JoJo1

Because our Mothers drummed it into our heads from the moment we were able to eat solid food. "Be sure to clean your plate because people in Ethiopia are starving and you are very lucky to have enough food" My mother came from a very deprived childhood where there was often not enough food. She was never overweight, but she managed to have 5 kids who all have weight issues. She just enjoyed feeding us, because she could. I remember watching her eat and she did not clean her plate and she often left one or two bites. I was envious of that. When I was a teenager, I remember yelling at her because I thought she was the one who made me overweight. Later I learned that I had to take responsibility and deal with it. I too struggle with leaving one or two bites and often more than that, but I just think back to when I watched my Mom and remember that I really do want to throw it out........ Hugs!!!

I would check to see if the "steroid properties" slow down or stop weight loss, but understand how scary it is losing your hair..... Hugs!!!

I am editing my own post here. I have been taking the increased thyroid for only three days and I am already seeing a difference in the bowel issues!!! Just posting an update..... Everyone have a great weekend ok? Hugs!!!

The trick is to do as few carbs as you can and as much protein as you can. When I was in liquid stage, I used the blender all the time. Whatever I was having I found a way to get protein into it. You can use unflavored protein powder in soups, cheese, whatever meat the family is having can be added to your soup and blended. If it is too thick, thin it down with chicken broth. Congratulations by the way!!! Hugs!!!

I also had a fill last Monday and I also am very tight. Not quite as tight as you are, but I also don't want to get any taken out. I was very tight after my last fill too but after I lost 20lbs or so, I loosened up. That is what I am keeping in mind now. I know I will loosen up and then I will appreciate all the restriction I can get. If you stop losing, you may want to get it loosened up a tiny bit to keep you out of "famine control"!! Just one thought to consider!!!

I was also self pay so I followed the post op directions to the letter. What you described about being burned out on the pre-op etc, is exactly why all of have the band. We are not new to dieting any of us. We followed many diets to the letter for awhile, then found ourselves right where you are beating ourselves up for not following the plan. Oh well we are worthless anyway, might as well get some enjoyment out of food. But wait!!! We just paid a bunch of money to help break this pattern. Hmmmm maybe we just need to hang in there and get the healing done. Having said all of that, I do have to say that I sometimes have a grilled cheese. I can only eat half of it because of my restriction, so I eat the other half for lunch the next day. I don't do it all the time, but when I really crave it, I feel it is better to have one than to continue having the feeling of deprivation. I also got banded to get that feeling out of my life. I love my band mainly because I have finally stopped beating myself to pieces over food. Food is a non issue now.... How nice is that? Hugs!!!

My daughter was banded in Dec of 2007. She has taken antidepressant for years. She also got pregnant after the band was placed so she had all those hormone issues to deal with. After the baby was born and the weight was really pooring off of her, she went through a really rough time. I wondered if it was a postpartum issue but it makes her mad to suggest that. She left her husband for about 6 weeks with 4 kids. She got past it and is now back home and is busy and working and going to school. She might have also tried to just do too much which is always a problem for her. Anyway, maybe you should look around at the rest of your life and maybe pinpoint something significant that you can work on changing. Are you exercising? A brisk walk can do wonders!! Hugs!!!

I had a mild stuck episode Saturday. I was filled on Monday, and I knew I was tight. I don't think it was a big piece as much as about one bite too much. I was swollen after, and had trouble even with liquids. I just sipped water the rest of the day and I was even swollen a lot of the next day. I am also much more carefull now!!! Hugs!!!

I was also determined that no one know about my surgery. I flew to my destination Friday, had surgery Saturday morning,flew home Monday, and worked on my feet all day on Tuesday. I worked full time everyday. I also got tired but I found that drinking lots of water helped tremendously with the tired feeling. I also walked a mile the day after surgery. The movement really helps with the gas pains so moving around or going up stairs will be the best thing you can do. Congratulations and best of luck!!!! Hugs.....

Yep that is it!!!!

This is when you really need patience. Some docs are ultra conservative so you either have to just be patient, or find another doc. My doc is also banded, don't have a clue if that makes any difference at all, but he is aggressive with fills. After reading these posts, I was shocked when he said he put in 2cc the first time. I only have a 4cc band. I loved it though, and I now have 2.75cc. I also love this. The docs are mostly protecting themselves. It is understandable with all the sue happy people out there. You may need many fills or maybe 2 or 3. I hope you get restriction soon. Hugs.....

