Sojourner

Yes, my bra size is down (40D to 36C), and husband is lamenting the change. I've reminded him that I'm still larger than I was when we were married...and he had no complaints back then... :wub: . I'm so happy with my smaller sizes that it just doesn't matter to me! Wishing continuing success to all...

It was great to read your message...your level of motivation to be successful is the key to your success! The band is such an empowering weight loss tool...and we self determine our level of success with the journey. As you already know, this forum has so many knowledgeable participants who share their insights and best practices. Most all are here to be a support system to our fellow bandsters...others on the same journey will be able to understand your perspective and be supportive. Best wishes for your success...

Don't forget to bring a Chapstick to the hospital with you...my lips were so dry. I was thankful I remembered to bring it! My surgeon gave comprehensive instructions to me for the post op time, which I took great care to follow. I would advise you to get your post op prescriptions filled prior to your surgery if the surgeon has given them to you. I had everything at the house, and was prepared to manage my pain. I also stocked up on all of the post op groceries I would need...ingredients for Protein shakes, SF popsicles, SF Jello and especially important for me (due to salt cravings) plain chicken broth. I also found that using a heating pad on low setting periodically was soothing to my abdomen, and using it did not interfere with my post op healing. Make certain to walk around your house for at least a few minutes every hour you are awake...it helps to resolve post op gas issues and lowers risks for development of DVT. Best wishes as you begin your journey...

There is a time for healing and a time for loosing...and your primary purpose at this time is to continue to heal. I believe it helps to not become obsessed with your scale...minor fluctuations in weight from day to day are normal, and as tmf shared can be influenced by many different reasons. If you remain compliant with your surgeon's instructions for your diet, the weight will come off. It always helps to empower yourself during times like this when there are concerns about a lack of progress...do what you can to enhance your success...like don't forget to get your exercise in as often as is tolerated within reason following your surgeon's instructions.

I have to agree with others who have written that the issues causing conflict don't really have to do with the WLS. You should be realistic about this...a support system is what you want it to be. Likely there would be a support group in the area you would be moving to. You can't blame anyone or any life event for your weight gain; that's something you need to be able to accept the responsibility for. There is a psychology behind maladaptive eating patterns, and seeking counseling as either a couple or by yourself would help to identify the reasons why these unhealthy relationship dynamics developed. Your information regarding the time line for qualifying for insurance coverage are accurate for some, not all insurance plans. The requirements vary by policy and insurance company. As for surgeons not wanting to accept another's surgeon's patients, this is primarily based on wanting to limit their professional liability risks. Sad but true, the bottom line there is the dollar... One consideration I want to share with you is that having a band is not always limited to just regular follow up appointments. Sometimes one can have unanticipated negative consequences...I was hospitalized for weight loss related issues, not band related medical issues. Twice since being banded I attended a regular scheduled appointment with my bariatric surgeon, and he sent me directly from his office to the ER. Imagine the logistical nightmare this situation has the potential to create... I know that many others who participate on this forum have opted to travel great distances to their surgeon...even to a foreign country. They usually have positive outcomes. I'm just not comfortable with that idea, and am better off for having my surgeon based locally. Other's mileage may vary...best wishes as you consider your options.

My surgeon advised that Imodium was not recommended. He advised me to get probiotic supplements, which to be truthful do not seem to help.

For me, hiccoughs are a "soft signal" that I have had enough to eat. When they appear, mealtime is over, no matter what may be left on my plate. Our dogs just love my diet...they get all the leftovers!

It's never too late to improve the quality of your life...and I'm an older bandster with 2 wonderful grandchildren. My primary motivation to have my surgery was to avoid several additional medical conditions...but there are many benefits which I was not focused on. How nice to not need to adjust the seat in my car to comfortable get in, get out , and fit in it while driving...not to mention the feeling of a degree of increased agility after loosing 60+ pounds. Definitely do your research, attend a seminar for additional information...and decide if it is the right choice for you. Though I have experienced a couple of weight loss related medical complications since having my band placed, they are mild compared to what my weight loss is sparing me from. Best wishes to you as you "weigh" your options...

