mrsto

Wow - I've never used the bar code scanner. I'll have to give it a whirl!

Thanks.....I'll try that. If I have a brand, I put it in. But sometimes I buy bulk brown rice, quinoa, etc. from the bins at Whole Foods or other places. Something simple like ground lamb.....I couldn't believe what came up. Something like that is generic, which is where I run into most of the issues (frustrations) mentioned.

I had it really bad for a couple of days, about 7-9 days post-op. And it was BAD. But it subsided, and now at 10 weeks out, I have the reverse issue

She and I have been friends since high school (40 years). We lose touch for periods of time, but then reconnect. The friendship never stops, but we live far from each other, and if I look at it honestly, she is not someone that I can confide my innermost struggles. She relates very well to shared issues and struggles, but is intolerant to other things. As far as having a "friend like that", we ended the conversation where I was going to email some dates for all of us to get together. For SOME reason, I've been remiss in sending those dates She is a good friend in her way, but being who I am, with all of my life long struggles, she's just not someone I gravitate to for anything other than the occasional "catch up".

Same here......determined at the time of surgery. But the way my doctor does it.......he fills the band & then lets all the fluid run out (something along those lines). Whatever the band maintains, is what he leaves. For me, that was about 3cc.

I think that if you're someone who can let the comments and attitudes of others roll off your back, then it doesn't matter who knows. I'm not that person. I am very much affected by the negativity of others around me, and find it best to avoid anything that is going to fester inside of me. That said, I pick & choose who I tell. My biggest fear is failing the band, and then having people commenting on how I went through surgery, and then failed. I can't deal with that......I have my OWN issues to deal with!

Yeah - that's a hard one It might take a lot of energy out of you, if you find that you have to keep explaining the process. It's more important that you focus on what you need to do for yourself, without the input from everyone else. Unless people have been through this, they have no clue. And for me, I don't want to educate everyone, unless they're truly interested; thinking about the surgery, or have a close person in their life thinking about it. Steph - if you start to feel any negative reactions within yourself, from other people's comments and expectations, it might be a good idea to come up with a "canned" answer; a quick comment to shut them down. Something nice, but short & sweet to stop the conversation. This is YOUR process, not theirs. I have one friend who I rarely talk to or see. She has little tolerance with people who struggle with addictions, and I told myself that I would not tell her. Well, we talked on the phone last week & caught up on life, and I ended up telling her. Her response was "and how is THAT working out"......with a sarcastic tone. I looked past the tone and responded, but kept it short. Then I kicked myself in the ass for telling her, even when I KNEW well and good who she is, and how she'd respond. Oh well.... Everyone else in my world is very supportive, and pretty much leaves me alone.

Another option is Chair Yoga. The positions are modified to be done while sitting in a chair, or using it for support. If you Google chair yoga, a lot of stuff will come up; You Tube videos, dvd's, etc.

It's almost impossible to predict how it will be for you. I was out of sorts for a good 2-3 weeks, although I had my gallbladder removed at the same time, and also a hernia repair. Luckily for me, I work most days from home, and was able to do some work & then rest......without having to explain it to anyone. I went to a client's office to work around day 10, and though I was miserable, I got through it. Good luck!

I'm curious.....why you're asking, since you haven't had your surgery yet? Learning to live with the band will always require control. There will be times when you want to eat right through it. This is a time to learn new behavior, and reaching for diet pills when it gets tough, isn't the healthy way to go. Mind you, I'm not saying that I don't completely understand that thought process......I took diet pills on and off for many years. But in the end, they did not fix me. If you are preparing for what you've heard is coming, my suggestion is to try & focus on other ways to get through the difficult times. Fill or no fill, those times will happen. This is a whole new way of life, and I'm guessing you're having surgery because all else has failed (including the pills). You can do this on your own, if you follow the rules and eat the way your doctor recommends. It's certainly not easy, but what things worth working for in life are? Good luck!

No issue here, either. I take very hot Jacuzzi baths, and haven't noticed a thing.

Carole hit it right on. The only thing I would add, is that it might be helpful for you to see the nutritionist at your doctor's office. He/she can help you chart a course to get back in the saddle (so to speak). But as far as your mindset......that has to come 100% from you. But you've done it before, and you can do it again. Hopefully, before anymore weight comes back on. Just remember ALL that time and effort you put into this, and imagine having to go through it again. I know that is easier said than done, but I would hate to see you climb to a high place, where the road back is long and arduous. Believe me, I've been there.....I think we ALL have

There are SO MANY variables between the different doctors. As much as some of what we read doesn't make sense (based on our own doctor's protocol), it's best that everyone follow what their own doctor prescribes.

