Melissannde

It's the no liquid calories thing. A little won't hurt, but for some people a little here and a little there, and before they know it, they're taking in large amounts of liquid calories. Some people get gas from the sugar substitutes, some do not. It's a personal choice whether or not to use them. I mainly drink Water all day long, but I truly enjoy my s/f chocolate Torani or DaVinci syrup in my coffee every morning. YMMV.

The bypass isn't necessarily permanent, it can be reversed, but reversal is a major surgery and not often done. OP, you don't mention your age or gender, but malabsorptive surgeries such as bypass or DS are often contra-indicated for older adults (esp. females) due to the dangers of increased osteoporosis. Band slips are usually caused by getting and keeping the band too tight and/or frequent vomiting. Treat your band with kindness and respect, following the band guidelines as closely as possible and problems are greatly minimized. In my 2 years with the band, I've lost 200 lbs. Lost about at the rate of a bypass patient. It can be done. Irritates me when people say that if you need to lose 200, don't get a band. Balderdash. I know someone who's lost 300 with a band. It all depends on how you work it.

You need to get in contact with your surgeon. I know it's a holiday weekend, but you can't go back to a physically demanding job without being checked by your doctor. Your surgeon should have an answering service that can get in contact with him/her. Take it easy and no more Zumba or other abdominally challenging activity until you are cleared by your surgeon.

What I did was find my instructor's email and email and explain my dilemma. They would make sure that a desk (or two) for a large sized person was in the room. Enjoy college.. it's great!!

Look into the Syntrax Nectars. They are mainly fruit flavored and I like them lots better than others. I use crystal light or Powerade zero to mix them with, but other people use Water or even put greek yogurt in them. If you'll go to the companies website www.si03.com and email or call them, they will send you samples for a very low price (about 1.00 per flavor). Make sure you specify the NECTARS as Syntrax makes many protein mixes and not all are good for weight loss. If you like them, you can order them from Netrition.com which is the best prices I've found and flat rate shipping. For read to drink's.. try EAS Carbadvantage.. I get it VERY cold, then pour in a glass and add a little s/f DaVinci or s/f Torani syrup. Or Muscle Milk LIGHT in the vanilla Creme is good without adding extra. Again, very very cold is best. MM Light also comes in chocolate, but I think it tastes funky.. YMMV. Make sure you're getting the LIGHT.. the regular is too caloric for our use. A lot of people like Click.. but it's not for me. If you'll look through lapband talk, you'll find lots of threads about Protein drinks with suggestions of what people like. It's a good idea to get samples when available. Hope this helps.

Every doctor is different and each patient should follow their doctor's directions. Mine was clear liquids for one day only.

Just banded 3 days ago you are probably still swollen from surgery, that's why you are feeling bloated on 3oz. In my post-op instructions it says specifically that we might not be able to get all the fluids recommended in right away. To keep working at it and sip, sip, sip. I didn't really focus on Protein myself. I figured I was going to be on a restricted diet such a short time anyhow.. I just used canned Soups whirled in the blender. If Protein drinks are the way you want to go.. ok. In a few more days the swelling will go down and you'll be wondering if you have a band at all. ::grin:: It's there, just be patient, it will all get easier. You can always call your surgeon's office for help and suggestions.

I have some very tiny gallstones and only very rarely have pain. Last time was July 4, 2010.. almost a year ago. As long as I don't eat extremely fatty foods I'm good to go. My surgeon would like to take my gall bladder out, but my insurance sucks.. making me basically self-pay and I don't have 20K lying around. Gallstones are more prevalent in those that lose weight rapidly. And there's a medication you can take to help prevent gallstone formation. Ask your doc about it.

I came out of surgery with 3cc's. Got 1cc at my first fill, but the nurse hesitated to give that because I was losing so well. I found I needed a little increase in Fluid for every 20 to 25 lbs lost. 2 weeks will probably be too soon. I'd give it a month or more.

I'd talk to your doctor about this and see what his experience with their patients doing this has been. I've not had a great deal taken out of my band, but had one tiny unfill of only .2cc's and it was amazing how much my hunger came back with that little adjustment. I've also heard it said that it's difficult to get the same good appetite suppression once completely unfilled and refilled. So, IMO, I wouldn't mess with something that's working. But, everyone is different and if it's something you really want to try.. go for it. There are people who get to goal with no fill in their bands at all, but from what I've heard and read, they are rare creatures.

It sounds OK. I'd ask for the oil/vinegar on the side and add just a little at a time as needed. And learn before hand about what a cup of it would look like. Before you get much Fluid in your band, it should work fine.. but be aware as you get fills, grilled chicken can tend to be dry and might give you grief.

I'm two years out and I never feel "full" in my lower abdomen any longer. It's different. I feel satisfied now. If I do eat enough to feel full.. I've over eaten. YMMV of course, but just wanted to share my experience.

I've never used it at all, pre or post.

