Bensmum1109

OF COURSE YOU ARE SCARED!!! You wouldn't be human not to be scared. This is a very safe procedure and the complications do tend to be minimal for the large majority of people. You will have to learn to have better food choices, to eat slower, take smaller bites, and chew well. You have to take Vitamin supplements and extra Protein FOREVER. The band will teach you much of this naturally, as the discomfort you get from not following the chewing and eating slowly rules is like aversion therapy. Once you have a few "golf balls" or PBs you will start to follow the rules to avoid these problems. 3 1/2 months after surgery, I have discovered that most of my head hunger has disappeared. It makes it easier for me to eat the right things. And if I am occasionally going to eat the wrong thing, my band prevents me from eating too much of it. I think the best way to make a decision about this procedure is to think about the quality of life you have now, and whether or nor that is enjoyable for you. Probably not, or you wouldn't care whether or not you lost weight. And what do you think your chances are of dying or becoming permanently disabled from a disease either caused by, or exacerbated by your obesity? VERSUS- the chances of dying or becoming disabled by having a LapBand. I wil bet all my chips on the band. I know with my band I am getting healthier every day, and have reduced my health risks of diabetes, heart disease, etc. Good luck to you in your decision.

I do the same thing, sometimes. I have no physical explanation for it, but mentally I really do find myself thinking about everything I put in my mouth, even Water. So I always hesitate a little before I chew OR swallow. Sally, as for the pill problem, I take a sip of water, hold it in my mouth and drop the pill into the water in my mouth, then swallow. Try it, it works really well.

Hi guys- We have a part time babysitter who gives my hubby a break once in a while, and I recently discovered that she had GB surgery 5 months ago. So she and I have been comparing notes on our procedures. She also had an issue with hair loss and her surgeon recommended shampoo and conditioner with NIOXIN in it. Apparently this is a big hit with cancer patients and others combatting hair loss. I did some research and this is what I have found on the official Nioxin website: "Our founder's goal became the corporate goal for Nioxin. For more than fifteen years, we have worked at unraveling the complex problem of how best to address and most importantly how to provide a solution for thin-looking hair for the millions who battle this discouraging problem. Our world-renowned team of Nioxin researchers have developed the most advanced, natural based system to improve the appearance of fine and thinning hair - Nioxin® Bionutrient Formulations™. Each product is designed to create and maintain an optimum scalp environment in order to address the problems associated with thin-looking hair, including hair loss through mechanical breakage, which leads to fine, fragile, thin-looking hair. Growth Is Evidence Of Our Success Nioxin products are now sold in professional salons by licensed beauty professionals throughout the US and in 21 other countries. We are one of the only family owned companies in the professional hair care industry. And our entire marketing thrust is to provide an educated approach toward offering a natural solution to one of the largest and fastest-growing categories in the beauty industry - fine and thin looking hair. But there is still much to be done. We continue to constantly research and strive to find new answers and solutions to this problem. Nioxin's 15 years of Achievements Over the years, we have captured the attention and approval of salon owners and stylists by developing products that deliver REAL results! It's given us the number one awareness position for thin looking hair products among stylists. It's made us the number one recommended product for thin looking hair among that group too. But most importantly, our research and product development has improved and refined our product line. We have achieved such breakthroughs as our early identification of the 5 Warning Signs Of Thin looking hair, development of our exclusive Transactive Delivery System, a Bionutrient transportation method which delivers Vitamins and nutrients to the scalp and hair, and CoZyme, a complex made from Co-enzyme Q-10 and nine other Co-enzymes and cofactors, all of which together provide anti-aging properties. And, our latest advancement - Glyco-Fused Complex. It is a moisturizing blend of rare herbs and botanicals that help to safeguard the scalp from the drying irritation caused by various chemical services. . These are only a few of the truly revolutionary products and insights Nioxin researchers have developed that has helped pave our way to providing the most effective natural solutions for fine and thin-looking hair. A ReEnergized Nioxin Nioxin has evolved from a from a small niche-category company to the industry leader in fine and thin looking hair care. To make the Nioxin system even simpler for you to use, we have separated the product line into two distinct categories. BIONUTRIENT ACTIVES formulated with a concentrated blend of herbs and botanicals, it is the most complete system available for fine or thin-looking, non-chemically enhanced hair. This unique cleansing and conditioning system helps to address problems associated with thin-looking hair by improving the scalp environment. The result is thicker, healthier-looking hair! BIONUTRIENT PROTECTIVES formulated with Glyco-Fused Complex, this system address the special needs of fine or thin-looking chemically enhanced hair. It addresses problems associated with thin-looking hair by cleansing the scalp and hair of product buildup, DHT, and lingering chemical residue. And, it provides chemically enhanced hair build-up with the moisture and Vitamin nourishment needed to stay fuller and healthier-looking. BIONUTRIENT CREATIVES a weight-free styling line that gives you all the volume, shine, and style holding performance you desire without giving you the product buildup that weighs your hair down." So I am going to try it. What the hell- I can swing $37 for some shampoo and conditioner. Hopefully it will work!

