Success in lapband

Head hunger sucks, how about chewing on some popsicles? How about chewing on ice? I have to share with you something. I analyze almost everything..... It is not the chewing that you miss. It is the swallowing part, the food actually going down your throat. You will know what I am talking about when you get to eat food, and you must chew it to a liquid state. And when you put it in your mouth, you need to remember to keep chewing and chewing and chewing, even though you really want to chew 2x and then swallow. It is interesting, but when you get to that stage think about it and let me know... Can you "lick" the bagel? Would that help? This weekend I wanted the warm sourdough bread they served to the table reallly reallllllly bad, so I compromised and ate some the butter (butter, sun dried tomatoes and garlic). I don't want anybody to tell me shame on you for eating the butter, it was something that given choice A or choice B was the best choice. Bread or butter? BUTTER! In my defense; not all skinny people eat perfect 100% of the time, and I only ate about 2 teaspoonfuls. It is obvious to me that I really really really enjoy my food, so I am expecting my weight loss to not be the fastest~ But I am eating 180% better today than I did pre band.

Char; Be careful at walking especially in a situation that may make you try and keep up with a boxer. You may get winded alot easier than you might think. I am not one to stay in bed if I am sick, my first walk with my dogs was alot shorter than we normally go and it took almost 2x the time. Take it slow on the initial walking.

I have never felt restriction like this.... How do you know you feel restricted prior to eating? Then again I am unsure if I feel any restriction at all..... Maybe my Dr. put on a bigger band and will "cinch" me up with fills. While yours may have put on a smaller band and that is why you feel restriction so far. Does that make sense? Do you think that may be a reason why I don't feel restriction and you do? I definately don't eat as much as I would have done prior to bandland, but that is also do to my self control at this point.

Wow, Making a bed?? I could not stretch in that direction for at least 10 days. You are doing fantastic!

Don't know if you are staying in San Diego, but may I recommend The Hampton Inn Downtown San Diego. They will shuttle to and from Airport, and they have hot breakfast in the AM (not that you would/could eat, but it is nice for a cup of coffee and juice etc)

Chris; What are you eating these days? Normal food or are you still shaking it?

Chris; Do you remember you posting that you thought that the ride right before surgery was probably the "last" ride of the season? Who would have believed when I said you will go out again before the snow melts. Everybody thinks their life is "over" as they know it post band, and everybody is soooooo wrong, life is better! And actually that pic is really good of you. I remember you much bigger, so maybe the weight loss is already showing a difference. You have got to have already been down a couple jacket sizes right? You like the snow as much as I like the water. I can't wait until I can smell the salt water on the ocean. Or the "fishy" smell of the Sac. river.

I carry all my weight from my hips to my shoulders; I have skinny little legs, that have -0- fat on them. So I am an apple silohuette. My port is a lump and under my left breast. I definately could not wear a bikini, but don't ever plan on wearing one, so it really is not that important to me, but my preference is that the Dr. would have put it in deeper. I spoke to Dr K. about it and he did not think it was an important issue and brushed it off. I was a little surprized too, and hope that once the weight comes off it will sink inside. My ONLY big issue is that the bra straps that hold up my heavy breasts sit at the top of the port and I was afraid of it flipping. The Dr. was more concerned about me not following the diet more than the port issue. What can I say; everybody has their priorities....

I think synical eats cherrios, I think she either chews them dry or soaks them ALOT in milk. hehehehehe Very rarely do I feel restriction and I think I have felt FULL 2-3x

So the inhale thing is from being still swollen inside. Everything else is 100% perfectly on track and normal according to my experience...

okay I will joing the band wagon, I ate some a couple times too.... Can we not eat it because it is high calorie? Or because it might get stuck?

Shake is NOT cheating. Fried Steak or Carnitas (fried pork) would be cheating... Are you having any stoma pain when you eat? Or is all your swelling gone down? What kind of restriction do you have? Do you feel "full" pretty quick. How much food make you full?

So what are you eating these days? Real food? I swear I have not eaten ice cream yet!!!

