RestlessMonkey

It depends on your doc. At one year out my doc told me that NOW if it doesn't hurt, it's ok. I'll say this though; I liked beer (probably like you did) and I am unable to drink it "my way". The days of getting an icy cold long neck and taking a good swallow are gone, at least for me. It HURTS. I can drink a beer IF I pour it into a glass and make sure I have a huge head of foam (gets rid of some of the carbonation) Then I can take swallows, but no "big swallow", no drinking it too quickly. There's no "gusto" if you get my drift. So I can drink it but, to me, it's not worth all the rigamarole.

I think it depends largely on your dynamic! If you are a good team, generally supportive of each other, etc, then it can work well (although having a little time in between seems smart because of your daughter. You don't want to both be recovering and her need you for example) I did it, DH doesn't need it, but since we're childless and aren't usually each other's health police or food police we could've done it together. For some, support means "monitor" and that could be problematic.

Ask your surgeon or dietitian. Most foods have a high concentration of liquid, believe it or not. And I've read of people getting stuck w/watermelon, so better to be safe! just found this neat site: http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2682/2 You'll note that a tomato has 141 g of Water in a 149 g tomato (on average) that is a HIGH percentage of water. And it is counted as "food", not liquid. per that site, 154 g of watermelon has 141 g of water...so it would have LESS water than a tomato!

LOL! I really really like the "playground" idea and agree. Things here ARE intense it seems like, either the "I climbed the mountain!" type (with appropriate background music, tears all around, etc) or the "The mountain FELL on me" type (ditto ditto) but life is rarely that absolute. I vote YES on this proposition!

Well it's been a year and I can still drive. (j/k) Once you're no longer taking narcotics, unless your doc advises otherwise you should be ok to drive. Unless it is an emergency I'd give it a few days, just for the comfort factor.

Why not ask your insurance? Rather than asking on here since we wouldn't know what your policy is and what it covers.

Just because your dietitian "brushed aside" any psychological issues doesn't mean you should disregard it. You say you "trusted" your "fill guy" and learned from that; NOT! Your dietitian can advise you on WHAT to eat, not how you do it. Good grief if you think it is likely psychological, go to a psychologist. If you have been medically checked out and there is no reason medically for you to be unable to eat then that leaves the old grey matter! Get unfilled and get your SURGEON to recommend a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. If your surgeon can't recommend one, google it and find one in your area. That may seem like a pain in the neck but it's easier than having another surgery you may not need. AND what if even AFTER the band is removed you still "can't eat healthy"? If your problem is psychological in nature you need a psychological fix. If I were you I'd get unfilled, find a good psych person, and get to work. Once you get the issues that are causing your trouble under control, start SLOWLY filling again. Most of us don't get too tight and then are never able to eat properly again; I think you are very smart to know something more than medical is going on with you. Don't let the naysayers like the dietitian have so much control over you...you were on the right track. Trust yourself; go get help.

You need to check with your surgeon. You're a nurse; I can't believe you're too shy! :biggrin: Just pretend you are asking for a patient...or better yet, ask his nurse. I agree by 9 weeks it shouldn't hurt; maybe he didn't place it properly. If you want just tell him "during certain physical activities my port causes me pain"

Hold a pillow over your abdomen when you belch; the counter pressure should help ease your pain some too.

I agree, your surgeon will give you guidance. It will partly depend on his skills and how quickly his patients recover, how conservative he is, and so on. You'll learn one truism for lap band: each doc is different. They all have different diets, rules, outcomes, philosophies, etc. So find one you "click" with! (aside from being skilled etc)

Nothing did it for me but time.

:thumbup: I used you as an example for the "other" girls and boys who may read this; in case they don't know. The biggest danger isn't slow healing, but not recovering completely from anesthesia. AND I am glad you're ok. It's hard to quit smoking but I gotta say it's easier than losing weight. Doing both together is almost unhuman I'd think.

Just FYI...at least locally, sedation is the "default". If you don't want to be sedated (and some don't) you have to clear it. So check w/the doc who will be doing the test and tell him/her you want sedation (assuming you do). If he won't accommodate you, find another.

What Cherishthepast did was actually just short of life threatening. Smoking severely diminishes your oxygenation etc; things could've gone south for her because of her lie. (I'm sure she knows this). Odd are your doc will test you (as Cherish's should've done) but if you quit now, you should be ok by 9/3. They did used to operate on smokers, but then people died while under more often too. You know the reason isn't to punish smokers, but because it would almost be malpractice to do an "elective" procedure (as this is) on an obese smoker. I used to smoke A LOT so I'm sympathetic. But it's immediately dangerous. Tell your doc you smoked but quit, let him decide. And Cherish, you were very lucky. I hope you know that. It is so silly to lie to someone who is trying to sedate you, cut into you, keep you alive, and return you back like they found you. Anyway OP you'll probably be ok depending on your medical history etc. So smart of you to tell your doc! :thumbup:

You'll be sedated; don't worry. It won't hurt you or traumatize you. :thumbup:

Ask your surgeon! That's your safest bet.

Sorry you're perturbed but if no one who's been to Tripler posts on this site, then you are out of luck. I've never been there, I can't help you.

Thank you Mickey 527. I love the Mouse too; in fact I have a Mickey Mouse door bell.

Sounds like you're doing what you're supposed to then. I think our pouches are all slightly different sizes (in fact, they'd have to be! LOL) and my doc says 1 cup of food; but some feel that is too much. As long as you and your doc are watching it, then, I'm sure you'll be ok!

Amen to that! But that only has happened to me since I got good restriction. I was banded 6-7 months before I felt that way. And the Water thing...CAN work (I've tried it) but I would use it as a last resort, after you've tried stretching, retching, and the beloved papaya enzyme (I thought the stuff HAD to be bogus but one night in desperation I tried it and within 2-3 minutes the pain went away. It was wonderful)

As to being stuck (which again doesn't usually happen until you get pretty good restriction. It CAN happen before then but usually doesn't) some people DO drink a little warm beverage and say it helps them bring the bolus of food back up. I either "cough" and bring it up, or use Papaya Enzyme (love that stuff) and it breaks down and goes on through. Chewing VERY well, smallish bites, eating slowly all help prevent it.

For me it was very different post op vs "good" restriction. Post op (once healed) because I had no fill, and then very little (conservative doc) I ate less than before, but still a lot. Sometimes I got uncomfortable, others not so much. At the "sweet spot" it's VERY subtle, for me. It's like I'm hungry and then between bites I'm NOT any more. If I push it from there I get miserable. So it's like a hungry/not hungry switch.

I'd say get direction from the nutritionist who works with your surgeon. I've read people who say they eat 1/2 cup and then wait 15 min, if still hungry have more (I think that's Parrothead Cathy) My doc says about 1 cup max. However, WHAT are you eating, that you can overeat and not PB? It's possible you're choosing softer foods? (don't know, just guessing) Your doc should've given you some direction here. If he didn't, you may want to call Monday and pin them down on exactly WHAT you should do!

I don't know about everyone else but I was FULLY clothed when they took my photo. And in the OR they don't take pix, or if they do, it's of your "innards", not your "outards" LOL BUT by all means, wear the "good" panties; they can give you confidence as you start this new path! :cursing:

Yes, get a fill. The lap band requires maintenance or it won't work. May I also suggest a therapist to help with what you call "emotional" eating? You may think you don't have the time, but a little attention now can save you a world of grief down the road, and eventually give you more life. Remember the band is a TOOL, not a solution. Just like a hammer never did a thing without a person swinging it, you need to work your lap band for it to work for you. Good luck finding your way to that place!