the best me

I left the day after surgery, but had a bottle of water for the plane ride home. Had some hot tea at the airport. You really aren't hungry. Just make sure your water is bottled (no problem in MX) and you can probably pick up some canned chicken broth or pack a carton of it and heat it by the coffee cup in a microwave? Where are you going and how long are you staying?

I was very very swollen post-surgery and had to sip smaller than I ever thought a person could sip. I would take a sip, then swallow the smallest little amount of it...just enough to coat the esophogus and get a small small amount of liquid in the stomach. One sip took about 3 swallows. No kidding, yes, that small. Slow down. Relax, don't panic. The one thing that ended up helping me was IV fluids at the hospital. I swear that is what got me on the mend, but I could have kept it from getting that bad if I had 1) not had the V-8 juice on day 4 (too acidic) and 2) not subsequently PB'd the Jello on day 5. That sent me over the edge. Anyhow, for you...unless you feel otherwise, sip smaller than you normally would, avoid the gas X tablets since you have to swallow too much at a time (it made me sick, too) and use a heating pad on your back/shoulders for the gas and on your belly for the incision areas. Once you are able to take larger sips, then you can add in the gas-X again. Fluids should be your main concern now. Good luck. You will get though it, I promise. Go to the ER if you feel that bad and can't wait on a call back from your doc. Getting some hydration really helped. Even if they know nothing about the band, they can hook you up to IV's with no problem. Let us know how it goes!

I lost 15 pounds in 12 days post-surgery and maintained that loss for 3 months before my first fill, then was able to lose another 10, then another small fill, now another 5 so far. So, total loss is 30 pounds so far. I didn't gain back what I had lost, but it took a fill to kick-start that downward trend again. Good luck!

Yeah, where's Trish? And Jammin' Jamie? And HagerT? I have seen Bubbame recently, so I know she's around. Tell you what, though. We have soooo many newbies I can't keep up! Used to I could reply to threads left and right (what's my post number these days...pushing 3000 yet?) but anymore I just can't remember who is who doing what and where...I really have to pick and choose or I get overwhelmed. We have great newbies though. Anyone heard from Marie? Isn't she in Houston? We got Whippledaddy back (yay!!) but what about Rebecca and Darcy? It's been months and months. If anyone runs across those, tell them Hi from LBT! Gosh, I now there are more I have been missing...Estella posted recently...what about our pregnant bandster? ohhhh I forgot her screen name....I'll post some more as I remember. Maybe we'll scare them up out of hiding?

Ahhh Melissa. I see what you mean by wasting 170 calories, 34 carbs, and 3 fat grams on dumb ole Peppermint Patties. But that's only a snack in the big scheme of things. Plus you had less than 600 calories today before you add that in. Helloo!!!! Shake it off. You are doing great! I'd go nuts not having veggies for so long. You and Angie are following Bauman's menu so well. I wanna see it! It's working! Can't wait to see you tomorrow and see what the 25 pound loss looks like on you. You rock!

Come Rebecca! Yay! Say you will!!!

What's up with all you high marks? I figured I'd be in there with you nice folks but I'm a 28? Let's see what this says... 21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature. Hmmm. Not really, to be honest. I'm more free-spirited than my score would indicate. I promise!!! This one is me, I think... 41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out. Wonder why I scored so low? Maybe I'm PMSing. Maybe I'm not near as nice or charming or interesting as I'd like to think I am? How sad!!! LOL!

Good point, I was very swollen post surgery and had nowhere to go since I hadn't had a fill yet. I had to suffer through until I lost enough and had enough time to heal that the swelling went down and I was less restricted. It was a tough time. Took about two weeks to straighten it out and I didn't get my first fill until 3 months out. However, in jao's case, I believe she has managed to make what she has work for her. At this point, her chances of developing reflux are only increased if she actually got a fill, ya know? She is able to lose weight and stay focused and diligent with probably the same amount of restriction I have after 2 fills. And I'm not too tight. IMHO, I thinks it's more of a testament to her working the band. The way it should be. I'm a bit envoius and proud, can't you tell

Yes. Take breaks as needed but you will still have enough pain meds and anesthesia in you that it will be slow but painless. congrats on your band date! it's happening!!!

Yay! This is for your consultation, right? Do you have everything else done? Do you know what else is needed? Get it scheduled! You can do this!!

Shannon, I got them here to post but I don't really know what I'm looking at. What's misplaced about it? Not that I don't believe you, I do! I just don't have anything to compare with? Can you 'splain what's wrong? Here's the pic.

Cool, thanks for the specifics. It helps me to compare with what I'm doing. Which is eating a good bit more than you I'm sure. I have been stuck on the same 2-3 pounds for a good few months now. I had a second fill and I definately feel more restricted by HOW I eat, not so much by WHAT I am able to eat. Thanks for the encouragement. Here's my new plan. I talked with a "skinny" and asked how she maintained her healthy weight and she said she wakes up eating and winds down by the end of the day. Nothing to eat 3 hours before bed. She gets plenty of rest, too. Soooo, I'm going to bed a bit earlier than I'd like (working on getting 7-8 hours of sleep instead of 5-6 hours) and eating an egg for Breakfast, a Lean Cuisine (or other frozen dinner) for lunch with a Granola bar (170 calories), an afternoon apple but I'm finding I need more than that, then dinner with nothing but coffee after dinner...no Snacks or dessert. I'm hoping I get off of my plateau. I'm working on seeing the 180's now. I'll go to FitDay and come up with a stricter menu for myself. I'm pretty good about getting in my water but that could also use some improvement. I'll often sub Crystal Light, which isn't horrible, but nothing is better than clean clear cold water. And lots of it. Sigh. It's hard. It's dieting! But the band actually makes it work. That's the hope part of it! You are fortunate that you feel the band is wrapped around your head, too. Many many many of us still struggle with the head part. Well done. I appreciate the info. I hope someone else with NO FILL!! posts here and you can trade experiences. Anyhow, thanks for sharing with me!

