missybear

And a great tasting broth/stock is essential to a nice tasting risotto, it will never go to waste!

Big bites and eating too fast have been the cause of the times I've felt so uncomfortable I needed to throw up. I've found it's often when I'm in a rush say between meetings at work, distracted talking with others at dinner or being out with other and seem to eat at the same pace they do that I'll take too bigger bites or eat too fast. I've really had to make a conscious effort to have the time to sit down and eat my meal. If I can't do that, I tend to go back to a Liquid Protein shake that I can consume in a short period of time. I've also found chewing food until its a paste that I can move around my mouth first before swallowing slows down my eating and ensures no lumps are swallowed. Also can't eat really hot temperature food any more, was rather surprised to discover I never really chewed it well given it was so hot in my mouth.

Great to hear other people's thoughts on this topic. I've been struggling to see the new sized me in the mirror as well. I still feel and think like I'm the weight I started. I still worry im taking up too much space on the bus, picking the big size off the rack at clothing stores and brush off comments when people say im looking smaller. Slowly as I've got to tighter, slimmer fitting clothes the reality is setting in, but my fear is I'll always think of myself as the big girl.

In addition to the food and lifestyle changes, have you considered seeking some emotional support? Does your workplace offer counseling/psychologist you can access to talk about work and personal issues?

Whilst I'm no expert on the USA system, suggest gathering and seeking as much info and guidance sooner rather than later. Will give you longer to see if your ready to make the lifestyle changes that also come with the lapband. I suggest you research local surgeons, contact their offices and see what steps you can take pre insurance kicking in.

Mon-fri meals usually consist of: Breakfast: yoghurt & berries, Protein shake Lunch: tuna/smoked salmon/cheese/eggs/meat as protein and some vegies, usually salad/raw vegies. Or a Soup or stew left over from dinner. If im Busy at work, a Protein Bar can often satisfy me Dinner: I'm usually a lot hungrier, Pasta, stirfry, meat/fish and cooked vegies, soup, omlettes Snacks usually fruit, hommus, seeds and nuts. I love sushi, yoghurt and risotto. As a treat an Icecream or a small dark chocolate. Weekends I'm usually a little more varied, often eating out more. I can always find something at a restaurant, i tend to focus on good lean protein as a priority, followed by vegies and few carbs. Seafood is usually a easy choice. Just stick to smaller portion sizes and chew very well. When I've been out with others, I've been caught feeling a bit stuck, either too busy talking or eating faster than I would normally if I'm on my own. It serves as a reminder to just eat slowly at my own pace and definitely chew well.

I'm 5 months out from surgery and had some very odd cycles. Keeping up the iron supplements have been key for me.

1 week out from surgery I still felt uncomfortable. I had two weeks off work to recover, I don't remember feeling too bad by the time I went back to work.

My doctor suggested eating my protein first then move to the veggies if I'm still hungry.

I drank the Water the surgeon gave me after my first fill and it didn't stay down. Was very glad to have spoken up and told him straight away, he took some Fluid out. I did notice when I went back to solids 2 days later, I was more satisfied with a smaller portion and I had to eat even slower than I previously did post surgery. I've had two more fills and found I'd rather have a number of fills slowly than huge amounts at once after the first bad experience I had. I also walk out of the surgeons looking to feel comfortable and not expecting to feel much until I return to solids 2 days post fill. I've started to notice a little more pain or discomfort eating some foods post fills, but found it was probably more a case of me eating each bite a little faster than I should, or not chewing it down to a paste consistency. Chewing, waiting between bites and the size of the food concepts I think are reinforced as rules to live by with the fills.

Between the pain and bruising, suggest you seek medical treatment soon. At the very least if its nothing, can help put your mind at ease, whilst if it is something more serious, the earlier the intervention the better.

Can you locate any records from 6 years ago or prior? Whilst you may be missing year 5, if you can demonstrate weight has been a struggle for a long term this is what the insurance company is after.

