marfar7

Actually, I'm going to say the opposite of everyone else! When I decided to get the band, I also decided that I'd never be on another diet again. Counting stuff was so against my decision to get banded. For the first 4 mths, I felt no change and ate just like I had previously. After my 3rd fill, however, I started feeling really satiated on a few bites of food. YEAH! Finally it worked! During the active losing phase, I lost about 6-8 lbs a month, eating anything I wanted to, just in really small portions (example: Taco Bell - 1/2 of a bean burrito is all I could eat, Olive Garden - 1/4 of an entree, 1/4 bowl Soup, no breadstick). I figured counting anything (calories, fat grams, WW points) would negate my decision to get the band in the first place. I know alot of people will argue with my concept, but it worked for me. Until....my band slipped about a year ago. Don't ignore frequent vomiting. After unfills/fills/tweaks to my band, I have so-so restriction, but not like it used to be. So after gaining 20 lbs in the past year, I've succombed to the DIET. I figure it'll give me a boost in my loss and maybe teach me healhtier eating practices. I've prided myself on never dieting, eating what I wanted and still losing over 100 lbs. Now I'm among the ranks of the dieters. I started Atkins Induction on Feb 1st and have lost 8 lbs! The first 3-4 days I was really cranky, going off of carbs. But now I find that at least what I'm craving (pineapple and grapes) is healthier than candy and cookies! I wou;d've killed someone for a cookie! Point is, there will eventually come a time when you get proper restriction (no clue how many fills you've had so far) and the band will start working for you. Counting stuff is up to you. You'll probably be healthier in the long run if you count calories, WW points, etc - but that would've driven me crazy! You're band will eventually tell you when you've had enough (and you'll be amazed at how little that is!) and if you push it past that point - run for the bathroom. But I'm warning you now - DON'T DO THE FREQUENT VOMITING. Learn to listen to your band, chew thouroughly, eat very slowly, and never drink with your meals. You won't have stuck issues and you won't have the vomiting issue, like I had. Good luck in your endeavor! Marci

Before worying about what you eat, I'd be calling my dr to find out what's going on. Last year I sufferred from severe reflux at night and heartburn during the day. I ignored it for months, popping pills and sleeping propped up on 3 pillows. I finally went to my dr (I was so afraid he would unfill me) and found out my band had slipped. He did unfill me. Just for 4 weeks. Then slowly filled me back up. While I still have the minor slip, I no longer have the symptoms I had. Heartburn is not a healthy sign. If it's transient, and a Tums works,I wouldn't worry about it too much, but constant heatburn, or nightime reflux,I would definitely see my dr. Btw, I now take RX Prilosec, OTC Zantac, and Tums as needed. I really don't need many Tums anymore. Good luck! Oh, and stay away from red wine, chocolate, fried foods, and pineapple (all makes heatburn worse) Marci

Yep!!! Absolutely!!!

I majored in nutrition in college (about 5 classes short of my BS tho). I remember learning that whatever your body can't process, you end up peeing out. So all those body builders who load up on more Protein are litterallyputting it down the toilet! Marci

Most of you know my story. I've been banded for a little over 3 yrs and did well (losing 104 lbs, 9 lbs from my goal of 135). Then my band slipped last year (please everyone don't ignore frequent vomiting) and since I have no more symptoms (severe reflux) after my dr took a little Fluid out, he's leaving it alone. I don't have the great restriction I used to have, but it's at least decent. I've gained 20 lbs since getting married Dec 2011. My husband has also gained 25 lbs. He had great success with Atkins, losing 80 lbs prior to meeting me 2 yrs ago. He always eats low carb and I NEVER do. Luv my carbs. Way too much for my dr's liking (I always get a lecture about my eating). I decided to research Atkins and maybe give it a try. After researching it, I came to the conclusion that it's healthy for short term use. I would never live in Atkins the rest of my life, but if it'll give me the boost I need and the motivation I need to start me down the losing again, I'm all up for it. So 9 days ago, I did my grocery shopping. I've never bought so much meat, cheese, eggs, and veggies in my life. Not 1 item of junk in my cart. I've been eating very healthy for the past 9 days (thank God for Atkins bars as when I have a sweet tooth, they hit it just right!), not eating over 20 gm of carbs and working out 4x a week. As of this morning, I've now lost 8 lbs! In a week! I'm hoping that when I'm done with the first 2 weeks and I start adding carbs back in slowly, that I won't gain it all back. The first 3 days I was really cranky - I would've killed someone for a cookie. Now most of my cravings are gone (except my nightly pineapple is truly missed) and I'm motivated to lose the 20 I gained + the extra 9 I need! Yeah! And another plus: My husband lost 11 lbs! Why do men lose so much faster? Not fair! And it's nice that we're doing this together. Oh, and a shout out to the Jello corporation: YEAH FOR sugar free JELLO! You've been my very best friend! No carbs and very little calories! Marci

