RobinLB

This thread is encouraging. I was banded 2/7/11 and lost 11 lbs in the first couple of weeks. I've plateaued but I've also been hungry and can eat pretty much as I did pre-banding. I just didn't have restriction. 4 days ago, I had my long waited for 1st fill 4.4 cc's, but still not enough restriction that's going to show much weight loss. I'm so bummed out about the 8 wk waiting period before fills. It's going to be at least the better part of a 1/2 year or more before I start having any kind of weight loss that will be noticable to others. I really didn't picture having to wait so long for results, but at least after reading this thread, I'm feeling less discouraged.

Low cost Highly blendable Good flavor Stevia used for sweetner, not aspartame Suculose (Spenda) ok, prefer Stevia No to low sodium And if possible, not to have it change texture if using in a hot drink, Just banded one week ago, have only tried Biochem brand so far, I'm using the flavorless one, but it does blend well at all.

Have you tried eating something a little larger and if yes, how did it work out? I generally eating that size when anything more than very soft food, like NSA pudding, jello, etc. I haven't had any fills yet, just banded 2/7.

I have been using portion control, ie 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 3 oz chicken, etc, but I can easily drink with meals, even gulp down a beverage. Don't have to take smaller than normal bites, and although I'm chewing more than before, there have been many times I've been distracted and feel that particular swallow could have been a problem. Is this all normal? Will it be necessary to do all those things correctly after first fill?

Well, I've never tested eating as much as I would want to. I'm used to feeling full when I'm done eating, and except for the first few days right after surgery when there was swelling to help give you the I-can't-eat-anymore- feeling. I stop when I'm comfortable, or the food runs out on my plate, LOL. I also count calories never letting it go above 1000, mostly in 800-900 cal range. If I get hungry, meaning my stomach feels very very empty, or there are hunger pains, in other words, no mistaking it for psychological hunger, I eat something, or do a Protein shake. I often add Protein powder to the Protein shake because 1) it gives me more protein, and 2) it adds a little more thickness to it that helps to stick to the ribs a little more. I have not suffered at all when it comes to eating since I've been banded. I'm hungry, I eat and there's ususally 2-4 hours between eating/meals. I don't think I'm going to be one of those real fast losers, but I am losing. 6 lbs in two weeks. I'l probably be even more comfortable after my first fill when I can actually feel 'full' again. Hope this helps. BTW, I may not have been listening very well, but I don't recall reading or hearing about stomach muscles really hurting after surgery, so know that will happen. Anything you use your stomach muscles for will cause pain, like getting up from a chair or couch, or rolling out of bed. It lasted about 4 days or so. Thank goodness I never had the gas pains that some people complain about. Good luck, you're on way to a new and better life.

Heather, I'm glad you cleared up a couple of things for me. I thought the reason to wait a period of time before and after eating to drink was so you wouldn't throw up, but I guess at least in part, its tohelp you fill full longer. I thought the same thing about taking small bites, waiting 5-10 minutes between bites,making eating very drawn out, was also so you wouldn't get stuck, but thats also help you stay fuller feeling. Ok, I can do that. uot

I thought I saw mention of it somewhere on this board.

I was just banded 2/7 at Orange Coast Memorial Hospital, Dr. LaPorte's practice, but Dr. Ali specifically. All ok so far but only have lost 3 or so lbs so far. How about you? Robin, Mission Viejo

I was banded on 2/7 and only today, the area directly under the big incision is hurting quite a bit. the area doesn't look inflammed but it feels that way. Normal?

About the Blender Bottle, besides great blending, does it help make it thicker, as a blender would? And here's my contribution to great products: Harmonized Protein, http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/progressive/harmonizedprotein.html Sweetened with Stevia, blends like a dream, tastes great, and doesn't change texture or clump when used in a hot beverage. The link above has the best prices.

Exactly!!! Perhaps its the quantity of mush that could get you trouble, or a renegade larger piece that escapes the molars.

Hi everyone. I live in Mission Viejo for the last 13 yrs, but lived right near La Brea Tar pits before that, in fact, worked at Cedars (non clinical area) for years. I was banded 2/7. I've only had 2 anxiety attacks in my life, both over 20 yrs. So I thought it would be a good time to have another one as I was being wheeled on the guerney from where they prep you before taking you to the OR. We passed an emergency exit door and I was fighting with myself whether to jump and escape, LOL. Wasn't funny at the time. And I wouldn't have had to be so dramatic, just simply say 'changed my mind'. I have a fear of vomiting and when I'm overly hungry, can feel nauseated, so what added to the problem is I was queasy before surgery due to hunger, and afraid of pain meds right after surgery would make me vomit, but they didn't. Maybe I wasn't listening carefully, but never heard there would be stomach muscle pain like that. It was much much better a few days later. So now, 10 days later, I feel like a veteran, don't know what my fuss was all about, no trouble eating and drinking appropriately, in fact no problem drinking a little faster than recommended and not waiting between swallows of soft foods, like nsa pudding, etc. Today, eating a scrambled egg for the first time with a little cottage cheese. No problem. I had the surgery at Orange Coast Medical Center, Dr. LaPorte in Fountain Valley. I've had a lot of energy from about day 4, how about you. I've been really productive. Alas, not more than 3 or so lbs lost so far. I'm 5' tall, 260 lbs starting weight, 59 yrs old.

