BetsyB

It probably would be a good idea to give the doctor or your nutritionist a call to double-check what their expectations are for you at this stage---I bet it will help you feel better about how you're doing. Before you do, though, weigh and measure your food intake for a few days so you have concrete info to tell them. They don't want to hear, "I believe I can eat more." They want to hear, "I eat four ounces, and still am starving," or, "I'm sticking to four ounces, but am hungry again in 90 minutes." Specific information will help find your solution. Also be sure to let them know if you're getting stuck---but again, before you call try to identify whether there are things you can do to change this---so that you can tell them, "I get stuck every x days or so, on x foods---and it doesn't seem to be related to bite size or chewing adequately," or "If I am really careful about bite size and chewing, I don't get stuck." The great thing is that we have professionals to decide what is appropriate, in terms of fill. But we do have to supply them with useful information so that we get the very best results for ourselves.

At the beginning, it really is 100 percent willpower. You CAN lose. However, the band won't be an active participant in the loss for a while. If you know how many calories you're taking in each day, and know that you're not losing---and if you want to lose in the interval before you have restriction--it's time to either reduce the calories, or increase the calories you burn. I know there is a lot of banter around here about "too few calories to lose." Regardless of what is (or, actually, is not---at least not undisputed) in the medical literature, you have to do something different if you want a different result. And you need to listen to what YOUR body is telling you. What it's saying is that 1500 calories and a bit of the elliptical isn't creating enough of a calorie deficit for you to lose weight. I know that it sucks--and it especially sucks when you don't have restriction from the band yet, and are hungry. But at 1500 calories, you're eating well more than you would on any of the commercial weight loss plans---so you do have considerable room to pare down. If you want to see losses in the next few months, it's what you have to do.

Kind of anticlimactic, huh? As a rule, people with bands do not dump--at least not by the same mechanism as those with other weight loss surgeries. (Lots of us do "dump" in response to sugar, but it's different.) I don't think that most of us experience nausea in response to most foods, either. And once the postoperative swelling is down (if it even was substantial enough to be felt), most of us don't have anything resembling restriction. So pain is not something we'd expect, especially after a tiny nibble. So, it's understandable that you felt nothing---there wasn't much to feel! This will change as you approach restriction after a fill or three (or four). In the meantime, yes----starvation is a way of life! It's really hard, but your weight loss, at this point, is 100 percent dependent on your choices. Step away from the cheesecake!

Sawyer's right on the money. That said, I think your were asking whether it's realistic to expect loss before you have the help of the band. Yes, it is. But you will have to eat in a way that promotes loss---which means that, without the benefit of restriction, you will be dieting, and you will be hungry. Many people view the postop period as a time for healing, not losing. You can do both, if you choose---but it is an act of willpower. The weight doesn't just "start coming off." There's work involved. (There's work once you have restriction, as well.) I think your loss so far is really great! If you keep up that rate, you're going to hit your goal in no time. (As a means of comparison, my doctor's office is pleased with any weight loss over 6 pounds a month; the banded rate of loss is 2-ish pounds a week, just like if you were on Weight Watchers. It can be a bit quicker, but it's never going to approach the huge initial losses you see with other weight loss surgeries.)

My doctor's instructions are that, if I can get and keep liquid down, to give it a few days to calm down. I think you're probably pushing the envelope, time-wise; I'd probably call to see whether s/he wants to see you.

Oh, Leigha, I miss Texas azaleas! They just don't do well here...but they are so pretty there! I do have a little magnolia that's about to bloom---so I get a tiny taste of the south way up here.

Yeah, Depo Provera is pretty notorious for causing mood swings and depression. It's just an awful lot of hormone introduced to the body at once. Though it wears off slowly, it still packs a wallop. Erin, do you feel as though you're getting what you need from the band with no fills, or are you pretty much white-knuckling it? I'm just wondering--you've done so well so far, and just curious whether you have restriction. As for what you're in the mood for in the morning...well, I certainly understand how the concept of eggs might gag you. (I can't tolerate them.) But when it comes to foods you can tolerate but just aren't wild about, I'll tell you what I tell my kids: it's not just about what you're in the mood for. You sometimes just have to give your body the fuel it needs. Cinnamon toast may tide you over for a while, but it's not giving your body much of anything that it needs. Are you working hard to develop the good habits that will allow you to maintain your weight loss? You're so young--I so wish I'd learned to do that when I was your age. (Yes, I am an old lady--but really, I do understand!) Your exercise plan sounds really good and really ambitious. I like that it involves a lot of different things, and also involves doing things with friends. That's a good way to stay motivated and have fun so you don't get bored.

Yes, when she's talking to men, especially, she really whiiiiiines in that sing-song way. I love her story, but the voice is grating.

Leigha's right! I wish I had a million more "depressing" pictures of me. I have so few "before" pictures---and as I shrink, it's really nice to have evidence of that shrinkage. Next Easter, your pictures will take your breath away. Until you reach that place where you're okay with the camera, be kind to yourself. You're doing all you can to become what you want to be.

Catherine! Congratulations---you must be so proud of yourself. You are gorgeous, and your accomplishment is so, so admirable.

Great idea! I will aim for 10 by Mother's Day.

whoops--duplicate post!

Denise, I thought about you when I heard about the quakes---that must be freaky to experience on a relatively frequent basis! We had one here not long ago, and it definitely did make for an interesting start to the day! What does Butters think of quakes? Truman was so perplexed. Anne, you didn't sound like you were whining about your popsicle incident. You sounded like you were owning your behavior, which is really admirable. Yes, the popsicles were sugar-free, but it was the behavior you want to change. Identifying that is great. Did everyone have a happy Easter? Ours was lovely---minus the food aspect. My tummy has chosen to voice its outrage at my recent fill (mainly because I've been stupid/stubborn and have not really appropriately honored it), so I had no difficulty staying on the straight-and-narrow, food-wise. I had a nice, WLS-friendly meal planned, but it was not meant to be. No biggie--there will be other nice, WLS-friendly meals. Everyone else enjoyed it, which was nice to observe. We had a beautiful rain that washed the massive amounts of pollen from the air, and today looks like it will be a gorgeous day. My pear tree, magnolia, and crab apple trees look like they're about to burst into bloom, and the oregano, thyme, sage, and marjoram I have tucked among the (not yet emerging) flowers in my front garden are all coming to life. I think that today, I will go to the garden center to get a new patio planter for tomatoes, peppers, and a few more herbs. I can't remember being so joyous to see Spring arrive as I am this year. Maybe it's 'cause I have cute new jeans in a REGULAR size :smile2::laugh: Abby heads back to school tonight. Preston's spring break has ended, too. I guess that means I have to buckle down and do the work I've been postponing---no fair for them to be hard at work while I'm slacking off! Truman and I are heading out now for our walk. I won't have a car this afternoon, but Preston and I have a pact to do the gym on T-Th-S this week, which will bump up my activity. This is much-needed; I think I have reached a plateau (though my size is changing quite a lot even as my loss is stubborn), and things need to be shaken up a bit. Have a great day, everyone!

The concrete medical consequences may include: 1. Wound dehiscence (this means they pop open. In severe cases, evisceration can occur; this means that abdominal contents push out because of the pressure); 2. disruption of your band, which has not yet had the opportunity to heal in place; 3. disruption of your port; see #2. Were you not aware, in advance, that abdominal surgery would impact your ability to care for small children?

Nope, my "secret" goal is right down below, in black and white. My surgeon hasn't given me a goal--though the printouts that come with every weigh in have me around 128-ish. My goal is lower--for a number of reasons. I am open to revising it if I reach a weight where I'm comfortable sooner. But for reasons unrelated to appearance I really want to get as low as possible. (I have orthopedic stuff that really does benefit from weighing as little as healthily possible.)

Not putting it down at all. Though I would recommend that it not be done at weights that harm the body. And running while obese does stress joints in ways that are best avoided for many. I wish I could do it. I can't. I have found alternatives. That's not putting it down--or "justifying" for why I don't run. If I could, I would--but being hit by a freaking truck sort of took it out of my range of options. I know it's your passion, Jacqui. I wish I could do it, too. But not every opinion that is the slightest bit contrary to yours is a put-down of you or your avocations or justification for not doing things the right way. Sometimes it's simply conversing about a topic. I simply offered the perspective of someone who can't share that avocation and has modified it for a body that cannot do it in just the way you do. You know, in case there is anyone else who needs to modify a run to what his or her body can withstand.

