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I am 5+ years post surgery. I have not missed an occasional Coke or Dr. Pepper until recently. I was wondering what everyone thinks about the dreaded Soft Drink. I always drink diet cokes, etc. so I would not have to be concerned with empty calories. Thoughts or experiences please!!!!

Be careful crushing or chewing your pills. Some can have negative consequences when they get in your system all at once. For example Seraqual is time released and if you crush it and get the full active ingredient you will get a narcotic high. People in prison in particular will fake swallowing the pill. When they get back to their cell they will spit them out let them dry. They sell them to Opium addicts who use as a substitute for their Opium of choice. Ask your Doctor and Pharmacist if it is ok to chew your medications.

How long of a waiting period to eat after having a Fill? I had my sixed fill today (9.5cc in a 14cc band) and my Doctor had his usual post fill instructions. He wants me to be on Clear liquids for 3 days. How long for you? Thanks, Border

Trying out my Ticker

I was banded about three months ago and it has been non-eventful. Pretty much what I expected. total 7cc in a 14cc band at this time. Today I have been having a consistant cramping type pain. It is a sharp pain that goes away about as fast as it hits me. It is a little over 2 inches below my port. I was wondering if anyone else has had this.

Thanks to all that responded. Some good advice.

I need some thoughts from successful lap-banders and to vent and spew obscenities like I have Tourette's. Surgery Date 04-09-10 First fill 5-10-10 no restriction Second Fill 06-04-10 (9cc's total out 14cc band) feeling some restriction but can eat more volume than I thought 06-08-10 lost 3 pounds (I have to fast 3 days after each fill - loss expected) 06-08-10 lost 3 pounds 06-13-10 lost 2.5 pounds feeling positive Since 06-13-10 I am GAINING pounds every day. 06-17-10 I am now 6.5 pounds heavier and very close to my weight on 06-04-10 I have to be very proactive in order to lose ANY weight other that after 3 day fasting after a fill. I know I am eating little enough to lose some pounds. For instance, yesterday I had one scrambled egg for Breakfast, one piece of string cheese for mid-morning snack, two granola bars (small ones, 90 calories each) another string cheese that afternoon and a grilled cheese salad for dinner. I drank around 3 or 4 zero calorie Powerades. I even worked in the yard trimming hedges and all the work to dispose of the clippings. It was around 95 degrees when I was working and high humidity. I thought I would be down a couple of pounds from the exercise and light eating. I was up one pound! The only time I have lost any weight consistantly was when I was on a low carb diet. I have lost about 28 pounds on the low carb lifestyle. I could do the carb diet without having surgery. I know this is not a magic cure and I will have to learn new eating habits and lifestyles but damn, when am I going to lose some weight from the surgery? I feel like I was sold a bill of goods. It sounds good on paper but..... Any thoughts or words of encouragement Thanks.

I only have three. Two small ones and one that is an inch and a half long. I am pretty sure my two small ones will not leave a permanent scar, if they do it will be hardly visable. They will blend in with the freckles I have in that area.

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Thanks Alleycat!!

Thank for the information and encouragement Sandy and Christine. I guess I need to be more patient. With my Pre-Opt Seminars I do not remember if they went over that it would take some time before I see any true results. They may have and I do not remember. My memory is so bad I can hide my own Easter eggs. I have a 14cc band so I might be looking at 2 or 3 more fills before I start feeling restriction.

Hi, I am 5 weeks post surgery and I am starting to worry that I made a mistake getting banded. I have lost 18.5 pounds only because of the liquid diet post surgery and being on liquids three days after my first fill. I am not scheduled for another fill for another three weeks. I have been watching my carbs and cannot seem to lose anything. In fact I have gained a pound and a half in the last week. I have been on low carb diets and had some success at losing some weight. I am doing what I used to do with no results. Until I get to a sweet spot on my band I guess I will have to diet just to stay where I am. I do not feel any restriction yet so I wonder if I should walk in and ask for a fill or am I being too anxious. I also understand banding is not a magic cure so I am not expecting miracles but so far I am disappointed. Any advice??? Thanks for letting me vent.

Hello, I am new here and have a few questions about the forum. I was trying to add my information but when it came to the part where I add a picture I could not go forward (or do not know how) without adding one. Do I have to post one before I can continue? I have been reading different discussion groups and noticed the Weight Loss Ticker, how do I get one and how do I get it to post on my posts? Thanks in advance. Border