vlp1968

Lots of good advice has been posted. Hope it is taken with the manner it was indended, to help you out. Keep us posted on your progress!

My doc. had me wait a month before the first fill. You are going a little sooner then that. I guess every doc. is different. Best wishes!

Hang in there! I agree with all the above posts, the band will work once you get some fills. For me it was the third fill that did the trick. However, I followed the rules to the letter even though I didn't have restriction. I suggest you concentrate on eating the right foods (high protien low fat, low carb) even if your portions are large. You will find with restriction you simply can't eat large portions anymore.

How often you get filled varies by person and doctor. My doc. told me it's a must to wait a month after surgery for a first fill. After that I should call when I am getting very hungry. Each fill seems to be lasting longer and longer.

I can only speak for myself. I was banded 11-17 and love my band. I have lost 58 pounds and don't think I could have done that without the band. I was heavier than I've ever been. There are a couple things I wish I had known. I didn't realize how much hunger would be involved, exspecially at the begining. It took me 3 fills to get restricion. Also, the feeling of fullness is quite different. Instead of a good feeling, it's actually a bit uncomfortable. I get a slight pain in my chest, then usually burp and it goes away. I am left feeling more not hungry then full. Hope this helps and good luck in your decision.

It is such a good feeling to have clothes fit- or in your case be to big. I too have done a closet clean out and found jeans that now fit, and 2 other pairs of pants that are too big. I wish I had found them a few weeks earlier, but oh well. Like you, the big clothes are going bye bye, never to be needed again.

I agree, push for another fill. If your doc. refuses, maybe he's not the right doctor for you. Mine really listens and does fills as needed, mostly because I tell him how hungry I've been. However, I can see the vomiting being an issue. I would tell him the last time you vomited. Maybe it will be far enough in the past that he will agree to a fill.

I agree with above post. Low blood suger or low blood pressure can sure make you lightheaded. If you have diebeties you may be able to reduce or even eliminate your meds. I was able to cut mine in half about 2 months after being banded. I had a fainting episode one night (checked my blood sugar in the am and the reader just said lo) so my doc. told me to stop taking the med. I would talk to your pcp for sure.

My doc. says liquid for 24 hours then mushies for 24 hours. I have had problems keeping anything down after 2 (of 4) fills. I think it is due to swelling. Take everything very slowly. Good luck!

That's great! You can do it!

Good for you not being obsessed with the scale, for most people that's a tough one. In my case, it was the 3rd fill that did it. I wish I had called and asked for an earlier appt. to get that fill. My doc. is great about listening to how my hunger is and doing fills based on that. Good luck!

Doesn't sound like your doctor is listening. Even though I am loosing steadily my doc has done a fill at each appt. I don't bother to go unless I want a fill. I would seriously consider finding a new doctor. I feel he should be taking into account how hungry you are. Best of luck! Keep us posted.

I wonder is you should go back on your antidepressant. I have mental health issues and know how terrible a depression is. I would revisit the issue with your doctor. I believe giving up the way you used to eat can cause depression. Although I agree that once you loose significant weight and are working out the depression may lift. From your 2 posts, doesn't sound like that's happened yet. I wish you all the best!

It's Monday- hope you got the insurance. Also- since you haven't gained it seems like your not doing so bad. I workout 5-6 times a week on cardio and 3 times a week on weights with a trainer. That's great you started working out. Keep it up!

I think it's up to you. Since your having trouble you may want a slight unfill. However if you are happy to be so tight I would leave it alone. Not much of an answer I know lol.

My advice is to stay off the scale. I weigh myself once a week. That way small flucuations don't drive me crazy. Also 400 calories is probably not enough. I would shoot for at least 650 ish. That's what I do and have lost weight steadily. I was disapointed in my weight loss over the first few weeks, then bam 8 pounds in one week. I think there is saline in the iv they give you at the hospital. Takes a while to loose that water weight. As others have said, try to be patient. You are in the healing mode. Best wishes!

You may be one of those people that get restriction just from the band itsself. It may pass so enjoy it while it lasts. I wouldn't worry as long as your keeping fluids down. Best of luck!

I get the same thing, especially after a fill. I have found walking around helps me burp. Also, the slower you drink the better. And when you get to solid food, take small bites and chew, chew chew.

I like to get steamed shrimp with veggies. I haven't had a problem with that. Although, I know not all restaraunts have that option. I agree to be wary of the sauce, can be very high in sugar. Also, if it's not steamed, it is typically cooked in a fair amount of oil.

I really enjoyed the show- hope it catches on and some real changes are made. The usda guidlines are just ridiculous. No wonder we have a nation full of obese children. I am a former teacher and was always horrified at the lunches. I wasn't banded yet and have to admit to eating them once in a while. I agree that it means the cooks have to actually cook. Also maybe some more money needs to be put towards providing healthy lunches for children.

I don't use a scale- I like to go by packaging/food lables. For example for chicked breast I get perdue perfect portion. I know exactly what I'm getting. Plus they are marinated so it goes down easier. For dry foods such as whole grain cereal I use a measuring cup ditto for cooked veggies. Hope this helps!

Good question. I don't know exactly what suger alcohols are (I know they act as a sweetner). However, on atkins I learned it doesn't raise your blood suger level like regular sugar does. Low carb is all about keeping your blood sugar nice and steady. I eat sugar free jello- only 10 calories.

Your list of trouble foods sounds very normal. They are foods lots of bandsters on this forum have mentioned. You may want to try turkey chili- always goes down well for me. I eat a lot of fish as well. Of course soft things like yougurt and cottage cheese go down well. I eat marinated chicken breast (perdue perfect portions). The marinade keeps the chicken moist. Hope this helps!

kells0802- I am glad your husband has stopped bringing sweets in the house. It's interesting that he began doing it more than ever after your surgery. I am not saying it's true for your marriage, but sometimes spouses sabatoge because of their own insecurity. They fear the spouse will leave them once they loose the weight. Just food for thought. Again, not saying it is true of your husband.

I have set a goal of 120 (weighed in at 217 morning of surgery). This is based on a weight I was in college (after a strict excersise and diet program). I am now lifting weights so I may end up a bit highet than 120. I am just waiting to see how I look and feel. I think I'll know when it's right, and I can then focus on maintaining.