leatha_g

My father ALWAYS got his dentures from Mexico or really really South Texas. Most times, he got one day service and the cost was far less than in the States.

Many tubes/ports have been replaced EVEN if you did have a kinked tubing. There is no reason to remove your band if you don't have a severe prolapse or erosion. Go in caution.. Always good to hear from you, Bright. I hope you're feeling better regarding your depression.

I'm right there with you and I hate it! I have very flat, wide-ish feet and I have a horrible time finding shoes that are 'fashionable' AND don't hurt. Occasionally, I can find something like a Naturalizer or Aerosole that I can wear, but most often, if I venture away from SAS or Airwalks, etc , I regret within the 1st hour. Just call me.. flintsone feet..

Good luck Yellow Rose!! Have a safe journey and a quick and easy recovery!

http://bigolalaskan.com/lapband/fills.htm check out this webpage.. maybe it will help!

Not sure about your religious beliefs, but I found that thanking God for allowing me to be here (in this place and time) was most soothing to me. There are so many out there who are not allowed this lifesaving opportunity. Although I was extremely disappointed in myself, for not being in control of my own weight, I was extremely grateful for being allowed a way out. I just constantly repeated my thanks and gratitude, all the way into the OR.

Could be what you were eating as well. Perhaps try something more solid, like chicken breast, well chewed, to see if you notice any more restriction with 'harder' protein. Sometimes, if I mix my textures - such as with salads, I can definitely eat more at a sitting than if I began with a chicken breast, then moved on to something like veggies. Just a thought..

Jessie's great! She definitely doesn't 'mollycottle' anyone and I love her for it. She gives LOTS of her time on the Smartbandsters Yahoo Board and is very good at keeping her place as a bandster and not necessarily imposing her medical expertise in the field. She's a wise, wise woman and I am SO thankful that I ran into her early on when I was doing my initial research and in my early banding stages. The book is a very helpful tool for those considering banding or early on, but reading her daily input on Smartbandsters was even more helpful to me when I did it. I no longer keep up there, but I do go back now and again and see that she is still sharing her wisdom and guidance. God bless her for it.. she's a great gal!

Follow this link to see if you think you need a band adjustment or a 'head' adjustment. :eek: Good luck! http://bigolalaskan.com/lapband/fills.htm I would say if you are PBing due to not chewing well enough - you are probably restricted plenty. Please do NOT overfill yourself, it is a dangerous thing to do.

For future reference.. Potatoes, in any form are very dense and tend to 'settle' in the band as well. Scrambled eggs do the same. This is one (but not the only) reason that most docs say no potatoes, no pasta, no breads.. :eek: Live and learn - we've all been there or will be going there. Like Jack said.. you can check out, but you can never leave... :eek:

Love em! This has been one of my favorites since being banded! Very handy, good taste, perfect consistency!

You should never feel that 'Thanksgiving' lower tummy FULL again. Your food now will rest above the band, nearer the esophagus until it moves slowly into the lower tummy. For me, I know I'm FULL when I can tell I have food sitting near my throat, with no where else to go. In order for it to reach the lower tummy, it has to move slowly through the small opening left by your band and hopefully NEVER create that full feeling in the lower tummy again. As stated - if you've chewed well enough, the food WILL move through the stoma as you eat. And, with good restriction, it's not uncommon at all to only get a 'few' bites and have to stop eating. This may be YOUR SIGN. If you are eating proteins first, it's quite allright to only have a few bites and not need to eat more. This is where the 'head hunger' comes into play. We THINK we need to finish.. or eat MORE.. Jessie Ahroni says, practice seeing how little you can eat as opposed to how much you can get in. :eek:

I have systemic Lupus, but luckily, no extreme pain. Before losing weight and beginning exercise, my feet and ankles KILLED me. Walking, I would get what felt like shin splints and I would nearly be in tears before making it around the block. I got on the treadmill and begin walking about 10 minutes. Today I can go faster and longer, but I had to work up to it. But, I enjoy aqua aerobics immensely! It's the best, less painful, most invigorating thing I've ever been able to do and I miss it when I don't get to go. Contrary to some belief, it is a very good workout, due to the body's resistance against the water and you can get the cardio effects without the stress on the joints. It's the one exercise I've ever done that I come home feeling completely rejuvenated!

OMG Lisa!!!!! You're new av looks amazing! You go girl!! Can't wait to see the pics!!

Breakstone's individual cottage cheese w fruit. South Beach Turkey/Bacon wraps - lotsa Protein and they're good. I've been eating alot of chef salad lately, with thin sliced ham or turkey and boiled eggs. I can't go wrong with boiled eggs. If I want to drop a pound or two quickly, I boil up a bunch of eggs and try to detox myself from anything else I've been stuffing myself with. It works. I still love Chili - lotsa protein and lotsa taste. Bought myself some 'Flat out' wraps the other day to make wraps with lunchmeats. Pretty good, really too big for one sitting, so I cut the wrap in half and have the rest later.

You're almost there.. :eek: Go towards the protein!!! Step away from the carbs!!

I rest my case... :eek: Yes. Flying CAN effect your restriction. Does it always? no..

3 years here. Rebanded due to slippage after one year. My only disappointment is that after 3 years, my esophagus no longer gives me the signals it once did, which leaves my esophagus in the position to become stretched and atrophied. I struggle to maintain and it is pretty much up to me to manage my intake. So far, I'm managing that, but I suspect I'll eventually have to remove the band (surgery #3). If I thought I could do it again with better results, I would.

I've not noticed any changes whatsoever since having my gallbladder removed.

30gb Ipod here.. actually wished I'd gone with something Napster compatible, myself. I'm not too keen that with Ipod you can only use Itunes.

It's not a problem UNTIL it becomes a problem. If you're not overly restricted, you may be able to take them fine, however, it's also very possible to become restricted enough to not allow for capsules to pass through the stoma without much pain, possibly not at all, becoming stuck. Once you go there, you'll never want to go back. In my case, I always take my medications with food of some sort. While I'm having dinner, along with a bite or with a spoonful of yogurt, ice cream, Jello - something to help it slip through. Capsules were a problem for me before being banded, so it's a practice I've always used. Nothing like having a hard capsule stuck in your gullet for 24hrs at a time. Go in caution...

Lots of Stevie Nicks Def Leppard 3 Doors Down Third Day Rascal Flatts Blue October Steve Miller Kelly Clarkson Pat Benatar Heart Journey Nickelback Lifehouse Dixie Chicks Chris Rea Dire Straits Black Eyed Peas - My Humps Pretty much a mixture of Classic Rock, new rock, Christian, some country..

I have been rebanded once and yes, I would do it again! Definitely!

Welcome to restriction! even soft foods can move much slower with a bit of restriction. You're very lucky if you are able to have this much restriction right out of surgery. Many don't! Begin to use smaller utensils. Put your utensils down between bites. Take only the smallest of bites and chew, chew, chew. You'll do fine!

Another bandster here recently posted that she never did get an unfill and everything went perfectly for her as well. I would think as long as you can eat healthy foods and healthy portions you'd be okay, but of course, consult your physicians. God bless and congrats!!