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Hi Leannie, Yep, I also feel more restriction in the morning. I don't try and push it. I have my coffee and then after a couple of hours I eat breakfast, but it is definitely my smallest meal of the day. By dinner I can eat considerably more... I recall some discussions in the past about this. I think donali had some comments about one of the doctor's in Mexico. He was saying that our biggest meal of the day should be breakfast, then lunch and the smallest meal dinner. I think the analogy was used: Have breakfast like a Queen, lunch like a Princess and dinner like a Pauper. Each day I try to remember this and set out with a strategy, but hunger rules every time and I am just not as hungry in the morning as I am at night. Other times of the month also have an effect on my hunger... I seem to have more hunger pains during ovulation and my cycle. Everyday is a new adventure, I am trying to enjoy the ride!

Geez! I chew gum too! I figured that if something couldn't pass through it would come up in the form of a PB... popcorn, potatoe skins and gum included. I personally don't think that I have been restricted enough to stop these types of things from passing through, but maybe as I reach my sweet spot and understand what 'real' restriction feels like, I will need to avoid these food types. I think everyone is different and I agree with you, they could be making the case for as bad as it can be... Take Care,

Great Job! Congratulations... keep up the wonderful work you are doing with your little tool.

Good advise Sue. I believe that you have to try different solids to see what works for you and what doesn't. Just make sure that you start out slowly with very small bites and chew very well. If you take it slow, hopefully you will be able to tell what is working and what isn't before it gets as serious as a PB. This system has worked for me... I have only PB'd once in 6 months and that was from letting myself get too hungry and eating a salad too fast. By the way, I wish I couldn't eat bread. Maybe I just haven't had the right restriction yet... but quite honestly I haven't found anything I couldn't eat. Let's hope my new band (less the leak) will give me proper restriction and I will have an easier time avoiding things like bread... because they will no longer be enjoyable to eat! Good luck.

Seems to me that all of you: Leatha, Vera, Marie and Sue are doing wonderful with your band jouneys. Woo Hoo and Yipee for all of YOU!! :D These types of shares are so inspiring! Thanks ladies.

Welcome Sandy! Your surgery date will be here in no time. Everyone seems to have a different experience to share following their surgery. Here's to your's being smooth sailing. Take care and try not to stress yourself out too much. It will all be worth it in the end. I hope you enjoy this site as much as I do.

OK, so there is a difference in the ingredients of regular Excedrin and the QuickTabs. The QuickTabs do not contain Aspirin, probably due to the fact that they disolve on your tongue and Aspirin would probably cause more of an after taste. Thanks for the clarification.

Hi Marie, Please explain why Excedrin is not band friendly... Is it because of the caffeine? If not, then I would argue that the QuickTabs are not band friendly because other than Tylenol, the other ingredient is Acetaminophen (Tylenol). And if caffeine is not band friendly, I am in BIG trouble because I am addicted to my cup of coffee each day! Now, I am not sure of the ingredients in regular Excedrin, so maybe that is the issue. Please advise. Thanks,

Yeah... what's wrong w/ popcorn. I have had a couple of times and didn't have any problems. I was careful to chew it to mush. Good luck.

Hi Terry, I have Cigna HMO and my provider actually approved me without submitting anything to Cigna. It wasn't until I went for my pre-op registration at the hospital on the Thursday before my Tuesday scheduled surgery that I got a call that Friday telling me Cigna denied the surgery. My provider did not know that some things like Bariatric surgery had to be pre-approved. My doctor called Cigna that Monday and spoke with the Medical Director and was able to convince them to reverse the denial and pick up the surgery... so this was all in a matter of days. I had my surgery as scheduled that Tuesday. When my original band had a week, I think again it was about a week before I was approved again. I hope it works out for you and you may want to take Leatha's advise and make sure that if you get banded before you change insurance that you new company will cover you if there are any problems. Take Care,

Welcome Jemigirl! I will read your other post.

