Corrigan

I'm drinking from a straw right now. My Dr. never said not to and I've never felt any ill effects from it. There may be a reason not to immediately after surgery, but not that I know of.

Education and willpower.

For some, the band works with no fills. I haven't had a fill yet and a number of others have lost their goal weight without fills. This is probably unusual. It seems that most people use fills to the "sweet spot" before they are comfortable with their weight loss progress, and this seems different with each individual.

You're not doing anything immoral or dishonest, so what if anyone knows you are trying to improve your health. This is really not anyone else's business, and you need to relax and just think what you'll look like when you reach your goal weight, then let them talk.

If it becomes puffy and you see any type of discharge, you should see your doctor. My surgeon said if I had that problem, to keep it clean and dry, and see him when convenient. You just had major surgery although it seems minor, and it will take time to heal. Don't obsess about it and it'll probably heal in a few days.

I wonder if you didn't lose your initial weight too quickly. Some of us begin our weight loss with too much enthusiasm and lose muscle mass along with the fat. Then there is a period of depression that not only the girls have. I know I went through the "what have I done" period for a few days, and began to work out too quickly,bought a new bike, moved my hay stack, and just lost too quickly. I've since slowed my weight loss, trying to lose 1 to 1 1/2 lbs a week and thing are going much better for me. As far as testosterone decrease, maybe you should have your doctor test you to be sure. Your body is undergoing a number of changes now, and just give yourself some time to adjust, and don't rush your exercise program. Do lots of walking and light lifting for a few more weeks, then begin to get back to heavier lifting gradually. Good luck with your loss, and as they say, "all things in moderation".

As Tracey said, you may be having problems with adhesions, but if it's more than minor discomfort, take the time to consult your doctor. It's probably nothing serious, but better safe than sorry.

There is a recipe section in this forum with some good ideas and if you look on line, there are enough good, weight loss ideas to keep you busy for quite a while.

An interesting phenomenon, In this hemisphere the liquid in your pouch goes down clockwise, and in Australia, it goes counterclockwise (anticlockwise).

I don't know, I tend to be pretty liberal with foods, but it's a little early for pizza. For one thing it's bread and many of us have problems with bread. I guess if you just eat the topping and leave most of the crust and really chew well, you might be OK. To me, the biggest problem is getting stuck, so go slow and see how you make out and have a good time.

To many people who go there, money isn't important (I'm not one), I was referred by my doctor and the standard of care was as good as it could have been, although rather expensive.

You're right, I don't know where I got that idea. A double whopper w/fries is only 2000 calories. As to the fills, with fluoroscope, they're $5010, (at a major LA hospital), I haven't had one yet.

I'm sure you know that many hamburgers have 3500 calories, and you'd have to run just about a Marathon to burn that off. I think that as long as you're aware of that and don't do it often, you'll be OK. A lot of super strong willed people will disagree, but if we deny ourselves everything, we'll have a much harder time of succeeding. That said, if I overindulge, I work extra hard the next few days or weeks to make up for it. I try to average 1 to 2 pounds a week. If I miss a week, I try to lose twice as much the next week or two. This band cost $45K and I can't let that go to waste.

You're going to a Center of Excellence so you shouldn't have any problems at all with your surgery, in fact, being self pay, you should be able to go home the same day (bring a driver), and be back to work in 3-4 days. I don't see why anyone needs to know anything you don't really want them to know. This is strictly your affair and if you need to say anything, say your health requires you to loose a little weight, and that's what you're doing. Don't forget your slippers and PJs, I hope you do well.

Don't forget your slippers and PJs (and maybe some chapstick), and best of luck.

Wikipedia has a very good review of bands and their history. I'm sure some of the lessor foreign clinics use bands that most good American clinics wouldn't use, but their are a couple Mexican clinics that seem to have good results. I wouldn't go to any other than a Center of Excellence in the US, but that's just me. I hate to think of anyone with less than the very latest training digging around my innards. If one of my family asked me , I'd tell them to do as much research , from reliable sources, as they can, find out as much as possible (don't be afraid to ask), about your surgeon and his experience and affiliations. Any WLS you're having will probably be with you the rest of your life so it seems prudent to get the very best surgery you can. Think of the discomfort just an ulcer can cause and you can imagine the pain an improperly installed band could cause. There's a world of experience on this forum that you can take advantage of, many other forums, some positive, some negative, but you need to weigh both sides. Whatever you choose, make it an informed decision and good luck.

