Enchanted

I'm glad to hear that you've done some asking around. Call to ask their nutritionist or nurse about your pre- and post-op diets. They should be able to help you out. It must feel good to have saved all of that money and now be moving on to the big day! I'm really impressed with anyone who wants it so much to save (and then spend!) that kind of money. Good for you!

Nice going, Catherine!

When someone is really big to start, it's more difficult to see the weight loss even though the pounds are coming off. I see nothing wrong with being encouraging, "You look so good!"

This does sound like just a small set back. Like you, I'm so close to my goal. I recently gained some weight (long trip away from home..blah blah blah..excuses, excuses) and have been feeling just terrible about it. But the reality of the situation is that this is not a sprint to the finish line. I'm in this for life and if I have one bad month, it's going to be ok. Unlike me, the set-back you're experiencing is no fault of your own. Try to watch what you're eating during these next couple of weeks - give your stomach a bit of a rest - and then get that fill and be back on track. I feel so certain that this is a momentary blip for you. xoox

Using message board terms: You slimed. You did not PB. If the food would not have gone down on its own, it could have led to a PB - or vomit. Slow down. Small bites. Chew lots.

No coffee restrictions here. If I'm drinking coffee, though, I usually count only half of the ounces as my water for the day. So a 16 ounce iced coffee is only 8 ounces of "water" for me.

I had Aetna POS Choice at the time of my surgery. There was no waiting period required. Probably different benefits within the same plan.

I'm surprised that your surgeon's office hasn't already given you instructions for pre-op and post-op diets. Have you had loads of pre-op testing done? Your surgery is so soon. Most people have to have pre-op testing done because insurance requires it - but even without insurance coverage, it's a good idea. I'm not trying to be critical or freak you out. Just worried that you're not getting all of the information you need and your surgery date is very near. xoox

Sometimes, not gaining is the best we can hope for. I've not lost anything for months - but that is so very different from the old me. This is the band doing its job - keeping me from overeating too much and stopping me from regaining all (+more) that I've lost. I noticed that you didn't answer my Qs about what you're eating, when you last saw your doc, etc. The lapband isn't going to take care of these things for you - you have to help it do its job, you know? xoox

The purpose of the liquid diet pre-op is to help shrink your liver to make your surgery easier / possible. My doc did not require a liquid pre-op diet. There are people here whose livers did not shrink enough and were not able to have their surgery. My thought is that you should always do what your doctor tells you. My other thought is that a small meal at a wedding one time during the two weeks will not harm anything, but do you really want to take my word for it and end up not being able to have your surgery as scheduled?

The most difficult part for me has been trying to find the sweet spot. Too loose, too tight, too loose, too tight. I think it's difficult not because of the doctor visits, but more because I have to readjust my eating habits with each adjustment to the band. This is by no means to imply that I regret my decision. I absolutely do not.

I've not talked with my family of origin for more than 15 years now. It's been difficult and I think about them all of the time. My suggestion is that you try a trial separation. No need to be big and dramatic about this - you're simply not available. Try it for a month - maybe you just need a break from the action. Or..try seeing your family on your terms. You can limit the time, limit the location. Maybe you limit it to just email for awhile? I do think it's sometimes necessary to sever all communications, but it's a last resort. Have you thought about talking with a therapist about this? They can listen and help you make the best decision for you and your family. xoox

What are you eating? Are you staying hydrated? When was the last time you saw your doc - and what are they saying the problem is?

If too much is taken out, you can go back in a couple of weeks and have part of it put back. I danced between fill / unfill a few times before it was just right.

Surgery on Thursday, back to work on Monday. (But...I work from home, didn't even need to get dressed.)

RealMe: When was the last time you saw your doctor? Sounds like you probably need a fill. How did they determine that your fill was sufficient? If you're hungry, snacking, and not losing weight, you are probably not tight enough. Lizzy: Sounds like you also need to see your doctor. If you can only eat food that slide right down and aren't getting in enough Water, you are probably too tight. I hate HATE going to the doctor, but I'm committed. Even when I gained 12 pounds in May, I came home from my trip and immediately scheduled an appointment. I'm now going back every two weeks (accountability!) until I lose what I've gained. You have to take charge of your health. You have to.

Sorry about your slip. I have heard that some people with a slip can leave it go for awhile and see if things get better on their own. I'm sure it depends on how bad it is. Let us know how you're doing?

Oh my gosh, yes. She needs to get back to the doctor. I sometimes have some discomfort from my port, but that's it...mild discomfort. Let us know.

If you're really and truly hungry all of the time and able to eat whatever you like without restriction, I would keep going back to the doctor until you have some answers. Take documentation of what you're eating. How much food (weigh everything), Water, Snacks, everything. Give them as much information as you can so they can help you out. I have to wonder if maybe you are restricted, but perhaps just not remembering what it was like to be 100% unrestricted. I'm also more than a year post-op and I have a hard time visualizing exactly how much I was eating before the band. Hang in there. Keep in touch with your doc.

Call your doctor and have this looked at. It could be just normal "movement" of the port - as you lose weight, you could start to feel it more. Or..it could be a hernia. Pain is generally a warning that something is not right. xoxo

What you were imagining is probably exactly what was happening....a large blob of pasta working its way through your stoma. Sometimes, this can be very painful...sometimes, it feels more like pressure. You were lucky this time.

Everyone is different, but most people cannot (much) bread. I could not eat a sandwich, for example, but could eat a bite or two of a crunchy crust of a piece of bread (hardly seems worth the effort, but sometimes it is). I've had salads. They are sometimes trouble, but that's usually because I've not chewed well enough. Unlike most with the lapband, I can have a little Pasta (not that I should have it!) and not end up in trouble. OK...so I think that answers all of your questions, but what I really read in your post is that you're having trouble separating yourself from your best friend (food). That is completely normal. It's a process. Some days, you'll do better than other days. You'll find a new normal. You will. xoxo

Difficulty swallowing is one of the symptoms of being too tight. However, if you've just had the fill, you might wait a day to see if the swelling goes down a bit and leaves you in a happier place. Of course, if you're throwing up or having night coughs, you'll want to call your doc right away. xoxo

I think I'd be concerned, too. If your doc is only available once per month for fills, what happens if you get stuck bad and need an emergency unfill? They must have a plan for that happening since it does happen. In any event...what is written in above responses is correct. If you follow the post-fill diet (I do liquids for four days and then soft foods for two), you should be able to tell before you try "real" food if you're too tight. xoxo

I have found that in the first 2-3 days after a fill, I am super tight and can only take small sips of water. I'm sure this is from the swelling caused by the fill. After things settle down, I'm ok again. Warm water and tiny sips help.