NWgirl

When I gurgle, it can be a prelude to getting stuck. I make sure to stop eating for 10-15 minutes and let the problem pass. I also make sure to chew my food to a finer consistencty if that happens.

I think the usual suggestion is to wait about a year after you've finished losing weight. This way, if your skin is going to get smaller, it will. It also assures you can maintain that weight because it would be pretty pointless to get a TT and then regain some weight.

I was also outpatient and left a few hours after. Some surgeons do require patients to stay overnight, no exceptions. Also, others may have more serious medical conditions that warrant overnight observation.

I brought a small travel pillow into the hospital with me, it really helped to hold it against my stomach while walking before they would discharge me. Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Most doctors seem to require you attend an orientation prior to being scheduled.

I'm sure you've bought a shoe by now, but I would recommend going somewhere you could be fitted, such as a running/walking store.

The only thing you can do is make sure to get enough protein in and possibly take a biotin supplement. Sometimes the hair loss can result from general anesthesia, which is not something you can prevent. I had some hair loss that I noticed while brushing but it seems to have gone away.

I would suggest carrying a water bottle and drinking at least a bottle between each meal. The first month was hard for me to get all the required water in, but I can now. It may take some planning, but it can be done.

No, could it be acid?

follow the directions your doctor gave to you and not ones that another person's Dr gave to them. If your Dr wanted you to follow a different diet, they would have made it clear.

The easiest one for me is the Pure Protein ready to drink shakes available at costco or Sam's Club. The best bet is to find low car and fat and high protein. Unfortunately most pre-made shakes (think Atkins or slim fast) are too high in carbs and fat and low in protein.

The reason you should wait is because your stomach could be swollen and irritated because of the increase in fill, so surgeon's like patients to wait until the swelling has gone down before they start eating again. Also, as you get more restriction, each fill could be a learning experience on how/what you can eat. By starting back at the basics, you listen to your body about textures it is able to handle.

Sometimes the food is more a mental than physical game, and it can really stuck. Keep your head in the right place and remember why you are doing this.

My tiny, skinny mother-in-law loves to say that you can get a free lunch at Costco by going around to the samples!

I love veggie chips! Although, beware that some flavors/brands are extra, EXTRA salty.

If it's your insurance, then I am sure they will stick to it since they want to see if you are really dedicated to getting the procedure. From their point of view, why pay $$$ for a person who is unwilling to lose 10lb on their own through diet change? I would suggest talking with a nutritionist if you have access or just going on a pseudo pre-op diet consisting of two shakes and one healthy meal a day. Also drink only Water and a lot of it.

As others have stated above, it is your decision to tell or not tell. Legally, your employer cannot disclose what you're having done- you could get your Dr to write a vague time off letter stating that you are undergoing surgery and will need to be off on these dates. I have seen people use the excuse of hernia repair, lady problems, gall bladder (careful of this, unless you've already had your GB removed) so they didn't have to tell. For me, the question never came up. I timed my off time to correspond with a required work convention in Vegas, so I got almost a good week off with a little work here and there before I had to go back. I work in the restaurant business and was fine to go back and be on my feet all day the week after.

Loseit!

I did end up staying up on the Lapband site and watching a movie with my honey until about 2am. I had to turn around and wake up at 4:30 to be at the hospital by 5:30. Just try to veg out and not think of all the crazy scenarios that could happen

My Dr does not use any kind of numbing agent. The first fill she had to move the needle around a bit to get it into the correct spot on the port, but all fills since have been spot on the first try. I have had four fills now, and they are not painful enough (in my opinion) to warrant a numbing solution. I literally did not even feel my last fill, but did end up bleeding more than usual- that was unusual.

I love my Ninja Pulse, food scale, salad forks/plates and small spoons. I also love my muffin tin because I can make band size portions.

I have actually been skating by using belts. I did find a sale at a local plus size store either the week before or the week or two after surgery and was able to get good quality pants for $6 each. I started in a too-tight 22 and had some 20's already- I ended up with 2 pairs of 16 and 3 pairs of 14. I am glad I didn't buy any 18's because I skated by those so quick and didn't even know I was a 16 til I was testing my new clothes to see how long it would be til I could wear them (please say others do this...). I have bought a couple new shirts and even one pretty dress, but only buy cheaper items because I know I won't be in the sizes for too long. I am really trying to get through this without buying much at all.

The gas people talk about is usually internal and not the farting type, not that some do not have increase in this. I did find I had to burp a lot more for the first month after surgery, but now I am back to normal unless I drink something carbonated. As far as food goes, I was actually satisfied for the most part during the post-op phase. The only thing I could say was that I got bored quickly because of the limited choices.