This is one of my biggest challenges. I hate the waiting between bites. I was told to wait 30 sec, but that is an eternity. I guess I have been a hairdresser eating between clients far too long. I do it the best I can and go by how the food feels. I try to chew the next bite long enough to make up for the difference. I had a fill just over a week ago so I am really taking my time now. I even have to stand up and move around sometimes. I don't want any fluid taken out so I will do what it takes.... Hugs!!!

Bandwife, I have been reading these posts for a long time now, and where there are some people with problems, I think your husband wins the all time prize for the most. I am thinking he has something going on that maybe has nothing to do with the band or makes the band a bigger problem. I would definitely consider going to a different doctor.

I seldom eat at night, but I fight the snacking urge between Breakfast and lunch as well as between lunch and dinner. Water helps with it so I just keep trying.......Hugs

I eat all meats, fish and poultry. I eat mostly all meat and a few vegetables. I have a lot of restriction now, so I need to chew chew chew. I also have to get up and move around some while eating, but I still eat it. My banded daughter eats everything but chicken. For some reason she cannot do chicken in any form. Hugs!!!

I say if you find a comfortable position do it... If it isn't move to another. If you aren't supposed to do it, it will hurt so maybe just keep trying different things. Congratulations!!!! You are on your way to a new life!!!!

I feel something at my port that seems like a side ache, on the uphill portion of my walk. It does not last but is there every day. I do not worry about it but then again, it does not last...... Might want to check with your doc if you are worried!!!

Water Water Water!!!!!

You may get a quite a few different opinions on this. My doc has me lay down with a pillow under my lower back. Then he finds the port and inserts the needle. It is a pinch but not bad at all. Then he has me sit up and drink water while he removes the old fluid and replaces it with new fluid plus the additional fluid I need. I keep drinking the water until I feel a difference. Then he stops. I do not feel it at all when he takes out the needle. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes!! I consider this a piece of cake. Hope the info helps....... Hugs!!!!!

I was taking laxatives for a couple of weeks then discovered Fiber Choice chewable tablets. They taste good and I don't have to worry about laxative dependency. I am sure you all got your thyroid checked before your surgery, but if not you should. Constipation is a symptom of low thyroid. I just got mine checked and I need 50% more medication so I expect I won't need the Fiber Choice within a week or so....... Hugs to all.!!!

I had my second fill just over a week ago. I have 2.75cc in a 4cc band. I am very tight now and sometimes I think it is too tight. I know it will loosen though after I lose more weight so I do not want to get any taken out. I am the tightest in the morning. Even the coffee is slow going down and I can only drink about a half cup. After my walk I drink V8 juice slowly and then water. I also mix Adkins protein drinks into my coffee. By lunch I can eat but have to be very carefull to take very small bites and chew chew chew. You guys who have the larger bands will get there too. You just have to be patient. Hang in there and it will happen.... Hugs!!!!

When I saw my Doctor (my internal Medicine specialist)today, he said it was okay to stop taking my BP meds and I was very happy about it. I never did think I needed them. He believes in having diabetic patients take them even if they don't need them the same with Cholesterol meds. I just said no. I can't deal with the side effects, and I have always thought meds to prevent future issues were stupid. He was initially upset that I went to Mexco to have WLS, but today he said I am doing very well. I had lost 9 lbs since my last visit 5 weeks ago so he thinks it is the reason I don't need any more blood pressure meds. Maybe he is right, but I had trouble with the lisinopril from the beginning so I am not so sure. Anyway I thought I should follow up on this one... Have a great week everyone~~~~

Thanks........Good info. I saw that one at Rite Aid and I wondered. I am going to ask my DR tomorrow also but probably won't buy until I reasearch it a little more. I am good at searching for a good price also so again, thanks.

It is similar to withdrawal, however you can always find ways to make it higher. Milk is particularly good for this, but only if you are in fact low. I would love an update on your progress bcuz this thread was posted clear back in Dec. Best of luck!!!

Just for future information, 80 to 90 is not really low. It is only low if you have had consistantly high glucose levels over a period of time. 80 to 90 is actually ideal. Over time, it will feel normal again. I still take insulin 6 months out, but I do take a very small amount. I am in good control so I can be very low without knowing it. I have been as low as 23 with no symptoms before. This is rare, because I watch it like a hawk, but I said it to show that you should over time feel normal at 80 to 90 blood sugar.