Erin Marie

How are you hurting? Post surgery pain should be manageable with pain killers (I was given hydrocodone)... Like minor stomach soreness, as if you did a lot of sit ups in a row. If it's agonizing, yes, get thee to your doctor. Please keep us updated with how your talk with your surgeon goes and take care!

Since hitting my sweet spot almost two weeks ago I've been able to exist on surprisingly little. It's not difficult for me to stay under 800 calories. In fact... I would say it's harder to get in more. What I'm worried about is my body's reaction to this. I don't, I really don't, want to go into starvation mode. So, to provide some background to perhaps help others answer my question... I'm a college student and I am very active during the day, walking to classes, etc. In the evening, five days a week, I work out. Either 30 minutes on the elliptical or the stationary bike, and always 10 minutes on arm strengthening exercises and 10 minutes on the leg strengthening exercises. I'm pathetically weak in my core and haven't been doing any abdominal exercises... Shame on me. I get in enough Protein, Fiber and Calcium according to my nutritionist, but never enough Water. I really struggle with that. I maybe get in 40 oz on a good day. I know I need to get in more and I'm working on it. Augh, I'm just not a thirsty person :sad:. So what's the verdict? Too soon to tell? Continue for another week and see if I lose weight? Or up it now and not risk it?

I vary a little day to day. On Wednesday I ate a little over 600 calories. Yesterday I was a little over 800. If I don't start seeming a marked change in my weight in another week I'll bump it up to 900 and see if that'll keep my metabolism going.

I think so! It sounds like he's trying to be sensitive and doesn't know whether or not mentioning it would hurt your feelings. Just strut out in front of him and proclaim, "My god, I look HOT!" :sad:

I was banded in May and last week I finally hit my sweet spot at 3.5 cc after moving up in tiny increments. The doctors that five 4 cc right off the bat... that baffles me! The largest I've ever gotten was 1.5cc.

He might not know how to say the words :sad:. He might feel awkward or embarrassed about expressing those feelings... which is pretty cute! Give him some time, include him in conversations about your band. Let him know you would love some feedback!

This is totally normal. I experienced the same thing. As you heal the swelling around your stomach goes down and it feels like nothing is there at all. You simply need a fill :sad:. Also, don't starve yourself. Continue eating the same type of foods your doctor and nutritionist prescribe but in amounts that satisfy you. My doctor says that it should be easy, that I shouldn't feel hungry in between meals or be able to eat much more than my allotted five ounces. Starving yourself sends the wrong messages to your brain. Good luck and hang in there!

I think your doctor is trying to look out for your best interests. Weight loss surgery is not for everyone and this probably seems like a sudden suggestion to him. Start keeping a journal cataloging what you are eating each day and all your activity. Hey, chasing two year olds and cleaning is still exercise! Doing this will have a double edged effect. You can see for yourself how you really eat and make changes accordingly. Sometimes, writing down that you had a Kitkat emphasises the event and makes you less likely to cave a second time :sad:. So be sure to BE HONEST. The second effect is that if you're really not losing weight with healthy food choices, you can show it to your doctor. This will help show how serious you are about the procedure and open the floor to a serious discussion to the pros and cons for you personally.

Is he sure it's stretched? Like gone into the doctor, gotten the scan, all confirmed? If not, there can be a number of things that will feel like pouch stretching, but are actually other problems in disguise. As for fixing it, if it's not been too long, there is a rather dietary ruthless way to reverse it. Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test I would have him look into it. If that doesn't work... common sense is telling me that it would require the doctor to go back in and make a re-adjustment. Don't quote me on that.

