stacy73

always curious.. how did it go- well hopefully the anxiousness was not too unbearable- I was very nervous the weeks before- the day before I was nervous-but just tried to keep busy-well now you have completed the first hurdle... the surgery- the recovery isn't too bad-yes I admit I did have pain for about a week but it slowly subsides over time-some people have very little discomfort-what i can tell you was I did not need any pain meds at all- I have not even touched the tylenol at all- gas-x yes, tylenol no. So far my marriage has not been impacted in any way-my husband met and married me at my weight of 277 so it can only get better- he is trying to take off some weight too so that is helpful to me that we both are working on it. I a also afraid of the potential disappointment but what I have realized- it is now up to me-to do this - i have to put the work in-I have done the work before but just could not keep off the weight- the band will be so much help once in maintenance. So good luck-let us know how it went..

all I have to say is WTF???? perhaps it has something to do with the writing..advertising..public interestnot the actresses-as far as vin diesel as terminator.. spare me..

they wait 6 weeks to ensure proper healing- I get my fill next thursday and am praying for some restriction-even a little, please!!

jachut, if you do not mind me asking, what types of veggies and fruits do you normally eat? I had stir fry veggies today and did fine- I also tried mango today-my fav fruit-but it seemed to be too stringy-bananas seem to have too much sugar.The dr told me 6 g of sugar or less but I just think how the heck can I eat any fruit then?? it makes no sense.

you are doing great-see it was 2 min, now 5 min-we will make it!!

My skin looks better too-but I have to say my skin has been really dry since banding. Any others experience this?

my doc says it is common for some to gain weight before the first fill -One week I was up 3 lbs- then the next week I was back down- I have only lost 2 lbs in last 3 weeks- my fill is next week- don't worry:) I have heard of some getting blood clots- I was told to walk , walk, walk especially during the first couple of weeks to help avoid this

I guess the whole point is- do what is right for YOU.. everyone is different and loses differently.. once you find the way that works for you, the rest doesn't matter-if counting calories works, count calories-if avoiding white carbs works, then avoid white carbs-there is no right or wrong answer-this is all a process-what works for one might not work for the next person-we all know whether we are newbies or bandsters at goal-the band is not magic- that one must do the work it takes to lose the weight-the band is just a tool here to help us along the way-it is surprising when I read here how many people think that once they are banded the pounds will just magically disappear without work- the fact is the majority of us will have to work-really hard-might I add- to get this weight off. I guess the point I am trying to make is counting calories is not a requirement in this process, but it does help one to be accountable for what they are consuming, especially if there is little restriction or one is exepiencing a plateau.

well, i moved up from 5 min to 10 min last night- i set the machine on the cardio burn for first 5 min, then set it on normal mode after that- hope to move up to 15 soon.

I use the eas chocolate powder-it has 23 g of protein per scoop- you can get it from sams club- it costs about $25 vs the $50+ the other ones costs- it is pretty good- the other one I like is the champion protein whey stack- it is more expensive-there is another one online I have not tried that I think many people on this site use- it is called unjury-they have flavor free so you can mix it with soup, etc. i have not found a flavore free one yet that I like in any store-most of them have some flavor in them.in the stage you are in, what I would suggest is to do one shake a day-you can even start with the low carb slim fast-this will help you get in the routine of drinking th shakes-I know this helped me transition to the liquid phase much easier than I probably would have if I had not done anything.

did your doc prescribe you any anti nausea meds? mine did-i didn't need them but i did have nausea while in hospital-nausea can be caused by the anasthesia

i might try the activia the only problem is yogurt is so sweet tasting to me I can hardly get it down and I do take fibersure.. I think it is just the body in transition. now that I can eat anything I am trying to incorporate more veggies in my diet- not sure how that will work when I get a fill.

yay!!good job!!

i just started working out and I am only able to do 5 min but I mix it up with other exercise- I do notice in just 5 min I burn as many calories as i would riding the statiinary bike for 15 mintes- i will also be trying to work my way up to more eventually- I feel like I am working harder on the elliptical than on the treadmill or bike-keep it up, you will progress..

I am having the same problem-any input from other bandsters would be helpful-my doc had the same instructions and it is just not working!

I am only a month out- I do count calories but at this point it is really for future reference-for instance if I have a plateau I can go back and look at a really good week and see what I ate that week-some combos of foods work better at shedding the pounds- also am trying to be mindful of what I am eating- I may not count the calories obsessively every day but I do try to be conscious of it-if anything I would keep track of the protein-this is very important-it is not necessary to calorie count if you are following the banding instructions given to you by your doctor.

