FLORIDAYS

You can die from surgery. You wont die from the lap band. Basically that means anytime you go under ansthesia you run the risk of dying. However I believe the chances of it happening to a healthy person are pretty darn slim. If you havent already you may have a full cardio work up to make sure your heart can withstand surgery. Beleive me if the Dr doesnt think you are a good candidate he will not do it. That said... the lapband is a simple surgery. You dr more than likely could do it in his sleep. You should have nothing to worry about.

Its a forever thing. It is one of the hardest habits to break.... I found I dont even have a glass of anything near me when I am eating... then the problem is resolved. If I am out to dinner I make sure to get rid of the water glass so I dont accidentially pick it up.

that is so motivating! I think good losses early on is crutial to success! Congrats.

I had 4. But by the 3rd month only one was visable. By the 8th month... that one is not visable anymore either.

To answer your question... Yes I can eat stuffing but after a fill I am liquids for 24 hrs then mushies ... So you may try to eat the leftovers on Friday if your dr follows that course as well. Just be careful... Bread products can be tricky...as can the celery and sausage in the stuffing if yours has it.... Just be sure it's very moist and take tiny bites. You may not realize the fill offers more restriction than you are used to. Enjoy

Thanksgiving doesn't have to be about the food. It's about being with friends and family and all the things you are thankful for.... Just saying'

I didn't cheat so cannot tell you what I would do.... I am not trying to sound to be self righteous. It was just my choice. I would drink my shakes while others ate. You seem remorseful but to say you think you will be ok concerns me. Not that it's my business but since you put it out there....you may be ok but taking chances like this so early on isn't a good foundation so just be careful about pushing the limits if you want to keep your band healthy. Just my friendly advice. We are at different stages but if I am at a restaurant which is challenging to a bandsters lifestyle I usually pick soup if I am on liquids like after a fill... Or I stick to what I know...fish, veggie and a 1/2 of baked potato depending on size always work.

Ok here is my take. My bowels are healthy now after years of being unhealthy and the normal course of events is for the gas to escape somehow... I too find myself being more gassy then ever before but on the other hand I have healthy looking stools because I am not drinking and eating hi fat sugary foods. SO I suppose its a tradeoff.

I couldnt agree more. Being thin is amazing. Its a shot in the arm. When you look good you feel good. I have dreamed about this for many years... I am SO glad I finally found the courage to make the change.

If you are monitoring your calories you should be losing weight. How many calories are you eating?

and there is nothing wrong with that. whatever works for you!! I used to take it 10 lbd at a time... but really it was one meal at a time.

At work sitting at my desk eating tomato soup, 1/4 c hummus and 4 wheat thins. :)Not too exciting.... but it works

I am going to be pretty blunt.... If you want to be thin, healthy and have a long life you need to find the will power to make it happen. I had A LOT of weight to lose and the number was staggering in my head.... I had to take it 10 lbs at a time. I wanted it more than anything so I sacrificed eating and drinking whatever I wanted to get the end result. I am here to tell you it was worth every second. i noticed results immediatly and 23 months of sacrifice to get something I wanted my entire life is a drop in the bucket. Best wishes as you consider your options.

I am 2 years out and I really am inspired by reading that you continue to be successful. Thanks for sharing!

Its anyone's guess why Dr's differ in their recomendations. My Dr is a calorie guy so that's what I decided to try and its worked for me. I like counting calories because it offers me the choice to eat basically what I want up to my calorie allotment. Of course I make good choices by eliminating most junk food and all fried foods... but bottom line is its simple for me. I have tried other diets counting carbs, fats, and whatever else and it was just too cumbersome. So its my personal choice which happens to mirror my Dr's so it works!

I eat cheese for a snack occasionally. I just track the calories like I would any other food. However my number is 1000 calories a day so cheese is a little luxury.

For me seeing the Dr was expected by him. He told me up from he would expect to see me monthly until I was at goal. He relaxed it in March when I was still 80 lbs away from goal because I was doing so well. I agree that he is not the one putting food in my mouth... or making bad choices... thats all me. But If you know you have an appointment monthly... it means you wont let it get away from you if you do stray. Of course whatever works for the indivual is best.

Its just a plateau... I had one for 3 weeks ...Try upping your water intake. Sometimes that sparks a movement... Or do something physical like cutting grass if you dont have snow on the ground....

I guess I dont understand.... If you are not losing or starting to put weight back on... why wouldnt you return to the Dr as a start to getting back on track? Maybe I was Dr dependant but I credit him with much of my success. I saw him every month for 18 months.... I asked questions, I discussed challenges, I got advice on portion control, discussed to fill or not to fill....... Maybe I missed something in the post but if it were me I would start there.

Whats a typical day of mushies for you? What kind of foods are you eating and what are the portions like?

Wonderful news....you obviously did everything right ! My goal was to lose weight. I know that post op is all about healing but there is no reason people wouldnt still lose if they are following the directions! Great Job!

Early on its important that you just sip. And to tell you if it will be a forever thing... well its up to your band. As will alot of things about the band its a personal issue. For example... sometimes I can gulp Water. Other times I cannot. I have tried to figure out when I am more likely to gulp and when I can sip. Just when I think I have it figured out.... it changes. So to answer your question if you are one of the ones who isnt able to gulp... then you need to sip all day and evening to get in your water. I pretty much have to do that. A few months ago I had a medical test not related to the band. They handed me 32 oz of water and said.... drink.... I was like... how much time do I have? She said... 5 minutes. I just laughed. I needed 20 and that was pushing it. But I did drink it... of course I felt like a brick was leaning on my chest.... but thats irrelevant! LOL

Week one I was on clear liquids. So not for me until week 2 as it was considerd creamy liquids. Either way I do not care for either so didnt concern myself with it.

Kudo to you.... I know first hand what a difference 2 years can make. You should be very proud of yourself!

I was advised not to drink 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after eating. As I have become one with my band I find I am fine drinking before I eat. But if I try to drink after I eat, the liquids tend to push up my food and I get to taste it again or worse have to dispose of it... not pleasant. My Dr and I discussed drinking before eating and he is fine with it but mostly because I have been pretty successful and know my band very well. If I get stuck which is rare... drinking doesnt help at all and the liquid just comes back up;. But as we all say...best to check with your Dr. Thats what he is there for.