TerriDoodle

See if this website helps you. I discovered it a couple of months ago and it answered my question pronto: Alabama Vehicle Registration & Titling - AL Car Registration Guide - DMV.ORG We have a starbucks about every 50 feet here....it's totally ridiculous. Tracy and I both went to Hadar Spivak and he is really incredible. He has done thousands of surgeries and was one of the few doctors who were chosed for the lap band FDA trials...so he's been doing them longer than anyone in the U.S. Not to mention his staff is excellent and he is a VERY nice person. I hate being sleepy at the office !! :tongue2: Yeah, try taking them at night. Or ask if you can start off with 1/2 dose and work your way up. Glad you got something -- hope it helps. It should!

Hi All - Pammy sent out the flying monkeys and they found me. I just had my feelings hurt (and NO, it wasn't the stupid election!!!...give me a little more credit than that please!) but I have to learn to swallow my stupid pride and just move on. Ever get like that? I do, and way too often. So please forgive me for my little tantrum. I love you all. ********* Sitting here drinking coffee in the freakin' middle of the night practically. Anyone else having trouble with this time change? I normally don't even notice it, but man I've been having trouble sleeping ever since then! I've got the day off today and a very empty cupboard. I really should be creating a menu for the weekend and preparing my list. One problem with that is that implies that I will be cooking! Ugh, I hate to cook!! Sounds like a crock pot day, eh? Anyone want to make a suggestion of what to put in it??? I had yesterday off too...and a bare cupboard...and you would not believe the crap I ate all day! I surprised even myself. Carbs are so evil. Y'know when you don't have any groceries in the house, that's what you tend to eat...stuff out of the pantry (= carbs!) I grazed like a cow all day. Just proves once again that carbs are good for nuttin' except making me hungry in an hour. Well, I guess I'll go refill my coffee cup and enjoy the dead quiet outside. Even Hero is sleeping!!

Well said, Jodi.

You will find that there is the full range of experience represented here at LBT. Some people reach goal, some people never lose more than 10-15#....and most fall somewhere in the middle. At my pre-op meeting, my surgeon said that "at the one year mark most of us will have lost 50-60% of the excess weight"...and for me he was absolutely right on. I, apparently, am quite average. The rest of it will take harder work and more discipline, but that doesn't mean it won't come off. Bypass was never ever a consideration for me, even if I had been 100# overweight, just because I don't like the malnutrition rate and the permanency of it.

Many people report being tight in the morning. Drinking a hot beverage (like coffee or tea) seems to help open it up. You might try that. As for the evening tightness, maybe that is stress related....which also is known to cause tightness. (Preschoolers would definitely make ME stress out!) Again, try some warm tea before your meal. Or you could try some deep breathing/relaxation/meditation to de-stress from your day. Ever tried yoga??? It's AWESOME!

Oh yes, and here at LBT it's actually known as "sliming"! We've all done it, I think. But you say you can pinpoint the problem, so you ARE learning!

You sound like me. Well, I don't eat like a hog, but do eat larger portions than I used to when I was tighter. But that high level of restriction gave me lots of problems that I'm happy not to deal with! I have about 30# to lose also and it's just tougher from this point forward. I'm trying to move more...walking a few miles a week with my new dog and that's helping. I think I've actually lost a pound or two which I haven't done in a LONG time!

Tonya, I agree with the others....you probably just had a little bit of initial swelling which subsided. It sounds like you're getting close though, so don't get discouraged! Good luck to you!

I have no idea how much weight you'd have to lose in order for the band to loosen up, but that is beside the point and not how the band is designed to work! If you are only able to keep liquids down, then you need a partial unfill.... PERIOD. You should be not only eating mushies by now, but should be enjoying solid food! Liquids and mushies will pass right thru the band...might as well not even have one. Call your doctor!

Did your doc say a 'full liquid diet' or a 'clear liquid diet'?...and when did he say it was OK for you to move on to mushies? Day 5-6 sounds a bit early to me! if you pureed the Pasta and soup, then that's ok for a full liquid diet, but not ok for a clear liquid diet. Just be careful. It's not worth the trouble you may have later on if you go against doctors orders. One thing I've learned, they have their reasons!!

Jeremy, I would say a call to your doctor is in order. Following is a list of symptoms associated with a gall bladder attack which is fairly common with bandsters...is this what you are feeling? GALLBLADDER ATTACK SYMPTOMS Please note that if you are in severe pain and particularly if your attack symptoms are accompanied by fever DO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. The following symptoms are typical of a gallbladder attack. Moderate to severe pain under the right side of the rib cage Pain may radiate through to the back or to the right shoulder Severe upper abdominal pain (biliary colic) Nausea Queasiness Vomiting Gas Burping or belching Attacks are often at night Attacks often occur after overeating Pain will often but not always follow a meal with fats or grease Pain may be worse with deep inhalation Attacks can last from 15 minutes to 15 hours

Yes, this sounds like it would be fine. BTW, I would have starved to death if it hadn't been for broccoli cheese soup in those first 3 weeks....and I lost 12#.

Just popping in to say hi! I'll be back soon...... just need a little break. k?

It's a fluke, I'm sure. How much 'gain' are you talking about here?

If it has sweeteners in it you may check the label to see what kind they are...maltitol and sorbital (sp?) are well known for causing gastric distress. They certainly do for me! You could buy unflavored Protein and make up your own shakes or smoothies with fruit, yogurt, apple juice, etc. You can also try DaVinci flavored syrups which I think are sweetened with Splenda as well.

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Well, this isn't quite true. If you are very tightly restricted even the slightest change in stress levels, hormone levels, or irritation to the band can cause it to be very fickle. Yes, you certainly can tolerate a food one day and not the next! Ok, here's what I think is going on with your band Shleb -- 1) you are eating solid/risky foods after you have already irritated your stoma previously....which causes further irritation. 2) You probably are not chewing well enough or small enough bites for the amount of restriction you have. 3) You may also be experiencing some esophageal spasms which may occur periodically when you're too restricted, esp. after eating spicy/greasy foods. So....if you want to manage with your current restriction for awhile, this is what you should try: 1) If you ever have an episode of getting 'stuck' or throwing up your food, for the next 24 hours (at least) go to a liquid and very mushie diet. 2) Don't take bites any larger than a pencil eraser (not kidding!) especially of things like meat, fibrous fruits & veggies, Pasta, bread, eggs, fried foods...or any risky food. Take a full minute between bites. Don't eat another bite if you feel the slightest bit of discomfort until that discomfort passes. 3) Avoid spicy/greasy foods and use deep breathing or other relaxation techniques to reduce or alleviate the spasms. 4) Start watching for reflux symptoms! Don't eat after 7:00p at night. If you choose to keep your band that tight, then you'll have to do these things. OR...... you can have a wee bit taken out and feel much better, eat a wider variety of foods, and rely on your good sense and willpower to get you where you need to be. This is what 'they' meant when 'they' said that the band is not magic wand...it's a tool!!

Are you taking Gas-X? Walking and moving around as much as possible? Those things help immensely Are you constipated? You could probably take a mild laxative like Miralax -- that stuff is great.

Well, it has more to do with lowering levels of Leptin than anything else. It's not all about motivation or Fluid levels in the band, unfortunately. The other bad thing is that there's not much you can do to raise Leptin levels either, but it is a subject of intense study. Battle Of The Bulge: Low Leptin Levels Undermine Successful Weight Loss

I am really happy with the new layout, Alex. Reminds me of the 'old days' when it was nice and simple and easy to read. The latest version we had was just too 'busy' and I really don't miss the 'latest photo albums' being gone. No bugs to report yet! Great job!!!!

Absolutely -- this is all that's wrong with you and all you need to do to feel better. DEEP breathing for at least 10 breaths every hour. You'll be amazed at how good it works! It's an effect of the anesthesia, I think....makes your lungs kinds of lazy.

Do you have a hobby that's been neglected or that you've always wanted to start? My beading/jewelry hobby has really helped me in lots of ways since I started it. Now it keeps my hands busy and me out of the kitchen!! Holidays are coming! Can you start some handmade gifts to get your focus OFF of yourself and ON to something productive and fun?

It is well documented that STRESS causes added restriction....no doubt about it! So perhaps if you do some deep breathing or meditating, etc. before you take a meal it will help.

Oh, I wholeheartedly agree and recommend that you do what you can to MAXIMIZE your weight loss in the first 6-8 months....especially if you have companion issues that normally inhibit weight loss like menopause, anti-depressants, PCOS, etc. You will also be highly motivated during this time with the newness of it all as well as the 'rapid' weight loss....so, YES, by all means..... make those first months count!!!

It sounds to me like you are going through what many, many bandsters endure in the first weeks....and yes, it's perfectly normal. The depression may get worse before it gets better as I understand it's a side effect of the anesthesia as well as the weight loss you'll most likely experience (rapid breakdown of fat releases the stored estrogen). Maybe it would be helpful for you to do some reading about emotional eating during this time? The book [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Shrink-Yourself-Emotional-Eating-Forever/dp/0470044853]Shrink Yourself [/ame]is highly recommended. Be patient with yourself...the adjustments you need to make will come with time. I know sometimes that's hard to believe, but you will! Best of luck to you!