DonnaB

So, what do you want? A standing ovation? A pat on the back? Seriously, congratulations on your weight loss and that you've had no complications (although I fail to see how potatoes factor into complications) but I must point out that you don't have the only "highly renowned" surgeon on LBT. In fact, I had surgery by one of the best bariatric surgeons in the world for both the lap-band and bypass procedures. He personally has done over 3,000 lap-bands and who knows how many GPBs. Mashed potatoes are on his post-op diet in the mushies phase, and if you don't think his nutritionist is strict enough, that's only because you haven't met her! LOL The key to success with the lap-band procedure is portion control. The goal with the lap-band is to lose weight slowly and consistently. My doctor tells me that no food is permanently off-limits as long as the portion is controlled and it's not an every meal, every day choice. The only other limitation is whether my lap-band will tolerate the food in question. I am well aware that if I eat high sugar, high fat, high carb foods I will not lose weight or that the weight loss will be severely minimized. I also know that while YOU are voluntarily giving up certain foods to maximize your weight loss in the shortest possible period of time, your path is not mine. I know I don't speak for ALL lap-band patients, but I don't WANT to lose 160 pounds in 7 months. If I did, I would have chosen GBP. I think that for you to pass judgement on other people's choices, particularly when they're following a diet prescribed by their surgeon and which is consistent with most lap-band surgeons' orders, is condescending and arrogant. By all means, continue to follow your surgeons' advice, but please show some courtesy to those people who are doing likewise. It may not sound like it, but I honestly wish you nothing but the best on your weight loss journey. Weight loss and all it's accompanying issues are difficult enough to deal with without the added pressure of judgement or justification. This is my last public post to you on this subject. If you wish to continue the debate, I would prefer to take it to PM.

Excellent pictures - thank you for the inspiration! 68 pounds in 9 months! And at my age 9 months goes by SOOOOO fast! Maybe I'll be skinny like you in NO time!

I think that "giant bunny" must be a hoax. Seriously, can a bunny really get THAT big? Interesting camera angle too. Hmmmmmm. My cat weighs about 22 lbs and doesn't look nearly that big. Cute, cute, CUTE bunnies! Happy Easter all! I just went to www.Snopes.com and it confirms that this in fact a real picture of a real bunny! There are other pictures of giant bunnies there too! Amazing, and a little scary. If you want to see the other pics just go to Snopes and type 'German Giant Bunny' in the search bar. Thanks for the eye, and mind, opening pics!

Welcome to LapBandTalk! Visit often and don't hesitate to jump in. I lurked for a month before saying anything and then I felt strange talking to people I didn't know! Man has that ever changed. LOL You'll soon see that there are no strangers here, it's like meeting a group of instant friends. Congratulations on your banding and good luck on your weight loss journey.

Yikes! Why not just be honest and say that while you assume she's trying to be helpful, the truth is her comments are more hurtful than helpful. If she really wants to help you she should ask when you're coming to the gym again and workout with you rather than interupt you while you're trying to help yourself. I should think that would not only shut her up but would also give her some perspective so she can get a clue. Playing the Devil's Advocate here: Giving her the benefit of the doubt and assuming that her intentions WERE good, imagine her reaction if you were rude to her. You will have been the rude one in that instance. Haven't you ever had someone take something you said in completely the wrong way? Besides, snapping at her wouldn't have made you you feel better - at least not in the long run - and it would only "confirm" a possibly preconceived notion that heavy people aren't nice, are ungrateful and undeserving. Sounds crazy but that's what some studies say is going on inside some peoples subconscious'. Why not just be nice, be honest, be true to yourself, and be on your way? Taking the moral high ground isn't always easy at the time, but you can always look back on your behaviour with no regret, no loss of self-esteem and with the knowledge that you behaved with FAR more class than she did. Can you tell I've been meditating? Catch me sometime when I'm hungry and in a mean mood! LOL

If you're not peeing and you're not bloated or swelling up anywhere, you're probably NOT getting in enough fluids. Up your fluid intake and if the situation doesn't change, call your doctor. If you're swollen or have fluid retention in your legs or hands, call your doctor now. None of us here are doctors (that I know of), you'll have to use your best judgement.

If you walk around and around your furniture, flapping your arms like a chicken, and your SO doesn't even THINK about calling in the men in the white coats . . . . youuuuuu might be a bandster. If you pass gas and say "Thank you, Lord" instead of "Excuse me" . . . youuuuuu might be a bandster. If you're THRILLED because the jeans you bought two weeks ago just don't fit you very well . . . youuuuuu might be a bandster.

LOL! And, as far as I know, she was never even heavy!

Sounds like you need to try softer solid foods or try eating something really wet before attempting something with the consistency of ground beef. Maybe using some wet condiment would help it slide through better. The advise about drinking warm tea or water to loosen the band has been suggested to others with this problem. My first "solid" food was the insides of a bean burrito from Taco Bell - nice start to my post-op life, huh? There were circumstances, I swear! It did go down well though. Good luck leenerbups.

