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Speck, I attended a seminar pre-banding by a Realize Band rep (several people were in attendance that already had the Realize Band), and he asked for suggestions to improve their site. The need for a discussion forum was the number one comment. He said that he would definitely take that suggestion back to Realize. He said that initially they had thought that the message boards already out here would be sufficient, but that they have been getting requests for a forum on their site. I have to admit that I haven't been on their site yet, but if there's a place to make comments, I think the more people who ask about a forum, the more likely it is they'll add one.

Hi Mary, and welcome to LBT! I'm from the Richmond area, so not too far from you. I've found this board to be incredibly helpful and a wealth of information. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

I'm sorry, but I have to agree with folks who've said it's a sub place, and you really can't expect them to lower the price because you can't eat the roll. Also, as a few have said, there are alternate choices there. I can't imagine someone on Adkin's going into McDonald's and wanting a hamburger for less because they can't eat the bun. When I was a teen, I worked at McDonald's and occasionally we had vegetarian customers who wanted a Big Mac w/o the meat. They never expected a reduced price either. What is inexcusable is the server's comments to you. ""He snaps back at me "we are not Lap Band friendly". My DH insisted on walking out. As we were leaving, the server said to his friend "that's disgusting"". I would report that to the manager and the district manager.

I haven't gone through that, but for the first few weeks, I could feel the band in my chest, and it was kind of creepy, in a way. That feeling definitely has gone away, and other than feeling full quickly, I can't even tell it's there. Give it some time, and maybe you'll stop thinking about the band so much. Of course, you have to be mindful of what you're eating, but other than that, I'm not thinking about the band at all now. Good luck to you, be sure and reach out for help from your doctor if you continue to feel like this. I'm sure you're not the first. {{{hugs}}}

What protein shakes have you tried? I really like Boost Diabetic and Carnation Instant Breakfast Sugar Free (blue container). I like others as well, but those are the two I've had most often.

Thanks for the information, Janine! I still wear a medium width shoe, but I went up half a shoe size last year, and I'm wondering if I'll go back down. I'm down about 20 lbs now, and I'm still wearing the same size, but I'll admit I was struggling not to go up another size this summer, so I was pushing the limits of my seams - haha. Now my clothes are feeling loose and much more comfortable. My rings are starting to turn a bit, and they've been resized twice on my way up to my highest weight, so I know they'll need to be resized down. I'll look at getting the adjustable brackets for them until I have to have them made smaller. My watch is completely too big. I'm going to have to get some links taken out soon. I'm lucky that I have a lot of hair, but I anticipate losing a lot of it several months from now. It happened when I had surgeries in the past so I'm not too concerned, because you're right, it does come back.

"Does the lack of hunger help?" In a word, YES! It's amazing how beating that demon, hunger, wards off cravings and over-eating. This is going to be a healthy way of life for me, not a quick fix diet. I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm not going to set myself up for failure, by trying to be a super dieter. I'm eating healthy foods, but I will allow myself treats now and then. There are foods that I'll never have in the same way again, for instance, a large diet Coke, but I know, in the future, I can have a sip now and then. Right now, I don't want it or miss it. I stopped drinking diet sodas a month prior to surgery, and I think that helped a lot. I would put in my time on my elliptical prior to surgery, but it was a chore. I knew the weight wasn't coming off. Now, I can't wait to get on it. I'm also walking 3 miles in the evening, and because I've already lost around 20lbs, it's a breeze. I'm walking it ten minutes faster than I was previous to surgery, and I'm just getting started after taking time off to recover. As far as bread, I already ate whole wheat bread. Since banding, I'll have a slice of LF whole wheat toast with my tuna occasionally. I know I'll miss having a nice hamburger with a big bun or an Italian sub, but I'm confident that I'll find replacements that I'll enjoy just as much. Heck, right now, having my clothes loose, rather than "pop the button" tight, I'm not craving any of those foods. My husband and I were out for dinner, and rolls were served. I ate a small section of a roll in small teeny pieces w/ butter, and it was very filling. I wouldn't do that on a nightly basis, or even weekly, but as long as I'm able to eat it w/o getting stuck, I'm fully satisfied with it.

bloom, I was banded the same day as you. I'm still losing, but it has slowed down, to probably a normal level. I'm not drinking any of my meals, unless I'm in a big rush. I'm also getting on my elliptical, but not using the arms and taking it slower than I did pre-band for 40 mins in the morning, and taking a three mile walk in the evening. (hopefully after my doctor's appt next week, I'll be OKed to increase my exercise). I'm watching every carb, to make sure the ones I'm getting are from healthy foods. I also still have restriction from the surgery, so I'm not famished, which is very helpful in not going overboard at meal time. I am sticking to 1/2 c meals, heavy on protein, 3 times per day plus a snack. I'm keeping my snacks healthy. For instance, today, I'm having NF cottage cheese with tomato. Yesterday, I had a peach. I'm also drinking a ton of no-cal liquids (ice water, crystal lite, etc). I anticipate losing my restriction, and maybe having a stall in my weight loss, but after fills, I know I'll kick it back up. I know it's such an uphill battle, bloom, but we're going to make it. From everything I've read, it's not until we get fills, that we really get the advantage from our bands. Hang in there.

This was the exact advice I was going to give. I wasn't 100% sure of my choice until I got to personally compare the bands. My doctor offers both, but doesn't recommend one over the other.

