Thats All Folks

Congratulations! (but I'm so sorry about the loss of your grandma)

My surgeon keeps everyone overnight as a precaution. Plus, then you can get the "good" pain killers that first night via IV.

I've heard of program fees, but a charge for food? I don't see why you'd be charged for food when you're getting a Lap Band. Program fees are more common when switching surgeons.

The newer high Protein Slim Fast are actually decent. They're 20g of protein and 180 calories. I've had the chocolate and vanilla, I think both are decent. Atkins makes a super yummy caramel cafe Protein shake but it's only 15g of protein. I still really love unjury but I've been experimenting with grocery store brands (like the Slimfast and Atkins) to save a little money.

I've gone from a size 46 to 18, and lost 187 pounds, in about 13 months.

I think a lot of us feel overwhelmed. I know I got home and had questions, too. Honestly, I didn't know if I'd forgotten or just never been told some information, but either way I felt very confused about a lot. So, I called my surgeon's office with a list I'd written out before dialing. Maybe you can do the same? Best wishes, and in the meantime, we'll help fill in the blanks here whenever we can.

It's my experience that any kind of drug for weight loss will end up backfiring in the end. Phentermine or any other speed based drug may work, but you can't take them forever and once you do the weight comes right back and then some. As for Phen375, like all other so-called weight loss pills, it's a gimmick. It's ingredients are: caffeine a nasal decongestant (no I'm not kidding) Carnitine (which your body makes on it's own unless you have something like angina) chili peppers a steroid some plants Sympathomimetic Amine which effect Seratonine level and dopamine (and I wouldn't trust for weight loss purposes) Again, just my opinion, but I wouldn't touch this stuff or any other gimmick like it. If this sort of thing actually worked, no one would be fat and no one need WLS. Yet...here we are. Best wishes to you.

Ask your doctor, they all have different instructions. Gas X strips and liquid Tylenol are good to have on hand, though.

That is so awesome! Congratulations!!!

I think a lot of us struggle with our identity when it comes to weight loss. It's weird, but in a warped way I think we're used to be the big one, even if it isn't a good distinction to have. I have lost 187 pounds and I struggle to figure out who I am some days. I love the new me and I can't wait to lose the rest of this weight. But at the same time, sometimes I'm so uncomfortable it's not even funny. A good example: Tomorrow I have to go to a birthday party for my grandma. I have avoided most of my extended family for years, in large part because I was so huge and self conscious I had panic attacks in public. Tomorrow will be the first time any of them have seen me and if I could cancel, I would. I'm seriously freaking out! As much as I hated being the fat girl, I don't know how to take all the positive attention. It makes me so uncomfortable it's not even funny. I'm acutely aware of the fact I look like an entirely different person than I did 13 months ago when I had Lap Band surgery- but I'm not yet entirely comfortable with who that person is yet either. So... knowing tomorrow I'll be walking into a room of people with dropped jaws and looks of complete shock when they see me...makes me full of anxiety. I may have hated being the huge girl, but at least I was comfortable with it. I'm slowly but surely learning to be comfortable in my new body. You will get used to yours and learn to love it too Best wishes!

Some doctors do allow it, but most forbid it. You will have to ask yours to be sure. As for myself, I won't touch it. My doctor forbids it. When I was getting my Lap Band, the woman I shared a hospital room with was in there to have her band replaced. She had been drinking carbonation and her band not only slipped but her stomach actually prolapsed up through the band. She also regained 40 pounds. Between what I've read, the woman telling me her story how she caused her slip drinking carbonation, and my doctor's warning- I will never, ever touch carbonation again. It's just not worth the risk, in my opinion.

What about a spanx type tank top? To hold your "girls" in place but without the band to rub your incision?

A lot of things can cause a slip. Vomiting, over eating, carbonation, letting your band be too tight, etc. It could also just be a rare fluke. The most common cause of slips are bands that are too tight. Usually I am allowed to eat immediately after an unfill, but you'll have to ask your doctor what his instructions are to be sure. Especially since you may be dealing with a slip. Best wishes.

What you're going through is very common. I mean, let's face it, we all have unhealthy relationships with food or we wouldn't need WLS to begin with. Some of us have emotional attachments, some of us eat based on our emotional state, some of us binge, some of us graze, and some of us are just plain food addicts. What you're going through is a type of mourning period. You realize you can't eat the way you used to and you're feeling the loss. It's sad, frustrating, and even angering. You'll go through those moments of "this is so unfair!" and even rationalizing with yourself to fall back into old behaviors. Again, all normal. Just remember that these feelings will lessen over time. Eventually, if you continue to truly deal with them head on and not give in, one day they will be little more than a fleeting afterthought in the back of your mind. It's not easy but stick to your guns despite the feelings, you'll be so glad you did. And, if you feel you need extra help? Don't hesitate to seek counseling. Best wishes to you

This is another example of why I wish all doctors would adopt the same Lap Band dietary guidelines and rules. It's so confusing when they all say different things! I was never told I couldn't use straws and still do pretty regularly.

MFP is great for tracking calories, not so good with nutritional advice. Don't worry about what MFP says, just follow the calorie guidelines your nutritionist gave you and you'll be fine.

Congratulations!! You're doing so great!

You'll find every nutritionist and every doctor seem to have their own idea what works best. Is this for your 3 month required diet before the surgery? It sounds like they're putting you on a low carb diet similar to Atkins. I personally don't like or do well with low carb diets (I did Atikins in the past) but some do great on them. It really all comes down what works best for each individual person. Best wishes.

The only way you can know for sure if you band has slipped is by having it examined via xray or barium swallow. It doesn't sound like you have a slip, it just sounds like you are early in your journey and don't have adequate Fluid in your band yet. It takes most people multiple fills before they have the right amount of fluid in the their band so what you're experiencing is pretty normal. Best wishes.

I am so, so relieved your doctor is following up on all this! And yes, a gastroenterolgist would be the same the thing. Please let us know what happens, ok? I'm very worried about you. ((hugs))

I don't think you're dumb at all. In fact, I think you're smart to realize you're too tight and are going in on Monday to have some removed. Way too often people walk around entirely too tight for months then act all shocked when they end up with a slip. You're wise enough to not make that mistake. Just chalk it up to a learning experience Oh and be sure to take a big drink after your unfill on Monday, not just a sip, to make sure you're not still too tight. Best wishes to you!

No, you're fine. I know it's gross and a bit scary the first time it happens, but you're fine. You're actually doing really great to have gone so long without this ever happening before! I'd just stick to liquids the rest of today to let the irritation subside and by tomorrow I'm sure you'll be fine. Best wishes

Ok kinda funny (in a sad way lol)... I have had problems with HUGE hernias over the last decade. I had one fixed that was bigger than a grapefruit (not exaggerating, either). The surgeon said it was the biggest he's ever seen. I had one become strangulated this past August and I have to have more big ones fixed at the same time as a tummy tuck this spring/summer. Because of all this, and now losing over 180 pounds, my tummy is just gross. SO much extra skin! In fact, my belly button isn't even where it belongs anymore. It's actually down and to the left lol. After the tummy tuck and skin removal, I won't have any belly button at all anymore. So, I am planning on getting a tattoo where my belly button should be once everything is done!!

Yup some bands are just really finicky. Stress, hormones, hydration, Water retention, illness, etc.... they can all make your band tighten right up on you. I've heard some people even tighten up at higher elevations. It's good you got the slight unfill, though. Best wishes!

Perhaps you can only handle very small fills at a time? Some of us are just more sensitive to fills than others so we need to gradually work into the Green Zone. I know even in the beginning I could never have big fills or I'd end up gurgling up Water. Just a thought. Best wishes!