GreenChrysalis

Dynamo, it really felt good to be that controlled. I am not perfect but I was so proud of myself for doing it. I hope that it becomes second nature at some point! Taynuh, I think that makes sense to have your planned indulgences. You're still in control, you're not denying yourself anything but you're also not having a free-for-all. I got so caught up in the "bad" foods and "banned" foods when dieting that it always led me to ruin and binging wildly on whatever I was really craving. Tied, I did enjoy my leftovers from Outback, very yummy for lunch the next day and then I just had a small dinner because it was so filling. Not the healthiest place but there are some decent options and modifications you can make here and there. They're pretty good about substitutions and leaving things off/out. Good thing since it is DH's favorite restaurant. Your advice to Shelbi was so great. I have been saying the same thing to my mother who is going through difficult times trying to quit smoking, take care of her own health and deal with her sisters in relation to caring for my elderly grandmother (they expect her to do everything regardless of her own issues). I have seen her give of herself over the years and end up exhausted mentally, emotionally and physically, time and time again. I hope that we can all remember to take care of ourselves first. Well, I think it is safe to say I won't be one of those lucky few who can get by with going a long time between fills. I know mine was just a week ago, and I have heard that they can take awhile to "kick in," but I'm already back to eating more than I was right after the fill. Tracking everything (I love SparkPeople!) helps me to keep the amounts/calories reasonable but I get hungry between meals. Maybe I didn't get enough of a fill to begin with but since it was my first one, I'm still figuring all of this out! I'd better get on scheduling it now since it can take awhile to get in no matter where I go.

I use a toddler-sized fork and spoon for meals at home, that definitely helps me to take smaller bites. I also cut all meats up before I start eating. If I'm eating something that I didn't cut up (or something handheld), I just have to be very mindful. I will look at what I'm putting on the fork and then take half of that. I will consciously take smaller bites of the burrito or whatever it is. I give myself 30 minutes to eat and make myself put down the fork and rest between bites. If I don't chew enough or take big bites, then, OUCH, I get an unpleasant pain in my chest. My DH has also gotten into the habit of watching and telling me to slow down when I need it, which I appreciate. Obviously, I used to gobble my food. One interesting development is discovering that some things aren't as tasty when chewed so thoroughly. Or they're too salty or overly seasoned. Never noticed it before when I was stuffing my face!

Welcome pbpunisher. I hope that you find help and support here regardless of your decision. I just wanted to address wimpys comment about the "bans" on meat, ice cream and carbonated drinks. First, the "no meat" thing -- I have never heard or read that anywhere and am surprised that a surgeon would make such a blanket statement. All bandsters are so different in what they can tolerate. Some can't eat certain types of meat, or meat cooked in certain ways. I'm sure there are some who can't eat meat at all, but I would say that they are in the minority. To say that getting banded means never eating meat again is simply not true. I've only been banded for about six weeks and have had one fill, but I eat meat. I have discovered that I can't eat very dry, tough or fibrous meat, which was something I was aware of as a possibility pre-op. But I have eaten all kinds of meat -- including steak, chicken, pork, shrimp and fish -- without problems as long as they are moist and I take small bites and chew well. As for ice cream it is discouraged because it goes through the band very easily and provides a lot of sugar, calories and fat without much else. But never again is also incorrect. Finally, the carbonated beverages. I have noticed that surgeons vary a lot on this one. Some say nothing about it. Others, like mine, say to avoid it because they believe it can inflate the pouch and cause excessive gas. Some people take little sips or open a can of soda and let it go flat before drinking (which I see no point in doing because the carbonation is part of the enjoyment, but there it is). That's again something that differs from person to person. Personally I decided to just give it up. Yes, I liked my Diet Coke, but I drank maybe one a day if that. I haven't had it in over two months and it's not been that big of a deal. So basically, what I'm saying is that there aren't that many universal absolutes when it comes to post-op diet. It's all about your surgeon, your body and what you choose to do with the tool that is the band.

