josephine

I am with Pammycakes on this one. I have never had a problem and I chew it everyday. Josephine

Julie, Can you elaborate on that and tell me what that is? It sounds like something through the esophagus. I don't have any saline fills so would that affect anything? Thanks Josephine

Nothing should happen while chewing gum but just remember as kids are told, do not swallow it. Eventually it will go away but you wouldn't want it to accidently stick to your side wall of your new stomach and cause nutritional food that needs to go down there to have any problems.

Having lost 111 lbs and yes, the excess skin, absultely gross, I had my TT and breast lift. I am only 5 months out from that and I am still dealing with the scarring issues. I can't wait until they start disappearing. I still having underneath stitching tearing inside and the pulling of my stomach muscles that they tightened. I know it is all for the good though. I need to get a butt and thigh lift and I will sometime in the next year. I hope it will stop there. My sister tries to tell me, be careful because I can begin to get addicted to plastic surgery. I hated myself for being obese and now I hate myself for what I allowed to do to myself to get that way and the results from my loss. My mother and sister both thought that I was crazy to have lapband (even though they like the end results) and now they think that I am even crazier to go under the knife to get rid of the excess. They say exercise and it will fix it. You can not fix a person who has been obese for 5 years + and has lost more than 100 lbs. Of course the skin is going to hang and go nowhere. I do thank my sister with telling me to join the gym though because I now am obsessed. I am with a trainer 3 times a week for 30 mins. and then I am on my tread mill at home 3 times a week for 2 miles at a time or 30 mins. I would never wish this weight to come back though because I am tired of that route. Gain lose gain lose. I am HEALTHY now and I am going to stay that way. Josephine *I have been maintaining for 1 year since July 25th, 2006. I had my surgery Nov. 10, 2005.

I had a TT also and I need a thigh lift. I will be doing this also but I don't know when. Please keep in touch with the thigh lift and butt lift if you plan on getting that, in shich I need also. I want to know how it goes. I here the scar will just be an extension of the TT that goes around the back end. Thanks Josephine

My band is just above my waist band. It was originally, the doctor thought below my waist band but because of my weight loss it stuck out too much and it happened to be right at the waist band which wasn't good. It hurt from the pants rubbing against it so he went in and gave me the smaller port and moved it upwards. All is doing fine but it still sticks out a bit but that can't be helped. I don't care to gain all that weight back to hide it, you know what I mean. Josephine

It sounds to me like you have the right idea. If I am not mistaken you must be of the muslim area. You couldn't be from the hindi area as you wouldn't have been talking about chicken soup. It isn't easy if those are the foods you are surrounded by as they are so full of oil. I am married to a Pakistani and I will not eat any more of those foods if I don't have to. Once I have to I am very careful in what I choose. You want to be careful of the dairy as well since it has a lot of fat in it. I don't know about spoonfuls of food but probably it should be between 1/2 a cup to 1 cup od food per meal. That is if you are eating something heavy. If you make a fist that is what you should consume in a meal. The fluids are different with everyone. My doctor told me not drink drink anything 1/2 hour before your meal and 2 hours after you have eaten your meal. While you are teaching yourself to eat slowly if you don't already you will be giving your brain the chance you never did before to tell you that you are full. I know it seems odd but it will happen. Try to start believing that you need this meal to live and not live to eat this meal. You need to begin to believe in yourself that you can succeed in this new journey of yours and make the results everlasting. I drink 2100ml (72oz.) of Water a day, when I am weight training though I drink another (24oz.) of water a day, I weight train 3 times a week, and I walk 3 times a week. I have maintained my weight loss of 111 lbs. (from 251 to 140-142) for a year now and become addicted to exercising and gaining muscle. I feel great except for certain muscle groups every so often (all for the good though). Do not fret, if you truly want to make a difference in your life you will. Don't drive yourself crazy with am I full yet, did I eat enough. Just stick with the rules that your doctor gave you, begin to think healthy and eat healthy and you will succeed. Josephine

Milton, I was also borderline 40 BMI. That is still a lot of weight to have to take off. I lost 111 lbs and I am now a 21-22 BMI. Through my insurance though I didn't have to commit to losing weight prior to surgery. I did for my doctor though to start liquids 5 days prior to surgery to help with the liver shrinkage of course. It doesn't seem to me that you are enthused at all. I know it will be difficult to lose the weight as it always has been all of our lives. This is why we are in that situation right now to have to look for other options to help us get this load off. First things first, you need to reset your mind...... 1. Get the word DIET out of your mind. If you look at the past, how many DIETS have you been on and failed? That word means fail to me and I had to cut it out of my vocabulary. 2. Get in the Lapbanded persons mode and now say that you are going to change your lifestyle and eating habits. This should be a committment to yourself and for the rest of your life. 3. We as banded people eat so much less than we used to so right now I would suggest that you start acting like you are banded and start teaching yourself the rules that go along with being banded, that way once you are, you have already gotten over that hump and it won't be as difficult once you have become banded. Start eating healthy food, eat very slowly, at least 30 - 45 minutes per meal and chew your food very very well before swallowing. Once you have fills it is more difficult to get the food done. This is one thing I have noticed with other people once they have had fills. If you eat healthy food maybe you don't have to drink slim fast. 1. Eat lean Protein, veggies, then your carbs. Try to stay away from carbs 4-5 hours before going to bed as they sit there once you are doing nothing and turn into fat. They have said a half of cup of food will fill you up but for me it is one cup. 2. Drink at least 72oz of Water a day. Allow your food to fill you up so start training yourself now not to drink while you are eating. Drink no later than 30 minutes before eating your meals and wait 2 hours to start drinking after your meals. 3. Protein is a good filler and will help you lose weight in the long run because you stay fuller longer. When you eat carbs it is a temporary fill and that is how most of us obese people got obese in the first place without even realizing it. Do start liquids when your doctor tells you to as it is very important for the surgical procedure. You liver won't get in the way of the probs during surgery. Chew food very good, eat your food very slow, stay away from carbs at night and start using a salad plate instead of a regular dinner plate. The amount of food you should be eating at one meal is the size of your fist. Good Luck to you, Josephine

Port swelling is very normal and most likely will be uncomfortable for weeks as scar tissue is forming around that area. You will feel pulling and sometimes burning but it is okay. Gas is from the anesthesia and will wear off. Start walking and it should help some. food for thought ! Your first words were diet and I would suggest you start saying your lifestyle change as it will help you down the road. How many DIETS? have you failed? You are on a new journey in your life and make it a positive one with positive words. What do you think? Good luck on your new journey and enjoy the life long results. Josephine

I thought for a person to maintain they had to take in 1200 calories a day. I have no idea that it has to do with height either. I remember when my doctor told me in his experience, people have only been able to lose 64% - 65% of their body mass. I began my journey at 251 lbs. in Nov. 2005 and he thought I wouldn't have gone past 184 lbs. or so. Today I weight 140 lbs. and am struggling to keep my weight on. I have lost 103% of my body mass and have maintained it since July 2006. I lost my interest in food since I had my surgery and am now having to make myself eat to keep the weight on. Oddly enough I never had a fill during this whole process. The two great things right now is that I became extremely healthy and I have become addicted to the gym. I would love to be able to look like a fitness model. I still have to see my doctor every 3 months because he wants to make sure that I am behaving and not losing any weight since he knows I am an odd ball case. He can't even get me to (treat myself) as he calls it and eat a cup of ice cream. My head still understands what a bowl is and not a cup so that is why I don't bother. The Protein bars that I eat are sweet already so I am not missing out on anything. I must be getting in 1100-1200 calories a day and I am not losing weight so I think that I am doing okay. I have gone for a physical and I am healthy all the way around so I am not worried. Josephine

