Humming Bird

It may not be as much your shakes as it is ketosis. The shakes might make it more so. For me, over time it stopped.

When was the last time you went in to see your lapband doc? If it's been awhile you may need a little bit of a fill to get the weightloss going again.

Wouldn't it be easy if the band worked the same for everyone? It doesn't and sometimes it is frustrating to get it all worked out. In my own case, I have not counted calories or anything else since the day I was banded. I do try to stay aware of things like calories and Protein, but don't obcess over it. I go on about my life and don't live and breath my diet or weightloss. I can't let it consume my life. I know my way will not work for everyone, but the important part is that it works for me. I lost 100 pounds in the first year. For me it has mostly been about getting to my sweet spot early in the process. If you have only lost a tiny amount it sounds to me like you need more fill. Even that can be frustrating because you can go over into the red zone and be too tight. Then you have to go get a bit taken out to bring you back to the green zone/ sweet spot. It can be well worth it to find the proper fill level.

For the summer I like Nectar brand. You can get samples online so you can check out all the flavors. You mix them with water and they are like a kool-aid type drink. I like the roadside lemonaid flavor.

There are a few things I always keep on hand : Chili, canned chicken, oatmeal, protein powder, cheese, leafy type salad, yogurt / lite, drinkable smoothy type ......... Each of us end up being a little different with what we can and can't eat. I've been banded almost 2 years, so pretty much get in the groove with my own eating patterns. It takes a little time to get it figured out, but I try to keep variety without crossing that line that would cause me discomfort or other problems. You are pre-op? I ended up buying way too much liquid type stuff for the post-op requirements, but it's so hard to know. I got a big bottle of apple juice, took one sip post-op, and ended up throwing out the rest because it was way too sweet. I was never a fan of yogurt before the band, but sure did eat quite a bit in that first few months post-op. I still eat it and put in the blender with protein powder, fruit and ice.

Throwing up black is a symptom of a bleeding ulcer. I agree with the above posters. You need to be seen by a doc. Here is a sample of info you can find on the web: The symptoms of a bleeding ulcer</FONT> If any of the following symptoms of a bleeding ulcer present themselves, we urge you to move swiftly towards getting treatment, and make sure you tell your doctor about all the symptoms you have. The passing of foul smelling black, tarry stools could be one of the first symptoms of a gastric ulcer or a duodenal ulcer that has started bleeding dark red blood in your stools If your ulcer is already at an advanced stage then repeated and different signs of bleeding can be identified. Vomiting of new blood which is bright red in color - this indicates that a gastric ulcer has started bleeding. This will be accompanied by repeated episodes of nausea. Vomiting dark and grainy blood that looks like instant coffee granules. The dark color indicates that this is old blood. unplanned weight loss intense and more localized pain in people with penetrating ulcers - the pain may also radiate to your back faintness and dizziness when standing up - this is due to loss of blood. Over a long period of time, you may become anemic and feel weak, dizzy, or tired all the time. This is typical of a slow bleed left untreated. REMEMBER if you have been diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer or even if you have the slightest suspicion that you are bleeding from an ulcer, please do not hesitate to get emergency medical treatment right away!

The ignore list is also a nice feature here. If someone gets on your nerves, just put them on your ignore list and you never see what they post.

Wendy's small chili 210 calories 17g Protein Starbucks skinny latte 90 calories 9g protein

They include some fat between the stomach and band to help avoid erosion.

not always, one time I did, but it ended up being an altitude issue in the end. That time I went back for a re-fill 2 weeks later to get back to my sweet spot.

I have been this bad before, but you are getting conflicting advise. I guess you are just going to have to wing it for the weekend.

That is "slime". If your coffee is warm or hot, you are only making the swelling worse.

I think mine were 8 weeks for the first 2 fills ...........then I went back after 9 months, ended up going back for an unfill that brought me back to the fill level of my 2nd fill again..... then I went 11 months.

eat half, then stick it back in the freezer ...... then in a little bit eat the other half .... This is why they have us use ice packs after surgery ..... to get the swelling to go down. Just like putting ice on a swollen knee ...... I would stick with ice cold until you can get a tiny bit taken out ....maybe tomorrow?

You could have some swelling from all the throwing up, but shakes should go down always. So should icecream really. You would be shocked at how much better things are even with .1 taken out. If you can't get the doc to take some out after he finishes his surgeries tomorrow (or between surgeries), you should stick with ice cold liquid to get the swelling to go down. I know many use hot liquids in the mornings when they are tight, but swelling needs cold. Can you eat a popsicle?

I use adult centrum chewable too. My surgeon had me start on them pre-op and I have chewed one every day since

It's interesting how different people view all the exams and testing and such. In my case, I searched for a surgeon and hosp. that would have me jump through the least amount of hoops. I knew I did not need all that stuff and think most of it is just big $$$ makers.

I don't count calories, but I'm sure you could find the info on their website.

That has been one of my favs too ...................yum

Normal for me is taking very small bites and making sure the food is well chewed, not chewing so much it turns to liquid mush or I get grossed out, just well chewed. Some foods give me trouble no matter how much I chew, so I don't eat them. Examples of those would be steak, pork, most bread, Pasta, eggs. I eat oatmeal often and don't worry about over-chewing it. I make 1/2 a portion and it is just the right size (quaker quick oats/ not little instant packets). At 4 weeks post-op and with no fill, I would think you should not be having trouble like you are.

I am so glad it worked out well. Now keep the communication open. See what you put yourself through! All the stressing over telling him ....... I guess that's how we women are ...lol I'm happy for you. Now, tell your daughters !

Tell him already!!! You are driving us all crazy!!!! LOL I hope it goes well........

Great Job! Yes the loss looks great on you! To post a pic: Put the pic in an album in your gallery first. When you open your album, there will be a large pic and then below that there will be a thumbnail size. Right click on the pic you want to post (large or small) choose 'properties' a window will come up with the url you need to copy copy the url then come to this thread and reply click on the insert image at the top of this reply box clear the http that is in the box and paste your url.

If I were any of those surgeons I would have had a heart attack right there!:scared: