BandDiva

However what is a “lacy eye catcher” I’m imagining some lacy thing hanging by my chin in case my eye balls fall out to catch them????....

HAHA.....great! Thats funny!

Just a few questions for you.....

Are you drinking enough water?

Are you exercising, if so, you may need more calories if you are over doing it. (so yes, starvation mode is a possibility)

Are you eating 1/3 of what you used to eat?

Are you taking metamucial or benefiber everyday?

Are you eating sugar? I notice I lose more when I stay away from simple carbs (except fruits). I get my carbs from beans, lentils, brown rice. I eat complex carbs 85% of the time.

http://www.weightlossforall.com/complex-carbs.htm

http://www.weightlossforall.com/simple-carbs.htm

Don't stress over it, could make it worse! Hope this helps.

Make sure you are getting a snack inbetween your meals, so your metabolism is continually moving. I will have a string cheese, slice of deli meat or half of a protein bar (non sugar).

So the sweet little girl-guides are out knocking on doors, selling their cookies again. I bought some mint ones last time they were around and still have all 4 boxes. That's how good I've been about staying awy from the junk.

Well, I bought one box of the cream-filled ones just to be nice and since my kids witnessed the transaction, there was no hiding them. They wanted some cookies and milk before bed. I said yes and decided to join them for one.....I mean two (have to try both flavours, right?). Oops, did I just eat THREE? How is it that I don't feel any tightness in my chest? It's a MIRACLE, maybe I'll have one more.....FOUR FREAKIN COOKIES BEFORE BED!!!!

This morning the scale was up one pound....and I deserved it!

Sabrina:)

Sabrina I love reading your posts! I don't think we should give up anything with our band. Now, saying that, I obviously dont keep junk food in my house any more! lol I think we need to treat ourselves from time to time. What I am learning everyday with the band is it helps when we cheat. I can't eat, or if I do junk it is not much of it & I don't do it all the time. I am afraid that my binge eating on sweets and chips would start again if I stocked a bunch in my house. I did however buy a box of Samoas last month, you just reminded me as they are unopened. hehe

After I went to the gym yesterday (nice good workout) I came home and ate a few carrot sticks. Then layed down for an hour. Felt extremely full and probably shouldn't have been in a laying position. Then got up and ate dinner. Just 3/4 of an eggroll. Went to bed at 10 and was very uncomfortable sleeping and today now, I am very uncomfortable. Hard to explain, but my band area and up to my esophogus (bottom of my neck) I am in pain. Not bad pain, but very uncomfortable. When I swallow, I can feel it in my upper band area. So for like 6 inches from the top of my band to the bottom of my neck it hurts. I am afraid to eat so I am just going to have liquids today. I have not had anything like this since I was banded a year ago. Could all of this be irritation from the carrots? It sure makes me paranoid that maybe my band slipped from the exercises I did yesterday. It's not acid reflux either, I can tell when I have that and it's not gas.

Also, when I took my pills last night, it got worse so I kept sipping weater trying to get them to go down or at least dissolve.

Ok, so, just now I had a sip of a cold protein shake and it hurts a little going down right through the band. What the heck????

Ya know, I think for some reason, I am very swollen in that area. I keep burping too, but it almost feels like it is having a hard time coming up from my bottom stomach up through the band to my pouch to my throat.

Just nervous !!

Hey Mona~

I am sure you are fine. I am sure the carrots did not agree with you. I experienced this pain on Saturday, my band tightened like crazy and I can not explain why. But, when I drank it was uncomfortable going down. The next afternoon I started feeling better and now I am fine. Just do the liquids and try to do some walking today. Don't stress over it, that will just make it worse. Hope you feel better!

Oh I don't know Lori and maybe someone could post the link cause I don't know where to look. And is the thread recent. Cause things could change from month to month...........

Thanks

shiney

LoriBecky is a patient coordinator at the OCC. I tried finding her post, but couldn't I will keep looking. But here are a couple more:

http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=10027

http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=9562

I can't do fries, or like boiled new potatoes. But, I can do mashed. Funny, I can't do bread at all right now.

Good job, your pics look great! i have been super tight this week after my fill too b/c of my period. Its already getting looser. Good luck

Hey Christy....have you ever gotten tight after TOM? I ended last Friday and this episode happened Saturday. I didn't notice the tightness last week. I should have listened to my body trying to tell him that morning and had liquids all day, maybe then I would have saved my self that nasty pb.

Let it gooooooooooo.....

I am fine, just wanted everyone to know I was eating. No worries.

