doubletrouble

I think most of were afraid to eat the soft foods. I purchased a babyfood maker at walmart for about $15.00. I would puree soft things like mac and cheese, fat free hot dogs and ketchup ( I know it sounds gross but it tastes the same) you can puree just about anything. Once you get used to tasting real food and how to control your band instead of visa versa it does get easier infact wait until it gets too easy. Also try mixing your protein shakes with the processor and ice it makes it into a shake. Good luck before long you will be on solids. However, there will always be that little voice in your head that asks can I keep that down and should I be eating it.

This is the weirdest thing I was sitting here reading your story and all of the beautiful replys from the banders and my cat jasper jumped up onto my lap and sat there as if reading all of the replys himself. Jasper had never ever been up on my computer desk before I think the hum noise kind of keeps him away. I was crying and all upset about the loss of Milo and here comes my furbaby to comfort me. I had my cat before my children and I consider him my first born. I do not know what I will do when that day comes but we have to live each day to the fullest and let our loved ones know exactly how we feel about them each day. Take care Lisa and remember what a good life Milo had and I am sure like my cat he probably lived better than some people :>

Nykee Congrats on your weight loss. I just wanted to mention that my docotor said the only cream soup to avoid is tomato, that is because it has so much hidden sugar in it. When I am on liquids I warm up regular tomato juice and spice it up with hot sauce and italian sesonings and it taste great. Also if you like milk especially choc. try hoods carb countdown. It is 90% lower in sugar and actually tates very good. Keep on with the awesome weight loss.

Thanks alot fellow bandsters, I feel much better now that I will not be completely bald by christmas. It is weird I feel better about talking to you guys then I do sometimes my doctor. I think it is because you have lived through it and he is going by text books. Thanks again and good luck with your weight loss.

Has anybody tried that exersice ball? It looks like it would not really help with weight loss just toning up. Also I have never done yoga before, is it also for toning? Just curious.

This is so werid I was just about about to post the same thing. I actually saw my doctor today and he recommended flax seed oil capsules. However, when I bought them they are huge and I do not think they will pass through my band. I was wondering if anybody punctured the capsule and just mixed it with something and drank it. I do not think it would do any damage, but god knows if it did it would happen to me. They also recommeded sugar free gelatin, this will strengthen the hair roots. Any other suggestions out there in band land?

HELP, I have tried so many times to get that stupid ticker thing onto my stuff. Can anybody help me try to get it. I can make the ticker but I cannot get it to show up. Thanks :>

Anwyn Thanks so much I finally got it. Happy Thanksgiving. I hope that you have had a good one. I did not pig out like usual. I did however eat some sweets that I have never tried since my banding and you know what I did not die. They kind of instilled that in me at the classes that I went to. I know that it is not good to eat stuff like that all of the time but every blue moon it sure does taste good. Thanks again and good luck on you weight loss.

hey glitterqueen I think it is up the surgeon. If he feels that you are ready then go for it. I was supppose to be filled at 6 weeks, however my appt. was canceled because my docotor had emergency surgery and the next two appts as well. I finally was filled twelve weeks post op. I felt really restricted the first three days and then it went away. I go for my second fill this monday. I lost 65 pounds before I was ever filled. I read about this other women and she lost 145 pounds and was never filled. I guess it is all according to each individual. Happy turkey day and good luck :>

I had bc/bc and mine was covered. My surgeon used a baraitric center and they have people that understand the insurance inside and out. They told me all of the rings of fire I had to jump threw first and then they submitted all of my information. It took one application and 6 days and I was accepted. Call your surgeon that you want to use and ask them what to do. Remember if there is a will there is a way. If you can not ge the answers you are looking for try another doctor. Also call your insurnace company for a copy of your coverage. PS A friend that I work with applied to bc/bs after my surgery and they now want everyone to see a doctor for 18 months prior for documented weight loss attempts. I understand that all bc/bs is different. Also if you have to pay out of pocket they usually have payment plans. Good Luck :>

It is normal to feel this way. I have three year old twins and I myself ws asking the same questions that you are today. Nothing can take away the fear of having the surgery. We all sat there and did the what if game. I was banded aug 22, 2205. I have lost 70 pounds since then. Now I sit there and do the what if I had not gone through with the surgery questions. I would re-do the entire process in a heartbeat if I had to. Just think of the wonderful times that you have ahead of you as a "skinny mom" with your baby. Good Luck to you and please let us know how it went. Tommorow you will be home with your family thinking this was a breeze. :>

I have been a curves member for the last year. I agree in the begining it seems like itis the right ticket. But you can never advance your routine. The last time that I went there was an elderly (70 or plus) in front of me with a walker doing the same routine as I was. It just not seem to give you the resistance or variability to do other things. I needed more of an areobic routine and joined a gym and worked out much better.

Amos You have to rmember that even though you may not see the scale move you need to acess by how you feel and you your clothes fit. I know it is an obsession to get on the scale everyday. Sometimes it is more rewarding to weigh yourself once a week. I too ws on liquids for two weeks and then soft, you have to get into the frame of mind that this is not a punishment but a stepping stone to get to your goal of weightloss. Hang in there it will get better I promise:>

Kellie My doctor told me if I am still feeling hungry instead of having the forbidden in between meal snacks to drink a protiein shake. The protein will keep you full between the meals plus give the added protein. I found a carb counter choc. milk that meets our requirements for sugars and stuff, if you add a tasteless whey protein to it it is very tollerable as far as protein shakes. Also, south beach diet makes a peanut butter crunch bar that is 20 grams of protein that also helps. I have an off the wall question. How did you get your ticker to work. I went to the website and made one but I cannot figure out how to place it on this website. If you could write me and explain it I would appreciate it very much:> Thanks.

They actually sell a sugar free liquid tylenol. I think that the tylenol elixir tastes like pure sugar ( I guess so kids will take it). So I called my pharmasist I she recommended Silapap which is the sugar free liquid tylenol. It certainly does not taste as good, but we don't need the added sugars. It was around $20.00 for a huge bottle and you don't need a prescription. Gas x also comes in liquid it is by the maalox section.

You could also put your pills in water and let them desolve. Unless they are sustained released pills. Almost all pills can be made in liquid form.

I was filled for the firs time on 11-03. It was a 1.4 cc fill. I also find that I am actually a little bit more hungry now that before. The more I think of it the more hungry I feel. Some say that the restriction might not be noticable until a few weeks later. I go back in three weeeks to acess the situation and to see about a second fill. Good Luck

I would also march into his offic and sit there until this is resolved. In the US we have a state board of health that you can contact with problems such as this. Not only is this patient neglect but patient endangerment. This docotor took you on as a paitient and he is legally reponsible for your treatment and follow up. If your present family doctor is also giving you the run around try and find a new physician. My husband had a blood clot also and now he is paralized on the right lower side of his body. You need to pursue this and not just forget about "small blood clots" because small blood clots can kill you just like big blood clots. And as far as your INR and the fillings this is rediculous. The puncture wound you receive from having your blood drawn to check your blood level is the same as the puncture would you would get from the filling. I personally feel your surgeon feels resposible and thinks if he ignores you, you will go away. DO NOT let him ignore you stand up for your self and be heard. You also might try and speak to you local newspaper or tv station about reporting this doctor. Usually when a doctor's reputation is put on the line in black and white they wake up and take care of the problem. Good Luck to you and take care of you.

I had my first fill yest. I was worried too. It was absolutely nothing. My doctor did not use lidocaine. I would think the lidocaine would be more painful than the actual fill. I felt very full for the next twelve hours or so. You can really feel the restriction. Which is what the band is all about. The hard part was comitting to the band and having the surgery. Now just let the band help you. PS I had to be on clear liquids for 12 hrs after the fill and then full liquids for 24 hours and soft food another 24 hours and then my normal diet resumes.