I was banded a little over a month ago- I though this feedback might to be helpful to others getting started. I was on a liquid diet for about 7 weeks total-cut back on all the sugar and carbs-haven't had soda since April and have had little coffee- I have not had a headache in about 3 months- I used to get headaches at least 5x a week- I am telling you that cutting down on the carbs and sugar really does work- I was a little concerned intially about not being able to take anything but Tylenol for pain but I have to say I have yet to need it. This goes to show that there are so many benefits besides the obvious, losing weight, that the lap band has to offer. I am grateful:)

I just tried the diet oceanspray cran-grape and it is really good-it tastes nothing like the diet cranberry- i agree that does not taste that great- i also have been adding water to mine even though they are diet- I do not like that strong artifical taste

I do not feel restriction either unless I go past the level I should not go past-usually 3/4 cup or more I become very uncomfortable hence the restriction w/o a fill- I have heard most people feel no restriction until their 3rd fill.So what i did to help control myself was I bought little plastic cups and bowls- the ones toddlers use to help me gage what portions I should be eating-then once i am done that is it- I stop.

I had some of the same symptoms as you did-I think it was lack of protein-make sure you are getting it all in-even though it is hard especially when you are not feeling good

I was in no way trying to imply that everyone would have the same result-just thought I would share my experience and hope that others will have similar experiences- we are all different but there probably will be some people out there with the same experience as me, no or less frequent headaches due to the reduction of sugar levels.Migraines are a different story-I never meant to imply that everyone would have this result-just thought I would share MY experience.

here is info i located on ap band- I have the ap 10cc band... AP lap bands<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:P></O:P> Allergan/Inamed has a new band in the US called the AP band. There are a couple of differences in this band and the previous ones: 1. Cuff - the cuff on the AP band is 360 degrees around, as opposed to about 300 degrees on the prior bands (there was no cuff around the buckle on the old ones) 2. Cuff length - the cuff on the AP band is 18mm longer/taller than on the previous bands, so the surface area in contact with the stomach is much greater, hopefully increasing the speed of weight loss and maybe reducing the risk of slips 3. Cuff volume - the AP small holds 10cc, the AP large holds 14cc Note that we do not believe that AP patients will lose MORE weight, just possibly faster. So those of you with the older models, it would definitely not be to your benefit to think about having your band swapped out! <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> <LI class=MsoNormal>They are either APS (small, 10cc) or APL (large, 14cc). <LI class=MsoNormal>They are considered by some to be "the next generation in AGBs". <LI class=MsoNormal>They are considered less likely to cause blockage or obstruction than other AGP types. <LI class=MsoNormal>They are considered less likely to slip than other AGP types. <LI class=MsoNormal>They are considered to be less likely to cause band erosion than other AGP types. <LI class=MsoNormal>Like the VG band it is "Omniform" technology - i.e. the balloon has ribs or baffles and the band itself is curved. <LI class=MsoNormal>The AP has more of a 360 inflation around the stomach as opposed to the 10cm or 9.75cm (4cc) bands, which have more like 260 or 280 degrees inflation (the rest being the buckle), and the VG which has more like 280 or 300. It is understood that this was simply an upgrade to the existing band to make it easier and less traumatic to remove. <LI class=MsoNormal>The silicone material is much softer than other AGP types. <LI class=MsoNormal>They are more concentric (rounded) when inflated than other AGB types. <LI class=MsoNormal>The balloon is pleated to 'grip' the stomach better. <LI class=MsoNormal>The balloon goes all the way around the inner surface of the band, rather than missing a piece at the locking mechanism. <LI class=MsoNormal>The balloon is wider. A sideview of the band shows the balloon protruding top & bottom rather than sitting flush. <LI class=MsoNormal>They have an easier release mechanism to remove the band if need be. <LI class=MsoNormal>They have the locking mechanism isolated from the stomach. <LI class=MsoNormal>AP type bands have been FDA approved for the US, but will not be available until the summer at the earliest. <LI class=MsoNormal>We understand that there are NO plans at this time to discontinue any of the bands Allergan already makes. They still plan to manufacture and offer the 10cm and the 9.75cm (the 4cc) bands as well as the VG band. <LI class=MsoNormal>new : AP ( Advanced Platform ): APS ( small)

So far there is nothing I cannot eat yet, but I have not had a fill yet so that may change-can eat anything in the right portions.

Yes, it is perfectly normal- I started to get anxious about 2 weeks before surgery- but then on surgery day, I was calm-very bizarre- everything will go well-Dr.Srikanth is a very skilled surgeon. he knows what he is doing- I do not know if you have researched him or not but he is very educated and has experience in a lot of different areas in medicine.I had to start my pre-op liquid diet early- are you on preop diet at all? If not , i would start soon -it has really helped me stay on track- the liquid diet really was not that bad- I actually went to Vegas for my anniversary one week prior to banding and kept to the liquid diet- lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks on that. keep it going- just think you will be eating normally before xmas!! good luck and don't worry too much.

My nsv- went to the mall the other day and thought I would try some clothes on- I am down 2 sizes! yay!