Parvathi

Lianna hit the nail on the head. There's no prescribed number of times you have to chew something - you just keep chewing til basically, its vitamized in your mouth lol. At first it feels a little strange, cause you may chew and swallow one bite in the time it takes your family or friends to take 5 ... but you'll get used to it and so will they. It does make the meals take a lot longer though.

Hi Guin, I don't have PCOS, but several of the ladies here do. As Kat said, just do a search on the boards for it and you're sure to find some info. As for the menstruation thing, my cycle was off (and by off, I mean it was all over the place) for several months after surgery. I ended up going on birth control to regulate it. There's also several threads on here about that, as it is quite common.

Hey Betsyjane, I had the same issues, with both of my band surgeries. After surgery, the doctor told me to make sure atleast once an hour, I took 10 deep breaths and held them for a few seconds. Being groggy, I guess I didn't stop to ask why .. but eventually, it got easier to take those big breaths. If you're concerned about it though, definitely call your surgeon's office and ask them about it. Good luck :peep:

Like most people in my situation, I spent a large amount of time researching the band and my options. By the time I booked the surgery, I was definitely sure. That said, in the week leading up to the surgery I was a nervous wreck and when they wheeled me in to the lil waiting bay where you wait for them to cart you in to theatre, had my knees not been so weak, I would have gotten up and RAN outta there. I'm so glad I didn't though! I love my band and the opportunities it has provided me with.

Hey Ashley, Welcome to LBT and congratulations on being banded. Learning to eat with the band when on the run is indeed one of the hardest parts. It's so easy to stop at McDonald's or grab a slice of pizza or what not, but finding a place that offers a balanced, quick meal that is band friendly can be a real challenge. You'll get there though. You'll end up finding your favorite restaurants and frequenting them or packing your lunch/snack so you know you're prepared. Good luck in your journey :peep:

Hey rubymum, Welcome to LBT and congratulations on your success with the band thus far. That's fantastic!!!

As I was going down the first time, I kept a journal everytime I hit a new size (like you, I bought my favorite pants in a new size lol - actually, all at once when I was banded during a clearance sale). For me, it worked out to a new size every 10kgs, but I'm sure everyone is different.

I remember working sales the day after Thanksgiving when I was 18 .. that one day damn near killed me. Whilst you may feel okay, you won't feel your greatest and you will definitely be weak and a bit on the slow side. Make sure you have understanding coworkers for sure. Also, I was only meant to stay one night, but ended up staying two at the hospital. You just never know how things will turn out, so be prepared that you might not be able to do it. Good luck!!

Congratulations, Theresa! Your start weight and goal weight are almost ideal to mine :peep: My doctor required a liquid diet before hand, but every surgeon is different. If you'd be more comfortable doing one, ask you surgeon if he minds?

Hi Alisha, Welcome to LBT and congratulations on your decision to get the band. Waiting for that date is a big ole pain lol. I have been banded for 20 months now and originally lost 48kgs in just over 12 months. 18 months out though, I had put on a few kilos and then discovered my band had slipped. I've just had a revision surgery this past Friday to get back in the game. Regardless of the few issues I've had, I am so glad I chose to have this done. I love my band and the opportunities it has provided for me. Your stats are very much like mine .. I was 262lbs, 5'7", had sleep apnea, borderline blood pressure, lower back issues (have only had to see my chiro once since banded!!!), reflux .. all the normal stuff lol. The sleep apnea was gone 3 months after banding, much to my husband's relief lol. Good luck on getting that date and feel free to jump in anytime :peep:

Hi Mary Kate, Welcome to LBT and congratulations on taking that first step to becoming healthy. Making the decision is the hard part - the rest will come in time This place is awesome for support, advice and just knowing that there are others out there that are going through the same thing. Don't be shy, just jump right in! Good luck w/ your dr appointment tomorrow and battling the insurance company.

LOL .. I too love my cheese! As a child growing up, I wouldn't touch the stuff. No pizza, no tacos with cheese and heaven forbid my mother try to put a serving of mac and cheese on my plate. I don't know what changed, but one day I tried it, melted and thought hmm, this stuff is pretty good. For a long time after, I'd only eat cheese if it was melted. Now though, I've developed a love for plain ole out of the package cheese. I eat it with crackers, I eat it with fruit, I eat it with salami and olives and sun dried tomatoes .. I eat it all by its lonesome. White cheese, yellow cheese, blue cheese, cow's cheese, goat's cheese .. I love it all! Thing is, I allow myself to have a small cheese and accompaniments platter once a week. Generally that's what we'll have for dinner on a Saturday night - three types of cheeses, deli meats, olives, sun dried tomatoes, fresh dips and pestos, carrot sticks, celery sticks, capsicum slices, crackers, sliced pear and sliced apple. With all the other stuff on the table, I end up concentrating less on the cheese and more on the other delights. We always have enough for another meal left over, but sadly, it usually goes in the rubbish. Enjoying the things you enjoy is fine. You just have to remember to do it in moderation.

After my first surgery, I was in pain for about 5-6 days .. the kind that stops you from doing anything that is. I was still sore for about two weeks, but was able to function somewhat normally. I guess I'm lucky in that after the revision surgery, my incisions haven't hurt at all. A handful of times I've had mild discomfort, but nothing like I was expecting. They didn't have to replace the port, so I know that made a big difference, but also, I had a tummy tuck back in April, so the lower half of my stomach is still numb lol .. think that did the trick! Hope you're feeling better soon!

A big welcome to you both Congratulations on the weightloss so far. The good thing about the band is it just keeps working like that! Ottertail, they say average weight loss is around a pound/week. Some lose more, some lose less, but you're right on target! Just think, without the band, you were likely to have gained a pound or two since May. If you still feel disappointed, you've got to sit down and re-evaluate things. Are you eating band friendly foods? Are you stopping when you feel satieated? Are you exercising? If yes, you're doing all you can. If no, make an effort to work on whichever part you feel you could do better at :grouphug: Good luck to you both!

Hi dawnae, Welcome to LBT and congratulations on your decision to become healthier. Recovery time does vary from person to person. I know some ladies on here who have got up and gone shopping the very next day. I've been banded twice (it slipped once after 18 months so I had a revision). After the first surgery, I was pretty useless for about 5 days. I tried to go shopping about 4 days out, but it was with my mom who's a marathon shopper and about an hour into it I felt dizzy and nauseous. This time however, I've felt pretty great. I was banded on Friday and could have gone back to work on Monday, had my husband let me lol. My surgeon recommended that I not lift anything heavier than a yellowpages phone book. We live in a large city, so our yellowpages are quite heavy ... but probably not as heavy as a 6 month old. You'll probably want to have an extra pair of hands around for a week or two and definitely talk to your surgeon about it. Good luck with your surgery. All will go well I'm sure and you'll be able to keep up with those two rugrats in no time at all

Yup, like Kat said, liquid in, liquid out. Last time around, I ended up constipated from the morphine they had me on at the hospital. This time (the revision), everything's just running out of me and I much prefer it. Nothing like straining your stomach right after it's been cut open lol. When she starts getting more substance in things will subside. Probably a huge shock to the system too, to go from eating solids to only stuff that goes through a straw.

The first time around for me, the shoulder tip pain lasted on and off, about 3 weeks. Walking around seemed to make it lessen. This time however (just had revision surgery over the weekend), walking seems to make it worse, as well as bring on nausea. The only thing that's helped it thus far for me is laying down. Also, a bit of peppermint extract in Water. The nurses at the hospital gave me a little medicine cup full of this and sure enough, even though it tasted horrible, it helped. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi white_rabbit, I've definitely been where you are right now! Once you start that cycle, its hard to regain control, but it can be done. For me, I have to promise not to keep chips and such in the house, cause as the bag says, I can't eat just one. Those are my major downfall. If they're here, I'll definitely eat them, sometimes a bag at a time. You said that you were having problems with Protein. What type of protein were you having? Was it dry or moist? I can't eat any dry protein, such as chicken breast, a burger or whatnot, but if I have it cut in tiny pieces and dip it in a sauce of some sort, it goes down so much easier (for me). Alot of us are here because we're emotional eaters. Learning to turn to something other than food when you're happy/hurt/sad/lonely/etc is a very hard step to take. My therapist loaned me a book on tape called, When Food Is Love. Whilst it talked alot about stuff I couldn't relate to, such as the author's problems with family and things, it also talked alot about stuff I could definitely relate to in terms of food. Good luck regaining that control. You can do it. It may not be easy, but we'll be here for you along the way.

Hi MaggiK, Welcome to LBT! Whilst it does suck that your insurance won't pay, you're making a great investment in your health by getting the band. Nov 20th will be here in no time. Do you have any special pre op diet that you have to follow?

Hi Jessica, I can't say anything more than the other two have said. You'll find what you need here for sure! Many of us have experienced what you're going through and whilst that doesn't make it change, it does mean that you can get past it and start to have a healthy life. Welcome to LBT. I look forward to getting to know you.

We're going to the Maldives in December. I was really looking forward to diving, but the surgeon said I'm not going to be able to - just cause I only had the revision this past week. He said I can go snorkeling though, so I'll live with that and spend the rest of my time on the beach sipping on fruity concoctions lol.

We don't have them over here yet, I don't think. How many grams of carbs and fat? I saw a thing in the paper here a few weeks back, analyzing the different "breakfast bar" things and in the end, with the 10 they tested, a Mars bar had less fat/carbs/calories. It sucks that they can't make a really really nutritious tasty Breakfast that is that convenient!! Oh .. but I loooooooove rice krispie treats! lol They're great .. or atleast from what I remember they were - haven't had one in years

I'm in Australia. My surgery was $3000 out of pocket and that's all I've paid - total - for the band. Haven't paid for fills (and I've had plenty of them in the past 20 months) and didn't have to pay a dime for my revision surgery last week. The health care system over here makes me a happy girlie!

Small tin of tuna (chili flavoured, as in spicy peppers), with a bit of mayo to make it go down easier. Three Water crackers with three small slices of light tasty cheese. Half a red capsicum (bell pepper) sliced. When I'm not on liquids or mushies, that's my normal Monday - Friday at the office lunch.

I'm a huge water drinker too. Learning to not drink with meals was a big deal for me .. probably the hardest part, but you do get the hang of it. I've never felt dehydrated, I just changed the times I drink. I down heaps of it from an hour after breakfast to right before lunch. Then an hour after lunch to right before dinner. After dinner though, I only wait about 15 mins before I start drinking .. I just try to make myself not eat anymore even if I feel hungry from washing out the pouch. I'd probably have 6 large glasses of water between dinner and bedtime. That said, I can't guzzle it anymore, especially in the mornings. Only time I can still drink it fast is if I'm at the gym, for some reason.