BlueMoon~T

It's funny you mentioned YouTube. I just did a blog entry about YouTube Vlogs. Mine was more of rant. I watched too many Negative Nancy's warning the world about how bad the Lap Band is. I definitely agree with 2muchfun about women focusing on the emotional aspects of their journey, I guess that's just how most of us are hard wired. I nominate the two of you to start a YouTube channel about your weight loss journey. Since 2muchfun is close to meeting his goal he could do a picture montage. I'd subscribe!

I haven't dealt with OHP but I would suggest that you call OHP member services and ask them directly what WLS they cover if any. That's what I did with mine. I knew more about the requirements than my PCP did when I finally decided to have the surgery. That worked out well for me because instead of having to wait on my Dr.'s office to find out the requirements and then call me back for another appointment, they were able to set up appointments with the specialists I needed to see. You're your best advocate!

My last fill was about 2 months ago I did make an appt for April to go see them. My band is the one that fills to 10 I'm at 5.2 My first suggestion too would be that you need a fill if you aren't staying full and are eating larger quantities of food. Sometimes, when we get stuck it's because we aren't chewing our food well enough or are eating too fast. The Phlegm or slimming your describing is par for the course when you're stuck. Actual throwing up is bad for your band. Are you possibly having productive burping? We have to remember that our bands are high maintenance when were in the losing phase and haven't met our "green zone". I'm six months out and still go see my surgeon once a month. I love the accountability and they help keep me on track.

Bands can be finicky. One day you might be able to eat something, the next NOPE! I've been stuck twice. When you see people talking about having PB's that's productive burping. You start to produce extra saliva also called slimming. The pain in your chest is horrible and the only way to stop the episode is to get the food out of your pouch. I've seen people say they drink to try to make it go down or they take a sip of soda, but I personally wouldn't recommend that. I am still considered a newbie, though! LOL I agree with Bandista once you get in tune with your body/band you will know pretty much by the first bite if its going to go down or not. Just try to remember small, slow and well chewed bites will help prevent stuck episodes. I try to wait to feel each bite go threw my band before taking another bite.

I just recently finished three rounds of the injections in my lower back. I had no adverse side affects with my band. I feel your pain. I hope the injections alleviate the pain you are experiencing. Back pain can be a real biotch!

Post-Op I was prescribed liquid Lortab, however; I take a number of other medications I haven't had any problems swallowing them. I have a couple huge pills and I just break them in half and make sure I take drink then drink with the pill while I swallow it and then drink some more. It's kinda become OCD for me. The only problem you would run into would be if you were on some kind of extended release medication. It's always best to talk to your surgeon and get his opinion on how you should take your medication. BTW. CONGRATULATIONS on your surgery date! Woo HOO!

Last night I got the wild idea that I would look up Lab Band Vlogs on YouTube. Big MISTAKE. HUGE! The first 20 or so results were all negative. The first lady I watched to understand why she hated the Lap Band and seemed to make it her personal mission in life to discourage the world from this evil thing called the lap band. As I listened I heard excuse after excuse as to why her band failed. She said she threw up everyday and that nobody told her about PB's. Then she went on to say later that she never got restriction and could eat a plate full of food. Two things. 1)If you over eat you are going to get sick.2) If you're having PB's you have some sort of restriction. She talked about never having restriction again, then told a story of how she almost died (rolling eyes) because she was over filled and couldn't swallow her own saliva. Ok... so we can all conclude she had restriction. She also confesses she's a binge eater. Another red flag. You have to commit to eating smaller portions and having the will power to stop eating when you're full. In my most humble newbie opinion this lady was either not educated on how the Lap Band works, and if that's the case shame on her surgeon, or she just thought it was going to fix all her eating issues. She also kept using air quotations when she said the Lap Band was a "tool". She said she hated when people said that. MY GOD WOMANIT IS A TOOL. NOT A MIRACLE CURE! I was so sad to see all the comments of gratitude for her being so brave to post such an honest video. Uhm... that was not an honest video that was an angry woman who failed to follow band 101 rules. It actually made me angry. I considered the video an EPIC FAIL. She made broad sweeping generalizations saying that the only people that the band works for were people who replaced one vice for another. She used the example of transference of food binging for exercise. They just swapped one for the other. I have to say that I realize that there are risk of complications with the band and that it doesn't work for everyone. But, from what I've read most of the time if people are truly honest they failed the band the band didn't fail them. AND... If you're band isn't working talk to your doctor be persistent there could be something mechanically wrong with your band... but you have to be diligent in taking care of your band. It's high maintenance, but I have to tell you, knowing that every month I have to go in and see my Dr. and be accountable for my weight loss and how I've been treating my band makes me mind my P's and Q's. I've been stuck at 230 for two weeks...but... I've lost another jeans size so my body is losing inches. I love my band. If I was brave enough I would start my own Vlog on YouTube. Just a side note. I always here the soup Nazi's voice in my head from Seinfeld when I want something I shouldn't have. He says, "No cookies or cupcakes for you!". Happy Hump Day, Ya'll!

