Astrasmom

Hi Kira, My names Dawn. Nice to meet you. I think your doctor will say that the surgery is a good idea for you. You definitely meet the criteria. I wish you luck. Please keep us posted on your progress and if you have any questions along the way, don't hesitate to ask. The people here are awesome.

CONGRATS!!! It's almost over and you are about to start a brand new life. Keep us posted on your progress. :thumbup:

Are you drinking any Protein supplements with that? And you can also have Jello with unflavored Protein Powder in it. That's part of the clear liquid phase. Once you move onto puree it gets a little easier. Just make sure that you eat the higher protein foods like chicken and fish. Hang in there. It will be over sooner than you know.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Everything you are feeling is normal. Take your pain meds if your doctor gave them to you. Try and heating pad and if you have a recliner they work also. Make sure you walk a bit now and then to keep the gas flowing. IF the gas is bad get some Gas-X strips. It took me about a week to be pain free and about 2 weeks to be totally back to normal. Get your rest and follow what your doctor told you. You should be on Clear liquids? There is nothing wrong with you. Give yourself time to heal. Try some sugar free ice pops for the swelling.

Try some Gas-X strips.

My goal is to get off of the CPAP machine. Which is what you will do also. Eventually you should be able to get rid of that machine. I have 2 more pounds to go before I call my doctor for another sleep study to see if I am ready.

CONGRATULATIONS! You will be a little sore after the surgery but the outcome is great. I was banded on Oct. 23 and between the pre-op diet and the surgery I have lost 62lbs. I feel like a new person. I'm able to do many things I wasn't able to do before. If I had to do it over again I would. Anyway I had my surgery on a Friday and I was back to work on Tuesday. Keep us all posted and we will save a seat on the Losers bench for yah!! You will be amazed. Trust me.:thumbup:

If it's on your left side, that's port pain. It will get better. Keep in mind you are still healing. I'm 3 months 11 days out and I still get the pain once and awhile. It's normal. It could be gas too. Nothing to worry about really.

First off. So sorry about your mom passing. That had to be a very stressful situation. And the fact that you lost 40lbs through all of that is great. 40lbs is a great loss. I was banded on Oct. 23rd and have lost 52lbs. You are not THAT far behind me. We aren't supposed to drop the weight that fast. 1-2 pounds a week is normal. So please don't knock yourself. You are doing wonderful. Especially with what you have been through and not being filled yet.

Get some Protein powder. It will help with the cravings. I use Elite whey Protein Isolate. Although they can be a little on the expensive side they do help. unjury is Medical Quality Whey Protein Isolate. Best Tasting Whey Protein Powder. Most Trusted Whey Protein Powder Supplement. Check that website out. The chicken Soup flavored mix is awesome. It's another one I use also. Hang in there. The wait is worth it.

Are you on clear liquids or full liquids? You need to get some Protein in your system so you aren't hungry. Make sure you are drinking your protein supplements. Try some sugar free ice pops. I lived on them. Don't advance to soft until you ask your doctor because you could get stuck. Sometimes they will let you advance if you are having problems.

So sorry to hear about your daughter. Hope she gets well soon. I was banded on Oct. 23. I am down 49lbs since surgery, 59lbs with the pre-op diet. I have a 10cc band and I've had 2 fills so far totaling 3.5cc's. I'm doing pretty well at the present time. I'm trying to increase my exercise. My advice to you is get more protein in. That's why you are so hungry all of the time. As you can tell because your hair is falling out. Try some chicken, or fish. Also some Peanut Butter is good. Even some Protein Bars are good if you are busy all of the time and can't eat. I eat the Detour bars. If you aren't using the Protein shakes you might want to start using them. There is nothing wrong with your band. You just have to incorporate more protein into your diet. And always eat the protein first when you eat. I tend to eat white chicken in a can with a little FF mayo, and 2 pieces of string cheese for lunch. My NUT told me if I get hungry inbetween meals to have a teaspoon of peanut butter or a piece of string cheese to hold me over until my meal. Good luck and hope that helps.

