Kate E.

I wasn't losing as fast as I hoped so I convinced my doctor to give me 2cc's at my latest fill, making it 6 in a 10 cc band. Later that day I could not even swallow water, thought maybe the fill caused some swelling and it would go down. That night I woke up choking on my own saliva...even that wasn't passing. The next day I went on a shopping trip and left early so I didn't eat or drink anything before I went. I was hoping everything would have worked itself out by lunch time. No such luck...one sip of water and I felt awful. Finally on the third day I went back to the doctor and he took 1cc out. Now I am at 5cc's and am finally on track. I lose about a pound or two a week and it's going well. I don't have a huge variety of foods that I eat, but seafood and nuts and seeds seem to be doing me well. Only thing is now, I notice my hair is just plain awful. Don't know if it is the change in diet, but it feels dirty even after I wash it and does it's own thing most of the time. Maybe I just need a cut, but I think something in my body is causing this change, but hey- if that's the worst thing that is going to happen on this journey, I'll take it! Pre surgery 286 Day of surgery 251 Today 219 Goal 145 Height 5'8"

Barb119- I don't think it is supposed to hurt when you eat. My surgeons goal is to have me eat small meals comfortably. Are you chew, chew, chewing? I have trouble with most meats. Fish is fine, but even chicken that I stir fry with teryaki until it is tender gives me problems. I am glad to hear that things pass, if I have pain it usually needs to come back up and sometimes I have pain when I take one bite too many any an stuffed- would never expect that after only eating 1/2 cup of food! It's hard to get my protein first without meat. I am trying eggs a bit more and tuna salad- no bread...or scooped with a cracker. It is also hard for me to not want other things with my protein. I used to always have a side item, like veggies, rice or potato, now I still put it on my plate but after eating the protein I can't. because your food is still going down I wouldn't necessarily say your band is too tight. Maybe you need to stay on soft foods a bit longer and ease into solids. Just don't forget to chew and take your time. I get the opportunity to run around during dinner, getting this for one kids and that for another, so that makes me take time between bites. If I eat alone or with out kids I tend to eat too fast and things get stuck...even liverwurst- and that is mush once you chew it. I can't figure it all out right now. Hopefully it gets easier...good luck with your situation. I hope you get it resolved soon...you should not have to be in pain to eat. First visit: 286 After calorie reduction diet: 271 After 2 week liquid diet (day of surgery): 254 Now: 230

I got banded 1/28/10. Like many of you I thought the weight would come off faster. I had my first fill in late February with no restriction, at my second fill I was over eager and asked for 2cc's, which my doctor approved. That day I could barely swallow. I thought maybe the swelling was causing the problem and in a day or two it was relax and everything would be fine. After two nights of choking on my own saliva at night because I could not swallow, I had 1cc removed. I am so much better now! I can eat a small meal and drink lots of water. I started at 286 for my first visit, 271 for my (after 2 weeks of liquid diet). Right now I am at 231 and can't get out of the 200's fast enough. 23 lbs. in 2 1/2 months is more than I ever could have done by myself (and kept off), so although I feel the band is working slowly, it IS working and I look forward to many months (and years) of the help it is giving me.