adagray

We can be the 'almost to onederland' support group. LOL I stalled out at around 205-207... just kinda went back and forth between those numbers for about a month. Yikes! I think my body is quite happy right there. But, I decided I just wasn't gonna accept that. I didn't get surgery just to get halfway to goal. So, I recently stepped things up a bit, cut out alcohol completely, and upped my exercise so I am taking 7 exercise classes a week now (and added strength training). Sure enough, the scale started moving again and I'm back to losing at a good clip. I am really hoping to see 199 by the end of this month! Woohoo!!!

I was overfilled on my last fill, but I didn't last more than one day that way. I called the next morning and they got me in the same day for a slight unfill. I guess, technically though, I was really beyond the red zone because I was having trouble w/plain water... took forever to gurgle gurgle gurgle down.

I must be an odd one because when I've lost a significant amount of weight before, I've found women to be less nice to me. I figure it must be that I seem more approachable as a heavy person. I've always had complete strangers chat me up when I am out doing anything. But, when I lost weight before, I noticed that women were not as friendly to me. I think maybe I was perceived as more of a threat or no longer the 'happy-go-lucky fat lady'? And, in hindsite, perhaps maybe I really wasn't as friendly since I was hungry all the time!!! LOL I would just add that you do have to also consider the changes in your self-esteem and the way you carry yourself when you lose weight. Its possible others may be responding to those changes more than the actual change in your weight. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Its a type of eating disorder. Just google 'chewing and spitting eating disorder' to learn more. Personally, I just couldn't go there. I don't think I could enjoy the taste of the food knowing I was gonna spit it out. But, I also didn't have to be on a lengthy liquid diet like most people who have been banded. Maybe I would feel differently after a week or two of only liquids. I would just say tread lightly here. Its not like one time means you have an eating disorder. But, it is a behavior that can become addictive and develop into a worse eating disorder over time. For those that have spit out a last bite because they suddenly realize it won't go down well, I wouldn't consider that the same thing. You didn't take the bite w/the intention of spitting it out. So, I wouldn't say that this is 'disordered'. Its no more 'disordered' than when any of us PBs because we simply made a mistake and didn't chew enough.

Staples: smoked salmon, shrimp, crab, salmon, sashimi, chicken thighs, chili, salad, cheese, eggs, strawberries, grapes, watermelon, zuchini, yellow squash, greek yogurt, kefir yogurt drink, vegie burgers, corn tortillas, tamales, gluten-free crackers, gluten-free Pasta Problem Foods: any type of bread or bun, flour tortillas, wheat pasta (pretty much anything made w/wheat), corn on the cob, chicken breast, red meat, any meat/chicken/fish that is overcooked, dry, or chewy, sausage (the casing sometimes is too chewy and gets stuck)

My PCP has also been so happy about my success. I think doctors rarely get to see a patient actually succeed at changing their lifestyle, losing weight, and reversing disease. Most of the time, I think they just diagnose the problems and see them get worse over time. That's got to be hard. Since getting banded, I have gone off meds for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, no longer have sleep apnea (I don't even snore at all anymore), and went from having prediabetes to a fasting blood sugar level of 80 (well below the 100+ that puts you into the prediabetes range). My PCP is amazed w/the results!

Don't worry, it won't last long. Your body is recovering and you are probably taking some strong pain meds right now too. Be patient and give your body at least a full week of rest before you start putting pressure on yourself to get back to 'normal'. Even though this surgery is laproscopic, it is still considered major surgery. If you set other people's expectations incorrectly that you would be back to normal sooner, then now is the time to let them know you were mistaken and you need to take at least a week off of work and/or any chores you normally do.

You might also look for Kefir (made by Lifeway) in your grocery store. Sometimes it is in the healthfood section. It is like a yogurt smoothie, but not as sweet (no artificial sweeteners). It has 11 grams of protein per 8 oz and I really like the taste. It is thick, but still liquid. I find it satisfying.

I was in a very similar situation as you. I was diagnosed w/sleep apnea and couldn't get used to the CPAP. During my pre-op visit (two weeks before surgery), my surgeon asked me if I was using my CPAP and I said 'of course', but w/the kind of look that she knew I wasn't. She said she understood, but to please please wear it for at least the last week before surgery because it acts like a 'stint' for your lungs (opens up your airways really well) which helps you recover better afterwards. ALSO, you will be required to wear it if you are staying overnight in the hospital (which you probably will be required to if you have a risk factor such as sleep apnea). And, the last thing you want is your first try w/the CPAP to be when you are feeling the worst (right after surgery) and really need the sleep to recover.

I wrote this in response to another thread, but then decided maybe it would be good to create a new thread on this topic since it seems to come up over and over. It could help some people who may be considering surgery and reading here to see what to expect. ******************************************* For those doubting the surgery now after reading this, just keep reading and learning. Try not to have a knee-jerk reaction to anything you read on here. Everyone is different in what they can tolerate and also how tight they wear their band. I was lucky to have have a mom that was already banded for two years before I was banded. She told me all about the good, bad, and ugly of the band. Here's the thing, though... she was an insulin dependent type 2 diabetic, high BP, high cholesterol, had trouble walking more than a block before surgery. She lost over 100 pounds in a year post-surgery and it solved all of her obesity related medical conditions. I have no doubt that it probably added 10-20 years to her life by having this surgery AND a much better quality of life. Prior to my surgery, I took meds for high BP (10+ years), meds for high cholesterol, was diagnosed w/sleep apnea, and prediabetes. There is no doubt that I was gonna end up going down the same path as her even though we had both dieted our asses off for years. On regular diets, we both lost weight very slowly, but couldn't keep it off. Now, I'm 6 months post-surgery and ALL of my obesity related medical conditions are GONE. My BP is completely healthy without meds, I no longer need meds for high cholesterol, my fasting blood sugar is 80 (well below pre-diabetes level of 100+), and I don't even snore (let alone have sleep apnea). Yes, I've PB'd a few times. And, yes, I've given up some foods that don't work for me. But, it really seems like a small price to pay for what I have achieved health-wise. And, I NEVER feel like I'm dieting. To me dieting=hungry. I don't mind giving up certain foods as long as I don't have to be hungry. And, really, the list of foods that don't agree with me is very small compared to all the great foods I CAN eat AND truly enjoy now that I don't have to be stressed about my health and measure every single morsel that goes in my mouth. I do think you need to consider this surgery w/your eyes wide open, though. It is not all roses. But, also consider what your life will be like if you don't gain control of your weight and health. I wish you all the best!

For those doubting the surgery now after reading this, just keep reading and learning. Try not to have a knee-jerk reaction to anything you read on here. Everyone is different in what they can tolerate and also how tight they wear their band. I was lucky to have have a mom that was already banded for two years before I was banded. She told me all about the good, bad, and ugly of the band. Here's the thing, though... she was an insulin dependent type 2 diabetic, high cholesterol, had trouble walking more than a block before surgery. She lost over 100 pounds in a year post-surgery and it solved all of her obesity related medical conditions. I have no doubt that it probably added 10-20 years to her life by having this surgery AND a much better quality of life. Prior to my surgery, I took meds for high BP (10+ years), meds for high cholesterol, was diagnosed w/sleep apnea, and prediabetes. There is no doubt that I was gonna end up going down the same path as her even though we had both dieted our asses off for years. On regular diets, we both lost weight very slowly and couldn't keep it off. Now, I'm 6 months post-surgery and ALL of my obesity related medical conditions are GONE. My BP is completely healthy without meds, I no longer need meds for high cholesterol, my fasting blood sugar is 80 (well below pre-diabetes level of 100+), and I don't even snore (let alone have sleep apnea). Yes, I've PB'd a few times. And, yes, I've given up some foods that don't work for me. But, it really seems like a small price to pay for what I have achieved health-wise. And, I NEVER feel like I'm dieting. To me dieting=hungry. I don't mind giving up certain foods as long as I don't have to be hungry. And, really, the list of foods that don't agree with me is very small compared to all the great foods I CAN eat AND truly enjoy now that I don't have to be stressed about my health and measure every single morsel that goes in my mouth. I do think you need to consider this surgery w/your eyes wide open, though. It is not all roses. But, also consider what your life will be like if you don't gain control of your weight and health. I wish you all the best!

LOL My mother-in-law can't let go of overcooking pork either. And, she has the butcher cut lamb chops extra thin and cooks them to the 'consistency of treated lumber' as well. I just look at them and feel stuck. So, I just eat the side dishes when I go over to her place for dinner and drink a Protein shot on the way home.

You are doing great! Try to relax. Remember that the vast majority of people do not have any complications w/the band. It may seem like a lot of people do when you read this forum, but that's because people are more likely to seek out a forum like this when they are having a problem. Its actually very rare to have any complications w/the band, especially w/the newer larger bands and because it is common practice to sew the band in place now. Hang in there!

Pork is tricky. Its very much like red meat for me. Hard to know when its gonna go down well and when its not. If you do want to try pork again, I'd recommend roasting a whole pork tenderloin. Also, pork tends to be something people overcook because in our grandparents' day you could get really sick from undercooked pork. I forget what it was (trichonosis?). I'm sure I have that wrong. Anyway, I can't remember the temp you need to cook it to now, but its lower than it used to be. I recommend finding the lowest temp you can cook it to by searching online and then using a meat thermometer. I don't know if you've tried steak yet, but I recommend filet mignon. It costs more, but you're not eating much anyway.

Its certainly not just you. I have the same problem. I've found that if I reheat it slower (at 70% power instead of 100% power) in the microwave, then that helps. And, reheating until it is just warm (not piping hot) helps as well. But, sometimes it still won't work. Then, I'll make chicken salad out of chicken or salmon salad (like tuna salad, but w/leftover salmon) instead. Eating your leftover meats w/any sort of sauce also helps (BBQ sauce, salsa, salad dressing, mayo mixed w/hot chili sauce, etc.).

Slowly, but surely, I am learning, but boy is it hard. I am sitting here w/four bites of scrambled egg and half a strip of bacon left on my plate. Does anyone else find it amazing that your really just cannot have one more bite after that solid full feeling you get w/the band? Yesterday, I went to a kids' birthday party, didn't have any pizza because I knew it would overfill me and I wanted a little bit of cake. I got one cupcake. It was sooooo good, but I could not finish it. There was literally two tiny bites left and I had to put my napkin over it and throw it out. OK, the rest of my breakfast is going in the sink before I do something stupid!!! LOL

Oh, trust me, this has been a learning process. I have gone through the same as you. And, now I really try to put less than I think I can eat on my plate because then it is usually just right. It has taken me months to finally get it through my head that those last bites are not worth it (that if I just stop I won't have to PB or slime). And, leaving half a piece of bacon?!?! Well, I've NEVER done that before. Growing up, I remember we were allowed only a certain # of pieces of bacon (2 or 3) and it was never enough.

The last time I was this size was not that long ago. But, I have been an extreme yoyo dieter for a long time. The funny thing that strikes me when I look at the scale now is the last time I was this size, I was getting pregnant, TWICE! I started both my pregnancies at 206 pounds... weird coincidence. Good thing I am on birth control now. LOL

I think people put too much pressure on themselves to lose a lot right away. And, some doctors reinforce this too. My doctor put no pressure on me. I wasn't told I could only eat 1/4 cup or a small number of calories. I was told to eat 3 meals per day and not to spend more than 20 minutes eating. And, as my band was adjusted, the amount I could consume in 20 minutes naturally went down. And, if I snacked in between, my doctor did not scold me, but told me that was a sign that I needed another fill. I've never felt any pressure to lose fast. In fact, my doctor told me not to expect to lose ANYTHING the first month because the first month is just for healing. She also didn't have me on a lengthy regimen of liquids and mushies. I had four days of Clear Liquids and then straight to real foods. I also didn't have a pre-op diet. And, before you think she's a quack, she's a center of excellence and considered one of the best bariatric surgeon's in the country. Sooooo, anyway, this has been a really stress-free experience for me. I haven't had to be hungry. I haven't had any pressure to lose fast. I also explained to all my friends and family that it would take time (that lapband is different from RNY and there is an adjustment period). I think I am lucky, though. I think most people on here get a lot more pressure from their doctors, or they put it on themselves. Sometimes I also wonder if others on here have done as much dieting as I have in the past. When someone complains about ONLY losing 10 pounds in two weeks or something like that, it makes me wonder. Prior to the band, it took me 1.5 years on WW to lose what I have now lost in 6 months (about 46 pounds). So, I guess I am very easily pleased w/any weightloss w/the band since my weightloss on other programs has been so so slow and painfully hungry.

My port placement is fine, but I just wanted to reassure you that your port area will become less and less sensitive over the next few months as you heal. I was told by my surgeon that down the line, if I ever am having surgery in my abdominal region for any other reason (plastic surgery, gallbladder removal, etc.), she could coordinate w/the other surgeon and replace my port w/a lower profile port (assuming I had lost most of my weight by then). So, I would guess if it really proves to be a problem for you in the long term, that it could be moved at a later date. You might also find that when you lose a lot of weight, that you like wearing a lower rise type pant (where the waistband would be lower). Anyway, try not to worry too much for now. I know my port site was super sensitive for at least a couple months, but now it just feels like a part of me. A lumpy part of me, but not painful or sensitive at all. :->

I take Centrum Chewable for my multi-vitamin and Citracal Petites for my calcium citrate. I was taking the Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate chews, but I ran out and didn't have time to mail order them. So, the dietician said I could disolve the Citracal pills in my water. I did that once and then took a chance and decided to just swallow the pills. I was pleasantly surprised that I can take them even though the petites are still pretty large. I can feel them sitting in my pouch as they disolve, but it doesn't hurt at all. And, its much faster to take and cheaper than the chews.

After the first fill, my doctor recommends coming in every 2-6 weeks. I have had some fills closer together and some further apart (you can see the dates in my siggy). Now I think I'm at my sweet spot so even though I'm a month since my last fill, I'm not really even thinking about going in anytime soon. Even if your doctor says 2 months between fills, I'd give them a call. I figure it doesn't hurt to ask and I'm sure you will not be the first one to ask for a fill sooner. By the way, my doctor's criteria for determining if you need a fill is if you can be satisfied on three meals per day (no snacking) without being hungry in between. If you are hungry or snacking between meals, then you need a fill.

In the pre-op education class, they told us that you could expect around 60% excess weightloss w/the band if you don't exercise regularly. In their practice, every band patient who has achieved 100% excess weightloss exercises regularly (4+ times per week). Do you think they were trying to motivate us to exercise??? LOL I believe it, though. But, I also think other factors play in. I think we all have our cheats or rules we don't follow well from the beginning. Its what we decide to do when we plateau that will separate those who stop at 60% w/those who will go ALL THE WAY!

I never have trouble eating popcorn. It is kind of like salad... even though the volume seems big, it chews down to almost nothing. Have fun and enjoy your popcorn!

Wow, you are doing great!!! It does sound like you have good restriction even without a fill. It does happen occasionally that someone may never need a fill. There is one person in my support group who lost all their weight without ever needing a fill. Its rare, but it does happen. I would guess you doctor will not give you a fill (based on what you said here). But, as you lose more weight, you may lose some of the restriction you are feeling right now and need a fill later. For now, though, I'd say you don't need one and enjoy the restriction you already have. It is quite a learning process. I've found there is a certain 'art' to eating w/the band. Greek yogurt can make me feel stuck too if I take bites that are too big or eat it too quickly. Also, most people are tighter in the morning (cause we all tend to get a little dehydrated over night). The band is very sensitive to changes in our Water retention. The longer you have your band, the more you will learn how yours works for you and it will become more automatic (the size of your bites, how much you have to chew different foods, what food combos work, what foods to avoid, how foods effect you at different times of the day, etc.). Best of luck to you and congrats on your success so far!