AngieW_RN

I've had my band 9 months and I've lost about 30 pounds (that I've kept off anyways, at one point I had lost about 40). I've had a LOT of trouble finding my "green zone" and am losing faith. Some days I can eat anything I want, others I can't even drink water. I just saw my surgeon today and had a little out, but now I'm wondering if the band is ever going to work for me. I'm considering having it removed and having a RNY, but if I want this, I am better off having it soon due to risk of scar tissue and because I want to have children in the near future. What do you guys think? Are there some people that the band just doesn't work for???

Small eatting utinsils are also important once you move onto full liquids and mushies. I got cocktail forks and espresso spoons from Bed Bath and Beyond. I also LOVED my magic bullet--great for protein shakes and blending foods while on mushies. Best of luck!

One of my favorite meals on mushies was canned chicken blended with laughing cow cheese wedges. I'm not a fan of mayo, so it was a chicken salad with less fat and more protein!

I am about 5 1/2 months post lap band. About a month ago I was having some trouble with my band being too tight--particularly when it was really cold and snowy outside. So, I had some fill removed. Since then, I've been able to eat a little more than I should, I had even considered getting some back in. Last Thursday I had some problems eatting dinner (vomitted, but i wasn't sure if it was b/c I ate too fast). I work nights so I slept all day Friday. ONce I got up, I wasn't able to eat any food at all. I couldn't keep liquids down even. Saturday morning I had a coffee and I had a piece of fish for lunch and, while i had some pain, it eventually went down. I had a bottle of water. I tried to eat a piece of string cheese in the afternoon and vomitted adn then couldn't keep any food or liquids down until right before bed, when I managed to have about 16 oz of water. This morning I tried to sip on some Gatorade and that didn't work out. My heart Rate isn't oo fast, so I can't be too terribly dehydrated. What concerns me is that, previously when I've vomitted its basically just been a combination of spit and what I've eatten. The last 2 days it seems like there are some gastric juices in there too--like I'm having some reflux and that's new to me. i'm afraid my band may have slipped. Should I go to the ER today and see if they can give me some IV pepcid and steriods to hold me over, or wait until my surgeon is in?

Definately keep a close eye on your legs. If they swell or one is bigger than the other and starts to look red make sure you see a doctor--a blood clot in your leg can cause some MAJOR problems and is nothing to mess around with!

As long as you are not running a fever he should proceed. Let them know as soon as you get there so they can do some extra bloodwork and get results back before surgery if needed.

What's the sugar, protein, fat, and calorie count on that? It might be worth buying a Sam's membership!

Maybe you were feeling deprived, especially since this is the only time you've gone off your plan like this. Instead of depriving yourself for months and then splurging on all the wrong things, eat the thing you crave in moderation. Having a piece of pizza with co-workers every so often isn't going to ruin your weight loss (though you may not be able to have crust too much longer). So don't get down on yourself--that just makes you splurge more and feel like a failure like you did today! Don't have 3 splurges in one day, more like one or two a week. All things in moderation.

You have to exercise and choose the right foods. The band is going to help you eat less, but that won't help (especially until you get to your sweet spot) unless you are choosing high protein, low carb, low sugar foods! I know this time period is hard b/c I'm in and I have pretty much stopped losing weight. I'm hoping a fill or two will help a LOT! (especially since everyone is asking me how much weight I've lost!)

That's a LONG time to be on Clear Liquids, I'd check with your nutritionist and make sure you have that right. Mine recommended clears for 3-7 days and most people start incorporating some full liquids after 3 days. While you are on clear liquids, GNC has several clear Protein drinks. Isopure is one and there are a couple of others. They are 20-24 oz a bottle and cost about $4, which is a little high but when you can only drink 4 oz at a time its not that bad. They taste ok too, better than the low-sugar gatorade. And each bottle has 40 grams of protein.

Hey Taryn, I had surgery on 10-9 and I'm in the same place. From what I've read on here, its normal to stop losing and even gain a little btween weeks 2 and 4, until you get your first fill, then things will hopefully pick up. They call this time "bandster hell" because you are getting hungry and aren't as satisfied with small portions. Your band really isn't helping you much, its all willpower from now until you get a fill!