It's really, really hard to pick up the new habits you need. All of us understand that. That said, you just have to do it. No excuses. Eat what you're supposed to eat, and when you're supposed to eat it. Write it down. The band will require you to follow rules. Starting to establish the habits now will help ensure your success. Your nutritionist knows this. But I wonder: is the nutritionist affiliated with the doctor? What makes her think that your insurance contract is not binding? I would focus on finding the right surgeon. Input from your PCP's nurse is all well and good, but you're putting the cart before the horse. Seeing a nutritionist is great, but only if she promotes what your particular surgeon emphasizes (and all surgeons have their own dietary quirks). Furthermore, if your insurance excludes bariatric surgery, it's probably inappropriate of her to lead you to believe you will somehow be able to get around what amounts to a contract written in stone. The VERY first thing to do is get your hands on your policy, and read it for yourself. What does it say about bariatric surgery? If it excludes it, and you want coverage, the way to make THAT sort of change starts with your employer. That's who has the power to change coverage. The nutritionist does not. And all the journaling and great eating in the world will not change it. An alternative is to locate surgeons who accept Medicaid. Here is a link that shares some. (Dr. Huse in Carmel--near you--is one of them.) MEDICAID AND MEDICARE SURGEONS LIST!

Try not inviting her comments by not making self-deprecating comments about yourself.

It can be hard to get it all in at the beginning. Hydration is far more important than getting the Protein in----your ability to do that will come with time. But if the protein is a liquid, and you're able to sip on liquids, you can probably sneak some more into yourself that way. If it's a struggle, work up to it. But choosing a liquid other than apple juice--which has enough concentrated sugar that it can actually dehydrate you (by drawing Fluid into the colon and causing loose stools/diarrhea)---would probably be a good idea at this point.

I don't think so, either--there's a huge range of "normal" in terms of response to the band. Just look at how broad the different physician recommendations are! There's no right way, no wrong way (other than wholesale noncompliance)--and no right or wrong way to feel.

You really do end up being pretty vigilant about food choices, long-term. However, food doesn't occupy the same level of importance. I mean, sure--you have to be careful to choose foods that will (a) promote weight loss (or not work against it), and (:bored: work with the band (not get stuck). You have to take small bites and chew carefully. But as the constant hunger dissipates, it becomes so much easier to put food out of your mind most of the time. So, it kind of loses its prominence in everyday thought---except at mealtime, when you do have to pay more attention than you might have preoperatively. Did that make any sense whatsoever?

Whiterabbit, I understand. I really do. I was prepared, too. But if your insurance contract stipulates the supervision, I think it's realistic to expect that you will be spending that time waiting, no matter how well-prepared you are. Insurers don't care about your preparation; they care about the contract they have with you. And they stick to it. So the timing of your approval hinges on that---100 percent. Hopefully, your contract stipulates that supervision need not be by the surgeon. With luck, the work you've done with your PCP will count. Most of us had this same wish--and for most of us, it has not proven to be the case. A single phone call to your surgeon's insurance specialist, though, will give you an answer about this. S/he will know what your specific policy requires, and put an end to the speculation. I hope you don't have that wait. But if you do, the time can be a gift. Because mastering some of the post-banding skills (not knowledge, but behaving in the ways you'll behave post-banding) will give you a real leg up in terms of postop success. There is plenty to learn and practice. Have you started eating the way you'll eat when you're banded? Have you started taking tiny bites the size of a pencil eraser, and chewing each very thoroughly? Have you stopped drinking with meals, and for at least 30 minutes after? Have you asked your surgeon his stance on snacks---and eradicated them, if he's a three-meal-a-day guy? Have you started sampling Protein supplements to find out which you can stomach? (I recommend Inspire powders from Bariatric Eating.) Have you cleaned out your pantry and freezer, and restocked it with band-friendly foods? Again, I hope you get the news you want. But if you don't, it will be okay. Before you know it, you'll be banded--and you'll be in great shape to succeed. Good luck!

No. I may be an anomaly, but for me, the band has always represented success. I've never doubted that I will lose with it. And remaining positive about it has helped me lose even without restriction. Even when it hasn't been doing its job, knowing it's there has been enough of a light at the end of the tunnel for me to stick to my plan. I always knew it would work. I always knew it would take time. So I made the best use of the time possible, knowing that, in the end, it would do its job and take the burden off me.

I've felt my port wiggle around a bit---but the good news is that its position is just fine, and doesn't interfere with fill-ability at all. I think it's normal to feel all kinds of odd sensations as we heal. Our ports take a while to become nicely seated in the muscle, and there is a bit of movement. Most of the time, it's nothing to be worried about. If you are worried, by all means give your doctor a call.

Laura, please don't be afraid to eat. Be careful, but don't be scared. It wasn't until I got to 7.3 that I had any difficulty with food, ever. And even now, the problems are few (and related to user error rather than overtightness). I understand your concern--but it'll be okay. What are you cooking for Easter?