Lanakila

I actually asked my surgeon about this on Friday. You are correct...GaxX is only useful for gas within the gastric system, and does not help with the absorption of the intraabdominal gas that they put in there. He said that the gas is absorbed by your cells, carried to your lungs, and exhaled. I asked a physiology professor and she confirmed this. He says that if people thinks it makes them feel better then it doesn't hurt anything, but that it really doesn't help the actual problem. :thumbup: Bummer!

I'm actually on full liquids for my pre-op and have discovered that the Campbell's Creamy Tomato Soup-at-Hand is good and the Campbell's boxed soup that Vegas told me about. Both are much more filling than even a canned soup! I've also enjoyed a cup of sugarfree, ff cocoa with some unflavored unjury mixed in.

I think that Jodi had some great questions. Try to use a site like www.fitday.com to track your food intake. You might be surprised at what your protein-carb-fat intake looks like.

SLABruz, are you tracking your intake on something like fitday.com? I wouldn't be surprised if you are taking in waaaayyyyy too few calories and that your body is just holding on to everything it can get. Check it out and let us know!

If you feel pain in your shoulder or chest that's not actually where the pain itself is coming from. When they blow you up for surgery the leftover gas presses on your diaphragm. The vagus nerve behind there gets pressure on it and that radiates up to your shoulder.

Hey Kathy! I'm on Thursday at Rex and I'm right down the road in Holly Springs. I'll be back at work at NC State on Tuesday, since I have a private office and just sit behind a desk. Keep us posted on how your trip to BandLand was!

Thanks for stepping in to celebrate Ro's big day! We'll see her and all of the others back soon. She's a lucky gal because she'll be the first one done...by a long shot! She'll be done before I go to bed tonight. I'll be dreaming of BandLand :thumbup:

I was only put on full liquids for the two days prior to surgery. I am paranoid about them getting in there and deciding they have to do an open surgery, so I actually put myself on a self-imposed pre-op. I did two shakes through the day, and a regular dinner. I lost weight, found out which shakes I like best, and have a much, much reduced appetite without the feeling of deprivation that I hear people suffer.

Nope, no snacks for me either.

Aspirin and Ibuprofen products are not permitted once you have been banded. There is a danger of ulceration complications around your band.

Alright Ladies...that is quite enough! Polite debate is a good thing, but I think that this conversation has gone on far enough. Respectfully agree to disagree and get on with life. This has gotten to be a very ugly thread with a very insulting tone and this is not at all what banders are looking for in this site.

I'm a teller, so I've told everyone. There have been a couple of people who ask "why would you do that", etc. but I've basically said that it's a personal choice and leave it at that. I haven't had anyone push me beyond that....

Did your doctor or dietician not give you and kind of diet to follow? Goodness! At minimum you should go to www.lapband.com and check out their recommendations.

It really doesn't matter what you are wearing when you weigh, but you do need to keep it consistent. You should really only be concentrating on the CHANGE in your weight so if you always weigh in your undies then you shouldn't weigh one day with your clothes on. I agree, I wait until I pee first!

My dr said it was mostly a matter of how much air you are unconsciously swallowing when you chew it.

My doc told me to hold off for one full week, and then I was free to do whatever I could tolerate comfortwise. I did read from one gal that everything was fine but that she thought it was funny that she could feel her port when it was, shall we say, rubbed? She said it didn't hurt, it was just funny that she noticed it. She said her hubby couldn't feel it.

Heidi, Use something like fitday.com to track your food for a couple of days. It may be that you are not getting enough calories. We don't want you falling over in the ER...although I guess if you have to fall out somewhere that would be the right place!

I've learned that I have to leave the powdered shakes all mixed up in the fridge overnight. It gives the powder a longer time to dissolve and makes it taste MUCH better! I also treated myself to a Blender Ball cup which really mixes things up and doesn't require any electricity so it's good on the go. I got my latest one at GNC.

My hubby and I general commish a league each year. All but one of our regulars has gotten out of the fun, so we are looking for folks to join in. I know we have some serious Giants fans out there. Anyone else? Are you game? Lanakila

My girlfriend told me to chew, and chew, and chew some more, and that when think you have chewed enough, chew some more. Funny, but not so much when you are actually doing it.

I'd check with your new insurance company before deciding to lose anything on purpose! If you get down to 228# you'll have a BMI of just barely over 35. Some insurance companies are really hard to convince with that, but others are fine with it.

Ditto, except that I can have drinks such as crystal light and VERY diluted 100% juices that are clear such as apple juice. My dietician said everything had to be "clear" enough to be able to read through. Protein Shakes aren't allowed for me until Week 2. As far as post-op, my doctor approves of protein shakes but only those that are very, very low carb. Everyone's orders are different, so follow what your doctor prescribed for YOU! If you aren't sure, call them first.

I think that it is sad when we see every other post being about "can I eat this or that" or "why do I have terrible shoulder pain" or "is my port flipped (really very rare)", so on and so forth. It really does come down to patients actually following their doctors orders, plain and simple. I don't understand why banders choose to be so non-compliant right off the bat! I agree that there are those who believe that the band is a miracle cure and have jumped on the bandwagon without doing any research or asking any questions of their doctors. As cold-hearted as it sounds, I think that it is their own fault when they get into a situation that they whine about. This is not to say that we cannot be supportive by explaining a few things for them (i.e. sliming and pb), but even lapband.com has the basics.

Dust yourself off and get back on the wagon. Everything will be fine and you'll come through with flying colors! Isn't it funny how that burger didn't taste as good. Sometimes it's not the actual food that we want but, rather, the experience itself. We're learning as we go!

I've heard this called the Farewell Tour, but as I go on through this process I have learned that you don't actually have to say goodbye to your favorite foods. You will still be able to eat them, just not gorge on them, which is the purpose of the band. My major piece of advice is not to leave quitting coffee, soda and empty carbs until the beginning of your liquid diet. It's tough enough to adjust to without having to deal with caffeine withdrawal and carb withdrawal headaches. I weaned myself back slowly and will be forever grateful because the liquids have been tough.