Newly banded. Why isn't this working???

With a good restriction you should feel NOTHING normally, but it is your “stopping" trigger. It does take time, and a few fills to get this. It could happen initially because of the stomach swelling, but once that goes down so does the initial restrictions.

 

3 meals a day, and one protein drink. Maybe try this .. Breakfast – 3-4 hours later protein drink/snack – 3-4 hours later lunch – 3-4 hours later protein drink/snack – 3-4 hours later dinner And make sure you get in your 64 ounces of liquid. Doing this may keep you fuller – longer, and keeps your metabolism working. Again, always speak to your Doctor/Nutritionist before changing/increasing your intake.

 

Instead of mash potatoes, here are some other options - which are better protein wise

 

ADVICE WARNING: TALK TO THE DOCTOR/NUTRITIONIST BEFORE INCREASING /CHANGE YOUR INTAKE

 

Skim (Plus) milk

Vegetable juice (V8/tomato)

Low-fat cream soup (made with Skim (Plus) Milk and passed through a strainer)

Light-smooth nonfat/no sugar added yogurt (Greek yogurt has more protein)

Sugar-free/fat-free pudding (made with Skim (Plus) Milk)

Unsweetened/Natural/no sugar added (SMOOTH) apple sauce

Whipped low-fat cottage cheese

Non-Fat ricotta cheese

 

Oatmeal/Cream of Wheat/Farina (made with water or Skim (Plus) Milk and passed through a strainer)

Soft-cooked eggs/Egg beaters

Canned tuna/salmon packed in water (moisten with low-fat mayo if necessary)

Soft-baked/broiled/stewed: chicken and/or fish

Low-fat deli meats

Tofu

Soft low-fat cheeses

Cooked lentils; kidney beans, peas, legumes

Black bean/lentil soups (strained, no chunks)

Soft-cooked vegetables

Canned fruits packed in “light" or “own" juices

Low-fat refried beans

 

ADVICE WARNING: TALK TO THE DOCTOR/NUTRITIONIST BEFORE INCREASING /CHANGE YOUR INTAKE

 

Taking in less calories can cause weight gain. The body is a marvelous machine, and it will protect itself. If one doesn’t eat enough, the body’s metabolism will slow down - in order to keep itself functioning. If a person intake is less then what it expels, the body will start to “store" food - hence weight gain. That's why in the beginning don't worry about calories, and hit those PROTEIN numbers!! Later in the journey, worry about calories.

 

Feel free to be a “whiny brat". You deserve to. You’re feeling lost, and confused. Just know we’re here to help. And honestly, you need to speak to your Doctor and say WTF?!?!? If you’re Doctor is good, they will understand and address all your fears and/or frustration.

 

I hope you know I am just trying to help ya, and know I (and many) will always be here when you need us !!

 

Good luck, and I know you’ll rock your band !!

 

 

I'm going to interject here and say something you may not want to hear...if you are eating 3 cups of mashed potatoes over a 3 hour period, you are grazing and that is something my nutritionist told me to avoid at all cost.  I was instructed to eat every 2-3 hours at this stage and make sure I had 15 grams of protein per meal.  Cottage cheese, greek yogurt, black bean soup with some finely mashed up ground turkey or ground beef (extra lean) added, refried beans (ff), instant sf pudding made with nf milk and protein powder (1/2 cup = 15 gr protein) are some options that will keep you from being too hungry and provide what you need.
At this stage you should be focused on healing, not weight loss.  Also, Realize Bands are not filled at surgery, so you essentially aren't much different than before surgery, now that the swelling has gone down...continue to work on slowing down your eating, taking tiny bites and working towards the next stage...losing 1-2 lbs per week is the norm and is what you should expect once you are on regular food.
Hang in there! 
Steph

Thanks for the input.  Am still on liquids, next Tuesday I get mushy food.  But am taking everything one day at a time, and have a wonderful husband that reminds me, it is all about the protein!

-country

I personally have not been banded yet, looking at june, but my son-in-law was banded on feb.28 and he said he didn't feel restriction, but his food intake has really went down and he has lost about 46 lbs. he will gain a couple but he loses it in a day or so. Just thought i would mention that . he has been filled twice.

I agree with Tom, he knows his stuff! Protein, protein! Sometimes thirst presents as a hunger feeling too, so try a drink before giving in. You said the begining is when you lose, well that's not tru with the band, maybe RNY but not the band. You don't really start to lose until you get good resrtiction and that usually takes several fills, I didn't feel much till 5 ccs. Also I have ALWAYS felt hunger the band did nothing to for that. My surgeon told me the same thing yours did but honestly that is a theory, it doesn't hold true for every one. I've had issues with my band and only lost 40 lbs. in 3 years but I admit I gave up after the first couple of years. Come over to the regular band forum I think you'll get more input there and basically both bands are the same especially as to how they work. Do be patient and work your tool but also be realistic and don't believe eveerything your doc told you, cause it just ain't all true. Good luck, don't give up yet!

 Once you're able to start solids it'll be much better. Also, the first adjustment is supposed to help. I just got my band on February 22nd and now with solids, I get full a lot faster. At my 1 week appointment, I had lost a total of 20 lbs. (12 were pre-surgery). I was told by the clinical group at my surgeon's office that I may gain a few pounds back before my next adjustment because the swelling around the band will go down and I'll be able to eat more. So far, I can feel that I am eating a little more, but I've not gained any. I'm actually down 6 more pounds, but haven't lost any more in 5 days. Don't worry! The solid foods are what "plugs the hole" your band is making. Liquids can go through much easier, so you won't feel as full on them. Good luck!

I don't know why doctors don't warn people that this restriction thing doesn't happen right away.  After the swelling of surgery goes away most have no restriction.  I was one of the people that had to wait 8 fills before I got full restriction...over a year of fills....waiting and waiting.  But it will happen don't give in some of us take awhile to get restriction.  I have 9.9 ccs in my 11 cc band.  I feel I am at a good level right now.  You just need to be patient and in the mean time unfortunately you have to use your will power and exercise to lose the weight.  Good luck

I had pureed chicken for dinner tonight and applesauce and guess what!?!?! I felt full(after 1 extra bite..of cottage cheese!) so I am regaining hope!
Is there a difference between the REALIZE band and the one she was talking about(did not say REALIZE band under her name). Would THAT make a difference? Just a thought..I LOVED what Tom said about mashed potatoes. I had not thought of the fact they have no nutritional value. And that was the whole reason I was put on pureed a week early because I was not getting nutrition anymore on the liquids /protein . Anyway, NOW I know what feeling satisfies feels like..finally felt it tonight. I did not feel it in my stomach, I felt it where my band is...see I did not know THAT was where I would feel full..DUH, right? Thanks everyone for answering us. I agree with you Tom DOES KNOW HIS STUFF!!! You, Tom are the REALIZE band guru! lol Have a good night, everyone!

Kim,

I am doing a happy jig for you !! CONGRATS !!

And honestly, I am NO Realize band guru. I am just an addict who is learning to do one step at a time on their journey, with help and guidance from all his friends.

I've been on this journey just a little longer, and all I am spouting off is what has been told/shared to/with me. One day you'll be doing the same.

So like Dorothy exposing the Wizard, I am just a man behind a curtain :D !!

Thanks for your input, it is helping MORE than you can ever know!!!

-c