RestlessMonkey

I haven't paid for a fill but have only had one. The office mgr, I should say, didn't require any payment from me. BUT I'm tricare standard (don't remember if you are, or if it makes a difference) and I don't even have ALL my bills yet! :tongue_smilie: So I have to see. And I have a great blender that I love, so I bought a Kitchen Aid 3 cup food processor. It is pink, it is cute, and it is perfect for pureeing and chopping and clean up is a snap! (Do I sound like a commerial? LOL) I looked at magic bulletss but wouldn't take one to work with me like JWRN did (I don't work yet, anyway, still a student, and we are expected to forgo water and nutrition while on duty! LOL) I love my mini food processor though, since I do already have a great blender/osterizer thingie.

me me me! would you mind? my email is: jeffthurston55@gmail.com Thanks! My surgeon didn't give me any info on shrinking the liver; just the diet. I find the idea fascinating! I appreciate it!

I think it depends on your doctor and situation. Logically, until you have restriction, there's isn't a pouch or at least not much of one. In the early band days patients were more likely to have swelling and restriction post op. Now that the band has advanced and more surgeries have been done, that's not always the case any more. Think of Water going through a garden hose...it flows fine. It's going through an unrestricted stoma in the same way. My surgeon said as long as I didn't gulp or chug or get nauseated, water was fine with no restrictions. In fact I drank 32 ounces or more in the hospital within an hour of them FINALLY giving me some post op. HOWEVER....I'd say call and ask your surgeon WHY you're supposed to keep it to that low figure. It may be for a reason not pertinent to your situation; but it's safest to ask him.

Can you drink that? I could... I wouldn't want to get an unfill for something liquid like that.

CMTurner I can't read that! I clicked on it and still can't read it! WAH! LOL Anyway, Detroitgirl, my best advice would be to just do exactly what your surgeon tells you! Don't tinker with what works for him and his patients!

Hi! I'm in San Antonio; there's a couple of us fairly active on here right now. Do you mind saying who your doc is? Either way, welcome!

Yeah, I got my first fill ... 1.5 cc's in a 14 cc band! LOL I told the doctor "That's not even worth the lidocaine you used to numb me!" He said, though, that he would give me more restriction but I'd be more likely to be successful if I get out of the habit of snacking 1st and THEN get restriction. He's been right about everything else so I am doing what he wants regarding this, too. SO....no snacks. I was going to try to go low carb but honestly I realized I was slipping into "diet mentality" and for me, that signals doom. So I have healthy foods, will eat 3 meals only, but no weighing, counting etc. I hope it works. My next fill is in 3-4 weeks and maybe that will give me a little. I don't want to PB every other meal though. In fact if I NEVER PB or slime I'll be one happy camper. And I've been happy ever since 7/10 when I went to the seminar! LOL Except for that very very brief time in recovery the 1st time, I've been optimistic, felt good and in control, and know that this is what I needed. Hopefully you'll have the same great experience! :tongue_smilie:

I guess in an odd way it's good I was so fat; tricare approved me quickly because of that! Shakes? uh. My doctor said to use EAS Carb Control AdvantEDGE or something EXACTLY like it (LOL) for preop and that's what I have. I can only stand the 2 chocolate ones, but my husband likes the Cafe Caramel. They also come in Vanilla (AKA Vile-nilla) and Strawberry. I'm no protein shake fan; when I'm HUNGRY I want food, not sweet gicky stuff. When I want sweet gicky stuff I want a shake from SONIC, not "EAS". Not to whine! LOL Just telling you that I'm not a good source for shake info. I just "get down" the EAS ones. So far w/no restriction whatsoever I'm having no problem getting in my protein. If/when it becomes a problem (I've always been a meat eater...beef, poultry, doesn't matter) I'll probably use one of those tasteless (no pun LOL) ones that you can drink or sprinkle...like maybe "beneprotein?" (related to benefiber I think) Your doctor may very well have something specific he wants you to do for the first pre- and post-op periods, anyway! :tongue_smilie:

Sorry I didn't answer before now; for some reason I didn't get the "email" that you had posted! Anyway, my sorry tale is this. Dr. Cavazos put me on a VERY specific diet for 3 weeks prior to my band date. I'd read different diets here on LBT, people who didn't need to diet AT ALL, etc. AND in my defense (I need a little! LOL) I didn't realize it was to shrink my liver, I thought it was just "to lose weight". SO...I did my own thing, modified his directions. (I'm very good at dieting I've done it so much LOL) I lost 15 pounds in the 3 weeks; he was pleased (not knowing I'd done my own thing) and proceeded with surgery. When he went in my liver was still too thick for him to place the band. He told me his options were to "open me up", lacerate my liver, or withdraw and let me diet some more. Fortunately for me he chose to withdraw and let me diet again. When I came to in recovery I felt sorry for myself for about 15 seconds then realized this was my wake up call to do WHAT HE SAYS...to the letter. So, I did. 2 1/2 weeks and 17 MORE pounds and I was successfully banded on 8/29. He did it "special" for me on a friday! I can tell you if he gives you a specific preop diet, do what he says. Don't think you can eat a little more, or differently, and get by. You might! but then again, if you don't, it is really pretty awful. He had me drink 2-3 very specific Protein shakes and have 3 oz of lean chicken, turkey or fish and some green veggies each night, and at least 64 oz Water. What he prescribes for you may be very different so don't go by my diet, but do what he tells you to. He's been doing this a while and although very polite and easy going, the man knows his stuff! OH and he did tell me I was the first patient he'd ever had that he couldn't band (ok that isn't pretty either but I'm trying to be honest with you even if it makes me look like a silly pig! :smile2:) so if you do what he says when he tells you, you'll get through like a champ! I did, the 2nd time around!

