kll724

Congrats to you! You are wise to seek a 2nd opinion and then to work with the new surgeon. Best of luck. Karen

My son, daughter and I bowl on a league, we order 1 pitcher of Sierra Mist Natural from the fountain and share it over 3 hrs. All 3 of us have been banded. We all seem to be able to tolerate it fine. Moderation and sipping is the thing! Best of luck, Karen

Hmmm! A whole new wardrobe! Also, at 63, my 1st ever cruise is in 3 weeks! So, I guess those are both of my rewards for being at goal or below for about 9 months! Karen

Congrats, Cassie Good luck on your journey! Karen

So true! That is a great definition of most of us. My other inspiration is my family, they all root for me. Infact, both my daughter and my son have had lapband surgery since I had mine. My daughter has lost about 50 lbs; she is not at her goal, but so much better than she was before her surgery. My son had his surgery in Aug this year. He has lost 57 lbs and is proud that he is getting healthier. All 3 of us have tried and failed with WW because we gave up before meeting goal. But since I have met goal, they are both pumped to do the same! Karen

Congrats! You are starting the journey to a new you and new way of life. Good luck. Karen

Try Gas-x tabs, they sit on your tongue and dissolve. And walk! The more you walk the less gas you will have. Good luck! Karen

Good luck! I know that it is hard, but as the op said, one protein shake or bar will do the trick. Karen

It is a hard non scale thing to learn. Sorry, abut the possible loss of your job. Another thing, people like us loosing weight need to realize, is that when we drink it hits us quicker than before. I went to a bar for the 1st time after loosing about 50-60 lbs, and had 1 drink, I could feel the effects enough to ask my son to take me home. Take care, and bless you. I hope that your job will be safe! Good luck Karen

Hurray! You are doing great! Keep on keeping on and you will get to your goal. Slow and steady wins the race. Good luck. Karen

I am not trying to lecture anyone, but can't understand why people think too full is really good restriction. You should not take and hour to eat a lean cuisine. And you should not be vomiting liquids and solids. Believe me, I just had to have a slip repaired. I am at goal and the thought that my surgeon might have to remove my lapband because it was slipped and beyond repair, scared the dickens out of me. BUt, he was able to readjust it, and now I am empty and on liquids for 2 weeks. But, I am not vomiting and coughing up phelm all night. See you surgeon if you are having problems! Thanks for listening to my rant! Karen

I think that the 1st 24 hours most hospitals and surgeons require someone in attendance. I know that when my son had his surgery in August that was what they told us. I just had a revision done, and welcomed thwe fast that I knew I had someone around in case I needed help. 24 hours should be plenty, but maybe you can get a friend to spend the weekend. Good luck Karen

Here's hoping for you! Good luck. Karen

Are you sure that you are not just too tight? GERD will cause the same symptoms. Hope that you feel better, karen

My surgeon could tell by my symptoms. Then he used the floroscope. My symptoms were GERD coughing all night long after having a stomach virus and vomiting,(real vomit), not pbing. Finally, I went to teh surgeon and he did the floroscope after removing my fill. He could see the slip. I hope that you never have to experience that! Karen

Here's my story. I had a fever and stomach thing last Friday. I started having severe GERD following. Tuesday I called the surgeon's offcie. I went in this morning and he put me in front of the floroscope. I had a slip; he removed all my fill. I had previously had a slip and it was okay after a month of no fill. The band did not go back into shape. He said, " I have to operate in the morning." He will try to repair it, but otherwise will have to remove it. It will be either empty or removed for 2 months. I am, almost, to my 2 year bandiversary, which is Oct. 30. I am 2 lbs below goal at 138. I have been at or near goal weight, give or take 5 lbs, for about 9 months. I am not sure that I can do it on my own. My family all seems to think I am ready. I am nervous. Karen

When I got bored, the "tool" kicks in. It doesn't allow me to just eat anything I want and I have support from my family who all know what I am going through and they help keep me on track. I am stronger because I have the support and the "tool". And when I do get bored, I realize that I have help in a fill or whatever I need to keep me on track. Hope that helps.! Karen

Yes to what the op said. But, plan to eat a very small piece. What you could have/would have eaten before will be way too much, now! Karen

If you are talking about chicken breasts, yes! I can't eat chicken breasts unless they have sauce on them. They are just too dry. Turkey, neither, by the way. But, I can eat chicken thighs okay, and dark meat, just stay away from gristle and skin. You should be okay with a tomato sauce, like chicken parm. or white sauce, though. Good luck Karen

And did that work for you? If so, great, maybe you don't need the band. Like most folks, I dieted many times, I probably lost 1000 lbs over the years(I am 63 years old). I never met goal. I got bored after a few months. Then I started eating again. With the band, 1st you see a nutritionist, and get a pysch consolt, then you have your band, supposedly by then , you should be ready to admit that you have an eating problem and you need this tool to help you loose weight. I have been at goal for about a year. I must tell you it hasn't been all easy, but I was able to continue on to goal and now I am in maintenance. You too can do it, if this is your goal. But, you have to be ready to work at it and give up some of your favorite foods. I can't eat Iceberg lettuce which comes in most salads, steak, and sausage with a casing. These are a few of my problem foods. Good luck on YOUR decision. Karen

Hi KBME, You can do it! Just take one day at a time, as the members of AA are told. We are food addicts. Only problem is that we need food to live. You have to get back to the way you started to loose. After 2 years, I had to have an operation as my band had slipped and need to be readjusted(thankfully not removed). Anyway, teh point is, I am on clear liquids for a week and then full liquids for a week. Try going on liquids for a few days, it migh tjump start your motivation. Good luck. Also, you might need a fill and a visit to your surgeon"s office. Karen

Were you able to have your band repaired? I am happy to hear that someone else has had this problem. While I was in the hospital, surgeon had a woman to reposition her band. She was only 6 weeks out! I doin't knmw her story as was told to my husband. Anyway, take care and good luck to both of us!

Thanks! Karen

I try to stay around a size 8, I on the high end of normal weight. I am quite satisfied at that size. I can walk into a store pick up a size 8. Go home and it fits great! I find maintenance a hassle though. However, right now, I just had to have surgery to repair my band after slippage, so I have no fill and am on liquids, clear for a week, then full. So, I will probably end up being in a loose 8. But, I am happy at the size and weight I am. Plus. folks say I look good and any thinner I will look sick. I guess, it all depends on whether you like yourself at the size and weight you are! Good luck. Karen

Me too! I had some real nice dresses that I bought fro church. Before I could wear one of them, it was way to big. SO I agree go for it, don't spend to much on clothes that you wear a few times. But, no problem with buying inexpensive smaller clothes when on sale. Good luck to all of us. Karen