JustCallMeKelly

Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? I'm sticking to a low-carb eating plan and up until getting my first fill (Jan. 22nd) everything was going GREAT!!! I was eating and losing weight and then I got filled (not sure on the amount but I don't think it's too much cos' I'm still able to eat alot of certain things) and now most anything I try and eat gets stuck and doesn't budge for like 15-20 minutes (weird thing is that my chicken breast salad from Subway doesn't stick and I'm able to eat the whole thing). I'm chewing very carefully and not drinking before or after. I'm at my wits end....is this the way it's going to be from now on? Help me if you can. Thanks. KKG

Wendy, Well I don't know about this for sure, make sure to talk to your surgeon, but I do know that everyone's surgeon tells them something different cos' mine told me I could drink carbonated drinks as long as they are NO CARB (ie. diet soda). So I've been drinking them since surgery with NO problems whatsoever. What I do is pour the glass before sitting down for the meal, but leave it in the kitchen (so that I don't reach for it while eating - that's a no-no according to my surgeon) and then by the time I wait the 20 minutes after the last bite is swallowed it's perfect to drink (all the bubbles have calmed down). So, I would think that the same reasoning would work for the Alka-Seltzer too. Hope this helps. Be well. KKG

Sara, Hey there, I too had the same questions about Lap-Band and pregnancy since that is one of my main reasons for wanting to have the surgery (to lose the excess weight, get healthy and have another baby soon). I did ALOT of research on the subject and was not able to find any source saying anything negative about having a post-lap-band pregnancy. On the contrary, I did find lots of sources, my surgeon being one, saying that having the lap-band, losing the excess weight, cutting down your risks of diabetes, high-bp, etc. can increase the chances of getting pregnant and of having a healthy pregnancy. The only thing they do recommend is that you wait atleast one year (some sources say up to 2 yrs., but my surgeon said that is just because during the first 24 months is when you have your greatest chance of losing the weight you need to lose and if you get pregnant obviously you won't be losing). Once you become prego, or if you will be "trying" let your surgeon know asap and he will take ALL the fluid out of your band and it'll be just like you didn't have it. This is one of the main reasons that I chose to have the band over the gastic bp because the statistics of mis-carriages after gbp are way too high for my liking and I knew that I couldn't live with myself if I did get pregnant and lost the baby cos' there would always be that thought that it could have been because of the gbp and not natural. Anyway, hope this helps, sorry to be so long winded. Make sure to tell your surgeon that this is something that you are thinking about and see what he can tell you about it. Take care and good luck. KKG

Thanks for responding ShortGal....I'm not eating any carbs (under 30 per day); here are the things that have gotten stuck the worse: 1) Made chicken w/sun-dried tomato alfredo sauce, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, blk olives, spices but when I tried to eat it after just a few bites it got stuck and stayed that way for 1/2 hour. 2) *food got stuck after one bite of each. I think it was the combination of spinach and the bacon in the Quiche. After about 15 minutes was able to eat about 1/2 of the slice w/the bacon scraped off: 1 slice of Quiche Lorraine / Baked Spinach (w/cream cheese and onion Soup mix) 3) Ate at Bennigans: *Food got stuck after eating about 1/2 the salad, had to go to bathroom and throw it up some but it still didn’t go down, kept having to spit out salvia for about 1/2 an hour. SPINACH CHICKEN SALAD: Baby spinach tossed with sweet-pepper vinaigrette dressing and topped with bacon, chopped pecans, sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, golden raisins, diced red onion, chopped egg and grilled chicken breast Other things have gotten stuck but the above 3 examples have been the worse, lasting for 15 - 30 minutes each time. Anyway, I didn't call the doctor cos' I have an appt. this Monday and knew I would discuss it with him then. I just needed some advice on how to handle this cos' right now I feel discouraged and I really was feeling wonderful before the fill. Thanks again for responding and for any insight into this strange but exciting world we've entered. Be well. KKG

I was banded 2/26/07 and had my first fill on 1/22/08 and since then I really haven't felt much difference except that certain foods keep getting stuck and it's frustrating because before the fill I was eating great (sticking to a very low carb plan - 30 max carbs per day) and was losing weight. Now everytime I go to eat I get nervous that it's gonna get stuck so because of those few bad times I've been kinda laxidasical about the carb thing and have been eating soups and soft foods that I know will go down. Because of that I've gained about 4 lbs. back from the 34 that I've lost so far...I'm starting to get discouraged. I go back to doc on Monday (2/4) for a 2nd fill (possibly) but I'm kinda nervous that it'll just make things worse. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

FairyFacade, I noticed you mentioned this protein test tube in a few of your post on this thread...can you please tell me what this is since I've never heard of it. Thanks. KKG

I find that if you stick to low-carb eating that will help drastically with the bloating. Also, make sure that you are not gulping air with each bite that also may be contributing to the excess air build up. Good luck and be well. KKG

