koolkel

if (you) know, then that is all that matters...
me being a biggun, it took a while for anyone to notice..so when they do notice, and they will...smile and say thank YOU

Don't be discouraged. I'm guessing you're still wearing the same clothes, yes? That alone will hide your loss because clothes that are baggy make you look bigger.
Plus, I find people are really hesitant to comment on weight until it reaches that point it's impossible not to notice. They're scared of going "Oh you lost weight?" just have you go "Uh no, are you saying I'm fat?" Let's face it, weight is a very touchy subject so people very much approach the topic with a lot caution.
No one said anything to me and started to notice until I lost about 60 pounds, btw.
Be patient, they'll notice

I was banded on November 6th and have lost over 50 pounds. It wasn't until last week that people started to say something. Give it time...the compliments will come!
Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

My surgeon told me under no circumstances should I attempt sword swallowing.

Carrie, make sure your Protein Shakes are loaded with Protein. Mine had 25 grams of protein when I did them, that will keep you statisfied longer and you won't feel like you are starving.

Ah that's to bad ,but they will taste that much better when you can have them again

humus eggs refried Beans ( not my fav). I actually stir fried veggies and them put them in the magic bullet it was great
wendy

I lost 12 pounds the first 2 post-op weeks and then nothing. I got my first fill last week and the scale is going down again. Your body is probably adjusting to the new you. I think we are all harder on ourselves than we should be. Just follow your surgeons instructions and you will get there!

I use the laughing cow cheese, either on Trader Joe's Pita Crackers or Whole Foods Air baked crackers with sea salt. Both give yo a better serving for the calories and better sodium and nutrition. Its nice to have the crunch, I just make sure I chew REALLY well. Cheers to your Snacks

What are the fill protocols? In other words, how often can you get a fill, does it cost or is it insurance paid? Does the doc do the fills or a nurse? How many lapband cases has the doctor performed? What are the pre op dietary restrictions? Post op dietary restrictions? Is there a nutritionist on staff? Is there access to the nut?
Have fun!

i dont believe in will power as i can will myself to do just about anything.
but i believe in want power. i want to lose weight bad enough to do what i have to in order to make it happen.
so you went off program. you knew exactly when you were doing it and you did it anyway. you are strong enough
mentally to do what is right for you..who says you gotta be perfect 24/7??
just follow your doctors instructions and let the band work and i guarantee that if you do, you will
lose weight and feel better...that choice is yours.

Please know you are not alone. I just confessed to my friends that approx 3 months post op I ate 3 donuts today. I am very frustrated I don't feel any assistance from my "tool".
Sorry you slipped, good luck to you.

I'm on liquids for three weeks! I'm so glad it's not four! On Monday I graduate to purée for one week then mushy for one week. Luckily, I had no pre-op restrictions. I think it's hard because my 13 year old wants to eat constantly. I'm trying to make him food that I don't like!

The only thing guilt does for me is crush my spirits.
I like to learn and move on hoping that I won't make the same mistake twice but I will because I' only human.
The only thing Guilt and painful memories got me was 400 lbs.
With a lot of love and support I knocked off 100 lbs on my own and kept it off for 22 years.
Now I'm getting help with the next 100.
Good luck and don't be so hard on yourself.

I didn't have pre op restrictions, either. And it is hard with kids. When I had my surgery I had a 17 year old and a 9 year old- and I was single mom. So, all their meals and care were up to me.
Just keep reminding yourself your health depends on your compliance and your sons depends on you to be healthy to care for him.

Just know this is a learning process. The nutrition needed now is imperative. The new you is in infancy. The old you has some habits not healthy to the new you! Learn from this one pitfall and do what you need to do now and tomorrow. If I could change all the old me with one hour surgery it would be odd and far too simple. Keep your focus! You are worth it! My knees are so happy I did!

The guilt alone will keep me on the straight and narrow! Ugh! My big lesson is to stay out of restaurants until I can safely eat regular food. My son will have to deal with it for a few more weeks. I feel comfortable with being able to control portions. I think I justified this because I've read of others who had surgery when I did or even after me who are on real food already.... It made me hungry!

