lamar44

I was banded on 1/22/10 and I am SOOOOO frustrated. I've lost about 20 pounds but mostly from the pre/post-op diet. I haven't lost any for about 3 months. Eating is now no fun but I am still overeating, despite the pain of overfilling and forcing food through the band. I just cannot get mentally satisfied by the tiny portions I'm supposed to eat and I do not have the energy (physical or mental) to come up with 5 or 6 mini-meals every day. I feel like my whole life revolves around food, now just as much or more than it did pre-surgery. Please, please, please...I need some encouragement...I don't know where to start or what to do! My doc tries to help but she just keeps telling me "the band is not magic". No kidding, doc! I am so disappointed in myself and this band!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this! I was banded on 1/21. Initially, I lost only 2 pounds post-op and have gained at least a half pound back. I was too embarrassed to post and thought people might be judgmental and repeat all the stuff about the band not being magical...duh! I am struggling because I feel only minimal restriction but it is becoming clear that even with restriction, I am going to have to make some changes. Oh, sweet cookie dough...please lose my number!

So, I'm 4 weeks out from being banded. Had to cancel my first fill (scheduled for last Monday 2/15) due to bad weather and can't get in until March 1. I don't think I have any restriction because I'm still eating way more than I should and am eating junk - partly out of frustration I think. I'm gaining back the 15 pounds I lost pre- and post- surgery. Did anyone else do this and did you get it back under control once your fills started? Beginning to feel that this is yet another failed attempt!

Nothing very exciting - just jello, applesauce, mashed potatoes/gravy....the norm. I will say that for protein shakes, the Premier Nutrition chocolate shakes sold at Costco are by far my favorite for both the pre-op and the post-op protein shakes. Good luck!

I was banded on 1/21/10. I've had lower back pain off and on for 6-8 years...nothing unmanageable, mostly when I overdo. Since my surgery, I've noticed that I'm having quite a bit of discomfort in my mid-back, I'm guessing around the back of my ribcage? Anybody else having this? Does it have to do with me leaning a different way to "protect" my abdominal area?

I was banded on 1/21/10. I also felt horrible - much worse than I expected....extreme nausea so bad that I couldn't even tolerate the anti-nausea pills, BAD gas pain in left shoulder and general yuckiness. 3 pieces of advice for you - walk as much as possible, drink plenty of water and take your pain meds exactly as your doc prescribed (every 4-6 hours). I did none of the above for the first 2 days and made myself feel even worse. My nausea was so bad, I didn't drink and I came VERY close to having to go back to the hospital for dehydration. The gas-x strips didn't seem to help much but they are worth a try....the moving around is the key to moving the gas. Try to get some liquid protein in but concentrate on keeping hydrated. It took me 6 days to feel semi-"normal" again. Hang in there....I'm 3 weeks out and feeling almost like my old self.

:wink2:So glad someone started this thread as I was thinking along the same lines. I was banded on 1/21. I followed the post-op diet strictly for about 9 days and then was so hungry and no energy that I started back on reg. food. Too soon, I know but I also haven't felt any restriction(the PA told me that there's between 2 and 3 ccs in my band right now and first fill will add 2-3 more)....a little bloated and too full sometimes but no sickness. I guess I know I'm kind of playing with fire but it was all I could do to gag down the shakes and yogurt for the 2 weeks pre-op and the week post-op. Anyway, I go for my first fill on 2/15 and am hoping that I get some restriction then. Anyone else not following the strict guidelines? I know I'll have the most success with the low cal/low fat "healthy" foods that I hate but I'd love to know if anyone is having success based only on the restriction/limited portions vs. following a strict low cal/low fat diet.

I was banded on 1/21. After 6 days, I was finally hungry. The shakes and liquids just weren't doing it for me so I started sampling a variety of things, pretzels, saltines, low fat cheez its, etc. When those went down ok (and it only took a few to feel satisfied) I started trying a few bites of more substantial stuff like a well mashed baked potato with a little bit of velveeta cheese. Sounds fatty but I only ate a small portion. Last night, I had a couple spoonfuls of taco meat (low fat ground sirloin) with some very well crushed tortilla chips. I know all about the low-fat, low-calorie instructions, but if this is going to work for me, I have to find things I can live with long-term and cottage cheese isn't going to do it. So far, nothing has gotten stuck. The only discomfort I've had is some minor belching and bloating. I have a 10 cc band and it's got about 2.5 ccs currently. My first fill is on 2/15. I am really looking forward to being able to add in some raw veggies and I would never have dreamed I'd miss them!

I freak myself out with that kind of crap all the time. I'm still a newbie, 14 days post-op and I just keep telling myself that the difference with the band is that it doesn't depend entirely on my willpower. If you've lost 30+ pounds, the band is doing it's job and so are you. If you fall off the wagon, you can get another fill and get back on. I keep hearing the phrase that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels so with your success so far, that mental game is as good as any to keep yourself going!

Erin, Don't apologize for how you're feeling. Be proud of yourself for recognizing that this can be helped. About your cat, don't feel ashamed. More people than would ever admit have similar thoughts...they just don't act on them. I'm no expert but seems like maybe those types of thoughts happen because maybe it's the only area of your life you feel like you can control. Again, I'm no expert and I think several other posters have made great points about the affordable or even free help that is available. It's worth taking the time to check those things out. It's amazing what you can find when you really look. Best of luck...never give up!

I'm still a newbie at this...14 days post-op as of tomorrow. However, one of the things I think I see woven into every thread on this forum is personal awareness, personal advocacy and personal responsibility. It seems to me like your body is trying to tell you what it needs. We are paying these doctors waaaaaay too much money for them to not listen to us. Now, having said that, if your last doc was a quack, then maybe you should give your new doc the benefit of the doubt. I like what one of the earlier replies said about maybe the new doc was trying to work with you mentally as well as physically. I am quickly realizing that this band is as much a mental tool as a physical one. As long as we're trying to work our ways through this both physically and mentally, I think you can't help but be successful! Best wishes!