DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

True, but we're not talking a pound vs a pound. We're talking volume. A square inch of muscle weights more than a square inch of fat. Muscle is much denser than fat. So if you have a identical sized blocks of fat and muscle, the muscle will be heavier. Just like a cup of lead will weigh more than a cup of feathers

Welcome PixiePower! I've only been here a couple weeks, but it's a very informational as well as supportive place. I hope you like it here as much as I do So come on in, kick back, and get comfy -Mis

Yes, I've read many who experience this. My surgeon actually doesn't expect weight loss between surgery and the first fill, because he says during that time period you should be focusing on healing. I haven't had a fill yet (and hungry every 2 hours because of it) but from what I've read, it seems most don't feel that "full" restriction until the 2nd or 3rd fill. Hang in there!

Holy cow you look amazing!! The surgeon did a beautiful job!! You must be sooo excited and happy!

I have to agree with Jess55. Granted I'm no doctor, but unless your surgeon gets you back onto real food a lot faster than mine did, I don't see how you could get enough nutrients to adequately meet a baby's nutritional needs with breast milk. Have you meet with the nutrionist? They would be the one to tell you if the lack of nutrients will effect your baby. Again, this is strictly my opinion, but if I were in your shoes I'd halt the diet until you talk to the nutrionist about this issue specifically. Best wishes to you.

Congrats and it's wonderful to hear you're feeling so well!

Most insurance does require precertification. Some have weight/BMI requirements, some require 1-2 co-conditions directly effect by weight (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) Some even have a 6 month waiting period, during which you must attend a program like Weight Watchers. I wouldn't worry about it. It's pretty normal.

Congratulations! Rest up and let us know how you're feeling when you're up to it

Granted I've not had this issue, but if your band has eroded it is now a medical issue, regardless of the reason it went in originally. I would officially appeal it and be sure to include a letter from doctor stating why an eroded band IS a medical issue. Quite frankly, it seems to me if they refuse to pay and something goes wrong in the meantime because of it, you could sue them. Might not hurt to point that out to them, either

Yes, and that's why it matters It's a big no-no pre-op because it's a blood thinner. They usually want you to stop all Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Advil, or any other meds that thin the blood 7-10 days before surgery. If she's asking about during the pre-op period the meds to stay away from are anything that thin the blood. Post-op it's no more likely to irritate your stomach than it did before you banded- unless you take too big a pill and get stuck. In that case you could be in trouble. Most (not all) people who are banded can handle small pills, for instance tablets no bigger than an aspirin. Most drugs do come in a liquid form if you want to be safe. Iburpofen and Advil are known for being a stomach irritant, but so as long as it's not getting stuck, you will have the same reaction to it you did before being banded.

I also have Medicare and had no problem. In fact, I went to my first seminar on December 15th and I was banded less than a month later on January 6th. No waiting period or anything.

lisa123, are you talking pre-op or post-op?

Wow...she's in for a very rude awakening. I mean, let's face it, we see people with her mentality on these boards once in awhile, too. No matter how many times they're told it's not a magic bullet, it's a tool and you have to work to change your lifestyle, they don't listen. Then they wonder why they don't lose any weight and bash the band as if it's fault- despite the fact they were still eating McDonalds cheeseburgers and donuts. I actually commend you for backing away from her and telling her why. At least you can go on with a clear conscious knowing you did all you could to support her and in the end were honest, despite her not liking the truth.

Yes, if you get sick they will postpone it. However, as much as you don't want to have to postpone it would be for the best. The last thing you need is to risk infection or pneumonia due to illness. I'll keep my fingers crossed you wake up tomorrow feeling great

So far I can take small pills without an issue. For instance, I still take Ibuprofen but I am sure to get the tablets. I also take Excedrin but again, the tablets. I do fine with the small round tablets. I have one pill I cut in half (Baclofen) but I had to check with my pharmacist first. This is important because some pills are made to be time release and if you break/cut them, it can really effect the dosage. I'd try an OTC decongestant that comes in small pills.

My surgeon said low fat yogurt, with no chunks, was good. He specifically recommended the various Greek yogurts because they're higher in Protein. Just remember, no chunks

I find if I eat too fast, I get the hiccups.

Then go to the ER when you get out of work, but if it's been stuck for more than 24 hours and you are having problems drinking from pain, then you shouldn't wait around.

If you can't drink, then you need to go to the ER.

Yes, whey protein is definitely good, especially if it's carb control/sugar free. There's a lot of good ones on the market. I personally drink the Unjury protein drinks every morning for breakfast.

I had the same issue. Honestly, I think it was from malnutrition and low blood sugar, at least during the clear liquid phase. Being as you're on day two I'm assuming that's what phase you're on. Are you taking a Multivitamin liquid? If not, you really should be. It gets better once you're on full liquids. Try some no sugar added juice, like white grape or apple. It might help a little bit.

Granted I'm newly banded, but so far I'm so glad I did this. I only wish I'd done it years sooner. Tat1too, I'm sorry it's not working for you. You're right, it doesn't work for everyone. We're all different and have different needs. Be it diets or WLS, there definitely isn't a cookie cutter recipe for successful weight loss. You talked about flabby skin. Are you speaking of your tummy? If so, many insurances will cover tummy skin removal after a weigh loss of 100 pounds or more. This includes Medicare and Blue Cross, and they tend to set the standards for everyone else. Best wishes to you. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

You will find every surgeon seems to have their own diets they recommend. The only thing they all seem to agree on is a high Protein diet. A good example: I had my surgery on Jan. 6. My aunt had the same surgery the day before me with a different surgeon. She was eating mashed potatoes and soft foods by the end of the following week. Three weeks later, I'm still on liquids and will be for another week. The same goes for pre-op diets. Some surgeons start you on Clear Liquids prior to surgery, some surgeons have no pre-op diet. Once you're all healed up and on normal food, it is going to pretty much depend on what works for you. I figure once I finally get real food again next week (oh my gosh I'm so excited for real food lol) it's going to be a trial and error process to find out what works best for me and my body. Best wishes to you

Yes the gas pain sucks. Unfortunately, gas tabs won't help because the air isn't in your digestive system, it's in your actual abdominal cavity. It has to be reabsorbed by your body. I know it hurts, but walking is the only way to speed along that process. I had a lot of gas pain, too. I was worried I'd become dehydrated because it hurt to breath let alone drink anything. But it did slowly abate. I had my surgery on a Friday and by the Wednesday after I felt great. Hang in there, I promise it does go away and gets tons better.

Welcome back I'm newly banded, however I've been a mom for over 17 years, and one thing I know is weight gain during pregnancy is inevitable. I also know losing it after isn't easy. Have you considered approaching this like you're newly banded? Go back and meet the nutrionist again. Heck, maybe even go on a week's liquid diet just put yourself back in the mindset and "purge" your body of all the bad stuff? You did so well before, I really do believe you can again. I just think it's a matter of putting your mind to it. I think you also need to quit looking at it as though you failed. You most certainly did NOT fail. You had a beautiful baby and gained weight like almost every other mother does. You can only fail if you do nothing about the problem. You're here, you're trying, you're definitely doing something. ...think of this as just another new beginning