NWgirl

For the most part, the only soda I try and drink is from a soda machine, over ice. This seems to seriously lessen the carbonation. My nutritionist (who works in the surgeon's practice) said to poor canned or bottled sodas into a glass with ice and let sit for a few minutes if I wanted to drink soda. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

The projection is 40-60% of excess weight, depending on age. Keep in mind bypass has a 63% excess weight loss stat. These numbers include people who never lose weight, some who lose a little, and those that lost all excess plus some. Keep in mind excess is 25 bmi and above.

Your body will either push it through or cause another PB. You just have to wait it out until it's over. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Well it sounds like what the assistant told you, they cannot pull 1cc out of tubing but they know it's there, meaning you have an additional 1cc. I would recommend not being so concerned about the amount of saline in the band, as everyone is different and it may drive you less crazy not knowing and not having a pre-conceived notion about how much is a good vs bad number. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Congrats on your decision!

Slimfast is actually not high enough in protein and is too high in carbs/fats than what I was told I could have. Costco or Sam's Club has a Premier Protein ready to drink shake that is 160 calories, 30 protein 0 fat, and 4 carbs. You want to try and find something similiar.

It's really a very personal decision. I was out of work for a short amount of time and no ones knows (and if they know, they have the courtesy to not bring it up). As for the food questions, you could just tell them you're trying out a new diet where you do a lot of liquid items (soups, protein shakes, jellos, etc). Most people won't bat an eye at the next crazy fad diet.

I eat about 4 oz.

Depending on your insurance requirements and the requirements of the surgeon, you will complete pre-op testing (usually a psychologist visit, physical therapist, nutrititional evaluation, metabolic testing, complete blood tests, sleep study, etc). Some insurance companies require a 3-6 month diet. Some require a list of all diets you've ever tried with corresponding time frames and weight lost. It really can vary.

I would personally go in and have it checked out now. Gallbladder problems, if this is the cause, are notorious for getting steadily worse.

Yep, that's how it was the first month for me. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I would go over the diet with the surgeon again- you want to make sure you are getting enough Protein in. Be honest and tell them you work 10-12 hour shift and you would like to add another Protein shake or something of the like in.

I burped a lot about the first month of surgery and then it drastically went down. I will still burp, but only occasionally and only when I'm getting too full or carbonated beverages.

What an awesome moment that must have been

Since so many have a different opinion of what restriction is, here's mine: I can eat a small, band size meal and be satisfied for 4-5 hours. Most days of the week, this is the case and I don't feel that another fill is necessary til the time starts gettting smaller and/or my meals get larger. I know some want the full signal you talk of, and I have had it periodically, but it really is just uncomftorable if I eat enough to get that far. Your loss is amazing! Whatever you are doing, keep it up!

I think anyone is scared of the idea of elective surgery without really knowing what it entails. My honey was pseudo supportive to start but I could tell there was some definite hesitance when we talked about it. Come to find out, it wasn't that he didn't think I needed it (in the 8 years we've been together, he's seen me yo-yo with diet after diet), that he didn't think I could be successful, or that WLS was too drastic, but rather it was the idea that if something went wrong in that surgery room, I could die (unlikely- I would much rather be at the hospital experiencing some kind of life threatening emergency than anywhere else!). After finding this out, we sat down and watched youtube videos of the surgery and went over the whole process. After seeing how really non-invasive the procedure is and knowing that it was an outpatient procedure, he was definitely more on board with the idea. I guess it's really more of a comfort thing for our loved ones, as bad things can happen in OR rooms and they don't want to lose us. I have read of many partners who seem to dislike the idea, but it all came down to their own worries, which can also include the after surgery portion and them wondering if you get thin, will you leave them? Have an open and honest conversation with your husband and ask why he's not behind this. Maybe he hasn't really figured it out yet either and he needs you to be pointed and direct about what could happen if you DON'T get the surgery and remain at an unhealthy weight.

My first fill was definitely the most interesting, as the Dr had to play around a little to get right into the port as she kept hitting the side. It wasn't painful, just uncomftorable, but ever since that first fill she is always into the port the first try. I think it's common that the first fill is some digging/searching for the proper entry point, so don't be worried. Just to show how everyone is different, the poster above me has 4.5cc and doesn't have restriction. I have 4.8cc and am perfect where I am at. I could probably go for another fill, but I'm fine leaving my band on the loose end.

Statistics say that a banded person will lose 40-60% of excess weight depending on age. Stats for bypass say 63% of people will lose excess weight. With the band, if it is not properly adjusted, the tool is sitting unused. Who knows why the people you met are not successful, but the only person you can know and count on is you. Maybe those people found a surgeon who was a pop-up shop and got them in and out without really explaining expectations and those people thought once banded, they would lose weight like a miracle diet. This is not true, and as you've been researching for so many years, you know it requires dedication and hard work. We all experience the "what-ifs," but I figured the outcome of going through with the surgery would be better than without it.

Well, I know you're going to hate to hear it, but I would recommend scraping together enough to see your Dr, it could very well be that you need a fill since you haven't been in years. Is it possible to find another Dr, or ask your original Dr what self-pay visit pricing would be? Some are very reasonable- mine charges insurance $100 per fill appointment. On a side note, sounds like your former boss was something else. Congrats on a new job!

I would suggest going to the surgeons tab on the main page and searching for one in that area. Also, you could ask your current surgeon if they have any recommendations of someone in that area.

Ok, first off: LOOK HOW FAR YOU'VE COME! I can see your ticker, and I hope you can see it too because what it says to me is that you've put a lot of work and effort into this lifestyle. It sounds like you're overwhelmed right now, which is normal for anyone with hectic schedules. I would first ask you, what can you eat? If you are chewing 100% and taking small enough bites and still getting stuck, I would say you may need a slight unfill. You also need to stop kicking yourself for where you think you could have been and Celebrate the success you've had. I would even go as far as to suggest seeking out a bariatric counselor/psychologist so you could have someone help you work through these issues.

I was going to say eat the soups but not the solids in the soups too. I was fine to go places soon after surgery, but we are all different. If you want to go because she's your friend, say you'll go but you're not going to eat.

Just take a deep breath, realize your mistake, and go back to liquids. Nothing to sweat over