Ahhh! The slime effect. Well this is how we learn. I believe that everyone should experience it once in their banded life so that they know what it is and how to deal with it when it DOES happen. You are right it's horrible but you know what not to eat or do next time. And never take a drink after you get stuck because that just makes it more stuck. I can't eat toast or beef. And it happened to me about 3 times already. You really can't be afraid to eat. You have to try things and some of them unfortunately won't agree with you. It might happen again. But then you will know that you can't eat those foods again. Not all episodes last for a long period of time. And you don't want to make yourself gag all of the time because your band might slip. Obviously this time you had to because your pill got stuck. After you get stuck like that and you slime, it's sometimes best to do the liquid phase for the remainder of the day because you tend to get irritated.

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I have BC/BS of NJ, but mine is a PPO. I have coordination of benefits with my husbands insurance which is also BC/BS ppo. I had no problems with them at all. I had to do the 6 month nutritional visits but I was approved with no problems. Because of the double insurance it has costed me nothing.

I saved one pair of 'FAT JEANS' so that I can look back and see what progress I have made. I was afraid to get rid of my clothes at first but I looked at it this way..this is the new me. I am NOT going back to the old me. I am starting over and I refuse to let that alien body take me over again. I am happy now. Before I was depressed and fat. I still have a long way to go but I am 60lbs lighter, started in a 22/24 and am now an 18. I own one pair of 24 jeans that sit on the top of my closet. Next year I will take them down. Just like we have to get rid of those old habits of allowing food to control us, we have to let go of other things too. It's ok to keep those clothes around for a little while. But just think of how much space you will have for NEW clothes once they are gone. Or space that can be used for something else if you aren't replacing with new clothes. This is us people. WE DID IT!! Feel proud of yourselves.

Since you are doing the cooking. Is there no way that you can cook your portions separately from everyone else? I have to do that alot of times in my house because my family doesn't like the way I prepare my food sometimes. My husband is also a diabetic and brings the sweets into the house. When they come in, I tend to just go into the bedroom. I feel for you. It's very hard. I also have to agree with what someone else said. You need a job. I know it's easier said then done to find a job these days and I don't know your circumstances as to why you aren't working, BUT you need to get yourself out of that rut. And from the sounds of it your step-father isn't going to help you get out of that rut. And it kind of sounds like mom is powerless over him. So you have to do for yourself. If you don't, yourself esteem is going to go right down the toilet.

I agree with everyone else. That is the restriction you are feeling. And if you are getting stuck you need to chew your food better or you need to not eat that type of food for awhile because it's not agreeing with you. When you drink to bring it back up you are taking the chance of getting it even more stuck. Best thing is just to let it pass on it's own. You don't want to keep bringing it back up either because your band might slip. CHEW CHEW CHEW!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!! Welcome to the losers bench. All of your feelings are normal. Use us for support. This board is great. I would also suggest going to a local support group if you have one in your area. They help tremendously. Please keep us posted on your progress and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

You click on the name of the person you want to add. Go to their profile and click on 'Befriend (whatever name)'. That's how you add a friend. As for the ticker you can go to Graphical Tickers and Trackers: Weight Loss, Trying To Conceive, Pregnancy... and make one then paste either the bbcode or the html code into your signature. Your signature you will find under the USER CP tab at the top of your page here.

I use Dymatize Ellite whey Protein isolate. The vanilla is yummy and so is the Mocha. Isolates do cost a lot more money then regular shakes but they are better for you. The difference between regular shakes and isolate shakes is not just about the protein. It's about the calories and the carbs. They are loaded with open ended calories. Whey Proteins are made from soy and vegetables. You might spend a little more on them, but in the long run you will have better results. This is also a good website to explain differences. Protein Shakes: Bariatric Surgery Patients Need Them. Pick the Best! You might also want to try a local weight lifting store that sells the whey proteins because they tend to have samples for you.

CONGRATULATIONS!! You are almost there. Just one more day. And you will be amazed at how you feel. I would be happy to help you along the way. Although I was banded on Oct 23, 2009 and am not a 'old timer' I would be glad to answer your questions and help you along your way. Please feel free to add me as a friend. Keep us posted on your journey please.