this sucks

I was banded over two years ago and only about six months ago did I finally realize/accept that a band that's too tight does me NO GOOD! You need to be able to eat real food, not mushies, to be successful and healthy in the long run. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon....hang in there.

Just got Jean's book three days ago and am thrilled to have such a well written book about the band realities! Wish I had it pre-surgery. I am over two years post surgery and still learned a lot from it!

My list includes; Procal 100 shakes 50 cal. String cheese Bananas- one of the few fruits I can eat regularly Hard cooked eggs- with the yolks removed Any salsa Vegetarian baked beans and refried beans. Okay, I know it's more than 3-5. I just really like food!

I have burped constantly since the band was put in...never thought anything of it since its always been there. Hope you get some answers.

Right there with you! I generally gain 2-5 lbs. during that time...no worry, it comes off again. I have been weighing myself daily for over two years since my band was placed, so it doesn't surprise me any more.

You are still recovering from surgery and The band IS NOT LIKE BYPASS! You are going to have to accept the slow pace is weight loss if you are going to succeed at this. It's not a quick fix. Hang in there, but understand that you didn't gain the weight in a week and you are not going to lose it in a week...

I was very lucky. The center where I had my pre-op program offered a body scan that showed how much lean muscle and how much fat you carried. I had one done pre-op and one done one year post- op. Pretty amazing information. Without the scan I would never have known that my "ideal" weight according to every height and weight chart was completely unrealistic for me. I now have a real weight target...not just a chart target that my body was not designed to be.

I would love to have some friends on MFP too. Maybe it will keep me more motivated to keep on track! My user name is : rkimom

Too funny! Thanks for a morning laugh!

Nope, not a sip. Was my biggest empty calorie provider but none in over two years. I drink a lot of Crystal Light-since the band, plain water has a metallic taste. Asked my dietitian about it and she said its not unusual to have that problem.

It's a joke in my household that the band is just saying hello! I have had the loudest, most bizarre sounds coming from my belly since the band was placed two years ago. We just laugh it off... I keep thinking that it's better than the extra 55 lbs I was carrying!

Try them made with fat free milk instead of water. It jacks up the protein and makes them taste MUCH better!

You can take more than one if you need to. They won't hurt you.

GasX meltaways work wonders. They are the dissolvable little strips. They will break down the gas and relieve all the pressure you are feeling. After over two years I still keep them in my purse. You can buy them at most drugstores. Good luck and hang in there. Better days are coming !

Take your vitamins people! I am over two years post surgery and learned the lesson the hard way... I had some weird health issues that turned out to be directly related to malabsorption issues. Had micronutrient testing done that showed I had deficiencies in B12, Iron, D, and other assorted vitamins. It took over three months of intensive vitamin therapy to get back to healthy. Just saying, take your vitamins, religiously!!!

I cannot eat deli meat (especially ham), scrambled eggs,rice or pasta most of the time. Also,any meat that is dry- I cook a lot in the slow cooker because you usually end up with a saucy, moist meat. Like someone else said, the band can be touchy- you can eat something one day but not the next. Just chew it well and take small bites.

I am a BCBS Anthem patient and they approved my surgery only three days after my surgeon submitted my paperwork! I DID not lose 10% during my six month pre-surgery time period and they still approved me. I had a lot of testing done that showed how I could benefit from the surgery so Anthem agreed quickly. I had surgery in July of 2010 and haven't looked back. Hope you get the speedy approval like I did!

Great job figuring this whole thing out! I am almost two years banded and have traveled an equally challenging road. Like you, I have learned that honesty with my doctor ( and MYSELF) goes a long way towards success. The band is just a tool and I have to make the right food choices. If I listen to my body and stop eating when I get the FIRST sign that I am full (strangely enough, a hiccup!) things go well. A too tight band doesn't do anything but make me eat unhealthy slider foods. I have a very boring eating routine( I.e. Procal protein shake for breakfast since I have never been able to eat in the morning) and keep the non- protein snacks to a minimum. Keep up the good work and hang in there. You already know that it's worth it!

Even though you don't have a "fill" there is swelling from the surgery and some surgeons do put a little saline in. If you got stuck already, take the lesson you learned and remember how it feels. I am almost two years out and still occasionally get stuck! Chew, chew, chew and chew some more. Don't get distracted while eating and forget to chew enough. Don't try to drink while you eat- not ever! It will make more things get stuck- strangely enough... Hang in there- you made the right decision!

That is NOTnormal! Call your doctor and get back in. You need to be able to swallow liquids at least. I am almost two years out from surgery and have had to go back once ( the next day ) to get a little bit removed. It still amazes me that a small amount removed can give such relief!

I was told by the EMT's when I had a minor car accident back in December that we should have a medic alert bracelet. If they need to intubate, it can get hairy if they don't know you are banded. But...when i brought it up to my surgeon, he looked at me kind of dumbfounded. Not sure what he was thinking, but I have procrastinated and STILL don't have it! This will be my reminder though-THANKS!

Hey ladies! I am so glad to find this strand because I feel like I'm failing and my band is only 6 months in place. I've only lost about 32 pounds since my band surgery in July. I stopped coming to LB talk when I saw how little my loss was compared to everyone else. The band does work, but I'm not holding up my end of the bargain. I haven't lost any weight for the last eight weeks. I was filled to 4.5 cc in a 10 cc band and had to be unfilled because I couldn't eat enough at one time to hold me for more than an hour. In the last two months, my band was filled, unfilled and refilled back to the 4.5 level. I have had more "stuck" episodes with the higher fill. I know I need to exercise, but I continue finding excuses... Help! Why did I go through this surgery to have it not work???

Just wondering if anyone else has had any port infection issues? I am 4 months post surgery and had a small unfill on Monday. By that night, my port incision started to look swollen. On Tuesday, it looked worse and by yesterday I started to feel sick. Long story short, I ended up back at the dr and was diagnosed with an infection. Luckily, it was caught early enough and there will be no band consequences (like unfilling or surgery) but I do have to endure antibiotics and feeling pretty crappy. Just wondering if this is unusual??? I am learning that antibiotics are a different beast with a band in place! My belly is making some seriously strange noises... My kids even commented on the rumbling!