proshooperLinda

Don't let other peoples stories concern you...lots of people have fills with no issues at all! There is such a thing as a delayed reaction (can be from a few days to a few weeks after) so if you start having problems swallowing or if things get too tight or painful then call your doctors office. They expect to hear from you.There is no such thing as a stupid question so don't feel afraid to call them with questions. Hopefully you have a local support group you can go to their meetings. I'm over 15 moths out from surgery and I'm always learning new things from my local support group. Good luck and happy losing! Linda

Are you taking anything for acid reflux now? It sounds like the antibotics may have set it off. Please don't be so set on your goal you overlook your HEALTH! Acid reflux can predispose you to Barretts esaphogus and that has life changing effects like cancer if left untreated. My band was too tight and I was throwing up while sleeping - could have been fatal...got an unfill and had to let it heal but am doing much better now. Good luck... Linda

Just follow the rules of making sure you get your liquids in - sip - sip - sip....don't be surprised if you feel hunger as I was! Some doctors now put in a small amount of saline in the band - some don't....you may not feel hunger. Any questions you have don't hesitate to ask as someone has had the experience I'm sure of that! BTW - I hope you brought your pillow to hold againist you on the ride home! Your ride may vary - but it really helped me! Good luck on the journey to better health! Linda

As far as the steak issue - I find I eat tenderloin - yes the expensive stuff but since I only eat 1/4 of what I used to the cost isn't that much of an issue. You choose a better quality but you eat a lot less of it so it evens out in the long run. As far as buns I don't eat them very often - I have to be in a good place - not stressed out and not eating FAST! That was the hardest habit to change - and not drinking anything while eating. If things are really dry I may take a small sip of water - just enough to wet it....and you learn not to "finish" things. I can now leave bites of food or even half of something. Growing up to finish off your plate is ingrained in me! I find when I haven't eaten something I really LOVED before sometimes it just doesn't taste as good anymore because your taste buds change....if you don't eat sweets for a while things taste sweeter when you do eat them...too sweet sometimes - HONEST! Good luck only you can decide if it's what you want to do. Are there any support groups you can go to before the decision is made? I learned a lot more from them than I did from any doctor or hospital visit. Take your time... Linda

I can eat almost all meats - just take your time eating. You have to learn to take your time eating and eat small bites...I love steaks etc. so it was a concern for me but I'm glad I did it....as far as buns I scoop out the soft part and am able to eat a bun...you learn how to adapt almost every thing you like to eat - believe me! Good luck... Linda

There are many different types out there...are you looking for a thinner liquid or do you like thick texture? My go to now is Isopure smoothies which are fruit flavored 180 - 210 calories for 32 grams of protein. I use powdered flavored protein in milk or coffee...(cool coffee otherwise it clumps!). I also use the high protein low carb Slimfast ready to drink as a change of pace...at our support group meetings sometimes we have tastings so we don't have to buy or get stuck with proteins we don't like. Good luck.... haven't found a "good" protein bar yet but that's me... Linda

Do you have a local support group for the survivors of suicide? Or you could check online for a group and they could best advise you of how to approach your friend. It's best to follow their lead and don't worry about what to say - just be there for them. Their friend was calling to say good-bye and it's not uncommon to not have a clue that it's going to happen! The person has usually made up their mind already to do it...as far as your friend it's not what you say - it what's what you do - be an ear for them...good luck - they don't want you to be unhappy in your life - just tone down your "joy" until they pick up a little. My husbands brother committed suicide the day after seeing him and their mom on Mothers Day...we had no clue...just take it one day at a time.

You can mix it with skim milk and it will taste better since I had the reverse problem of trying meal replacement and finding it to be too thick. Another way to thicken it is to use sugar free pudding mix in it...I've bought sugar free flavorings to add different flavors to change it up. Good luck and don't let it turn you off of protein drinks....I've tried quite a few and found I like chocolate and vanilla best as you can add flavors to make them taste different...Good luck. Linda

We're not eating like we used to as far as the type and quantity of food so bowel movements are affected usually...That has been an ongoing problem for me. I've been told to take Benefiber every morning to assist me...as I'm trying to become more regular. I notice I feel better and have more weight loss...just a thought for you. Good luck - Linda

While I can't offer much more info I agree with the more protein and more water for you....until you've had your first fill it's not uncommon for this to happen! You did NOT do anything wrong so quit worrying...greek yogurt is good since it's such a higher amount of protein than normal yogurt. Getting back to work will help but be prepared to be tired...that's common also. Good luck and happy losing... Linda

While I can't talk about the cost I can talk about the bipolar aspect...I've been treated for depression for many years but was told last year by a new psych he thought it was bipolar instead. I've had the band for 14 months and it has not affected what meds I take or the doseage - yet. It was not ruled out as the doctor knows of my lapband. I do know when I exercise more I feel better and with less weight I do exercise more so that helps my mood stabilize. The psych did give me another pill (Abilify) and that seems to have made the difference added to my other med for depression. As far as the cost I'd check with the doctors you want to use and see what they charge and make sure you tell them cash pay because you frequently get a lower price! Good luck as it can be the best investment you make with that money - your health... Linda

While I know you're looking in to lapband surgery actually the sleeve might be more apprioratate for the diabetes...I didn't have diabetes so having the lapband was OK for me. Check out all your options though - I probably would have selected the sleeve if it had been an option at the time. Good luck though no matter what you choose...part of the weight loss before surgery is to lessen the fat in the liver - not just to show you can follow the weight loss program. Now I realize the program was set up longer for a reason - it's not something you want to look back and say I wish I'd have done ....(something else) ior worse yet - not done it. I realize your frustration at the waiting time but it was put in there for a reason... I worked the program for almost a year before I was ready - so 6 months might have been too short for me. You have your whole life ahead of you - what's 6 months in the whole scheme of things? Good luck - Linda (PS - I'm 57 now and I had it done 14 months ago and I've been obese for 20 years...I didn't want you to think I was being smart...when I talk about age and time!)

