scout47

:biggrin: I really can't help much, but I just hated to see that you had no response. I have been banded since 4/1/09 and have just stopped losing weight. Like you I thought you weren't supposed to be able to eat a lot of anything, but I can eat a ton of all the wrong foods, but still have a problem keeping down the food I'm supposed to eat I have hesitated getting another fill (I'm only at 4.5 cc in a 10cc band) because when I was filled more I could not swallow my meds--and there's a lot of them. I crush them but still have a problem. Yes, I want to lose more weight (need to lose at least 100 more lbs), but what I want most is to be healthy--I am still taking a ton of meds and am still taking 4 insulin shots per day. Like I said I have no answers even for myself, but just wanted you to know you are not alone

Thanks JD, I might try those myself! Since I am diabetic, the 40g protein and no sugar sounds good.

Corinne, My favorite Protein shake is Myoplex Carb Control; it has 25 grams of protein and only 3 net carbs. I buy the already mixed shakes (11.2 oz) and only buy chocolate Fudge. I get them at my local GNC health food store (our grocery stores don't carry the Carb Control), but you can also order them online--I can just get them a bit cheaper at GNC. You should give these a try, I highly recommend them:thumbup: scout47

dolphin, hate to sound dense:confused:, but how do you "private message" someone?? Saw my dr today & he gave me lots of good tips, would like to share with you.

coloradobanding, Yes, that does help! Thanks. I'm going to cut and paste your ideas in my word doc. so I can refer back to it when I get stuck in the same 'ol, same 'ol:thumbup:

Colorado, Exactly right! Just for ideas, what type of whole grain breakfast with 20g protein do you eat?And while I'm asking, would you also give me an example of what you eat for lunch and dinner. I think that would help other bandsters too. What to eat is always an ongoing question. Thanks.

When I had this problem my dr told me I was not eating enough! I believe this is the first time in my life I've been told that . Anyway, my dr requires that I get at least 60 grams of protein per day, if not you are not getting enough nutrients; I think some drs require more. If you are not feeding your body, it goes into the same old starvation mode as with any other diet. I don't understand why your dr doesn't tell you the amount of your fill, after all it is Your fill! Anyway, if he hasn't told you how much protein you need per day, call and ask, maybe he'll let you in on that top secret :wub:.

I have had a terrible time keeping my meds down--morning and night; of course, I take a total of 35 meds per day! My dr said he had never had a patient who was on so many meds. Hoped being banded would get me off some of these but not so far. Anyway, I bought a pill spliter and that help, in additon, when my band was too tight I took my meds with lite yogurt. Now that I have had 1 cc removed from my band, my meds go down fine with water. It's still a slow go though. Also, when my band is loose enought to easily take my meds, I am able to eat too much, just a vicious cycle. Yes, you can get some meds in liquid form, this is what my dr suggests, but it is so nasty I throw it up just because of the taste. I took so much liquid cough medicine when I was a kid, I still want to barf at the thought of it. Just hang in there, and keep trying to see what works best for you. Your dr should help.

While I am certainly no expert, I just thought this might help. That painful need to burp feeling sounds like what I have when I have eatten too much or too fast. It feeling will go away finally, but I agree it is very painful. I don't mean you will never have it again, because I still do. I have been banded since 4/1/09 and I'm still learning. The first two weeks were the worst for me. Wishing you well!

Bashful, You've had some great suggestions; one more I'd like to add: when my grandson was about six months old and in love with Thomas the Tank Engine I started using the Closed Caption feature on all videos and TV he watched. By the time he started school his reading was off the charts. Just an idea, but it worked for me. I also like Closed Caption for myself because have you even noticed how much actor mumble? My grown son, of course, hates CC and complains every time he's watching my tv, but hey, I'm in charge of my own tv--I'm still the Mom :wub:!

Failed4me, Sorry, it took me so long to answer, haven't checked this website in a few days--been so disgusted with myself. Thanks, and I would love for us to be each other's support :mad:, however, on regular posts sites, I seem to keep losing contact with anybody I want to talk to! Is there anyway I could put you on my friends list and we could talk back and forth? I have added a friend before, but never heard from them again :wub:. I know it must be something I'm doing wrong, but want to give it another try.

Parrot, Thanks for that mucus tip; I have had a sinus infection for the last two weeks--just finished my antibotic. Maybe that's why I've had such a problem eating.

I have had four fills and every time my dr says I must be on liquids for the following 48 hrs. Also, a tip another bandster (who is a nurse) gave me when I repeatedly tried to force myself to eat when I had gotten stuck, is to eat only crushed ice or those no-sugar icy popsicles; everything gets swollen when you continue to PB, the ice gets the swelling down. Of course, the most important thing is to talk to your doctor, but the frozen stuff helps until you can. Good luck.

Ok, I have just read the additional opinions; read the first ones earlier. First to your question about GERD, before lap band I had it bad, especially at night and would sometimes barf in my sleep--very scary and the burning in my nose and throat was terrible. Also, I was taking Nexium. After lap band, I have had no problem with reflux, and I do still take Nexium. I do have what is called PB when I eat too fast, but the food just comes back up--no acid involved. Now to your original question: my only regret is that I didn't realize I would only be able to eat a small amount of the healthy food I'm supposed to eat, while I can eat unlimited amounts of the bad foods that I ate before--result, I have not only stopped losing, but this week have actually gained. I know there is so much information out there, and I guess I just lost that info somewhere in my saturated mind. Bottom line is, I thought after surgery I wouldn't be able to eat much of any food. I have pretty good restriction now; I am able to keep down my ton of daily meds and I can eat 3-4 oz of Protein and 2-3 oz of vegs at each meal. Still the problem is that if I don't feel satisfied later on I can eat an entire carmel pie or a huge bag of chips and dip, or maybe both. No, I don't wonder why I am not losing, but I do wonder how I can banish my same old eating habits that made me morbidly obese in the first place. And I know people who are just waiting to say, "Yeah, I knew she'd never lose weight this way either because she is too lazy to even eat right":angry: And yes I do know that we are not to be concerned about what other people say, but when you are thinking the same thing yourself, it really is dishearting. The main thing I see from these posts is that I need to exercise much more than I have been. Seems like every time I am determined to really get back on my exercise program one of my many health issues rears its ugly head and then it's just a vicious cycle. Sorry, to make you all listen to my rantings, but I'll be glad for any suggestions.

Dear Isaviolinist, You have done great in such a short time, especially with no fill. I was banded 4/1/09 and my first 40 lbs came off quickly, however, since the first two months w8 loss has been very slow and this wk I've even gained:angry:. When you said you "kind of did it myself", how exactly did you do it--I am very disappointed in myself and after you've been banded, people expect big things of you (or should I say they expect little things of you :thumbup:. Thanks and good luck in the future. Scout

Hate to admit it, but I am no help at all; I only made it until lunch--let myself get too hungry and jumped right to the Protein. Be Proud of Yourself--Day One is almost over. Good Luck.

Thanks NewSho for all the tips. One thing I wanted to ask is when you were talking about soup--what type do you eat? Thanks.

slimmap, :thumbup:I'm ready! Just had a Myoplex Carb Control Protein Drink (25g protein, only 5g carbs, with 2g fiber. I am ashamed to even tell you what bad carbs I've been eating--but as you said, WE CAN DO THIS! Thanks for the morning encouragement!!

OK, LovingLBL, I'm in! I have tried the 5DPT several times before but never seem to get past the first day, but I REALLY need this--I am in a bad carb cycle. Seems like the only food I can keep down any more are bad carbs and we all know what that leads to--more bad carbs and no w8 loss . But I feel like I can make it with the support of you all. I've got to get out of this limbo of no lost w8. I deluded myself into to thinking the weight would continue to just drop off like it did the first two months post-op, but that idea has really been shot down by my not using my band to help me. Like I said, I really need this--please keep in touch. Go 8/24 Team! scout

Leah, Glad to have an update on you--I know what you mean about getting back in the same boots again. I have had a migraine every day for two weeks, and have had inner ear problems so bad for the last week that I can hardly stand without falling over. I get so tired of being sick--like someone (who is supposed to love me :hurray: said yesterday, "with you it always seems to be something"--well, thanks a bunch!! People act like you choose to be sick , especially those who are hardly ever sick--but when they are, baby look out--the whining never stops. This person who complained about my "always being sick", actually wanted me to take her to the ER when she got a splinter in her finger!! Anyway, needless to say I have not been able to eat properly, exercise, or do anything else productive--I just want these migraines to stop!! I finally got an appt for today with my local dr, so maybe he can help. Sorry, for the blah, blah, blah--but with this headache I can't sleep, or evidently focus!! Wishing you the best with your new ideas; as soon as I can function I will join you. Stay in touch:thumbup: scout47

I am about 4 months post-op, and no matter how much self-talk I do I never feel satisified after a meal--especially at suppertime; so I just seem to keep thinking up things to eat without it coming back up. The last few weeks has been a nightmare, I'm just being a glutton like I was pre-op. I desperately need some encouragement:crying:--no lectures please - I know what I'm doing wrong--how can I snap out of this destructive stage! (and if you haven't figured it out yet, I am borderline manic-depressive). I know I should just rely on my faith for this problem, but as the old joke says, "I just need to talk to someone with skin on"; no sacrilege intended. Thanks for your comments.

Dancingbutterfly: Yes, my first fill was 3.6 ccs (in a 10cc band), then because I couldn't keep my meds down (I take 35 prescription meds) my dr removed .6cc and that was good for my meds but I was still hungry and eating way too much. On July 7th, he added 2ccs for a total of 5ccs, and I could keep nothing down, so I had to go back last week and he removed 1cc. Which again is much better for my intake, but I am still eating too, too much. It's a head thing I know. My visit to the shrink was not very productive, she interrupted every time I tried to talk and then she gave me a bunch of self-help rhetoric. But I'm going to keep on keepin' on, because some things may be helpful and I know it won't hurt. One thing she did ask me to do was go to a Overeaters Annonomus Meeting. I am so looking forward to finding my sweet spot; the main reason I had this surgery was to be able to stop taking insulin shots (4 per day) and get off some of these meds, so far that has not happened :wink2:.Thanks so much for your response. I will keep in touch, please do the same. Scout

bandf4m: Thanks for the explaination; that makes so much sense and I will set my timer for 30 minutes at my next meal; then of course I have to set my timer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until I can drink Water. Gee, I should have invested my retirement in the timer industry:biggrin:

Will do, Ocotillo:thumbup:

octillo, Thanks for the encouragement and ideas! I think another big help will be that starting tomorrow I will be seeing a therapist once a week--it is a 2 hr drive for me to Vanderbilt, but the sessions are FREE because the shrink is a student. I was able to see her once and she really asked some questions (like you asked) that made me think. My drs have been telling me for years that I needed to see someone, but who could afford the money or the time off from work; now that I'm retired the time off is not an issue and all I have to afford is gas money. Again, your comments are very much appreciated. Keep me posted how you're doing after your fill. scout