PATCHELTON

I had a history of GERD, but was not required to have endoscopy done for the band surgery, just a nuclear stress test and an echo. However in the past I have had one along with a colonoscopy during the same procedure (I asked the doc if I could have a 2-for-1 special and he said sure). I think he used Versed, and I warned him I had a very active gag reflex (I gag on tongue depressors!). He said it is all in the prep. They started the IV, he sprayed my throat, I think put the guide in my mouth, and then before picking up the endoscope, he covered my eyes. I was out like a light, came to slightly during the colonoscopy (but not uncomfortably so--just awareness they were doing something). As long as they weren't in my throat, I was a happy camper. I think, like the other poster, I had a dry throat for a day or so, but other than that, no big deal, and no pain. Even though I had the history of GERD, they didn't require it for surgery. I am happy to report I no longer take the GERD med, or the two cholesterol meds I was on, or the two blood pressure meds (just stopped the last BP med recently). All I take now is Vitamins, and occasionally Sudafed for nasal stuffiness or a mild antihistamine for spring itchiness. Don't let this stop you from having surgery. It is a big committment to eating right, exercising, and smaller portions (what the band helps you do), but it is worth it.

My first experience with a black bean burger was my first trip to a restaurant post op. I was looking for something safe to eat at Chili's and ordered that. OMG it was so dry it got stuck almost immediately! I thought I was going to die (almost). I finally violated the no drinking rule and drank a few sips of water and it finally went down. Since then I have bought some Boca burgers and I think Morningstar and I found them difficult to get down. They are not very moist and dry stuff doesn't go down well, at least for me. I would check with your dietician before trying them. If you are still on soft foods I am not sure that is the way to go.

Congratulations! I share your feeling of accomplishment. I, too, hit the 100 lb mark and reached my goal weight, too. I lost 10 whole lbs on the 6 month diet my insurance required, 25 on the pre-op liquid diet (I ended up on it for 3 weeks instead of 2 because I caught a slight cold and my surgery was bumped a week), and the rest after surgery. My favorite NSV is when buying scrub pants for work (I work in a doctor's office) I can say "I take a size small, thanks." Used to be 2X.:mad2:

I have the same problem and as I understand it, no amount of exercise will tone loose skin, and plastic surgery (aka tummy tuck) is the only thing that will get rid of it. I have loose skin elsewhere, too, but if I can afford it one of these days I would like to have a tummy tuck. My butt and boobs deflated, too. I would like (if I had the money) to take the roll from my tummy and fill out my boobs and/or my butt. My tailbone gets sore because I don't have enought padding. I see some marvelous before and after pictures in plastic surgery ads or tv programs. All you need is a big pot of money.

I am right there with you. My butt deflated and the girls look like two water-filled balloons that no longer have any Water, if you know what I mean:lol:! I don't care that I am 64; I would like to be perky in my old age! I need to find a plastic surgeon who will work cheap. I will even do before and after pictures for the right price! As for the poster who needs help with her legs, I will share this with you. I was going to Curves before surgery (and eating an entire pizza for dinner afterwards) so I decided I needed to bump up my exercise for after surgery. So I added walking. I found a nice park near home that has a 2 mile asphalt nature trail. I routinely go around twice, and sometimes on weekends or when off I may do 3, and rarely 4 times around. I don't walk particularly fast and I carry peanuts for the squirrels, but I try to do the distance. Let me tell you, my pants were getting loose before surgery, and except for some loose skin on my inner thighs, my legs are lookin' pretty good. I went from women's 22 to misses size 10 in pants since surgery. So, if you don't already, add some walking to your exercise routine. I don't know if a treadmill will give the same effects, but it may. The trail has small hills and turns so it is different from walking a flat surface. Plus you get some extra Vitamin D from the sunshine. Now if I could just find someone to do a tummy tuck . . .

If you prefer powders, unjury is a good brand to try. Comes in plain (you can mix in other stuff), Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and chicken Soup (tastes like chicken broth). Go to unjury.com to order. If you like grab and go ready to drink, I use Worldwide Protein shakes. On the can it says not for weight loss, protein supplement only, but I think that is because they don't want you to use it as a liquid meal. A lot of body builders use it. It packs 35g protein in a can. You can get it at GNC, but they are the priciest ($2.99 can) and they only carry Vanilla and Chocolate. Cheapest is Trader Joe's at $2.29 a can, again only the two flavors, and they carry a 29g protein size for $1.69 each, again in the two flavors. The best place to get them is Vitamin Shoppe. They only carry the 35's, but in all flavors (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, banana Cream, and Cookies n' Cream-tastes like liquid Oreos). Individually they cost $2.79 each, but if you buy a 12 pack case they are $27.99 or about $2.33 each. You can find them online too at vitaminshoppe.com. They have free shipping for orders over $99, and when you buy from them, online or in stores, you earn reward points that get you coupons for $ off future purchases. While I didn't want to spend quite so much, I wanted free shipping, and I had a coupon for $20 off $100 purchase. I bought enough so the amount didn't drop below $100 after the coupon came off, so I got that plus free shipping. That just about paid for an entire 12 pack, so it was worth it. And I drink one almost every day, so they won't go to waste. They run about 160-170 calories, 1g fat(0.5 sat fat), 4g carbs, 1g sugar, 5mg cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 210mg potassium, and 35g protein. I'm sorry if I sound like I work for them. I don't. I just really like them.

Sounds like you are going to the group support meetings. The seminar is the first step. I went to group meetings for 6 months before surgery. I found them very informative. The only weighing you will have will be at the doctors office visits. Enjoy the group meetings. It is good to learn all you can prior to surgery.

Welcome to LBT, and congratulations on finally getting your band. You have some unique challenges, to be sure, but it sounds like you have a good support system (your mom) and are determined to make the band work for you. One of my favorite band quotes is "The band is not around your lips, it is around your stomach. It cannot keep food out of your mouth; only you can do that." The band is a useful tool to help control portion size. It is up to you to choose healthy foods. Good luck on your journey.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread and I agree completely. I went to college as an adult so I had to take ACT instead of SAT entrance exams. I was 32 when I entered college, so I scored modestly on everything except English, which was the 98th percentile (never forgot--I was so proud of that). It drives me crazy to find typos in text books and other print material. Hopefully this isn't too far off the theme of this thread, but my pet peeve is the number 8 on gas station price signs. Most, if not all, print styles make the number 8 with the bottom slightly larger than the top. For some reason, almost universally, the 8 is reversed at gas stations, the fat part at the top and the smaller part on the bottom. Sometimes I even see 3's that way, but not all of them have differences between the top and bottom. Did someone change the rules and forget to tell me? Flip those freakin 8's, people! Thanks. I have been itching to bitch about this.:drool: I do have a life, plenty of hobbies and just wanted to vent. Thanks.

My sister had GB and when I started thinking about surgery I researched all the different surgeries. I was leaning toward the Gastric Sleeve, but my insurance did not cover it. The band was my next choice. I liked the fact that it was restrictive and not malabsorptive (as in the bypass), and I like the adjustability aspect. Turns out I didn't need a lot of Fluid in my band to get sufficient restriction. I have only had 2 fills in a year, first one 6 weeks after surgery (next day I went back and had 1.5ccs or so unfilled-Water was giving me indigestion--and 2 weeks later another .5ccs unfilled). Did okay, losing steadily (pre-op lost 10lbs on 6 month diet and 25lbs on pre-op liquid diet), and then in August 2008 had a small fill, 1.5ccs. I have had nothing since. I am debating a small fill next time I go in (5/12/09) because I am getting hungry in 2-3 hours, and I am snacking more, even though they are healthy Snacks. I am at goal and my weight loss has levelled off. I fluctuate between 147 and 151. I don't want to start increasing calories by eating more even if it is healthy. I am happy where I am and want to maintain. So I haven't figured out whether this hunger is real or just in my head. So I will work on it until I see the surgeon and decide then. That is something you can't do with anything but the band. You can make it tighter; you can make it looser. I have even read of some GB people who started to regain and had a band placed on their GB! You can fail with the band too, if you don't want to commit to eating healthy, but if you do commit to healthy eating and exercise, the band is a good choice. Good luck.

