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I have the same problem and found a fiber tablet that I only have to take 2. Just was told that ground flax seed is good to add to everything so I am going to get that also today...the weight really does change after a BM.

I was just sooo flabergasted~ Cause it was like one of them mettaling, poking, proding type of insinuations...Like she needed the dirt...Are you sick?? I just simply said, Medically supervised diet. I said its all good. And the most IRONIC thing about this...her son use to be one of the boys in high school who picked on me relentlessly, for being over weight. I dont know if she knew it...but still, I find it weird. The more he picked the more outragious my outfits were. I use to wear a lot of leapord print, and lace and leather...Go figure..... JQ...your right I AM sick. I spend my weekends playing dress up and scareing the patootie out of strangers in a field-in the dark!!!! Tonights outfit was a dominatrix~ I got pictures of that one wahoo~ It kicked ass, untill I fell in the mudd...ehehehe I laughed my butt off!!! I dont know how I didn't get hurt BAD!!! But it was funny! I wore my "happy boots"...they are five inch or six inch platforms that go up past my knees. The heal got stuck on the door jam and well, there I went, on my knees out the door~ ehehehehe I was like kneeling, but my feet were way up my back...It was really weird. I dont know how I didn't pull my thigh muscles~ I will be hurtin tomorrow Anwyn~OH I WISH I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THE FLESH EATTING DISEASE~~ I will have to keep that one in the back of my head~ Sarah~Your right, this is the healthiest I have been EVER~ I will have to remember this one too~ good night all~

I think you may be a tad too tight. At least I had a very similar experience when I had too much fill. Everything I tried to eat gave me pain. A very tiny unfill of .2cc fixed it for me. The amount of fill that you have doesn't really matter all that much. I know someone with the same band as me.. she's tight with 2cc's. I'm at a good level with 5.5. You could try drinking something hot (tea, coffee, Water with lemon, hot crystal light) right before eating. This will loosen the band just a little bit and might make it easier to eat. When I was too tight, I even sipped on hot tea during my meal. The key word is sip.. tiny ones. Not big drinks. The danger with being too tight is that you can fall into the habit of eating what's called "slider foods". These things are OK on a very short term basis, but over time, tend to be higher in calorie and less satisfying to fend off hunger, so we eat more of them.. with a result of reduced weight loss.. or even regain. I don't purposely change the amount I eat. I measure out my 3 or 4oz of Protein and 1/2 cup of veggies. I try to eat that and if I get too full before it's gone, then it gets put away for later. If I can finish that amount, then I'm done for at least 20 minutes. IF I am still feeling hungry after 20 minutes I'll let myself have more veggies. However, I eat my veggies fairly plain.. w/o butter or cheese. Usually only some lemon juice and/or salt on mine. Most of the time, the 20 minutes gives my stomach and brain time to communicate and they figure out I really have had enough. Hungry in 2 hours? I make sure I've drank 16 to 32 oz of water (not Powerade zero, crystal light, tea, etc... water). If I haven't, I get on that. Still hungry after water.. then I can have a small high protein snack. Apple and cheese stick is a favorite go-to. Also the small snack size cottage cheese. yup yup. I had the same experience. I hung out on yahoo bandster boards from fall of 08, reading and practicing bandster behavior until banding in March of 09. There's things that you just don't get till you're one of the club. :mad2: You're welcome. I hope it was of some use. Call your docs office and talk to one of the support staff.. see if they want you to come in for a teeny unfill or have some other suggestions to help you over this rough spot. Good luck!!

Well today I am 4 months out and down 90 pounds. I never have felt better in my life. I went shopping for new shirts yesterday and I bought X-large. I have cant believe it. It is like a dream. It was the best decision I have ever made. The only thing my sleeve does not like is red meat. I have tried twice and it just does not work. I take things slow when eating. The only thing that bothers me is the top half my body is one size and my bottom is another story. I have always been bottom heavy. I have the mind set I did not gain it over night so I will not lose it over nite. I am attaching before and after pictures. Have a great labor day weekend.

I was banded a couple years ago, so I don't really recall how much I lost the first week. I think 14 lbs seems high. I think that would be the exception, not the rule. Try to follow doctors orders for diet and try not to focus on the scale. I understand why you want to, but the weight loss will come. I don't think you are doing anything wrong if you have lost 4 lbs in a week.

