Wheetsin

I couldn't stand the isopure. I made it about 4 days on that stuff before deciding I had to switch brands. Then I felt bad because it was just sitting there so I revisited it. I tried mixing it in milk vs Water, and voila -- instantly better. Still not good, but better. Things I mix into my Protein drinks include: Peanut Butter (almost always) Nutella SF DaVinci syrup in Kahlua brand flavor Fresh strawberries Fiber One Cereal or Grape Nuts That's about it. I don't rely on them as much as I used to so I've started sticking with the basics. There for a while I got pretty crazy.

I don't see how the band could treat binge eating. For two reasons. 1 - binge eating is psychological, and the band does nothing for the psychology (other than reinforcement, more on that). On one side, you physically can't eat a lot, so it may seem like a good intervention. BUT when you eat more than your pouch can hold, or eat too quickly (as usually happens with binge eating), or don't chew well (as usually happens with binge eating), that's when the pain can come, and the act of having to bring up whatever won't go down. That process is not good for the band, and having to do it repeatedly is getting a lot of credit as a primary driver for band slips. It would make sense to me for binge eating to be a contraindication. I see a lot of "gimmick" history - have you tried just reducing your calories, and what were the results? If you tried it and did not have success, what happened when you failed? (e.g. binging, gradual decline, etc.) Do seek out a good therapist re: help with the es.

Green - instead of humming try a small ice cube in your mouth. Or a menthol-based lozenge. Or having contact with something like a massager - hold it under your chin or on the side of your cheek - it will make your whole mouth buzz/vibrate.

Kat - that's an exellent suggestion! My memories have pretty much faded, but I DO remember having to do the "use my hands to crawl up my legs thing" to stand up straight. Umm, hopefully that makes some sense. If you have a large pannus (p-a-n-n-u-s!), then some way to support it will also help greatly - or did me anyway. After 3 days of very painful walking, I realized that just by supporting the pannus, about 80% of my pain was removed. I just supported it with my hand for a while, but if I'd have an ace wrap or something, that would have been nice.

There isn't a 9.75cc band but there is a 9.75cm band, which holds 4cc. The new AP bands have larger volumes, but still no 9.75cc. So what I would suggest first is getting on the phone and verifying which band you have. If you have a band that holds 4cc, and have 4cc of fill, it's a little more understandable why they would look at your dietary habits first - above & beyond restriction level. HOWEVER, they should not dismiss your reports, and do owe you a bit of investigation (IMO). So find out what size band and what your current fill level is. If you're close to the max on fill, make sure they understand you don't have restriction. I've seen a lot of people who have to go into overfill in order to acheive restriction. If you get to the point that you're into that overfilled area and are still not having restriction, then you should see a combination of dietary and medical follow-up. Dietary for an assessment, and medical to check for misplacement/slip/etc. If that doesn't show anything, I would think they'd run you under a fluroscope to see what's going on (unless part of your surgeon's normal program, this is usually a last resort kid of thing because it's expensive and they have to prove need to the insurance provider). Just imo of course.

Hi sandyray. I'm over 1.5 yrs out and what you say is so true - you definitely learn your body and how it reacts, what things mean, etc. -- all of which makes it "easy" to work around the band. Eating stuff aside, have you looked into finding a therapist, preferrably one who specializes in eating disorders? We all know the food itself is such a small part of the story. Maybe if you had help identifying your triggers and gains (psychological gains, not physical/weight gain), you'd be able to rediscover the magical "groove" that keeps us being good (compliant) bandsters.

Surely we can all resolve differences without resorting to 5th grade style name calling? If you want to grapple about smtg, do it in RnR but keep it respectful. It's the idea, not the person.

You should be able to tell the difference between too tight and having a bug. If you feel like you have a cold, you probably have a cold. If you feel pain & have to bring up things only when you eat/drink, and feel completely fine before/after, then it's probably not a cold. If you get sick every time you eat/drink, then stop eating/drinking until you can get in to see your doc. If you keep trying, and keep failing, you're just going to become more and more irritated which is going to give you a harder time. (Trust me, getting to the point where you're pretty much swollen shut and can't even get your own saliva down when you swallow is not a place you want to be.)

