54Shirley

I would go back to Protein shakes for a few days. Then try some Applesauce, Cottage cheese, Yogurt, Sugar Free Pudding, Even Greek Yogurt. I'm trying to suggest soft foods, instead of chunky foods. It might be a little easier going down. These were the kind of food I had threw the mushie stage, and then graduated to instant oatmeal..... It all comes in time.

I had to go 12 months on a 1200 calorie diet.(Do to the Ins.) I lost over 100 LBS. So when He said 2 weeks of liquids I told him c'mon,,, give me a break. So he said O.K., keep up the 1200 calorie a day diet, and then 3 days before surgery ! Your on Liquids only. Everyone asked me WHY? are you doing this then. I explained that I had to, or my Ortho Surgeon would not replace my knees..It was Insurance to him, about the weight, and the knees. I'm glad I did it. That's how it went for me.

Nothing like TEAM WORK ! You will both help each other out. She will learn Tips, and so will you. Some will be different, and some the same. I feel like I'm talking about Twins..... That's cool. Good Health to the both of you, Shirley.

You really look good ! You lost a whole person, and it shows.:success1: Keep up the wonderful job your doing.

You are second guessing me, and couldn't be more wrong.. I went to a new surgeon, this band was checked under fluoroscope, and it is in beautiful shape. It is sewn in like a waistband of a pair of slacks. so it can't slip. (THE STOMACH IS PULLED UP,AND OVER THE BAND, THEN STITCHED.) I was told no leaks, slippage, erosion, and in perfect shape. so no REVISION Surgery is needed. But ! Don't you know you have to keep a fill in this band, so it's not deflated. I said yes I do. Its a 4cc band, and you have to have something in it. Do you ever get hung up or stuck? Yes all the time. This is why you have to keep something in it. Gee ! didn't I learn this from my old surgeon??? Ya think ! Well yes I did.Unless you have a 4cc band, and walked in these shoes, I guess your wrong. I don't know what size band you have. I keep forgetting that they changed it. Maybe for yours it is not necessary,,, but it sure is for this one. I found my original name from almost 5 yrs. ago. I'm hoping that's what this comes up under. Anyway you will see the weight loss from this band. and calorie counting. This puts it to a end on my part.

You go Jerseydiva...:party:

Hi ! Shirley here,,,, How has the years been treating you. good to hear from someone. Any idea if anyone is keeping in touch? email or what ever? Get back soon. Shirley.

Try the Muscle Milk Light. It's low in sugar, High in Protein, Medium low on Calories. But taste Good. Check out MUSCLE MILK on ebay, and Light will also pop up. My supplier is on there at $5.99 a jug. 2 scoops/8oz. water is the formula. You can put it in a blender, and add what ever you can have to it. Or plain is fine too. Flavor is Strawberry Milkshake.

Sure I know where your at. I plan on going up that way this summer. If Gas isn't to bad? We were planning on going up to the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan. It's a beautiful place to be. Were still trying to figure out if we can make one more move, and end up in Munising. Nice talking to you, stay dry. Shirley.

If so, let's know who you are. POST your name, and be PROUD. Shirley Saint Helen, Michigan.

Wow ! sorry to hear about all that. I am back on track with a new surgeon trained by my old one. The new one told me that Dr. Genaw has a bad attitude, and so does his chief nurse. But he doesn't work that way. So I was glad to hear that. So I moved up into Northern,Michigan, and he is over 100 mile drive, but he's worth it. I am sorry to hear about the car accident, and pain. I know how it feels to blow up again after doing so good. (I MEAN HOW COULD ANY ONE FORGET !) So trust me when I say my Heart goes out. Wat about any other October Bansters. Do they get in touch with anyone? I would like to make contact, What about you? You can catch me on the post op site usually. Or mail me if you want to talk. I hope your feeling better. Keep in touch, Shirley.

I'm very sorry to hear about your situation. But I believe that you will go forward, and hit your goal. I wish you the best in Health, at least nothing spread.. So you take it easy if you can ! You know someone is always here for talking. Take Care, Shirley.

I was also banded in 2006, and starting over. What month were you banded in? As far as the Heart Condition... If your Heart Dr. clears you, I would think that your Ins. Company would call that a co morbidity. It is a Medical condition that could possibly be helped by weight loss. As far as the Medical Dieting That is supervised by your Surgeon, and PCP. They usually last for a period of months. Do you still have your old Band (Sorry Forgot) I too went to a new surgeon, and if it needed to be changed (4cc), Then he was just going to put me in the hospital, and do it. Call your Ins. Co., and get some questions answered, and take notes. Myself I had both knees replaced back then, So I can only walk some, that's it. Good Health to you, Shirley.

I understand what you are saying. The lady that choked, it's like anyone else it covered the wrong pipe, and could not be freed. So as they say chew. chew, chew. Apparently she did not. As for myself, I did go threw the agony, and torture of not being filled, and it was terrible. That is the truth ! I can honestly say sometimes I didn't think I was going to live. It was so bad... This was what he told us, because it's no good to us unfilled. He was right. As far as his after care 'HE SUCKS" ! I have a new Surgeon that was trained by him...... We talked, and he told me what a bad attitude he has. My husband was with me, and he found out what a pain he really was. I'm not kidding on this matter.. again this is a 4cc band, the tighter that I am getting filled, the easier things go down. I got filled about 2 months ago, and have not been stuck yet. So maybe it's his work, but I was never so miserable.

That's how mine was put in. and I stil get fills. But I think I'm getting to that sweet spot. Because I really don't have a appetite.

Glen: Any place up hear that has LapBand meetings? Let me know if you know anything. Shirley.

Sign up, and be counted. Let us know where you are from. Shirley Saint Helen, Michigan.

Gotcha ! Thanks!

That may be true ! but some people get the band, a NEWER ONE, and they put a little something in it. There's a reason for that, or they wouldn't do it.

It can lay sloppy, and things can get hung up on it. It may not make sense to you. But I walked in those shoes, and it was not easy. Imagine a tire on a rim. It needs to be filled at least a certain amount to lock in place. I know it's not the same to you, but to blow that band up just a little is important. Even when we are emptied, there is still a little in the band. I found that out 2 months ago when they stuck a needle in it, and there was about 1/8cc in it. So she said your band can never be emptied all the way. There will always be something in there. But not enough to lock it in place. I have a 4cc band, this may make a difference I don't no ! But if people are going to tell me Hay I'm fine! Maybe that is the reason. But I only know what I have experienced, and been taught. If anyone has a Dr. apt. coming up. Do me a favor and ask them if this is true. They might say the old band yeagh. Well that would be mine. But when I see my new surgeon, you can bet I will ask him.

I can only speak from experience, and from what "WE" as a group at Henry Ford Bariatric Clinic, Center of Excellence. This info came from The Chief Surgeon. "My Surgeon" I seen the Councilwoman on the News, this was before I was banded. Wen we all went to our Seminar. We were given that information from the surgeon himself. He made it very clear that a empty band can be very dangerous. Maybe that depends on the surgeon's work. Mine was empty like I said, and I was very miserable having a meal, and knowing that it might get hung up. ((9 out of 10 times it usually did) I can't speak about undocumented information, because,,,, it's not there. But we were educated by our surgeon, and I have to admit, since I was so uncomfortable... My guess is he must have been wright.

i hope your o.k.! You know you need to do whats best for you, that's what matters. Stay strong. Keep in touch. Shirley.

There is a big difference. The first fill that you get locks the band in place. If it's empty ! You will be surprised how much food will get hung up on this band that needs to be tightened. You can't drive far on a deflated tire right? It needs to be filled. Mine was deflated for 3 years, until about 2 months ago. (LONG STORY) You can't imagine how it feels , knowing that at every meal "almost" something would get stuck..... Now,,, as long as I chew my food, cut it small, eat small amounts also. I'm good to go. Believe me, it's like torture vs pleasure. I know there are people out there that are saying. It works for me ! Just so you know, it can be very dangerous to be unfilled. It's better to have a small fill, and have it locked in place. There was a Council Woman that had the band done, News reported that she choked to Death eating Fried chicken.. Well Henry Ford Hospital did the Autopsy, and my surgeon was the surgeon that did her band. The report was false. She had not been filled yet, and she was eating pizza. She swallowed a whole sausage slice, and it went over the wind pipe, and blocked it like a Drain Cover. She chocked to Death. So if your waiting for your first fill. Follow your Doctors orders. If you had it deflated,,, please be careful. Shirley.

For me,, I measure my food. If it says 4oz. I'm good right ! NO WAY ! I have to stop at 3oz. that's when I start to feel that pouch get full. If I go the extra 1oz. it hurts ! ! ! So it's 3 for me, and in a while if I want,I can go back and get the other ounce.

If you ever have any doubts... You get on the phone, and call your Ins. Co. first. Find out all you need to know. Then have them call. If it's different ! You know they are double dipping. This is not uncommon at all.