Lulu

How cool is that - to have a band buddy - and it's your mom!!! Having someone to share the ups and downs with is a special blessing. It's possible that each of you may have totally different experiences as no two people are the same. Be happy for each other's successes and try not to make it a competition. At times you will need need to be the cheerleader for each other. Best of luck and success to both of you!!!!

I'm back!! Are you still here??

I'll be 65 this year; had my band for almost 5 years. If only this had been available decades ago....... But, better late than never! This has been a wonderful journey. Good luck to you!!

Congratulations on your decision to get the lap band. I'm a 5-year veteran and can tell you it was the best thing I ever did!! Good luck!!

Is anyone taking anti-inflamitory meds? Do they hurt the band?

I was banded 10/30/04, almost a year ago. This was the best thing I have ever done for myself. My progress would seem slow by some standards as I've lost "only" 50 pounds, but in looking back over the many decades that I was morbidly obese, I never lost as much as 5 pounds in any of those years! I've had four fills and may be due for another one. Haven't decided yet if I really want another one. I am able to eat just about everything. The big difference between now and one year ago is that now I chew my food, take small bites, and THINK about what's going into my mouth. I seldom get hungry, and for the first time in 38 years of marriage my husband has to remind me that it's time to eat! I no longer obsess over food, wondering what I can fill my face with next. I also no longer feel guilty if I have some ice cream or other goodies because I'm satisfied with a smaller amount. It's a big decision to make but one that I have not regretted for one second. I feel so thankful and blessed to have had this opportunity open up for me - especially at this stage of my life (I'm 60). It has added years to my life, I'm sure, and certainly has added life to my years! Lulu

While I was never a soda junkie, I really enjoy Wal-Mart's flavored Water which is carbonated. It's also very cheap; $0.58 a bottle. I find it hard to drink plain water, so I've been flavoring my water with some of this. There are still a few bubbles but I haven't had any problems and the water is going down easier! Since doing this - getting more water in - I broke a long plateau and have lost 7 pounds in two weeks! Yippeee!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Babs, Just want to let you know that by following your suggestion I didn't PB once today. This is the FIRST day in over a week that I got in SOLID Protein, cut up VERY small and chewed until my jaws were tired! I'm thrilled because it means I won't have to go for an un-fill if this keeps up. Deep down I sort of knew this was the problem but "hearing" it from others makes a greater impression. Thank you for not blowing off a silly question. Sometimes we just need a reminder of how we're supposed to help our little bandit! Lulu :confused:

My first two fills did very little, so last week Monday I asked the doc to make it a good one! Ever since then I'm REALLY restricted, which is great, but I've been PBing every day and this worries me. Some of you indicated that it takes a few weeks for a fill to "settle" and I'm hoping this will happen to me also. I really don't want to get some taken out and go back to where I was. Any thoughts?????? Thanks, my friends!!!

Hi Babs, I have no problem with fluids, and usually have a Protein shake in the morning. I try to remember to take tiny bites - but that may be the problem right there. After a lifetime of scarfing meals down in a hurry it's a real adjustment to slow down. Veggies go down easily but meat takes forever. After a few bites I get the golf-ball in my throat. I think you hit on the key - cut all meat into pea size. It's so much easier to do at home. When at work or when eating with others and conversing at the same time I have a tendency to forget and starting eating "normal" - or what used to be normal! My biggest fear is that all this PBing may have damaged something. While I have no pain and don't feel anything unusual, it sure would be nice to have a transparent frame to see how things are really working on the inside! I'm going to try cutting all my food before eating any of it and see if that does the trick. Thanks a bunch, Babs!

Hi Alexandra, A fun activity that both you and the kids can enjoy are going through old photographs - not the ones in albums but the "second sets" or extras that are sitting in a drawer or grocery bag. We had a shopping bag full from the kids and grandkids when they were little, plus vacations and just miscellaneous events. What we did was make placemats out of them. For a template I use a salt container (but you can use anything) and draw circles around the main part of the photo. Overlap the edges as you carefully place them on a piece of ConTac paper. This is a little tricky until you get the hang of it. Usually I have four rows with six pictures in each row. When they are situated put a piece of clear ConTac paper over it, smooth out the bubbles, cut around the edges and you have wonderful placemats. I coordinate activities for seniors, and they love doing this. When they come to the table they are "greeted" by their family members. This is especially good for Alzheimer's patients. This can also be done with greeting cards that are too nice to throw away. Fighting with the sticky paper may drive you to drink, though. It takes a while to get it all coordinated but it is really a fun activity.

This probably sounds gross, but for a long time when I had a wheat allergy my breakfasts consisted of refried Beans and salsa. Now I'm addicted to Hormel chili (no beans), and some of that with a few cheddar cheese sprinkles keeps me filled until noon. String cheese, tuna and/or ham and cream cheese roll-ups are also good. I'm one of those people who must have Protein in the a.m. or I'm shot for the day, so I've become very creative. Wasa Fiber Rye (high fiber, low carb and calories) with swiss cheese melted on top is very filling. I also enjoy egg salad - but it MUST be mixed with Hellmann's. That's one concession I can't give up. I had my third fill yesterday and am finally feeling some restriction. Hopefully the losing will begin again!

