Kristine73

Don't feel bad. I lost 45 lbs, then gained 10 back.Went in for first fill in 4 months yesterday. I work full-time and am a full-time student. Just finished finals. This semester was VERY hard on me. Anatomy and Physioloy II plus the lab and two other classes. I threw out my back about 3 months ago and have not been able to work out like I should. I didn't have time for ME, this board or anything beyond work and school. So no, it's not just you. I went back in and got a fill and am going on with a new attitude. Next semester I am scheduled for 3 classes instead of 4. So, I am making more time for me and my health. Don't be too hard on your self. Remember, our bodies are all different. Your body is going to lose faster than some others and slower than others. Don't gauge your success by someone else's scale. Set small milestones and gauge your success by meeting those Good luck

You many not want to hear this, but maybe you need a slight un-full. I was told usually 3 to 4 fills to hit the sweet spot. Well, like you I had surgery in June and I've had two fills. I can not envision myself going for a 3rd fill anytime soon. Last night I got stuck eating a soy chicken patty, which was cut into small pieces and mixed w/edamame (sp), avacado, tomato, 2 tablespoons of brown rice (which my doc allows) and 1 tbsp of cheese w/ some soy sauce. I did not have bread, just mixed everything in a bowl. I didn't have any bread w/dinner. Everything total was about 1 1/2 cups of food. I got stuck eating raw carrots the other day. And let me just say I NEVER want to see a Snyder's pretzel again in my life! That was the worst! I don't eat raw carrots anymore. Won't touch a pretzel, again. But, if I continue to get stuck on simple things, which I thoroughly chew, I'll consider a slight un-fill. It's not worth risking loosing my band altogether because I want to 'cowgirl-up' and push through continual 'stuck' episode.

BOTH! I'm a vegetarian. No, I don't cram my lifestyle down other people's throat. So, don't worry about me extolling to virtues of a veggie diet, well, unless you ask . My hubs is still an omnivore and proud of it, LOL! I still take supplements, every morning. I just have to be more careful about getting certain nutrients that animal Protein provides. I can find them in plant protein, it just means eating things that my friends raise an eye-brow at. Oh well. As far as eating veggies raw, I've only tried carrots. Once I had no problem, twice I had problems. Even though I chewed and chewed. So, it'll be awhile before I try again. As far as fruit, I found I have problems w/things like apple peels. I want to keep peels on fruits that have nutrients in them. So, I learned to cut them in small bits and I don't have a problem. I guess it all comes down to trial and error. Might I suggest getting a 'how to get your kids to eat veggies' cookbook, LOL. You can make recipes like meatloaf w/shredded veggies for added nutrition and Fiber. Fiber is food for many things. But, one of the main things is that it helps fill you up and helps keep you feeling full longer. Oh, in the beginning there is a strict diet to allow your tummy time to heal. But, according to my doc the band is not meant to restrict you from eating your fave foods. We need to learn to eat what we want with healthy portions and in moderation. By moderation, eating a piece of cake once a in a while is ok. Eating a piece of cake every night is not. I do the Weight Watchers points at home. I don't go to any meetings. But keeping a food log helps me watch what goes in my mouth and keeps myself accountable. Good luck on your journey.

Wait until the incisions are healed. Don't put anything on them until your doc says it's ok. Don't want to infect them. I agree that vit e is the best. If you can swallow a vit-e gel cap now, go ahead. Also, walmart sells a vit-e oil in their Vitamin section. You can rub it on your incisions. I also put it on my face at night. It's great in fighting wrinkles. Just lightly wet your face first before applying the oil or it's be all gloppy and thick. The wee-bit of Water draws it into the skin instead of it just coating the skin. Remember wait until you are healed.

I don't know if coffee is breaking a band rule. My surgeon allows coffee, which I drink every day! I'm a vegetarian. So, I need certain nutrients that people normally get from eating animal Proteins. So, I do eat small quantities of nuts like pecans or walnuts. I've found that they are ok if broken into very small pieces. last night I ate bread for the first time since surgery. I ate one slice of double-Fiber whole wheat bread. I made a BLT, using soy bacon, and raw spinach in place of lettuce for added nutrition. First bite almost got stuck. So, w/the rest I chewed, chewed, and over-chewed. The rest of the 1/2 sandwich filled me up. I'd been craving a sandwich for so long! I also eat brown rice and some seeds like flax and such. I am the only veg*n my surgeon has ever dealt with. So, he told me to be careful and use trial and error to find what works for me.

you can buy it at walmart. PB is productive burping. From what I understand, it's trying to burp up something that is stuck. I had it once. Felt like I was having a heart attack. Bought the papaya enzyme the next day

I like EAS protein powder. It comes in either whey or soy protein. I like that I can get it at walmart. I have a mild allergy to whey proteins. So, i am really glad there is a soy brand that is readily available and at a reasonable cost.

