VegasGrace

Please feel free to leave your comments. I saw someone post something about - hydration loosens restriction- or something like that. Yesterday read a post of a bandster who got awfully restricted during an illness- flu,cold or something. I have pneumonia and this week am so tight juice spews back up and I taste my antibiotic...which tells me it's coming back up, too. So, logic says that since Fluid intake decreases when someone is sick (as it happens nothing is wanted) the band gets too tight. I'm forcing fluids in...even if it comes up. Last night drank at the sink and just let it come out with every swallow. I'm sure something got down. Anyone have suggestions or has this happened to them? (please don't say call the doc as I'm wanting to know from bandsters who all of a sudden got tight without a fill) My theory is since it's TEMPORARY, an unfill will just have to be followed up with a fill the next week once the illness passses.

Bells and whistles aren't my thing. Think you need to buy powders, diet foods, a gym membership? Think you need to count calories, measure food, etc? I surely won't be of any help to you. But, you want to allow the lapband to assist you in losing weight.... I'll help out how I can.

I'm on maintenace but my weight is getting lower than I want it to be. I've upped my calories but the scales still go down a tad every week. I'm 12 pounds below goal. I was aiming for normal to slightly overweight according the the bmi charts. Going for another slight unfill on Monday. Those at goal and not losing anymore.... how did you do it? I mean, how do you know as in KNOW that you are at a good spot? Do you still have restriction? Do you really have to struggle with what you eat to maintain? I was really hoping I was done, and for a while I thought I was. I ate normally (not like before preband), as in eat til full. Not indulging in junk all the time like before preband, either. But I just can't seem to eat enough. I tried yesterday to eat MORE even though I wasn't hungery...but I just couldn't get it down. Any advice or tips is greatly appreciated. We always focus on 'losing weight' with the band but maintenace is just as important.

I've read a few posts where someone was getting debanded because they couldn't take it. The complaints were general and about the loss of food. Before you have the surgery you must know the quantity of food you eat will decrease. So for those food addicts, if you are not ready and willing to face that demon...don't get the surgery. There are so many risks involved with surgery....that you know. But many go thru withdrawal from not stuffing their faces with food constantly like they did preband. I can say this because I was one of them. When you use the lapband system, you will not be able to eat a whole pizza, a bag of chips, and a 2 liter soda. You may can have a bite or two, a few chips, and a few swallows of soda...but that even will come with time. Halfway thru my weightloss, I thought I was going to die. I hurt everywhere. Pneumonia wouldn't leave me alone. My muscles hurt, I was fatigued and couldn't get out of bed due to weakness. Dizzy spells found me. Anger/hostility/...happens when I diet and it was horrible with the band. I knew this in advance of my surgery. I made the decision to combat my obesity and use the most common sense tool out there...the band. Now, this was just my experience and that of a few others. You will find others here who didn't go thru that. You may be one of them...but just know it could happen. Have a game plan in place BEFORE you are banded. We spend so much time on pre and post op, things to buy, etc..... take some time to plan out your weightloss- how it affects you.... a plan of action for your family if you get fatigued, hostile, etc. It was rough on my family...but hey...it's only temporary. All the years I suffered, and my family suffered due to my obesity....1 year is all it took...one year of hell. That's so worth a lifetime of a healthier lifestyle.

Need advice. What to do! Situation is my mother is on hospice and will die soon. She has the hospital bed, special potty, scooter/wheelchair, bipac or bipap machine, oxygen tanks...the works! My mom owns her own home (the state will take it now-medicaid) My oldest sister was accused by one of my other sisters of taking mom's meds and cash from her while visiting. Seems meds went missing often and it was noticed after this oldest sister left...noticed by the next nurse that night. I didn't NOT believe it...but just let it go. I don't know who did what and I love all my sisters. Well, mom's in the hospital .... again. We are being told she can't be left alone-at all. She needs someone 24/7. So, I get someone-they can be there in 2 days. (18 year old daughter driving from Vegas to NC) Well, while I was on the phone w/ mom in the hospital THEY came to get her...the nursing home people. One of my sisters was there and the story is told that she jumped on mom's bed and said NO-you are not taking her. After a few threatening phone calls...threatening to sue 'em (mom is not incapacitate-she's not incompetent..she's just bedridden but alert and thinking for herself...she is! They didn't take her to the nursing home. Mom's getting discharged later in the day.... I was asked to call the home health care people who sends out the supplies to make sure they deliver oxygen.... I'm told that " [oldest sister who wants her in a nursing home] called this morning and put an order in for us to come pick up the equipment this afternoon" WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mom's bed/oxygen...everything. That sister was also in the process of cleaning out mom's house. HALT! I stopped the order for pickup. I called the hospital and another sister answered...I said "Ask mom if [oldest sister]'s name is on the deed or has any claim to the property" Mom says no. I say what's the motive for my oldest sister to do this? She knows putting mom in a nursing home will cause her to die faster. Fast forward to today.... on the phone with another sister and learn that my oldest sister is in a financial bind AND has a life insurance policy on mother. BINGO! Light bulb moment {missing pills/taking stuff from the house/nursing home} My sister is trying to kill my mother. What do I do? What can I do?

