Longhorn

One suggestion is to get some of the DaVinci sugar-free syrups (there are other brands, too) and add a dash of raspberry or more chocolate or whatever flavor you like. These are the same syrups they use at coffee houses and bars.

I think you can post a request on the LBT Suggestions board near the end of the list of boards. Or you can email Alex using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page. I'd try the Suggestion Board first. Let us know if it gets created in case we miss it!

I should have said, "There is no single food that bandsters can't tolerate." You said, "You know when you need a fill because you can eat too much and tolerate food that bandsters can't tolerate." I was afraid that your comment made it sound like someone who can eat bread, for example, needs a fill. Maybe he or she does need a fill, but not necessarily because he or she can eat a food that others can't. That may not be what you meant but I wouldn't want anyone to get that impression.

You're right that we should avoid getting our calories through liquids because, as you said, we might stay hungrier but also, because we could be too tight and not even realize it and that can lead to erosion or slippage. On the other hand, some people are tighter in the morning and plenty loose in the evenings as the band can change during the day. A shake may be all they can get down in the morning and it's a good idea not to go all day without nutrition. In my case, I'm on the road going from one campus to another a good part of the day and I need to bring portable foods that I can eat in the car, especially since I don't want to risk getting stuck while I'm driving. So I have a shake or two a day and I also like Luna bars, which have 11 grams of soy protein. I would lose more if I drank nothing but shakes but that's not why I got the band! (Been there, done that! ) I do count the shakes toward my liquid requirement.

We were all newbies at one point, if not here, then somewhere else. I think you're wise to go with the doctor with whom you feel the most comfortable, even if he's a little further away. You may want to schedule your fills early in the day and stay in town (maybe do a little shopping ) the rest of the day to make sure you're not too tight, especially if your fill is on a Friday. Sometimes you can't tell for several hours, though some folks don't realize that they're too tight until the next day or even later. However, I've had three fills with no problems and most of us don't get so tight that we would need an unfill so you should be fine. You're wise to learn all you can. And while it's good to know about the negatives, understand that there is an overrepresentation of negatives discussed on this board because this is where people come to get help or just to vent. People who are having no problems are less likely to post, "Hey, I had another great day!" :biggrin2:

I'm afraid I can't help with the issue of depression but as far as tools, before I got my third fill, I used sugar-free pudding (60 calories per serving) when I felt like I needed a little something. If I was really hungry and worried about going off the deep end, I'd have a Low-Carb SlimFast (20 grams of Protein per serving, 180 calories.) Another appetite-satisfier was a "Nuts Over Chocolate" Luna Bar and two slices of American cheese. Peanut Butter and cheese have long been a favorite combination for me and this really hit the spot without too many calories. I think you'll find you'll need these tools less when you get a good level of restriction. I don't get hungry very often and it doesn't take much to satisfy me now. Even head hunger is easier to handle because food isn't as appealing when you're physically not hungry. I've roamed the frig and pantry at those moments, only to eat a cookie, a few peanuts, or just walk away!

I had surgery on Thursday and returned to school on Tuesday. I don't teach on Fridays so I only had to cancel two days of classes (community college.) Also, I tutored on Tuesday and only had one evening class. Tutoring -- going from student to student and sitting most of the time -- is certainly easier than teaching, especially depending on the level you teach. I ended up missing my Tuesday evening class because I locked my keys in the car and couldn't get to campus in time. On Wednesday and Thursday, I sat during my some of my classes (the ones where my lessons are on PowerPoint.) i was a little weak and tired that first week. It wasn't until after the second weekend that I felt normal again. So based on my experience, I think having the entire week of spring break, including two weekends, will be perfect and you'll be fine going back to school.

Kat: Something is definitely confused there! A 10cc band holds 10ccs (actually a little bit more as they can be overfilled.) There are 4cc bands as well. I wonder if he told you the diameter of the band (say, 10 cm?) instead of the volume. You might want to clear it up the next time you see him. My doctor uses two needles -- one to inject lidocaine and the other to inject the saline. Because of the first needle, which is just a very slight sting, I can't feel the second. :biggrin2: By the way, all caps is considered shouting on message boards. And I do wish you luck!

