Crazy4MyK9

The more I read posts on this site, the more I see that patient results are all over the map. In the end, your actions will determine your results. Your level of activity and your self-discipline / self-control will seal your fate. It's a lot of work, no doubt about it. I sometimes feel disappointed or dumbfounded when I see a post such as this - one bandster was consoling another bandster by saying, 'it's ok if you haven't lost any weight because I had my surgery 8 months ago and haven't lost ANY weight.' This is NOT good advice. That individual clearly has issues. My former therapist once gave me some advice that I will never forget. Now, I don't remember his exact words, which were quite eloquent, but this was basically what he told me. We are made up of three persons - our inner child, our adolescent, and our adult. In any given situation, you can ask yourself, "Who's in charge?" I'm finding that sometimes I'll use his advice when I have to choose between something like a cookie or a sugar-free Jello cup. If I choose the cookie, I know my adolescent is in charge. If I choose the Jello than I know my adult is in control. For what it's worth, I hope my post will reach someone who needs it. We put our bodies through the lap-band surgery process, and it's a shame to see folks still eating whatever they damn well please. (I don't mean to sound like a bitch there. I'm really a very nice person.) Who's in charge today for you?

Hi NJ gal, I think choosing cereal with 1% milk is a very good alternative, as long as you watch the quantity and type of cereal. Dimarec has the right idea with choosing yogurt. I sometimes find that it doesn't satisfy me though, so I add some granola to it. Another option is some crackers with fat free cheese. The cravings are tough! I'm taking it one day at a time, one choice at a time... not always good, but I'm trying. Anne :laugh:

Hi Ceradad, Thanks so much for your post. WOW!!! You really are working hard, and I want to congratulate you on your weight loss. Well done!! :laugh: Bandsters like you are my inspiration to work harder. Another that comes to mind is Boo Boo Kitty. Anne

Oh, ok, I misunderstood your original post. I think you may need a fill. I don't think 1,300 calories would be bad if you're exercising often. How's your exercise? Any? Your protein amount is very good. It's not a good sign that you're sliming daily. This tells me that you're either eating too fast or you're eating too much. We don't want this to happen too often because of the force or pressure it puts on the band, and the possibility of overstretching the upper stomach pouch if we're overeating frequently. If you recognize any food that continues to cause the problem, I would discontinue it. For me, the problem was either chicken that wasn't moist enough, or eating too quickly or too much. Overall, I've had about 7-9 instances. Now that I've given this more thought and read your last reply, I do think you'll have enough time between your fill appointment and leaving for Hawaii. Does your doctor know about your trip? I would just talk to him about the flight and what could possibly happen. I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Hi Apple... If that's all you're eating, and you're satisfied, I personally don't think you need a fill at this time. Even if I'm wrong, I really don't think you should have a fill until after your trip to Hawaii. A fill may ruin your plans, but more importantly, you don't want to be far from home and have a setback. I've also heard that some bandsters have more restriction for a little while after taking a flight. A flight to Hawaii is long, correct? Word of advice - before leaving for Hawaii, you may want to do some research to find a doctor or health facility that could take care of you in the event of a problem. I've had food get stuck. I was able to bring it up. I guess this is what folks on here refer to as sliming. I felt pain and pressure. Relief comes as soon as I start with forced coughing and the slime and a little food come up. Are you having a problem? Good luck!

Thanks, Ladies! Gwen - Thanks for your contribution as well. :biggrin2:

D'oh! That could be. I'm not used to hearing that term here in Baltimore. I was thinking that GOB was an acronym for something. LOL

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know what GOB stands for.:confused: Please enlighten me.

I wonder what time of day these folks are getting stuck on one bite of food. I had always read that some folks are tighter in the morning, but I didn't understand because it didn't apply to me. UNTIL... one early morning, I was lying in bed very hungry, too lazy to get out of bed, so I chewed on 4-6 whole grain tortilla chips. It made no sense to me that they weren't going through, the pain started, and I had to slime it up. So, I was definitely tighter that morning. Doesn't mean I understand it. LOL Badbutt -- Please make sure you give yourself credit for those 20 lbs. lost pre-surgery. When people ask me for my progress, I find that I give long explanations. I'm coming to the point where I say to myself, Dammit, I've gotten all of this weight off of my heart, and it does count! My highest weight was 311, surgery consult was 299, surgery day was 290. My doc always tells me that those 9 lbs. lost just before surgery count in the total surgery weight loss. I probably wouldn't have lost them otherwise. Last week I bought two 10-lb dumbbells. I couldn't believe how heavy they felt carrying them to the car. It felt so good to realize that I've lost 4-5 of them. Yeeeeeee-haaaaaaa!

