TheRealSouthernBelle

Google "5 Day Pouch Test" and try that. I was skeptical at first, but I tried it and I'm sold. I lost an enormous amount of weight, feeling restriction again, and now I have my eating habits back under control. It's very difficult, but if you commit to it, it will help greatly.

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/index.html This will pretty much tell you everything you need to know. I am doing it right now! I was eating just too much and I swear I was gaining and losing the same 5 lbs. over and over again. It has been really tough so far with the hunger issues and cravings, but I am committed to sticking to it! I have already done 2 days of liquids and today is day 3, so I'm doing soft Protein. I'm going to do another day of soft protein (I really like the tuna parmesan patty and Breakfast bake and had some lefted over). Then I will move on to firm, then solid protein. I have lost weight and pretty sure most of it is Water. This makes me feel like I can keep up the good eating habits and finally get to my goal!

Are you talking about the 5 Day Pouch Test?

I added .2 did fine the first 3 days then day 4 it tightened up like you wouldn't believe. Doc removed 1 cc. Even though I wanted less out, I didn't care. No more reflux, excessive burping, or pain in the chest when just drinking. I think we are going 2 go .1 cc at a time only if I feel myself getting hungry. I'm scared of fills now. Lol! Just go slow from now on.

Did they say what caused the gastritis or what symptoms you have had so they think you have it?

It's good that you are an advocate for the band. It definitely needs those around. An advocate was the reason why I got one and she promised she wouldn't tell a soul, which she hasn't. Some people just feel comfortable with sharing and others don't. I am totally downplaying the negatives of abortion when I say this, but a woman has the right choose. Abortion may be the best decision for her and it may "save her life", but I seriously doubt if she's announcing it to the world that she had one. BTW I do not believe in abortion.

I don't know what your starting weight is, but mine was 333 the day of surgery. Believe me when I say, no one will notice 17 lbs. on such a big person and if they do, it would only be 5 lbs. in their minds. You don't owe any explanations to anyone except maybe to your spouse or children (if you have either).

Nothing, because it's none of their business. You've made the conscious decision to withhold that information from them for whatever reason just like many of us have. If they ask, just tell them portion control and exercise. Lapband provides slower weight loss than other methods of WLS generally, so this explanation is very believable.

I didn't have to stop taking my pills. I believe it increases the chances of blood clots during surgery.

It is normal to be tighter in the mornings, but it is NOT normal to be unable to keep water down. Sounds like a slight unfilled is in order. I believe anxiety can affect the tightness of your band (I know stress can). As far as kidneys and hemorrhoids, I have no clue.

How much weight have you lost? What are your expectations? 1-2 lbs. a week is "normal". Did your surgeon inform you of this? There will be weeks where you don't lose ANY weight, but your motivation shouldn't stop because of this. Weight loss is dependent upon more than just diet and exercise although these are the main factors. How do people know that you are NOT losing weight? Why are they worried? Are you doing this for them or you? Please do not let the number on the scale dictate your continuation with healthy eating habits and a good exercise routine. Keep it up and the numbers will follow!

I'm with you on this! I exercise easy 4-5 times per week (nothing less unless I'm sick)! I actually push myself at the gym. Even when I was losing weight in the past, I never pushed myself. I would just do the same routines over and over. I track what I eat. So now I know how much Protein, sugar, carbs, Vitamins, and arguably, most importantly calories I am ingesting. Unfortunately, I have also turned into a shop-a-holic! It's been years since I've been able to NOT shop in plus size stores/departments!

I had surgery about 15 months ago and lost over 120 lbs. Now, of course, I can feel my port more, but it's not sticking up crazy (I still have a bit of fat in the mid section) or pulling or hurting me. I notice now it seems to be a bit above the port scar, so I'm thinking it has shifted a bit or maybe it's always been there, but I just couldn't feel it because of all the fat. Also, when I do ab workouts it's a bit sore in the port area. What would I need to ask for so that the doc can check this out? An x-ray, a barium swallow, etc.? I just don't want to look like a complete idiot when I go to the doc. At my last appt. in Nov., I expressed the same concerns and they did an upper GI (barium swallow), so I could see my tummy on the screen. The PA said everything was normal. I didn't even get a fill. Maybe I'm just stressing a little. I'm not used to feeling this hard lump.

My Fitness Pal is in the Android Marketplace.

If you are anything like me you've lost weight successfully many times in your life. You've NEVER kept it off and you probably did it by some ridiculous means or something you just could not keep up for the long term. It's okay to NOT be perfect! We all cannot cook everyday from scratch, we all can't measure every food we eat all the time, we all can't log in and count our calories everyday, and most importantly we all can't resist our favorite foods (all the time), whether it be something sweet, salty, processed, prepackaged, filled with fats and butter or whatever tickles your fancy. For some reason, people that I know see me as the health guru. Like I have all the questions about weight loss and eating healthy. Think again. LOL! I have practically broken every bandster "rule" there is. The reason I have rule in quotation marks is because they vary so much. Being on these message boards, I have heard so many ridiculous, strange, true, absurd, scary, intriguing, interesting, etc. information about eating, food, dieting, etc. I've always searched for the magic cure for my obesity (since about 5). I cried because I was always large. Then I started to think it was okay to be big and nothing would happen. Then I got depressed, high blood pressure, and out of shape (even being over 200 lbs. I could keep up with the skinnys in the gym). I hit bottom, got LB started eating healthier, exercising etc. and have lost over 100 lbs. Have I eaten burgers? YES! Have I eaten ice cream? Oh, hell yes! What about pizza, wings, Cookies, cake, etc.? You name it I've probably eaten it in the last year after my WLS. You might say well that's not on the "plan"! Well, what is on the plan? No sweets, no carbs, Proteins, and veggies only? LOL! If I could eat that way I don't think I would have needed Lapband. Prior to the surgery that's how I ate because that's how you lose weight. Right? Of course, but that's also how you gain it back. You are always hungry. You can't even have cake on your birthday. You feel guilty for picking up fast food after having a long day at the office, busting your ass at the gym, and picking the kids up from some practice. You have to be realistic about your goals, your diet (what you consume on a daily basis), and living with the band. You CANNOT be perfect and someone who is expecting to be perfect is setting themselves up for major disappointment. I just wanted to share what I read on another website. It's my mantra for weight loss! You don't have to be a perfect bandster all the time (just most of the time) LOL! for a while, I was seeing an abundance of "what's gonna happen to my boobs" threads. new batches daily, it seemed. but, lately, I'm seeing new folks coming in and asking if they can eat so-called 'normal' food. and, of course, soon thereafter they are informed by various members that, no, all of that food is terrible and they must stock their fridge with organic lettuce grown under the sunshine reflected off a tropical rainbow. that really bothers me. people join this site, often, after years of failed attempts. many are frustrated ... discouraged. so much so that it probably wouldn't take much for them to just throw it in and give up. and you know what just might be that push? the organic rainbow lettuce brigade. you know what, that food is certainly nutritious. no one is really going to argue that point. and is nutritious food better for your body than not-so-nutritious food? well, yeah. but here's the thing, ORLBs (Organic Rainbow Lettuce Brigade). that's an extreme change many -- if not most -- people can't make. and, yes, I said can't -- not won't. it isn't always as simple as just throwing away all the food you've got and restocking with fresh produce and tofu burgers. the first obstacle is cost. the second is ease/feasibility. and that's not even figuring in the fact that many -- if not most, again -- don't like to eat that food! I get the concept that food is fuel. sometimes you have to eat things you may not like. but I'm not going to make it long by making that kind of food my only kind of food. that's no way to live, dreading your next meal. and most people won't. that's why diets fail. and that's why MFP (My Fitness Pal) works. because a calorie is a calorie. Yes. You CAN eat 'normal' food. I'll eat pizza. I'll eat chocolate. I eat Pasta and bread and even, now and then, a cookie or some candy. I lost 3.5 pounds this past week. I've lost more than 17 pounds in less than two months. and it's because I'm learning to keep my food portions under control. I keep under my calorie limit. I plan ahead if I know I'm going to have a larger meal or a higher-calorie treat that day. and if it just happens without planning and I decide to take that treat? that means a longer stint at the gym to burn those extra calories off. the ORLBs will now start sputtering, 'but that's not healthy!' and to that, I'd like to ask if being obese is healthy. I think ... no. so. let's move to basic food math: eating less of most the food I like, keeping calories under my limit = weight loss; weight loss = a healthier me; therefore, eating less of most the food I like, keeping calories under my limit = a healthier me. shedding that extra weight automatically makes you healthier, no matter what it is you are eating. there's simply no way around that fact. now, that isn't to say that you shouldn't make smart decisions. that isn't to say that you shouldn't work to find 'healthy' foods that you like, working them into your daily life. but, like weight loss, that's a process. it doesn't need to happen overnight. focus on what works. turn yourself into a better you. and do it in a way that will allow it to be a life change. and if, for you, that means 'normal' food? do it, and do it without any of the guilt you've been programmed or pressured to feel.

Why does your doctor want you to eat only protein? I've NEVER heard that... Not to try to challenge a medical professional, but they usually want you to eat a balanced diet inclusive of fruits, veggies, dairy, etc. Every doc is different as far as the drinking with eating is concerned. Some say that the drink washes the food down, so you get hungry quicker. Some say that the drink with food causes the pouch to expand. In my case, it's a no-no because I'll barf. Only tiny sips if you must.

Maybe I'm the only one that thinks eff her and she's not your real friend, but that's just me. Just because she's your friend doesn't give her the right to say whatever is on her mind at any point in time. I'm sure she is just jealous and insecure and that really has NOTHING to do with you. I understand if you value her friendship and she really has something to offer you then yes, I do believe that you should talk to her. She may not really realize how she is making you feel or she may be some type of comedian (although you don't find her comments very funny). This talk may be what actually brings you guys closer. On the other hand, if she feels as though she's done nothing wrong to you or can't imagine how her words hurt she is truly an insecure, b***h and doesn't deserve your friendship. I guess I just have been hurt a lot in my past and have a low tolerance for others' bull. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a normal BMI, I promise you WILL NOT look like the crypt keeper. I so desire that (I have NEVER been under 200 in my adult life). BTW you can't educate the ignorant! Good luck and keep losing!

You will be okay! Look at my signature line and there is a link to my surgeon's pre-op diet. Even though I was eating fish or chicken and veggies for dinner it still felt like I was about to pass out. I couldn't exercise (walk) because I had no energy. I would just go to sleep after dinner because I was still hungry. I get depressed thinking about it. Oh yeah and that's why diets never worked for me...I was always freaking hungry.

Not to buy all the ish I did! LOL! I didn't use the gas strips, Jello, pudding, or those expensive, nasty Protein shots. Just stick to the basics.

A lot of bandsters have trouble with bread. It's doughy so it clumps up and gets stuck (imagine hair in a drain) and when food gets stuck it either comes up or goes down and most of the time it comes up. Your surgeon may tell you that it is against the "plan" to have it or he may not. You should ask or read in the materials he gives you. I had an extremely liberal surgeon that wasn't restrictive on anything. You may find that you tolerate bread well (I do) or that you may need to have your bread toasted or can only consume it in small quantities. Your surgeon should give you a list of "problem" foods. These usually cause bandsters problems, then you will know what to expect. I think pineapple, shrimp, rice, bread, steak, etc. are a couple just to name a few. BTW I can eat all of them. LOL!

Okay, so I have recently moved and I'm looking for a new band doctor. I have heard that you basically have to pay just for the surgeon to see you. I want to know am I getting jerked around on these charges. The office charges $300 just for me to be a patient there. The first appointment I have to pay the $30 office visit from my insurance. Then I also have to pay for an upper GI, which I will have to pay for since I haven't met my deductible. Still waiting to hear how much they cost. Anyone have any idea? Then I have to pay another $30 for an office visit, so the doctor can go over the results with me. Before all of this I had to have my records forwarded before he even decided to take me on as a patient (guess he didn't want to inherit someone else's problem). I have no problem paying or whatever I just want to know if this is normal and about the price I have to pay or should I be looking elsewhere. Please share your experiences.

I have NEVER had constipation problems until I had lapband surgery. The week after surgery I was so scared, but I hadn't really eaten anything, so no wonder I wasn't going. It was okay after a week, I finally went. I have had two episodes in the past year with problems going. The first time I waited it out and drank plenty of Water. I was eventually fine after about 5 days. Then I had another episode where I hadn't went in a week. I was so scared, so I got some Ex-Lax. The next day I went, but had horrible diarrhea and stomach cramps. It was one of the worst feelings of my life. I will NEVER take that again! I would rather go to the ER take some nasty medicine and get an enema. I now put odorless, tasteless Metamucil in my water every morning and try to get in 64 oz. of water everyday. I haven't had any problems since my regimen. You just gotta take extra good care of yourself. It will be okay.