gatorgal

Just wondering if this is normal for some people. Since getting my fourth fill (now 3.1 cc in a 4 cc band), I notice that I have trouble getting food down for Breakfast and lunch. I try to eat dense foods (as per my doc and nut) so that my pouch will stay full longer, but I can get only one or two bites down. Then, by dinner time, I feel fine and can eat the regular 3/4 cup or so. Also, sometimes after breakfast and lunch, I have sliming episodes even though I've eaten just a few bites. Should I worry about this? Is it normal? The last fill was 2 weeks ago. Thanks for any input!

I just posted a similar thread on the General forum! My doc and nut would rather I not fall back on protein shakes, but some mornings (like you), I cannot get anything else to stay down. I'm fine in the evenings, so I don't think I'm too tight.

I get the hiccups, too. The gurgling comes within minutes of pushing away from the table. Both of these are much more pronounced the closer I get to my sweet spot. I think I'm almost there but am waiting for a few more weeks to schedule a fill as I don't want to be too restricted.

I was going to post something to this same effect, but then I read your post. I, too, have hit the proverbial wall, so to speak, following my fourth fill (3.1 cc in a 4 cc band). For the first few days, I had trouble swallowing anything (so stayed on liquids). The next week or so, I was hungry all the time, and though I could eat only small portions, I did not have that feeling of fullness. I've slipped into some old habits over the past few days, so after having a long talk with myself, I took the bull by the horns and threw out those foods that were tempting me. I also filled up four large glasses with water and left them by the frig so if I was tempted to eat something, I would see them and choose them instead. Today was much better, so I hope to see the scale moving again soon. The good thing about this board is that we can encourage one another in our struggles and rejoice together over our victories. In the long run, I'm still down 52 pounds and feel better than I have in years, even if the scale has slowed down recently.

I just got back from my fourth fill. When I stepped on the scale at the doctor's office, the numbers were 199!!!!!! I have not seen those numbers in more than 15 years, and I am psyched. I feel great, and I love my band. Just wanted to shout Woo Hoo!!! GatorGal

Thanks for all the happy thoughts. Yes, I did a mini-dance right there in front of the nurses who were as happy as I was! This gives me more motivation to keep doing what I'm doing. I have made the changes that I need to do this for a lifetime, and the changes work with my lifestyle. Good luck to all of you, too!

I wish I had magic words for you, but I don't. This is why this phase is called Bandster Hell. Unfortunately, you'll have to work through this. I did not have a problem with being hungry at night, but I do drink a lot of Water during the evening, so maybe that is helping. Good luck. Maybe someone else will have some sage advice for you!

I would ask your surgeon for recommendations. I would think that your present doc would want you to have good follow-up care and would therefore be willing to do some investigating as to what doctors in the area would be willing to take you on as a patient.

I had to stay overnight when I had surgery in June (as per insurance policy), and SF popsicles were on my tray for every meal. I'd say you're fine sucking on them today and tomorrow.

My first time being stuck was just as you described. I, too, was banging my chest and jumping up and down. Scared my kids! I have not been stuck like that again, though I have had one or two instances of sliming. That's not overly painful but it is an inconvenience that reminds me to take small bites and chew well. Live and learn, huh?

I tried blending something once, and it was horrible. I know lots of people do it, but I couldn't handle it. So, I lived on cream of wheat, scrambled eggs, applesauce, baked potatoes (with very little fillings), soft cheese (like Laughing Cow and cottage cheese). You'll get through this phase of Bandster Hell!

I keep Protein bars in my desk if I'm in a pinch, but I usually bring lunch from home. Typically, I'll bring some turkey/cheese roll ups, some melon or berries of some sort, and some All-Bran crackers. This is enough to get me through until dinner. I have also brought tuna (in those pouches), some iceberg lettuce, and some light Italian dressing to make a little salad. If I go to to the cafe for lunch, I always get some kind of grilled meat and a side of veggies. I have gotten sick of salad and am trying to eat real food rather than protein shakes/protein bars. Hope this helps!

I did not have to wear them, though I did have the compression stockings that I had to wear overnight in the hospital--they were HORRIBLE, and I ended up taking them off around 3:00 a.m. so I could sleep. Still, your doctor has a reason for those orders, so you need to follow his instruction.

You've gotten some great advice from those of us who are on this journey, and surely you've noticed that we are all different with what we can tolerate. I try anything that I want (in small bites and after chewing the heck out of it), and I find out that way what I can tolerate. So far, I'm good on anything except grape tomatoes, I guess because of the skin. Everything else is a go. Of course, like others have said, I choose NOT to eat those things that could become problems. For example, I won't keep ice cream in the freezer. If my kids want it, I take them to an ice cream shop. I won't eat bread because it takes too long to eat and I'd rather eat Protein and veggies. I love someone else's line above that the band makes her a mindful--rather than mindless--eater. That is so true. I make choices every day about what I will eat, and those choices have made me much healthier. I have to spend more time packing my lunch for work b/c I no longer want to eat fast food. I cook healthy dinners for my family, and it has paid off with my DH and DD actually dropping a few pounds. My girls and I enjoy experimenting on new recipes in the kitchen, so rather than waste time watching TV, we are spending time together doing something that helps our whole family. Has everything been rosy with the band? No. Sliming and PBing are rough. Learning how to eat small bites, chew well, and eat without drinking have taken time--and I still forget sometimes. Being tight in the morning and having to wait to eat Breakfast is tough. Getting in the required Water is an effort for some. However, the pay-off is worth it! Become well informed, then do what is best for you!

