girlinnyc

there are Optifast shakes---powder--you mix with Water. doesn't taste like milk==have you tried those? your dr's office can get them. they're very filling--and they have Protein to keep you from being hungry. mix them in blender with ice to get them really mixed up. i prefer mixing the "pre-made" optifast shakes with ice in blender. tastes very chocolately--not dairy. good luck!

good luck! it's a great journey--and a learning experience--but very rewarding! you've done your research and you'll do very well!

my last straw was getting on an airplane last summer for a business trip and having the seatbelt JUST barely go around and buckle. god i was UNCOMFORTABE going there and going home. i knew i HAD to do something. NOW--6 mos after the surgery--i am about 30 lbs lighter and the seatbelts definitely go around me with room to spare---i'm still losing---slowly but surely---and things are definitely looking better (including me!)

i used to keep up more...now that living with the band is becoming more "usual"--i have not put in too much. there's not too much to say other than i think my band is REALLY tight and if i get stressed out or am in a situation that feels tense--then NOTHING goes down--not even ICE CREAM! i didn't lose ANY WEIGHT AT ALL for 1 month--but all of a sudden, without doing anything special--i started losing again. the combination of the really tight band, not being able to eat under stressful circumstances (such as business travel--thank god for packing optifast shakes) and basically sticking to easy food like yogurt, juice, some hamburger and a few raw vegetables (radishes work, don't know why)...and voila--weight loss has been happening. and hunger has been minimal--which is why i wanted the band in the first place--to cut down on that endless "i'm HUNGRY" feeling. am also wearing a suit that i haven't worn in 4.5 yrs---ta daaah. that feels good. i even went shopping for a smaller pair of pants for work--as i was embarrassed that my "regular" pants were just about falling off--and i had to keep pulling them up--boy that is UNCOMFORTABLE to do while you're walking down the hall... i keep looking at the scale--not moving very fast in the downward trend--but i can still feel changes in clothing--and some people finally commented...so...SOMETHING must be happening--right?? right!

i used to keep up more...now that living with the band is becoming more "usual"--i have not put in too much. there's not too much to say other than i think my band is REALLY tight and if i get stressed out or am in a situation that feels tense--then NOTHING goes down--not even ICE CREAM! i didn't lose ANY WEIGHT AT ALL for 1 month--but all of a sudden, without doing anything special--i started losing again. the combination of the really tight band, not being able to eat under stressful circumstances (such as business travel--thank god for packing optifast shakes) and basically sticking to easy food like yogurt, juice, some hamburger and a few raw vegetables (radishes work, don't know why)...and voila--weight loss has been happening. and hunger has been minimal--which is why i wanted the band in the first place--to cut down on that endless "i'm HUNGRY" feeling. am also wearing a suit that i haven't worn in 4.5 yrs---ta daaah. that feels good. i even went shopping for a smaller pair of pants for work--as i was embarrassed that my "regular" pants were just about falling off--and i had to keep pulling them up--boy that is UNCOMFORTABLE to do while you're walking down the hall... i keep looking at the scale--not moving very fast in the downward trend--but i can still feel changes in clothing--and some people finally commented...so...SOMETHING must be happening--right?? right!

serum sickness--is the name of the immune disorder---i called her yesterday. anyway---go to a dermatologist!! find out what's going on! when she had a really big, initial breakout--she also had shots of steroid medication to bring it under control. this was all handled by the dermatologist. p.s.--always see BOARD CERTIFIED drs--so, if you're just looking for a dermatologist for the first time--check the dr's credentials. you can also look on the ama website (american medical association) and use their "doctor finder"--which is helpful in getting some background info on the dr you are considering. let us know what happened! best regards, girlinnyc

my gf (not banded) had a similar thing--on her it's an immune disorder--she saw a dermatologist and got a steroid cream to help with the breakout of itchy, painful bumps--they started on her hands--but then were on other parts of her body. it comes and goes--i can't quite remember the name of it--but i can ask her today and post back. in any case==i think you need to see a dermatologist. i don't think this has anything to do with the band--certainly not 2 yrs after the surgery. best wishes, girlinnyc p.s. your weight loss is great! congratulations!