My headache was horrible too. I also had a lot of stomach and esophogus pain. Take Tylenol and drink broth. Lots and lots of broth. My headache went away after about two days. And Jack is right - keep a toothbrush or some Scope handy at all times - goat breath LOL. Jack, you do have a way with words. Good luck, be strong, you'll make it through.

The first two days of my liquid diet were the worst. I had a horrible headache and stomach PAIN. But I didn't cheat. After the first two days I did fine and so will you. The doctor has to retract your liver - move it out of the way - to place the band. If the liver is spongey with fat it becomes more difficult and possibly dangerous. The liver starts losing its fat almost immediately when you begin your liquid diet. If you don't believe it, you must have missed Oprah on the day her pet doctor showed actual human body organs on her show! Yikes! That was pretty scary. The worst case scenario is that you go into surgery, have general anesthesia - a risky thing all by itself - and wake up to hear that your doctor could not do the surgery because your liver was too fatty. You'll have gone through the majority of the procedure, have the scars and the recovery pain, but have NO BAND to show for it. AND PAID FOR IT TO BOOT! My recommendation is to suck it up and forego the pizza. There will be pizza to eat after you've had surgery and have recovered completely. Just keep telling yourself that there will be all kinds of good food to eat - LATER. Sorry, is that too much tough love? LOL You'll be OK. Another reason to stick with the liquid diet is that your recovery from surgery will be faster and you'll have less pain if you do it. Now would you trade THAT for a slice a pizza?

I had steri-strips that the doctor told me to let fell off on their own - which I did. The first one came off at about one week and the last one finally came off at about 2 weeks. I did notice that on my incision wound, the places between the steri-strips actually healed up faster than the ones "protected". Hmmmm. Must have been that they were exposed to the air? Worse than the bandages, although not as long-lived, was the yellowy, sticky, goo they paint on your whole belly in the operating room. I think it's some kind of sterilizing agent. That stuff was too gross but if it kept me from getting an infection, I'd agree to have it on for twice as long. Longer. LOL Good luck with your bandages.

119 calories per cup - at least according to www.FitDay.com. I can't believe Janet didn't beat me to this reply! LOL FitDay addicts UNITE!

I'll be in Monterrey a week after your surgery getting my first fill. I have a doctor here who will do fills for me but I'm pretty nervous and I kind of want my first fill to be with Dr. Rumbaut. I understand from others here on LBT that it's no big deal and I'm sure they're right but I'm just the nervous type! LOL That's funny considering I went and had surgery in Mexico - very out of character for me. I'm glad I did it though - Dr. Rumbaut is a LapBand genius and the care I recieved while in Monterrey could not be surpassed anywhere in the U.S. From the time I got off the plane to the time I got back on the plane it couldn't have gone more "by the book". While you're at the hotel, spend some time in the lobby. You'll see lots of people coming and going and if you make eye contact you'll meet people having lapband surgery with Dr. Rumbaut! I met several women that way and I'm in contact with 3 of them still who all had surgery on the same day as I did! I think Dr. Rumbaut did 6 surgeries on that day and 4 of us have stayed in contact with each other! Across the parking lot from the hotel there is a grocery store/mini shopping mall. Just as you leave the hotel parking lot into the mall parking there is a restaurant called Sanbourn's. Their Pollo Especial (chicken with rice in broth) is excellent for pre-op and post op, is very inexpensive and, if you want, they'll deliver right to your hotel room. The hardest part for me was the language barrier and if you're in the restaurant you can just point at the picture (they have menus in english as well as spanish) and if you're ordering from your hotel room, the hotel front desk staff is very friendly and will call and order for you if you like. Sanbourn's will even charge the cost to your hotel bill making it that much easier. Hint: squeeze the lime into your Pollo Especial - it gives it a nice citrus zing! Best wishes for a happy banding experience.

Sorry you haven't had any responses yet. I don't know Dr. Aceves so I can't really comment there. I understand slipped bands are different for everyone. Some people have pain and can't even get water down. Some people get a complete absence of restriction and can eat anything with no pain. Just like everything else about the band it seems that there is no one symptom that everyone shares. If it's not painful and not keeping you from getting food and water it's not a huge emergency, but I don't think anyone would recommend waiting to take care of it. I know that sometimes a band will slip back into place with a complete unfill. As far as activity level goes, my doctor told me no lifting, stretching, or soaking (as in swimming) for 6 weeks post-op. Sorry I couldn't give you more information. Good luck to you.

Hi Pepper, I had surgery in Mexico too. Who's your surgeon? Tell us a little more about yourself. Welcome to LBT and good luck on your weight loss journey.

Wow! Congrats on your 35 lb pre-op weight loss and welcome to Bandland. How are you doing post-op? Who's your surgeon? Where are you from? Welcome and good luck on your weight loss journey.

Hi Steve, Congratulations on your new band - and for having a supportive partner! I'm in the DFW area too but I was banded in Mexico - can you say 'self-pay'? :-) Good luck on your weight loss journey and since you've got some free time, hang out on LBT with us and keep us posted about your recovery, etc.

