stephaniel71

So 1 month banded as of Thursday and down 22 pounds. Very pleased!! I went for my first fill. They put 3cc in my 10 cc band. It wasn't painful at all. I am bruised where they put that long a$$ needle in my stomach. It was just very strange feeling afterwards. Hard to explain, but definetly felt a change. I will be on soft foods until the end of the day and then my surgeon has released me to solids!!!! YAY!!!!! It certainly helped my restriction. I was getting hungry about 2 to 2 1/2 hours after I ate before. Now it is anywhere from 3 -4 hours. I am sure when I am on solids, that will be even longer I have posted before I had some issues with my throat. Feeling like I had a lump in it. Well my surgeon referred me to an ENT (ear, nose & throat) to figure out what was going wrong. So my wonderful ENT went through my nose and down my throat with this lovely device (soooo much fun). And turns out it is acid reflux. I haven't really had heart burn or soar throat, but just the lump in the throat. He said that can happen. Some people just have that symptom, so it is hard to diagnose unless they go down there and take a look. But he assures me in 3-4 weeks with some meds, I should feel much better. So if you have that feeling, you might want to mention it to your doctor. So on with my journey. I return for another fill in 4 weeks. I hope to be down another 10 pounds or more by then. Wish me luck. And HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We all went through this. It gets easier and easier. I am 4 weeks tomorrow. I think I cried every other day for the first 10-12 days. But my food addictions are slowly subsiding. This too shall pass for you. I promise!

Rice is a big NO on my mushy diet. My surgeon still won't let me have it and I am on week 4 tomorrow.

I feel for all of you. I am not bragging by any means or to make you feel bad. I just want to thank you both for making me appreciate my husband more. The first 2 weeks he would barely eat around or in front of me. I had to beg him to stop hiding from me. He didn't want to make me feel bad at all about not being able to eat. I get mad at him for so much silly stuff and this reminds me of how great he really is to me. Obviously not all men are sensitive. Hang in there.

I don't snore anymore....it just stopped. And I can get up in the morning now without a problem. I used to use the snooze on my alarm clock a hundred times and wake up like a zombie. I didn't realize what all that junk food put me into a coma at night.

Ice cream....LOVE IT. 3 1/3 weeks without it so far. I won't even let DH bring it into the house. We had my mother in law come to stay the weekend and she wanted to go buy some for her and I begged her not to bring it into the house. I know that is selfish, but I just couldn't handle it being here.

Just curious, how many calories are you getting in your diet? And how much Protein. I have learned on here a lot of people have this problem when they are eating too few calories. Your body goes into starvation mode and holds on to every bit of fat. Especially if you are working out and work hard at your job. Many have recommended between 1100-1200 calories if you are very active. I am only a little over 3 weeks in, but week 2 i didn't lose a thing, but I upped my calories and started dropping again. Good luck to you.

I am 16 days post op, feeling pretty good. On pureed foods. I have my first fill appointment set for November 19th, so far down 17.5 pounds. But this evening I found myself questioning my decision.... My fiancé and I decided to go to the mall and pick up a few things and catch a movie. I thought this was a great idea. Since the surgery, I really hadn't done much for fun. I think this was not the best choice for me. This is something we do a lot. We usually make a day of it and have a lot of fun. But I forgot our day usually included eating at either Chevy's tex mex or Cheesecake factory, popcorn and soda with the movie or sneaking in an Auntie Ann's pretzel and top off the night with a Love it size Founder favorite Cold Stone Creamery Ice cream. Well I am pleased to report, I did not do any of the aforementioned. BUT IT WAS NOT EASY!!! I came home feeling anxious, ravenous, and depressed. I was sitting there not knowing why I was feeling this way, when it finally dawned on me. My old life, the one that revolved around food, was dead. I do question if I made the right decision. Again, I know this is my addictions talking. I need to know that these feelings pass. I know when I look at the scale and I put on my lose pants, I have made the right decision, it is just the silly little mind that plays tricks on me. Anyone else feel the same? Any advice?

Hi everone! Can anyone help. Everything I eat or drink, I cannot stop burping. I am falling all the rules, what I am eating, how I am eating, how much I am eating. Then by the end of the day, not only am I still burping, but it is coming out the other end (sorry, I know too much information). And it is painful sometimes. I figured this would pass by now. 3 weeks is a little crazy. Please, someone tell me if this goes away. Is this normal? Compared to the first 10 days, my gas issues are much better, but how long do I have to live with this. Thanks! Burp....oops excuse me. :thumbup:

Week 2 I gained 3 pounds...after being down 16 the first week. I was only getting about 400-600 calories a day. After reading many posts here I upped my calories to about 800-1000 in any given day and the weight started to come back off. Week 3 and 1 day today and down 20 pounds since surgery. Our metabolism is a fickle thing.

I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure this was so diffuclt to go through. Your life was already turned upside down with getting banded then to go through this, I cannot imagine. I am newly banded (3 weeks). I have lost 20 pounds so far. I am excited and moving along. I keep on here reading other peoples success to keep myself focused and motivated. I wish you all the best.

My surgeon discourages me from drinking carbonation. He said if I did, I would probably regret it anyway. Also, I read every piece of literature from lap band themselves and they say NO carbonated beverages. I figured they made the thing, they might know what they are talking about. Trust me, this was my biggest vice. Diet Coke....my dear sweet friend. I miss her LOL

I am not sure what to do to get it through. I would also guess something hot. But my surgeon suggested I not chew gum or eat hard candies just for that reason, accidentally swallowing. Hopefully it doesn't get stuck.

