StephM

Well ABC (August Band Crew) members we have made it to the end of our banding month. Each and every member has been very supportive during our procedures and the post-op period, but now is when we will REALLY need to lean on each other for support more than ever. Now the real work of working the band begins and I am sure we will all run into a hurdle or two or three (you get the point) along the continued journey. So, here we go! Please post your short term weight loss goal for October 1st. I think little goals are where we should start for now so we don't get too overwhelmed. :gluck: and to all.

Mine's working too!!! Filled 10/2 at 267 and today I was 264.8!!! Yeah!!! Great job everyone!!!

I don't know if it is necessarily from overeating, but rather gas. I am wondering if the pain and bloating you experianced was caused by the salad. In many books I have read about the LB it says don't eat salads due to excess gas they can cause. I tried not to eat them for about a month and a half after surgery, but it just wasn't happening. I am ADDICTED to salads and that was something I wasn't willing to give up. I do try to take Gax-X right after I eat a salad to prevent the gas and bloating and it seems to help. My best advice is to try Gas-X and see what it does for you.

Chew, chew, chew... I had my first fill on 10/2. At the time I didn't have much restriction, but now can definately tell something is differant "in there". I eat A LOT less and if I don't chew until more than mush, it gets stuck and I feel like I am having a heart attack. When this happens, the pain is some of the worst I have ever experianced (except migraines) and I have to tell myself, the pain is worth it if it keeps me chewing and loosing weight. Other than that, things are going great for me! Everyone that is having complications are in my thoughts and prayers daily!!! Hang in there, especially Pebbles!!!

Had my first fill of 4cc on 10/2. I didn't think I would had good restriction at the time, but now I am thinking differantly (could be swelling of course). I'll keep you guys posted on if the restriction stays or leaves. Good Luck to all!

I had my first fill today. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! The only part that hurt was when he was pulling the needle out...go figure! I met my 10lb goal for September and am setting my October goal at 10lbs. Keep up the great work ABC!

According to Dr. Ortiz' book, "Lapband for Life", flying is no problem due to the pressurized cabin. You also have to remember that many people banded in Mexico fly as soon as a day after surgery. I think you're fine, but call your surgeon if you are at all uncomfy.

Pebbles: Glad to hear you're feeling better!! I was really getting worried about you. Just remember, when you are feeling down, we are all here for you. I know the ABC has been my saving grace many, many times!!!

Forget of the month!!! I go for ABC member of the decade!!! :nervous

Pebbles: I am so sorry you are feeling so yucky. I have suffered from severe depression for years (thank God for medications), and can relate to what you are going through. Being alone (while not on my medication) was a very agonizing time for me; if physically hurt. PLEASE call your doctor/surgeon and discuss this with them. There are medications out there to help, even if it is only while you are healing. DON'T be ashamed to ask for help, it is very normal. As for your mom's comments about ice-cream. I have had to remind my hubby several times that I had surgery so I wouldn't eat a gallon of ice-cream. To satisfy your cravings is normal. If you don't satisfy them as they come, you will satisfy them all together at onetime and eat the gallon of ice-cream. Also, you are back to the "healing" phase. This is a time of healing, not loosing weight. I know you have been through the healing process for your band, but guess what, you are back to that phase again, even if it is for another surgery. Hang in there! Things will get better. I am glad to see your are crying as this can be a big help for the release of some of those depression feelings. If you need to, please feel free to PM me.