You don't look like you need your arms done- you look GREAT! Way to go! And as long as you don't mind people staring at your chest, go for the D...cause, with some perky new D's, they will be staring all right, you go girl!!!

Sabrina:)

I agree with Sabrina! You look great, arms and all! Just wait and see how you feel, if you want perky new boobs go for it!So, So proud of you Denise! :o)

If anything, I learned when you are having a rough day and can't eat, don't come running to the forum because people automatically think you are living your life this way everyday of the week.

Like I said yesterday I was able to eat solids & I have eaten normal all day today, started with 1 egg turkey bacon for bfast & a small piece of meatloaf and small salad for lunch. For all the newbies, I agree that UN-Fills are necessary but that decision should not be made after having one rough day. Especially if it is not affecting your breathing, sleeping etc. None of that was happening and I was able to drink my protein shakes. Saturday was the day after TOM for me, and I have been under a lot of stress lately caring for my sick Father. So, who knows, I had a fickle day & stress and lifes circumstances have been known to tighten your band in some cases. Actually, when my Dad was in the hospital in December (before I EVER even had a fill) the same thing happened. Again, who knows why, but it is reality that we deal with.

For those of you that were kind enough to email me personally about your experiences, thank you. I now know I am not alone & more people have gone through this.

You are looking amazing! Not just the changes in your body but your faces just screams happiness!! So good job on sticking with your workout, that is the hardest part sometimes. I know it is frustrating not seeing the scale drop we seem to be sharing that right now, but all the hard work you have put in has paid off. Hopefully you will get a little relief here soon with the extreme restriction, but not too much haha! Good luck and hopefully everything will start moving soon.

Jacklyn

I was down a few more lbs, so I feel better. Thanks Jacklyn for the compliments, it means alot that someone can see that I am losing weight and working hard.

Hi Dana-

I hope you feel better soon. I have the same problem as you and my band super tightness all revolves around my period. The 10 days before I can eat normally and sometimes a lot and then the week after I'm really tight, just like you. I just wanted to say that you look fantastic!! Your face looks totally different--how much a difference 45 lbs. makes!

Oh wow! So glad to hear I am not the only one! Last week was my period and I was eating last week. Then wham all this happens yesterday! Fickle, Fickle! Thanks Anglea, you are too sweet! Hang in there & keep listening to your body!

Dana,

I know how frustrating it can be not to loose weight. I know you have been working really hard. I dont think anyone is replying to your post and trying to come down on you. They are only give you their opinion. Everyone is different and everyone has their thoughts of what will or will not work. I have been told time after time to eat 1200 calories a day, well I cant loose weight eating that many calories a day. I have to eat around 800-900 a day in order to loose. That is good for me, it is too hard for me to eat the 1200 calories. This is ONLY my opinion but I dont think drinking your meals is good for you. I do drink a shake in the mornings, yes I am tight as well. I do eat a little lunch (even if it is a couple of bits I eat and take very little bits and chew really well) Dinner I seam to be able to eat a little more. I did post a post about justw living and not obessing about your how much you loose fron day to day or week to week. This might not be for everyone but it has been the best advice I have received from a bandster of 2 years. She told me this about five weeks ago, I weighed around 223. I did go for my third fill three weeks ago this past friday and I weighed 221 by my scales and as of this morning I weigh 213. My fill doctor told me that shakes can be very fatting and to stay away from muscle milk, again everyone has different opionions, this is only something you might want to try. This is a life journey, one that you should be able to kick back and enjoy, hell almost take advantage of, not one that I myself want to be obessed with and I was becoming that person until I just stopped. I even went to Mickey D's the other day and was able to eat 2 and 1/2 chicken nuggests. I felt bad about it until I read the lable on them, they are really not that bad and for me only eating 2 and 1/2 ohhhhhh well. Dana I think we all are just wanting you to be ok and not get frustrated about this journey and OHMY GOSH I know it is hard. We are all here for ya, and if you need to vent, then vent, WE WILL ALWAYS BE HERE TO LISTEN, lord knows I have posted for vents!

Good Luck to you and again this was just some thoughts I thought I would share with you!

Carrie

Carrie,

I appreciate your sweet post of concern. This is what the site should be about. My problem is when people actually insinuate that I am not a successful bandster, or anyone else on the forum for that matter. People should post their opinions without being rude and making a person feel like crap. I have watched posts on this site for almost 7 months & people can be rude & know it all's. It is offensive & that is why people have left. People need to learn to be a little more tactful. I have talked to handfuls of people that feel the exact same way (who are on this forum now as well).

