kittyforet

liquid in, liquid out. You won't become more regular until you start eating more solids. Once you get a few weeks post op, it will get better. After 4-6 weeks post op i was almost every morning going mostly normal, but I'm the opposite now, get more constipated but I don't get enough Fiber, which helps. But loose bowels are normal for now. Especially if you're mainly on liquids. It does get better. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Hey guys in case you didn't know. True Results Houston now has monthly support group meetings on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:00. I went last month and met a few new people. Going to the next one this Tuesday. The meetings are run by nurse Ida and another employee (can't remember her name but she's super nice) and both of them have been banded, so they are a great source of information. Hope you can make it. Kristi Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Who did your surgery? Check that office to see if they have a group. I used True Results Houston and they have a group that meets the last Tuesday of each month. I also met up with some ladies that are all south of Houston. We meet once a month in Alvin. That group has people that have had all kinds of weight loss surgery, not just the band. I've also heard that there is a group from obesity help that meets near Baybrook Mall on Saturday mornings, but I don't have info on that one. Good luck!! Join me if you're in the clear lake area. Kristi Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Weird question. Can the band get tighter as time goes by, even without a recent fill? I had a fill 5 weeks ago. Since June 2011 I've been going every 4 weeks. Last week, when I went for my appointment, they said no fill, which I was ok with, thinking I'm in the green zone. I've got at least 8.0 in a 10 cc band. Since then, I have been getting stuck almost daily on the first few bites of food. I got stuck earlier today and even fluids are having a hard time going down. Is it possible for the band to get tighter even though I haven't recently gotten any Fluid added? To me it sounds strange but maybe someone else has experienced this?? Any advice appreciated. Thanks. Kristi Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

MissManders, Email me if you'd like a copy of what my nutritionist gave me. Not sure if your TR office is like mine...mine has an Exercise Physiologist on staff, NOT a nutritionist. The advice they gave me was for after 4 weeks post-op, once I resumed normal eating. It was NOT for the healing stage!!! I went to a separate nutritionist and she gave me the best advice on what to eat, when to eat and how to eat! I learned so much from her. Even now if I have a question I will email Sharon and not ask at TR. I want my info from a real nutritionist. I will occasionally ask the nurse that does my fills, because she is banded also, but take most advice from my nut Sharon. Kittyforet@yahoo.com I'm home and can send it today. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Until I had good restriction, I ate a banana at least once a week. Now though, they can get stuck easier, as I have 8.0 cc in my band. I try to limit them on the advice of my surgeons office. Up until now I've enjoyed them...but now scared to eat them. Btw, my very first stuck episode was on homemade banana bread. Enjoy them now (I love bananas smeared in peanut butter!) but know that you may have to limit them in the future. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Email me and I'll send you what my nutritionist gave me. Kittyforet@yahoo.com Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Southeast Texas. South of Houston, north of Galveston...Clear Lake area. Banded June 2011 at True Results Houston. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I have to take my lunch to work each day and can get tired of cold tuna or chicken salad. My friend told me about this and I bought it and now have one at work. It's called a Redi Set Xpress. I saw it on a cheesy infomercial and bought one. Now they sell it at walmart and target, so I might go buy one for the house. It's great for not only reheating leftovers, but you can also use it to make "grilled" chicken, beef, steaks, etc. it also claims you can make little cakes in it, but I haven't gotten that far. I've reheated steak, chicken, shrimp, tilapia, and pork loin in it. It warms it up fine and doesn't dry or toughen it up. I had a filet of tilapia that was breaded...used my little gadget and got it warm and still somewhat crunchy without it getting soggy like it would in the microwave. I've also used it to "heat" up a wrap of flatbread, ham and cheese. Hot and toasty and delicious!!! I think I paid about $50 when I got it online. Well worth the price for allowing me to eat leftovers without worrying if it will dry it out or toughen it up. I plan on trying it to make a fillet of tilapia and a chicken breast this week. Haven't done that before, so far I've only used it to heat or reheat. If anyone out there has used it or has feedback, let me know. Kristi Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I am flying in June, almost one year post op to the day. I'm flying Southwest...I looked online at their beverage menu and milk is not listed. I will contact them ahead of time (thanks to someone for suggesting that! ) and find out if they do have it and if not can they get some for my specific flights. If they can't I'll just buy some in the airport terminal before I board. My first flight leaves at 6:05 am, so I'll have Breakfast shake on board the plane. Probably won't be loose enough to eat the peanuts they offer, so I'll hold onto those for later. I'm also contacting TSA to find out if I can bring any of the pre-made shakes on board in my carry on. If so I will buy some when I'm packing, since I normally buy the powder and mix with milk. I haven't flown in a few years, so I'm not looking forward to all the security junk but eager to go on this trip. Kristi Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Karen, Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sorry that it happened to you but glad that you have new options. Please continue to add updates. Best of luck to you. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Do you still have your gallbladder? I had dumping symptoms years ago before being banded...had to get my gallbladder removed. So glad that pain is gone. If you still have yours, I'd get it checked. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Wear something loose. No buttons or zippers. You might be swollen so the least constrictive, the better. I wore a pair of jogging pants with an elastic waist. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I went to TR Houston for my surgery June 2011. My doctor is Dr Reilly. They also have a support group the last Tuesday of each month at 6:00. Kristi Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