1 msbrookins - Dr. Sanchez, Monterray, Mexico Kiana38 - Dr. Oh, Federal Way, WA kmwwmk -NY Boo Boo Kitty- Hurley Bariatric Center, Flint, Michigan, Dr. Farhan foodstampchamp - Dr. Watson, Reno Drifter - Dr. Montgomery, Everett Washington lisag77 - 2 Clarityseeker Bandster16 Rlittman - Dr. Spivak, Houston, TX Anne W Caroline - Dr. Ashley Vernon, Boston sillynilly 3 Meme - Houston, TX Josette - Dr. Boutt, Michigan sandee 77 Jadedlady1 - Dr. Rumbaut, Mexico BANDSTER45 4 Rid - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana NewDay Diva unclmdtrsure - Dr. Nirmal Jayaseelan, Dallas TX Sweet Caroline - Dr. Haag, Western MA kutia~Dr. Jay, Dallas, TX:) 5 6 7 babyjessica - Dr Richard Carter, Arlington TX Koala - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana smalldreams - Dr. Carlos Allessandrini, Tijuana GE Mom - Chicago diana2798 - Dr. Richard Carter, Arlington, TX jekbird - Dr. Spivak, Houston, TX 8 Texas Princess - Dr. James Davidson, Dallas TX CateyP PattiU - Atlantic City NJ Justy - Dr. Rumbaut, Monterray, Mexico - 1.2 cc fill in a 5 cc band on 9/18 9 Scribby - Dr. Robert Pinnar, Reston, VA SeaBreeze - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana pebbles 10 Endocollector - Dr. Jayaseelan, Dallas bmorgaine - Dr. Joya, PV Mexico kelliw - Dr. Rumbaut, Mexico badmadmama - Dr. Myers Chicago TerryB - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana 11 dovie6523 - Dr Richard Carter, Arlington TX Allie C 12 13 14 GotGlock21 - Dr. Kelly Frances Losin' it - Dr. Krishnaraj/Dr. Grossbard - Florida - Down 28 lbs - First fill scheduled for 10/3 Cathy231 Timjgordo17 MicmaddLapBand - Dr Scott, Rome, GA ronrwilson 15 Bug - Dr. Heydari, Crystal Lake IL wavydaby - Dr Bauman, Concord NC libra - Dr. Nusbaum Livingston, NJ (going for 2nd fill 9-29, down 19.5 lbs) Wheezy - Dr Mumford, Mississauga, Ont 16 LittleBird - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana Diva Girl - Dr. Alan Bradshaw, Asheville, NC Joliesmom - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana Ladysman - Dr Kwon, Port Jervis,NY Kirsten117 - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana 17 pbrown - Dr. Robert Pinnar, Reston, VA Andy Liz - Dr. Rumbaut, Mexico Kate27 - Dr. Wood in Detroit, MI natashiki LynnC - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana TheQueen - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana henderson925 - Langhorne,Pa Diver Jewel starting over - Dr. Robert, Texas 18 reaganm04 domino032002 19 20 21 Jewels - Dr. Foster, Burlingame, CAlifornia Denise Hsquiggle floridakate ladydi - Dr Spivak, Houston TX 904cathe 22 Kendadto3 - Dr. Woodman, Memphis TN TX_Quilter - Dr. St. Laurent, Cypress TX Serendipity4124 - Dr. Stanish, Merrillvile IN 23 abbysbug belle75067 Kiarnold 24 chrissie Surby sabrina joanne 25 Trizzy - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana 26 27 28 Loriely's DHmstrish - Dr. Mark Fusco, Melbourne, FL WhimsicalClay jillian 29 nochoice - Dr. Singh 30 jgandg - Dr. Allan Geiss, NY faybie - Dr. Spivak, Houston TX Ilovablelisa Happy2BMe - Dr Warden, Slidell LA Booda 31 Lisah25 - Dr. Montgomery, Everett Waneenagh - Dr. Mumford, Mississauga Canada mferra - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana PeloRojo - Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana

I have found a wonderful protein bar, that tastes very similar to a candy bar, but doesn't have all the fat. They are called "Pure Protein" Bars and I have tried the chocolate and the peanut butter. They are great. Even if I don't have time to have a lunch, I grab a Pure Protein Bar and am full for hours! I found them at Wal-Mart.

If I get overwhelmed by a machine or an entire trip to Cruves I tell myself: "You can do ANYTHING for 30 seconds/30 minutes" - depending if I am tired of the machine or the entire workout.

I joined WW today (for the 2nd time in my life). I love the leader, so I am bound and determined to stick with it this time. My first leader did nothing, but talk about herself and her family, and criticize you if you gained an ounce. I am hoping the weekly meetings and points will make me more accountable for my weight loss between doctor's visits. Haven't decided if I want to do the Points or the Core plan, but am leaning more towards the Points since I love numbers! Any suggestions? Pros/Cons for either of them?