it does sound like it could be an infection--can you call/see your dr? it would be worth having him (or her) at least look at back of your throat with a light to see what he/she can see...even a primary care dr. could do that. maybe some antibiotics are called for. unknown, continuing pain is a sign that you need to see a dr! the inability to even swallow Water without discomfort---another sign. let us know what the dr. says! p.s. your weight loss is great! best wishes, girlinnyc

Congrats on being banded! keep up the good work--you're doing very well! girlinnyc

Robert, Did your dr. give you pain meds?? are you taking them?? that should definitely help with the pain you describe. If not--Contact the Surgeon--make sure all is ok! also, you can get liquid hydrocodone (like vicodin)--that should make it easier to swallow--ask the dr. for a prescription. Best wishes, girlinnyc

you know--that happened to me too--i missed TWO seminars--because of traveling for work! but--finally i got to the seminar--and then to my appts--and what do you--time still passed and now i am banded--and you will be too! call up and get your appt for the next seminar! best wishes, girlinnyc

the band is where it's supposed to be. i am pretty annoyed that i had to have another procedure, UNDER ANESTHESIA, b/c of dr's idiot staff. end of story. no further surgery needed. thank god.

the band is where it's supposed to be. i am pretty annoyed that i had to have another procedure, UNDER ANESTHESIA, b/c of dr's idiot staff. end of story. no further surgery needed. thank god.

i really like optifast chocolate---i get it at the dr's office. i mix it with a bunch of ice cubes in the blender--and it's frothy and tastes good! in a pinch, you can take it with you--but it's gotta be cold. "blenderizing" it with ice truly improves the taste and the sensation of getting a real milkshake.

30 lbs is AWESOME. you'll definitely feel restriction after that fill. your big challenge will be to eat even SMALLER mouthfuls and chew extremely well before swallowing! keep on trucking! -girlinnyc-

tingling in your legs after exercise is GOOD--it means blood is flowing--you'll get to LIKE that feeling! keep it up! it's GREAT for you!

good idea to stay on liquids!! wish i had done that! i think i caused major problems for myself. definitely--stay on those Protein Shakes and some soup...and drink s l o w l y! good luck with unfill! -girlinnyc

Fantastic accomplishment! isn't losing weight great for exercise purposes? really allows you to do MORE and feel even better! you go girl!

can you take advil for your knee? it's ok to take with the band (so says my dr, anyway)--and it's very effective for pain--if you're not allergic to aspirin. as for food--protein will keep you very satisfied--have a hamburger (no bread)--that'll fill you up!

i guess it showed a slip of some kind. guess i'm headed back to surgery. will know more when i speak to surgeon on may 1. am very depressed. :think :think :think

i guess it showed a slip of some kind. guess i'm headed back to surgery. will know more when i speak to surgeon on may 1. am very depressed. :think :think :think

i seem to have a slipped band--and i have, well--some of both symptoms--all of sudden==the severe restriction was gone--but there are some issues with swallowing food still--it's not like i can eat anything--the way i could before i had a fill. i had to go for an endoscopy last week--and the dr. said it is slipped--but i don't remember if he said the band moved up or down --figure i'll hear it all from the surgeon-when i see him on may 1. in the meantime--sticking to a careful diet--with lots of liquids and mushy food--and some solids--but...being very careful. i'm sure i'm headed for surgery again. oh well.

Good luck on your surgery!! it will be over before you know it! best wishes, girlinnyc

make sure you don't lift any heavy luggage! smile at people and ask them to help you lift anything heavy! have a nice flight! and welcome to nyc! girlinnyc

take your pain killer!! that's what it's there for!! honestly--it WILL make you feel better! take this whole process a little at a time---you just started--and to utter the dreaded words--it will get better! you've taken a big step--and of course you'll have some discomfort--but you should have been given painkiller by the surgeon--TAKE IT! it helps! easier to stay AHEAD of the pain, than to try to catch up with it--so take it on a regular schedule and stay comfortable. best wishes, girlinnyc