mattintosh

Everytime you get filled you cause a bit of inflamation then swelling. Even water goes real slow. You should sip water slowly and only sip again when the previous sip has passed thru. Anything you drink or eat will add to the inflamation and swelling.

Looking for WASabubblebutt? I used to see her here when I lurked but she seems to be MIA of late. Anyone know where she is?

Not trying to be a smart ass but it sounds too me like its not a decision you get to make. Unless you go self pay. Matt

The AGB gives you freedom Freedom from pain, guilt, ridicule, embarrassment, and worry. Freedom to move without pain and struggle. Freedom from the control of food. Freedom to dream without limitation. The AGB gives you peace of mind Peace of mind knowing our HEALTH is the best it can possibly be. Peace of mind that our families will NOT have to go on without us. Peace of mind that we've done all WE can to insure we are around to take care of those who count on us being there for them. The AGB gives you choices To have unlimited options from which to choose everything from our clothing to our cars, to how we use our bodies and live our lives. Unlimited career options, relationship options, and all around LIFE OPTIONS! The AGB will allow you to fit in Fitting in any chair, any car, any booth, any seatbelt, any store, any bathroom stall, any bathtub or shower, any amusement park ride,any intimate position, any clothing we like, and most of all...Just plain "fitting in" to society! AGAIN!! The AGB gives you optimism Suddenly life becomes half full instead of half empty. We feel more positive about ourselves, our future, and our life. We react to the world in a more positive light because we are no longer prisoners of our bodies. As we release the demon of food that has controlled us for so long, we accept and forgive ourselves for our own weakness; releasing us to become more tolerant and forgiving of others. Therefore, causing us to feel lighter in body AND spirit. The AGB gives you dignity The dignity that comes with being able to: take care of ourselves, reach for personal hygiene, easily get out of a chair, couch, or car, walk a reasonable distance, not drip with sweat when everyone else isn't, tie our shoes, or pick up what we drop. To be able to climb stairs, or out a window, or pull/lower ourselves or someone we love to safety if a life depended on it. The AGB gives you self-confidence As we regain our confidence in everyday activities, our confidence grows in our ability to do and try things we've never done before. With each accomplishment, we can see further and believe in ourselves a little more. Life becomes an adventure! Dr. Robert Schuller calls this "The Peak to Peek Principle" and authored a wonderful book by the same name. The AGB gives you self-esteem With increased self-confidence we often see increased self-esteem... Our vision of our own self-worth. The more we feel able to contribute, the more we come to believe in ourselves and the value of our place in the world. When we value ourselves, we experience self-respect, increased self-worth or "worthiness", and a higher deserve level. All of which leads to healthier relationships with ourselves and others. The AGB gives you integrity The journey of WLS, all that leads us to it and all that follows, is a test of our courage. When we are courageous, we challenge ourselves to our limits. We get to find out just what kind of "stuff" we're really made of. We may find joy in the discovery that we are stronger than we ever imagined. And we find acceptance in the realization that we have weaknesses we never wanted to face. All of this is OK! All of this opens us up to self-acceptance and honesty about who we really are. And when we know who we truly are within, we no longer need live in fear of being "found out" or fear of losing control to anything or anyone outside ourselves. We find the courage to live by our own convictions. And...we can honestly say to ourselves and the world, "Who you see, is who I am", and THAT is living in INTEGRITY! The Lap Band will give you a whole new wardrobe From head to toe, NOTHING will fit anymore. So that means I get to design a whole new me on the outside to reflect the whole new me on the inside!

Paul, you can eat meat, fish, chicken anything you wish. But you cannot eat fast and you cannot take normal size bites and swallow. You must chew the food till chopped small enough to eventually pass past your band. You should stop eating in fifteen minutes. Portion control is the secret. You may find that certain foods get stuck and cause you to spit them up (PBing). To lose weight you must learn to et the bandster way. Portion control, eat protein first, chew really well,and stop after fifteen minutes. Allow your brain to get The message that you are full (the stretch) then relax. Matt

My suggestion is to spread out your meals in the morning on the table. Make sure you are getting in no more than 1000 Cal's. Eat five times and drink at least 3 quarts of water.. Make sure you are getting 40 to 60 grams of protein. I start with a large cup of tea and add 20 grams of protein powder then as I drink it I add another 20 grams and so on till its all gone THEN I EAT...I do not go to bed till I have finished all the recommended water. I stop eating by five pm. WATER WATER WATER. Again works for me. Matt

LovePink, I hear your pain but it is what it is. Most people that post have a question that they want answered. Most people that post have a problem that needs addressing. Most surgeons (not all) do not provide adequate aftercare support therefore LBT ect. Someday you may find you are unable to reach your PCP to find out why you can't swallowyour own spit thats when a place like this will be of real value and you will be one of the complainers. JMHO

Maliyah, don't fret a single bit, all is well with you. Write down your questions and email them to your Dr. Then go see him for the answers. I believe the first year is really an adjusting year. Learning to eat the bandster way every time. Learning to exercise everyday. Learning about food choices and quantities. Its all about getting that "stretch" Be calm the hardest part is behind you all ya gotta do now is move forward a little bit everyday. Repeat: "Everyday in everyway I am getting better and better" 10x a day...

All the best and hope all goes well for you. See you on the otherside... Matt

Lamia, how much protein are you getting in? If you want to try mixing some powder with your Cream of Wheat. I find that protein is the secret ingredient along with lots of water.

Yesigold, Know just what you mean, you should loose around 2 lbs a week and around ten a month. If it comes off too fast it seems to come back just as fast. I have lost and gained. You must follow the nutritional plan given to you and exercise. Think water, water, water and protein protein protein and exercise, exercise, exercise...simple huh? I am down two hundred pounds and have had four fills and one unfill in my MidBand. Everybody is different.. Hang in there OK? Matt

Of course the band is not healing I meant to say the area the band is around needs to adjust to the band and form a scar like tissue to firmly hold your band. Matt

Leamia, did your Doc give you any nutritional guidlines to follow? These are important times for the rookie. Nothing thick or solid,please. You need to have your band heal and grow the tissue that holds the band in place. If you eat something that makes the band move around it can break the scar tissue loose. Not good. This is the reason mostly for the liquid phase just after banding. Important stuff. Matt

Dude, you are echoing proably 75% of the folks here that have been banded. What made me get a band was that dieting did not last and I always ended up gaing more than the time before. Sure the band is a tool keep reading here and you will find there are alot of people here just like you. Matt

Dina I would say all is perfectly normal. It is normal for the early days post op to not have much of a appetite. Do not force it,K? Just read up on your nutritional guidelines and be ready for when you get a bit hungry so that you can sip juice or tea or whatever. All is well with you. Matt

I have the French Mid Band and it is a big one too! But it does and I think should take a few conservative fills to get solid restriction. Too much is "no bueno" In the early days we need to watch and track what we are eating and how much and how often as well.. It gets easier as you go. Trust me on this. But it is easier only when you stay on track. Hang in there and creep up on the correct pressure.. Watch out for what you wish for! LOL I know this one for sure.

It would seem that this is a recurring problem for just about everyone. Why? Well I think it is what I call "Testing the band" This is when we start to slip back to old eating habits. We subconsciously are testing the band, Like trying to see what happens when we eat say, bread, riice and stuff we were told or know will cause us to PB or gain weight. We can only get these babies just so tight yikes!! We have to make the choices and not stray. We can't count on a fill to "fix it". Not on your case, really I am not but it is a mental issue this losing weight thing. I have been working on a "Head Band" once I got it working I will make a fortune !!! Check your caloric intake .. Needs to be in the 1000 catagory per day range. Also it takes about three days to start to lose again after eating too much just one time. These are laws that won't change band or no band. Please stay focused never ever ever give up you have done well and will continue to do so. Matt

Uh well I have a list of ten things that getting the weight off will do for us. check my link: Get Banded Now provides Lap Band Bariatric Surgery, Weight Loss Surgery and Gastric Bypass Surgery Oh and dress like a slut ? Pictures please!! JK

I have seen many murses be banded. Most were surgical nurses. In fact my brother is a nurse and so is his wife. They both were curious and suggested that I not get the surgery but once they clearly understood that getting banded was nothing like a sleeve or Bypass they chilled. Now they even suggest to others to talk to me about gastric banding. Funny how things work huh? As for telling anyone that you are going for banding I suggest that you keep it to yoursef. With the exception of immediate family ect. Matt

All the best to you.

It is simple. Don't get all dramatic. If you come here and tell us you are not losing and in fact are gaining then its simple. Providing no weird medical thing is present. You are not working your band. When that happens I find its usually lack of information and quality support. The laws of thermal dynamics won't change for you. !000 calories in with a 1000 calories burned through normal life and some exercise = weightloss. Are you consuming no more than 1000 to 1200 calories per day? Are you getting the protien you need? Are you getting in the Water you need? Are you getting the exercise you need?

I remember being where you are now.... Seven years ago. I have learned that this weightloss thing is a journey, a long long journey. Try not to second guess your decision. Its already done. You are not trapped!! Actually you have set yourself free, enjoy it The emotional crap that you experienced getting obese will come back to you as you go through this journey. Deal with it. I still get up in the middle of the night and open the fridge. But now its just a visit... Try not to take the emotional roller coaster too seriously. Just be a passenger and know you can get off anytime you want. Its up to you. Food is not your friend its become your drug and now you are kicking the addiction! I am out here what seven years and one thing I have learned is that I can eat anything I want and so can you we just choose not to. Hang in there you will be fine. Make sure you get all the nutrients you need and drink lots of water. All will be well.

Good for you woohoo! Doing the happy dance for ya!! As to what do you do now? CHILL!!! Take a deep breath now exhale. You are just beginning a wondrous and insightful journey. Your education of what is the banding experience and your commitment as well as the support you seek out and receive will lead to your success. See my Sig.

Hold on a minute! I have seen on TV just like you, patients dieing in the Dr.s USA clinic due to any number of poor decisions as well as shoddy workmanship. Plastic surgeries gone bad, Dr.s hiding from authorities yadayada! Its not just in Mexico.Its in the US as well.Do your research before you say something like this....grrr! There is even a TV show about Plastic surgeries from hell... P.S. Do your research!!

I was banded so long ago they had not invented stitches yet JK. I had disolving stitches they just sorta fell out.