marys

This is just like the cabbage soup diet i've done oh about 100 times or so. It never fails, after day one i am already sick of the soup and starving by day 3 and overeating by the next day. I did know one woman who lost over 40lbs as she did it for 4-6 months. I thought she was dying (seriously) and asked if she'd been sick - very pale and just sickly. It will work in the short term but unfortunately you will put the weight right back on plus a few more because your body is starving. The only diet that worked for me ONCE (and never worked again) was the scarsdale diet. I lost 14lbs in two weeks but never ever could successfully do it again. Of course I gained that 14 lbs back + more. DIETS don't work - sensible cutting of 500 calories a day through exercise or food elmination is the ONLY thing that works. good luck

Hi [ please check with your doctor - mine and most others have always said - liquuids only for 24 hours after a fill. It is very common for a fill to take some time to kick in - some people report a few weeks! Mine was pretty consistent from the begining and learning to eat with a fill is challenging for a lot of us. Please call doc - even if you dont feel it you are swelled up after a fill and need to rest your band/stomach. You could start a vicious cycle of pbing which you really want to avoid (throwing up). Also, my doc has always told me if I throw up/pb i am to go on liquids for 24 hours and take maalox ever 2-4 hours - so i'm not prescribing that for you - just trying to get across how serious it is. You need to heal that band/swelling before trying to eat anything but please call your doc for proper instructions for YOU. take care and good luck. mary

I had pretty bad gas pains for months after surgery but it wasnt constant or too terrible. I found if my boyfriend gently massaged the area i would just burp and pass gas (sorry, so gross!) non stop and it would abate. The gasx didn't help much. I went back to work in 2 days and was pretty tired but I don't have an active job so it was ok. Everyone is different but other then a little soreness I recovered pretty quickly. My advice is to wear loose clothes (elastic or tie waistbands with low rise or no underware) and slip on shoes for the trip home and try to take at least 4 days off work, more if strenuous job. Congrats and so nice you can do this with hubby - good luck!

I'm no expert but I've had many experiences with pbing and sliming and my definition is: When food gets stuck (either too big a bite or something that that doesn't agree with you - i.e. for most bread, rice, etc.) it will either sit there for a while and you will feel pain and it will eventually go down OR it's not going to go down and you will start spitting up saliva and evenutally you will throw up some of the food with copious (sp) amounts of saliva - this saliva is usally really thick, clear and gross. For me, if I start sliming, it means I'm going to eventually throw up. When I was first banded I got several things stuck that would take about 1/2 - 1 hour to go down and it hurt like needles in my chest but I was so adverse to throwing up I think I willed it thru. Once I threw up once it was so much better and quicker although DO NOT INTERPRET THIS IS GOOD -the throwing up is super bad and I work very hard not to do it. My doc is pretty strict if this happens i go on liquids for 24 hours and do maalox to reduce the swelling. Even if you don't feel it you have swelled up and you need to baby the band. I don't bite much anymore, I nibble food and that helps but I've learned the hard way and have had way to many pb's - it's horrible but I'm finally learning although I still mess up occassionally. Hope this NEVER happens to you.

Wow, I can see why that hurt but I agree things don't always come out the way we intended - esp in email. I think people are sometimes so desperate when they come to considering the lapband that their fright, etc. causes them to say dumb things??? I know I am always looking for support, encouragement, information from others here and I hope I don't offend but if I do, please tell me which is maybe what you should do to the person - in a nice way - youd probably feel better letting him/her know how their message was interpreted, etc. mary

Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana did my surgery and i was i think bmi 33 - 5'2 183lbs. I've been as high as 240 and as low as 125 and have yo yo'd all my life - whether you have 50 or 150+ to lose - the issues (emotional, etc) are the same. I have rec'd much discrimination from other higher weight bandsters (although not on this site) but in a local group i belong to. Dr. Ortiz does not take this surgery lightly by any means but he understands the issues of obesity and will definitely discuss surgery with someone of you bmi. For me the results (weight loss) have been slower then most but i am content with the lifestyle changes the band has forced me to make and i know in my heart - this is my last chance - nothing else (diets, pills, etc.) would have worked for me because the issues are too deep - the band has forced me to slow down, chew, - it has helped me to make better choices, etc. It's a tough road but one that I think will work. Best of luck to you.

This is the first time i think in my life that i ate less then a cup of ben and jerrys ice cream - in fact, i've always eaten the entire pint and wanted more.. it's still in the freezer and I DON'T EVEN WANT IT TODAY. AM I SICK - i've had this band 6 months and that seems to be the magic number - so much is changing with my eating habits - i admit it though, I didn't think the band was going to work for me but the ice cream is just one of about 5 new behaviours that seem to be sticking/replacing old habits. I really wanted the band to help me become 'a normal eater' and maybe it's working. p.s a normal eater to me is one who eats when hungry, stops when full,etc.

I told my sig other and recently one good friend. i've said it before, you can always tell - but once you do, you cant take it back. I'm with others who said - it's hard enough to lose weight - i don't want others scrutiny about how much ive lost etc.

i've been having breakfast: high Protein oatmeal with a piece of fruit or egg on toast (i can do some breads!) lunch: 1/2 tuna sandwich or lunch meat or Soup or healthy choice tv dinner or vegetarian lowfat refried Beans, dinner: small piece of meat or fish, 1 cup cooked veges or salad and usally a 1/2 cup of starch like a potatoe or rice (again, I can eat those things). I've also been grilling a lot of veges on the grill and maybe a portabello mushroom (delicious) Snacks are low fat yogurt or cheese stick or few slices of roast beef or peanuts

i think the band requires a lot of work - more work then I thought when i was banded. Am i upset - not really. because i realize now i would never ever have been successful at losing and keeping the weight off without the band. i can still fail but i think my long term chances of success are higher. the band forces lifetime changes - not the weeks, months or years of dieting changes that always eventually fall by the wayside. I lost over 70lbs twice in my adult life and kept it off for almost 4 years - was even a personal trainer and did triathalons but all my bad habits slowly came back and i always put the weight back on. And there are some changes i would never have made without the band - no matter what diet i was on - for example, i always got up at nighr and picked at food and ate food in the am before breakfast - not anymore. i always ate to the point of being stuffed not full - STUFFED - i ate everything on my plate plus more and i never ever chewed - i would also eat in an entire meal in under 5 minutes. All of these behaviors are pretty much gone with the band and over time they will serve me well toward maintaining weight loss. But i still count calories, make good choices, try not to snack, don't drink after eating, etc. and exercise (tho not as much as i should) which i consider hard work. so yes, it is work but a little different type of work.

it took me about 5 months (I'm at 6 now) but i've grown used to sleeping on my back and other side - at first it bothered me a lot but now it's ok. Everyone is different, another friend of mine could sleep on her left side right away -go figure. b

This is so funny - I didn't even SEE nicole richie when I first looked at the pics - she looks awful to me - i like curves!

I just started taking chromium picnolate that my doc's nutritionist recommended. - since taking my weight dropped three pounds so im sticking with it. however, i will NEVER EVER EVER AGAIN buy a 'diet' pill - i've used them all and I mean all and won't spend another penny on them or any diet related product or food. personally that's why I got the band - i'm sure i spent over 10,000 on diet food and products in the past.

Being home is definitely hard - I always tend to eat more then when I am busy either in the house or at work, etc. I'm just writing because I'm finally seeing the scale move down and I'm so happy. I'm definitely a member of the slow losers club but now I can feel it (the weight loss) and even tho no one has noticed yet, I'm hopeful someone will soon. I've been really trying to watch what I eat and make the best choices and I'll say it again, someone mentioned trying to eat as little as possible to feel satisfied rather than eating as much as my band will allow and that's really worked for me. Tonight we ate at the most awesome restaurant and I brought half my dinner home and it was the very first time I stopped without feeling deprived or bad about leaving food. i felt really good about that. it's been about 6 months since I've gotten this band and I'm really starting to appreciate the help its given me but most of all I'm kinda proud of myself for the work I've put into it.

I also chose Dr. Ortiz and researched for about 6 months EXTENSIVELY. There are many good mexican docs but I chose him because I am closer to TJ (San Diego) then Monterrey and he uses a very new, modern anesthesia. I also thought he was very personable, we talked a long time before I had the surgery and he calmed me etc. as I was an extrememly nervous patient. In fact, he told me if I came down and backed out at the last second, absolutely no worries and no charge either so that was comforting. Every one I met on his staff added to my confidence so it worked for me. My sig other was even more picky then me and they talked to - again, many good Mexican docs - Just don't make the $ the absolute final deciding factor - yes, there are cheaper docs and some are just as good and maybe better but in my opinion, Ortiz was tops! Good luck to all.

Pbing is awful and I've done my share - it has taken me 6 months to get this under control and no, I'm not too tight - I've had one fill and probably won't have another unless i can't lose any more weight. But, it has taken me a long time to learn to take the smallest of bites - in fact, i call them nibbles not bites and I can eat almost all foods unless it's really dry. I just eat small portions. Keep track of how often you are pbing - my doc was concerned but said unless it's happening evvery meal, every day, you do have to go thru a learning curve. However, he did take it seriously and every time I pb'd I was to go on full liquids for at least 24 hours + maalox. If you are doing it too much (determine this with your doc) you may need a slight unfill if you've had one. Every time you pb your stomach swells and even if you donn't feel it, it's swollen and you have to really baby it. take care, good luck.

WOW that is super awesome - i know how great that feels. congratulations. I'm thinking in about 7lbs i can fit into about 10 pairs of my pants and i can't wait.

Dr. Ortiz 11.18.05 no probs yet but I'm praying to reach over 500 days where most seem to have problems.

Unfortunately this happens to me more then I like although after 6 months I'm finally learning. Yes, it sounds like swollen and even when you feel better that lasts awhile soooo definitely stay on clear liquids for 24 hours and maybe even call your doc. Once when I did it bad, I was on liquids for FIVE days + maalox every two hours. Pbing and throwing up is serious and you should treat it as such. but also don't beat yourself up - most of us have done it. This is a huge leearning process but take care of that band - sip veryy slowly no big gulps and really, truly wait at least 24 hours before trying any solids and even then i would say mushies for another 24 hours. good luck

boy, this is a tough one. First, I always drink a huge glass of ccrystal lite or other beverage that I really like and try to find an activity that will keep my mind off it. Then if i can't really control it, I'll eat something but I have to take it out and sit down. This is my own bandster rule that never worked pre band but now with pbing always an option for me - i do almost 95-100% actually sit down. I put the food in front of me and proceed to eat it as slow as possible. Believe me this takes some of the fun out of it and really makes me focus on the eating and the food. I also have to keep some foods out of the house but my hubby is skinny and likes his snacks so I try not to deprive him too much. I also found using fitday.com and writing down everything really helped. You'd be surprised how looking at your food intake and putting it in the computer makes an impact. good luck - we are all rooting for ya.

Thanks - that's the tip that will work for me -

My doc's nutritionist just told me to take chrominum picnolate and the instructions say - best taken with a meal. Now, my question...how do others do this kind of thing - I don't drink with my meals and try not to drink for 2 hours afterwards. By the way - the 2 hours really keeps me full longer but boy do i get thirsty. I guess I could take it after a meal when I drink but just wondering cuz i don't want it to upset my stomach or sit in my pouch without food/water.

I don't mean to be sexist toward the men here - I was just angry reading this.

first i want to say how sorry i am that happened to you and others - it is the most humiliating and embarrasing thing ever. It amazes me that obesity is still a disease that others find acceptable to torment and tease. We would be better off being drug addicts and i'm serious.. Here is my repsonse that only works with pig men..... "well, I'd rather have too much then too little" and glance down at their crotch - men tend to think they are their penis so this one works great. Did it in a bar as two guys oinked at me and felt great all night.

The best tip I am happy to share is from a fellow bandster but I can't remember who! Someone said ' instead of trying to eat as much as you can (me)!, 'try to eat as little as you can' in order to be satisfied. It may sound simple but it has powerfully helped me over the last week. In fact, this week was my best week yet - almost 3lbs. I also am exercising 3/week and started taking chromium picolinate on the advice of my doc's nutritionist. in fact, i need to change my ticker to reflect 164.8 but I'm gonna wait a few days to see how things settle. mary