xavier

I know for me i have had the same experience after my last fill. I have had to stop eating anything after about 7pm and then I was fine. I would rather do that than get unfilled because I really wanted to get to normal BMI and I was snacking in front of the TV at night and needed to stop.

I agree...this was the best decision ever...I wish I could have done it much sooner!

Take all the drugs you can...I dont know why there are so many people trying tough it out and not take the drugs! I woke up from surgery in an abdominal binder and I wore it for a week...it really tucked in my gut and held it in place especially for sleeping. If you are not getting one at surgery go get one at a drugstore! Its just a wide white band of elastic and velcro...kind of like a corset!

You need at least 800 calories a day and you need to eat if you are truly hungry. Thats the whole point of the band...its not a diet. You are on the right track and yes, this part sucks, but I promise in a year or two (its not a race) you'll be laughing about all of it! Be nice to yourself!

I am worried about your protein...you need it in EVERY meal! 20 grams at three meals will give you 60. Cheese will increase it a bit in the grits and potatoes but you need beans, fish, meat, cottage cheese etc! PS I also dont think you are getting enough calories! I think you ned at least 800/day.

Beans are probably the cheapest food ever and the highest source of protein...but if you want them really cheap you cant be lazy because you have to soak them and actually cook! The big giant pillow-size bag is like 5 bucks and you could live on it for months! 2 words: crock pot!

My stomach growls like crazy when I know I am not hungry...not sure why but it has something to do with the band. Anyway if you actually are hungry, yes you should eat. Do not starve or deprive yourself...that's not the purpose of the band.

If there really was anything that easy to actually lose weight...everyone would be thin!

Instead of trying to change her mind about the band (who cares what lurks in HER mind?) I wish you had just said, "that hurt my feelings" That would be a statement of fact and in that case it is inarguable...stay away from people who do that!

I had to self pay so I didnt have to do one but I have heard you can get 'disqualified' if you lose too much weight! If you read thesweetspot blog by band_groupie at the beginning she takes you through the whole 6 month diet thing...her blog is hilarious and will answer a lot of questions for you, good luck!

No big deal at all, just a tune up in living with the band which we older banders will probably always need! I really like your attitude...no dieting!!!

You are in bandster hell until you get the right amount of fill. My doc says if your band is half full or less (5cc in a 10cc band) you just dont have the band doing anything for you...dont blame yourself!!! This is the hardest time but once you get to a good fill level, you will be sailing. You can see my ticker thingy shows what my fill is that gives me good restriction...I think its 7.something in a 10cc band.

My PCP also does not understand that the band does not affect the way food is digested or nutrients are absorbed like gastric bypass. Alcohol, once you are healed, is no different whether you are banded or not. It is so-called empty calories but I have a cocktail or a glass of wine every evening...

Same for me but the table brings me up I dont have to actually sit up on my own...you get a more accurate fill this way...hang in there!

Didnt you get a diet plan from your doc? Are you on clear liquids, full liquids, or mushies?

Air travel will not be an issue...but trusting your doctor is...you have had a really weird experience! If you were numbed up at all with a shot of lidocaine before accessing your port that can cause things to feel like they are in a weird place. Also your port moves a lot from sitting or standing to laying down and that may be why the band aid seems like its in a weird place.... Overall I would say if you feel well and are happy with your level of restriction...let it go if you can.

Walk if you can but its not realistic to say to would be gone in one day, more like 3 or 4 I'd say...hang in there!

usually you just let them fall off...trim the corners as they peel off and otherwise leave them alone. I have heard bad stories from people who tried to peel them off!

Everybody has done that...get a fill to reign it in a bit! I cant eat more than 5 fries at a time!

Well I know its hard early on when your restriction may not be god and then all the holiday food is around you. But now that I am at good restriction I can snack on a few 'bad' treats but I really cant at more than a couple of cookies without feeling overfull so I dont have to worry about it. If you can seriously overeat you need a fill! I know a lot of people will disagree...thats ok.

I take a chewable Flintstones because I can remember two separate people who said on this site that they had slippage/erosion/removal and it started with choking on a pill. I know that may or may not be true but why take a chance? I think its WAY more important to eat healthy food!

Defintely start with increasing water intake. You should urinate pale yellow urine several times a day. Ask your doc how much water per day...120oz seems like a lot! I THOUGHT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AROUND 64OZ BUT IM NOT SURE...sorry for the caps lock

Dear LOve, thanks for friending me...you can just click on my name and my pix are right on my main page...PS My feet are tan not dirty..LOL!

Absolutely! It is a sign that you are full and if you eat or drink more you will be too full. In the area of your band there is lots of stuff in a small place (esophagus, top of stomach, diaphragm, heart, lung bases, etc) any of these if irritated can cause referred pain to (usualluy left) arm, jaw,neck, shoulder...thats why these can be signs of a heart attack. Anyway I had the left shoulder pain after surgery and then later whenever i had eaten 'enough' but maybe nearly too much! Its a good thing really so getting stuck doesnt sneak up on you...I get it sometimes from heartburn too...this is going to help you eat right!

Go over there and bring muffins...shameless I know but its guaranteed to work!