JosieK

sorry for typo...meant "i need a little time to catch up"

hi everyone, i'm back from NY. i had a good trip. also i was able to stay on track. i need a little ti,e to catch up with the posts but i wanted to check in and say hello. is the challenge still going on? i want to join as well and will think of what i can commit to later today anyway will check back later

hi carlene, actually i think this may have been my fault. even tho' the 3 rules: eat small bites, eat slowly and dont drink while eating...sounded easy in theory. it was more difficult then i thought. early on i could eat. i think i may have violated above and irritated my esophagus. and then i was PB'ing. so i think in all of this i may have taken in foreign matter in my lungs. a friend of mine is a doctor and i saw her last weekend and she said the mouth has the most bacteria. the upside is....i'm not hungry at all. i did read somewhere on this site that some people dont need fills for awhile. however i would like to start eating again. i'm still pretty much on liquids (Protein shakes, soups) and Vitamins. i feel great however. before being banded i realize the quantity and quality of food i had been eating made me feel like cr#p

hi janell, i am newly banded (3/30) and i dont have any fill and i had aspiration pneumonia. i am on 2 different antibiotics to clear it up. the only way they could tell was by taking a chest xray. did you have this done? i definitely feel better since i started the antibiotics. i got the pneumonia about 3 weeks after my surgery.

hi everyone, checking in.....i am going to NY for 10 days and wont have access to internet. i have a house on an island up there that isnt wired yet. can you believe it? tammy thanks for the challenge. up there all i can do is walk....but when i return i will officially join. i want to kick up my exercise a couple of notches i still cant eat....but i started to be able to get protein shakes down again. so that, water and vitamins...my doctor said i fine for me to live on. i want something crunchy in my mouth. i'm not hungry at all so that's the upside. i found another girl who has the same thing. she's been dealing with this since her surgery in december. so seeing her deal with it is making me feel i can deal with it too. so anyway good luck everyone with the challenge. i will catch up....promise tammy...did you decide on the new thread's name? thks

hi actually i started investigating this back in 2002 when i lived in NYC. a friend of mine lost 85 lbs in 1 year. i went to the seminar of Dr Christina Ryn. i decided against it. i probably wasnt ready for it....my excuses were "i may not be able to eat steak" ...funny i dont even like steak ha! also the idea of a foreign body in my body grossed me out. but someone explained to me that the material they use on the lap band is same as a hip replacement. if i needed one of those to walk...i wouldnt give it a second thought also i thought i should be able to lose the weight on my own. fast forward 5 yrs....many many lbs gained and lost...and i basically didnt get anywhere with my diets. so my brother was watching a discovery channel show where some really hot celebrity (he still doesnt remember his name) had gained mucho weight and lost by lapband. he has seem me try and try...so he mentioned it and i brought out all my old materials and went forward pretty quickly the operation was pretty easy for me. the left shoulder pain and nausea (for only 10 hours) were my major issue and they arent major but i did cause some issues for myself. i was eating bites too big and too fast. so i was having problms keeping food down. but i truly think this was of my own making i've lost 22 lbs so far. i have seen on this site the people most successful exercise and follow a good plan. and there are quite a few winners on here there are people i've read about that dont understand why they dont lose weight...they dont exercise, taco bell is their mainstay fast food joint. i started walking the day after surgery. i started spinning class 3 weeks after surgery. so i plan to keep this going 2 things i've found. i used to blame my eating on me and my emotions. and this is partially true. but there was a physical reason for the overeating. the receptors that tell your brain you are full are at the top of the stomach. when we get banded...the food fills the top faster so we are full faster and if we eat properly (proteins first)...longer this made me feel better.... i am not hungry at all. but i have had a separate issue with a touch of pneumonia. but i am happy i did this and feel this will allow me to succeed. oh one thing...i usually go gung ho on a diet for 3 weeks then lose my resolve. the band doesnt allow me to fall too far off the wagon. you may want to call spivak's office and see if he can recommend someone in NC. he was part of the initial trials and knows many Drs. also i know he trained in georgia for some part of his education. anyway let me know how you make out

thanks leatha for the advice. i've been thinking of buying a sleep number bed i'm most concerned that i cant eat anything. today the Protein shake wont go down.... does it sound right 4 weeks after operation to have this? i havent had any fills. the upside is...i'm not really hungry....

