electronicart

I've only had one bad experience. It just happened to be at a new fill center and the PA could not get the needle into the port. She tried many, many times before asking for help and finally made it. Of course they kept numbing me, but, it was so stressful. I didn't want to go back and I definitely didn't want her to stick me. Well, low and behold, my next appointment it was her. I was anxious and reminded her of how many times she tried before. She got it right the first time. I went back two months later and she got it on the first try again. I don't know what happened the first time, but, I made it through and won't mind going next time.

Okay, here's your yum......Syntrax Nectar. (Amazon, Vitamin Shoppe) I like the cappuchino. I put it in my coffee and sometimes I put it in cold milk. I also like the strawberry kiwi and fuzzy navel. It disolves well and isn't gritty.

You really are not alone at all! As a matter of fact, you are in good company here. I think I lost about 15 lbs the first few months. I had several fills before I felt real restriction. My life on the inside had changed forever, but, everything else seemed to stay the same. How do you change when this happens? Its a learning process. Concentrate on what you need to do instead of what you don't need to do. Like, Protein in the morning instead of junk. Like dragging yourself to the gym or around the block when you want to lay on the couch. Drink your Water, eat smaller portions, reward yourself when you hit small goals. Be good to yourself. Forgive yourself when you goof up because you will goof up. So, its been a year for me. I'm down 47lbs. Had an injury two weeks ago and have not exercised other than walking. Been eating too much junk food. In other words, I fell completely off the wagon. But, I went to the fill center today and got .5 cc's more. Glad to be on a liquid diet for 48 hours to snap back to good behavior. Back on the wagon. Remember, its not how you fall down, its how you get back up! Go for it, push!

I have an appointment today at the fill center. I have a 10cc band that is a little over half full. I know they are going to ask me if I need a fill. Now that my band is over half full, I get pretty good restriction. I have to be careful of what I eat. I don't get stuck, I don't throw up. (yay) I'm losing right at a pound a week, very slow but steady. So, I really don't know if I need a fill. My band is tight in the morning. In the afternoon and evening I can eat most solid foods with no problem. Only dense meat and bread give me problems. I guess my fear is that the band will get too tight, maybe I'm just worrying for nothing. Please let me know what you guys with experience think. I am looking for my sweet spot but am not sure if I'm there. Thanks, Jackie

I would say yogurt smoothies for one week post op. Later, if you have a Kroger store in your area, they have their own carb-master brand. Its very low in sugar and delish!

Go for it! I too, wish I had done it years ago!

You are not alone. So many of us have been where you are. Just look at what you have already done. The six months preparing for lap band surgery was not easy. Just the decision to have surgery is huge! I waited a couple of years because I believed I would fail. It just so happens that I grew up being verbally abused by my father. I was called stupid and a failure pretty much on a daily basis. And, I believed it. I'm 51 now and thanks to counceling and good friends and life experience I realize it was just the abuse that caused me to feel that way. But, those feelings (conditioning) rear their ugly head even now. (rarely, thank God) So, I'm here to tell you that you can do this. You deserve to complete your list. Find your joy. LIVE your life. Fly..... Oh yeah, I am SO happy and thankful these days. I feel great and so free. I do not want to bungie jump, but, I too, have my list.

Congratulations! Welcome to your journey Remember, the first six weeks are for healing, so, take it easy on yourself for a while. Then, kick butt!

I think its smart to call the doctor. Better safe than sorry, right?

I love good red wine. I also like a frozen Margarita on rare occasion. So far the only down side to having a few glasses of wine is that I tend to snack. Boooooo!!!!

Congratulations! You have taken the biggest step! Now, take care of yourself and be as patient as you can. The first six weeks are for healing!

When it comes down to it, its a very personal decision. I struggled with just the thought of lap band surgery. All the usual questions come up....Can't I just do this on my own? Am I a good candidate for this surgery? Will I fail? What will people think? Plus, if you mention getting lap band surgery to some friends and/or family you might get this....You're not that big, just eat a little less. Oh, thats major surgery, you don't want to do that. I heard it doesn't work, I know a girl who.....and the list goes on and on. So, get educated. Make a list of pros and cons. Read this forum. I call it "the good, the bad and the ugly of lap band". ha... On September 29th, I will Celebrate my 1st banniversary. I've lost 45lbs. Its still not easy to eat right and oh how I hate the gym. But, I feel great. My doctor said my bloodwork is "outstanding". For me, it was the right choice.

It will get better, it just takes time. My doctor said it is referred pain from the nerves above your stomach. As you begin to eat more solids be aware that if you eat too much the pain in your shoulder will be worse. Try to eat a few small meals a day. Hang in there!

Its called referred pain. There are nerves above your stomach that run to your left shoulder. It will get better with time. I had shoulder pain often after my surgery September 29th, 2011. Now, I rarely have any shoulder pain.

Oh girl, you are in the healing stage . The party may not get started until after a few fills. Its hard to be patient, but try. Eat healthy, begin exercising and be good to yourself!

After a week or so, you should be able to move on to creamy soups. After two weeks, mushies. Be sure to drink water, lots of water!

Wow...just WOW!

It was made law (2011) that pre-existing conditions cannot factor into insurance coverage. They are blowing smoke. Its illegal. Insurance is out of control. They can raise your rates, but, they cannot deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

Its a mental thing. I could not bring myself to eat with a baby spoon like many recommend. I began cutting my bites in half. I would only put half a spoon or half a fork full in my mouth. Just as hard is eating slow. I work on this constantly. Until this past Saturday I had only had food get stuck for an hour or so. Saturday was a super busy day. I ate in a hurry, I ate the wrong thing (scrambled sausage, egg and cheese). Mis 73 is right. I will NEVER, ever gulp down my food again. I was SO sick. It was very painful. Lesson learned!

I'm a slow loser. You are not alone. Do not beat yourself up! Be good to yourself. Go for all the need to's, like drink your Water, take a daily Vitamin, Protein every morning and exercise. It WILL get better. Talk to the doctor and nutritionist too. You definitely don't want to take any chances with your health.

I don't count, I'm just not consistant with it. But, I know what I do need. (water, protein, vitamin, exercise) And I know what I need to stay away from. (bread, processed foods, sugar) So, I just do my best. One of the hardest things I had to learn how to do is simply push away my plate when I got full.

I had a similar situation. Once I got approval, my surgery was scheduled two and a half weeks later. My head was swimming. The surgeon had me begin the Sugar Busters diet two weeks before. The surgery went great. What I would tell you is that your life is about to change. Its going to be very different at first, mentally and physically. The first six weeks are for healing. Be patient as possible as your body heals. Stock up on Protein drinks, sugarfree frozen treats, cream of everything Soup (ha) and flavored Water. Before you know it you will be on your way to a healthier life. You can "shop in your closet". (all the clothes that use to be too tight) Good Luck!

The nutritionist tells me that losing slow is good. I am the turtle of lap band. That said, you have to stick with the process. Start the day with Protein. NO junk food. Exercise. Never, ever give up . I did not get good restriction until my band was almost half full. I drag my butt down to the gym, 30 minutes/5 times a week. Slow and steady wins the race.

I like Syntrax nectar brand. My favorite is the cappuchino. I put it in my coffee. I also like it in 1% milk. It has 24 grams of Protein and hardly any carbs. It completely disolves. There is Strawberry-Kiwi; Chocolate; Fuzzy Navel; berry, you name it. You can get it at the Vitamin Shoppe or from Amazon. Its a little pricey, but lasts a long time. Ps. September 29th will be my 1st Banniversary!

I told a few at first. I too felt it would help make me accountable. Now that my body is getting smaller, I tell anyone who asks.