This should cheer you up. You say you've lost 6 pounds and it's only been a week since banded. I didn't lose my first pound...not even an ounce until 10 weeks after surgery. Feel better?

Ask and ye shall recieve! Dr. Muse, SLC. He did this in 2 adjustments:

Hey, and you are right. Seems like results would be more consistant. I am a classic textbook case of the lapband system. I followed all the guidelines in the owner's manual and it took a year. I didn't join a gym, didn't go health nut or anything.

A lot do. Since everyone is different some can eat pizza while some can't. Some can have a soda every once in a while, some can't. Some can eat chicken, some can't. You will have to learn for yourself what you can and can't eat. My doc had me introduce normal foods but warned me to eat slowly, chewing very/very/very well. I won't ever eat Arby's roast beef sandwich, a hamburger, an apple...ever again! Stuck and hurting! Good luck with your journey and enjoy the process.

I have a 9.75 holds 4 cc. First fill at 6 weeks was half, 2cc 4 weeks later 2nd fill was .5cc that's it. reached goal. had unfill of .3 cc a month later another unfill of .2 cc DONE! When you reach goal you go to maintenance. This is where you eat normal, your new normal. If you don't lose anymore weight, you are done. If you continue to lose (and don't want to) you can try to increase your calories...but don't overeat! You will want to go in for an unfill if your weight goes down and you aren't happy with it. Once you stabilize, you should be good to go. Remember, if you ever need a fill because you find the scales creeping up-get a fill. Your doc won't mind a bit. 256lbs to 137lbs

Can you guys help? I'm new to the area and have an apartment over by Nellis. My 18 year old (smart kid and started college at 16..transferring to UNLV so she came with me to Vegas) wants to move out. She was going to stay another semester at her old college out of state but her apartment she put a deposit down on ...well, they called her while the Uhaul was being loaded to say the current tennant changed her mind and isn't moving. So she was stuck. She moved here...but I had already signed a lease on a 2 bedroom, I have 2 other children at home. Anyways....anyone know how to get paired with roommates? I've tried craigslist but nothing. Also, anyone know good places to eat...that are portion friendly? I've hit so many buffets and am getting sick of them. I'd like a simple dinner. And, sorry for so many questions... it's so hot here. I'm trying to push Water but a local said to use gatorade or something....what do you think? I find myself craving koolaid...just for the sugar or something. Water doesn't always quench my thirst. Thanks everyone!

Yes, the hell did last a year and was during the weight loss phase. Once I stopped losing weight, the hell subsided. I still work at maintaining, but it's sure nice being able to drink when eating. It's nice not having to diet, and it's so nice to have energy!

After selling the extra cars, moving to a cheaper place, rearranging finances to keep afloat in this crazy time.... Church is next to go. Just this month alone..... $100 for camp, 30 for Pioneer day (that's just the dinner...the booths and treats are gonna be extra...oh, and we are supposed to bring something for a donation.... the scouting fundraiser is $20, fuel to get to church and back on Sunday...Wednesday....the RS meetings.... I can't do it any more! I'm not poor by any means, that's the thing. But fuel prices what they are it costs $7.00 every trip to church...and let's not even get started on food prices, utility increases, etc. When and how do you cut back on church? My thoughts are Sacrament is a must...the others are going to have to stop. (tithing and fast offerings are current and won't be touched)

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've thought the same thing. Thought I was crazy for thinking it. I am so like you. Was 256 and now am 137. I look sickly if I lose even 5 pounds. Right where I am...I have nice curves and a great figure...I look like a lady. Yet, I still think of myself as obese. I so intently watch infomercials about weightloss stuff. I read up on weightloss things. But I'm on maintenance! When will I not be obese anymore, mentally obese? The only thing with me, I knew beforehand that weightloss wouldn't be "the start of my new life" or some other taglines people use. Life started a long time ago and isn't going to change a single bit just because you lose or gain weight...the person is still the person. Of course you'll take up less space...but I am who I am, the same as last year and the same as next year. I played tennis for the first time in 20 years. Yep, was able to run the court. I now want to take tennis lessons. A year ago I could barely walk. So yeah, lifestyle is surely different when you are thinner! Hang in there and you've done something so great...you corrected a wrong. But you are back to normal now.