Hi Lisa, complain away - it's really easy to skip over! :mad: LOL! Tammy! Was the breading bit sooooo good you couldn't have given it a miss? Just pick that crud off! As far as the Easter buffet is concerned - we don't need to watch over your shoulder - we're sending this guy: :decision: (Guilt makes the bitterest condiment, doesn't it?) But if you mess up, you're getting this guy: :Banane04: Yuck! Janet, In support of supporting you, I officially and publicly give up naked scuba diving. Damn. I'm going to really miss that. The fish, however, will be SOOOO grateful.

Very funny Paula! Why can't I ever remember things like this when the situation calls for it? Not a hijack at all GrizGirl - those were GREATNESS!

I had a little bit of the hiccup thing post-op too. It was very small and went away after a few days.

Sorry to contradict you scuuder3 but what YOU think means little when compared to what most band doctors recommend. Because you're here on a lapband board I will assume you either have a band or are considering a band, right? Are you following YOUR doctors recommendations? Or are you doing what you think you should? I have to point out that following your own idea of a good diet is what got you here to begin with and that's true for most of us. It's time to let the doctors steer the boat for awhile, ya know? Tempered with common sense that is! The truth is, and most of the lapband docs agree, the first 4 - 6 weeks post-op are not about weight loss, they're about healing. Any weight loss during this time period should be considered a bonus. Or a gift. After the healing is plenty soon enough to begin the long, difficult task of changing our behavior patterns and eating habits. I'm sorry if I seem a bit defensive. It's not because you stated your opinion, everyone is entitled to theirs. For me, the problem occurs when the opinion comes in the form of a judgemental statement. Most of us have been judged for far too long to sit still for it here, where support is what is most needed, most appreciated, and most valued. I noticed that you didn't give much information about yourself. Wherever you are on your journey, and whatever goals you've set for yourself, I wish you success.

My best advise is to buy some sugar free, fat free chocolate pudding and some fat free milk to make it with. Keep some in the fridge at all times. It has saved me a hundred times since being banded. Just give it a try. My next best advise is to imagine the stitches in your belly, pulling and pulling and the little holes starting to bleed a little. Then imagine the strain on the sutures relaxing as you keep your stomach virtually empty by staying on your liquid diet until the healing process has a chance to take effect. If you're going to hurt yourself with those (really) not very good mini choco things, wait until your body is healed to do it. Give it a fighting chance to survive. Lastly, don't beat yourself up too badly, it's HARD to stick with a diet, band or no band. Just try to go easy on your poor stomach.

Hi everyone, it's your token March bandster here! I can't help it - I love you guys and I shouldn't be banished just because of timing! Tammy, LOL, yup - I've sat in front of the TV watching those poor slobs exercise their @sses off! Occasionally I even felt like I should get up and join them. Never really did it though! As far as the FitDay goes - OMG, how did I ever live without it. I can't shut down my computer or even close the program because I just HAVE to add every little thing - bottle of water - add it to FitDay; protein drink - add it to FitDay; choice between foods - check FitDay to see which one will be best for my diet that day; make a bad choice - RUN DON'T WALK to FitDay to find out what I can plan for the rest of the day that will allow me to finish out my day under my calorie restriction! My poor husband thinks I've lost my mind. Sometimes I do too! I wonder if I'm substituting my food addiction with a FitDay/LBT/computer addiction! *shaking my fist at JanetC for telling me about FitDay* LOL Honestly, I think if I can keep up the commitment to log my food I'm going to be very successful with my weight loss. *Raising my eyes and heart to the heavens, asking for blessings for JanetC for introducing me to FitDay* Tammy, if you haven't done it already, just give them the $20 for the download. The free online version will give you a good idea whether you'll use it or not, but it doesn't store all of your custom information, making it harder to log faithfully. That was the best $20 I ever spent on any diet tool. Right after my band that is! Janet, I love DDR but my husband doesn't :straight I thought I'd just do it by myself but it's not nearly as much fun alone. Too bad we don't live closer to each other - I'd come and join the dance competition at your house! Tammy AND Janet - how sweet of you to give up chocolate in support of each other! Seriously, isn't it funny how we can persevere in an undertaking if it's for someone else but we can't seem to do something difficult for ourselves? I hope you can keep it up so I can look up to both of you. Nanster - nodding my head in agreement - it's as hot as heck in Texas already! I think we're in for a LONG hot summer. In fact, I don't think we really ever shook off LAST summer. Yikes, bugs are going to be atrocious this year. How do you guys remember everything you want to tell everyone on this thread? I can barely remember my own name half the time. I call it "Halfheimers" but only because it's not "ALL"zheimers yet. I know, it's stops being funny when it starts being you! See ya next time.

If you're still having pain, try this: stand next to your bed, bend forward from your waist and rest your forearms on the bed with your forehead between them. If it's more comfortable, bend your knees as well. It looks crazy, but that was the best position for gas pain relief for me. I was banded in Mexico and met several other bandsters who had surgery the same day as me. They tried this pose and it helped relieve their gas pain too, so hopefully you'll get some relief with it as well. Good luck on your weight loss journey and welcome to LBT where everyone is your friend.