Momto3redheads

I disagree -- my doctor does mine "blind" and I haven't had any problems....neither have any of the 6 people I know that also get them that way here. I think it is a doctor's preference on how they do them -- and it could depend on how long they have been doing it as well, I would think. I have heard of others who have had that happen - where the doc couldn't find the port and had to go in under xray - but I wouldn't stress over it...I am sure it will be fine. Kim

good for you! The hardest step is the one to get back on track - I am struggling with that as I got lax over the holidays and ate too many sweets and gained some weight and now I am frustrated and angry with myself...but all we can do is look forward and change our habits to get back on track. (sometimes MUCH easier said than done!) I am finding the more time I spend on here the more motivated I am - also if you have a local support group those are wonderful too! I have trouble making it to the one here in town as they are sat mornings and my kids have sports, but the ones I have been to were very helpful and motivating. I am stuck as I cannot get another fill until I have $150 to spare to pay for it up front, which is the pits....so I kinda feel like I am in la la land waiting...and trying not to gain any more weight in the meantime! I feel like I had it "easy" the first year and a half as the weight pretty much fell off without too much effort on my part - and now it is time for the hard part, working at it! Good luck and welcome back!!! Kim

Yea I can definately see why folks get their breasts done after losing weight....I never had a lot to begin with (44D) but now I really don't have much! I wear mostly a 38C - and there is NO perkiness whatsoever in these poor gals. LOL I think it is sad that one of the first places I lost weight was my chest! But on the upside it could be worse....at least I won't ever have to worry about back pain from them....ha ha ha Kim

I have BCBS Basic - I have had a small rash under that flap of skin ever since a few months after surgery - so I just make sure to have my general doc AND my OBGYN document in my chart every time they see me about it.....since I haven't been going back to my surgeon as often. The best bet from what folks have told me is to make sure to have documentation that it is necessary due to it causing a problem.....I am not going to pursue surgery until I get my rear in gear and lose a bit more....but it is definately in my future! Kim

Yea it sounds to me like you aren't eating enough.....I would talk to your doctor/nutritionist and see what they think. It could be after another fill you start losing, you never know.....that sweet spot is different for everyone. I know folks who had to have their band completely full, others who only needed one small fill....so you just have to keep at it until you can find the right spot. But I would be sure to change up your diet - expecially if you are working out you want to make sure you are getting enough. It is a balancing act we have to play with until we get there! Hang in there! Kim

Oh goodness! Your first 6 weeks are to heal - not lose weight! Don't stress over it! I think I had actually gained a few lbs during my 6 weeks post op as I wasn't worrying about weight loss at all....my doc stressed that you have to give your body time to heal properly. And it wasn't until my second fill that I started losing well ---- so it could be another couple of months for you depending on how often your doc gives you fills and when you find your "sweet spot". This is the hardest part of the band - but if you are patient and hang in there you will see great results! Don't get frustrated this early in the game! Good luck! Kim

Make sure you are getting enough protein....I know some folks that started exercising and weren't getting enough and they didn't lose...your body needs the fuel to do it's thing! Hang in there!

If I were single and didn't have to ever feed the family on the way to practice after I get off work, etc, then I wouldn't probably eat fast food....but since I am a working mother of three that isn't realistic in my world, so I have had to find something that I am able to eat in times of time crunch! I have a few favorites most places that are doable.... I guess I don't stress over the calorie content, etc, as much as I try and balance it with my other meals that day and splurge a bit....at Sonic sometimes I get the corndog, b/c I love it, but usually I will eat chicken tenders or a small hamburger without the bun, oh and they have that mini chili frito wrap thing, too....at Wendy's I am a chili addict - LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE their chili! MY kids know if they wanna get me to eat out to suggest Wendys as their chili fills me up and it's got a lot of Protein. LOVE IT! At McDonalds, gag, I usually stick to a yogurt parfait and a chicken nugget or two...I guess you just have to find something doable whereever you are - as there isn't always something that is optimal available. I can't tolerate bread very well, though, which limits my choices! Good luck! Kimmy

Wow, I must have missed the mean posts you guys have been reading...either that or I didn't read that into it. I think there is a definately a problem with written words as you cannot hear the intent or see the person writing it --- so something that may be said with sincerity may not come off that way. I guess for me I figure if I put something out here for the world to read/respond to then I have to take what responses I get and ignore any that rub me wrong. Don't let a few bad experiences chase you off -- people are imperfect and you never know what was going on with that person that day....we all have bad days/weeks/months....and sometimes it takes our buffer off and we may say things and not realize how it comes across to others. Ya know? I know on days that I am feeling stressed and tired that things annoy me a lot more than they normally would....and it could be the case that I could say something that someone takes wrong. I would hope that nobody would intentionally go in and be mean....if so I think we need to vote them off the island! LOL Hang in there --- there are lotsa wonderful people on here and everyone has their own experiences and advice...those grey topics like alcohol or soda pop will always spark a debate, it seems, and it is one of those things that folks will tell you what they did/heard from their doc/ etc and then you make your own decision. I can't tell you have many times I have read the negative posts about how wrong it is to drink pop, yadda yadda, which irks me...but I don't care as they are not my doctor. *I* make my choices and my doctor said it was OK after you have healed....and I like the caffeine free diet pop....I figure one or two a day isn't going to kill me, regardless of what everyone else thinks! My advice is to stay here and focus on the positives ----- and cut folks some slack if they may say something you don't like....unless it is a regular thing where they are being rude all the time to folks and then we need to take action and report them. This is a place for us to find compassion and understanding from our peers, not knock them down! Good luck! Kim

I have federal BCBS and we have always had to pay a copay for fills --- so if you got the first ones free then you are lucky....as myself and all of my friends have had to pay for ours all along...it is the pits, but can't be avoided. I heard it went up again this year, too...I haven't checked into it yet.

I go up 3-4 lbs every "time of the month" - it never fails.....so you might chart your cycle/weight and see that it happens cyclically...... How much Protein are you getting? A lot of folks find when they quit losing that their protein intake isn't high enough.....you might journal what you are eating and ask your doctor/nurse for input. Hang in there --- it is a long journey, but well worth it once you find your sweet spot and everything clicks! Kim

I love the Herbalife shakes (you can buy them from a dealer, on amazon, or ebay...) and I just add a scoop of unjury unflavored to it....my favorite is to take 6 oz skim milk, a cup of ice, 2 scoops choc shake mix, a scoop of Protein, and a tablespoon of PB2 (powdered Peanut Butter - you can use the real thing, too) --- it makes a fabulous shake that tastes like a peanut butter cup! What a treat -- and low calorie/fat/healthy for you too! best advice is to not drink the same thing all the time...I got soooooo burned out on the Atkins shakes pre op that I couldn't even stomach one post op! Kim

I guess I don't pay attention to everyone else's diet....so I haven't seen the types of extreme dieting posts you are speaking of. I do know I have read that some folks can tolerate steak, some can't, some can do eggs, others cannot...everyone has little twists and turns as to what they are able to tolerate or what they prefer to eat....that's the best part of this journey is that we can tailor it to suit our own lifestyles. I cannot eat anything solid for hours in the morning after I get up - so I have to drink a shake in order to get some Protein as skipping breakfast altogether would be even less healthy for me. My doctor said if I am eating small meals and getting my protein in then I should NOT be getting hungry between meals at all. That's the point of the band tricking our bodies into thinking they are full with a small amount of food. I have found that once I hit my "sweet spot" that I am pretty much never really hungry - unless I go half a day without eating anything! So for me it is crucial to stay on track by eating my small meals and getting in as much protein as I can - but that sure doesn't stop me from living! I eat potatoe Soup for dinner every once in awhile (gasp!) and when we go out for pizza once a month with our church I can eat a piece of thin crust taco pizza...and have been known to enjoy ice cream on occassion! BUT instead of eating 6 scoops like I would've in the past, just one is more than satisfying....so to me it isn't about cutting out everything "bad" and putting hyperfocus on what I can't or shouldn't have....but it is about enjoying what I do eat and trying to do the best I can....only *I* am accountable for my actions anyway! So I DO drink diet pop...and don't care what everyone else says about it...that's between me and my doctor....and he said it is fine in moderation (I drink cafeine free diet) as long as you wait months after surgery when you are fully healed. Don't let what "everyone else" is doing bug you....and advice varies from doctor to doctor, too! Just focus on what works best for you and enjoy reaping the results of your hard work! Good luck! Kim

Can you go to a local support group meeting? I have found that when I go to them it is really encouraging and makes me feel more motivated....plus you can get great ideas from folks! Hang in there - you can do it! Kim

I also think that exercising makes a difference as if you are exercising along the process then your skin has a chance to adjust as you lose - though some folks that makes no difference, either. It is a crapshoot, but I would much rather have some saggy skin and be healthy than to be overweight and a time bomb. I have lost 100 lbs and I have the "pannus" flap folks talk about, though small it does still cause me a rash....I wear my Ardyss Body Magic and that helps to put everything where it is supposed to be - and make me look fantastic in clothes, while feeling better about myself when I wear it, too! Good luck! Kim

You definately need more calories - especially if you are excercising your body will go into storage mode with so little fuel to go on. Also try adding a high Protein shake to your diet - to boost your protein count. I found the more protein I got the better I did on losing weight, too. You shouldn't be eating if you aren't hungry, persay, but you HAVE to have enough calories so your body won't store everything you eat. Ask your doc/nurse what the minimum calorie/protein amount they recommend is for you - it depends on a lot of variables. Hang in there - you will find what works for you! Kim

I go up about 3-4 lbs the week prior to my period....so I normally don't worry about anything under 5 lbs as long as I haven't been way crazy with my eating. I do think sodium can definately affect it - make sure you are drinking plenty of Water, too, and getting LOTS of Protein in....you will be fine! Don't let the scale dictate how you feel about yourself - a few lbs isn't anything to fret over. Kim

All I take is a multi Vitamin --and I use the Princess Gummies as I can get them cheap at walmart. They taste good and don't upset my stomach as some do. I know we are supposed to be taking a Calcium (citrate, I think?) but I haven't bought those yet....I keep meaning to and forget!

LOL --- how odd that some doctors say it doesn't do anything but cause gas and others tell patients it will stretch out their pouch...are they trying to scare their patients so they don't ever drink it? My doc said it is recommended to avoid soda, because of the caffeine and the discomfort that some experience when drinking it. This said, however, I have not cut it completely out of my diet. I drink diet caffeine free pop - usually one a day - and have no problems with burping or gas. That is my treat - I LOVE the taste and flavor, not the caffeine, so I am A-OK with caffeine free. (I did NOT drink pop until after about 8 weeks post op - as you want to make sure your band is completely healed) You have to do what works for you....talk to your doctor and make an informed decision for YOUR journey. Good luck! Kim

Don't let other people discourage you - everyone is on the same journey, but we have different paths...so it doesn't always look exactly the same. Like some folks never touch pop again - and others of us (ME) drink one daily and I don't feel bad about that choice. (no matter how many folks lecture about what they have heard...yadda yadda) I guess you just have to find a balance that works for you - take some folks' advice and leave the others....just like when you have a newborn baby - EVERYONE has their own idea of what works best and I found the best thing was to delve through everything I was told and find my own way. I don't remember a whole lot about my post op timeframe --- as when I had surgery I had a 6 week old baby at home....so when I got home from surgery it was busy busy! I DO remember that I drank my shakes daily and the days I didn't get enough Protein in I was exhausted and grumpy, but if I managed to get enough protein in I felt better...the more I walked (like at the mall -nothing strenous) the better I felt. I liked those chicken noodle at hand things by campbells as they had the itty bitty star noodles - so I knew it wouldn't get stuck....it helped me to start getting solids in. I wasn't focused on weight loss at ALL the first 6 weeks post op as my doc said to heal heal heal -and your body needs calories and rest to heal. I don't think I lost anything those first 6 weeks as my body was thrown into a whole new world --and I was completely OK with that. Once I started getting my fills and experimenting with foods I started to loose steadily....so I was happy with that. Truly "Bandster Hell" -the limbo before you find good restriction - is probably the most frustrating thing about this journey....but know that if you hang in there and keep trucking you will do fine in the long run! It is a race - not a sprint. Meanwhile - we are all here to encourage one another and give each other ideas! Sorry if I rambled a bit....LOL Kim

It sounds like you might be too tight - you should talk to your doctor. You should be able to eat solid foods without a problem- just not a lot. Don't get discouraged - that's what they are there for, to help us find our way on this journey. Hang in there!

Don't beat yourself up about it - you can either keep headed the way that you are and focus on what you did "wrong" - or just chalk it up to the holidays and having a treat and focus on getting back on track and seeing results again. I did the same thing - man I fell off the wagon big time! I think I ate more sweets and treats than I had in a year! But I decided it wasn't worth it to dwell on what was done, it is better to focus on the future and getting things moving in the right direction again. Chin up - you can do it! Hang in there! Kim

No, you should be able to eat - not just stick to slider foods. I think if you cannot eat solid Protein AT ALL that there is a problem. When you try to eat it are you being careful to eat slowly and chew chew chew? I know sometimes if I am eating out with friends or in a hurry I tend to not chew as well and then get stuck a lot more. Also just because you have had two fills doesn't mean you will have restriction yet - some folks don't until the band is full and some never need a fill at all..it is wierd how we are all different. But if you are able to eat a cup of solid protein and are hungry an hr or two later then you know you need a fill ---- at least this is what I have been told. BUT if you are eating all slider foods (yogurt, shakes, etc) and are getting hungry it is b/c it moves right thru the pouch and won't stay with you at all....so that could be a problem, too. Call your doctor - be honest with them and they should be able to help you get back on track! You can do it! Kim

You might want to talk to your doctor --- or their nurse.....just having restriction doesn't necessarily mean you don't need another fill. For example - if you are able to eat a cup of food (not a slider food or liquid) and only an hr or two later you are hungry again...then you may need another small fill. Once you are at the "sweet spot" you can eat the small portions of the right foods and stay satisfied for hours...so just because you are currently getting stuck on some foods doesn't necessarily mean you have gotten to your sweet spot, if that makes sense? You should have restriction all of the time --- even when eating the right food....so that after the small amount you are full. I think this is the hardest part of the lapband - figuring out how to read your body and know when you need a fill or not...it seems to be the one thing that frustrates folks the most. I think the key is to definately take the fills slowly, as those who get too much are miserable and end up having it taken out....my doctor will do smaller fills to inch you to your sweet spot once you are getting close and it is more comfortable for the patient, I think. You said you are getting your Protein - what kinds of foods are you eating? How many grams of protein are you getting? I have found that chili is one food that I can eat (low fat and good protein) that keeps me satisfied for hours....I am addicted to Wendy's chili. As a working mother of three it is hard for me to make lunch every morning to take to work since we are limited on what we can eat, so it is good I was able to find something that I can run grab that is cheap and healthy! Hang in there - you will get it if you stick with it and keep communicating with your doctor! Kim

Good luck - hang in there! I am sorry to hear of all of your troubles....I can relate as after I had my third (and final) baby I was at a weight higher than I had ever seen....which prompted me to get moving and get my lapband surgery scheduled 6 weeks post delivery (same time I had my tubes tied). I have lost right around 100 lbs as it bounces up and down a few - I need to get another fill, but don't have the dinero right now so I have to wait...it is a constant journey, we never "arrive", if you know what I mean? I think folks have the impression that we get the band, lose the weight, and life is easy from there on out....but I don't think it is ever that easy! (I DID coast for quite a few months, I will admit, while still losing and not having to "try" as hard....but all good things come to an end!) Hang in there and keep us posted on your journey - don't think of it as a negative and starting over, so much.....as my feeling was that I gave myself to carrying three children to the best of my abilities and not worrying about ME or my needs....and now it is MY turn to take care of ME so I will be around to see my grandbabies someday. We moms don't always do that - as we put everyone else first as we are the caretakers. Try and put a positive spin on what you are doing - it helps me to, anyway! You'll do great!! Hang in there!!! Kim