newlifekp

Okay, I really am happy for all of you!!!!!! And a little depressed - I have lost 35 lbs and I thought that was good, until I saw all of the 50 lbs lost people from the same surgery week. I guess I just got some more motivation

I was just telling my surgeon during my fill yesterday that my port is great for my posture - I can feel it when I am slouching, and since it kind of creeps me out, I tend not to slouch anymore! He laughed

It is normal practice to put one in after you are under in the OR and remove it before you wake up. They do not normally leave it in (I suppose unless there is some reason they don't want you to be ambulatory). This helps prevent possible contamination of the operating field. I wonder how many people think they didn't have one, but really did

That is great! I would be sure to tell both his nurse and the surgeon about this experience. I would be willing to bet that the surgeon doesn't know what his scheduling staff is doing. I have had that experience with my GP (irritated me so much so that I changed clinics). I have only had to even wait in the lobby once for my appointment (about 45 minutes) because he had a biopsy that took longer than expected, he said. I told him I completely understand - if it was me getting a breast biopsy, I would want his undivided attention as well. But other than that one time, I usually sail right in - the nurse is waiting for me before I even get checked in! Seriously, tell him what happened so he can correct it with his staff!

I use the CIB pre-made no sugar added all the time. I am not sure why someone said it is not a good sourve of Protein - it is a great source for what it is - 13g and 150 calories. I drink it for breakfast, especially when I am feeling 'tight' or on the run. Just make sure you get the blue bottles!

Hi Everyone! I am back from Vegas and I think I may have even lost a pound or two! I just logged everything I ate in my online food diary (really slooooowwww internet access in the hotel) and I am shocked by how many calories I consumed eating at fine dining restaurants. It is a really good think we walked so much and my net calorie intake wasn't too bad. One of the girls I went with also has a lapband and she is 5 years out. She had quite a few stuck episodes - I felt really bad for her, but also prayed that I don't have as much senstivity to what I can/can't eat as she does. Well, I am off to bed to try to catch up on some sleep. I even skipped my monthly support meeting tonight - between just getting home and semi-blizzard conditions here, it just seemed like a good idea. Plus, I am not sure I would win Mother of the Year award if I just got home from Las Vegas and turned around and left for the evening, even for the support group. It is the first one I missed since surgery. I go for my first fill next Thursday. Hopefully, I can lose another pound or two! Night!

Heather, I know - I love Vegas! We usually try to go for a girls getaway once a year, but it has been 2 years this time... We have a spa day at Mandalay Bay, but we are staying at Plant Holleywood Towers. We usually stay at the Venetian, but wanted to stay someplace different this time. I have tried the Weight Watchers site, and the Realize site, but Calorieking online version is so easy. You should give it a try..they have a 7 day free trial! I want to hit up 1 buffet and take a one bite out of everything :-))

Well, I am officially initiated - I had my first stuck episode last week (2 days after my 2nd fill). It was not fun...and I will be so much more careful! I had a deli tortilla roll up (bought at wal-mart) that I took to a basketball game to avoid eating crap - hot dog, nacho, etc. So I ate 2 bites and felt like someone was stepping on my chest, lightheaded and eyes watering. And it is true what 'they' say - when it wants to come up, it's coming up. I barely made it to a private area (aka little kids stall at the elementary school bathroom). So, I am off to Las Vegas for a girls getaway in 2 days . I am looking forward to relaxing - and my two primary goals (other than have fun) are: not have another 'stuck' episode and not gain any weight. I don't think I will lose any, but if I maintain I will be happy. On the other hand, it will be a lot of walking, right? I have a doctor's appointment the week after I get back - I would like to lose another 2 pounds before then - even though he knows I am going to Vegas, I still want to show some progress. I will have 7 days when I get back - wish me luck! Also, does anyone else use Calorieking.com to track food/exercise? signed up a couple of weeks ago - it is awesome and easy to drag-and-drop my menu items during the day, and it is cool because it remembers my daily stuff even if I go back and forth from my ipad or laptop. I have really been watching calories adn it has the charts and graphs that I printed out and gave to the nutritionists instead of a written diary. I am rambling tonight, aren't I??? Kristen

I don't think it causes band erosion as much as can lead to or be a factor in band erosion because the way NSAIDs can affect (weaken) the stomach lining. I was also told during pre-op counseling NO NSAIDs and NO NYQUIL forever. Small price to pay!

Vitamin Water Zero - It has completely replaced my iced tea and soda from pre-surgery. Calorieking.com - I use their Diary for food/exercise diary. It is fantastic to just drag your food from the search menu into the daily slots.

I was also banded Dec. 27th (was a popular day!). My surgeon will not bill me for fills for 6 months at least he said (I was his first banding and he is still 'feeling' out the logistics for his practice). I had my first fill on 1/25 and my second last week, on 2/10. I agree with the above poster that I would be asking questions, at least demand a face-to-face appointment to discuss this issue. It is one thing if he does't want to do it because you are losing well, not healing or something. But to just not see you to make that determination is unacceptable. I wish you good luck! I want to see all of the Dec. 27th group do well!

