Laura_MD

Well, I haven't gotten rid of the gas, just the stink. Let's face it, Lap-Band = Gas and it is often very foul smelling. Gas X has helped with the worst of the gas but it did nothing for the smell. So I went looking for some help in that area, and I found it! I found this stuff called Nullo that has been around for a hundred years or something and has been marketed mostly for hunters to eliminate body odors that scare away the prey. But their website also said it was helpful with gas, smelly feet, stinky sweat, etc. so I gave it a try. My husband is a chemist so I talked to him about all the things I found before I bought anything and he said that this was good because it is known to eliminate body odors from the inside and it is harmless because it is just chlorophyll. The directions say to take on tablet twice a day but I just take one to cut the cost and because I don't remember to take things more than once a day (and it is a very small pill, yeah). The one pill works very well for me, I still have a good bit of gas but I don't smell like something died inside of me! I don't mean to sound like an advertisement here but I believe in sharing the gold when I find the pot at the end of the rainbow. This stuff is worth more than gold to me. I teach at a local college and I can't stand in front of a class and smell up the room, not to mention social situations. Anyway, here is the website, and I hope it works as well for you (if you try it) as it has for me! Nullo They cost $26.95 for 135 tablets, write back if you try them and let me know what you think. Stop and smell the roses, don't let them smell you! Laura

Thanks, ElleMarie. I wondered how those worked, but they were so much more expensive and my husband said that, chemically, the Nullo would likely work as well or better so that's what I bought. I will keep that in mind though.

Yeah well, if I could hold my breath long enough to eat I would. Actually, if I would just shut up and eat it would help too, but that's not likely to happen either. :tongue: It's funny, I used to tell my ex that the one thing that bothered me the most about him was that constant breathing, IN AND OUT, IN AND OUT! If he would just stop that he would have been OK. I'll check out the thread, thanks. Laura

No way! Fairysaddle, you are so right about the music. I had an iPod for a year before I started using it then my son (who gave it to me of Christmas) was coming up for a visit so I thought I had better get it out of the box at least. Man, I don't know how I EVER got through a workout without it! Now I use the MP3 player in my phone and my husband is hooked on the iPod. He was adamant about not wanting to use the ear buds, until he used them for one workout, now he hates working out without the music. Time flies whether you are having fun or not, so you might as well enjoy it! Jessicak1979: What doctor are you calling. I went with my aunt last night to the seminar at Christiana (Dr. Wynn) and after speaking with them about her insurance I learned that they get most insurances to pay for the hospital part, it is the surgeons fee that you have to pay and that is $6,000 for the band, so you might not be as far off as you think if you are going there. If you are going to the practice in Salisbury, MD (not sure where in DE you live), well, they will charge you full fare for everything and you will pay the whole $20-25k yourself. Besides, I would definitely opt for Dr. Wynn's practice anyway. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more. Laura