You can add me. Same name as here. Kittyforet. My diary isn't always the best example but I try. You won't see much fruit or veggies but I'm working on it. Kristi Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

I've been stuck more times that I would like. It's all been my fault. I'm working on it though. Sometimes the papaya enzymes work, sometimes they don't. Sometimes the jumping (or doing the chicken dance) works, sometimes it doesn't. I've also tried the pineapple juice...just a warning though, it tastes worse coming back up!! Almost nothing worse than (tmi warning!!) pineapple juice vomit. Blech. Most of my issues are either first bite syndrome or when I don't chew/take a small enough bite. And I've learned that if I'm stuck due to not chewing or taking a large bite, I can GUARANTEE that I will continue to be stuck the rest of the day if I try to eat food...I find that I MUST go to liquids the rest of the day. If i dont pay attention to this, everything i try the rest of the day will come back up. Dealt with this yesterday. If I get stuck from the first or second bite, then once it goes down or comes back up, I'm ok to eat like I'm supposed to for the rest of the day. It's almost like my band gives me a warning to really slow down. I'm one of the weird ones that never slime before it comes back up...once I get stuck, I can cough it out and get the slime only then. Usually it comes (the mucus) out my nose, again tmi, so I make sure to take napkins/baby wipes with me at all times. And for me I've only pb'd over the sink. Too scared because of the auto flush feature to try the toilet. Last week I got stuck at church and didn't want everyone to see me at the sink, so I made sure to take an empty cup into the restroom stall with me and pb'd into that and then flushed the gunk. Being stuck is no fun. But for most of us, its part of the learning curve of being banded. What everyone else has said about how it feels is right. It's painful. Rock in your chest. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

All of the suggestions are great. Two things you might want to try... Listerine mouth spray and breath strips. I was a huge gum chewer before and now since I can't have it, I rely on the above to keep my mouth moist and fresh tasting. I found my mouth got really dry after surgery but it's not really anymore. I carry the cinnamon flavor breath strips in my purse and keep one in my desk drawer. Really helps if I get stuck to freshen my breath. Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Sorry was typing and hit the wrong button. Bought 2 pair size 14 dress pants and they fit. A little snug but not too tight. It's exciting but scary at the same time to give up my comfort store, Fashion Bug, as the one near me is only plus clothes. Now I get to check out their regular sizes!!! Yay!! Happy shopping everyone!!!

I know what you mean. During December my mom took me clothes shopping for Christmas gifts. On a whim we went into Macy's and tried on stuff that wasn't in the plus section. Things actually fit!!!! Once we realized that, we went downstairs...the entire first floor is regular sized clothing...and I got overwhelmed and started to cry. I had to leave. Way too many choices and sections to check out. I ended up getting a few XL from the petite section and left. Haven't been back since. Still scared of it. I have been to old navy since then and bought 3 pair size 16 jeans...that now fall off if I don't wear a belt (first time in my life I've worn a belt!!). Even after washing the jeans in hot water and drying on high, they're still big. Now it looks like I will have to go back and buy 14s. Another type of store I stayed away from before is Marshall's/Ross/TJ Maxx. They only carry plus clothing that looks like a moo moo. On a whim the other day I stopped in a Ross and bought 2

I drink a chocolate Protein powder in my milk....I use the Idea Chocolate Milk Diet powder from www.chocmilkdiet.com. Tastes great, mixes easily and no after taste. They sell chocolate and vanilla flavors and both are good. I've also tried

My hubby's idea of cooking dinner is getting fried chicken take out, which I won't even brave now that I have good restriction. Seriously?!?!? He at least asked me if I wanted a side of red beans and rice or mashed potatoes, both of which I turned down. I ended up eating one of my frozen high protein soups instead. But the smell of the fried chicken drove me crazy!!! Sometimes they need a smack on the head with the frying pan!!!

I'm checking to see if I can get a sitter. If so I am there!! I got a response from Beatrice and it wasn't near what Ida wrote you! Basically one sentence. The support group is last Tuesday of the month at 6:00. I'll know for sure if I'm going next week. Hope to meet anyone from here that goes!!

Sometimes pineapple juice does work. But FYI if it doesn't work, spitting up pineapple juice is NASTY!!