Sooverit!

Thank you Jodi...i was starting to get nervous this morning because I still had heartburn and coudn't drink my coffee and water wasn't going down too well but thankfully after an hour I was able to drink plenty of water and I had 1/2 a cantaloupe! whew...You start to get thirsty quickly when you can't drink!! This is definitely something to be aware of thank you.

Correction typo: I must avoid Dry Chicken ...organic seems to be softer. I also like to throw in broccholli during the last few minutes and I can not eat broccolli from the oven ....maybe microwaved but carefully! Halibut is better than salmon but all fish are tricky.

The same thing happened to me last night eating salmon. I love salmon and I have trouble every time I eat it! I don't have trouble when I eat the salmon in a can though....I have to sacrifice taste and visually here but I know I'm getting the super stuff it has in it in the can too. Someone else said that stress makes the band tighter this was good to hear because I couldn't quit understand why I couldn't eat very much at dinner....but that is when my husband is home from the big city with a big frown...and stress is high. I usually ovoid eating with them now because I just get stuck all the time. Especially eating chicken, Broccoli and fish. that's really our maintain. If I eat in a few hours after they do and I am relaxed I can do it ....I am super careful with chewing though. Broiled broccholli NEVER! or tried fish by the way. It seems like a pain but its a small price to pay for being able to fit into my clothes again and feel free of obesity and it's associated illlnesses!

remember mushy foods go thru the band easier and therefore you can eat a lot more of them which can cause weight gain. This is good advice! I was almost tempted to throw the entire chicken dinner I cook for the family in the food processor but I realized I would be eating faster than everyone and it's the lazy way out. I have to learn to chew like a grown up!

Band 75: When I read your post I felt like someone found my posts from months ago and posted my writing! I felt exactely like you. Now almost 5 months after surgery I can say with confidence that it isn't as bad as you think ...NOTHING is as bad as how you feel now. The easy part is not being able to stuff my face when I'm bored, tired, stressed, ect. I too was worried about the "void" but you'll see you will find other things to do besides eat ...and one of the best things is to LIVE without obessessing about being overweight! It's so freeing and I love the energy I have now and I haven't been this happy in years! Sometimes but not often, I feel slightly frustrating that I can't or don't want to eat like I used to...but it quickly fades when I go shopping and clothes now fits me or my 16 fit looose and I know it will only get better. I too was obessed about research for over 2 yrs! I used to be on this site 5 times a day now I go on maybe once a month...I'm too busy enjoying my life. You will too!

Hey Congrats M on being banded AND getting your insurance to cover you! Bet you didn't have Cigna...obesitylaw tried to help me but was denied 3x and found a low BMI study and paid out of pocket. Even though I paid out of pocket this band is worth it's weight in GoLD! I hit my coveted "sweet spot" after my 2nd fill. So be patient ...it takes other's more fills...but when you get there it's like nothing you every experienced. I eat like a normal person now. A handful of nuts makes me super full. I don't have that out of control appetite I had before and I never got full. Now I eat like a thin person and I am fitting back into my size 16s and my stomach is finally flattening out after the post swelling. I think the band is a miracle. Keep doing what your doing you sound like your doing great already! best marg

Forgot to mention Lawrence Hospital is a member of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and only does specialized surgeries like LB. Only negative was that it is done on an out patient basis ...they let you stay as long as you like but you must leave by the end of the day if there are no complications. I guess you could pay for another day. I would have liked one more day but everyone is different. Dory Ferrara is a NP who runs the Obesity Center in Levittown.

Hi Personona ....I found a doctor who has an office about 20 mins from my house in Levittown NY also main office is in Bronxville NY on Westchester boarder. I highly recommend them and was part of a low BMI study. The "base" cost was 12,000 I highly recommend it and it was worth every cent! I haven't been this weight in years and I feel great!! Look at my signature it has the info you need. If you have any other questions please e-mail any time!

Well the party's over for me (the eating one that is) I am now having great restriction with my 2nd fill! whahoo ...didn't think it would happen on the second but I am thrilled. I am down 25lbs total and after getting stuck a few times I am now on track and eating small meals and feeling so good I WANT to exercise@! This lap band is the best invention since penicillin ....well almost...at least for me I know i am a much healthier person and MUCH happier! Best to you, Marg

Being thin/healthy/happy is better than 100,000,000 of those sandwiches....

