ParrotheadCathy

Frankly, I agree with elcee. We're always glad to answer questions and offer suggestions but I think you're at a point with your questions that you need to talk with your surgeon. Make a written list of every last little question you can think of so you don't forget anything. Get answers! As for the itching, etc., has anybody at your doctor's office LOOKED AT YOUR INCISIONS? I mean, there could be an allergy to adhesives, an infection .... And that goes back to TALKING TO THE DOCTOR. Let us know the outcome!

Walking is an excellent way to start incorporating exercise because you can keep increasing your distance, walk with hand weights, ankle weights, "wog" -- which is walk with intervals of jogging, even if the jogging is only a short distance at first. Using these techniques you can adjust your exercise to your increasing abilities and continue to benefit from a walking program. When you start feeling stronger, incorporate some weight training (which you can do without becomeing "muscle bound").

True! But I wasn't going to present it as a hangover cure, LOL.

Hannah, the first controlling factor is if you are covered by insurance or not. I was self-pay and didn't go to a seminar at all but went to my initial visit on 1/2/09 and had survery on 2/10/09. Some self-pays get in even quicker. If you're insured for this, it can take a while longer, even months longer, depending on the requirements of your insurance company.

Sorry you've had to go through that! I have the Lap Band AP and my doctor specifically told me that he stitches the bands in to anchor them to prevent slipping. Hopefully, I'll never experience any slippage! Could you have revised to a VSG? I don't know much about that, but I have read on here there people have done that and are happy with the choice.

Amazing, you've made only one post on LBT....you just HAD to break your silence to try to sell us girdles?

I am no longer Tyle 2 Diabetic! yipppeeeeee! BUT, when I went to diabetes school, they helped me develop a diet to control my diabetes. It said I could have a specific number of grams of carbs per day. I was told, like Jen says, to subtract the fiber grams from the casrb grams to be the carb grams I actually had to count. They never told me anything about sugar alcohol grams.....

I think most of us eat salads. I try not to eat much iceberg lettuce simply because it has pretty much zero nutrition. But darker lettuces, spinach, etc. are healthy/nutritious and tasty. Like everything, chew well and you should be fine!

Jen, be aware that your insurance company may require that your BMI has been at 40 for a specific period of time (my girlfriend's policy said hers had to be 37 for 3 years to be covered even WITH 3 comorbidities). The only way you'll know is to talk to your insurance company. Ask all the pertinent questions. Tell them your BMI and ask if you can get coverage. If not, if you continue to gain (as most of us eventually would), would they cover you at 40 or do you have to have that BMI or higher for a specific period of time? Go ahead and ask if you have to use a Center of Excellence, names of doctors on your plans, surgical centers on your plan and other requirements (like psych eval, pre-op diet, sleep study, etc.)

My doc told me that once I hit goal, I would need to come back about every six months to have the fluid "topped off" since the level can go down.

A lot of people just take 2 Flinstones chewables. I use Berocca Performance ... but you'll have to buy it from a Canadian pharmacy because it isn't sold in the US. It's made by Bayer, is an effervescent tablet with some flavor in it. I mix it with Crystal Light and some Benefiber. It is not a complete multi-vitamin but it's all I need.

Lisa, if you've read many posts on LBT you've seen the phrase "bandster hell". That's where you are right now. 2 weeks post-op, you're still healing. Don't be so darned hard on yourself! A lot of people gain in the post-op period. I gained and lost the same 4 pounds three times before I actually starting losing post-op. Just keep following your doctor's instructions and once you start getting fills, you will find it easier to do what you're supposed to do and the pounds will start coming off.

Nothing about the band is cheating! You went through pretty much major surgery (general anesthesia with all the attendant risks, cut into your body), and hey, the weight doesn't just disappear! What the hell is easy about that? You still have to choose the right foods, eat the right amounts and exercise....just like anybody else who is dieting. AND you have to put up with getting stuck, sliming, PBing, going for fills AND BEING BERATED FOR CHEATING BY SOME DUMBA$$ WHO DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE. Join the weight loss challenge, Three Boys! Dare them to call you a cheater! And, hey, invite the laziest one in that group to be your exercise partner .... meet at the gym, walk in the mornings or evenings .... all not so gentle reminders that you have to do the work just like the rest of them! Justin, right on!!!

