PattyGirl66

Hi Chelsey, Please keep in mind this is temporary what you are going through. If you can take small walks around your home during the day, walking eliviates not only gas but pain. Keep up with your pain meds if its 'unbareable'. Using a heating pad can help (do NOT put the heating pad on your belly). If you have someone who can rub your back would help so much as well. Do breathing exercises as well!!! Hang in there hon!

I have to agree with TKW as well......

Looks like you didn't find the right bariatric surgeons! Keep searching there are TONS of very very good Bariatric Surgeons all over the country, in your area. You can do a search starting with your state, approximity from your city. I travel 45 mins to my surgeon (well worth it) and just in the state of NJ alone there are hundreds. I did research on my surgeon, his years in practice, education, etc. I also attended his seminar and was sold right there! I honestly feel once a Bariatric surgeon tries to 'steer' you in one direction, you need to move on.... Keep an open mind that yes, you are going to be asked why you 'choose' to have the lapband over others, this is very normal amongst surgeons, why? Because they want to make sure you have a better understanding of the surgery and aftercare... Don't give up, this is your body and health, keep searching!

I have no problems with celery. In the beginning I did put it in the mini food processor. Once I started on solids weeks into it, I was able to eat a whole stalk with lite creamcheese on it. Just make sure you chew very very good on this, if its stringy, pull the strings off just to be on the safe side, other than that you should have no problems at all!

About chewing.. I cut up my food in very small pieces ( a dime size would be about right). Chew it up good! I like to say 'mince' it in your mouth. Your mouth litterally becomes a mini food processor, LOL. Same thing if you are eating something on whole wheat breads, take tiny bites!

OHH I forgot to tell you.. If you do 'accident'y' gulp in the beginning. YES it does hurt, it won't harm your new band but you will feel discomfort in your stomache. Your new stomache needs to heal, and the healing process takes about 4-6 weeks. So try very hard not to gulp. BUt you are going to learn to sip sip sip ....

Carrie, I knew there was a reason I like you.. we have a water addiction!! LOLOLOL OMG, I feel for you! I like a big baby cried for weeks I couldn't gulp my water or drink as much of it. (only in the beginning). Poor Missy (Mis73) I put her through hell with my whining and my poor husband. I will tell you what I was told; Drink all day long, but sip. NOOO gulping! You will go back to normal, trust me on this!!! I just had to learn to be patient with my new stomache. Now I drink my water like normal, wheeeeew!

Yes, I have heard of this happening and you hit the nail right on the head! Besides our age, weight, and hormones naturally cholesterol levels would spike. Now, since sugery you mentioned you have been eating more Protein, more eggs, and cheese. Are you eating 'lean' meats? Reduced fat cheese? Egg whites only? If you said no, you might want to reduce this just to see on your next blood work if your levels lowered. I never had a problem with cholestrol at all, even at my huge weight. However, I am eating reduced fats, eating only lean meats, and egg whites only. I also get in an adequate amount of Fiber, green tea, garlic, and nuts to help in the future. These are very good in helping to lower cholesterol: Garlic, oats, flaxseed, green tea, fiber, fish, and nuts.

You sure can sweetie!!! I am looking forward to seeing you around the threads, any questions you might have you are more than welcomed to shoot me off an email, I will do my very best to help you

Hi Carrie! I was just sick 2 weeks ago and had to go on antibiotics. My doctor prescribed 'liquid' form antibiotics. tasted like purple grape drink.LOLOL Now, for my multi-vitamin I swallow "one a day Petites" I have NO problems at all with this. I also take a tiny Biotin pill, Vitamin D, and a very tiny blood pressure pill, and chew 2 tums daily for Calcium. Many on here say that the 'gummie' Vitamins are great!

Try PURE PROTEIN Chocolate protein powder, I believe they come in Vanilla and oreo and cream too,. But just buy 1 for now to make sure you like it. The chocolate one got very good reviews on Walmart

If you are talking about unjury Unflavored? I mixed it in chicken broth soup, tomato soup, really any kind of Soups. Yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, milk, smoothies. I even heard someone say in their tea and coffee....

I really hate reading posts like this! I mean when its your own Mother who is doing the critiquing, she is suppose to be your #1 supporter your biggest fan, and mostly your MOM! I am very sorry that you have to deal with such behavior from your own Mom. It disheartens me to read stories like this. Makes me proud and cherrish my Mom even more. My Mom is super supportive and is always there for me. She is overweight too, just a little but completely understands. So should yours!! Ugh! Let me stop before I say something horribly offensive .... BTW, YOU are doing beautifully keep up the great work sweetheart!

Have you had any fills prior? If everything is coming back up you really need to contact your surgeon. This is not a healthy way to live with your band. Best of luck and congratulations on quitting smoking ...

Dee, I am so sorry for posting late, I just saw this!!! OMG, congratulations sweetie!!!! You must feel just awesome!!! and let me tell you them jeans look great on you!!!!

<----- Giving you a big hug Its going to be okay, you acknowledged what you did right? Now, acknowledge why you did it? Mistakes are for us to learn, right? shake it off, tomorrow is a brand new day. Keep smiling

With an attitude like that, you are going to be successful! Best wishes,

OMG I don't drink coffee but I LOVE the smell of it! Isnt that crazy! I buy coffee scented candles with flavors like pumpkin, hazlenuts, and vanilla to make my house smell wonderful! LOL

Hang in there!! Your body weight will fluctuate daily, by you sticking to your diet plan your surgeon gave you, you are going to do great! I am sure by the next day or so you will lose more

Your best bet is to attend a weight loss seminar in your area. By going to one of these classes you will hear from the surgeon and patients on all the weight loss surgeries that are available. You can ask questions during a seminar, listen to success stories, meet with the surgeons. Hands on is always a great choice to make when thinking about weight loss surgery. You also can 'google' about both surgeries. And as Floridays said, "this is a lapband forum" so you will only get one sided opinions. You can look up the sleeve in other forums on google. You can also try youtube.com. There are tons of information on both of these weight loss surgeries. Best of luck in whatever decision you choose...

Go out and buy yourself Gatorade G2 - I lived on Water, gatorade, and chicken broth. You need to stay hydrated, the gatorade will actually help with replenishing any electrolites you lose during this process, including potassium. Drink all day long I did both every day for a while until my body was completely healed. Also, you may want to buy 'unflavored' Protein powder and add that to your chicken broth, it will help tremendously with getting some nutrients in your body until you are able to 'eat'. Best of luck!

I am glad someone bought this topic up because it is one I had difficulty with since day one..... Last week was my third follow up visit with my surgeon and while discussing my progress "I" took the liberty of telling him my flaw with the band. I was honest and very truthful. I told him 95% of the time I drink right after I eat. I try and wait it out for at least 30 minutes, but majority of the time I cannot. I told him I am very careful in do this, (careful not to gulp). His response to me was this; Its okay to drink with meals and there is a reason we tell our patients not to do so because you are to get a 'fullness' thats last for hours, thus if drinking right away will simply 'wash' the food down quicker, resulting in feeling hungry sooner. He also mentioned it was important that I make sure while I was doing this that my food must be chewed up fine, like mush before swallowing. I assured him I did because he did state if there are chunks of food left in the pouch and I decide to drink right after the end result would not be pleasant. Now, looking at my history of my weight loss he has come to the conclusion that this is not a problem for me since I have been doing this since day one. I was just told to be very careful and try not to gulp or drown myself with liquids soon after a meal. He said whatever I am doing is working for ME! Conclusion: This does not work with everyone, and as stated I discussed this with 'my' surgeon. As every surgeon is different with their patients, different rules, different theories, etc.. YOU need to listen to what YOUR Surgeon is telling you. Be honest when speaking with your surgeon about certain issues you are having. That is what they are there for, to help...

can't agree more with ya!!

whoa! that picture blew up!!!! LOL sorry about that!