When you read a post like mine and it says I was tight yesterday and couldnt eat, don't assume I am like this 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Ask me some questions! Everyone is so quick to say, you need an un-fill, you arent healthy. Whatever. The band tightens sometimes with no rhyme or reason.

The band is for life & to act like I don't know that is nuts! I love my band & listen to my body.

I struggled my whole entire life, FAT! I failed every diet I went on because I gained the weight back plus some. I have lifetime memberships at Jenny Craig and LA Weight Loss. By now, I would have lost focus and started gaining. SO, am I successful? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It took years for me to decide to do this because my Aunt (who I was very close to) died 2 days after gastric bypass. Not that lapband is anything like it, but it is a bariatric surgery & me & my family were freaked out.

FYI I use Muscle Milk Light, and the choc powder is only 90 calories, the premades are 160 & I am not having very many of those any more. (just when I really need the calories, like yesterday-plus they have been discontinued) But, you are right, regular Muscle Milk is laden with calories!

Anyway, bottom line: Don't make assumptions that people don't care or don't listen to their bodies. I am very intune with mine. I didn't have this surgery to not be successful!!

Hello Newbie here-

all I can say is I hope all is well with you.

However reading through the thread & being a NB

I've read a few times that some think/feel that their port is too high, Knowing what you know now (If) And this is just a If. Would you have asked if it could have been placed say slightly lower? Or Maybe to the center more? I know it has to go where it has to But I was just I'm curious. I happened to be a belly sleeper so I was wondering will I be able to sleep on my belly? :-?

thanks

shiney

Hey Shiney!

I was a belly sleeper too & it is not comfortable for me to sleep on my belly now. I try to, but after 15 or 20 minutes I roll back to my right side. However, some people say they put a pillow under them and they are able to sleep on their stomach. So, everyone is different!

I'm sorry but no it’s not what it’s about. I wish you luck but I continue to see posts from you about being too tight, not being able to eat, not losing weight….. My question is: are you succeeding with your band? Are you losing the weight?

Being too tight will not only cause you to not lose the weight, it can cause the band to slip – and this can be very serious and since Pammie had a close friend who she watched this happen too, I believe that’s in the back of her mind. If you don't make it to Dr. Otiz in time, or something needs to be taken care of in the States, it can be very expensive. Not only that, but you just lost your band.

You've had many senior bandstars who have been successful try to coach and help between this post and others. It’s your decision, you own it - the success and the failures and as Doctor Phil says, "is it worken for you"?

It most be in one way or another.

I have posted TWO times about being tight! Last week I was eating food during the freaking day!! Sometimes I think you SENIOR bandsters really forget what we go through at the begginning trying to find a sweet spot, especially since you have been unfilled. I dont need a coach, I have a Dr. in Dallas who Dr. Ortiz referred me too & for your information I communitcate with them consistently. To answer your question, HECK YES I am succeeding with my band I was down 48 lbs this morning & I am dang proud of that! I work out with a trainer twice a week and am on my elliptical for 45 minutes aday. Get off your high horse.

I live in Texas and almost drove it, but didn't. Anyway, my patient care coordinator told me that I would be fine, but that I would have to stop frequently so I wasnt sitting in one place for too too long. I would suggest the same for you.

That's good to know Sabrina, I have talked to many people like you. They told me the same thing. I am sure it will loosen.

I JUST DON'T WANT ANYONE NEW ON THE BOARDS TO GET THE WRONG IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS WHAT THE BAND IS ABOUT.

2 BITES OF GROUND MEAT CAN'T BE A 1/3 OF WHAT YOU EAT BEFORE

BE SAFE

[/quote

Is it not realistic that your band is TIGHTER on some days than others? I KNOW I am not the only one who run into these days. Sorry, but this is what it IS about. Learning to eat a whole new way! Some days suck because you want to eat something and you can't. People are going to take too big of bites, not chew enough, and eat too fast and they are going to PB. All of this is what the band is about. AND regarding the 1/3 of what I used to eat, No, it wasn't, but you are also supposed to be on liquids for 24 hours after a PB, right? Maybe I shouldn't have had it at all. But, I felt OK & I wanted to see how I felt today eating, but I didnt want to eat too much.

If anyone reads this and wondering, it is not a cake walk!!! Most likely, you will experience something like this but that doesn't mean you run out the next day and get an unfill. Especially if you are keeping fluids down (and I got that from this forum). All of this is so worth it. My day yesterday is not an unusual day in the life of a bandster. Especially if you are on your third fill and trying to determine your sweet spot!

