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My doctor told me Viactive right after surgery, but then told me to change forms. I'm going to look for some of these you've suggestee, especially the Bariatric Advantage. Thanks as always.

I'm a senior manager of an environmental law office. Been doing environmental work for 20 years. Enjoyed working with Native American tribes in setting up environmental programs most of all. Liked metal work in a factory and really enjoyed bartending, but what I do now is probably my favorite.

I was told that caffeine might increase appetite, but when I told my nutritionist it didn't, she said go ahead I was told had to stop the Starbucks, though. Even the "skinny" has calories. I still go here and get my non-fat, sugar free beverage every day, but I found that even that has 12 grams of sugar and about 100 calories. I also note the 9 grams of protein in a tall nonfat (every gram counts). I just figure it in, because life for those around me is much better if I have something.

My doctor wouldn't give me a fill. I'm able to eat more than the amount I've heard and don't have a lot of PB (unless I do something stupid like eat too fast) and am hungry every 3 hours. But he said I was ahead of my target weight loss so he didn't want to add any more restriction. He said I should drink more water. I do feel restriction but have always heard I should be full after eating about 4 ounces and it should keep me full for 4 to 6 hours. My weight loss has really slowed down and it is frustrating. I am only losing a pound or two a week. Am I too impatient? It took me years to get this big, I know I shouldn't expect it to come off in less than a year.

Not sure where to ask this, so thought I'd go general. I suddenly have a salty taste in my mouth that won't go away. Sweet things mask it for a minute, but it comes back right away and salty things are very intense. I've also noticed pain in my calves at night. Not really cramping, just sharp pain. I've recently increased my exercise, so that may explain the calf. But, this salty taste is really bugging me. Any ideas?

First, go see a nutritionist. I can tell you what my surgeon said and what my nutritionist said. Start with protein. These are the things that will fill you. Avoid empty calories and things that go through the band too easily. Alcoholic beverages, mashed potatoes, shakes, cereals with a lot of sugar, nuts, milk. Normally, nuts and milk are considered healthy. But for the band, you don't get much "bang for the buck." They have minimal nutritional value compared to the fat and calories and won't fill you up at all. When I'm getting ready to eat (other than the last 2 weeks when I've been really bad), I consider the nutritional value (especially protein) and how it will go through the band. Is it going to get stuck or just go through? If it is going to stay in the upper pouch and not pass through, then that's what I choose. If it will go right through and has empty calories, I don't eat it. I'm not perfect. I still say what the heck and eat things I shouldn't, especially the Starbuck (you'd be amazed how many calories are even in the sugar free). But I'm so much better than I was.

I saw your post yesterday and my daughter was making popcorn so I tried some. No problem at all. My doctor does not recommend popcorn as a snack though. True it does not have many calories (if it isn't caramel or buttered), but it also has no nutritional value. My doctor suggested beef jerky. So, that is what I take to movies now. I lso keep some at my desk and at home. It is surprisingly filling, has very low fat and is a good source of protein.

The band is just a tool. It can help control quantity, but if you don't put the right foods through, you won't lose weight. I'm at a low right now myself. I'm not eating what I should or the way I should. Part of that is that I need a little more restriction (appointment Friday) and part of it is that I'm just being a knucklehead and eating garbage. Being conscious of it is half way to solving the problem. It isn't easy. No one promised easy. But it can be done and there is a lot of support here.

I had mine done at a teaching hospital by one of the founders of their bariatric surgery department (I was able to request no students operate or anesthetize me). They had everything I needed: doctors to supervise my pre-approval diet, a nutritionist for both pre and post Band needs, everything. And because they are a "Center of Excellence" under my insurance, the surgery and all that entails (including overnight in the hospital and morning x-rays) as well as 3 months of visits and fills cost me $100. Fills now cost me $20, are done by my surgeon, and I only have to drive about half an hour. So, the States it is for me. But you have to pick someone you are comfortable with. Regardless of how much safer LB is that some surgeries, you are still putting your life in the hands of that doctor and anesthesiologist.

Doesn't your answer to the poll question indicate whether that's true or not?:cool2:

Good luck Dogmama. But be prepared for when the swelling goes down. I know doctors and patients are all different. My doc waits 8 weeks post op to do a fill. It truly was hell for me. It was really hard to get it through my head that the band wasn't doing anything because it had little to no fluid. Hopefully you won't have to deal with it, but if you do, hang in there. In the grand scheme of things,it is very short term.

