Soon2BMiniMommy

I have not had my surgery yet, but I have heard over and over that hunger after surgery can be totally related to acid and that the prescription inhibitors are very important. Check out this link from a very well-known surgeon in Mexico about this exact thing. http://www.youtube.com/user/Endobariatric?feature=chclk#p/a/DCC7DC6C03E9469B/1/ndkZudte6J0 Hope it helps and good luck!

So I have looked up "Collagen brand broth" and can't find anything on it anywhere?? Where do you get it? What does it look like? Thanks, Ladies!

Hey, Jinjin. Were you taking any medication before your procedure that you are not now, like birth control pills, or Metformin? I have bad facial hair due to severe PCOS, and if I stop taking my birth control pills (to regulate hormones) my 'beard' explodes I have also heard that even with the surgery and weight loss, the hair growth does not go away....so sad I just literally pluck mine every morning...if I let it go like a week, though, plucking is almost not an option as there are too many. I absolutely hate it and was looking forward to the weight loss to alleviate it, but like I said, I keep hearing it doesn't go away. I couldn't imagine the freedom and time I would have if I didnt' have to pluck anymore. I keep thinking I'll give in one day and just shave it, but I really, really don't want the dreaded five o'clock shadow! It's so obvious on a double (triple!) chin!!!! Anyone out there have this issue, lost most their weight, and it IS better? Or is it true that it doesn't go away??

Hello, Everyone! New here...so glad I found this site!! I have been researching the Band for years and was going to have it done in September, but have changed my mind and am now doing the SLEEVE! Yay! So, SO 'cited :Banane03: My only questions are these - since I knew all the 'Band rules' inside and out and was totally prepared for that way of life, I need to figure out the "Sleeve Rules". For instance, with the band, you need to chew, chew, chew and then when you think you're done, chew some more, until your food is basically mush before you swallow. Also, your bites need to be really tiny, toddler-food style. All this to avoid getting stuck since your stoma/stomach opening is so restricted. Also, you cannot eat 'slider' foods or drink with meals as this will wash out your pouch of food, leaving you hungry again right away. No Soup, no 'runny' oatmeal. :sign44: And the other big band rule, you can almost never eat bread/pasta/rice, etc again as it's gluey and starchy and will get stuck, also. Now, don't get me wrong here! I don't need a lecture about how you shouldn't eat those things anyway, as I know that, very well - been dieting for years, just like most of us . But my reason for doing this is so I can be a 'normal, regular' person and eat like a 'naturally thin' person. LIke the nutritionists, say, be good 90% of the time, play 10% of the time. Those times I may want to splurge and have a half sandwich, or some Pasta, or a piece of pizza, I want to be able to have a little bit every once in a GREAT while - like I said, be normal!! One of my main reasons for doing this is so I can have a normal, healthy relationship with food. Not obsess over soup or a roll, or stress if I'm going to party for crying out loud!! And no popcorn, my favorite food!! :scared0: So, Sleevers, aside from the fact that you need to obviously eat slowly and we all need to take smaller bites and chew more within reason, are these things such a big deal with a sleeve? I am guessing it's not AS imperative since the stoma/stomach opening is not made any smaller with the VSG, but I don't know for sure?? Any band-to-sleeve revisioners that can outline the differences? And, honestly, do you vomit if you eat too much, or don't pay attention to yoru full signals? With the band, vomiting and "PB''ing" are VERY common, but how common with the sleeve??? Thank you guys, so very, very much, for all your willingness to help, support, and share with us "newbies". SO many of us would be lost without our experienced trailblazers to lean on. Love you guys and so glad I found a 'home!" Started 6 month supervised diet - 3/11 Psych Eval - 3/11 Band Surg Consult - 3/11 VSG Surg Consult - 6/11 (Dr. Lauter) Final Insurance Approval - ?? Surgery Date - 9/?/11?

So I'm a month late on this, and I'm not sleeved yet, but I don't think anyone of us got overweight from eating too many parsnips!!

Hello, all! I'm a newbie and on the road to getting banded, hopefully in June! Can't wait to join you all on this amazing journey My question is about port location...my surgeon, highly respected, done 1000's of LapBands, Center of Excellence, etc etc (saying all this to reassure you all he's not a quack!), mentioned that he has placed a few ports right at the sternum location. There is a natural depression there to the right (he made me feel it) and he says the people he has done this location love it. It is not affected by your underwire bras (for us ladies) and when you do lose most of your weight, they use a lower profile port so it doesn't protrude at all. Also, this location serves as a better anchor for those of us that are short-waisted (not me) or have really large bellies (definitely me!), which can cause the port to flip, or rotate (note this is rare, but does happen!) So, has anyone had their port installed at their sternum?? I am having a hard time seeing how this could really work, or not get in the way, or not 'feel' it under my bra, etc. And what about when I sleep on my side and the 'girls' flop together...can't you feel it in the middle?? Please let me know! Remember, my surgeon is amazing, so even though this may sound weird to some, he's not a quack and knows what he's doing. I would just love to hear from some who may have their port at this location so I can get a handle on their experiences. Thanks is advance, my lovely BandSiblings! (I almost said sisters, but we do have our gentlemen on here!) Have a fantastic day in Bandland!!

Thanks, Jenn. He actually says its less painful as there's less nerve endings there....but it is kinda creepy to think about. Dimitri brought up a good point about CPR...a very good point. Hadn't thought about that! And, yes, he does know what he is doing. His credentials are amazing - he is the one people go to to get a second opinion, lol! He is on the team of world-class surgeons that went to DC last year to get the FDA to lower the BMI for LapBands. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Wow, Mike....that is fantastic about the diabetes being gone and the low a1c levels! I am so happy for you! And thank you so much for letting me know about your experience with where your port is. I am wondering if I may not have the same issues since i have so much 'padding' on either side, if you know what I mean! Thanks for taking the time to respond and good luck on your continued journey.....