shellyj

the pain wasnt that bad. the first 3 days were the worst. i was more sore than anything and bloated from the gas... yes they can take your gallbladder out at the same time. to find out about your ins get your ins card and call the number on the back of the card. ask them if your policy cover the band, what %, what are the requirements, tests.. i had surgery on a monday and worked that friday. if i were you i'd search through the old posts on this site. most of your questions will probably be answered!

i started with a bmi of 51.9 and 1 am currently at 39.6 in 8 months. statistically that is 50% of my excess weight ( - 85 pounds of 150 to lose) i would check out the extraordinary bandsters i started there! i have seen alot of bandsters that started at 350- 450 pounds and they are WELL on their way and i consider them successful bandsters! here are some links of those who kept a journal: http://www.geocities.com/robinh26/lapband.html -150 lbs www.kimswlsjourney.com -100 lbs in 5 months http://www.fisherchristine.addr.com/band.html -122 michelle

carmen, i am sorry you and your hubby are going through this. you both deserve to be healthy! there rally isnt anything i can say or do to help you but i will be thinking of you and your family. i agree with the others...dont beat yourself up over some poor food chioces. you have alot on your plate. take care of your hubby, the band will be there! ((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))) michelle

i hardly snack. i eat sugar free Chocolates when i *want* something or a spoonful of Peanut Butter or low carb ice cream yesterday for lunch i had a cheese quesadilla on a low carb tortilla that would make a good snack have you tried baked doritoes? they ARE good! sorry i am not much help... michelle

boy i know your frustration. i went 6 months with little to no restriction. i had 4.2 cc's at one time. my problem was fixed without surgery. the saline that they use to fill you was going into my port but was getting stuck in a pocket so it didnt travel to my band. i had 2 swallow studies and contacted INAMED to light a fire under my dr's tush. (they kept telling everything was fine) if you would like to read more about my experience i have kept a profile on obesityhelp.com here is the link: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=j1054580265 feel free to email me or private message if you want anymore info

1 agree! i usually take 3/4 cup for a meal and it looks HUGE!!! before it would have been 4 bites in 5 seconds.

tadjustments *nothing solid to eat after Breakfast day of adjustment only liquids. you pouch needs to be empty * 3 full days of liquids following an adjustment *slowly add soft & solid foods on day 3-4 measuring only 1/2 cup portions and drinking only between meals *after the fill you will be: a. too loose *this means you arent getting full on 1/2 cup portions and getting hungry within 1.5-2 hours of eating. drinking only between meals * call to schedule another fill. dont let more than 4 weeks go by. b. just perfect *you stay full off 1/2 cup portions and stay full until the next meal *some foods may not go through breads, Pasta, meats eliminate these items *follow up in 2-3 months c. too tight *this means you can only tolerate liquids and regurgitate solids *if you pb go back to liquids for 2 full days to let swelling go down *you band may be to tight for the first few weeks and loosen up a bit as you lose. *call the office if you continue to throw up or cant take liquids. this is my dr's version of when you need an adjustment. even though i lost 18 pounds last month i was snacking the whole way! michelle

it is a dangerous thing. i am glad your friend in ok. i worry about getting to tight. is your friend going back for another fill? i am a dr morton patient too. i just saw shawna yesterday.

my dr says carbination is ok. i personnally can hardly drink it it does hurt for me! as for dieting...there are plenty of bandsters who dont 'diet' and are BIG LOSERS!!! if you are expecting to be able to eat pizza, burgers, fries, chips, candy, milkshakes and still lose then maybe RNY is the better chioce because atleast that way you have the 'malabsorbtion' to help you lose. but of course you could dump. you have to make healthy food choices with the band. i would say if you are drinking once a week but watch what you eat you would still lose. it might make you a slower loser but a loser none the less! i always prepare for the worse and hope for the best so if you decide on the band you might want to be prepared to say bye bye to the beer just in case.

