New Hope

Sounds like the band is better than a Mastercard!

When you feel better about yourself - physically and mentally, it gives you an extra boost of confidence. You're happier w/yourself. You have more energy, take more care in how you dress, buy pretty lingerie. It's a win-win situation for you and your spouse! For Valentine's Day, we got new bicycles. Prebanding, I wouldn't have been interested in even looking at bikes. I did get a dozen roses. But no chocolates here! He's always been my best friend, but now we do more things than just decide what restaurant we're going to try out next. In October, we rented a beautiful, romantic cabin in the Colorado mountains w/a fireplace and inside hot tub. Definitely a second honeymoon!

Hi, Julie, are you eating solid foods yet? Are you cutting it into little pieces about the size of a pencil eraser, then chewing it to pieces before you swallow? Do not drink any liquids w/your meal or 1 hour afterwards. Do not eat 2 - 3 hours before you go to bed. This will prevent you from having food in your pouch that can back up your esophagus and cause painful reflux (which can be damaging). Try to take your time and eat calmly. Quit after 20 minutes (or before if you feel restriction). Listen to your body. If something hurts, stop doing it. Have you had any pbing (spitting up of unchewed foods that get caught in the esophagus)? Have you had a recent fill - that could be too tight? A slight unfill should fix that one. It takes some trial and errors to work w/this band. But it's definitely worth it. Best of luck and hope you get feeling better very soon!

Chicago, how far out are you from surgery? Are you really hurting bad enough for vicodin? Those are pretty big pills, be sure they're broken up before swallowing w/lots and lots of water. Have you tried any of the things we've listed? Getting up moving around is the very best thing to do...it works that gas out of your system.

I was just wondering if lasix would help you, Sue? Did you use them regularly before this surgery?

So is there a danger that LBT is breaking down families or just teaching us how to multi-task and cook meals that give our noodles and hamburgers more fiber (crunchiness)? We've just got to think "outside the box". LOL

Mylicon baby gas drops. A warm shower with shower head on pulsating (great for the shoulders). Walking. Heating pad. Hang in there! It will get better.

Joan, how rotten to have coughing and the flu on top of recovery! Glad you got rehydrated! You're definitely earning your stripes right now. But it really will get better. I bet foods are the furthest thing from your mind. (((Hugs)))

How much extra weight are you retaining from the fluids?

No matter how long it takes, it won't seem fast enough to you! I had UHC-first denied, I appealed, 8 months later got my band.

Melatonin and a hot cup of Celestial Seasonings "Sleepy Time" tea w/honey and lemon! (Be sure anything you drink is caffeine-free.) Anesthesia (from surgery) always messes my sleep pattern up for a while. Are you exercising or doing anything to "rev" you up right before you go to bed? Try to avoid stressful things (like paying the bills - yuk!) right before you go to bed. Hope you get a good night's sleep soon!

dbrandy, please check with your benefits coordinator at your job. He/she should be able to give you accurate information of what your UHC does and doesn't cover. Different companies have different health insurance policies with or without restrictions on weight loss surgery. Some only allow specific types of WLS. Your BMI is 37. Best of luck to you!

Wow! To lose that much and be wearing a bikini! Amazing!

Yeah, Grandma! Keep up the good work!

Yeah, Carmel!!! Dbrandy, have you tried to contact the Molding Clinic direct? That would be your best source of information.

Jane, you have a wonderful life waiting to unfold when you get your band! You will be amazed at how much better you'll feel...physically and just as important- mentally! How much weight would you like to lose? Look forward to "talking" with you on LBT. Best of luck to you!

Hi, I bumped a Food Stages Lists Suggestions for you. The best thing is to follow your band surgeon's post-op instructions. If you do a "search" for various topics, you can get a lot of information on many different band-related issues. How much weight would you like to lose? Where will you be banded? Best of luck to you!

Bumping for Navymom

I guess Paula has a very small pantry. LOL

Yowzers!!!!

That's wonderful! Congratulations to you and your husband for becoming Bandsters too!

Vicki, you're doing great! So glad that you got your band and are getting better - every day. Keep drinking that water!

Congratulations, Need2do, on getting your band and taking back control of your life! Every day will get a little easier. Please keep drinking those fluids and let us know how you're progressing.

Tammy, I think both of these drs. have excellent reputations as experienced band drs. A "search" should give you tons of info. on either one. Best of luck to you! Just be sure that you know what to expect before and after banding. All of your dr's suggestions are temporary, we need something that will help us permanently. And the diet pills are very risky. Do you have your after-care lined up NOW? What dr. will take care of you if you have complications, who will you get your fills from? Are you budgeting your time and $$ so you can get back to your band surgeon if you need to? Will someone be going w/you to Mexico? Will you have someone to help you when you get back home for awhile? If you have a little one, you need to avoid lifting for a few days.