PackersFan

I've always been pretty pleased with the selection at Fashion Bug. But I have saved so much money by buying all of my transition clothes at yard sales this summer. I just kept buying the next size down as I shrunk. I just hate the idea of buying new clothes that only fit right for a month or so. Every now and then I'll break down and buy one nice pair of pants or new jeans, but I mostly go with the yard sale finds. When I get close to my goal - then I'll go out and buy some nicer things!

This really isn't a question that I wish I had asked... but it just seems to me that two big misconceptions are: How long before you'll hit your "sweet spot" and fill the right amount of restriction? This varies so greatly, but I think many bandsters just don't realize that it can take months of time and numerous fills before you're there. It seems like everyone starts to get impatient about 3-5 months in. I think it took me about 9 months before I felt like I was where I needed to be. How hard will you have to work? Pretty darned hard! A lot of folks are just hoping that this surgery will magically make the weight come off. And I actually think it does happen that way for a few people. But most of us have had to really put in an effort to follow the surgeon's guidelines, exercise and drink lots of water! The harder you work - the more successful you will be!! I hope I'm not coming across as judgemental. I just think these are two areas that people considering surgery need to be fully aware of.

I told my close friends, close coworkers and immediate family. As far as everyone else goes... my policy is this: If I think it's someone that truly wants to know how I did it because they are also struggling with their weight, then I'm honest with them. But everyone else gets the "I cut out all bread and soda, drink a ton of Water and exercise three times a day" which just so happens to all be true.

Thanks Cindy! At the risk of sounding overly-dramatic... I truly feel like this surgery saved my life. I will be eternally greatful that my insurance covered it. And go Pack! It's cruel irony that my team wins the superbowl, and now there's a lock-out. That's just wrong.

Hi DDM, I'm sure you'll be flooded with answers, but let me weigh in first. Your stats are very close to where I started. I was 46 and weighed 264 lbs last September. You didn't mention any co-morbidities, but I was also diabetic, with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease. I was miserable and getting sicker every year. I had tried numerous other diets myself and while I'd sometimes have success, I could never keep the weight off for more than a year or so. I chose lapband because it was much less risky than bypass, and I liked that it was adjustable and reversible. Yes, you do have to follow the guidelines and work at it - but the band does help. Once you reach your optimum fill (Please realize that this can take several fills) the band helps you eat less and stay full longer. I've been thrilled with my decision. I've lost 75 pounds and I'm off all of my medications. Good luck to you on your research and tough decision.

I've gone through stages when I couldn't eat eggs. In fact, I just kind of gave up trying for quite a while... until a couple of weeks ago. My husband started on a low carb diet and started making eggs for Breakfast every morning. He uses the Eggbeaters kind (in a carton). I decided to give it another try and it worked! I don't know if it's the kind of eggs, or if I've just learned how to slowly eat them and make it work. But the surprising part was how that one egg (with cheese) keeps me completely full until noon. In fact, I broke out of a stall and started losing weight very steadily again. So I'd say if you haven't tried it for a while maybe give it another shot. I like the idea of adding cottage cheese to the eggs and might have to try that.

Thanks for the info Trish! I'll have to give them a try.

This may be a stupid question, I've always wondered, do EMTs and doctors really look at these medical bracelets/necklaces? And if they look like a charm bracelet - would they know to look for the medical info? I'm not trying to be negative, I really just want to know because I've been thinking about getting one myself. Thanks!

Trish, Can u tell me how you get your fish oil without taking those giant pills?

To those entering the stage that allows yogurt... I can't recommend enough the Oikos brand greek caramel yogurt. It is the best tasting yogurt I have ever had. It can be hard to find - but try Target or Walmart. It is amazing.

My two biggest suggestions would be - Follow the guidelines set by your doctor regarding eating, drinking, exercising, etc. and remember that you have to work hard to get the most out of your band. Good luck!

My cardiologist recommend a sleep study when they had trouble getting my blood pressure under control... and he was right, I had severe sleep apnea. But now all is well.

Hi Ken and welcome! I agree with Suzie. Walk. Walk. Walk. Also get a supply of the Gas-X dissolving strips. They help with the gas discomfort after surgery. Good luck and stay involved with the board - but don't necessarily believe everything you read.

Here are my answers: Do you work and if so, how long were you out? I'm pretty sure I had my surgery on a Thursday. I came back to work on the following Tuesday, but I did leave work a little early. I was still on clear liquids and just tired and a little weak. I have pretty much a desk job and I was almost back to normal days by the end of the week. Were you very sick right after? If you mean during the hospital stay - I remember being only a little sore. It's very good to have someone with you. I was thirsty a lot and the nurses weren't very attentive. And my husband was good about walking down the halls with me - which is good for you. How are the protein shakes going for you? I don't drink them very often at this point. Early on I would have a shake when I couldn't eat much, and usually I have one the day of a fill. I buy the giant bucket of chocolate protein shake mix from WalMart. It's only $14 and it tastes pretty good. Have you had any or many adjustments? I've had maybe 6 or 7 adjustments. For the first time since my surgery, I decided not to have an adjustment at my monthly visit in June. I think I may be at my sweet spot. I can still eat most food items, just not very much at one time. And for the most part, I don't get very hungry in between meals. I am very much looking forward to it and am anxious to get going already! How much can you eat now? If I eat slowly and chew well, I can eat between 3/4 and 1 cup of food. It depends on how soft the food items are. What kinds of things do you prepare? I do a lot of grilling this time of year and I can eat turkey burgers (well almost a whole one) and then a few bites of fruit or a vegetable or even a little macaroni and cheese. I can eat a hot dog if it's grilled pretty crispy, without a chewy skin. Hope this helps!!