I LOVE CURVES!!! I joined about a year ago and am still a member. I not only started their exercise program, but also did their six weeks challange (how to eat and loose). The first 6 months I went 3 days a week and strickly followed their high Protein diet and lost about 19 pounds a A LOT of inches. This was my first "gym" membership, so I was very nervous going into it, but everyone (members, staff, etc.) is so helpful and encouraging. I have not been able to go since surgery (still healing) and have received several phone calls and post cards for the staff to check and make sure everything is okay. I shared with this about my surgery and they were all so supportive. Most of the Curves have a one week free trial period. If you are not sure if you want to join or not, see if they are offering it and try it for a week.

Differant surgeons have differant diets; so listen to your surgeon for how he wants you to proceed. Here's what mine was: 2 weeks - Clear liquids 2 weeks - Full Liquids 2 weeks - Mushies/Soft Food Then a fill and onto solid foods

I think it all depends on the patient and how quick they want to move. I went to the seminar on 7/11, had my psych eval 7/18, my initial consult with the doctor 7/25, and surgery on 8/14. When my surgeon approved me for surgery he asked, "How does two weeks from now sound, or do you want to wait longer."

I take the Centrum Chewable Vitamins (for Adults). I have tried the liquid Centrum, which is somewhat tolerable, but I prefer the chewable.

Happy2BMe-I have NOT had a fill yet. It is currently scheduled for 9/25. The only thing I have been craving is Mexican food (I have read this is VERY normal), and that really isn't that bad anymore. Other than that, no truely ongoing cravings. I find that if I do something, play a computer game, read the forums, etc. when I do have a little craving it passes quickly. There are many "bad" foods that I used to love such as mashed potatos, that now taste so bland to me. I tought not having Coke and Dr. Pepper would be a problem too, but all I crave now is water, water, and more water. I did have a craving for McDonalds breakfast this week and had an egg mcmuffin for breakfast Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (no hashbrowns and no coke), but ate "correctly" the rest of the day and still lost weight. I think the key is that if you have a craving, satisfy it, but with moderation.

Happy2BMe - I found that when I increased my calories to at least 1000 - 1200 a day, I started loosing again.

This sounds disgusting, but it's pretty good (and I don't like peanut butter). I found it on the food forum on LBT and have changed it up a little. Peanut Butter banana smoothie (17 g Protein): 1/2 jar Stage 3 Banana Baby food (Gerber is better than Beechnut) 1 TBSP. Peanut Butter 2-3 packets Splenda 1 Cup Skim Milk I am going to try this tomorrow morning with real "adult" bananas.

If you weren't anxious and having second thoughts I think we would all be VERY worried about you. I, and I am sure most of us, was scared to death and almost called the hospital the morning of surgery to cancel. What if I died on the table? What if it slipped? What if my stomach erodes? Then I looked at all the things that were more likely to happen. Lowering my blood pressure, cholesterol, and most of all my weight. My life would not only improve in longevity, but in quality also. If you have had positive thoughts up until now, I would say you are ready for the surgery. Just be ready for some depression the first few weeks after surgery, and the plateau you will hit a few weeks after surgery. Good Luck!

Chrissie - Hang in there!!! We are all in the healing phase of our journey and healing is what we need to concentrate on. Yes, changing our diets/habits is going to be hard, VERY hard, and the healing time is a perfect time to start. I screw up at least once a day, but I just tell myself I'll do better tomorrow. DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP. Since you can eat pretty much everything right now, it's a great time to learn some of the do's and don'ts since you can't really hurt yourself too much now if you take a bit that is too big, eat the wrong stuff, etc. It is going to be a LONG, SLOW journey, but we are all in it together. Please, please, please don't give up. Anytime you feel down about things, come to LBT and vent; we are all here to listen!!!!

I don't take Flintstones, but I do alternate between Centrum liquid Vitamins (for adults) and the Centrum chewable vitamins (for adults).

I didn't have any problems getting "back to normal", but I have read on some other posts to try milk of magneisa (sp!), but stay close to the toilet, 'cuz when it works, it works. If this doesn't help call your doc immediately, you could have something else going on in the bowel. Hope you can poop soon!