MissBS

Was a coffee drinker before my surgery and thank goodness my surgeon lets me have it. I had it the day after my surgery and have had some every day since I like it, I want it, I need it!!! I've given many things up.. thank goodness I didn't have to give up my coffee!!! Becky

Hi Jason. Been following your progress - you are amazing!! It is obvious how committed you are to having this done and changing your life. Your day will be here soon. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us - it has motivated and inspired many people. So proud of you!! Keep up the good work and take care. Becky

When I PB, (knock on wood), it is never sudden. I get that feeling and have time to get to a restroom. I have had problems when the restroom is occupied and I have to wait. I agree with dridlen - the car is one of the worst places to have a PB incident. Still learning. Becky

I have had a hard time with lettuce since my surgery. Every time I try it, no matter how much I chew it, it comes back up. I am stubborn and very optimistic, so I won't give up. Maybe some day I will be able to eat it. I eat lots of vegetables, so that is not a problem.... just really want a salad every now and then. Funny how our bands all have different personalities... just like we do I guess :bored: Good luck to you. Sorry you had to go through this and thanks for reminding us all how important it is to chew, chew, chew. Take care. Becky

Hi. I was given ALL the information there is about my pre-op diet, the surgery itself, the post-op diet, fills, and what my eating should be like the rest of my life. I think that part of the problem is that when I was getting ready for this surgery, I was given a LOT of information.... much of it at the same time. I was excited, a tiny bit nervous, and even though I tried to take it all in, it was too much for me at that time. I think I asked 7,427 questions before the day of my procedure. I set up a whole drawer in a file cabinet and started filing all of the information I was given...."My Procedure", "Questions and Answers", "$$$", "Dietary Guidlines", "Fills", "Receipes", etc. Every time I was/am given anything that pertains to my surgery, it goes in that drawer. I read, and reread everything. It has helped me. I also have a fantastic doctor!! He, and his staff, answered ALL my questions before my surgery and still do. One other thing that I see happening is that sometimes there are several terms for the same thing, and that can be confusing for someone new to all of this.... fills/adjustments.... sweet spot/green zone.... soft foods/mushies.... After being on LBT for awhile, you do see that all surgeons have their own beliefs/instructions for their patients - I'm sure it is what they believe works best. I do agree with you that sometimes you read a post that makes you wonder if the poster ever even met their surgeon beforehand. Bottom line is - everyone needs to do what their surgeon tells them to do - and if something is unclear or doesn't make sense - ask again.... and again and again if you have to. As time has passed, the thick fog has burned off and everything has become clearer for me. Boy can I ramble. Good luck to you. Becky

I told, and tell, everyone. The people I know love and support me. When I need to PB, I just get up and go to the bathroom. My PB's are not loud or violent. Just like what they are called - a productive burp. The food that I swallowed that won't go down... comes back up. Sometimes it takes a couple of times to get it all up, but then I spit, flush and go They are not fun... but they are no big deal for me. No one knows that I did anything except what other people do in the restroom. I do try to order things that I think will go down without problems... but as we know... sometimes our bands don't react the way we think they will. The only time I've had really unpleasant PB's were in the car... oh mercy... TMI!!!!!!!! Good luck to you. Becky

Sleeve surgery needs no aftercare?? What if there are complications with that? I think all of this applies to any and all surgeries.

Hi. Just a cheery update. I'm finally under 200 pounds. I just can't believe it. 10 months and I've lost 78 pounds. I feel so good. Everyone's gonna wonder why I'm wearing that big Kool-Aid smile today. Thanks for the support guys. Take care. Becky

Hi Bill. Thank you. You are doing great. Almost to ONEderland AND almost to goal. WOW. I'm sure you are feeling as good as I am. Nice, isn't it?? gone 4 ever - 69 pounds gone - amazing. That is a lot of weight gone. Thanks for celebrating with me - I love the little dancing guys..... those aren't M and M's are they??? hehehehe just kidding. Take care. Becky

Thank you Jenn and Top. Top.. your surgery date is right around the corner. I bet you are very excited. Good luck to you!!! And Jenn... you are doing great!!! Keep up the good work. Thanks for your comments. Becky

Hi Restless You are so right. I just wanted to add that I was eating the protein I was supposed to be eating, was drinking lots of water, was taking Biotin, and was doing any other hint I found on here. NOTHING but time seemed to help. No one noticed but me. It would be a bit scary if you have thin hair to begin with, but it does come back. Becky

Hi and welcome!! While I was waiting for my surgery date, I spent a lot of time here. It is true that there are a lot of posts from people who have just had surgery and are experiencing the normal after surgery aches and pains. I had my surgery done in September 2008 and I've lost 75 pounds since August 08. No complications - I feel GREAT!!!!!! Try to focus on the success stories (although it is good to know the good, the bad, and the ugly) and keep in mind why you are doing this. I was self pay too. The time from my initial consultation to my surgery day was only about a month. Good luck to you. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Take care. Becky