Dancing Lamb, I am Laura. I see that you are on liquids, and you are hungry. We can't have that, so I want to offer a recipe that my husband made for me during my pre-op and post-op liquid weeks. It is pumpkin Soup, but you can substitute butternut squash if you don't like pumpkin. Now don't think pumpkin pie, this is a savory soup with an excellent flavor that will not remind you of pie. The greatest thing about it is that it is full of Fiber so it really fills you up. Pre-op, I could eat a bowl and it would last me about 2-3 hours. Post-op, I could eat 6-8 tablespoons and I was full for 3-4 hours. it really is very tasty and very filling. I don't know what I would have done without it! Also, check with your doc about having Protein shakes. I use American whey (my doc sold it in is office), it is lactose free so it cuts down on the gas and it is sugar free and has no artificial sweeteners. Each scoop has 20+g of protein and I use two scoops in each shake. I started them when I was pre-op and I still drink them now (2 a day because I work out so much), so I get 80g of protein every day no matter what else I eat or don't eat. I just had my blood work done and everything was perfect, especially my protein. I put two scoops of vanilla Protein powder, then two teaspoons of Hershey's Cocoa, then four ice cubes, and then the banana. I fill the mixing cup (Hamilton Beach personal blender holds one serving) the rest of the way with 1/2 Water and 1/2 milk (I just started the milk thing to get more natural Calcium in). Blend and drink, it tastes like a chocolate milk shake from Friendly's! So good, and there is no reason that you can't have that right now as there is no solid food to digest, it is all liquefied. The purpose of the liquid diet is to shrink your liver to avoid damage during surgery, and every doc that I know of says that if you can get it through a straw, you can have it. The first days are tough, but I cannot believe that they expect you to live on three little Optifast shakes per day alone. I was allowed to have Soups and shakes etc., as long as they passed the straw test. I would ask for clarification from the doc. Soups and shakes are a lot more effective at shrinking the liver than lean meats. Anyway, this soup is awesome. If you are allowed, I hope you will try it. Remember the goal and keep your eye on the prize! You can do this! Laura Pumpkin Soup 1 Large Can of Whole Pumpkin (NOT Pumpkin Pie Mix)* 1 Cup of chicken Stock 2 Cups of Fat Free Milk or Fat-Free, Lactose-Free Milk 2 Tbsp Sugar or 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup 6 Sprigs of Fresh Rosemary 6 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme 3 Tbsp Mild Curry (Optional) Salt Pepper In a large pot, stir the pumpkin, milk, and chicken stock while heating on low. Add the sugar or syrup and stir. If you like curry, add the curry and stir. Tie the fresh rosemary and thyme together with a string and place it in the mixture. Cover the pot and simmer slowly for an hour. Afterward, add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the rosemary and thyme or store the pot in the refrigerator with the herbs still in the pot. The soup will be even better the next day infused with the herbs. * You can substitute a large baked Butternut Squash for the pumpkin if you prefer. Just cut a large squash in half length-wise. Place face-down on a cookie sheet and bake at 350˚ until soft, about 30-45 min. Scoop out the squash and substitute for the pumpkin.

BrandyII, I am so sorry that you are having a tough time. Some docs are like that, I am sure that half of it is for your safety and the other half is for the safety of their bank accounts, but it is what we must do to get where we are going. Try to think of all the unpleasantnesses that you are avoiding by losing the weight, and remember, this too shall pass (now would be good). Keep you eye on the prize, the band will change your life in so many wonderful ways. I can roll around on the ground and run around the playground with my 19 month old grandson now. I couldn't do that 16 months ago when I weighed nearly 300 pounds! And I can look forward to watching him grow up and being a part of that rather than waiting to die from some obesity related disease. I already had a stroke at age 40, just before my grandson was born. I know that this is frustrating and tiresome, but trust me, it IS worth it! Good luck to you! Laura

Katalin.e., I did not go back very far in the posts so I don't know what kind of problem you are having, but your insurance has to cover any tests that you need to have for any problem that you are experiencing if it endangers your health. EVEN IF they did not pay of the band and EVEN IF the problem you are having now is related to the band. As for a doctor, try Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, they take almost every insurance and they have a good bariatrics department. There is also a Dr. Gail Wynn at Christiana hospital that I understand is very good. Christiana is near Wilmington, Delaware, just north of Baltimore and south of Philadelphia. Just go have the test done and let them bill your insurance. If they deny the claim (which I doubt), appeal the decision, and if you have to take the matter to the insurance commissioner's office for the state. By the way, there is a law in Maryland that any company that has 50 or more employees MUST cover bariatric surgery. So just get the problem diagnosed and treated and then fight with the insurance (the provider will often be more willing to help you argue with the insurance company if it is their money on the line too). Good luck, Laura

Hi everybody, I am Laura. I used to live in Delaware, but I now live just over the southern border in Salisbury, Maryland. So I check out the MD & DE boards. I see that a couple of you are on liquids and/or mushies, and you are hungry. We can't have that, so I want to offer a recipe that my husband made for me during my pre-op and post-op liquid weeks. It is pumpkin Soup, but you can substitute butternut squash if you don't like pumpkin. Now don't think pumpkin pie, this is a savory soup with an excellent flavor that will not remind you of pie. The greatest thing about it is that it is full of Fiber so it really fills you up. Pre-op, I could eat a bowl and it would last me about 2-3 hours. Post-op, I could eat 6-8 tablespoons and I was full for 3-4 hours. it really is very tasty and very filling. I don't know what I would have done without it! I hope you enjoy it, Laura Pumpkin Soup 1 Large Can of Whole Pumpkin (NOT Pumpkin Pie Mix)* 1 Cup of chicken Stock 2 Cups of Fat Free Milk or Fat-Free, Lactose-Free Milk 2 Tbsp Sugar or 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup 6 Sprigs of Fresh Rosemary 6 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme 3 Tbsp Mild Curry (Optional) Salt Pepper In a large pot, stir the pumpkin, milk, and chicken stock while heating on low. Add the sugar or syrup and stir. If you like curry, add the curry and stir. Tie the fresh rosemary and thyme together with a string and place it in the mixture. Cover the pot and simmer slowly for an hour. Afterward, add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the rosemary and thyme or store the pot in the refrigerator with the herbs still in the pot. The soup will be even better the next day infused with the herbs. * You can substitute a large baked Butternut Squash for the pumpkin if you prefer. Just cut a large squash in half length-wise. Place face-down on a cookie sheet and bake at 350˚ until soft, about 30-45 min. Scoop out the squash and substitute for the pumpkin.

Turler, YOU ROCK! And I cried too. What an amazing story from an obviously amazing woman. Your children are very lucky to have you and your strength as their role model. You can do this and I have no doubt that you will do it well. Please keep us posted on your journey. Good luck on Thursday! Laura

Stinky, rotten, can't put it in the tank gas! It sucks! Now that we are all in agreement, I hope, what do you do about it? Has anyone tried either Nullo or Devrom? Does it work? Any side effects? Thanks for your help! Laura

Here is a recipe for Protein shakes that I think actually TASTE GOOD, and no runs. The majority of people in the world are actually lactose intolerant (it's been said the the lactose tolerant people are the odd balls not the other way around). Once you go on liquids or reduce your solid food intake and ramp up the Protein Shakes (most of which have high concentrations of lactose), you can easily end up with the runs and gas you can't put in your tank. The artificial sweeteners in many of the PS can also wreak havoc with your inerds. I use American whey Protein powder from American Sports Nutrition, because: It is lactose free It has less than 1 gr of sugar It has no artificial sweeteners It has 20 gr protein per scoop (I use two scoops per shake) It actually TASTES GOOD! I used to buy it from my Dr. but I found it cheaper on-line at Bodybuilding, weight loss supplements, protein shakes, fitness supplements, muscle building supplements (tell them Laura Mitchell sent you). Here's how I make them so they taste like a Friendly's milkshake. In a personal blender (I use the Hamilton Beach w/travel lid), combine: 2 scoops of vanilla (or 1 vanilla and 1 chocolate) protein powder 3 healthy teaspoons of Hershey's baking cocoa (has only 50 calories, no fat or sugar) 4 ice cubes 1/2 - 1 banana (broken into small pieces) Water to fill (or milk if you prefer or need the calcium) Blend until very smooth. Enjoy! The banana and cocoa combine with the protein powder to thicken the shake and the ice makes it like a milkshake. The water makes it thin enough for me to drink, but if you add milk or if you have trouble with the thickness, use less ice. I am telling you, I hated these things at first and practically refused to drink them. Now, I have one for Breakfast and one as my "treat" for my last meal of the day (usually around 10pm to ramp up my metabolism before bed at 11/12). I look forward to shake time and will forgo most any food to have room for my shake. I have max restriction now so I eat very small amounts of food (2-3 oz per meal), yet my blood work is "perfect" according to my doctor! As for the calories, because I eat such small amounts it is not a problem for me but you should talk to your nutritionist. I am 15 months post-op and I have done this for most of that time, with a weight loss of 108 pounds. So it is working for me. As for the runs, I have never had them from this protein powder, but when you are on liquids only, it can contribute to the problem. Oh, my husband, who was not banded, does the same thing and he has lost 45 pounds too with no side effects. That's my story. I hope it can help someone. Best of luck, Laura

Good news, you are perfectly normal! It is unlikely that there is any problem with your band if you are not vomiting or having acid reflux or anything or a regular basis. So relax. What happens is this, just like every other part of your body, your stomach has a fat layer around it. As you lose weight, that fat dissolves just like it does in other regions of your body. Think of it like the waist band of your pants around your mid section, when you lose fat in the mid section, your pants get big and you have to buy a smaller size or take them in. The fills are the way we "take in" our bands as our stomach shrinks. There will come a time when you hit your "sweet spot" which is where you have just enough Fluid in your band to give you enough restriction to control your food intake, but not too much so that you can't eat or drink enough to sustain your healthy body. That said, you may find a sweet spot with one fill and then a couple of months later, you are back to eating larger portions (although they should get increasingly smaller than where you are now). That is your signal that you need another fill. Then, magically, one day, you will stop requiring fills as often (if at all) because the fat layer around your stomach is gone and your stomach doesn't really change size much anymore so the band stays snug! I am 15 months post-op and I have had 5 or 6 fills and I have a total of 10cc in a 14cc band. Life is sweet! My restriction is jjjuuuusssstttt right (I feel like Goldilocks). I have lost 108 lbs and I have 24 left to go, but it is really slow going now (boo). I caution you not to wait until you have"perfect" restriction to get moving though. Your best weight loss opportunity is in the first year, but it can take 8, 9, or more months to find that sweet spot. Also, the faster you get that fat off of your stomach, the faster you can get you band to just the right size. It's tricky, but it all works out in the end as long as you do your part. Just because you CAN still eat a whole pizza, doesn't mean it's a good idea. I would sometimes do things like that just to see how much I could eat, but I would be very unhappy with my choices afterward. Eventually, I decided to do my portion experiments with healthier foods so at least when I overate, it was good for me food. A really good book to help you figure out how to eat in your new lifestyle is Body for Life by Bill Phillips. It basically uses portion sizes versus weighing and measuring or counting calories, emphasizes a high Protein diet to boost your metabolism and energy levels. It works! See if your local library has a copy to examine before you buy it. You can also get basically the same info from Eating for Life which is also a cookbook. Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have more questions and I miss your post. Laura

Hi Pattman, and everyone else for that matter. I am Laura. I was banded 12/12/06 in Salisbury, MD. I used to live in DE and have a lot of friends and bandsters that still do so I jump back and forth between the DE and MD pages. I have a couple of suggestions for you in terms of exercise. 1) Get one of those exercise balls and sit on it at your desk instead of a chair, it really works your core body muscles and improves your posture at the same time. The great thing is you really don't even feel like you are exercising and you don't even have to break a sweat! 2) Google isometric exercises. They are done mostly by just breathing and holding your muscles in contraction for short bursts of time, but boy do they work! Best of all, you can do them at work, in the car, waiting in line, etc. and no one will even know. I am also interested in hearing more about your docs, I need to find a competent doctor that I am comfortable with for the band. Not such an easy task, especially after someone else has already banded you. Please let me know how you fell about the doc, the staff, there attentiveness and efficiency, if they take insurance, their attitude/approach to fills, etc. Thanks in advance for sharing. Laura

I pledge to only weight once a week for the month of March! Anyone else with me? I will focus on my NSVs, (non-scale victories). All the wonderful little things that happen to my body as I continue to lose weight and get healthier. Things that I won't see on the digital scale readout. Things I might not see at all if I am only looking at the arbitrary number on the scale. I will be a loser, not a number. Who's with me?

Hey everyday is a new day! Heck, every minute of every day is another chance to make the right choices and get back on track. If we didn't hit some potholes in the road, we wouldn't appreciate how smooth the rest of the highway is. Get back on the bike and ride, ride, ride! WE are here for you.

Rapid "weight" gain like that is just Water weight most of the time. If you are eating a lot of canned Soups and the like they have a LOT of sodium (salt) in them, which will make you retain water. You are probably struggling to get your water in as well, trying not to drink 30 mins before, or 30 mins after eating and eating every 3-4 hours is a real challenge (but you'll get the hang of it). This also contributes to the water retention because just as your body stores fat when you don't give it enough food, it stores water when you are not getting enough fluids in. Now you're saying, "How can I not be getting enough fluids if I am on a liquid diet?" Right? Well the liquids in your diet, the soups etc., are going to fill your nutritional needs and while they are technically liquid, there is not enough liquid in them to properly hydrate and nourish your body. Lastly, the surgery and pain medication coupled with the lack of solid foods and reduced amounts of liquids can constipate you in a big hurry. You don't really want to use a laxative but a stool softener is an excellent idea and maybe a little Fiber supplement to clean house and lighten the load a little. So, what to do: 1) Try low sodium soups, etc. 2) Drink as much water as you can during your windows of opportunity 3) Keep things moving in the lower GI (the softener) 4) Most importantly, and most difficult, put away the scale! You should not be worried about any significant weight loss/gain/daily fluctuations right now (or ever for that matter). I used to weigh myself everyday and I was driving myself nuts and often times not doing the things I needed to because I was either mad at the scale if it went up, or scared of it going back up when it did go down. I even convinced myself that I shouldn't workout as much (or at all) because my weight went up every time I went to the gym. Not significantly of course, but it went up because muscle weights more than fat and I didn't like it. Try to focus on what we call NSVs, or non-scale victories. Tying your shoes on the top of your foot, getting a towel to completely cover your body (even if it is a beach towel at first), having your pants fall down when you put your cell phone in your pocket, being able to breathe when you reach the top of the stairs....Priceless! All the wonderful little things that will happen to your body as you lose weight and get healthier. Things that you won't see on the digital scale readout. Things you might not see at all if you are only looking at the arbitrary number on the scale. Be a loser, not a number. I am 15 months post-op and down 108lbs! I started in a size 24 and I just bought a size 10 jeans for the first time since I was 12 years old! The band is your tool belt, but you still have to build the house, patiently. Good luck and feel free to e-mail me anytime.

Sometimes I get so caught up in the scale movement (or not), that I forget that I have made a lot of progress and I am still making progress. As a reminder to myself, I write down those little victories in my food journal so that if I start beating myself up or feeling down about not losing fast enough to suit me, I can go back and review my progress and feel much better (usually). Remember, muscle weighs more than fat and as we workout and make the exchange, the scales my be stagnant, but our bodies and our lives are still changing for the better.:biggrin: For instance, I went on a trip to Antigua last week and I had to buy bathing suits. I cannot tell you how long it has been since that was a fun experience! Or since heads turned (toward me and not the other direction to laugh) when I walked out of the fitting room to model. Then, when I got on the plane, I didn't have to suck it all in to buckle the seatbelt. I actually had about 8-9 inches left over on the strap! Yeah!!!!:hurray: Now that I have tooted my horn, I would like to hear yours. What are some of your most recent and/or most prized NON-SCALE victories*? If you haven't thought about it, you really should. It is not ALL about the scale. I look forward to hearing about your victories. *Non-scale victories are changes as a result of your weight loss efforts that do not depend on the scale moving (i.e. getting off medication, being able to walk two blocks without panting, playing on the floor with your kids/grandkids and being able to get up, unassisted).