I was taking it before surgery, stopped it 4 weeks before surgery. I am 6 weeks post op and just talked to my surgeon about resuming it last week during my 2nd fill. He feels that if I can avoid taking it and still have a good quality of life, he would prefer that I don't start it again. NSAIDS are on the 'do not take' list because of the harshness on the stomach lining (also bummed that NYQUIL was on the list!). For me, I have minor joint pain that is not getting any worse (is probably better most days), so I have decided to not take it again. However, if I had a lot of joint pain (I am not sure how you are doing), I would probably resume taking it again and just ask my doctor how we can monitor whatever we need to watch. Good luck!

Interesting...I just had this talk with my nutritionist and surgeon (seperately) yesterday. My company just announced that they will begin paying for WW 100% for associates. I asked the nutritionists what she thought and she said she didn't see the need for me to join, I was doing well with the band and keeping a food journal, etc on my own. I asked my surgeon what he thought during my fill about 30 minutes later and he said that any support mechanisms we find are good, but it is only as fruitful as the effort you put in to it -- in otherwords, if I am compliant with my band restrictions, I shouldn't need WW. If I am not compliant, then I will likely not be compliant with WW either. And he pointed out (and I think this is the most valid of all) is to keep in mind that our requirements as 'banders' for Protein first, etc are different that what the Points philosophy will want. Anyway...their 2 cents. I think they both had good points.

basically had no restriction until I got this cold, so just a warning if you get sick be very cautious with your foods. I learned the hard way Interesting....thanks for the heads up, just in case this happens to me too! I am struggling with losing as well. I am eating about 1/3 of what I used to (which is great), but it seems like I go down 4 or 5 pounds, up to where I was, down 1 pound, up 2. Grrr....hoping I get my second fill this Thursday. I am going to Vegas on the 21st with 4 girlfriends and I don't even want to be tempted to overeat.

I have been weighing every day (multiple times, too)! My nutritionist is really unhappy with this - I liked the idea someone had on another thread to have their spouse hide the scale. But I am not ready to give it up yet I get elated when it is a pound less, dejected when it is a pound more, even though I know in my head that it is all water weight on the daily ups and downs!

I didn't have any special type of blood work, that I know of...just the usual needle stick and blood draw. Sorry!

I have a few motivators: Compliments from people who don't know I had surgery New clothes Trip to either Hawaii or Alaskan cruise when I can wear a bathing suit with hubby Wanting to make my Dr. happy with my progress They are not in any particular order, because I am only 5 weeks out I don't know what is going to be my strongest motivator!!

Hmmm....I like my dr. too, but now that I think about him seeing me at my worst (and my insides), that takes care of that visual!

I think the 'straw' consistency theory is not telling us to eat through the straw, only that it should be liquid enough to go through a straw. Yes, the reason the advice is to not use straws is that they can introduce air into the pouch - 1. causing indigestion and burping; and 2. Why fill up your pouch with air, not Protein? I thought I would have a hard time with the straw thing...I really liked drinking from them and I am kind of a germophobe so I used them all time. But since I shouldn't drink anyway while in a restaurant and stay away from liquids during meals, it hasn't been as bad as I expected!

I can't say I really regretted it, although for the first week it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel around the liquids-only issue. Believe me, I struggled with it as well. But if I knew then what I know now (and I am only 5 weeks out!), these next 2 weeks for you should go by fast and you can start feeling more sure of yourself. However, there are very good reasons for small portions and the 2 week liquids, then soft foods - if your doctor can't answer your question, you have a big problem, I am afraid. Any research here or online or at the library should be able to explain the fundamental reasons for the limited diet. If you are afraid of how you will react to the small meal sizes in the long-term, I can see how you are feeling some mixed feelings. Remenber, you did this for a reason and I am sure you made this choice based on your goals and the (hopefully) good information you had!

I agree with the other poster...change doctors. Besides, I doubt your approval from your insurance company will still be valid at that time. Mine was only for 6 weeks and then had to be re-approved. Something sounds fishy....

My surgeon presented me with a beautiful silver baby spoon and fork set (along with some other stuff - bracelet, pedometer, balloon) the day after my surgery, while I was still in the hosptial. He also gave me a crystal 4oz glass to go with it, so I can measure my portions. He is the best and I was his first!

I just had mine yesterday at 4 weeks+1day.

Had my first fill this afternoon at 4 weeks+1day post op. My great dr. was happy with how fast I was healed and asked if I was ready. I am not having any issues with any food, and no restriction. My weight hadn't dropped in 2 weeks - so we went for it. I am excited to see how it goes and moving to the next step. So far so good, the Water in the office went down and stayed down and I just had a Carnation drink (I hadn't eaten today yet). The only bad part is I am roasting a turkey for dinner - good thing the leftovers will be just as good in 2 days! 4cc in 10cc band!

I was just thinking I said 2 days, but I can use it tomorrow night! He did tell me 24 hours, then introduce solids as tolerated. He called it an accelerated liquid post-op!