mcw12985

I've never heard that you can harm your band by drinking too much/too fast. I think if it was a real problem, it would be posted all over the boards. LLSibley gave the reasons you are not supposed to eat while drinking. For most people it washes the food from the pouch and you don't feel full long enough. I don't know if it is like this for a lot of other people, but I personally am UNABLE to drink while I eat. If I do, I almost always spit up. So no drinks with meals for me, which I guess is a good thing.

I've been reading the posts where several people are not losing the month or two after surgery, even some that have had fills. I too have not lost/gained in the past few weeks, but SOMETHING is happening. Before surgery, I was size 18 pants. One month ago I bought size 16 dress pants. The size 16 I can now slip on/off without undoing them. Sunday I went to Kohl's for a (yes) machine-washable suit, and I fit great into a size 14. I got home, and I was able to squeeeeeze into some of my size 12 pants as well. Soooooo.... we're not losing pounds, but how are the inches still dropping? I go for my third fill Oct 31 -- yay. They kind of griped at me last time for not much weightloss, but at least this time I can tell them I have gone down a couple of dress sizes!

I had restriction for only one week post-op, only from the swelling. I know the feeling of wanting the weight to come off quicker. :/ My husband will be graduating from bootcamp Nov 10th and I wanted to be about 30 lbs down as well. I'm walking at night, which seems to help a little bit. Don't worry. I have heard many people say that the first couple of months after getting banded, you don't lose very quickly, and then after that it just starts to fall off with ease!!

I don't think many doctors do a fill at the time of surgery... I could be wrong. I was banded Sept 5 and had my first fill three weeks later, and I just had my second one Tuesday, 10/10. I can TOTALLY relate about the burpage. It sounds so weird now, and it's like you can't even stifle it. lol

Sherilynn, My neurologist also would not write a letter of referral. She said it was because she can only write referrals for neurosurgery. Go Figure. The only note I had was from my PCP, and I also wrote an essay on why the band would be good for me, what research I had done, etc etc, and it worked for me. Your insurance could be a totally different situation. YOu are right, every little bit helps... perhaps you can ask one more time?

Hey Guys, I got my second fill Tuesday, and I can feel a difference this time. Today I had about five bites of lunch and that was all I could do. The nurse said I should be losing faster and more than I am, only 18 down, and I guess my problem is the carbs. I took heed of her advice after a scolding and went to the store to buy more protein products. What fun. Hopefully I will only need one more fill after this one and then I should be good to go!! Mallorie

Hey All, Haven't been on in a few... my husband left for bootcamp on Tuesday, so I'm kind of bummed out. Haven't had too much of an appetite, so I guess that's a good thing. I'm not losing as quickly as I would like, but a little is better than nothing. Pretty much eating what I want to at this point, very slowly and a lot less. I can't choke down protein drinks anymore, so I'm really into the Zone Perfect protein bars. They're not chewy like most, they kind of taste like a rice krispy treat. There's 16g of protein in one bar, so I am going for three a day. I don't think I'm getting 60g a day yet, but I'm working my way towards that. I hope everyone is doing well. Congrats to everyone recently banded, and I hope everyone else banded earlier in the month is doing good as well. Mallorie

Hi Stephanie, I'm pretty sure I have the 4cc band. I guess that would have been a great question to ask when I was at the doctor's yesterday, but I was a little sidetracked with the syringe sticking out of my stomach. ha. And again, sidetracked, but I'm 99 percent sure he said 1.6 when he pulled the needle out. I ate just a little bit today, don't really feel that much restriction. I'm already ready to go back in three weeks for my second fill! I can definitely relate about being able to eat what you want to at this point. I was banded one day after you and I've pretty much been eating anything I want. :hungry: I had a major guilt trip after anything I would eat though because I was afraid I was stretching my pouch. I don't think anything happened though. I can eat what I want, but it's in moderation. Everything's okay. Good luck to everyone tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:clap2:

