Jack

Years ago some cartoonist, Larsen I think, who published a single frame cartoon that summarized my own life at just that moment. There was a office building being swept down river and about ready to plummet over the falls. It was on fire in the upper story, and the window was broken. I don't recall whether someone was in the window....but the large sign attached to the roof proclaimed this was a "Crisis Clinic". I was a social worker in the depths of my own despair facing a pending divorce. One catastrophe upon another, seemed beyond remedy. Of course this may not relate to your own situation, yet for me it somehow helped me focus on finding a solution to the most imminent peril. You know what to do regarding your healthy life style as a postOp Bandster. You've done it with success before today. Just what is keeping you from doing what you already know how to do? Cheers on your journey.

My little blender got quite a work out in the first 18 months as most of my meat had to go into that process. I got quite used to whizzing up my hard Protein as I just couldn't chew enough. Also at one point, for handy protein snack I came to enjoy a spoon of peanut butter in a 1/2 cup yogurt, sometimes with a drop or 2 of liquid stevia. After overcoming my initial disinclination for that snack, it remains a favorite. There is a world of flavors in your spice rack, many just waiting to be added to a regular smoothie.

". All I want is savory flavors." that was my own experience too! Well stated.

"Me too" PostOp Bandster Life is good.....VERY good!!!!

Nice concise summary of a recent study: http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/169135/short-insulin-results-diabetes

congratulations! My own 1st fill was right at 7 months postOp. I too was apprehensive but it was no problem. Make sure you pay attention to the signs of "too tight" as after about my 3rd tiny fill I misread the obvious. Given I have the antique 4cc Band, it doesn't take much to be "too much" or "too little".

I've lost friends over stuff a lot less important than my own personal health care decisions. And for a strident list of pseudo intellectual garbage that is wrong both in premise as well as fact, your time will be far better utilized by attending to the rigors of healthy living than somebody's list of fantasies. Cheers on your journey.

I too lost the need for CPAP with moderate weight loss, after 10 long years on the machine.

I was quite plugged up following surgery. It took almost a week to finally get action. Whether it was the late effects of anesthesia or other meds, or the lost of normal peristaltic movement from food intake, I finally gave birth....No details provided in consideration of the sensibilities of the Gentle Readers here....suffice it to say I've never had such an experience before. The last few days before I was truly ready to head to ER, was a few oz. of straight prune juice several times per day. FInally I got an 8oz glass down, & magic happened. Ample fluids helped the process, but in the postOp no Fiber intake period, I was becoming concerned. Don't hesitate to call your Doc if necessary. I don't think postOp constipation is unusual.

re: "I have no willpower. I so hope that I am able to get a fill and keep it." for me, I call this "won't power" as I have better control over "won't" than "will"..... and I had to go way underfilled as I would throw up daily. Yes I gained nearly 25 # back, and have slowly reestablished my own sense of "!WON'T!".... This week I dropped my ongoing affair with cheese. Not so hard to do. So far. But WAY too many calories. And yes, we ARE from the Tribe of the Morbidly Obese. We have to invent ways that work, to keep us active & healthy. I'm getting more physically active every day, regardless of the creaks & clunks from the rest of my body. I grow into eating more solid Protein & less crap...yes, we all know what it is. You can do this. Do ONE thing each day we know is healthy. That's the route I'm taking to The Way Back!

I've noted the periods of 'more discomfort' on my port, are related to those times when I've rammed that part of my belly into something which serves as a kind of blunt force. First time about 1 year postOp I was loading yard debris into a utility trailer where the side was just a little below my port. By that evening I noticed along with the discomfort was a little bruising, which coincided where I would lean over the side rail without thinking about it, and subject poor Mr. Port to some kind of fulcrum-wedging. The last few years the only port discomfort I've had, is a bit of tender skin over the port area, which the more I rubbed it seemed to make me less happy. I changed that little habit and over the last 6 months have had no complaint....well....HARDLY none. Sometimes my fantasy is it would be nice to move it....yet it seems perfectly placed and perfectly installed. Mine is to the right of mid line half way to the lateral side of body, and about 8" above my navel. Perfect access for any fills I've had, as it is well stabilized and easily palpated. When I lost my first big amount of weight, it was rather like a smooth quarter-sized pebble that became easier to notice as the glacial fat melted away. Now it's noticeable as a roundish lump under my t-shirt when I'm out flexing on the beach.

An xray study to confirm Band location might help solve this inquiry.

congratulations!

I can't address the flight questions as I quit flying 25 years ago. However, "eating in a foreign land" I can comment upon, as I took a 15 day coast-to-coast road trip from Portland Oregon to S. Florida, and was subject to many abnormal stresses. I adapted the basic Bandster Lifestyle to the circumstances, and had no issues arise that were troubling....well....other than trying to figure out why the boiled peanuts I got never seemed to live up to the promise of joy and amazement their fans promised I'd enjoy. Eating unusual foods in unusual places isn't all that difficult if you keep your discipline and your basic Bandster habits.

at this stage ALWAYS take your OWN snacks---that will give experience in learning how better to control your own circumstance as for We of the Tribe of the Morbidly Obese face a hostile universe out there which is unconcerned with our needs or well being.

I used to be rather accomplished at burping. PostOp these 9+ years I doubt I've burped as much as twice.

Hope you all are satisfied. All this pizza stuff stuck in my eater-brain. Today I had pizza. OK, one slice. OK....2 slices.....it was cut in half!!!

further.......at this phase there is considerable volume still existing the colon from a previous career of over eating....as mine was. Not to worry, and become very aware of WHAT you eat can also drive you into more hunger.....which is a certain set up for further confusion. As a diabetic I have foods that no matter how much I like them, they simply have to be considered Sinister Killers! pureed and pulverized and even Protein powder, I saw a lot of such in the 'mushies before solids' phase. Don't weaken, and don't give up, don't give in and don't give yourself harder time. Do some more reading on the subject & in a few days you'll find a LOT of answers to what you ask. Meanwhile, don't be hesitant about contacting YOUR Dr. and nutritionist. THEY know your needs far better, and are in a position to give personal advise.

Early postOp it was hard for me to get 600-700 calories in, as 'hunger' was non-existent. Enjoy the sensation, as soon enough you will develop an altered and much better sense of when to eat and how much. Sometimes even literally ONE BITE is plenty. Don't be alarmed about being 'not hungry'. I spent most of my preOp life trying to become 'not hungry' by striving to 'get full' and that was the wrong approach. Strive to get your Rational Mind in control of your old habits and erroneous 'hunger beasts'. We can train our belly beast once we realize who is in charge! cheers on your journey

AT now-nearly 10 years postOp, I'm finding it DELIGHTFUL to actually SIT down and eat a real meal, with defined time-of-day set aside for doing such. As a life-long grazer, the old grab-a-gulp on the dead run was way difficult to change. Nor do I eat while driving, or at fast food joints. Thanks for the tips.

David Mendosa posts his report on USDA study of saturated fats and diabetics. Impressive turn-around based on actual observation shows new evidence vs the bogus theories of the past 40 years http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/168338/saturated-back-people-diabetes

I have long noticed I feel better longer eating the real stuff in moderate amounts. I had to go back on insulin almost 2 years ago and moderating with the new insulin is less a savage balance than the old stuff. I still eat too much carbs%, but do find higher hard Protein remains a Very Good Idea in my daily journey. Butter too. Thankfully such as KK etc have no pull on me these days. I may be one of the only people on the planet that NEVER has had one.

It took me about 18-24 months to even think I wanted any pizza postOp. And like Pasta, while I now 'can' eat it, it just isn't all that appealing as it once was. I have it maybe every 2 or 3 months, and 'my half' takes days to finally get eaten. PreOp I would inhale a whole large one several times a week, along with adult liquid to just wash it on down. Symbiant, my Little Angel of the Silicon Fist, allows me to eat mostly anything I want.....while my Band helps me simply not care to continue my old unconscious over consumption. Sometimes only 1 or 2 bites is 'just right'.

Don't just to conclusions just yet; see your Dr right away, and please be sure to let us all know your results. There are other reasons than "C" that can result in bleeding.

Welcome to the Forum! I'm 68 & in 9+ year postOp. Most of my clan make it to close to that mark.... No idea on how the Band will tolerate such good genes..... cheers on your journey