Absolutely need to get them out of your house! Whether you sell them, donate them, or send them to someone on Lapbandtalk (like I did) - get them out! Although I wish I had saved just 1 pair of my size 22 jeans - just to compare my size 8's to them! I didn't keep 1 thing. I recently gained a few lbs and had to go to the Goodwill for size 10 jeans (most of my clothes still fit, just a few pairs of jeans don't). For a second I thought about all those clothes I had given away and rethought it. It wou;'ve given my the permission to gain all that weight back. This way, I really can't afford to buy all new BIGGER clothes, so I had better stay in the ones I have! Good luck to you! There's a clothing exchange board on Lapbandtalk if you'd like to either exchange them, try to sell them, or just give them away! Try there... Marci

Please don't let my weight gain of 20 lbs scare you. I was irresponsible and continued vomiting wthout talking to my dr until my band slipped last year. And when he took my fill out is when I gained. So it had nothing to do with my band and what it can do for you. It was all on me. I'm working right now with a barely slipped band (he said as long as I have no more symptoms - severe reflux - that I'll be ok the way it is). I have enuf restriction to do what I need to do, but not as much as before so I really have to watch it. I've recently started the Atkins Induction (and I've always been against Atkins, against diets in general) and lost 8 of those lbs so far! So please don't let my post scare you. The band DOES work and it WILL work for you (if you follow the rules). Good luck! Marci

I was single when banded (3 yrs ago). I had been widowed about 2 yrs when I got banded. I started dating again about a yr after getting banded (I had lost about 75 lbs at that point). Most of my dates were just a cup of coffee so the topic never came up. Several tho were meals (like my now-husband) and I openly told every single one of my dates about my band. Never have I heard one bad thing about it. They were mostly curious and happy that I was taking care of myself. In fact, my now-husband (of 14 mths now, thank you very much!) and I met for coffee at 2 am (we happened to be on the computer talking and he wanted to meet right then) and I told him over coffee. He had recently lost 80 lbs also (using Atkins) so we had something in common - the desire to get healthier! It's up to you whether you want to tell dates about your band, but I'm just saying that I think most people are very open to it. But then again, I'm very open to everyone about my band. I'll tell anyone who'll listen how it saved my life! Good luck in the dating world! It's tough out there! Marci

I occasionally drink a margarita, 3 yrs after. I've had my fair share of glasses of wine also (the first 1 after surgery - maybe 2-3 mths - I was tipsy on about 5 sips!). Even partaken in the carbonated beer. I'm really watching it right now, however - on the Atkins plan. NO ALCOHOL is allowed (lowers your food eating inhibitions). I promised myself NO MORE DIETS after getting banded, but after a 20 lbs gain, I ahd to do something! Everything in moderation... Marci

Don't remember where I saw it recently but I heard that sweet Cereal has its place in life - exactly what ur here for. Usually I don't eat cereal (hubby is a low carber so I don't usually even buy it) but I've recently begun eating a sweetened cereal when I get a massive sweet tooth. I can have 1\2 cup of Honeynut Cheerios, feel like I splurged, and don't harm my weight at all. Marci

