about 160 lbs and then it started getting tighter. I really don't understand it either, but I've read about it happening to other people on this site. I'm not sure if it has to do with the amount of weight lost, how close you are to your goal or how long you've been banded, but it seems to be common. Cindy

I didn't get a fill until I was 3 or 4 months out. I was losing weight steadily and I wasn't overly hungry. My doctor always asks the questions before you get a fill. It's not automatic. There are people who have restriction without any fills and they do well,. Those people are rare. You really don't want a fill, if you don't need one. That being said, I think you should let him know how hungry you are at your next appointment and that you are losing this weight by shear willpower. Just because you're a good dieter, doesn't mean that you don't need a fill. Cindy

Wing it, for sure. I've journaled, tracked and counted my food intake all the way up to 350lbs. All it ever did for me was waste my time. I think this is a personal thing, but for me living like a normal person is the way to go. I do pay attention to what I eat and believe in moderation. Cindy

Amen!!! I love this. Cindy

My doctor said the exact same thing, when I asked. He said that at their practice (Center of Excellence, 4 surgeons), they used to require it, but they found that it didn't help the outcomes at all. I was happy to skip it. I was nervous enough just before surgery that I really didn't need the stress of the liquid diet. The liquids after were no big deal. I wasn't hungry and I didn't really mind it. I think we are lucky to have the docs we have. I always feel sorry for the people who are suffering through that 2 weeks. Cindy

I don't usually tighten up immediately after a fill. It takes 24-48 hours. I've never tightened up 5 days after the fill, but unfortunately, this thing works different in all of us. There really are only 2 other factors that tighten my band (that I know of so far!) : stress and hormones. I always tighten up just before I get my period. I know that so I just wait it out a couple of days. Emotional stress is a big one for me, but I only stay really tight for a couple of hours, so again, it's not a real problem. I think its kind of funny that work stress doesn't bother me, but if my teenage son picks a fight at the dinner table, I can't eat a thing! Do you have anything major going on in your life right now? But as for my magical tightening problem at the 2 year point, there was no reason, I could ever find. My doctor said that he hears this all the time and that I'll probably never know what caused it. For me, that's OK. It's not happening regularly like it is for you. Cindy

Wow..You are living one of my biggest fears. I'm not sure when you got your last fill, but if its only been a couple of days, you may just be swollen from the fill. I swell up for about a week after a fill, but then things settle out and I can eat again. Things may be better in a week or so. I've been banded 2.5 yrs and I can tell you that things are definitely different than when I was first banded. At about the 2 year point, my band got magically tighter and since then I've had a couple of small unfills. I keep my band loose. At this point I can eat anything, including bread, but I'm terrified of gaining my weight back. I make sure that I keep up with the exercise and so far I've been able to maintain my loss. What I am trying to do, is to keep the band loose, but try to eat more solid Protein, like chicken and turkey. When my band was too tight, I was living on chili and Soup. Now if I eat those things, I'm hungry again in an hour. Solids keep me fuller longer and I actually eat fewer calories. I hope you get some good advice from your post, and I hope things get better for you. Cindy

I only have 5.2 in mine. I had it up to 5.5 at one time, but it got tighter and I needed an unfill. Cindy

I don't know if this was just me or it happens to others, but about 20 months out, I got a fill and I started gurgling all the time. I had never really done much gurgling before, just once in a while. After 2 months, I decided I was too tight and I got a small unfill. Magically the gurgling and all other forms of noise stopped. I think for me, I make weird noises when I'm really tight. Now, I keep my band fairly loose and my stomach is happy. I doubt this is the case for everyone, but I think I've picked up on another strange sign from my body that I need to listen to. Cindy

I have to agree with you. Whenever I see someone on hear complaining that they are 2 weeks out and not losing any weight...they always add that they lost 10 lbs or more on the preop diet. I'm sure the lotal loss is about the same, but it made me feel really great to have the surgery and drop weight immediately. I am VERY happy that my doc thinks that the liquid preop diet is a waste of time. Cindy

Honestly, we'd be having a long, serious chat about that one. Nothing makes me want to eat more than someone telling me what to do. My husband and I have been married for a long time and I told him years ago, that he was not to be the "food police". If I am fat or thin, it is up to me, not him. I want his support, but I need to be in control of what I eat. To this day, I have never told him how much I weigh or how many calories I consume. I don't hide eating from him, but I make it abundantly clear that commentary is not welcome. He has figured out that I am serious about this one and he has learned not to comment. It's probably why we're still married. Is your husband thin? Mine is and I really don't think he can ever understand what my years of weight problems have been like for me. When he did make comments, he really was trying to be helpful, but I found it mean and controlling. I think you really need to make him understand that this is not helpful. I need my husband to love me and support me, no matter what I eat or what size I am. The micro-managing stuff makes me feel inadequate and I won't put up with it. You are doing well managing your weight and your band. You will eat some less than ideal foods. We all do. Make your choices and deal with them, it's the only way to learn this new lifestyle. I wouldn't "confess" your food sins to you husband unless he can learn not to comment. It will drive you crazy. Cindy