I had, and have, the same problem as you. I simply do not feel like, nor have the time for, breakfast in the morning. It feels like a chore and an unpleasant one at that. Why I was surprised to be so hungry in the evening, I have no idea. My nutritionist explained it like this, the body expects three square meals a day. When I skip the first one, it shuts down like a big baby to cope and my metabolism goes with it. lunch comes and I eat fine, start to feel great and finish off my day. Between 6 and 7 I eat dinner and then right before bed I'm ravenous. It's because my body is still in the deficient. It's only gotten two out of three meals and the body is looking to fill it's quota. As much as I hate it, I HAVE to eat breakfast to do well or else my entire day is a crapshoot. I'm guessing it's the same for you. Here's what I do: - When I have access to a stove (which is not often, I live in a dorm) I have a tiny omelet with two eggs, a sprinkle of cheese and some finely diced veggies like bellpepper or onion. Occasionally a little deli meat makes it in. Lots of Protein, SO GOOD and so simple to eat when I feel tight and cranky. - When I'm in a rush, a granola bar is sometimes best. I go with the softer bars, like nutri-grain, since the texture is easier on my stomach. They're pretty low on the protein scale, so not the best choice there, but it fulfills it's purpose and keeps my metabolism running. - In a pinch, fruit. My nutritionist isn't a fan of this because of the zero protein, but it's something. - Slimfast: Low Carb, the least tasty (to me, after having two a day for over a month, haha) but you can not beat the protein punch. Just be sure to drink it while it's still cold. Man, if I didn't like it when it was cold I hadn't had it lukewarm... 20 grams in the Low Carb and only 15 in the regular. Go figure! Hope this helps you some. Good luck :thumbup:!

Sounds like you simply need a fill. If you're hungry, can't stay full, can eat way more than your alloted ounces... you need a fill. Candy is notoriously slider like in nature. Especially chocolate. It slips right through. Keep trying to get in as much Protein as you can and go very very slowly! Try to follow the basic rules when you're stuggling. They can feel like a life ring during that horrible week right before a blessed fill.

Don't be afraid of not being satisfied! That's the best aspect of the band IMHO. Right after surgery and when you hit your sweet spot is bliss because you hardly feel hungry. Using smaller plates (6 inches) also helps to trick your mind into thinking it's getting more than it really is. I also had a "last meal". It was the day before my surgery and I got to eat whatever I wanted for Breakfast. I went all out with eggs, bacon, toast and OJ. I think that's normal.

Man, this site would have been nice at any point in my almost two year journey. But hey, found it now! I've been banded since mid May and I've lost about 45 pounds. According to my surgeon anyway :thumbup:. I started this she-bang at my highest weight ever, 290. I couldn't let myself reach 300 at 20 years old. I just couldn't. Getting the band was seriously the best thing I ever did for myself. I've been lurking and hesitatingly posting... you all seem like a very supportive kind group. Hopefully I'll get great advice and be able to give it also. A couple of questions. There's a lingo on this forum and I feel like there should be a guide! What does 'to pb' mean? Other than Peanut Butter . And DH. Darling Husband, I think? Any other terminology I should know to sound like a regular? I love the phrased "banded". Never thought of it before but it's already proving useful in real life!

I also have Aetna and they did the exact same thing to me. They kept saying I didn't have this or that when they know they full well did. I had to appeal and still got turned down for more things that I had already completed. Eventually my Bariatric Center sent in their pro bono lawyer and I got a letter retracting the refusal about a month later. Just hang in there. They can't deny you forever and it sounds like your Center is right on top of em'!

There's this notch right below my knee cap that I never knew existed until yesterday. I've always been overweight, I never had it! I love touching it now. My Mom also deliberately bought me a pair of pants that were too tight, against my wishes. Her idea was that buying a pair that actually fit would be a waste of money and my fear was that it would be a waste of money anyway since I might never be small enough to wear them. They were only one size too small, people XD. But yesterday I discovered they fit... and proceeded to do a happy dance around the room. My poor room mate!

Wow, you ladies are inspirational! So much weight in such little time. I was wondering how my weight loss compared to others that were banded in May. My 44 pounds feels a little measly, haha. But this will encourage me to work even harder I think :thumbup:.

I'm not going to lie. It is not a miracle cure. It takes work and it takes willpower, just like everything else you've probably tried before this. The difference is not being hungry, not being tied to food anymore. This tool has such a better success rate than dieting on your own (only 5% keep it off!) and it sounds like you're ready for a drastic change. You'll do fine! Have confidence in yourself.

I say absolutely not. It isn't good for your new stomach; it creates gas and believe me you'll have enough trouble with that to not want to add to it. What's more, it is calories and sugar that your changing body can do without.

Don't be nervous! When checking me in and going through my medical history and allergies right before surgery the nice nurse had me confirm that I was indeed getting banded. Also you should see your surgeon, so you know he's got you covered :cursing:. Being banded was the best thing I ever did for myself and even in recovery I was so so happy. I hope you'll feel the same because it's a wonderful sensation.