Thanks Ladies! alexandra, my dr's adjustment sheet goes something like this: after an adjustment you will be either: a. to loose, you can eat 1/2 - 3/4 cup of food but get hungry 1.5 - 2 hours later (this is where i was) b. just right, you eat 1/2 cup meals 3 times a day and dont get hungry. c. to tight, pb'ing, cant keep solids down- get unfilled i did tell them i thought i had lost roughly 15 pounds in the last month. but being atkins advocates they know that on 'induction' a non-banded person can lose 15 pounds the first month and its normal. i was undecided when i went in for the appt. more leaning toward not needing it, but i was snacking all day. thats fine to do on the atkins but... i plan on switching gears on june 1 and doing a sugarbuster type diet so i can eat fruits and whole grains. but if i constantly snack then i may not be so lucky with the loss. the adjustment was also free since i had the 'mess up fills' and i didnt want to wait till june and decide i wanted another fill and have to pay out-of pocket for it then. i had 1 scram egg for Breakfast at 10am no problems! it all went down in 15 minutes. i think THIS may officially be my sweet spot! the other fill was semi-sweet. and thank you too alexandra! i was SHOCKED walking out of there with 3.4 cc ( i wanted 3.3) but so far so good.

so i had a three day weekend and monday i went to the dr for a checkup and possible adjustment. when i checked in the nurse gave me a sheet for when you need and adjustment. after reading that i decided YES! i do need one so i had an adjustment. (i will post the info from the sheet my dr gave me. its in the car so maybe this afternoon) anyhow i got .2 cc's. More than i wanted but i am not the 'expert'. after the fill i got to the FUN part... WEIGHING!!! 1 month ago i got 'restricted' weighing 286 yesterday i weighed in at 268!!! thats a 18 pound loss in 1 month!!!! i did this by ALWAYS choosing protien first, not eating sugar or bad carbs that turn into sugar, drinking 96 oz Water a day and some exercise. i am basically doing the atkins diet. my dr fully approves of it as a way to maximize your tool to get the weight off but not as a way of life. so am i to tight??? i dont think so. i couldnt wait for three days to see if i was to tight so i ate some real food. A TINY BIT. no problems and i was full and STAYED FULL!!!! no pb's or slimes! this morning waters going down slowly but fine! ( i was hesitant to post the eating part and dont recommend it but at 8 months out i got the chewing down so i attempted it at my own risk)

hey lil! sounds like your dr could do better at giving your the infor you need!! i would stay with an online support group there is a wealth of 'day to day' knowledge about the band. i would go by inameds guidlines or your dr's. as for the media hype, do your own research make your own decisions and you'll be fine is the way i look at it. when will you be getting a fill?

hi and thanks!! to add a 'signature' under all posts by you... at the top of the screen there is a tab called 'user cp' click on that then look for 'edit profile' and click on that. scroll down to 'signature' and enter your info. begining weight/current weight/goal weight and here are some current pics Lill! i am currently at 268!!!! from 350!!!!!

i have to drink room temp Water in the morning because it goes down easier! glad you have restriction!!!! since i have had it this past month i have lost 11 for sure but i think its 15 wont find out for sure though till i weigh monday on dr's scale!

NOPE! i eat spicy foods all the time. my parent have become sensitive to them (they arent banded) so i resolved to eat as much spicy food as i can incase i ever cant tolerate it! i LOVE the hot stuff. it also speeds up the metabolism

hey kelly! WOW your doing GREAT! 35 pounds from goal!!! youll be there soon!!! WAY TO GO!!! you on the homestretch now!!!! WOOOOHOOOOOO

WOOOOHOOOO!!!! thats AWSOME!!!!! i CANT WAIT to join you!!!

hey robert! i checked out your site very cool! very informative as well! i like the way you listed pounds too. stone always threw me!

you can go to http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/ at the very top there is 'find a doc' click on that it will help you find one close to you! http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/dochelp.phtml i think the second one is a direct link to that section.

WOW congrats on your banding! Both of ya'lll!

WELCOME!!!! i agree we want DETAILS!!!! have you had a vomiting episode while restricted? and do you have any pics to share?

wooohooo leo!!! you have come so far!!! michelle

i will second that. Babs always has good advice and she was just responding to a post on a public forum. she has also lost 100+ lbs so i will listen to whatever she says like an eager student. shana marie~ my thinking is if someone gives me advice i take what i can use and leave the rest. if you didnt get anything out of babs post PLEASE dont get offended by it, it was her honest opinion. you knew you might get 'crap' for admitting to drinking the empty calories so it shouldnt have been a surprise. I'LL DRINK TO THAT!!!! when the time comes!!! LOL!!!

i have been eating 3 meals a day hungry or not. i dont seem to get hungry as often, but when i do its like ohhh im HUNGRY. so if i have my meals and eat them on schedule i dont get super hungry. when i do get that super hungry feeling thats when i make poor chioces or eat to fast. i try to keep it nipped in the bud. my Snacks are sugar alcohal candy bars so they dont give a 'full' feeling.

WOOHOOO!!! congrats on taking control of your life!!!!