Hi TS, I am also in the St. Louis area. I used Dr. Wagner. It was the best decision I ever made and I am thrilled with my results. (I haven't updated my tracker for a little while - I've lost a few more pounds.) If you ask specific questions I'd be more than happy to tell you about my own experiences. Good luck on your journey.

Jay, Let me start by saying that everyone is different - but I'll tell you my experience... I'm currently at 9 in my 11cc band and if I'm not at my sweet spot, I'm getting pretty darned close. I can thankfully still eat most things, but I have a tremendous amount of restriction and cannot eat more than about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of solid food. I know what you're feeling because it took me several fills before I could really feel a difference. After each fill I'd be disappointed because I could still eat so much at one time and felt hungry more often than I thought I should have been. But my last couple of fills each took me a week or two to get used to the new restriction because I could really feel a difference. And just so you can compare... there are two other women in my office that had the surgery last year that both also have 11cc bands and one is at her sweet spot with a 4.5cc and the other at 7.5. So you can't really base it on the numbers. Good luck - and I'm confident you'll get the restriction that you want.

Wow, I'm surprised he got you too tight while doing it in front of an x-ray. Has it been liquids only since the fill or were you ever able to eat anything solid since? That sucks that you have to actually fly for a fill - everyone says that flying makes you more tight. Keep us posted.

Hi Chuck, I usually stick with liquids the first day and by noon the next day I start adding in mushies like mashed potatoes. By the second day I'm eating normally. But with each fill you have to get used to your new restriction. Always proceed cautiously, take small bites, chew, chew, chew and you'll figure out what you can (and can't) eat. This is just my experience. You should always follow your surgeon's guidelines.

Hi Shucky, I have a couple of questions for you: 1. How much fill do you currently have in what size band? 2. Does your doctor do the fills in front of the x-ray, or does he have you drink Water after? I'm just curious. Let us know what the doctor says after you call tomorrow.

Frank, I'm also a Foodie! I love to cook, bake and entertain. I was worried that I would lose some enjoyment from these activities with the band... but it really hasn't been a problem. Now to be honest, it was tough being at events and parties those first few weeks when I was still on liquids and mushies, but after that I've not felt deprived. In fact, I find that I enjoy parties/picnics, etc. even more when I'm not so focused on how much food I can devour. I can instead simply enjoy friends and family. If there is an "amazing" food that everyone is going crazy over, I allow myself a small taste. It's really not bad... and so totally worth it as you start feeling and looking better. Good luck to you. (And sorry I'm not able to provide a guy's perspective.)

Hi Shrinking Beauty, I don't know what PCOS is... but I have been extremely pleased with the results of my surgery. You should know that in order to have the greatest chance for success you will have to work hard. The band helps keep you from eating large volumes of food and it does help reduce your hunger, but to do the best at this - you'll need to really commit to eating healthier, exercising and following your surgeon's guidelines. I haven't even for a second regretted my decision, but just know that it does take some effort.

Micah (I've never heard of a female named Micah), Don't be discouraged. Many - if not most- of us have broken a few of the rules. We all have bad habits that have contributed to our overweight condition, and they don't just magicaly disappear because we've had surgery. The more you can follow the rules the better you'll do in the long run though. So forgive yourself and move on. I can't tell you how many times I've "restarted" with a new committment saying "I'm gonna focus on eating healthier and exercise every single day." And amazingly... the weight loss gets going again. Good luck and stay on this board. Don't let the bullies discourage you, and ultimately make sure you're following your doctor's guidelines.

You're welcome, Kay. I totally understand what you're saying. I was getting sicker every year, and was taking 8 pills a day for diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure and choronary artery disease and now I take none. I always feel overly dramatic when I say it ... but I do feel that this surgery saved my life. And of course- looking better is a nice bonus! Cathy

I 100% recommend Dr. Wagner. His office staff is great, and he has a great reputation for success. But I think one of the most important things is he does all of his fills in front of the x-ray machine - I think it might be called a fluroscope. To me, doing fills any other way is doing it blindly. His way, you are watching the live results on a screen as he's doing the fill and he can tell how tight your fill is. I'm so glad he does this.

Hi Karon, I had type 2 diabetes. When I asked my primary doctor what I should do about my diabetic meds before and after surgery - she told me that I should stop my pills as soon as I start my one-week pre-surgical clear liquid diet and to just monitor my blood sugar closely. At the time she said "If your sugar starts to go back up when you are eating regularly, we'll figure out your new dosage. And who knows, if you're lucky maybe you won't have to go back on any medications" which seemed like a complete fantasy to me. But my sugar levels stayed low the whole time immediatley before and after surgery - and it never went high again! It was the craziest thing.When I was first diagnosed, before I started taking metformin, my blood sugar was too high for my monitor to register (meaning it was over 600!) But now it's normal. (And so is my blood pressure). But - obviously everyone is different, and you should most definitely follow your own doctor's orders. I just wanted to share my own little miracle.