CindyLou

I am so happy to hear that you are feeling better. Don't be alarmed if you initially gain a little weight....3 or 4 lbs...due to becoming more hydrated. At least a few of those lbs could have come from not having enough fluids. BUT...once you get back in balance I have a feeling your are going to start losing again. And getting those fluids down are going to make SUCH a difference in how you feel. Yep, it will be baby time soon. The main reason I got the band was to lose weight and get healthy before having a baby. (and of course keep it off for a lifetime..)I want to start off health in the beginning. So I figure 2-3 more months of losing (hopefully 20-30 more lbs now that I have a good fill)...then 2 months of a holding pattern, then BABY TIME. I am going through some major changes at work (good changes) and then it will be a good time to shake things up a bit )

you can also use Cauliflower (sp) to make mash potatos

how did it go today??

I don't know why I have shoukder pain. I am one of the unlucky ones who have had it since surgery. It is thought the be related to aggravation of the phenic nerve. It hurts when I am hungry, when I eat too much, and apparently when I get a fill.

have a total of 2.7.....up from 2.2. Didnt feel much of a difference with lunch but then I did eat light. But Damn this shoulder pain. It's as bad as the day after my surgery. I barely made it home without crying. I hope it gets better fast. Oh well, its worth it.

Hi! I applaud you for posing this question. Now, I am not making jusdgement here but I know first hand that being banded can have profound emotional effects even if there is not a potential addiction. In fact, an active addiction to alcohol or drugs is a clear contraindication. As a bandster, a healthcare provider and someone who care, I suggest you see a counselor and evaluate your drinking prior to moving forward. You might be surprised how easily you can give it up or you may find it isnt so easy. But you will be doing yourself a favor by tackling one issue at the time. I am sure with the right direction you will be able to acheive your goal of being banded. Take care of yourself! This was my honest and straightforward answer.

I'm going for a fill this coming saturday 12th at 1030 am....anyone else going to be there??

My shoulder pain is worse when I am hungry and is bad when I'm between lunch and dinner with no snack. It's been better lately, but until about 6 months after my surgery I wondered if I could take it. I'm glad I stuck it out but it was bad for a while.

Just be careful of the "service charge" or "origination fee" . I found that once you add that charge in the interest rate was inflated and it came out better for me to do a loan through my credit union. Just ask if there are any fees' Good luck.

I feel it's more about how much you swallow at the time, not how big the bite it. I tend to take "double" bites, chew chew chew and then swallow small portions at the time.

I think it has something to do with whether I am sitting or standing too! If I start the meal standing then it doesn't happen. I do think I need a fill as I am able to eat a lot more than a cup of food at each sitting. I ate a whole tuna sandwhich today and barely felt full. So I go in next saturday and I am looking forward to it!

I can eat way more than a cup once the first few bites are down. I am chewing A LOT. And taking TINY TINY bites. It's conflicting signs. Too tight but then I can eat too much. I don't get it.

The thing is that a too tight band can quickly turn into an emergency and lost band. When the band isn't too tight you have "wiggle' room if you swell with your period or get a little inflammation, or something. It can also cause spasms, gastric reflux which can cause esophogeal ulcers, and a too tight band can cause slippage, erosion, or stretching of the pouch. In the long run you will not lose more weight as you will be "drinking" your calories and defeating the purpose of the band. Hope this helps.

I suppose ANYTHING is possible, however doesn't sound likely.

I was told I could have coffee starting with the same day of my surgery. In fact it was on the list...and actually they served it at the OCC post op to the person in the room next to me.

Alcohol should never be taken within 12-24 hrs of any procedure....even simple dental work.... Outside of that time, I wouldn't think it would be a problem...other than empty calories. I am surprised they didn't cancel the fill if she smelled of alcohol.

I would be THRILLED with 5 lbs a month. I lost 15 lbs right off the bat....like in the first 4 weeks, and then I've only been like 2 per month since. But yes I have heard of your body settling in at a previous weight that you may have been at for years prior. It's called something like "state of previous obesity" so there's actually a name for it.

Ok, so I sit down to eat and every time the first few bits bet STUCK. I then get u and walk and move side to side and I can hear it gurgling down....sometimes I PB with little effort...totally controlled though...I just push a little and it comes up. Then I sit back down to eat and all is well. In fact once that happens sometime I can eat more than I would think I should be able to eat without what I would imagine is good restriction. It's almost like it clamps down when food first goes down them lets up. After the first few bits of being stuck the the eating is normal as long as i am chewing correctly, which I do religiously. I am getting hungry between meals and though I am losing, not as fast as many of you. I've been choosing my foods more wisely lately hoping to put off a few lbs before my class reunion in Oct. I called the clinic but we keep missing each other when he calls back. But does this mean I need a tighter fill, an unfill, or nothing. I made an appt for sept 12 at 1030 for a flouroscopy to see if they can tell. I read that is there was even a little slip it could cause a little pouch budge that could be catching that first bite and causing the spasm. Anyone have that? I certainly don't want a complete unfill. I know I might need a little unfill and I will go with their advice. Any ideas???? Oh, and what I eat doesn't matter. It can be anything from pudding to steak. Still gets stuck....then with movement and a little burp or hiccup, and an occasional, it's all fine. Please help anyone! Do you think I may have stretched my pounch?????

Oh, yea lots and lots of gas. Still. I take gas X EVERY DAY religiously with lunch!!! And them sometimes again after dinner.

Ok, so we all hate you now....LOL. Just joking of course!! Congrats on the insurance. Mine had too many hoops, restrictions, and waiting periods so I didn't mess with it. When I decided I was ready and I would have had to wait a year under a physician supervised weight loss program, paying out of my own pocket. Oh, and I would have had to gain 25 lbs before entering the program because I would have been required to lose at least 10% of my body weight which would have put me under the BMI cutoff. It was stupid. I am so happy for you!!!!

I'm on operation size 14 right now. Even at 140 lbs I BARELY wore a 10! My goal size is a nice solid 12.

I have used mine at souplantation, denny's, IHOPE and numerous times at Hilton breakfast buffets. One time at the Hilton they didn't even charge me!

OMG

I drive over the border and haven't had any problems. Go straight to OCC and straight back. However, in two weeks I plan to do some shopping so I will park.

I had surgery in Nov. 08 and still have shoulder pain. I was told that it was some type of aggravation of the phrenic nerve and has nothing to do with the gas now that is has been 9 months. It's annoying but I can deal with it.