What I started on soft foods, eggs made me ill. And I normally like eggs. I'm fine with them now, but when introducing foods back in, some things trigger that nauseous feeling. As mentioned by other posters......take it very slow. Refried beans with a little melted cheese was my savior during that phase. Also, a baked potato (without the skin) with some cottage cheese also saved me.

PS: But I would hate to see you walk away from a resource that can help you through....not only your recovery from surgery, but from all the changes that lay ahead. Stay positive.......you did something really GOOD for yourself

Deacon - PLEASE don't let the complications posted knock you off your foundation. Try to remember that this site is only a fraction of the thousands who have had problem free success with the band. I'm not saying that I don't understand how you feel. At one point, I myself had to take myself off the site, because the negative/complication posts were freaking me out. After about 2 1/2 weeks, I started to miss all of the positive/healthy support, which is a LOT more than the problems. Sure, many with the band will experience some discomfort at some point, but mostly it's from improper eating. Try & relax & and focus on the positive step you took to improve your life. Honestly, if the negatives you read here are effecting you that badly, walk away from this. It's more important that you focus on your health, and take directives from your doctor.

Dusty - I went through the same exact thing. I had SO many emotions; excitement, fear, anger, sadness.... But pre-surgery excitement was the strongest one. This decision isn't a hop skip & a jump in the park. It's a huge life changing step, and will alter your relationship with food. FOOD, our best friend, confidant, go-to place of comfort. It's pretty scary to alter that relationship, no matter HOW necessary it is to do so. Sending you the best of luck on your procedure tomorrow. Please post back & let us know how you're doing. And we're always here for the gambit of post-op emotions that come up. At first, it can be a roller coaster ride, but then it becomes the new "normal". (whatever that is.....God, I hate that word) - LOL!

I know that the doctor's office would not be able to give out any info. But that is the only link to her, other than this forum. I hoped that might open some window, where something might come through.

So true..... But my sense of her from her activity on this site, is that she would at least post a "hey, I'm still among the living". But I do get the needing a break from it. It can become ALL consuming.

I found it..... Here is the link to that thread. Parisshel posted within the content, but I think the entire post might be helpful. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/167022-i-came-out-of-the-closet-yesterday/

I will tell you first hand (as will many others), that the band is HARDLY the easy way out. It takes a lot of strength and will power to work with the band. It doesn't do the work for you, it only "assists". That being said, I felt the same way when going through the decision process. I felt like such a failure, and a total weakling. But I worked through those feelings, and knew as sure as I'm typing this note, that if I didn't go through with the surgery, I would continue to gain. I was resolved. And I haven't looked back one minute since 3/25/13, with regret. I've dropped 25 pounds so far; 25 pounds which NEVER would have come off if I reached out to yet ANOTHER diet program. A couple of months ago, (I think it was parisshel) had a great post regarding the very same thing. She outlined it in a way that really hit home for me. I'll try & find the link to that post and send it to you. Aside from so many wonderful things in that post, she likened the band to the patch to stop smoking. Would you judge a friend who used a nicotine patch to stop smoking, as being weak for not being able to do it "on their own?" By getting banded, you are taking care of YOU and your health. As said above, there isn't anything easy about it. The weight doesn't magically fall off. You STILL have to do the work. I'm going to look for that post & see if I can find it. It was really good

Thanks Armonet! I have another 50 to get to my first goal. Once I'm there, I'll reassess if I want/need to drop anymore :-)

Yes - you are right on track! I had surgery on 3/25/13, and have lost 25 pounds total (which includes what I lost on the two week pr-op diet). Do I wish it was going quicker....YES, of course But when I average it out, it's about 2 pounds per week, which is a "healthy" rate of loss. Try not to get too hung up on the large amounts of weight you read that others have lost. Everyone's bodies are different, and depending how much weight you have to lose, depends how fast it comes off in the beginning. I believe that the more weight you have, the faster the initial pounds drop off. PS: You haven't posted any information on your profile; surgery date, weight, etc. That info will help us respond better to some of your questions

We really are creatures of habit. I've been doing very well, also. But I think when we get comfortable with our new way of eating, we put down our guard & go on auto pilot.....which doesn't mean with our new way of eating I've found myself doing the same thing from time to time; eating without focusing. I realize that I'm eating fast, and not chewing as much as I need to. No major stuck episodes (yet), but I think I've had little ones that pass through within a minute or two.

Does anyone know her real name; IS it Missy? One (possible) way to find out what's going on, is to call her doctor, Zubin Bhesania. There was another post between Mis and another poster who has the same doctor. That was a couple of weeks ago, and I don't remember who the poster was. Would be great if we could at least know that she's okay. Her original post on this came while she was in the hospital, so she probably used her phone. The fact that the posts stopped, scares me.