So I fell that its time to update my progress since my last entry.
The pain is minimal from the ags and the incisions. dull stings and what feels like joint pain in the left shoulder. No I am not having a heart attack, no shortness of breath, sweating, difficulty breathing, etc.( for the medical folks out there).
I was out and about most of the day. can I over do it? thoughts.
So how do I get my 64oz of Fluid in a day? I'm taking in about about 48oz by bedtime. should I be taking bigger gulps? Should I be forcing fluids on a time schedule? What are your thoughts on the subject?
Sooooooooo, this was not in the brochure.
1. Commercials. Have you all noticed that TV commercials and for that matter TV in general promotes the heck out of overeating? Dominos, pizza hut Popeye's chicken, KFC, those stupid BurgerKing pieces and the best of them all Mickey D. I wanna punch Little Ceasar in the head! I'm not hungry, but I feel compelled to eat. Same way I did when seeing someone smoke on TV, Bogey would light up, I would light up. Thank God that's over with. 12 yrs smoke free. I may go back to radio all day.
2. The bathroom. If you have small children ofr have a weak stomach stop reading from this point foward. This is not to insult, inflame or gross anyone out. Biology started to work yesterday. Intestines started peristalsis, and last evening the Last Train from Clarksville came in. For those with potty training toddlers, thats number two.
Anyway, I know there were going to be changes, but no one told me about the new odors associated with this. First I offended myself, next the dogs scattered and hid in their crates, not to be seen again. My wife came to bed stating she was filing for divorce if I keep this up and finally, the smoke detector went off wanring the rest of the hosue hold there was danger ahead.
I rely on you folks to give me a heads up on these matters. you are my pals, confidants and friends. Why did you leave this little piece of info out? I afraid to go out in public. I may get arrested for terroists acts. I'll let this one go, but in the future please let me be aware of what to expect next. I have a family to feed.
3. sleep. Overnight I became my grandparents and my father. I am a night person. Mornings suck and now I know why. It's cold dark and lonely at 4 in the morning. Now I know why the early bird special is at 430pm. Bedtime should be @ 8pm. I went to bed last night at 10pm. Up at 4am and I feel great, but why is this happening. Dont tell me next I should be exercising at this ungodly hour.
Thanks for reading my rant. I feel much better now. will keep you updated with more observations and tips as I come by them.
More to come

The only difficulty we present is if they have to tube is into our stomach or pump our stomach.
When I had emergency surgery I had to have my band completely unfilled but it really wasn't any big deal.
I think as long as you're at a hospital with a bariatric surgeon on staff you don't have anything to worry about.

And out of the 20's OMG!
Size 18 pt.. I don't want to take them off now! First time in 4 years!!

Could not stay away from this one....here goes, another opinion...but this from my own personal experience....
Answer is, depends upon how tight your band is...I'm snacking right this minute and I feel the food sitting in my pouch..it will pass, slowly..that's why I take small bites and wait between swallows...put the fork down. And what I don't finish in 20 minutes goes in the trash...or my Happy Dog! (Golden Retriever)
However, if the food is sitting in my pouch, it takes up a certain volume - space....now add Water and I've just INSTANTLY increased that volume...perhaps doubled it...
Three things can happen that I will experience....First, it may wash it down,(maybe, but not too often)....
Second it will create a lot of pain, probably dilating - expanding my pouch size (dangerous), and
Third, along with pain, it will come right back up and out - overfilling and nowhere else to go.....I've learned all three the hard way...
Pain is common to all three and the body's way of telling me to modify my behavior....Don't drink and eat at the same time, or immediately after...
But again, what I am saying is based purely on what I have learned from experience, not what I have been told or read...it may/will be different for other people...
As far as liquid passing right through the band, I do not believe that. If so carbonated drinks would not be that big of deal. But they can be if you don't know what you're doing....
When I drink straight liquids I can also feel that in my pouch and pass through the band, and hear the gurgling like Water circling the drain....tighter in the morning, my first coffee when the house is dark and everyone else is still sleeping is a real trip!
And if I gulp water, (at the gym and not thinking) even without food present, it too has come right back up...again with pain, I have to sip water...
think of a funnel with a narrow passage. Cannot put anything in the top portion too quickly or too much.....and your pouch is elastic, it will stretch, and hurt.
Everyone has a different size funnel...it's adjustable...so the experience cannot be identical from person to person, but sometimes very close.
But again, it all depends upon how tight your band is...for those without a fill you can get away with more than someone who is out there on the edge..like me.

I also have BCBS of CT and everything is covered for me also