lisacaron

@@send2steph if you are able to eat these items without having a band issue, then you should continue to enjoy them. Make sure to get your protein levels in first and then go ahead and enjoy the vegies.

@@susancae you are not alone. There are and have been many who have posted that they "cheated" on their pre-op and even some who have cheated post op!! This whole process is very hard, it's a change to something that you have been used to for a long time and it doesn't happen over night. The reason for the pre-op diet is an important one. Some of it is physiological and has to deal with shrinking your liver and other organs prior to surgery and the other is mental/emotional and behavioral. These last ones are the most difficult hurdles WLS patients have to overcome. Even after surgery these are issues that will remain with us long after the operation. So going through these steps pre-op will help you to get through the post op period where cheating is NOT an option, and make it into a life style change that you can live with it for the rest of your life. If you cheat during the pre-op you are only cheating yourself. If you cheat enough you may be denied surgery even down to the moment of surgery if you have not achieved what your surgeon wanted you to. Yes you can make mistakes during this time with minimal damage. Now is the time to learn and make those mistakes, but really attempt to rein yourself in and adjust to get back on track and not nibble that food while cooking. Those are habits that you need to break now because in the long run they are going to make things much much harder for you. Cheating post op can seriously damage your internal organs so don't do it!! Learn today and make your mistakes now. Learn how to combat those mistakes and put a plan together to help yourself when you find yourself grazing or "cheating". What works for me when I am making dinner, is to enjoy a nice cup of coffee with one of those international or flavored creamers. I get the sugar free one, not the fat free one though now they have both sugar free and fat free. I enjoy that much like a "treat" while I am making dinner and it keeps me from needing or wanting to eat while I am drinking and preparing the meal. Often I work late and by the time I start cooking I am ravenous and this really helps me. You can do the same with tea if you are not a coffee drinker and you can use decaf as well. Good luck I"m sure you can and you will do this!

Hi friends,it's a no Turkey Tuesday!!!! Hoooray!!! I think I am done with Turkey, for the foreseeable future. Even though I made the turkey last year I don't think I enjoyed any of it, this year I had some and was not feeling well after, so I just chalked it up to maybe I ate to much of it or too fast. Well no that's not it...I had it again and the same thing happened. Hubs and kids were all fine...me nope! Headache and tummy ache and just felt terrible for about an hour after eating it. Turkey has not joined broccoli in the "it doesn't agree with me" category. Anyone ever have that happen with fresh whole Turkey? Turkey burgers, and/or ground turkey meat does not have this affect on me. Just the freshly cooked one.

@@AbruptlyBlue Thank you for taking the time to post your questions and concerns.There are so many who don't reach out and just read hoping to find an answer to their specific question or need when they would do better to just ask I say this because this is exactly what you need to do. As you explore the idea of surgery before you jump in with both feet for any surgery a good first place to start is with the Dr. Compile a list of medications, medical diagnosis and questions that you would like to present to the Dr. this way when you have your initial meeting, you can ask them what you need to know and they will be advised of where you are at from a medical and medicinal standpoint. An important part of bariatric surgery is often psycho therapy, there is usually a consult prior to surgery with the Dr.'s bariatric psychologist and they might also be in a good position help to answer any questions you have with regard to your bipolar condition and medication for such. Having a good support system is paramount to success, so I would also loop in your current Dr.'s and psychiatrist and let them know that you are thinking of WLS, though you have not yet determined which one will be the best for you, and perhaps once you have narrowed down the Bariatric practice you could have all your doctors consult to help you determine which surgery might be the best fit for you. I honestly think that more people should take this approach to WLS before undergoing the actual surgery. I am banded, and so far this surgery is working for me. I am not losing weight rapidly it's a process and often wrought with learning curves. However I have not gained back any weight, and continue down the path to good health. I still like the fact that the band is adjustable to my lifestyle and that when needed I am able to open it up or tighten it up as needed, as well as knowing I have not re-routed any of my inner organs. That said however, there is also a foreign object in my body that has the potential to cause problems and there are those that are not comfortable with this idea. So give it some long hard thought do your due diligence and ready and learn all you can about the different surgeries. Talk to your Dr. and others...and see what works best for you and perhaps others who also have similar conditions. Best of luck to you, and please let us know what you decide and how your doing!

Hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving Holiday!!! If your like me...and enjoyed it a bit too much and are maybe feeling a little "off track" Here is a little help you get back on track today! Not so long ago, you were energetic and determined to start your healthy lifestyle. Starting with enthusiasm and hope, you watched your food intake diligently, exercised like it was going out of style, and even avoided the temptation that seemed to lurk around every corner. You were confident that you were going to reach your goals once and for all! Then certain tragedy struck! The Holiday’s came along as they do every year…or perhaps it’s your birthday, or just a very stressful time in your life. No matter the reason or the season...maybe ate an extra piece of cake or a second serving of your favorite food. Thinking to yourself that you had “blown” your eating plan, you ate another and another and couldn’t get it together the next day either. You missed one workout, and that turned into a whole week away from the gym. After that, your momentum to start over again was gone, and your gym bag hasn’t left the closet since. Or worse (like me!) it's a combination of these two!!!! Every time you misstep on your healthy journey, you have two choices: to keep walking backwards, which will surely take you even further away from your goals; or to accept your lack of perfection as normal and forgivable, and take not one, but two positive steps down the path that brings your closer to the future you want. If you’re reading this, you might have been walking backwards for a while. But instead of waiting for the next day, week, month or even year to overhaul your habits, start TODAY. And start small. You can’t go from the recliner to running or from burgers to Brussels sprouts in an afternoon. But you can do one, two or even a handful of small things that will help you regain your momentum for healthy living. When you feel like getting back on track is overwhelming, try one (or more) of these small steps each day. 1. Try a short workout. Even five minutes is better than nothing. 2. Try a new recipe. Cooking healthy foods can be fun and it never has to be bland. 3. Eat a healthy breakfast. Your morning meal sets the stage for the rest of your day, so start if off right. 4. Drink your water. Try to aim for 8 cups each day and you’ll feel the difference! 5. Read the message boards for inspiration! Seeing how others overcome similar struggles and obstacles can be a great source of motivation. 6. Track your food today. No matter how it adds up, you’ll learn from it. 7. Update your profile on your favorite calorie/fitness tracker! It’s a visual way to track your ups and downs, but also your progress. 8. Share your goals. Whether you post them on the Message Boards or share them with a friend, you’ll be more accountable. 9. Exercise for 10 minutes. Jump rope, march in place, or do some crunches. Small amounts do add up to something big! 10. Find a buddy. Get support from friends, whether you need someone to listen or a mentor to give you ideas and encouragement. 11. Take a walk. Don’t worry about how long or far you go—just get out there! 12. Create a motivational collage. Include pictures of your goal and reasons why you want to get there. 13. Go shopping for some healthy foods. Create a shopping list and stick to it. 14. Check the nutrition facts before you go out to eat. That way, you can make an informed choice. 15. Ride your bike. Even a leisurely ride has benefits for your body and mind. 16. Work in the yard. Gardening and yard work is a great way to add activity to your day. (I know I have lots of leaves to rake!) 17. Take the stairs. Even if this is the only thing you do all day, you’ll feel stronger for it. 18. Revamp your goals, aim for a certain milestone, such as 3 pounds this week or walking 10,000 steps, and then reward yourself with a nonfood item! 19. Listen to an inspirational song. Better yet, make a playlist of them so you can turn to it whenever you need a boost. 20. Revamp your menu for the week. Sometimes it’s easier to get back on track when you have a clean slate. 21. Measure your portions. It’s a simple way to learn how much you’re eating. 22. Eat a piece of fruit. Even if 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetables sounds impossible to you, one is doable. 23. Slow down during meals. You’ll be less likely to overeat and more likely to enjoy your meal. 24. Play! What kids call “play,” we often call “exercise” Play a sport, a game, or use the playground equipment to bring the fun back into fitness. 25. Learn something new. Sometimes simply taking a quiz or reading an article about nutrition, fitness, or health can change your mindset and get you back on track. With healthy eating and exercising, as long as you’re consistently out-stepping your steps back, you’re ahead of the game. If you expect perfection (and many of us do), you’re setting yourself up for disappointment and guilt. You CAN get back on track today. Even if you’re moving slowly, you’ll be moving in the right direction!

@@Debbie3sons Happy Birthday!!! Enjoy all those celebrations!!!

Sending you my address!!! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!! I am so ready for December!!

What is the reason that you had WLS? Is it all about being thin? Being what others consider "socially acceptable"? Is it about wearing certain clothes that you think or feel just don’t look good on you now? Perhaps it’s your own reflection in the mirror or a photograph?? What is it that motivates us to keep on going through all the trials and tribulations that WLS entails? From the moment we think about or hear about the possibility of this surgical solution to our “problem” or would I be remiss if I said ailment? Are you ailing from obesity? Do you count yourself among those that feel that they have a disease? Or perhaps you fall along the lines of those that think they have other diseases because of their obesity? Perhaps you have diabetes and you think that maybe if you weren’t overweight you wouldn’t be diabetic? Or have heart disease or sleep apnea….? Are you ailing from obesity or is it what ails you? Go back to the beginning of our journey what motivated you to begin looking into and researching WLS as an option? Was it something your Dr. suggested? Why did they suggest it? Did they think that you would be cured and that all that ails you might diminish with the pounds and numbers on the scale? Today, have you lost a significant amount of weight only to find yourself still ailing from obesity or to find that obesity is still what ails you? Are you comfortable in your skin? Do you like your reflection or your photograph? You’ve jumped through the hoops or you are in the process of defining the hoops and preparing to jump through them. You are putting in the work, have you ever worked so hard for anything else before?! So…what does it mean to you?? How do you define your WLS or more importantly I think is: How has or does WLS define you?

I am grateful for: My Husband My Children My Friends My Furry Friends My Forum Friends!

@@brianb I agree with the posters above. You may need a "slight" unfill just a tiny bit of Fluid out can make all the difference. Don't wait, I had this issue where my stoma swelled up and nearly closed which caused a pouch dilation where I had to have all the fluid removed. So give your doc a call and have just a bit taken out that will help you to feel better and you should be able to drink normally. No one wants to guzzle Water or any other beverage it's not good for our digestion band or no band Hope all goes well for you!! Let us know how your doing.

@@briefs199 There are some Calcium chews that also have Vitamin D in them. Why are the mini pills a no no for you? Are you having trouble swallowing them? There are also a few vitamin companies you can find near the chewable section of the pharmacy that make Vitamin D chewable the names escape me now... I take the mini Vitamin D pills as does the hubby.

@@parisshel I am so glad that you went to the ER and that they were able to help stabilize you. The symptoms of heart attack in women are so much different then what we would think they are. Here is a link to a Video by Elizabeth Banks on Heart Attacks in Women. We might think it can't be that, but sometimes it can very well be. I had one when I was very young due to medical complications after the birth of my son. https://www.goredforwomen.org/about-heart-disease/symptoms_of_heart_disease_in_women/just-a-little-heart-attack/ It is a GREAT idea to have your cardio Dr. sync up with your bariatric surgeon because the Vagus nerve can also play a role in what's going on and most Cardiologist are not familiar with WLS patients, having him consult with your surgeon will help in what ever diagnosis and treatment that may be needed. So glad you are OK. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and keep in touch let us know how your doing.

@@parisshel I have read on here where some have had these symptoms from the Vagus nerve, which is stimulated by food passing by the band. So it might not matter what you are eating, where with other surgeries dumping is usually caused by too much sugar and/or rich foods. In band cases it could be the Vagus nerve sending signals to the brain that could be triggering these responses. It wouldn't hurt to give your Dr. a call and explain what's going and ask them for their advice and explanation. Especially being a woman, the signs of stroke/heart attack can also be similar and though we think it's nothing and related to our bands...it's better to be safe then sorry. Here is a link with a little more info on the Vagus nerve. http://www.wisegeekhealth.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-vagus-nerve-disorders.htm

Sure you can! Mine are 26-23-20 but you know what my body has never changed back to how it was before I had them. I used to keep hoping that when I hit menopause it might revert but no such luck. WE have to take into account what we eat, calories in vs out yes that is true. However that said, it doesn't always work for everyone. My intake is far less and my output of exercise is high and my body reacts negatively to this. Sometimes even full out rebels and I get sick as my white cells start attacking thinking there is something to "fight" off. That's why it makes me think of a virus, but that is my own specific immune system response, everyone is different. However once I learned that most of our immune system is found in our gut...well that kind of had me thinking that maybe my theory of viral fat cells is not so far fetched. Why is obesity such a disease in our modern world? Is it because we don't hunt and forage for our food anymore or is it perhaps because we have changed the chemical and molecular make up of the world we live in and the food we eat? I'm not environmentalist but it begs the question...why are so many of us obese?