Good Gollie! Wowza! You are very pretty. Good job!!!

Well, I hate that it's reassuring to me that it hasn't always been easy for you. Good job though. Sounds like my kind of plan. Eat less, exercise a bit more, concentrate, focus on the positives. More scoop though. How much exercise? Do you eat 3 meals a day, add in Snacks or no? What's a typical daily food intake?

They don't take call aheads but you can bet they appreciate the heads up that 10-12 talkative women are coming and we all want separate checks and most of us will likely do a Meg Ryan (what was that movie?) and order special things. LOL! That's okay. At least they know we are coming! Watch out Ruby Tuesdays!

Maybe Odd, but definately fortunate! Good for you! I have heard of this phenomenon and it makes perfect sense that it's possible, but you are the first poster here (that I know of) that is so close to goal with NO fill! WOW! So, what's your secret? In other words, how/what do you eat?

No worries. A sharp thin prick for the Lidocaine to numb you, after that it's just interesting. The needle is long but if you can feel your port, it won't need to go all the way in. They are special non-coring needles made by Inamed. I can feel when the doc draws out...it's like a sucking around my stomach...a very vague sensation but there. You will do fine! It's kind of a non-event. You might be a little dissappointed. Happy restriction! Let us know how it goes.

This may or may not be a big problem. Just how much wine do you drink between dinner and bedtime? You can drink up to dinner, then eat, wait an hour, then sip some more. If it's only a matter of 6-8 ounces of wine, you could work that into your calories for the day. On the other hand, if you are talking about a bottle or more, everyday! now, that might be an entirely different issue. So, is it just a bad habit or is it a PROBLEM? Only you know. Talk about it! All of us do some emty calories more than occasionally. It's tough, but when the empty calories are alcohol, alot, everyday, you are dealing with similar problems that smokers have. Or worse? Banded or not, it's something to contend with. Oy vey. That's a toughie!

Kel, I have several favorites, but this one is really good! Free speech carries with it some freedom to listen.

Okay Jon, looking for more Unmotivations! Very funny! While we are on the topic of funny...I got this in my e-mail box and thought it was cute... Oh, it's gonna take some cleaning up but it's Martha's Way (as in Martha Stewart) Vs. Maxine's Way (Maxine, the harried housewife cartoon). I am very closely related to Maxine. *Martha's Way* Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips. *Maxine's Way * Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it, anyway! To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes. Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix, keep it in the pantry for up to a year. When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake. Go to the bakery! They'll even decorate it for you. If you accidentally oversalt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix-me-up." If you oversalt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: "I made it and you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes!" Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks. Celery? Never heard of it! Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish. The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust so I don't. Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away. Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink! If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy. Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you. Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. Leftover wine??????????? HELLO !!!!!!!

Don't give up Rebecca. I have BCBS of NC and it has Lap Band specifically excluded, but I didn't fight. I paid cash and went to Mexico. That's not the path for everyone. If you have the patience and perseverence, start down your lap band road and see where it takes you. You may very well make it! Meet all the criteria for RNY and know that it may be frustrating but keep trying. It's time they quit excluding the band. You go girl!!

If I have just had a fill or I'm pretty tight and don't want to risk it, I'll take a dose of liquid Tylenol and chew 4 children's Sudafed tablets. (can someone say "Tylenol Sinus"? yeah baby!) I have actually taken 2 Tylenol sinus tablets successfully...even 2 at a time! in the past while banded. Pre-fill, no doubt. It takes some creative pharmaceutical mixing but it can be done. Also, isn't guaifenesin an expectorant? I agree that sudafed, robitussin and tylenol together is a real sinus drainer, though. And plenty of good ole Water. Drink till ya drown!!!

Hey Rebecca! I'm in Charlotte too. I suppose your seminar was with Dr Bauman? Several here have had their surgeries with him and are well-pleased. I agree with the week off of work. I have 2 kiddos, one in school and a 2yo, so I was home with the 2yo. I had surgery on Friday, came home on Sturday, and hubby went to work on Monday. I was exhausted Monday evening. Poor kid watched TV all day and I felt bad for him, but he was happy. I just had a hard time with the sudden lack of calories. I was tired!!!! I was sore, but not bad. I slept on the recliner for a few nights and did the heating pad on my shoulders/back and tummy. Pain-wise, it wasn't bad at all. Certainly not compared to 2 C-sections. My sister stayed with me for 2 days, then my dad, and it was better. I just had someone handy to lift my son and watch him while I rested and it was fine. Hubby is self-employed so he HAD to work. thankfully Dad and Sis have flexible schedules so they pitched in. You should come to lunch on Saturday! You'll see bandsters at all stages in action. It'll be fun! You'll learn more than at a seminar, I promise! Anyway, hope you can come. If not, ask away. We are happy to answer. Welcome to LBT!

Wow, you are getting rebanded!!! Yay!! I'm very proud. You have been through alot and I'm happy you are getting your band friend back.

Tootsie Pottysprinkles. Lovely!!!