Angelsma

I believe every person's experience is different and every doctor's instructions are different. There's no need to project into the situation in order to get them to follow instructions. Simply put, if a person goes off plan and has doubts as whether they have caused damaged to their band they should always consult with their own doctor. Otherwise, fear-mongering and brow beating only offers guilt and shame vs. encouragement. I hope this helps.

If you're not getting enough protein and fiber you should seriously consider more protein shakes i.e Slimfast, Glycerna etc. for at least one or two of your meals until you can talk to your surgeon about what is happening.

Welcome, from one Buckeye to another (even if you have transplanted to Michigian). Glad to see you here.

Welcome Barbara! I'm glad you found the site too. You will find a great deal of support and information here. Come back often, post, reply and read, read and read some more! This sight has been a real blessing for me in preparing for my surgery and what to expect post-op, recipes and things that I would never think to ask my doctor...I found it here. All the best to you! Keep up the good work.

Charles, my first thought is (please don't take offense)...maybe the lapband isn't for you if all you want is to continue eating the way you have that got you into trouble in the first place. We have all had to take a personal inventory of our motives and actions that has caused us to become obese. So, unless you change your way of thinking about food and portion control nothing is going to work for you.

Please know you're not alone in thinking this. From what I can tell on some of the blogs we've all had the same thoughts (I had it this morning while stepping on the scale only to see 1 more lb gone). However, you need to remember this is not a diet. You have a entirely new way of life waiting for you. With the band you cannot eat (maybe in the beginning before you get it tightened) huge amounts of food because you will get sick or something will get stuck (you will never do that again). Stick with connecting with your local support group and this support group and you will learn alot and get tons of support. Begin to journal your experience, thoughts, and fears as well as your hopes and dreams for your future. You will be fine.

Great question. This was one of my primary concerns because I have approx 100 lbs to lose. Despite my weight gain I don't have any stretch marks (had my baby at age 20 when my skin elasticity was probably optimal). However, I believe there are several factors that determine whether we will have saggy skin i.e your skin type, genes, and how active you were before surgery. But, as importantly I believe we have to stick to the high protein, high fiber, low fat diet (whatever your surgeon prescribed) with tons of water/fluids to help with elasticity.

Thank you for posting this blog entry. I am starting my fourth week post op, and obviously no fill yet. So, I started out last week playing the "see how much /what I can eat game" with myself. Fortunately, I didn't get sick but I did get "thanksgiving full" at least twice. I finally had to have "the talk" with myself. First and foremost, I had to express how immature my behavior was. Ulitimately, I had to admit "who was I fooling? My doctor, the nurses? Yeah right! They're not the ones with the weight problem and co-morbidities. So, I snapped out of it and got serious. I'm planning my meals, logging my intake, and getting in at least 30 minutes of walking everyday (I generally swim but can't until after my first dr's appt.). I'm so glad to see that I am not the only one to have the "falling off the wagon" experience (even if I'm only 3 weeks post op) but more important, I'm glad to know that support is out there for us to get back on. All the best.

Thank you :smile2: I love to exercise and can't wait until I can return to the gym after my first post op dr's appt (8/5). Currently, I walk everyday as much as possible and no I'm not eating more - it's just dealing with what my dr said is normal i.e not being able to use food as a crutch any longer. It's all just been compounded by the unusually high level of stress that I'm dealing with right now. Thank you again for your prayers.

Thank you :thumbup:

Whew. It's great to know that I'm not the only one nearly 3 weeks post op still experiencing bloating, farting, and burping. It probably doesn't help that I chew gum that only pulls air down into the stomach - Duh! Yesterday, I was walking down the hall at work (on the way to the ladies room) and to my surprise (and thank God no one was behind me) gas bubbled down and out before I could make it there. How embarassing. Gee, now I know what my grandpa was going through.

I actually found a liquid cherry flavored vitamin at my local healthy food store.

Ditto..gas. I was banded 7/10 and I still have some pain. The pain meds help, heating pad works wonders, but the best if walking and resting when you're able. I use the CVS bran gas-x and just picked up the CVS brand Phazyme - doesn't seem to do any better than the Gas-x.

If it's any consolation, I also am having gas pains, bloating, tightness etc. I tried the store brand gas-x - helped for awhile. However, it seems like the CVS brand "phazyme" sp? gelcaps are working fast! They're a little pricey ($10.50 for 60) but heck when your stomach feels like it's ready to explode it's worth the price. I cannot wait until this passes altogether.

jack&kota, as you prefaced everyone is different taking into consideration a persons age, job, physical demands etc. Personally, I took a week and 2 days vacation (my surgery was last Thursday) and I am praying that I have the energy to take on a full day of work next Monday. I was told that my energy would come back but I had no idea. Couple that with no caffeine! one-two-punch (I did have a cup this morning because I needed it bad). You know your body better than anyone but I would take no less than a week to recuperate.

If it's any consolation I am 7 days post op and can't remember ever feeling so sadness as I have over the last week. I believe my sadness has everything to do with food - particularly comfort foods that I used as a drug before the surgery to comfort myself in good times and bad. Now I am seriously grieving the "loss" of my oldest and dearest friend (talk about a one-way relationship!!). So, once I realized it I began to write when I feel sad. It's very therapeutic. Maybe writing isn't your thing - find something else that helps you. I hope this helps.

Willbefine, after signing up for the "Chrstian Banders" thread, I received a link to this new thread. I too, I have found myself in a similar situation. While not with the exercise but with trying to eat over the feelings, and I'm only five days out from surgery! However, if it's any consolation DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF. YOU WILL GET IT TOGETHER. Take it all in stride as you walk out your faith with each new day with this wonderful gift / blessing in the form of a lapband. Some suggestions if you haven' t already..begin to journal your experiences, your feelings, emotions, struggles, triumphs. Prayer, journaling, working the 12-steps of overeaters anonymous (even if you don't attend the classes - yuu can find the 12-steps online). Print them off and place them where you can see them. God Bless you and be encouraged. All will be well.

I was banded on 7/10 (Thank you Jesus!!). Considering that my band is still wide open I continue to battle portion controlitis. However, I know that will come to an abrupt end after my first fill so I'd better stop cheating. Anyway, In addition to having the normal stuff i.e. s/f Jello, unjury chicken Soup and flavored waters, I've been creating some pretty good concoctions in my blender and food processor. I made a great caulliflower (steam to soften) a can of cream of celery soup with 3/4 c skim milk, a pat of butter, salt and pepper - liquified in the food processer and then heat to taste. Very tasty and filling. For breakfast, I blend cottage cheese and peaches (any fruit will do) w/ a dash of cinnamon for a change of pace. I hppe this helps.

Check out Shaklee's (soy or whey) protein. You can order online (see link under my signature). All Shaklee products are 100% guaranteed or you get your money back.

Good question....I'll wait to hear answers from the group

Over the past year I've researched/considered weight loss surgery. I've read everything I could find on the pros and cons and found the lapband to be the most compatible surgery for me. I am a 240 lb. 5'5" 50 year old woman who through yo-yo dieting and major life stresses, just gave up on trying to ever reach an ideal weight. However, with the lapband it appears "help is on the way". For the first time in my life I've decided to do something for myself without feeling guilty or worrying about what others are going to say i.e. only weak people do that or if you tried hard enough you'll lose the weight. Also, I know that with the weight loss I will forced to "deal" with my self image or body issues. Can anyone out there talk about the emotional changes as you lost weight and how you dealt with them when you could no longer use the "wall of fat" to protect you.

There are many factors that will be taken into consideration through the approval process: your insurance, your doctor, how thorough you are in completing your applications/answering questions, when/if you're required to complete behavior modification classes (me), and ulitimately when the surgeon can schedule your surgery. My process has taken about six months. I am tentatively scheduled to be banded second or third weekend in July (applied in 12/07). Yoo hoo :cursing:

this is a great thread... - feeling like I'm going to die when I bend over to tie my sneakers - the look in people's faces who haven't seen me since high school when I was a freakin 115 lb majorette - squeezing into restaurant booths - wearing a gigantic bra that hurts, binds and rolls - huge stomach, arms, thighs and double chin - running from cameras, mirrors, and reflective windows - men never really looking at me - being treated like a second-class citizen in department stores - being winded going up stairs - being tired all the time - hurting knees, back, hips - snoring :thumbup:

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! This article speaks to me so clearly. For the past two weeks I have been eating out of control as if rebellion to my behavior modification classes. Matter of fact, before reading your article I had put a call into the behaviorist at OSU who I'm working with to see if she had any idea what was going on. Yesterday, I came to the conclusion...who am I hurting other than myself? The more important question is why do I feel the need to hurt myself? Your article clarified it all for me. I'm going to forward this my sister who is struggling with the same thing.

Thank you for the play by play. It is very helpful for us who want/need details.