Summerrain

Hmmm had I have been asked that question prebanding the only answer I would have given was to loose weight and get healthier. I researched for a whole year and spoke to the only person I know that was banded in that time. Also before I plucked up the courage to make my initial appointment I went on a few diets to see if I could give it one last shot to be able to do it on my own. Of course I did well for a month or so then failure, then regained the weight and again repeated the process a few more times in that year. This yoyo dieting had to stop because I truly believe it only made me fatter and fatter as the years rolled by. I knew what to expect after banding with all the research I had done and also I was given Professor Obriens book to read, I read that book over and over to help prepare myself for this new journey I was about to face. I was so nervous and so excited at the same time because finally I was going to get a tool to help with my weightloss battle. Fast forward seven months and my way of thinking is so different with what the lapband could do for me. You actually have to experience each day with the band to truly understand life with it. Not only has the yoyo dieting stopped, not only has it allowed me to loose weight but it has helped me get control back when it comes to food, it has taken away the constant hunger, it has taken away the daily obsession I had with food, it has given me back confidence, it has taken away my depression ( mainly because I was so overweight and so unhappy), it has helped me develop a healthier relationship with food, it has taught me how to eat like a healthy person, it has reminded me how good it is to be more active. Most importantly to me the band has made me feel like a normal person again not this freak that lived every day to see how much food I could shovel into my mouth. I now eat to live and be healthier not live to eat all day long and be an overweight mess. Did I think the band would have such an impact on my mental and emotional health way before being banded? The answer is no, now that I have this amazing tool it surprises me everyday how its changed me both mentally and emotionally. I no longer need to diet, I've learnt how to eat well, I no longer have to calorie count, I've learnt how to portion control, I no longer feel deprived, that's how dieting made me feel hence the dieting failures, I've learnt I can still from time to time still have a teeny bit of the unhealthy stuff if I so desire and not put myself on a guilt trip. What do I want from my fills? Answer is simple, to keep me in the greenzone that way my band is working for me as it should be and I can easily do my part. My band and I are a partnership that respect each other, if I disrespect my band it shows me authority and makes me tow the line. My tool is my life saver, I've researched, I've gone through surgery, I've made major changes, I've accepted my band, I've gone through weeks of hunger and survived, going through it all has been so worthwhile and would do it all again in a heartbeat. The band for me has so far done what it was supposed to do and what I expected it to do and a bit extra. Fingers crossed I don't develop any issues but if I do I have my wonderful aftercare team to sort things out. At 50 years of age I can finally say I have developed the lifestyle I was supposed to follow all my life. Thank you lapband.

Lol too funny and I can relate with one of my first stuck episodes. Thank goodness I was at home alone wasn't pretty at all. Linda Blair I did a much better job than you on that day!!!

I'm allowed alcohol, of course in moderation. I've never been a drinker except for a good wine when out and socializing. My nutritionist and surgeon have said if you want a glass of wine a few times per week that's fine, they did specifically say red as apparently it has some health benefits. I don't like reds, I prefer white wine and I've had it a few times and been fine but just be careful because we are eating so little it can go straight to your head so much quicker. As others have said, enjoy and count it in to your daily calories, portions. Cheers!

As soon as I read your post I had a look at my incision points, all the little ones I can hardly see and the biggest one is a flat fading line. The only thing I've used is moisturiser on my skin as it can get a bit dry, other than that nothing and my scars are not very noticeable seven months out. To be honest not even sure if those creams, and ointments work, I did look into them but found some too expensive. I have heard people swear by Vitamin e.

Congrats!!!

I always have a bottle of water in my car, in my bag and one I carry around with me everywhere during the day, that way I'm constantly drinking. If you work you can keep a bottle visible on your desk.

You can really notice a difference, well done!!

Yum love Chinese food, I've eaten it about four times since being banded and I go for the stirfry chicken and vegetables. My nutritionist says if you want something just have a little bit. For me it's about portion control with everything even the not so good stuff and seven months out and scales still going down. And yes I've eaten the rice too. So whether you portion control or calorie count as long as you do that I don't see a problem. You can always make your own and control what goes in it, the stir frys are healthy, lots of recipes on the net and cooking Chinese food is very quick and easy.

Yes I take fibre everyday as advised by my nutritionist, it certainly helps keep me regular. I take benefibre, I mix it into my water and I can't taste it. You need to be careful with some of the fibers out there as some can clog the stoma area, I find benefibre doesn't have that effect on me personally so it might be trial and error with some of them till you find what works fine with your body.

The same day I was banded, it hurt like hell to get in bed but my husband helped me and I slept with lots of pillows so I was in an upright position. By the third night I'd wake up laying down with pillows under my tummy for support as I slept on my side.

Welcome to the otherside and I wish you a soeedy recovery.

Try laying flat on your back and try relaxing and breathing, I found that helped me. I actually got the shoulder pain last night whilst sleeping and I'm seven months banded, they actually say its referred pain from the diagram.

Woot!!! Well done!!!

I was doing the cooking for my family from day one, light housework also, drove after a week and was back to pretty much doing everything except heavy lifting by end of second week. Seems my household falls apart even if I'm out of action for a day!!

Congrats what an awesome feeling that must have been.

I can feel your happiness just through my screen!! You deserve to be over the moon with all the hard work.

22 pounds in one month preop, three optifast a day with 2 cups of vegetables at night. It was tough as hell but that month I found my willpower to tough out the more difficult stages after being banded. It also detoxed me and I felt so much more energetic by the second week on optifast. I also think it shrunk my stomach by the end of it because two nights before being banded I had my last super of my fav food and couldn't eat much of it.

Initially when I first started fills I was told liquids right away but if I was fine then softer foods and the next day if I was fine solids. As I got closer to greenzone it was one day liquids then progress to soft then solids. But you're right we all get different instructions and sometimes from person to person at our centers which can be frustrating and confusing at times. Wish they would all get their act together and prescribe one set if rules for all banded people, it would stop so much confusion amongst us all.

My doctor encouraged me to walk as soon as I could, 30 mins a day which I started doing by week two then gradually built it up to an hour a day by the fourth week, that's all I do for now but I need to do more now seven months out so will be starting water aerobic next week, three times a week, the gym kills my back but I find walking and water aerobics I do very well with.

I used to get a lot of sliming at the beginning regardless of whether it was my first bite or fifth bite, I just think its the body's natural reaction to a foreign object and eating differently. The reason the body produces the mucous/ slim is to help push the food through especially if our bites are a bit to big. I rarely get it seven months out. The only time I get a bit of it is first thing in the morning from time to time but otherwise it's settled down considerably.

Telogen Effluvium is what you're experiencing, type that in google and have a read.

Hmmm hybernatiing for six months sounds like a great idea.

The rumbling could be your digestive system preparing to digest whatever you've drunk. It expects food but only gets liquids and because your intestines are empty you feel it and hear it more. A rumbling tummy doesn't always mean hunger. I researched it on the Internet when I was experiencing it and that's was an answer to one of the searches I did.