Nechama L

I was also prescribed liquid vicodin and I think I maybe used it for the first 3 or 4 days and that is about it. When I got to the hospital the day of the surgery the surgeon gave me the script which I turned over to my husband and said "Here is what you can do while I am in surgery". Most hospitals have an on-site pharmacy so you should be able to fill it right there. They will make sure you have what you need and you also need to be your best advocate by insisting that you have all you need before you leave.

You really need to speak with someone about this. Aside from the regular bulemia dangers, imagine what all that acid could be doing to your band?

The healthiest thing is for you to start taking ownership for everything you put in your mouth by creating those foods yourself. As Cindy wrote, make your own and you will have just the flavors you want, plus less preservatives and sodium I imagine...

What an awesome analogy!!!

There isnt much worse than a money-making gimmick. Find out from your doctor how much you should be eating and then either invest in a set of cheap plastic portable measuring cups or those disposable storage containers that are that amount and use those. Do you really want to rely on something like that? Taking it out every time you go out to eat instead of learning how to measure on your own? For me, I have learned based on the size of my fist, fingers, palm, etc how much is the right portion for things. I say don't waste your money... Save it for new clothes!

Your husband needs to respect you and your new limitations. You should NOT be eating solids two days after a fill! After a fill you should have liquids for two days, mushies for two days and then move to solids because otherwise you could cause your band to slip. Don't force yourself to eat something that could be dangerous for you and definitely don't gulp anything. You are just asking for trouble.

I definitely agree with elcee. You didnt mention if you had a barium swallow or anything like that to see what exactly is going on with the band. Did it slip? If so, maybe they can fix it without having to take it out? Either way, good luck tomorrow and make sure you make as informed a decision as you can...

Coming more from your perspective than perhaps others, I would say to wait. I would caution, however, NOT to gorge yourself but to use these holidays to start to train yourself on portion control, chewing slowly, cooking differently and viewing the food as one minor part of the holidays. It will be easier for you next year to then look back and say "I could do without this dish, I could change the menu that way, I could substitute here and there" without making yourself nuts and miserable. Also, keep in mind, that depending on when you are banded, you may have to have mushies/pureed foods which will be very difficult to do for all meals when you can't use your immersion blender/food processor. Cooking full menus for your family and then separate foods for yourself will not make this process any easier.

You should be having fills every 3-4 weeks until you reach a sweet spot. You should also be losing 1-2 pounds a week and if not, be speaking to your surgeon and dietician about adjusting both your band and your calorie intake. I would not have let it go this long and the only thing I would recommend is being in better touch with your doctor.

I think you will find that that 60-80 calories won't affect your daily calorie intake.

YAY!!!

It will feel different because you will feel satisfied before you get to full and you will learn how to identify the satisfied feeling so that you will stop eating. Good luck and learn to trust your body's signals. I see many people on here who don't change their habits yet complain how the band doesn't work for them. Pay attention to the signs, follow what your doctor tells you, enjoy the freedom that you will have when you start to take control back from food and rule it instead of letting it rule you...

I can feel the port but not the band itself.

Hope things got better!

I think on a certain level, boys will be boys no matter how old they are when they are in a locker room. I personally can't stand the naked women in the locker room aspect of my gym and so I change in a bathroom stall. I know that even when I am thinner and feel better about myself that will be the case. I am normally the kind of person who encourages speaking up, but I think it may be better for you to just ignore those three guys and focus on how many more there are who aren't acting like asses while baring theirs

Did you actually think you were going to get positive comments? It sounds dangerous and just plain stupid to be doing it yourself. The only luck I wish you is that you don't end up doing major damage to yourself. Also, there is no excuse for stealing. You are not judge and jury to determine that your brand of justice fits the injustice served.

You are doing a great job with the weight loss, but just remember that you have a closet full of different sizes, showing that there is a history with your body to lose and then regain. The band will be your tool to not only lose but keep it off! My own GP was against me having the band until he did research and saw how incredibly valuable it is as a tool for longterm success. Yes, living in the here and now is important, but look to your past and your future to get a full picture.

The way that the port is attached to you is different with the Realize band which makes recovery a bit easier. Both bands have very informative websites, but if my insurance only covered one, I would go for that one. In the end they will both work for you if you work with them.

I got my first one on Monday (was banded on June 30) and didn't really feel a difference. Tell me what you felt? Maybe I will notice it more when I am on to mushies starting tomorrow?

Really it addresses a larger problem for those who don't go to the doctor when they notice a problem and wait and wait and wait. I would imagine those same people don't go for pap smears, eye exams, dental cleanings etc on schedule. It's a carelessness or a blase attitude and I imagine you either have it or you don't. Glad to hear you don't!!

Myoplex!!!

I'm sorry for your loss.

Only person to ask is your insurance company. Maybe if you get medical stuff showing it is causing back problems it could help your case...

I have to agree with Debora Ann, this is part of what you change in your eating lifestyle when you have the band. I would not get an unfill. I would instead adjust to the band rules much more. I have begun to eat with my daughter's baby spoon and fork because that IS the size of a bite you should be taking.

Your doctor can run tests to see if the band is acting properly. I would also suggest you get your thyroid checked out because that does not sound right.