jbarnes

I think the bottom line is that you have to eat VERY little to lose weight with a band. That means, when you start to feel the signs of getting full (runny nose, hiccups etc) you need to stop (even if you've only had a few bites) or you will pb and that is not good. It is very hard for me to wrap my head around not finishing what is on my plate, and I'm not even convinced that eating so little is completely healthy so I will often keep trying to force more down (not because I'm hungry but because it is there) and when I do "over eat" (meaning more than a cup of food..hardly over eating as we used to know it) I don't lose weight.

When I truly listen to my body and only eat when I'm hungry, I lose. I try to keep my calories around 1000 per day. I don't do carbs and really watch my sugar intake. I don't always follow the rules, but I do most of the time, so I do lose weight "most of the time". I have years of bad habits I am trying to break and it is REALLY REALLY REALLY hard to adapt to this new lifestyle. The only other advice I have is trying a support group if there is one around.

You'll gain invaluable info and ideas to help you on your journey.

Sabrina:)

ps- I've had lots of fills and unfills too trying to figure out what works for me

I was just banded on Oct 13th...everything went smooth. Dr. Ortiz even fixed my haeital hernia at no extra cost! I am now on day 13 and have not had any PBing or the stuck thing. But I also can eat and really do not feel restricted. I had some tuna mixed with lite mayo last night. Why is it important to wait the full 21 days before eating solids? Also, why do we need to wait an hour after eating to drink liquids? Thanks for any answers that come my way.

I think the bottom line is that you have to eat VERY little to lose weight with a band. That means, when you start to feel the signs of getting full (runny nose, hiccups etc) you need to stop (even if you've only had a few bites) or you will pb and that is not good. It is very hard for me to wrap my head around not finishing what is on my plate, and I'm not even convinced that eating so little is completely healthy so I will often keep trying to force more down (not because I'm hungry but because it is there) and when I do "over eat" (meaning more than a cup of food..hardly over eating as we used to know it) I don't lose weight.

When I truly listen to my body and only eat when I'm hungry, I lose. I try to keep my calories around 1000 per day. I don't do carbs and really watch my sugar intake. I don't always follow the rules, but I do most of the time, so I do lose weight "most of the time". I have years of bad habits I am trying to break and it is REALLY REALLY REALLY hard to adapt to this new lifestyle. The only other advice I have is trying a support group if there is one around.

You'll gain invaluable info and ideas to help you on your journey.

Sabrina:)

ps- I've had lots of fills and unfills too trying to figure out what works for me

I was just banded on Oct 13th...everything went smooth. Dr. Ortiz even fixed my haeital hernia at no extra cost! I am now on day 13 and have not had any PBing or the stuck thing. But I also can eat and really do not feel restricted. I had some tuna mixed with lite mayo last night. Why is it important to wait the full 21 days before eating solids? Also, why do we need to wait an hour after eating to drink liquids? Thanks for any answers that come my way.

I have had clots and a sever PE that put me in ICU. I would be happy to visit with you.

Call me tomorrow. You are not alone. I had a few extra shots after surgery.

402-345-1335 I have free long distance and will be happy to call you back.

Thanks for your support Angie...I really appreciate it. I had the testing done and as far as I know my legs are clear. I am just waiting to hear about the CT Scan. I see the doctor on the 7th. Wish me luck. I have a feeling that everything should be okay since I haven't heard anything...you know "no news is good news".

I plan on going off the blood thinners the week before surgery and then go straight back on them once surgery is done. I am getting really excited. Thanks again!

Have you had a chest xray or CT done to find out if you have any new PEs? When I had my surgery last November it was recommended to me by my hematologist to wait at least 6 weeks after going off warfarin before having any dental work or surgery done, so I decided to err on the side of caution and wait 8 weeks, once it was confirmed that I had no new DVT/PEs. As mentioned in another post, definitely consult with Dr. Ortiz on this. Maybe involve your doctor and Dr. Ortiz together if need be, if the opinions are differing that much?

The OCC was very good about accomodating my additional needs, compression stockings, those leg pump thingymabobs (I think that's the technical term for them ) blood thinners immediately following surgery and the next day and I was up and at 'em as soon as I woke up after surgery, but I had no active clots so I can't advise on that point. Good luck, I hope all goes well and you're able to have a successful and safe surgery.

Sorry can't help you but if it were me I would definately be talking to Dr.Ortiz also.

Good luck!

dawn

Thanks Dawn.... I will try and email him.

I don't have any experience with blood thinners or blood clots, but I don't think I would have the surgery right now if I were in your situation. Can you call the OCC and see what your options are for postponing the surgery as opposed to completely cancelling it. Hopefully they would be willing to apply your full deposit without you losing any of it if you just postpone instead of cancel.

Please keep us posted.

Thanks so much for your reply....I was beginning to feel that there was no-one out there that cared. I did call OCC and they told me that I could have the surgery as long as the clots were only in my legs but not in my lungs. We shall see on Wednesday. Thanks again.

I love it when people post just to post....I love hearing about people's day, their kids, their husbands/wives - all of that.

And, also, fish makes me gag.

Thanks,

Gloucester

Banded Sept, 2007

lost: 65 pounds

you know....I was really hoping for some insight with my post but you have had a lot of replies ......me not so much. Makes me wonder.

Speaking only for me, and as someone who, prior to banding, probably vomited a total of 4 times in my entire 50+ years...being stuck isn't that bad.

Don't get me wrong; it hurts, it CAN hurt a lot. BUT at least it's a clear, easily understood signal to SLOW DOWN, CHEW, QUIT EATING!

Yes, sometimes I need the bop to my head! And, it isn't like normal vomiting. There's no bile involved. Usually, too, once the offending bolus of food becomes "unstuck" the

pain is instantly gone. (not always, but usually)

IF you chew well, small bites, eat slowly, odds of getting stuck diminish. It isn't worth not getting the band over. At least, not to me.

You follow your doc's rules, you do the best you can. I can say at 13 months I've NEVER been stuck in a restaurant, never needed to vomit in

public, etc. And the Papaya enzymes REALLY work for me. ANY time it happens it is because I ate too fast, too large a bite (my normal bite is about 1/2 to 2/3 of what I used to do) or didn't chew well. No more eating like someone is going to take it from you!

For me, it's a small price to pay for all the band brings me. Some people do have lots of trouble but generally if you aren't too restricted (just to the green zone or sweet spot) and follow the mechanical rules of chewing etc, you'll be good!

It's nice to hear from someone a little older...I am 53 ...and feel like 35...at least in my head. I was beginning to wonder if I am to old to get this done because it seems everyone is so young. I sure do wish I had done it a lot sooner....now I have medical issues that may stop the surgery....I am very bummed.

Okay...I wrote asking about blood thinners on Sept 23....no reply. Has anyone out there had any problems with blood clots? I am scheduled for surgery on the 13th of October but had a Pulmanary Embolism back in April so my doctor has had me on blood thinner since. I was supposed to go off them at the end of this month only to find out that the blood test that I had came back as a positive for blood clots. I go to the hospital to see if I do indeed have any on Wednesday the 30th. My doctor here said that if I had them that i shouldn't have the surgery.

I contacted Dr. Jimenez (at OCC) and he told me if that they are just in my legs I should be okay for surgery but my husband is freaking out. I don't want to lose my deposit and I WANT THE SURGERY!!

Has anyone out there had any blood clotting problems that would reasure my husband that it will be okay if I just have them in my legs???