I always chug Water while working out. But the above poster was right, if it's ice cold, I can definately feel it in my chest. But I hate room temp water! So I do use a straw (gasp! A beginners rule is straws are a no-no) to gauge how fast the water goes in. You can't chug it quite as fast with a straw. I'm almost 3 1/2 yrs out and have never had a problem with straws, btw. You live and learn! Marci

Occasionally my port site feels "bruised", similar to after a fill (when it's definately bruised!), but I've never noticed pain while exercising. I'd ask my dr if it doesn't subside. A painful port isn't normal. And I do crunches 4x a week and you'd think if anything produced port pain, crunches would! Good luck! Marci

Wow. I've never heard of a dr filling a band 1/2 way during surgery. How big is your band? Just curious. Marci

Ladies, I don't know about you guys but getting a new doc is not that easy. I have no problems with my doc except thatit's a 6 hr round trip journey to see him. So I checked out the local bariatric clinic (which I went to 2 yrs ago for an emergency unfill) (they couldn't originally do my surgery because with Medicare you have to go to a Center of Excellence and it's not) and they want $1,000 just to get my medical records and take me on as a new patient + $300 for every visit thereafter. I don't know about anyone else, but $300 +$1,000 is a chunk of change for me. It's worth it to travel 6 hrs round trip and pay my dr $160 per visit (Medicare only covered fills for 1 yr). This is absolutely not to deter you from finding another dr if needed, just to inform you of the costs involved in changing dr's at this point. Other clinics may have cheaper prices than your own dr or your insurance may pay for you to switch. Just information for you. Oh, and even when I was the tightest (before my slip 10 mths ago) I could still get down everything (including bread, Pasta, and rice). There is almost nothing I can't tolerate (except pizza crust and pineapple chunks). I did my fair share of vomiting, however (thus the slip!) for over 2 yrs and IT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO CONTINUE ON NOT KEEPING DOWN FOODS. I promise you, you will eventually pay the price. My vomiting wasn't caused by my intolerance to some foods, it was caused by my own resklessness (eating too fast, much, much too fast), but now my band will never be the same. It still works (somewhat, not as good as it used to) and I regret not learning from my frequent vomiting episodes (about 5-10x a week). Thought I was managing my weight by vomiting. I know, I know, that's bulimic thinking. Absolutely not like that anymore. Very rarely vomit anymore (only when I've scarfed something down because I've missed a meal and I'm ravenous). You definately need to be listened to, whether it be by your dr or a new one. I just wanted to let you know what it sometimes entails to find a new one. Good luck! Marci

I've had my band for almost 3 1/2 yrs. Altho I'm having problem with mine currently (it's slipped), I never want it taken out. May have to have revision surgery tho. This time I'm going to ask about the plication being added to it so it doesn't slip again. I don't think it was available when I had mine put in. I always wonder just how "permanent" the band is also, since the longest a person can have it now is like 12 yrs (thats when they started being routinely done). Good luck in your research! Marci

