happy2lose

Yes, I do experience what you describe. I just had a fill on Friday and my band is so tight I can't comfortable eat until early evening. I expect as the swelling in the stomach goes down that I will be able to eat with ease again. Keep in mind that once you get stuck and toss your food, you should finish that day with only liquids because your stomach will swell and you will not be able to successfully eat a meal.

I actually disagree with Cathy on one point. I can feel restriction. I had my 3rd fill and final for at least 6 months according to my doctor. I can feel it and it is difficult to eat the first few bites. This is probably because the stomach is still swollen and my band is really tight. I expect the restricted feeling to go away as my swelling subsides. Otherwise, I most likely will need a slight unfill and this may be the case with you. Best of luck to you, Donna

You will know when you reach descent restriction. Your band will feel tighter in your chest and it will at first be more difficult to swallow. Sweet spot means the proper restriction when you feel satisfied eating less and can go 4 hours between meals without feeling hungry. Like another poster said, until your reach it you will have to rely on will power. Hang in there, Donna

I just had my 3rd fill on Friday. I have the same sensation in my throat. It's because our stomachs are still swollen and our band feels really tight. Wait a week and the feeling should subside once the swelling goes down. Be careful eating so you don't get stuck or vomit as it would cause the swelling to worsen or the band to slip. Be sure to get all your Water in.

It took me 6 months to lose 75 pounds. I have had many experiences where suddenly I can't eat or drink because I feel too tight. My surgeon's office is where I learned of all the things that can make your band seem tighter. I too was self pay. I do have medical insurance but they wouldn't cover the band (only GB).

Thank you Kiz!

Be very careful that you don't get dehydrated. I was rushed to the ER this weekend when I went unconscious from dehydration. It was so frightening! If you have a cold or sinus problems it will make your band seem tighter. If you get stuck you are suppose to have only fluids for the next 24 hours because you will be swollen. If you are not well hydrated your stomach will swell making your band too tight. It's kind of a vicious cycle. Don't try to eat if you can't swallow well enough, just drink fluids until the swelling goes down. Your menstrual cycle can also cause your stomach to swell. If the tightness continues you should contact your surgeon's office. I had a fill on Friday and because of the bout of dehydration I am still struggling to swallow Water. I hope you feel better, Donna

This is great advice!

I know how you feel. I am 6 1/2 months post-op and have already experienced 2 months of no weight loss. What others are saying about your body adjusting itself is absolutely correct. I have twice now hit plateaus that lasted well over a month each. Be sure you take your body measurements because during these plateaus it is important that you realize you are losing inches. It does take the scale some time to catch up with the measurement losses. Hang in there and be patient. You didn't get to 400 pounds overnight and it's not going to fall off overnight. I do suggest, you increase your exercise time each week in order to keep seeing results and fluctuate your calorie intake by 100-200 calories periodically. Best of luck to you, Donna

Well if all else fails at least you will have a good start to your weight loss (the 10% Kaiser requires). If you don't get approved, don't give up because there are still options.

Way to go!

Since we are all very different, I feel it is important to find what will work for our individual needs and stick with it. During past diets I would keep my eye on the prize and fail every time. I want this time to be different and I want to succeed and this is what is working for me so far. Mini goals is what works for me! Best of luck to you, Donna Donna

Once you get some restriction you wont feel so hungry. I recommend that when you feel the need to cheat you change your focus by going out for a long walk. You may not be able to exercise yet but you can certainly start walking. You should walk at least an hour each day and I'll bet your weight loss starts up again.

I'm not mad either! Many of us have told you what works for us and you just seem to have an excuse for not doing any of it. I want to help people who really want help that's all.

Hello, I totally agree with you about setting mini goals. I want to lose 150 pounds but that number has always seemed just tooooo overwhelming. This is why I set my first weight loss goal at 50 pounds. My second goal was 75, my third 100 and my final is 150. By setting these mini goals I have not ever felt overwhelmed and I have now made it to my second goal. I think those weight charts that tell you where to be at your height are crap. Not everybody is healthy when they look like a twig and I have never been a twig. For this reason I set my goal at a realistic weight that I feel I will be able to maintain. Best of luck to you! You can do it! Donna

Muscle Milk is pretty good but my favorite is Matrix5. It tastes great when you add ice and banana to the vanilla mix and make a smoothie in the blender.

My surgeon told me that the port pain would last up to about week 6 and he was right on the mark. Congratulations! Donna

Congratulations Stacy! I recommend that you walk, walk, walk. It will jump start your weight loss and help get the gas out. Check with your doctor as to when you can begin working out though. The first month or two is about healing and some people don't lose any weight during this time. I walked a lot and began losing immediately. I'm sure you will do great! Donna

Is Kaiser doing the sleeve now? I have Kaiser (Riverside) and they were not doing the band at the time I was offered the Options program so I opted to go to Mexico and self pay because my only other alternative was GB and I wanted the band. I really didn't know anything about the sleeve when I had my surgery, but now I am wishing I did and wishing I would have gotten the sleeve. It is my understanding that once you are in the Options program you will see one of the doctors in prevent. medicine before you are approved. I do know that your qualifying weight is the weight taken at your time of orientation. Please let me know about the sleeve though because at some point I would like to convert to it. Donna

That is where your band is located. It took 2-3 weeks before I became less aware of it being there. Give it a little more time and I'm willing to bet that feeling goes away.

If you have trouble eating meat, try eating Beans. You can spice them up with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapenos. Also, I swear by the Greek yogurts. The Fage-0 has 20 gr of Protein. Sweeten it with some Splenda and vanilla extract, it tastes great with a little granola for some crunch. Try adding some whey Protein Powder to your food to help boost the protein. Hope I've helped you, Donna

I think you are probably right HappyHomeCC.

All we can do is make suggestions to help you. If you don't want to take our advice then don't complain if you aren't losing weight and eating the way you are suppose to.

You have been given some excellent advice. Sometimes you need to rely on good old "will power". I suggest you go through your refrigerator, freezer and your cupboards immediately and get rid of all the bad foods that you should not be eating. Give them to a neighbor or donate to the homeless shelter but DO NOT KEEP THEM IN YOUR HOUSE. If you focus on your Protein then you should not be hungry. Cut up all your meat before eating it into tiny fingernail size pieces. Concentrate on chewing each piece until it is a paste consistency in your mouth before swallowing. If you do this you will be able to eat any meat. If you are hungry (real hunger not head hunger) between meals then you most likely need a fill. Don't give up. Just start again and do what you know you are suppose to be doing. YOU CAN DO THIS!