rajgrover

Hi all! I do get constipated every now and then. So on the weekends I take one laxative which helps. What I have noticed that on the days I have a couple of drinks, I have a very good BM, to the point I do not need a laxative. Anyone else noticed the same?

I too started out like you... the first day I tried it for 10 minutes, I couldn't walk all weekend! After a month, I was at 30 minutes doing 140 strides/minute. Now I can do 45 minutes for at 155 strides. I am doing interval training. The machine I use is a Precor EFX 546i. So bottom line is give it time and don't give up.

Hi all... At the Gym they use a formula for Target Heart Rate (220- Age) x 80%. For me, that works out (220-40) x .8=144. My Lapband surgeon told me to ignore that number and just stop/slow down if I feel tired or dizzy. Normally I go on the Elliptical Cycle for 35-40 minutes and I see my HR go up to 157 during the peaks of interval training. Today, for the last 3 minutes I increased my speed and my HR went to 164 for a few minutes. I did not feel light headed or dizzy or any more tired than I usually am. What freaks me is the Heart Rate monitor & computer on the exercise equipment starts flashing in the Red Zone. Is this ok, or do I need to slow my workouts?

Aetna will not cover lapband or fills, etc. I had both and currently have UHC. Actually I had Aetna Open Access thru my work and UHC thru my wife. My surgery was canceled one day before the surgery as they considered Aetna as Primary and UHC secondary... and the hospital said that Aetna will not pay a penny towards the lapband, and as UHC was secondary it would not kick in if Aetna paid zero. So later that year I dropped my Aetna coverage and had the lapband put in under UHC. They cover everything, including fills. Stick with UHC .... stay away from Aetna!

I went in today for my 4th fill today. My Dr. sent me to Radiology to have it done so they can also see if everything is ok. I had 1.7cc in my band. Last fill was almost 9 months ago. What I liked about the Radiology fill was that it was covered under my insurance and I just had a $10 copay for outpatient services (United Healthcare PPO) as opposed to paying my Dr. $125. The Xray tech got me prepped and another Dr. did the fill. I was numbed up with novacaine, which was a couple of small stings. I did not feel the 19 Gauge needle penetrate me... he did it a few times as the needle wasn't long enough and he had to switch the needle. After a few insertions he was in (I see 4 dried blood 'dots' on my tummy). He made me drink the barium liquid (which I hate) and he said I was wide open. Then he increased the fill to 2.1 cc and found I was fully blocked. He slowly reduced it to 1.95cc and said I was fine. He cleaned off my belly and sent me away. Note: do not wear a light colored shirt -- I did and I have a slight brown tinge on the inside from the betadyne they use and small blood droplet stains from the needle pricks. I am on a clear liquid diet for 2-3 days. I am starving!!! I had a Protein drink for lunch, a Chinese Won-ton Soup (the broth only) for lunch, a hot chocolate in the afternoon. At night I had 2 cups of tomato soup and 1 cup of milk with ovaltine. My blood sugar two hours later was 86! I had a massive headace and the shakes. So I am down having more soup and sucking on some hard candy! I am hungry!!! Can't wait to start on solids again!

I had a fill today. Apparently it is a 18-19 gauge needle.

I've been working out almost 6 months.... 45-60 minutes of cardio every day. Variation of treadmill, 1-mile at 3.8-4.0 mph, uphill 2-3% and then 32-42 minutes of Elliptical. Basically I try to keep my heart rate at 145-150 for 45 minutes per day. I usually burn 700 calories per workout according to the computer. Then four days a week I also do strength training upper body. Usually 3 sets of 10 for various arm and shoulder weight machines. I have increased some weights from 90lb to 110lb! I feel my shoulders, back & biceps with more definition and tighter. I can see that my legs are a bit more toned and my wife thinks my butt is smaller... but I have lost almost no weight. Yes, I do eat a bit more, but not 700 calories worth! Is there light at the end of the tunnel???

I got to find myself some available ladies like some of you in the NY/NJ area! Anyone interested? ;->

I am an expert on mucous!!! I was in the hospital for a week after being banded (Sept 2004).... The surgery was in the fall... Hay Fever season for me. As I was off drugs for 3 days prior banding (including Zyrtec for allergies), I had a severe post-nasal drip. The day after the surgery, I could not swallow... so they kept me in the hospital suspecting swelling. I was told I could not be released till I can drink my liquids. This went on for 5 days.. I had many Xrays done, until they put in a NGT (Nasal-gastric Tube) and pumped all my mucous out. I was able to swallow almost immediately and was released next day. FAST FORWARD to now... I am still experiencing mucous. I throw up every other day (almost 2-3 times/week) for he last 6 months. Most of it is mocous/phlegm. Doctor knows about it and is not too concerned. The band is not too tight.... I cannot eat in the morning, but I can eat more in the afternoon/evening. Actually I am due for another fill soon. What helps me is the following: 1. Drink more Water... preferably warm. It dissolves and flushes the muscous down. 2. I am drinking 2 GLASSES of green tea. 3. Before a meal, I have a large glass of warm water or a cup of coffee. 4, Alllergy season, I use Nasonex. Bottomline is get your self checked for a post-nasal drip. Mucous buildup means you are not drinking enough water. Drink more warm water.

Hi... I am trying to up my HDL levels and am taking fish oil pills. My concern is tha I am taking the normal pills right now with 1.8cc in my band. I am supposed to get a fill soon and am wondering if anyone found a small fish oil pill somewhere?

I ordered this book from amazon.com Read thru it in 15 minutes.... there was nothing new in there that I did not get from this forum. I could 'make' a better book if I just compiled all the info from the many different websites. Total waste of money! My 2 cents!!!

I have not lost any hair... but I am getting 50-60 grams of protein/day. For Vitamins, I am taking one chewable twice a day (generic from BJs). One B-complex with Vitamin C and one FOLTX (Folic Acid). My Dr. has me go for bloodwork every 3 months to ensure my levels are good and found I was low on Vitamin B1 a few months back. I suspect your brittle nails is due to low Calcium. I also have one Tums before going to bed and Minute Maid OJ with Calcium in the morning. I have a lowfat yogurt in the afternoon.

How do I sign up? Can I go even though I am not his patient? I met him twice and I have read a lot about him....

I have been going the gym for over 3 weeks, 4-5 times a week. Been doing: 24-28 minutes on treadmill, 3.5-4 mph, 0.5% incline Some weights for arms and shoulders 15 minutes on Elliptical trainer Now I am doing 15-20 minutes on treadmill and 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer. According to the excercise machine computers, I am burning approx. 500 calories /workout. ( adjusted for my weight). BUT... I haven't lost any weight over the last 3 weeks (maybe 1 pound!!!). Some people I speak to attribute this to conversion of fat to muscle. Is this true? When can I expect to see some results. Only big difference I notice is that I am no longer cold all day long.

I think my calories are almost the same, if not lower.... as I sleep ealier... I'm not munching at night! Thanx, RG

I joined WW after having my surgery. There were a few good points re: exercise and keep your body moving. Problem is that they eat too much for ppl with surgery. I went for 2 meetings and stopped. I was not too impressed. I made more progress with my surgeon's support group. Banded Sept 2004. Dr McMullen & Dr NiCastro Staten Island Univ. Hospital, NY 386/304/220

Hello all. My nutritionist still wants me on Protein drinks even though I am one year post-op. I don't like milk shakes, so I drink (Company: Nature's Best) Isopure Zero Carb Ready-to-drink bottles. It has 40 grams of protein, no carbs, 160 calories. The problem is that these bottles are expensive. GNC sells them for almost $3.50/bottle. They are also heavy and usually the store only has a dozen or so bottles, and limited flavors. Since I am drinking one per day, I asked GNC if they can order me a few cases and if they would give me a discount... they give the 10% off if you get their membership... what a ripoff! So, I called Nature's Best (1-800-345-BEST) and asked for their local disributor's phone #. I then called the distributor who told me that would deliver free for a $100 order. From them, each bottle costs approx. $2!!! I ordered a dozen cases (12 bottles/case), because when buy 12 they throw in one case free (baker's dozen?). Hope I can save some money for a fellow bandster. -rg Dr McMullen/Staten Island Univ. Hosp. Banded 9-16-2004

Hi. I am new to this site. My weight is 375lbs and I am 6 ft. tall, male, 37 years. I have been approved for Lapband by my insurance and am scheduled for Aug 22. My surgeon will be Dr. Christine Ren at NYU hospital. First of all: 1. I am scared SH*Tless. I have never been admitted to any hospital and am scared of anesthesia (sp?). Also I am embarrassed of my weight... will they be able to move me from the gurney to the bed? Also, can I go to the bathroom, or do I use a bedpan (again -- I am embarrassed). 2. PAIN I am a baby with pain... I have a low tolerance for pain. How bad is the pain? 3. Recovery Can I climb stairs on arrival from hospital? (I have 7 stairs between my bedroom and the foyer). 4. Gas Any problems with burping? Acidity? 5. Diet What is did others eat during the liquid-diet phase? I don't like sweet too much, so I guess I am stuck with broths, etc. Any other suggestions/guidelines?

Thanks for all your responses. I feel much better after reading all the different comments. I have already completed my Stress Test and Esophagram. Another few Questions: Is two weeks off enough time to take from work after surgery? Any problems sitting on a chair and working on the computer 2-3 days after surgery? When did most of you start driving? Any issues with stick-shift gear (the clutch)? Thanx, again! -Raj.