I am currently waiting for my first fill, so I am in what is known as "bandster hell"--not the best place to be with a HUGE bowl of miniature candy cars on your lap! But I passed out all the candy and pawned the leftover cupcakes on the neighbors. Now there are no treats in the house, adn I've talked my boyfriend into going on a long hike tomorrow to try out my new hiking boots. Tomorrow is a new day, and I only have 5 more days until I get a much needed fill!

It may also help to change up the foods that you are eatting. A lot of people start eatting the same food for breakfast and lunch daily and your body gets used to that. Changing things up, increasing protein, and decreasing carbs may help too.

I didn't even ask my primary care doctor about the surgery, I researched on my own and made an appt with the sugeon. It helps that I work with him--but I never needed any letter from a primary care doctor or anything, just a pre-op history and physical--and my insurance covered the surgery. I figure that most primary care doctors do not know all that the could about the procedure, so going to them seemed pointless since I can learn all that they know about the procedure on my own. However, be aware that exercise is a very necessary part of losing weight with a lap band--and it does get a lot easier. I've lost 27 pounds and things are already sooooo much easier!

I'd call your surgeon and have a blood test done tomorrow morning! Keep in mind, a baby is a blessing no matter when it happens! I'm sure your surgeon will refund your money (most of it anyways) if you are pregnant.

If you have small pieces of tape directly on your incitions, these are called steri-strips and should stay on until they fall off (mine lasted about a week). If you have larger pieces of gauze taped to your belly, those can come off after a day or two. Its fine to shower after a day or two, but don't let the water hit directly on your belly. Also, be aware of how you are washing/drying. For instance, use a washrag, not a loofah, and wash your belly before "dirtier" areas. Also use a clean towel after each shower and dry your belly first.

To get to your port, the needle only has to go through skin and fat. This should be able to be done while you are on blood thinners. If the port is deeper in the muscle and the needle would go through mucle too, he may hold off.

Great Recipes! Thanks! I can't wait to try the egg nog!

How soon after surgery can you start to do ab workouts? I did some circuit training today and it felt great, but I skipped on the abs b/c I wasn't sure when I could start that.

I was banded 10-9-09 and I went camping and hiking this weekend. We did a MUCH harder hike than what we did in the spring and I was WAY less short of breath. I could have even done more! Sitting at the top of this huge rock and looking at the amazing view with all of the trees changing colors was great. If I hadn't lost that 25 or 30 pounds this may not have been possible. I can't wait to see what its like after I lose another 60 or 70! :cursing:

Shoes are expensive so instead of buying lots of pairs and deciding that you don't like them, I would suggest going to a specaily store that sells athletic shoes and running shoes. Where I live there is a Running/New Balance Store that is great. Bring your current shoes, tell them what you like/dpn't like about them. They should watch you walk bare foot and examine your feet. If its a good store, they will bring you shoes that will work best for you to try on. I love New Balance, but they are not all made the same. I have a wide toe box, and they shoes they picked out for me are perfect! Great arch support and they don't rub anywhere!

1 cup of milk only has 8 grams of protien. The carbmasters milk has a little more. Is this for a pre- ir immediately post-op diet? If so, to get the amount of protein you need you would consume too many calories if you only drink milk and no protein powder. Try adding some protein powder to the milk and fruit, even if all you can tollerate is 1/2 a scoop.

Mine is made by Polar and I think it was about $50, but it has a feature that prevents cross-talk with other monitors if you are in a spinning class or on a cardio machine next to someone else who has the same brand. Make sure you get one with a chest-strap, they are much more accurate.

This is normal and it will get better! Try gas X chewables or strips and some immodium. Make sure you are just sipping fluids and not using a straw--straws and gulping will cause more gas! And walk, walk, walk!

In college I looked into joining the military and then tore my ACL and needed some surgery. I believe that I was going to have to have another surgery to remove the hardware to join, so I'm not sure if the military will let you in with an implantable device.