jiminyt

Mine is Bandzilla

According to Allergan -- the Irvine, California-based company that makes the Lap-Band system -- its product has been used in more than 500,000 procedures worldwide. It commands more than two-thirds of a $300 million to $400 million market. In an email to Reuters Health, Allergan criticized the new study and said both the surgical technique and the Lap-Band itself had changed in the interim. It also noted that the study was based on only 151 patients from a single hospital, and that the researchers had only been able to test half of those patients. "We are disappointed to see the publication of an ill-constructed, single-center clinical assessment that does not meet the high clinical standards one should expect from peer-reviewed data, and is not reflective of today's clinical standards," Cathy Taylor, Allergan's director of Corporate Communications, said. Dr. Marc P. Michalsky, surgical director for the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, seconded the criticism. "In some ways it is a bit of a historic snapshot of this type of surgery 15 years ago," he said. "I would take these results with a grain of salt."

The reason for cutting food up so small is that once you get to your "sweet spot" even though you have to chew it up some food will still have trouble getting past the band. Don't forget that as you get fills, the opening between your stoma and stomach gets smaller and smaller hence the word "restriction" . It's like trying to force a golf ball through a straw. It's going to get stuck.

I used to look forward to Friday nights with friends and a few beers. Since I've hit restriction I still look forward to Friday night but I only have one beer which most times I can't finish. My doctor said that the only reason that we shouldn't drink alcoholic beverages is that they are empty calories. He said that a drink here or there won't sabotage your weight loss and won't stretch your pouch.

Breakfast: 6:00am Protein Shake: 10:00am Lunch: 11:30am Lean Cusine, Smart One, Tuna, or chicken salad Snack: 3:00pm usually fruit, cheese or low fat yougurt Dinner: 5:30pm Snack: 7:30 - 8:00pm sugar free fudgecicle, 100 cal. popcorn, or frozen low fat yogurt By the time it's cut up my dinner is probably between 1/2 and 3/4 cup which includes protein & vegies.

Sounds like you're not quite at restriction yet. Don't panic. It WILL happen. It wasn't until around six months that I had the feeling of restriction. Until then I could eat just about anything just like you. The only times that I had problems was right after a fill but that passed after a week or two. Now I have to be really careful about what and how much I eat. Some days I can eat almost anything (no breads or pasta) and others I get stuck on things that didn't bother me before. The main thing is that I can go 4 to 5 hours between meals without being hungry. My portions continue to drop as well. I see my dr once a month now and we discuss wether I need a fill or not based on my weight loss and hunger. Stay with the plan and you will get to your sweet spot too.

In addition to the gas the pain meds can give you nausea. Try to wean yourself off of htem as soon as possible. Liquid tylenol worked for me.

Dave summed it up perfectly. The most important job that you have right now is to heal. Your food intake will increase as you heal. The important thing to remember is not to overdo it. I could tolerate all foods until I was about 5 months out and had reached restriction. Now I have to be really careful of what I eat because I can get stuck if I break the rules. It's something that we all have to learn for ourselves. I saw my doctor thgis week and he told me that I'm right on track with my weight loss. He also told me that I should look into getting some new clothes because the ones that I was wearing were falling off. Your doctor should be ashamed for not returning your calls. I use a full care practice and they are available 27/7/365. They actually get mad if you don't call if you are having a problem. Hang in there. You're just starting off on your journey. Try to remain optimistic and keep coming here because there's lots of gret people that will help get you through the rough spots.

Jen, I have 8.5cc's in my 14cc band. I was also banded in late April of this year. I have been at the sweet spot since my last fill in the middle of November. Sometimes it's a struggle to eat because of tightness, especially in the morning. I'm glad that my doctor took time to get me to this point because it gave me time to adjust my eating habits so I can handle this new lifestyle. Best of luck........

Just checking on all of the May Bandsters. I'm still doing great. 55lbs down and at restriction. Fitting into clothes that I fit into 5 years ago. Still going to support group and seeing my dr once a month. This is the best thing I've ever done. Happy Holidays to all my fellow Bandsters and keep on with your journeys.

