Banded 7/27/09

Hi, I was feeling more and more like you about 8 weeks out. I saw my therapist and decided that it was part of my "fat mind" trying to self sabbotage. Sometimes what ever was the "real" reason for gainning weight, remembers when something happened at certain weights. If that makes any sense to you. Your mind/body connection is strange and can hold on to alot. If you have someone to talk to (like this site) and find out that your not alone, you can do it and you've come so far. You might be able to "snap" out of it and keep going on your journey. Hope that helps. At least you can say, "maybe I'm not as screwed up as that person" and that will help you....LOL Keep up the good work

I use a whey protein shot in my water. I buy it at Wal Mart for 1.97 a tube/shot. It takes like a fruit punch and its really not bad. It has 26g of protein in one shot. It is similar to Protec but cheaper and doesn't have a weird smell like Protec. Hope that helps

Hi, try to eat or drink more protein to help with the hunger feeling...I was told by my nutrionist that if I need to eat some protein every 3-4 hours, its okay. Of course, as long as its like 2-3 oz. of protein, that might help too. I wasn't getting enough protein for my body to stay satisfied. As I posted in another repsonse, my surgeon believes in slow fills, so I've had to try to compensate satisfying my hunger and not be so frusterated with the scale not moving as quickly also. I try to wrap my head around the fact that I eat like 1 cup of food 3 or 4 times a day and the weight isn't flying off too. If you try to look at the fact that at least you've made a big step to get rid of the weight for good and that it will take time for it to be a healthy weight loss that probably won't come back....it makes you smile a little bit.. Keep up the good work

I am a little farther along than you, in fact about exactly 1 month. My surgery was 7/27/09. Anyway, my surgeons very carefull about fills. I thought if I could just make it to my first fill, I would know restriction, but I was wrong. He explainned that too much of a fill, too soon could cause more damage in the long run. He does what he calls 1, 2, 3. He does 1 cc on first 2cc on 2nd and 3 cc on 3rd. He wants you to really understand portion control and getting used to what you can and can't tolerate, so I think he is a wise man and at times get very frusterated cuz like I said, I'm like 3 months post op and don't have complete restriction and my weight loss has slowed, so next week is my 3rd fill and that will be the true test of restriction. (According to my surgeon) Dont know if that helps at all but maybe another persons journey. Okay so keep up the good work.:scared2:

I am feeling your pain....I was loosing like crazy until this last fill which wasn't alot, but enough that I REALLY felt restriction. I'm eating less and alot slower and chewing better, and learning all about "stuck", so it doesn't make sense that I'm not loosing some weeks at all and have gained a few, but then loose them. It seems as though I'm trying to loose what I've gained over a few days. (If that makes sense) I really feel like it has to be my body holding on or something, cuz I swear I drink more water and work out more and it just is really getting frusterating how this past month, I've only lost like 5 pounds.....ughh!! :confused:

I know what your experiencing.....I love dairy products, including milk and from day one.....it's not been my friend. It actually feels a little burny and bloaty then gassy for me. Lactaid has been my new best friend and I can have cheese, yogurt, and muscle milk light now. Good luck!!

Hi Headin.....what you'll notice from all the posts is everyone is different. I have been obsessed with the scale and the numbers and my doctor keeps showing me all the other things to focus on, like for instance when is the last time you or I was able to loose any weight at all and keep it off. Also, how are your clothes feeling, how are you feeling (health wise). I'm 2 months post op and was devestated that I had only lost 8 lbs in 1 month, but he pointed out that I lost 8% body fat and my clothes are just about 4 sizes smaller, there were a bunch of other numbers that went down too, like BMI,etc. Also, I'm not having any of the heart trouble that I once had some 40lbs ago either. So try to find something to focus on besides the scale/lbs. And keep up the good hard work and the band will be your guiding tool.....Hope that helps. Take care

According to my food list peanut butter is a big no no with banding....it gets stuck and it takes too long to digest. So just something to think about. The bread part is supposed to be only whole wheat and only toast consistance. I use light orowheat (the little pieces) but 2 pieces is 1 low serving and it toasts very well

I use light orowheat...they are tiny pieces of bread, but they are whole wheat and I toast them. I also use a few crackers and make mini sandwiches that are more manageble while eating on the go....

I literally feel your pain! I have been taking chewable fibers pills anf stool softeners so go figure. I resorted to a suppository today. I will see my surgeon tomorrow for 2nd fill and this issue will be priority topic of discussion. If I hear any spectacular news, I will pass the news along [ QUOTE=tke100;1333149]OK...I was always regular before the surgery but now nothing and way more difficult to move out. It is like little bricks and pretty painful! I drink 40-70 oz of Water but doesn't seem to help. So I called my Dr last week and they advised to take dulcolax at night before bed. Which I did and have been for the last week! The following morning I would go several times and get it all out. Today I woke up at 3:30am with horrible pains in my tummy and then the flood gates opened! All day today my tummy is killing me and I have finally stopped going early afternoon but I am still crampy. Even now at 7:30 at night! So I spoke to my Dr's office and it turns out I have been taking the wrong thing. I was taking a "gentle" laxative when i should have been taking the stool softener! DOH She said just get the water in because I am probably dehydrated at this point, uuuggghhh! Does anyone have severe constipation and able to eventually correct it? I am scared I screwed something up inside since I am still hurting and of course now can't go anymore and feel like I have to! I guess tonight I just take the softener and hope these cramps go away? Anyone have any advise? Banded 08/31

Hey sandiegokate....I too had surgery by Dr Bhoyrul. Don't you just love love him?? Which hosptial did you have yours??