DANA, I HAVE TO AGREE WITH DAWN, THIS ISN'T ANYWAY TO TRY AND LOSE WEIGHT, A WAY TO LIVE

MAKE THE BAND A LIFE PROJECT

I am living and this is a LIFE PROJECT. Sorry, but I have read these boards and I will know when I need an unfill. This is not it. Today is a new day, different day. You can't make an assumption on me and how I live with my band after me sharing ONE day of my struggles.

Dana,

I know you have heard this all before and that you most likely do not want to hear it again. I cannot understand why you would tolerate being miserable like this and not even be losing any weight.

The information below is from another lapband doctor's site, it does not matter which one because ALL of them say pretty much the same thing.

" Too tight band

DO NOT eat on top of a band that is too tight. Get it unfilled soon. Too tight a band can lead to a band slip.

Too tight a Lap-band leads to weight gain

When the band is too tight you cannot tolerate meat or vegetables you need to have some fluid removed. You gain weight because you will always be hungry, and only eating soft foods, and never feel satisfied. If you cannot tolerate meat, or vegetables, then we strongly suggest you come in and get some fluid removed. It will make your life easier, and you can lose weight.

Lap-band slips

Band slips happen when you eat too much food against a tight band. Do not over eat. And if you vomit, do not eat for at least 24 hours after you vomit. If your band is too tight, have some fluid removed."

Not being able to drink water is a medical emergency.

I wish you the best and I hope you feel better soon.

Dawn

Dawn~

I can tolerate meat and veggies, but not everyday. I specifically said my band has gotten tighter over this past week. I quoted my food for yesterday, I didnt tell you my meals for the past month since my fill. From what I have heard, the band tightens and there is no explanation some time. Other days it is loose, my experience has been both & from what I understand that is normal. I am not PB'ng and sliming every meal (like others I have read about).

But, thanks for your opinion. I do not think I need an unfill, today I had two bites of ground meat and was fine. So, you see bands are fickle. AND just to clarify, I got on the scale today and I have lost a few lbs.

Hi all - I'm sure many of you can relate to this but I'm five days post-op and I would pay any amount of money to get this thing taken out. My incisions have healed nicely, but my port and the surrounding area is SO SORE I have trouble getting comfortable to sleep. I use a body pillow and prop up my tummy with the port up, not unlike when I was pregnant. But it seems to irritate it more. On my back, I get reflux, which my doctor said would go away after I saw him two days post op and he realized that 3cc had been left in my band (ooops???) I now have no fill, a really uncomfortable port site and all sorts of burpy-urpiness all the time. The only thing that feels good is walking or taking a nice hot shower with the water pounding on my back. Burping is better than sex, which I'm also terrified to consider with the current state of my port. I know it is early, but all I do is cry all day and regret ever doing this....I'd rather be fat than feel this way.

Has anyone else felt this way (both the specific symptoms and overall melancholy) When did you feel like you had reached the point where it was worth it? What changed for you? Any other thoughts and suggestions? I'm seriously considering talking to my surgeon about removal next week and considering I paid cash to put it in (American prices) I'll probably have yo pay just as much to tak it out.

Please help me. (Crying again.)

Cristy

banded 3/31/09

Start - 265

Surgery - 255

Current - 238.8

Goal - 150

Chirsty try not to panic sweetie. You are healing and you need to give your body time to respond. I will tell you that learning to sleep on my right side and not turning to the left was very hard. At this point if I were you, I would not even try to lay on that side. I tried that and found I just made the discomfort worse. For you to think about having your band removed before you have time to heal and reap the benefits would not be in your best interest. Are you taking anything for pain? If not ask your Dr. for something. Obviously, if you have a medical condition in which you HAVE to have it removed that is another story. But, do not jump the gun because you are sore. I am sure your port is super irritated having an unfill right after surgery-not sure why that happened. Get a heating pad and go to bed with it, have it on the couch etc. When I was healing It was on me ALL the time. My port was very tender for weeks. Please don't be discouraged, this is part of the process and you just need a little time to heal up. You will be fine, I am sure.

