Penni60

Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (On track so far. SIGH!!) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (None so far but the day is still young.) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. ( YUP 3 lbs gone!) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (easy peasy - got it in) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore.

Hey there Bermy: I am no longer banded since Dec 2005. I lost my band to erosion. So the weight gain is from no band and eating like a pig. I am struggling every day with the head demons but eventually I WILL WIN!!! Now back to the regularly scheduled program,... I made a comment that the title was harsh. I didn't mean the content was harsh. I tthink the content is "spot on" as Gordon Ramsey would say. He was the chef from "Hell's Kitchen". Anyway, the only thing I am ever so gradually getting around to saying is that in the rush to post sometimes we all need to think about how things are worded. I think we should all do our research. As Photonut commented about the thread I started "Be your OWN patient advocate" it gives the researcher some tools and questions to ask. But then again even doing the research you can NEVER answer all the questions or you might not be ready to hear the answers at that time. Life is a learning process and sometimes you just gotta roll with it. Tricia isn't asking us to conform to her way of thinking. I believe that she is just frustrated with the repeat questions at times. But let me clarify that she is NOT frustrated at the person but at the situation. Then again I don't wanna put words in her mouth either. That is my perception of the situation.

Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (well I followed the plan up till dinner - then I cheated big time. Had a small veggie pizza. Not one or two slices but the WHOLE dang thing. SIX slices. There goes the three pounds. SIGH!!) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (I did 10 min on Treadmill and 10 min on the recumbent bike) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. (The official weight in is tomorrow. Egads! I am afraid to get on those scales.) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (easy peasy - got it in) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore.

Yeah what DeLarla said.

I wanna add to the poll. Box them all up, send them all to MIKEY. See his post "Top ten reason I have not lost weight" Notice his NO. 1. LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes Research is a wonderful and necessary route to take when contemplating surgery of any sort. But most times people just don't know "what" to ask. Sometimes they ask what they think they need to know and they realize after the fact they wished they had known something else. So just knowing what to ask is the big issue as well. I think the title of this thread is a bit harsh. Just my opinion. LOL!!

Like Michelle, I get my nails (acrylic) and pedicure done every two weeks. I get my hair done when it the roots start to show and the grey pops out. I take ONE day a week where I do NOTHING at all. I go shopping when I can and I indulge in some nice quality "ME" time when I can work it in. My kids are all grown and it is just me and John in the house with my 18 year old son now. The one thing I wish is I want to get back to Jamaica for a week long vacation. I have been on many trips this year already but not to Jamaica and certainly not on any vacations. I am LONG overdue for a ME time vacation.

I have been reading on LBT for a long time now. I have read lots of issues relating to the Band. I myself have experienced several complications post banding and eventually have had to have the band removed due to erosion. I would like to share some insights I have learned along the way. Listen to your own body and be aggressive when it comes to needing something or just not feeling right. Try meditation and get in touch with your insides. Sounds weird but it works. I can attest to that. Make your loved ones aware of your wishes if something should occur during surgery that was not expected and making sure the Doctor/Surgeon is aware of those wishes. Set boundaries with your doctors and nurses by letting them know that when you ask for something they should not be condescending and dismissive. If you are concerned that your breathing is abnormal they should not dismiss it as you being anxious just to placate you. This is your life you are talking about. This is your lifestyle that will have to adjust. This is your decision to make a change. You can do one of two things, either adjust or continue down the same path. One will work the other will not. Remember the doctors, surgeons, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, receptionists, etc all WORK FOR YOU! You pay them so they need to make you happy. Sometimes they forget that part. Didn't mean to come across as a know it all. I just wanted to share what I have learned since being banding and actually now that I think about it I learned alot of this while I was a RN for those 8 long years.