Hey Sue, is your insurance paying for any part of your tummy tuck?

Oh for the love of Pete that liquid potassium is the worst thing known to mankind. So sorry anyone would have to endure that. As you can tell, I, myself had to drink it too.....more awful than anything imaginable!!! No joke, really really bad

Since everyone is different with what they can actually eat. My nutritionist has told me of many cases where individuals can't tolerate ANY meat items...It is just too much to chew and break down enough. Is it just the chicken that gets or feels "stuck"?? Good luck

Your ordeal sounds terrible!!! My nutritionist gave me a receipe for a "drano" of sorts if anything gets stuck! It is 1tsp of meat tenderizer into 8 oz of water. It will taste awful, but it supposedly works wonders on anything stuck. My next suggestion is ask your doctor for any medication that can be in liquid form. They do make vicodin in liquid, it is called Loritab and most anti-biotics and alot of other pain meds do come in liquid form. So ask!! Hope you never have to use the receipe, but it's out there for you now. Take care :thumbup:

Your ordeal sounds terrible!!! My nutritionist gave me a receipe for a "drano" of sorts if anything gets stuck! It is 1tsp of meat tenderizer into 8 oz of Water. It will taste awful, but it supposedly works wonders on anything stuck. My next suggestion is ask your doctor for any medication that can be in liquid form. They do make vicodin in liquid, it is called Loritab and most anti-biotics and alot of other pain meds do come in liquid form. So ask!! Hope you never have to use the receipe, but it's out there for you now. Take care

I think everyone is different, but I was in some pain for a while, especially at the port site. Don't know if I'm just a giant baby with pain these days, but when I called my surgeon to inquire about the pain, he just stated that "your body will need 4 to 6 weeks to heal from this procedure, so the pain will go away and just be patient" Not sure if that will help but I'm 4 weeks and 1 day post op,had my first fill yesterday and I'm in pain AGAIN!!! Like I first said, everyone is different and as long as the pain doesn't worsen, you should be fine. Good job on the weight loss thus far, keep it up:thumbup:

Hi, I had my first fill today and one of the reasons that I was so eager to get the fill was because I was starving the days before. It seemed like as soon as the surgery swelling went down, I started to feel hungry then starving. My surgeon told me that the first fill would not "cure" the hunger feeling because he doesn't want to over fill on the first one, and since you should only eat like 2 oz for a few days after fill try to go about every 3 hours and have high protein 2oz of something to help. Don't know if that will help you at all, but that's what I was told today. Now he scheduled my 2nd fill for next month and he said THEN you'll really not be hungry or starving anymore. Take care. :thumbup:

Hi, I too was banded on 7/27. I feel awful that your surgeon isn't very empathetic or caring, it does make all the difference. I've called my surgeons office over every little thing and they don't mind at all. I would suggest if your a self pay, you might find an alternate office to have your fills done. I understand they might be "included" in your surgery price, but if your unhappy and don't feel like you can ask questions or feel comfortable, it might be worth some cost to find somewhere your comfortable. I'm having my first fill today and can't wait. I have lost about 37 lbs since surgery but the past week, I can tell all the swelling is gone and I'm hungry....desparately need a fill before I overeat and gain. Hope some of this helps. Talk with you again I hope. Take care.

Would love to hear from anyone banded within a few days of 7/27/09. Compare notes....LOL

I had a similar situation with my heart rate...about 8 days post op, I had to go to ER cuz my heart rate was about 41 bpm (too low) stayed about 6 days until all the pre surgery hypertensive medicines were out of my body. Heart rate went back up, but because the band squeezes the vagal nerve (nerve that when squeezed tells your heart to slow down) my heart rate is of concern...possibly need a pacemaker to regulate the heart. I belive my case was extreme, but keep an eye on it. Am I seeing your progress correctly? You had surgery June 09 and you've lost already 60+ lbs? What is your secret...diet? excercise? Keep up the good work!!!!

I was just banded on 7/27 and doing outstanding. I too believe it was the best decision ever...I keep a bottle of Water or Protein and water mix with me at all time and take drinks as often as I look at the bottle. It's been getting easier to drink more often as I keep doing it all the time. Hope that helps. Keep up the good work

As long as you have a good surgeon, you will do great! It's really not that bad. Do you have or have you had children? It's not as bad as that....you'll feel fine within a week and unbelievably happy you did it. Good luck!!