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I am starting month 5 and have been stable at 190 lbs for a month, only 10 pounds from goal but quite frankly comfortable at 190. I can eat full meals and have some desert (ice cream etc) and I snack on small candy bars, MMs, etc and I neither gain nor lose weight. Nothing wrong with having a cookie, with or without sugar or ice cream, etc. It is normal. I am also with Kaiser and they want only 3 meals a day, maybe a Protein bar or shake in between but they do want only 3 normal meals per day. I didn't have the surgery just to give up eating everything else I would have done the bypass. Enjoy a snack just don't overdo.

it is very normal to have more pain with the repair. it is also a good idea to stay on top of those pain meds, and make sure you take them on time because it takes longer to get rid of the pain once you are in it, then it does when you stay on it. also, taking the pain meds will keep you from being tense, which is proven to help speed up recovery. you wont get addicted to them after 10 days of taking it, if that is what you are worried about. hope your pain goes away quickly, but until then.....take um

Hello everyone. I got banded back in August and things have been going so so. I'm down 50 pounds and only 30 from my first goal, so I guess I should be feeling more encouraged, but I've been having a hard time with my band the last couple of months. I got a pouch dilation back in the beginning of January, right after my fill up to 5cc (I have a 10 cc band). My next appointment wasn't until February and I wasn't sure at the time whether this was a real problem, or if I was simply just starting to feel real restriction so I didn't go back for an unfill until a month later. During that month, I could drink liquids but sometimes I felt like they weren't going down as easily as they should, especially in the mornings. I was able to eat food too, in teensy lap band portions and I ended up losing 13 pounds in that one month. I've never gotten stuck so badly that I had to bring it up, PBd, or had reflux, but I did get painful hiccups sometimes that don't last very long. At my February appointment, they found the pouch and put me on a 2 week liquid diet to make it go down, but when that didn't work they had to take 2 CCs out bringing me back down to 3. I've been slowly getting refilled since then and haven't had any problems. Monday they got me back up to 5CCs, and I'm having the same problems again. I CAN drink liquids, but they aren't going down as smoothly as I think they should, I sometimes get painful 'hiccups' after eating a tiny bit of food, and I haven't felt hungry at all since two days ago despite barely eating anything. Maybe that's normal with good restriction? It's hard to describe, but I can kind of feel the band squeezing around the liquid while I drink. Should I be getting that feeling with a band that's only half full? My fill doctors are closed until Tuesday due to the holiday, they said that I could go to the ER but I don't think it's THAT series because I can still eat and drink. I'm going to do a liquid diet for the next few days, but what should I do after that? Ask for a sooner appointment to see if I have a pouch again? I really don't want to go through another unfill just when I'd started to feel good restriction again. I'm ashamed to admit that my self control isn't as good as I thought it was and I gained back another eight pounds after they took out those 2 ccs. I'm also feeling very discouraged that I can't seem to get past the 5cc mark without having this problem. I worry that if they do unfill me, I'll just have the same problem again in another three months. Is it okay to just leave the pouch alone, as long as I'm careful? Or will it lead to complications? I've love some advice, thanks!

Hi Terry, I'm on the books for 10/11 so I'm just one day behind you! I'm getting sooooooooo excited, hope you are too!

I feel the same as you i was banded aug 12 and have only lost 26 lbs - most of hich was during the preop diet - eeh i have had 2 fills bt still can eat more than i am supposed to - talked with my dr last monday - he said it is not really a point that you should only be able to consume 2 oz of food but to be able to eat enough that satisfies you and you are still losing weight - that may be 6 or even 8 oz bt need to feel that satiation. hope this helps any support is great you are not alon - the dr did say in prespective losing 26 lbs in 3 months is more than 7 lbs a month - hopeflly 70 lbs in 10 months so keep trying and exercize

