elgrad

I like the "Band...James Band" thought! My band is named Bernard. Don't know why I chose that name..it just seems to fit. Now, naming your band is a very person decision. I first had to decide whether it was a male or female band. Most days, it's male. So, the male name. I would suggest you roll some thoughts around in your head and see what seems to fit. You could always go with "no-nam-e" (like sunami) and that might work. Or, you could try something really clever like "band-it" or "band-aid" or even "bandalot" (like Camelot- that mystical, magical land where dreams come true). There are many ideas. One will come to you, in due time. Elgrad

Bernard ( that's my band's name) does not like chicken, at all! He will rebel whenever I try to eat some. So, I have stopped eating it for awhile. I think it is because it can be dry and that irritates him for some reason. I have heard that if you cook the chicken in gravy or sauce of some kind, it helps. I am just too chicken (oops, sorry, couldn't resist) to try it for now. I don't think you have hurt your band but if it continues to bother you, contact your doctor. Elgrad

Trish, Could your meds be hindering your weight loss efforts? I know when I was on my diabetic meds, it was harder for me to lose weight. It the meds are part of the problem, you may need to see if they can be adjusted or (sorry to have to say this) you may have to resign yourself to a slower weight loss. But, as Jacqui has said, there are ways to increase the metabloism and help with weight loss, exercise being a very important one. You will lose tho, once you find the sweet spot. Good luck! Elgrad

Good Morning! I would follow what the MA has suggested, at least for 24 hours. It could be a mild muscle strain, due to all the coughing. And since the first thing most folks here would tell you to do is call your doc and you have done that, maybe just follow what they have said and give it 24 hours. If that doesn't help or the pain gets worse, then call to see if you can get in. I know when I am sick and I have to cough, I get a pain in my sides that feels like a muscle strain. It will hurt for a few days and then go away. Of course, that was pre-band, so I know we have uber-concerns when it comes to strong and unusual pains. If it isn't any better in a day, then go to the next step and get it checked out. Good luck and keep us informed, please! Elgrad

Today is the 234th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Being a former Marine, I must ask your indulgence to take a few lines within this forum and wish a Happy Birthday to my brothers and sisters in arms. As well as to their families. Semper Fi! Elgrad

I didn't have a lot of pressure to go with the by-pass but, I did do a lot of research on the many options of bariatric surgery. I decided on the lap band for many of the reasons that Jacqui stated. The biggest reason is that I wanted to take my time and do it right. Slow and steady for me has always been the best way. I guess I am a very slow learner and it takes me awhile to "get it". So far, I am very happy with my decision. I am 7 weeks out from surgery,have lost 20 pounds, feeling better than I have in a very long time, and completely off of my diabetic meds. I am controlling my sugars with diet and exercise. That is reason enough for me to be happy with my choice. But, everyone has to make the choice for themselves, based on your specific health needs and habits. Good luck in your choice. I don't think you will regret it! Elgrad

Heather, I am on the WW on-line program right now, which helps a little but not a lot. I think I miss the person-to-person exchange that the meetings give you. I would caution you, however, not to mention that you have been banded to too many people there, as others here have said that they have been given a lot of grief about it at the meetings. I plan to start going back to the meetings but will discuss my banding with the leader only. I still have a good relationship with my old leader and I am hoping she will accept the "new" and "improved" model of me, as well as encourage me along the way. Since I never went for the awards they hand out, just the info, I am hoping to just kind of skip those things and get the useful info that I need. :tongue2: Good luck! Elgrad

If you haven't had your fill yet, don't worry. It was painless for me and so quick. And what a difference that fill has made for me! Go for it!! Elgrad

Okay, I know that we have to learn to trust and that may take some time. After all, I have trusted before, only to have my heart broken. I always put so much into a relationship only to find out it won't work out. But, now I have finally found a relationship that is making me smile with joy and love. I LOVE Bernard!! He is everything I was told he would be and more. He is supportive and steady. Who could ask for anything more? (Oooh, sounds like a Gershwin tune). BTW, Bernard is my band. I got my first fill on Friday, 1 cc went into Bernard and he is now happy to keep me honest and ful-"filled"! I thought to myself "Only 1 cc, how in the world would such a small bit of liquid love keep me satisfied?" Well folks, I am here to tell you that it has worked so far. I am not hungry in between my meals, and that is a BIG improvement. I have already lost 5 pounds since Friday and am feeling so happy to see the numbers on the scale go down. I know that our relationship will need constant tweaking, like any good love relationship, but I am willing to give this relationship my all, because I feel that it is mutually supportive. Good luck to all those out there that are on this journey. We can do this, because we have the tools now to make it happen. :smile2: Elgrad

I was just in your shoes! I was banded on 23 September and didn't get my first fill until 6 November. Well, before the fill, I had gained. Not because I wasn't being careful or eating the wrong foods...I just gained. I am old enough now to realize that I will never figure out how my body works! I just did the best I could and waited until the fill. Well, since Friday, I have lost 5 pounds! It does work, but you just have to be patient and give it time. It is NOT the bypass and it will NOT be an instant gratification type thing. This is a slow but sure thing. Don't sweat the small stuff, stay away from the scales until you get your first fill (easier said than done, I know) and try to be as positive with yourself as possible. You have made a very important change in your life and your body is trying to catch up with that decision. Be proud of yourself! You are on the way to a new life. Enjoy the ride and don't let anything take you away from the journey (not even a husband that needs a lesson in the proper way to support you) :smile2: Elgrad

Yes, you may have to get your meds changed. Time release capsules cannot normally be broken into smaller units (so that you can swallow them easily) and so may cause you difficulty. Always check with your primary care physician regarding which, if any, of your regular meds you will be taking after the surgery. I was taken off of my diabetic meds and am only on two small high blood pressure meds now, since my intake of sugar and carb laden foods has dropped to almost nil. My blood sugar levels are well within the norms now and if I were to take any of those meds, I would probably have a very low blood sugar incident. This is a balancing act we must play to ensure that we keep all the levels where they belong. Working closely with your surgeon and your regular doc is your best plan of action. Elgrad

Congratulations on making the decision to be banded! You are taking control of your life in a very positive way. I was banded on 23 September 2009, so I am relatively new to this lifestyle. I will tell you, for me, that the first ten days were the hardest. You are recuperating from major surgery, so you are Fluid filled and dealing with anesthesia, so life will seem very bizarre. You may wonder what you have done and why you have done it. You may feel a little depressed (especially if you see food as your friend, not just as food) and you will be sore. The physical things are temporary and will soon disappear. You will start to come out of the funk and have a clearer focus on the situation. This is where you will enter what is known as "bandster hell" (cue the creepy music here) This is where you are healed, not restricted and hungry. Do your best to get thru this stage and look forward to your first fill. This is where the magic begins and the purpose of your band becomes apparent. For, if you are like me, you have dieted a lot in your life but never had the switch that said "Stop!". Now, you will begin to achieve that switch. You need to come here and see what others say and how they deal with the different parts of the process. Remember tho, that this is your journey, not anyone elses. So, what one person experiences, you may not. All of us here will tell you what we have done and felt, but it is something that belongs to us individually. If you are a counselor, you know how this works in therapy. Each of us has our own story. Listen, learn and process what works for you. Let the rest go by.:cursing: Good Luck! Elgrad

I was banded on 23 September, haven't had my first fill yet and cannot, repeat, cannot handle bread or toast! It gets stuck and is very painful. Bernard (that's my band, by the way) hates bread and lets me know very quickly that he is not happy :cursing: He also dislikes chicken of any kind. Boy, I can hardly wait until my first fill to find out what else he dislikes. I have not tried rice, so am not sure what would happen there. My suggestion is to give yourself a little time and then, if you want to try it again, go very, very slowly and chew very, very well. I certainly hate it when I get stuck. The pain is not pretty! :cursing: Elgrad