hi, i'm very glad i found this thread. i'm newly banded....i am going crazy. i havent been able to eat for weeks. all i can do is drink Protein shakes. i just found out 2 days ago i have aspiration pneumonia. i'm on antibiotics. so my breathing is better. this morning i was starting to feel a little like my old self and decided to try soft boiled egg (i need something of substance in my mouth). i ate 1/4 of 1 egg and i've just spent the last few hours sliming, throwing up and the shoulder pain came back 2 weeks ago they checked my band with the fluroscope and my doctor said it is "perfect". i feel stuck. band doctor tells me "dont worry" it is fine. i feel i cant go to a regular doctor as they dont know the band. i feel like the problem is in the middle of my chest. like my esophogus area. i'm leaving for a 10 day trip on sunday....i guess i just have to deal with it till i return... i'm sick of complaining.... but any insight???

hi stephanie, dr spivak had the easiest pre-op plan. i went to the seminar on wednesday, had my mtg with him immediately after the seminar and had surgery on friday. they told me just to not have meat the day in between. i have mild high blood pressure.... he will make a plan for you that is appropriate for the issues you describe the one thing i can say is...Dr spivak is very practical in his approach. what i mean is he doesnt overdo it or underdo it. in addition to spivak..his staff is great and sincere how far are you moving? their aftercare is great as well.....

hi laurel actually spin is usually part of the regular gym class schedule. i dont know if they have separate spin studios. i belonged to equinox in new york and now belong to lifetime fitness in katy, tx and they both have it i believe bally's has it too... anyway good luck in your search

hey julie, what kind of program did you develop (ie. exercise, food plan etc)

hi abominableglib, actually the major issue after my surgery was left shoulder pain. it lasted for a couple of weeks on and off. my doctor said it was something called "referred pain" this is a phenomenon whereby he operated on my stomach area and it radiates to the other side. i guess the nerves are connected. he said it is similar to when men feel left arm pain when they have a heart attack. i took liquid tylenol (fast acting) and used a heating pad. that helped....i also walked alot...

hi spinning is the actual class done on a stationery bike. it is done to music and lasts anywhere from 45 mins on up. i love it..i'm addicted. but i have to tell you it took me awhile to like it. also you have to take different teachers to see what style you like. i like rhythym based. some people like technical key is to get padded shorts/pants. the first time i did it without them....boy i was sore for a week. anyway i highly recommend it

yup...thats exactly what i meant...a little "electrical current" when i fall off the wagon ha! i'm a chocoholic...ha

hi, from my understanding... the policies are established by the employer not the insurance company. UHC administrates based on what the employer wants to pay for the insurance.

if i's true about the size of their "you-know-what" getting bigger after lapband....i'm going to search the website for a date ha!!! carlene....i'm sure the nuns in my grade school would be aghast too...or would they? :decision: ha

this is so funny.....glad i found this thread ha! i have a theory...guys who have great BIG ones....think their size can carry them the whole way. some of my worst were these guys.:notagree one of the best ones i had was a VERY small guy. he was so sensual and attentive....:clap2: so i agree with you guys about size...

hi sugarbear, actually i thinkthe PBing was my fault which in turn caused the aspiration into my lungs. i was having a heck of a time with the small bites and eating slowly. the concept sounds easy....but practically i underestimated the "power of the band" :nervous what is DL? i'm trying to guess..."dear lunch?" ha thanks sue (in russia)....the breathing is getting better altho' i had to sit up last night to sleep. but i just started the antibiotics. i feel like i have a hangover...BUT..the good news is at least i have an answer. not having the answer was really hard since i didnt see anyone else with this issue. i wish the band "electrocuted me" when i came in contact with chocolate ha! YUM...i'm dying for chicken....next week i can go back on meat. loriPA: congrats on your loss! anyway see you guys later