That's great advice, Leena! The list always helps! hippie - I know I don't know you all at a personal level, but now I'll be praying for you, Janet, and my friend Pat... all having surgeries in March. No doubt in the power of prayer! The surgery phase of your journey will soon be behind you. Focus on the good!!!!!

Hi All, Thanks so much for your responses. Now I'm really glad I started this thread. I thought of it a couple of days ago, and something just kept telling me to do it. I'm still working towards that 4 ounces. I'm closer to 8 ounces, which is a big improvement over where I was. I'm currently at 8 cc. When I see my doc in early April, I have a feeling that I may need another .5 or 1 cc. We'll see what he says. I have to say WELL DONE on everyone's successes in this thread. I know I'm doing well, but I'm inspired to try harder. I've been looking for something to add to my exercise bike, so I bought the Reebok Step. It just arrived on Wednesday, and I'm going to take it out of the box tonight. I really think I'm going to like it. Not knowing that it was coming with a DVD, I bought a DVD, so now I have two! NSV - I'm proud to say that I've been without soda for 5 months effective March 2nd. Woo-hoo!!!! :hurray::confused: Anne

That is a great story, Aubrie! CONGRATS on your NSV!! :rolleyes2:

Hi Janet, I had never heard of the vertical band until I saw your post. I just found this link LAP-BAND: Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery Indications and I think it provides a terrific comparison of the two. My gut reaction was that the adjustable lap-band is the better option. The more I read posts on this site, the more I see that patient results are all over the map. In the end, your actions will determine your results. Your level of activity and your self-discipline or self-control will seal your fate. It's a lot of work, no doubt about it. Your surgery day will be here before you know it. I hope that you'll be at peace with your decision before the final moment arrives! I was as ready as I was going to be, but it was still scary. After the nurse set up my I.V., I started balling. All of this emotion was coming out. I had two nurses tell me that it would be ok if I got up and left. I knew that wasn't an option! I wish you the best of luck. I have a friend whose surgery day is the day after you. GOOD LUCK and check out that website! :tt2:

Hi azchick, Check out this thread (I'm going to paste below) and read the posts by Kat817. Her post-op diet was the same as mine. Very important to stick to! Kat explains the specifics in her post. Hope it helps you. Please take good care of yourself. You may want to try using Ben-Gay or a similar cream for your back pain. It helped me. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/only-me-help-53631/

Hi Kat, Thanks for your awesome posts! I also had strict guidelines for my post-op diet. To be honest, I'm dumbfounded when I read how some folks here have been instructed. I searched many websites from reputable hospitals, and all of them had very similar post-op diets. I just hope everyone will be OK. I know the post-op diet can be tough. I went through 2-3 days of depression. My only cheating was dipping my finger in a ketchup packet. How desperate is that! Anyhoo, I have a question from your first long post. I didn't know that the surgeon pulls the lower stomach over the band. Did you learn this from your surgeon? I feel for anyone in the post-op diet phase. I know it's rough. Hang in there, and try to do anything to keep yourself and your mind occupied.

Hi luckycharm, do you have an gastroenterologist? I really think you need a specialist. I had all kinds of issues before lap-band, but thankfully, I'm regular since getting lap-band. I contribute this to giving up soda, but my doctor isn't convinced that this is the only reason. Good luck to you! Oh, eating prunes or drinking prune juice can really help with constipation.

Hi All, I'm not having any problems. My curiosity is just getting the better of me. How does all the saline we've been given during our fills stay in the band? Does a little flow back and forth in the tube? A question for my doc the next time I go in! Anne

Since my high weight, I've lost a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg, and the chemical additives an American consumes each year!

QuasiTova, That is hilarious! I love your animated clip art, too!!

Good point! Now I wonder if maybe that's why we feel more restriction some times more than others. Although, I think I've read that this has to do with where we're at with hydration.

Hi Kathy, I took a look at the 5 Day Pouch Test. I don't mean to be dense, but how does this 5 day program tell us how big our pouch is? Anne

I get nasal issues too! I've noticed a runny nose.

Hi Band Chick, I was surprised (and relieved) when I saw where you mentioned that your doctor recommends about 1 cup of food. It seems like everything I've heard is that we're supposed to shoot for 1/2 cup of food and be satisified for 3-4 hours. I'm closer to the 1 cup mark. Any thoughts, anyone?

Hi Jody, What is your current fill level now? I have 8 cc in the 14 cc band, and I don't think I'm quite there yet. I definitely have more restriction than before the last fill. I've also noticed that on some days I feel more restriction than others. From what I've read, I guess this happens.