Chris and Gail; I am doing great! Everyday I question IF the Dr. really banded me.... I have not had one problem except that one time of pouch barfing (PB) but that was 2 days post op. (My bad....) I am in San Diego on vacation and I pray to god I have not gained weight. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. It is amazing at how I asimilate having a good time with eating. Every concession stand I see in Sea World I have to stop and buy something..... Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!! But I don't hurt when I eat (at all) and I have ZERO restriction absolute zero! I think I have a fill appt on 4/23 (5 days after Chris). I am trying to drink ALOT of water to help suppress my appetite. I was concerned about walking so much and my port aching but it has only ached one time since I got here and I just push it in and keep it warm until it passes. Gail I am on cell if you need me! I will send you pics when I get back on Sunday AM. I am using hotels computer as my wireless does not work here and I know when I log onto lapband I usually sit for hours. Gail What are you eating and how much? That is incredible that you have lost that much weight.

I am right with you.... Yesterday and today I have eaten more than what I think that little pouch should hold, especially tonight at dinner. But as I walked away from the restaurant I THINK I felt what full should feel like because it is very different than what full use to feel like (pre band). So what my plan is to down 23 oz.of water 30 min before eating to assist in getting full.

Tammy I am so happy and excited for you! Keep us posted....

Tracy Go buy crystal light water bottle powdered flavor, it makes all the difference in the world and still counts as water. I no longer have to dread drinking as much water as I am suppose to with theses. If you don't know what I am talking about hit me back.

Magnolia Sounds like you are doing fantastic. Keep drinking! Does not sound like you have too much swelling. The gas pains in the upper left shoulder ~if they come will be there in a couple days~just don't forget about the heating pad. The surgery is a cake walk, you are probably going to be a little sore tomarrow or maybe the next day then things will get better. Glad you went to the movies, that is the way it should always be! Great job!

Tracy I get real tender around the port when I walk too. As a matter of fact I am finding myself covering up my port subconsciouncly. I am sure; or I would like to believe it will get better. I asked my post op appointment and he assured me everything was okay. Tomarrow I am going to ace bandage it. Glad you said something. My fill is in April I think so March 27th is very good. I don't get that "full" feeling, I just get the "I am not hungry anymore" feeling.

Sue in Russia; Okay I am not proposing anybody do this but this I think is what I ate for the first week or so.... Baritrix Essentials (protein shakes or breakfast and lunch~it is my staple) Dinners are where I eat with my family and I try to keep everything as it has been for the last 20 years. Surgery on Thurs Friday dinner bean with 1/2c bacon soup and 1/2c clam chowder soup pureed both soups Sat some cottage cheese and some baby bell cheese and veg. beef soup but I did not eat the beef and I pureed it. Sunday cottage cheese, jello, pudding Monday 1/6 of a tamale (squished in my mouth really good) chinese soup Tues 1/2 of a tamale (squished in my mouth really good) Wed the insides of a chicken taco with some refried bean Thurs veg beef soup (no meat), cottage cheese, baby belle cheese, pudding and jello Friday?? Saturday ?? Sunday scrambled egg(breakfast), turkey spaghetti with 2 penne pasta noodles Monday Tamale and jello Tuesday just shakes so far. I chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew chew like forever

Machele The more weight I lose the happier I get, kinda wierd. And now every fat person I see I want to go up to them and tell them about how I am losing weight and they should go get banded today. I am a freak! It is really easier than I thought it would be, but am not convinced that I am not in a dream still. (do you know what I mean?)

Just one more comment..... Why would you consider anything else IF the lapband was an option for you?? It is IMHO safer than gallbladder surgery, it is reversible (if needed) it is adjustable (if needed). I DO know of someone who had lapband a couple years later after gastric bypass. But that statistic is a one in a million. The ONLY reason I considered weight loss surgery is because of the lapband and its simplistic tool use. Other than that I would be still struggling with my co morbidities. Just a thought...I know I know you are considering the 50% factor. I did too. But I got committed to seeing me healthy, and my risk factor and success factor is 100% in my hands and I am scared to death for people who get the gastric, but I know of people who have had it done and on a daily basis they have to deal with the malabsorption issue. Do alot more reading...

Anybody seen Tabithan? Please let us know how you are doing....

I am full of my opinion! Go look at the before and after pictures of everyone and ask them a ton of questions!! The people who get lapband are more discrete per se' with what they are doing, and do not have to worry about mal absorption issues. It is reversible. However it is not a "cure" and it is only a tool but read our stories. It is a process either direction. Are you of child bearing age? How long have you been fat? Why are you fat? I think your answer needs to come to you through more reading our posts and more research on pros and cons. Read read read read for another week and get back to me on what your concerns are, I will try and help.

Well congrats!!! keep us posted and start gathering your necessities for the surgery. Start making your list!