Hello Everyone, I would just like to know anyone out there who was banded 1 year and a half ago like me and am wondering if : 1. Did you ever made it to goal and what is your goal date 2. If you have had any obstacles 3. Do you still have your band 4. How much did you lose 5. Are you still maintaining your weight loss? Myself? My surgery date was Nov. 10, 2005. Weight was 251 and I am now 137, weight loss 114 lbs I was a size 22 and am now a size 4-6 I made it to goal July 25, 2006 I never had any obstacles and I still have my band and I never had a fill during the whole weight loss process. I will have maintained my weight for 1 year on July 25, 2007 and that day is coming by very quickly. I am so happy that I did this and only wish I new about it sooner. It is the best thing that I ever did in my lifetime except marrying my husband who I love and adore. I had a tummy tuck May 9th and a breast lift also and am doing very well. I am still quite swollen but that comes with the territory. I wish everyone great success with their new and old journey. Life sure is wonderful. Josephine

I told everyone that I new that I was having this procedure done. They have all seen me with my before and after as far as my life long problem with weight loss. They saw that I had a problem and left it alone. They never said I was taking the easy way out or anything and even if they did, they knew they would have received a mouth full from me. I am very outspoken and don't care what other people think except strangers, believe it or not. Now, though, I don't even care what they think because I am finally happy, truly happy. You do whatever you think that will help you. If they have negativity towards you then you can just tell them you don't need that and go bother someone else with their personal problems because that is all that that is. They are the one with the personal problems. Josephine Be proud and yell out loud, if that is what makes you feel good.

Karen, Of course everyone is different. I was able to go to work on Monday after having my surgery on Thursday. I could have taken one more day. In flight people do complain about tighness they feel when the plane is up in the air and that is actually the truth. I felt a full feeling when I was up in the air. Also, the only thing that I believe that should be hurting you is your port area and that should hurt you for some time. I would even say almost up to and including 6 weeks post op. Scar tissue is forming around that area and the movement is what causes most of the pain. You can be tearing some of the scar tissue but that is okay. You really should be good to go. I don't think you should have any worries. Just don't forget that some people heal differently than others. Good Luck on your new journey. Josephine

I don't ever want anyone to get the wrong idea about me. I am an odd case and I don't understand why I lost my appetite when I got the band. My doctor told me that some people, where the band is placed sometimes it hits an area where it goes straight to your brain receptors to let you know that you are full. Yes I have had a weight problem all my life and been from 1 diet to the next and lost and gained and lost and gained. I struggled as all of us have throughout life being called fatty four eyes. I just found my addiction and I conquered that addiction, just like a person who is an alcoholic. I just think we need to refigure our way of life and find out where our downfall is with food and get rid of it. Some people just overeat and some people just eat all the wrong things. I used to be a ten minute eater and now it takes me almost 45 minutes to eat. I had to adjust my whole life with food and now I actually even like the taste of healthy food. I was so afraid of throwing up as people always complain about on this website and all other websites. I had a fear that my band was going to move and I would fail again. I don't want anyone to think badly of me. I've been an odd ball all of my life and I am still trying to figure out who I am. Do remember I did say it takes most people to their 3rd fill to feel restriction and that is only from reading responses from other people. I didn't mean to get some people upset and I apologize. Josephine

You truly need to reset your mind and know that the band is just a tool to help you lose weight. I have heard that a person doesn't begin to feel restriction until their 3rd fill and maybe that is when you will begin to feel restriction. I was able to lose 111 lbs without one single fill and that is because I made it up in my mind that this was it and I was going to change my life and it took me to be 41 years old to realize that I was slowly killing myself. God only knows it took long enough to realize that but it finally worked. I have been maintaining my loss sine July 25, 2006 and I had my surgery on November 10, 2005. It is very possible to feel restriction but it has to start with your mind first. Your mind is telling your body that you are still hungry and you need to overcome that. If you have more questions you can email me and I will try with all my heart to help you. Josephine

I had my surgery Nov. 10, 2005, lost 111 lbs., been maintaining since July 25, 2006. Yes, I am coming up on a year of maintaining and never had a fill. I don't have any problems eating but did make my mind up that I was going to eat healthy foods and that is what helped me lose the weight. I can eat EVERYTHING that I choose to eat. I can chew every Protein out there and I never got sick. Josephine