We could give you all manner of opinions here, but you should probably see your doctor about this. Band related problems are usually on the left side. This sounds like something you should take care of right away. Good luck.

If you put some low fat mayo in it and whatever goes in tuna salad and chew it well you may have better luck. Most folks take it pretty easy for a few days after a fill.

I'd say go to whatever restaurant looks good and just be sensible with the menu. By now you know what you can and can't eat. We go out a lot and I'm careful with what I eat. No chili cheese fries. You can enjoy things once in a while that you wouldn't ordinarily eat. An occasional treat won't necessarily short circuit your weight loss. Go and have a good time in good conscience.

You sound like a pretty bright guy and I'd like to try to talk you into investigating a Center of Excellence near you for any possible weight loss surgery you may be interested in. My PCP talked me into going to one and I'll have to say it was as good an experience as I could have hoped for. I was in a similar health situation and most of my problems have been resolved by band surgery. like most of the folks here, I've dieted most of my life and I can't really say the band made a great deal of difference, it was the total experience that did it. I learned to eat properly, developed the will power not to overeat, especially in social settings. I've lost over 60lbs in the past 4 months which was a little fast, I'm trying to build muscle back now and losing at a sustainable rate, 2 to 3 lbs a month. I haven't had any fills yet, my surgeon and I both think my weight loss is appropriate. I have energy I haven't had in years, It's been a great experience, You'll never regret it. Now for the hard part. You are going to have to find something to replace your food addiction. I make furnature, take care of my horses, have been active in ham radio for years, just anything to stay busy and away from food. Losing weight is really hard work and you'll have to put a lot of effort into it. You'll get out of this experience just what you put into it. It's worth it. Lots of luck.

You;ll have to get a handle on this or there won't be much point in getting the band. After being banded you;ll have to excercize a lot of self restraint in your eating habits. The band helps, but most of it will be up to you. You;ll probably experience some "what have I done?" and a week or two of depression that you;ll have to get through, all the while trying to loose weight. I could tell you not to worry and it;ll be all roses and bubble gum, but the reality of it is that this will be hard work and your weight loss will be up to you. 1000 calories isn't very much, but in the right frame of mind, many, many people get by on it. Right now, put down those potato chips and Coke and make up your mind that you;re going to lose weight beginning today, and do it. Grit your teeth and best of luck.

I spent the better part of 40 years losing weight. I didn't have much trouble losing, but the same problems that caused the weight gain in the first place kept putting it back on. Finally my new doctor said my weight was causing serious health problems (diabetes, sleep apnea.etc.) and I was going to have to lose weight and keep it off. He suggested a Center of Excellence and band surgery, that was in September. I've lost about 60 lbs and still going. I haven't had this much energy in 30 years, I've rebuilt our kitchen, family room, planted a new lawn (1/2 acre) and no end in sight. These are things I've put off for years because I just didn't feel like it. If you can find the dedication to restrict your diet (with the help of the band) for a year, you can lose up to 100 lbs. This takes work on your part, the band makes it easier, but it will still take a lot of effort. Where will you be next year if you don't do it? Find a good program, educate yourself on lapband surgery, and if you do your part, you'll loose as much weight as you want and feel better than you have in years. I hope you find everything you're looking for.

Well Iriegirl, it's not quite as easy as it used to be, but we'll try. First, click on any ticker to take you to 'Ticker tracker', then you go through the fields and find what you like, then go through the figures to find one that goes with your field. Now for the fun part. Find the box that has the URL and a bunch of other text and put it in your clipboard. Now go back to LBT, top right and find your name, click on it and go to my settings, then 'Signature. Put the URL you copied earlier in the bottom box. In theory, that should work. let me know if you're still having trouble

If you've chosen a good surgeon and hospital, this will be a very easy surgery for you. Recovery is difficult for some, but I had an easy time of it, as do most people. Be sure not to forget your slippers and PJs. Weight loss is a personal journey, a little different for most of us, with lags and losses. A group of doctors and scientists wrote a report a bit critical of WLS, but they said the one thing successful weight loss patients had in common was education and dedication.

Some people will tell you no, but I can't see how an occasional glass of wine will do a bit of harm as long as we use our common sense.