Sooverit!

Fish in general always gives me problems. I love fish and this is unfortunate for me. I think I may start putting it into a food processor first or learning to eat really slowly and chew ...I'm sure you've heard this somewhere before? :wink2: I'm on my 3rd fill as well and not tolerating chicken or fish. I eat alot of Greek yogurt, cheese can tolerate egg white omlettes with cheese and spinach though spinach isn't cutting it lately.

Also I should say that the surgery was a bit more intense than I thought. I was not expecting that. Everyone is different though and you are younger than me. Having gone though a pregnancy as you have an birthing helps prepares you. I had an out patient surgery which in my opinion was pretty gutsy. I wished i had a night in the hospital for recovery. Hope this helps? Best to you !

I hope you didn't have to wait to long for a response. Maybe people are jealous of your super good relationship with your DH! Justing kidding! Humor keeps me going. Support will help for sure. I think it all depends on your mind set. The beginning for me was easy I didn't have much restriction but was losing weight and I was finally becoming mindful of what I put in my mouth! After the 3rd fill I am seeing consistent weight loss and a big decrease in appetite but I also get stuck, pb and slime. If you don't know what these are research. They are VERY unpleasant. but if you follow the rules to a T it won't happen. You have to really want this and you will feel it was all worthwhile when you get to a healthy weight and have more energy and be happier. Don't forget though everything comes with a cost. It's no free ride trust me. E-mail me any time Margomack29@yahoo.com

Will I be spending the night at the hospital post op? (I wished I had) Who do I call with questions and or problems? How many Lap Band surgeries have you performed? There are many more ...keep searching in the pre op section !

I hate to tell you this but the sliming isn't really that bad compared to PBing. Productive Burping when food that is stuck comes up is more uncomfortable. Sliming is relatively clean albeit GROSS for sure but it isn't like vomit or anything. Bottom line is you get used to anything. For me losing this weight at this age when nothing else could possibly do it ...makes this worth it. You have to really want this though. Best to you...things always sound worse than they are.

I do and I don't think everyone does. It happens when I 1) Eat other than a place where I am supposed to eat, ex. the computer or not at the table. 2) Eat when I haven't eaten in 4 hours. 3) Certain foods like fish and chicken have to be chewed and eaten very slowly and mindfully ...I have to work on this more..it's not easy if you are distracted or used to eating fast. 4) Eat foods that expand when digested such as breads, etc. You will learn to live with the band and it will be worth it but it's not a cake walk trust me.. I am not a rule follower which is huge if you are going to get the LB and not want to do any of the above. Remember that you won't have 100% restriction in the beginning though so it will be easier then get more difficult.

I love my band by the way and you will too. It's no cake walk though...as I said here today...the band ain't for sissys, hypocondriacs and the impatient. It changed my life though..for the better. It all depends on where you start. I had a so called lower BMI below 40 when I started and I was almost 50. Two factors than slow weight loss. If you exercise daily, make sure you get the fills when you need them and don't eat ice cream or carbs that go down easily....you will definitely lose ALOT in the first 6 months. I took my time and for me it was better ...on the body I think too. Either way you are gonna see a difference. I'm happy for you...you will be here in 6 months showin off too! :wink:( best to you!!!!

Well I guess you can say that the first 6 months you lose the most but not for everyone. I am hoping not, because I had many months of not finding the famed "sweat spot" which took me 3 fills and 6 months to find and then I felt like I had restriction and stopped feeling hungry all the time. I've lost a little more than 1/2 of the weight that was estimated I'd lose. Do you have someone else like a nurse you work with that can answer ALL your questions ....I didn't ask my doctor much but the coordinator >>>I hounded. I would write them all down and MAKE sure they were answered@! Best to you!

Kitkat - husbands may surprise you. I completely thought my husband would freak ! It took years of him seeing the ads for this web sit left on the computer for him to know I wasn't going to let this go. My husband needs to be gotten used to an idea in stages. He HATES change but once he knows it's inevitable he goes with it. He was my biggest supporter. I still don't know how I feel about telling my 12 year old daughter. All the best to you..

"I still have to be sure to get in my exercise every day because my family has Type 2 diabetes but the exercise feels great and natural" Sadie: It's so true what you said about exercise too! My mother and brother had Type 2 as well. You reminded me that I no longer go over board with exercise. I used to be on this cycle where I would work out at the gym for 2 hours 4-5 x a week lose the weight then the winter would come or some other event that prevented me from working out and I would put the weight all back on. NOw that was discouraging ...talk about working hard for nothing! Now it does feel more natural to just be more active...walk/jog for 30 mins a day or so. I just want to be more active and I'm not hurting myself like I did before.:wink:

Hi "If your..stomach"...it's amazing how much improves when you lose weight...and it doesn't have to be a lot of weight. One of the best improvements for me is my menopause symptoms seemed to vanish!! Whahoo...last year at this time I was a hot flashing, emotional, heart palpatating, depressed mess! I think excess weight causes you to retain estrogen esp. in breasts which can lead to all sort of problems I won't even mention. I had every symptom The guilt and shame of over eating are gone as well. What power to be in control of what your body puts in it's mouth! Before the lap band I had NO control. Once I started I couldn't stop. this device fixed me!! WARNING THO...the Lap Band ain't for sissys, hypocondriacs, or the impatient! Sooverit and 50 and loving it.

I too am in love with the band. At age 50 there was no way I was going to lose almost 40 lbs. in 6 months and I know by now I would have gained. I still would like to lose 30 or so more but I'm not hanging on the numbers. I can fit into a size 14 easily now and that suits me just fine. My stomach is still a bit of a problem though my numbers have all improved and continue to improve. I love getting my blood checked now...always says improved@ I could ask for more! PS: For anyone considering this proceedure ....the band ain't for wimps though and you must have to REALLY want it or you'll be in for a surprise. I get stuck, I vomit and sometimes experience pain but the health and mental advantages make it all worthwhile.

You ARE thin...the numbers don't lie...way to go!

I still have to pinch myself that I weigh now what I weighed almost 10 years ago and I feel 10 years younger. My numbers all have improved as well. I am free of the constant hunger and free of the constant feeling of shame and always tying to cover up. I have more energy that I've had in decades and my life is more in order. thanks me for a great 50th Bday present.

How distracted WAS I? Prior to getting the LB surgery in December I was on this site daily sometimes 4 times a day. Since I had the surgery I have been on a total of 4 times in 6 months! I was obsessed before and distracted. Now life goes on . I'm 40 lbs lighter and much much happier and all my numbers improved. No more BP meds. I fit easily into a size 14 now ..goal is a loose 12...had 3 fills ...this last one really put me in the "sweet" spot...I might be a bit too tight but I'm loosing weight again. Not hungry and loving it!!!!!!!!!BEst to you:wub:

Hello Lower BMIers and Happy New year@! I was banded on 12/1/08 and haven't had a fill yet. I had a tough time scheduling a Fluoroscopy and my fill center will not provide a fill until I have one. At this point I have no restriction...except occasionally when I feel heartburn so I know I have the band. It's extremely difficult at this time as it is very cold out and I usually exercise outside. I've lost 15 lbs since banded but I'm afraid I will gain it if I don't get a fill soon. Being a lower BMIers I think we do have the luxury of taking it slow....looking down the road as a life long process. I know it's about getting back into the mind set of living and eating healthy but now I am dealing with head issues. I feel guilty paying out of pocket and not seeing changes. I must trust tho that everything fell into place for me to get this thing and I worked incredibly hard to become BAnded so there will be results but patience is the word to focus on now. I am turning 50 in March and I feel somewhat like I'm about the birth a new me....going through extreme birthing pains now but I have faith in the process. It's not so much a new physical me that is blossoming but a saner more spiritual me (I hope) who won't escape into food or need to hide or fight with life anymore. Blessings to all in 2009.

1. Bran muffins! 2. Chicken ...unless it is super tender 3. Broccolli ..unless it is " " 4. Salmon..:-(.....just something about it band doesn't like. I used to live on this. I'm thinking of putting it in the food processor now. 5. Bagels 6. Pizza ....soft 7. Chex party mix, walnuts, pretzels, (Popcorn is OK for some reason) 8. Whole wheat bread 9. I am going to make a list as I go I know there's more 10. Anything I eat fast or when I am really hungry...must not get too hungry.

Hey gang: I have a question for those of you who still get the TOM. I was banded on 12/1/09 I am age 50 and doing so well, exercising eating healthy then bam....got my period again after 3 months of freedom and all havoc broke loose. My appetite came back full force (as it always did when i was pmsing) craving were uncontrollable but my poor band was super sensitive so consequently I was in bad shape. Throwing up and getting stuck alot. I have an appt. to see the fill doc. At this point though still have it...I don't know what to do . The thought of another fill (I'm on second) (2nd was a charm up till now) scares me but I've already gained 5 lbs in 2 weeks. Also anyone get a diagnosis of LOW IRON and Low Vit D? I am on Iron pills and Vit D supplements and sure enough the constipation is a hardship too. I don't eat meat but used to eat Chicken...now my band doesn't like it....doesn't like Salmon either. Any ideas on Iron rich foods>> ??? anyone?

Opps ...the 50 year old part was for LYnn...just saw that now...lynn if your reading would love some advice too>:tongue2:

Hey Kissy: Wow a size 8! Waahoo....you are doing great. I am the same age as you 50 and I was banded on 12/1/08 and I feel the same way you do! At this age I was only going up. I started at a size 16/18 and now I'm in a looseish 14 and I'm thrilled too! Getting into all my old clothes that stopped fitting a few years back was amazing! I didn't lose alot but ....I my numbers all improved though....chol. BP, etc. I am a bigger boned 5 8 so my goal is to get back to a size 12 or 10. I have a question for you though.....how are you on the TOM cycle. I was doing so well a few weeks ago down to my lowest 215 from highest of 253 but then got my period after a few month of freedom and everything went haywire. My appetite came back full force but my band got super sensitive....i was vomiting alot. Do you ever get stuck? What is the mainstay of your diet? I also go anemia which mean Iron pills that cause const. Think I need to revamp my diet. I am exercising more tho. any words of wisdom would be appreciated. thanks marg

Thank you Violet I'm being careful with them....they do get stuck ...I like your photo

I had a calcium chocolate chew (which were fine uptil now) then started slowing eating salmon. The Salmon got stuck immediately. It's now the next morning and I can't drink anything....could I still be stuck?.... or have i slipped the band? Way to early to call doc but I'm not a happy camper ...bad heartburn too. Anything I need to addresss immediately?

A child is an incredible blessing we can't begin to get anywhere else..especially when there is love involved. People thought I was nuts having my precious 12 yr old daughter when I was 40.

Thanks for the good advice too :

I love my band too Sue....she fixed me!