hi karyn, they are called "new-whey" liquid protein. stats are: 176 cals 42 gms protein 0 gms fat 2 gms carbs i ordered them online from vitaminshoppe.com hi rho_z: GREAt re: park plaza. i know what you are saying about the emotional side. i have to tell you i was VERY concerned about that. but something is different so far...i dont think about food like i used to. it may have to do with the physiological change due to the band. i read on a doctor's website they way it works is...the hunger receptors that tell our brain we are full...are at the top of the stomach. so being our stomach is banded at the top...we stay "full" longer. i thought most of my eating was psychological. but now i'm thinking some of it was physical. it sort of explains it. the other thing i'm learning....i could get on a diet in past...but i couldnt keep my resolve. the band doesnt allow me to change my mind when i get weak and want to gorge myself. of course you can just eat milkshakes all day and gain... but in reading posts on this web...i've found some of the people that complain they dont lose...never hit the gym and sit in taco bell. the ones i've seen being successful....follow a healthy plan and exercise. so i'm keeping those people in my mind as my "mentors" the hardest things thus far for me has been not drinking while i eat...and also taking small bites and eating slowly....very "learnable" but harder then i thought. anyway good luck and keep us posted

carlene, you gave me a good laugh this morning....i love your floor cleaner thanks and have a good day

hi kathy (mommytokk) i was banded by dr spivak on 3/30 and i have to say (i know everyone feels their Dr. is the best....) but he is the best (for me). i went to his seminar on wednesday and had surgery on friday (i was self pay). so follow his direction regarding pre-op. i was thrilled i didnt have to do the preop liquids....as terri said...afterwards you will be sick enough of liquids. i dont know if i wouldve made it doing both pre and post op. i am in katy. not sure how far league city is (i just moved here in October) but we are starting a new group up here on thursday nights. if anyone is interested i can give you the info i hear you re: shopping for clothes in regular stores. i think this is one of the biggest "prizes" that is motivating me... hi eljmom, actually your move may be a blessing in disguise. i lived in NYC before moving here and thought that would be the best place for an operation like this. but the experience of the doctors and support here in houston is quite amazing to me.... good luck girls

hi this is REALLY hard during meals. my Dr says ok to drink before, no drinks during meals and wait 30 mins till "after" having anything to drink when i go out to eat....i order ice tea right before my meal and throw it out. i keep forgetting i cant have it. these new "practices" sound easy....but boy are they hard

hi my orders from nutritionist is..ok to drink before, nothing during and wait 30 mins after

hi everyone, well i finally found out what my problem is..... i havent been able to eat anything for the past 2 weeks except Protein shakes. everything including chicken Soup and yogurt was coming up. yesterday i was starting to struggle with the shakes. my band was check with the fluroscope and it is "perfect" as my doctor said. i also havent had any fills yet my esophogus is where i felt the problem was. i've also had trouble breathing. i had pain in my chest when i took a deep breathe. the final straw was last night when i couldnt sleep lying down.:notagree i called the doctors office again...and the nurse there told me to get a chest xray. that it could be pneumonia... guess what?? it is. it is called aspiration pneumonia. it is NOT related to the lapband operation. it could be from PB-ing and something going down the wrong pipe and settling in lungs...they really dont know the good news is i'm on antibiotics and should be on the mend. the upside has been i havent wanted to eat at all (good thing because i couldnt eat)...only if i didnt feel so bad.... cindy: i havent had a fill yet but you post like you did and people will give you feedback. welcome sophie248: guess thats another place to save money...on the alcohol hehehe... they should add that to the lapband websites where they show you how much money we will save by not buying bales of food after getting lapband ha! mimijill: are you talking about phen phen? if it is...when i was getting the surgery they made a BIG deal to find out the last time i had it. it is pretty dangerous to cause heart problems. hi sugarbear, sg dodge and oh juli carol1951: glad about your fill lori PA: it's funny you mention the drivers license. i just moved to texas and got my new license 3 mos ago. i look horrible. i want to have it redone.....i have to figure out how to get people at the DMV :faint: to let me do it in a few months hi everyone else...i have to get to bed...

hi ictexas: i havent heard of protein pills but i just got the protein "test tubes" i havent tried them yet....but they definitely have alot of protein with fewer calories rho_z: i brought a pillow and blanket for the ride home. it was VERY helpful to have as i was sleepy and nauseous dont worry.,..dr spivak makes you feel VERY comfortable. are you having it at park plaza? the staff there is great. you will meet nurses that had surgery with dr spivak good luck and keep us posted