Joleen

I have tried these things called "miyo" spelling wrong sorry!! They come in a small silver oval bottle at the grocery store or target. You can squirt as much or as little "juice" as you want into your Water bottle to flavor it. They come in ice tea, peach tea and fruit punch. They are all good!!! They are sugar free and no calorie!!! sugar free popsicles count as Fluid too and are nice on a hot day!!!

Hi all, Congrats to everyone who is on their journey!! I have been off the boards for a while mostly because of lots of stress and a busy life!!! My weight loss has been s l o w! I even gained 3 lbs at one time! This was with eating 1,000 calories a day. I just didn't exercise that week!!! I can relate to the person that sees their weight change daily! I need to be more motivated to exercise, but at this time I am hoping I have the right amount of fluid in my band. I went to the MD two weeks ago for a fill, he put 2 cc's in it, for a total of 3 cc's. I felt fine for the first week but this second week has been filled with tons of stress. I have a sick cat (sorry Marcy for your loss I can relate now), we are having major family issues, and work is crazy). I am also getting over a cold and my sinus' are acting up. So I feel real tight!!! I also got stuck last Thursday! I am not feeling really hungry, but when the stress level comes down I do eat and it goes down fine (the lap band approved foods) I feel if I go to my surgeon he isn't going to listen to me and he is just going to take out fluid!!! I might cancel the appt. today and get papaya enzyeme and pineapple juice to see if that helps. The good news is I am losing again!!!!

Thanks for your reply!!! I no longer have my period I have had a hysterectomy ;0 I think it might be related to not feeling well and stress because it seems to be off and on. I don't feel super tight all the time!!! I researched since i have written this and I am going to try papaya enzyeme and pineapple! I asked my surgeon if I could have some Xanax similiar to Ativan. I was involved in a rollover accident one month after my surgery and I took xanax I not only was relax but I had zero restriction!!!! I also never got stuck!!! I didn't take much! I thought that had something to do with it, but my lapband surgeon won't prescribe it and my MD is out of the country!!! I am going to try to keep mediation, but when the stress level goes up it is tough to deal with it and I don't see it going away anytime soon!

brie, welcome to this forum and don't worry ask anything you want to over and over!!!! geez rude ppl stink!!

I am also tri care prime and barely made the requirements!!! You can request a "special hearing" I think that's what it was called! I was almost denied, and became hysterical at 5pm the friday before my surgery, my MD office called to tell me the insurance company called them to tell them there where problems and they wanted more information!!!! Thank goodness they had super office people and the job got done and I got my surgery Monday morning!!!! Tricare is never is to deal with that is why they aren't accepted in many doctors offices!!! Good luck!!

I also use my fitnesspal.com I have used it for the android phone and iPhone! I loved it for the android you could scan items in, the iPhone you can't! It's a great app!!! It has a super forum also, lots of great people over there that are post op WLS! Good Luck!

I am really starting to see NSV (Non scale victories) and was wondering some of the others greatest and what I have to look forward too!!! My first and the one I am most thankful for, I was banded on 3/28/11 and on 4/49/11 I was the driver of a roll over accident and I survived and my band is FINE!!!! I was wearing my seatbelt which can save your life as we all know but can also cause the band to slip but thank God, I am alive and the band is great I had my first fill on 4/12/11. At 35 pounds off so far, my size 18 pants are falling off my shoes are loose I can get my rings back on scrubs used to be 1x now LARGE trouser socks used to be tight around my calf now they feel fine can fit into booths without stuffing!!!! my hubby can hug me, normally (sniff, sniff) I know there are more and there will be more I cannot wait I love this journey and I am so glad I did it!!!! For those that are getting discouraged, I hope this board offers you support!!! Peace, Joleen

I am almost 7 weeks post op and remember thinking these same questions!!!! Just to put your mind at ease. I was a driver of a roll over accident 4 weeks post op and my port and band are fine!!! I was OK too and very lucky to have survived without injury!!! My NP and MD said the reason why we are so sore post op and sometime 2 months post op around the port area is because the port is sewn into the muscle (some with a mesh, some without), when we move and bend. our muscles move one way and the port does or doesn't depending on the movement, which causes pain. Eventually scar tissue builds up and the pain goes away. We do have to make sure infection doesn't occur just watch out for increase redness or swelling around the port incision!

