b9409

This is my experience too!!!! And it's making me MISERABLE! I HATE this....and have not been able to find answers. I called my dr. yesterday to follow up about it, and we've been playing phone tag, but her last message was that she does not know why my band is so inconsistent like this and she wants me to come in for a barium swallow to see if anything's wrong, so now I'm worried.... I hope lots of people respond and help us with this!

Hi there!!! It's good to hear about your journey! I also have problems with how my period affects my fill level, and currently have a call in to my dr. to get it l sorted out. Here's been the most helpful thing for me: 1. Solid Protein at EVERY meal. 2. Solid protein FIRST 3. No liquid calories Just stick to the basic rules and you should be good to go!

My Dr. gave me a probiotic pill, and that has helped me drastically with the "fiber-related issues". i.e. pooping regular. You can also get Culturelle over the counter and this helps. I know this wasn't your exact question, but I thought I'd throw it out there just in case it helps....

Okay, I need help. I swear that my band is Bi-polar, and I'm a therapist, so I'm not just saying that. I was banded 9-4-09, and have lost about 30 lbs total. One day, my band is great--I have to eat slow and stead, small bites, chew alot, and small portions. (4-6 oz of meat, and 1 cup total sides). Part of me thinks that's too much. Then, the very next day, I won't even be able to drink Water in the morning. Sometimes it won't be until 3pm until I can drink comfortably without BPing it up. Then, the day after that, I can eat WHATEVER I want--6 pieces of pizza. Help! Does anyone else's band do this? I know I have restriction due to the fact that I get stuck quite often, but then the next day, I can eat ANYTHING in ANY amount. HELP!! (ps, yes, I am trying to eat Protein first, and I am taking small bites and chewing....but the days I get stuck on water in the a.m. are the WORST!) Any advice??

Thanks for your thoughts! Here's a couple of mine in return: I have been MUCH better about my food choices until I feel off the wagon recently. I stopped journaling my food (which was helping a TON), and I have not had healthy food choices in my fridge. The hardest thing for me is that I have zero support. I live alone in a "new" town, and have no friends or family in this area. So, evenings are definately harder for me to stay on track. I have helped fill this time by swimming, which has helped me cut down on crappy food. Since I live alone and work long hours, it's hard for me to make healthy dinners and keep the fridge stocked with good choices. I CAN do better about this.... Anyway, I agree with all of you. I just need to suck it up and get back on the wagon. What have your struggles been with emotional eating, and how did you overcome them?

Okay, fellow bandsters....I need help. It's been almost a year since I was banded, in 3 weeks it will be my one year bandiversary. I've only lost 25 lbs. I can't seem to lose weight! I've gone back to eating crappy, high calorie slider foods, and can't seem to force myself to make changes. I have been going swimming every night and doing some Water exercises (usually for at least 30 mins) a day. But, I'm having problems eating healthy. Here's what I've had to eat today: Breakfast: Fruit and Yougurt parfait from McDonalds. Diet Dr. Pepper Lunch: 2-3oz. pork tenderloin. 1/2 c. Pasta salad (Suddenly Salad) and 1/4 c. cottage cheese "Stress Snack at work": 1 can Pepsi Dinner: 3/4 baked potato with hot link sausage on top, cheese, and about 1/2 TBSP sour cream. For after dinner, I get lonely and will probably eat. I have leftover brownines, and will probably want to eat one with a glass of milk. HELP me! I am really getting bummed out with my lack of progress one year later....

A tip I read about once said to pour (not sprinkle) salt over the food that is left on the plate once you are full. This will prevent you from eating those last few bites. (And it feels "easier" than throwing it away). But, I am exactly in the same boat! I force myselt to eat even though it hurts sometimes. I feel like such a failure because I am 6 months out, have only lost 20lbs, and have a hard time stopping eating, especially since I know that after I burp, I will have more room to eat.

I have never been a breakfast eater, and have never liked yogurt, but I FINALLY found something that I LOVE! I buy "carbmaster" yogurt, Kroger brand, from the grocery store. It is 80 cals and 12 grams of protein! I buy the vanilla flavor... THEN, the best part, I buy fresh cut berries (strawberries, black, blue, and raspberries, pre-cut...NOT frozen!), and mix that into the yogurt with about 1/3 cup of low-fat granola cereal. It is so wonderful! Sweet, filling, and HEALTHY! I actually now prefer this "treat" for not only breakfast, but if I want dessert too. It's the only way I found to eat breakfast. The fresh berries are the key....frozen made me want to gag.

Today is my 6mth bandiversary, and I am feeling like the band hasn't really helped me. I have only lost 20 lbs!!! IN 6 MONTHS! I don't think I'm getting much of anything from the band. I DO have restriction...I am at 7.1ccs in a 10cc band, but I can still eat a lot of food (several cups, and can keep eating if I really want to). I know I need to be better about exercise and making good choices, but I don't know how the band is supposed to be helping me. Ugh, only 20 lbs. I am really discouraged. Any thoughts??

I was banded in Overland Park at Weight Loss Surgical Center...(on 135th and 69 highway-i think). I live in Salina, but try to make it back to Overland Park for support group meetings. I really wish I could find either some fellow bandsters around my area, or a closer support group. (KStateArmywife, how are you doing???) Have you been banded yet? Thinking about it? If so, where did you get it done?

This is what I would do if I were in this situation: 1. Schedule an appt. with the new dr., maybe a fill, to see if she lives up to the reviews. Until you meet with you, you won't know if she's a better fit. Also, you need a chance to ask questions, specifically if she also has a nurse who is the gatekeeper, etc. I would be honest and tell her what your experience has been like so far, so that she can shoot you straight. 2. If you like the new dr., I would definately transfer. 3. I would write a letter to the CEO of the medical center that your old dr. is part of. I would address it to the CEO (or whoever owns the company) and tell them about your experience because that is the person who cares the most about losing your business. Also, no CEO is going to make excuses like your dr. did for her behavior. He will deal with it because he's losing business. 4. In my letter, I would use bullet points or very clearly list the main few reasons why I was leaving the practice. Don't drag it out. The less words you use to state your point, the better you'll be. Anyway, don't know if this helps. Just thought I'd share what I've found helpful in the past. Good luck! Keep us posted!

Hi Guys, Just need some encouragement. I'm really feeling bummed and depressed lately. I feel like a lapband failure. I'm 3.5 months out from surgery and have only lost 15 lbs. I am doing the best I can....I need to be better about my exercise, I know that. But, I've just been really depressed lately--really lonely for the holiday, I think. And missing my best holiday friend....FOOD! Anyway, just typing it out. Hope everyone is doing well!