Hey All, Just got back from Nashville for my first post-op appointment. He did go ahead and give me the fill. He asked me if I was able to chug water, I said I was able to drink as much and as fast as I wanted, and so he said it was time to do a fill. It was scary. Laid down and he got the "bee sting" shot out to numb the area around my port. It hurt only for a second, actually doesn't hurt as much as the one they give you before an IV. Then he got the BIG needle out and I felt somewhat woozy. I wouldn't look, but it felt like he was jabbing around looking for the port. Luckily he found it. He injected a little, and then he had me sit up with the syringe still in the port and drink 9oz of water. It went down fine. Guess he did that so he wouldn't have to restick me if it was too tight. All in all went really well. Have to go back in three weeks to do another adjustment. I had been really hungry up until the time I got there because they told me I could eat breakfast but liquids after that. My tummy was growling when I was in the room, but then when he did the fill and I drank the water, I wasn't hungry anymore. Two days of liquids, then I can go on to oatmeal, mashed potatoes etc.

Well, I go to my first post-op appointment tomorrow, and I'm hoping he will give me a fill because my swelling restriction is GONE. It's only been a little over two weeks, but the nurse said she thinks he will go ahead and do the fill because I live so far away (Knoxville to Nashville) and also because I don't have restriction. In fact, I think my restriction was gone after about three days. A few days after that I was eating Wendy's chili with no problem, and now I can pretty much eat whatever I want to. Not good. Kinda nervous about the first fill. Do I have to strip? My port is in my sternum area right under my boobs, ugh. I hope it doesn't hurt. I don't think I will like needles in my stomach area. Never had it done, but I'm just assuming I won't like it at all. I'll let y'all know how it goes tomorrow. Congrats to everyone who was banded today, and g'luck to those this week!! Mallorie

You two need to chill. Don't fan the flames when they were about to go out.

I was under the impression that our dispute had come to an end and that everyone could move on. I certainly don't want any part to do with you leaving the boards; I don't think there's any reason for it. I don't agree with ongoing drama, I just wanted to make my point, you wanted to make your point; our points are made, it's done. No need to frolic away. I apologize for any harsh remarks I may have made. It's out of character for me. I had something to say but could have said it nicer. I am sorry.

I, by no means, intend for this to be an ongoing continuance of differing opinions. I felt I needed to stick up for her, make a point, and I think I did. If her feelings were hurt, they were hurt, and somebody needs to validate that. I know I don't get butt hurt for no reason, it's usually provoked, unless I just want to be mad at my husband. I'm done now. My Queen remark was directed at a wide range of people, not you. And yes, I am queen and master of my domain.

Furthermore, perhaps even a better decision would have been to talk to Bettina privately, instead of making her feel like an "idiot," as she put, on the public board.

BJ, I don't name names, but as far as who I was "jumping on," those people who feel threatened by my statements usually respond first. If people feel that Bettina was taking it upon herself to be an "expert authority" and possibly jeopardizing a reader's knowledge, sure, maybe they feel it's in the best interest of the group to address that. However, learning HOW to address such issues is a great life lesson. I stick up for the underdog. When I see people take on a demeaning, condescending, holier-than-thou attitude, I'll say something. Call it an "attack" if you must; seems to me some people don't like to be confronted about their attitudes.

Tennessee is pretty. I moved here about a year ago from Dallas, big change. Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge is great, about an hour away from me in Knoxville.

Trish, congratulations on the new addition to your family. I hope that Patches will help to mend the hole in your heart. I don't know what I would do if I lost my buddy Caesar.

I wonder why he said to wait to put Mederma on your scars. I was banded on 9/5 and as soon as all of the steri strips fell off, here I go with the Neosporin. I put it on my scars at least two to three times a day. They are healing very quickly. Very true that our surgeons have different opinions. Which leads me to those of you who went on to criticize Bettina for giving the same kind of advice that 99 percent of the people on this board do. I haven't been on the boards for a couple of days and just read what some of you were saying. What is your deal? Everyone on this forum relates what their personal surgeon has to say, so why is it that you chose to jump all over Bettina. Very uncool, kids. When people peruse these boards, they know that the posters (save one or two) are not physicians and that they should not take every piece of advice to heart. This board is for support, not true medical instructions, and people know that. Don't act like you're Queen-Of-The-Board, because you're not. XoxO Flame AWAAAAAYYYY

Yeah what happened on Oprah?

