Lunabeane

I can't feel my band but i can feel when I've had too much food or too fast.

refried Beans with low fat cheese and taco sauce canned chicken with light mayo (add dill, salt, and pepper) Water packed tuna with light mayo veggie chili with fat free sour cream (I found the soy "meat" easier to swallow) black beans with fat free sour cream, chili powder and cumin couscous with chicken broth mashed sweet potatoes with I can't believe it's not butter, salt and pepper sugar free Jello pudding grits cottage cheese oatmeal

I know what you mean. Realistically I knew that the weight would come off slowly...which is why I chose this route but I still wanted it to come off faster! I was banded two days after you were and I have lost 18 pounds. However, I've only lost 3lbs in the last 2 weeks. I KNOW that this is wonderful as it would have taken me six months to take off 18lbs pre-banding and is more than I have been able to lose in 7 years. I just saw my Dr. on Monday and he said that I was doing wonderful but advised me to drop from 1200 calories a day to 800 calories a day if I could do it. I haven't been able to get down to 800 but have been able to reduce my caloric intake to 900 calories. I go for my first fill on June 27 and hope to speed up my weightloss after that. I do know what my problem is; I haven't been very successful at exercising and it's getting me pretty down. Why can't I get off my ass and walk? I did start swimming the other day now that our pool is open but there is something about me (LAZY) that just can't get it together in the exercise department. Do you feel that you are losing inches? Some of my pants are super baggy while others just feel a bit loose. I know that you'll do well...just stay with it. One of the other members (justlosingme?) suggested that I switch up my daily caloric intake...900 one day, 1000 another, and 1200 another day. I've been doing this and it seems to be working. I woke up with 1lb. lost today!

I have high blood pressure and was not denied surgery. I take 160mg of Diovan and 12.5mg of hydrochlorothiazide daily to keep my blood pressure under control. On a good day my BP is 135/72 but it often goes higher. I agree about the consumption of caffiene...mine is much higher on days that I drink more than 2 cups of coffee. I would inquire about different blood pressure meds...as the first script that I had (can't remember what it was) wasn't nearly as effective as the Diovan. Are you exercising? Physical activity often decreases blood pressure. In addition to exercise you might want to decrease the amount of sodium that you are taking in and take note of any over the counter medications that you are taking. Causes of High Blood Pressure In most cases of high blood pressure, the American Heart Association says there is no one identifiable cause. This kind of high blood pressure is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension. It is usually a combination of factors, such as: Weight. The greater your body mass, the more pressure there is on your artery walls. That's because more blood is produced to supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues in your body. Activity level. Lack of physical activity tends to increase heart rate, which forces your heart to work harder with each contraction. Tobacco use. Chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco can damage artery walls. Sodium intake. Excessive sodium in the diet can result in Fluid retention and high blood pressure, especially in people sensitive to sodium. Potassium intake. Low potassium can result in elevated sodium in cells, because the two balance one another. Stress. Stress can raise blood pressure. Alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol intake can, over time, increase the risk of heart disease. Age. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you get older. Family history. High blood pressure often runs in families. Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure Lifestyle changes and natural remedies may help to control high blood pressure, but your doctor may also recommend medication to lower high blood pressure. It is important to work with your doctor, because untreated high blood pressure may damage organs in the body and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, brain hemorrhage, kidney disease, and vision loss. See a drawing of a hypertensive heart. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) There is some evidence that the supplement coq10 may help to reduce high blood pressure. A 12 week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 83 people with systolic hypertension examined the effect of CoQ10 supplements (60 mg twice daily). After the 12 weeks, there was a mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of 17.8 mm Hg in the Coq10-treated group. Another study conducted at the University of Western Australia looked at the effect of CoQ10 on blood pressure and glycemic control in 74 people with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 100mg CoQ10 twice daily, 200mg of the drug fenfibrate, both, or neither for 12 weeks. CoQ10 significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure(mean reduction 6.1 mm Hg and 2.9 mm Hg respectively). There was also a reduction in HbA1C, a marker for long-term glycemic control. To learn more about CoQ10, read the Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) fact sheet. Garlic In a meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials of garlic supplements, three trials showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and four in diastolic blood pressure. Researchers concluded that garlic powder supplement may be of clinical use in patients with mild high blood pressure. Garlic supplements should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. Garlic can thin the blood (reduce the ability of blood to clot) similar to aspirin. Garlic may interact with many drugs and supplements such as the prescription "blood-thinners" drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin) or Trental (pentoxifylline), aspirin, Vitamin E, gingko. It is usually recommended that people taking garlic stop in the weeks before and after any type of surgery. To learn more about garlic, go to the articles about garlic. Hawthorn The herb hawthorn is often used by traditional herbal practitioners for high blood pressure. In a randomized controlled trial conducted by researchers in Reading, UK, 79 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive either 1200 mg of hawthorn extract a day or placebo for 16 weeks. Medication for high blood pressure was used by 71% of the patients. At the end of the 16 weeks, patients taking the hawthorn supplement had a significant reduction in mean diastolic blood pressure (2.6 mm Hg). No herb-drug interactions were reported. Fish oil Preliminary studies suggest that fish oil may have a modest effect on high blood pressure. Although fish oil supplements often contain both DHA (docohexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), there is some evidence that DHA is the ingredient that lowers high blood pressure. Learn more about fish oil. Folic acid Folate is a B vitamin necessary for formation of red blood cells. It may help to lower high blood pressure in some people, possibly by reducing elevated homocysteine levels. One small study of 24 cigarette smokers found that four weeks of folic acid supplementation significantly lowered blood pressure. Learn more about folic acid.

No blaming or flaming from me but I do have serious concern for your well being. I understand what people do in times of desperation and I think that all of the responses that you received here (not via email) were posted out of serious concern for your welfare. Some people have difficulty expressing themselves and at times their words get lost in written form. I really think that you should consider making some phone calls to Drs. in your area, explain your situation to them, and then develop a game plan. If you feel uncomfortabe making the phone calls, I will gladly make them for you. If you PM me your zip code I'll call around to some fill centers and/or bariatric centers in your area. Let me know.

Your Dr. should have you speak to a nutritionist and provide you with detailed information about what to expect and what to eat post surgery. It's very important that you have this information prior to making the decision to have the band. I'm always shocked at home many people were not given the appropriate information necessary to succeed prior to having the band put in. I love LBT but I really had all of the information that I needed through consults with my surgeon, nutritionist, and lifestyle meetings. I like that I can come here and see the huge milestones that people make and have ask questions and get immediate answers for people who are living with the band...but it's important that your relationship with your medical staff is well established.

It's not bad...especially when 2 or 3oz of food actually keep you satisfied. I eat about a cup of food at a time and I eat approximately every 3-4 hours. I cook for my family every night...everyday now that we are on summer vacation and it hasn't been a problem.

I'm sorry that she said that to you...however...if it wasn't that it would have been some other rude comment. For example...you had the surgery so that your husband wouldn't leave you! It's unbelievable that people feel that they can make statements like that. I'm glad that you have the support of your dad...screw the rest of them!

I am the nausea queen! I am also the master vomiter...can do it on demand! However, I have never had one moment of nausea since my surgery...not even on the day of in the recovery room. This was a huge concern of mine and had me more anxious than the actual surgery. My Dr. required anti-nausea medication to be administered via IV immediately following the surgery and throughout the evening and next day of surgery. I was not sent home with anti-nausea meds and have been fine for the last month. Good luck!

I really think that you'll be fine. It's going to be difficult not having support but as long as you have your husband there with you for the day of the surgery you should be fine. How old are your children? If they are young you might want to consider hiring a sitter to come and care for them in-house while you recover for a couple of days. This way, you will still have them near you but not have toworry about picking up kids or dealing with meals. In addition, you might want to start preparing for meals by pre-making them and freezing them. This way you will have them ready to be heated and served with little preparation time. Good luck on your band and your move...and don't worry about what people think or say. Those people that are truly your friends will support you once the surgery comes around.

Have you tried just taking them with water? I have been taking all of my pills since the day after surgery. However, I did have to have one of my meds switched to liquid form. Remember, you cannot crush pills that are extended release. You could call your doctor and ask to write scripts for liquids for some of the larger pills. I spread my pills over a period of several hours and take them with water. I'm not sure why you are limited to such a small amount of jello. I at jello after jello during my liquid stage. If he only wants you to eat small portions then spread it out throughout the day.

I just got my final bill for my surgery. I payed a total of $400 for my surgery. That included the lifestyle classes, psych eval, endoscopy, upper GI, chest xray, bloodwork, and surgery

I go to starbucks everyday and order a tall decaf iced cafe americano with a shot of sugar free vanilla syrup.

This is not what my dietician recommended. My dietician recommended 1000-1200 calories per day. I've slowed down in my weightloss as well and was wondering what your daily caloric intake was.

I have a new mole. It's the band...the band did it.

I sent the guidelines to the two emails provided. Sorry it took a bit longer than anticipated.

I would have one of your daughters take you to the ER. At this stage in the game you shouldn't be feeling like this. Have you been getting your 64oz. of water in? I really hope that you feel better.

If you aren't scheduled for surgery until June 11th then I would call your general practitioner and go in for a visit. If you need antibiotics you will be able to fit in a full course by the time your surgery comes around. I came down with a urinary tract infection seven days before my surgery. I called the Dr. immediately and was able to get in a full course of antibiotics before the surgery date. You want to make sure that you are as healthy as possible for this surgery. I have very back allergies that often leads to bronchitis and severe upper respiratory infections, so my Dr. made sure that I was taking my allergy medications and using my inhaler...even though I didn't need it at the time. His rationale was that I head off anything potential illness prior to surgery. Don't be afraid of the rescheduling...chances are the Dr. will do the surgery anyway but you don't want to go through all of this and not feel well afterwards. Good luck!

My Dr. told me that I could drink up until eating and had to wait 60 minutes after. I get all of my 64 ounces in but I carry a water bottle everywhere with me. I also count my decaf coffee.

Thanks for sharing. I really appreciate it as I am going to be filled on July 6. I really felt that this was too early for me as they said that they only fill at 6 weeks.

My Dr. and Nurse Practitioner told me that I could swim after all of the glue was off and incisions are closed.

I didn't even think of that. If anyone else wants a copy just PM me you email addy. I will finish up typing this evening. L

Great...I'll get started typing it up and send it out asap.

Would you like me to type up and email you the stages? Did you go to a 6 month lifestyle meeting or meetings with your nutritionist? You're right...it's very important to know what is expected of you...I feel like I have been groomed for the last seven months to follow the diet that I am on. I had all of my food purchased and diets planned prior to my surgery because of my Dr. and nutritionisht. If you want the stages and the example diets that they Dr. gave me let me know.

You...my dear...need a hug. You are not a failure! You are a person that ate a candy bar and drank a milkshake. Look at what you have accomplished thus far...you've done wonderful things and you should be proud of yourself. This isn't going to break you and you shouldn't let it. What do you think you need to get back on the "wagon?" Do you need to speak with someone about how your feeling? Do you need to go and talk to your nutritionist? Let's talk about what you need rather than what you've done. You can't undo what you already did...but you can reign yourself back in.