New Hope

Jodie, it happens to all of us. Tomorrow is a fresh start. Please do be careful since you are still healing from your surgery. Are you on solid foods yet? Once you are, it will help you feel full longer. Try keeping "good stuff" available so when you do get an urge, you don't "starve to death" trying to get something. It seems like the "bad foods" are always the easiest ones to get to, doesn't it? Just think, now that pizza is gone and it won't be tempting you any more! Best of luck to you!

Anita, you're just a year younger than me. Get ready for a wonderful change in your life! You are going to get out there and be able to do things that you haven't done in years! You and your family will enjoy the "new, improved" healthier you! Sending (((hugs))) and prayers for an uneventful surgery and minimum pain recovery period.

You are very, very wise to be walking on that treadmill now. As soon as you can, get up and walk often - after your surgery. This will help w/ the gas pains, prevent pneumonia, and help you recoup faster. Please follow your particular Dr's. orders. They all say something different. Please give yourself time for that band to anchor and your stomach to heal before you run solid food through it. I was banded locally. But I'm still a "Closet Bandster". Only my husband and 2 friends know. That is just a personal decision each of us has to make for themselves. But once you tell, you can't untell. Best of luck to you on your journey to a healthier life change for you and your family!

Great job! I also waited 2 months for my first fill. I wanted to make sure that everything had healed well first. Is your energy level picking up yet?

Oh, how beautiful and true!

I'm not a Rumbaut patient, but I wanted to wish you the best of luck! Have you checked the old posts? There should be tons of info. about your dr. and about traveling to Mexico for surgery. Be sure you pack very, very light since you will not have anyone to tote your baggage for you.

I'm so glad that you have found a local dr. Take care of yourself and best of luck to you!

Frank, is she having reflux all the time or when she lies down? If lying down, try elevating the headboard of your bed. (Get someone else -not recent surgery patient - to lug on bed.) Sleeping on multiple pillows will only bend the stomach and make the problem worse. Be sure that she doesn't eat or drink anything close to bedtime. Best of luck to both of you!

Greg, would you mind crossposting this recipe under our "recipes" thread? It sounds sinfully delicious!

Wow, Darcy, you were precious before and now even more so! I am so proud of you! In spite of your hurting, you've hung in there. Here's to good results from your dr.! And ten miles on the bike! Fantastic! I think Sears is looking for a new spokesperson for that Total Gym you bought....hint, hint:)

Hi, Vera (currently at the Vegas Bandster Bash) has the Swedish band and can give you some info. on it. I have the Inamed, was put in by a local surgeon. Inamed has their own website. I believe Johnson and Johnson is pending FDA approval on the Swedish band for here in the states. You're very wise to do as much research as possible now! Best of luck to you on your journey!

Congratulations on getting your Band! Each day will get better and better. Please take it easy and be sure that you are eating according to your drs. orders. You need to give your Band time to anchor and let your stomach heal so you don't risk early problems with slippage. Take it easy on the ab stretches for the first few weeks. Walking is about the best thing to get rid of gas and help relieve those little aches and pains. Best of luck to you!

Frank and Debbie, Congratulations! Best of luck to both of you on your road to a happier, healthier new You(s)!

Hi, Jodie, I found the Mylicon Infant Gas Relief Drops worked better than the Gas-X. Walmart has a cheaper generic version. Beans are a major gas maker. You are a fairly new Bandster, so please be careful with your diet. Follow YOUR drs. orders. (They all say something different.) Are you getting your daily water intake in (but not with meals)? Are you trying to walk as much as possible? That is about the best way to get that gas moved out of your system. Are you having regular bowel movements? Constipation can cause problems with digestion and your gastric tract. Best of luck to you!

Brenda, best of luck to you! You fight for this! Get all the info. that you can and be prepared. You're not being selfish! You're saving your life and reducing or eliminating health problems that can only continue to get worse. You're worth it and I know that your family thinks so too! Brenda, I've lost 49 pounds in 4 1/2 months. Nothing else I've tried has been this successful or this easy! Sure, it's work to do your part, and you really need to do some form of consistent exercise. But when you're not starving all the time and obsessing about food, you can get out there and enjoy life! I've found out that I like to get outside and ride bikes with my husband. I was a previous full-time couch potato. Since my banding, I've taken part in a 20 mile and a 25 mile bike benefits. I just returned from climbing up and down mountains in Estes Park, Colorado (4 - 5 hrs. daily) for a full week. Granted, I had to take my Celebrex (which I now try to take only when absolutely necessary) and use Aspercreme each night. But last year, I tried to climb a couple of short trails to waterfalls in Colorado and thought I was going to have a coronary because my heart was pounding so hard, sweat was pouring down my beet red face, and my legs hurt so bad that I gritted my teeth to stifle the moan each time I had to move. From last year to this year is truly a miracle! This is from someone who lives at sea level, now climbing up to 10,000 ft. high! I would never have even dreamed of being able to do such things a few short months ago! My blood pressure, asthma, hiatal hernia, gastric reflux, arthritis have drastically improved and my prescription meds. reduced by half. That alone is saving me a fortune! Our grocery bill has been greatly reduced because I try to be more conscientous of the types of food I'm buying. My whole family is eating healthier than before. Now, I do have my weak moments and eat something that I shouldn't. But I know that's O.K. I can get back on the "Band Wagon" the next day.

Brenda, you and I could almost be carbon copies of each other! I hope you get your band. It will help give you your life back. You will be able to walk, ride bikes, and play soft ball with your kids... a whole lot sooner than you ever dreamed!. You just put one foot in front of the other on the Banding Journey and follow all your drs. orders and pretests. Sooner than you expected, but slower than you want it to be, you'll be a Bandster. Best of luck to you!

Please let's leave politics out of this forum! It's just too pleasant of a place for that hogwash!

Boy, learned this little bit just in time for tomorrow's flight! Also, chest congestion and/or sinus congestion can make you pb more. I had to have .2cc removed this week because I was pbing on Water. That fill had seemed perfect for a week, then wham! I'm really wondering if the antibiotics could be the culprit.

Try Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Lite, mixed 50/50 w/ water and kept chilled in frig. It gives you a nice flavor change and is cheap. You can also mix that above mixture w/decaffinated tea for a second variety. Cut some gatorade w/water, makes it not so overly sweet and less calories, too.

Wow, Jodie, Great Job! Welcome to Bandland!

Katie, your body is going through a lot of changes right now. The weight and hormones are shfting on you. And you're still getting over the effects of surgery and anesthesia. It's o.k. to have a "pity party" as long as it doesn't last. Sometimes a good cry is all you need to get it out of your system. You're doing fine!

We also have Bandsters here from Scotland, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and France. If I forgot anyone, I apologize!

That is TOO good! Glad to "know" you a little better!

I usually make my own the night before. Those usually tend to be a little dry.

Please be careful with abs. You don't want to unseat your band. Boy, you must be feeling good!