I drink some in the morning to wash down my Vitamins (I am a year out so I do some chewable and some pill) trying to get about 12 to 16 oz. I carry a Water bottle everywhere. Since reading about plastic bottles I stopped buying bottled water and purchased an insulated water bottle (laptoplunches.com) that holds about 16oz or so. I fill it at night and leave it in the fridge, so the water stays nice and cold. I finish that at work and fill it again from the water cooler which is refridgerated. In the evening I drink another 16-20oz with my evening vitamins. I even drink and drive! Those cup holders in the car need something to do. I find the water stays cool even on 90 plus days when I go to walk in the park. I come back to my car, the insides of which is probably 100 degrees, and have a nice cool drink of water. I kind of do what heavy coffee drinkers do. I am never far from my water bottle. I sipped in the beginning but now I can swallow a fair amount at one time. I am very sensitive to the amount of Fluid in my band (my first fill 6 wks after surgery--3ccs in-next day 1.5ccs out-2weeks later .5ccs out)(second fill in 8/08 1.5ccs). That is all I have had. I see my surgeon 5/12/09 and am debating whether I need a small fill. I am getting hungry 2-3 hours later instead of 4 hours, and seem to be snacking more, even though healthy Snacks. We'll see. But, anyway, I wanted to share the water thing with you. Good luck on your journey.

Most of us had some weight lost before surgery. I had to do the 6 month diet (lost 10lbs) plus the pre-op liquid diet (lost 25 on that--I find I do boring really well, and that is about where I would file the choices on the liquid diet). The rest has come off since surgery. I have reached my goal weight and now I fluctuate from 147 to 150-151. I sure can't complain. My latest NSV came the other night when I was taking clothes out of the dryer. I held up a pair of size 10 pants and thought, "Wow, my butt actually fits in these!" I was wearing women's 22 (2x in scrubs, which I wear for work). In scrubs I now wear size small in pants and medium tops. Not a bad way to go. I am a bit broke from buying clothes but it is a good broke, let me tell ya!

If you were taking the easy way out, you wouldn't have to have a psych consult, nutrition consult, surgical consult (in some cases cardiac consult--I work for cardiologists and have scheduled people for pre-bariatric cardiac evaluations many times). You would get no follow-up care, either from the surgeon or dietician, there would be no group support, nothing. Piece of cake. Just show up at the hospital and slam/bam/thank you ma'am! The lapband is a tool, nothing more. It is not a magic, quick-fix pill. It requires a serious commitment on your part to eat healthy and to exercise. One of my favorite quotes from one of the books I bought (The Lapband Solution or The Lapband Companion) is "The band is not around your lips; it is around your stomach. It cannot keep food out of your mouth; only you can do that." I have a former coworker who had the surgery. She wanted to cut the amount of crap she ate. She didn't want to stop eating crap, just the amount. She did no followup, except with the surgeon, didn't follow up with the dietician, didn't go to group support, and didn't exercise. She lost a total of 20 pounds. The band only helps curtail portion size; the rest is up to you. Good luck on your journey. I would not even bother telling those who reacted negatively before. Tell those who will be supportive.

I am a little old for truck drivers to be flirting with me, but I take my NSV where I find them. The other night I was taking clothes out of the dryer, and I held up a pair of new size 10 pants I had just dried and I had to remark to myself, "Wow, my ass actually fits in these pants!" I was a women's 22 before surgery.

Congratulations on your decision. Nervous is normal, I think. You are making a big decision, and don't let anyone tell you you're taking the easy way out. The band is a tool that helps you control portion size. It is still up to you to eat healthy and exercise. If you are ready to make the commitment, take advantage of all the resources your bariatric team offers. I started going to support group 6 months before my surgery. Even now if I have a question for the dietician I can email her, and occasionally I do. I walk mostly for exercise at a park near home, and I still have a Protein shake almost every day. I take my recommended vitamins(multi, Calcium citrate with D, B12), plus a few others (fish oil and glucosamine/chondroitin and extra Vitamin C). I have gone from a size W22 or 2XL to misses 10-12, or medium tops with small pants. It is worth the effort. I am also off of almost all Rx drugs I was taking before surgery(stopped 2 cholesterol meds, reflux med, and one BP med). I have one BP med and a pain med for my arthritic knees, which are doing much better since my weight loss. I don't need the pain med much at all. Good luck on your journey.

I would tell whoever you are comfortable telling. I told my coworkers, and aside from one who asked me if I was doing it for health reasons (Duh! No I actually thought I wanted to look like Barbie for my 65th birthday!) and a post-op lap bander telling me I didn't look fat enought to need surgery (I am 5'7" and started at 252--in my 2x or womens 22 I sure felt fat), no one said much. But one of my coworkers had the surgery, too, and that made for some interesting comparisons. I started going to group support 6 months or more before surgery, started coming here Nov. 2007 and I read everything I could find. I had to do a 6 month diet for insurance. So did she but she fudged most of the info, and the insurance actually accepted WW online for 3 months and a supervized diet for 3 months, done simultaneously! She doesn't exercise, doesn't go to group support, didn't follow up with the dietician, and she eats the same junk she ate before surgery. She wanted something to curtail her binge eating. Her result: 20 lbs lost total. My result: 100 lbs lost. If people suggest you are taking the "easy" way out, tell them the band is just a tool to help control portions. You still have to make th choice to eat healthy and exercise. One of the quotes I like from one of the books I read says "The band is not around your lips; it is around your stomach. It cannot keep food out of your mouth; only you can do that." Amen. Good luck on your journey.

Like others have said, even if it is addiction transfer it is a healthy addiction, unless it takes over your life to the exclusion of everything else. Before surgery I worked out at Curves, and then would stop for a pizza on the way home. I live alone so I would consume the entire pizza for dinner. As I got closer to surgery I decided I had to bump up my exercise and started walking. I found a park near home with a 2 mile nature trail. I don't so much power walk as walk for distance. I carry peanuts to feed the squirrels (passive weight lifting) and how often I stop depends on how many of them show up for treats. The ducks like peanuts too. Anyway, I try to go around twice as a minimum (approx 4 miles). I noticed my slacks getting looser even before surgery. In the winter it is dark before I leave work, so I go to Curves about 3 x a week and hit the park on weekends. Now that I have daylight I go to the park almost daily, 2x around weekdays, and on weekends, depending on how I feel and how much time I have I may go 3 or 4x around. When it rains during the week I go to Curves. Perhaps not quite as much as you do, but I only take about 1 or 2 days off a week, if that. My surgeon said exercise is very important for having success with the band. You don't have to kill yourself at the gym, but you do have to make a committment. I can't say enough about plain old walking. I have gone from women's 22 to misses 10 in slacks. I was doing laundry over the weekend and had a WOW moment taking stuff out of the dryer. I held up a pair of size 10 pants and said to myself, "Wow, my ass really fits in that!" It was a warm fuzzy for sure!

I eat chicken all the time without a problem, but I don't eat it by itself. Like the other poster mentioned, if you add something to give it moisture . . . I don't like to cook, so I have developed a standby dinner that I eat a lot, which is chicken caesar salad. I cook chicken breasts (I get bulk packs frozen at Costco) in either Olive Oil or Pam (olive oil gives you healthy MUFA's--monousaturated fatty acids). I cook up as many as will fit in the frying pan on a low heat for a while (I check it now and then). When it is finished you can break it with a fork. I store in fridge and use one chicken breast per salad. It is so tender that I can break it apart with my fingers--don't even need a knife. I cut up a hard boiled egg (another thing that can be a little dry, but not in the salad). I buy Romaine in heads and store in those green bags you see advertised everywhere (they really do keep produce). I break up some Romaine, cut up the egg, break up the chicken breast, sprinkle Parmesan cheese, and use either Marzetti's Light Supreme Caesar or Bolthouse Farms Caesar Parmesan (it doesn't say light but it is yogurt based and the nutritional breakdown is pretty much the same as light). I top with fat free croutons (they crumble so they don't get chewy--I have trouble with bread so I eat very little). Sometimes I add Almond Accents for something different. I have no trouble getting the chicken down. I have gotten stuck with ham, however. I don't have a huge amount of restriction (about 3ccs) so I can eat more than many people, but it depends on the density of the food. Not that I like getting stuck, but it does remind me that I didn't chew thoroughly enough, and besides ham, I have to eat slowly and chew shrimp thoroughly. I love shrimp, too. Sometimes stuff that goes down okay will suddenly get stuck, and it is usually because I didn't chew thoroughly, or I ate too fast.

I had my surgery at St. Agnes too (Dr. Singh) and I started going to group support a good 6 months before surgery. I was talking to some post-ops after one meeting and one looked at me in my 2x scrubs and told me I didn't look heavy enough to need a band! At work people would say "you are doing this for your health, right?" (No, actually I thought I would turn myself into Barbie in my old age!) Fortunately one of my sisters had gastric bypass a couple years ago so she was very supportive. The other sister, not so much, so I didn't tell her. She lives in another state and we don't see each other often, so her support or lack of it didn't really matter. I found the support group (with the one exception noted above) very helpful. Sometimes they have emotional issues as the theme and that would be a good time to bring up family issues, if you are comfortable doing that. This month is nutrition with Arlene. Hope to see you on Monday 4/20 6pm in the Alagia Auditorium. People at all stages pre and post are welcome.

My Blue Choice insurance said with a BMI between 35-40 you needed one or more co-morbidity. The list was diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, reflux, joint arthritis, pretty much anything that is adversely affected by excess weight. I don't think your family history will be enough. I would suggest getting your PCP to write a letter on your behalf. That may help. The rules are changing all the time, so don't give up. My BMI was around 37, but I had everything on the list except diabetes.

And how about the first time you could cross your legs comfortably? I wear scrubs for work and buy them at a clothing outlet nearby. I used to take size 2X, but as I lost weight I had to buy some new, first in large, and next (I thought) in medium. I usually pick out tops and pants and try them on at home. Well, the tops were okay, but the scrub pants still looked baggy. I couldn't possibly be a small! I packed up the pants and went back to the store. This time I picked out one pair of small and tried them on before exchanging all the mediums. Well, people, the small fit! Gosh, darn I haven't been a small since I think age 12 maybe, if ever! What a rush!

If you are interested in a ready-to-drink Protein shake, Worldwide Protein shakes are great. They are milk based, come in Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, banana and Cookies 'n Cream (tastes like Oreos). Vitamin Shoppe carries all the flavors in their stores and online. !60-170 cals, 35g protein, 1g fat (0.5 sat/fat), 3-4 carbs, and 1g sugar. Individually they cost $2.79, but if you buy a 12 pack it is $27.99, or about $2.33 each. Sometimes online you can get a free shipping deal depending on how much you buy. I have EAS Vanilla powder, and a strawberry from a local gym called Team Vic. I mainly use them at home to make smoothies. I have used unjury too. For grab and go convenience, and a good amount of protein, Worldwide Protein Shakes are great. On the can they say protein supplement only, not for use in weight reduction, but I went to a link I found here once to Brigham Womens Hospital Bariatric Program, and Worldwide shakes were on their list of approved Protein drinks for thier patients.

I haven't tried the K20, but if you are looking for a real bang for your protein buck, Worldwide Protein Shakes are great. They have 35g of protein, 1g sugar, 3g carbs, 1g fat (0.5g sat/fat)and 160 to 170 calories. It comes in Chocolate Cream, Vanilla Cream, Strawberry Cream, Banana Cream, and Cookies 'n Cream (tastes like Oreos). They are sold in Vitamin Shoppe for $2.75 individually and $27.99 for a 12 pack which is about $2.33 each. Worldwide calls it a protein supplement, and says not for use in weight reduction, but I have been drinking them for over a year (I saw a link here once to Brigham Womens Hospital Bariatric Program, and these shakes were on their list of protein drinks for patients). They also come in 29g drinks but I have only seen them at Trader Joe in Vanilla and Chocolate. They were $1.69, and the Vanilla and Chocolate 35's were $2.29. GNC has the 35s in Vanilla and Chocolate but they are $2.99 a can. Vitamin Shoppe (and GNC) also sell them online and sometimes you can get a free shipping deal depending on how much you buy. I really like them.

I could have refried beans on mushies, so I pulverized some salsa in the blender, stirred it in, nuke a dessert dish portion for about 2 minutes and when it came out I threw on some Kraft fat free shredded mozarella to melt. Yum! I could have instant mashed potatoes, so I heated fat free gravy to put on it. I could have tuna salad, just with enough mayor to make it mushy and no celery or crunchy stuff. Basically anything the consistency of apple sauce. I have read where people made dishes they love and then put them in the blender. A little experimentation could give you some ideas. Egg salad minced fine and made soft with light mayo. Hope this helps

Thanks for the info. I will check it out.