Good luck to all of you!! I was banded at 9:00 a.m. the day of my surgery and I was home by 5. I was also walking by noon that day!! Don't be nervous, you will feel pretty awful for a few days, but probably not as bad as you think. And it is so worth it!!!

:sick And I was so careful........ I put a small slice of ham and a small slice of roast beef on my plate. I ignored the Bourbon Toasted Pecan Smashed Sweet Potatoes THAT I MADE, and the rolls, and the butter drenched green beans. I didn't touch the cookies, truffles, candy coated nuts, etc. that I had put out for the family beforehand. I was so proud of myself. BUT.......my mother had to go and make Yorkshire pudding, which she hadn't done in years (for those of you who have not had this, it is a doughy biscuit made with a spoonful of the roast beef drippings in the batter, and I just can't describe how good it is), and I had to have some. Yeah, HI HEATHER, YOU MORON, DID YOU FORGET THAT YOU PB ANY TIME YOU HAVE ANYTHING BREAD-LIKE???? So, even though I took really tiny bites and chewed well, I got the golf ball within a minute. I spent the next hour pacing in my bedroom, trying to get the pudding back up. Eventually I did. It was a painful nightmare, and I am sure that the members of my family who do not know I am banded now think I am bulimic. PERFECT. I really truly learned my lesson today. Everything I pb gets crossed off my list FOREVER. Merry FREAKIN' Christmas.:phanvan Other than that, it was a lovely day with my crazy family. Anyone else have any stories to share?

I put diced turkey in my butternut squash soup for added protein. It's yummy.

Jini, I did not have restriction until TWO WEEKS after my first fill, then BAM. I have lost an additional 10 pounds in the last 5 weeks once the fill kicked in. Be patient, even though it's difficult. This procedure does not give most people the instant gratification that the more drastic procedures do. But it really does work.

I read about an interesting new mouthwash that seems to work pretty well against bad breath. It's called Smart Mouth. It breaks down the Proteins that cause the sulfur-like odor that forms in your mouth. The website for it is http://www.smartmouthproducts.com/ and it looks like you can pretty much get it anywhere. I am going to try it.

I have had beer several times since being banded. My husband used to make it pretty flat before he would give it to me. But now I find if I sip slowly I can drink it right from the glass without stirring out the carbonation.

Absolutely, I feel true hunger at times. Probably more often than I did before I was banded. But the difference is that it takes just a small amount of food to satisfy my hunger. The interesting thing about having my band is that when I do get hungry, it never seems as if I am hungry for anything specific. But that helps me make better food choices.

<p><p>I really don't know if overeating causes slippage, but I do know that if you were banded 11/17, you can eat more now because the swelling from the surgery has gone down. One month after surgery I could eat quite a bit. You may be able to ingest fairly normal amounts of food until you get your first fill.</p></p>

By request (here you go Alexra!) 3 large cans sweet potatoes in light syrup 1/2 cup butter 1 cup pecans, chopped 1/4 cup brown sugar 3 oz. bourbon (I use Maker's Mark) 3 oz. orange juice 1/2 tsp allspice 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper Place sweet potatoes in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes, then remove from heat, place in a colander and drain. Melt butter in saucepan, then place pecans in the butter and toast for 2 minutes on medium heat. Add brown sugar and bourbon, and stir for a minute, then add orange juice. Cook for an additional minute or two to reduce. Add potatoes to sauce and smash with a potato masher, mixing well. Add remaining dry ingredients together in a dish, then sprinkle over potatoes, continuing to mix well. Enjoy in SMALL QUANTITIES:rolleyes:

Alexra, I will post the recipe on a separate thread in the food section. They are good, and after I prepared them I took a spoonful and then left them alone at dinner, which was difficult. I have to admit that I have had few complications, and although my weight loss is a little slower than I would like, I have pretty much had an easy time of it. This Christmas incident was the first real mental roadblock I have had in this process. The lesson I learned is that my brain no longer gets to choose what I will eat, even if I am being disciplined. My band will choose what I can and cannot eat, and I will have to say goodbye to some old friends and family traditions. But even though it saddens me, my health is worth it.

