Jodi_620

I remember that feeling all to well bubz. I cried a couple times during that stage. I wish I could make it easier but all I can offer ((((((hugs)))))) and remind you to take it one day at a time and remember that it is only temporary. I promise you that before long you will see that this has all been well worth it!

It is absolutely normal. Just eat when you are hungry and stop eating when you are no longer hungry. Keep a Water bottle with you at all times and sip often.

You should call the doctors office and let them know that the insurance company is saying they didn't get it. That is not being pushy at all.

1.5 lbs. is not anything to get worked up about. Some days I can gain and lose that amount within the same day, it is normal to have slight fluctions. Just keep doing what you are doing and you will do fine.

Mmm now that sounds good and a great source of fiber and protein! I'll have to make myself some of that!! Thanks for the great idea.

Mine didn't last two weeks. In about a week the edges started curling up. I took mine off when they were loose enough to pull off comfortably. Most were off in a little over a week one was stubborn and the incision was still tender so I left it on. It finally fell off on its own in the shower probably around the two week mark.

I throw it up too. Actually I guess you could say I flush it out. I just take a couple good swigs of water then bend over the sink kinda pressing the edge of the sink basin into my abdomen. The water comes out projectile style. I usually have to swallow a little more water and bend over again and the water will come out with the stuck food.

Yes, I still keep it in the house for mushies after a fill. It is very convenient and the portions are just right. I season the meat and veggies and heat it add a small jar of fruit and it is a pretty good meal (for mushies, anyway)

You should not feel uncomfortable when you are full. But being too full does feel like being stuck.

Things that came in handy for me: Gas X: You will likely have gas at first Liquid Tylenol Tongs: You will not be able to reach or bend for a few days. Plenty of liquids (broth, shakes, water, juice) Clothing: Wear loose clothes and undies to the hospital, also shoes that you can just step into. This makes getting dressed to come home so much easer. Have some nighties or house dresses and loose undies to wear around the house and loose strechy pants to wear out (your waistband area is going to be very tender for a couple weeks) Sleeping: I was not able to lie flat for more than a week. Also, your stomach muscles are very tender and your incisions are still hurting so getting up and down from the bed was just too painful. For the first few days I had to sleep in an upright almost sitting position then I slowly lowered myself each night. If you have a recliner that would be ideal. I do not, so I used chair cushions and pillows and propped myself up on the couch. It was 1 1/2 weeks before I was able to go back to my bed.

Sorry to hear about the flaw in your band and glad to hear that they got it fixed. Yes, I think almost all of us have been or are going through bandster hell (that period from surgery to restriction). It is rare for a bandster to not have to experience it and it is common for a person to gain 5-10 pounds during this time. Believe me it is a very normal part of the whole process. Be patient and you will get there.

Sorry to hear about that...I would definitely complain to the manager! Personally, I don't use the card. If there is not something appropriate in the Appetizer list then I order a regular meal and a "to go" container. I wrap about 2/3 of the meal then eat what is left. I can usually get at least three meals out of any regular menu item.

PB (Productive Burp) happens when you don't chew well enough, eat too fast or eat too much. The food can't get into the pouch and comes back up (some burp it up, some hiccup it up). It is not like throwing up because there is no stomach acid just your food in the same form as when you swallowed it. Sliming happens when food gets stuck in your band. It usually happens when you do not chew well or swallow something too big (like a pill). The food cannot pass from the pouch through the band and gets stuck. Your body produces mucus to try and dislodge it and that mucus backs up into your mouth. It is a thick clear slimy mucus that you have to spit out.

Tighness varies. Sometimes it is just an uncomfortable "too full" feeling. Sometimes it is a "gaggy food won't go down" feeling and other times it is a painful "tight chest" feeling. I have had the "can't burp" feeling since surgery but that is because I really can't burp anymore. My surgeon said it was because of my hernia repair but it seems pretty common to us bandsters--some burp a lot and some just can't burp at all whether they had a hernia or not. I do hiccup a lot now though. Learning how much to eat can be tricky. You have to pay attention to how much you eat and learn through trial and error. The pain/chest tightness means you ate too much. Note how much you ate and cut it back a tiny bit. After a while you should be able to just eye up your food and know what amount is about right. Pay attention to how the food goes down. As I get to my stopping point I can feel the food going down slower. Also, alot of times I hiccup when I am getting full but I guess that just might be a strange foible that only I have (?)

