Under200

This is new territory for me! I was banded last May, and I've lost 43 pounds. I'm very happy, but experiencing some pain.....so I turned to the internet. I haven't blogged about my experience to date, so this is something different. I'm trying to figure out why I'm in so much pain lately...about 4 days now. Can hardly eat anything.....just a few bites puts me in terrible pain...I'm wondering about a possible blockage?

I've read all your responses, and I agree with all the folks telling you this is totally NORMAL! I had the same experience and I was totally freaked out too....it actually took me a couple fills and a little unfill to get to just the right place. I didn't lose weight well until that point either. Regarding the "judgemental" posts out there....ridiculous. If we all had will power, we wouldn't have needed to do this to begin with! The band forces a change in the way you eat until (after months) you finally start relaxing and feeling okay with it. You will actually have to train yourself to understand your body will survive with the small amounts you'll be eating. I literally remember trying to force food down because I thought I needed it. It's an evolutionary process....but have no fear, you won't be able to eat like that for long! And when you hit that place, beware.....it is depressing at first, but that is a whole nother thread!

I totally went through these same feelings...I was very depressed, but I have made it through, and all for the better. For me, the depression came because my love affair with food was over. This is a time for grieving for you. Go with it....think a lot about it, because that will help you get to the answers about why food always won before. I swear, you will be better, but it took MONTHS for me. I'm 7 months post-op, and I'm so glad I had this done way before the holidays. I deal so much better with the reduced capacity now.... I eat just about anything I want, but it's more like "tasting." For the longest time, I would fill a plate that there was no way in hell I could finish, but man I would try like crazy! Now I don't have that overwhelming desire to FEED myself like I did before. It's really hard to explain, but you'll get there. Best of luck!

I have never heard no caffeine. I drink coffee everyday, and that ain't gonna change!

strange....soda doesn't seem to bother me too much, but Champagned is absolutely terrible! Very painful! Didn't know about the slippage thing with carbonation.....always heard, just don't do it. Nice to know why. What about alcohol? Is anyone drinking alcohol out there? Problems, or doctors advice against it? Just curious!

My experience with fills....I've had 3 is that there seems to be a basic patter the docs follow, but everyone is different. You don't get your first fill until 4-5 weeks post op, and there are two different types of fills, "static" or "non-static". I might have the terms backwards, but one type the doctor takes a WAG (wild ass guess) at how much to put it and just does it....the other, he had me drink liquid as he was filling to see what would be a good amount (this was what he did on my first fill). The whole fill process is weird anyway if you've never done it. Big long needle right into your port...doesn't hurt, but looks like science fiction!

yes, I know what you are saying....when everything is "working", it feels great to be losing and "in the zone." It's just trying to find and keep that balance because the whole darn thing seems so tempermental!

I agree with some of the other posts about maybe eating too fast or not chewing enough. It is strange that you are experiencing these things without any fills yet. Talk to your doc. BTW....what is pb? is that some reference to throwing up I'm not familiar....

I don't have any problems with milk.....I really like Achieve One for protien. I put a Mocha or Hazlenut flavored one in the blender with a splash of sugar free French Vanilla creamer and 5 ice cubes...it's like a frapaccino. I have one of those every morning.

I'm 7 months post-op and have started experiencing severe pain.....its has been there constant the last few days, and gets worse if I try to eat ANYTHING! I was thinking blockage, but maybe it's gas? I just don't know.

Good for you, Alpine! I was glad to see your post....I had my surgery about 3 weeks after you and I was discouraged at first with very slow weight loss. Around September, everything started to kick in and I've been losing about a pound a week consistently. I'm down 43 pounds now.....by your post it looks like that is right where I should be. Although everyone is different, I guess.