Chicago29

Ok..me too, tighter in am then free for all! Actually, by lunch time I can eat too much. I had a fill July 16 and now have 7cc in my 10 cc band. I had great restriction all day for about 1 week. Now its only in ther morning. So I am waiting another week and then will call and inquire about another fill. Will power is fading fast

Biotin capsules 5000mcg every morning..Worked for me in 3 weeks...started shedding major hair 4 months post-op and it stopped in just the 3 weeks. Is it psychological...don't know but don't care. The biotin did it's thing!

I am having a colonoscopy tomorrow which I am required to have every year do to polyp history and family history of colon cancer. This is my 6th one. I was very worried about it this year due to being banded the end of Jan. 2010 I was worried about the capacity for this much thick liquid, nausea and bloating. I just drank the 1st 32 oz of Movi-Prep and it wasnt so bad after all. First I drank a cup of very hot broth before starting the prep to loosen the band somewhat and I got the prep down in the alloted time. Phew! Now waiting for the umm..results.:scared2: I have to drink another 32 oz in the morning and off I go to get the test. Hope its ok in the morning for that much liquid. So in case anyone having this procedure needs info..I unfortunatley am an expert and would be glad to answer questions. Cheers!

Hi Jacqui, There are several types of cleansing preps out there. It depends on what your doctor prefers. I have had 4 different kinds of preps but they all mostly require you to be on Clear liquids for a minimum of 1 day and the cleansing procedure usually begins at 5 or 6 pm the night before the actual procedure. So you could certainly work the day before and just drink clears while at work. Plan to get home by 5pm to start though. Follow the instructions on your prep. Some are once at night and some are at night and in the morning. I advised the gastro doctor that I have the lap-band,so he prescribed the prep with the least amount of liquid. There are pills available as well, but he prefers the liquids. Of course you will need the whole day of the procedure off work, but should be fine the next day. Some people do like to take the day after just because they are still a bit tired or sore and dehydrated. All in all, it's not so bad after the cleansing prep is over. Tips: Use a large box of kleenex or some kind of tissue with lotion. Don't use plain Toilet paper. Plan on spending lots of time in the bathroom, and dont be too far away! Have some A&D ointment or vasolene handy for your sore botty! Scented bathroom spray is a must I always ask the nurse at the hospital when I arrive for a little jab of numbing solution in my hand before they begin the IV because I am a total baby with IV's. Some hospitals do that for you and some don't. The whole procedure is very fast and you are finished before you know it, The knockout drugs they give you are awesome!!! Hope this helps!

You could be right Betsey. I don't think anyone knows for sure and of course some people dont have this problem at all. I know the hair loss stopped within 3 weeks after it started and 3 weeks after using the Biotin, so hey it's all good now and maybe the Vitamins did the trick.. Now I just need a magic dose of something to win the lottery!!

Hi, I was banded on Jan 29, 2010 in Chicago and around the end of May my hair started falling out. Not the 100 strands you hear about all the time, but major loss in the shower and in the brush. I started my internet research and found out that it can be a side effect with the anesthesia. Not everyone has this side effect. The same hair loss happend to me 10 years ago after my hysterectomy and went on for 3 months. I was so thin on top, you could see my scalp. Noone knew why. I was tested by Dermatologists, etc to no avail. Now thanks to the web I got the answers. I started taking Biotin 5000 mcg a day which is basicly mega doses of Vitimin b12. I ordered it from the web, since I couldnt find it in the store. Yikes! within 3 weeks the major hair loss completly stopped! Plus my energy level skyrocketed! I use the biotin shampoo too. There are lots of brands of biotin out there but I imagine they are all the same. I am not the kind of person that beleives in miracle cures or promotes them but going bald again for 3 months was not an option so I was willing to try anything. If you have this problem, give it a try, At the very least, you will feel energized. I take 2500 mcg a day now just in case my hair decides to act up again.. BTW I am down 30 lbs and still plugging away. Slow but sure.:thumbup:

You need to do what you feel is best for YOU, noone else. It depends how much of a private person you are. I was banded 5 months ago. My husband is the only one who knows. Not my adult children, parents, sisters or friends. I was off 6 days of work with the "flu" and as far as weight loss, it is slow and everyone thinks I am dieting successfully WHICH I AM! So dun worry about it, just concetrate on your goal and good luck!!

