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I've learned that being banded is not the entire answer. I can still eat pretty much anything I like. I've lost right at 20lbs and have been stuck here through the holidays. (gained 3, lost 3) I will never give up. I exercise regularly and eat the right things almost every day. If I fall off the wagon, I get right back on. food is my drug, so, I just cannot have goodies in the house. I have begun to weigh more often. I want to lose weight so badly. I have realized the band is a tool and I have to use it. Whatever it takes is what I say. Make a plan and follow it. You can do this!

I had all the same worries, so, I sat down and wrote out a list of pros and cons. The reasons to get LapBand were so much greater than the reasons not to. I even asked two friends that have been banded these two questions: Is this your new normal? and...Are you glad you had the surgery. Both said "absolutely". I was so scared of the unknown. All the "what ifs" drove me crazy. But, I knew it was the right thing for me. It is a tool, pure and simple. I have been very fortunate, no ill affects whatsoever. I love my band. Best of luck to you, whatever you choose.

Welcome! I too have arthritis (osteo) and while ibuprofen does come in liquid form, I just bite a tablet into little pieces. Ibuprofen works best for me. I do not take as much since beginning to lose weight. My joints are already feeling so much better. Congratulations on getting banded!

I have been losing weight slowly. While, I would love to wake up and see the scale drop down five pounds at a time, I realize slow and steady is my course. During the holidays I gained a few pounds, but, they are coming right back off. Tomorrow its back to work and back to the gym! I hate the eliptical, but, it works. My band is working too. I cannot eat as much as I could, yea!

Yes, it is normal. Some people have "referred pain". My doctor said it is because you have nerves that run from the top of your stomach to your left shoulder. I've been banded three months and if I eat too fast, or eat the wrong foods, I still have shoulder pain. Its a big reminder that I need to eat slowly, which is still hard for me. The initial shoulder pain will subside. Many do not have it at all.

I've been an open book. It took a lot of thought and effort just to get to the point of surgery. I tell people that Lap Band is right for me. I've tried every diet in the book, only to gain back what I lost. I also tell them that it is a tool, not the complete answer. Fact is, I can still eat pretty normally. I have been banded three months and lost 20lbs. Slow and steady is my plan and I absolutely love my band. For the first time, I feel in control.

I feel your pain, literally! I have fallen way off the wagon and its hard getting back on. Banded for almost 3 months, lost 20 lbs, and now up by 2. Eating the wrong things and eating too fast, argh. Learning the hard way, the pain when something gets stuck is BAD. Live and learn to LIVE with my band. For me, the mental part of losing weight is the hardest thing to deal with.

Welcome! You are on your way!

I feel your pain. I have been beating myself up ever since Thanksgiving. I've had one fill and can eat anything. Today, its back to the gym. I brought my high Protein shakes and healthy food to work. Hopefully, will get back and stay on track. Stressing about Christmas and I'm a stress eater. Wish I could shake that old habit!!

Like the others said, your rash sounds like its from something they swabbed you down with in surgery. powder with Zinc Oxide is great. I had a BAD reaction (rash & blisters) after a c-section years ago. After the doctor prescribed every ointment in the pharmacy, I put Ammons powder on my tummy when I got home and viola, the rash got better. I was banded on September 29th and had many of the same concerns you have expressed. A few weeks after getting banded, you get hungry and want regular food. Well, I never thought I would puree vegetable soup, but it was delicious. It wasn't pretty, ha, but, yummmmmmmmy. My LapBand experience gets better every day. I have my down days, but, try and push through. Old habits, like eating at night, have been so hard for me to control. Last night, I wanted to eat SO badly. But, it was 9 o'clock. I had a sugar free popsicle and went to bed. This morning, I was so happy. It sure beats waking up and saying...why did I eat that. Sorry, got off track a little. What i'm trying to say is it gets better

Leaving old habits behind me

Cool-e-o! I am ready for the liquid diet, all stocked up on broth, protein drinks, jello and popsicles. I've been mad at myself for getting off track the past week or so. Its time to get with the plan! We can do this thing!

Well, tomorrow makes six weeks since I was banded and I am scheduled for my first fill. I know I will have two days of liquid diet and then solid food with a fill. So, let me ask you, what was your experience? I know I have challenges ahead of me, mostly slowing down and chewing my food. What helped you the most? I feel good, but, have been both nervous and excited about getting the first fill. This past week, I have caught myself stress eating, which is my weakness. I also have eaten things with bread because I have heard so much about not being able to eat soft bread once you begin getting fills. I know thats a good thing, because I need the restriction, I would never do it without the help of the band. Thanks in advance, Jackie O.

Thanks for sharing! You inspire me.

I've been banded five weeks and have not lost any weight since the second week in. I get my first fill next week. For me, its easy to forget about the band. I have had a good recovery and am able to eat just about any kind of food. Old habits rear their ugly head on occasion. I'm a stress eater and as we all know, there is A LOT to be stressed about! Everyday, I wrap my head around the process a little bit more. One of the biggest factors in my journey was the nutritionist looking me square in the face and tell me what I need to eat. No more "what I don't need to eat". I need Protein, I need veggies, I need Vitamins, etc. Reading the message board helps. I get to see that there are people out there just like me. We have good days, and sometimes bad days. Hope for more good days than bad. Don't beat yourself up, that won't help. (I know because I have a lot of experience in that, ha) I know LapBand surgery is not the complete answer, but, it gives me motivation. I spent a lot of money and time getting here and I'm not going back. I'm exercising, drinking Water, eating healthier and I'm ready for a change. So, keep going! If what you are doing isn't working, do something different. Food diaries are great. You can look back and see exactly what you have taken in.

Just made a weight loss signature. Hope it works! I was banded on September 29th. Can't wait to get my first fill November 10th.

Congratulations! Glad surgery went well for you. A couple of down days on the couch and you should be moving around well. Don't forget to take in a lot of fluids! ...and Gax X, ha.

The nutritionist told me that Protein is the key. I have a Protein Drink in the morning and afternoon. It really helps with the hunger. She said ALWAYS begin with protein. Still, thats easier said than done. She also says slow down and chew. Its easy to forget. If you are two weeks post-op, you should be on mushy foods. I made vegetable soup with ham and puree'd it. It wasn't pretty, but, it was delicious.

Thank you for your support! Love the part about having surgery on my stomach, not my brain! I tell people that I think my brain is hungry! Congratulations on your weight loss! Jackie

Hey everyone, I'm almost five weeks post op and I get my first fill November 10th. It cannot get here soon enough! My surgery went smoothly and in the first couple of weeks I lost 14lbs. As I have healed, so has my appetite. Since I haven't had an adjustment, the band is wide open and I can eat all kinds of foods. For the most part, I've made good food choices, getting a lot of Protein, staying away from junk food, etc. Still, I feel stressed and alone a lot of the time. At times, I eat too much. Old habits rear their ugly heads, like eating when I'm stressed. Is this normal? What is your best advice for me? Do I need to prepare for the fill in any way? I began exercising last Monday and have kept it up. (30 minutes/4 days a week) Thanks in advance:)

I am only three weeks post-op and have not had my first fill. So, I'm getting hungry now but do my best to make good decisions every day. I realize I can no longer live to eat, and now must eat to live. What keeps me inspired is the person I am slowly becoming....the person that can walk up the stairs without panting, the person that puts on pants she hasn't worn in years and they zip. I turned 50 this year and have decided its MY time. There are so many things I want to do that I haven't been comfortable doing in years. Its a new life for me. Down 14lbs 1st Fill November 10 My turn....

My doctor/nutritionist had me on liquids for five days, then creamy liquids for seven days. (includes thin mashed potatoes, oatmeal, yogurt, etc.) At my week check up I asked him if I could have an egg. He said yes. I have tried to stay on the puree'd portion of the program, but, have been eating soft chicken, rice and vegetables. I just chew it well. As far as the shoulder pain, had that too! The doctor told me it had to do with the hernia repair. It has gotten better!

I think my brain is just hungry! Since I've been banded, I have moments when physically I am not hungry. Still, I think about snacking, especially at night. If I do, I make sure its only a small handful of Snacks. Sometimes I just tell myself I'm not hungry, I just think I am. Old habits are hard to break, but, do-able!!!

Syntrax Nectar (vitaminshoppe.com) There are several flavors and one scoop has 32 grams of protein. Its not gritty or clumpy and it is delicious!

Popsicles, Jello, chicken and/or Beef broth (all sugarfree) Plus, Gas X! My nutritionist/doctor let me have Syntrax nectar. (vitaminshoppe.com) It has 32 grams of Protein per serving Good Luck to you!!!