stept04

YES to all of the above comments. I'm close to 6 weeks out, and I can see how easy it would be to eat around the band. I don't do it, but there have been 2-3 days where I ate my usual 1/2 to 3/4 cup, and then shortly after ate something like graham crackers. Though still staying within my calorie range, I did not feel well; too much too close together. But I actually thought to myself, that I could totally graze all day in between meals, and really F things up. But I (we) have to remember why we took this path in the first place. It certainly wasn't to cheat around the surgery, which was a pretty drastic step to lose weight to begin with. BUT, we're all certainly not perfect people, and never really cured from this disease. (I'm going to get 12 step on ya)... we're always "in recovery", never recovered. We can slip and go the other direction at any time. That's why we have to be diligent with our program, and when we slip, get right back on track without beating the sh-t out of ourselves. This is a long term solution, not an immediate fix.
I had plication with my lap band, and I'm really glad that I did. I've found (like with the graham cracker fiesta) that even though something slides through the band, the smaller stomach size gives me a big wake up call.

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If you look at mis73's post, she has a link at the bottom of her page that reads "lap-band is not about restriction" It is a good read, but in there they discuss how someone could unknowingly slowly stretch out the pouch. It may help you a little if you read it. I enjoyed the whole article, and learned a lot about how the band works. I am glad Missy keeps it on her page. Good luck with your journey.

If you look at mis73's post, she has a link at the bottom of her page that reads "lap-band is not about restriction" It is a good read, but in there they discuss how someone could unknowingly slowly stretch out the pouch. It may help you a little if you read it. I enjoyed the whole article, and learned a lot about how the band works. I am glad Missy keeps it on her page. Good luck with your journey.

Go to the top of the page were you sign out and click on your name. A tab will come down and you just select my ticker. When you get there it should say on the right upper side, compose new. That should do it just follow the instructions. I'm no computer wiz so if it does not work maybe someone else will answer the post. Good luck
PS> Hope that's what you were talking about:)

I have a c-pap machine I have obstructive sleep apnea, and one of the causes is being over weight. My husband has obstructive and central sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is where your brain doesn't tell yourself to breath. So with obstructive sleep apnea you have more of a chance of getting of it with weight loss, but with central your chances are lower. The hardest thing about sleeping with the c-pap or bi-pap is getting used to the mask or finding the right mask. Finding the right mask made a difference for me and my husband. You will feel so much better if you can get to the point of using it every night.

I started out using a nasal pillow with the ear straps. It worked okay for awhile but then I just couldn't stand it. I tried switching the Bella straps (around the ear) for the ones that go around your head, but after a while hated that too. I now have a Sleepweaver which is soft fabric and that is so much easier to sleep with. I have the regular one and might try the Elan style which is even smaller, but the whole fabric thing is a lot easier than the plastic and rubber kinds. Sometimes the nasal pillow would actually make a whistling noise and who can sleep with that? The Sleepweaver doesn't do that. The other problem I had was with condensation in the tube. I like to sleep with the temperature lowered and sometimes even with the heat setting turned down low condensation would build up in the tube and if I turned a certain way all of a sudden I would get a trickle of Water in the mask and of course into my nose - not a good feeling. I tried a Snuggle cover for the hose but that didn't help. The technician had me try a heated tube and that seems to have fixed the problem.
You can also go on line and find suppliers that have accessories such as special pillows to accommodate your mask or things to help with the fit if you need them. Although my insurance covered a good portion of the cost of the machine and stuff, I still have to pay for part of it. Some masks have trial periods so you can exchange them for something different if they don't work. The other thing I do to save cost is when I get a new tube, I keep the old one and rotate them out. I wash one, let it hang to dry and use the other and vice versa. If you routinely wash and dry them you don't have to get new tubes and stuff as often and will save some money. Since you have to pay out of pocket perhaps they would consider giving you a discount?

You aren't "rambling", what you are doing is using this forum for what it's for! My mask only covers my nose, but there are tons of different types of masks that you can choose from. I will say this, don't expect to feel comfortable at first. At least in my case I hated wearing it for the first month or so. It was uncomfortable, hard to fall asleep, and just overall I didn't like wearing it. But, you will get used to it and do just fine! I started noticing that I would skip days and then feel like crap the next day (energy-wise), because of it. So I wore it even though it was harder to fall asleep (at first, NOT anymore). I'll put it this way, if I could choose to sleep with my mask for 4 hours or without it for 12 I'd choose the 4 hours with, and I would feel twice as energetic ! Good luck!!

I have a c-pap machine I have obstructive sleep apnea, and one of the causes is being over weight. My husband has obstructive and central sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is where your brain doesn't tell yourself to breath. So with obstructive sleep apnea you have more of a chance of getting of it with weight loss, but with central your chances are lower. The hardest thing about sleeping with the c-pap or bi-pap is getting used to the mask or finding the right mask. Finding the right mask made a difference for me and my husband. You will feel so much better if you can get to the point of using it every night.

I have a c-pap machine I have obstructive sleep apnea, and one of the causes is being over weight. My husband has obstructive and central sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is where your brain doesn't tell yourself to breath. So with obstructive sleep apnea you have more of a chance of getting of it with weight loss, but with central your chances are lower. The hardest thing about sleeping with the c-pap or bi-pap is getting used to the mask or finding the right mask. Finding the right mask made a difference for me and my husband. You will feel so much better if you can get to the point of using it every night.

Thank you

Where do you find PB2? On the internet?

http://www26.netrition.com/bell_plantation_pb2.html

Hi, Stephanie. That's a coincidence on the names. We adopted or oldest two boys and keep in contact with some of our previous foster kids. There's some more in common.
I was banded on April 24th. I have been on a liquid diet for a week and get to start eating soft foods tomorrow. I'm looking forward to a bowl of malt-o-meal. I read somewhere that that is a good transition food.
I had to do the high Protein, low carb diet for two weeks prior to surgery. It wasn't too hard. I had already been eating healthier, just not able to lose the weight.
I'd love to chat anytime, no matter where we live. Besides, we have a lot in common. Who knows, we could be related. Lol

I'll be near the rear on the 28th of May 2013. Good luck to everyone. I'l be curious to read the threads on everybody's journey.

It's great to have you, welcome. I get banded on the 28th of May. Good luck with your journey.

Note that the amount of Protein varies a lot between brands, I like Fage as it has a lot of Protein.< /p>
Another thing to note if you are watching the calories is that the fruit flavored ones have a lot of sugar Syrup. I prefer to put in my own fresh berries especially with all the fresh berries I have growing in my back yard.

The last thing I do before I cross the border and come home to Ontario Canada is grocery shop in Michigan. USA has the best yogurts/Greek yogurts around. We don't have near the variety you guys have so I stock up while I'm there. Heading to Michigan in 3 weeks..already excited about grocery shopping!

I bought a punching bag for my son a few years ago. One day I was playing around and punched it. I fell in love. I now have a mini boxing gym in my spare bedroom that the entire family enjoys. The speed bag is my favorite. The point of the story is that you never know what you're going to like, so try a lot of different stuff. I never would have thought a wimpy mother of four would start boxing at the age of 40.
ps. I only hit bags because they don't hit back

Congrats, you look good. It's amazing how much difference 30 pounds make.

The only ff yogurt I eat are the greek style they are so tasty and the regular type fat free always have a weird texture because the thicken a lot of them with Gelatin

Stept04, That's a good question...but we have to start somewhere. I have the bad feet, knees, hips, and back. I got a personal trainer at the local Y. I have had a membership for probably 5 years and only started going when it's obvious I must do something!
Please, for the rest of your life; start somewhere, you will feel better for it. Those endorphins are amazing buddies. I'd be happy to help encourage you along your journey. Pick something and do it routinely, like an appointment. Your appointment to better health.
I am pre-op, just met with the dietitian today. I don't expect to get a surgery date for a couple of months. Whatever you do, start slow, but be steady and make a goal of it. I'm on My Fitness Pal (kkua). We can do this together.
Best Wishes

I like light and fit ff by dannon, too. I add 1/4 cup of kashi go lean to it and it keeps me full for hours!

I LOVE the dannon lite and fit nonfat cherry greek yogurt. I even will sometimes mix in VERY well 2 tsb of PB2 (you gotta try it!)
125 calories, 1.5g fat and 17 grams of Protein that way....OMG, delish! Can you say dessert.