Sluggo

Does anyone know of a Dr. near Montgomery who will do fills and aftercare for LapBand? Went out of state but not out of country.

With my December 15 surgery date just days off I begin to conjure up questions that maybe experienced bandsters can answer. I am going to be doing some foreign travel in the middle of next year to places in Latin America. I know I am in control of the diet regimen here. However, what things or hints to I need to think about when travelling in other countries? Bottled water is a given as well as recognizing protein foods such as fish and chicken. What other challenges will I face? A concern is that rice is a staple in many Latin American countries and I am told this is a no-no. Also what advice can any experienced bandster travelers provide about follow up care should I need it in another country? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I was banded on 12/15/09 and had 3 fills since. Each time at the instant of the fill, I feel like I cannot handle more than a couple of swallows of water. Then an hour later, I can take frequent small drinks and go on liquids for a couple of days. 3 days later, everything seems to slide down fairly easy. A week later, I do not experience any restriction although I am careful to chew and select wisely. Still I do not seem to experience any sensation of fullness like I expected. I am due for another fill next week. I am losing at a good rate but it is all me like any other diet in the past (doomed to inevitable failure). Is this band working or am I expecting too much too soon? Can any experienced bansters provide input or advice?

Banded on 12/15/09. Lost 25 so far. I am disappointed with the fills and feel far from the proverbial "green zone." They squirt in about 1cc at any given fill up stop and I feel like I couldn't even swallow a shot glass of water. Then by 3 days at the most, everything slides on down. I've had 3 fills so maybe I am expecting too much too soon and the doc is just being careful. I feel like I am doing this on my own without benefit of the working band and pouch. Any thoughts and experiences out there on this?

I was recently banded a month ago and I am looking for some breakfast advice. Does anyone have any suggestions or hints for acceptable breakfast meals that comply with bandster guidelines? I am getting tired of the same old eggs and egg products. Isn’t there any breakfast cereals (warm or cold) or other items that we can have that contain sufficient protein? Please let me know what works for you to keep variety and interest going in breakfast?

Doesn't oatmeal have too many carbs? I like oatmeal but I was told it is on the no no list unless it is some other sort of oat Cereal product whose name escapes me at the moment.

Cawells, you will be doing great in no time and loved the pun. You hit it right - the incision pain was inconsequential compared to the other discomforts. My gas pain seemed to go right into my left shoulder. My whimpering paid off as I got my wife to give some great shoulder massages. We are holding your cyber hand in support. The first 4 days kicked my shrinking butt worse than I expected and then day 5 brought amazing relief. Walking was tough but seemed to help. Time helped most of all.

Good Luck to ya Deuce! You'll be amazed at how fast you get back to feeling good. Pulling up another belt notch is pretty good too.

Wow every doc is different on the post-op diets from what I am reading. And there are huge differences too! I wonder why that is? Mine: days 1,2 liquids including protein shakes, 3,4 soft and 5 advance as tolerated. The 4 week liquids or 4 week pureed sound punishing.

Thank you Teacher. I just need to relax and I will take your advice. I guess being a burly guy I thought I was tougher than this. Now I feel like a girlie man. I have read postings where people describe the emotions post op like a sort of grieving over the loss of their previous life. I snickered at this because I thought what does emotion have to do with any of this. Now I understand. Although not a grieving feeling I hate walking around all day feeling queezy and ask my self, "What in the world have you done to yourself?" So I will relax and experience the change because there are too many smart people out there who give me a sense of hope and encouragement. Bless you all and Merry Christmas, or holiday of your choosing.

Until I read these postings I thought I was alone. I am on day 4 of banding. I originally thought that the band facilitated weight loss through portion control. Now I am beginning to think it is through aversion therapy. I know I must eat or drink something but it is tough just to get down 1/2 of he protein shakes I need. No food appeals to me. Everything is gross and makes me feel like I want to erf it all up. I have a heightened sense of smell and taste that repels me. I used to live for my morning coffee and now that is an effort because it tastes horrible. The liquid and chewable meds aren't making it any easier. I got the crushable kind of Metformin tablets but they leave me feeling nauseous all day. So I will definitley lose weight this way but I hope in time I can feel good again and actually enjoy a small portion of food.

I'm glad I stayed an extra night because I don't think I could make that long drive the same day as surgery. My doctor advances his patients to soft food quickly. First 2 days post op is clear liquids but I don't think I could handle anything right now and certainly not another broth drink. I got the same advice for the drive. Get out and walk every hour. I have been walking a lot this day also and it works. At least I walked when it was warm. It's freezing now and that doesn't help so I am strolling the hallways for the hotel. Finally at 8 p.m. I had a small sugar free cup of jello and handled it well. A previous poster said not to sweat surgery and I completely agree now. I'm glad I don't go back to work for 3 weeks just the same.

