MeredithMcFee

energy shots that you drink.

Just read a post re: energy shots. I wasn't aware of these but looked them up online to get an idea about them. How many of you out there use them, like them, and which ones do you recommend to buy?

I totally agree. I have a cup of coffee when I get up in the morning and maybe have my first meal around 11am, lunch around 3 and dinner around 7ish. It works for me.

Tanieya, congrats on your loss, that's awesome.Like Stokesmommy mentioned, go on youtube and put in tricep dips. You'll find them there. I am having the same problem too to some degree. I use my dining room chair to do the dips and I'm seeing a marked improvement. You can also use hand weights by doing upper back and tricep exercise. Again, go online, google or youtube to find what's best for you. Good luck!

Like Toddy, I eat them to bump up my protein. I too love the Atkin's meal bars, especially when I'm on the run. I have a Atkins snack bar right before going to bed which satifies me and adds a few more grams of protein. I've eaten the pure protein bars but got tired of them. To me, they're too sweet tasting and I'm not a big chocolate lover. They only seem to have a few choice where as Aitkens has more then just chocolate and peanut butter.

I go online to Vitacost.com and get mine. The prices are so low and they have so many choices. A friend of mine who had gastric surgery years ago suggested it to me.

I have LCN's and I didn't have to take them off, as long as it was clear for them to read the pulseox while under anesthesia. However, I had a pedicure which they took off nail polish from the both big toes so they can also keep an eye on things. Nothing for infection.

Thank you Sasha, I never thought of that. It's getting better but it still hurts some what. This too shall pass.:-)

Thank you TMF for the info. I also had a craving for cyrstal lite lemonade all day yesterday and I'm sure the acidity didn't help the situation. :-(

my esophagus. I take an OTC sleeping pill {tiny half pill} every night for years. Have never had a problem. Last night took the half pill and swallowed but noticed a little later that it burned. Took water, then went to bed. Woke up in the middle of the night with the same feeling. More water. Again, woke up this morning, still had the feeling, decided to have a protein drink, later had a Smart Ones's Rice and Beans for lunch with no swallowing problems. Took vitamins and finally took some dexilant but still have the same feeling. Has anyone had this problem before? I just tried eating some spicy almonds {not thinking} that I usually have for a 3pm snack and it burned going down, I just spit the rest out! Has anyone had this problem before after taking an 'innocent' little pill?

Steve, I think you just might have a idea for a book there! Sounds great to me!

I had the same question when I was thinking of getting the lapband surgery. I had thyroid cancer 8 yrs ago, no thyroid at all now, but just taking meds. My Endo keeps me hyperthyroid which is overactive, hypo IS underactive. {to keep the cancer at bay} on high doses of thyroid meds. I've lost 50lbs in 5 mths, I'm 57, not a young 'chick' but still young. My Endo has been decreasing my medication each month as I've been losing weight and so far so good. I've plateaued for the past month but I believe it's due to my not working out due to the heat. I am back working out and know I'll see the numbers on the scale going down. Besides making the right food choices, exercise is crucial with keeping on the program losiing weight and maintaining. Good luck.

I'm 5.5 months out from lapband surgery. Lately having problems with getting stuck from time to time. Drinking less protein drinks, and eating less food for the most part. I'm losing my hair and getting acne on my forehead which never happens anymore. Starting to eat a little more and trying to get in one protein drink in a day but wondering if anyone has taken prenatal vitamins in place of One a day's etc. I would think it has more vitamins then any normal one a day plus more but not sure. Anyone here take any and if so, what's your feeling on them?

Lucy, go with your gut instinct. There will always be people out there telling you horror stories. I'm in medicine and have worked in a fast pace eye surgeons' office for years. Everytime some new procedure came out that was FDA approved, our docs researched it to the nth degree before deciding on performing on their patients or for that matter their families. The news and magazines would put a negative twist to the procedures and we just bit the bullet and waited for it to die down. Research your surgeons', nutritionists, etc in the group. Make sure you have a great support system with them. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Listen to what they say. I learned a lot of info on here that the surgeon's practice didn't tell me since there's so much to know and learn. Be patient with the lapband, and yourself. It takes time to understand the workings and everyone's experience can be different. It's a tool that you will always have to work with, it doesn't do the job for you. My cousin had her lapband done 12 years ago in Atlanta and she still has it and has had no problems what so ever over the years. I wish you well in making the right decision for you. It's the best thing my husband & I did and we wish we did it sooner, like so many other's on here say.

Great advice from all here which I am taking literally. I've been having some difficulty lately as well. Only have 3cc's in my band and after my fill 5 weeks ago, I've had a few stuck episodes, blaming my not chewing enough, but not sure if it's that or the band. Finally this weekend, ate some blackened filet tip which went down well after consciously chewing, then 20 min later had 2-3 sips of coffee and I've felt that feeling in my throat all weekend. The meat was real spicey which I like but wondering if the spice set off some irritation and swelling. Stupidly, I ate spicy almonds yesterday and some spicey chips last night, yes, I did say stupidly, and I had a major PB. Still feel the lump in my throat and tightness this morning but the latter is normal for me. Thinking of calling surgeon today to get an unfill. Crystal, I hope we both are able to get the relief we need. Good luck to you and again, thanks to all with the great advice. I thought I was the only one with such a small amount of fill in me since my surgery in late January.

Welcome to the FitBit groupies! I was banded in late January and heard about the Fitbit here. A group of the January Bandsters and other's following in February found out about it as well. I think their stock went up big time in February!! We all felt the same way you did when we got it, and I still do. Any chance I get when someone asks me what it is I have on my shorts, I can't wait to tell them. The sleep feature is fun too. I agree, don't know how it works but it's cool! Enjoy, and good luck.

LOL it's an addiction for sure! I got mine after my surgery in late January. If I forgot to wear it, I was upset too! It truly encourages you to go the extra step{s} when you are too tired and don't feel like it! It's the greatest little gadget that's come along for me. Enjoy.

Mags, you look awesome! What a beautiful smile. I agree with Jerseygirl82, take progress photos. I too, shied away from the camera prior to lapband surgery like so many other's. Shame on us.

Most surgeons who use an assistant, typically will bill the ins co. hoping they pay. If they don't pay, then most surgeons write it off. I would speak to a supervisor or the original surgeon's billing dept. Like Patty above, my surgeon has 3 other surgeons in the group and yes, they always need a surgical assistant. I would start with your surgeon's office first by saying you were never told of an assist nor a charge.Good luck.

I still get them and I'm 5 mths out. I don't mind them unless I get a "stuck" which then I can hiccup for a whole hour! Those I despise but only happened once, thank goodness. Those who know I have had the surgery and are around me when I'm eating, knows when I'm full with those two hicups! It's ok, it helps me to be good. :-)

today by accident. I had it clipped to the bottoms of my tankini {yes, my size 14 that I wore 4+ yrs ago} while I was cleaning the pool, pavers, etc. Note to self: DON'T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR FITBIT OFF WHEN YOU GO IN THE POOL {for the first time since it's 98 deg here}. Well, I forgot. I was in for a good 10 minutes when I realized I still had it on and quickly took it off and laid it in the hot sun to dry knowing full well it had to be a goner. Brought it in the house and put it on it's base and I saw nothing. Walked away to get a ziplock bag of rice hoping for that to bring it back to life. Came back and Walla, it was working and synced up to my laptop!!! I thought for sure it was dead. Note to self: Never put your Fitbit on your bathing suit while cleaning the pool, eventually you'll be taking a dip to cool off..... On top of that, lost another 3lbs. Two more lbs until I hit a loss of 50lbs!!!! It's all good.

Djbryan51: My cousin had her band surgery in Atlanta around 2000. She recently told me she's fluctuated 20-25lbs from an initial loss of 100lbs and she was comfortable with that. She hasn't gone for any fills in sometime but she she's ready to lose a few more pounds and is scheduled for a fill. So far, she said she hasn't had any problems all these years with the port or band.

My DH bought a 30 Tube pack from Costco I believe called ZipFizz. Zero sugar, high electrolytes. B12 energy drink you put into you water and supposedly lasts between 4-6 hrs. I feel like other's here re: the jitters and was afraid to try it. I've used them from time to time, actually this past Saturday, and although I don't find they make you jittery, can't say it gives me the energy they say it does. If so, it's gradual at best.

Oh no, Lovely Bandette, you said the magic word here. For me and many other's here. The FitBit is the bomb! I had my surgery in late Jan, and heard about this after my surgery. If you go to the forums- Fitness and pull up Fitbit, you will see so many of us who have it and love it! I know there are other worthy pedometer's mentioned, I believe Body Bugg or something like that but for me, it's definitely the FitBit. Having it and knowing I have it on me gives me the incentive to go that extra step, mile, whatever to see the steps, the activity and calories burned and able to download very easily on your computer and cell. If you do decide to get it, you won't be sorry. Money well spent.

Congratulations for making your decision on changing you life in a healthy manner. I'm also sorry you have those who are not supportive of your decision. I read it and hear it alot from those on this website and people I personally know who have had the lapband. All I can say is chalk it up to ignorance, jealousy, fear & care for us, and who knows what else. Hopefully you've researched your surgeon and staff and have found the right mix for you. You will also learn so much here on LBT. I'm sorry I found this after my surgery but better late then never. I'm still learning from everyone on here on a daily basis. My husband & I had the surgery earlier this year and we've had nothing but support from loved ones, co-workers, clients, etc. And if someone thinks differently about our choice of "taking the easy way out", that's their opinion as they're entitled to it. I'm 57 and at the stage of my life that I can't worry what people think about me. I still have a good 25 lbs to lose and feel so much energy and confidence then I have in the past years of putting on a good 60+ lbs and not being able to walk up or down the stairs without holding on to the railing, enjoying gardening, and just getting out of my car to food shop was a problem with my knees and back. At this point I can do it all and then some! Have there been compromises along the way, absolutely. Like any other addiction, I'm learning to change people {moi} places and things that caused my weight gain. In the beginning it was an everyday challenge and right up there in my conscious mind, As time goes on, with the help of the lapband being a tool, it's helped us to be just a part of our everyday life and reminding us to make better choices. So far so good. I wish you the best on your journey. Hopefully, as time goes on, your loved ones will see you made the right choice and change their minds. If you need support, we're all here for you on LBT 24-7.