labwalker

If you use a straw, you can swallow air into your stomach. They are concerned that the air might inflate and stretch the stomach, and thus stress the staples that hold the band. Same reason for the ban on chewing gum and for carbonated drinks. From what I've read, the restrictions vary from doctor to doctor, and the effects probably are different person to person as well.

After being at a plateau for a few weeks my weight starting to head in the right direction! (Down ) At last! I reached a loss of 55 pounds since my first visit to the doctor's office last year. Most of this weight has come off in the past months--since my third fill last March. Another 20 pounds and I'll be at the lowest weight I can remember for the past 12 or so years.... if I can do another 55 pounds I'll be ecstatic, but still over my ideal weight. If I don't lose another pound I'd still be happy, since I have a lot more energy and feel better even at this modest milestone. I'm glad I saved a lot of my old clothes, it is great being able to into pants that I haven't been able to wear for ages!

Alcoholic beverages, sugar laden soft drinks, etc. are also ways to cheat around the band... flow right through, and are loaded with useless carbs with no other beneficial nutritional values. Add ice cream to the that list, too.

Hit 55 down this morning! Feels good to see it going in the right direction!

Hopefully, more insurance companies will be willing to pay for treatment.

I was the same... sore for a few days. And the incision near the port was the worst for a few weeks--couldn't sleep on that side. Weight lifting restriction was ten pounds for several weeks. I was allowed to drive as soon as I felt I was comfortable doing so. Some folks have pain that lasts after surgery, but for many of us it is mostly soreness and uncomfort. I didn't use the liquid pain meds after coming home from the hospital, and I am a sissy when it comes to pain!

Hello, welcome, to your continued success with the band! P.S. My fuzzy, furry buddy says hello to yours..

The port is usually placed between the skin and the muscle of the abdominal wall, and it is usually sutured to the muscle mass beneath it. My port does not move. I can't speak for everyone, or for what other doctor's do. But, this might be a good question to ask your doctor about. My own opinion is that it is NOT normal for a port to move freely beneath the skin.

Every insurance is different, so this is a good question to ask your doctor's office on your next visit!!!! My nutritionist was mostly interested in my following her recommendations! Protein intake first, followed by "good carbs," i.e. healthy vegetables while avoiding sugar, butter, fats, etc. The goal seems to be to see if you can follow a diet that puts protein intake first, with good carbs second. Fluid intake was another big deal for the NUT. Understanding portion sizes was another thing my NUT pushed. She didn't seem to care about weight gains or losses, but that is what she emphasized over my six visits. You and your NUT need to talk to ensure you are on the same page regarding your nutrition and calories over this required supervised nutritional period.

Most of the pre-surgery weight loss is going to be fluids. The goal, from what I have read, is to make the liver less "slippery," and easier to work around when placing the band. I can tell you my surgeon almost gave up trying to place my band due to my having a "fatty" liver. I lost the weight pre-surgery, but I ended up in the OR for an extended time. Thankfully he was able to place the band on his last attempt. Follow the diet. I wouldn't worry about the scale, as the scale often doesn't accurately reflect was is taking place inside of the body. Fluid retention can mask weight loss.

I've been thinking about this a lot... after consideration, I think any WLS surgery for someone under 30 years of age isn't the best option. Exercise, dieting and making an sincere effort to shed the pounds should come first. WLS is still in its infancy. Professionals have no valid data to support how someone will be 30 or 40 years out from a WLS surgery. Earlier procedures have resulted in problems, especially for early lap-band recipients. I personally know people who have had all three popular surgeries, and some have had serious problems as a result. Any MAJOR ELECTIVE surgery should be considered a LAST RESORT. We all know that WLS is not a bandaid or instant cure-all for our weight problems. I would be worried about the long-term health effects for someone at that young of an age. At my age, I had little to lose.

I'd like to see studies done that do a breakdown of failures year by year. I realize that being recently banded means my success or failure data won't be meaningful for another several years.... but I do believe that recent surgical techniques have improved the success rate over what was achieved ten years prior.

I have a low fat Greek yogurt for breakfast, and mix in a cup of blueberries. If I feel the need to snack at night, I'll cut up half an apple into thin slices. That pretty much covers my fruit intake.

My post surgery experiences were mostly soreness and some gas pain. I was off of the liquid pain meds the day I went home (about 30 hours after surgery.) It was better than I had expected. But, I couldn't lay on the side where the port was placed for a few weeks.

You should be proud! That is a big accomplishment!!

After my third fill. I was banded in early December, and had my third fill in mid March. It was then I started to lose weight. Give yourself time to heal... it takes time to find the green zone, or to get close to it. Some folks do well without any fills, but most us need several to see results.

I think you are very wise to shop for the best surgeon. A good surgeon can make the difference between success and failure. Good luck to you! There is a surgeon rating scale on this board that can be searched. I wouldn't go to anyone who doesn't have a five star rating, and a lot of experience.

My nutritionist pushed eating enough protein at EACH meal. Proteins first, good carbs (veggies, etc.) second. Avoid processed carbs like breads, white rice, alcohol. I try for at least 70 grams of protein a day, or more... and I try to keep the calories close to 1000. But, your doctor should be providing guidance for your dietary needs after being banded. Some of us have to take supplements for calcium and vitamins as well, per the doctor's directions. They should have given you some guidance on minimum fluid intake for the day--dehydration can be a problem for folks who have been banded.

Morning and night, and I write it down in a small calendar appt. booklet. I don't fret the day to day variations... but it keeps me honest week to week.

I think this is required to ensure that you are ready to accept the life changes that are needed for the surgery to succeed. And more importantly that you are doing the surgery for yourself. Someone having surgery to impress their families, to keep a boy or girl friend is having surgery for the wrong reasons. I expressed concerns about not being to travel comfortably, and wanting the surgery for my self esteem and no one elses.

I agree with the others: follow the doctor's orders! They should have provided you with guidelines. Post surgery is for healing... you don't want to stress the sutures before they have had time to heal.

After three fills, the ONE food that I experience any feeling of restriction or uncomfort is when I eat a DunkinDonuts sandwich. Their wraps, and their sausage sandwiches, do cause some minor discomfort when I eat them. I like them because I can track the nutrients and the calories aren't that bad. But the wraps and meat are sticky and dry, and are the only foods that I have noticed that bother me. I can eat rice, bread, bananas, etc. without problems. My band is on the loose side, but so long as I can lose weight I won't be pushing for a fill.

I agree, your surgeon needs to get involved with these problems, and provide some answers. What you are going through sounds like hell and it is NOT normal.

36 pounds is great! I gained for three months after my surgery... it wasn't until the third fill that I was able to control portion sizes without being hungry afterwards. And then the weight starting falling off. Keep it up! I love success stories.

I'm new to cooking fish myself, but I've been buying the frozen fish haddock fillets from Costco. They have both breaded and unbreaded, but the breaded have twice the calories Taste good, though! I use our small toaster oven to cook my fillets. I make my own tartar sauce using low fat or low calorie ingredients. Funny thing: before the lapband I was challenged to cook a hotdog on the grill. I eat fish at least 8 times a week. It is nothing but healthy compared to red meats. Fish is very healthy and is a great protein. One four ounce fillet is about 100 calories. Not knowing what I am doing, I use a meat thermometer to ensure the fish is at least 160 degrees before eating it.