lapbandtalker

I just follow the directions on the packaging. But I've heard many have difficulty eating it after they are banded. I haven't been able to eat applesauce- go figure!

I take a more laid back approach. Hungry - eat! Craving something - eat it! But that's me. I've allowed myself to have anything I desire. But for me that has cut down the level of desire. So this many not work for you or any other person out there (so those of you ready to flame me- don't) What I have come to realize is that even though I feel like I'm overeating...ounce for ounce I eat less than before I was banded. So my binge after my mother's funeral was 3 handfulls of chips versus the entire bag like preband. Hopefully you've found this to be the case. Drinking while eating hasn't help me eat more...just makes me slime. So if you know you can eat more if you drink.... at least value yourself enough to not do that. Change this one behavior. {trying to change many behaviors at once can backfire on some people-like me} But start slowly. This is a process so learn. If you have a bad day or week-so be it. Just pick up where you left off. If you gain a pound or are really struggling - call your doctor. He/she can assist you on your journey. Just know you are not alone.

I lost all the weight I wanted to plus 10 extra pounds. I'm considered NORMAL and not even overweight anymore.

Just tell your doc and remember, you are getting the band because sticking to a prescribed diet is too difficult (or doesn't work in some cases) so it won't surprise your doctor if you cheated.

My dentist noticed something up with my teeth without me saying anything. Gave me the Colgate Preventadent ... or something like that - prescription. There is also mill paste and GelKam or GelKaam you can use. My teeth are fine except the sensitivity has hit the roof - w/o cavitites. My gums itch sometimes too. But I just chew my Vitamins and try to eat right...she did a lab test for Vitamin D and I am within normal ranges. Just a post to let you know you aren't alone!

editing this post due to misunderstandings if you are in the process of losing weight and get injured - don't fret. take the time to heal and get rest eat properly and don't feel if you are put on bed rest that you have doomed your weightloss. You can pick up where you left off after you get back on your feet. My sister just went thru a period of bedrest but chose to work due to needing the paycheck. She was sleep deprived like many people are as she pulls in 12 hour shifts - 2nd shift- and hasn't adapted to the scheduling yet so she only gets 4 hours of sleep a day. The point of my tread was to share with you my sister's story and how bedrest didn't ruin her weightloss. Sleep has helped her. So anyone out there who are doing all they can but feel they have hit a brick wall....check your sleep. Adequate sleep will assist in weight loss.

Yes, I told her to gather all her necessities by her side, including her diet foods so she could munch on. And a fracture could turn into a break and cause her to miss work entirely. Her doctor wrote her a note to miss work but she decided to just use the brace and tough it out for the 12 hour shifts. Her doctor was a tad upset with her as her fracture could have gotten worse and the only thing for her to do was stay completely off it. But I guess some folks reading my post must have thought I was advocating staying in bed to lose weight. How crazy is that! This was an uplifting thread to all those who may be in the process of losing weight and then something happen. To not give up hope...that no matter what, they will be back on track before they know it. Just like with my sister. She was losing weight and then got injured. But instead of boo hooing and thinking she was doomed.... she rested. Not only healed but allowed her body to rest. So don't think because you get sick, have a bone to break that you are doomed. Get adequate rest and in our cases - let the band work. You'll be back on your feet in no time ready to resume.

It was excellent advice and it came from an orthopedic doctor...did you guys miss she fractured her leg and was put in a brace? And the doc said for her to stay in bed and not put any pressure at all - no crutches allowed...so being a nurse and a medical doctor...they know that. No worries, many don't read the entire post as I know sometimes they can be lenghtly.

Thought I'd add some links to the research.... this is for those of you who do everything to lose weight but feel it's not getting you anywhere. This is just something to check into. The Dream Diet: Losing Weight While You sleep "http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/lose-weight-while-sleeping" Body Weight and Sleep | Obesity and Sleep "http://www.sleepdex.org/weight.htm" Sleep and Weight Loss-Sleep and Losing Weight "http://thyroid.about.com/od/loseweightsuccessfully/a/sleepdiet.htm" but talk to your doctor if you are getting only a few hours of sleep at night. They may can help get your sleep pattern adjusted.

So many missed the point...but I'm no scholar when I write. Many fight weightgain or unable to lose weight and a key culprit is sleep deprivation. My sister was sleep deprived and her body needed adequate sleep. Once she finally got it, all the exercising finally paid off as she lost weight just by getting sleep and dieting. And no, she didn't even gain 15 pounds of muscle thru exercising so no, she didn't lose 15 pounds of muscle. She by working 12 hour shifts as a nurse exercises MORE without a gym than I do all day. But no worries...this was just an observation of a scientific fact.....get adequate rest.

I ate too much, til I slimed....but I still feel great! I wasn't in tune with my signals for some reason. But you know....first Thanksgiving after meeting goal and a little mishap...I'm doing pretty good. Christmas I'm gonna take things a little slower and try to be lessed stressed. Think that will do it for me. I've lost 2.5 pounds over the past month. Stress affects my band more than anything else. But goodness! I'm going through the wringer here and am doing everything I can to keep it together!

Hey, good for you! I didn't have any restriction after surgery. So it seems yours may be due to swelling. And I'm sure others will post but guessing it would be a few days to a week or so. Congrats, it would have been great to have the restriction off the bat instead of waiting 10 weeks.

I read your post but didn't respond...and it hit me this morning - do it yourself! Necessity is the mother of invention and you may be on to a great business idea. Don't know how or even where to start...but you could take Inamed's manual and other books - or write your own! We'll be seeing you on the morning news shows in no time, even Oprah!

Great post! Backsliding happens and it's a time to embrace and learn from. I went thru a period where I tried to binge and eat too much, turned to sweets right after the funeral. But luckily, the band prevented weightgain. And I craved Protein instead of the sweets. As long as we don't beat ourselves up about going thru periods of making poor choices - we are still on the road to success!

Hey, hey, congratulations!!!! Eight pounds without adjusting is great! I know what you mean about that...soup gets old - fast. Your doctor should have given you a list but remember- no dieting right now. Heal. My doc allowed milk shakes - rare but if I needed something cold. It's a liquid you know. Sweet potatoes are great. And cooked right they are almost mushy w/ a fork. I had plenty of these after surgery. Same for any potatoe really. I had potatoe Soup alot. Sautee the onions and peppers right they almost vanish, but taste yummy. So, don't be afraid to eat something you like, as long as it's within your doctor's guidelines. But if you are on liquids w/o restriction of what type.... you have a world of food you can have. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

I just went thru 4 days of no food in my pantry and only condiments and a tub of cool whip in the fridge. What a blessing the band has been! Long story short, I ran out of money and didn't have any for groceries...payday being just 4 days away. I scraped up the change around the house for lunch money and we didn't drive the car- no gas. A few bites here and there of grits kept me going. The 2 frozen meals, Soups and stuff I did have went to my daughter. She didn't even realize we were out of food. She did look in the fridge and saw condiments in the door w/ bare shelves. I just said I was cleaning it out. Thank goodness for the band! I don't know what would have happened if I was still a binger during these economic times.....I'd be really broke. [fyi: out of money due to mother's death-I had to pay for the flowers and grave marker...one more payment of 800 dollars and I'm done! So December is going to be a tight month as well]

7 weeks after surgery I lost my first pound.

I went from liquids for 1 day to mushies for a day or so then to solids.... it was what I could tolerate. Eat a tiny bite and chew well...after swallowing ask, can I have another? It still amazes me I can eat a taco better than I can 1/4 cup of applesauce. Mushies have never set well with me whereas solids are just fine. Don't recommend this - ask your doctor/ follow their advice. But luckily mine said it was 'as tolerated'.

Nah, you are just fine. Eat up! At 4 weeks you haven't had your band adjusted. So you are in the healing phase...not the weight loss phase. Your focus shouldn't be weightloss...should be healing and beginning to adjust and make better, more nutritious choices. Again, beginning to make....so you go right ahead and have that ice cream. Put chocolate on top if you wish! It's gonna take some time to learn your body and how much is enough. You know, from time to time even now - on maintenance- I'll overeat. Not often, but I admit it has happened. Stay close to your doctor and let him/her guide you through this process. Now, if you have ice cream daily...then there's a problem. Weightloss will come. I didn't diet the entire time, still don't. Made better choice though...but didn't deny myself anything. I'll have ice cream every once in a while. Have a chilidog, pizza...whatever. But it's not daily. Just KNOWING I can have it has made me .... not want it as much. Hang in there and just try to make better choices. This is a process and trying to totally deny yourself any goodies is unrealistic. Over the next few months, get better and better. Then one day you will succeed!

I didn't have a tummy tuck. 6 months into weightloss I was thinking alot about plastic surgery to tighten up things. Another 6 months passed and my doc said to WAIT on a decision. Well, he was right. I don't need any surgery. I have a tad bit more to go...but he said time really does heal and tighten alot. But, there are many who do. My twin had RnY and had to have her arms and thighs done.

No, sorry. Haven't heard of that. You may be a patient who needs adjustments under the guidelines. I'd get .25 cc. Go back in 4 weeks for .25cc more. Take it easy. Weightloss will come. Just don't hurt yourself in the process.

No, self pay is pretty easy. Just find a doc you like. Get the cash. (low interest loans from credit union is best if you have to finance) You will have to meet certain criteria but banding is available to almost anyone overweight.

Congrats! You've done so well.

I wasn't required to have a one year checkup. But you've got a good doc!

If I knew I was being banded long ago I would have not ever dieted (saved alot of money) and done it sooner But my case is so textbook that there is nothing else. Everything has worked out like the advertising said it would.