54Shirley

SisterSue: If I were to answer everything from my eating habits before,,, I would have blown the roof of ! 5 years later, I know longer eat that way, so I am at a Moderate Level for a food Addict. But Yes ! I am a Food Addict. Under Control...... Shirley.

You chew until its like mushie or liquid practically. Don't swallow whole pieces, make sure you chew it all up. While you sit and chew, It's good practice to put the fork down, and take your time. Then start again. Don't be surprised if your hot food goes cold in this process. It always does for me....

That's Great BaileyRose, that you listen to your body. More people need to. Mine is a hiccup. If I do it twice, I'm pushing it so stop. I usually am full on one hiccup though. If they keep coming,,, then I have the hiccups...... LOL Burping is fine, your still swollen, so you feel this pressure. It will go away. But burping is important. It means your Band is clear. That's not all coming from your stomach ! Imagine your Bathroom Drain ! You run Water until you hear it's clear by the gurgling sounds it makes. If you hear nothing,,,, you know it's plugged. The same is true with the band. It's making all these noises to make sure your new plumbing is open. If anything is hung up in there or even stuck, it will try to burp over and over until it's clear. So it's actually a good thing. You will learn in time to tell the difference in Burps, which ones tell you your open, and clean verses not to clean. For now enjoy healing, and welcome to the Band. Shirley

Well,,, this is a switch,,,,, How is your fill level ? are you hungry every couple of hours ? Or are you good for say 5-6 hrs.... i went through a lot also, they ended up filling my band to the fill line under Fluoroscope (this is painless) . If you are going to speak to your surgeon, ask him to fill you to your Fill Line, before you make any decesions You might actually be Happy with the results. You will be able to watch the whole thing on screen. Add in some walking maybe 3x a week, and you have a good start. I'm speaking from experience. I only had a slight tweaking since I lost some weight. But being filled this way put me on the right track, and it is available to you..... Tell your surgeon to do it, youre tired of waiting for weight loss to begin, and you believe this would help. What have you got to lose but weight. This is one fill straight to the Fill Line. Also check out myfitnesspal.com for journal, and tons of info...It's FREE ! Again, you might be impressed. Don't make a mistake that is not reversible. Then comes the problem with Melabsoruption. (I know I spelled that wrong..) Every one that I new that had it done,,, It did not work for them. Don't make a mistake, Think first. Shirley.

I totally agree with that. I give myself a window of 800-1200 calories a day, and 60-80G of Protein. This makes it easier for me, when it comes down to choice. Also if I been at 900-1000 for a while, and I go out and eat. If I hit 1300 cal. I don't kick myself for it... But I use to... But not anymore, I realize that I am trying to do the right thing, and this takes time. So kicking myself for 100 cal. is not worth it. Plus I could never enjoy it ! ! Now it's well tomorrow is a new day, and we can tighten it up then. . Not to mention, that was good for a change. That's how I float my Boat... What do you do????

rn2012: that was a very professional post, and right on the money. A lot of questions, and a lot of good answers. I was 356 when I first started, and I remember when the Dietician gave me this site, and I got on. I was banded 10/31/06 and I said i spent the night in the Hospital, so it's 11/01/06. Should I become a November Bandster ? or go back to October ? Can you imagine the response that I got ! I was amassed at the response, read them all, and became a October Bandster. There is a lot of good info on this site, from a lot of different people, but they are all basically good pieces of advice. So yeo ! what she said...

Welcome aboard ! Well first of all I will say you probably need help with your child. No lifting for a while, and you need your rest to heel ! You will be going to Dr.'s so get a file with pockets in it like the kids one use at school. Every time you go to any Dr., Specialist, Nutritionist make sure you get weighed (this is the whole point for Ins..) Then ask for a print out of the report or office visit. Some are fussy, so insist you need this for your Dr.'s Office, Some know the drill, and not a problem. You will get it. Put it in your pocket file. Any place you go PCP, Surgeon, Shrink, etc get that printout. Then when it comes time for surgery, and they talk to you about (proof) for the Ins. Company. You hand the whole thing over. They can't get lost or messed up with all facts. Also Make Copies to have on hand just in case there is ever a question. There will be things that you will buy from Protein shakes, Hot Water Bottle, Pill Splitter/ Crusher combo ebay sells them. sleep in a Recliner you will find it easier to get up from. Some sugar free pudding to help take those crushed pills. PAIN KILLERS. Gas X Strips They help some. After you will be in the liquid stage, Stock, broth, sugar free pop-cycles, Sugar Free Yogurt, s.f. pudding, Protein Shakes. It's really not that bad, I was up that night, then walking in the morning. Then I went home. Stuck to this site, and if I had questions,,, I asked ! I figured they were once where I was so, they must know something. I got all the help in the world, and made friends with the bandsters that were banded in the same month as me. (October Bandster) I walked to relieve the Gas, took my pain pills as needed, drank a lot of water, Soups, shakes etc.... This takes time, it is a slow go. Don't get disappointed when you find yourself finally hungry. These fills take time to work, so your Dr. will have given you a diet to follow. Stick to it ! You need to heel. Remember,,,,, PROTEIN HELPS KILL HUNGER ! Hope this answers some questions, Shirley.

You said it yourself (IT ALWAYS COMES BACK !!!) Think about taking it off, and keeping it off, with everyday living. Not to mention It will help to maybe (I'M no DOC.) get off some of those meds. If you must play the game of up and down just so you qualify, it's worth it... Question to you is how bad do you want it ? If you call it quits, you don't get to pick up where you left of. You start all over again. That's what the Ins. companies say. They hope you will throw in the towel, and they don't have to pay on you. I do hope your at a Center of Excellence for excellent care. But you need to answer to your own Gut, and Honest thoughts. Can you do this un- assisted, and keep it off ? Give that some thought. Shirley.

I'm going to side step if you don't mind.... If you have been trying to have children, and have irregular periods. That is a major comorbitey as far as Ins., and the Doctors. So make sure you tell your surgeon this. Meaning approval for you for surgery is a snap. Once you had your surgery, and have healed, you can again deal with this problem. But 1 at a time..... It is also possible that down the road, if you are on the pill for a while, and have lost weight, that once you stop the pill you could end up pregnant. DON'T hold me to that ! It has been known to happen. The obesity is related to the irregular periods. Ask your OBGYN She should know. But it works with getting banded. I wish you luck, and good health, Shirley.

I don't know where you went, but just as the Topic starter stated. You will know everything inside, and out. We were even given a Test to see if we paid attention to the Surgeon. If not, well your gone. Because he knew that if your not listening now,,, you won't listen later. They also have their private email organization, and meetings. You can not attend if you are not a HENRY FORD BARIATRIC PATIENT. Private Gym all along the Center of the Hospital. They have a CENTOURIUM Club, that is a Black Tie Event, It's held year after year for everyone new, and old that has lost 100lbs. in 1 year.and people strive to lose 100lbs. in 1 year to be a member. You are entitled for LIFE to their Gym, and Dietician for life, when you had surgery.. There is a big difference in Medical Care, and they have to earn that SEAL. In Michigan their are only a few that are CENTER OF EXCELLENCE, but there are a lot of places that will gladly take your money, and turn you to this site for help ? Were not Dr.'s. Just been there, and done it. Your Surgeon should always know the answer to your question, If not find someone else. C O E is the only way to go. Shirley.

Call both your Surgeon's office, and PCP Office.Tell them your Dr. is off for a week. Or see who is covering for him. I don't know wich one is out ? So try both. Someone will help you.

If you follow a plan, include some walking if you can, and watch the results on myfitnesspal.com You can not fail...... You will do a set amount of calories a day, and in time ! You will see the difference wit your own eyes. That help kick it in gear for me. We all have something that clicks, and says (you know this is gonna work...) Friends I wouldn't bother telling, you can always say you are trying to eat Healthier... But failing ! You stay structured, and you will lose ! ! ! ! If you are having a problem with working with the band for example. That's what were all here for. So you have a job to do... Just do what is required, and you will be fine. Especially with MFP.. I am Losingintime on MFP site. Shirley.

I looked at your profile. You are 25 correct. That is still a nice young age, and your skin should have it's elasticity left to it to bounce back.. (you hope) Exercise, and use weights for toning, that should help. If not,,,,,, when it comes time for plastics, you can have him put it all in a package deal. or if extremely obese ? TOTAL BODY LIFT ! (OUCH) or live with some flab.. It's all up to you. But the band is better then being overweight.

Fantastic! A lot of times some things are just all in our Head. Like a addiction for carbs... Once you know you can't have it, you lose the urge for it. Hope that makes sense to you, because it's so,,,, true !!

That's calculated, and figured by your current weight. Myself, I have set goals of 800-1200 calories a day, and 60-80G. of Protein a day. But that is my choice. You can do the same, and stay low if you choose, and use the site for adding everything up, viewing diets, exercise etc... I don't think that doing what your doing is wrong. It's a slow go, and that's what it is geared to. Friend me in,,, I am Losingintime over there.

Nothing is needed anymore ! Thank You All ! Shirley.

I am losing weight, so my larger stuff is starting to fall off. I have some size 20 Jeans, but to tight yet. So, I know a lot of people are just starting out in this size, where I have busted my BUTT to get here. So I am now in need of Jeans Especially for the fall. Up here in Northern, Michigan,,,, Fall can be very early. I am only 5'3" so petite would help, and I have large Legs, so wide would probably be the best choice. So,,,, between all the people who belong to this site. I hope someone has a pair or 2 of Jeans, that would fit me. Thanks, and Let me Know, Shirley, Email me @ 54stasevich@gmail.com

Here is what we do every time we get filled or unfilled. Liquids for 3 days, mushies for 2 days, then try food. If you get filled, and don't follow the rules, you will find yourself on fluids untill the swelling goes down... I drink Water all the time with my meals. but I figure out my calories first.... This way I won't! eat more then I am suppose to. So if I go to bed hungry (I don't) I will wait until the next day to think about having something to eat. I won't go over my goal. Not everyone eats like this. You need to find what works for you. Your husband won't die if you don't eat that extra piece of chicken. He'll get use to it. Mine did !

I love this hourglass shape that I have back. I'm wearing Jeans again instead of Swets. I look in the Mirror, and see that I am actually getting smaller.. My older cloths are falling off of me.. I'm so use to wearing elastic slacks, that all pants, (even Jeans) I can take off without unbuttoning. I found that out going to the bathroom one time.. Couldn't believe it.) But I love myself for hanging in there ! It makes a difference.

This is a fill after fill process ! That's how the band works,,,,,, depending on you, could be 3 or 4 fills before you feel restriction. So,,, if you could get to that filled point in one fill ? would you do it ? Thats called Fluoroscopy . It's like a X-RAY machine for Organs, and the Lapband. They can put you under this machine, and see everything. (you will see it to), then they look for your FILL LINE. Yes ! you have one. They fill you to that line, and your done ! It's that simple..... You have to tell your Dr., that that's what you want to do. No more starving, or Dissapointment. Just straight to the point of feeling success. It was done for me that way, and I have no regrets at all.... This can be done. Insist with your Dr., that, that is what you want. Otherwise you have to be patient, and understand, that it will take quite a few fills before you feel restriction. In the meantime.... I would go to myfitnesspal.com and sign up.. It's free ! It will tell you how many calories a day you should be eating acording to your weight. Calories, Protein, Journal, Exercise, etc. it's all recorded, and it's all there. so it does the work for you. You just enter what you had to eat. I belong to it, a lot of us do. I think it is a true life saver.. It will even tell you how much weight you will lose in 5 weeks if you stay within the numbers, and your numbers are right there. Give it a shot.. It's a good site.

Do you have a idea on what the calories were for the chili that you had ? Or was it measured like 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup. Then if you only were to have eaten 1/2 of what you took ? how to figure out your calories, and Protein.... That's where the myfitnesspal.com will take the guessing out of your job. (and that is your job...) If it's homemade or canned or sometimes from a Restaurant (common Chain) It's usually on there list of foods. You just entered the measured ammount. click ! and it's there for you to watch through the day. This site is one of many tools that can be used, to help you with your band. I'm sure you know that exercise is also a tool that is needed for your success. Measuring, and recording your intake is also your job. This site can take the guess work out of it, and be accurate. Also, record your exercise, view other peoples diary, (what they are eating) this gives you tips. , chat, and everything is kept in memory. So,,, if your not sure about did I eat enough, or to much ? Newbies are on there too, and doing the same thing you would be doing, and finding answers to their questions. You can always post a question, and get a couple of answers to it. Just tell them your a Newbie, and could use some help..... They will gladly help you, So take a look at it, and give it a shot. It can't hurt ! You might just find it useful.

It's all very easy. Just relax, and enjoy for now. When you get there, (comfort zone for you) . Check out the myfitnesspal.com it is a learner, and a life saver. No reason to be alarmed, were all doing this together.....

I use it all the time..... A couple bucks here, and there. It adds up ! So, I show my card, and save ! ! ! I usually see no expression, or I will get really ! I have someone in the family that is thinking about it. So, questions on this site, or in person. I answer what I can, and the people are starting to like what they see. So show your card and save....

The one thing that you don't want to do is join The Starvation Nation... I can't answer in full details but,, I can tell you what I know. A lot of it has to do with your Matabilisum. Example: live on 600 calories a day, lose weight until it stops. Then you might say I am going to add something to my Diet because I am starving. So you up in 50 calories. (that's not much.) What happens ? you will gain weight ! Because your body is not use to that higher amount of calories. It's best to stay between 1000-1200 calories a day. Flectuate so your system is use to it. Go to myfitnesspal.com It's free ! fill out the info on you and it will calculate your daily intake for you. Calories, Protein, exercise is calculated also. A lot of us are there. So give it a try, and see what it comes up with for you. Then follow your calories, and protein. It WORKS ! I know your new, and you can only take in what your body lets you. That's fine, and don't worry about that. This info is for your future, so please check into it. Shirley

Go to myfitnesspal.com It's FREE ! You will find everything that you eat on there, also record your excersise. It's all kept in Memory also. That's a Plus if you need to look something up. Hope to see you there, a lot of us are over there. I am losingintime on that site. Shirley.