Besides excessive hair loss, I also noticed that my hair and scalp felt extremely dry. This started about 2-3 months after my first banding and I had to bump up my Protein (I think I need in excess of 60 grams a day)... all of this was appearing to get better when I had to be re-banded, so I am expecting it to happen all over again... Wait, I take that back... this time I am going to try and keep up on my protein so maybe I can avoid it all this time around. I have tried a 'scalp soothing' lotion from head & shoulders, it smells nice and helps with ichy dry scalp. I normally have dry hair to begin with, so I just make sure to wash with a moisturizing shampoo and deep condition with every shampoo. I also use a little moisterizing cream or oil once my hair has air dried. Check your protein intake and also your fats... if you are not eating enough good fats in your diet, this can cause dry skin/scalp as well. Good luck.

Glad to hear that you got some relief! That must have been pretty miserable. You will have to be the judge as to whether or not you are too tight. I wouldn't let it go too long if your symptoms return. We have heard too many stories about folks have to get completely unfilled due to damages caused by reflux. Take care of yourself.

I also take liquid Tylenol, but I have also tried the Excedrin QuickTabs (Acetaminophen & Caffeine)... these disolve quickly on your tongue with a mint flavor, but they do have a bit of an after taste. More convenient to carry then liquid. Without much restriction, I am able to break a Tylenol tablet in half and take it with a full glass of Water.

Chris, Congratulations on your anniversary and 53lbs loss. I think you have done a fantastic job over the last year. I can only hope to do as well as you have done. Any chance you will share some before and 'after' pictures with your friends at LapBandTalk? Keep up the good work!

Hi Sarah, Welcome to LapBandTalk... it sounds like you are doing a great job with your band. Congratulations on your loss! This is a great site and the folks her are so nice and helpful. I hope you get as much out of it as I do. Take Care,

Hi Lisa, Welcome and good luck on your journey. I hope you enjoy this site and these wonderful people as much as I do. Take Care,

Wow Karen... you are doing a fantastic job w/ your band. Welcome to this site. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Hey Kimberly, Well, it should all be over now and hopefully you are resting and feeling better soon. Take care and remember to listen to your body and get all the rest and pampering that you can. Good luck!

Hi Terry, This is a bummer. Not knowing the details of why you must rush for surgery by the end of the month, is there anyway you can call the insurance back, confirm they received the re-faxed information and then asked them to expedite the request? Maybe your doctor would be willing to help by calling and asking for a rush on the decision. I have Cigna and although they appeared to have little concern for me and my requests when ever I called, my doctor had a lot of success in one -- convincing them to expedite their decision and two -- to change their mind and cover my lapband surgery when they initially declined my coverage. Good luck and remember... you can get more flies with honey than you can with vinegar:D

POST THEM, POST THEM, POST THEM.... Pleeeessseee!!! You are an inspiration and like so many others on this site... I love to see the progress that you all are making. It motivates me to watch what I put in my mouth! Thanks,

Nancy, Yes, this is a very sad situation. But, at least you now know what the problem is and can begin repairing the relationship. It sounds like both of you want this to work and that will be key in you being able to build your relationship and resolve any past pain. Like Leatha said, I have been there and done that... but in my case, I knew it was time to break the ties and it didn't really bother me that the friendship was over. Yes, I missed the times we spent together, but I didn't miss the negativity and once I saw how my life turned around without those bad forces influencing everything I did... I knew it was for the best. I wish you and your friend all the best.

Kelly, sorry to hear you were having such a hard time. I am glad you are feeling better and I think you look great, so don't pressure yourself to lose those last few pounds. It will come in time... you have done such a great job. Take Care,

Sexy Lady!!! Woo Hoo! You are doing great and your smile shows your happiness. Keep up the great work!

Hi Leatha, Wow, I am sorry that I missed this post and that you have been having such a hard time. I am happy to hear that you are feeling better and I hope you bounce back quickly. Take Care and I am glad to hear you are now doing well.