Wow, thanks. Think I'll have to get this. Just the cheatsheet is very helpful, have downloaded it for easy reference. Does this book include quick and easy recipes?

...and this is the way any weight loss program works for me. Just today started on Stage 2 foods but if smooth, creamy or liquid, really easy to get down. I feel I might be eating too much, and I find I don't really have to wait between swallows or wait very long before I have a beverage. I assume that will change after 1st fill. First few days, not hungry I assume due to swelling, but that has changed, now hungry, stomach growling. Most of all, not losing much has been my big concern since I never ate huge quantities of food, and cutting way down on calories + exercise did not result in weight loss. Always grew an early tolerance to whatever program I was or meds (i.e. fen/phen). Discouraged,

You're not going to lose much when your body is trying to heal. Why?

I know what you mean. I was just banded a week ago, and there are times when i know I need to stop but its more of a bloated feeling than a 'full' feeling. In fact, I can still feel a hunger pain when i 'feel' I shouldn't eat more. So I don't know if its swelling, gas, to much liquid or what. I can certainly 'eat' more now than a week ago, and I've only dropped a couple of lbs this week. I was hoping I wouldn't need a fill like the few lucky ones but I can already see that's not going to happen.

Reverie, Are you male or female? Just like with regular dieting, I wonder if men loose faster with LB than women. I looked at your profile, you're only 20? So again, do younger people loose faster with LB than older?

I'm not picturing that at this early stage you'd be able to eat as much as a 1/2 sweet potato. I'm sorry, I didn't notice on your message what your weight loss progress has been, but if its been impressive, you might be lucky. Good luck with this!

That's wonderful! I hope you make it.

And a few other questions: 1) How long is it necessary to wear the stretchy band thing that you wrap very snuggly around your upper and mid belly? 2) I assume its the swelling that's putting pressure under the area just below my breasts, in the center, at the inch long incision point. What is under that area, the small pouch? I can see where too much food/liquid could back things up and cause vomiting? It hasn't come to that, but I see where it could. I'm so glad I can gauge it early enough to stop before it happens. 3) Did your stomach muscles hurt, like when trying to get up out of a chair or bed?

Wow, great recipe suggestions.

An additional note to my post below - I'm actually feeling a LOT better tonight.

Ok, those of us who had it today. How did it go, how are you feeling? It was a little more difficult than I had anticipated because of few factors: I got little sleep the night before, had tremendous anxiety, (unusual for me0, and consideredd jumping off the guerny and running for it when theythey were taking me to the OR. I don't ususally have pain from surgeries, and there is some pain, not unbearable though. It's a little better tonight . Did you get a stretchy band to where around your torso? Its so supposed to make you feel a litt more comfortabl but I'm not sure. I thinks its also supposed to help keep the swelling down. Being overly hungry causes me to be qweezy to nauseated (which I fear) and I experienced that before the surgery, which was making me more anxious. the Anesthesiologist gave me so anti-nausea meds before I went to the OR. I think it helped. After surgery, felt I needed pain relief. I panicked when they said they would be giving demerol, since I get sick from it especially on an empty stomach, but they said they do something with it where there's not that reaction any more, and they were right. And I'm having to walk for one minute every 15 minutes to prevent clot, whicih is not quite happening that often, more like every 30min-60min. I also have to blow in that plastic toy like thing to keep my oxgen up, once every hour 6-8 times. The muscles in my chest get sore from doing that but am able to get the number up to the goal level tonight. Was a little harder when still in recovery. The nurse at the hospital said something encouraging - that what ever pain or discomfort I'm experiencing, this is the worst it will be and day by day gets easier. I'll keep you posted. So in summary, more difficult than I thought but this was because of my personal quirks, better than it could have been. I've been drinking a little Water here and there, and 3-4 super small spoons of greek yogurt. When down fine, waited 10 minutes between each one. I did begin to 'feel' when I should probably stop, and I did. I can live with this! I was so worried I wouldn't know when to stop, and get sick.

I have been fortunate in that everyone at work and at home has been supportive and encouraging even those who have come up to me to ask my permission to tell me how good I look I'm offering a dollar to everyone that comes up to tell me that. Whether its true or not. to those who during the holidays keep the christmas goodies out of my site or those that made the ultimate sacrifice and ate them before I could be tempted LOL. (God Bless them!). Right down to my DH who continues this process with me and in his own way compliments my weight loss ( Wow honey, you now have wrinkles in your behind.. Now that's funny. Actually, I expect to have hanging skin on my behind because its very large and has been since I've been a little girl. I knew someone who'd had the Fobi pouch, had lost all her excess weight, and she had hanging skin on her behind. It is what it is. And there's always cosmetic surgery Scorpio, so am I! Ok -- should we go for it? I'm Oct 29th.