lisacaron

I drink from a straw all the time. Especially if out in a restaurant. If you have gas pains after stop and try again after a few weeks months as you heal. Everyone is different.

Give your doctors office a call. Often there is someone on call and they can give you some advice and tips to help you out. Never be afraid to call the doctors office they are there to help you.

You can get good ones in so many places. The key is to try them on and to make sure they are for high impact. Victoria Secret makes some good ones, Hanes, Jockey, Under Armor, Champion. You want to be sure that they don't give you the uniboob and that each breast has it's own pocket or cup. You want to have the compression so they are not hanging about and bouncing. So snug works. In a "generic" sizing S, M, L, XL though you might think our size needs that XL it's too big. (at least for me it was) jumping up and down there's too much movement so I had to go down the size. The best ones even though they may have that racer back for the support, they also have a bit of hook and eye closure to the band so you have the flexibility to make it snugger as you loose and also as the garment stretches. Cause as we know bra's are not like our jeans they don't shrink in the wash they tend to stretch out more. Prices online are good, but try to get to the store and try on what works for you and then you can order online. If you have an outlet store near you those are great also. All our body types are different even if our size is the same, so you really want to get in there and try them on. I know jumping around in a dressing room in your bra is not high on the list of fun activities...but the girls are worth it

So ladies, I was doing some research and gearing up for my first 5K. I was feeling a bit insane but I have decided that my health has to find a place in my life, and since I work the best under pressure I decided to jump in with both feet and signed up for this 5K which is being sponsored by my job so there is NO way I can back out or not finish it because everyone will know and well I spend more time here then I do at home so I'll have to make sure I do it and well! So in preparation I have been doing some research and you know what I read, and if I can find the article I will post it, but the jist of it is that any time you are working out. Walking, running, biking, elliptical what ever your work out is you need to have a good sports bra! You need to have those girls supported and the more intense the work out the more structure you need to the sports bra. The reason being that our boobs basically are held up by ligaments and skin. We have pectoral muscle, and building that up helps to keep the girls in their perky position. That said however supporting them during a work out so they are not bouncing up and and around and pulling down (thanks gravity) will help with prevent that saggyness that comes as we lose weight and exercise. Do you buy that? No...well trust me ladies invest in a good sports bra! They can be $30-$70 depending on the make and the type of bra you get. For intense work outs you want the GOOD one. It's cheaper then a breast lift, and let me tell you...I bought it! I see a breast specialist for other issues, and they had advised me of this years ago...and so I got the low impact ones..and as my work outs increased in intensity so did the make and support of my bra, and my size has gone down from a 42 DD to a 38 DD. My breast tissue is still right where it was...still the same cup size even as my circumference shrinks. Support is a BIG thing...now I am looking into some tummy support as well...I want to see if that works to minimize the "sag" I'll let ya know what I find out.

@@hershey4 I would not assume it's anything to do with the WLS. Go and see your Primary doctor, they can run a few tests including an x-ray which will show the placement of your band and the port as well as be able to rule out any other issues that might be going on. If it's a band/port issue then I would contact the Dr. that did the surgery, but go to the Dr. you are covered to see. Tell them you have pain and it's in your side and back and sometimes on both sides. I could be many many things, including something to do with your kidneys. ( I say this b/c the pain radiates to your back on both sides, but I am not a Dr.) See your regular doctor and go from there, let us know how your doing and what your doc has to say. Feel better!!

I have to say that I agree with April, this would be a deal breaker for me too. I try not to be judgmental of people and for sure we all make mistakes. This is beyond making a poor choice though. Driving drunk is putting the lives of those you have taken an oath to help in harms way. Yes under the influence judgement and choices are skewed, the poor choice this fella made was getting to that level of intoxication where he thought it was OK to put lives at risk. Hopefully he will take some time off, reassess his choices while doing his penance for his actions according to the law. People are forgiving, but for now...I think it is totally justified for his patients to have a hair on fire reaction and schedule surgery with one of the associates. Even if he is not a drunk, he certainly in no frame of mind after this incident to be performing major surgery on anyone.

Great to see all my band-mates from Dr. G's office here I agree hubby and I love him and his office!

I'm curious - is this a new phenomenon - vets leaving? Or has this always been the case? It is not a new phenomenon and it's not that it has always been the case. That said, when you answer the same questions over and over, and you hear new WLS patients asking if I did this right or that right or are looking for absolution for eating pizza 3 days out of surgery it's hard for a veteran to keep posting reply's that are supportive. Then for those that do post and try to let a new WLS patient know that NO it's not OK for you to eat pizza 3 days out of surgery only to get responses back that are nasty it becomes clear to that Veteran that they need a break. Some drift off the forums for a while, they might read what people are talking about but they won't post and they won't share much, and that is sad because they have lots to share. We have to remember that the written word on a forum is not like sitting face to face with your friends and family, and that certain tones can be inferred even if that was not the intention. So I find it best to take everything in stride and remember that if they didn't want my opinion or that of others then they should not have posted on this site Veteran or no, I don't consider myself to be any better or worse then anyone else on this site. I have something to learn from my Peers, from those who have been here longer and those who are brand spanking new to the site and and to WLS as well as those who are just "thinking" about it. No matter what my background and education in this area or any other area's happens to be, I don't think I am above learning something from just about every post. Even if it happens to be the things NOT to do and I don't hold back from sharing my experiences, my thoughts, ideas, teachings or understanding on any subject. All that said though...I am out living my life as are most of us. I am here when I can be and I interact as often as I am able, because it is a support for me as well as for others. Having a site like this is an awesome thing for me since it's always here 24/7 and I can find time to check in and get a refresher when I need it any time day or night. It's here for all of us and we just need to remember that it's a support sight. There is always room for a rant or rave about something, but there is no tolerance for non-supportive behavior that is what drives all people away not just the veterans. Hope you all have a happy and safe Fourth of July!!!

@ WOW! Give the office a call and see if you can schedule with one of the other doctors. No matter where he ends up at this point, you are safe thank goodness! Even if they push you back by a few days, it's better then the risk if this guy doesn't know right from wrong...Let us know how you fare with the other Dr.'s in the practice.

@@Jack Looks like something interesting. There is something to be said about our sympathetic nervous system, and the power of intention. That said, I don't think anyone could make me think or feel like I went through something as eventful as Weight Loss surgery without having to experience all the things that we go through to actually get to the point of surgery. Or the with the fear and uncertainty that comes with having the surgery, healing from the surgery both physically and emotionally. Learning to live and work in tandem with our new tools that when we don't comply lets us know in a very physical and often emotional ways as well that we are not in compliance. It's not a bad idea to sit with someone for a time, unloading what upsets you, and listening to positive suggestions and creating some relative intentions into your life. If your interested, there are several self hypnosis applications and programs you can download and do this yourself and enhance your experience with your band or WLS tool on a subliminal level that won't hurt your wallet. If you are having mental and/or serious emotional issues, I will say it is worth it to see a professional before delving into any type of hypnotherapy.

Love those photo's! Thanks for letting me share in your journey! Can't wait till we can get together again

@@SillyAuntDi I totally understand that and I agree 100%. You know right before hubby and I got married a family member was going in for WLS. It was a great choice for him, he has some pretty bad medical issues and though most of the family were not supportive I was totally in his corner I thought wow this is awesome I hope it all works out for him, and I really wanted to see all the photo's etc as he lost weight and "got healthy". We had a brunch celebration for our family when we came back from our wedding (no one was invited to that not even our 5 kids!) There was food galore at Lombardi's everything and anything you could possibly think of or want. I felt bad when I invited him that he might not be able to eat the food there and asked the catering hall if they would accommodate any special dietary needs he might have. So I reached out and asked him what that might be so I could let them know I knew nothing about WLS then but was starting to research it. He told me don't worry he would be able to eat anything. I didn't take that to heart until, he really was ready to eat anything. Thinking the surgery was the fix it and now he could stuff the pie hole with anything and everything and the weight was going to peel away. Yeah well that didn't happen. I cringe when we are at family parties now that both my hubby and I have had WLS and I watch the volumes of soda (straight sugar high test soda) and the piles of food on the plate, hoagies and all. I think to myself maybe it's all my eyes are bigger then my tummy, would have to be after sleeve surgery right? Wrong, cause by now that tummy is right back where it was, and all that food went in...and I watched and was sick. (really physically I had to walk away, my band was hurting! Not really but in my mind it was) So for those that think there is magic in that band or sleeve or RNY, they need to know that the magician makes the magic happen and the magician is YOU. It is dam hard work WLS or not. Getting fat was the easy part, open mouth insert food chew swallow and don't move for 3-4 months success! Getting rid of that fat...is HARD ass breaking heart pounding breath taking work! I fight for every ounce I lose as I am sure you all do too Now off to the dentist! UGH, all my healthy eating chipped a filling... I really do hate having to go to see the dentist. (no offense to those of you who are one....but I really do hate it.)

I'm not sure that I agree I would not let anyone person's comments new, veteran or surgeon run me off. You know some one told me opinions are like A**holes right everyone has one and some people just are. So I when people bug me I think about that and laugh cause the visual is hysterical! Then I don't judge them, ignorance is a sickness as much as obesity is. They don't have to like what I say, but they don't have the right to treat me badly nor do I them. I don't preach to the choir I sing in harmony. (Match pitch anyone lalalala clearing voice and quieting down cause my desk mate thinks I'm wacko or went out drinking for lunch) If I asked you are you cured of your obesity? Would you say yes because you have lost 100 pounds or more? Would you say yes if you lost 200? We are all in this together and the newbie (even the ones who just are) has something to say and teach us as much as we have to say and teach them, even if it's simply how NOT to be, and what NOT to do. So I take it in stride and I comment as I feel it and I don't when I don't and if I get sling back that's nasty I can hash it out with the best of em, but I really try not to stoop, I save the bending for squats f they know better after one day then you do after X amount of years and weight lost then OK revision slips what have you that's for them to learn and experience at their own risk and share in entertaining and not so entertaining ways later, when/if I read it. Some of them could be part of the next Steven King novel the way they tell the story of how the band destroyed the Universe and blacked out the Sun. So I ask you have you got this band thing nailed and down pat? Cause I know I don't, and all I can say is what I have experienced and nothing more, I can be supportive to those that want and seek support even if that means some tough love. Just ask my kids I rock in that department! So friends please try not to let it rattle you, people are just people they can't help it they were born that way Sometimes I like my cat better...even when he talks back.

@ I want to say first that I agree with everyone here! I wish you the very best and much success. I appreciate your perseverance to get healthy. As CowgirlJane said in her post, I would want to get to the root of "why". All WLS no matter the modality requires a major change in life. As well as a change in your lifestyle or the way you live your life. Our choices even the ones we make only in our mind and may or may not act upon play a big role in our success and/or lack of success. Now don't get me wrong I am not trying to say that "you" are the failure here. If I were you though I would want to understand for myself why and what failed with the other modalities of surgery. I think a behavioral therapist and psychologist might be a few good places to start. It helps to sound off to someone outside the scope of our lives to see what they see. We can be too close to have a good perspective, and there is something liberating about opening up the closets and letting someone peek inside and see that hey maybe that wasn't so scary at all and all I need to do is move that childhood item to the top shelf and solve a million and one other issues. Think about it friend, and keep on researching so you know all there is to know about this new surgery and the life style that goes along with it and how you can make it part of your life to have that success and make it all yours! You are so determined I have no doubt that you will be successful this time!

I am in the same boat as you. Paddle paddle paddling along. I look at it like this, I didn't gain my weight in one year and it won't take me just one year to lose it all and to be healthy. My weight crept up and up over the years, and today my weight creeps lower and lower. I feel healthy and I look healthy. Not much saggy baggy skin to complain about. I go to the gym now, I lift weights but I'm not sore and hurting every single day and I don't want to be. I don't like the idea of no pain no gain, after all I want to lose not gain right So I practice making a life style change every single day that will sustain me waaaay into the future. Not just in the foods I choose but in the way I eat them and don't eat them. The way I move and don't move, and it takes some time. I'm not a light switch that goes on and off. I can tell myself today I'm going to eat right, but never understand what right is and why I am doing that today, when tomorrow comes and I'm under pressure or distracted and the old habits come back. They do come back because they are just that habits, so I am working on not only breaking those habits but creating new and healthy ones to replace them. So it's second nature to reach for Water and not coffee when I need a pick me up. So I reach for Protein and not sugar when I am running low on steam around 3:00. To choose to remember to eat Breakfast lunch and dinner at some point in my day and not shove all the calories in after work when it's more likely I'm going to rest and get to bed then it is for me to take a walk after dinner. So 50 pounds in one year is GREAT! I say HOORAY for you! Keep up the good work, and I will be right there with ya!

Thank you.

I have to tell you that I am really upset to hear that this office won't even work with you. Talk about hard a** what is up with that? Not everyone can fit themselves into the office schedules. Did you try looking up another Dr. in your area that does the lap band on this site? Give it a go, you might find someone closer to you that can work the fills for you.

