desertgal

I have been banded for 3 months now and have lost 15lbs. since June which has been a slowwww progress. I have been lagging on my second fill as my first fill was at the end of July, 6 weeks after the surgery. I don't have a lot of restriction so I've just stuck to the lapband diet until my next fill this saturday. I was just concerned because I have never PB'd or Slimed (not that I want to of course!) but I know that these two things are typically sign of "good" restriction. I swear, sometimes, I don't even feel like I've had the surgery!

BE THANKFUL!! IT'S NOT A GOOD THING!

Keep up the good work sticking to the food plan & be patient.

Erica,

I booked my appt and sent payment, then told my husband. He knows I've struggled with this issue for YEARS - (we've been married 29!) He was concerned especially when I told him I wanted to go alone - which I suggest, since you are in great hands getting over the border & throughout the whole process. You are there to recover and rest after your banding, so what is the person who goes with you going to do? I didn't want to impose on anyone in any way. You have a phone in your room. I called my hubby 3 times surgery day. All went well. If you are for sure you are doing this, I suggest you think about the way I did it - I didn't want anything to get in my way of postponing my decision once I finally made up my mind.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. This is a hard decision but if you decide to go through with it, it will change your life and how you feel about yourself.

Good Luck to you.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the suggestion on the SOBE water. I'm heading out to the store and have it on my list.

I've got a GREAT FIND. It's a Low Glycemic FAT BURNING coffee that tastes amazing. It uses a special patented buffered caffeine that is not the same as regular caffeine (which they have proven stores fat) You can order a free sample (that makes a full pot of the coffee) at this site www.OrganicCoffeeForWeightLoss.com (there's also a free sample available of their green tea)

The other GREAT FIND that I think is most important is a 100% Natural, Low Glycemic, Sugar Replacement made from the Acai Berry. It's earned the kid friendly, diabetic friendly & low glycemic seals from the Glycemic Research Institute. It tastes, feels and bakes just like sugar (no artificial anything in it) We've got to get our kids off sugar!

Make it a great week.

Nicole is it possible for you to get your band unbuckled? Then rebuckled after swelling goes down?

I had no idea it was possible until I found someone on LBT who had it done!

I would be interested in this answer as well...anyone know??

Nicole,

OMG girl!!....what a great attitude you have. Can you give us some insight as to what happened?

my thoughts/prayers are with you

Please reply

thanks

Cyndi

Ok, so in my ongoing effort to find every possible thing there might be to worry about (and then worry about it), I've come up with this: I don't think I can take bites the size of a standard pencil eraser. I just don't see how I'm going to do that - I take huge bites now. I'm trying to gradually pair down the size of my bites and chew thoroughly, but I don't think I'm ever going to be able to stick with the "pencil eraser" size - that's barely enough to even taste the food! Anyway, give me some feedback here - what size bites actually work for you - the dreaded pencil eraser, or can you go up to say, the size of a die (as in, pair of dice) - as long as good chewing is involved? One Australian doc's website says your bites should be about half the size they are now, chewed 20 times - or right after a fill, about a quarter of the size they are now - is this realistic?

My girlfriend actually used childrens utensils to succeed at this...she's a lapband spokesperson now- she's lost 120lbs! (You gotta find what works for you.) I had a struggle with this at first also. You will get it with time.

I don't drink coffee so i'm no help there, but I drink alcohol on a regular basis. I know of no issues but you need to count it in your calorie intake. Also, i'd say you need to be very careful that you do not drink to excess. I know for me my tolerance is now shot - I used to be able to throw them back with the rest of them now that is soooo not true! So take your time and know your limits b/c you don't want to be getting sick. That would be the biggest issue if you get sick and risk slipping.

As long as you are counting your calories I see no issue. Now, I still do no carbonation, so I stick to wine or drinks like vodka and cranberry but otherwise i've had no issues.

Thank you Shelby...that makes so much sense to me! I really want my coffee, but this helps with the alcohol issue...I think the band has forced me to be careful, so that is another great health advantage!!

I will call OCC and ask so I can put this to rest.

There seems to be alot of confusion on this subject.

I wish one of the doctors would reply!!

I drink tons of water since I live in the desert...my water intake is probably one of the highest of most people. I dont drink soda, tea or any other type of drink other than water...every once in awhile I will drink a diet snapple.

I totally understand all the "empty calorie" issues...what I am concerned about is DAMAGEto the band.

Does anyone have any facts about this?

thanks

I like both coffee every morning and alcohol socially. Is there a threat to your band if you drink either of these? I read something a long time ago that said these are both big no-nos. Does anyone out there have any facts on this?

thanks

meant to say, The ORAC value of 3000 is PER SERVING

Hi all, I've been taking a wonderful liquid vitamin for the past 2 years. It tastes like peach nectar. it has 17 calories per serving. Whatever you find out there, check its orac value. This vitamin has a 3000 ORAC value (ORAC stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity. Researchers at the National Institute of Aging developed ORAC testing as a way to measure the level of antioxidant protection capacity of a product or food. If a product has a high ORAC value, it has the ability to neutralize many free radicals.Diets that are plentiful in high ORAC foods are associated with decreased disease risks,2 and more recent studies are trying to clarify which compounds are responsible for those benefits.) It's only $20 per month! You cant buy it in the stores. If you want more info send me a private message.

Hi,

Your situation sounds serious with the pain over the band area

did you have to have band removed?

I hope not but if yes, how long were you at the OCC?

what was the cost? how are you now??

so many that worry this could happen have these questions.

Can someone explain the benefits of drinking pineapple juice. ???

Does this help you if you're stuck? if so, how?? any liquid makes it come up when you eat +

It seems it would be irritating (too acidic)

I saw it in an earlier post & now can't find it to reply and get more details.

so great to have this board....

thanks

I am a stomach sleeper....I was on my side for 2 weeks, then back to my tummy due to my wonderful bed.

Buy a SLEEP number bed like I did...it's awesome!!

The best thing you can do is pick up the phone and call doc.

good luck

Thanks for the reply....please let me know what doc says...it happened again tonight...I took 3-4 small bites of some awesome tender chicken and that stuck feeling, so i stopped...what a bummer. I hope all is ok

Good Luck to you.

Cyndi

I think there's a lighthouse tour in point loma

shelter island is nice...great restaurants on the water

you might go to tripadvisor and check out what others are saying

have fun and good luck with your surgery.

doc is a real doll, all the way around-you are in great hands & won't want to leave the nice

facility.

Hi all,

I had my banding last february....this has been a challenging journey. I still have many days that my food gets stuck. Yes, I am eating small bites.

Have any of you experienced prolonged days when your food seems to stick meal after meal? I feel like I need to take extra vitamins when this happens, as there would be no way I am getting good nutrition. I wonder if I should revert back to the liquids for a few days until whatever has happened settles? I've had only 2 fills..the last one was in July 08.

What are your secrets when you have this happen?

Call me a "slow learner" - still struggling with this

I have appt with doc march 1...will be disussing this issue. I sure hope all is ok

I look forward to reading any of your replies - hoping someone has an answer to this.

thanks for sharing

Hi, I'm SheRee. I've posted a few times but nobody responds. I'm new and maybe I don't know what I'm doing. I have surgery scheduled for DEcember 29th and I'm starting to get nervous. Just say hi and good luck or something so I know people are out there.

SheRee

HI

you won't want to leave the OCC...they are awesome and treat you like GOLD!! what a great way to start 2009!!

Hi all,

I've had my band for 10 months and realize the importance of regular intake of vitamins once you have this procedure done.

I can't take capsules or pills, so I took my time looking for a quality liquid vitamin. (most are expensive!!) I have used this vitamin (Epic Ultra) for 4 months now and love it. It tastes like peach nectar. If you want more info, go here http://www.nhrproducts.com/260

its VERY affordable ($19.95) - you can check out the supplement details on the link...they have a money back guarantee too.

If you don't choose this one, be SURE to get your vitamins somewhere!!

Has anyone driven over the border to the clinic? If it cost to much we may have to that for my fill on the 16th. What do I need to know and do? Any other ideas? I don't have much time to decide.

Bubs

same here....i park in parking lot...walk across...catch cab...it's super easy...show cab driver name/address of dr ortiz and most of them know where it is...during the week is the BEST option so you don't have the long lines

good luck!

Yes, Stevia is the "herb" to switch too..healthy and very sweet.....I have been using it for about 18 months...it's getting expensive since it's becoming popular...(and since coca cola decided to use it!) I buy mine through website at iherb.com

Studies have shown that stevia extract effectively regulates blood sugar.

Stevia Rebaudiana is an herb in the Chrysanthemum family which grows wild as a small shrub in parts of Paraguay and Brazil. The glycosides in its leaves, including up to 10% Stevioside, account for its incredible sweetness, making it unique among the nearly 300 species of Stevia plant

Hi hanna! I will be banded on the 27th - Im so excited but sometimes the food cravings totally make me forget about what I REALLY want. Starting tomorrow I am going to try and walk around the neighborhood. I am also determined for NO slip ups. I am cutting out Diet Coke ive heard that helps too- I have ONE more left in my fridge!!! AHH! ) hahaha Anyway I just pray that i lose some weight. I am sure i will see you out there! ) Good luck!!!!

Mackenzie

glad you are quitting with the diet coke now....NO carbonated drinks for 6 months post op.

Good Luck and enjoy that last one!