Rachel412

It's VERY good for you, yes, keep it up by all means!

Never been stuck or had any problems. So far, unfortunately, I can eat anything and everything I could eat before I will say that it can be a bit uncomfortable to eat bread- I feel it pass through the band slower than other food, and just that slight weird discomfort is usually enough to stop me from devouring more of it. But I still CAN eat it. I've never had any problem with any food, even heated leftovers. But yes, everyone is different! I will say, if you have a trigger food... my advice is to never test it once you're banded. Just tell yourself you can't get it down. If it's a food you can't control yourself with best to believe it'll get stuck than to prove yourself wrong and open yourself up to temptation. If you're a person who doesn't have trigger foods, or are able to eat those types of foods in moderation, then feel free to ignore this advice.

I didn't panic, but I can tell you that I felt the worst 10-12 days post op. I was still sore, very emotional, and just a wreck. It was definitely uphill from there. try to keep calm!

Honestly, I don't give much credit to any thought of "pouch stretching" when it comes to us banded people. Medical studies have shown that whatever we eat passes very quickly through our stomas. It's not like people originally thought, that the food just sat in our "pouches" above the band and once that "pouch" is full, then we feel full, and the food then trickles slowly through the band. So while you can surely have your band slip and this makes your "pouch" "stretch"- i.e. there's more of your stomach above the band than there used to be- we don't have a small pouch like is created by some of the other weight loss surgeries. I believe the 5 day pouch test works for us because it's just restricting what we eat and getting us used to smaller portions again, I don't truly believe that pouch stretching is an isssue for banded people. Like I said- this is just my opinion. I am quite sure others disagree.

I agree that the bike is the kindest exercise for my knees. I also like the elliptical since it's not high impact, but...

You look amazing

Honestly, I'm not 100% happy with the band at this point, but I AM 100% happy with my weight loss thus far!

This is my favorite band book: http://www.amazon.com/Bandwagon-Strategies-Success-Adjustable-Gastric/dp/0578061236 She just published a cookbook too, but I don't have it...

Sending you some support! You've WORKED to get this far and you CAN make it through this!

Why aren't you talking to your doctor about this?

Absolutely! I think that's a wonderful idea. (also... it's a write-off so that's a bonus!)

LOL- they're still Lane Bryant, but 20 instead of 24- I bought them at Goodwill for $3 My exercise regimen? I haven't quite settled on one yet! I've been doing a little bit of everything but I haven't hit on anything I love.

My surgeon's office made a point of telling us pre-surgery that they do NOT unfill for vacations or special events. And I'm glad they don't- I went on a cruise in May and the band really did seem to help me not pig out. I gained a couple of pounds that I lost again within 3 or 4 days of coming home. Anyway, since you asked for opinions, I don't think you should get the un-fill.

To be fair let me say that I lost 11 pounds pre-band and I include them in my totals. These pictures were taken on surgery day, and the new ones were taken earlier today, so there's a 50.5 pound difference between them. 50 pounds in the last 6 months- THAT is a loss I am happy with! That's 1.94 pounds a week since being banded. I like numbers. ANYWAY pics.

You need to have a BMI of 35 or over with at least one comorbidity (if you're 5'4" your BMI is just over 35). You need to have been diagnosed with diabetes or high blood pressure in order for it to count as a co-morbidity... "almost" doesn't count. You also usually need your primary care doctor to tell your insurance company that you are a good candidate for the surgery. If it doesn't seem like your doctor would be willing to do that for you, then your choices are to gain a little more weight and find a new doctor, or to look into self payment. Initial weight (the first time you have an appointment at the surgeon's office) is what counts to be approved, because many people are made to lose weight in order to be approved for the surgery. Soooo. Do I think you presently have a shot at being approved by your insurance? No, not quite But you should call them and see, as every insurance company is different.

congratulations and WELL DONE!

I know you're really freaked out, and it doesn't seem you're getting the answers you want, but you have to remember that we're not your doctor and we really can't tell you what's going on with you. You said you can't get in to see the doctor for 2 weeks, but you seem very concerned- I think you should call the office and tell them you feel that it's an emergency. Any band clinic should have "emergency" slots available just in case. Good luck to you,

Does it seem to happen at certain times, or can you not pinpoint it? Like, when you stand up or get out of bed?

You have less to lose than most of us so it makes sense that you'll lose it slower than "we" do. But I'm a little worried... band size doesn't have anything to do with how much you have to lose, it has to do with the size of your stomach. And the band isn't supposed to stop you from eating anything- it's just supposed to help you feel satisfied with smaller meals, and it's supposed to help you feel satisfied for longer. Perhaps your doctor didn't properly educate you on how the band works, and how you should work with the band?

BTW, your screen name is cracking me up!

I *can* drink any of those things... like I have no problems swallowing them. I choose only to have soda or a wine cooler really rarely (like maybe twice a month?) since they're so many calories, so they'd work against me. there's a debate over whether soda and carbonation stretches your pouch... I think the jury's out on that one still.

I don't drink while I'll eat. It was a very hard change to make, but now that I'm used to it I don't miss it at all. I really do suggest you try to learn to do it!

I've had port pain for the whole 6 months since I was banded. Sometimes it's worse than other times. Hopefully yours is just that you're so close to surgery still

You should call around to your local consignment stores. there ARE some who take mens' clothes, but plus sized mens' clothes might be a harder fit. Have you considered eBay? ETA: as far as men wearing used stuff... my husband sure does. New suits are EXPENSIVE so we comb the racks at Goodwill every once in a while.

Please ladies... do not add semen to your popcorn to up your protein intake.