annieM

I had my second band placed when they removed the first because of pouch dilation. Everything has been fine.

A week from today I will have my Rhinoplasty and chin implant. It's kindof a weight loss reward (I've lost 70 lbs now, 20 to go). I have always had this bus on my face and my other features are small so I'm hoping it turns out well. I'll let you know. When I'm down the last 20 lbs I'll start saving for the tummy tuck 'cause boy, will I need it. Between being fat and having twins (15 lbs of babies, mind you) my stomach just hangs there. Is there anyone else out there who has had other facial ps for a weight loss reward?

Thanks! It turned out really well. I'm still a bit swollen and tender but it looks soo much better. I'm glad I did it. Next stop, tummy tuck!

How have things been going since then? I would say get some of that fill taken out. What did you end up doing?

Welcome Jane! I hope your surgery went well and you are now at home enjoying (?) your liquid diet. You've probably even lost a pound or two! Best of luck to you!

This was a big worry of mine because both my DH and I were overweight. My DH had bypass surgery and lost about 150 lbs and I've lost 70 with the band. Maybe seeing us struggle to lose has kept my kids thin? IDK. My oldest is an extremely fit marine, my second is a size 4 and my third is a size 6. They make good food choices and I'm proud of the way they've turned out.

Try a day of just clear liquids and if that doesn't help, go for a little un-fill. Your vomiting has probably gotten you good and swollen and your pouch needs a rest. Just be mindful not to go ga ga and eat a ton while you have your un-fill and you'll do fine. What food was the culprit?

Ditto that. You've got to keep going with the fills. For some people it takes MANY fills to get restriction. I was one of them; I thought I would never get there, but by george, I'm sitting here in my size 6 shorts and I want that for you too. There is nothing about just being banded that gets the work done. You need the proper level of fill in that band, which can only be determined by you, everyone is different, and when you have restriction in what you can eat, then you will see the weight come off. Don't give up!

Check with your doc and maybe he'll do a barium swallow to see what is going on down there. Your symptoms sound a lot like mine when my pouch was dilated. Mine was an extreme case and I needed my band removed and a new one placed there, so don't delay in getting this checked out. If your pouch is dilated, it could be that a period of being unfilled will help it go back into shape. Good luck!

Yep, I've lost some height, but I have arthritis and am developing one of those humps on my back so I think that's where my height went. An inch and a half is quite a bit to lose but if you aren't in pain I guess I wouldn't stress over it. Do mention it to your doctor though because if you are getting osteopenia he may want to put you on one of those bone saving drugs so you don't end up with breaks. It's funny I had the same convo with myself about the BMI change...

Keep a food diary, you may be eating more than you realize. Our American portions are so skewed that most people don't know what they are taking in. I sure didn't. I take in around 1000 cal per day now and it feels like nothing, but with that I can lose a pound a week and feel OK doing it. Good luck,

Wow! You GO! Isn't it amazing? Someday too you'll be able to say I "used to" have high sugar, high chloresterol and blood pressure. Keep up the Great Start!:thumbup:

Unless you are self-pay, your insurance co. will call the shots. The doctor's office should give you some good help in dealing with them (aren't they always the bad guys?) and getting you ready for your new life. Usually there is a 6 month supervised diet, a BMI level to meet, and co- morbidities to have before you are approved. It sounds like a pain in the neck, but it all is worth it once you have your band and can start losing weight 4ever! Good luck!

Popping without pain or crackliness, doesn't sound all that serious. You probably just have some air in your joints. I have arthritis and when I put my hand over my knee and flex it, it feels like it's full of gravel. If yours moves smoothly, as I suspect it will, don't worry about it. It could be from the release of 50 lbs of pressure on your joints. (GREAT job !!!) Good luck,

Yes this does seem peculiar. Other than a summer stomach bug being the first suspect, you could have your gall bladder checked with an ultrasound. Consult with your doctor if this continues it sounds quite miserable. good luck!

It's a typical pattern; you might actually need a bit of a fill so you can't "eat a horse." Here's what works for me: bfast is coffee with a bit of skim milk in it, mid morning I have a Myoplex protein shake, for lunch I have about a quarter cup of cottage cheese with a tiny bit of fruit and dinner is about a half cup of something solid or a cup of soup and then I have some veggie chips before bed. I'm down to a size 6, whoot. When you have enough of a fill, you don't miss the food and you get really full on a tiny bit. Good luck!

My surgery went very smoothly and recovery was uneventful. I wish you the same! Good luck in your new life :thumbup:

They are a great staff at Cincy wt loss! I've been going there too and they have taken very good care of me. Do as they tell you and that weight will come off. good luck!

Good luck! I hope you have a speedy recovery and steady weight loss.

Chewing gum helps too. A lot of times when I think that I am hungry, I am actually thirsty, so I always drink something like propel first. Then I eat less.

Just GO and get your success started again. Your doc will understand. If he scolds you, so what? You don't live with him; you get your fill and go home, right?

Yup, it's harmful. The pressure of throwing up too much can dilate your pouch and you can lose your band. (I know because it happened to me) Try "priming" your pouch by drinking first, then having something soft then going for the solid food, very slowly. Take tiny bites chew well, etc. Don't drink with your meal or for an hour after (that can make you PB). Above all, listen to your body and stop before that "too full" feeling. You may also try doing a bit of walking around the room between bites to slow yourself down a bit. Good luck!

Watch out with too much vomiting guys. I lost my first band that way. The pressure buildup from months of pb'ing caused a dilation of my pouch and I had to have my band removed and another put in it's place. (and I had to pay for it again) So don't let yourself get to that point of vomiting. Eat slowly, listen to your body and learn when to stop. If you do PB, follow the advise above and stop the solids and do liquids to let your pouch rest.

I gave up on having solid food in the morning and have my protein shake then. For lunch, something solid, but soft and for dinner something "normal." Dry chicken gives me trouble too, but if you work with the bands little quirks you will be much happier. Don't do an unfill unless you really can't keep liquids down. If you have a rough day and forget the band and try to eat something that anyone would get stuck on (like pizza with a thick crust...), give your pouch a break and do a few days of liquids to let it rest. Forget eating eggs in the morning. Hardly anyone with a band can tolerate that! Learn what you can and can't do and accept that it is your new reality. You will see the weight come off especially as you feel better and add in a daily walk.

I've tried to figure out why I am such a slow loser. My metabolism must just be very sluggish. I eat between 500 and 1000 cal per day and lose a pound a week if I'm lucky. I don't have much energy on so little, but I do keep moving and I walk every day.