VegasGrace

Weird thing for me...now this is for me... mushies get stuck more than dry, crispy things. I chew well.... better than before I was banded but I don't spend forever doing it. Yes, way smaller bites...no 1 slice of pizza per bite anymore. :scared: And for the soda... now this is me again... I have no problem. Actually when I can't tolerate much of anything, a Mt. Dew goes right down. Don't recommend it as it will sabatoge your efforts, but I do have sodas often. And I'm sure if I didn't...I'd have already reached my goal...but I am a soda addict and having to go from 1 bag of doritos w/ a few combo meals at 1 sitting to less food... I haven't been able to give up sodas. 1 step at a time, right?

It's frustrating using that ticker...it doesn't allow beginning/new diets/ anything... My weight loss journey started at 256lbs, but I was 185 or so when I got the band. My bmi was under 30...but due to my history, my family history, and comorbids...I was approved.

To clarify, I understand the tax laws... what I don't get is why so many Americans give the govt an interest free loan ... and then they get excited when they get their own money back in the form of a refund check that's what doesn't make sense.

I admire people who do research and take a leap of faith.... not everyone can understand everything...I still don't get why people get a tax refund.

Weird, huh? I was going along just fine, had been about 2 months since an adjustment and BOOM, I couldn't eat, drink, anything. I had pneumonia and even the medicine came back up.... it didn't last but a week.... and I got some really good weight loss from it. I h

Yes, my bmi was low, lower than yours. I didn't and still don't have private health insurance so I had to do it myself. It's nice to get someone else to pay for it, but don't let NOT having someone else foot the bill stop you from seeking a medical procedure that you feel will benefit you.

Dr. Daniel Huacuz.... you'll find all sorts of info on here and the other obesityhelp forum. Not come across anyone unhappy...actually, I think he's the lowest maintenance surgeon around as get the band and after you get it adjusted to restriction.... you are smooth sailing. So many have problems, have to go back in for re positioning or port flipped...or something else. Not w/ Dr. Huacuz. Huacuz Surgical Center and if this link turns into some long thing lapbandtalk does... its www . huacuz . com

Had my normal meal at Taco Bell and after 3 bites... I KNEW. Just eat normally and not focus on the band...it will let you know if you have restriction.

Want a cure and a side effect is weight loss? Topirimate...aka topamax There are threads about this...do a quick search...think its at the bottom in news/or off topic.

Hi, I was on the other end, being the active duty servicemember. I was injured in Desert Storm and the weight piled on quickly. Luckily, I discovered lapband and a great surgeon. There is a thread under insurance that talks of TriCare...they now pay for this. Good luck!

Just something someone made up and it caugh on.... my burps are not productive.

Was just on a flight where 2 old men...really old referred to the lady as 'nigger woman' when they spoke about the flight attendant. I was shocked...but even my mother uses it like this... guess that is dying out... and not a moment to soon.

No, not at all. I would regret it if I paid more than $7,000 and been in debt.

To much of anything is bad...but I ate normally after surgery because I had no restriction.

When I get like that... I have: a Krispy Kreme and a coke I'll lose a pound by the next day..... so weird, but true...not enough carbs causes a stall in weightloss. Remember, it takes carbohydrates for the body to use fat cells (as in shrink them)

You can't beat Dr. Huacuz for experience and bedside manner. Plus mine was only $7,000...which included everything. Good luck!

Yes, if you itemize...claim it! If you don't... just look at your schedules... and the advice you received so far is good.

No, you are not too old.

Thanks for the input, y'all. I had some success of drinking apple juice today...and 1 bite of a sandwich stayed down. But everything else came back up...or I should say didn't go down to begin with. I feel much better and my band is starting to loosen. Trying to keep the fluids coming. I'm sure in a week all will be back to normal.

Wow!!!! Happy for you...now if I could just look that good. I'll be 6 months in December and have only lost 20 pounds since being banded.

I've had serval plastic surgeries, last being the lapband. You know, I've always wanted rhinoplasty...but have been terrified. My nose is bad enough w/o a mishap. I'd like to find a surgeon who knows about ANGLES and RATIO... not one that says "what kind of nose would you like" I want one for MY face, based on my angles, ratio, eye settings,etc. Oh, I'm part American Indian so I have a broad nose.

I can't eat alot of salads, comes back up quickly no matter how much I chew. Olive Garden and Ceasars work well for me. I'm thinking it's all that slimy dressing that helps it slide down.

Mandy, had posted on another thread about my ER visit this week. Long story short...pneumonia. Doc gave me NSAIDS thru the iv and said it's not contraindicated. He's familiar w/ the gastric band and said NSAIDS even orally a time or two won't harm anything. It's long term use (even in unbanded patients) that can cause damage.

Thanks for this post. I'm 25lbs away from my goal and I'm pretty restricted... I hope in January I can be at my goal...but don't think I will make it. The less I weigh, the slower the weightloss. But I do look forward to being able to eat something w/o sliming it up.