DonnaMP

No real food for 2 months? That's odd.

I don't consider myself "sucessful" with this yet, even though I've lost 105 lbs. Struggling right now to lose the last 50. I don't really care about what summer dresses I can fit in...I just want to be around long enough to see my kids and grandkids raised. I have a lot of living left to do. Never had a diagnosis of HTN, diabetes or high cholesterol but I figured it was just a matter of time. Sometimes I read these posts and everyone is so upbeat and looking forward to surgery then in a few weeks they're saying "oh god what have i done...it hurts...i'm starving"...and I did the same thing. I wasn't prepared for what *really* happens after you get the surgery. If you're considering the surgery, please do yourself a favor and talk to people who have had it and find out the cons as well as the pros. Most people will still get the surgery, just make sure you get the one thats right for you. All surgeries are just a tool to help, you have to be willing to work the tool.

Mine said advil was fine...if I had trouble with the pills, just use liquid. I dont have a problem with the Advil or Tylenol.

How much of a fill did you get? It does sound as if you're too tight. If you can't keep fluids down, you need to see your surgeon ASAP. If you can keep fluids down, stick to fluids for a few days, then switch to mushies till you see the dr, but if you're vomiting and can't keep down fluids, you're at serious risk for becoming dehydrated. Call the DR.

Honestly, you're probably not eating enough to lose. Stupid as that sounds, you have to eat to burn. My surgeon says not to go below 1000 a day...not sure what yours says, each one is different. I'm like you, crappy job that pays pretty well...not sure how long we're gonna be around tho. Kids, husband, no time to do anything. Try adding some calories and see what happens but don't stress too much...you're doing good.

First off, I was banded in Oct 2010 and have lost 105lbs so compare me to you and you're winning. This isn't a race. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was your ass. Or mine. Or anyone else's thats battling the bulge. It took me over a year to understand the head games that go along with the band. First, you're not gonna hit restriction at the same time everyone else does. It took me 6cc's in a 10cc band to get any. I hear people say "oh when i get restriction i won't ever be hungry again"...wrong. Nothing about the band is gonna turn off feeling hungry. Its not going to stop your stomach from growling. Its just a tool, and its a tool that you have to work, and you ARE working it. I've managed to lose and haven't done crap really to lose. I eat what I want, when I want as long as I stay around 1000 calories a day. You have to have fuel to burn fat. Mix things up...one day have more calories then the next day, drop it down by a few hundred. When your body gets used to getting the same calories a day it gets stagnant. Also...relax. You're banded, not dead. You're doing great so far and you'll continue to do great. For me, because I'm not dead, and because I'm a food addict, I had to learn to control the food, not let the food control me. You're still letting food control you. Because you're always hungry, the food is controlling you and you're pretty miserable sounds like. When I want ice cream, I eat it. I have a scoop not a whole bowl. I don't deny myself. Whatever I want...I eat. in moderation. Thats the key...everything in moderation. You have to stop focusing on that "can't haves" and realize that you can have EVERYTHING just in moderation. I know there's gonna be people that post against me...thats ok each to their own. This is my journey. But you're really doing well

I'm over a year out and still don't see my weight loss

I don't know of anyone who hasn't cheated...very doubtful it will effect your surgery.

I had the same problem. By a week after surgery I had diarrhea so bad I could hardly stand. I found out then I was allergic to artificial sweeteners. I switched to Boost High Protein and was fine after that. Thank God I only had to do a week of liquids after surgery. Everything was fine after I started eating real food. Glad my dr insists on NO protein shakes ever...unless of course you can't get anything else down.

According to others with the band, my surgeon and things I've read...the band you get, size wise, depends on the size of your stomach. And HopeToBe...it takes a few months and a few fills to start losing. I NEVER lost what other people lost. I never lost fast. Mine was always a steady 1 lb a week or so. But I'm fine with that because the slower you lose, the more apt to keep it off you are. I preferred getting small fills...less chance of being too tight and slipping.

No matter what, you should be able to get fluids down easily by sipping. The more dehydrated you are, the tighter your band is going to be. If you can't get water down easily, you need to call your dr ASAP

Remember that its a cup of CHEWED food, not whole food...or at least thats what my surgeon says. And you should never drink your protein if you can eat it. Only resort to protein drinks if you're still on liquids. If you need extra protein, you can always do protein shots if you can tolerate the taste.

Its probably gas

I had to resort to Boost High Protein...only one I could get down. Another alternative is from GNC...its an unflavored whey protein, with no artificial sweeteners or anything. You can use it to make smoothies, or mix it in milk. I mixed it in broth but it tends to clump if you add it when its hot. So...add the protein powder while the broth is cold.

It takes 4 or 5 fills usually to feel ANY restriction at all. I was banded in october 2010 and had to wait 6 weeks after surgery for the first fill. I couldn't come back for fills less than every 6 weeks. It took five fills to feel any restriction at all. I had 6cc's in a 10cc band. Not sure I have that "sweet spot" even now, but I've learned what works for me. I've lost slowly. Only lost 102 lbs in that amount of time. I only lost 15 lbs from pre-op to 6 weeks after surgery. Mine has been a steady lb or so a week until now. Now...I'm at a stand still and at a loss what to do. So...be patient we all go thru pretty much the same thing

Always make sure you're getting LOTS of water...like 60+ oz's every day. That will cause your band to be really tight if you don't. And like the other poster said...go back to liquids for a few days. I'd use an unfill as an absolute last resort but definately keep in touch with your dr. If you can't keep liquids down then definately get a small unfill.

I had surgery on Tuesday and back to work the following Monday only because I had vacation time I had to take or else I'd lose it. Like you, I have a desk job and was fine when I came back.

I would call your insurance company and get a list of providers that are in-network for your insurance. Then call the providers, see if they have an upcoming seminar for possible patients and at the seminar you'll find out more info. For me, my ins co. insisted on a center of excellence. They gave me a list of two in my area. I called one...went to a seminar. After the seminar, they were signing people up for appointments to see the surgeon. I saw the surgeon and then had to see a pulmonoligist, cardiologist, psychologist and nutritionist. Started the process in June, was banded Oct. 10th.

Everyone that I know of and have seen on chat has more than the "limit" in their band. One man with a 14cc band has nearly 15cc's in it. Another lady has a 14 cc band and has 15cc in it. Maybe you have a different band? Not sure but seems if its 15cc, it should hold 15cc's easily.

I agree with what everyone else has said...being sick can cause it, right before and during your period...stress. For me the biggest factor is water. If i don't get in a LOT of water, my band will be incredibly tight the next day.

Hair loss is very common with weight loss surgery. Most people I know take Biotin

Yeah the appetite coming back is normal. It might take a few fills to actually *feel* any restriction tho

The chest pain is most likely from gas. Take gas-x strips, and walk walk walk. Try doing windmills with your arms as well. And 10 lbs is great.

No, never. I've been stuck really bad a few times and wished I could but I haven't. That coffee ground stuff is scary.

Yeah thats pretty normal. I'm 14 months out and still get that. Remember to sip slowly.