Mrs. Husker, (I lived in Husker Territory at one time) Interesting for you to bring this up. I have had to have the lithotripsy myself, stints and all of that fun stuff. That was almost five years ago. I haven't had to have it since. I was just banded last week, so I'm hoping I don't find myself in that situation again. I don't know how well the band would take to being beaten. Good question to bring up to your doctor. I put that down on my "list" of surgeries and hospital visits, but they didn't say anything about it or seem concerned.

funny stuff. > > > > Subject: Baked Beans > > >One day I met a sweet gentleman and fell in love. When it became > >apparent that we would marry, I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up > >beans. > > >Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on the way home > >from work. Since I lived in the countryside I called my husband and > >told him that I would be late because I had to walk home. On my way, I > >passed by a small diner and the odor of baked beans was more than I > >could stand. With miles to walk, I figured that I would walk off any > >ill > >effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the diner and > >before > >I knew it, I had consumed three large orders of baked beans. All the > >way home, I made sure that I released all the gas. > > > >Upon my arrival, my husband seemed excited to see! me and exclaimed > >delightedly: "Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight." > > > >He then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table. I > >took a seat and just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the > >telephone rang. > >He made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned and > >went to answer the call. > > > >The baked beans I had consumed were still affecting me and the > >pressure > >was becoming most unbearable, so while my husband was out of the room > >I > >seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. > >It > >was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running > >over > >a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill. I took my napkin from my lap and > >fanned the air around me vigorously. > > > >Then, shifting to the other cheek, I ripped off three more. The stink > >was worse than cooked cabbage. > > > >Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, > >I went on like this for another few minutes. > >The pleasure was indescribable. When eventually the telephone > >farewells > >signaled the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more > >times with my napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on > >it feeling very relieved and pleased with myself. > > > >My face must have been the picture of innocence when my husband > >returned, apologizing for taking so long. He asked me if I had peeked > >through the blindfold, and I assured him I had not. > > > >At this point, he removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests > >seated around the table chorused: "Happy Birthday!" > > > >I fainted!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >

Stacey, I've not read about anything like that before. You need to go see Dr. Morton!! Perhaps you're getting so thin that now it's noticeable. I don't know, call him tomorrow and make an appointment. Tell me what happens.

Don't forget to wear shoes that you can slip on and off easily!!!! Good luck!

I've just come to a very sudden realization. I think I'm going to have problems .... I don't know how to cook! NO, I mean REALLY don't. My idea of "eating right" has been Smart Ones. I know in a few days I can start eating soft chicken etc., but shoot I don't know how to make it. I looked at the food forum for ideas, "1 tp of this and 1 cup of that," and I'm going, what the heck is THIS and THAT that you even use to make the meal? I sound country don't I. Ugh, I wish I would have paid more attention to my grandmother in the kitchen, and now I'm several states away from any family. My husband makes fun of me for boiling Water and setting the smoke alarm off. I have a lot to learn. :help:

Thanks you guys for your replies. Grocery shopping and getting a cookbook is on my list of to do for this week. I guess the times I've tried cooking, I've been overwhelmed at how much more money it seems to cost to eat right than to make sandwiches or Pasta. Looks like I need to get the Sunday paper and go to town on the coupons, certainly can't live on sandwiches and spaghetti. At least I'm 21 trying to figure out how to cook and not 31 with some kiddos! Kat -- I'm going to try that chicken recipe. Thanks for really breaking it down for me. (I def need the breakage) Susan -- The Master Cook software sounds like a very helpful tool. Is this something that you can download online or do you have to buy it somewhere?