CHEZNOEL

You've been given excellent advice above. If you WANT to lose you will follow it. If you don't, then I am afraid your life will repeat itself. See a nutritionist and maybe a professional counselor. You may need help to reframe your eating habits. No processed foods, plan ahead and eat healthy. Bread is no good. See you medical team and talk about a plan going forward. You may need a fill.

Been on prozac for 20 years, no effect on my band loss that I can detect.

Think positive thoughts. Hope it goes well!

We will keep positive thoughts for you!

My hair thinned significantly at around 7 months, is all back now maybe even getting thicker at 15 months.

Welcome... happy to have you with the old timer veterans!

Way to go girlfriend. There is no feeling like it in the world!

The head is the last to get the message. I am 15 months out, and still keep thinking fat. Just ordered a new bathing suit... went for the large... needed the Medium. Tomorrow I return!

Congratulations Dee. We all have our struggles but we are winning indeed!

I don't know a lot about nutri system, but if you eat only banded portions it is not clear what another diet on top of that would do for you?

Another bander with no pre-op diet. I would encourage you to start trying the protein shakes out though. I tried a bunch before I found one that was not gross. It will help you if you are prepared for the post op diet.

Keep sipping and try warm teas. It sounds like you are having recovery issues, not band issues right now.

MY practice offers services post op as well. They may bill for them, but if it surgery related insurance should pay. I have never heard of this problem. Perhaps some others will post to help.

I hate to say this, but the Tylenol with Codeine will not help the gas pains. It tends to block you up and cause more intestinal pain. Try dropping the codeine. Add some benefiber or Miralax to move the bowels along. The pain pill wreak havoc with the intestinal system and slow it down. You surgery pains should be manageable with just tylenol by now and walking, sipping, swinging your arms around, heating pad on upper back will help the gas. Mostly the walking part. I don't want to to think I don't believe you are having pain, but experience shows the gas is from a different source. Best wishes.

Trust your doctor and his staff. Number one rule of lap band surgery. They have done this numerous times and they know what they are doing.

I give it a 5... lots of gas pains were the worst.

Ms Rhonda... you are TOO TIGHT. Get complete unfill and go back to liquids for a couple of days, then soft foods, then regular foods in Lap band portions. You must allow yourself to heal. This is a long journey, not a quick trip. Don't allow any more fills. I am afraid for your health. You are trying to lose too fast.

LOL

Pain meds do not really work on the gas pains... they tend to add to them by stopping up the system. Try some mirlax and switch to tylenol is at all possible. The longer you are on pain meds, the more constipation you will have.

stay warm and healthy!

This will vary greatly by individual. Amount of weight to lose, size of band etcetera. There is no one right magic number for fills. I have very good friends who have lost almost 100 pounds with no fills at all. Work with you doctor and do what is right for your body and band, not someone else's band.

There is a ton of misinformation out there about the band. Many people think if you get the surgery, you automatically lose weight. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is hard work and a lifetime commitment to turn ourselves into people who don't eat to solve their problems. I told a limited group and they have all been supportive. If some one asked me directly I would not lie. but in general, I don't feel like they need to know unless I want them to. Choose wisely, not all will be supportive at first, but you can educate them as you go. Best wishes!

I generally feel nothing but the initial needle stick with fills. Some people may be sensitive enough to feel the band tighten, but I am not one of them. Peaceful1, so happy you had a good experience. It is fascinating to me too.

Some fruit is fine, but you need to be weighing and measuring all of your food. If it has been a while since you were one with the band, you be surprised that your judgements of small portions has crept up a bit during the past few months. Go back to basics and try to substitute in some veggies for some of the fruit. You did it before, do what worked for you then.

That's terrific. Great eating out experience. Keep up the good work. NSVs Rock!