Well I did it. I just got banded about 4 hours ago. I won't bore you with the details but the docs and nurses did help me get over the terror of surgery. Little girl screaming was not necessary. The only surprise was a hiatal hernia needing repair. I am recovering in my hotel room then its a 5 hour drive home tomorrow. I should be hungry because I've been NPO since about 8:00 p.m. yesterday but the tought of drinking anything is not appealing now. Sips of water helps and the liquid pain med, Hydrocodone I think, tastes absolutley horrible. I've taking 3 short yet quasi brisk walks, one on every hour since I left the hospital. I tolerate it well but the gosh darn cold outside is making it tough. Pain in one shoulder from the gas is, well, its a pain. Hang in there all, keep in touch, and Merry Christmas.

Finishing up day 12 of liquid protein optifast sort of stuff. Then two days of clear liquids which I think is another way os saying you have to starve and drink flavored water. Then Tues, 12/15 I get gutted like a mackerel. If anyone in TN hears a little girl screaming in N'ville, that's just me going into surgery.

You are doing great Melinco! That was a good scale story. I found a new body pain that is a good pain. No I'm not into pain but it's like this: I am on day 10 of a strict protein shakes only in the preop diet. I've been sitting in front of this computer on a hard chair for over 30 minutes just like always only since last night I've noticed that my tail bone and back side is killing me when I stand. Then I finally relaized some of the natural padding I used to sit on has gone I started to laugh. You see, it is a good pain. Now i use a pillow. Who needs scales. Your new self will remind you of these little victories when you realize that hey I couldn't do this or that before.

Milinco: Yeah I do not have a great support system in place of anyone who would even begin to understand. Even my wife is puzzled and thinks that there must be another way. Sure there is, or was, I already did them all. I am fortunate enough I do not have to give reasons to take my time off from the job. I did tell my best friend who lives in the next state and that is safe and of course the wife. She will be my security breach because she is incapable of keeping any secret except the ones she keeps from me. I would hate to become single over this but at least I would be better looking ha ha ha ha. Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music George Carlin

Yvette thank you so much. I just joined. What a great group of people in the same lifeboat with me.

KellU25 you will be great. Good luck and blessings. I go 12/15 and I think I am a big chicken. I am terrified but just want it over with. You courageous people are my inspiriation.

Cawlls that is funny. I can just hear the news. The suspect opened the proverbial can of whupass in the form of a protein drink and proceeded to pummel the victim into tears. You are lucky to have a good support system. I am envious. Its not that I think someone will be ugly to my face but I know how some, not everbody, but a few, people are and I'd rather they be excluded from my business. I have been on the other side of the conversations that went something like, "Didja see Susan, she's lost so much weight, how did she do it? Oh she had THE surgery...oh that explains it." The attitude is that we have somehow taking an easy short cut. In my case let them speculate. I guess I know and am related to the wrong folks. Story of my life. I think I will run away and be a Carny where no one knows me.

umystifyme: I have no easy answer but you have my support and understanding. We all know that this takes courage and is not easy. None of us are here because we have temporarily gained a little weight. So you slipped. Give up the guilt and get back on it trying different techniques until you find what works for you. I am going nuts on day 10 of a very strict pre-op liquid protein and clears only. I can't believe I haven't thrown in the towel so here is what works. Attitude - not just a change of attitude but to have an attitude. I am at war with my old self and I am going to kick his abundant butt. Staying busy and not looking beyond small segments of time. Looking ahead even a couple of days makes the evil voice say I can't do this. I go from moment to moment one small step. Sometimes I cut a deal and say I will hang in there another 30 minutes and reevaluate, then another, and so on. Next thing I know I am waking up to another day. It is never fun but the long term results will be earning a tool and a chance for better health. Avoid getting bored works. Keeping a warped sense of humor works for me. This forum works because only those of us who are here can truly understand. Nothing was more irritating than when I was doing my psych eval before an emaciated shrink. You know the kind, they can eat all day long and never gain a pound. How in the world would he know? I told him going in that none of us are here without serious issues and he stared. We get by and have developed methods to get past the pain. This program is a new level of an emotional beat down but for once one in which it will lead to success. That is the payoff. That is why we are paying these painful dues into our happiness account so that we can spend them later. Have strength and call at least one person for instant feed back when you feel like slipping. This forum may take to much time to give you support when you are in that moment of deal cutting and surrender. Get someone who will be up front who will at the same time not smash your dignity. Hang on to that. Oh yeah one more thing. I am with you on the taking off issue and not telling why. I have posted time and again that this one is need to know basis only. I am not sharing with anyone for various reasons. This is my personal battle. I only reluctantly told me wife because even on my best day that would be a difficult one to pull off. I haven’t been put into the position to give an excuse yet because I have a job where I can take sick leave and use vacation for the surgery/recovery. However, if anyone would ask, I would use the hernia alibi or something like it. Good luck and you all are in my prayers. F is for friends that do stuff together U is for you and me N is for anywhere and anytime at all down here in the deep blue sea!! Spongebob