When to tell a new guy? When you tell him about your colonoscopy and pap smears. I think medical history is something you don't share until you are getting serious. "Oh, I already ate" is a good one to use. Tell him you just aren't into dining out as entertainment.

I'm thinking about going to the fill centers here in Vegas. I've gained 4 pounds. I usually teeter up a few, but then go down again...all by itself. But it seems I've been 'up' longer than normal. And I've come too far to gain this weight back....not gonna happen! That's what's so wonderful about the band. Adjustable! Course, I haven't gone to the bathroom in a few weeks. I so hate that. I took a few laxatives so we'll see if the scales go back down. Anyone found a cure (besides sugar) for constipation?

Count me in. I've never met someone who was banded. This will be a treat for me!

If you are vomiting, that's not good. Regurgitating...that's fine. That's a tool you'll use on your journey in re-learning how to eat. I do it often and sometimes daily...and I'm on maintenance. Took 20 years of overeating...just one year isn't enough to slow down. Gonna take me a few years to get this fine tuned. But if you are losing and NOT vomiting (as in from the stomach)...congrats! You are in a good spot.

You are missing your adjustments. I suggest you go get an adjustment. The owner's manual for the Lapband system says that after you go a week or so...and it's usually the 'so' and don't lose any weight you should get a fill. Good luck and keep us posted.

1. I was wondering if we are suppose to be on a high protein diet after lap-band or is the diet different if you have your gall bladder removed? :frown: No, no special diet after lapband. Your doc will prescribe a special diet due to surgery but the lapband was designed to 'not diet', but allow you to make more nutritious choices. 2. How long will I have to be on a liquid diet if I am having lapband surgery 2 weeks after July 17,2008 ?:eek: That's up to your doc. You'll find some are asked to do weeks and weeks, some just a few days, some just 1 day. 3. I found out that dairy products, meat, or soft food such as eggs are discourage after gall bladder surgery? Most information leans towards low carb such as brown rice, low fat foods, and carbs meals. I am confused because I was told to eat more proteins after the lapband surgery what diet is the right one? Discouraged? Never heard of that...but again, some docs may have discouraged it. Mine didn't. Which diet is the right one? Well, I didn't diet. That's why I got the lapband so I wouldn't have to diet anymore. I think your doctor is the best one to ask these questions and I have a feeling you are going to do so well. You are very cautious and show a sincere interest in doing what's right. Keep us posted.

Any weight you lose before (lets see-banded June 24 + 6 weeks to 1st adjustment is ) August 5th is a bonus and not supposed to happen. Supposed as in should happen, will happen. The band isn't supposed to work until you get restriction. Great start!

I'm about as independent as they come. Out of sight/out of mind...no news is good news. I'm not one of those patients that have to have my hand held thru something. I have something that don't work...fix it! Dr. Huacuz performed my surger back in June of 07. Just look at my signature to see the results. He only placed the band but he did a great job! I would recommend him to even a family member. There was this one poster on here who swore he goofed with her. But the thing is, she never gave the details. So, it could have been a poser to try to take business away. But she seemed sincere. So check out the forums for her. If someone has a complaint about a potential surgeon...you should check it out. But she very well could have had the surgery by someone else and the same problem arose. Just don't know. Some will have complications no matter who the surgeon is...but that's all in the risks we are told about before we get the band. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

OUCH. I really hope all goes well, you're doing great!!!! I've not felt hunger pangs in 20 years or so. So now I feel them often and it hurts like crazy. I get the shakes and I feel sick to my stomach. I'm sure your experiencing something much worse. But I imagined I wouldn't "feel hungry"...but I do. Oh, how that commercial is so wrong!

I love salads. I have Olive Garden's often as I can. But most times I make it at home. Lettuce tons of cheese potato sticks beets croutons 1000 island dressing The best!

Not at all. The US doesn't corner the market on health care (as some Americans like to think- some countries wouldn't even consider coming here to the states for their health care). I went to Mexico for effeciency. Time and money...none wasted. I'm on maintenance now. Anyone can do fills, you'd be surprised. However, some health care facilites don't like to do fills on patients they themselves didn't band. And mention Mexico or Vegas or their competitor...they may not take you on as a patient....all ego. I found several doctors who take patients thru Fill Centers USA. This isn't really a center, just a facilitator for fills. Good luck!