Me neither and I don't plan on it. I am not much of a coke drinker but I did like an occasional beer. HOWEVER I don't want gas, don't want to stretch my pouch, etc. Maybe when I'm a year or two out, maybe not. For now, I'm carbonation free and it's really no big deal.

I agree, don't diet until your surgery is scheduled. Actually you may never "diet"...the band is for life and how you eat afterward will depend on many things. But for now, I wouldn't be trying to reduce if I was as close to the "edge" as you are.

Me! But mine has hurt a little since my 1st fill. I figure honestly I've lost some and my insides are a little different, if that makes sense. But mine doesn't hurt badly enough for tylenol, let alone something stronger. Sorry you feel bad!

If you can't get your doc, then do use either miralax, or milk of magnesia (I've seen them both mentioned here) whichever is your preference! Good for you catching it now! :smile2:

You might want to check with your doctor before buying Miralax; you know how different they ALL are! Mine told us "if you have the problem call ME and I'll tell you what to do" So try to check w/your doc first. :smile2:

NO! Sorry don't mean to frighten you! But don't wait .... the longer you wait, the , um, harder it will be to get things moving. Better to take care of it now. If you've been taking a pain killer like vicodin, lortab, or hydrocodone (opiates) they are VERY constipating. Please call now! THEN post more! :smile2:

You need to call your doc asap and ask him what you should take. Don't wait until monday!

It's totally individual. I was lucky; I had little to no pain, slept fine from night 1, healed well, no nausea issues etc. I STILL have no restriction and I'm cheerful as a bird. (an insane bird but still....LOL) Others have issues from pain to depression, nausea, vomiting, can't sleep in their beds, have bad gas (they fill you with gas to move things apart and make the surgery easier on person and surgeon) and so on. Some lose their appetite right away,, some unlucky people wake up starving and are mean as junk yard dogs (or worse) because many of us are on liquid diets for the first week or two post op. So much depends on your fiance and her surgeon! and fate! and who knows what else! Just be prepared for her to be moody, (she may not be at all) in pain (she may not be) nauseated, not hungry (or the opposite)....in other words, take your cue from her! :smile2: Depending on your "couple" dynamic, just being nice, solicitious, etc can make a world of difference. AND don't be her food police either. :thumbup: Good luck to her! OH Surgery takes about 1 1/2 hours or so but her surgeon can tell you what to expect when. She may or may not have to stay overnight. It's honestly not bad for most of us!

Honestly? Looking at your stats, you're losing well. I was told the average is 1-2 pounds a week and you've got that beat. OF course you'll get hungry between meals...that's what "normal" people do! :smile2: Then when it's time they eat again. If the .2 cc's made you so tight you couldn't keep Water down, then I'd guess you're good. Are you following the rules about not drinking before, during, and after meals? Are you eating enough Protein? I'd be ecstatic to post the losses you have so maybe that's clouding my judgment but from where I sit you are doing wonderfully. How soon after you eat do you get hungry? Are you sure it's really hunger and not "head" hunger? Just some things to consider. Don't let your fear cloud today. You're really doing very well. If you still think you need a fill, then IMHO you're the customer. You are paying for it; they shouldn't tell you no.

I agree 10000% with Macmadame! Go by word of mouth but most importantly, your gut. Pick one you like. Pick one you feel comfortable asking questions. Pick one who's staff is polite and organized. Pick one who's done the lap band many many many times. Go to several different seminars and compare. I understand the world isn't ideal but honestly, whomever is going to go into your innards and place an artificial device, then follow up care for years to come...shouldn't be based on price. You want the best. Period. What that means to you will rely mostly ON you. I am very excited for you; good luck!

Make sure your popsicles are sugar free too! I drank diet green tea (lipton's brand) too....don't know if your surgeon would approve it or no. It has caffeine but not much. I didn't wear a girdle post op either; I'd see what your surgeon says about that related to your wounds healing, your port placement, etc. If you are on any medications; check to see if they can be crushed or if they come in liquid form. I had absolutely NO restriction from the start but many have at least some if for no other reason than a stomach swollen from the surgery, so you may or may not be able to take any pills. AND I really used my "soft lips" lip balm; the anticholinergics really dry you out and my lips were chapped! By week 2 I was ravenous and sick to death of broth so I bought some clear Soups (like kid's chicken noodle, some progresso light low sodium soups,etc) and I would heat, strain, give the "stuff" to my husband and drink the broth. It kept me sane, and my husband and cat alive! LOL

40 pounds in 14 weeks is great, IMHO! The "average" is 1-2 pounds a week; 2 pounds a week would be 28. 3 pounds a week, 36.....so you're over 3 pounds a week. I thought it took 4 or more fills to get restriction unless your surgeon is aggressive (and that CAN cause problems; doesn't always but it can) I've had my band 1/2 as long and only 1 fill so far. From my perspective, you're doing fine! AND I've read here that sometimes it can take up to 2 weeks for restriction to "show up" once you've had a fill.

Have something carbonated for me, ok? I'm so happy! :smile:

I don't know exactly what I bought since I'm still dragging it in and putting it away...LOL tonight we're having plank grilled tilapia (I call it plankton. It's not precise but it's a lot easier to say LOL) and red potatoes with some herb on them instead of butter. Rosemary, I think? :smile: beyond that, beats me. I'm starved but not snacking; that's the important thing.

Hmmm odd my doctor distinctly said my liver was "fatty" but "not diseased".... Either way, stick with what your doc tells you; that's safest. He's the one with the experience.

I HOPE it's true I'm really tired of crossing my eyes! :smile: LOL in my heart you're a bandster, it is going to be nice for reality to catch up! :tt2: