GuyMontag

I never had much luck in tracking calories. My focus was on the types of calories that I consumed. I go for food that's high in protein and fat and low in carbs. That's how I get the best results.

Try using very high protein shakes. I used chocolate Boost with protein but there is also Unjury which I have heard a lot of good things about.

When you get up and down I found it helped if I put a little pressure on my port area with my hand. It also helped to do this when I coughed.

You'll probably be able too. First fill is usually between 4-6 weeks after surgery.

Ibuprofen is an NSAID and can cause ulcers if it sits in your pouch. Simple solution is to just take it in liquid form. Look at your local grocery store or pharmacy for liquid motrin and you can take that.

Skip it if you can. I don't bother with breakfast. I just drink decaf coffee until Noon and start with lunch.

You don't need a scale to track your BMI. BMI is just a simple calculation based on your weight and your height. I use a simple Excel spreadsheet to do mine but I think BMI is a very outdated way of measuring weight loss success. Metric Units: BMI = Weight (kg) / (Height (m) x Height (m)) English Units: BMI = Weight (lb) / (Height (in) x Height (in)) x 703

I have experienced the exact same thing. I'd recommend tracking your body fat percentage instead of weight. You can buy scales that will measure it for you or they make handheld devices that can do it too.

I try to do a mix of atkins/south beach/Mediterranean. Basically lots of meats, cheeses, eggs, nuts, and olive oil.

Take a bite and put your fork or spoon down until you feel the food clear your band. This takes a lot of practice and time to master. Also, make your first bite smaller than the rest of your bites. I always have to take a 'primer' bite. Don't drink with meals and try to learn how to eat using foods like refried beans, cottage cheese, or chili. Those are good practice foods. Some people have to use smaller untensils or even count to thirty before the next bite. Just find out what works for you. Also, I don't eat breakfast because I am usually tight in the morning. I just drink hot liquids all morning like decaf coffee until my band opens up. Good luck!

Why did you stop taking your depression meds? Not to be nosy but that would concern me more than my weight loss. Plus, the two are usually connected.

Each doc is different but a good rule of thumb is to try to do 'full' liquids the first day like protein shakes, then mushies the next day and then solid foods the last day. One caveat is that a fill can take up to a week to really kick in. Personally, I do my first meal after a fill as a protein shake. Then, the next day I usually do a wendy's chili and if that's good go for normal food. Just don't overdo it.

I've used straws for over 4 years with my band and no problems. My doc's office says nothing about straws and as far as I know neither do the makers of the lapband.

It's generally used for food that goes through the band easily that does not satisfy and is loaded in calories. Examples can be chips, milkshakes, sweets in general, nachos, etc. Some people might have slightly different definitions for sliders but that's mine.

When I get stressed I can literally feel my band tightening up into a ball in my chest.

You might try some liquid motrin to help with the swelling. I agree with kll724, you need to be able to swallow your saliva because if you can't you may be too tight.

Good luck!

I know I'd gain weight as a simple fact. I'd like to think I could maintain by sheer will power but there is no way. I definitely feel for you.

Burping is your friend. Lol. I think I do a small burp after every sip but I don't really notice anymore. Burping means that air is being displaced in your pouch and things are going down okay. It's when you can't burp or when you do it feels like something's going to come back up that you start having problems.

I was pretty sore the first four days. After about a week or two I couldn't even tell I had surgery.

You might need a port revision. I think they can be rather common and are a somewhat simple surgery compared to the lapband itself. I'd talk to your doctor about it. Sometimes the port can be placed weird or there could be a problem where the tubing goes through the abdominal wall. Either way, I'd talk to doc about it.

I have a friend that got banded the same day that I did and after 4 years of not losing weight and continued pouch dilations still struggles not to drink with meals. Do you really want to go down that road?

I think where you have it done probably has more impact than how it was being paid for. Sure, paying for it yourself might give you motivation but if you are banded at a place that offers poor support it doesn't matter how much you did or didn't pay, you are going to have a harder time. I do see that many places that take insurance are hospitals that do a poor job of follow up. I can't tell you how many people I've met that have been banded at hospitals that offer almost zero aftercare in the way of support or food guidelines and the people live on cereal and soup and struggle to lose the weight which is sad.

Yeah. I don't know why some bands are like that but the prilosec has been a lifesaver for me. Without it I couldn't live with my band.

Dr. Watkins did my band on 2/13/09. I live in Northern Kentucky but work in downtown Cincy.