vickyd

Glad to hear things went well with your surgery and you are on the road to recovery.

May Challenge Final

I agree with you. Certain foods (like pasta) for me are very difficult to control and not trigger a binge so I don't eat them even though my band would allow me to eat them. I have also found that if my husband or son is having a dessert or snack that I really shouldn't have, I can ask for a taste (1 or two small bites) and that satisfies my need to know what it tastes like and I don't need any more...for example, I really don't want a Blizzard from DQ but if they are sitting there eating one then I start wanting one too - just a taste of my husband's satisfies that desire.

I travel occaisionally for work (about every 2-3 months) so I can give you some tips that work for me. A month out you shouldn't have any issues lifting your suitcase (unless it is extremely heavy) so I don't think you need to worry about that. Breakfast: When I travel I always pack my shaker bottle and ziploc snack bags with individual servings of Protein Powder so I can have it for Breakfast in case there is nothing band-friendly available. A lot of hotels offer continental breakfast and scrambled eggs also work for me. lunch and Dinner: You should be on solids by then so just order carefully, eat slowly and don't worry about anyone saying anything - if they do you can just say "I'm not hungry" or "I'm watching what I eat". Grilled seafood is always a good option or if you are worried about the selections Soup always works. The last time I was out of town, the people I was with took me to a Mexican restaurant so I ordered grilled shrimp tacos and just ate the shrimp and veggies from the tacos and a few bites of refried Beans. Salads also work well for me...I concentrate on eating the Protein first and most salads served in restaurants are so huge anyway that people don't really notice how much you are (or are not) eating. Also, don't forget to take your workout gear and get a quick workout in the hotel gym if you have time. Don't worry, you will do fine...

You really need to talk to Elfeepoo. She had her band removed a couple of months ago due to phrenic nerve pain in her shoulder that was caused by her band rubbing against her diaphragm. She can certainly explain to you what causes it and what she had to go through to have her band removed. She isn't on LBT very often these days, but she does pop in from time to time so you might want to send her a PM. Good luck to you!

I started with a BMI over 50 and other than the nutritionist asking if I had considered the sleeve (which my insurance wouldn't pay for) I was never discouraged from getting a lapband. My BMI is now under 40 (no longer morbidly obese) so the band is working for me.

I started therapy before surgery and I think it has made all the difference. In the past, I was never able to lose more than 30 lbs because I would start feeling deprived or just get bored and start eating all of the junk again. My therapist really helped me get my head on straight so I'm not constantly sabotaging myself.

Be careful not to set unrealistic expectations because it can lead to a lot of frustration. Also, don't compare your weight loss to others - everyone's journey is different. You will have weeks where you do everything right and don't lose at all and others when you don't eat right and lose...it is very unpredictable. I also recommend taking your measurements because when the scale isn't moving much you can take your measurements and see how far you've come.

Everyone is different with which foods they can/can't tolerate. I can eat anything (including bread)...that doesn't mean I do eat anything - for the most part, I stay away from bread, Pasta, etc because I find that I lose better eating low carb. You will have to see what works for you...

I'm so sorry you are going through all of this, Sara. Please let us know how you are doing with your surgery and recovery. You will definately be in my thoughts...

I don't have a problem with steak as long as it isn't dry (I like mine medium rare). I do have to cut it into smaller pieces that I would for chicken and make sure I chew it well but I have never gotten stuck on steak.

That's great! It's a bit of a process but looking back I'm glad it took several months because I used that time to work with my therapist to help get my head in the right place before having surgery. I think that has made such a difference for me! Good luck!

My NUT has told me that if I get to the end of the day and need more calories to drink a Protein shake. I don't do it often but there are some days I do need to do it to get in my calories. As far as fills go, nothing says you have to get a fill at every appointment. You should still go so they can weigh you and track your progress but if you are losing well and don't have any issues with portion size or getting hungry between meals then there is no reason to get a fill. For the first 4 months after surgery, I had a monthly appointment to be weighed and get a fill but I only got 1 fill during that time because most months I didn't need one. Now, I go in every 2 months for the same reason...

I don't think the OP was being slammed for one slip up but people were concerned that she was already planning to cheat again. We all have slip ups from time to time but deliberate cheating this early is another thing and is cause for concern.

I had to meet with a PA (Physicians Assistant) before surgery and it was very important because she is the one who I see at every appointment (except 2 week post op) and she does all of the fills.

Glad to have you join us!!

Name, real or screen~vickyd Age~45 Weight on June1st~242.6 Goal Weight for June 29th~232 Exercise Goal for June~Exercise 5 days/week Dietary Goal for June~keep protein levels at leat 80g/day Personal Goal for June~90 lbs down by my 24th wedding anniversary Date Banded~12/2/10 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~82.4

I do weigh daily...only once a day, first thing in the morning (after going to the bathroom). I like weighing daily because it helps keep me on track BUT you should only do it if you can handle the day to day fluctuations without getting crazy over them. I don't show a loss everyday and can bounce up and down a pound or more during the week. I also only "record" my weight once a week.

There are many people on here who have lost over 100 lbs. I am getting close, having lost 82 lbs since mid November.

Thanks! I am one of the lucky ones who felt restriction from the beginning...even when I got my fill, I was not having a problem with portion sizes but I was getting hungry about 2 hours after eating.

I was on mushies for 2 weeks but my instructions included tuna salad, chicken salad etc. As far as fills go, I keep a very loose band by most people's standards - I am able to eat sushi (chewed completely and swallowed in stages) and bread if I choose to. I have only had one fill since my surgery in December and I currently have 5 ccs in my band. At this fill level I do get stuck occaisionally and have PBd a couple if times but every time it happens I can point back to something I did wrong...eating too fast, too big bites, etc.

I do track my calories on a daily basis (I use the myfitnesspal app on my phone) and I see myself doing it for the foreseeable future. I like being able to see at a glance how many calories I have left for the day. This info helps me make better decisions about what I eat...for example, my band would allow me to eat a piece or two of pizza but it's not worth the calories for me to eat it. It's all about choices...I choose to track my calories so I stay within the right range to lose weight, I choose to limit my carbs because I lose more efficiently that way, I choose to exercise (although I have room for improvement in this area). This works for me...and the work is worth it because I've lost more weight than I have ever been able to lose in my life.

Mine is also from the start of my pre-op diet

I'll bet your surgeon does have those notes (I know mine had the notes from my knee surgery last year). Weight is normally part of your pre-op so they know how much medication/anesthesia to give during surgery. Good luck to you, too! You've done so well before surgery, I'm sure you'll do great after surgery.

Sure. The 5 year requirement was from my insurance company. I had to provide proof that I had been obese for at least 5 years. Normally, it wouldn't have been an issue for me because I have to see my endocrinologist every 6 months to monitor my TSH levels (I had a thyroidectomy in 1999) but I ran into problems because many of my doctors had purged my records and as you know, many of us with weight issues avoid going to the doctor unless we absolutely have to because we don't want to get the lecture about our weight. In order to fulfill the requirement, I had to get creative and remembered that they recorded my weight before my biopsy which happened to be 5 years prior (I had to request it in writing and it took about a week to get the records). I didn't have records for each of the 5 years prior (couldn't get records from years 3 and 4) but it was obvious that I didn't lose 150 lbs and the regain it in 2 years. If you have a requirement like that for your insurance company, it is possible that even though you refused to be weighed your doctor may have still noted that you were obese (I know my doctor checked that box on his form every time I went in). Also, if you did Weight Watchers or any other diet program it is possible that you can get those records...sometimes you just have to think outside the box...