I had to have my gall bladder out about 2 months ago. If I'd known it was bad before my band surgery, I would have requested they be done at the same time. The same surgeon did both procedures and the GB removal incision pretty much just overlaps my port incision. The smaller incisions are in different places, but who cares...

Guys, posting opinions is fine but please refrain from making it personal. Go after the idea not the person - pretty much all we ask around here. Thanks.

Take the opportunity to get caught up on some movies, or if you have TIVO stock up on some shows. I'm not a big TV watcher, but it is a good way to pass time. I draw/paint, so I would definitely have a tablet, some charcoal, paints, etc. nearby -- and a lap desk!! Sudoku, crosswords, etc? I know nothing about quilting, but if I were facing the same thing, I would get my momt o show me how to crochet or knit or tat (tatt) or something like that. Even though I'd probably not do well, it will keep your hands & brain busy. How about giving sculture a try? Just to try it out you could get some of the Hobby Lobby type modeling clay, can't remember what it's called... total brain fart... comes in tons of colors.

Since you're on your second stick, definitely wam liquids (e.g. chicken broth) for the rest of the day, IF anything. I know that when I get stuck or PB, my appeteite is pretty much trashed for the rest of the day. And if it were me, I'd probably do mushies tomorrow, just to be safe, since you're doubly agitated.

This is why I like the band. I wanted some Halloween candy, so I had it. I'm not of the "can never eat this again" school. I'm of the "anything in moderation is OK, and my band is here to moderate" camp. Only now, two of the miniature Reese's filled me up. Before, I would've had np problem eating the entire Halloween sized bag, and then some.

On your third day post-op, you probably shouldn't eat anything. Do your surgeon's orders clear you for foods at this point?

Am I crazy, or could this actor (Kevin McKidd) and Dr. H be brothers? I walked by the TV and saw this guy on, and thought it was Dr. H for a split second.

Err, or "she" of course. My surgeon is a he so I have that association.

If you guys really can't follow the pre-op diet, then I would STRONGLY suggest that instead of just "cheating" and having whatever, you call your surgeon and discuss the situation with him. Tell him you can't be compliant, and maybe he will negotiate a different program with you. I've seen it happen many times. If you do that, your surgeon can still set your food threshold at something that will produce the results he's looking for.

Almost, but not quite. That sounds like a near miss. If you don't know already, stick with liquids (pref warm) for the rest of the day. You'll be swollen from your episode and, how do you put it - at higher risk? - for subsequent blockages today.

I've been looking in to laser. Packages in my area are around $500 for 6 treatments, or $120 per. That's an average. I haven't done it yet b/c of the pain factor. I have a high pain tolerance, while I'm actually going through the pain, but I'm the world's biggest sissy during all the anticipatory stuff. I've heard everything from "like getting snapped with a rubberband" to "like getting sliced open with an Exacto knife." I would do it tomorrow if I knew the pain was manageable. How many treatments did it take you guys, and are you completely hair-free now, or do you still have to shave/tweeze/wax some fine hairs? Hmm... I wonder if you can use something like EMLA before your session, or if that would impede results...

Surely someone just clicked the wrong radio. Surely.....

I think you should take some Pepto Bismol. Whatever you do, listen to me, not your doctor. Who wants to pay a $20 copay to get actual medical advice?

How Do I Get A Ticker?!!!11

We'd also be pregnant, in my case, at age 9 - an in most cases by 12 or 13. If we are by design, then we are meant to conceive when we begin menstruating. But if we aren't meant to have premarital sex, then I guess 9 is a good, consentual age for marriage.

Hi I'm Wheetsin Will I Be Approved For Surgery???

I'm guessing the fact that you would share this pretty much ensures no one here is surprised by it. Seriously. TMI threshold...