dry_gulch_02

I don't know where to post this and I can't find the posts that I think I originally found, but I want to thank whoever mentioned getting the probiotic pearls from Integrative Therapeutics, Inc. using Amazon.com. They have helped immensely in the way I feel. I was struggling for a long time with gas, constipation, pain in my gut all the time. Listening to other bandsters it seemed like that was just the way it is. Not at all. I love this product and will never go a day without them ever again.

It took about 6 days for me.

they are so good! how long have you been using them?

My doctor warned me that would be the most painful part, and he was right!

I started using the powdered stevia and love it! I like Truvia too but dang it is expensive. Quit sugar and splenda and equal. Don't have sugar cravings any more...

I hope it helps, it worked for me. And being dehydrated makes you not feel well too. I also took the nasty pain medicine. I don't like liquid meds but they said it would help. It did and it didn't make me drowsy. Did you get something like that?

I had that too. I had a very severe hernia that was repaired and it took several weeks to stop hurting. I wasn't aware of that and wanted the lap-band removed!! But then I called the Dr. and they told me that. They told me to chew on ice. I don't know if you have a Chicken Express around you, and if you do if they have the same kind of ice machines, but the ones here make perfect soft tiny ice. I went and got a big bag of it. It soothed everything and kept me from getting dehydrated.

Wow! that is really great!

It is too bad people have to be like that, but they are. For something like this, it just makes it worse. I am like alagirl. I have had my band for about 18 months. Have lost 44 pounds, and I know I should have lost more and that is my fault. But I am glad I got it, I feel better and like myself more. It is a tool, and one has to use it. There really are no magic bullets.

Oops, not Benefiber, it is fiber choice. Benefiber didn't help me at all...

I struggle with that. I started chewing the benefiber tablets every day. I upped it to 3 a day and it solved the problem. I read on here somewhere that 'probiotic pearls' help with digestive upsets, getting some shipped to me. And drink lots of water!

Love it! We are raised to celebrate achievements with food. Changing that behavior is hard too! But being able to shop in Victoria's Secret?? Worth WAY more than special dinners!!

All these ideas are good. But wow, I buy Bariatric Advantage meal replacements in a bag and only pay $60 a bag. I order it straight from them. I generally add frozen blueberries and cinnamon and it comes out like a brilliant blue cinnamon streusel ice cream. I guess I will get tired of it but haven't yet. It is still pricey but I figure it really isn't bad, with the things I add it works out to about $2 a serving, which is a meal. I use the greek yogurts as they have so much protein, but I love yogurt and the Greek is so much more 'yogurty'. You could add one to your shake mixes to change the flavor some. I started doing that because I tried to go vegetarian and my hair started falling out.

That is great news!! Thanks for being encouraging and for all your tips. Keep them coming!

That is great! I haven't done that well but went nearly a year without seeing my doc. Didn't lose any but didn't gain any either. Got my password reset here, started going back, got back exercising, and now back on track.

I picked my surgeon first, Dr. Robert Snow in Hurst. I went to the dietitian at True Results, which is in the same building. They were all very nice and supportive. I can have fills done there but Dr. Snow does them too and he deadens the site! I had Aetna that covered the surgery 80% and the surgery was done at Baylor Trophy Club. I picked Dr. Snow because I worked with 3 women who had already gone through him and loved him.

Dr. Snow is a great doctor. Excellent bed-side manner. He explains things in easy-to-understand terms. He came highly recommended to me, 4 other people before me went to him. They are all doing well and one is even a local celebrity - was on a commercial for him! I would recommend him to anyone. His office staff are really nice and helpful too.

Hi, my name is Valerie and I am 50. I live in Bridgeport, TX. I was banded on August 13, 2010 and have lost 40 pounds. Got my 5th fill yesterday. I also was given samples of Bariatric Advantage shakes and Vitamins. I think I am in love! SO much better than the whey Protein shakes available at Wal-Mart and Target. Going to get more of those. I am glad I got it. I feel better now and the weight is starting to come off very well. Would enjoy talking to you!

I loved pureed mac and cheese! My family's recipe for it is great anyway, and I was so glad to get away from protein shakes. I like the butternut squash soup too and also had some hummus. I just used what I normally eat but pureed it. Not bad at all! Start 'real' food tomorrow and re-learning how to eat and drink. I made about 1/2 box and it lasted for several days. Strange! Used to eat about 1/2 box at one sitting.

I feel pretty good now. They had to fix a hiatal hernia and I was convinced (before I knew about the hernia) that I could feel the band. Kinda made me queasy. But now I can't feel anything so I think it was just the hernia healing. Guessing though. The liquid diet was difficult and was really happy to start adding real foods, even pureed! It wasn't difficult because I was hungry, just not satisfied. I had a lot of trouble the first few days out staying hydrated, till I was reminded to chew ice! Went to a local fast food place and bought a bag of tiny soft ice and that solved that problem. I am glad I did it but have to admit, the first several days weren't that great. Pain wasn't bad at all, just didn't have any energy and was so tired.

hey, you are doing it for yourself! There are people at work who delivered their babies and came home from the hospital "wearing their Calvin Kleins". I (so to speak.) I don't care who knows and I don't care what they think. THEY have not been in MY shoes. Stopping smoking is completely different from stopping eating. What a loon to think it would be the same! My DH and 3 sons are very supportive, as are the rest of my family. My youngest said he can sort of understand because no matter what he does, he can't GAIN weight. Don't let the ignorant, perhaps even envious others get you down. But vent away! It is good for the soul! You go!

Howdy from Texas! I am 50 and have been banded 10 days. I would love to be your friend! Grew up reading books about Australia, would love to go sometime. My DH went when he was in the USAF but only got to hang out in Darwin for a day or so. Certainly some of his favorite memories.

I rate it very low, a 3 probably. I had my gallbladder out about 7 weeks before and it was a 10. I took the pain med for a few days but found I really didn't need it. The port site is the worst, and it is more an irritation. My problem is that I am just so tired.

my doc said I could use the chewable gas-x. It helps a lot!

5 days, but it just started up by itself. No discomfort on THAT end at least.