I lost about almost no weight on my 6 month supervised diet required for insurance. I was exercising like you, mostly walking. But I started losing with the pre-op liquids. Things have slowed down quite a bit, but as long as I follow the rules my doctor gave me, the band is working. Remeber, it is only a tool and not a magic bullet. My nutritionist says it is all about the math, if you take in fewer calories than you expend, you'll lose weight, about a pound per 3,000 calories. It is easy to cheat the band and not lose weight too. Lots of things go through easy and have empty calories. Follow the plan and it will work. Good luck.

I couldn't feel mine at first either, but like others said, the doctor (actually it was a PA) found it easily on the first try. Now I can feel it, about on inch below and dead center of my big scar.

You can see the dates and amounts below. I've been very lucky to have some restriction with each fill. It didn't last long after the first two, but did once I hit 5cc. The way I know I have it is a slight tightness in the back of my throat. If I eat too big a bite or don't chew well, it causes pain in my chest, the slime starts and up it comes. Strange thing is, I can eat way more than the quarter to half cup I was told to expect. But I know I'm restricted and am eating significantly less than I was. On the coffee in the morning, I can't eat anything until I've had something warm. Even scrambled eggs get stuck. After coffee or hot tea, less of a problem. And that is pretty much only in the morning.

My doc says I'm where I'm supposed to be, don't know if that is sweet spot or not. How much depends on what. I'm making stir fry chicken for dinner and will be able to eat about 2 cups (broccoli seems difficult for me). The other day I had 3 slices of thin crust pizza. For breakfast I can eat 2 eggs and half an english muffin. Seems to me I can eat way more than that 1/2 cup the doc said I'd get to. But as long as I lose weight (even if much more slowly than I want), I guess it is okay.

I try every few weeks, but pretty much find it causes me significant pain. I've also tried the less carbonated things like Mike's Hard Lemonade, but just can't do it. Probably best for me, that is part of what got me here in the first place.

I guess I just expected it to come off the way it did ightr after surgery. Having a couple of weeks with no movement gets me frustrated. So glad for the support from the folks on this site.

Married, have you tried seeing a nutritionist? My doctor has one on staff so there isn't any charge other than my copay. She was very helpful in coming up with a plan. And she was very specifically trained and experienced in dealing with people who have had wls. I guess I was really lucky having my doctor be head of a bariatric clinic at a teaching hospital.

I eat almost no turkey. Chicken of course and some fish, but I don't limit myself in the Protein department. I eat lots of beef and pork, but make sure it is lean. If it is ground beef, I get the 97% lean. For pork, it is tenderloin or chops with some of the lean sausage. I don't fry anything (except the fish sometimes, I'm from the south and it is required by law, and eggs).

Done in the right way, a little back door stimulation can enhance things. Anything Mrs. wants to play around with that doesn't involve bloodshed is ok by me.

Rocking on, down more than 60 pounds since banding. Spent almost a month at the same weight, then it started to drop off again. I'm down over 80 since my first consult and beginning pre-op diet.

I guess I should have read more before I posted. I was given very specific dietary rules. I met with a nutritionist twice before and twice after my banding and can meet with her again any time I have questions. I was given a target amount protein to eat and advised to eat that first then noon-starchy vegetables if I was still hungry. I was told the quantity to expect when I hit my "green zone" and given a list of foods that go through the band easily and have high calories so I could avoid them (my doctor has a thing against nuts and milk). They spent time with me on Vitamin supplements and what I 'd need if I followed the plan. It works for me. Averaging 10 pounds a month isn't exactly as fast as I would like, but it is where my doctor wants me to be (hacked me off he wouldn't give me a fill last visit).

The only problem I see with WW is that it doesn' emphasize enough protein. Both my doctor and nutritionist have reminded me that normal dietary laws (food pyramid and the like) don't apply to those with the band. If you are completely unfilled, it is a fantastic program. I loved it both times I was on it and lost about 30 pounds each time before I got off the program and gained 40 back. I'm working the band program following my doctor's instructions to the letter. I too have had fills that were a bit too much. I had some taken out and last time I went he wouldn't put any more in. I pay a lot of attention to both what I eat and how I eat it, though I do get careless and stuck periodically. But one of the reasons I had WLS was because these types of diets didn't work for me. I tried them all: WW, south beach, atkins, Jenny Craig. I didn't go through the trauma and expense to go back to one of the diet plans. But that is me. Weight loss is so personal, do whatever works for you and I wish you the best.

The band will loosen as your stomach gets smaller. Are you drinking too fast or not chewing well? There are some things you may not be able to eat, but see your doctor if you have intense reflux and a lot of PBs.