Hi Max123, Don't know the percentage of those who experience hair loss. But it is temporary. Also I took 5000mcg of biotin based on my research. Starting with a BMI of 35 is not so bad, Mine was 41 and I am down to 37 I take 2500mcg daily now tht the hair loss is all but gone.

Yes, I have heard that sometimes the Biotin doesn't work and yes the hairloss is not permanent. But I just didnt want to go through the wait and gave the biotin a try. It worked for me thank goodness. I have freinds that had gastric bypass and cannot stop the hair loss due to malabsortion issues. We dont have that issue! :smile2: Also I finally hit my sweet spot last week, 7cc in a 10cc band. I am noticing the the difference already. It was my 3rd fill. I did have some discomfort with gas and soreness after this fill that I didnt have before with the other fills.But it went away after 3 days.

So I was banded on jan 29. 2010 and noone knows except my husband. Not even my adult children. I will tell them when I feel the time is right. I was off work for 6 days with the "flu" The weight loss is slow so everyone just thinks I am dieting successfuly. I was worried about the reaction if anyone knew just as you have experienced. Now that the Beans are spilled, I guess this is one way to find out who your friends really are. Not worth fretting over, just do your thing and be happy that you are doing this for yourself and your family so you can be around much longer for them.

I don't know the name of the Biotin shampoo but I found it on amazon.com and it took about 3 weeks to arrive due to back shipment, You may be able to find it on other sites. It doesn't smell great but I use my normal creme rinse after so it cuts the odor. I use it every other day and have lots of new growth as well. B12 shots..that sounds good. I know the 5000 mcg gives me mega energy so the shots must be a major dose as well. And you're right it is HOT in Chicago right now!

:sad: OK I know this sounds weird, I was banded 5 months ago and all is well. But about a week ago, I began to feel small thumping on the left side under the breast and toward the middle of that area. It started as a flutter, but now it's a thump. It doesnt hurt, just feels strange, almost like little kicks from a baby! I am not pregnant. I dont think its heart related, it's too low, but well above the port area.. So now I can look down and actually see the area jumping like a spasm. I am seeing the lap band doc tomoroow. Has anyone had this happen??

Yikes! What causes a slip? Is there anything you remember doing or something that can be avioded? I get pain now and then all over my midsection (banded 5 months ago) and it usually goes away. I just chalk it up to the band and my age :tt2:..just aches and pains Speaking of age, the weight loss seems alot slower than some of the youngsters on this site..also, my hair started falling out about 6 weeks ago but I started taking Biotin tablets and it stopped! Who da thunk. Hope you are ok now...

So I went to the lapband doc on Friday. He says there is nothing wrong with the band or the area, except it was loose. He gave me a fill (this is the 3rd) and wow now I am finally feeling the restriction. I did have lots of gas and port discomfort for 3 days but now am feeling better. i have lost 3 lbs just since Friday and well on my way to some more. I guess I didnt have the restriction that I thought I had before. Then thumping is going away. Who knew what that was.

Anything can be made into a shake. :w00t: Thick Protein Breakfast shake: I put banana creme or strawberry creme muscle milk in the blender, (got it at the Vitamin shoppe) then a scoop of chocolate whey Protein powder, 3 oz of plain yougurt, 1 stick packet of benefiber if needed, 6 or 7 large ice cubes, blend then frappe till thick. You get about 35 g of protien. half of what we need at one time! Satisfys the chocolate craving.. Or just use skim milk, any flavor of protien powder and ice. Someitmes I add sugar free peaches to vanilla protein powder and yougurt for a fruity shake.

I hear you! :biggrin: I have been hungry since day 6 postop. So...it does get alittle better after soft foods. I am now hungry even on solids. I will tell you that I have read here that some gain back weight until after the fills. The time after surgery is for healing more so than dieting. I am using pure will-power now until my 1st fill in 2 weeks. A good thick protien shake helps until noon, then its just mind over matter. Get on the scale every day to make sure you are not losing the battle,,If you gain a lb, then I go back to full liquids for a couple of days to refocus. I tell myself every day that "I love food but it does not love me" I have divorced food, It is now just fuel and sustanence. Good luck, stay focused.!

