elainad

I'm just tired of coming here reading this crap.You guys have ran off most of the successful banders with this constant whining.This was a good place for info.Now it's a pity party.

I second that emt stacey. bandcheaters is being a little rough. easy there killer. sensitivty is necessary when people are vulnerable.

The pain went away but my stress is at an all time high

stacey...how do u get your profile picture to appear underneath your screen name on here? when u click on my profile it shows up but when i leave post message replies it doesn't show up....let me know...thanks.

I agree. Stay away from the resturants. Go to the grocery store and get lots of organic, creamy soups. Amy's Organic is a great brand. Black bean puree, split pea puree, etc. They are very filling. Mix it up. Drink the yogurt. We are on solid food August 17th. We are almost there. I get frustrated too. I have a family of skinny people and I eat my soups for dinner while they eat regular dinners of steak and fish and prok. It sucks and it gets hard. But I foge ahead becuase I , like you, chose to do this. I agree wth Julie. Go out for a walk. Take some deep breaths. This too shall pass. We are almost there. Don't let anyone or anything get in the way of your focus. Husbands and boyfriends can be tough sometimes. They can't relate or undertand. Try to reduce your stress. Hang in there!

The pain went away but my stress is at an all time high

i love hearing about all ur weight loss. it's so encouraging. i start solid food on august 17th. was wodnering...do most of you eat low carb in addition to small portions and exercise? and if you are doing excercise...how rigoroous is the excercise?

Hey everyone --- you're all doing great!!!!!! I'm so excited to be getting banded later this month! I have a question -- do any of you exercise along with being banded? Does this help with losing the weight?

Alana

I have a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier named Molly who is 4 years old

I also have a french bull dog puppy named Coco whose 4 months old.

Oh my god Hades is the cutest!!! I want to give him kisses :kiss2:

I second that motion!!

I'll vote for you!!!

thank you for explaining that. it makes total sense now.

The reason for the "no snacks" rule is that the band stops us from eating too much at one time. If we spread out our eating, we are more likely to overeat because we won't have maxed out the pouch volume with our food.

Now, if you are really truthful with yourself and don't fudge on the 1200 calories, it doesn't really matter when you eat them (except for eating all your protein at once, which doesn't work--another issue entirely). But if we were able to stick to a 1200 calorie diet without the help of the band, we would lose weight too. The problem is that most of us can't do that, which is why we were banded in the first place.

By the way, I snack quite a bit, and I have been fairly successful with the band. I just wanted to point out the reason for the rule and the necessity of being careful not to go over the calorie limit, since the band won't stop us from exceeding it if we snack.

Thanks for your help!

And congrats on your jean victory. i bet it feels great!

Hi there, my surgeon advised me that a snack inbetween meal is okay. Like MamaMichelle suggested, get some 100 calories snacks.

I find that I am hungry every 2.5 hrs..and do snack if I need to. Plan your meals to include them and stay under 1200 calories and you will do great!

Hello All..

Was wondering...I know that once we get on the solid food phase we are to eat 1200 calories and 3 meals a day with no snacks in between. But what if you eat your three meals a day and you are hungry later on and haven't met your 1200 max of calories. Can you eat a snack to make up the difference to make it to 1200 calories? Does that make sense? CAn anyone help?

Thanks...Elaina

Hey Stacey...

It's Elaina. I too had diahhrea the first two days. I first had it after some apple juice. It was just too sweet for my belly. I even diluuted it and I still got it. So, maybe just re-evaluate the juices you are drinking. Also, part of it is due to the clear liquids going right through you. Linda (aka Phoenix) explained to me that the clear liquids phase is like a detox and diahrrea is one aspect of a detox. I too also have felt VERY sore. The gas pains are unbearable at times. Hang in there. I have been crushing my pills and adding them to gatorade. It is fine to do that. The reason they want us to stay away from solid foods is to let the stomach heal. That is very important. Even cottage cheese coudl make the band slip. The first two weeks are crucial healing weeks for our stomach. Don't worry about the yogurt. But I would forgo it for now till the solid food stage. Try the drinakable yogurt. Dannon has a good one. It will say right on the package...DRINKABLE YOGURT. How are you otherwise?

I am so mad at myself right now I could cry. I was banded on tues and have had diarrhea since and today I needed to take some meds and had to crush them and so I ate yogurt, just enough to get the pills down I was doing so well and was actually quite proud of myself

just needed to vent

and how long before it stops felling like my inside is ripping when I move??

Stacey

what's a lactate ringer? and where did they put them?

I was there about 10 in the morning wearing sandals, jean shorts and a black t-shirt -- utterly unmemorable ;-) I waited until about 11 for a fill. There was a husband and wife team, two people who had been banded (One named Nancy who got dental work) and AlainaD and her mom. My picture is on the profile page.

My cat had renal failure at 16 1/2 and I gave her ringers lactate (lactated ringers) subcutaneously for 7 months. The water alone weighed 2.2 lbs, but the added salts and sodium lactate made it 3 pounds. We had the same brand in the OCC. Three of them...I counted. (and sped them up as soon as the nurse left the room)

How are you going to lose the extra weight? You're going to pee them out, just like the rest of us did It isn't fat, it's just fluid. Your body will let them go when it's ready. And it will be ready as your internal organs un-inflame and your bruises heal. No worries.

Hi Trudy...

It was ncie to read your post. I am on day 3 since my surgery. I unfortunately do have immense gas pains i my chest, shoulders, and abdomen. But it comes and goes... So what are cheezies?

Elaina

I need to ask a kind of gross question. But I am in te same stage you are...clear liquids. However today I got the runs at the end of the day. Is it normal to get the runs sometimes when all you are drinking are liquids?

Elaina

My diet needs a little mix up here. Please post what you are drinking in the clear liquid stage so that I can get some variety in my life.

1.) Aquafina Water

2) Chicken Boulion cubes - low sodium

3.) Water with Crystal Light pouch

4.) crystal light popsicles (homemade in those containers from Target)

5.) otterpops

6.) diluted apple juice

7.) diluted apple juice popsicles (homemade in those containers from Target)

8.) diluted grape juice

9.) diluted grape juice popsicles (homemade in those containers from Target)

10.) Gatorade

What else are you cooking up? There has to be more to be offered!

Go you! I totally would have said that to her face. As a matter of fact, you still can. How dare she! But you are right. She's so unhappy in her own life that she has to criticize someon else's. Be strong. You did a great thing for yourself. I am on my way into surgery tomorow morning. Your weight loss is incredible....I saw your ticker. I pray for the same success. You're doing awesome and don't let these losers put you down. Hold your head up high...it takes great courage to do what we are all doing! Screw this co-worker!

Elaina

I posted this on my blog, but I'm so mad, I had to share it with you all. I hope none of you every have to deal with a person life this, but if you do, feel free to take my response and use it as your own.

Today I had a confrontation with one of THOSE people. The type of person that truly believes weight loss surgery is an easy way out and that I should have just ate less and exercised more. It was a co-worker of mine, someone I don't care for very much, and unfortunately she found out about my surgery. Apparently, she thought it was her duty to tell me that I had wasted my money, that I should have just been more disciplined in my choices and that I should have tried harder. This is what I wish I could have said to her:

EXCUSE ME????? Who are you to tell me that my decision is wrong? Who are you to tell me that I didn't try hard enough? Were you there the nights I cried myself to sleep because I had been called fat that day? Were you there every time I attempted a new diet and failed? How dare you tell me to try harder. That is what I've been doing for the last 8 years - trying to get a grip on my weight and my life. That is what I was doing when I decided to have this surgery. Who are you to tell me what to do with my money? If I want to take $8,000 and have a surgery that could save my life, that's what I'm gonna do. Hell, if I wanted to take that $8,000 and set it on fire, THAT'S MY BUSINESS. Who are you to think that your opinion belongs anywhere in my life? I'm sorry that you're so unhappy with your own life that you have to criticize the lives of others.

And when I told you in a fairly polite tone that how I spend my money is my business, how dare you tell me not to get an attitude. Get a life, lady, and stay out of mine!

Thannks for the tip Bragman. I just bought the book. I'm at Lucerna tonight getting ready for bed because I am having surgery tomorrow morning. Thank again for the tip. Let the tips keep on coming everyone!!

Elaina

hey beautiful lady! wish you were closer so we could do this together i didn't have my first "movement" since surgery on friday till TODAY. boy did it feel nice to get that out but kinda hurt on the exit my chest pain was for about 3 days, maybe four and then way better... hardy at all now. you can do it! warm bevies seem to be more soothing and help with the gas issues - broth (low on the sodium though), peppermint tea, camomile tea. always have a mug in your hand and those liquids will do their job. careful on the "help" with the bowels - diarrhea is not going to feel very good right now - your tummy needs calm.

love ya!

Hey Shannon,

Thanks for sharing all the your thoughts and experiences. I am go in T minus 2 days and all this feedback from you and tohers is really helpful and I know what to be prepared for....

BE well and relax.Elaina =D>

Well said Kim! I agree...this forum is a wonderful place!!!

Hello everyone. I just wanted to say thank you all as well. I haven't even had my surgery yet (it's this Tuesday) but you all have been so supportive and have put up with all my questions about the surgery. It's amazing. I dream about the day Kim described...where I can feel like a person again (i feel like i am only half living, you know?) ...i long to be proud to look at my self in the mirror. I just want to ask anyone who wants to answer...with all the changes you have to make in your lives and even in light of some physical uncomfortable moments because of the lap band...would u all do it over again if you had the chance? or would you change our mind?

Elaina-

Has anyone read the post op and fill book by Ortiz? How much can you eat at a time when you are in your "Sweet Spot"?

A fellow Otriz bandster was filled in Texas (first fill) at 2.4 and was given the book that said only 1/3 cup at a meal, total.

Is anyone living on so little and doing okay?

where can you buy this post-op and fill book? online? what's the name of it?

Thanks for the well wishes. I am esxcited but as the countdown in hours starts i am getting super nervous.

I will be getting my band on August 4 th Good luck.

I am trying to organize all my lap band friends into a category on myspace. I have several of you on there already, but if you have a myspace and haven't added me yet..here is my page.

My Myspace

what a great idea. i just friended you!!!!

Elaina

Hey there Shannon. So glad ot get an update. I hope everything went well today. Like everyone sys you are in gret hands. I have 6 days and counting. I can't wait. i wish July 29th was tomorrow! I can't wait to hear about your experience. Get some rest and be well. Can't wait to hear form you!

Elaina

I'm in Tijuana now, gearing myself up for the 7:15am pick up by Ernesto. I get my tests / bloodwork done in the morning, and go from there

I just want to thank all of you guys for being so encouraging and positive the past few weeks.

It's because of that I'm not a nervous wreck right now. I'm here by myself, but I don't feel like I am because I have so many good friends that I've met through here (Heidi, Dawnie, Denise, and of course Bill )

Honestly -- thank you all! I'll be sure to keep you posted on the action

ps... I love the zebra donkeys!!!

Way to go Alana. I am new and get banded on the 28th of July. I look forward to when I can share a weight loss milestone.

Elaina

Ok so I am doing my pre op and have not lost any weight, I get banded on the 29th, will they still do it??

Hello...my name is Elaina. I am also getting banded on July 29th. You have to lose at least 5 pounds. What are you doing to lose that weight...which diet option? Either option, you are taking in less than or about 1,000 calories. What exactly are you eating? Also, are you writing it down? That helps a lot so that you can look back on what you've eaten in the day. Also...any excercise?

Elaina

Welcome. I too am new. I have my surgery on July 29th and it feels amazing to finally make this decision. I'm 28 and at a crossroads in my life. I am like you. Diet and excercise has only go time so ar. I am exhausted from playing tennis 2 hours twice a week and pilates every day of the week. I am just beat. So tired from fighting this war with my weight. You are not alone. We are all here to help. Message me anytime.

Best,

Elaina DiCarlo

Hi everyone. My name is Elaina. I am having the lap band surgery on July 28th. Not technically August but close enough, right? I am excited about this decision and the ability we all have to communicate through this forum. But I have to admit, I am scared. How did you all feel after the surgery...Did you throw up? Were you sick to your stomach? Can you feel the device inside you? I know these seem like silly questions...But I would love to her from anyone. Thanks Elaina :lb12:

P.S. Good Luck to all of your out there like me who are embarking on this new journey....