proshooperLinda

I hope when you say yogurt you are eating Greek yogurt as it's so much higher in Protein and it will make you feel fuller longer. Applesauce would not last with me so I hope that isn't a major part of your diet now. My doctor said to eat every couple of hours so I think 2-3 hours is a good time frame to look at. Are you able to eat scrambled eggs yet as that will stay with you longer too. Good luck and happy learning your new band!

OMG - have I been there before! No such thing as mindless eating anymore! First time I got something stuck I thought I'd have a panic attack as I couldn't breathe - it hurt so bad and I started sweating really bad and foaming...then I learned to throw it back out! Amen for writing this!

The idea is first protein then water and other liquids. There is a product called LiquiCel that is like the shot of protein. Target carries it but you have to ask at the pharmacy for it...it's not cheap but worth the price - check out the per oz. cost to compare and the taste is better than a lot of the other shots out there. There is also Isopure which is 40 grams of protein in 20 oz. of water so it counts for both! I find it at GNC and Vitamin Shoppe if you have them locally. Good luck and do the best you can! And sip. sip, and sip all day if you need to!

Fever is a sign of a problem - not something to be managed! Call your doctor before it develops in to something more severe! Since I don't run any fevers ANY fever would be an issue for me to be worried about. Please don't mess around with it - OK?

I thought about revising my LB to the sleeve as I've had problems with fills - being too filled and having acid reflux (severe) for several months after twice now....but my insurance only allows one weight loss surgery so I'd have to pay for it. At the time I was thinking about it as then I wouldn't need fills and I'd have faster weight loss. I belong to one support group where the sleeve is done as much as the lapband unlike my other support group where 90% of the people are RNY patients...and the sleeve people have less problems with malabsorption of vitamins etc. so they don't need as many supplements and they seem to have better weight loss. I'm still on the fence but I figured I'd try to follow the lapband plan more closely and see what results I get it that...time will tell if I'm willing to go in to debt for a revision...just my 2 cents... Linda (Since my surgery I've lost 52 lbs. but still want to lose 40 lbs. at least...and I'm 18 months out of surgery - at least with the lapband you still have the window of weight loss with band adjustments unlike the other surgeries - or am I deluding myself?)

Take a deep breath! Relax...I'll tell you right now you will have that thought quite a few times before you actually have the surgery. The key is to expect it and understand why you're having it! It will be a major change in your life - for the better mostly. Find yourself a local support group for bariactric patients and go to it a few times. The things you'll hear may scare you but in the end EVERYONE says even if they had complications it was something they would do in a heartbeat! I don't hear of many complications with the lapband but they can happen. I've never known anyone that has had any problems - other than if you get an overfill and that will only happen once because you learn. Good luck with your appointment and come back for our support! Linda

Have you had any fills of your lap band since then? If we haven't had a fill it's too easy to eat things we shouldn't and end up getting more calories than we need.

The only thing you can do is to ignore. If it's someone that you value their opinion - just thank them for their input. Being obese is a greater risk factor for death than the surgery! I pray you have no complications - but even the people in our support group that have had problems said they'd do it again in a heartbeat! Everyone will feel obligied to give you their opinion - it's up to you what you do with it.

When my reflux was VERY BAD my coughing was also as my throat was irritated by the acid. Nexium doesn't sound like it's working. As far as the ER they are usually staffed by NEWer doctors - just out of school so they actually tend to have more current info than most other doctors. I was sent in for an upper GI to a hospital that does NO bariactic surgery and they were looking at my band and found what my problem.was...Granted I'd have been more happy at the hospital that did the surgery but I was equally happy now knowing I can trust this place if need be. Please don't let the fear of weight gain stop you from seeking help. Hopefully this is only a small speed bump on your journey. Better to live well than die skinny! Don't let it get that serious! Yes, I do mean to scare you - but only because I care! Good luck.... Linda (PS - I would go back to a liquid diet for now because all the throwing up causes swelling which then makes the band tighter - worrying about band erosion and band slippage to a lesser degree...actually more concerned about band twisting as that can cause the problems you're having. I just had fluid taken out as this week after a band-fill a month ago progressively was causing more pain. throwing up and swelling...now I feel human again and it took 1.5 cc's out..and I lost 3 bs. after it was taken out!)

I don't do that - unless I want it to come back up! Sometimes that is my last resort - unless I want to suffer for a long time...I find just "running" up and down the stairs a few times is enough of a jog to loosen it....good luck all... Linda

I've tried many brands - the only problem I have was the thickness. Make sure you're getting liquid protein as the meal replacement is THICKER. I like the vanilla and chocolate as you can add sugar free flavorings or syrups to them to change up the flavor. GNC total lean 25 is OK and if on sale a good buy. The first seven days of the month you get extra discounts so that's the time to buy...Good luck. Linda

A friend of mine told me about this - and it's called gravity...just kidding! You're dislodging the stuck food and that won't cause problems. It's better than all the misery and the foam and saliva getting you sick and ready to throw up. I have tried going up and down the stairs as that helps also....like you said to ideally avoid the situation but it can sneak up on you and you'll think everything is fine and BAM...there it is! I honestly don't think it has any effect on band slippage as I don't really know what causes it...but my friend has been banded over 2 years with no problems from the jumping! Good luck..Linda