I agree, the only way to stop the cravings is to clear them out of your system...go extreme no-carb for a couple weeks. In my experience it takes less than a week of suffering through "carb withdrawal" . After two weeks start re-introducing carbs but only in natural form (fruit, veggies, milk, whole grains) and try to eat them with a protein to lessen the affect on your blood sugar. I find it best to avoid the starches as much as possible, potato, rice, corn, pasta, bread. You can have a small serving once or twice a week but spread it out and always with a protein. And of course no sugar. This seems extreme to some but if you are a carb addict, it is the only way to get rid of the constant head hunger that will surely sabotage your weight loss.

The first month is for healing and there was no restriction so weight loss wasn't great. I think it was around 6 pounds. My surgeon was happy with that; he said many of his patients gain 5-10 during that period.

The lab band is a silicone band that is placed around the top part of the stomach creating a small pouch (stoma). It allows us to be full on small portions and the food stays in the pouch longer keeping us satified for several hours. The band is inflatable, that is how it works. When first placed around the stomach it is emty or nearly empty. After allowing time to heal the band is then inflated a little at a time until we reach proper restriction. There is a tube that runs from the band to a port. The port is usually located in the abdomen near the belly button. A needle is inserted into the port and saline is injected which inflates the band. here is the official Lab Band website, it is a good place to start: Official Site: the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System for weight loss surgery

Yes, if your hair loss is due to lack of B-Vitamins and Biotin then it definitely helps with hair loss. Either way it certainly doesn't hurt to take it, it really improves the quality of your hair and nails.

Ask all the questions you want that what the site is here for! Yes, if they open you up and your liver is too fatty then they will simply close you back up without the band.

I agree with Heather, once you get through the pre-op and post-op diets there really is no reason why you would need to prepare separate meals. During pre-op DH had to fend for himself, I was hungry and it was just too difficult for me to be around food. Post-op liquid I was not hungry so I was able to cook for him and drink my broth and shakes. During mushies, I ate what he ate for most part, I just cooked foods that blended well. And now we eat the same foods. He is watching his triglycerides so my cutting back on starches and sugars is good for him as well but I do occasionally make these foods for him.

My eye was immediately drawn to number three. It is simple and neat. I agree that it would be cool to have a picture of the Lap Band in the logo but number two just seems a little to chaotic.

It typically happens for three possible reasons 1) Trauma from surgery and/or rapid weight loss 2) Not getting enough protein 3) Not getting enough Vitamin B/Biotin

I agree that the beer part has been more inconvenient. I am not a big drinker more social and I have already found that there are many places where beer is the only alcohol choice (hocky games, concerts, local golf club) so I've had to do without. On vacation, besides wine I had vodka in the form of mixed drinks and jello shots.

Mine only said I may or may not be able to swallow them whole. It all depends on how tight I am and how big the pill is. There was no timeline on when I should try. I have been able to get my Sythroid and coated tablets down from the beginning. Capsules and Caplets wouldn't go down at all in the beginning and even now, it takes effort to get them down. I take three "Hair Skin and Nails" caplets and I have to swallow one with a ton of Water, wait 5-10 minutes for the next and so on. If they get stuck I slime BIG TIME!!! I still take my multi and Calcium in chewable form just because it is easier.

Believe me, I know what you mean. I honestly think that the thought of giving up my Diet Pepsi was my biggest concern when making the decision to be banded. I couln't imagine that I would be able to do it. I had a soda in my hand no matter where I went. It was the first thing I reached for in the morning and I took a bottle to bed with me at night. I rarely drank anything but Diet Pepsi. I am an "all or nothing" type personality so I did not wean myself off. On the first day of pre-op diet I stopped the Diet Pepsi cold turkey and I haven't had a drop of soda since. And what I thought would be the hardest part of the whole process really wasn't bad at all. I got headaches from caffeine withdrawal for the first few days but honestly I really don't miss it all that much.