I told people I had an intestinal obstruction (which I actually had, but obviously not the real reason for my surgery).

Lisa, I am so sorry to hear about your erosion! My heart is breaking for you.

It took two weeks before I felt restriction with my first (and only) fill. Like Anwyn, I have 1CC in a 4CC band. And I am definitely restricted. I have no idea why it took so long to feel it.

I was so nauseated after my surgery I wanted to DIE. My doctor gave me a prescription for Reglan, which is a very tiny pill. It helped immensely. Also, I sipped decaf green tea. It helped as well. Hope this helps!

Laura- I went three months, so please don't worry!! My period was due a few days after my surgery and never came. My surgery was 9/16, and I got my period 11/22, so considering I was due when I had surgery, it was a three month wait. The bad news is that when I finally got it, it was a DOOZY. The good news is that it is almost exactly one month later, and I am regular again.

Oh yeah, and by the way, this stuff is available at Beauty supply stores, many hair salons and EbaY1

This is so true!! The other night my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew were over and my husband ordered pizza. He ordered three medium pizzas from Domino's- and I am sure most of you know what a medium-size piece of pizza from Domino's looks like. I ate one piece, felt hungry and grabbed another and ate three bites of it before I started to feel a little stuck. 1 piece plus three bites of a second piece and I was pissed at myself. This is a good thing, though. I really don't want to put it into perspective of what I used to be able to eat. I would rather feel a little disappointed because it disciplines me. My opinion is- if I feel like I pigged out, I DID based on my new eating habits. So I kick myself a bit, and get back on the wagon!

So, I just posted on the Fill forum that my first fill went very well. I had a real interesting conversation with the doctor, however, and want everyone's take on it. I know all of our doctors put us on varying food plans following our surgeries, and I realize that these food plans are meant to be permanent. While lamenting to the doctor that I am 4 pounds heavier than I thought, he asked me a series of questions, including: Am I certain I am consuming no more than 7-800 calories a day(I don't count my calories, just estimate)? Am I completely abstaining from bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes at all times (all but potatoes, yes, and I eat them last) Am I only eating 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day (pre-fill and he was serious-my answer was no) Am I exercising 1 hour+ 5 times a week (with a 70 hour work week and a 1 year old, I get more like 30 minutes 3 times a week) SOOOOOO....... I got a lecture. I am to adhere to all of the above rules FOREVER if I want my weight loss to be successful. Don't get me wrong, I want this and I consider myself to be a very disciplined person. But frankly, if I adhered to these rules to the letter I would not have needed the band in the first place. ANYONE who eliminates starch and carbs, exercises 5 times a week, and eats 1 1/2 cups of food per day is going to lose weight, right? One of the things I love about this board is how much I have learned from all of you, and how different your doctors are. I know that none (almost none) of you are doctors, but I am counting on you to advise me. I feel like these rules are a little unrealistic for me, but I want to have success in my weight loss. Thoughts?

I can eat beef if I chew it really well. I'll try it!

La Madam said her surgeon told her she would have scar tissue build up from the band that would make her feel like she still had a band. Maybe you have the same thing?

Yes, I think everyone freaks out a little before surgery. The fact is, your entire life is about to change, and even though it will be for the better, it is still a little scary! You will be just fine. Surgery is scary, regardless of how safe this surgery is. And you are probably mourning your food addiction a little bit because you know you are making a step that will not permit you to take emotional comfort in food any more. It's like saying goodbye to a good friend. But I have to tell you, my new friends Health and Fitness are a lot more fun to be around :-)

I have two beautiful boys. A nine year old American Eskimo named Bo, and a three year old gray and white cat named Sam. I adore them both. Six years ago I had an electrical fire in the kitchen of my home while I was home alone. I was upstairs in the bedroom with the door closed and didn't even smell the smoke as it filled the upstairs hallway. Bo came to the bedroom door and started scratching and whining like crazy. He saved my life, so needless to say I continue to spoil him a bit. He is also the great protector of our son, who is thirteen months old. The very first time my son laughed out loud it was at Bo, who had just been told he was being taken for a walk and was barking and chasing his own tail. Sam is a surly little pain in the ass who I couldn't live without. We have had him since he was a baby, and I am pretty sure he doesn't realize he is a cat. He shows constant affection to the dog, but only loves on us at about 4 a.m. every day. When we walk Bo every morning and evening, Sam walks with us, and the whole neighborhood gets a giggle out of it. Pets are wonderful friends and support systems no matter who else you have in your life!