@@ms.lissa@@lafaye999 follow up please....how are you ladies doing?

Hi Everyone, been MIA a bit catching up on the crazy life here! Weather has got me nutso, pups were sick...Ken and I have a new WLS Dr. now and I had to have some testing done...work...kids...all the fun stuff you know Glad to see everyone is doing well, Happy "belated" Birthday @@☠carolinagirl☠ Celebrate every day!!! As for the negative ninny's out there...UGH is all I can say. Some people just feel the need to be negative and to have their voice heard as if they are making a difference or saving the world. Really, these people need to get a grip and get a life. Come back when you have some experience in both area's and then lets talk I bet their tune changes quite a bit.

I will say this, having read through the replies on this post.There were many women here that replied they gained weight after or as a result of pregnancy. I have said this for a LONG time, though Dr.'s really fail to listen to me and I'm sorry but I know MY body better then any of them ever could. I live in here...I know what goes in and what comes out and what happens on a 24/7 365 day basis no one knows it as much as I do. I was thin, and I do mean thin through out my younger years and into my very first pregnancy. That child did not survive but I noticed that my "body" had changed. Not only in my "mood" with the hormones that were coursing through it but in the way my body responded to those hormones and the shifts that go on. Suddenly it felt like trying to stick a square peg in a round hole, it just didn't fit. Next pregnancy, I didn't gain an ounce in 7.5 months Dr.'s began to "worry" so I began to EAT. I had a skinny anorexic cousin and my grandmother used to tell her to eat Peanut Butter and macaroni and cheese to gain weight. So I did that till I was ready to puke and then would lay down so I couldn't and that food would stay in. In a month I gained about 30 pounds, and the poor Dr. thought I might be diabetic. I had to go through 4 sugar tests because I would not tell her what I was doing to keep gaining the weight. Fast forward to the end of that pregnancy and a weight gain of nearly 60 pounds, no diabetes I confessed to the Dr. and my son was born of average weight 7.5 pounds 3 days before his due date on Thanksgiving day! The lovely nurse in the hospital (horrible experience there! A Nun there came to room and told me I should have died when I had major complications after delivery! Yes that happened.) the nurse told me as I squeezed into a control panty my mother told me I should wear after the baby, that the weight would not go away so easily nor would my "cravings". I almost feel like it was some kind of curse because after that....I never ate the same way again. My body never reacted to food the same way, and suddenly I always craved bad food, and I was hungry all the time. Fast Forward two kids later, my body now went from not gaining weight to easily gaining weight. As if once the fat cells were turned on they took over like a virus!! Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone could figure out how to cure that virus or at least put it into remission?!

I am going to confess I have not read EVERY single post on this this thread. However what I have read...seems to be a bit off the point that @B52 was trying to make...and yet perhaps it is the VERY point that this thread makes. These forums are not about you vs. me, about your surgery is better then mine or I am better then you. My Dr. said this and yours should have told you that... WE have gotten off the topic of SUPPORT. Once upon a time there was a place where Banders went to get support from other banders and Sleevers from Sleevers etc...now that we are all a blended family of WLS patients it seems our dysfunction is showing on many levels. We are here to support each other and share our common views, about eating and food choices perhaps about food addiction or emotional eating etc. The way I eat with my band is not how you eat with your sleeve or RNY or other surgery or medical procedure and vs. versa. We have commonality and we have difference. We need to respect that and not cast our opinions toward each other or the choice of surgery. True the band might not work for all, and it is through trial and error they figure that out. The same can be said for the sleeve and RNY. The surgery that we choose today may not be the right solution for us in the long run, and that is why Dr.'s, hospitals and other medical companies are still out there researching and trying to find what that common denominator is when it comes to obesity. So lets not lose sight of what this site is here for...put all your "studies" down and start living and supporting your neighbor in their fight against obesity, no matter which pair of sneakers they chose to wear...we are all running in the same race and have similar destinations in mind. Dr.'s and more importantly hospitals are going to do what's in THEIR best interest to do and that is to make money. Lapband surgery is cheaper and the other surgeries make the hospitals more money in the short term. If we want something and we think it's right for us, we have to advocate for ourselves and speak up loud and clear. Let the Dr.'s and Hospitals know THIS is what we want and why. Let them prove the reason why it's not good and/or good for US before they take it off the table. If they don't/won't listen to you, find a surgeon who will. Your voice should be the loudest in the room when it comes to your health and your care and if you don't understand why...speak up! IMO Lapband is becoming a less "favored" surgery not because of it's failure but because of the failure of patients to speak up and request it, in favor of the Dr. and hospitals choice.

@☠carolinagirl☠@RJ'S/beginning I ditto your post and all those above!! You are all the best!

To the dorks from the geek...if you are on the website you just hit "more reply options" and from there it gives you a way to browse to choose your photo's. Then you upload and click on attach this file. Then you will see a mini thumb nail of the photo beneath the text box and to the far right it will say add to post/Delete Click on add to post It will come up as this odd text of coding for example {attachment= bunch of numbers and .jpg} When you hit add reply at the bottom it will actually change the "coding" to your photo. If you are on the iphone: it is that much easier just choose the picture icon and choose a photo to upload and to the post The same bunch of coding will appear in your reply...but will post as a photo along with your written comment. By the way love the photo's!!! keep them coming!!! it's a great way to get to know each other even if we can't always meet in person!!!

Hmm...I would go to a consignment store and sell all the clothes that are too big on you or donate them. Then go out and buy yourself something new and form fitting to your size and fabulous! When you see her again wearing your new fabulous outfit and smile you can tell her "Thank you" if she hadn't given you all those clothes back then you would not have been able to purchase this new and awesome Size what ever smaller now outfit. You can add all that or simply just pass by with a 100 watt secret smile and say Thank you! It will kill her, it's not unkind, and it will make you feel good too

@gowalking@☠carolinagirl☠ I echo those comments LOUD and Proud!!! "confidence is sexy.....and it shows (clothes or without) you deserve every bit of happiness" Life is meant to be enjoyed and Liz my NYC pal I am so happy to read about all the wonderful things that you are experiencing in life!!! I think I have a contact high....Woooo hooooo!!!!!

@@susancae Ah yes what @@gowalking said! My hubs and I the DAY we decided we were going to have this surgery also decided we were going to tie on a couple of bibs and start mourning our food. We did that for a day or so, and as Liz said...I was sick to my stomach and had an epiphany! What the hell were we doing?! We were going to have WLS to make our lives better!!!! We weren't going to the electric chair!! Cheesecake would be there after surgery too!! So would Key Lime Pie, Steak, Taco's and Spinach dip! The best part about them today...I actually ENJOY eating them!!! Before I would devour the cake before I even knew I had taken a bite of it....what did it taste like? I have NO idea, I just know it was gone...and maybe I needed another so I could tell you how it tasted! Today...I enjoy the "idea" of the cake before it even arrives, I enjoy the aroma of it and if it's garnished with strawberry I enjoy them as well. I enjoy the texture and flavor and I can tell you if it's a NY cheesecake or not! IMO Brooklyn still has the corner on cheese cake. My point is that yep I eat it again but now I only have a quarter of the slice I share with my husband or friend and that's IF we can fit it or even want it after eating a meal. So hubs and I focused on what pre-op testing would mean to us...and for me I'm PICKY. I don't like the taste of things, and drinking things that smell bad or have a nasty texture to me...well it's not gonna happen. You should see the dance and faces and howling that goes on over cough medicine!! I try REALLY hard NOT to get sick! So I started "sampling" shakes and Protein bars..and when we found one we liked we started weeks before our actual pre-op and replaced a meal at a time until we were in full pre-op diet mode. That made it much easier for me because I had a plan. Do you have a plan? If that makes you more comfortable like it did for me...work on it write it out, put reminders in your phone what ever works for you...and I wish you all the best!!!! You can do it!!! and you will eat again just remember that in the back of your mind...

I would have to say that I am with all the "lifers". This is my life, I live and breath and eat and sleep it every day. Some days it can be a struggle, a life style, a challenge and adventure, and even a journey but through it all it's life. Having surgery did not change who I am, I am me and that's who I will always be. I don't allow WLS to define me even though it is part of me. I had this surgery to make my life better, to make my life healthier and hopefully live it longer:)