I know, I know. I'm always saying that te reason why I got the band was so that I would never have to diet again. Well, I am. Starting Atkins on the 1st. And I've been against this diet for years. But after much researching and coaxing by my low-carb husband, I've decided to give it a go - for the 2 week induction at least. We'll re-evaluate then. Here's the thing: I've had my band for 3 yrs and successfully lost 104 lbs with it. Then my band slipped. After unfills/fills/adjustments later, my dr has come to the conclusion that since I'm no longer having symptoms (severe reflux) he's gunna leave it alone. Problem is, I eat like a truckdriver at nite (no offense to any truckdrivers out there). I've paked on 20 lbs in the past year. I can't afford to get a new dr (here in Southern OR, I drive 6 hrs round trip and pay $160 for every visit to MY dr. To get one in town would cost $1,000 to take m on as a new pt and then $300 each visit) and my dr (unless I downright argue with him) thinks he's doing the right thing by leaving it alone. I guess it's not gunna hurt me, I just wish I had a band that worked like it used to. My husband is always getting on me about my carb eating. That he's surprised that I "only" weight 164 - and not 200. It's just that I can only take maybe 6 bites of meat (whether it's dry or moist) at a time before I'm stuffed. I can pile potatoes in all day long. I know that's the whole reason why I got the lapband, so that healthy foods will fill me up, I just don't eat just healthy foods. I lost 104 lbs eating whatever I wanted to, just in really small portions (my friends are amazed on how little I eat). I still eat Carls Jr, Taco Bell, Quiznos, and Red Robin. 1 burger is about 4 meals for me. Anyway, he talked me into trying Atkins for at least 2 weeks. I'm so scared I'm gunna starve! Or be eating every 2 hrs (since I can only eat a few bites of meat at a time, and that and veggies r the only thing I'm allowed. Can't even believe fruit isn't allowed!). The whole concept of "eating as much meat and veggies as you want" is lost on a lapband patient. Just checking to see if anyone has tried Atkins after their band and if it's worked for them. Hopefully, I'll lose some weight and lose my craving for junk food. I'd like to live on a lower carb diet (just not as strict as Atkins) and continue to lose weight. I have the 20 I gained + an additional 9 lbs to my goal of 135. I do work out 4-5 days a week (I walk/run for 45 minutes and do weight training about 20-25 minutes). Sorry I wrote another novel. It's actually how I talk also...lol! At least thats what my husband tells me! Marci

One thing I can add: Be patient. After my lapband, I could eat everything I wanted to and I did - for the first 4-5 mths. I had 2 fills and felt nothing different. 4 months after having surgery, I thought I had failed yet another diet. Until my 3rd fill. I think for most of us it takes 2-5 fills to get tot eh Green Zone. My 3rd fill was magic for me. I started eating toddlers portions. In fact, over 3 yrs later, unfills/fills - I can still eat only a toddlers portion. Please avoid vomiting also. It's what caused my band to slip about 9 mths ago. I do have occasional sips of my hubbys soda (maybe 4 sips a week) - I could never drink a whole soda. And I can't drink while I'm eating so soda doesn't have the same appeal to me anymore. Be patient. Get a couple more fills under your belt before you decide that the band isn't for you. I thought I was immune to every kind of weight loss thing out there, but apparently, the band works for me! Now, if I could get off the last 20-some lbs to get to goal (doing so with a slipped band, of course!) Good luck! Marci

3 days? Wow, that seems like a long time. My dr recommends 24 hrs on liquids. Enjoy your fill! Marci

You're still in the healing phase, not the weightloss phase, so don't worry too much. You should still be on liquids, however, so the greasy food is really a no-go. I was on full liquids for 4 weeks. At 3 weeks, I cheated and started mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. I could have bought stock in KFC for the potatoes! The first 4 mths I ate exactly the same as I had previously. I could still eat a large Quiznos sandwich and a bowl of broccoli cheese Soup. Until my 3rd fill. Thats when the magic happened. I started eating a toddlers portion. I could eat about 1/3 of a Quiznos SMALL sandwich and a few bites of soup. Now I'm at 3 yrs and have lost about 100 lbs. But in the beginning, I thought I had made a huge mistake and thought I had failed yet another diet. You're just a baby in this journey. You're going to have fills/unfills, eat MUCH, MUCH less and LOSE WEIGHT. I promise you, if you stick with it and have patience, you will have success. The people that don't have success either give up too soon or don't follow any of the rules. Good luck! Marci

Wow! Missy, you're doing such a great job! Before coming to this site in 2009, I would've told you it was impossible to healthfully lose 175 lbs in a year. But you're living proof that it CAN be done! Congrats to you! May this New Year being you to your goal! Marci

I had no clue about the Red Lion Inn. I also see Dr Tersigni and usually stay at the Best Western (about $80). So the Red Lion is a better deal. The last few times I've gone, I just drive there and back (I live in Medford, about 3 hrs away) instead of staying the night. It costs $160 each time I visit (Medicare only paid for a year of fills/unfills) + the gas, so I usually can't afford a hotel on top of that. It's nice to know about the Red Lion tho. Thanks for the info! Marci

