La_madam

rubbing alcohol worked for me on a washcloth

That old saying I keep going over and over in my head helps me "Just Because you can does not mean you should" Of course I could keep eating but I stop after 20 minutes regardless. How long do you eat for? I was told by my doctor to not eat for more then 20 minutes, however every doctor is different with their post op intructions. I know I got in enough food and nutrition where I will not starve to death after 20 minutes This is where some of the head work has to come into play. The band is a tool remember not a magic wand Also it has been said and said over and over again that many of us need more then one fill to really notice a difference in how the band works, you may need another fill Check out this site, it may help you http://lapbandtransformation.com/Adjustments.htm that is how it works for me

all of my fills are under fluoro, and I like it like this, this way I can see everything is in place and see the barium going through the band. I would not want it any other way, I love fluoro

My boys love the vanilla flavored soy milk in their cereal every morning for breakfast!

My lightheadedness post op was lack of protein, once I added a couple more protein drinks I was fine. Im sure Im going to get lots of raised eye brows, but during the liquid only phase - ONLY a McDonalds shake would satisfy me. Paula, everytime I go in for a fill I stop at the same McDonalds on the way home from TJ for my shake. I drink them during my liquid phase after a fill...they are very satisfying

Hi Butch & welcome to LBT Iam sure the clinic in Tampa can give you a name of a plastic surgeon and give you a referral. It may be medically neccessary for you which your insurance will cover it. Ask them at the clinic, Iam sure you are not the first patient to ever inquire about a plastic surgeon. Congratulations to you on such success with your band! Awesome job you have done.

Of course you are normal You have no fill, the band is designed to be filled to get restriction to works at it's best capability. Without a fill of course you will want to eat and get hungry sooner Do not get discouraged. You have averaged 3 lbs a week since surgery. Any weight loss during the pre fill ( healing) phase is a bonus. Did your Dr. not tell you that you will get hungry during the pre fill stage? We all have been where you are at during the healing phase with no fill. Once you start getting your fills you will see how the band really works Hang in there

60 grams of Protein is what I was told by my Dr. Every Dr. has different post op instructions but they all say protein first..the ammount of grams varies is all Portein will curb your appetite and keep your hunger at bay. For me, carbs crave crabs, when I eat carbs I want more and more carbs. I eat all day. Same goes for surgar with me. If I eat protein in the morning for my first meal, it satisfys me and keeps craving and hunger down all day,

I'm happy for you Greg, My mother always told me that being a grandparent was better then being a parent You can always give them back when they act naughty :laugh

Different Doctors have different rules Different Doctors have different theories I was told by my Dr. No carbonation and I do not miss it one bit It has been 16 months with NO carbonation I have found other drinks to satisfy me, mainly Water and crystal light, & ice tea Giving up carbonation has been a small sacrafice in such tremendous success for me. Losing 95 lbs is well worth no carbonation in my situation, others may feel diferently

Dr. Ortiz in TJ been banded for 16 months and have lost 95 lbs Good Luck to you

I'm in Mission Viejo, Orange County

Oh Darcey, Iam so sorry to hear this. But at the same time Iam so greatful that you have such a wonderful Dr. in Dr. Ortiz. Amazing he stopped his vacation to come in and help you, no Dr. here in the U.S. would do that, you call them while on vacation and their exchange would just tell you to go to the E.R. Darcey does he know why the band slipped? Or what may have caused it to slip? Band or no Band Darcey, I hope you still will come here for support. let us help you through this difficulttime like you have for so many of us here ((((BIG HUGS TO YOU))))

Iam sorry to hear you are so discouraged. Here is a helpful site that may help tp answer your question about another fill http://lapbandtransformation.com/Adjustments.htm Well all knew going into this that the band was not a magic wand, it is a tool to help us. There are other issues you need to look at, like emotional eating or mental hunger, how do you do with those things? Are you eating more Proteins then carbs? Staying away from the junk food? Drinking a minimum of 64 oz of Water a day? All of these things are very important to us bandsters for success. Dont get discouraged, yet you only have 1.5 cc's in your band you may need another fill Remember the saying, Just because we can does not mean we should.There are plenty of days when I can eat, but it doesnt mean I should. This is where your head has to come in an do some of the work. We can not rely on the band to do it all. I too only have 1.5 cc's in my band which does not mean you and I have the same level of restriction just means I have 1.5 cc's in my band. Hang in there. Dont give up!

When I have the proper restriction,I have to remind myself to eat. I do not even think about food. If the occassion does arise, I will drink a 20 oz of bottle of water and most times that will work, the other thing is to keep yourself busy. Find a hobbie, keep your hands busy, knitting, quilting, coming here and posting, reading etc...

I love this board! Great ideas and helful hints keep coming and coming.

looks like you are losing just like you should be 1-3 lbs a week isthe average in 8 weeks you have lost 48 lbs and you are concerned? Hmm..what other diet have you tired in your past and lost 48 lbs in 8 weeks? You are doing awesome! Dont get down on yourself

Hiccups means you need to slow down, you are eating too fast.

Best of Luck to both of you.I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow for you both

Anne great job on the wieght loss. 1 lb a week is great. I'll take that any day. Also getting a new fill always rejuventes me, it is like a fresh start, I hope the same for you too

Hi Anne, I have 3 boys and go to work at 4:30 am and get up at 3:30 am and I own a restaraunt. I work 5 days a week and do all that you just mentioned, mind you my boys are older then your girls but I still find 20 minutes a day for me. I do my arm exercises everynight with my free wights while watching TV or right as I lay down for bed, I ride my stationary bike for 3 miles at a time..It can be done. Its about you making time..and following thorugh with it. You are important too and you desreve the 20 minutes a day for you dont you think? Make it a priority

Flower, it is normal to have no restriction when you have NO fill...it is also normal to eat when you have NO fill. Relax! You will know soon enough if your port has flipped or not...if it has you get it fixed, if it hasnt , you get your fills. No need to consume yourself now with worry and stress, not a darn thing you can do about it until you go in for the fluoro, you will make yourself carzy stressing about it. I'm sorry you are gooing through this but the best thing you can do for youself right nwo id to relax and wait for the results

Brittany, this was one of my biggest concerns too but I will tell you my experience on this was amazing. I was not even hungry for 3 weeks after surgery. There is swelling from surgery, you have gas from surgery. Food just did not even appeal to me after surgery. I know everyone is different, but it is nothing like trying to do it now before the band, it is much easier after surgery because of the swelling and gas . You wil lbe able to do it, we al ldid, the good thing is you will have your mother doing it right along with you, no better support then that! Good Luck, are you using Dr. Ortiz? He was my surgeon and I have to say I have been blessed with his care and kindness over the last 15 months I drank all juices, chicken broth, Jello, popsicles, Protein drinks, skim milk, chocolate skim milk, gatorade

Hey Chris, you are very welcome.. I am a happy patient of Dr. Ortiz. Your daughter is in good hands with him, he has banded alot of teens. Kylie and I have PMed eachother. I have offered any support I can to her. If she has any questions she can contact me and if I can answer them I will.

How is yourprotein intake? Low Protein will make you tired How is your Iron level?That will also make you very tired if it is low My iron level is low which makes me extremely tired so I now take a pre-natal Vitamin which has helped alot