My doctor's regimen: first fill at 6 weeks, and then no more often than 4 weeks apart. I got frequent small fills which suited me really well.. I had no problems adjusting to smaller bites and smaller portions and weight was dropping off me at 4lbs a week in the beginning. Everyone is different.. My doctor won't do them any more often than 4 weeks apart as it has been their experience that a fill can sometimes take 2 weeks to "kick in". This has been true for me.. I had one make itself known 10 days after receiving it.

I'm with Mattie.. there are non-surgical treatments for gall bladder problems.

I bought a Taylor scale from Amazon.com. I don't remember how much I paid for it, but I doubt it was more than 30.00, as I am frugal. The increase of 7lbs might be due to sodium in restaurant foods. Give yourself a day or two, drink lots of Water and see what the scale says.

Just my upper lip and the edges of my nose are chapping. I don't think it's dehydration because I'm getting in 64 to 72 to 96 oz of Water a day, then there's the other stuff I also drink. No change in my diet or medications. I'm using burt's bee's lip balm and it's helping a bit. Have no idea what else to do. Seeing the doc for hopefully a small fill this coming week.. will see if they have any advice/suggestions.

http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html

To the OP: ask your surgeon if they install any fluid in the band during surgery. Mine did, I came out of surgery with 3cc's already in and had very little hunger until time for my first fill at about 6 to 7 weeks after surgery.

I've heard of people doing the same with beef jerky. The only problem with chewing the juice out of something and spitting out the remainder is that if done often enough, it could possibly lead to the formation of bulemic type behavior. Just be very aware of what you are doing. Are you still on liquids or can you have soft/mushy foods yet? I think the suggestion of putting the fruit in the food processor or blender is a reasonable alternative. What do your bariatric nurses/doctor say about what you are doing?

Just make sure to read the labels on the yogurt.. some of the nonfat yogurts have TONS of sugar. If your doc wants you to limit sugars, you'll need to take those into account. Lots to learn on this journey!!

Other than there's a concern about contamination from the flooding of the mississippi and the corexit that they used in the gulf to clean the oil from the BP spill.... yeah, you can eat raw oysters. I love them too, but I'm a lot more cautious these days. Steamed are just about as good and probably better for us.

The standard amount of time recommended by Allergan (the maker of the lap-band) between surgery and first fill is 6 weeks. Probably the same amount of time for the realize band, but I don't know for sure. There should be no stuck episodes, no pb'ing (which is a euphemism for vomiting really). Those are symptoms of a problem with either the band or the bandster's eating behavior. Do the best you can to eat sensibly while you are waiting on your first fill. And bear in mind, even after your first fill, you may not get good appetite dimming. Sometimes it takes up to 3 or more fills, depending on how sensitive you are and how much Fluid your doctor is willing to give. Sometimes when we think we're hungry, we're really thirsty. First time someone said that to me, I thought "yeah RIGHT". But give it a try.. sometimes drinking an extra glass of Water or crystal lite or unsweetened tea really will make a difference. Get some WW string cheese sticks. They're only 50 calories and paired with an apple can help you past a tough spot. Mild to moderate (non-sweaty) exercise, like walking, can also stave off hunger for a bit. We've all been through this. I'm waiting on my next bump up in fluid in about 2 or 3 weeks....where I used to be able to go 4 or 5 hours between meals.. it's now 2 or 3, so it's time. I DO empathize. Hang in there.

Right now, all I have is the Roadside Lemonade and the Pink Grapefruit flavors and I've been mixing them with either Crystal lite.. Lemonade or Grapefruit or even Orange flavors.. I gave my DH a taste of the Pink Grapefruit mixed with Orange Crystal Lite and some ice cubes and he even thought it was good. He drank half of my drink.. LOL (which is OK, I only do half a drink a day anyhow.. I would've just refrigerated it for Monday after workout if he hadn't drank it). I also like mixing the Nectar with Powerade Zero. All of them (Lemon/Lime, Orange, Grape, strawberry & Mixed Berry) seem to go with the Roadside Lemonade. I haven't mixed any of them with the Pink Grapefruit yet. When I had some Fuzzy Navel, it was good in the Orange Powerade Zero. The Mixed berry (blue) does LOOK weird when mixed with Nectar.. so if you're a visual person when it comes to food, you might not want to try that one. I don't care for the Nectars mixed with just Water. Oh.. and I mix a scoop with 16oz of liquid, not 8 and use 4 ice cubes, and blend the heck out of it. I went to 16 oz because I was every now and then getting some digestive upset (diarrhea) from the Protein dose being too strong and a nurse suggested upping the Fluid and that has helped. I haven't actually used the Torani or DaVinci in the Nectar, but plan to soon. I have some s/f raspberry DaVinci that should make a really good Raspberry Lemonade drink. I have used the s/f syrups in the Ready to Drink EAScarbvantage and it really helped. Hot chocolate might work.. but sometimes whey protein will clump if you get it too hot. Heat it very slowly if you do try that. Maybe use the s/f chocolate torani instead? Have fun.. it's like a chemistry experiment.

I enjoy Dr. Simpson's articles. He's on facebook if any of you care to follow him there. He posts things from time to time about banding and general health issues.