RestlessMonkey

Hello, Paige59. You could almost be me, but I was older and fatter when I got the band. I weighed 405 and was 53 (I'm 5'5") when I went to the seminar. Please feel free to PM me or email me any time. Now, as to how you start? You just do. One little fat foot in front of the other. I can say this from my own personal experience. I can tell you that I even made it through nursing school at that high weight. God only knows how, but I was very stubborn! If you want a diet (very very austere but it pulls the weight off fast) that you can follow to lose that 1st 40 pounds, let me know. Did the surgeon TELL You you had to lose 40, or do you just think that? Mine had me on a liver shrink diet but there was no weight loss goal. Once you get the band, you DO have to work it but if you've tried dieting before, and had limited success, only to relax or have life intrude and gain it back, the band can be a miracle. So don't cry, don't be ashamed, don't be embarassed. You have a disease, a very poorly understood disease, called obesity. But with your wit, and your determination, you can get the upper hand, and have a healthier happier life. Drop me a PM or email, and let's get started on the new you, ok? I've been there, done it. I'll gladly help you see the way out of the hole you're in.

I think first off you should NEVER eat just because you are bored! So easy to do, but so not a good habit! My doc says to eat at the same 3 times each day (he's got a no Snacks rule, and considering I was a night time grazer, I am trying mightily to follow his advice) you can "train yourself" (like you do a pet! LOL) to be hungry ONLY at those times. It seems to be working pretty well for me so far. I think it depends on each individual; some do better eating only when hungry, some do better with a regimen. The problem with skipping meals is the tendency some have to think "well I skipped breakfast and lunch so it's ok if I eat blah blah blah NOW!" but not all do that.

If you don't have an incentive spirometer, get some balloons! Seriously; while UnforgettableRN is right, the balloons help. Get one and blow it up a few times. Do that each hour, change to a fresh balloon when the one you are using gets too easy to inflate. That is a great trick and works like a charm!

I am not self pay but didn't need this for insurance. I THINK...that some people need it and some don't. If you have cardiac issues (and many many obese people DO have cardiac problems) then they want to make sure they survive the surgery, frankly. I don't know how old you are but if you are young, have good blood work, and don't have any symptoms, odds are you won't have to have it. It will be your surgeon's call, ultimately, since he will be the one in the OR placing the band.

It may turn some things into slush, but others...it's just volume. Chew a piece of chicken breast then put it with a swallow (about 1/2 ounce) of Water. DONT stir it! What you have is chicken breast and water. Keep doing that. The water takes up area in your pouch and HURTS! Not true with every food of course, but there are reasons to not drink while you eat beyond the "slush" theory. In fact, there are people who, when they are stuck, use a sip or two of water to get the old "PB" going. I know some people drink while they eat (referring to people with good restriction) but I don't really know how they do it. I'm glad it hurts me; it really helps to NOT do something if it hurts you to do it!

The larger you are when you start, the more you need to lose for it to show, unfortunately. But you are losing weight. You've lost almost 10% of your total weight. Don't let that type of comment upset you. Just ignore it, or say something like "Doesn't it?"

i didn't worry about it before I got restriction. Once I started getting restricted it became increasingly easy for me because it physically HURTS me if I drink while eating. It's just a habit, really, and it's one that's easy to break. Just don't give yourself a beverage when you sit down to eat.

I'm not sure but I think that for most of us (unless you're a body builder) that much protein at once is more than you need or would use. I'd aim for about 20 grams per meal. You might also ask your surgeon how much the literature and science he has reviewed suggest you can use at once.

I did get fills every 4-6 weeks; now just when I need them.

My doc did such a thorough job of my medical history, plus all the tests I got, I'm shocked yours slipped by, or didn't give you issues before the band. Were you tested for h. pylorii? Maybe that will clear it up and you'll be fine! :wub:

It's really important that you breathe VERY deeply several times an hour...to keep your lungs clear, mostly, but there are other benefits. It should "loosen up" if you keep at it. If it still hurts tomorrow, call your doc. Did you get the incentive spirometer from the hospital? IF so, use that. Really...it's a pain, but very good for you

Please click on the "HOME" page, then scroll down through the forums to "Surgeons and Hospitals". You may find something there. You can also enter your surgeon's name in the search area...and at the bottom of the forum lists is an area "How to research a surgeon in Mexico" (or something like that) That should help you access the info you are looking for.

It depends...on your insurance, on how quickly they approve and what they need, on how busy your surgeon is, on how busy the hospitals are where he performs the surgery, etc. Mine was 4 weeks start to done, or would've been if I had followed my preop diet instead of doing my own thing.

Osteoarthritis won't reverse. It is a wearing away of the cartilege and that doesn't magically come back with weight loss. BUT...losing does make it much easier to get around on weight bearing joints, it causes less wear and tear on the bones and cartileges, and can help keep you from getting worse. So it is totally worth it to lose weight if you have arthritis in the knees, hips, ankles, etc.

Why don't you trust your fill nurse? (just curious) Call your banding surgeon and ask.

HI and welcome. If you'll go back to the HOME page and scroll through the forums you'll find 2 different areas that might have the info you want: Surgeons and Hospitals, and then an area with the 50 states listed. Click on Georgia and you may find reviews of surgeons in your area. If neither area has what you need, re-post this thread in surgeons and hospitals and you should get an answer, if anyone knows of a surgeon in your area. Good luck!

Yes it's normal! And while Rosie1 is trying to help, just make sure you follow your doc's orders. They all have different post op diets. I was on clear liquids for 1 week, then regular liquids for 1 week (that's when I FINALLY got protein shakes and that helped), then mushies for 2, then "soft" foods, then regular. I sat during week 2 and cried over a can of refried beans because I was so hungry. It wasn't "head hunger" either. I came to in recovery feeling great but starving, so I feel your pain. Just hang in there. It passes, and you need to heal right now so it's REALLY important you don't cheat. You'll make it!

I'm Tricare Standard and I had my answer in under 48 hours.

Honestly? The ONLY difference I have found at almost 1 year post op (and finally great restriction) is that I have to chew better and I eat less. No kidding; no bowel problems, no nausea, no "upset" if I eat this/that/the other, etc. I'm lucky, I'm grateful to my doc, and mostly wanted to post just so "newbies" and those just lurking will know that not everyone has problem foods, digestion issues, etc. I've eaten the occasional super fatty "unhealthy" food and it just tasted good. Usually that type of thing doesn't keep me full as long as the healthier things like chicken and some green Beans, for example. Since I want to lose weight, I make the healthier choices about 99% of the time, and that satiety helps me make the healthier choices. But nothing makes my stomach rebel (not like you mean!) Things HAVE gotten stuck a time or two but it's MY fault for not chewing well. When I focus, the food all goes down fine, what little of it I need to hit "satiety". So far I just think it's wonderful. I can't drink beer like I used to (it makes me burp) so I guess that would count, but I don't really think that's a negative. If I just HAVE to have one, I could.

Then you may certainly read plenty on here. Also asking some questions like "did you turn to alcohol to replace food?" might get the info you want.

Seriously, are you complaining because you weren't in pain? You don't mean that, do you? I never had any pain either. Until you get restriction, the band won't do much.

Papaya enzyme just helps digest protein. (different enzymes digest different things) so papaya won't help if it is a pill that is stuck. And it works but it takes it a while...as long as what's stuck is protein.

That's a pretty general question! May I suggest your friend buy a book or two and read it, as well as doing some online research (like on this site, the site for the realize band, the site for the lap band, etc)

The concern isn't that you might stretch your band, but rather the small pouch formed BY the band. Unless you really overeat right now, you don't need to worry about it too much.

Sure! We were all new at this once! :thumbdown: