Melissannde

Tricep kickbacks are one of the exercises for upper arms. Google tricep exercises and you should find them. I do them all the time, alone and with a trainer and I still have loose skin on my upper arms, the difference is.. IF I ever have surgery, I'll have some nicely toned arms once the extra skin is gone.

Some doctors think that the use of NSAIDS (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs.. which includes Aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Bufferin, etc.) can lead to band erosion. Other bariatric surgeons don't subscribe to that belief. You need to call your doctor's office and talk to them rather than take advice from people on LBT. My surgeon will allow occasional use of an NSAID, but at a low, almost useless dose and I also have to take a Prevacid or Prilosec with it. Sorry about your headache. Hope you feel better soon. Call your surgeon.

apple with 1 weight watcher's brand string cheese. Wasa crisp & light with 1 wedge laughing cow (light) 50 calorie pack of Jack Links teriyaki steak Jerky 100 calorie packet cocoa roasted almonds breakstones cottage cheese snack (comes in a 4 pack.. 90 cal each) with or without 1 tbspn bacon bits. Or add one or two strawberries if you prefer. All I can think of off the top of my head. I'm guessing you want high Protein Snacks... some of these aren't exactly high protein, but they all have some.

Try warm fluids.. coffee, tea, hot water with lemon, whatever you like that's low in calorie... Warm stuff tends to loosen the band just a tad. It might be enough to ease it for you.

It is probably a Vitamin deficiency as you state you have difficulty with vits. I suggest a visit to your PCP to get basic bloodwork done, but to particularly check your B-12 and Vitamin D levels. If you're young enough that you're still menstruating, you might also be low in Iron. It would be easy to just say to add those vitamins/minerals, but since you're on other medication, it would probably be wise to let a physician help you figure out what's wrong. You could try your bariatric surgeon too, some are good at monitoring post band Vitamins and some are not. Mine sends me to my PCP. ::shrug:: B-12 comes in pleasant raspberry sublingual (under the tongue) tablets. I put one under my tongue every day while I fix my coffee, then I get my other vitamins ready and take them with my coffee. I don't let myself have Breakfast until vitamins are down. It really helps to establish a routine. Best of luck to you. I also understand depression. Sometimes it's just getting out the door that helps. And have you looked at the site Bodyblues? http://thebodyblues.com/ Of course they're gonna try to push their products, but some interesting info at the site. Hang in there.

I've always done both. My doctor suggests 3oz of Protein and 1/2 cup of veggies per meal. IF we're still hungry after we finish that we're allowed more veggies.. provided they're not drowning in butter or other high calorie sauce. I have a scale I bought years ago when I was selling on eBay and I use it to weigh my protein. And I have measuring cups similar to measuring spoons and use those for my veggies. I found a large cooking spoon holds about a 1/2 cup of veggies. I've weighed the food (protein & veggies) after measuring and it usually comes out somewhere between 6 to 8oz. When I say I count calories.. I don't mean that if I reach a certain # that I don't eat any more that day.. but I do keep an eye on the # and try to make better choices. I use 90/10 hamburger rather than 80/20, I use turkey sausage, 2% cheese, fat free half & half, etc. These might not be others choices, some people say to use full fat to be more satisfied. I have other reasons (health concerns) to avoid full fat foods. I log my food at www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate and most of the things I eat are already in their database.

I can eat them, but.. I MUST have some sort of "lube" to help the dryer cuts go down. BBQ sauce is my usual choice, but I am careful to choose low carb, low calorie versions and I measure out a tablespoons worth at a time.. no more just pouring from the bottle. Keep in mind that everyone is different on how they respond and what one person can't eat, no how, no way.. another has no issues with it. Also you shouldn't expect to have problems with food right away. It USUALLY takes at least 1 fill and often 3 or more to get to the point that certain foods are a problem. I'd say get the smoker and enjoy it. My DH still smokes food for us, I just eat much much less of it.

You're welcome. Gotta love flat-rate shipping.

Lauren, excellent. That's the same list I was directing her to at Smartbandsters!! Jessie Ahroni, author of the article, is well versed in bands and is banded herself.

My nurses say about a cup of food is right for bandsters. My doctor says 3oz of Protein and 1/2 cup of low carb veggies. I don't know if I can post it here, but if you'll join the SmartBandsters group at yahoo.com, in the file section there is an article in the FAQ's titled "How to tell if you are Perfectly Adjusted". It should help you a bit. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SmartBandsters When I go in to see my bariatric professionals, I take in about a weeks worth of my food/exercise journal and also make notes on how I felt .. this helps the nurses see how I'm doing and if I need more or less Fluid. Good luck on your decision.

You can also order PB2 (powdered peanut butter) from Netrition.com I get Peanut Butter flavored zero calorie DaVinci Syrup there too. Put some of the peanut butter syrup and some s/f chocolate syrup in my coffee.. tastes like I'm drinking a reeses cup. yummmmmmmmm

Did your surgeon or the nutritionist or dietician give you any guidelines on how much to eat? At the bariatric practice I use, we're told we should be eating 3oz of Protein and 1/2 cup of veggies per meal. When we finish that, we should be through. Get up and leave the table and find something else to do. IF IF IF we are still hungry after 20 minutes, we can have extra low carb veggies. There will always be days that you can eat more. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. I know it's not easy. If it was easy, no one would be obese. I started to have very very slow weight loss (compared to the beginning of my journey anyhow) this past spring. I finally started taking my measurements monthly. While the scale is taking its own sweet time about moving downwards, I am seeing inches come off. This might help you too. It's been said that "the band is fickle". Sometimes it will feel tighter and other times looser with no apparent rhyme or reason. Sounds like this is what is happening to you. Hang in there.. follow most of the rules most of the time and you should continue to lose.

You say you're afraid you started eating solids too early. Are you following the guidelines your doctor gave you? It's important to do that to let your band seat in a good position. Give your doctor's office a call and talk your eating & food choices over with one of the nurses. Don't panic though, the previous responder is correct, it's highly unlikely you've caused damage with only one pb (productive burping) session.

I've been doing Zumba a few times a week for a while... and I'm by no means skinny. Gyms and exercise classes are not just for skinny folks. If you find a gym that has that attitude.. change gyms!! Zumba is lots of fun. And depending on the instructor and the type of Zumba class you take, the intensity can vary greatly. There's regular Zumba, Zumba Gold (designed for lower impact), Aqua Zumba (Zumba done in the pool), etc. I'm like Hynita, I modify the steps to what I can comfortably do.. and as I get stronger, I try to do more. When the instructor Jumps, I usually jog or march in place. When they do a side step with twisting the knees.. I just side step and don't twist. The important part is to move the body and have fun!! One of the instructors where I go has even bought hip scarves with the little coins on them for one of the songs which is from "Sumdog Millionaire" "Jai-Ho (You are my Destiny " The scarf meets in the middle on the other gals, but not me. Oh well, I'll use that as a NSV when it does meet!! This isn't the class I attend, but it's the same choreography that my instructor uses: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r43YzeBfWug LOVE this routine. I encourage you to go and give it a try.. it's so much fun. Like the Zumba site says.. Ditch the Workout, Join the Party! (I still workout too though.. lol).

DH has ordered the book & DVD. He's not banded (and doesn't really qualify for banding), but wants to lose some. He wants to start it after the first of the year. Bad idea I think, to wait.. but it's his weight loss, not mine. What little I could read of the book online seems sensible. We'll see.

In general, most days this is my schedule: 6am coffee & start taking vitamins 7am Breakfast of Overnight oatmeal with apples & 1 turkey sausage link (I have this almost every day, other meals are varied) 8am out the door to the gym 8:30 to 10am.. exercise class.. type and length of time varies depending on the day of the week. 10am .. Run errands or go home 12 to 1pm lunch Lunchtime vitamins 1pm till 4pm: housework, computer, nap (if really tired) 4pm: snack if hungry, 4:30 start supper 6pm Supper, evening vitamins 7pm clean up after supper 8pm hot tea, bedtime snack if desired 10pm bed

Nope. I had only a 1 day of Clear liquids the day before my surgery. And I'll tell you an unofficial unscientific observation. Those of us who don't have to do a pre-op diet for weeks, tend to lose a little faster after the surgery. This is something I've noticed in talking to other bandsters over the past year & a half and I've had my observation confirmed by nurses who work in the bariatric field. If you really are concerned.. call your doc's office and ask.

I'm not Elfie, but hope you don't mind if I respond. I've been banded for well over a year and I still have good appetite control. I think the year window you've heard mentioned for good appetite dimming and weight loss is more applicable to RNY (bypass) patients. I had a WLS nurse who kept telling me I was past the "honeymoon" stage. I vehemently disagree with her. I don't believe in the honeymoon stage when it comes to banding. JMO.. YMMV.

You might check the prices at netrition.com they do charge for shipping, but it is a flat rate.. order 1 or order 20,... same charge.

Tracei, I'm glad you're making steps towards a better and healthier life. However, this is a lapband forum. You'll get much more support on a forum that is more focused on the bypass. I'd suggest Obesityhelp.com, they have forums for all kinds of WLS's. Best of luck to you!

I chew gum. Sugar-free versions. I've not swallowed my gum since I was a child and don't plan to start. Been banded 21 months.. still haven't swallowed gum. I'll take the risk because gum satisfies my desire to chew without adding calories. YMMV.

Yep.. it's boggy to me too. Hopefully they'll continue to tweak the site and it will get better. Or else we'll just get used to it.. LOL

All my family is too far away to get together with for TG.. so we're just doing it here at home. My 21 & 23 y/o's help with the cooking and dh keeps the dishwasher going. We modify the dishes a little.. adding extra veggies to the dressing, using low fat or non fat items where appropriate. We had oyster stew for a light lunch and TG dinner will be cajun smoked turkey, green bean casserole, spinach magdaline, baked sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing, and pumpkin souffle (basically a pumpkin pie w/o a crust). I'm planning on just eating small portions. For some exercise I've been dancing to the radio while cooking.. much to the amusement of my ds and dogs. LOL I wanted to do a turkey trot, but too far to drive and still come home & cook.

Thanks. It's not quite as smooth as the older version (loads slower for me), but it does give a preview. I'm impressed that someone responded. Thanks again. Happy Thanksgiving everyone .... enjoy, but don't over do it. I'm trying to make myself go walk or run.. not too motivated.. LOL

I don't see ads, I have an ad-blocker installed. What I HATE is that there's no longer previews of the posts when you hover over the topic titles ... I relied heavily on that to see if I really wanted to open the thread. If anyone in charge is reading this...Fix that please!!