Dreamer

Hello Ginny, Welcome to the bandsters! Do not get discouraged, you will face nothing that someone else in here hasn't already gone thru hon. The band is merely a tool and the fills and correct restriction is what makes it work. So hang in there and keep us posted! Come here when you need to talk and vent...lol.....or just to get a hugggggggggggggggg! Dreamer

On my pre-op diet, I lost a toltal of 18#'s. I felt better, slept better, had more energy than I can ever recall. Perhaps I was just excited about being where I wanted to be....when I made the decision to go with the surgery, I was totally committed to doing whatever it takes. My body, mind and spirit were in one accord! Good luck on your journey everyone! Dreamer

Hi Jack.....hi Jdru! Nice to see ya'll here! Dreamer

Hi Cheri52...welcome! Use the site as often as you need to sweetie, you'll find loads of information and humor. Nothing that you'll experience is unique.....someone or many someone's have been there, done that! It helps to know and ask questions. Good luck and keep us posted!

Kristi....howdy neighbor! It was good to know that you are doing well after your lapband. Actually both my daughters and I had surgery on the same day. Both are nurses. My older daughter is 39 and she has just now reached a restriction in her lap-band after 4 fills. She has lost 34#. The younger daughter is 33 years old and has had only one fill, the one they gave us 6 weeks after surgery. She is down 80#....I am very proud of them both. Daughter #1 was a diabetic.....she hasn't had ANY insulin since her surgery! Maybe that was a factor in her slower weight loss. My problem is a lower BMI and I just don't lose like I had hoped. We ordered the high priced protein drinks and they were nasty!!! At this time I am enjoying the new protein drinks put out by Special K. They don't have that medicinal taste to them and I can tolerate them so much better! Good luck to you on your work outs at the gym. That's what it is going to take to get my old metabolism revved! lol Take care...Dreamer

Hi Missy! Here I am g/f in southeastern Oklahoma, not on a date, but just hanging...waiting for Mr. Right, Mr. Rite, Mr. Wright, Mr. Write, Mr. Ryte, oh heck.....or even Mr. Right Now! I have lost 37 pounds and feel much better...after delivering my first kidney stone. I drink more water now that I've learned my lesson. Ouch, I don't recommend it lady! Water is our friend!! I've been widowed for 13 years now. Instantly became full time caregiver to Mama until she passed away two years ago in April. I decided that I was ready to start living again, and living thinner. I had my lapband surgery last April in TJ, Mexico. I am a really slow loser. My daughter has lost almost 80#. She looks fantastic! I'm not sure how a middle-aged woman meets a fella' in "Almost a Town", USA....any suggestions? lol Common' and keep this thread going! Help!!:phanvan Dreamer

Your247realtor...welcome to Lapbandtalk!! You are about to begin the countdown and preparation of a new and exciting journey in your life. I recall how excited I was. Surgery is the easy part, my friend. Commitment to your new lifestyle is the hard part. Once you get your fills regulated just right, you'll be set to watch the change right before your eyes. It's not always easy....lapband is merely a tool....what you choose to do with it is what makes it work! Good luck and keep us posted after your surgery. You'll get tons of support from the great folks on this forum. Good luck on your journey.... Dreamer

I have developed a 4mm kidney stone that, so far, I have been unable to pass. I know that since surgery I have not consumed water as I should. When I feel thirsty, I know my body is already dehydrated. The pain associated with a kidney stone is unlike anything I've ever experienced (and I'm tough as an old boot)! It was suggested that I drink 2 cups of water each waking hour....I'm not sure this is possible with lapband. :faint: Any suggestions would be welcome!

I can never eat a full frozen dinner. Sometimes not even a half. I do try to start with my protien and follow up with veggies. Certain things just do not go down well for me and yet my daughters' (all 3 of us banded the same day) will have no problem. This is a very unique and individual thing. What works for some, fails for others. Might I suggest that you try not to look at "how much" you can eat, but "how little" you can eat without feeling deprived? PB'ing is no fun! Good luck to you all....Dreamer

:clap2: Agony is over for the most part. I gave birth to the kidney stone right before they were to take me to surgery! Thank God that's over. Childbirth is a breeze compared to that pain! LOL Water is our friend folks!!! I will do any, and everything I can to make sure I never go through this again. However, the Dr. says once you have a kidney stone.....more tend to follow! I DON'T WANT "EM!!!!!!!:cry :cry Thanks to you all for the kind words and support! You people are just great!! I may slosh when I walk, but considering the alternative, I don't mind. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm out of water! Smilin' Dreamer

Welcome to both new bandsters! How exciting to be at the beginning stage of your new lifestyle! Good luck to you both!! Forgiven, bless your heart...4 bites and you are uncomfortable. I know this sounds and feels bad, but on the other hand at least you know the surgery is working! Remember you are still swollen and in a healing stage so treat yourself kindly, ok? One of the best suggestions I could offer you is to see not how much food you can consume before reaching this "stuffed" stage, but to see how little you can consume and not be hungry. It's a learning process and what works for one will not work for another. Our body sends us signals, it is our resonsibility to interpret them and act accordingly (and even then-we'll still make some mistakes along the way on our new journey). It sounds to me as if you may have over-fed your small stomach. And it is uncomfortable until you PB, or until which time it slowly passes into the larger stomach. Some foods compact for me, such as rice, potatoes of any kind, eggs and chicken. No matter how long I chew it! So honey, start slow and take notes on how you react to each food as it is introduced back into your diet. My doctor is very strict about no liquids with my meals. This is one of the harder obstacles I have had to overcome. God bless you both and let Him be your guide on the new and incredible journey! Keep us posted! Dreamer

:sick Thanks for the words of encouragement girlinnnc and Tonya in Oklahoma. Yes Girl, I did contact my doctor and he advised that I get my hiney to ER ..which I did! I know this is not directly related to my lapband, it's my own darn fault. I just cannot drink a full glass of Water like I used to, and I cannot drink with meals. I am paying dearly for this neglect to my body's need and it is a lesson I won't soon forget. And as you are fast approaching your surgery date, may I wish you the best. It is so easy to forget that the surgery is just a tool....what we do with it and how we use it is up to us as individuals. Good luck to you as well Tonya ( from one Okie to another). You ladies don't forget to sip and sip and sip your water. I had hoped that others might learn from my mistake when I posted this thread. Keep us updated on your progress! Happy New Year to you both. And once again...thanks for your thoughts! Dreamer

Winner....can't make it work sweetie! And I wanna see!

How funny! And some darn good ideas!

LegallyBlonde, You make a lot of sense woman! lol I love it!! I had always felt that most men were looking for a "BarbieDoll" on their arm...not for themselves so much as for other men to see what they had going on. Looks are not the important thing in a healthy relationship as you said. Give me a man with a heart, a good character, a wee bit of intellect, and a dash of charisma and I'll draw him a roadmap to my heart! Hugs, Dreamer

Susan & Kellie....welcome to LBT. You will find this site to be an invaluable source of information and entertainment...lol We share and help fellow bandsters because we've all been there! You just can't beat the support. Good luck to you both! Keep us posted...And Merry Christmas to everyone!

PinkSoprano, Glad to hear your surgery is over and your new life is beginning! Sweetie, have you heard about the Gas-X Strips that melt on your tongue? You can get them at Wal-Mart...and they work! Give 'em a try! Dreamer

Piercedqt78, Sorry you were offended at my post. If I was insensitive to you or anyone else, please forgive me. The only reasearch I need to do honey is done! I will cease to post in this forum! Have a wonderful Christmas!!

Wow Telly....you look so fanfreakintastic! Way to go girl! You are an inspiration to us all....God bless!

Jack, you are such a hoot! Bah-humbug my eye! lol Seriously, I find Christmas is way too commercialized for me. The stores begin displays in October for goodness sakes! And, oh yes, those who take "Christ" out of Christmas are sent automatically to Jack's bah-humbug list...lol. It's Christ we are celebrating and if it offends anyone....go live in Iraq! Since my job was taken from me after 30 years, and assigned to Mexico...just the kids will be on the receiving end of my list this year. It's not what I prefer....but you gotta do what you gotta do, right? One thing they cannot take from me is my love of family and country, and my love for Christ and His love for me! I have Christmas in my heart!!!

Sagittarius.....December 11, not sure where in the world the moon was rising on that date in time....lol, but it must have really shook me up...I was born breach!

My list of no-no's: Potato's of any kind:F/F's, baked, creamed, sweet potato's, chips, tots Chicken in any consistency (except deviled chicken...like deviled ham) Breads ...no wraps either Rice Milk Green Leafy Vegetables Onion...cooked or raw * I'm amazed at some things I can eat and other similar things that I cannot! Example....can't do the softest and juicest chicken, but I can eat a few of Chili's Babyback Ribs! Go figure!! Dreamer

Melanie, A am so very sorry that you are in such pain sweetie! If your Dr gave you meds, please take them as needed. I did not have this type pain. I was released from the hospital the next morning and went shopping the same afternoon. Although my Dr gave me pain medication, I never needed it....NOT ONCE! He did say that walking would be beneficial....and I shopped till I dropped...with no pain! The next day I boarded a plane and flew 2000 miles back to Dallas, got in my SUV and drove another 200 miles home to Oklahoma. Not gonna lie to you...I was tired, but not in pain. Use your good judgement.....that's what my Doctor said.....he even gave me his cell phone number just in case...how great is that? lol Thinking of you and please let me know how you are doing! Hugs from Oklahoma, Dreamer

Onlygo... Sweetie, you should be on liquids for 2-3 days after a fill as OUSooner said...my Dr. is very strict with this. Also, you aren't drinking liquid with your meals are you? I can have liquids right up to about 20 minutes before i eat......but not for an hour afterwards. The discomfort that you are feeling may be from eating solids too soon, or it could be from the fill being too tight. It usually loosens up after a few days...hence the liquids. I know when I feel that way..I must STOP eating, or it's going to come back up! And that is not good. It's a means to regulate your food intake.....if I could have done it on my own...I would not have needed the lapband. I have to learn what works for me or suffer the consequences. We are all different sugar, so what works for one may not work for someone else. Keep us posted, and keep your chin up. Hugs, Dreamer

Honey, if I could have controlled my eating...I wouldn't have needed lapband. No matter what diet I tried, I'd lose and gain back.....what a viscious cycle....but I just couldn't control it. I was and still am to some extent an emotional eater. I find that when I allow myself to go too long without eating that I eat wayyyyyyy too fast (this is not good because when it goes in too fast, it come back up the same way). Also if I don't pay attention when I am eating, I get to talking and lose that awareness that I am not laying my fork down between bites. It's a process of losing the old habits that made me what I am. And let me tell ya' something else....head hunger is REAL....gotta' learn to deal with that too. It must be a concious lifestyle change that you are willing to make.....my loss has been slow...but people are noticing and that makes me feel great...I would do my lapband over in a skinnya$$ed minute!!!!