mrsto

I would be interested to know the answer on this. If I had to take a guess, I would think that it all depends on what type of band complications were involved.

With this surgery, they place the band over the plicated stomach. I heard they used to do plication alone, but they've found that placing the band on top, shows much better results.

I love my band with plication. It was done at the time of surgery, so I don't have a reference point of what the band would be like, alone. IMHO, I would highly recommend having plication added to the existing band, before resorting to something so permanent, like a RNY or sleeve.

LOL! Love the visual on that

Xylitol can cause diarrhea? I'll think I'll try it! I'll pick up some Xylitol, and get rid of the MiraLax

Oops......duplicate post. This site seems really slow this morning. Every post I've made, seems to take forever to save.

I really want to like Stevia, but I just can't get used to it. I've tried all different brands, but it still has a different taste. But health wise, it really is the best choice for a non-caloric sweetener.

I've read that all artificial sweeteners spark sugar cravings. I have not experienced that myself, but that's what some of the latest research shows. I would say, if you like Crystal Lite, and don't have any issues with it - go for it! Generally, I use Splenda whenever I can, but I'll use Equal if that's all that's available. These days, I use it only in my morning coffee. All else I drink, is Water. But I honestly do not see an issue with it, unless you specifically notice something negative.

Great idea! It never occurred to me :-)

Jim - yeah, they're not the best that way, but they're tasty, and good in a pinch. They have one called Italian Sausage Primavera (something like that). It's great! But, of course, when you add Italian sausage to anything, there is going to be tons of sodium. All those frozen meals are sodium heavy. And the whole Atkins thing is high protein, low carb, so fat will always be higher. I never eat more than half of one.

I keep a variety of Atkins frozen meals in the freezer, including the Farmhouse Sausage Scramble. I eat only half of it, and unfortunately, it's not so good when the other half is reheated - gets dry & rubbery. But it's still a great meal when I can't seem to stomach straight eggs, or a protein shake :-)

I had an upper GI swallow yesterday, and the band was not unfilled. I'm having an endoscopy tomorrow morning, and I don't believe he will be unfilling it then, either. I'll report back. Been having some unusual discomfort, so he wants to rule out anything band related.

I didn't notice hair loss until about the 4th month after surgery. I saw it a lot for about two weeks, then it started to subside. Though I do go through a noticeable "shedding" about once a year, this time, I assume it was from the surgery. Like Mis, I also take a stool softener every day. For me, constipation isn't a new post-op issue; been dealing with it for a long time. But since surgery, it's worse But it's much better when I drink LOTS of Water. When I don't, things don't move, and when it does, it's like the Rock of Gibraltar

Thank you for posting this. SO timely! I was hanging on every word, and in those moments of reading it, said to myself......just let go; put the glass down. I need to read this every day, until it becomes a new habit. Stress is killing me, and I know it. And a good portion of it is just my mind obsessing about things out of my control, and a lot of the things you mention....the "why did I, why didn't I, why can't I"......ALL of it. This post from you today was perfect :-)

Is that beautiful dog in your profile picture yours? I don't do a ton of exercise, but what I DO do, is walk my dog through these hills a good 5 days a week. Before I dropped a significant amount of weight, I'd drive to a flatter area, because I didn't have the stamina for the hills. I used to take her to the dog park, where I'd throw the ball, sit on my ass & talk to people. I rarely go anymore. I found a small park close to my house, so I still play ball with her (so she runs like crazy), and then we walk the hills. She's happy, and I'm healthier. A win win for all! ANYWAY, maybe start by doing something as simple as walking your dog? You will be surprised how quickly you build stamina, and it will make a big difference on the scale

It all depends how heavy you are. People typically lose a lot quicker in the beginning, and as their weight drops, the loss slows a bit. But I think your 5-8 pounds a month is a reasonable and healthy goal.

Learning new ways to combat the feelings and cravings you mention, is a process. It doesn't come simply because the band was placed around your stomach. The surgery is simple compared to the hard work we need to do on our heads and our behaviors. In addition to Guy's suggestions above, when I'm going crazy with cravings, and wanting to eat "just because", I try and get out and go for a walk. Or, run some errands, etc. I say "try", because I'm not always good at it. But I will say that when I DO, the cravings and obsession to eat usually subside. Sometimes it's just good (when you can), to take yourself out of the house, or environment where you're fixated on eating. I would venture to say that most ALL of us on this site deal with food obsession. I've done pretty well (not perfect) since surgery, but I'm in no way shape or form, cured. And I do not delude myself in believing that I ever will be. This is a one day (sometimes one HOUR) at a time thing, and there are long periods when it's easier, and periods in between when it's more of a struggle. Whatever you did yesterday, or even today so far, put it behind you and move forward. That's the best thing you can do. If you beat the crap out of yourself for what's already done, it might keep you in a negative state. It's okay to beat yourself up for a minute, if that's what it takes to get you back on track. But just keep moving forward.....

Being a little too skinny is one thing. Being too skinny with a garden variety of related health issues, is another story.

Love love LOVE Aretha!!

Scary Sh-it! And once it's done, there ain't no going back! I'm totally with you on this; glad I didn't have a bypass or the sleeve. Way too dangerous, and once it's done, that's it. I know a couple of people with the bypass, and they're having MAJOR Iron absorption issues. They go daily for IV infusion, and after a few months of this, STILL have issues. IMHO, those surgeries are like trading one health issue for another.

I haven't tried them. The only attractive thing is that they're packaged and ready to go. And they are only 240 calories. I wouldn't make them a staple in my diet, but if I was on the fly & didn't have time to prepare anything, it's a quick high protein meal. Unless you're restricting carbs and salt, I don't see anything wrong with them (once in awhile).

They're prepackaged lunchmeat wraps made by Hormel. I've been seeing commercials for them. Here is a link. http://www.hormel.com/Brands/HormelRevWraps.aspx

I agree.... Silence is a very powerful and direct "response".

I stopped drinking soda long before even considering WLS. But I think the suggestion of putting Crystal Lite in ice cold Water is a good idea. I don't miss soda, but once in awhile, on a hot day, I would love an ice cold beer. But I won't do it.....too scared of what I hear about carbonation related complications.

I love that before drug they put in the IV; the one right before they put you under. I just wish they'd do it earlier, so I could enjoy the buzz for awhile