Congratulations!!! The sooner the better!! Just think - now you'll be healing and feeling better by the 30th. Like OnTheWay said, just make sure you have the things you need when you come home. I am very excited for you!! If you have any questions that I can help you with, feel free to send me a message. Take care and don't be too nervous....you'll be fine!! Becky

Hi. Make sure you are eating enough. I think measuring/weighing and writing down (or using a site like myplate.com to record) everything you are eating helps. Probably won't have to do it forever, but it does show you what you are eating and breaks it down for you. Your surgery wasn't very long ago.... give yourself some time to heal. You are doing great - focus on the positive and the reasons that you had this surgery done. Keep looking at that cutie pie that is in your picture and know that you will be able to keep up with her, and be around for her, for a lot longer now that you are on the way to healthy. Keep smiling. One day at a time. Take care. Becky

I noticed a lot of hair falling about 4 months out - lasted for a couple of months. Like you, I am lucky that I have really thick hair. I started taking Biotin and not sure if it helped with the hair falling out, but it did seem to make my hair healthier. I'm back to normal now. Eating right and drinking all the water I'm supposed to, I think my hair, skin, and nails are all healthier. I know I am. Good luck to you. Becky

Great news!!! We are all so proud of you and I know you are very proud of yourself. It sounds like you have a great doctor who can tell that you really want this - it's great he's not making you wait. Keep up the good work and keep smiling!!! Becky

Yep... hamburger is one meat that I can tolerate. No bun for me either and let me tell you - I tried fries a couple of times and they are now on my list of foods that I can look at and smell, but don't want to try again!! Maybe someday, but it's ok if french fries are not a part of my life. I love my band and my hamburgers too!! Take care. Becky

That is not fun. It's a shame your doctor or pharmacy can't help you. When I had my surgery, I was taking a blood pressure pill that was too big. My doctor found something that was similiar and it was tiny. My vitamins and other supplements that I take are either tiny or chewable. If you've talked to them and there is no other way, I'm sorry. I don't have any creavite suggestions, but I'm sure somebody will. Good luck to you!!! Becky

Hi. I've had lots of scale victories and non scale victories. Yesterday when I weighed...... drum roll ...... I am finally at 200 lbs. I've lost 75 pounds and I feel GREAT!!! That means if I have a good week, I will be in ONEderland when I weigh next week. Been celebrating all day - not with food of course. I still have a ways to go.... but I know I'll get there. Thanks to all of you for the support you've given me over the last 9 months. Time sure does fly when you're having fun. Take care!!! Becky I LOVE MY BAND!!!

Congratulations!!!! That is a great accomplishment!! Keep up the good work. Setting goals IS very important and boy does it feel good when they are reached. Take care!! Becky

I doubt if your band slipped. I have PB'd a lot while trying to find out what foods I can and cannot eat. Sometimes if you don't take TINY bites, chew LOTS, and WAIT between bites, the food will come back up. But for me, there are a few foods (chicken, white pasta, bread, salad, and pizza) that I cannot eat, even if I follow all of the above rules. Given them several tries and it's always a NO GO. Once you have PB'd on a food several times, you no longer look at it with wanting eyes. If you had told me a year or two ago that you could put something in me that would make me no longer want bread, pasta, and pizza, I would have said "Bring it on". I do miss my chicken and kinda miss salad. Who knows... maybe down the road I will be able to have small amounts of these foods. It's ok either way though. I LOVE MY BAND!!!! Good luck to you!! Becky

Headhunter. You made me laugh and I needed a good laugh..... long week. Thanks! OMG - I didn't know that I was naked in the operating room, but I probably was. I don't know about the swimming question. I think you will know when you feel like having sex. I'm sure for the first couple of weeks chandelier swinging might not be advised. Start out slow and move to the wild stuff as you start to feel better . I too wish someone would have told me that it would take a while to feel restriction. I was using good old fashioned willpower for a LONG time (3 months). But, that is different for everyone. Everything is great now and I LOVE MY BAND!!! Good luck to you. Take care. Becky

The 2 types of protein shakes that I use have 15, and 17 grams of protein and one has 6 grams of carbs. and the other has 2 grams. If they want you to have ONE that has 30 grams of protein, you might have to add some unflavored protein to your shake. I think I would ask them what they recommend. Good luck to you. Becky

Jason. I am keeping up with your posts and I sure am proud of you!!! That is so wonderful. I think a nice belt would be a good reward. Keep up the good work and keep posting. Good luck and take care!! Becky