Dulci

I was told no alcohol for at least three months. You are still healing from surgery; I'd pass on the wine.

I order an appetizer and ask that it be served with the entrees for the table or I will order a salad with protein and take most of it home.

I wasn't hungry between meals at all. My doc said that some people feel restriction with just an empty band. I guess I was one of those.

If you have a fever, call your doctor. Don't wait until office hours, call now.

I was banded in October and I didn't get my first fill until January. I was losing steadily, eating only 3 meals a day, and easily keeping my daily calories between 800 to 1000 per day. I have only had two fills thus far.

During the surgery, they put a breathing tube down your throat. My throat was sore after the surgery. If you are recovering from a bout with tonsilitis, your throat is probably even more tender. As frustrating as it is to have to wait, you will be better off. Even though this surgery is a cake walk compared to others, it still is a surgery and the first 24 to 48 hours are uncomfortable. I wasn't allowed to have anything by mouth until the day after the surgery, after I had a barium swallow. My mouth was bone dry. My lips were cracking. It was pretty miserable.

You have made amazing progress and you have the determination to meet your goal. Thank you for the inspiration!

The only thing on your list that I don't have as a part of my regular diet is soda. I have chicken, usually white meat, 3 to 4 times per week. As long as I have small bites (about the size of the first section of my pinkie finger) and I chew it well, I don't have any issues with chicken. I try to limit nuts to pistachios (lowest calorie nut) and I measure the quantity (because I have no self control), I have no issues with them. Regarding asparagus, I don't eat most of the stalk. I only eat the tender top sections.

I'm nearly 6 months out from surgery and I have no regrets at all. I'm nearly 50 lbs lighter. I'm sleeping better. My "bad" knee no longer hurts. I'm more active that I have been in 20 years. My band has given me a new lease on life.

If you aren't ready for a band and aren't willing to make a lifetime lifestyle change, the band is not for you. Any WLS should be a choice of last resort. It's not an easy way out or a shortcut to lose weight. If you aren't that point, you are making the correct choice.

Last week I braved the fitness loop in our development for the first time. I was surprised that I was able to walk the whole loop on the first time. On Monday, I am going to start the C25k program. I am thrilled that I am able to be more physically active and that I actually kind of enjoy it.

The night before I started my liquid diet, I ordered pepperoni, sausage and black olive pizzas for dinner. I intended that meal to be my farewell to pizza and I ate almost an entire medium sized pizza myself. I am six months past my surgery date and nearly 50 lbs lighter. Tonight for dinner, I ordered that same pizza and I savored every delicious bite. However, tonight I was satisified after I almost finished a single slice. I am in the "green" zone and there is nothing that I cannot eat.

I have the Realize band. My first fill was 4 cc.

Mine is just to the left of my belly button.

Did either doctor withdraw all of the fluid from your band to see how much they can pull out? It is possible to have a leak in the band or the port tubing.

Try a few days on liquids. Sometimes a stuck episode will start a cycle -- get stuck, stoma swells, get stuck, stoma swells, rinse and repeat. My doctor has suggested that having cold things, like sugar free popsicles or ice chips will help with the swelling.

My surgeon hold WLS seminars where they explain all of the procedures. The insurance coordinator explains how they obtain approvals from the various plans. We also received a brochure that detailed the steps that needed to be done before surgery - which tests and clearances needed to be obtained for each procedure. After the seminar, I scheduled a consultation with my surgeon. We discussed which my weight history, my weight issues, and in which surgery I was most interested. My surgeon agreed that gastric banding was the best choice for me. (I have since talked to people that wanted a band, but my surgeon suggested that their weight and diet habits would be better suited to a sleeve or RNY.) My suggestion is to meet as many of the staff as you can. Your WLS team is very important. Is there is a nutritionist on staff? Can you schedule appointments with the NUT as needed? If you decide on a band, how are fills done? (In the office or under fluoroscope? Who does your fills? (PA, Nurse, the Surgeon?) Good luck.

Keep the crap out of the house. If you crave something crunchy and salty, have some nuts -- but make sure that they are in your calorie budget. Start tracking your calories and Protein. Trust me, you aren't going to want to account for the calories and fat that comes along with mindless snacking. I will allow a 1/4 cup of pistachios in my food plan. They are tasty and they are the lowest calorie nut. All nuts are high in calories, so make sure your measure your portion. Good luck at getting back on track.

I would definately appeal that decision. If that doesn't work, I would hire an attorney. Search on this site, I have seen some people post that they hired a law firm in CA to help them with appeal their insurance denial.

My surgeon said that a meal should last 20 minutes. After 20 minutes of actively eating, we should stop. If you are hungry after waiting 30 minutes, then drinking a full glass of Water, have a healthy snack and start thinking about coming in for a fill. Are you eating Proteins first, then non-starchy veggies, followed by any starches you may have room for? Are you taking tiny bites (about the size of a pencil eraser)? Remember, it's not about how much you can eat, it's about how little you can eat to be satisfied.

My husband and I went out to hear a band this weekend. There were several women dancing. I asked my husband help me figure out where I fit in regards to size in comparison to the women that were dancing. I really have no idea what my body size looks like.

Stick with liquids as per your post op instructions from your doctor. Apple sauce is pretty high in fiber and that may be too much for your healing tummy.

Follow your doctor's preop diet and instructions. I would avoid the cleansing tea or any other herbal remedies this close to surgery. Sometimes ingredients in those teas can impact things we don't realize, like how fast your blood clots. Good luck with your journey.

Try sipping something hot, like coffee or tea. It may relax your band a bit. Walk, stretch, or even try jumping up and down. Papaya enzymes can help some people - get them at GNC or Vitamin Shoppe.

I love my band and I am sure it was the correct choice for me. However, I do agree with the article. Any WLS is (or should be) a choice of last resort and one that should only be under taken after all attempts to lose weight and to maintain a healthy weight have failed. This is a serious surgery to address a serious a health problem. There are risks to any surgery and they should be evaluated carefully before the procedure. The band is also requires extensive aftercare. It requires not only altering your diet but your method of eating. But if you are willing to work with the band, the band changes lives.