kgloverii

Bigmomma, As a michigander, I am SO SORRY your doc didn't do what you needed him to do to make YOU successful.I am so glad you got the fill you needed. My motto this whole experience has been "Work the Band" and it is TRUE. Till you get to that sweet spot, and feel that satisfied feeling you have, it is very hard to control your eating, cause YOU ARE HUNGRY. Here's to hoping you have found your sweet spot! Big hugs!

Ok, here's an obvious one, but we often forget the little things add up. Like parking the car in the last spot from the store. Walk your booty all the way from the end of the parking lot. You'll be glad you did. it all adds up.

I couldn't find him as being registered with the ASBS. If that is the case, I suggest you look elsewhere. That is like, the bare minimum ANY band doc should have to even have *consideration.*

Sauce is ALWAYS a good thing. Marinades, Ketchup... always makes it better. But some things, no matter how marinaded they are just don't work.

I chose to tell everyone who wanted to know. I want them to know there are options for long term success. They look at me and KNOW without a DOUBT that the band WORKS. But, some people are self-conscious about having people 'watch what they eat' etc. DH told his dad (who is not really close to us, and lives on the other side of the country). I was NOT comfortable with that because of his personality... but I got over it. What is done is done. And now, I look hot. :thumbup: BTW, my young kids knew what I had done, obviously in very simple terms. They have mentioned my 'rubber band' in public a couple times. I guess I am glad I am honest about it. Rather have me tell, than my kids. LOL.

My doc did not do barium or endoscopy. I was tested on Water though. And I've had an upper GI fifteen months after surgery and all was confirmed as placed fine. So, it is NOT a requirement. My doc has done so many bands I trust his judgment.

I am sorry to hear about this, but VERY glad that your nurse cared enough to really evaluate the situation you were having. This time of healing to your pouch is very important, and it is so good they caught this issue BEFORE you had a SERIOUS complication. The dilated pouch should resolve itself over time if you are doing the right things, and this time unfilled will remind you of the bandster rules, so that you don't have to do this over again...

Flouro is not necessary as long as you have someone who knows what the heck they are doing. In most countries (besides the US) standard practice is to do fills without flouro. My doc does my fills 'blind' without flouro and has always gotten me on the first try. Hope you stay on the road to recovery!

I'd go down 2 sizes. A corset got me down a full size when I got married. Corsets are a good thing, in case.

A tiny unfill does not sound like a bad idea. it will afford you the ability to be more adventurous with your food, and you may make a bunch of REALLY healthy choices, and continue to be losing. If so, you might choose not to get that fluid put in for awhile. I am at a very sweet spot right now, but cannot eat everything I want. I am planning that when my weight loss finally stabilizes (I am still losing), I might get that small unfill and just maintain from there. I'd like the opportunity to choose additional foods that don't go down well right now... but right now the weight loss is really nice, so I'm staying where I am... for now. Have a GREAT trip!

This is an easy sub for potatoes and my family totally does not miss the potatoes when i make my full fat version. and for my diabetic husband, cauliflower is MUCH better carb-wise, and for EVERYONE, it is much healthier....

i remember doing this with the ground beef as kids too... i'd do sirloin now... And for me, that sirloin would go down better than the chicken... thanks for the reminder. delish!

Plain, don't forget about that inappropriate ass rub you do... :cursing:

I think carbonation is only one part of the equation... The fake sugars in diet soda are a whole other animal that contribute to weight gain and slow weight loss... Those fake chemicals are just bad news... and I am not sold on that 'Truvia' crap either...

Check with your doc... if you are super inflamed, they may okay 3 tsp of baby motrin to be taken every 6 hours for a day or so to help with the inflammation after a too tight band. My doc gave the thumbs up as long as I take it along with Zantac to avoid irritation. It has made a HUGE difference for me in times of extreme inflammation and has made it so that I tolerate stuff in my tummy much better....

Cream soups were on my full liquid list as well, but you must strain them first because of the 'pieces' of stuff in them...

There are definitely differences between scales... and remember: going to the bathroom, and having that extra glass of water can make a difference of at least a pound sometimes... Or, if you ate salty food, you could retain some water throughout the day. Go with YOUR scale at home cause that will be the most consistent. I weigh myself after my potty in the AM, with no clothes on consistently to get a pretty accurate representation... it works for me!!!

Per online study: Method From January to May 2001, a prospective randomized study of 60 LAGB procedures was conducted: group I (n=30), the Lap-Band system (INAMED); group II (n=30), the Heliogast band (Helioscopie). We implanted the devices using the 2-step technique (pars flaccida to peri-gastric) by laparoscopy. Port systems were placed on the rectus sheath and were fixed by non-absorbable sutures. Follow-up of all patients was a minimum of 12 months. Results There were no differences in operating-time, intra-operative complications, or weight loss during the first 4 weeks after surgery. However, with increasing time, more complications with the Heliogast band and differences in weight loss favoring the Lap-Band became significant. ___________________________________________________ This band is not FDA approved. You may find a doctor who is willing to fill it, but if you run into any issues at all, you will not be able to be helped by a local hospital, and you will have to go back to Mexico. Also, if you move, relocate, or your fill person does, you will have to find someone else to provide your aftercare, which will be NOT be easy. I **highly** suggest you choose an FDA approved Lap-Band for ease of care within the US. You will have a hard enough time getting aftercare as a Mexican patient as it is.

Patience is a virtue with the band. Do you have good restriction? If you need to lose a certain weight for something specific, I'd suggest counting your calories religiously, going low-carb, and also upping the intensity of your workouts...

WOO HOO! That is the best feeling ever, isn't it? I was in complete SHOCK when it happened to me. I wasn't a size six since I was like, 11. Seriously. So I know EXACTLY the excitement you feel. YOU ARE AWESOME! GO GIRL!!!

I have never subscribed to the 8 glasses per day theory... However, when you have a band, you need to make sure you are getting enough fluids... Dehydration with the band is VERY serious and you can end up REALLY tight if you don't watch your fluid intake. I know, because it has happened to me... So, with the band, I suggest you drink a couple extra glasses over your thirst cues to make sure you're doing the right thing.

Miralax all the way.

I am at optimal restriction and cheese is a food that is very good to me. I buy my cheeses from the deli, freshly sliced: provolone, muenster, hot pepper (yum!). No issues ever... Even when I am tight. As for the sandwich, I don't eat sandwiches. But you'll get over the bread thing as you go along...

Are you trying to get individual health insurance? if so, you will probably not be able to find ANY individual policy that covers weight loss surgery, and if they will, you will have a LONG wait time.

I've sent you a private message...