My surgeon required a low-carb/high-Protein diet and I found that pretty easy to tolerate as it was essentially phase one of Atkins. You could always start there and then ease into liquids if that's the way you want to go. I know everyone isn't like this, so YMMV, but I had no appetite at all for about two weeks post-op and therefore having liquids was not a big deal. And like has been mentioned, there are a lot of ways to be creative with liquids. I think the low-carbing broke the hold that sugar and bread had over me. If you want to do more liquids pre-op, just make sure you're getting in enough protein. My recommended daily minimum is 60 grams. I would suggest trying lots of samples of Protein drinks before surgery. Vitalady.com sells samples of different brands and unjury.com has samples also. I've had some good ones and I've had some disgusting ones; I'd have been pretty mad if I'd spent a lot of money on a powder or drink only to find out that I hated it. :ohmy:

Thanks all for the sympathy regarding the office snafu. I guess my fill did its work as the scale has moved down a few pounds this past week. Of course I have also been sick -- sore throat, stuffiness, coughing, the works. Pretty strange to let Easter pass with eating only one piece of candy -- a Cadbury egg. I thought carefully about what I would want the most and that was it. So it was a planned indulgence, not the free-for-alls of the past. My DH even has additional candy in the fridge and I haven't given it any thought. Who am I? Who is this person who goes to Outback for dinner (DH's favorite restaurant), doesn't touch the Bloomin' Onion or the bread and eats half her little entree? I guess I'll get used to this eventually, but I'm not there yet.

Hey Lizzieann, It may vary depending on whether you have co-morbidities (I don't). But my pre-op visit was pretty basic. I filled out a lot of paperwork. I was weighed and had my blood pressure checked and my lungs listened to. Dr. K described the surgery to me again and gave me post-op instructions. I asked him questions. think that was it. :wink2:

Cara, I think that someone in the office dropped the ball on that one. Dr. K is given a schedule each day (he pulled it out of his pocket to show me when I was there), so I doubt it was his fault. Even if something came up, someone should've called to let you know and reschedule. I wouldn't take one mistake as a reason to give up. I hope you have rescheduled and all goes well!

Hi all, glad to hear that everyone is doing well for the most part! I have to say, I'm feeling a bit sad. I went for my first fill on Tuesday, with an appointment at 2 p.m. Walked into Dr. K's office, signed in and waited. Mary gave me some paperwork to fill out. About halfway through it I realized, wait, why would they need this particular packet of paperwork for a fill? So I went up to the window. Mary then said that my appointment was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. I said no, my card said 2 p.m. Of course I'd left it on my fridge at home (I checked it when I got home and I was right). She said I was there for a consultation. I said no, I'm here for a fill. Then she asked about my surgery date. Eventually, she realized that they had a consult scheduled for 3:30 p.m. for someone with a name very similar to mine. But I was not on the books anywhere for my fill appointment. I had a pretty bad headache and I'd been up since 4:30 a.m. I was already nervous about my first fill. So as you can imagine I started feeling upset and panicking...what if I couldn't get a fill today? I came all that way. I could not take off more days. I texted my husband, all freaked out. After talking with Marilyn, Mary said they'd get me in, and I didn't have to wait too long. She stopped by Robin's office to ask if she needed to see me. I have no idea why she would -- I didn't owe anything -- and she didn't. Then Mary took me into the room to weigh me (wish they could weigh me nude & first thing in the morning as I do -- is that TMI? :wink2:). She asked if I had my card and I said no, you told me you'd mail it to me, but I never got it. So she made me one. I figured I had the standard AP band, but of course I needed a card that said so. Then she took me into the fill room. Dr. K came in shortly and he thanked me for the birthday card I sent. He had two students with him. The needle barely hurt at all, although sitting up with a syringe sticking out of you is an odd thing (and so is the feeling when it's pulled out!). I ended up with 1.6 cc, and I definitely feel some restriction. I was worried about getting too tight, so we erred on the side of caution. Dr. K was kind and genial as he had been in my past experiences, chatted with me and made sure I was doing OK. But I was disappointed with how I was treated by the office staff. Yes, they got me in and I got my fill, that was the most important thing. Everyone makes mistakes and I get that. But it wasn't very friendly at all and I didn't really get an apology for the scheduling mix-up. I don't plan to go back -- not because of this -- as I'd already intended to do the rest of my fills locally. On the plus side, the weather was gorgeous and I did a little sightseeing. The Museum of Nature & Science is fantastic -- much bigger and nicer than a similar one that we have here, and cheaper. I was in and out so quickly (left early yesterday afternoon -- I could only take two days off work). I knew you guys had just had the RR meetup recently, so I'm sorry I didn't get to see any of you locals. But I'm also painfully, seriously shy. :wink2:

I took children's ibuprofen for the first few days of my period when the cramps were really bad -- I agree that acetaminophen just doesn't cut it in those situations.

Hey Tangerine4, Ask your surgeon why he thinks that RNY would be better for you. Has he done a lot of lapbands? Is comfortable with doing the surgery? Is he unaware of the latest research about the risks and benefits? Will he still band you and provide you with support and aftercare even if he thinks RNY would've been better for you? You should definitely discuss all of this with your surgeon and make him aware of your reasons for wanting the band. If you still definitely want it and his reasons for suggesting RNY are not compelling enough for you, it's time to find a new surgeon. Good luck!

Good for you, angelsvoice! You can do it! Lise, some surgeons recommend not using a straw to drink because you take in additional air, which could bloat your stomach and cause gas. Also, it's thought that people usually take bigger sips when drinking from a straw. Another one of those things that vary from surgeon to surgeon.

Hi Jeanie6, I find it's more important to focus on getting enough protein than sticking to under 1000 calories; the protein keeps you feeling full. As for how I get 60 grams per day, I haven't found it that difficult. Half of a skinless chicken breast, for example, has about 25 grams (since you're still on mushies, you could process or blend it. You could use a little salsa, hot sauce, whatever seasoning you want). Half a cup of cottage cheese has 14. Two scrambled eggs have about 12. So for me it's just about choosing high-protein foods. I also use protein shakes as snacks and occasionally as breakfast; they're always under 170 calories and at least 15 grams of protein as that's what my nutritionist recommended. I don't always hit 60 exactly but I get pretty close. Hope that helps and good luck!

Really?! :biggrin: I'm not a picky person and I couldn't even get it down. It definitely goes to show you that it's a good idea to try lots of different kinds before making an investment (I read stories on here of people buying big containers of Protein powder only to find out that they hated 'em). Sample packs are the best way to go, I think.

I like the Atkins and EAS Carb Control ready-to-drink shakes. I also have gotten Designer Whey powder. I tried a lot of samples from Vitalady.com but most of them tasted gross to me and required a lot of mixing. The Designer Whey powder mixes easily with a spoon. unjury is OK too, but the strawberry sorbet flavor is the worst. IMHO. :biggrin:

Hey Dee! I am so glad that there's a fellow green-lover.:angry_smile: My fill is on Tuesday also, at 2 p.m. Your baby name stories crack me up. I guess when you're working in the NICU you must have a sense of humor at times. And sometimes babies can look so nice and juicy...:cursing: I am PMSing too. I ate more at dinner last night than I'd eaten since before the pre-op diet. Not bad stuff, and not even close to my previous quantities, but still a lot. So come on, fill time!

I just wanted to say "hi" to my fellow Georgians. I go for my first fill next week & it's time....I'm eating more, getting hungry between meals, not losing weight. I am so glad to have lost what I have so far, but OTOH, I have felt bad about the fact that 20 pounds on some people is major while on me it's just a drop in the bucket! Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well. I need to make an effort to post more here because local support is always nice. After my first fill I will go to a local doc for fills so you may see me asking opinions of different people. :angry_smile:

Hey Jeanie and all of my fellow VVs, sounds like we are doing well! BTW, NSV is Non Scale Victory. :angry_smile: Yesterday was my one-month bandiversary. Weight loss halted when I started on real food, but that's OK, I go for my first fill next week. I can eat more, I feel hungry between meals, so it's time to get going. I'm doing pretty good on the protein (at least 60g a day) and calories (800-1100, depending) Now if I can just kick my butt into exercising, because surely that would help.

Thanks Lap -- it is definitely the hardest part. I wish I'd been at home for my first PB, I would've liked to run around! But since it was elsewhere, it was just me sitting at the table thinking "oh no, oh no, it's stuck" and then standing in the bathroom wishing that it would hurry up and end. Well, I get my first fill next week. I know I am ready for it; I am no longer losing weight (I've gained back a pound or two but I'm not changing my ticker, goshdarnit), I can eat more and I get hungry between meals. I'm looking forward to the fill, a little nervous of the unknown but I know that everyone's been through it and I'll be just fine. Happy Friday!

I don't count carbs, but I do look at the quality of the carbs that I am eating and try to focus on high-Fiber foods like whole grains (I can eat bread but I haven't had a fill yet) and vegetables. More veggies than fruits. And no sugar, of course.

Kind of sad that there hasn't been more activity here. I'm not sure what I can add at the moment, though. I am in therapy right now and although initially it was to deal with emotional/compulsive eating, I've learned how much having an alcoholic parent relates to that. It's all tied up together. I'm sure there are more adult children of alcoholics on LBT; I hope that they can find this thread and share.

Since you don't have to deal with insurance, I wouldn't worry about it as much. It really depends on the surgeon. Some won't do the surgery on anybody with a BMI under 40 without co-morbidities and some will. If yours won't, you can probably find one who would.

If you do a search for PB, you will get multiple variations of a similar answer. But essentially it stands for Productive Burping. It happens when you eat something that doesn't pass through your stoma and it gets stuck. Many people experience sliming, which is when you get a lot of saliva built up in your mouth and cannot swallow it. PBs have different effects on different people. For many of them they get the feeling that they have a "golfball" stuck in their esophagus, or they have a feeling of pressure and/or pain in their chest. Often just bending over will cause the stuck food to come back up. The one time it happened to me, there was a burping sound before it came out. It's a reminder, at least in my opinion, to chew slowly, eat smaller bites and be careful with certain foods that are more likely to get stuck. It's why some people avoid certain foods completely. Everybody is different. Good luck!

Hello Sooner. I am so sorry that you're dealing with this lack of support from your husband. I would agree with those who say that he's scared -- not of you experiencing complications from surgery, but of you changing while he stays the same. If you are both significantly overweight with multiple health problems, then he doesn't have to look too closely at himself. He can always say, well, at least I'm not the only one, she has problems too. We're in it together. But if you start losing weight and get your health issues under control, then that will force him to take a look at his own health. I am sure that you have been on countless diets like many of us have. And it's not as though you decided out of the blue to have lapband; you had a doctor recommend it and you have been learning more about it. So it sounds as though you are going into this with your eyes open and with the understanding of what it entails, not making a snap decision. I think you should say that you understand his concerns, but you have carefully thought this through and decided that it is what you have to do for your own well-being. He doesn't have to like it, but you would appreciate his support and his attempt to see it from your point of view. Support groups, if you can get him to go to one, would be very helpful. That way he could see/hear what other spouses experience. You might also consider counseling. It is very hard to contemplate doing something this life-changing without the support of your SO. But at the same time, it is your life. You should not hold back from doing what you think is best for yourself. You have been married a long time and I am sure that during those years, you have weathered many storms and made it through to the other side. I hope that you can make it through this, as well. Good luck!

Hi dp00024. I did not tell any of my co-workers and I work with mostly women also. I took four days off work and told my supervisor that I had to have abdominal surgery. They cannot ask you what kind of surgery and you are not under any obligation to tell them. When I came back and a few people asked if I was sick, I told them I had surgery but I was doing well, thanks. Nobody pried any further. If they had, I would've told them that it was personal. (I know when you say that, people probably usually assume it was a "female" thing but who cares.) I didn't want to lie. I usually brought my lunch anyway and often ate at my desk, so if anybody noticed that what I ate changed, they didn't say anything. At the few work functions with food that we have had since I was banded, I just got something to drink or took a little bit of something I could chew a lot and get down easily, like fruit depending on where I was in the post-op diet. Nobody commented on that, either. I had bad gas pains a few times right after surgery, so I just got up and walked around. I found things I could do that required me to move around the office anyway. If I had a PB incident at work, the bathroom isn't far away. I know some people tell everybody but I think that's a very personal choice and you should do what is best for you. I hope it works out for you!

Can you have another type of Protein shake? There are lots of them -- if you're allowed to try a different kind, then experiment. There are many different kinds of broths besides chicken and beef, too -- try different ones. It sounds like your pre-op diet is Protein shakes and Clear liquids? You may be dealing with carb withdrawal if you're a big carb addict like I am. I felt nauseous and had headaches the first few days of my pre-op diet. And you're probably experiencing a fair amount of head hunger. I know it's a struggle, but just think of the end results. You can do this. Look at all the people here who have been successful. It seems like it'll be forever, but it's really a short period out of your life. Hang in there.:grouphug: