mbranham0306

Has anyone else had problems with gas after so long? I had my surgery in July last year. I have a problem eating veggies---I don't really like them. I love raw veggies and stir fry veggies. I have eaten them everyday this way since I could begin eating veggies after surgery. Now the past week I'm having really bad gas problems. I'm eating the same veggies I always have. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Since I've lost all this weight I'm having terrible pain in my butt area. Its in between my cheeks. I'm really wondering if its something to do with the weight loss or not. About 25 years ago I had a pilonidal cyst taken off my tail bone and it was really big so I was cut from the top of my tail bone all the way down to my butt. About the only thing I remember about it was the pain---the worst pain in my life and missing school for a whole year! Even thinking I might have to have surgery on it terrifies me. I have had my family doctor look at this and he can't find anything wrong. I do have an appointment with my surgeon in 2 weeks but was curious if anyone else has this problem---could it be from the weight loss??? Any help will be appreicated!

Thanks for the advice, you're right the excision was very thorough. I'm thinking maybe you all are right but I'll have it checked just to be sure. The scar tissue may be the problem too. I've tried sitting on pillows but that seems to make it hurt worse. I usually end up sitting on one cheek with my legs crossed. At least I can cross my legs now so that does take the pressure off my butt. Thanks guys!:biggrin:

When I first had my surgery, I had to cut 3 of my big pills in half, the other ones were pretty small. I had to cut my pills in half for about 4 months. Now I am off most of the medicines and the ones I have left are not that big. The only big pill I have is my B12 and I can take it if I'm careful without cutting in half. I do have to make sure I take that pill by itself. The first few days after surgery I had to crush my pills and I mixed it with sugar free koolaid. It was kinda nasty. Then when I could just cut them up, I made up a bowl of sugar free pudding and kept it in the fridge just for taking my meds in. I'd always get me a spoon full and mix my pills in it and swallow it. No problems at all. It sure made it easier to take the meds. Hope this helps

I saw this and was really disgusted with the treatment Jamie got...for goodness sake, he's trying to help the children! I live in Kentucky and do not think its the economic status of West Virginia that makes this bad. I don't have a lot of money, I'm unemployed right now but I still eat healthy! What does everyone expect their children to do, eat this junk and be healthy? The worst part is that we have the first lady, Michelle Obama who really wants to change things and make this better in schools for the children and congress will never let that happen. I support her 100% in what she is trying to do. The biggest thing is that its EASIER to just open cans and get stuff out of the freezer...no one wants to work anymore! They don't care what is happening to the kids! It really makes me sad. I know what its like to be a fat kid and be ridiculed and laughed at. No one should want that for their child! Okay, enough of that! Good luck Jamie and I hope you really help!

My surgeon is fine with a snack or 2 a day also. When I was working ( I recently got laid off), I got up with my hubby at 4am and was at work by 7:30 am. I always had a carnation instant breakfast about 5am, then a protein bar around 9am. Then of course, lunch at noon, then a protein bar around 4pm and supper around 7. Now some days I didn't have a snack, just depends on how hungry I was. Now that I'm home all the time, I don't have a morning snack. I eat breakfast around 8 and lunch around 1, supper around 7. Sometimes I need a snack around 4 o'clock but not always. This seems to be working for me, so I think everyone is different. I also listen to my doctor and drink fluids as advised. Like I said, it works for me

I don't count calories either. I always check the carb, protein and then I will look at the fat content. I've never counted the calories, that is too much work for me and makes it too hard to handle. I love my band and this works for me as well. I always make sure I get my protein in for the day and drink my water. That seems to be working great.

My husband is and has always been very supportive. We've always been able to discuss everything before we make decisions. I had alot of heart problems, high blood pressure, asthma, and sleep apnea. Walking around was so exhausting for me. Now I only take a 5mg high blood pressure pill and can walk for miles! He went to the weight loss seminar with me and asked very impressive questions about the band and gastric bypass. He went to all the doctors visits and my surgeon sends home a 3 ring binder full of information that they suggest you go over with your spouse. My husband is legally blind and has a hard time reading small print. He got the binder and brought it to me and asked me to read it to him. He wanted to be informed. He very strongly agreed about the band, he didn't want me to do the more invasive surgery. He took a weeks vacation the week I had my surgery and it was wonderful having him home with me. He took care of me and kept me walking to make me feel better. He even took my drain out for me! It's been 8 months since my surgery, I've now lost 96 pounds and he is still supportive. He encourages me to exercise without being pushy and is really interested in what I can eat. Heck, he even finds low carb recipes online for me so I won't get bored! He tells me everyday how proud he is of me and how much he respects how good I've done with this band. He is the most awesome husband anyone could want! I love him so much and thank God everyday for blessing me with such a great man.

I've eaten low carb flour tortillas since I got the go ahead for regular food. I love them and eat them quiet often. I make a breakfast "burrito" with them, use them for my tacos and even make lunch with them by putting, cheese, meat and veggies in it as a roll up. I don't eat the regular ones though, only the low carb ones. They're awesome and I've never had a problem with them. For all my food though, I do put them in the microwave for 30 seconds to make them a little more dry. Works great for me. :confused:

Thanks for posting this! Very helpful!

I used to eat breakfast--1 egg with 1 slice 2% cheese and a few bacon bits. Now I can't eat breakfast when I first get up. I have a vanilla carnation instant breakfast. (I get up at 4:30 am) then around 8am I'll have a Protein bar. lunch at noon--I always bring leftovers from supper---meat, veggie or taco salad, etc. Then I have a Protein Bar at around 4pm and supper at around 6 or 7pm. Supper is always protein meat of some kind and a veggie. I'll have a sugarfree popcicle for dessert. My doctor also told me no Protein shakes after I got off the mushies, I do drink the instant breakfast in the mornings because I just can't eat in the mornings that early. It works for me. I also use recipes I've had for years--I just convert everything or leave out what I can't eat. I'm always making new things. I can't eat bread so I don't have sandwiches--I can eat toast but never do since I don't eat breakfast. The only steak I've found I can eat is the eye of round--it's very lean and has no grissle in it. For Christmas I made baked beans---I used a can of no salt pinto Beans, onions, green pepper, bacon bits, splenda brown sugar blend (2 tb), 1/2 c. ketchup, squirt of mustard and sugar free pancake syrup...... it was awesome and lasted me awhile and I've actually got some in the freezer. Don't be afraid to use regular recipes and change the ingredients---sometimes you experiment and it doesn't work but you just try something different---trust me this will make your weight loss go much better!

I had my surgery on July 10, 2009 in Hazard, KY by Bluegrass Bariatrics. I love them! I have done very well, there's only a few things I can't eat and have lost 77 pounds so far. I feel really good most of the time. I think this is the best thing I could have done for myself! The only problems I have had is trying to get my medications regulated. I had high blood pressure and now it runs around 80/50 or lower. It's hard to get the meds adjusted. Other than that my only issue is that I freeze too death! My doctor says its normal and that my body is just missing all that fat "insulation" and it should get better. I hope so, cause I'm cold! BRRRRRR. I did have some hair loss, quiet a bit of it actually. I am now taking biotin and using special thickening shampoo and hair products and it is finally starting to look better. I was concerned about it a little. Everything else has been wonderful. I eat exactly as I'm supossed to, I manage to get my veggies in also and drink my water. I'm thrilled to be able to go to the shopping mall and do things with my husband and niece. I love it! I'm also glad I can finally go shopping for clothes at little shops! LOL You know the ones that you couldn't shop at before! I can also now cross my legs and sit like a lady! It's unbelieveable! :thumbup:

I'm with you! I freeze all the time, I used to wear short sleeved tshirt gowns to sleep in all year round, now I can't stand it, I have to wear flannel pj's, a robe, socks and shoes in the house. BRRRRR I freeze too death. It was 15 degrees here yesterday and I can't get warm! Right now I have on sweat pants, tshirt, sweatshirt 2 pair of socks and shoes. I sleep under a sheet, 2 blankets and 2 heavy quilts--I'm buying an electric blanket tomorrow! The doctor said some of mine is my blood pressure now. It used to be high and now i'm luck if it's 80/50 or usually even lower. We're playing musical meds right now to try to get it situated! My poor husband is burning up! I had the heat on 75 last night LOL Then when he gets in the bed and I put my icy feet on him he always screams! HEHEHEHE! Maybe it'll be better later on!

I had my surgery in July of this year. I've only tried rice once, I didn't throw up but felt very nauseous. Can't eat bread unless it's toasted but I eat the low carb tortillas all the time. I've only had steak once, it was moist and juicy but it also made me feel sick. I eat chicken, hamburger, toast, most veggies (have to be careful with oranges and completely take the white stuff off). Lately I haven't been able to eat Breakfast, been drinking Protein shakes. I can eat quiet a few things, I avoid carbs and always make sure if I eat them, I never eat over 70 gms a day. I'm so excited I had the band done--I love it! Good luck with your surgery---my advice- listen to your body, it will let you know if it doesn't like the food. :sad:

I just want to say that the band is not a magic cure. You really have to work at it but it is wonderful. I think my success has been by eating right. I always eat what I should, I don't allow myself any sweets (except for strawberry quik powdered milk to take my Miralax with daily). Everything is sugar free. Also, I do limit my carbs, I do eat Pasta (whole wheat) and light wheat bread occassionally. Instead of the bread I have substituted the low carb tortilla shells. I love those things! I do exercise, walking 1 mile a day 5 days a week. I actually look forward to the walking because it's my special time to think and enjoy the solitude. I eat my Protein and get my Water amounts in daily. I do have a friend who had the band and she has only lost 6 pounds (had surgery 5 months ago)--BUT she eats anything and everything just like she did before surgery and then complains because she can't lose weight. I don't understand it. I love how I feel now and wouldn't change having the band for anything.

Well, I have to say yes there will be a day when you are pain free. It took me about 8 weeks to get over all the pain and discomfort. Now at 4 months out, I'm feeling fine and normal for me. I don't think there's such a thing as getting back to "normal" because now you have a new normal. I hope that makes sense. I rarely have any discomfort with my port anymore and never feel the band. I agree with everyone, when you wake up and realize what has happened you feel so amazing. I love being able to walk through the mall and do things with my husband that I've never been able to do. I'm so glad everyday that I had the lapband done. Now if you'd asked me that the first 2 weeks or so after the surgery I'd have said I was crazy to have it done. After you see the results, you'll be happy! To me, we'll never be the same, just a new and improved version of our old selves. That's even better! :wink2: You just have to give yourself time and let it happen. I was just thinking today that I feel great and I love it!

I was tired all the time and cold also. I went to my family doctor (he's been wonderful during all this) and he ordered lab work. He told me I could have low B12, vitamin D or iron levels. He got the results back and my B12 was low. I started taking B12 vitamins and that helped with the energy. Also, I don't know what kinds of medications you're on but that can also be the problem if you're taking blood pressure meds. With me its liking a rollercoaster ride trying to adjust them after my weight loss. My blood pressure was staying around 60/50 or so. I have a blood pressure cuff and kept a check on it. They first took me off one pill and then another. I'm finally down to only 1/2 a blood pressure pill a day and most of the coldness has went away. Also I was taking 100 mg of Coreg a day and am now down to 25mg (yipee!) and that was a part of my tiredness too. I'm always colder than my husband and sometimes I burn him up with the heat up higher than normal. The doctor told me it'd take awhile for my body to adjust because of a loss of the fat "insulating" me. I know my aunt lost quiet a bit of weight and she froze for a long time. I would go talk to my doctor and get some lab work done to find out exactly what's going on.

