LapBandit

I use my steering wheel as a measurement too! I'm kinda too far back in my seat now but I don't want to adjust it because I LOVE the feeling!!!Congrats and happy driving!!

You guys are AWESOME! I knew I could get some encouraging words from you all! I feel better now because you guys are right...there's lots of doctors out there so it's my job to visit one I feel comfortable with. Thanks for the support!

I felt the EXACT same way when I started...if I eat more than 1/2 cup or if I eat more than 500 calories a day then I'm not doing it right and I won't be successful. It made me feel ashamed that 1/2 cup didn't fill me up. I was in tears at my surgeon's office over it and he made me promise that I would only eat healthy stuff (no junk) and that I would eat until I was satisfied...not full. There's a subtle difference there that I'm still struggling with. So, my opinion is definately to increase your calories per day. My doc explained that it isn't realistic to eat 500 calories a day forever so you risk training your body to live off a very small amount of food per day...then eventually you will start slipping and eating more because you're starved (human nature) but unfortunately your metabolism will be used to the 500 a day and eating more than this will make you gain. Plus he said that your body will be nutritionally deprived at this level and it will essentially hold on to the fat as a self-defense against the lack of food. Some people will disagree...but my experience is that I've gotten better results maintaining a level of food intake that I can reasonably expect to keep for the rest of my life (around 1200/day). I hope that helps and PLEASE don't feel like you're messing up. You're trying and that's most important. I just would hate to see you starving yourself when in my opinion it is hurting you, not helping. I wish you lots of luck and everyone on these boards will always have good advice to offer to help you find your way as you start out!

Yikes. That is terrible. I'm sorry you're having all this trouble. I hope it works out for you soon.

Wow, interesting. I'd love to know what's different about it. Not that I can do anything about it if it turns out to be better than what I already got! Hmmm...will bands start coming out with model years like cars?? "What do you have?" "I've got an '06 with 500 treadmill miles!!"

Wow, that's scary. I haven't heard before that you could spit up blood from a tight fill! I would've FREAKED. See, this is what's good about this board...you learn something new every day! (If I spit up blood I'll still call somebody of course but at least now I wouldn't call 911 in a panic!!) Thanks for sharing and I hope things get better for you!

I am soooo sorry. I was just treated bady by a doctor today too so I feel your pain. I thought doctors took an oath to "do no harm". Although my situation doesn't compare at all to yours, I still understand. I'm proud of you for taking charge of the situation. You deserve to get the best care, we all do. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to work a little too hard to get that care. UGH!

OMG...I've been experiencing similar issues. I haven't progressed into actually feeling like throwing up but with this last heat wave I definately have been "aware" of my band. My stomach feels a little upset and I notice that my restriction is all over the place. One hour I feel really tight and the next I'm starving. I was wondering the same thing...if the temperature could really affect our bands like this?!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 - 29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/298/150 - 60 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308/298 - 94 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/231/150 - 42 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/259/150 - 51 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117 op.day/106.6/69 - 18.4 kgs/40.4 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/235/170 - 35 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/246/165 - 43 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/208/145 - 56 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/260.2/145 - 22.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/278/145 - 55 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/182/135 - 42 total

Hi and welcome! I am worried about you! Did someone tell you to eat this little? I really feel like you are not consuming enough calories per day. I started out trying to stay around 500 calories a day and my doctor set me straight. Now I average around 1200 calories a day and I am losing more weight than when I was eating 500 calories a day, honestly. Plus, I am in much better spirits. You didn't mention if you are eating this little because you feel too tight or if it's just because you think that's what you should do...but even if you're too tight then please try to get in some more calories with protein shakes then talk with your doctor. Please let us know how you're doing!

Thanks everyone for the nice compliments! I was pretty happy about getting back into Twoterville and I needed to share! It's a great feeling to actually have a new lifestyle (and not just some fad diet) helping me accomplish what I've failed at for so long. I'm really happy that I have my band. I still feel like I'm working pretty hard but knowing that this "thing" is inside me for a purpose and it keeps me on track. You guys are awesome and I'm proud of all of us!

Holy shmoly!! 97cc's???? What is that like 9.7 completely full bands worth???!!!! Ha Ha. WOW! I bet you did lose a pound! It sounds like you're feeling better now so that's good news. Thanks for the update!

Yep, I agree...talk with your surgeon about weight restrictions. My surgeon said a week then I was free to go about my normal routine. As far as going back to work/school...I could've gone back after about 4 days but luckily I had surgery over my vacation so I had a full week and didn't have any problems.

I'm an April bandit and I recently made a small victory that I'd like to share...I'm back into Twoterville!

So cool...we're getting there everyone! Good job and congratulations! Next stop...250!

Congratulations! I just made it there myself and it feels great! My mission would be 250 by Thanksgiving/Christmas too! What a great holiday gift to ourselves, huh?! Good luck on your journey!

I've not experienced that feeling. Have you talked to your doctor about it? Stress can make strange stuff happen to you but I'd probably call to make sure. Good luck!

Wow, I'm sorry you're gong through this. I'm glad you got it checked out and atleast they know what it is and have a plan to fix it. Good luck!

Count me in! I've been checking each morning. One one hand it helps keep me on track but on the other hand it keeps me obsessed. I think I'm going to force myself to go back to once a week for awhile. I spent years not looking at a scale and now it's sitting out in my bathroom like a piece of furniture!

I'm here!! I've been wondering what happened to the team too! So, how's it going for you? I'm proud of you for giving up the scale for awhile. It is the hardest habit to break! My doc made me promise I wouldn't check and I didn't for the longest time, but now I can't stop checking each morning and it's driving me crazy. I think I need some of your willpower!!

I agree with everyone. Getting a fill causes swelling and irritation so that's why you should go to liquids for at least a day following a fill. Your body needs time to adjust. If liquids go down OK for the first 24hrs then I move onto mushies for at least the first meal or two and if that seems to be OK then I'm pretty much back to normal eating again. You gotta take it slow following a fill until you have a chance to heal and to see how tight you are.

Perhaps your calorie intake is too low? I don't go below 1200/day. I'm not preaching but I think trying to get some sort of exercise going may spark a boost in metabolism. That's what I'd try...eat a little more and exercise more, even if it's just walking around the block.

My PCP didn't have to do anything to my knowledge. She knew about it because I told her I wanted to work with a Bariatric Center but I haven't even seen her since February.

I never thought I would have restriction but it took a nice fill and it came! It is really hard at the beginning until you get to a good fill level so you just have to hang in there and do your best.

Congrats and good luck! I'm happy things are working out for you.