I have wanted to post something like this for a long time so here goes. 1) If you make a decision to get the LapBand or in fact ANY surgery whether in the US or outside the US you should do plenty of research. 2) Research the doctor. What kind of follow up care is provided? (ie: fills, unfills, endoscopies, fluroscopies, port revisions, removal, etc). Ask to speak to about 5 or 6 of his patients before you make a decision. Ask those people if they have any complaints or issues with their care before, during and after the procedure. How many of the procedures has he done? What types of complications can occur from this procedure and how frequently do they happen? (ie: perforations, etc) What types of complications has he personally ran into doing this procedure? What is his policy when a complication occurs during a procedure? (ie: does he discuss options with family or immediately convert to bypass or other WLS). Is he Inamed approved for the procedure? If not then who qualified him to perform the procedure and can you have literature to verify this? 3) Research the procedure. How is the procedure performed? What will change on the inside? How will my eating habits change? What will I need to have prepared when I get home in way of food items? What are the short term issues? What are the long term issues? How will I be able to take my pills? 4) Follow up care. What is the schedule for fills? When can I get my first fill? How is the fill procedure performed? (ie: with or without fluroscopy) What is the cost for fills? (under fluro and not) How often will I need to be seen? Will I have access to a Nutritionist? How do you handle unfills? Is there a direct line in case of Emergencies? Does your doctor have email address? What Vitamins should I be taking? Will I need to crush my pills? If so then for how long? Are there any pills that cannot be crushed? If so then how will I be able to take them? 5) In the end you are the ONE person that knows your OWN body. The doctor doesn't, the nurse doesn't, your best friend's neighbor's daughter's friend's dog doesn't. Get the picture? You know when your body is telling you that something isn't right. For instant, you are nauseous, light headed, and feeling tired. Could be flu, could be low blood sugar, could be dehydration. The fact is you are being made aware that your body is not happy. So maybe drink some Water, eat some Protein and rest. If that doesn't work then call your doctor. Not next week not tomorrow but right then. It might be nothing but better safe than sorry. 6) If you are working the band (i.e. drinking before /after small bites forks/spoons down after bite/ protein first - all those things) as hard as you can, and you are still not losing weight, then you might need to be evaluated for metabolic issues. Do not accept the band as just another failed weight loss gimic. Push for answers. 7) Do not leave the hospital before you know exactly what your post op diet should consist of. Including when and how to advance the diet. (ie: clear liquid, liquid, mushies, regular diet). Also, have a clear picture of what each phase looks like. (ie: clear liquid = broths; liquids = protein drinks; mushies = mashed potatoes; regular diet = protein then veggies then carbs). And unless YOUR doctor told you it's ok to change his or her instructions, then NO.. its NOT ok! 8) ON the issue of Pregnancy and being banded here are some questions you might want to address. How soon after being banded can I get pregnant? Once pregnant, will I have to get a partial unfill or be completely unfilled? Should I expect any issues/complications with a pregnancy after being banded? If there are any what could they be and how will they be addressed? After being banded, are most babies delivered via c-section or can they be delivered naturally? If my baby needs to be delivered via c-section could that damage the port and tubing? Are there additional vitamins I should take while pregnant? If you can't keep water down and you have been suffering for days then CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! If you are having days of reflux and a burning sensation in your belly then CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! If you have a redness, swelling, tender, and hot area around your port then CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! If there is just something that doesn't 'FEEL' right then CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! If someone has more to offer then please add to this list as needed and then I will post it and close the thread and make it a sticky. Please know that I am not suggesting that any of us aren't smart enough to know when something is wrong but sometimes we know more what to do for others than we do for ourselves. We have to LOVE ourselves and take care of ourselves.

Dr. Helmuth T Billy 124 N Brent St Ventura, CA 93003 Phone: 805-648-2227 E-Mail: salsadr2@aol.com

Dr. Helmuth T Billy 124 N Brent St Ventura, CA 93003 Phone: 805-648-2227 E-Mail: salsadr2@aol.com

Michelle, Yeah so far so good for me too. It really is making me accountable on a daily basis. That is a good thing. Hoodia is working for me too. It is a life savor. Hmm only wish it was cherry flavored. LOL!!!

Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (so far so good) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (I did 10 min on Treadmill and 10 min on the recumbent bike) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. (will have to wait till Friday to find out the official loss) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (easy peasy - got it in) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore. Thanks for all the encouragement. IT feels really good to get back on track. Watch out world here I come. LOL!!

This most likely refers to one meal. So if you take in more than 30 g per meal you are just wasting protein. IT will be flushed out of your system. I was advised to get in 60 - 70 g of protein a DAY. I typically taken in anywhere from 10 - 30 g per meal. I will usually end up with the required 60 - 70 g. My highest day was 98g. Still in that range but I wasted 8g of protein that day. What did your nutritionist say?

Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (so far so good) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (skipped today but plan on tomorrow - I did go grocery shopping and lugged lots of heavy bags. Does that count?) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. (will have to wait till Friday to find out the official loss but for not the 3 lbs is awesome.) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (easy peasy - got it in) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore. Thanks for all the encouragement. IT feels really good to get back on track. Watch out world here I come. LOL!!

By the way I have LOST 3 POUNDS!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Here is the link: Hoodia Gordonii There ya go.

Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (so far so good) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (I got up this morning and did 15 min on dreadmill, 5 min on recumbent bike, 10 min on weight bench for a total of 30 min). I will lose at least 1 lb a week. (will have to wait till Friday to find out) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (easy peasy - got it in) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore.

OK I tried all your links and it plays for about .01 of a second then stops. I keep hitting play and it won't start. Good luck on the film.

I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (yup no problems there.) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (Just did my 20 min workout.) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. (won't know till I weigh in on Friday) I will drink at least 64 ounces of water a day. (this is never an issue when I do it.) LOL!!

This is just a horrible battle. Head demons, cravings, no willpower, etc. And you know those are all excuses. I have the power to make changes. I have the power to get up and exercise. I have the power to eat healthier. I have the power to motivate myself. I have the power to occupy my mind with other things. I have the POWER!! I just need to recognize this and "just do it"!

This is just a horrible battle. Head demons, cravings, no willpower, etc. And you know those are all excuses. I have the power to make changes. I have the power to get up and exercise. I have the power to eat healthier. I have the power to motivate myself. I have the power to occupy my mind with other things. I have the POWER!! I just need to recognize this and "just do it"!

Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (so far so good) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (kinda dropped the ball today on this committment). I will lose at least 1 lb a week. (will have to wait till Friday to find out) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (easy peasy - got it in) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore. THis is the hardest thing I have ever done thus far in my life. I gave birth to 4 children with ZERO pain meds and to be honest I would give birth to 10 children the same way just to avoid facing the "head demons". LOL!!! food is constantly on my mind these days. BULLSHIT!! It has never left my mind who am I kidding? :hungry: I have to find my willpower again. I had it in high school. I went through about 5 months where I lost weight like crazy. I would get physically nauseous when I would smell chocolate. :omg: Yes, I know that is shocking but true. I also would come home from school and ride my ten speed bike 10 miles every day. I had killer calf and thigh muscles. Again I know this is shocking to even believe. But true. I weighed a mere 135 lbs in high school. I was very sexy. I want that back. I don't feel sexy at the weight I am right now. I kept a pair of jeans from high school. They are a size 10. I gave them to my daughter about two years ago. I think she still has them. I think I am going to ask for them back and hang them up for me to see everyday. I also think it is time for me to use my Bally Fitness membership. I have a "dreadmill" (Love that word), recumbent bike, ab lounger, weight bench, weights, several DVD's, etc but never use them. So what good are they doing? It's time to really get serious or accept my current situation. I can't continue to be in limbo. THanks for reading this.

I was unfilled before the scope the second time but they suspected a slip and that was why I was unfilled. The first time I was at 2.2 cc of a fill. So NO typically you don't have to be unfilled for the scope. Of course the person doing the scope needs to be aware that you do have a fill so they can make adjustments with the amount of pressure to exert while inserting the scope. If your band doc is doing the procedure then it shouldn't be an issue. I just liked to inform anyone doing a procedure on me that I do have a band.

I have had two. One I was completely under sedation but only because I was having my port repositioned and while I was under we agreed it would be a good time to get an Endo for a baseline. The second one I had light sedation. I was awake but groggy and very relaxed. I did have an IV that is how they give you sedation. The procedure lasts about 5 minutes. It isn't very long at all. There was one point of panic for me but the nurse and my band doc talked me through it. I was fine after that. They do strap your arms down but only to protect against you fighting the tube. They insert a bite block into your mouth so you don't bite down on the endoscope. THey spray some numbing medicine into your throat. I closed my eyes and imagined I was somewhere else for those few minutes. It is really quick and painless. I do think their should be a band doctor either doing the procedure or in the room while the procedure is being done. My band doctor just happens to be able to do the procedure so I got lucky. Is there a reason you are getting this done? Do they suspect Erosion?