maxi2010

Hi everyone. I just visited a number of really cool blogs from people who have lost tons of weight after WLS they had years ago. In honor of Cinco De Mayo today, they are opening up their blogs to people who are new to WLS (like us). Some are posting what they ate today and some what they typically eat. Others are also offering really cool recipes. Here are some of the blogs I found, with their related hyperlink. Each blog is very different so don't just click on one. Try at least a few. Pam – Journey to a Healthier Me Beth – Melting Mama Andrea – WLS Vitagarten Tom – Beariatric Shelly – The World According to Eggface Nik – Bariatric Foodie I hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I did. Maxi

Hi JWKJR. It sounds like you have a normal reaction to your band, although your reaction is at the extreme end of normal. Not everyone gets this type of reaction. I was one who did and I continue to have to be careful with my band. I was banded on 9/17/10 and have lost 43 lbs so far; my doctor has been pleased with my progress. However, when I was first banded I had a similar problem to you - I was very swollen but my stomach did not swell right away. A few days after my surgery I was not able to tolerate food I had been eating just a few days before. For instance, beginning a few days post op I could not get even drink Protein shakes that I had been able to drink the day before. The Protein shake got stuck and made me feel really sick; I had trouble breathing. I was put on a clear liquid diet for the next few days and then made my shakes thinner than directed when I progressed to full liquids. I eventually made my shakes at the recommended thickness but it took several days. By sticking to an easy to digest diet, I allowed my stomach to heal. I also slowed down when I would start solids based on my "issues". You need to give your insides some time to adjust to the band and to work out the swelling issues that results. The swellings eventually goes away. When it goes away is individually based as everyone heals at different rates. However, once you are prone to stomach swelling, you need to be careful each time you go for a band fill. You have not yet had your first fill (when they put fluids in your band to make the pyloric opening smaller). What you will find is that you will need to adjust what you eat downwards after you get a fill. For instance, after you receive a fill you will need to go back to a liquid diet and soft diet in the days following the fill. I need to stick with a liquid diet for 1-2 days and a soft diet for another 1-2 days after I receive a fill. I then slowly add solid foods to make sure I tolerate them well. With this formula, you should do fine. This is a similar issue to the swelling you get with your surgery. BTW, when I am on a liquid diet, one of the easiest and most nutritious things I get to go down is Chinese egg drop Soup. Even though it is thick, has drops of eggs in it and looks as if it will get stuck, it has never gotten stuck even when I was the tightest. I always have some on hand after I get a fill. Good luck. Maxi

Thanks so much State of Oz (Lyla), Rambunctious and Danide. You all are all SOOO motivating. Yes, I agree that for the first time in my life I feel I will NEVER AGAIN be over 200 lbs and that I will keep this weight off. I could take off lbs before but I always knew it would creep back on. I cannot remember the last time I weighed this amount so that part is thrilling to me. The slowness of my weight loss has been deflating. However, you are right that I should not focus on that part. I agree that I don't want to enter the red zone where I can no longer eat most foods so having another fill scares me. Based on this thread, I now plan to have a conversation with my doctor the next time I have an appointment, which is in a few weeks. I also agree I should focus on the positive accomplishments we all have done since surgery rather than on the one bad aspect - the slowness of my weight loss. At least I am still losing, which is a great accomplishment (although it is less than 1 lb per week, on average). Hooray to all of us for taking off whatever lbs you have lost and for KEEPING IT OFF - even through the holidays. Awesome! Congratulations to us all! Thank you for helping me to "see the light." Maxi

Hi everyone. I have not posted on this site for a while. I'm glad to see that many of you are doing well. I had a surgery date of 9/17/10 and I am also one who has not lost as much weight as many of you have done. I've only lost 38 lbs (about 16 lbs was pre surgery, so only 22 lbs since surgery). While I averaged 1-2 lb weight loss at the beginning, I've averaged less than a pound lost per week over the last several weeks. I've added exercise into my life and go to the gym 3x per week, doing both low impact cardio and muscle strengthening exercises. I've noticed firmer body parts in certain areas based on my exercising. I've had 3 fills to date for a total of 4 1/2 CC's in a 10CC band. I feel restriction in that I have trouble eating dry chicken and steak and I find I definitely eat less than I used to eat and have to eat slower. However, I am NOT eating 1/2 cup portion sizes that others in this forum are doing successfully. What advice can you offer me? Should I ask for another fill and hope that will provide my sweet spot and, therefore, the weight loss I seek? I can't seem to lessen the amount I eat because I'm still hungry. Currently, I can no longer can eat any kind of dry meat and basically have to eat meals my family does not like so we eat mainly separate meals. A few times a week I eat meals with my family. I am totally confused and not very happy right now. Maxi

I also had issues even with thick liquids right after surgery. It takes time for the swelling to go down. When I had issues, I went down to less dense food. If you are having issues with mushies, go back to liquids for a day and then try again. The swelling goes down eventually. You just need to give it time. I don't believe it hurts you unless you continue to have issues that you ignore. If you listen to your body that is telling you not to eat anything so thick, you will be fine. I had surgery 9/17/10, five months ago. Maxi

You may be eating too quickly or not chewing well enough if you are feeling nauseous. I get nauseous whenever I do either thing.

If you are hungry all the time, it sounds like you need a fill. I've had 2 fills and I'm at 4cc in a 10cc band. I feel restriction but I'm not sure it is restricted enough. However, it does take a while for my food to go down. I particularly notice a "bulge" in my stomach when it is time to go to sleep and I often feel gas in the evening. I finish dinner around 7pm so and go to bed around 12 midnight so that is a lot of time for my food to digest and go down into my stomach. I'm not sure why it takes so long or why I have gas issues. Anyone else have these issues? I've had 2 episodes of PBs. Does this mean I should NOT get another fill? Maxi

What a great analogy between Dexter's "dark passenger" and your "fat passenger". I think I have a "fat passenger", too. This "fat passenger" tries to get me to eat high fat and high calorie foods even when I'm trying to lose weight. Similar to Dexter where his dark passenger tries to get him to kill someone, my fat passenger tries to kill me by getting me to eat bad foods! Thankfully, I am winning the battle with my "fat passenger".