I'm over a year out from being banded and I still have the emotional attachment to food. At home I use a small plate and that helps make the food look normal on the plate - but at others houses they use big plates so it becomes obvious I'm eating much less than others. I try to talk more so I can stretch out the food I have on my plate. It's a learning process so don't get discouraged. The improvement in my health and the fact I get shocked when I go clothes shopping and have to buy a smaller size is worth not stuffing my face with food to make others feel better! Good luck - Linda

As far as the Do's list...the first thing I'd have put is - Protein First...and 2nd is drink water at all times...I like your hydrate yourself...As far as your Don'ts list I bought a plaque that says " I will not let the scale steal my happiness..." That way I remember it's only a number and it should never dictate my mood...Good idea of yours - I enjoyed reading it! Happy losing...and here's to our better health! Linda

They inject a saline solution in to it...

I understand your feeling that isn't enough or fast enough. Honestly, have you been drinking enough Water and also writing down everything you eat or drink with calories? I was under estimating the amount I ate so I was really surprised to see the difference that made...Also drinking enough water is very important! Also, making sure you are consuming enough Protein. I eat or drink protein within 1 hour of getting up as that restarts your furnace burning...remember it's a journey and you need to take it one day at a time and one step at a time... Good Luck!!!

Different stores carry different things - we have smaller stores here so there is not a lot of any one line...GNC. As far as the Profect - they are usually strong flavored so I mix them with Water to dilute them...I even mixed them with juice and water and froze them during the summer - as ice pops...loved them! Tried one straight and thought I'd die from the overwhelming flavor and sweetness...good luck.

Before you panic - call the doctors office...the program fee may be extended to when you can qualify. The insurance people in the office usually know what they have to do to "work" around the system. You can postpone surgery and at this time of year it would be easy to gain enough weight to qualify...(tongue in cheek)...but the doctor can also challenge their refusal to cover the operation. NEVER accept the decision! I was on the benefits comittee at work and found out you could usually get decisions reversed when challenged! Good luck.... PS - depending on your results from the endoscopy it might not need to be redone at a later time....plus your coverage could change for the better at any time as rarely is a health care contract unchanged year after year!

Please come back and let us know what happened...you'll find most doctors are supportive. The band is only a tool - we have to make it work for us. Please find a good group of support people to go to and DON'T be discouraged by the large numbers of weight people lose. We all lose at a different rate...I know about the slider and cheater foods...they "taste" so good - but they are DRUGS and that's how they work on us...I find it better to not have the stuff around...my husband can eat all of that so I make him buy it - that way he buys what he likes and it usually isn't what I like! It's a little easier to resist that way! PLEASE find a support group!

I have taken coffee...added Bariactric Advantage chocolate powder along with sugar free vanilla syrup - Mix it with my hand blender...Ohhhh - it tastes so good! BTW - I do this with cold coffee...it's breakfast!

Personally I like the Isopure...I found you can add Water to them and that improves the flavor plus it ups your liquids...Sometimes the smell when I opened them would bother me but since my nasal surgery that's no longer an issue...Sorry you had that reaction...it's a decent product. Good luck... Linda

Sometimes I have to sip a little Water if I'm eating dry meat...but I try to cut things up real small so I don't have to....are you using a salad plate to put your food on? It's always Protein first - whether it's nuts, cottage cheese, yogurt or meats...anything else is after that is in. I also drink at least one Protein Drink a day (Isopure non-carb usually is 40 grams of protein) as that counts for liquid and protein! How many "meals" or mini-meals are you eating? Are you getting your liquid in also? That will affect your weight loss....I probably average over 100 grams of protein every day! I lose weight and feel better that way. Good luck... Linda

I know what you mean...but I hope you have a local support group you can go to for that pat on the back we all need while we're going thru this learning process... I've had good surgeons who are not good "people" persons - if you know what I mean! Take pictures as you go on your journey because that really brings the changes front and center! Don't argue you don't like to get photographed...(I didn't so I don't have a "good" starting picture)...but I know understand looking at the body changes and sizes would be more concrete with those pictures now! It's a journey and we're in it for the long haul! Thank heavens for these support groups online....Good luck... Linda

You need to remind the doctor - you are their patient -and I would be looking around to see if there were any other practices around you! They don't sound very helpful or supportive. I'm taking everything you're saying as truth as they sound like idiots....and I'm being nice! First of all you should know your fill amount! Realize has a little card so you can keep the info in your wallet in case of an emergency! Fills though should go by what you are feeling with eating...and feelings of hunger etc. The idea of SUPER low calories is all wrong though unless you have a super low metabolism - even then I'd be more inclined to eat smaller "meals" every couple of hours though and making sure you get all your Protein and Water in. Good luck and don't be afraid to speak up for yourself! They should be working with you !!! If not we're here for you...don't be afraid to share any concerns you have ...OK????? I think you should have a friend go with you for your next appoinment - especially if they are also a lapband or gastric patient...I go with a friend of mine and she with me...and we ask questions of the doctor when things get said "Like why? this or that..." That might help with their attitude...I'd drop a doctor if they talked to me like that and I'm a big wuss...was a big wuss! You're not a big baby...and I don't think that would even apply! You got my thoughts - what you do with them is up to you!