It is different for everyone, but I really didn't start feeling myself until about 10 days or so. I still have some issues, but once I was getting enough Protein in my diet, that helped me with fatigue. I know it is hard, but try to get at least 50 or 60 grams of protein per day. It will help with energy level. I am 3 weeks today and feel ok most of the time. Some gas issues still, but nothing compared to week one. Hang in and take it slow.

That is what the lapband system stats show if you do nothing but get fills and eat less due to restriction. But you are in control of how much you lose. I believe as I get more weight off I will have more energy to work out and contribute to my weight loss. So I plan on being in the over 100 pounds lost club! You can too!

I am not pregnant, but this was a big concern for me before getting the band. My surgeon said he will unfill the band sometime during the pregnancy and during breast feeding. All depending on your nutritional habits, etc. Once you are ready to start getting the pregnancy weight off, you can start filling again. He assured me it will not be a problem.

So my band taught me my first lesson today. I have been eating pureed/chopped foods now for a week. I was running late for work, so I thought I will just grap a banana and have that for lunch. I was thinking it isn't the protein I need, but it will tide me over. So lunch came around. Wasn't terribly hungry, but thought I better eat my banana. Well I did. All of it. What the hell was I thinking. About 3/4 threw it, I felt a little pain in my stomach. Well I have so many unexplained pains and growns and gurgles I don't know what is what. Well I should have listened to this one. My band WAS NOT HAPPY with that banana. I continued to finish it. I thought, well this is all I am eating for lunch, so come on, give me a break. I am going to eat all the damn banana. It weighed less than 6 1/2 oz with skin! 15 minutes later, I am in real pain. Burping pretty nastily (nothing coming up thank God). although that might have given me some relief. I couldn't even sit in my chair. I had to go walk around. Bottom line, 10 hours later, my stomach is still punishing me, but getting through it. I learned my lesson. Listen to my body. The problem is, when you don't know what your body is saying, it is hard to listen I don't think I will be having a banana for awhile and I will slow down and pack a lunch.:confused:

I have an aunt that had GB and she eat pretty much whatever she wants. But she had sooooo many problems. Yes, she lost the weight, but now she is gaining back slowing. I decided to go with the band because i wanted to take ownership of my weightloss. I know I have to work with the band. I know I am in control of my destiny. And yes, with all WLS there can be complications. However, with the band, it can simply be reversed, removed...bypass is not! That was my other biggest deciding factor. You can succeed or fail on either. Bypass is a guaranteed, larger weight loss, but long term you can gain it back. I was told by 2 different surgeons that the band is a better tool for long term maintenance. They are 2 very different surgeries and I think you have a lot more thinking and research to do. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

My advice is to keep on your insurance company and the doctor's office. The clerical person told me she could get approval in 2 weeks. Unfortunately, I was denied to do some paperwork issues. After 2 1/2 months, I was finally approved.

My surgeon didn't require a pre-op diet. In some ways that was good, but I think in some ways bad. I think my first 10-14 days was the WORST. I am now at week 3 and have not cheated...at all. But I will tell you one thing, it was hard as hell. I cried and mourned my old friend (food) and my anti-depressant. I didn't anticipate how difficult the food withdrawl would be. So doing a pre-op diet is certainly setting you up for success afterwards. Plus it gives you a great head start on weight loss. Good luck to you. You can do it.

I watched a segment Dr. Oz did about this. He said once the damage is done from gaining a lot of weight and losing it, there really isn't anything you can do to repair the problem other than surgery. He did say push ups were the best to keep it from getting worse. I already know I have to start a boop club fund instead of my christmas club fund next year :tongue_smilie:

October 22nd here!

Don't worry this is normal...at least it was for me. The first 10 days were the hardest. I was depressed, crying, confused, regretful. This will pass....I promise. Little by little. It is the addiction talking. You are morning your former life. Plus this is the hardest part of the entire thing (from what I am told)...the healing process. Hang in there. It will get better. I am only 20 days post op and compared to week one, I am amazing! Just keep busy and stay on here. Reading inspiring stories helps me through the hard times.

So my band taught me my first lesson today. I have been eating pureed/chopped foods now for a week. I was running late for work, so I thought I will just grap a banana and have that for lunch. I was thinking it isn't the protein I need, but it will tide me over. So lunch came around. Wasn't terribly hungry, but thought I better eat my banana. Well I did. All of it. What the hell was I thinking. About 3/4 threw it, I felt a little pain in my stomach. Well I have so many unexplained pains and growns and gurgles I don't know what is what. Well I should have listened to this one. My band WAS NOT HAPPY with that banana. I continued to finish it. I thought, well this is all I am eating for lunch, so come on, give me a break. I am going to eat all the damn banana. It weighed less than 6 1/2 oz with skin! 15 minutes later, I am in real pain. Burping pretty nastily (nothing coming up thank God). although that might have given me some relief. I couldn't even sit in my chair. I had to go walk around. Bottom line, 10 hours later, my stomach is still punishing me, but getting through it. I learned my lesson. Listen to my body. The problem is, when you don't know what your body is saying, it is hard to listen :confused: I don't think I will be having a banana for awhile and I will slow down and pack a lunch.:confused:

I found my favorite new mushy meal: ground chicken fried (3oz) in pan with fat free refried beans (2oz)...a little pam spray (olive oil). Melt a little part skim mozz. over the beans. Then top that with a little salsa and some low fat sour cream. YUMMY!! finally something with a little taste. I eat about 5-6 ounces and feel completely satisfied (tastebuds and belly)...maybe about 200 cals and 25 grams of protein. If you like mexican, you will like this one!