WLS is a super personal decision. My starting weight was 324 and six months out I've lost almost 100 lbs. I opted for the Lap Band. Some of the other surgeries may produce quicker results but require more drastic measures as far as your anatomy is concerned. None of the WLS's are cake walks they all require dedication to a new way of eating and the will power to stick to it and exercise. Please take advantage of this site to look over all the pros and cons of each surgery. I would caution you to be weary of people telling you how one is so much better than the other. We all had our own personal reasons for choosing the surgery we did. Also, as with anything there are horror stories. Surgeries that have had complications or people who have regained the weight they lost initially. This probably wasn't the answer you were looking for but being on this site and reading things on the internet has made me realize how uniformed people are prior to their surgeries and how often they fail because they didn't fully understand what they were going to be required to do after the surgery was complete. WLS is a tool. It doesn't cure our eating disorders whatever they may be, but WLS can definitely help you get a handle on your weight and help you work through those issues. Best of luck to you. I look forward to hearing what decision you make!

Try not to be discouraged. Until you get to that "green zone" with your band it may feel like a struggle and just like any other diet without the band you will need the will power to continue to make good food choices. I've been told a few times on this forum that a loss is a loss is a loss. At least your scale is moving backwards. Keep your chin up and don't get down on yourself or your band. You got this!

I agree with most. It took about 50lbs. before people started noticing. Right now, the scale isn't moving much but I'm dropping sizes. I started at a 26/24 and now I'm wearing a 16. People are starting to tell me I'm looking skinny. I laugh because I'm like skinny compared to what? I guess skinny compared to what I used to be. LOL! Keep that WLS working for you.

This sure is a hot button topic. First of all, I'm sorry you're having to go through this. I truly hope you don't allow this situation to impede your weight loss. I know a lot of times significant others can have feelings of being left behind when the other is making changes to become healthier and may even fear that you, yourself, might find someone else. I'm by no means condoning his behavior. With today's social media and technology it is becoming easier and easier for people to enter into non-physical affairs and what are now being called "emotional" affairs. I think it will do you both good to begin therapy to understand what the underling issues are. I truly wish you the best of luck in whatever the outcome may be. And remember you have us all on here to vent to when you need a shoulder to cry on or a screen to scream at! Best Wishes!

I read this topic awhile back and I thought... Phew! I'm not the only one. As long as I'm getting my water intake I don't have issues. Not to be gross but Quest bars and me are like that scene in the movie "Dumb and Dumber" when Jim Carey's character dumps an entire bottle of Exlax in Jeff Daniels' characters tea. Definitely a colon cleanser for me. I would rather drink Mira lax any day. Sorry for the TMI

Sounds like the Pre-op visit to me. Reminds me when my Dr.'s office called to schedule my surgery and the nurse told me when to start my pre-op diet. I misunderstood her and thought I had to do Clear liquids for a week. On my third day I called the nurse and asked her again what diet I was supposed to be following and thank goodness it was the full liquid diet. I've never been so excited to have cream of chicken Soup in my life! We get excited after the wait so when we get the initial calls we sometimes blank out everything that is being said. You're excited and that understandable. I would just give the office a call to verify what you will be doing when you come in for your appointment. Best of Luck!

I'm with the ladies on this one. It's all about the Protein. I know its good to question the "why" but please remember your doctors really do know what they are talking about. Listening to them will be a major key to your success. Next time I would even suggest you ask your Dr./Nurse why. I know having an open line of communication with my PA and Dr. has been invaluable to me. Best of luck!

Like the other posters, I too have a tummy that likes to talk to me. Mine too seems to happen more during the evening. I try not to eat anything past 7:00 pm so I'm not sure if its grumbling because there's not much in there to digest so its just moving around my stomach enzymes. Seems to be pretty common and nothing to worry about. Happy Hump Day!

My experience with Lap Band surgery was my third day post-op was the worst, but after that I was fine. If you have a desk job I would say you should be okay to return to work on Monday if your surgery is on a Thursday. Just make sure you have some things to make yourself comfortable while you're at work. Maybe a pillow for your chair and some gas-x if needed and your some Motrin if you need it. Let us know how your journey goes. Best Wishes!

My Dr. politely talked to me about my weight. Did I know I was fat? Sure, I did! My PCP talked to me like a friend and was a proponent for WLS. He was instrumental in helping me through my insurance requirements and has been my biggest cheerleader! I don't get why people get their feathers ruffled about a Dr. telling them they need to lose weight. Even if you don't have symptoms right now the weight will eventually catch up with you. On the other hand, I have heard of situations where an overweight person went to the Dr. for some aliment and all the Dr. would focus on was their weight. Those Dr.'s made their mind up as soon as they saw the patients chart and the weight. To me that Dr is failing their patient. IMO I'm thankful for my PCP and my WLS and the nurses who encourage me to succeed.

As February is winding down I've started looking back at myself last year at this time. If you've read my story you know last March I had serious medical issues and was in the hospital for over a month, on dialysis and heavier than I'd ever been. Its INSANE!! The good thing about that negative situation is the positive changes that have taken place in my life since last year. I'm on my way to looking like I feel on the inside. I feel so much more healthy on the inside and can't wait until people can see what I see when I look in the mirror. I've lost tons and some days I even feel thin at a size 16 now. It's all relative. Some of you may not feel like sz 16 is thin but coming from where I was, believe me... its a big- noticeable change! My daughters told me last week that I no longer had MOM butt. I guess my arse is no longer flat and long. It's got some shape. That's high praise coming from them. LOL! I'm now looking forward to my trip to Vegas in April. Girls Trip! Woot! Gotta lose 9 more lbs to reach the smaller goal I set for myself when I had my surgery in September before I go... but, I'm sure I'll do it! I'm knocking on wood here because I haven't met my goal yet... but, my journey has been great. My weight loss has been constant and after making it through "band hell" I've never grumbled at my band. Instead, my band has been the best investment I've made in myself... EVER! Finally, It's true what they say. If Mama Ain't Happy. Ain't Nobody Happy! My entire family has been impacted in a positive way due to my WLS. Without sounding like a complete cliché. I'm a better Me! Happy Thursday, Peeps!

Welcome and Congrats on your surgery! Keep us informed on your journey. Best Wishes!!

Definitely a good lesson for folks. My PA says if you have a stuck episode you should go back to your post fill diet. I've been stuck on chicken as well. I have only ate one shrimp since I was banded it didn't feel right when it hit my band so, I decided that was going on my no list. We all have different things on our "No Go" list. It's a learning curve. When I was first banded my family used to ask me if I was ok when I was eating b/c I would eat so slow. Or, ask, "Don't you like it?" Eating slow has saved me many times. It really makes you listen to your body-band. I'm not the perfect band patient. I'm sure I've done things that others wouldn't, but I'm getting results and taking care of my band. So, just try to keep your eye on the end game. This is a detour but we're here cheering for you to reach your goal! Good Luck!

Congratulations! Also, Welcome to the club. You'll find tons of information on this site. You'll be able to find topics on almost anything you can think of. If you don't then don't be afraid to get in there and ask away. There are people on here who are just as vested in your progress as you. For me this site has helped me so much because its good to have buddies who know what you're going thru and can keep you grounded. Best Wishes!

Since my third fill I haven't felt hungry either. I just don't think about food. I don't feel like I'm being un-healthy. I eat appropriate meals. To me its just nice not to obsess about food. I also think this topic should fall under the "everyone's experience is different' category. Now, if someone is talking about having anorexic tendencies I could understand why people would be concerned; but otherwise, I feel like my band is working wonderfully for me and I'm happy with my results.

Hiya Mel! I was also banded in Sept. I'm doing great and after three fills I don't get hungry either. I'm jumping up and down with you! I feel your excitement and I can't wait to continue on my journey. I'm a much happier person b/c I finally did something for myself! Have a great day!

Hi Jen! Your problem is pretty common. It takes time for you stomach to acclimate to your band rather it's being filled or unfilled. That's why my DR will only do fills once a month. I'm glad your being proactive and going back to have a little taken out. Sometimes, we see people suffer with issues for awhile before talking to your doctor. Good luck today!

Here it is in all its wondrous glory. Shut my trap right up! Thanks CG!