I was given strict instructions not to lift anything over 10 pounds for the first week and nothing over 30 for the first 4 weeks. I am also a college student. Though, I am about a year away from my associates. Is there anyway you could leave a few books in the car and get them between classes? I guess being at a small campus does have it's perks. I would def call and demand to see the doc if you have any concerns that aren't addressed over the phone.

The PPO can work in your favor. Doug and the police will def take the situation as seriously as possible. it also shows a pattern of behavior. He obviously thinks he women are his playthings to push around as he pleases. WRONG! I think your hubs should be told. I also think you need to document everything, no matter how small it may seem to you. Like, if he's watching you, your kids, blah-blah-blah. When you document something put the date, time and sign each entry. This is what I was told to do when I was stalked back in the '90s. Tell hubs, but tell him worst case scenario first, as far as HIS reaction. You could end up losing everything. He could be the one in jail w/charges against him. I hope Doug had you fill out an incidence report on the situation. Sending hugs and keep safe. And got get some mace to put on your keyhain. I never understood women who buy mace then loose it in the bottom of their purse. You want want it at hand.

I felt the same way, until my second fill. I don't think I'll go for a third. I do know I need to go for a check up at 3 months. But, I am getting full and staying full, most of the time. I have those days where I feel like I could eat a horse ( and I'm a vegetarian ). But, then there are those days I feel almost too restricted. Most days, It takes about a cup of food to fill me up and to stay full for a few hours. I'm afraid if I go for the scheduled third fill, I'll be to restricted and need to go back for an un-fill. Don't fret to much about it, you'll get there. May I ask if you are working out? Working full-time and being a full-time student, I don't have a lot of time. But, I try to do 2 miles I the treadmill 3 times a week. And remember, the band is supposed to be a slow and healthy weight loss system. Good luck!

I had the same thing happen w/a colonoscopy. Of course it was in a military hospital. Hubs heard me screaming in the waiting room. A few years later, my civilian doc wanted me to have another one. I was terrified and expleain what happened at the military hospital. She told me not to worry, that if she saw me waking up, she'd give me some more of the 'good stuff.' Sure enough, I remember coming to, then I was back out just as fast. Talk to any doc who wants to put you under. Relay your experience and they'll take care of you! I had an EGD, also at a military hospital. All I was given was some chlorseptic at the back of my throat. I know what a horrible experience it is being awake for those things. I hope what meds they gave you had some effect! sending

Yes, I eat carbs. The body needs carbs. It all comes down to what carbs you choose. In December, I switched to a vegetarian diet. I was reading the post about diet for blood types. I'm A-, LOL. So, I guess being a veg is best for me. As far as carbs, it all comes down to choices. Use brown rice instead of white rice. Try sweet potatoes instead white potatoes. If you want bread crumbs to fry chicken or fish, toast a couple pieces of whole wheat bread and throw them in the food processor. Season the bread crumbs to your liking. Also, use soy flour instead of all-purpose flour. If you want a crunchy texture, put some pecans in the processor w/the bread. Yesterday, for lunch I had split-pea Soup and threw in some brown rice for texture. Remember, the band is not about depriving yourself for the rest of your life. We need to learn to eat the things we enjoy, in moderation. Also, learning to cook in different ways is a big part of it, too. Also, when you eat out, if you don't see something you like, look at the sides. When available, I substitute a sweet tater instead of fries. Or, sub steamed veggies instead of white fries or mashed taters. I went out a few weekends ago w/some friends to Outback steakhouse. I ordered a dinner salad w/vinaigrette, seasoned veggies and a baked sweet tater for dinner. I was full and did not feel deprived. I could of ordered a creamy Pasta and asked them to hold the shrimp. But, it's about the choices we make. Don't deprive yourself, just make different choices and substitutions.

It took me approx 10 days. I drive an hour each way over bumpy country roads. But, I also had a hard recovery w/vomiting and dry heaving the first few days. They gave me a partial fill during the surgery. Between the swelling and partial fill, I couldn't drink Water. One they took the partial fill out, my recovery was textbook. If you arn't having any problems, I don't see the reason for the extended time between surgery and going back to work. Did they do a more extensive surgery than the scope? Do you do a lot of bending at work? That could be part of the reason.