OK, so on March 9th I got 1 more CC so now I have a total of 2.5. I was tight before, but this week (after TOM, I might add) OMG I am so tight I don't know what to do! Yesterday, I was so hungry and could not keep much of anything down! I started as usual with my coffee and it was fighting me, it took me about an hour to drink one cup and I was constantly microwaving it! A couple hours later, I tried one of my muscle milk premades and it was 10X's worse than the coffee, so I only drank about 3 oz. Then about 3 pm, my husband wanted a Taco Salad so he goes up to our favorite place and gets me a side of refried beans. The first bite felt tight, second bite, I started sliming! 2 hours later I was able to heat up a Soup at hand by Campbells, Creamy Chicken and got the entire can down by sipping. Then a few hours after that, I try a jello pudding snack....PB'd for 45 minutes. Water hurts going down, but it doesnt come back up. At this point, it looks like I am going to be living on Creamy Chicken in the can! I am going to try another protein shake for breakfast. BUT, I was so miserable yesterday that I neglected my body. I did not have enough water or fluids for that matter because everything was painful going down. I see after yesterday how people can become dehydrated & sick!

I do not want to get an unfill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I can eat soup and shakes for awhile I am going to. Sitting on 2 1/2 months and NO weight loss. I am working my butt off too, sometimes the scale doesn't make sense. GRRRRR!!! But, on a positive note, I can tell the working out is changing my body and I am losing inches. AND it is looking FAT that sucks! If the fat goes away in inches rather than lbs for awhile so be it. I am staying focused with my workouts!

Anyway, just wanted to share what is going on with me! Today's focus is getting enough protein and water in me. Yesterday, I did not! I was able to get down my 8.5 ounce muscle milk this morning, it took me a couple of hours. LOL

Taken Yesterday, 45 lbs gone. The last photos were at 35lbs gone.

I was searching on the net for lap band chest-pain and it brought me here. I know it's an older post but relevant for me right now. Are you still experiencing this Amanda? It's been happening to me since I got my third fill last week. I can't even eat pea soup without the severe chest pain so please don't tell me I need to cut my food to tiny pieces and chew! There's nothing to chew!!!

I'm on liquids right now because I can't tolerate solids and can't get an unfill until at least Thursday and even liquids hurt half the time! I've never been able to PB and I can only slime if I make myself bend over and touch my toes for a while and then it starts to come up- I only resort to doing this when the pain is so severe I can't take it any more.

I'm so bummed I'm going to need an unfill since I have yet to hit my "sweet spot" and now probably never will. At 2.4 cc I get hungry exactly two hours after a meal and have little restriction and at 3 cc I have this chest pain. Let's hope my sweet spot is somewhere around 2.6...although I don't see how such a tiny adjustment would make a difference. NOT enjoying the journey right now

Thanks for letting me vent.

Sabrina:)

Hey Sabrina~

When was your fill? Was it this tight at the begining or has it gotten tighter? I suppose it is like this everyday for you? I have days like you explain, this morning it was hard to drink coffee. I just sip and eventually it loosens up. I am not getting an unfill because I havent lost weight for 2 1/2 months, so I am ready to drop. Plus, I can eat solids later in the day, it was 2 or 3 but lately its been more like 5pm. Anyway, I am at 2.5 and can't imagine being any tighter. I know I am not answering your questions, but it does sound like that if it is consistently and not just early maybe you do need an unfill. Feel better!

I don't get it when I eat slow. Since my third fill I am really tight. I have learned to REALLY slow down. If I eat a big first bite fast, the pain comes after the second bite. So, I know I am not full.

Today I haven't been able to eat solids. (yet) I tried 2 bites of refried beans a couple hours ago and couldn't breathe, my throat felt like it was closing up.

Welcome to Restriction. It will take some time, but you will learn how to eat. Some days are easier than others. I can't even begin to explain why I am tight some days. lol

Hi All-

This journey for my wife Leanne & I has been a long one. We first went to a weight loss seminar in 2006 and decided then that we would do the band together. Our insurance, however, would not cover it and self pay was too much in the US. We were quoted about $30,000 each. About a year ago I saw an article on medical tourism and began to look for options. I am very happy to have found the OCC. My wife & I are both very comfortable with our decision on going there. My wife even found out about a week ago that we know someone who has been to the OCC for his surgery. That really put our minds at ease. We are both getting our bands on Monday at the OCC! We are both very excited and about as prepared as we can be. Even though we live about 20 minutes from the airport, there is a bridge between here and there so we are staying at a hotel at the airport tonight. I will likely not see this site until I get home next Wednesday. It has been great to read all of the posts and experiences. We also read Lap-Band For Life by none other than Dr. Ariel Ortiz. I consider this book a must for anyone who is considering lap-band as an option. Anyway, I know we are in good hands, but wish us luck. I look forward to meeting the others who will be there while we are.

Todd

So happy for you Todd & Leanne! Please let us know how you are doing. I know you will enjoy your time at the OCC, everyone is wonderful! See you on the other side!