I just got my first fill and had no restriction in my band prior to my fill! Ask yourself these questions. Are you just getting satisfied instead of full? You have to train your body and especially your brain to feel comfortable instead of full (that is the toughest part with this band for most to understand). My dietician and psychologist at Temple did a great job of explaining it to me prior to surgery! Aim for a NEW feeling of stopping with satisfied! Are you following the 1/2 hr. Water before and wait 45 min. after you eat for water!!!!! At first I didn't do this and THIS makes all the difference in the world!!! EAT Protein first!!!! and stay away from complex carbs!!! If you choose to eat them know eat them in moderation! I am also working on my stress level (stress produces cortisol which has been linked to weight gain), and it burns out your Thyroid!!! There are a lot more tips, a fill can take up to 3 weeks to work, and you might need several fills before feeling satisfied! I wouldn't give up on the band just be really aware of what you are eating and use this website, I also use myfitnesspal.com and track all that goes in my mouth! Good luck, Joleen

It is so inspiring to hear ppl getting off their medications!!! I can't wait to get off my bp meds!!! I know it won't be long!!! Here is another!! Went in to the store yesterday to try on pants size 12 and 14 fit!!!! I am no longer a size 18!!!! Going down!!! I also had my first fill and I still fill pretty satisfied with a small amount of food after 2 weeks!!! I LOVE MY BAND!!!! These are inspiring post!!!

Cool!!! It is such a good feeling!!! I am waiting to buy new clothes also!

Oh everyone is AWESOME, I am never ever disappointed by the positivity when I need it!!! I can't wait to shop for itty bitty Victoria Secret panties!!! My want list might be long!!! I want a pair of nice jeans! I picked up my 2 year old grand daughter and she is 32 lbs and I thought, Wow that's a lot of weight to carry around!!! I can also bend over easier!!! My bra's are getting fastened on the tighter fastener's now!!! Can't wait to see more NSV!!!

i would question the best practice of filling under a barium swallow??? I am by no means a professional, but I am a nurse and I know you can get lots of "shadowing" from a swallow, that are called artifacts, that do not mean anything!!! The barium glows, and that is why if someone has an inconclusive GI swallow (for a regular test, not a lap band) GI doctors f/u with a cat scan! I know that swallows are good for checking placement!!! The best way for MD's to monitor a fill is to do it under fluoroscopy, not all physicians opt for this for several reasons! They are listed in the threads here!

I was banded 3/28/11, I am still in the healing process and have no restriction and I no saline in my band, I am getting my first fill 4/12/11. I notice at times I cough, it feels like I have a tickle in my throat that doesn't go away quickly. It doesn't surround eating/drinking. I have never had acid reflux but these episodes don't have any reflux symptoms. The coughing has happened at night! I am afraid I have coughed so hard I have hurt my band (I am still in pain). Just want to see if this is normal. Thanks, Joleen

You can find them under "abdominal binders" Good luck!!!

Melody, I am going to buy that book NOW!! I always hone in on what you say!!! I appreciate all your helpful comments!!!! Thanks so much! Joleen

I was banded on 3/28 so I am a little ahead of you! I am going in for my first fill 4/12 and I am going to BEG for a nice fill!!! I eat 3/4 to 1 1/2 cups at a time it last about 2 hrs. I am hungry! I have not lost weight since I introduced soft foods. I am slowly introducing more foods also! I find I can eat pretty much anything as long as I chew really well and take my time! I am a nurse also, so everyone is interested in my incisions, but no one has felt my band/port yet!!!! Good luck with going back to work, I feel ok I am still having port pain but it is normal!! Joleen

I am 3 weeks post op and have posted ALOT about my post op pain, It can hurt for along time!!! I hurt a lot, a lot of the time, I use a heating pad! Feel better! Joleen

I am also STARVING!!! I eat 1/2 to 3/4 cups at a time but it only last 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. and I eat protein I drink water when I am suppose to and I have been walking when I can! I know it can take a while before I will feel truly satisfied but this is horrible. I have never been consumed by food before and know I feel like it's all I think about! I hate this!!!

I got banded at Temple by Dr. Dempsey on 3/28 Do you know if they do fills under fluoroscopy? Thanks, Joleen

I have been banded almost 3 weeks and I only eat 1/2 to 3/4 cups at a time and my pain is rough. From what I have read and what people have told me when I posted the pain we are experiencing is normal! The port is attached by sutures in to the muscle and it can take up to 6 months to fully heal! I am using my heating pad a lot which helps. Good luck

I had my surgery on 3/28 and I am still experiencing quite a lot of pain!!! Primarily on my left side. I think it's my port???? It seems to hurt all the time, not only after I eat! I try to take Motrin, and use a heating pad when I am at home, but nothing really helps. I am eating soft foods and drinking shakes, but I wonder if I should go back to shakes. The area isn't swollen or red, well it's a little puffy, but nothing huge!! I have gone back to work this week and I have to do lots of bending (I am a wound care nurse and I have to dress patients leg wounds and bend over beds etc). I am just tired of being hungry all the time (weight loss slowing down) and on top of it being in PAIN!!! PLEASE someone tell me this hell is going to end soon! I am going to get my first fill May 12th do you think I should wait till I see the NP? Thanks, Joleen

I am newly banded but have read lots and lots of post on slippage and all of them say you experience horrible nausea and vomiting! Good Luck

Wow, that's good to know! I'm not taking anymore Motrin and I will ask them about it when I go!