Thats All Folks

You can lose as much as you're committed to lose. It's all up to you how much weight you lose.

Warm liquids may soothe it, but in the meantime I'd go on liquids for a day or two. Your stomach is likely swollen from the stuck episodes and it needs time to calm.

I'm so glad your sugars have leveled off. That has to be a huge relief. Being nervous is normal. I was pretty nervous before my Lap Band surgery, too. But, I'm so incredibly glad I did it. It's both changed and saved my life. Best wishes.

Whether or not you can ever take it again is up to your doctor. They say not to take NSAIDS with the band because it can cause ulcers which then lead to band erosion. However, I take NSAIDS almost daily with my surgeon's blessing to do so. He said since I've never had ulcer problems or reflux in before the band there's no reason to think I would after the band. Talk to your surgeon. He can make that decision for you based on your own personal health history.

Not all doctors require them. My BMI was a whopping 72 and I didn't have a pre op diet.

Welcome! It all depends on whether you're self pay or insurance paid. If you're insurance paid, it depends on their requirements. Some require doctor supervised diets up to 6 months before and some do not. It also depends on your surgeon. I was lucky, it was less than a month from my first doctor's visit to my surgery date.

Remember, you're not a failure. You're only a failure if you give up and you haven't given up. That means you're still on your journey towards success. You've been through an awful lot. Is your surgeon at all supportive of you? Do you get good guidance from him? Do you feel like you have adequate Fluid in your band?

I'm not sure why you'd see this surgery as a nightmare because throwing up isn't normal with the band, in fact it should be avoided at all costs. It's not at all a side effect of the band.

I love sunflower seed hearts (shelled seeds) on my salads. They give it a nice crunch and flavor.

I'm not sure why you're down or feeling bad. 20 pounds is a lot of weight. The average weight loss rate is 1-2 pounds a week. You're above that considerably. I think maybe you need more realistic expectations of yourself and the band. The weight didn't come on overnight and it's going to take time to lose, too. Be patient, stick to your doctor's rules, and the weight will come off.

You're doing great! 25 pounds since March 1st is very very good! And yes, once you have adequate Fluid in your band you won't be hungry for long periods of time. Heck, sometimes I actually miss meals because I forget to eat because I'm not hungry.

You have to remember that weight loss boils down to simple math. When you consume less calories than you burn you lose. The only way to be certain you're not consuming too many (or too little) calories is to track them. Do you count your calories? Also, have a look at this link. It's a really good article about the band that I think will help you to have realistic expectations: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes

I was originally told not to drink for a half hour after eating and not all during meals. However, since I was banded research has come out showing that food passes through the band in less than minute. That means the old way of thinking that drinking would wash the food through too fast is no longer valid. Granted I'm no doctor, but in light of more current research and facts, I personally agree with Dr. O'brien's rule about just waiting a minute before drinking. It makes sense and his logic is supported by facts.

It takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band. I know it's frustrating but be patient, it will come. But keep in mind the band isn't meant to stop you from physically eating anything. It will allow you to go much longer periods of time without hunger (4 or more hours) but it's not the band's job to make you stop eating. So, don't expect the band to stop you from "eating whatever you want". Have a look at this link, I think it'll help considerably: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes.

There's tons of chewable and gummi vitamins on the market. Just find one with comparable ingredients that you actually like.

I'm not even gonna try to blow rainbows and sunshine at you- that pre op diet positively sucks. I'd be light headed and dizzy too! I know you're probably already on protein over load, but do eat as much protein as you possibly can. Also, are you taking a good Vitamin? If not get one. You may want to consider a B12 supplement too to help with your energy. Hang in there, you're almost through this

Oh that sucks What does your pre op diet consist of?

You only had your surgery 4 days ago so I'm guessing you're still on liquids? Unfortunately, you're just going to have to tough through it, especially while you're still healing on the post op phase. Drink as many Protein shakes as you're allowed because protein staves off the hunger longer. Hang in there, it gets easier once you're back on normal food.

Every doctor seems to have their own "rules" for this one. I was told I could drink right up until the time I start eating then again a half hour after. However, studies have proven the no drinking thing may not even be necessary. food doesn't sit on the band like previously thought, it passes in less than a minute (as long as you are taking small enough bites and pausing between them). Being as food passes through quickly there is nothing to "wash away" as originally thought. So, many surgeons are now allowing band patients to sip liquids during meals and resume normal drinking immediately after.

I don't think I'm addicted to carbs but I definitely am refined sugars/sweets. I can eat bread, Pasta, etc without a problem. But sweets? Candy? Baked goods? Holy heck, it can get super ugly if I'm not careful. I've thrown out entire cakes because after having a single piece I knew if I didn't get rid of it I'd eat the whole thing before bedtime. I made the mistake of buying Reese's miniatures for Easter treats this year- mistake because Reese's is a huge trigger food for me. I ate a ton of those stupid things before I even realized it. I have very little self control when it comes to refined sugar. I have to avoid them entirely.

Yes for sure, in fact many find it helps soothe the gas pain.

I'm guessing you're feeling swelling from surgery. Give it time and go easy and it should subside as you heal.

What post op diet phase are you on? I'd assume still liquids if only on day 5?

I used to live on fast food, too. I probably ate McDonalds or Taco Bell at least twice a week- and huge quantities of it too. I absolutely loved it and didn't think twice about having it multiple times a day. Now, it makes me feel nauseous. I tried a McDonalds hamburger about a year ago, took about three bites, and promptly threw the rest away. It just tasted totally gross. If I'm traveling or have no choice but to eat at fast food places I either get a salad or skip the meal entirely. I just really despise the nasty, greasy fast food. I never, ever thought I'd be saying this btw. It's amazing how your tastes change!

It's a slider food for me too so I'm careful about how much I eat. I get the 100 calorie smart pop bags. It's a great munchie food when the rest of my family is eating chips or some other junk food.