Personally, I eat out often also. I can still eat anything I want just MUCH less of it. I thought in the beginning (about 3 yrs ago) that whoever I was with would notice how little I was eating, but no one ever said anything about it (cept my sister who still finds it hard to believe that I can eat about 5 bites of a sandwich). I started dating about a year after surgery (I was down about 60 lbs by then) and not one guy ever asked me why I wasn't eating very much. I think we think that whatever we're doing is so important to everyone else, when it really isn't! LOL. I don't think anyone will even notice if you eat very little of your meal. Now, what you should eat at a restaurant? I'm not a big fan of Indian food, but I would think anything on the menu would be fine as long as you eat it very slowly and ALWAYS take home a box. Every single time I go out to eat, it's like 2-4 meals. I still eat bread, Pasta, rice, and sweets. Just very little of them. Some people can't tolerate these things. You have to experiment yourself to see how you tolerate certain things. Proceed slowly. Your band is now the boss and will tell you if what you're eating is wrong for you and how much you should eat. Good luck! Marci

My husband complains about that every single day! When I met him 2 yrs ago, I was about 75 lbs down and living by myself. I bought mostly ready to prepare meals, but I also made a homemade dinner about twice a week. He cleaned out my frig (about a month after we started dating, nice huh?) and threw away enuf food to feed an Ethiopian orphanage for a month! Now, 3 yrs later, I notice that my food bill went down even with shopping for 2 now instead of just 1! Now my meals out are 2-3 meals instead of just one. Occasionally things still go to waste, but not as much as when I was single. And my fast food budget has definitely improved (used to hit the drive-thrus about 5x a week preband, about 3x a week post band and less than once a week now that I'm no longer single.) My husband eats low carb (he lost about 80 lbs doing so in the last 3 yrs) so the food bill is about comparable to what I used to spend on just myself (meat costs more than carbs!). But I think it's like quitting smoking. People tell you how much money you're gunna save and it ends up going somewhere else (like your gym membership) so you actually never see the extra money!) LOL Marci

You've lost 60 lbs since last month and you're dissapointed? I took Celexa, Wellbutrin, and Abilify (the first 2 antidepressants and the 3rd an antipsychotic) for about 18 mths following my surgery. No problems with weight loss at all. My psych tapered me off everything but the Celexa (and I've gone down in that by 1/2) in the past 18 mths and I'm terrific! Now, if I try to go off of the Celexa, I feel it, but that's no biggy to be on a microdose of antidepressants. I think once you start losing the weight, your brain chemicals and your life will get better, hence the tapering of my meds. So, no, I don't think any psych meds will hinder your ability to lose weight. It might make it a little slower, but you can still do it! Good luck! Marci

I'm right there with ya! I was banded in Oct of 2009 and have lost about 100 lbs. While I eat MUCH less, eat slower, and eat healthier than previously, I'm not perfect. I have a couple sips of my husbands soda about once a week and I drink a beer about twice a week. Causes no discomfort at all. I eat bread, Pasta, and rice too. Almost everyday, actually. I find that I can eat 1 pc of bread, very slowly and it goes down just fine. Now, you may not want to listen to me as I have a band slip currently. It slipped about 9 mths ago, was unfilled, filled and it's still slipped. I gained about 20 lbs. I'm now back to the basics and trying to lose that 20 lbs + the 9 I had left to lose. I no longer vomit (up to 10x a week previously, mainly cuz I ate too fast), I'm trying really hard to cut back on the carbonation and sugar. I've lost about 4 lbs so far. Yes, my band is still slipped, but I have no symptoms anymore (which is why my dr doesn't want to do anything about it). It's actually been working better since the holidays (as I could eat and eat and eat after 6 pm before, not anymore tho). Ask your dr. Some will say occasionally is fine, some will say ABSOLUTELY NO CARBONATION. You don't want to damage your band by doing something detrimental. Good luckl! Marci