I don't eat poultry, red meat or pork so we have a lot of seafood and tofu. I like to make vegetarian chili loaded with tofu (I usually can eat a cup). Yesterday I made Sole stuffed with cheesy broccoli-quinoa. The sole fillets were between 2.5-2.75 ounces, and I stuffed each with about .5 cup of the quinoa mixture (if you haven't ever eaten quinoa, try it. its a great, healthy alternative to rice and its packed with Protein and nutrients. Heres a good article Quinoa: A Healthful Alternative to Rice - Ingredient swap - Revolution Health ). I was able to eat about 8/10 of the filet and quinoa (it was probably a little over 3/4s of a cup that I ate if you wanted to measure it that way). When I'm not in the mood for seafood, I love to make homemade edamame burgers. I just posted the recipe on my blog if you want to try to make them. Each burger is 1/3 of a cup and I'm generally able to eat one burger and then I'm done. I love that the band has given me the opportunity to look at what I cook with, and experiment with alternative ingredients. I love to cook, and its a hobby of mine to try and reduce calories, substitute healthier ingredients (like quinoa instead of rice...or skim cheese instead of full fat cheese) and I've even been experimenting with baking! I made a pumpkin pie cupcake with under 100 calories per cupcake and it tastes like the real thing. Have fun!

I specifically scheduled my surgery so I would not have my TOM. But, of course, because of stress, the change in the weather, etc, TOM has started 10 days early. I am afraid that I will have it in next month right when I am supposed have the surgery. After post-op, will it be possible to change my pads and stuff? I am easily embarrassed and totally chagrined about this. Thanks All.

Girl, you and I are in totally the same exact boat!!! Down to the same day of the surgery! I started the same clear liquid restricted diet on tuesday and my mouth is doing the same thing. Also, my sense of smell is really really weird. I was cooking my family their dinner and as the chicken was baking I seriously thought I was going to be sick. It smelled like rotten chicken. And the brocolli...blech. And I love my veggies. Weird. Are you getting that way around food? And yes, I'm so tired. I went to bed at 10 last night and that's not like me AT ALL. Then today I cleaned the house and decorated for Christmas and I was exhausted. I fell asleep on the sofa while my son was watching TV for about 15 mins. I was exhausted. Just a few more days is what I keep telling myself. Just a few more days. Did you notice you feel fine about an hour after you drink a shake and then the hunger pains start up? I've never had hunger pains like this. This really hurts to where I can't think what so ever. As for your headaches...yep, yep, yep. I notice that if I drink a big glass of Water the headache goes away. Did you give up caffeine cold turkey? That might be it. My morning shakes I've been putting 4 oz of cold coffee in a vanilla shake. It's pretty good and I get a little caffeine. Please feel free to PM me anytime if you need to chat. We can help eachother out. Oh! And gum, I've been chewing the heck out of sugar free gum. Even though my doc said no to sugar alcohols like what is in SF gum. But good grief. :eek: I did the broth one day and I can't do it. I'd rather have a shake.

O i was revised to the sleeve on monday the 27th. Thngs have been getting progressivly better with minor setbacks that have left me in the hospital until today, in fact i am going to digning my dc papers. I have been sooooo pleased with vcu health because they really put my health and safety in the forefront. I ahve a couple of issues that maybe some already sleeved can answer. I have been having pain in the center of my chest, kinda like heart pain. It is made worse when i take a deep breath. Thw doctors tested me for pulmonary embolism and heart condition and everything is perfect. I am chalking it up to gas pain but wanted to know if anyone else had experienced this. There is no leak as they have been testing. The fluid from my drain and the pain is reallyo not severe so i convinced the dr to let me go home. I can honestly say that my pain rating throughout my stay never went above 2 and thats because i was out of bed and moving within 10 hours of surgery. And had great pain control. I did have low blood sugar once and after taking so sips of juice it corrected itself. So i just got home and guess what i did....hopped on thw scale and low and behold i am 1 lb heavier than when i went in for surgery. Wtf...i wasnt expecting much but it has been 5 days since surgery and so surely i am not still retaning that much fluid.

i loveeeee Carmelized Onion Hummus loved it before and still now dont do plain hummus ever any more! i am a massive fan of spinach and chinese cabbage I chop that up in everything stir fry, casseroles etc whatever a veg goes in I add it lol pretty much any veg is good for me I recently found a lentil bean spinach curry recipe loveeddd it (we have all the spices to hand always in the cupboard so its easy to just make a curry if I find something I like lol) so after the first time I then made enough to freeze 6 batches of it for the family half with lamb as it’s a earthy taste and half without. I can link it too its off that site lol Only I added red, green, brown lentils and I put whatever Beans I like din it always have tins of beans and never just put one type in anything. You can also add other veg if you like of course http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Spinach-Red-Lentil-and-Bean-Curry/Detail.aspx?evt19=1 also like to make these sesame parmesan zucchini I de seed it as the seeds can be bitter a lot of the time and no one likes that http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sesame-Parmesan-Zucchini/Detail.aspx?evt19=1 made these and actually used them to eat the lentil curry with lol like a veggie cracker if you will broccoli parmesan fritters http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2012/06/broccoli-parmesan-fritters/ make this a lot too I tend to now make a massive batch again and bag it up and freeze it easy to digest and its good hot or cold in the lettuce http://www.spoonforkbacon.com/2012/01/chicken-lettuce-wraps/ I made these but used roasted red pepper pesto instead though I like all 3 pestos my mother is not a fan of green normal pesto lol I also egg washed them and planko coated them with some garlic and onion powder in the planko for flavour http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pesto-Cheesy-Chicken-Rolls/Detail.aspx?evt19=1 these are some of the things I like to do..

Warning! Don't want to squick anyone out, I'm going to get graphic here! I was banded on 7/25 and incision-wise feeling pretty well, but Friday-Sunday had severe bubbles in my digestive track EVERY time I ate something and it hurt! Even when I drank Water So, not-so-smart me shied away from it all and drank very little of anything. Saturday, I had severe diarrhea so I stopped the colace. Yesterday... well, now I'm constipated-sorta. I have watery diarrhea, but I feel like I'm impacted because it feels like something is stuck. It hurts to even urinate because of the pressure. Anyone experience this? I've never had issues with constipation so this is a new one for me. Yesterday I started taking the colace again and have added some senna today. I also used a glycerine suppository. Things have "moved" a bit, but still feeling a lot of pressure and having the watery bowel movements around whatever is feeling stuck. Was pretty worthless yesterday and today seems to be turning into the same type of day. I am forcing liquids! Drank 10 cups yesterday and have had about 5 8-oz glasses of water today. I"m hoping by upping the water intake as well as the colace and the senna I can get things moving again. I have my follow-up on Thursday and do plan on talking to my surgeon if I'm still having these issues, but would like to resolve it before then.

I'm only 10 days out , and am allowed mushy foods now. I can eat a whole egg or 4 oz yogurt without discomfort.

My surgery is in 10 more days, it feels so surreal. I've been reading post after post trying to fill my mind with anything an everything. I saw a story a few days ago with someone getting the bypass with their highest weight being my lowest weight, same height and at this point in my life I thought I was thin. It just really makes me question everything I've ever done weight loss wise, and let me tell you I have done some really nutty things( think injecting myself with hcg). Why didn't I ever just think about this choice before? Maybe I just thought it was for those who were morbidly obese, with there own television shows. But I'm morbidly obese, I feel so hurt and ashamed of myself right now for letting it get this far. I took my kids to the park over the weekend and watched the other moms able to play with their kids while I sit in the car weeping. Idk maybe it's just everything getting so close, my desire for the last few years to have this done and the time has finally come. Maybe it's the attitude and arguments I'm getting from my once supportive partner. And all I can think is how can you look at me and not want me to get this done? Maybe it's the fear of being away from my kiddos for a couple days.

When I had my second fill, I noticed a big difference for about a week, then things seemed to loosen up. Until then, I could not eat carbs without a little bit of pain. I've heard that eating too fast can make you sick. Also, you may need to chew more thoroughly. I have leveled off to losing about 10-15 pounds a month, and for some weird reason it always happens in about a week. For weeks I won't lose a thing, and then one day I'm down 3 and the next day 2 and etc. It's weird. But it's made me a little less obsessed about weighing, which is good. Anyway, maybe that's what your body is doing, so don't fret about not losing a pound every couple of days like you might have in the beginning. I don't burp or hiccup like some people talk about. That is often a sign that you're full, but my doc only allows me to eat about 1/2 cup of food per meal, so I never reach that level of fullness. I eat whatever I want, pretty much...just not the same volume as before. My doc recommends low fat, high Protein...and I do make an effort to reach my daily protein goal, but I figure until my weight-loss slows, I'm not going to stay away from carbs. In fact, sometimes it seems that eating carbs causes me to lose more. Perhaps it's the increase in calories/metabolism. I dunno. Anyway, you're doing great! Give that fill a few more days and you'll be back to your old self again. Just take it slow for a few more days. :biggrin1:

Yester day, August 30th I went to the surgeons office. When I was weighed I had lost 24 pounds. The nurse was very excited about that. When the Doctor came in he started to look at my chart and said do you know how much you have lost? I told him yes, but that I did lose some of the weight prior to surgery as I had cut back on my carbs and had been walking 2 miles on my treadmill. I probably had lost 10 pounds from May until my August 17th surgery. While I was there he took off my steri strips that had been covering my incisions. He said I was healing very well. I am happy anyway for the 24# loss. I am scheduled to go back to him on Sept. 12. He told me I could eat anything you would feed a baby. So I had a cup of clam chowder last evening. Yogurt fro breakfast as usual.

Ok love this Soup high Protein and easy love it this is an Atkins recipe Ingredients 2/3 Tablespoon olive oil 2/3 medium onion, chopped 1 1/4 garlic cloves, minced 1 1/4 jalapeno chiles, finely chopped 1/3 Teaspoon salt 1/4 Teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 1/4 Tablespoons chili powder 1 Teaspoons ground cumin 1/8 Teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 1/4 Pounds lean ground beef 9 1/16 Ounce-weight canned diced tomatoes 1 Cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded Directions Heat broiler. In a 9 or 10-inch oven-proof skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add onion; cook until golden, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and jalapeños; cook 30 seconds, stirring until fragrant. Add salt, red pepper, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and ground beef to skillet. Cook until browned, about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain excess liquid from pan. Add tomatoes, and bring to a boil. Sprinkle cheese over top. Place 5 inches from heating element, and broil just until melted, about 5 minutes.

its day 2 for me on the 10 day liquid diet and I am full of energy. But the bad news is I want to eat just to have something to do. I'm realizing how much I use food to ease my anxiety. AnybodY else experience this? What did you do? Would love to here from anyone who has an opinion:)

If you click on the "forums" tab and then go to the "Post Operation" tab (3rd one, and that isn't the WHOLE name) you'll find at the top a "sticky" thread with over 10 pages of "surgery day stories". That will give you more than you need! :thumbup: Good luck to both of you! :rose:

Well I finally did it, took me over 10 yrs to commit, but I decided on the Gastric sleeve last October and took the steps necessary to make the surgery a reality! I have had a slow start, because I had some complications found in surgery, but was taken care of during my sleeve surgery. I have lost 10 lbs so far and hope when I am cleared for exercise that I will loose a little more quickly ???? I started at 242 in October and the day of my surgery weighed 205. I am now 195 and very excited to be under 200???? I hope to find others that were sleeved around the same time and can't wait to share stories and get ideas from each other!! Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

Hi, I kind of stumbled onto this site. I was looking for an answer to the question what should I be doing to shrink my liver before my surgery in 10 days? My surgery is on the 17th. I am 280 pounds, nervous, yet excited. These sites are offering me encouragement so that I can fight back the nervousness. So its a pleasure to meet you all.:thumbup:

This is a great way to do it. My goal is 80 g protein, less than 60 carbs, less than 30 fat, and 10 g Fiber. This is from my nut. It works out to roughly 800 calories.

Hello Everyone, This is my first post I am being banded for the second time on 02/01 first time my gall bladder had a big problem with my band. I am very nervous just wondering if any one else had had their ban removed. Glad to find this site and some support.

I hope to lose 10 lbs a month after that first month. I am about 8 weeks out and my losing pattern is changing from that "I'm losing a pound a day" that happens the first month after surgery - to drop 2 and then hang out at that weight for 4-5 days, drop again etc. Stair steps. I would be happy with 8-12 lbs - actually I am happy with losing anything haha!

I have a friend who is participating in a "biggest loser" contest at work, she is trying to lose 10 llbs in 2 weeks. :eek:I have seen preop post where isopure drinks were mentioned, and I want to get an idea on how much wt was lost. She works out approx 1hr--4 days a wk and daily caloric intake is approx. 1000. I know this is not a healthy idea but....any help in appreciated

I had the same problem again today, but not as bad. I even had a hard boiled egg for dinner almost 3 hours ago and didn't feel this full until about an hour after dinner. Jalomum, I had one fill about 6 weeks ago, of 2 cc's in my 10 cc band. That is the only fill I've had. I haven't had a problem with any food getting stuck or anything, so I hadn't thought it would come up now. Thanks for your advice. It was nice to eat some carbs, but it looks like I'll have to go back to a more Protein focused diet.