I don't know anyone personally that lost 14 lbs first week. I lost about 10 lbs the first 3 weeks and then not a lot until I started getting fills. The recommended weight loss is 1-2 lbs on average per week. Depending on if you exercise or not or how well you keep your Protein count up will make a difference. If you drop your calorie count too low and your protein is not up to as close to 70 grams a day, your weight loss will not be great because your body thinks it's starving. You also can't go by anyone else. This journey is different for every single person. Every fill amount is different, every sweet spot is different in what it takes to get there. My daughter has been banded before me. So I knew going in what I was in for but we've had different results...all good. Just remember, that four pounds is four pounds you didn't have the week before!!

Hi people! My name is Bonnie and I'm 20 years young. This all started for me when my mother was having a conversation with her twin sister and I thought she was joking when she said she wanted to get banded. So I said, "If you're doing it, then so am I." I have struggled with my weight since a very early age, between kindergarten and first grade. My diet and exercise habits were always poor. Since my father was in the Navy and hardly ever at home, my mother went into a severe depression and her overeating is triggered by stress. Thus I learned to eat like her, behave like her. I do not blame my mother, per se. That simply isn't fair, albeit she was responsible for the nutrient poor food she gave me to eat, for not encouraging exercise and for setting the example of sit-and-watch-TV-and-mope-about. She has admitted this many times and she says she's sorry, but what's done is done. Well, it's been sixteen years and now I've finally decided to get serious about it- not that I haven't tried and failed many times before- and I feel that this surgery is the way to go. I have read a lot of success stories and my boyfriend says his ex had a friend who got the procedure and obtained amazing results from it. I hope I do well in this. I'm determined to lose this weight that has burdened me for too long and I know that I will do everything in my power to not let anything stand in my way. I also know that there will be many things to deter me from progressing, but I want this so badly that I know I will be able to push through it. I'm glad to have found this forum, it will certainly help on support! Good luck to you all! Bonnie

I finally had the inital meeting last night and it went great. One of the surgeons was there explaining the different procedures people can choose from. They had other people there discussing insurance and other things. They were great at taking questions. I spoke with the surgeon afterward about my meds and he confirmed it's no problem. He said he's suggest Lap Band. I said great...that's what I want to have done :crying: With the insurance company I have, they know it will require 6 months weight loss program. I called my insurance company to be sure it's covered and the guy couldn't find it, needs the code...<sigh>...I called OSU and they have someone who they said knows all about insurance. I'm just waiting to hear back from them. Since I have to do the weight loss for 6 months, I'm just going to plan on having my surgery next summer. I work in a school and have summer off. I won't have to take any sick time. OSU seems to have a very good weight loss program set up. It deals with how you will eat after surgery too, so as much as a part of me wishes I could get the surgery done now, I can see how that will really help. :biggrin2: When I know for sure about my insurance, trust me......you'll know !!!!

Thanks for the encouragement! You are right better lost than gained! I'm going to keep trying--have no other choice really! :-)

I have a 35.5 bmi, along with Rhumatoid Arthritus, polycystic ovaries, and some blood pressure issues. I have also, tried phentermine, meridia and weight watchers. I was worried myself because my BMI was right on the border that I wouldnt get it. But my worrys are over....i am so thrilled!

I am really trying 2 stay positive about this whole weight lost process thing . How do i ignore that the weight is not coming off when im counting calories, protein, n im execersing . Its tearing me apart bc i know its only a tool but i dnt think mine is working. Then im reading how everyone else is losing n being happy. I hear be patient. Well when u try something new n u see a difference that gives u motivation 2 keep going it gives u hope that u can do it. But when u dnt see the results or the weight go down what do u have... I have tears, fears, frustration, n headaches . I go 2 the doctor 2morrow im going 2 show him my food journal n request fill number 2 :-( tiffany

Has anyone done the 30 day shred? This is not for the faint. The program is like working with a personal trainer...seriously. Jillian is no joke. But there have been a lot of good reviews/results with her program. just do a google search for reviews and you'll see. I am guessing it is not against board rules to post other websites since we reference weight watchers on this board so...do a search on Amazon and my fitness pal community and you'll see some amazing results. Anyway, I am only on day two but am siked! BTW, this is not for the beginner. I have heard some say they do it in conjunction with Couch to 5k and other running/walking/exercises.

I find Atkins bars and Shaklee Protein bars very helpful for business travel. They are low-carb, low-fat and low-calorie. They are full of Fiber. They keep blood sugar stable and control cravings. I use them during long flights of eight hours or more. Of course, I prefer real food, but with business travel, it is not always convenient. Downside of protein bars: flatulence. But they do control my hunger. I commute every other week between Europe and the US for work (one of the reasons I gained weight). Protein Bars have truly helped. I also know exactly the amount of my sodium intake. I cannot advocate protein bars for everyday use over real food. But I consider them superior to high-fat, high-sugar, high-carb processed food when on the road. For Breakfast in hotel buffets: I eat boiled eggs, smoked salmon and cheese.

