Banded-May23-07

I found a Starbucks Chia Soy Latte to be soothing, and delicious. Still do.

Nancy I had a nervous nelly b/f too... So much so, that a year and a half ago I allowed him to talk me out of it... he was obsessed with the dangers, etc. Well, a couple of months ago, I called and scheduled, obtained the flight and financing.. then told him a few days before I departed. I was much firmer in the way I communicated what I felt and desired, and communicated that I was all ready scheduled and as much as I wanted his support, I was going with or with out it. I am glad he did not come with me... I think I would have expended a lot of energy comforting him. I think it is way cool, that you are bringing a girlfriend... Everything will be real smooth. I am sure your results will be positive. In retrospect, he admits that he was a little pessimistic, and he is happy with the results. Oh! Get this, he thinks I am courageous. Ha.  He sees that I am happier, healthier... and agrees it was a good decision. It goes with out saying, but Your b/f loves you... he is just worried about loosing you. The unknown is a scary place. Based on my experience, Mexico has surpassed the US when it comes to healthcare, the hospital was cleaner, the quality of care was higher, and appeared to be more organized. You will be in good hands. Good luck to you and your friend.

OMG! Amazing story... your have motivated me to do some research... I am off to United Health Care's website. I will let us know what I discover, thank you for your post. I love this website! > Thanks!

Hip Hip Hooray!! 45 by 45! Excellent work. Woo hoo! Congrats!!

I need a fill, I am no longer restricted, and it scares me a bit. I have lost 26 pounds, but have not lost any weight in three weeks, eventhough I work out everyday. My hunger is creeping up again, and I now reallize that I have to address this; it's time. I tried fill centers, and called 1800 lapband.. to no avail. I even tried calling in the phone book... but many doctors are skittish about accepting me, or want $1,000.00 for the first visit. For $1,000. I can fly back to Dr. Ortiz... I am really looking for a cost effective solution, and am feeling frustrated and afraid that I may blow this. I am not cheap... it's just that I am still paying for the initial surgury... and I don't have lot's of money to throw around. I am looking for a fill doctor in New York City. If you know of one, I would really appreciate your reply. Many Thanks!!! >

Dreamhappy, I love your posts, I appreciate your honesty. After about a week of liquids, I wanted to chew on something, anything - I fell into a snack bag of potato chips, but instead of swallowing, I spit them out. I stood over the garbage in my kitchen chewing and spitting... my b/f came in and exclaimed, "What are you doing?" Up until his harsh question, I did not think there was anything wrong with what I was doing... after all I was satisfying a craving... a need to chew. Seems logical to me, perfectly normal. If you have an itch, scratch right? I told him I just need to chew on something... he appeared disgusted. As result, I felt a little sheepish. But hey.. seemed like a good thing at the time. He quickly reminded me I just spent thousands of dollars, and I should follow the plan... So the question is: Is chewing and spitting ok? Below is a post I found on the internet, written by a Doctor: "The simple answer is that the calories absorbed from chewing and spitting are negligible. Since food is not exposed to digestive enzymes of the gastrointestinal tract, fats, proteins and carbohydrates cannot be digested (broken down into small pieces) and therefore not absorbed. In fact, only an invert sugar like honey, which is predigested by the bee into glucose, could be absorbed through the tongue and contribute calories. That said, the few calories that you would absorb by actually swallowing the bite are not the real problem. The greater concern and more important question is if chewing and spitting causes weight gain. This has a potentially more damaging explanation. There are two phases of eating that precede absorption. They are referred to the

It's amazing the mental games I play with myself. My head is a dangerous place to be. I was banded last Wednesday, and in spite of the off-and-on (gas) shoulder pain, I have been feeling fairly positive with the experience, and outright excited by the transformation of my face and body. I have been fasting, (liquids only) for over a week now. The puffiness in my face has dissipated some, and my clothes are fitting better. Hip Hip Hooray! This is great... The problem is: I thought that I deserved a reward, and talked myself into going for a soft-serve fat-free yogurt,(like ice cream). I stood in line at the outdoor Ice cream stand for what seemed like an eternity, in other words I had plenty of time to think this through, but I didn't stop myself. Eee Gawd... What was I thinking? After all I just paid $8500.00 to assist myself in achieving control over my poor eating habits/impulses. The yogurt went down surprisingly well, I was momentarily pleased, and greedily kept eating. And then, I was stricken with the worst belly ache ever.... I can not adequately describe the pain I was in; it was horrid, and probably dangerous. I was afraid. I wanted to throw-up, but I couldn't, just kept dry heaving. I think I must have damaged my tender healing stomach because I experienced deep discomfort. To add to the complications... I could not sleep, my shoulder was screaming at me with sharp pain, and my stomach was hollering at me not to lie flat! My intestines protested at 3:00 AM with the runs... WTF!! The Lap-Band acted like Anabuse would to a relapsing alcoholic. I get it now. I will never do that again. Today was a good day

Jennelle, I am newly banded, so I do not know from experience but... My Oh My! I would be feeling fairly frustrated and uncomfortable if I were you. Your post alarmed me. I did a search online and based on what I have read, it appears the gurgling noises may be caused from having a band that is too tight <fixable> and possibly mixing liquids and solids during meal times... Here is a link to a post: http://www.lapbandforum.com/lofiversion/index.php?t469.html I wish you the best of luck and I hope you find a solution soon. >