RestlessMonkey

I have bad news for you...you would probably need to quit smoking, too, to get the band. I think more research is in order for you. I don't now how overweight you are (not really any of my business!) but just because your "brother" thinks you need the lap band doesn't mean you do. If you are intrigued, go to a seminar, buy a book or two (amazon has some good ones) and educate yourself. Actually RNY surgery (bypass) is touted as a diabetes "cure". Not lap band. But lap band can stave it off, or cause it to remit if you eat properly and exercise. As I said, if you are really happy with yourself and your life, then good for you and tell your brother you're happy for him but you don't want the band too thank you very much. If you want to be thinner and/or healthier, more active, etc, look into the band. Either way, please yourself, you can't do it for someone else no matter how loved he or she may be.

I was petrified that I'd be a "burp monster" and I just find burping too too rude. BUT It is getting better day by day. So I have to agree; it improves. Hang in there! :teeth_smile:

We really are all different! Honestly if I were losing 2-3 pounds a week and eating like you describe, then as long as I wasn't ravenous between meals (and you don't say you are) that sounds like heaven to me....a perfect mix of restraint and indulgence! I hope to be able to eat anything, just smaller portions than before. I plan to make healthy choices, but if I can eat more than 2 green Beans and 1 bite of baked chicken, well, GO me! :teeth_smile: Only you know what works best for you, though, not your doc or we other bandsters. You've gotten some good tips so if you want a fill, you should be able to convince your surgeon to do it for you. He just doesn't want you to be so restricted the only things you can eat are "slider" foods (I guess...actually don't have a clue what he wants but that sounds logical LOL) Good luck. You're doing great already, to my thinking, so I'm sure whatever you decide will be the right thing for you!

Welcome and good luck! When are you supposed to hear, do you know?

Katzrule you need education on diabetes, not the band. There are many types of diabetes. DM II is the type that responds to a change in diet, exercise (very crucial) and weight loss. Too much for me to go into here but google it. Not all smokers have lung cancer or emphysema, eithern but the correlation is rock solid. Same with obesity and DM II. I'm 53 and weighed 405 and DID NOT have DM II YET....but over the years my blood sugar and triglycerides crept up as I aged, became more sedentary, and put on weight.

Yes AliNSanDiego spitting out something that is bad, or will choke you, or whatever is VERY different from the essence and point of this thread. If I take a bite of something that tastes rancid, say, and spit it out, that's not the same as my standing at a trash can, chewing up and then spitting out a half pizza or some such. It is dysfunctional, per the article I found, and if one has an urge to do it, instead of being judgmental (and I apologize...just never heard of it) I think people should be urged to seek some therapy ASAP before the problem grows and becomes more pervasive.

I would suggest going to a seminar and getting a good "start" on your education. But it sounds to me like you are right; the band won't do much for you. Until and unless you want to lose weight and will work at it, the band will just sit in there doing nothing. Not all overweight people want to lose. Not all who want to, can. We're all different! If you are happy like you are, then good for you, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart! :teeth_smile: I like food, too. I just like living more. Personally at 405 pounds I couldn't get around and "do" like I wanted to. For me, being able to travel, to work, to LIVE (and I have a husband but no kids) was more important than being able to have a milkshake every day. Furthermore I'm a nursing student and DM II is almost an epidemic here where I live. I have seen TOO many people, younger than I, who have lost a limb (or 2) or are facing dialysis because of their disease. When my primary doc told me that within 3 months I'd need diabetic meds you can bet your bippy I was totally on board with losing weight. There is no sweet treat on earth, no plate of nachos, no food worth losing a leg or finger or kidney over. NONE. But, that's just my opinion. If you don't want to lose, or aren't ready to change how you eat (and why), then you are 100% right. The band will be a waste, at the least.

I'm so glad you were ok! And you know what, kudos for "fessing up" and admitting it was wrong. I know you will really Kick "A" with the band! Thanks for sharing, both the "good" and the "bad" :teeth_smile:

SHe should discuss this with her doctor and get a colonoscopy. Pronto! :teeth_smile: Most people with the band, if they are going to have an issue, are constipated because of eating protein and less fiber, veggies etc. Your daughter needs professional input.

DebbiePerez your story was funny but one caveat....you shouldn't have lied about urinating! They don't ask that cuz it's fun for them LOL you could've damaged your kidneys etc. Just wanted other people to realize that lying about stuff to your nurses may be human but it isn't always the best course; trust me, they have good medical reasons for wanting certain things to happen. I've known people who have real trouble post op because they can't urinate and go on home and are back for a longer stay several days later w/impaired kidneys etc. So I'm glad things all went well for you and your story was cute and I laughed along "with" you....but don't lie to your nurses! LOL

You're luck that PT jobs even offer insurance; down here they usually don't! Good luck!

Yes, what they said! :teeth_smile: Regular burping is normal! And if you get TOO tight nothing will go down....

If you don't get any posts, you might try entering your doc's last name in the search bar at the top right of the page. You'll get a list of posts....click on those and then his name will be in RED in the body of any post that references him. I found several so it might be worth it for you if no one sees this! Good luck!

Good luck! that's close to when I get my 1st fill (Oct 9)

PB stands for productive burp and according to my surgeon, only happens when you don't chew properly or take too large a bite, or both. Some bandsters would disagree but for the most part, that's when it happens. If you get in a rush to eat, forget about the band etc, a bite of food gets stuck and if it can't go down, it must come back up. Never done it (no restriction yet) and hope I never do. Some don't ever! So don't borrow trouble as my mom would say; just remember once you are getting "fills" to chew chew chew tiny bites and proceed with caution if trying a "new" food.

