Lapband92410

This call seems to have regained momentum. If anybody is interested in having the call next Wed. Please email me directly. I'd love to chat to fellow bandsters.

MEALS? ISN'T THIS YOUR FIRST FILL?

This is my first fill and you are right, I wouldn't have to spend money on meals if I stayed overnight but i would on hotel. Just trying to see if I can return the same day and it looks like from everyone's comments, plenty have done it before without a problem.

This is interesting, I am coming for a first fill- I had read on the successfull fill thread that dolittle posted that at least sticking around over night, just in case something happens you aren't having to fly all the way back? so I was thinking of spending the night at a motel 6 by the airport and leaving in the morning, but I'd rather fly home that night

Hmmmm.

That's exactly where I read this, it was a dolittle's post. I am going to fly back home and take a little bit of a risk. I am staying all doing long. I booked the first flight in and the last flight out. If worse comes to worse, I fly back. It would cost just about the same as a hotel and meals because I am so close.

You can go home the same day. I did...

I read somewhere it was a good idea to test the fill for a couple of das before returning home in case there's a problem. But I will just come back the same days. Thanks girls!

Trying to economize a little by not spending the night. I live in the bay area so it's an hour flight for me. Is it a terrible idea to get the fill and fly back that same day or do you think it's definetely necessary to spend the night?

Please help!

DARN, I FORGOT ABOUT THIS, DON'T GIVE UP

Awww thank you. I hope more people join next week. Thanks for the encouragement

Unfortunately, I didn't get any callers on today's call, so from here on, I will only hold the call when at least 3 people have confirmed they will be attending.

I am working tonight but will be there in spirit.

We'll miss you! See you next week.

Hi everyone, I just wanted to remind everyone about our weekly call. Today at 6PM Pacific. I look forward to hearing from you.

Also, I have one person sharing today. Is there anyone else who would like to share?

Judith

Awesome idea. I worry about my protein too. I'll be trying this.

I am still on liquids and I try and drink 1 1/2 liters a day like Dr. Miranda suggested to me. I guess maybe it is that I am not getting enough protein I don't know Why I didn't even think about that (maybe cause I am so darn hungry) What sorts of liquid protein are there for me to take?

You're on full liquids right? The protein shakes like canuk98828 are good. There's also protein in yogurt and some of your soups if they have grains, like lentils. Have you tried calling Dr. Miranda for some advice? You shouldn't be feeling soo tired all the time. I hope you feel better sweety. Good luck

'are you getting enough protein and staying hydrated? I am worried about your low energy and just wanted to check in with you.

That may be the reason why you're being so lethargic. I know I don't feel that way. I remember in some of the documentation I received on the day of the surgery at OCC something about feeling too tired that the reason could be that you're a little dehydrated. Look through your paperwork, you may be able to find it. I always try to get my water in by setting aside my daily allotment. Also, the same documentations said we should be eating 30 grams of protein a day.

This was actually a bit of a shocker for me. I did not realize how much I lived around eating. A lot like a smoker. I am having to relearn how to watch tv, play cards with family and even just hang out with people. Since I am a southern girl there is food everywhere and it is a social thing to do. It has really been hard. I put my elliptical in my living room so that when I start to get snacky while watching TV or a movie I just hop on for about 10 minutes and then I am so pumped and proud of myself that i forget about the snack or that sugar free jello looks a little better than it did 10 minutes ago. I sip on water while talking with friends or playing games too. I know there are other things but those are the largest right now.

Isn't amazing how everything we do in this society is connected to food, food, food! Especially being a southern girl, I am originally from Mexico and food is also at the center of everything. I think that the elliptical idea was excellent!!! I did the same thing with my threadmill. It also doesn't need to be long, sometimes 10 min of doing something else, is enough to snap us out of it. You are doing awesome!

First and foremost I want to congratulate you on your successes. You are doing absolutely awesome. I have also tried to replace my sitting in front of the TV and "grazing" with going out for a walk. My dogs are loving it. We are all getting better in shape. I also am keeping my hands busy with crafts, something I have always loved doing and with the cooler weather it is easier to have them on my lap. My biggest trigger is on breaks at work - everyone in the break room is munching and I find I am starting to want to do it as well. I thought I might go for walks but as I am on my feet all day at work, sitting is a great break. Any thoughts?

Thank you! Congrats to you too!!! I am just trying to keep motivated. I hear you about breaks at work and all the food that surrounds them. I would actually try to prepare myself with a delicious drink, be it tea, crystal light, something satisfying but not fattening and I would arm myself with a trashy magazine or a book to focus my attention on that instead of the food. I would also try to make that the time when I plan something. I have been really obsessed lately with making lists. Lists of what I'll eat, grocery shop, exercise routine, something, I would make that my "planning time". Good luck!

I think this topic is interesting and I wanted to hear what technique you have all used to break those bad habits. When I scheduled the surgery, I was asked to quit smoking. It was hard but it got easier. I noticed that certain activities and rituals would trigger my desire to smoke. Like I loved to talk on the phone and smoke, I also loved to drive and smoke. I noticed that just by avoiding certain situations, would prevent me from wanting to light up. I also noticed that replacing one habit with another has helped tremendously. For instance, now when I get on the phone, if Im home, I go to the swing in my backyard, now instead of lighting up as soon as I get in the car, I chew on some sugar free gum. I havent had a cigarette since pre-op and have no desire to start again. Itll be 4 weeks this Sunday. I had been a smoker for about 15 years about as long as I have been addicted to food. I am thinking that this same technique might work with my food addiction as well. Now as soon as I start getting the desire to eat something I shouldnt, I go for a walk, I go for 10 min in one direction and 10 min back. Thats a 20 min walk! It doesnt feel like much of an effort and best of all, it takes my mind off of the eating. I used to always eat and watch TV, whether I was hungry or not. I have replaced this habit with drinking crystal light. This helps me with my daily intake of water too. I am an emotional eater too, whenever I face a stressful situation I immediately want to take to the pantry. I have been pretty relaxed since my surgery but I think that thinking about my triggers and planning on what I will do when I face them, should help me be more successful. I actually plan on calling my support line (we should all have one) when I face such a situation or trying different breathing techniques or yoga, which I love, when I finally encounter a difficult moment.

I think that its key to identify the triggers/rituals and coming up with some replacements will prepare us to be successful. I was wondering if you would like to share what some of your triggers/rituals are and what replacement techniques have worked for you. I have actually written a list for myself and I think this has helped me tremendously.

How to do this?

Identify habit or ritual

Plan on how to stop/modify/inhibit/replace

Have a brutally honest journal

Good luck on this journey to all!

We had our first call today. There were 4 paticipants including the moderator: Emily, Coleen, Tammy and Judith. I know the group was small but it gave us an opportunity to chat without a specific format in mind. 3 of the participants have been banded within the last 3 weeks and 1 was banded in April this year. It is exciting to hear that one of the particpants is going on solids tomorrow. Good luck to you. And to Tammy and myself let's just keep at it for one more week. Coleen, I hope that it was of someo comfort to talk to other bandsters, even us newbie's.

I hope to see you on the call next week so that we can start forming a sense of a community. It was very nice to hear your intros, where you are at, what kind of struggles you are facing. I hope this call was as helpful to you as it was for me.

Talk to you soon and everyone else welcome to join us next week.

Judith

What that means is,, its best to try to eat something before you leave San Diego/TJ. If your too tight and you've flown home, you could end up having to find a doctor that will do an "unfill". Bands can be fickle and when you get close to your sweet spot, somedays you'll find you can eat more than you should and then there will be days where you can't eat much. But getting a fill and being too tight can be a major pain in the butt. That's why everyone that travels a long way stays over one night or two, it's to stick around the area and see if they don't have any complications from the fill they had the days before. I know most doctors will tell you to be on liquids for a few days after a fill, which is a good idea, in case your stomach becomes irritated. I've seen some patients have reactions to an aggressive fill and end up having half of their fill removed. That's why I always tell everyone that wants an aggressive fill to be really careful, take baby steps to that sweet spot.

Thank you for the advice. So it I am on a liquid diet and I'm there only for the day, can I test with liquids? Would I be able to tell?

What does it mean to test your fill? I will be doing my first fill and I don't know what you mean by that.

This is a great post. Keep them coming. I am still on the full liquid diet. Day 12 today but I am trying to get an idea of what it will be like once I start eating solids.

Also, quick question, how does it feel the first time you eat solids? I ask because I am going on a camping trip and it starts the Friday I am supposed to start solids. I was wondering if I should consider carrying over the liquids for 3 more days. I don't want to get stuck while I'm out in the wilderness. What if I'm in pain or I really get stuck. What do you guys think?

I think I can make this, that is my goal. thanks.

I hope to see you there :-)

**Note: This call will only be held if at least 3 people email me confirming their participation. So, if intersted, send me a note letting me know you'll be there for sure.**

Alright bandsters, Just as I thought, the idea of a conference call has generated sufficient interest. I just want to clarify, there will be no professionals on the call, just fellow bandsters who believe that talking is the best medicine. We will discuss what we have gone through, everything from successes, failures, excitement, problems, solutions. Let's all unite and talk about what has worked for us and what hasn't, share about any resources that have been useful to you etc.

Also, pre bandsters welcome. If you are considering lap band surgery and want to talk to other bandsters, you're welcome to join the call.

We'll meet on Wednesdays at 6PM Pacific Time/9PM Eastern for about an hour, whatever works. The format I propose.

Introductions (optional, you don't have to talk if you don't want to, just listen): Name, Surgery Date, Decision Weight, Surgery Weight, Current Weight, Briefly what you've been eating (liquid diet, first week full liquids, etc), Briefly Week's experience (how did you live the last week on the diet that you've been following).

Sharing: I will begin sharing this week. I will talk about my story, who am I, my lifetime struggle with weight up until surgery, I will talk about my surgery and how it's been for me since. If anyone else would like to share, please email me beforehand so that I can allocate sufficient time.

Problems and solutions: Here's where fellow bandsters can bring up a problem and other bandsters can discuss what has worked for them.

Q&A: Have questions, just ask. Somebody surely has gone through this before.

If you think I should include other items in the meeting format, please let me know. Happy trails to you all and talk to you soon.

Here's the call in info.

Dial-in number

1 (213) 289-5450

Access code

763-6144

My best friend is getting it done on the 8th. She flies in on the 7th at 8pm. Anyone else being picked up at that time? She's hoping here will be more people in the van.

How many people have sought counselling for the mental part of there weight loss journey. I am finding i am really struggling with being hungry all the time. I just had my second fill and i am eating less and i know its not a physical hunger.

I haven't done the counseling yet. I was looking at OA (overeaters anonymous) and it could be a good program for me. The band has certainly helped the physical aspect but there's a lot of emotional loose ends I need to tie. I am also going to start a phone support group with people here in the forum just to swap stories, I think talking helps.

Hi Deb, How did your surgery go? Hope everything went well.

Ather thing that helps is drinking very slowly. Taking sips of your clear liquids. It takes me 20 min to drink a half a cup of liquid. That's what helped me the most.