Have you talked with your doc about this? Our doc has a comprehensive approach to the band. This involves regular weigh-ins with a nurse consultant (who has had the band surgery herself and lost and kept off +100 pounds). At those weigh-ins, I bring my food journal. She reviews it with me and makes suggestions about what to do. for example, I went in today and had lost only 2.5 pounds. When she looked at my food journal, she suggested I replace my sugar-free fudge pops with more dense Protein as a snack. This will hopefully help me not to overeat at dinner as I will have some of that dense protein (hard cheese, almonds, etc.) in my pouch when dinner time hits. She also scheduled me for a fill in 1 1/2 weeks with the hope that eliminating the slider Snacks will prompt a larger weight loss prior to that fill. The comprehensive approach also includes monthly support group meetings, online support through the doctor's office, and discounts at local gyms and local dietician's offices. I have found this approach invaluable as I know I can't do this on my own. None of this is required, but I know that those who take advantage of the resources do MUCH better than those who don't. I'm down a total of 50 pounds (9 pounds pre-op and 41 pounds since surgery on 6/29), and I am sure that this comprehensive approach is what is going to get me to goal! If your doctor's office doesn't offer anything like this, I'd ask him for his advice. He is your doctor, and you need to be getting what you paid for! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Our doc's office offers weekly weigh-ins. The nurse weighs us and looks over our food journals. If she thinks I am not making good food choices, then the first plan of attack is to make better food choices--as in more dense foods. If the food choices are good and the weight loss is slower that we'd both like, then she schedules me an appointment with the doctor for a fill. My first and second fills were about three weeks apart. My second and third fills were two weeks apart. I will go in on Monday for a weigh-in and will decide then if I need another fill. (I do.)

Haven't tried it, but I can't tolerate any protein powders (and I've tried just about all of them).

I can walk up the two flights of stairs to my office without getting winded. I can sleep through the night without waking up. I can play outside with the kids. I can tie shoes without gasping for breath. I can say "no thanks" to foods that are not good for me--because I really don't want them. I no longer have borderline hypertension. I no longer snore at night. I no longer struggle with asthma. As a girl, I have regular cycles now. I'm sure I could think of a few more things, but for now, that will do!!!!!

My DH met and married me when I was heavy. I subsequently gained 60 pounds, but he never wavered in his feelings for me. He loved me being "fluffy" (I think because two certain "assets" were quite large), but he did not like the fact that I was very unhealthy. He was not supportive of my decision to have LB surgery, but since I've lost 50 pounds and am much healthier now, he's on board. He's not too thrilled that I have lost much of that weight up top, but the increase in energy has had a great impact on our relationship across the board. So, while he likely preferred me on the fluffy side, he's very much on board now with my weight loss efforts and is encouraging me every step of the way. My health is the key, not my figure.

(Note that someone started a thread similar to this a few days ago.) I can't eat bread (but I can eat toast) or anything doughy, but I do fine with lettuce. I found out last week that I absolutely cannot eat grape tomatoes. The only time I have thrown up is when I ate a grape tomato last week. OMG that hurt! My advice is to chew, chew, chew as you add solids back into your diet. You will know when you cannot tolerate something.

I was allowed cottage cheese on my "full liquids" phase. It was a life saver for me as it was something that I could chew. I would say that you will want to chew it well, but I think you'll enjoy it and the extra protein that comes with it.

Woo Hoo! That has to be a great feeling. I'm three pounds from Onederland, so I'll be shouting out with you very soon!

Love this post! I, too, teach, but I teach college-aged kids. When one of them told me my clothes were too baggy this week, I decided to go buy some new black pants. The old ones were size 22--and too tight before surgery. The ones I bought Thursday were size 16. I haven't worn a size 16 for more than 10 years. The kicker is that I went ahead and bought only one pair because they were comfortable, not snug, so I know I won't be wearing them for long! Love to hear everyone's NSVs!

I'm three months out (and 50 pounds lighter), but just this week, I've had a major sweet tooth. If ice cream were in my freezer, I'd have eaten a ton! This is the first time since surgery that I've had a craving, so I'm a bit baffled by it. Any suggestions for what I can do to battle the craving, indulge the craving in an appropriate way, or rewire my mind to forget about the craving? Thanks--and SF pudding no longer does the trick.

I purposely didn't set a "number" goal that was related to a certain time on the calendar. My goal was to be thinner in a year than I was at surgery. If I worry about numbers or about comparing myself to others, I get very discouraged. For this reason, I compare myself only to me. As my weight comes off, I may set mini-goals but never in a certain time frame. Right now, I'm close to 50 lbs lost since surgery (June 29), but I don't have a time frame for when I will lose it, only that I will lose it. Does that make sense? I find myself able to cope better by not competing with a calendar