Tamm, if you've read many posts here, you've seen the phrase "Bandster Hell"....and that is exactly where you are. Yes, it sucks. But if you had surgery on 8/11, you are barely on real food (IF your doc has advanced you through mushies). Lots of us lost nothing in the 4-6 weeks after surgery before we got our first fills. I personally gained and lost the same 4 pounds. When I was advanced to real food, I was told to eat on my plan ... 3 oz of Protein, steamed vegetable, serving of whole grain carbs. No drinking immediately before, during the meal and for 30 minutes after. And, I was told that if I got hungry in less than 4 hours, to snack only on solid protein. Low fat cottage cheese, low fat cheese, a boiled egg, and similar stuff. Remember each fill will take you closer to your sweet spot, but continue to eat the same way. And, yeah, there's that exercise business. I get up at 5:00 every morning and walk/run 4 miles. On Saturday and Sunday, I don't get up at 5:00 but I get up and do my 4 miles before I do anything else. It was hard at first but it does become a habit, a routine.

Make your own beef and chicken stock. There are several ways to do it, recipes abound. Let me know if you need one. Trust me, stock tastes like food, unlike the canned broth you can buy in the store!

Erin, I had a stinker of a summer cold a couple of weeks back. At first, I didn't realize I was coming down with it and I felt like something was stuck in my throat. See my post to your other thread about phlegm/mucus

Remember that you can get stuck. I find that I can go a week or so and lose NOTHING (gain nothing, either, which is good but still......)! Then, I get on the scale and I'm down a pound and a half. Go figure! You just have to keep doing the right thing (and do yourself a favor and don't weigh every day), and it will happen!

Slippage actually doesn't occur very often. You would probably not be able to swallow anything, though. My surgeon told me specifically that he stitches the band into the proper place so that it won't slip. I've read others say their doctor did the same.... If you believe you have a problem, call your doc today (it's FRIDAY and you'll be stuck all weekend if you don't).

Phlegm is mucus, and can be the result of a cold or other respiratory infection or allergies. It can also come from consuming orange juice and dairy products (my father was an opera singer and dairy and OJ were strictly forbidden during "the season"). From my doctor's reminder sheet: "Colds, allergies, respiratory infections and sinus brainage can cause mucus to plug the opening in the stomach (Stoma); you may drink warm liquids before meals to help dissolve the mucus plug." Hope that helps!

Try journaling every bite you eat and when you eat it (most journals just ask you to log what you eat)! Journaling when you ate it as well may point out a pattern that you can work to change. And, make an appointment with your doc! Discuss your circumstances, eating habits, etc. and whether or not you need another fill. Maybe try to see the nutritionist for some guidance, too? There are days I eat more than the recommended amounts, but I try not to go berserk with food...and the band helps me to accomplish that. As long as I'm losing, I consider it a success because without the band, I'd most certainly be gaining!

Marmar....bandter hell is just frustrating, that's all! You survived the pre-op diet, had the surgery .... only to find that you can pretty much eat just as you did before undertaking this journey. Not what you wanted, at all! This is the hardest part of getting banded. with GB, the weight loss kicks in immediately but with the band, to lose in the beginning you really have to work at it. But as you get closer to your sweet spot, it does get easier!

Poor nutrition, poor hydration, lack of good sleep, all those things and many more could make you feel the way you describe. Aim for at least 60 grams of Protein a day. READ nutritional labels and pick things that are high in protein. Do you like cottage cheese? Guess what? 1/2 cup of cottage cheese has about 12 grams of protein! A boiled egg has 7 (if I remember correctly). Are you getting 8 hours of sleep? Most Americans are sleep deprived. Try getting 8 hours tonight and see how you feel at 3:00 PM.

WDW, most insurance policies (not all) require a BMI of 40 OR they will accept a BMI of 35 with TWO of a pre-set lislt of comorbidities (usually, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, Type 2 diabetes, sometimes high cholesterol). I know that a friend's insurance accepted a BMI of 37 BUT you had to have documentation to prove that your BMI has been at least 37 for 3 years. You MIGHT be able to eventually win approval with your foot problems, but I wouldn't hold my breath on it. Insurance companies really don't want to spend the money even if spending it now would save them money down the line.

I've had CHICKEN sausages a couple of times. They were quite good with a little dijon mustard!