als74

Oh SunnyRachel- you are so big hearted. Didn't we already talk about not getting into these messy threads, and not to take anything personal? I miss you buy the way. Mail me.

This may sound weird, but I PB when I don't eat enough solids throughout the day. Like let's say I sleep in and don't eat first until noonish. Let's say I have a Protein shakes or or soft solid. By 4 pm I am still having a hard time with solids- and so on. However, if I start earlier with soft solid (oatmeal, Fiber one bar, Cereal, etc) I am great to eat and not pb throughout the day. My band likes to be streatched out throughout the day. The down side, by pm, I can eat almost anything, and overeat at night. The plus side, I know this now, so I eat just the right amount of solids to keep my band tight enough at night were I will get pain off the wrong foods. What a wackey new life I have...

Another thing, we just had venison in crock pot, and I put in the carrorts and red skin potatoes (which are an ok starch) and ate meat, carrots, and a couple bites of potatoes. I just eat more meat than anything else. Don't be afraid to put those things in. The nutrients go into the meat, and you get the good stuff without eating the bad stuff!!!:tongue_smilie:

Thanks for the weight loss praise. Whenever I get discouraged, I look at the weight loss of others who were banded the same time as me as realize I am doing quite well. It sounds like you just need a change, cause what you are eating sounds great and right on track. I used to drink more Protein shakes, but I realized solids burned more calories to digest, and now I only use Protein shakes in am if needed or when band is tight (sometimes it is tight for NO reason, and I PB all day- lol). How does chicken work out for you? Sorry- but it seems you and some of the others replying here are kind of in the same place, and I am always looking for new stuff to consider. I dont' do chicken well anymore. Another weird thing. They told me that dry meats would give me trouble, and to use stuff to make it slippery (gravy, sauces, etc). But for me and meat, dryer is better (except chicken). Beef jerkey goes down no matter what won't stay down! I produce lots of saliva when I eat now, and when it is slippery, it tries to go through to fast and causes PB and dilation and pain!!! Does anyone else experience this?

Hi there Discouraged. I could tell you not to be, but that would be pointless, being that I myself get discouraged quite frequently. First, let us focus on the positive. Your whole life you have struggled with your weight going up. Is that still happening? NO! How many years did it take you to get where you were? It might take just as long to get it back off- so be patient. I have hit many plateaus, and the only way I got over them was with time and change. You body is going to fight the loss- you must accept this. Plateau's are your body's natual defence against this. (I hate saying this because I hate hearing it as well). Next, I suggest counting your calories- just for a week or so. You may not be getting the 1200 you body needs. When I eat less than 1200, I stop loosing. When I eat the 1200, but with fatty Proteins, I stop loosing. (sometimes I go overboard on Peanut Butter, nuts, and other fatty proteins that stop my weightloss). Your Beans are starchy proteins and carbs, with lots of fat. Try leaner meats, eat more fish, at least 4 times a week, and seafood, and if you can get it, venison. My band loves it and it is one of the leanest meats you can eat. Veggies are great, but don't really provide you with good calories. I realized this because the dressing just adds fat, not matter how much I enjoy salad. Eat greens instead (spinach, etc), tomatoes, fruits (I am eating muskmelon now, which goes down well, and strawberries) as a snack. I am a cheese lover, but whenever I encorporate cheese into my daily diet, I stop loosing. I can only have cheese about once or twice a week. However, low fat cottage chesse keeps me loosing for some reason. When I use too much salt, I stop loosing too. (I have been paying very close attention to what I eat and what it does to me). When I am stressed I stop loosing. When I am on my period I gain, no matter what I eat. The BC Pill has significantly slowed my weight loss, but I need that, so I just have to take my lumps I guess. I hope you take something away from this. I love you all so much for trying, and want you to feel good about what you are doing and going through. You need to experiment and listen to your body and your band, not your head. Everyone's body is different. Let me know if any of this helped.

