Celeste

I had severe GERD and didn't even know it until I got to Germany and had my EGD (scope). They put off the surgery for a week and treated me with Protonix and rescoped and was resolved. Was not instructed to take anymore and my PCP here says most of the time it stays resolved. I'm not taking any changes and I take OTC Pepcid. I take at night before I go on the empty stomach the longest... plus laying down. This is a mild med but there is Zantac, Prevacid and Prilosec. The Prilosec does take a little time to get in your system to really start to work so don't expect miracles the same day. I agree that you should go to GI doc. You know what works for you. So no ulcers or anything else going on? Seems like they could give you something that you can take long term and keep your symptoms under control. Celeste 3/1/06

For me it is on my breastbone (sternum). I would say they can put it anywhere. Gives a good anchor for access.

I am at a stall. I know initally I lost a good bit fast (banded 3/1/06 and have lost total of 42lbs) but for the last 4 weeks (since I had my first adjustment 4/19) I haven't lost a bit. I am exercising at least every other day (this is what will work for me forever) and documenting EVERYTHING that goes in my mouth on Fitday.com (even my Calcium chews, Benefiber, Prostat). I started journaling on 5/2. There have been 3 days I had below 1000 calories but all other days I've been able to increase to between 1100 and 1360 calories. I, like some of you, am not a morning eater but have been doing the Breakfast thing to get things started in the a.m. Thing is, the last 2 weeks I've really been good about eating whole grain, soy, Protein (never did have a problem with the protein), but have noticed as I've started doing the "healthier" things my carb counts have really gone up and up. Mind you, I'm not looking at sugars as I have trace amounts each day but am wondering if anyone out there has incorporated the low carb plan into the lap band? I am restricted some, but I will be getting another adjustment in the next 2-3 weeks. I can tolerated ANYTHING I put in my mouth right now but again, have tried to intake healthier foods. I DO NOT want to "start a diet" but am interested in making whatever changes I need to to get the "furnace burning" again. I have to be realistic and know that I have been on diets that have worked (for a while) where I was working out 2-2.5hrs a day and can't do that at this or future point of my life... forever is the key word. I know I can do at least 3 -4 days/wk for life. I don't want to get Gung-Ho and then burn myself out to where I hate it (although I did get addicted to working out before.. I'd come home from the 2hr workout and go running again!!! :doh: I know the thinking behind the low carb diet is that your body burns fats first for energy and uses carbs secondary. Whatever carbs are not used are stored as fat (after converting to sugars). The only thing I don't like about low carb is that everything is so high fat. I just can't get beyond that. Seems like to me that if you burn fat first then the less the better and then you can start using the carbs.. still the less the better.. but 20gms a day? I'm just a lot confused about what I can do to get those fires buring again!!! :help: I know there are some experts out there. I need you!!!! Celeste Banded in Germany 3/1/06 308/266

My port is on my sternum right between my breasts. Had it done in Germany and this is where they place them. I can only feel it when I lay flat and feel for it. My fill MD was very happy where it was placed because it is easy to find and easy to access. The incision is probably 6 inches down from where the port is. My fill doc said when there is a lot of abdominal fat and the port is in the abdominal area, it can make it really hard sometimes to find and to access because there is nothing firm below to push against. I was sore for maybe 2-3 days after the fill and if it wasn't for my knowing it was there, I wouldn't know it.

Does anyone know or have personal experience of your body going into starvation mode because of not reaching the caloric goals required. I was banded 3/1 and have lost 40lbs. I got my first restriction 4/20 and not since the 3 days of liquids following have I lost a pound. It has been difficult for me to reach the caloric requirments daily but I am trying to intake a little more each day. I'm awesome at getting my Protein in but thing is I am not very hungry throughout the day until about 4-4:30. I have a good, balanced dinner (not near what I used to eat but more than I think I should have... need another restriction... is this sick or what? In my head I feel like I shouldn't be able to eat even a whole lean cuisine but realistically know I have to be able to each that much to survive). I know at some point your body goes into starvation mode, holding onto every bit you intake but how do you come out of this mode? I don't know at this point if this is my problem but I'm exercising and doing "everything correctly" as far as I know. I appreciate anyone's input.:help:

I'm averaging between 800 and 1100 calories per day. I don't specifically have a caloric goal because at this point it's still about 1/3 of what I use to take in and I've been on too many counting diets (I have had 1 day where I went to 1400). The last few days I have been taking it up a little and documenting on fitday.com and am now around 1100-1200 cal/day with 80-100+ gm Protein. Been working out by fast walk and jogging along with some beginning weights at least every other day (heart rate @ 140-160 for 40 minutes) (My Germany surgeon instructs to no fewer than 3 times a week because if someone is going to do this the rest of their lives, this is the minimum that they (in Germany)have found people can absolutely stay compliant with... forever). <!-- / message -->

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I know, several years ago I lost 90 lbs using healthly eating, Ephedra (I miss this stuff!!!) and I worked out for 2+ hours 6 days of the week. I still have clothes from that time at a 14. Got to a point then that I never got any smaller, then my environment changed, my workouts changed (then stopped) and then I began gaining it all plus more back. I have to admit, I wanted the bypass, but my German doctor insisted on the band because of long-term health issues they have found in their bypass pts. Now I am glad for the band except that I'm able to tolerate ANYTHING and with the bypass I wouldn't be able to. 2 weeks ago for about 3 days in a row I had 1 hershey's Peanut Butter kiss and tolerated very well. It's alot a mind game for me and I refuse to tell myself that there are things that I can't have . I just insist of eating healthier now. I kinda got off the subject huh?

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:eek: I will get this replying stuff down eventually.

My preop wt was 308 lbs. The highest I've ever been and the fastest I ever got to that point. Nothing I was doing was working for me. I couldn't do it on my own anymore.

Where does dairy fit into this awesome scheme of things. Like milk... categorized as a protein?

I have tried about every Protein drink out there and the one I like the best is found at Walmart, GNC, grocery stores. It is made by EAS, comes in a silver packaging and is low carb. It actually has no carbs (made with Sucralose - Splenda), has 100 calories in 11 oz and comes in 2 chocolate flavors, strawberry, vanilla, and cookies-n-cream. I used them a few years ago when I was weight training and tried some in between but always go back to them. They have 15gm protein per drink. Of course, everyone has different tastes. Celeste DOS - 3/1/06 - 41 lbs

Of course they are banding it, we love it too much. The problem with artifical sweetners is that the body does not know what to do with them. I lost too many brain cells with Aspartame and now they want to take my Splenda. I've also heard of an organic sweetner, Stevia, sold at health food stores but called a "dietary supplement". I've heard several people talk about before and say all good about it, but has anyone tried it before. Here's a link to try it out. http://www.stevia.net/

I am also glad to see I am not the only one with this discomfort (although not to the same degree). My pain started on day 1 after discharge. My husband and I took a walk in the park (in Germany) and I had to stop a few times because the pain was so intense. At this point it probably was a combo of the Lap. gas pain and the diaphragm pain. Then over the next few days it just came and went as it pleased. After returning home, and a very long plane ride with just tinges of pain, I had another few very severe episodes that radiated between my shoulder and the base of my head. I did some reading and someone said that this could be a sign of your bodies "soft stop" sign (meaning it's the subtle hint that your stomach has had enough). Anyway, over the next couple of days I did pay extra close attention as I was eating that as soon as I got the smallest tinge of pain in my shoulder I stopped eating and the pain never got bad or even close to the intensity of before. Over the last couple of weeks I've noticed I've had a little bit of pain here and there and not while eating (like when my stomach growls) and so I do contribute this to the referred pain (since I have no gallbladder or hernias and I haven't had my first fill yet). Thank you everyone for your knowledge. I didn't really think something was wrong but just wondered what in the heck was going on. :amen:

I too was banded and told to be on liquids for 4 weeks. I actually started just a very small amount of applesauce and cottage cheese (chew, chew, chew) at the start of week 4. This past Wednesday started mushies and to tell you the truth.. the liquids were easier. Things for me don't taste the same. Don't like scrambled eggs anymore. But did make chili tonight and pureed mine and it was still REALLY good. Made low fat ricotta cheese with spagetti sauce last night and that was good. I think liquids are just easier because there is not as much thought and preparation but mushies are a very necessary step to help your stomach transition to real food and not work so hard to digest until healed. While ordering my protein supplement on 4webmed.com, saw that they have pureed meats, veggies and fruits. I ordered a few just to make this 2 weeks a little easier. Stick them in the oven, let them cook and eat. :hungry:

I was banded March 1st. I'm now 4.5 wks post-op and have lost 30lbs. I live in Arizona but was banded in Germany.

Don't know if anyone can help????? Had my Inamed Lap Band System 3 weeks ago IN GERMANY and the Doc thought they had someone to do my fills here in Arizona. Turns out they are having a lot of trouble so I am looking on my own. Anyone know if there are any docs in the states that will do adjustments on me. I would think that if they can do fills on post-ops from Mexico they could do it on me with the proper post-op reports/info. I will check with docs found in the forum but wondered if anyone else has experienced this. ANYONE HELP!! :omg: Celeste Banded 03/01/06