I definitely would recommend them. Basically, the pre-op diet is two protein shakes, and a sandwich (2 slices of LF whole wheat bread, 4 0z of lean meat), one fruit, unlimited non-starchy vegetables, and a snack like a yogurt. The post-op diet is full liquids week one, mushies week two - three, and regular food week 4+.

Teri, that must have been awful, especially with a new baby to care for. I'm very thankful that all my incisions seem to be healing nicely. You certainly have me beat for surgeries, and I hope not to catch up. haha Debbie, it sounds like our ports are about in the same location. Before I go to sleep, I like to make the rounds: back, stomach, left and right side. Hopefully, you'll be able to sleep on your left side soon. I can still feel the port sometimes, but within a week, it was barely noticeable. It sounds like you're doing great with your walking. I remember the 2nd or 3rd day, I decided to have a SF Jello. I had the pre-made containers, and I couldn't believe I could get about a third of it down. I really hadn't had any trouble with liquids, so it really took me by surprise. At least you know from your doctor that you're getting enough water even though it's not a lot.

Yikes, teri, did your incision actually open? That would have freaked too!!! My incisions were glued on the surface, and this was an internal self-dissolving stitch that popped through. So, it wasn't all that traumatic, just a irritating, and I wasn't sure if I could clip it, or if I needed to go in. I was very happy I could just cut it at home. I had a tubal ligation years ago, and they went through my naval for the surgery. About a year later, I started feeling something poking in the center of my belly button. I pulled on it, and to my surprise, I pulled out a small stitch with a knot on the end. I have no idea why it didn't dissolve or why it waited a year to pop.

Congratulations, lcjackson, and to all the other September banders. It's so helpful to read all your stories. I just have a mini update. I had stitch pop through one of my incisions. It looked like clear plastic string and was about 1/8 - 1/4 long. It was really irritating because it would get pulled by my clothes. I called the nurse at my doctor's office, and she said to just push down on the area, to get the most of the stitch as possible, and just cut it off. She said to be sure not to pull it out. I wanted to let you all know, in case any of you get an errant stitch popping through.

Mickey, I attended a seminar presented by a Realize Band rep, and he said that there was room for more than 9cc's of Fluid. I'm not sure if he said the amount, but he said it's not going to burst with a little more put in. I have a friend with the Vanguard Lap Band, and she has more than the top amount. She still has very little restriction and has not lost any weight after her initial loss since being banded. She had her surgery about a year ago.

What a pain! I'm with the same group, and so far, my only problem was a bill for the chest x-ray (wonder how that happened to both of us?). What really irritated me was that they billed my insurance. I called the surgeon's office and left a message, and they returned my call the next day and told me to mail them the bill. I then called the office that billed me for the x-ray, and they said they would send the bill to the surgeon's office, and also take care of getting my insurance refunded for the part they paid. So far, I haven't received any more bills. I hope they get everything straightened out for you soon.

VA- Self Pay, $13,500, includes fills 1st year. $200 (I think) after 1st year.

Becky, I was just banded 9/4, and I had no problem drinking after surgery. I also still have good restriction, although, I feel a little hunger and occasional cravings. I'm definitely not going through banster's hell yet. I was a little concerned that I would be since I was able to drink liquids so easily early on, but so far so good.

debbie, I'll be sending a prayer for you today. I can't wait to hear back from you when you feel up to it. You have such a positive attitude, and I know you'll do great!

My first mushy meal was egg salad (egg, NF salad dressing, mustard and pepper). It was, by far, the best egg salad I'd ever had! I savored every bite. :rolleyes2:

My doctor has eggs on the mushy diet. It doesn't say that only certain types of cooked eggs are allowed. I've been eating omelets and egg salad. I would eat scrambled too, I just haven't fixed them that way.

I was told to measure, not weigh. I'm mostly measuring now, but if I have something like an egg, I just have one, so in some instances I'm not measuring. I think after a period of time, I'll not have to unless my weight loss stalls or something.

Jordan, mine was a modified liquid diet. Two shakes/day (three if I wanted to skip my evening sandwich, needless to say, I never did :girl_hug:). I agree with slim, I think you would know if were supposed to be on a special diet. Did you have a required nutritional class? Ours was led by a nurse, and our diet plans were well laid out, and we were given a booklet with additional information regarding the pre-op and post-op diets. I've seen plenty of people on LBT who haven't been required to follow a pre-op diet, so I wouldn't be too concerned, but I do think slim is right, and it would be a good idea to call the office tomorrow for confirmation.

Hi Rosewood. I'm so glad you decided to post your experience. Just like Terry said, it's the collective stories on LBT that tell the story. All your soup suggestions sound yummy. I'm sorry you ended up with gas pains, but I'm glad to know that they didn't take you by surprise. I'm laughing at your husband's ruined b/d plans for Ruth's Chris, because the same thing happened to us. Our favorite steak place is similar to RC's in price, and they sent us a 1/2 price coupon for 2 dinners for my dh's b/d. My fil's b/d is coming up too, so I told them to go (sniff). My mil and I caught a chick flick, so at least I wasn't setting home alone, crying over my soup. lol (she wasn't invited to the steak place because she orders her steaks very well done, so we only take her to the cheap joints, since quality of steak doesn't matter once their cooked to the texture of a leather shoe sole)

haha..thanks...and I'm sure your patients very lucky to have you as their nurse. :thumbup: Yep, incentive spirometer, and I would have never come up with that name, but I remember that's what the nurse called it, now that you've told me. It was easy for me to remember to use it, because my lungs felt healthier after every session. I didn't know it helped clear anesthesia too. That was an added bonus.