LollyMoe

Drink your water as you have been told. Ask your doctor about Quinine (not sure of sp) tablets. They are over the counter at Walmart and the box just says "Leg Cramps". Red/white box. If your doctor allows carbonated beverages, you can get the same effect from Tonic water which has Quinine in it. Just add a crystal lite tube to help with the bitterness. Both work.

Journal exactly what you are eating and check it over carefully. You may be getting too many calories or not enough w/o realizing it. Are you drinking your water (64oz daily) Are you doing any exercises at all and how much. Just don't give up...you can do this...it just might take more work than you thought.

STAY HOME! You have had surgery recently. You don't need an infection of any kind.

Thank you and Happy New Year to you also. Even tho I have lost 63 pounds in four months, I don't feel it yet. I look in the mirror and still don't see it. However, my clothes are telling me. I hope that next year I too can say "I've lost 103" just like you. God Bless you in 2010.

I have never in my life swallowed gum! I was taught to throw it away when the flavor was gone. I was also told my the doctor not to chew gum ever again and I don't. I paid too much and jumped thru too many loops to get my surgery. I am not going to take a chance on ruining my band for a silly peice of gum! Best to rethink that gum idea.

Excuse me, you should not be having reflux or abdominal pains. Reflux usually means there is something wrong with the band...like erosion. Drive the 100 miles if you can get another surgeon to see you. You don't need to fool around with this. Do yourself a favor and get other advise.

They have restriction if slimming & PBing. It's there alright. You may never have a problem with it depending on how slow you eat and how much you chew. Since my 4th fill, I have now have restriction. Some days I do fine and others, I don't do as well. My main problem is being distracted when eating and not being careful enough. That's not the band's fault...it's mine. Follow the rules and you'll be okay.

Devin: Sounds like you are doing fine. This is what is called "Bandster's Hell" by some people. Now is the time you will have to be very motivated to eat properly, in proper amounts, drink your water and exercise. As for restriction, I'm one of those people that it has taken four fills to get any lasting restriction. I have a friend who has NOT had a fill yet and she has lost over 75 pounds. So, go figure. Everyone is different. Good luck and don't worry. You're on the right track.

Get up to walk as soon as you can. Make sure you can drink water and urinate BEFORE leaving the hospital. Ask your doctor for something for pain at home. Have plenty of GAS-X strips (read directions on box) and liquid Tylenol on hand at home. Sleep with a pillow supporting your tummy and back. Good luck.

Well I made it thru the Thanksgiving and Christmas foods w/o gaining any weight! Hooray for me. I have continued to lose regularly and am so thankful for every ounce. I would never have done that in the past. I am fast beginning to realize that food isn't that important to me. I think my New Year's resolution is going to be "I'll eat to live...not live to eat.":smile2: Does anyone else feel successful about the holidays?

I agree! Thanks Jackie for all your advice.

It takes some people longer to shake off the effects of being put to sleep during surgery. The energy will come. Are you drinking your protein? The protein is what will give you the energy and also help with the hair loss (if you have any). Just be patient and it will get better. Try to walk as much as you can also.

Don't do that to yourself! So you ate some food you shouldn't have....but you didn't gorge did you. You didn't eat what you would have last year. So forgive yourself and look to tomorrow. Put the past behind you and plan for what you will eat today. Don't put yourself down.

Minimeme: My friend had a chicken farm and sold the eggs to a commerical company. We would go out to the farm to help her gather eggs and get them cleaned & weighed to be ready for pickup. They were picked up every 10 days, taken to the plant for processing. By the time they hit the grocery stores, they are anywhere from 3-5 weeks old. Fresh yard eggs are so much better. They taste really good and I am so fortunate to have fresh eggs often. If anyone reading this posting has the opportunity to buy fresh yard eggs from a local person, you won't be sorry.

Wow, what wonderful news. Thanks for sharing.

Everyone is different, therefore some can eat a lot and others cannot. The main thing you have to do is eat slowly & chew really well. You may also find that you can eat pizza one day and a couple of days later, you can't. This band thingy is really fickle. It doesn't stay on a constant line. I can eat chicken but can't eat cheese. Don't be discouraged. Work with your band to try different things but be aware that your body will accept some things and reject others. Don't give up. It may take you several months to really learn what your body will allow.

I am thankful that you are okay. As you said, "a car can be fixed". I know you have already said a thanksgiving prayer. Have a Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone. My wish for you is to have all the blessings of love you deserve from your family & friends. Remember the reason for the season is our Savior and all blessings come from Him.

I love scrambled eggs with a little cheese. My daughter has chickens and she brings me fresh laid eggs all the time. They taste better than the three week old eggs you buy at the stores.

Hey, congrats on 70 pounds! I know how you feel about the move. Been there, done that too. This is a time for you to get out of the house, explore the city, libraries, museums, etc. Find yourself a church of your choice and meet people. Involve yourself in a new hobby, volunteer some where. Shake off the depression and don't let it rule your life. I know you're homesick but this is your home for now and you have to make the best of it. You love that husband more than you do a place that you call home. Buck up and start all over again. You can do it. You deserve to be what you want to be. Now go for it!

Not exactly sure if I'm at my sweet spot yet but think I'm close anyway. This is what is happening. I have 7.5ccs, can drink anything w/o any discomfort but a few tiny bites of food will cause pain in the chest. Sometimes, I will slime with the pain and sometimes not. The only thing I can eat comfortably some of the time, is scrambled eggs with some cheese and a bite or two of baked chicken. I can eat Wheat thins and Fiber One Cereal and green Beans. Should I be concerned? DO I have too much in band or not quite enough?

I was banded in August and have lost 62 pounds. It isn't easy but it also isn't torture either. I made up my mind before surgery that whatever it takes to be successful...I was there. I didn't find the liquid diet that hard to follow but I have to admit that I was happy when I could eat solid foods again. There is far more choices now. I went to the movies to see "Blind side" the other day. I went by myself and I could have had anything I wanted from the snack counter. No one was with me, it was first time going to this place, so who would it hurt if I cheated just a little bit? Popcorn smelled sooooo good, nachos with cheese looked good too, & oh, the candy bars selection was great. Well, I'll tell you who it hurt if I cheated......ME, ME, Me. I thought it but I didn't do it to myself. It just isn't worth it. Planning ahead is the answer for you. If people don't know you have a band, tell them you're trying to follow a liquid diet to "cleanse" your system before starting a healthier eating problem. Hang in there and don't ruin your chances for the future. You owe it to yourself to be healthier, skinner, and more self-secure. You can do it. Plan, plan, plan.

It's the gas that they pump into you during surgery. Walking and Gas-X strips will help. Read directions on box. Hang in there, it will pass in a few days.

Thank you. Great information!

I have lost 62 pounds in four months. I haven't set an exact long-term goal yet. I just want to be a lot healthier than I've been this past year.