greytz

I try to stay on a pretty tight schedule and eat at the same time each day. What I do if I am not hungry is drink fluids. I have a protein lemonade instead of my meal and then wait until the next time I have scheduled myself to eat. If I get hungry in between then I figure it is my own fault and I suck it up and get my mind off of it by doing something like hitting the treadmill or doing a chore I have been putting off. I got to clean out my closet for the first time yesterday and boy did it feel good. I tried everything on because I wasn't sure about some things that had been in there awhile and I was stunned at some of the things that fit me really well that I had not been able to get into for a long, long time. It helped energize my determination.

Call your surgeon asap and let them know what is going on so they can tell you what to do.

My surgeon tried 5cc's for my first fill and it was too much so she took out .4cc's and I now have 4.6cc's. At first I thought it wasn't going to work. It seemed like I was hungry and didn't feel the restriction. That was on 08-04. Now, it seems to be tightening up and I feel the restriction better. But I also have bad days and better days. Sometimes I feel it really well and then the next day I seem really hungry and can eat more. It seems to be something you have to play with until you hit the proverbial "sweet spot" as they say. I'm not there yet but still losing weight.

I still have a protein shake every morning with my chewable vitamin. I use it with skim milk and it is my meal replacement. I eat twice a day from there. A small meal for lunch and a smaller meal for dinner. Sometimes, I only eat either meat or veggie for dinner or just drink something depending on my hunger factor. I also use Lemonade protein powder 1 or 2 times throughout the day depending on my schedule. It helps me get the protein in and the liquid. You just need to be careful with which one you choose and count it in your caloric intake. Mine has 60 calories (no calories from fat) and 15 grams of protein. No snacks. No sweets with the exception of the protein in the morning which my powder is chocolate flavor. It takes care of my craving.

Congrats on being banded and welcome to the forum! The liquid stage is rough and the mushie stage is pretty good until you get the hungries before the first fill. Good Luck and keep us posted.

Who you tell and who you don't is a very personal decision. I chose not to tell the world and I am still having some issues with people around me because my loss is obvious now. Not everybody has family and friends that will be supportive. It depends on your circle and how they are toward you. Only you can make the choice. I am glad I kept most out of the loop. I am finding that I have been able to depend on the people I chose to tell and I don't worry about the rest.

Congratulations on being banded again! I am so sorry for your troubles but so glad you posted. It is so good to hear a success story come out of a nightmare.

I agree with Plain except to say that I felt exactly like you at first and about 3 to 4 days before my fill appointment, I wanted to eat everything in site and had to struggle to stay focused and not eat too much. I have read threads very similar to this one and most everyone seems to have the same type of experience. Not saying everyone but a lot do. You can always cancel up to 24 hours before hand so I would wait as long as possible and see how you feel. Then make up your mind.

It is very difficult to make the decision and ultimately only the both of you can make it. I think definitely the surgeon has his own agenda and you should run not walk away from that. Research and find a surgeon you are comfortable with that will help educate you and help you make your own decisions. But someone that will be supportive and promote aftercare for whichever surgery you choose.

Glad you are home and doing ok. I know it is painful and a little difficult at first but you will get through it. Sounds like your surgeon is a bit conservative but as is posted on here many times, it is better to go slow at first. It really seems to prevent numerous problems down the road. Good Luck!

Lower Left Shoulder Pain? Jachut or Wasabubblebut are you out there? Any suggestions on that? I am really hurting the last couple of days.

Congrats on being banded! Hang in there! it will get better. It can be discouraging in the beginning. As time goes on it has been better and better for me. Good Luck!

Hey Mike! Good Luck to you. I love my band also. Keep us posted.

Good for You! Keep us posted.

Wow! you are lucky to have insurance that pays like that. I have good insurance and it paid 85% and I feel lucky with that. It is difficult to wait but it happens all of the sudden. You will get the call and before you know it you will be banded! Good Luck.

You are doing fabulous and I felt the same way about eating solids. So much so that I kept putting it off and stayed in the mushie stage. When I told my surgeon that she was like, no way you have to begin solids. So I did and I am still losing weight just like she said I would. I just stick to the guidelines and don't cheat. It will work for you.

I think you are beginning to do what you need to. You are going to get a fill and coming here for some support. I would find a support group you can go to physically too. Get back on the band wagon and get the weight gone again. You can do it!

Ok, so I guess my point of view is a little different and I hope no one gets upset with me but here goes. I did come so very close to death. In a bad car accident last year due to a heart condition I didn't know I had. I am very lucky to be here today. I still could go at any moment and each time I black out, it takes a little more from my heart production. I look at each day as a true blessing and I really try to enjoy every moment of it. I really hope you all can get past the skin issues and see yourself for the beautiful women that you are. Try not to obsess over the little bit of extra skin. Look at what you all have accomplished? Think about how you felt when you first began your journey and how hard you have worked to be where you are now? You should be so proud of that! I am 51 and have already begun to see the little wrinkles. I am trying little harder to take care of my face and ramped up my skin regimen but at the end of the day I am what I am. I had a friend who is very large and a little older than me tell me that she did not want to lose the weight because being fat kept her face blown out and the wrinkles didn't show. She was kidding herself. I saw wrinkles plenty but didn't tell her that. The point is be happy that you have come so far and enjoy the thrilling things you get to do in your life that you couldn't do before. You are worth it.

Congrats! Keep us posted once you are up to it.

Congrats! Please keep us posted once you get to feeling better.

I totally agree with HH. My surgeon at her seminar only showed her individual statics and success and not success. She did show a map of the obese percentages as released by a firm (I don't remember who) but that is all. Everyone's experience seems to be different and yours will be too. To me, it seems that it isn't even about what you put into it or don't put into it. Your own physical makeup, medical history, genetics and stubborness will decide the experience for you. I plan to put everything I have into it and I have so far. I don't know what the future holds but I have given myself a good shot at it and I want the best outcome obviously. If down the road I have problems I will have to face them when I get there.

Yeah for you!! I am so glad you are feeling better and where you should be finally. Keep us posted.

I am suprised you lasted this long without a fill before being so hungry. Good for you but I would say time for a fill for sure. I was banded 06-17 and was in bandster hell by the week before my first fill which was on 08-04.

I meant to say both told me it should NOT effect my weight loss. Duh typo.

I have thyroid and was banded on 06-17-09. Before being banded I had a blood test every quarter because my thyroid really gets out of whack if I am not careful. I was concerned about losing weight after being banded because of thyroid issues and I spoke to my bariatric surgeon about it and my PCP. Both told me it should effect my weight loss as long as I continue to have the blood test and adjust the medication accordingly. I have decided to take the blood test a little more often during the time I am losing the weight due to the fluctuation. I take a compound for my thyroid because the synthroid gave me so many side effects that I could not live with. I use Armour Thyroid and it really works well for me. So far, (fingers crossed) I have had no problems losing weight. Good Luck.