So sorry through that experience Shaun after having such a wonderful experience such as a birth. Wanted to tell you that I went off my BP meds yesterday with my doctors blessings. I had my second fill 2 weeks ago and now I can say I am really a "bandster" as they call it, before this I could eat as much as I wanted almost and whatever I wanted. My band is a stict task master but I am losing steadily now! One of my biggest regrets about all this is that I didn't start it sooner! It may take more than 2 fills I wasn't easy either believe me....there are many trials to staying focused and not eating like I used to but I'm learning. AT my age to lose this much weight and a lower BMI to boot ....it's a miracle!!

BEST 50th birthday present ever! After my 2nd fill which was 2 weeks ago i found my "sweet spot"! Whhaahooo after so many trials (and there still are a few) I am losing weight consistently, eating healthy small portions, exercising more and having a much smaller appetite. I should be down 25 lbs. by my 50th Birthday on the 16 of this month!! I can't believe it ....my plan worked! I love my band and I am so happy I got this proceedure done! Being this age and a lower BMI I had my doubts. At 49 I know this was the only I could stop gaining and get to a healthy BMI.... PS Also went off BP meds yesterday!!! :tt1::laugh::tt1:

I read a good tip I'll pass on about almonds and walnuts which are super foods so they say, but to keep from eating too many, as soon as you get them put 8-10 nuts in a sealed snack bag and bag em and and only have your 1 bag a day.

No I actually I would have that problem with all the protein but I can see that drinking water helps and eating fiber foods. I put ground flax seeds in my Irish Oatmeal and it always works like a charm. Eat just a tiny bit though at first I dont know how restricted you are. Had my second fill 2 days ago and I could onlly eat a cup or so. Whaahooo...this thing is working ...I used to eat 4-5 servings!

thanks this is great info...i also found protein is key as well as exercise for me almost every day for 30 mins or so....I felt like I was eating like i always was but slowly but steadily lost! !

HI CANDLE: How are you LB sister? I can't believe I'm on the other side of this and finally one of the banded people. I used to go on this site almost every day and shoot out questions daily. Now that I have gotten the LB it seems like the mystery is gone and I go on maybe once every 2 months. I'm happy to report that I've lost a total of 16 lbs. (which is alot for me at my age and being a lower BMIer) Just got my 2nd fill yesterday and I can say I really feel a difference now! I get full MUCH quicker. I am back to the gym and yoga and feeling so much better. I am tired less during the day and feel like I'm back in control now. I have not been 100% good for sure but I think this second fill will be the big help I need. All the best, Sooverit! NPt. L.I.

You're a sweety I feel good today about my decision....a huge part of it is having this incredible support system here at Lapbandtalk and Smartbandsters esp. this one with incredible people like you. I had not gone on line for support in weeks and it was having a huge impact on my progress. I'm back! BEST to everyone! . M

90 lbs. Ocsar !! you are an inspiration and deserve much congratulations!! This an amazing accomplishment...way to go!!!

Thank Julian you are right...and I used to go on here and be in awe of how people could complain about a weight loss of any kind! :-) Now here I am ....but I think it's because all the weight loss is up front and I gained 6 lbs. back. But today I am going on the Precor machine at the gym for 45 mins and I am going to be mindful (hopefully) of what I eat. i have a fill scheduled in 2 weeks ! thanks for the support! Congrats on your wonderful progress...size 9! whaaahoooooooo

Thank you Oscaral....you are right ...I do like saying I lost 15 absolutely and I do know this is a life time process and not a quick fix. It's just totally different than I thought it would be. I shouldn't be complaining!

This is a great idea MM...about tracking what foods keep you full longer. I just started thinking I have to eat more Protein foods..like eggs, cheese, etc. I think I will track the time it takes to feel hungry again ....really good idea and I haven't heard this before either. It is true some foods especially now after the band effect my hunger more.

I can feel your frustration and I am feeling the same way lately. It seemed like the band worked great 2-3 weeks post op. I really did feel satisfied on a little food. Now I can eat as much as I always did but do get stuck....I'm almost grateful for that at least I know it's doing something! I've only had one fill....I still believe if I didn't get the band I would be gaining though. It does seem like a lot of money to spend for 15 lbs. weight loss:blushing:

I guess I could say I took Brad's advice or it was most likely the fact that I showed up for Yoga and it was cancelled so the cute young guy at the gym said ...since yer here try one of the machines. I did; I went back, I used to use them religously then just stopped for some reason, on the Precor step machine for 38 minutes and WOW am I feeling it today! Those machines really firm up the gluts and thighs. I'm gaining weight after one fill but at least this is a NSV and I will go again today! Sometimes it really isn't about the weight ....it's the head and I need to get back into the healthy mind set. I need to get more light too since the winter here has been brutal. Here's to effort and not giving up......best to all!