DLW

So totally awesome for you Cindy. You look fantastic too. My shape is also the same but I am only 5.5. I used to be 5.7. Not real sure what happened there. haha. Maybe age? LOL Oh well.... you look great and keep up the good work. It must feel really good inside too. Congrats!! Dianne

Oh my gosh!! I just realized that you posted way back in October!! What a bonehead. Sorry about the previous message Kristin. daaaaaaaaaaaa............ Dianne

Sorry about this question Kristin but what are you having surgery on? It says that you were banded Nov. 9th on your ticker yet you say that you have a big banding day coming up. I imagine that you've been posting about something that happened with your band? Complications? Just catching up. I was banded Nov. 5th and have lost 22 pounds. You've lost an amazing amount, good for you. I bet you feel awesome too. You go girl! I can't wait to be 217 myself. 8 more pound to go!! Take care, Dianne

Hi Kristin, I just started going to support group meetings. I've been to like 3 of them. I have actually learned alot from them. At one of the meetings they had their nutrisionist there explaining the importance of exercise, vitimins and diet. I learned that I should be taking some supliments that's for sure. Especially a daily vitimin and some calcium. I say "thier" nutrisionist because the support group I go to is in my home town and is open for anyone who has had the surgery. I had my surgery out of town and didn't want to travel that far to attend an hour or hour and a half meeting. I met some really nice women there too. We share experiences and ask each other bunches of questions. There is a leader in the group who works at the surgeons office. She is very knowledgable, she's had the RNY surgery herself and lost like 150 pounds! She's great. I would encourage you to go to a support group. It so helps when you can ask questions like, "why the heck is my hair falling out and is anybody else's?" Or, "has anyone had something stuck for more then an hour?" I did actually, it was stuck for 3 hours!! It was aweful. Got through it though. Anyway, seek out a support group for yourself, I highly recommend it. Good luck to you, Dianne

It's funny how just yesterday I went to my hairdresser to have a haircut and asked her about the Nioxin. I started losing some of my hair about a month ago. I was banded Nov. 5th. I've lost 22 pounds. I have 7.5cc's in a 10cc band. I'm getting another fill next Tuesday. I'm hoping to get another 1cc. Anyway, what my hairdresser told me was that she used the nioxin too. I said you don't need to use it, you're not losing your hair are you? She's like 22 years old. She said no she wasn't losing her hair. She uses it for the fullness look. She said that that is what the Nioxin does, makes your hair "appear" fuller. She said that it doesn't cause hair growth, like someone else said above, if it were true then there'd be no "bald" people. It just gives the appearance of fuller hair. I think I'm going to stop using it when my bottles, shampoo, conditioner and treatment are gone. I think it's just a waiting period. Our bodies have to adjust to the change. Oh well, small price to pay for getting healthier and happier with ourselves. :-)

Thanks for the reply Kathie719. It's good to hear that others have the same thing going on. I had actually gotten food stuck a couple of times. I thought I was going to die! It lasted anywhere from 20 minutes one time to 3 hours another! It was terrible. I was thinking....what the heck have I done? It sure is a learning curve. I would have told anyone for the first 3, almost 4 months to not have it done! I've adjusted since though. It's a long learning process especially for the stubborn folk like me. haha. I've learned and will continue to learn that's for sure. Chewing the food really, really well is a major key too. No more, chew, chew swallow for me! haha Thanks again for your reply. Take care and good luck to you, Dianne

I was banded Nov. 5th. I have 7.5 cc's in a 10 cc band. I've lost 22 pounds. No pre-surgery diet. I have restriction but not enough. I had an appointment to see the doctor for a fill on Apr. 23 but called this morning to see if I could get in earlier. I now get my fill next Tuesday the 8th! Yay! Maybe I'll aske to take it up to 8.5cc's. It's a little scary for me though, I really don't like things that go down to do a reversal. It's not a pleasant thing. I wanted to ask a question... the word "full" isn't what I experience when eating. It is more like a lump in my chest. The full feeling I knew before the band is no longer what I feel. It is painful if I eat too much and when I am hungry, I really am hungry! Not the head hunger but the physical hunger. I also have terrible rumblings in my stomach too. Sometimes it can be pretty embarrassing. It's not necessarily when I am hungry either, it just happens and sometimes goes on for a minute or two. Anyone else relate to that? How does your "full" feel?

Hang in there Marie and don't give up on asking the questions. You won't learn unless you do. What may be a good idea is to find a support group in your area. Ask your doctors office about one. They should have some information for you? Hopefully there is one. If not, maybe you could even start one up? Good luck to you, Dianne

TracyinKS, I was on the Atkins for 3 1/2 years prior to the lapbanding and lost about 67 pounds. I came to a standstill for about a year. I went off and gained back about 20 pounds before being banded. Thank goodness I didn't go longer huh? Whew! I sure did have a good time I must say having all of the foods that I wouldn't touch while on the Atkins, like summer salads, potatoes, burgers with the bun! Ice cream, mac and cheese, pizza and pasta. Boy what fun I had for a few months. lol Now that I've been banded I'd really like to be able to enjoy some of those foods, in moderation of course, but I'm realizing too that they are just a quick fix. That is one thing that I did like about the Atkins the not having to go hungry and really not having the HUNGER pains. I think I may try that road again. I'll just remember the chew, chew, chew and slow, slow, slow rules. Soooo important. Not to mention saving on the pain and aggrevation.

GraceUtah, I know exactly what you are talking about. I too am painfully hungry every 2 1/2 to 3 hours after eating. I have 7.5cc in a 10cc band. Seems like I should have better restriction? Staying full longer? When I am hungry, I AM HUNGRY. It is not head hunger most of the time either. I can tell the difference between the two for the most part. My head hunger is a craving for something and my hunger, hunger is when my stomach is just aching for the food. I have all kinds of rumbling going on - sometimes to an embarrasment. Do you have any suggestions? Maybe eat every 2 hours? I see the fill doc on the 23rd of April. I'm wondering if I should call and get in sooner? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh, I was banded on Nov. 5th 2007. I've only lost about 20 - 22 pounds. It's a slow go but at least the scales have not gone the wrong way. Thanks, Dianne

I'd just give your doctor a call to have him/her check it out. You didn't say how far you are out of your surgery though. I'm assuming awhile since you've just received your 3rd fill. The pain isn't in your pouch area above the band? Just around the port? Maybe you've pulled the tissue the port is attached to and irratated it? My port also sticks out, especially when I'm laying down and go to sit up. It doesn't hurt though. I'm in my 5th month now. I'd just call the doc to be sure. It may be just irratated. Let's hope for the best! Good luck to you Rose. Dianne

Hi Bob. Welcome! I hope that all goes well with you through the processes. It can take quite awhile before finally reaching the day of your surgery. Good luck to you in your journey. I'm from NY - near Cornell University - 50 year old woman and was banded 11/5/07 by Dr. Moon. I've lost around 22 pounds so far. It's been a slow process but still, I'm not gaining either. :-) That's a good thing. Take care and I look forward to seeing your progress on here. Dianne

babedoe4, It really is an ongoing process. You learn. What I struggle with is the insatiable (sp?) hunger at times. I just want to eat something quickly. It's like.... FEED MEEE! haha. Then I have to think..think..think about chewing it well. Once swallowed...yikes..if too big a piece. So, just take it slow and easy. I wish you all the luck on your journey babedoe4. Blessings, Dianne

Hi Peabody, MollyMolly and Patticnj... I am going on 6 months out. I had my surgery on November 5th 2007. I had the exact same experiences you are now having. I had like 3 really bad episodes before learning what chew, chew, chew and think about what you are eating and swallowing. You really need to learn to sit down and eat your meals, even snacks. Try to make sure that you won't be eating on the run or to be distracted while eating. I know that this can be difficult but you really have to think about the consequences if you don't. I had the slimming for 3 hours the first time. I had eaten 2 chicken wings while on the run to go visit my Dad Christmas Eve. Needless to say, my DH and I didn't get to go. It was painful and scarry. I kept having this bubbly type saliva coming up with a burp like every 30 seconds or so for 3 hours. I ways going to go to the ER after calling my Dr. but fortunately the chicken moved and went through. Sorry about being so graphic but it is what had happened. It was awful. The next time it happened it only lasted for about 20 minutes before going through. We were having Egg Fo Young. I had less then 1/2 the pancake type looking thing and wham! That stuck feeling again. Needless to say, no more Chinese for me. haha. You steer away from the foods that make you go.... AUGH!! haha. The 3rd time was on Mexican. I only had 2 tortilla chips with quacamoli (sp?) and 2 bites of a bean/beef with cheese type soft tortilla. My daughter and I had to leave the restaurant, kinda in a hurry too. That one lasted 1 1/2 hours in the parking lot of Walmart. Finally, I literally got sick to my stomach and threw up the very small piece of beef. I thought that the meat would be fine because it was so tender. NOT! No more Mexican!! haha. Sorry about being so long winded but I thought I'd share my early experiences with you to let you know that you are not alone. Do try to not throw up or have slimming or PBing. It really isn't good for you band not to mention that your stomach feels bruised after even through the next day. It's best to go slow with food and think about what your swallowing before you do. If you don't like the feel of it in your mouth then by all means "SPIT IT OUT!!" Who cares? It will save you from the agony after if you do swallow it. Take care and good luck on your journey forward, Dianne Oh, btw... I am doing much better now. It took me almost 4 months though to even think that I had made the right decision by getting this band. So go slow and think, think, think and chew, chew, chew. Blessings!

I'm in agreement with Grace, if you want to go, go and if you want to stay then stay. I however was in the hospital for 4 days and could have stayed 1 more. I don't know why it took so long for me to heal but it did. So I really wouldn't know what it is like to only be in the hospital for 1 day and then go home. As a matter of fact when I read how some have had surgery in the AM and gone home that evening it really blows me away. I thought to myself, "they must be amazing", but I see that it is the norm. I'm the one who's different. So you decide whether to go home or not Lookin2loose, it really may be nice that you can have the choice too. Good luck to you and let us know how it went and how long you did stay, Dianne

Libra, I soooo heard the same line when I was in high school waaaaay back in 1973-75. I can remember my English teacher saying that to me to this day. "Oh, you have such a pretty face dear, if only you could lose some weight you would be a very beautiful girl." I about wanted to hall off and punch her right in the nose! Now I am showing signs of getting the under the chin wrinklies. "Oh, I bet you really would have a pretty face under there if you could get a few inches lobed off!" hahaha. I'm sorry, I guess I'm in just one of those kinda moods. :-) I'm not poking fun at those who do have face lifts, because I sure would have one if I could afford it but I cannot. So, my face will just have to "hang" around. Not to mention my, what my daughter calls the extra skin under the arms, "Hi Helens", from the waving motion they can make when swinging your arms. lol ps.... she has them too, that's where the name originated. hehe. She had the gastric bypass a few years ago and looks great. Of course she is young and her skin has much more elasticity, I'm so glad she did this in her younger years. Okay enough rambling from me. Dianne

Oh, Jeanie1976 you sure did give me a good laugh for the day. Not to say anything about your teeth being bigger or anything, it was me just looking in the mirror at myself and going..... "Oh my GOSH!! Look at my TEETH, they've gotten huge!!!" That would so crack me up let alone my husband. I think you should be pretty happy that it can be a quick fix at your dentist office for you. Don't worry, be happy and SMILE!! Dianne

I definately tell them before the surgery. You really don't want to have any complications due to something you thought was trivial. I'd let them know. Good luck to you. Dianne

I also have an office job. I took 2 weeks off and needed it. I was in the hospital 4 days. It so differs with each individual. Some people seem to bounce back beautifully and others it just seems to take a bit longer, like me. I'd take 2 weeks if I were you, go back sooner if you're feeling up to it. But by planning the 2 weeks it will give you some cushion if you need it. Good luck to you! Dianne

I can't eat ravioli, perogies or any pasta that is firm. I've had a couple experiences with beef, not hamburg, but other beef. It got stuck. And I can agree with ivyrose325, I was very glad and happy as a lark when it finally did come back up. If I pay attention to what I am doing, chew, chew, chew and think about it before you swallow, I seem to be able to do pretty well. Try not to become distracted or try not eat while your mind is absorbed somewhere else. It's risky business. Not to mention can be painful.

I was going to try the soy milk way myself for the menopause except my nutritionist said that I should not because I take thyroid medication. Just a heads up for those who also take thyroid medicines. Soy I guess reduces the effect of the medicine. Just an fyi. dianne

So very well put Kat817! What you said is exactly what happens to me if I do not (think) before eating or especially swallowing! Thank you for your very knowledgable imput. Dianne

I sooo agree with Gwenn, I think they tell us no because of the additions and soda, weather it is diet or not contains allot of salt too. I was never a soda drinker but my daughter certainly was/is. She had the gastric bypass 2 1/2 almost 3 years ago come April and drinks the soda still. I wish she wouldn't but she does. She has kept the weight off thankfully and has had a baby girl this past December too boot. She's never smoked or drank alchohol or taken drugs so I guess the soda is a "better" addiction? For lack of better verbage. I just think that if you can avoid the soda you really should. It won't help you lose weight by any means and if you can stop drinking it then kudos to you!! One more hurdle accomplished! Good luck to all of our soda drinking fellow lapbanders to be able to stop their soda addiction! Dianne

Yes I agree with the bread and some pasta's like you probably won't be able to eat things like ravioli or perogies, not to mention knognies (sp?). They hit bottom like a huge rock and can be very painful. These types of foods hit bottom hard on the stomach even without the band. For me anyway. But I have been able to eat spaghetti, just use the chew, chew, chew system. Really, it will make the world of a difference. And you will learn this rather quickly. I also can eat bread toasted, really toasted. Everyone is different though. You'll have to take that into consideration too. You may be able to eat a white bread sandwich where someone else would absolutely cringe at the thought of it. Just try things in moderation. Take very small amounts and chew them well, wait after each bite a minute to see how your band is going to react. This helped me immensly. Good luck to you. Dianne

I'd call and get the appointment moved up. I was just thinking the same thing. My next fill won't be until mid-April also. I'm doing okay so far this month though weight loss wise. If I started to eat allot more then my 1 to 1 1/2 cups I would call my doc to see if I could get in for a small fill. I'm such a chicken about that though. I really don't like that feeling of being too tight. Good luck to you and go ahead and call your doc. Let us know how it goes too okay? Take care deirdreboo8, Dianne