Thank you for the advice..Smooth tea did the trick! It has senna and after I brought it home, my husband told me that now he recalls his grandmother in England used to boil senna pods now and then for tea..so there ya go. It is not for everyday use, but I will keep it handy for "special" occasions.:wink2: Tastes good too. Added 1/2 tsp of honey to sweeten.

Yikes..1 month post-op and on solids, no fill yet and using strictly will-power because I have no restriction. :wink2: 1st fill in in 2 weeks. but can't seem get any urge for the potty. I am always constipated and have had to take gentile laxatives 3 times in the month. I have tried Milk of Mag 3 days in a row but may as well be drinking pink liquid chalk, tried prunes, benefiber (gave me major cramps), and activia., I AM drinking 60 oz of Water a day in addition to other fluids. Nothing is working. I went to the health food store today and bought some smooth move tea to try, And starting taking omega-3 fish oil because someone told me that helps and they are good for you..Any other help? Thanks

It's hard to be strong...I tell myself everyday "I love food but food does not love me".. I have divorced food. Food is now fuel and sustenance. That's all. I had 2 weeks liquids pre-op and it's been 1 month post-op yesterday and down 23 pounds..and no fill yet! Be strong..it's worth it

Congrats on your decision! You will find that after about the 4th day, you will stop craving food and your will-power will get a boost each day closer to your surgery. Try for 60 g of protein a day and treat yourself to a suger-free fudgsicle in the evening or when people are eating the choc chip cookies...I lost 13 pounds during the 2 week pre-op.

Help..I was banded last Friday 1-29-10 and starting yesterday my stomach has not stopped growling..I feel like I could eat a whole pizza! I am sticking to the full liquid diet but no matter how much I drink, It is a temporary fix. I get puree next week and then soft foods a week later. Will I be this hungry my 1st fill in 4-6 weeks? Yikes, I hope my will-power stays strong.

OK..still hungry went for my post-op visit yesterday and now on puree...1st puree meal was oatmeal this morning, I made an instant packet and made it with milk and ate it all! Soooo hungry. I can see this will be a huge challange until my 1st fill which the doc said will be in 4 weeks or so...If I didnt have incisions or discomfort, I would swear there was no band.. What should I do so I don't eat my way through 2000 calories a day of puree?

Hi, I hear you! I had a 6 month insurance wait, 2 apnea tests, stress test, (during which, I tore a ligament), lots of bloodwork, (enough for a full grown vampire), upper GI, swallow test, but worst of all the cardiac clearance, took 2 doc trips, several phone calls and endless faxing to get that clearance simply due to the paper trail. The physc clearance was a trip, (she was heavier than me!) But at last was banded last Friday and starting to feel better now..Good luck to you and have patience, it should be worth it in the end. It is what it is...

After a 6 month wait for insurance coverage, every test in the book and the giving up of my firstborn, my banding finally took place 1-29-10 at Dayone downtown Chicago :thumbup: The first 3 days were rough. I am terrified of vomiting and so far have not, so now I am doing ok. My post op diet is day 1&2 Clear liquids, days 3-7 full liquids, 1 week puree, 1 week soft foods and then introduction to solids. I am following the diet to a T. My stomach growls quite a bit, but the Protein supplements (AdventEase,Myoplex,Muscle Milk) blended with juice or skim milk or even decaf instant coffee granules added, curb the hunger. I am shooting for 60 gr of protein a day and it is a challange. The caffeine withdrawal headaches are finally gone :smile2: I am thinking of going back to work on the weekend. I have one incision that is very tender, and feel tired quite a bit but every day is better! Going for my post op visit in 2 days. Are there any other Dayone people out there? Do you go to the seminars and are they helpful?

Hey Val, Good to hear from you. Looks like you are doing great with your goals, hope I am as successful. My appt is 1:30 with my surgeon Dr. Elly. I must be healing well, because my stomach is growling all the time and I definately feel hunger. Hopefully the puree diet next week will be more satisfying than the full liquids. Have you had smooth sailing? Reading some of the stories on here are a bit scary. Reneez