Very interesting ShoeGirlia! I can't really help because I was just banded on 12/26, but this thought did enter my mind (which is why your post topic caught my attention). I'm due for mine next week and I was wondering if I would feel any different. I was hoping I would feel better (ie. less cramping, bloating, pms, etc.) due to the healthier eating and losing some weight, but now after hearing your experience I'm wondering just want will happen. Well, I sure hope that your experience doesn't repeat itself next month and I thank you for sharing your story as a possible warning for the rest of us. Take care and be well. KKG

Hey all, was banded on Wed. 12/26 and am feeling pretty good today. Surgery was a breeze and besides gas pains and sore incisions all else is well. Love reading all the posts of people experiencing the same things as me, helps to know that I'm not alone in these feelings. Hunger is starting to return today, but I'm still full off jello and water so that's good for now. Tomorrow will add protein shakes - never thought I'd look forward to drinking one of those Keep up the great work all. Will write more soon. Peace and joy to all. KKG

Congrats on the 75 lbs. Gus1962 and thanks so much for the encouragement and kind words, it helps sooooo much to know that there have been so many to go before me. I hope to talk with you more soon. Any words of advice on what to do for success like yours? Thanks again. Keep up the great work! KKG

Awesome, thanks soooooooooooooooooo much, I searched forever for this. Where did you find it? Thanks again. KKG

Can anyone tell me where to find "the list" of stuff I'll need for after surgery? I've seen it before but can't remember where it was stored. My surgery is 12/26 at 7:30 am so I need to go shopping tomorrow for supplies. Appreciate any help. Peace and love. KKG

Hey shoegirl, well I'm scheduled for surgery on 12/26 and start the liquid diet tomorrow and Tues. (no christmas for me this year :-( oh well) Anyway, I've been doing pretty good cos' my doctor scared me to death at my pre-op meeting saying that if I cheated and did not follow his instructions to the letter that he would have no qualms about bailing out of my surgery if he got in there and my liver was too big. He then showed me several pics of livers of patients that had not followed his orders and he didn't know it till he was in there and was not able to continue due to the damage it was causing the liver. So that did it for me. I vowed to follow his words and NOT cheat at all!!! I figure that I've had enough HUGE meals to last me a lifetime and not getting to have that final "last meal" it wouldn't kill me. The next two days will be tough cos' it'll be liquids only, but I'll just have to suck it up and do it w/o fail. Like the surgeon said "It won't kill me to go for a few days w/o food" and he's right! So I wish you luck and hope to hear from you again after your surgery. Be well. KKG

Awesome Christine, thanks a million! I can't believe you've only got 18 lbs to go till you get the surgery; great job, keep it up girl, you can SO do this!!! Thanks again for being such an awesome inspiration to us all. Be well. KKG

Thanks Nancy, those are great tips that I will definitely implement in my daily life. In the meantime, I hope you are feeling great and living each day to it's fullest. Be well. KKG

Yes, I did fill it all out and then copied and pasted the link it provided at the ticker website onto my signature page here and it said "invalid link". Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for replying as well. Congrats on your awesome success, I hope to be where you are in two years. Can you share some tips that have helped you the most? Thanks. KKG

Hey there Jack, I just wanted to say that I've read alot of your post and you really seem like you have alot of wisdom to impart and was wondering if you could give me like your top 10 successful tips to help me in this journey... I'll be banded in Jan. 08 due to Insurance requiring 6 month waiting period. I would appreciate any help you could give this newbie. Have a joyous day. KKG

Carol, I LOVE your little saying at the bottom of your signature about smearing it on your ass....that is halarious. Just thought I'd share that it made me totally LOL!!! Thanks, I needed that Be well. Kelly

Hello to all, just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Kelly and I'm 34 years old and weigh 360 lbs. at 5'8", with a BMI of 56 (super morbidly obese). I've begun the journey towards the lap-band surgery (probably some time in November of this year), due to my insurance company requirements, I'm having to do the 6 month doctor supervised weightloss first. I'm 2 months into it (July is month 3). My surgeon is Dr. Cywes in Jacksonville, Florida. Does anyone know him? Input would be helpful. He seems to be a good guy and very qualified. Anyway, I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life and any advise or suggestions/tips would be appreciated. You are all my inspirations. Keep up the great work. Peace to all. :help:

Pam, who is the Author of the book? I'd like to check it out from the library. I too am an emotional eater. I have my psych eval Aug. 7th and would like to get a jump start on that book. It definitely couldn't hurt. Thanks for sharing. Good luck next month Be well. Kelly

Thanks Big As Life for that awesome welcome! I love this site. Everyone is so helpful and friendly. I look forward to my up coming journey and sharing it with all of you. Be well.

Thanks Julie, for the welcoming and inspirational words. I look forward to a long and enjoying relationship with everyone on this site. What a great place to have to come to with questions, concerns, or just to vent. I hope to keep in touch with you and continue to hear of your awesome progress. Keep up the great work and feel free to share any secrets to your success with me Be well.