Sorry I can't really help you except to say I think you're right to check with your cardiologist; in fact he and your surgeon should probably have a talk. From what I know of coumadin, it might be dicey to keep taking it with the band; is your cardiologist aware of and on board with your surgery? A-Fib is nothing to play around with; do they think losing weight will make it resolve? You're right to be cautious but if you don't discountinue the drug as early as your surgeon asked, be sure you tell him. He needs to know what he's facing when he operates on you! GOod luck!

Sounds like you need a good GI doc and an endoscopy. You may need a different drug, or more of it...Please get that checked. If you know its reflux and not a lung issue, you're getting worse and need help pronto. You can't function without sleep! Your surgeon should be able to refer you, or your PCM. Good luck; please don't put it off! Life's too short!

You need to call your surgeon Monday and ask. You were doing everything right but sometimes things can still go wrong. Your port may have flipped, or it may be nothing! best to be sure! Don't suffer in silence...that's never smart and if it IS something "wrong" better to get it fixed right away!

LOL Sorry I'll admit I didn't look...I'm 53 and they had to have "urine" to give me a pregnancy test before my lap band surgery. LOL What a hoot!

Until you have restriction (fills) you don't really "have" a pouch yet. Think of a loose belt around your middle...until you start really tightening it, you aren't getting "cinched" in. So IMHO right now not drinking and eating is pretty unimportant. When it becomes almost vital is once you have a pouch and restriction....then liquid can wash food through and ruin that feeling of satiety we're going for. How long it takes food to "trickle" on through again will depend on how restricted we are. The "sweet spot" that most surgeons aim for is restriction that is adequate to allow you to eat almost anything if you take small small bites and chew chew chew, and remain full for 5-6 hours. So until your first fill, unless your doctor specifically told you from day 1 not to drink, I wouldn't worry. You are right; Soups and broths are liquid and go on through (as will almost any food right now) Some few people feel restriction immediately; either from swelling or whatever, but once we start to heal, most of us can eat pretty normally until those wonderful fills start happening. And remember it can take 4-5 fills (or more, and unfills) to hit that "sweet" spot so most of us don't really feel restricted right away even with the first fill or two! Sorry that I can't address the nausea. Were you nauseated often before the band? Could you be pregnant? Is it before you eat (when your stomach is empty) or only after? Maybe you should discuss it with your surgeon when you see him again...they take nausea very seriously! I was banded 8/29 so we are at about the same stage!

Just remember Roxieroo...employers can (and often do) modify policies by excluding certain types of coverage, so that one person's UHC coverage isn't the same as another person's. Sad but true. If your new policy will be similar to Morgan's it sounds good but you are safest to do what PattyK said. Since you are getting the job etc mostly for the insurance; make sure it covers what you want! (I sure wish it were easier, don't you?)

NOT that I'm recommending this, but some people just gain a few pounds so they meet their insurance company's pre-requisites. Some of the companies are so rigid that if you miss the mark by even a LITTLE bit (like a BMI of 39.7 instead of 40.0 for example) they reject you. (don't know about your company either) But if you are really close, maybe eat a salty meal, drink a lot of water, wear your heavy clothes...whatever to help you. Not to recommend doing anything illegal or fraudulent! Just warning you some companies don't "think" or do what's logical, they just follow the rules and charts.

That MMPI thing? They ask you the same "true or false" question about 15 times...for example (and I'm making this up; I don't remember the exact questions) I'd KILL for pizza. Then later: People who kill for pizza are like me. and then later I think killing for pizza is a good plan. (then they flip it) People who kill for pizza need therapy LOL So just be honest. You'll do fine!

I understand! People kept asking me if I was excited and I kept saying "When I come to in recovery and the band is in place, THEN I'll be excited!" And thanks for your kind words about my WL....I lost a LOT of it preop , 9 post op, but I get my first fill on Oct 9 and things will start to pick up then! Good luck and keep me posted how it goes for you, ok?

I googled "Is chewing and spitting an eating disorder?" and got this. Can't attest to it's veracity but it sounds logical...I think you guys may be hurting yourselves unintentionally: Yet people with these disorders can experience swollen glands, mouth sores, cavities, cracked teeth, sore throats, and irritated or ulcerous stomachs. This is because when a person thinks about or begins to eat the salivary glands and stomach acids kick into action. The salivary glands work on the food in the mouth to break it down into simple sugars and make it easier to digest. Some argue that the breakdown allows the sugar to be absorbed through the mouth into the body, thus causing actual calorie ingestion. Others argue that this would be minimal as the food does not stay in the mouth long enough for this to happen. Some claim that it's impossible to not swallow some of the food, but again this is usually minimal. When the salivary glands and acids are frequently working it can lead to the complications mentioned. It can also cause a spike in insulin levels, which regulate blood sugar, and make it harder to lose weight. A real danger for a person who chews and spits is that it could develop into another eating disorder, such as anorexia. They might feel they are getting satisfaction from the food they chew and spit out and therefore eat less or nothing at all. They could also move on to bingeing and purging. It's a warning sign of self-destructive behavior that may worsen. If you or someone you know practices this behavior consider getting some professional help. Eating disorders can be very difficult, if not impossible, to overcome by yourself and generally grow to govern your entire life.