Hi. This a Lap Band site so most of us have no experience with gastric bypass. You can go to Obesityhelp.com and they have forums specifically for bypass surgery. From all that I've read you will lose weight more quickly with the bypass. That being said, you have to realize that you commit to a totally new lifestyle whichever surgery you have. I weighed well over 300 lbs before I was banded and 6 months later I've lost 50 lbs and anm still losing. Lap Band is a much less invasive form of surgery but I feel that I have to work at this every day and it's something that I spent a lot of time preparing to do. Best of luck on whichever way you go. Losing weight will make a big difference in your quality of life.

I was banded in late May and felt little or no restriction until my last fill (5th) two weeks ago. Until that time I ate foods that were good for me but I could eat a lot. Now I can eat only small amounts and not get hungry for four to six hours. I still have an occasional treat but never overdo it. I try to stay away from sweets because they are just empty calories and part of the reason that I weighed so much. Stick with the program and you will reach your "green zone" and the journey will become easier.

I was banded in late May and have recently reached the "green zone" meaning that I can eat but get full very quickly. I can eat and drink most anything except breads, dry meat, and rice. As far as alcohol goes, I onlt dirnk on occasion. I can drink one beer at a time but it takes a couple of hours and I recently had a shot of Bailey's and it was delicious. It has taken a while to get to this point but it has truly been worth it. Best of luck.

I was banded in late May and just had my 5th fill on Monday. 8cc in a 14cc band. Today I realized that I have restriction. I have to be really careful eating. I'm full on just 3/4 cup of food and it's lasting 4-5 hrs. No more bread for me. I was really surprised by the delayed reaction. No more snacks!!! Don't worry because you will reach this zone soon. Good Luck......

The leveling off your weight loss or even gaining some back during the recovery period is normal. Don't worry. If you stay with the plan you will start losing again after your first few adjustments. Continue eating whatever your Dr. has told you, but don't overdo it. Protein, protein, protein. Water, water, water.

This happened once to meduring my third fill. The PA explained that it is your body's defence mechanism to having a foreign object (the needle) introduced. Your blood pressure drops giving you that light headedness and sweats. After a few minutes you recover and everything gets back to normal. Never had a problem since.

It's not that you can't have them, it's because they are the foods that are most likely to cause sticking. As stated by others as long as you chew, chew, chew, you MAY be able to tolerate these foods. If not, stay away from them.

I saw my doctor 2 weks after surgery and every 2 weeks after that for the first 3 months. I also attend support group at his office and he is always there. Now I see him once a month or if I need to see him for an emergency I can call and see him or someone at the practice within an hour any time days, nights, or weekends.

Rule #1...... If there's any problems between your neck and your knees, call your doctor. Sounds like you're on the road to recovery and that's great. You should start feeling better every day and in about a week you'll be back to your NEW self. Keep up the good work and remember that you always have people here that have been through it too.

I was banded May 20th. Down 40 lbs and 6 inches in pant size. Had a fill last week and I'm real close to the sweet spot. Eating less and feeling great. It really is worth it. Best wishes to all you other May Bandsters.

It's a defence mechanism that your bady kicks in when something (the needle) invades it. It causes a temporary drop in blood pressure and gives you that woozy feeling. Just take it easy after your fills and let your brain reset itself.

Sorry to hear that you're feeling so poorly. As it was stated in the other posts the nausea will pass. I was the same way. I couldn't even stand the smell of food for the first week. Once I got off of the pain meds (which I did almost right away) I started feeling somewhat better but it did take a week. After that I was ready to take on the world. Hang in there and you will be feeling better soon. Best of luck!!

Hey Kelly......Know how you feel. Went through the same thing. I've had 3 fills and still can eat quite a bit. Not as much as before but more than I thought I would. I am going Tues. for another fill and hopefully this one will do the trick. My Dr. allows us to get a fill every 2 weeks as long as we meet 2 of the following criteria. We don't lose any weight, we are hungry between meals, or we are able to comfortably eat more than we should. I know that I am close because I can't eat some foods now that I could 2 weeks ago. Hang in there and ask your Dr if you could get a fill sooner. Best of luck.

call your doctor now

Sounds like you're doing really well. I was banded in May and had no problems either. I took a week off only because I wanted a vacation. As far as eating, I had no problem with the liquids and the sugar free popsicles and fudgsicles were a welcome treat. The only problem that I can remember was that if I ate too quickly I would get gas and a little nauseous but Gas-X took care of that.