Yes...the restriction in my band does fluctuate, though not to the degree that you mention. My observations are that the amount of stress I feel (such as while driving) and the hot summer temperatures we are experiencing seem to make my band tighter...to a degree that I have had to relearn how to eat yet again.

I'm and older person, though all things are relative...at least older by most of the age cohort on this forum. I am a grandmother X2... I also have many of the issues you write about...lumbar spine arthritis and chronic inflammation in my hips. As per my orthopedist, the only "safe place" for me to get any exercise is in the pool...so I make the effort to get over to the "Y" for Water aerobics classes 3X a week. You mention that you don't eat much...I don't know if you ever consulted with a registered dietitian for good advice about a healthy bandster diet. Sometimes you need to consume enough calories and meet your daily Protein goal to continue to loose weight. I'm still very motivated to get back to a normal BMI...and understand that my journey is challenged by my limited ability to exercise. It can be done, but it does require patience and perseverance. Best wishes...

Yes, tuna is a great source of lean Protein, but you need to have the type which is packed in Water and not oil. I can tolerate only so much fish...so my favorite source of lean protein are skinless white meat chicken breasts. Especially post op, you need to be sure not to over cook them, because then they become too dry and are easy to get stuck during a meal. I use garlic powder, paprika, or other basic seasonings...and lightly spray the chicken with canola oil PAM before the chicken is grilled.

TMF has it right...it's all about avoiding possible liability for poor outcomes. Just because you have good insurance does not mean that another doctor will accept you as a patient. I'd go back to your surgeon's office to get your port site checked and verify that there is no damage to it. If you are still adamant about changing doctors...start calling around to locate a WL surgeon who will accept you as a patient.

I order off the kid's menu whenever they have healthy choices...but usually the options are fried or too heavy on the carbs...foods which are not on my "allowed list". Your surgeon should have provided you with some essential guidelines for portion sizes and what foods to focus on, and ones to avoid. It would be best for you to adhere to the instructions you should have been given. If they did not provide any pre op nutrition education, then I would be asking them many questions. If you are able, invest in attending an appointment with a registered dietitian to get their guidance about proper diet. Now nearly 6 months out from my surgery date, each meal consists of 3 oz lean Protein and 2 oz Fiber carb, measured by volume and after cooking. And whatever is left on the plate after 20 minutes goes to our opportunistic dogs...

Don't forget your exercise...and post op, you should not be relying on the liquid diet to promote weight loss. My surgeon has advised that over time, as our healing progresses, you need to rely on proper food choices and portions (along with exercise) for proper nutrition and weight loss. If you rely on the liquid diet to provide weight loss, it would also mean that you may not be acquiring the necessary life skills to follow the bandster diet for successful weight loss.

My PCP supervised my required 6 month medically supervised diet, submitted the required letter of medical necessity to my insurance company, and then I was notified by my insurance company of their decision (first letter approval). I then notified my surgeon's office, and his medical staff and insurance specialist took over from that point.

Simple solution to the problem...have nothing to drink on the the table while at the table or within reach while you are eating. Mindful eating (aware eating) would then take over your automatic actions to continue to drink during meals.

I don't think you are odd...I believe you had an exceptionally positive family and upbringing. I agree that so much emphasis on food in life events does tend to make it central to one's thoughts. You are now aware of this, and are successfully striving to make positive and healthy changes... That's a recipe for a successful weight loss journey...best wishes...

What are your surgeon's instructions to you about drinking while eating??? Every surgeon has their small variations on post op instructions...but I have never read of one who would permit drinking while eating as a bandster. So, yes, it's not advisable to drink and eat at the same time. For the reasons posted earlier, and also that it will likely confuse the sensors in your pouch into feeling full without consuming your much needed allowed portion of Protein. Thus, you would likely feel full before you got your needed nutrients in, which would then in turn likely slow your rate of weight loss. When you either don't have enough calories daily and/or don't eat enough protein to meet your daily protein goal you will slow your rate of weight loss.

I had to wait 14 weeks for my first fill due to medical complications, and had only 3 cc's put in as I've had some restriction since having my band placed. After 2 fills, I'm only at 3.5cc's. My surgeon did not want to increase the restriction at all as I am scheduled for surgery this week. At this rate, I believe 4cc's will be the most restriction I want to have. Since my second fill, my level of restriction has increased significantly.

Post op, you will be experiencing Fluid retention and swelling from the surgical trauma to your surgery site. Don't get obsessed with your scale, now or ever... I began to feel more normal with the swelling gone about 10 days post op. Now is not the time to focus on weight loss...but to focus on healing. Remain compliant with your surgeon's instructions, and the weight loss will come. Best wishes...

You may have reached a weight loss plateau...which is normal. I would be quite surprised if your surgeon has not already recommended that you follow a low carb diet pre op, post op, and for the rest of your life. My surgeon was very specific as to the amount and types of carbs which are acceptable post op; only 2 oz as measured by volume with every meal. I was also advised to eliminate any foods from my diet which had any added sugars and stay with SF foods whenever possible. Also, don't forget to get your exercise in...that's a part of breaking through the weight loss plateau. Changing up the amount and type of exercise you do, and also changing up the number of calories you consume daily have been observed to break through the plateau. I usually wait them out, as I never count calories, only measure portions and make good food choices. Best wishes...

It's absolutely essential for you to continue to take your Vitamins and calcium supplements daily post op, and as advised by my surgeon, for the rest of my life. I take the "Celebrate" brand bariatric vitamins in the blackberry chewable version, and they actually taste very good. Because I am unable to tolerate the preferred calcium citrate, my surgeon has allowed me to take calcium carbonate as a substitute. I would compare the amounts of actual vitamins, and their percentage of the "Recommended Daily Value" each dose provides. An off the shelf name brand name Vitamin whose target market is the individual who has not undergone WLS will not provide the necessary amount of vitamins to meet the special needs of a bariatric patient. This is an excellent topic to discuss with your surgeon or dietitian. Best wishes...

That's wonderful to read...and you should be happy to share! This is a wonderful NSV milestone for you have achieved. I have needed my sister at times to force me to look in the misses sizes for clothes...as my "head" has not caught up with my weight loss. It still takes alot of will power for me to stay away from the plus size department. Wise choice to save some money for fall clothes; I just purchased a light weight jacket for the cooler weather, as nothing I wore from last year fits me now. Congratulations on your progress!

A must have that I brought to the hospital with me was a chap stick for my lips which were incredibly dry... For your post op recovery, I would be certain to have at home prior to your surgery all of the prescriptions your surgeon should have given you...especially liquid pain medication. Both the prescription and liquid acetaminophen. I relied on these for a couple of days. There are conflicting opinions as to the effectiveness of using a heating pad post op in the area of my incisions, but I did find that it was soothing and did not cause any increased length of time for the incisions to heal. Also, being prepared to cope with the discomfort of post op gas is essential. Some participants on the forum swear by the effectiveness of Gas-X. I had it a home, but it did nothing to help me. The gas you have discomfort with post op is not the same as gas from digestive issues, which is the type of gas Gas-X is formulated to help. The best therapy for resolving post op gas for me was to walk around the house often, for short lengths of time. I also did as much walking while in the hospital as the nursing staff would allow me to do. Make sure to visit the grocery store prior to your surgery. Stock up on your necessary ingredients for your Protein shakes, SF liquids, SF popsicles, SF Jello, and because I ended up getting strong cravings for salt a few times, I also had cans of plain chicken broth in our pantry. As for rate of weight loss, no two individuals will experience the same. It's much healthier to only establish goals for yourself, and sometimes comparing yourself to others can precipitate unnecessary feelings of discouragement. This question would be better if answered by your surgeon. I would also advise you to not become obsessed with your scale. Minor fluctuations in your weight are normal, and I've read way too many posts from others who report how discouraged they are at gaining 1 or 2 pounds. It happens, is normal, and you will continue to see the scale move in the right direction if you continue to comply with your diet. Best wishes to you as you begin your journey...

It will likely take several fills before you feel any real degree of restriction. 1cc of Fluid can make a significant difference in your level of restriction...and in my experience even .5 cc made a major difference. I still have only 3.5cc and feel alot of restriction. My surgeon also does not do fills more frequently than every 6 weeks, and is conservative as to how much fluid he wants you to have in your band. I agree with him in that I don't want to experience the consequences of an over filled band.