A New New Dawn

Go to the main page or click on the "lap band talk" logo at the top of this page. Then ciick on one of the categories (ie. general lap band discussion). After that opens along the top of the page it will say to "start new topic" and there you go. I am saying this from memory but I think that is it. Welcome!!

41lbs since Aug. 1 is fantastic! Don't lose sight of that!!! The average is 1-2 lbs per week so you are right on track!! If you have the "bad foods" in the house that are tempting you, get them out of the house so they aren't within arm's reach. Leftover Halloween candy, bring it into work and give it away. You CAN do this!! I agree that the vitamins if you are taking them on an empty stomach could be the culprit or try switching them. I take gummy vitamins (dr. approved) and they do well with me. The chewables are gritty for me and I don't do well w/ them. Also, I am not sure how much cooking for yourself you do but I have found some really tasty recipes that I like and am able to freeze the extras so I have easy meals ready to go (lasagna "cupcakes" were YUMMY!). Lastly, if you are not getting your protein in first that can have a big impact on your success. It will keep you fuller longer. My dietician told me the other day too that it was ok for me to snack between meals but it should be a planned snack to avoid grabbing an unhealthy alternative between meals and to avoid grazing but to keep me from wanting to gorge at the next meal time. If you have a sweet tooth, keep some sugar free options on hand (sf popsicles, pudding, etc.). If I am really having a craving for chocolate I really like the jello brand sf choc. mousse... so being prepared for those cravings helps me without being able to sabbotage me. All in all you are doing quite well. Stalls or bumps in the road are normal and I am very happy you are addressing it before it festers. You ROCK!

So happy for you!!!!

Well, I see 2 potential problems... many people cannot eat leftovers as they tend to be drier and especially pork can get very dry and have the potential for getting stuck. Also, having just had a fill (and a fairly sizable one at that) most tend to be on liquids the first day and mushies the next. It may have been too soon for you to try solid meat like that after a fill. As for the band slipping, no I wouldn't worry about it as my doctor told me it would have to be frequent and/or forceful. If you are still getting liquids and mushies down it sounds like you are fine. Good luck and yes, it is normal to be sore afterwards as your stoma opening is irritated from the stuck episode. Hope today is going better for you.

I have BCBS of IL and they were speedy... only a few days.

Good luck tomorrow and prayers for you to be back on the mend.

oh, I am going to have to try that

Good to know.. I have been wondering the same thing. I got a fill yesterday and have a bit of a rough time with it. I wasn't thinking and had some green beans last night and was stuck. I knew better but just forgot. I was miseable last night. It seemed to pass but I was waking up at night burping and today have heartburn. I am getting liquids downs (sipping, not gulping) ok and got some soup down today. I am hoping this heartburn passes in the next couple days and wondered how long it takes to adjust sometimes after a fill. My first two fills were uneventful but now that I have more restriction... whoa! Good luck to you and thanks for asking this as I was going to myself.

You can always modify the moves to your ability right now. I would take it a bit easy as your port and stuff is still healing and there is a lot of belly movement in Zumba.

Enjoy your day! This is my costume today... a spider headband! Be good and don't be candy monsters today!!! Limit yourself.

I would urge you to go back to the "basics". Measure your food and do not exceed 1 cup per meal, limit your intake of calories to <1200 per day, eat 60+ grams of Protein per day, drink Water and get exercise (even if you can only walk short distances). Do not give up!! You and your health deserve this and YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Follow up with your doctor too. It holds you accountable and if you are in need of a fill could also help you to get more support from the band. I would urge you to plan out your meals too. I was talking to my nutritionist yesterday and asked her what they feel about snacking between meals (as different doctors have different approaches). She said it is absolutely FINE as long as it is planned. In other words, don't just go grab or graze on something plan ahead that you will have a piece of fruit or boiled egg or other protein for a snack. It helps us from grazing and choosing unhealthy items. I agree with that thought. I would urge you to plan your meals for the day so you can keep track of what your intake is. If you have junk food in the house - GET RID OF IT. (That was a strong urgence, not yelling at you ). If it isn't there, you cannot eat it. Today is a new day. Don't beat yourself up for gaining. Figure out what you need to do from today forward and get right back on the "band" wagon. Best of luck to you and YES, YOU CAN!

Congrats to you and good luck for a speedy and easy recovery. Let your new hubby dote on you for a few days and just relax and enjoy your new adventure. Keep us posted!

I hope no matter what you choose, you are doing well. Whether you choose surgery or not ultimately is your decision of course and your reasons only need to be justified to yourself. The only thing I might suggest since you seem to be very active, is have you tried weight watchers? Maybe just switching up your diet will help you. Best of luck to you!

Awesome job!! Try not to fixate about the "what if" and just keep rocking along as you have been doing. Focus on that you can and ARE doing this!!! If you cannot make the support group meetings, definitely stay on LBT to keep yourself focused and for extra support.

Are you in the mushie stage? I made my family regular dinner and then I would puree it with some liquid (soup base, sauce, or gravy to thin it). It looked kind of gross but tasted good.

The good news is for me that when it would pass it was like instant relief where you all of a sudden feel good.

Self-pay does tend to go very quickly from what I have seen on this forum. However, as the prior post indicated it won't be instant weight loss. The ideal weight loss for this surgery is 1-2 lbs per week. The first few weeks with the pre-op and post op you will have some big weight loss but after that it will likely hover around the 1-2 lbs per week. Also know that the band is only a tool and you will still have to be willing to modify your diet and activity. Guessing since you are military, you are accustomed to exercise as you will need to incorporate that into your regimine as well for this to be successful. While I know you said this is frowned upon, have you checked to make sure your insurance doesn't cover it? I would hate to see you shell out that money if your insurance will cover it. You can call them to find out and none of your superiors would need to know. If it is covered, your medical records are still your private information thanks to HIPAA but not sure if there are different circumstances with the military and what you have to disclose. Good luck to you!

Also, I can eat most anything (broccoli included). I just have to eat slow and take breaks between bites. For future (I know, NO help now) eat slow and take rests between bites after chewing the bejeeezies out of your food (not saying you didn't - but just in case) and if you feel even the slightest discomfort in your chest during eating do not continue eating or drinking until that passes. I have had moments where I feel a slight tightening and feel like I will be fine and take another bite and that one does me in. I hope your discomfort passes soon. It sucks but is a learning lesson in how to use this tool.

Your first 4-6 weeks you do not need to focus on losing - honestly. Now is focusing on healing. Just keep following your doctor's guidelines and you will be fine. Please don't fret or stress you body is still healing.

Sounds like you are having a stuck episode as they can be very painful. If you can spit it up (not vomiting) do so. Do not try to drink liquids on top or that could be agony. You can try to walk around and if you are "sliming" spit that out as that causes even more pain for me as that builds up. Good luck.

Yay and good luck to you!

It is also like blaming a diet for you not losing weight. Most ANY diet works, if you stick to it. No different than the band it is a tool that comes with lifestyle changes, commitment, and dedication from the bandee involving how we eat and incorporating exercise into our regime. I also feel like you are setting yourself up for concern and/or failure by going to a site that is only going to share negative stories. One like this (LBT) shares successes and failures so you can see both sides of people's experiences. There are times the band truly fails with someone; however, often times, people mistreat their body and the band causing that failure. Good luck to you. It is normal to be nervous pre-op. If you are still having doubts talk to your medical team and share your concerns.

I can see not wanting to offend the PA while you were there; however, don't feel bad at all about switching the appointment. This is your treatment and you shouldn't feel angst about your upcoming appointments. I would talk to the surgeon at your next appointment though. It wouldn't mean you are trying to get her in trouble, it could just be a learning opportunity for the surgeon to work more with her to provide the patients a more pleasant experience. Be your own advocate and you shouldn't feel bad about it.