I'm taking Baratric Advantage for my Pre-Op diet that I'm currently on. They are very filling and have about 26g of Protein in two scoops (serving size). I bought mine through my doctors office for 50.00 bucks a bag and I got two bags with chocolate and vanilla. They have a webstie you can get on and order or just to check them out (I think they are 60.00 bucks online). My surgeon and dietician recommened them to me at my Pre-Op appointment. I'm also on a low carb high caliorie diet. I have been eating Weight Watcher Smart ones for the past 7 days and they are pretty good! I drink 3 protien shakes and day and they do keep me over till dinner time and they are tasty!! Let me know if you have any questions!! -Amine

My surgeon requires two day of liquids after a band adjustment. So, I had some time to reflect and figure out how I was going to stay on track. I thought the best place to start would be by doing reading and further reflection. I decided to read a book I purchased somewhere around the time I was banded, but never took the time to read. The book title is Before and After: Eating and Living Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Susan Maria Leach. Some of the things I summarized from reading her book that have really hit home for me are: Even after all my research, I wasn't prepared for how day-to-day living would really be after weight loss surgery until I lived it. What I realize now that I didn't quite grasp before is that the band only keeps you from becoming ravenously hungry and restricts your intake -- that's ALL it does. The hardest part of being successful with WLS depended entirely on me and my choices. As I moved from liquids, to soft foods, to solids, my daily food challenges grew. At some point I let "life" overwhelm me and failed to develop personal strategies for dealing with my emotional issues or eating habits. I also expected my band to do more for me than I was doing for myself. Now I completely understand that if I want to be continually successful, I MUST: GET MY HEAD IN THE GAME. not drink and eat at the same time. eat like I had the gastric bypass focusing on getting in protein first, then veggies, then fruit in that EXACT order and control the portion sizes/ratio. AVOID high carbohydrate foods because they are the DEVIL reincarnate. Don't EVER act like I don't know what carbohydrates are and there's no label to read. If I do, the only one I'm fooling is me. My band, my body, and my scale have proven they will not be easily fooled forever. build up to EXERCISING at least 5 day per week to lose fat instead of muscle. Take dietary supplements morning, noon, and night. Hold myself accountable by tracking my weight weekly and my diet and exercise. KEEP MY HEAD IN THE GAME. First thing this moring, I created a weigh-in chart through the end of calendar year 2008. According to my estimates, if I average two pounds a week, I should be at or below goal (150) before the end of the year. Is this goal set on perfection? Nope, it's set on continually striving to reach my goal in small achievable increments. Is this goal attainable? Well, I really don't know yet. The lowest weight I can ever remember being is 156 and I was 19 years old at the time. So it will be interesting to see where my body lands on the weight scale with continously applied effort. For now, my sites are initially set on getting back to the January 24, 2007 weight of 224lbs, from there I'll be working on breaking the 200lb threshold, then my focus will turn to achieving a healthy BMI of 29, which will put me at exactly 190lbs. Hmmm, now that I'm thinking about it. I'm going to update my weigh-in chart to include BMI changes for extra incentive. Since my surgeon only sees follow-up patients on Wednesdays, I've decided that will be my weekly weigh-in day. So, I will take and record an official naked weight every Wednesday even if it's a day I'm scheduled to see the surgeon. I will also record the clothing weight on those Wednesdays as well. I still have to come up with a plan that addresses all my issues and not just identify what I've failed at doing in the past and a documented weekly weigh-in chart. I need a plan that helps ensure my success. That will definitley be a bit harder. So, I'm going to have to address one issue at a time as soon as possible. My next appointment with the surgeon on 13 February and I want to ensure that both our scales show my effort.

I couldn't agree with you more! IMHO BariatricPal is the best social network for anything related to Weight Loss Surgery . We try to support people interested in WLS, regardless where they post. Maybe suggest she jump on over here for support. I can't personally do that since we don't solicit for members on social networks.

hi everyone i just want to know if anyone else has experienced what i have been for the last few months. I keep eating i dunno why but i do.Im not hungry i just eat for the sake of it. I then later go to bed and cry and think why did i do that? Its just more weight that i have to lose. Everyday all i think about is losing weight...i start a diet in the morn then by lunchtime its out the window.I dont know what else too do.Do u think the band will help in this situation? Somebody please help me and explain too me why i would be doing this too myself?? Thanks Fee

Talk with your surgeon - My *surgeon* required 1 class/month for 6 months, and that included weight/bp checks and turning in a food log. That filled the 6 month requirement for my insurance, and I felt a lot more prepared going into the surgery. I also believe that it is a requirement under the Bariatric Centers of Excellence program (if not required, it's definitely a good idea). The surgeon's office or hospital should also have an insurance coordinator for elective surgeries that can help you with the requirements.

This is a common concern...understandable! But common! Here's a link to a post just the other day about it: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/5-reasons-94316/ And here's a link to a web site about weight loss surgery that compares them in a "table" form: Lap-Band vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery And I'm not from MN so can't help you there!

Can you all tell me what made you decide on the band instead of gastric? I mean I know gastric is more invasive and all, but how did you decide? Also I go to my first meeting on the 28th and I can't wait to hear all the info. I am so scared, but tired of trying over and over again to loose this weight.

First off, you cant compare yourself to anyone or everyone else. You are an individual and your loss will be different than everyone elses . The gym will help your right. About your restriction , how big of a band do you have ? If you have a 10cc band then 6cc's might be right . But it takes time for the restriction to kick in , it also takes several fills for you to find the proper restrcition . If you just had your first fill it sounds like some patients is what is in order. it all takes time. As others say "the weight didnt come on over night its not going to come off over night" IF you are getting the "golf ball " feeling in your throat for me that is my " your full stop eating " feeling and that is when I know to stop eating . If you feel that feeling stop eating. If you feel that AND you have saliva come up and you food comes up and you throw up THAT Is pbing. PBing nothing more than throwing up really . IF you can not eat solids with out geting that feeling AND the saliva coming up or throwing up your too tight and need an unfill most likely . BUT since you just had a fill sometimes after fills we need to focus on the rules again , make sure your chewing your food, taking small bites and eating slowly . If your having problems with the fill call your doc. HTH Mindy

Hello eveyone, I had my first fill and I must say after looking at everyone's weight loss , I'm not doing to well I've lost 11lbs total. I have started the gym last week I went 3 days and worked out for 30-45 mins so hopefully this will help. And also I have a concern about mt restricion after being fill the Doc said he put 6ccs....but I think it had to been more like .6 right? I still feel pretty hungry but when I do eat I feel like something is getting stuck in my back, kinda like if you eat to fast and feel like something is stuck in your esphogas is that call restriction? I mean I don't feel full just something weird also I think I've been PBing cause when I feel that feeling alot of saliva comes up.....any advice would be great __________________

BarryW, Christinamo7, 2GoldenGirl, all your reccomendations and suggestions are much appreciated. The complications from the hip revision surgery have left my range of mobility diminishing rather than improving and advancing. Thank you for the information, I will discuss this matter further with my Physical Therapist and my Doctor. As far as the protein mentioned by 2Goldengirl, I have a whey liquid protein(42g) in the am and my whey protein shake at night. The Optimum Nutrition Salted Caramel flavor is my favorite and it acts as a "sweet treat" at night. May I congratulate all of you are your weight losses!

Today I was off work, took my mom shopping, I called TCLB because I wanted to start full liquids today. I know it's early. Now I know why as she explained that the band is positioning itself, and the less in the stomach, the less work it has to to, the less movement the band has. That makes more sense. I was banded Thurs Jan 18 in the AM, I can't even remember getting dressed. That day out of the last 4 days was the worst. I couldn't stay awake at all. Since then I have been OK, no sholder pain, no side effects, took 3 Demeral altogeher. Unil today...forgot about the pipes below, well...I went into the rest room Starbuck, and emerged about a half an hour later with NO results. Thank Gawd by the afternoon nature took it's course, the last thing I would want to do is bo back to work tomorrow, and have that issue to worry about. Back to work tomorrow, no one at the office knows, no one in my family knows except for my 13 year old daughter, and my mom. The office peeps were wondering why I was eating so much cottage cheese and yogurt, so I did let them know I was having a day surgery, they think it's for a hernia. I have knowing that I've out and out lied to people, but I find it priviate, as soon as one tells one that oen is dieting, everybody wants to either join the band wagon, or looks at anything that is purchsed from the lunch room and then examined. We have a weight watchers a work program, and I was in it once...(who know I'm a life time member) from meny years ago. It's like a circus with these groups. Everybody watches everybody. I can't stand that. OK enough from me I'm going to cuddle up with my most sucky cat Sawyer. ( I have 4 altogether and he's the youngest, and most cuddley) take a quick nap before my daughter arrives home from school...Then I plan to do 30 minutes on the bike today. Until tomorrow. ~DB

Anybody else eating more and losing more? Once I broke the 1,000 a day the weight started to come off. I was nervous at first because I thought I was going to plateau but I knew -and my hair loss knew-that I needed more protein. Is this common with anyone else?