FarmerE, I told everyone and thankfully I didn't have any problems. Only one time when my sister saw me when I lost all my weight she opened her mouth to her friends to tell them how much I lost when they saw me and then they asked me how I did it. I told them I had the surgery and then my sister got mad at me. She thought her friends would think that I took the easy way out and I don't care if that is what they did think either way. I don't know them and they don't know me. I live in Texas and they live in New Jersey. I will probably never see them again and they thought it was great that I lost 111 lbs. You can't care what other people think in this life................ You have to take care of yourself because no one else will.......... Josephine

Bestarcher, Male, female, what does it matter. Males have too much ego and pride. I am sure they are out there but as always will not come forward. Do you need to discuss something? I will help you out if you would like. I am sure that most people whether male or female would love to be able to assist you. Josephine

Throwing up is if you are eating too quickly and not chewing your food well enough. Be sure you chew, even when you get to your mushies to prepare yourself and chew until you get tired of chewing, then swallow. If you are a 10 minute eater like I was, you better begin to learn how to take your time and learn that also. You want to take at least 30 minutes to eat your meals. Josephine Good Luck to you.

Liz, I am confused. I had a tummy tuck and a breast lift on May 9th and I only have the hip to hip incision for my tummy tuck. What is the incision above the belly button for? I also got a new belly button. I will be swollen for up to 6 months and can't wait until I can sleep without these girdles and bras but until then I will be lacking sleep. I also do not have pain either as I can still barely feel my incision area. I do feel my breast incisions but I still don't feel my stomach. My belly button is still big and that is to determine the amount of swelling that I still have but at least I can see my belly button. Once I lost my weight my button disappeared. It seems as though you hardly have any swelling and that is a good thing. Josephine

Kitty, Everyone is different with their weight loss. It is said that the amount a person loses with LB is half the amount a person loses with GBP. I truly believe it all depends on your food choices. We are all here because we have an eating disorder and we need to be choosing the lapband for all the right reasons. Remember it is just a tool in you're body to help you eat less, make you chew your food well and the need to eat slowly so you don't get sick. It was never designed for you to take away the foods you have always enjoyed but are those the foods that made you the size you are now? I personally chose to turn my life around since my old life didn't do me any good with my food choices and exercise and the results have been astounding. I had my surgery November 10, 2005 and by July 25, 2006 I reached my goal weight. I started at 251 and I am now 139 and have been maintaining since. Soon enough it will have been off me for 1 year and I am looking forward to that as I have never kept it off for more than 3 months. I also have an empty band. I have never had a fill for restriction, I never got sick, and I can eat everything and not get sick. Some people can't eat certain things anymore and I think it may have to do with getting restricted. I am still not sure of that though. Well, I can't eat broccoli anymore as it causes tremendous colic and I am unable to pass the gas. This is the safest procedure out there if you have tried everything else and all has failed. My doctor told me though prior to going in the operating room, remember it is 80% you and 20% the band. He told me that I lost 103% of my BMI and most people he says will lose no more than 65% of their BMI. I am feeling wonderful. Good luck to you and if you have questions I will be more than happy to help you out. Josephine

Congrats to you and I wish you a lot of luck on your new journey. It took forever for approval didn't it? Josephine

They have chewable Centrum and they are orange flavored. Those taste good. Josephine Good luck on your journey...........................

Aurora, Go into Yahoo.com and then groups. Type in lapbandrapband.com and look into their calander. I believe you just missed a meeting but you can look to see when the other one is. Josephine

I just had a TT and breast lift in Plano, TX and my husband paid 13,500.00 and that was for the surgery and an overnight stay over there and all follow up appts. I am feeling wonderful and I just got all the rest of my stitches out and the last of 3 drains out. Now I am just excited to see how the scars are going to turn out and the most wonderful thing besides being able to see my privates? is seeing a belly button for the first time in years. Josephine