adagray

How many follow-up appointments did you have in the first year after your surgery? There was one study that showed that lapband patients who went to eight or more follow-up appointments in the first year, lost the most weight. If your bariatric team is not encouraging you to come in for follow-up appointments or not helpful to you at those appointments, I would highly consider switching your aftercare to a different group. It can be done. I have to because the doctor who did my band is no longer in network for my insurgance.

My doctor doesn't recommend a mushy or pureed stage either. But, hers is a lot different than yours because I just had four days of clear liquids after surgery, then went straight to real food. Very different from what most on here seem to do, but I didn't have any problems w/it. The only food that gave me a problem the first month was bread and I was fine w/giving it up.

I think once you are past the immediate post-op stages, you will find that social eating/drinking is not as much of an issue as you are imagining. Personally, I feel like I enjoy these social occasions more because I don't have to worry about eating too much and having it 'ruin my diet'. I take it as an opportunity to have some things I don't normally have on a daily basis, but in small quantities. And, since I'm satisfied now w/small quantities, it doesn't feel like deprivation.

I've thought about it, but it would annoy me so much to wear a bracelet all the time. Are there other options? I would rather be tatoo'd w/that info than have to wear a bracelet all the time. For the meantime, I just hope that if I am ever in a bad accident, they will know from my scars or family/friends will be able to tell them. Everyone knows I have it. Oh, I also carry a card in my wallet that says I have the lapband, but I realize the chances of them seeing that are probably miniscule at best.

My weightloss has been in the 4-8 pounds/month range. But, I have to say that the one thing that makes this different from any other diet is that I can sustain this forever because I don't feel hungry or deprived at all. So, the months are passing by fast and don't feel like a lot of effort. On other diets, I would lose less and feel a lot more deprived and impatient because it was so hard. This is easy (relatively) and I don't care how long it takes because its not like I would want to do anything different once I get to my goal weight. I'm genuinely happy and satisfied w/my eating and exercise right now.

There is no contraindication between tanning and lapband. But, as others have mentioned, it isn't the best for your skin. How about self-tanners? If you aren't allergic to them, they are awesome. I was totally hooked on Jergen's Natural Glow last year until I realized I was allergic. Ugh! For anyone who does tan, though, or who used to tan, I highly recommend going to see a good dermatologist and having a full body skin exam. I did it a year ago (after turning 40) just because I felt it was time. I grew up in Hawaii and have burned my skin badly many many many times back when we didn't worry about skin cancer (at least I didn't!). I was relieved to find out that despite the abuse I gave it, my skin is in great shape. The dermatologist even said he would never guess I grew up in Hawaii or anyplace w/a lot of sun because he doesn't see any damage and usually he can tell right away where someone grew up. So, as w/most things, its very individual as to what your risk factor is. I'm sure the dermatologist didn't mean to give me this message, but I don't feel as bad now when I get the occasional burn. Not saying I'm trying to, but I live in AZ now and it does happen.

You are on the higher end for how many cc you need for restriction, but there's nothing 'not normal' about that. I think what makes it tough for someone who needs more fill is that the doctors and PAs get nervous about overfilling so they prefer to give small fills once you get past half the capacity of the band. For anyone who has self-doubt (and, honestly, who of us doesn't), we then start wondering if something is wrong w/us or doubting that the band will work for us. We just gotta push through and keep getting fills as often as possible until we get to the right point, though. On my third fill, I got .75 bringing me up to 5.25. They were so sure this was gonna be the one. But, I was still battling hunger and large portions. I told myself before my 4th fill appointment that I was not gonna let them stop short this time. Unless the Water was really stuck, I was gonna keep asking for more (the PA who does mine always leaves the needle in and does the drink, fill, drink thing). I ended up getting 1.25 more on my 4th fill which took me to 6.5 and now I have really good restriction. I could probably get it even tighter, but I am happy w/this level for now.

I went to Nordstrom Rack today. Honestly, I kinda hate this store. Everything is so disorganized and they don't carry any plus size even though Nordstrom does. Kinda makes you wonder where the clothes come from because if they came from Nordstrom, wouldn't they have some plus size too? :thumbup: But, anyway, I happened to be doing some shopping nearby so thought I would stop in and look through their stuff to see if I could find some new black capri pants. The biggest size I could find there was 16 and they didn't have much. But, there was one pair of really nice looking black capris made by some designer I never heard of before. The tag said they were originally $139 :eek:, but marked down to $34. That's more like it! :w00t: Actually, a little more than I like to spend on transitional clothes, but I decided to try them on anyway. Wow! These turned out to be the most amazing pants for a WLS patient. They fit from right above the crotch down very nicely (not tight, but not loose). Higher up, they don't really fit me. I have to suck and tuck and squeeze to get the zipper up. :thumbup: But, they are made of this really high quality stretchy material that holds my stomach in like a girdle and is actually comfy at the same time. And, they are high-waisted so no muffin top either. When I got them home, I promptly pulled out all the smaller tops I unpacked recently that would go w/black capris and tried them all on w/my new 'girdle pants'. All of my tops cover the tight part so every outfit looked awesome. Its like I lost another 10 pounds today! :w00t:

My doctor is the same as yours... 72 hours of clear liquids. She does allow the Protein bullets as clear liquid, though. Honestly, I was never able to make it the full 72 hours on just clear liquids until my most recent fill (my 4th fill). After all my other fills, I'd go about 24 hours on clear liquids, but then get so darn hungry I had to progress on. So, I just took it slow and had Soup, yogurt, cottage cheese first. I never had a problem w/anything getting stuck until my 4th fill.

What do you mean by 'close'. You ARE in onderland baby, its got a ONE in front of it!!! It could be 199.9 and that's still onederland in my book. Congrats to you!!! You worked hard for this. Enjoy! I can't wait to be right there with you. :->

If you are self-pay, you really should not have trouble finding a surgeon who will do lapband w/a BMI of 30 or over. A BMI of 30 is obese and that is all that you need to be a 'good candidate' in the eyes of the band companies. Insurance is a different story of course. I would highly recommend calling around to all the bariatric surgeons in your area. I think it would only take a few calls to find one that will do it for you. Just as an example, check this out: Am I a candidate This is not my surgeon, but another well-known lapband surgeon in my area who actually advertises in magazines around here that he does lapband on people with only 50 pounds to lose. Some people might be horrified by that, but I can understand where you're coming from. I've dieted down to 170 and been so starving and struggling that I knew I would never be able to get lower than that on my own. And, it was only a matter of time before I would gain it all back again.

After reading all these replies, it reminds me of some funny conversations I had w/friends just prior to my surgery. I am part of a big mom's group and we typically organize meal delivery for each of the mom's when they have a new baby or go through any sort of surgery or physical problem. I've been a big part of the group so when it came time for my surgery, of course I had several friends from the group ask what they could do to help me after surgery. I just laughed and said 'Whatever you do, don't bring me food!'. Not that they would have been that dense (I think), but it just reminds me that sometimes a little humor goes a long way. Everyone who I said that to laughed and it opened up discussion about how I would not be able to eat for awhile after surgery. Now all my friends are pretty well educated on how the band works and they don't bat an eyelash over the fact that on any given outing I may not be eating (if it is right after a fill) or eating very little.

I'm just wondering if this is how PBing works for anyone else or if I'm just weird??? I have never been able to MAKE myself throw up. In fact, I can count on one hand how many times I've thrown up before the band and that includes two pregnancies and lots of heavy drinking (not at the same time :thumbup:). With my most recent fill, though, I am pretty tight sometimes and I have had about five bad stuck episodes. I've finally learned that I can get these stuck episodes over faster if I force myself to cough. Then, when I cough, a bunch of slime comes up... no stomach acid, no food, just a big glob of saliva. And, I keep doing that until the stuck episode is over (usually between 5 and 20 minutes). But, is it weird that no food comes up for me? How does all the slime come up, but not the food??? Coughing up the slime does give me some relief, though, and eventuallly after coughing a few times, the food does finally go down. It just seems different from how I've heard others describe PBing. :thumbup:

Interesting. Yes, I suppose it is not PBing since it is not really productive and its not a burp either. I know it irritates my esophagus because I can feel that after. Its like I am relearning how to eat after my last fill (two weeks ago - finally got good restriction). I thought it had loosened up because I could eat more and no trouble w/solid protein like chicken. Then, I had a lettuce wrap last night and I think I just ate it too fast. Now I know what people mean about foods that you eat w/your hands being a problem because you tend to eat too big of bites. Either that or ground meat is a problem food for me now.

I use the Protein Shots made by Body Choice Nutrition (www.bodychoicenutrition.net). They have 25g of protein in one shot for only 100 calories. I always drink one right after working out now. And, I use them as a supplement when its time to eat, but its not convenient for me to eat. I don't use it as a Meal Replacement. I'll have a small meal later to make up for it, but then I don't feel bad going longer than 5 hours between meals. I also used them a lot when I was tight after this last fill and the 72 hours after a fill when my doctor wants me on Clear liquids (she is OK w/the shots during this time). I like the taste of the ones I've been using, but I haven't tried any others to compare. I've heard your body can only absorb up to 30g of protein at one time, but I don't know if that is really true. I do believe the shots work. When I didn't have restriction and would normally be really hungry if I skipped a meal, the shot would quiet my hunger for a couple hours. I have been very diligent in always getting my protein in (using the shots when necessary) and have been consistently building lean body mass. Yes, actually INCREASING it. My surgeon's office has a scale that breaks everything out and they are always amazed that I am increasing my lean body mass while I am losing overall weight at the same time. A lot of times, people lose fat and lean body mass together. I admit that I am a little obsessed w/building muscle, though. I've been pushing myself more physically than I ever have before. I've heard it helps to prevent loose skin. And, it raises your base metabolic rate. I'm all for that!

You could tell her you are not hungry at all ever since surgery and it makes you nautious to hear about food or be around heavy/greasy food... that the only foods that appeal to you right now are the ones your doctor has OK'd. For example, in reply to the offer to go to Boston Market together, you could say "Oh man, I used to love Boston Market, but the idea of it just kind of turns my stomach now. Thanks for the invite, but I'm gonna stick w/the lunch I brought for myself today." She can't argue w/'not hungry' or 'not appealing'. But, if you say you wish you could have it, but its not on your diet, she will continue to try to taunt and tempt you.

Do you have Ross or Marshall's by you. I regularly check out their racks and buy stuff that fits if it is on clearance or really cheap. I got a cute new pair of jean capris for only $10. And, it was a brand that I had paid $50 for a pair at Macy's before. So, maybe do a little more bargain shopping to find at least one or two things that fit you now. Even though you will shrink out of them, you will be amazed at how it will make you feel NOW!

I would pig out on some carbs and salty stuff. This will help you retain water before your weigh in. Then, just cut the carbs and salt again after and drink a lot of water to flush it through. Best of luck to you!

Woohoo!!! I just got rid of a bunch of clothes too. I even got rid of some that still fit, but are long sleeve, I'm sick of 'em, and I KNOW I won't be that size when the weather cools down again. As the weather is heating up here now, I am excited for new smaller summer clothes! I love you new pic too. I can definitely see a big difference.

In the pre-op class, they warned us that most people leave the hospital 10-20 pounds heavier because of all the fluids they pump into you. And, in my case, I was up 10 pounds. So, its very very common. I think my body hung onto that Water weight for about a week and then it just started dropping off like crazy. After that first week, I was losing about a pound a day until all that water weight went away, then lost another 10 pounds fairly quickly. After that, my weightloss stalled until my first fill. Try not to get too wrapped up in the scale, though. I know easier said than done. But, my surgeon and her team also made it clear that the first month is really just for healing and they said it didn't matter if I stayed the same or even gained because once I started getting fills, it would come off.

Its a great question. I've found on here that it really does come down to a personal choice, though. Seems like some people prefer to be tighter and let the band choose what they can or cannot eat. And, some prefer the flexibility of a looser band, but have to exercise more self-control (which is not as foolproof since most of us are fools when it comes to food! LOL). My last fill took me a little past my sweet spot at first. I was not hungry at all ever which is awesome. But, I also was PBing on solid Protein which I don't want. I could add sauce/mayo or cut it up really really really small to get it down, but I was resorting more to protein shots to make sure I got in all my protein. For me, this is not what I want long term. My personal goal w/restriction is to just not be hungry between meals, but still be able to eat a wide variety of solid protein. Since I'm two weeks out from my fill now, I am finding it has loosened up a bit. I do get hungry now, but I can go 4-5 hours between meals so that is fine w/me. I should be eating protein every 4-5 hours anyway to keep my metabolism going and give my body what it needs. I can eat a bit more than I'd like in one sitting now, but I am not truly HUNGRY for more food. For me, I'm gonna see if I can stay w/this fill level and just exercise a bit of self-control w/my portions since the band is really doing its job as far as controlling my hunger. And, I really like eating solid protein (meat!) and not always as a chicken salad, tuna salad, or slathered w/a bunch of BBQ sauce. Ultimately, its a trade-off I think and you gotta decide what you feel is most important for the band to do for you.

Congratulations! Its amazing what you can achieve in one year!!! :->

I have a real problem w/throwing out food too. It seems the easiest way for me around it is to start off by taking a portion much smaller than what I think I'll need to feel satisfied. More often than not, it turns out to be enough. If I still take too much and find myself full but thinking about cleaning my plate, I just think of my last stuck incident and that keeps me in line.

Mine was empty at first. Its probably a little safer this way. Some people get very swollen and nautious after surgery. I didn't so I probably could have tolerated a small fill right away, but there's no way for the surgeon to know who will be sensitive and who won't.

This is just a guess, but maybe you need more sodium in your diet. We are eating so little once we get to restriction, I wonder if we are even getting the daily value. I've stopped salting most of my food and I rarely eat processed foods or eat out. I know this combined w/the low quantity of food I eat now means that my sodium consumption has really dropped.