Are you just drinking or what stage of food are you eating? If it's still soft food you might not really feel a restriction even with that fill...you don't want to be miserable honestly! I had a fill in late Jan. and the last couple of weeks I was having real problems keeping food down. Wasn't losing weight even though I couldn't eat or drink much of anything. Monday they took out 1.5 cc and I've lost 3 lbs. because I can drink enough fluids and am eating more protein! Who would have figured! Good luck with your journey! Linda

Just so you know - it can take a combination of adding fiber and making sure you're drinking enough liquid also or you can get severely constipated and that is hell! Been there and done that before surgery and after...stool softners are good also. Contrary to some beliefs you don't get dependent on them honestly! walking helps too - I guess it's the gravity effect! Good luck all - Linda

like all others I was a very warm person - now I'm freezing and my hands are always cold! It's been 16 months since surgery and it's getting better! I'm not too hot during the summer and that's a good thing! I find myself holding hot coffee or sugar free cocoa in the evening! It will get better - honest!

54Shirley...please post the name of the drug as I'm always looking for something that works better. I know when the weather changes I will have a bad reaction to it...if you're in the US please let us know as different countries have different names for their drugs...hoping you're in the US personally. Thanks for any info... Linda

Are you getting in your water? That will cause your urine to be very strong and irritating and feel like that! High Protein content can affect your urine the same way I found....the smell will be very strong too. Miralax and Benefiber are very good and work well too - my doctors recommend both to me. Good luck and feel no shame with asking questions as that's what we're here for - each other! Linda

Don't let other peoples stories concern you...lots of people have fills with no issues at all! There is such a thing as a delayed reaction (can be from a few days to a few weeks after) so if you start having problems swallowing or if things get too tight or painful then call your doctors office. They expect to hear from you.There is no such thing as a stupid question so don't feel afraid to call them with questions. Hopefully you have a local support group you can go to their meetings. I'm over 15 moths out from surgery and I'm always learning new things from my local support group. Good luck and happy losing! Linda

Are you taking anything for acid reflux now? It sounds like the antibotics may have set it off. Please don't be so set on your goal you overlook your HEALTH! Acid reflux can predispose you to Barretts esaphogus and that has life changing effects like cancer if left untreated. My band was too tight and I was throwing up while sleeping - could have been fatal...got an unfill and had to let it heal but am doing much better now. Good luck... Linda

As far as the steak issue - I find I eat tenderloin - yes the expensive stuff but since I only eat 1/4 of what I used to the cost isn't that much of an issue. You choose a better quality but you eat a lot less of it so it evens out in the long run. As far as buns I don't eat them very often - I have to be in a good place - not stressed out and not eating FAST! That was the hardest habit to change - and not drinking anything while eating. If things are really dry I may take a small sip of water - just enough to wet it....and you learn not to "finish" things. I can now leave bites of food or even half of something. Growing up to finish off your plate is ingrained in me! I find when I haven't eaten something I really LOVED before sometimes it just doesn't taste as good anymore because your taste buds change....if you don't eat sweets for a while things taste sweeter when you do eat them...too sweet sometimes - HONEST! Good luck only you can decide if it's what you want to do. Are there any support groups you can go to before the decision is made? I learned a lot more from them than I did from any doctor or hospital visit. Take your time... Linda

I can eat almost all meats - just take your time eating. You have to learn to take your time eating and eat small bites...I love steaks etc. so it was a concern for me but I'm glad I did it....as far as buns I scoop out the soft part and am able to eat a bun...you learn how to adapt almost every thing you like to eat - believe me! Good luck... Linda

There are many different types out there...are you looking for a thinner liquid or do you like thick texture? My go to now is Isopure smoothies which are fruit flavored 180 - 210 calories for 32 grams of protein. I use powdered flavored protein in milk or coffee...(cool coffee otherwise it clumps!). I also use the high protein low carb Slimfast ready to drink as a change of pace...at our support group meetings sometimes we have tastings so we don't have to buy or get stuck with proteins we don't like. Good luck.... haven't found a "good" protein bar yet but that's me... Linda

Do you have a local support group for the survivors of suicide? Or you could check online for a group and they could best advise you of how to approach your friend. It's best to follow their lead and don't worry about what to say - just be there for them. Their friend was calling to say good-bye and it's not uncommon to not have a clue that it's going to happen! The person has usually made up their mind already to do it...as far as your friend it's not what you say - it what's what you do - be an ear for them...good luck - they don't want you to be unhappy in your life - just tone down your "joy" until they pick up a little. My husbands brother committed suicide the day after seeing him and their mom on Mothers Day...we had no clue...just take it one day at a time.

You can mix it with skim milk and it will taste better since I had the reverse problem of trying meal replacement and finding it to be too thick. Another way to thicken it is to use sugar free pudding mix in it...I've bought sugar free flavorings to add different flavors to change it up. Good luck and don't let it turn you off of protein drinks....I've tried quite a few and found I like chocolate and vanilla best as you can add flavors to make them taste different...Good luck. Linda

We're not eating like we used to as far as the type and quantity of food so bowel movements are affected usually...That has been an ongoing problem for me. I've been told to take Benefiber every morning to assist me...as I'm trying to become more regular. I notice I feel better and have more weight loss...just a thought for you. Good luck - Linda