I want to encourage you all to keep working hard. This is a very frustrating stage when everything slows down, and fills get more complicated. I know I am having a rough time with the sweet spot, but I think I have found it. Thought I might have to go in for an unfill, but then realized I wasn't eating right. I am down to 222-221, going back and forth. I have just stepped up my exercise routine to include yoga. Big difference, and got me over the 225 hump I was stuck on. Started Adipex also, which really helps. One actaully lasts me two days! I don't really need it for the appetite supressant, just the energy boost, but is is great! Remember, even if you stop loosing weight, think about the constant gain you have had your whole life. If you are no longer going in the up direction, your band has been worth it!

I figured out what was wrong with me, and hope this helps others as well. I have to eat all day for my band to relax. I was in the habit of eating later and later, and expecting to start off lunch with salads and solids. That is not my body. I need to start off early with soft foods and gradually introduce solids to my band EVERY DAY. My body does not like chicken anymore, and I need to just give in to this. It loves dry meats. Jerkey, venison, pork chops etc. My body salivates a lot, cause solids to want to slide through before being digested properly, cause pain and regurgitation. When I eat all day, I get hungry and overeat sometimes, which I know is a catch 22 for me, so I just got some Adepix to help control my appitite when I know I might be prone to eating more on a certain day (going to an event with food, etc.) I am not going to call my doc at this point, because when I eat like I am supposed to, I don't have problems. I need to each more soft foods on stressful days and around my period. Lots of things contibute to puking, and I am in control of it. My band is just right right now. I need to listen to it instead of my head. I now am eating for my band, which is tempermental, instead of eating for me. The plus side, my band likes fruit and salads (later in the day) which is healthy. Loves fish and seafood, and lean meats. Does not like the fatty ones. Hates hamburger. Likes some starches like red skin potatoes and yams (unfortunately also likes chips). Likes Peanut Butter, and I LOVE trail mix (later in the day). Trail mix could be my downfall... thanks for all your help and support. I hope this post helps someones else in this situation.

Hi everyone. I had a question about band fluid. When I went in for my first fill, they said there was 3cc in the band, and they added 1, taking me to 4cc. At my next fill they added another 1cc, taking me to 5cc. At my third fill, she said she found 6cc in the band, and I asked for .5cc. After a week of pain and not eating, I got real sick, and had to go in for a partial unfill, where she found 8cc. WTF? Hopefully someone with experience or a nurse or something can tell me what is going on. They took out 1.5cc and now I have NO RESTRICTION and am starving all day long. I tried not to change my eating habits, but I didn't realize how much more control I had when I had restriction. I wake up hungry, and go to bed hungry, even still eating protein and drinking shakes in between. They also told me I have to wait 4 weeks to get another fill. Do you think if I demand a fill, they will give it to me? HELP!!!

I was too tight at my last fill (lost 10 lbs in 10 days...)and had to get an unfill. They found more fluid then should have been in there, and took out too much. Now I have NO RESTRICTION and have gained back two pounds. Still setting at 228. My goal is 8 lbs, though I can't get a fill till the end of the month, and I am starving, so I don't see how I am going to achieve ANY weight loss at this point. Sorry to be a poo poo. Just pissed.

Hi Everyone! I got a fill last Friday because although my restriction was good in the am, by night I was eating way to much and not feeling satisfied. I went in for 1/2cc fill. She told me when she was done that my band was documented as have 5 cc in it, but she found 6, so now I have 6 1/2 in a 10cc band. Well, it as been a week, and I am still not able to keep down solids. Right now I am drinking Protein shake, and it is so tight, it burns. What is going on? What happens if I call the center andtell them this? Will they take it all out? I don't want that. I would rather have pain and throw up!!! If I wait it out, will it get better? Can't they just take out the 1/2 cc they put in? Honestly, I think SHE put in too much. Please advise me!!!

Were you this unhappy before you fill? I am having trouble with my last fill (hit and miss on what goes down and the pain it causes), but I am opposite you. I am on a power trip. The pain makes me not hungry or want to eat. I know that is horrible, and I will start suffering soon, but I am going for a slight unfil. You should go back and have them take out a little bit of what they put in. Once you found your sweet spot, things should get better. Congrats on the 60. Doesn't that make you feel good?

