vballmom

It sounds like you are on your way. We all stumble, that is life. I have lost seventy six pounds since surgery in Jan 08. I still have a lot to lose. Having the surgery saved my life. I feel alive again. Best Wishes. I am thinking about doing four days of liquid diet to help with my carb cravings.

Welcome to the site. Lots of good support on this site. When is the last time you had your band filled?

Put a chair next to you & try to put your weight on the chair to help you get up. It will get better.

I definitely feel more restriction when I am upset or stressed. When relaxed I can eat more.

So sorry to hear you are suffering. I am not bipolar, but I did get depressed and moody after my surgery. It is hard because the food was our comfort and now we can't have it. It's hard to see other people eating. Please call your doctors office and let them know how you are feeling. I have a nephew who is bipolar, it is so hard for him to deal with. My heart goes out to you. Best Wishes

In my experience with the lap band it is on the job training for the mental aspect. It is getting easier as time goes by. You could stop drinking soda's now. You will learn to eat & enjoy other foods. I do not crave sweets now, unless I am on my cycle. In the beginning it is hard. Once the doctor clears you to eat normal foods you will experiment with different foods to see what agrees with your band. I do not know of any self help books, but maybe go to a support group and talk with others who have already been through the process. Best Wishes, you can do it!

I had reflux before I had Lap Band surgery, and it went away & I stopped taking medicine for it for months. I now get reflux once a month if I over eat. If it is bothering you at bedtime, try eating earlier in the evening and a smaller amount. It is very uncomfortable and painful feeling. Hope you feel better after getting the prescription. It is possible that you are to tight. I had surgery the same time as you and now I have 5.5 cc's in my band.

I have a 10 cc Realize Band and I have 5.5 cc's and I do have quite a bit of restriction. It is especially tight in the mornings. I only got half a cc the last time. I do not want to be to tight.

Yes when food gets stuck, it does hurt! I have been banded since Jan and until this last fill I didnt have problems with being stuck. I can not and do not eat bread. I eat corn bread once in a while bec it is crumbly it goes down easier. I have already thrown up twice this week. I tried to eat a corn dog and it got stuck and the other was on eggs. The stuck feeling is a lot of pressure on my chest and my upper back. I also keep having to spit because it will not go down. I vomit to get relief and then the rest of the day you can only do liquids. The band is tricky, one time you can eat a cetain food with out any problem, then the next time it gets stuck. The band also gets tighter when you are stressed or having a cycle. It is really my fault for getting stuck because I know better than to eat a corn dog. It is very tight in the mornings and I can only eat yogurt or cottage cheese. You will learn to live with out certain foods. It is worth it in the end. I am seventy one pounds lighter. Best Wishes

bandofhope Why do you fear the anestesia? My experience was being wheeled into the prep room and they give you a medication in your iv so that you can relax, but you will still be awake. The surgical staff came by to meet me and go over my medical information. They walked me to the surgery room and I got on the table. They went over my medical information one more time. Then the doctor puts a mask over your face and they said good night. The next thing I remember is being woke up in the recovery room. They were shaking me by my shoulders and calling my name & saying wake up. I immediately said, was my liver small enough? They said no but we were able to do the surgery. You still feel groggy and not quite in control of your body. I felt thirsty and they gave me some water and covered me in warm blankets. I was relieved that the surgery was over and successful. I know your fear of the surgery, but it is well worth it! Good luck on your journey.

ohgary, the medical problems you mentioned will help you qualify for lapband surgery, however you will most likely have to do a six month diet and doctor visits to get approved by your insurance company. I had problems with my back hurting and it kept me from doing so many things. I had the surgery in Jan 08 and Ive lost 68 pounds and now my back does not hurt anymore. I will be honest it is not always easy to stick to the plan. I have good days and bad days with my food choices. You will find that everyone is different and some have better control and like to exercise more than others. I hate to exercise, but I am now doing water aerobics and it is so easy on your body. My advice is to check out the seminar and arm yourself with a lot of questions. You might see if you can attend a support group meeting to get the "skinny" on everything. ha Good luck and best wishes.

I miss sodas!!!! When I hear someone open a soda, my ears perk up. I want that cold refreshing sweet taste. I put a sip of root beer in my mouth one time and swished it around and then spit it out. I havent had one since December 07!!! Also eating a hamburger with out the bun is just not a hamburger. But bread does not agree with my band. But I'm 68 pounds lighter and that feels so good!!!!

I am staying on plan today because I want to lose another four pounds before Aug 23rd.

I have no regrets. Ive lost 63 pounds since New Years. I still have quite a bit to lose, but I feel so much better already. You mentioned that you thought the doctor was a salesman/doctor. I would strongly suggest that your wife get a second opinion and a doctor that you both have complete confidence in. I have not experienced any problems with my lapband and do not know of anyone who has in my circle of friends. Best wishes to your wife and kudos to you for caring so much about your wife's health. I also think there is a section on this site for seniors who have been banded, you might want to check that out.

Leslie, I use a walking video in my living room when I can't get out to exercise.

MPHSMOMMY, Have you met with others who have had the bypass or lap band procedure? It would probably help you make your decision after talking with others about their experience. I personally only wanted the lap band. I felt the bypass was to risky for me and lapband would be more helpful to me in the future. If you can find a support group and attend the meeting, you should get an earful. I am happy with my decision to have the lap band and Ive lost 61 pounds this year. Best Wishes.

I am staying on plan today because, I went to get my oil changed and didnt have to get out of the car to bend over to pull the latch to open the hood. Yahoo That is a NS victory for me!! Plus my belly is getting further away from the steering wheel. Sixty one pounds gone!!

You and your husband could change what you do on date night. Go dancing, movies,bowling,gym etc. I still eat out with my family. I make better food choices and eat less. I am always the last one finished eating. I bet if you really think about it, you will find that eating is not your only connection. Go for the surgery and the rest will take care of itself. Life is about changes. Good luck

I had a high BMI and my surgeon did question my decision to have the lapband instead of the bypass. He said because of my diabetes it would be better for me to lose the weight faster. I told him that I had made up my mind that I would not do the bypass. I got my band six months ago.

I personally still desire my comfort foods sometimes. I had a snickers yesterday, don't tell anyone. I try to eat the right foods, but I do still have to watch myself. You will have times you can eat some of the things you love, but in smaller portions. You will learn as you go what works for you personally. I can not eat bread, but my friend who had the surgery can eat bread. I am glad I can't eat bread because it was something I ate way to much of. I still eat a burger, but without the bun. I had surgery six months ago and I do not crave the junk food like before. But during my TOM I do. Best Wishes

In the beginning I did follow the 30 mins rule of drinking. Its been six months since my surgery. I still do not drink for 30 mins after eating. I do suck on a few ice cubes or take a small sip of water to help clean out my mouth after eating. I have read that others drink with their meals. I think for the best out come it's best to follow the lap band rules. I do slip up at times, but try to get back on track everyday no matter what rules I break. Best wishes for your surgery and a speedy recovery. Ive lost 61 pounds.

Nanook, Yes they offer Water Aerobics four nights a week. I am working up my nerve to join the class. I read an article that said one hour of water aerobics can burn five hundred calories. I will start soon. Thanks for the encouragement!

There are a lot of hoops you have to jump threw to get approved. I personally would wait until you have your sleep study done before applying for the surgery. It will help along with all your other health problems for approval. I had the same health problems you mentioned and was approved the first time by Cigna. Good luck.

My family and I joined the YMCA six weeks ago. We work out together, but can't do as much as other because we are all out of shape. Ive been watching my husband and daughter swim. I finally got sick of it and ordered myself a swim suit. I got up the nerve to go out and get in the pool in front of everyone. It was very hard for me to let others see me in my swim suit. I got up early Sat morning to beat the crowd and I made myself get into the pool. I was so nervous and felt like everyone was watching me. Well five minutes after being in the pool, the lifeguard came over and said we had to get out because they were having swim lessons. I was so pissed because I had checked on line for the pool hours before leaving the house. It had also taken me years to build up to getting out in public and going into the pool. I got dressed and we left. I havent been back yet, but I will somehow work up the nerve to try it again.

Miss Woo, What size is your band? I was banded Dec 07 and Ive lost 61 pounds. I have a size 10 cc Realize band. I've had three fills with a total of 5 cc's. I have excellent restriction in the mornings. As the day goes by I can eat more than I should. I am still losing but at a much slower rate. I try daily to get my 60 grams of protein. The only time I have upset stomach is when I over eat or eat too fast. I have been able to lose because I can't eat bread and I stay away from sweets. Have you had your fills done under xray? If you continue to feel reflux symptoms, then contact your doctor. As for losing weight It's possible you just haven't had enough fills to achieve good restriction. Good luck.