Thanks Audjbr. I really don't know what I've done that's so great. I do follow the low carb eating exactly and do not allow myself many carbs, I don't eat bread except for low carb tortilla shells and maybe 1/2 a piece of light whole wheat toast occassionally. I always get my protein in for the day and I do exercise everyday. I usually walk about a mile a day and lift weights. Thats really all. Just eating right and cooking healthy has been the key I think. I LOVE to cook and make things by changing the recipes around all the time. Thanks for the nice thoughts. :crying: I feel 200% better than I have in years and love being able to find clothes in sizes I never thought I'd be able to wear again! It's awesome! I do want to say that everyone is different with the weight loss and if no matter how much you're losing, it's a great accomplishment and you should be very proud!! :thumbup:

Congratulations! I just passed my 3 month anniversary also (surgery on July 10, 2009). I've lost 65 pounds too. I'm not sure about your skin but mine is terrible! I'm not sure it will shrink because I was chubby even as a child and have been overweight ever since. I'm going to start a good core workout next week and trying to use weights now. I'm hoping that'll help because my insurance won't pay for plastic surgery of course! :laugh: I'm really excited and happy about my weight loss and my experinece so far! You're done wonderfully! Awesome job!:blushing:

For me the band has been awesome! It's not about being on a "diet",for me it's about eating better, healthier and less food. It's all about using the band to help you make those choices. When I first had my surgery I wondered what I'd done to myself. But I was over that by the 4th week. When I went to the store and actually found a pair of jeans and could wear them--I was so excited. Has it been easy? No of course not. You have to want to do this and want to be a better, healthier person. You have to be willing to work hard for it and yes you may be a little hungry (not many times like that for me) sometimes but it hasn't been so bad for me. I know everyone is different but this has really truly worked for me and I couldn't be happier with my band. I follow what I'm supossed to eat to the letter except I do drink orange juice (I get the not from concentrate kind) it still has sugar but I have to have it! It hasn't seemed to bother me any. I believe we have to allow ourselves something and that's my one thing. I also have a strawberry milk sometimes. This works for me. The only thing I would say to you is to realize that it's work and be willing to commit to that before the surgery. My friend had this surgery a month before I did, complained the whole time she was recouperating and ate really bad things while recovering. She still does and has only lost 6 pounds. That's her choice but mine is to use this band to help me and so far I have. Good luck with your decision and your surgery if you choose to have it.

I usually bring leftovers from supper the night before or if I'm not going to have leftovers I usually fix extra for next days lunch. I'm on a mexican salad (my version anyway) kick right now. Chicken (which I ALWAYS have cooked in fridge), refried beans, little cheese, lettuce and onions with a tbs. of salsa. I love it! I eat half of a low carb tortilla with it. It's awesome.

I have a question. I have a sinus infection and got the doc to call me in something for it (antibiotic) but what is the best OTC pain medicine? Motrin or Tylenol? Thanks!

To update my experience, I got Miralax and been taking 2 stool stofteners a day--no relief. I had to get the enema (liquid glycerine) for relief, I thought I was going to die!!! Well this definetely cleaned me out but I couldn't go to work yesterday because of it. I hope I never have to go through this again! Still miserable today.

About the 3 meals a day, thats what my doc said too but I just can't do it. I eat breakfast at 6am, usually 1 scrambled egg with cheese and a few bacon bits in it--sometimes with a half slice of whole wheat 35 calorie toast (if i'm in the mood); a snack of 1/2 apple around 10 am, lunch at 12- I have a piece of chicken and a veggie or small salad (lately I'm into refried Beans with the chicken and salad mixed in) usually; then i usually eat a snack about 4pm, usually a Protein bar or wedge of happy cow cheese with 3 whole wheat crackers; for supper (between 5 and 7 depending) chicken or hamburger with a veggie of some kind and then before bed i have a sugar free popsicle. Thats my day usually. I know its Snacks but it seems to be working for me--everyone is different.