Thank you so much for the reassurance. Ironically last night, I asked my hubby to bring me home some beef jerkey, just to try it. I went down with NO PAIN. I could also eat chips with no pain. I seems to be slimey stuff that is getting me. What is up with that? I am still going to go in and have them take out a little of what was put in. I think it is hard to judge, because I think some stays in the tube, and some are better about pushing all that Fluid into the band. I wouldn't go in if I didn't have such bad heartbun, but I don't want to hurt the band. You are all wonderful! Thanks again.

Glad I went in yesterday! Asked for 1/2 cc fill and lost 3 lbs from yesterday to today. YEAH! It might be short lived, due to being on fluids for 24 hours, but I take what I can get!

Not much loss for me. I gained a pound the first week, then lost 2, but these have been the same couple pound for the last month. I am going in for a check today. I don't want a fill because I am already too tight in the am. But by dinner, I am a hungry bottomless pit! I consume about 300 up until dinner time, then about 1000! It can't be good to get all your energy right before bed... Hopefully they can help today. Keep up the good work everyone!

I feel like I am off the wagon. I have been eating way too much. And I am getting hungry too often. I tried to fix it yesterday. I had a shake for breakfast and salad with chicken for lunch (with a big pack of reg ranch dressing:thumbdown:) and a shake for snack. I was so hungry when I got home I had two pieces of pizza and 4(very small) breadsticks, all dipped in more ranch dressing!!! Granted, it took me about 3-4 hours to eat it, and I went to be stuffed. Please be honest, I need tough love. Give it to me!!

Yes, my willpower is definatly out to lunch so to speak. I probably need a fill, but I can only eat poorly at the end of the day. I still have trouble eating solids for breakfast. I hate to make it worse...I wish my band were looser in the morning and tighter at night. I am busy all day, then get home (am still busy) but thinking about food at night. I fight it with low cal food, but seem to eat more of it. Sigh. I know this is me. I have to take it easy today because I am going out to dinner and then chapperoning (sp?) our school prom, then drinks afterwards. I can't usually have more than 2 glasses of wine, so I am ok there. Just have to watch what I eat at dinner... Thanks again- sorry for the ramble...

I was wondering about the weeks on the chart. Like, today is the fist weekday in May, and there are 5 Sat in May. How do I break that down into four weeks? I was going to try adding a week to May, but don't know how. Could you edit that Pete?

Down to 236. That is 2 lbs in over two weeks. I am very upset. I am not eating right and need to get back on track.

I haven't posted in a few weeks with vaccation and everything, but for some strange and great reason I am still losing, despite Easter candy (which I was VERY good about but still indulged...). At the end of March I was sitting at 245 and am now down to 238. Ah- it has been a while since I was in the 30's. Still can't fit into 18's, but I KNOW I will get there by summer. Confession- I tried to eat some of a Big Mac. After three very well chewed bites, the pain was incredible, and up came all that slimey burger. God bless my band. I have read some of what other people eat- and can not fathom even being able to do it. I ate sandwiches at my mothers in Florida, and had trouble every time (although it helped it was rye bread). Sorry if this seems like bragging, but I have only had two fills and feel so good about what this band has done to my body. There are times I can eat more than I should, but it always gets balanced at some point. Also, for anyone who wants to update their own info, if you cut and paste my How Low Can You Go Challenge by my signature into your own signature, you can access it and update it yourself when ever you what. I took mine from Pete. Keep up the hard work everyone!!!!

Hi there, I don't know about where you all live, but here in Michigan we have a lot of deer. We have been eating Venison for the last 6 years, all hunted, natural and corn fed (reg grown corn- nothing added). The meat is VERY lean (I don't even have to drain the hamburger) and it tastes pretty good. I usually add some beef flavor to the burger, but the tenderloins are fantastic. I am interested in beefalo, but it is farmed- so probably has additives. But if you know someone who hunts, you could get them a permit and pay for the processing, which is still way cheaper then buying beef.