Melissannde

Not unusual at all. Some people bounce right back and others like me take a long time to feel better (2 weeks). I remember commenting to my husband about having new empathy for those who suffer from chronic pain. I think you should call your doctor again and talk about your level of discomfort and that you are supposed to return to work on Thursday and see if they can help. Best of luck to you.

While anything is possible, it's unlikely that you have caused a slip this early in the game. It's normal to have the ability to eat just as before surgery once the swelling has gone down. I wouldn't call it normal to DO so. You still need to control the amounts you eat as much as you can. It is not easy, this is why the period of time between when the swelling from surgery has receded and before you get enough fill to reduce your appetite is sometimes affectionately called "Bandster Hell". Congratulations, you just reached another stage of band progress! If you're getting stuck already you still have some swelling. Slow down, smaller bites, chew very very well. Don't wait too long between meals so that you are so hungry you take your first bites too fast (first bite syndrome.. very common for new bandsters). Now is a good time to start making new habits. Did your doctor give you any guidelines on how much to eat? If he/she didn't, a common amount is 3 to 4oz of Protein and 1/2 cup veggies 3x a day with small protein Snacks in between if necessary. Also drinking lots of Water (or other very low calorie fluids) will help keep the hunger at bay between meals. I'm not saying it will make it go away, but it will reduce it. It will take a fill or two or three to reach appetite dimming. That is how the band works for many people. You should not rely on the band to restrict what you are able to eat.. I've always been able to eat bread ..I CHOOSE not to most of the time. You will always, always be able to eat more. What you are aiming for is to eat a small amount and stay satisfied for a reasonable period of time. Please call your bariatric professionals and ask for guidance. Does the practice you use have support group or nutritionist/dieticians that you can consult with? Hang in there.. it will get easier once you start getting fills.

I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in quite a while at the store today and she was "oh my Goodness, you've lost so much and you've changed your hair color too. I almost didn't recognize you". I laughed and told her I was going incognito these days. I'm not sure when people really started noticing.. I was very reclusive when at my highest weight.. it took me losing quite a bit before I started doing more than just walking in my very isolated neighborhood.

banded 19 months. Never had to crush a pill. I have cut the big Calcium ones into smaller pieces, but now use chewables. You're tired cause you had surgery less than a week ago. Give it time, you'll feel better in another week or even sooner.

I don't recall a time limitation from my doctor, but drinking isn't all that important to me. I'm not being judgmental.. just honest. He does say that alcohol will slow down your weight loss. Another bariatric professional recently told me that alcohol will stymie your weight loss efforts for 3 days after imbibing. As always, do consult your own physician if in doubt. And no beer, champagne or other sparkling wines. P.S. I had a lemon-drop martini this weekend (sans the sugar on the rim).. it was wonderful!

The bariatric practice I use stresses that there are no "bad foods", there are poor, better and good choices. If you've made a few less than stellar food choices.. oh well. It's not the end of the world. You can get back on the weight loss wagon tonight. You don't have to wait till tomorrow. If you live alone, get rid of the temptations.. down the disposal or into the trash. If you have to share your space with non bandsters.. it's a little harder, but still doable. Can you designate a cabinet or area for the other people in the house to keep their things that you'd rather not see? You could even go as far as to put a lock & key on it and give them a key and not keep a copy for yourself. Make yourself very small and attainable goals. Even as little as .5lb a week.. and when you reach that goal, give yourself a non-food reward. Manicure, pedicure, special book, bubblebath? As you get stronger, gradually increase your goals. Look at this list of 100 reasons to lose 100 lbs, maybe some of them will speak to you. Copy & print it out and put it where you can see it daily. Better yet, make your own list.. it will speak to you more. 100 Reasons to Lose 100 Pounds Baby steps. Almost everyone backslides a time or two. Just get back up and try again. Don't beat yourself up over eating things you feel like you shouldn't. If beating ourselves up worked, there'd be a lot of skinny bruised people walking around.

I don't think I'd want it removed w/o general. Maybe and this is a HUGE maybe.. with a spinal.. but there would have to be mighty compelling reasons to avoid general & only have spinal. I think I'd rather deal with the apron to be honest. This from someone who's had 6 surgeries, including the band.

Are you seeing any results from the exercise yet? If not, maybe start by taking your measurements now, and again in a month (or sooner). Lay out your exercise clothes the night before so you don't have the excuse of not knowing where things are. Give yourself a small reward when you've been to the gym every day for a week (a mani or pedi?, a book you've been wanting?, even a SMALL low calorie food item would be ok.. but I'd really try to find a non-food reward. I have a serious yarn addiction.. I love to crochet. So I could reward myself with some yarn I wouldn't normally buy. You know what pushes your buttons and what you won't normally allow yourself to have). Perhaps if you know you have a reward waiting for you if you make your goal.. it would make it easier. But sometimes it's just about putting on your big girl panties and getting it done. I saw a T-shirt the other day.. said on the back "Get over it Princess.. this is BOOT CAMP". We've just got to get over it and get on with it. I understand the early morning thing.. a year ago I was getting up at 3am (!!) so I could eat at 4am to go to boot camp at 5:30am. Crazy I know.. but it did so much good for me. Now, let's talk about Halloween. It's over. Won't be back till next year. What can you learn about what happened this year? That your resistance muscle isn't very strong yet. That's ok..you've only been exercising it a little while. It will get stronger. For now, get the leftovers out of the house. Send it to work if you can or dump it in the trash and put something nasty & disgusting on top of it. Next year, don't buy stuff that you like. Or if you feel like you have to have "the good stuff" look for things that are less damaging. I found that the hershey's dark chocolate kisses are only 20 calories each. I can find room for 20 or 40 calories in my plan. Reeses miniature cups are much more.. so I won't buy them again. And a small amount of dark chocolate is good for us. Practice delaying tactics. Tell yourself, I didn't plan for that piece of candy in my eating plan today. I can plan for it tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, put it off one more day. Make a list of why you want to lose weight. Here's a list of 100 reasons to lose 100lbs. Maybe some of them will resonate with you. 100 Reasons to Lose 100 Pounds Print out the ones speak to you and post it where you'll see it several times a day. Put a copy in your purse. One day at a time, one step at a time. You can do this!

congrats on the NSV. Hope the bronchitis leaves you soon.

I wouldn't worry all that much about the pizza, bread, candy.. you've only had one fill. It's not unusual to be able to eat things at this point that later on will cause difficulty. You do need to limit the AMOUNTS of what you're eating though. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. What does concern me is the Diet Coke. Carbonation can be a huge problem for a band. The carbonation is thought to stretch the pouch and repeated indulgence can lead to a slip of the band. Even letting the coke sit out till it goes flat is no guarantee that there's not occult carbonation still in the drink. Why would you want to go through all the work & expensive of having surgery to risk it over a diet coke? If you can't resist it .. get it out of the house. At least for now ( I know how it is.. my dh and kids drink it in front of me.. I think they're cruel). When your resistance muscle is a bit stronger you can let it back in. There's lots of other things you can drink. Powerade Zero, Crystal Light, Fuse Slenderize (20 cal in a 16 oz bottle.. acceptable once in a while), Diet Cranapple, Diet V8 Splash (both of the former are ok on a limited basis as they have a small amt of calories), Unsweet Tea, coffee, Water. Try making some Sassy Water. Sassy water is 2 quarts of water with Mint, Ginger, Lemons and cucumbers in it. It's part of the "flat belly diet" plan. I'm not advocating the flat belly diet, but there may be some value in the Sassy water as Ginger is supposed to help digestion. You could also throw some Splenda or Equal in it if you wanted. Look at Judith Beck's books on behavior modification (Beck Diet Solution). She has many ideas/actions that can help you change your behaviors. She also has an online newsletter. Shrink Yourself is another site that some people find useful. If you're not journaling your food intake.. start. Be totally and brutally honest with recording what goes in your mouth. ABC.. All Bites Count. If you're not honest with what you write/type, you are only harming yourself. Previous poster was right on the money suggesting you find another activity instead of eating. Play the piano (or learn to do so), Crochet, Knit, clean out cabinets. Go through your closet and find the clothes you want to get back into and place them where you can see them as an incentive! Make a list of the reasons you want to lose weight and read it every time you want to eat something that's not so good a choice. Post it on your fridge. If you REALLY REALLY want something . determine how many calories are in it (as close as you can) and make yourself work the calories off first. That technique cured me of wanting McDonald's sausage biscuits. It takes a heck of a long time on the treadmill to work off 430 calories. My legs told my mouth to get over it!! LOL I wouldn't normally talk/type so harshly, but you asked for tough love. Hope this wasn't too tough for you. So, you made a few poor choices. You can't undo what was done. Say oh well, and get back on the plan tonight. You don't have to wait till tomorrow to improve your eating. We're all rooting for you. You can do this!!

I've heard that if you can document repeated yeast infections where the skin folds over.. that it might be covered.

One more thought.. a long term bandster that I know (12 years) says if she really wants a food that is on the poor choice list.. she will allow herself 3 bites (bandster sized bites of course). If she can't stop with 3 bites, she doesn't get to have any of that particular food next time. Just another way to control our indulgences. :thumbup:

bumping up the link. https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApBMiLjvkwExdEh3eXQwZ2JOemthWHRhaWRZMldpR2c&hl=en&authkey=CIbr1NIE#gid=0

Congrats on your continued weight loss! A poor choice or two is unlikely to drastically affect weight loss. It's the continuous stepping outside the lines that will sabotage your weight loss goals. By the way, I try not to use the term "cheating" as that implies that we are on a temporary "diet". This isn't temporary, this is a life-style change. It may be just mind-games, but getting away from the diet mind set I find to be helpful. My nurses also tell me there are no "bad foods".. there's only poor, good and better choices.

Try freecycle.org It's a place where you can give away things you don't need and receive things that you do.

I agree with Cheri, find some external way to reduce the stress in your life. Do you exercise? I find that working out is a great stress reliever. Yoga is really good, but even just taking a walk helps. Go buy one of those kiddie inflatable punching bags and take out your frustrations on it! Try sipping something warm before you try to eat. I like Tazo's "Calm" tea, but any brand should do the job. Try decaf tea if possible. The warmth of the tea should loosen the band just a tad and help with letting solid food go down. Along with the small bites and chewing well that Cheri suggested, make sure your Protein is tender and moist. You may need to "overcook" your veggies while you are stressed. Don't be afraid to use a small amount of "lube" such as low carb ketchup, light mayo, salsa, etc. to ease the food down. I apologize if you're already doing all these things. I don't mean to be "preaching to the choir". Hope you feel better soon.

I don't have any personal experience, but the support group leader, who works coordinating insurance for my doctor.. said last month that very often insurances have a one WLS provision. That doesn't mean that they might not cover if something went wrong. I think what she was saying is that you can't get banded, then a year later decide the band isn't for you and get your insurance to cover a different surgery. Please bear in mind that there are lots of us bandsters who are out living a thinner life without major problems. Support groups tend to have more posters who are having problems. It's just the nature of the beast. :thumbup: Follow most of the banding guidelines most of the time and your likelihood of having problems is greatly reduced and your chances of success are greatly enhanced. Keep asking questions, we all learn from them.

What I always think is the port isn't where they access it. The position does shift some between standing and lying down. If you're concerned talk to your doctor and/or nurses.

Please don't try it. Even letting it go flat is no guarantee there isn't some occult carbonation lurking. Many doctors think that drinking carbonation after banding can lead to pouch dilation and from there into slips. That being said, I have had a sip or two of DC, but only twice in 19 months. No way would I try to drink a whole one, I love my band too much. I have had nightmares where I'm drinking a DC and I look around and I'm sitting in my doc's office. too funny.. lol

Made goal and beyond, -10. Very glad I set it low though. Wed I go in for official weight.. we'll see how close my scales are to Doc's.

This will be my second TG with a band. I don't remember having trouble with anything at all last year and I was 8 months banded by then. We usually have smoked turkey. Perhaps that's a bit moister than regular roasted? If I do a roast turkey, I use a big turkey roaster that has a lid, comes out moister than just a roasting pan and tinfoil. You might consider eating the dark meat from the turkey...or putting a tiny bit of gravy on it to help it slide down. I think I made two dressings, one regular for my son and one with lots and lots of veggies in it. I made the traditional green bean casserole, but used non fat or reduced fat Soup, cut way back on the fried onions and used ff milk. I think I made some kind of cranberry/orange sauce from scratch that used splenda instead of the canned stuff. Baked sweet potatoes in their jackets (in the skins). Made spinach madeleine..used ff canned milk, soy flour and extra spinach. A hospital near me is going to have a class Nov. 9 teaching diabetics how to have a healthier thanksgiving. I asked if the class would be beneficial to bariatric patients and they said it should be. So if it fits into my schedule, I'm planning to go and see what tricks/tips I can learn. Maybe a hospital or other health group near you would have something similar. Just think about how to make food moister or less doughy and reduce fat & calories in your favorite dishes. Have fun!! We have time to try things out now before the big date. :wink2:

Do you journal your food? There's protein in many things that you don't realize. The oatmeal I eat has 7grams per serving, One mushroom has almost 1 gram, 1/2 cup of broccoli has 1.5 grams, 1 wasa crisp & light cracker has almost 1 gram. These are all things that I wouldn't think of having protein, and while they're not significant amounts ALONE.. when you add up all these during one day, you will get there along with the 3oz of protein 3x a day.

I use regular eggs in them most of the time..but a combo of 1/4 cup egg white and 1 egg. Your calorie count will be a bit more, but not a whole lot. 1 large egg is about 71 calories, where 1/4 cup of egg beaters is about 30. 1/4 cup egg white is 25 calories. I think I remember that they call for 1/2 cup of egg beaters? One egg will probably measure to about 1/4 cup. I buy the egg whites in a little carton, nothing fake in them that I know of.. but I'm currently out of them so can't check the carton and can't find anywhere that lists the ingredients online. I did find this website which was interesting: Egg Products: Easy How-To Cooking Tips & Advice: RecipeTips.com Play around with it and see what tastes right to you and what works for your weight loss goals. :wink2:

If you can't get anywhere with your insurance company, may I suggest that you contact Obesity Law? I think it's Obesity Law and Advocacy Center And I think the attorney you want to speak to (or email) is Walter Lindstrom. Best of luck to you. Sometimes, just sometimes, a slipped band can be fixed by removing all the Fluid and going back on liquids for a period of time. I'm just mentioning this in case you want to give the band one more try before giving up on it. I'd also consider finding another bariatric practice. Take care.

There's Protein in lots of things that you may not realize. Use an online food diary such as thedailyplate and you'll see that. :wink2: I get anywhere from 80 to 100 grams a day and DO NOT drink Protein drinks as a rule. Only occasionally do I have one. My doctor recommends a minimum of 60grams.