Putting back on the weight 5 months post operation

[lapband 8-26-09 0]

I was banded 8-26-09. Pre surgery I lost 20 pounds. 2 weeks post op. I had lost 16 pounds. Within the next 4 weeks I was down about 10 more pounds. I was exercising a lot. The nurse told me to slow down the exercising. Since then I lost the motivation to exercise and have not been eating that healthy. I ended up putting back on almost all the weight I have lost post surgery. I did got a fill from 4cc to 5.2cc and the intern doctor over filled me. It was horrible and I was vomiting my own saliva because it could not go down. I ended up having to have all the Fluid removed and started from scratch again. I have had 2 fills since then. My last fill was almost a week ago. I have no idea how many cc I have because I was first filled to 4 cc then at the last fill the intern doctor told me I was at 3 cc and was putting in 1.2 cc. Now I have trouble with food getting stuck almost anytime I eat anything other than puree or fluids. However, while I have to eat slowly and chew really well I do not get full on a cup of food and I am hungry in less than 3 hours. I am a little nervous to take my Vitamins because they are bigger than food that I am having stuck issues with.

I read about everyone's successes on here and I am getting frustrated. I know I have to eat healthier and start excersing again, that is an obvious. Other than those 2 things can anyone give me feedback on 1. How will I know I am at my sweet spot? and 2. Some suggestions on how to get back on track.

3. How are people taking the pills when they have restriction?

[kirafiki 0]

First, check into liquid or chewable Vitamins. Some of them are very tasty. Then you won't have to worry about the pills getting stuck. I used to view them as my "treat" at the end of the day, since they were fruity and sort of like candy. It wasn't until very recently that I started taking any sorts of pills... I was even taking liquid tylenol for headaches if I needed it. I can now take advil in pill form, but expect that to change again when I get another fill. I haven't had one since last April, and haven't had restriction since at least October. But I exercised and ate right and continued to lose.

About the sweet spot: I have never found mine. I think I have it and then lose some more weight and need another fill. Maybe some day I will find it? But I know that 99% of the work is mine to do, and that my band is just my assistant. When I do find my "temporary sweet spot" I know it. Its hard to explain, but it just makes me feel in control, and not so hungry so soon after a meal.

My nurses, dietitian and PA used to tell me to slow down on the exercise too, but I never did, and yeah, I hit TONS of plateaus. But they always eventually broke, and now I am glad I did as much exercise as I did, and do, because I am the healthiest I have been in my life, including when I swam competitively in high school.

As for motivation... there are times I lose it too. Sometimes the only way I can get back on track is to do a few days of liquids to trick myself into being back at the beginning. Then baby steps... mushies and slowly adding more substantial foods. At the end of a cycle like that I tend to be more in tune with my band and its advantages. This method is not for everyone, but it does work for me. I spend that time being kind to myself, and talking to myself about my successes, kind of pumping myself up.

Good luck, keep at it. Its a long, slow process for some. There is much more to being banded than just eating right and exercising. Its about a total frame of mind change, and that takes a lot more time than establishing new eating and exercising habits.

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[jessiecms 1]

I have similar issues. gummy vitamins are what work for me and chewable Calcium can taste really good. I also get stuck a lot even though I don't have great restriction. I have to vomit four or five times a week usually. SO frustrating! There are a lot of foods I just can't eat like chicken and scrambled eggs of all things. You just have to pay attention to what your trouble foods are and avoid them, I guess. Good luck to you! You're not alone!