@@rose2014 The feeling you are having is what restriction feels like. As others above said stick to the liquids and mushy foods for a while. Every doctor has a different protocol when it comes to giving fills. I didn't have one until nearly 12 weeks out from surgery, but that is the way my Dr. works. He is very conservative when it comes to adding Fluid in the band. Since you are already feeling the band as you eat and drink I would say a few more days on the liquids and mushy foods can't hurt you. I know that's not the best foods to choose from but you don't want to force food down when it sounds like you are still a bit swollen from surgery and now a fill. Give yourself a bit of time to heal. I had a regimen of 2 weeks liquids, 2 weeks mushy and 2 weeks soft after surgery as I said my doc is very conservative after the surgery. I had a similar issue with one of my incisions being short and short waisted my lower incision and port incision were always getting bumped and rubbed and irritated. The waist incision burst on me and fluid drained and it eventually healed up nicely. Keep them clean and dry and as bandista said maybe try a gauze pad to keep it from rubbing the scab off.

@@monkeysnana09 I love what @@Kitt3000 suggested. Give them a call and speak with the doctor directly. Let them know all that you have been going through and where you hubby is and that you are there on Wed. for your hubby and really need the help if they can provide you with that same day. I'm sure the doctors will help you out that's what they are there for. Don't tell the snot at the desk or the person you get on the phone why you are calling just ask to speak with the Dr. directly. It's personal and urgent. They will put you through and hopefully they will be able to work with you. We all understand the busy life of Doctors, Surgeons, Nurses and PA's but sometimes we need a little help also. Let us know how it goes!!

I agree 100% it is a real art and not every doctor or PA is a great artist. I have to tell you I have come across my share of them and they don't make me very happy. There are days when I feel like I need to stand on my head to have a fill and if I request an un-fill for what ever reason like the one and only time I did because I was sick...I know they are looking out for my best interest and the health of my body and the band, but really isn't that what "adjustable" is all about? If I wanted to diet, I would not have had surgery. So hearing the PA tell me well that x amount of fill should work for you..what exactly does that mean?! What works for her...oh wait she is not banded. How do you know what works for me? I think I am the only one that is going to be able to determine that....please tweakers..tell me if I am wrong here, cause it's been about 3 weeks since that incident and it still has me P.O'd.

You look great. Loved the last photo great BIG smile!!

Just be sure that they are healthy. Lopsided and all today we can correct and make those look good, it's being healthy so you have some boobs to worry about! Get those Mammo's and sonograms as necessary and if things look and feel odd to you don't wait to check it out!! Breast cancer doesn't discriminate based on age, you don't have to be old to get breast cancer or even a woman to get breast cancer so make sure you are doing your self check and seeing a doctor regularly. Trust me I have lost friends before the age of 30 from Breast Cancer and I have lost family of all ages from it as well. My sister in law was diagnosed at the age of 34. Her story, she had those uneven boobs (no weight issues) and she was too embarrassed to have them checked out when she needed to. She waited just a little too long and survived stage 3 breast cancer. Bottom line, love the boobies and take care of them symmetrical or not. Sorry for the sermon just passionate about this issue

@@Outerbeauty13 don't worry. Stick to your pre-op diet if you had one and keep on the path. The smallest thing like an infection or a cold or even arthritis can raise your white blood cell count. They will come and let you know and tell you where to go from here. Relax give yourself some TLC this weekend and before you know it you will be on your way. It's better to be safe then sorry so it's a good thing they are making sure that you are 100% before going into major surgery.

@@destinyford Oatmeal is not bad for you. Is it healthy to eat everyday..sure it can't hurt you. Is it the best choice to eat every day...probably not for a WLS patient. The reason I say that is because it does not have any Protein in it. Even though it can be high in carbs, they are complex carbs that are not easily digested as are refined carbs such as in white flour. So technically they can keep you feeling fuller for longer. As someone above mentioned if you mix in some Protein Powder it can be a win win. Look for oats that don't have a high content of sugar, such as steel cut oats and mix in that protein, make it thin enough so you are not stuck on a gob of it and enjoy!

Here is the caveat when it comes to bread and bread like products. If they are soft and doughy no matter how much you chew them there is always going to be some chance that it can get stuck. Even a tiny bit can get down there and then swell up in the stoma and cause a very uncomfortable feeling. That said I will tell you that I eat bread though not much of it, (simply because I have no desire for it) when I do I usually make sure that it is toasted and not doughy in any way. So I don't eat bagels or rolls or buns since even when you toast them the inside can remain soft and doughy.