Liquids/mushies i had the house stocked up post surgery included Protein shakes (although if your doing them pre op you may be over them post surgery), thin Soups like instant broths that moved towards blended smooth soups over time, drinking yoghurt that progressed to normal yoghurt, low fat custard, jelly, iceblocks. i did have juice as well post op for some energy. i found blending with ice gave it some more substance without adding extra calories. Other mushies to try included Porridge, mince/bolognaise, hommus, ricotta cheese. Best of luck with your second band, hope all goes well.

Im banded and work on mergers and acquisitions day to day. I read the proposed sale news as well with interest, although its the deal aspects I wanted to provide my insights on below. Allergan is a publicly listed company and needs to maintain and grow its sales and EBITDA, to continue to support both it's share price and deliver returns to shareholders. Yes, it's evident sales of the lapband have declined in recent years due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, realize competition, general economy, efficiency in the procedure concerns as well as a the potential that the band like any product may have reached its peak in terms of sales increases and now leveling off to longer term sustainable sales levels. Allergan would have assessed both the sales and profitability, cashflows and strategic fit of its lapband product unit to start to canvass for potential interested parties. I've always found the lapband to be a slight unusual fit to the Allergan business which I've otherwise known more so for its multi faceted business units of cosmetic injectables and implants, and medical intervention often tied back to one of its earliest products, Botox. As the board and management team no doubt assessed the financials and strategic fit associated with the lapband business unit, its likely to be an easier carve out opportunity to improve the return on investment metrics across the entire Allergan business. I wait with interest to see the outcome of the sale. Whilst we are unlikely to know of all the potential parties who explore the opportunity to purchase. I anticipate interest will come from a wider range of pharmaceutical, medical devices and lesser known private equity funds businesses, who may choose to proceed to offer or not depending on financial performance, product fit, opportunity to integrate or expand into into new chan

4 small ones and 1 larger one hiding in my belly button

Just wondering when people refer to measuring are you weighing or using measuring cups for everything or using visualization and common sense to stick to no more than a cup/fist size of food?

I've been having soups as a meal at least once a week since being banded. Chunky vege loaded soups are great. Even prior to being banded, when dieting I followed having some of protein with every meal. I've found soups are great to use small cuts of beef, chicken, lamb, along with beans or seafood to get protein in. Asian soups are also popular in Oz and often a great option when out, although I tend to stick to the meat and vegetables are rarely eat much if any of the noodles.

I'm suffering from this as well. Typically gets bad after lunch. I keep a toothbrush at work and a travel size mouthwash in my handbag. I don't find mints or gum really rid the bad taste.

I fly often for work and haven't had a problem since being banded. It's been nice now to actually be satisfied with the airline portion size or leaving food behind. As a back up in case the food is terrible, I have Protein bars or a cup-a-Soup packet (just ask for a cup of hot Water to make) in my briefcase. Otherwise if there is a food outlet in the airport with something that you fancy grab it to take on board. Stay well hydrated, short haul flights I'm often satisfied with just water.

Clothes wise, something loose and comfy, no elastic tight waists, a comfortable bra or crop top. I was rather bloated post surgery and also need to avoid the pants rubbing over any sutures. Doc also recommended a small medicine cup for my first few days post surgery to very slowly sip liquids.

If your all healed, can't hurt to pay close attention to the incision sites, wash promptly after getting them exposed to other water sources and pat dry. Any abnormal changes get in contact with your doctor.

It does get better I found shifting around frequently helped and walking, even a short walk around the block with my dog helped

Within of an inch above my belly button. My main scar is inside my belly button and understand the surgeon went through there to minimize the scarring.

In the first month pr so after surgery, I used a whey powder protein supplement to add to soups, cereal, casseroles etc to beef up the protein content of my meals. Relatively tasteless and didnt add extra volume to what i was consuming. Helped get the protein in when i had little appetite.