Jim1967

That's great news!! Congratulations. Do you have a date yet?

First off congratulations on hitting that 100 mark. That is no small accomplishment. Second, worrying about gaining it back is nothing to be ashamed of. We all some where in the back of our minds have that concern. I hope it all works out.

I only drink decaf now. My Wife bought me a Kuerig for Christmas last year. Two splenda and low fat half and half. I have 2 to 3 per day. Has not hindered my weight loss. I do drink lots of water as well so not to get dehydrated as familygirl said above.

My Doc wants me doing 80 to 100g a day.

I wouldn't fool with that. I would call right away and get back in and be seen...

Good luck to you all. I remember when the day I got my insurance approval I felt like a kid at Christmas. Then about 20 minutes after that reality set in that it was real. Perfectly normal to be nervous. We've all be there. :-)

Wow what an awesome thread thanks for sharing. I tossed a bunch of old jeans off to good will wish I hung on to a pair.

I had to sign that same thing Jen. For me it is about what is more important to me the taste of that soda or the health and longevity of my band and pouch. If I drank beer like I drank soda preop I would be a serious alcoholic and I tell you it just isn't worth it. You work so hard to get approval and to actually get the surgery. Why risk it even if it were minimal?

Addiction comes in all forms....

My Surgeon came straight out and asked me why I chose the band over bypass and then stopped me before I answered and he said, "I just want to know your mindset. I am not trying to sway you one way or another". I told him my reasoning and then he said "it sounds like you know what you want and sound determined and educated on the band". He went on to tell me he believes the band will work for me just fine and we proceeded to map out all the pre-op testing and goals. This is strictly my opinion: Any Surgeon regardless of how great their reputation is tries talking you into something you don't want....FIND someone new!!

Hi Becky and welcome to Lapbandtalk. Making a decision for any surgery elective or not is such a personal decision. What you are going through is perfectly normal and most of us have been there. You already stated you know it is going to be a lot of work. That is a good attitude to have. I started out at 488 pounds and I went back in forth trying to decide what was right for me. I was so heavy and concerned the weight would not come off. After much consideration and the fact I didn't have any other life threatening health issues I decided the band was it for me. I was banded in April 2012 and so far I am down 67 pounds (not including preop loss). Whatever you decide just know this: All WLS which ever one you decide on is going to take a lot of effort and will power. I am not saying this to discourage you or scare you. I am just trying to keep it real. It is work but with the tools it doesn't seem as out of reach. My goal is 220 pounds and at 5'6 that still puts me in the obese class but I know that is a weight I can feel good with and live with. Any additional weight loss on top of that would be a treat.

Part of the problem is every Doctor is different and every Doctor has "rules or guidelines" he/she wants the patient to adhere to. That being said, I go to a center of excellence which is like an all inclusive weight loss center. They have in house psych counselors, Doctors and Nutritionists. Now I was told by the Nutritionist and my Surgeon NO carbonation of any kind. No soda even if its flat. Last month I was at a support meeting and one of the Nurse Practitioners answered a question about it saying soda was OK in small volume. I choose not to drink soda or any carbonated drinks as I want to keep my band and my pouch as healthy as possible. I was a terrible soda addict prior to surgery. I would easily devour a case of diet Pepsi in three days time. I thought giving it up would be tough but it wasn't. By the way Steak, chicken no issues as long as I chew it up really good. I had a stuck episode once involving chicken but it due to being a left over and dried out. Need to soak it in some type of sauce to moisten is up.

Based on your height and using the weight of 215 your BMI is just under 34. Plenty of BMI calculators online just google it. Also, if you want to know how to calculate it manually this site has the formula http://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Your-Body-Mass-Index-%28BMI%29 Lapband requirements: http://www.lapband.com/en/lapband_is_for_you/medical_considerations/

My port is in the center of my stomach just to the lower left of my large incision and I do believe I have a hernia on the far right side of the same incision. I go to see my doctor tomorrow and will have it checked. I know its definitely not my port as the problem area is no where near the port and I can feel both.

OK, it's not the port. Once I laid down I could feel the port fine. I think I got a hernia. I have a Doc appointment on Tuesday and will seek some advice.

Hi All, I have been banded since April and all is going well. Today at work I noticed a pain in the middle right side of my stomach. Feels almost like a muscle strain but I haven't done anything. I have a sit down job banging on a keyboard all day. When I touch the area it feels almost like my port has drastically moved. Where my port normally is I cannot feel it. I know its all speculation but do you think my port separated from the muscle wall? Thanks,, Jim

You're probably still swollen up a bit which may keep you from feeling it. I couldn't find mine until I went in for my first fill and the Nurse found it.

Wow, sorry to be harsh but your husband sucks and not only is he an unsupported d**k he sounds like a bully. He is obviously uneducated on what the band does and how it works. Good luck to you. You have a long journey ahead of you with that kind of support system.

Same here. It's been since April. I drink decaf now. I tried a diet snapple the other day and it was pretty good and then I saw it has caffeine in it. I guess I will keep sticking with crystal lite.

Hi Jason and welcome. Everyone is giving you great advice here and it sounds like you got a good head on your shoulders and you're researching and not going into it blind and uneducated. If you want it bad enough you can do it. Take this waiting period and learn all you can. More you learn and prepare now will just make success more obtainable. At 488 pounds I felt hopeless....but I am doing it. It takes a lot of discipline but it must be done and done right or what's the point of it all. Good Luck and don't be a stranger around here. A lot of good people and resources on here. Jim