I almost forgot brothers and sisters of the band. This December forum is very nice and I would like to stay in touch to follow our progress every step of the way from now on. This is the only place in my uptight life that I can share, listen, and learn. I am not very tech oriented but is there any way to do this like through a group e-mail or forum? I am actually looking further down the road to this time next year where we can have a cyber reunion.

Wow I see a lot of things on this forum that hits home. I guess you have to walk in our collective shoes to understand. Cawells you hit on something. It is the reason I have chosen not to tell anyone my plans. Not coworkers or family because it is a case of NONYA!! I only told my wife reluctantly because that would be difficult to pull off even though telling her anything is like taking out a Super Bowl commercial. I don't need anyone's opinion, advice, or whispers that oh he took the easy way out. We all know that is doo doo. If anyone asks how or even why I lost weight I get to use one of my numerous smart a** answers and that is the end of it. Like I don't know ever since I was with that skinny ho with all the sores I've really been dropping the pounds. If I am felling even a little bit serious, which is rare, I say I switched to eating healthy stuff, oh yeah and smoking the crack makes it easier. Sorry couldn't resist.

Swete Pete that is some funny $#@! "PORN." I hear you! and 65DueceCoupe in Kentucky, I am, or was, a grilling red meat carniverous freak down here in Bama. In fact my last blast, which was very tempered, was at a Ruth's Chris Steak House in N'ville. I really minded my manners, no taters, no dessert. Now I regret it! Seriously, the minutes tick by slowly at this point and I too am trying to stay busy. One weird thing for me on this protein drink only diet is that my sense of smell seems to be in super drive. Things I wouldn't notice now knock me over. My wife ate something with just a little garlic. She spoke to me and I almost puked. No sugar for me that night! I opened the fridge to grab a cold one - ya know a cold box o' protein, and the food smells made me recoil in disgust like there was rotted road kill in there. I'm glad noone breaks wind around me I'd probably faint. It wouldn't be me with as little as I'm taking in unless it was just a dust fluffer.

Pete: I posted this message on a similar Dec Banding forum but wanted to share in this forum - I am doing a protein drink only pre-op. It is an optifast clone and tastes the same. I am on day 9. I thought I was a tough dude and would laugh in the face of such a regimen. Maybe it is the Christmas season but I am climbing the walls. I gave my dog a Beggin Strip, ya know looks and smells like bacon. I started to fight him for it but didn't want to get bit up. I gave up smoking cigars 3 months ago. I don't want a cigar. Right now I want to smoke crack or shoot heroin. The good news is I will not waiver or mess up. I will do this, I am committed, and I've paid out big $$ (now that's a motivator!). However, by my Dec. 15 date I fear I will be completely insane compared to 3/4 insane at this moment. I don't dream about wealth, fame, or ladies, I dream about my first cup of broth! Oh yeah, losing all the weight during this time keeps me going. I retired a suit the other day FOR GOOD. I will probably use it this time next year for an "After" photo with several friends in my britches with me.

Dear Abby, Now where have I heard that salutation before? Nevermind. I am doing a similar style optifast pre-op. It is an optifast clone and tastes the same. I am on day 9. I thought I was a tough dude and would laugh in the face of such a regimen. Maybe it is the Christmas season but I am climbing the walls. I gave my dog a Beggin Strip, ya know looks and smells like bacon. I started to fight him for it but didn't want to get bit too badly. I gave up smoking cigars 3 months ago. I don't want a cigar. Right now I want to smoke crack or shoot heroin. The good news is I will not waiver or mess up. I will do this, I am committed, and I've paid out big $$ (now that's a motivator!). However, by my Dec. 15 date I fear I will be completely insane compared to 3/4 insane at this moment. I don't dream about wealth, fame, or ladies, I dream about my first cup of broth!