LisaB411

I was banded on 4/11. Pre-surgery I took 2000 mg daily of Glucophage XR (the time-released version of Glucophage.) I tried taked regular Glucophage, but was always sick. The problem now is the Glucophage XR pills are HUGE and they specifically say not to cut or crush them. I just don't see how I could get them down. At this point, I have cut way back on my insulin, and could probably stop using it completely if I could get down the Glucophage. Anyone with a similar situation?

For the first time in my life I am exercising regularly and am excited about it. I'm doing well with cardio -- walking mostly -- but I want to work on my abs, legs, and arms. Does anyone have a good DVD to recommend?

Why don't you try eating "regular" (i.e. not soft) foods, eating slowing and chewing well, and eating without drinking before you go for something more drastic. A nutritionist can help with your diet while nursing, and your doctor can evaluate you for another fill.

If you are keeping down food, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I can eat a lot of popcorn, and not feel full. Try eating a normal meal (protein and veggies) and see what happens.

Everyone is different as to what they have trouble eating. As long as you can eat solid foods, I wouldn't worry too much about the specifics. A lot of people have trouble w/ scrambled eggs -- it's just a texture thing -- they can be kind of rubbery. Adding a little bit of cheese can help. If you are getting stuck a lot, you may need a little bit of an unfill. My doc says you should be able to eat a meal in 20-30 minutes and be satisfied. If you can't do that, ask your doctor if he/she thinks you would be better off with an unfill.

I eat sushi and don't have any problems with it. I don't eat a whole piece at a time though, I just take small bites. It's kind of messy, but it works. At first I would cut the piece of sushi up into very small pieces. Now I can just take small bites without cutting it up. I'm sure a sushi chef would frown at me, but you do what you gotta do.

Not all diabetes meds promote weight gain. What are you taking? I had the same experience. I was able to cut out my insulin and most of my oral meds during the pre-op liquid diet and for the first few weeks post-op. But when you start eating again, your blood sugar is going to go up. I noticed a big drop in the amount of insulin I needed after I lost 10% of my body weight. My endocrinologist says there's a big difference when you drop 20% of your body weight too. I know it's hard, but be patient. Your blood sugar will come around.

I had to do a week of low-carb liquids. It was horrible. My doctor said they know people cheat, and it's not a life or death situation if you do. many doctors believe that the quick weight loss a liquid pre-op diet gives helps to shrink the liver and make the surgery easier. My doctor said he has never not been able to do the surgery because someone's liver was too big, but with larger patients he requires a longer pre-op diet. I cheated a little, mostly with low-carb things like an egg or some sort of lean Protein. One day I was on a car trip and was getting horrible headaches from the lack of food. I stopped at a mini-mart on the interstate, bought a hot dog, and scarfed it down without the bun. I felt sooooo much better.

Could your blood sugar be low? Try drinking something with some carbs in it and see if the sweating gets better.

It depends on your plan -- check with them. I have BCBS Federal and was approved 3 months after signing up with them.

If you can keep down liquids and soft foods, you most likely do not have a slipped band. Your doctor should have someone available for emergencies. Call him/her.

Well, you won't need food -- you will probably be on a liquid diet. Bring whatever you are supposed to drink, some Gas Ex strips if gas bothers you, and a pillow for your back, if it is bothering you. I was fine to sit and walk around by Day 4 post op. I was moving kind of slow, but I was fine. Bring some over the counter pain meds like tylenol w/ you too.

Be sure to talk to your surgeon about Byetta. I tried it, and while it worked well as far as lowering my blood sugar, I couldn't tolerate it. One of the common side effects of Byetta is nausea. I was sick to my stomach every time I took it. It was miserable. You don't want to be vomiting if you have the band because it can cause the band to slip. There are meds that can ease the nausea, and most people find that the nausea subsides after a few weeks. Now this is just my 2 cents as a diabetic, but I would ask your doctor about other meds first. Glucophage or a sulfonylurea are commonly prescribed ones.

Here's how I explain it to people: For me, losing weight without the band is like playing tennis with a salmon instead of a racket. It's possible, but really hard. The band is just my "racket." It's a tool that makes it easier to play the game.

I have a glass of wine every now and then. Beer is like soda -- it can hurt going down and some doctors tell you to stay away from it. You may notice that you feel drunk sooner after the band.

Like a lot of people with a band, I have trouble with bread. I can eat toast and wraps and flatbread, but a sandwich, for instance, would be hard. I found a new product at the grocery store last week that is great. Arnold Bakery Sandwich Thins. They are like really thin sandwich buns and when you toast them, they are really crispy. I just had a tuna sandwich on one of them and it was really good, and I had no trouble eating in. They are 100 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 5 grams of fiber, and come in whole grain white, multi-grain, and whole wheat. A good alternative if you miss sandwiches. :crying:

My eating habit have improved greatly since getting my band in April. I used to drink LOTS of diet soda, for example. Now I might have one or two a month, and I rarely crave it. (My doctor says a diet soda once in awhile isn't is fine.) I used to want fast food ALL the time. Now I couldn't care less about it. I don't even crave my all time favorite -- McDonald's french fries. I rarely even want chocolate or other sweets. However, there are certain foods now that I crave that I never did before -- peanuts, mexican food (mostly nachos), and popcorn. Maybe it's the salt I am craving, but it seems weird that my tastes have changed so much. Anyone else have new cravings?

Have you talked to your boss about this? Something like, "It's important that I got to this appointment. Here's how I will make up the work... Will you please be sure to sign my request as soon as possible?"

The liquid pre-op diet in some form is common. Basically doctors want you to lose some weight before surgery to shrink your liver, so the surgery is easier to perform.

My doctor said just to avoid using a straw for the first couple of days after surgery, as it may increase gas. If it's not bothering you, use a straw if you want.

If your blood sugar goes too low, you are going to need some carbs. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to drink some clear juice like apple or white grape if you need it. Ask your doctor to be sure, but don't mess with low blood sugar.

If you don't take meds, you should be fine. Check your blood sugar often and have some juice around in case you do go too low.

Most of the South Beach diet info is on the website South Beach Diet

I have BCBS Federal in VA. I didn't get an official "approval" either, but they paid everything they were supposed to. My doctor said they are usually really good, and are one of the easiest plans to work with. Do you meet their criteria for approval? (BMI over 40? Co-morbidities?) If so, I wouldn't worry too much.

You really shouldn't be getting stuck every day. Have you talked to your doctor about this? You may need a little bit of an unfill. I've never been stuck for more than 15-20 minutes. My doctor says if it goes on for more than 30 minutes to call. If you are really stuck, the doctor can let the fluid out of your band and whatever is stuck should pass right through. Chewing papaya tablets can help too.