There is no food that "bandsters can't tolerate." Yes, some bandsters have trouble with some foods but some bandsters can also eat anything they want and they are at the perfect level of restriction for them. I just wanted to clear this up because that's not a requirement for getting a fill. Several longtime bandsters on this board have said that they can eat bread, chicken, popcorn, etc. without a problem. Generally, if you are hungry a lot and are eating too much, even though you are following the rules, then you probably need a fill. If you are not hungry and you're losing weight, then you probably don't.

No, that's not what it's supposed to feel like! Both of y'all are clearly too tight. The question is, will you loosen up in a few days or do you need an unfill? If you still can't get liquid and mushies down by tomorrow, I'd call the doctor. My doctor told me that we have to give our stomachs time to react to each fill and each of us is different. He said that's why they don't just fill us up to 7ccs with the first fill even though that might be the eventual ideal amount. That's why SueMagoo can be at the exact level now she was when she was too tight but it works for her now. Good luck!

Hi, cara! I taught middle and high school math years ago but I've been teaching at community college in Austin for the past five years. It's a better fit for me. You picked a great time to get the surgery done! You'll have plenty of time to recuperate plus think how dramatic it will be when your faculty, staff, and former students see you in August! Since my schedule changes every semester, there are a few folks I haven't seen at all since December -- I can't wait until they see me again. I've only told a few close friends that I had the surgery, though I'll tell others if they ask. I like the idea of our own board!

Thanks, Kathy! Wow, what a jerk! The clinic is lucky they didn't end up with a lawsuit on their hands! Thank goodness you didn't listen to him! I'm glad you got the treatment you needed and I appreciate that you shared your experience. I can't help but wonder if there's more to my problem so it's encouraging to hear from a survivor, in case I'm on that path.

Good for you! My exercise program has gone down the drain the last few weeks. At least now I have an idea why I haven't had a lot of energy! But I'll get back to it when I get things cleared up! :biggrin2:

Foofy, you're so sweet and encouraging! Thanks for your positive vibes! I feel kind of lucky that I was due for my annual exam because I really thought all of these symptoms were related to being perimenopausal. I wonder how long I might have gone on before I finally decided to see the doctor? I think we gals need more education on what is normal and what isn't at this stage of our lives! You make a really good point! I'm glad I brought this up if it reminds us to get in for our annual exams and tests. I got a reminder card but I really need to mark my calendar each year, just in case! Thanks again!

Thanks, Sades. So I wonder how many people out there think getting a hysterectomy is the "easy way out?" Oh, that's right -- medical intervention is okay as long as it's not bariatric surgery! My mother, sister, and sister-in-law all had hysterectomies in their 30s or 40s. I'm the only one who went this far into menopause. I actually prefer being different!

I had learned about it a few years ago but everything I read said you had to be 100 pounds overweight. Sometime last year, I actually went to a lap-band surgeon's site and found that I was a candidate even though I didn't have 100 pounds to lose. On September 21 of last year, while hiking in the mountains southwest of Denver with my husband, two daughters, and one daughter's boyfriend, I mentioned that I was considering getting the surgery. After I told them more about it, everyone was supportive. That's when I started really researching it, including joining this board. I immediately found out that my insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery so I decided to self-pay. I considered a doctor in Denver (one daughter lives there) and a doctor in San Antonio, believing the doctors in Austin to be too expensive. But then I found Dr. Ganta and learned more about him and felt like he was the one for me. I met with him on October 19 and scheduled my surgery for November 1. In the next 13 days, I met with the nutritionist, psychologist, surgical hospital, and my GP, who did the pre-op tests such as blood tests, puliminary function test, X-ray, and EKG, plus one more pre-op with Dr. Ganta. I did a low-carb pre-op diet and lost two pounds I teach at community college and was able to cancel two days of classes, Thursday and Monday. My surgery was on Thursday and I returned Tuesday. A few days longer would have been nice but it was doable and after that second weekend, I felt pretty much back to normal. I've had three fills and have 7ccs in a 10cc band. I've lost just over 28 pounds with 30 to 35 to go.

Of course you deserve the band! If it was just for saints, this board would be empty! :thumbup: I really don't think there is as strong a connection between our actions and weight on a daily or even weekly basis as we sometimes think. How many times have we followed every rule and worked our butts off and had no loss? Then we have a week like yours. It comes off when it comes off and I think we need to give ourselves credit for the entire journey and you certainly deserve credit for your hard work so far! Keep up the good work!

I'm glad to hear that! Just take it easy. I just today started solids after my fill a week ago. I stuck to mushies and soft foods (turkey chili, Weight Watchers Lasagna or Ravioli) until then because I could tell I was a little tight. I understand that if you get stuck or PB, you should go back to liquids to heal up. I'd rather take it slow and avoid it in the first place! I hope this fill works well for you! :thumbup:

Thanks, Wendy! I'm due for menopause anyway so I'm mentally ready! :thumbup:

Thanks, Stephanie. I agree about the doctors and their attitudes. They get so little training in bariatrics, as confirmed by the doctor who did Khaliah Ali's surgery. He got banded himself but said he knew little about obesity when he was struggling with his own weight. In fact, they get very little training in nutrition in general! Some of them really buy into the "eat less and exercise more" solution to obesity. :thumbup: I have lots of grading to do this weekend so I think I'll just hang out in my La-Z-Boy or maybe even in bed. I just hope these symptoms pass before I have to teach again on Monday. My husband is insisting I get to the doctor right away. I told him I got the first available appointment and even the worst diagnosis isn't going to be affected by a few days. But it's harder for him not to worry than me. Thanks for your positive thoughts!

Thanks, Cindy! I took some more Tylenol and it helps me relax because I think about it less with less pain. :thumbup:

Gotta fix this! :smile2: Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........205........197..........8 cQQlgirl........215...........215........200.........15 destiny79.......255...........255........240.........15 Foofy...........242.5.........242.5......234.........8.5 Jill............220...........220........210.........10 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........189........181..........8 kjl315..........227...........227........217.........10 kristin1031.....240...........238........225.........13 legster.........209...........209........196.........13 LessnLess.......164...........164........157..........7 Linda Lu........228...........228........215.........13 Longhorn........204...........199.4......195..........4.4 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........206........195.........11 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........251........241.........10 Redtulips3......225...........224........215..........9 Renewedhope.....213...........213........199.........14 Sades...........201...........198........190..........8 Skinny_Jill.....186...........184........178..........6 Stacy73.........222...........222........212.........10 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........269........260..........9 wombat712.......145...........144........135..........9

Hey, Kevin! A fill of 0.8 is 20% of your band's capacity, which is like a 2cc fill for those of us who have 10cc bands. My band had 1cc in it at surgery and I got 3ccs at my first fill, 2ccs at my second, and 1cc at my third. So your fill second fill is comparable to mine. However, everyone is different and some don't even feel a large fill while others get overfilled on a relatively small one. To me, it sounds like you're too tight but you could loosen up in a day or two. If it were me, as long as you're able to get water down and maybe a Protein shake, I'd see how I felt on Monday. If I was still too tight, then I'd call the doctor and possibly get an unfill. However, if you get any worse or can't get enough water down, I'd call the doctor tomorrow because you don't want to risk getting dehydrated. Let us know how you're doing and good luck!

Thanks, Kristin! I got a little emotional today. My symptoms seem to be a little worse and I needed to know at what point it could be serious enough to go to an ER. I called my doctor's office and got the recording for the nurse saying that if it was after 4, they wouldn't hear my message until the next day -- in this case, Monday. So I called the appointment desk hoping I could talk to a live person but I just got the run-around about how she couldn't give me medical advice and I needed to leave a message for the nurse and yes, she knew that the nurse wouldn't hear my message until Monday. Finally, I just said, "Fine, if I'm still around on Monday, I'll call back. Thanks!" and hung up. My daughter called a little later and I was telling her about it when another call beeped in and it was the nurse! She was very sweet and helpful and I know what to watch for. She ended the call by saying, "We're always here for you." :smile2: I give them credit for making sure I heard from the nurse -- I just don't understand why she couldn't have done that in the first place, or take a message and have the nurse call me back, or tell me there's no one around to help me! Anyway, I got over my little snit and I'm fine now. It would be a lot easier if I actually knew what was going on but that's always the case, isn't it? Thanks for sharing your positive experience. I understand many women share your sentiment about the surgery!

I'm very fortunate that future pregnancies are not an issue. I had a tubal ligation years ago a few months after my last child was born. I really appreciate you sharing your experience and wish you the best in becoming a mom! :tt2: