NWgirl

What exactly are you referring to? If someone posts that they have constipation, I am going to suggest milk of magnesia. If someone is having acid reflux, I would recommend they go to the Dr due to the underlying issue of what's causing the reflux... I would have the tendency to agree with you for more serious medications or how to take prescribed medicines, but believe it's a great resource for bandsters to have a forum to ask about what OTC's may work or not work.

The protein is really not too hard to get in, as long as you plan your meals right.

weigh/portion out all food using a food scale. Ask your Dr or dietician for how many calories you should consume a day and stick to it. Start exercising.

I don't disagree that people use starvation mode to rationalize eating more (who hasn't read "Help! my body is in starvation mode" the second day a person is on the liquid diet), but it is true the metabolism slows with the less food you eat. I, personally, have never been able to lose weight based on calories in/calories out. I am on my feet walking around all day due to my job and burn 3000-3500 per day. If the simple equation were true, I should be losing about 4lb a week, which I'm not.

What kind of symptoms are you having? How far out are you? Did you eat something wrong or vomit?

I have an allowance from 1200-1400. I have heard that for women and dieting, most don't recommend going below 1200m (this is without any kind of surgery) because the metabolism can slow. Even if your body stops losing for awhile, it will start again.

I registered there before, but did get the Lapband. If you don't mind the lapband site, you can create your own profile there too and it probably has all of the tools available. I know there is journaling, letter to self, support people, weight tracking, etc.

try looking at Swedish Medical Center. I have insurance, but when I was using the compare costs tool on my insurance website, they were significantly less than for-profit hospital's.

I asked the pharmacist if I could open the capsules and she said no. I am fine swallowing them now, but in six months I should be at restriction and this is too large...

fiber helps with digestive health- you should get 20 to 25 grams per day. I take vitaband fiber gummies.

I went today for my first fill and was given a prescription for a medicine that stops the formation of gallstones that I will be on for six months. It should prevent any problems with having to get my gallbladder removed if it goes awry because of the weight loss. I am wondering how I am going to swallow those pills twice a day! They are HUGE!

Post-op, back on full liquids because of first fill. I guess that means I am having some protein shake and SF pudding... Boo.

I had my incisions sutured on the inside and glued on the outside, then covered with steri-strips. Have you contacted the Dr's office yet?

My band is right below my bra line (saw it today on my upper GI and they showed me where my breasts are on the screen too) and I can sometimes feel it when drinking liquids, but other than that, no. I would say once your body is used to it and less aggravated, you won't notice

Only on an as needed basis. My immediate family knows (parents, grandma, in-laws) and my boss. I will share with others who could benefit, but my weight has always been a very personal struggle for me.

Most people who lose that amount of weight in less than two months are either heavier and have a lot to lose, or they are on a seriously restricted calorie diet (800). I have lost about 35 in a little over two months, but mostly due to a very low cal pre-op diet and the post-op liquid phase. The Allergan Lapband booklet says SOME may lose 3-4 a week, but that 1-2 is the norm. To the thread starter: Please don't get discouraged about the weight loss. It will all come in due time, it's not a race

After two weeks, I figured they had enough time to read through and decide if I could get it or not. I called my bariatric coordinator with the insurance company on a Monday and she called me back on Tuesday to tell me I was approved.

Hi there! You have done very well, just keep your head up! I just got my first fill today, so I will have a few more to go as well before I find the zone. I figure I will diet, diet, diet and when I am right about to the point where I would have formally given up and gone back to my old habits, my band will kick in and keep me going.

Any weight loss can cause loose skin. Look at a pregnant woman who only gained then lost 30-40lbs, but has a saggy stomach. It all depends on genetics, age, and skin damage.

I also noticed there was a lot of old threads pulled up for removals. Someone has gone through looking for information in old posts and commented on them with questions, which brings them to the top of the "View New Content" section. Don't be discouraged.

Usually there is a max 30 day waiting period for pre-authorizations. My approval came in two weeks.

I would say that they are screwing you over. Insurance has an allowed amount that they contractually pay- My surgeon and the hospital billed total about $20k and my insurance only paid about $15k. Of that allowed amount (15k), I owed $800. I also did not have to pay a "program" fee. I went with a center of excellence location, and would suggest that you look for another surgeon who will not screw you over. You could SELF PAY for $11k in many places.

great loss so far! I actually got banded at Legacy Weight management institute, which is the door down the hall from Dr. Patterson. I think we are probably on the same post-op as well. Liquids couldn't end fast enough for me

did you drink enough water? I'm sure you'll find you'll drop it in a day or two.

making sure to get enough protein is equally important. I also take biotin and started it the week before surgery. I have not had any hair problems so far.