I am not a Type I diabetic, but my teenage son is and I've been managing his disease since he was little. There are some Type 1 bandsters out there and hopefully, they'll find your post. I do agree with you...this misinformation about Type I (even among medical staff) is appalling. My son had the Marine recruiter at school tell him that as soon as he gets off his insulin he can be a Marine! My son told him that as soon as he gets off his insulin, he'd be dead. I really wish that Type 1 diabetes had a different name. People really don't get what you are dealing with. Cindy

I have to tell you..I agree with Riverat. If you weren't planning on telling anyone, keeping this from him would not be a big deal. You're an adult and you're allowed to have private issues. But if you are telling the rest of the family...he is going to be hurt big time when he finds out. And I am absolutely sure that he will find out at some point. It may seem like less stress right now, but the lying after the fact will be awful. I'd wait a little while and then explain calmly that you've made your decision. You thought about everything he said and you are convinced that this is the right way to go. I think it's important at that point that you are confident and determined about your decision. Dad is going to worry. It's the nature of parents. But it's important that he can trust you and if you lie to him about something like this, there are going to be trust issues for a long time to come. Cindy

Here's what worries me...I don't like the fact that you're pbing everyday. I think I'd do a couple of days of liquids, just to stop the pbs. Then I'd do mushies. If you start to pb again on the mushies, I'd get a little tiny unfill. It's very possible that once your stomach settles down, you won't need one. You really don't want to be too tight. It quickly leads to bad habits and lots of slider foods. Cindy

Cocoabean, Thanks for the suggestion about Ad Blocker. I've been using Chrome for some time now and I love it. Ad blocker makes such a huge difference on this site. Cindy

Never mind, I found it! I just wasn't looking in the right place. My previews are back, yeah! Cindy

Is this browser-specific? I use Google chrome and I can't not see preview, no matter what I do. If I hover, I get a box that says "view results". If I click it, it opens the thread. If I don't, it doesn't change. I really miss the previews. Cindy

I'd try something really cold. If you can get the swelling to go down a little, you might be able to drink some shakes. I'd try popsicles, or even ice cream. For me, hot liquids will loosen a tight band, but if I swollen from being stuck, cold reduces the swelling. Hang in there! Monday's coming, Cindy

I have to agree with Cheri on this one....I don't think I could ever appreciate adequate restriction until I was too tight. Now I've learned that the elusive sweet spot is not some magical place where you can eat everything when you want to, but never be hungry. The sweet spot is actually the balance between enough restriction and your own personal effort. Now that I know I prefer to have my band slightly looser, I know I have to be a little more diligent in my choices. I've had my band 2+ years, and I'm still learning how to work this thing. Cindy

What a great doctor you have! It's wonderful when someone "gets" what we're feeling. I haven't cried at the office, but I totally get how you feel. I'm always afraid that I could gain back my weight. I lost 140 lbs once and gained back every pound and 20 more. I just can't go through that again. Aw hell, you're making me cry!!! Go ahead and cry. It's the best thing for you. I think we all spend too much time ignoring how we feel. Cindy

Go with a chewable. I take pills all the time and they don't bother me, but for some reason Vitamins do. As soon as I moved to the generic version of Centrum chewables, the problem went away. In fact, they taste like sweet tarts, so I feel like I'm getting a snack, too! Cindy

Honestly, you are going to be fine. I cook for my family nearly every night and I usually eat whatever they're having. We eat out and I even go to the Chinese buffet every now and then. The key is to gain control and manage it all with moderation. That's the great thing about the band. You don't feel the need to eat everything at the buffet. You pick and choose whatever you want the most and you are happy with your choice. The only thing I've given up totally with the band is soda and beer. For me, those were no big deal. I've tried them both several times, but I don't feel well when I eat them. It does take some time to learn how to eat with your band, but once you've got it figured out, you will know how to handle restaurants. I love Soup and appetizers, much more than large Entrees. I was very nervous before my surgery and I think I gained 10 lbs in the month before the big day, but it was a waste of energy. It was all fine. Relax...you'll be fine. Cindy

I had the same problem last year when I was on jury duty for a nasty murder. These people do get to know you, but I never felt like having my lap-band be the topic of everyone's conversation. I usually ordered Soup, but many times, sandwiches were the only option. I always ate a little and then packed the rest up for my husband. I used the excuse that I wouldn't have to cook dinner, if I brought him something. I don't know if this will work for you, but you could also blame children, pets or even yourself, but everyone understands the desire to avoid cooking dinner! Cindy