( I have the dentist drill with no anesthetic) Wow - you are my hero!!! I would rather have a fill every day for a month than have one tooth filled - even WITH novacaine!! My tooth nerves must be very close to the surface because any dental work is extremely painful for me. I've had two fills (band) and they were a breeze. The anticipation is FAR WORSE than the actual event. Trust me.

I also have an aversion to vomiting but PBing IS different. It is still not a pleasant experience - especially if you are not at home! This happened to me recently while at a dinner at church. I was able to excuse myself without making a scene, but it taught me a very important lesson - TAKE VERY SMALL BITES!!!!! As long as I remember to do this, and chew, chew, chew, I can eat almost anything - just smaller quantities than before. Getting the band was one of the best things I ever did. I no longer obsess about food, in fact, when I do what we are supposed to do - eat protein first - I'm rarely hungry any more. What a difference!!!!

Welcome to all our newbies!!! It's wonderful to hear from you. It's especially nice to hear from those who are a little further from their teens (didn't want to say OLDER!). Sue - I'm more geezery than you at 60, but feel younger than I have in the past 20 years. What if we counted our age in stones????

Hi Carmen, I'm right here! Read the posts every day, just haven't had a chance to do much replying. I had my first fill on 12/11 but still don't have much restriction. I can eat just about anything - but must do it slowly. My downfall is evenings; we are used to munching and it's a hard habit to break. I'm stalled at -20 pounds but its probably because I haven't been drinking my Water. That starts today! I'll be happy to get through the holidays without gaining. I still love my band though!

The reason my doctor gave for avoiding caffein is because it dehydrates you. Decaf should be ok. (I still have my one cup of "leaded" in the a.m.)

Hi Carmen, I got an RX for Prevacid also but didn't fill it. I don't like taking meds anyways, and this seemed unnecessary because I don't have reflux. I'll ask Dr. Engstrand next week when I have my first fill.

The best way I've found to overcome the hunger pangs are to drink the protein shakes. Protein stays with you much longer, but as soon as you add carbs it starts the hunger all over again. This probably sounds gross, but like I said before I can eat almost anything; it doesn't have to taste wonderful. This morning I had a scoop of chocolate protein powder (22 gr) 1/4 C. Sanalac powdered milk (8 gr), 3 T. unflavored protein powder (20 gr) and mixed it with 1 cup chocolate soy milk (7 gr). It was almost the consistency of pudding. This will hold me until supper tonight. Don't try this unless you have a strong stomach. To me it doesn't taste that bad but others would probably gag on it. We grew up post-depression when we did not have the luxury of being fussy about what was on the table. In one way that was really bad because it set me up for my weight problems, but in another way its good because I can stomach things others might find repulsive. Holding your nose also helps.

Hi Carmen - Welcome to Bandlandia!!!! Glad to hear it went so well for you. I'm now four weeks post-op and feeling great; go for my first fill on 12/10. I'm looking forward to having some restriction because I don't have any right now and food goes down way too easily! But I'm trying to remember the mantra - "The first six weeks are for healing, not losing." Just remember to use this time to be good to yourself and not overdo because you are feeling good!

Caroline - WELCOME to the board!!! Carmen - check out Elmbrook's website if you haven't seen it yet: http://www.bariatricwi.com

My appt went very well - NO HOLLERING!! Megan said that they are not there to scold us but to support us. Wow - what a concept! I've lost 14 # since starting the process; 7 since surgery. I'm a happy camper!!!!!

Old habits die hard. I was banded two weeks ago, and I'm supposed to be on full liquids for another 2-3 weeks. I'm so sad to admit this - but I've been eating some regular food......... nowhere near as much as before and chewing it really well, but now I'm starting to get concerned. I have no restriction and no problem with any kind of food going down. Is it possible to stretch out, or damage, the "new stomach" without knowing it? I don't want to be a failure - again. :D

Good for you, Carmen! Some of these health-care professionals are anything but! I was very fortunate to have worked with Mary and Heidi; both were wonderful. I'm having a hard time sticking to the full liquids; my tummy wants real food (or is it my head?). Have an appt with Dr. Engstrand tommorow; my two-week post-op. I wonder how loud he yells????????

Suggestions: * Try to be patient. This is not a quick-fix process, and although we all want this done yesterday, it doesn't work that way. It may be months until banding, and in that time learn as much as you can from others. I must have read every post on banding on the internet, and in doing so there were no surprises. Hearing what others went through - good and not so good - prepared me for anything and everything. * Walk; walk; and walk some more after banding. Regrets: * I regret not taking the time to "cut and paste" things that I read that grabbed me at the moment. Now when I read a post that I feel I may want to refer to in the future, I copy and paste it into a Word document, otherwise to try and find it again later is almost impossible. My first week: *..... has been just fine. Although there has been some pain, it's been minimal; mostly just mild discomfort. Rather than thinking too much about the present, I'm trying to look to the future and imagine what it will be like to move and breathe without pain; to cross my legs, to shop in regular stores, etc. My faith sustains me through everything. I'm not going to turn this into a religious forum, but you asked what worked for me. When I have pain, I think about what Jesus went through and realize this is nothing. I gain a lot of strength through prayer. Everyone has to do what works best for them. I can only repeat what many have already said, that this is one of the best things we've done for ourselves. Please let us know how your appointment goes. We really do care!!