Whaho! I just saved a ton of material on my jeans! I went to by a pair of size 12 jeans and all they had were 8s and 10s, so I though what the heck, I'll try the 10s. AND THEY FIT!!!!!! :tt2: :rolleyes2: I have not worn a size 10 jean since I was 12 years old. 30 years ago, wow. I love my band. I love my band. I love my band. I cannot believe this, its an incredible journey, lately I've been on the scenic route but I think I just found the car for the fast track. Vrooom!!!!!!!!

Go here and do this! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker...ictures-41782/ (Ticker TUTORIAL (WITH PICTURES!))<!-- google_ad_section_end --> Good luck!:rolleyes2:

He knows every time I lose an ounce because I proudly announce it (ok, sometimes I yell) before I even get off the scale! I always tell him, but I guess that does not really mean that he KNOWS. Ok, I just asked him, it seems he does pay attention, and he's kind. He came in two pounds light! Thanks Honey.

I got a regular skimpy hotel around my bod without any gap! OMG! I cannot believe this is really me. I love NSVs! :eek::tt1::smile2::biggrin:

Be careful about the amount of artificial sweeteners you are consuming, especially if you are not accustomed to using them. They are a major migraine trigger for me, right behind second-hand smoke and sulfites (like in red wine). Low pressure fronts also do me in, so if the weather is wacked, that could be contributing. Just make sure you don't have a sinus infection, that could delay your surgery. You never want to have any surgery if you have any type of infection of course, but you did not mention any stuffiness or drainage so I hope that isn't the deal. Good luck and welcome to the losers' club!

If there is another WL doc in town, go to the ER and tell them you are in pain and your doc's out of town. They will call in the other doc to help because they probably know little or nothing about the band. at the ER Best part, you get relief before you cause a slippage. Bonus points, they have to bill your insurance that way! I have read way too many posts on here about folks who were too tight a waited "just a few days" to get it fixed and ended up with major problems!!!! Also, remember that the key to quick ER treatment is to say the pain started very recently (max 4 to 8 hrs). If you say days, they figure that you waited this long and you are still breathing, so you an wait until they get around to you. Tell the ER doc the whole truth so they can treat you properly, but NEVER tell the admissions clerk or triage nurse that you have been suffering for more than a few hours (if that). Good luck and please, go to the ER!

Wow! These are great. Some are very funny but I know they mean a lot. Every time I realize that I have done something new or realize a milestone I am just amazed all over again. Keep the NSVs coming, please! I haven't had one in a while, so I'm counting on you guys. Laura

TA: Several things come to mind from your posts. 1) Watch the sodium level in those power drinks. They can cause additional swelling which you really don't need right now. 2) I would suggest that you go back to your band surgeon for help if he is close by still, or the teaching hospital is a great idea. Even though the bariatric surgeon primarily does bands, he is still a surgeon and they are often the best ones to deal with your innards once you have the band because they know where they placed it and how to work around it if they have to go in. 3) I agree that you must be your own advocate. If you need help, take someone with you. Make a list of questions/statements that you have and make sure your friend has a copy to make sure you ask everything and get answers. They can also help record the answers that you get because sometimes we hear something that catches us off guard or gets our minds churning and we don't hear anything after that. 4) Flat out demand a complete GI series (upper and lower). You need to make sure that there are no ulcers, obstructions, etc. anywhere along the way. 5) Have your physician check your gall bladder, both for stones and for proper function. The heartburn, nausea, fever and resultant dehydration and weakness sounds very similar to what I had when I had stones and my gall bladder was extremely infected. Some people have pain in their back or stomach as well, but I never did. Things like cheese and milk made me really sick though. I still can't eat pizza and that was 15 years ago! Yo-yo weight gain/loss over many years or just weight loss is a major trigger for the creation of gall stones so it would make sense. Just my ten cents worth for the day. What ever you do, don't give up. Make the docs figure it out! I wish you luck!