lisacaron

In my opinion the reason for the protocol is two fold. One to help ease the trauma on the stoma as the pressure in the band is increased and two to help remind bandsters of the basics. Every fill or appointment is a chance to take it back to the beginning. To give yourself a chance to "reset" not just your pouch or stoma but your mind set. If we have strayed a bit off the path, maybe fell off that band wagon for the holidays or just because it's Tuesday your doctors appointment and that fill or no fill is an opportunity to get back on the wagon, the path or find your stride on your WLS journey. Bandista, I believe that having a protocol whether Dr. prescribed or not is a good thing if it works for you I say pick that one and adopt it as your own! It's not about a diet or restriction it's about living in harmony with your body and your band!!! (How much do I love that we can edit our comments! I have an itchy enter finger that likes to post before I'm ready! )

Way to go Terry!

Ah...my Grandmother always used to tell me "powder and Paint make you what you ain't." I find that to be true. Not always in a negative way either. Sometimes dressing up your short comings or covering up the things that make you feel and look not so great aren't a bad thing. It's all in the mind set of how you look at it, and when I am feeling less then great I will try to make an extra effort to jazz up the make up or the clothing to add a little pep to my step. When you look good you feel good...and if you don't...you can fake it till you make it! However, on the flip side Jack I understand what you mean about covering up with food and overeating. At one point in my life I also had the idea that if I was heavy then people wouldn't look at me and make me uncomfortable. The truth was they were still looking at me, and now some were judging me for my size too. I had to learn to be comfortable in my own body and in my own skin no matter what it's size and shape. To love me for me and not judge myself. That is what has helped me to stop thinking that by being obese I might fade into the background. That's just not in the cards for this little fire ball. So might as well shine as bright as can be!!!!

I will be totally honest with you all, sometimes I give in to head hunger. If I am truly not hungry, one bite of that "something" that's calling my name is usually enough for me to be satisfied. However sometimes I am truly hungry in fact so hungry that instead of eating something healthy that might take some time for me to cook, or heat or what ever I'll choose that no good something that I think I really want. That is the hunger that I have a problem with. When you have a craving I truly believe that comes from someplace in your body outside of your mind, something akin to an imbalance. I find when I have cravings for sugar or salt it's because my electrolytes are out of balance and my body suddenly will crave foods that are high in either content. The same happens to me with vegetables, I may suddenly have a strong urge for Sweet Potatoes, or Spinach and it's usually because my potassium is too low. For me true hunger that is not satisfied is what leads me to making poor choices, and to over eating. I will start picking at things or snacking a bite here a taste there until it's time to sit and have a "meal". Then eating the meal on top of all that I may have picked at puts me over the top and weight can be gained or maintained but definitely not lost. So I am working on making sure that I eat when I am hungry and satisfy the hunger with good food so that I'm not tempted to pick or snack on foods that are not part of my meal. I can get so engrossed in a project at work or home I forget to eat until I am ravenous and that works against me. When I am at work I set silent alarms on my fitbit to alert me that I need to stop and eat or drink something.

Hey lady, you could have a low profile port put in to replace the one you currently have. Give your lapband surgeon's office a call and ask him about it they have a couple of low profile options out there.

PT, you are a special lady you deserve to be happy and have lots of love in your life. I am so happy for you that your man see's that about you and makes you feel as special as you are! No more poker face unless you go to Vegas and win big!!!!

Dam girl I'm jealous! You look great, and I hope you are feeling just as awesome!

Ouch Misty. Take a rest, put your feet up for a bit and put some ice on that port site if you can that will really help. You need to heal my friend, don't push too far too fast and regret it later. You just had major surgery, give yourself permission to rest and some extra TLC.

It's the chance that you take when you have the surgery. Nothing is 100% but if it's worth the risk and the chance that it might not work for you or that you might have complications from it then you go for it. Not everyone is compliant with their bands or their doctors advice, and that might be the vein of the posts you are reading. When a band fails for any number of reasons, we don't and can't possibly know them all. I am sorry that the band did not work out for you and that you suffer from the results of being banded, wish you all the best and thank you for sharing your story.

Well JD you know what's up...you know what to do. Your not a failure, your a newlywed! Congrats! Now give yourself a break for what is in the past. Hopefully you had a great wedding and honeymoon and now it's time to focus on you and your band again. Go back to basics, that's always the best place to start. Make an appointment with your doctor, discuss a fill if necessary and if not then ask for some advice in getting back on track. Go to a support group if you have one locally, or stop by the forums here and speak with other bandsters and find some inspiration. Step one is already done....

Same here, definitely get your Protein in! hair is made of Proteins so you want to keep that in and it helps the body heal as well. I use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and take Biotin supplement daily along with my mulit-Vitamin. The shedding has slowed way down. The Nioxin helps new hair growth and the Biotin helps the hair you have left be a bit stronger and in better condition. Hydrate and Protein...those are the BIG keys to helping slow down the loss of hair. IMO

Congrats PT. I am sure that this guy must have seen the gem in you all along! Sometimes we need to be comfortable with who we are and love ourselves before we can fully open up and embrace the love of another. I am so happy for you and your man that you have found each other as friends and have fall in love!!! When I met my husband we were both going through some pretty nasty divorces, and though we wanted romance we became friends and confidants first. Love was fast on it's heels and we have never looked back. I can tell you with all honesty that he is my best friend and my greatest love. I wish you all the best!

Happiness is something that your size does not dictate. I have been big I have been small I have been bigger and smaller still. When I was young and at my thinnest I wasn't happy. Not with myself, my body or my life. I was a bit lost about what happiness was and what it meant to me. So I took some time in my life to figure it out and find out what it meant for ME to be happy. As I got older and older still. I got heavier, and thinner and then heavier again. None of those sizes made me any happier then the size I was or was going to be. None of those things dictated what I would enjoy and what I would not enjoy. Happiness is a subjective thing. Some of us go on a 12 hour flight and find that the seat is too tight, and we need a seat belt extender and we are miserable the entire time. I just ask for the extender right up front buckle up hunker down and get ready to deplane in Hawaii! I don't make the flight miserable. I don't think Oh I am so fat that going to the bathroom is going to be a feat. If I have to go I graciously say pardon me to the person next to me. Nature calls and I shuffle the side step to the lavatory and take care of business. SURE all those things are a little more pleasurable when you don't need to squeeze your frame into places that were not created to accommodate such a frame, but i never let it bring me down or rob me of my happiness. Today I am happy. I was happy the day I got married at my heaviest weight ever! That was one of the happiest days of my life and I never weighed more then I did then, and today I am just as happy with my life and myself. I have chosen to have lapband surgery to make the quality of my life that much better. To be healthy as well as happy, and I can report that things are right on schedule in that department! If your not happy today, give yourself some love and ask yourself why your not happy? What does true happiness mean to you?

I agree with that article. I find it hard to get enough hours of sleep in and then the quality of sleep is not always the best. For me it's mostly the hubby trying to get comfortable with his hip pain at night and he can keep me up with the tossing and turning big time. I don't complain because I know how much pain he is in and this cold weather is NOT helping matters. On a personal note for me, there are so many things that have to be done...and my mind can keep spinning way into the early morning hours and never shut down if I let it. Since being banded I have made a very concentrated effort to get more sleep, and to create a routine that I diligently try to stick to especially during the week. On days when I'm feeling good (this winter I seem to be sick every other day!) I try to get up extra early and get a 20 minute walk, stretch or meditation in before getting the day started. I have to tell you that 20 minutes in the morning really makes my days go so much smoother. I feel more alive and alert and in control of the way I am able to deal with the often times uncontrollable events of the day and rest a little easier at night. How about you? Do you have anything specific that helps you get more/ better sleep?

Congratulations on the weight loss!! Maybe try giving your office psychologist a call if you think you may have moved from one addiction (food) to another (smoking). If this is the case you may need some support in quitting smoking and not reverting to another outlet. None of us are perfect, and none of this journey is easy. Focus on your health, and what that means to you. Best wishes in the New Year!

We are doing this thing! Stress is a killer. Literally, it's not just the weight gain there are so many areas of our body that chronic stress and emotional upset affect. My wish for us all in 2014 is that along with making our personal goals, we all take the time to take care of and love ourselves. When we do that, we combat stress. Speaking from personal experience in the face of extreme trauma and stress, taking the time to care for and show yourself some compassion and love is a hard thing to do. In 2014 make time for YOU as well as others. That is my personal goal this year Happy New Year to All.

I would keep checking in with your doctor and keep taking the pro-biotics. I have known digestive issues, and occasionally have a flare up that can cause the stomach rumbles and loose stools as well. If I have too much dairy or even too much whey Protein which is actually made with milk byproducts. When I find that I am eating more Protein Bars, or shakes I will take lactaid before and/or after consuming the item. This helps and prevents the diarrhea. I also take Probiotics every day. I took them before the band and I take them now after the band. I still have flare ups, but for the most part this is a tremendous help. food allergies play a big part here as well, and anything that is too greasy or has too much fat, and/or sugar also have adverse affects on me, so for me it's trying to keep a healthy balance of the foods I eat daily. I know it's frustrating but I dealt with this issues much worse before banding. Since being banded it's been that much easier for me to balance and control what works for me and what doesn't. Best of luck to you! I hope your feeling better fast!

Oh yes definitely go and get that test done, and then come back and let us know what the doctor found out! I have never heard of a tilted band before, though have heard of people who had issues with the tubing and slipped bands and that could be the same thing since it's not sitting where it was intended. I'm glad your not feeling any adverse affects, and checking it out is totally the right thing to do. I just know if it was me I would be driving my doctor crazy with a million questions about it. @dwalsh. I sent in that registration for my band...and my hubby's and never heard back from them! Wallet cards are great when your traveling though now they can see through you with those scanners

Hi Betty, Welcome to the forum. Let me say first thing that you are going to get a million and one answers to your questions. The bottom line is that everyone is different. There are some things like bread, Pasta and rice that are consistent with most bandsters as a stickler. Though there are some that are able to eat those things in moderation. Depending on the level of restriction in your band, (and this does not mean that food sits on top of your band just that it moves slowly through the stoma your band creates) you may have some issues with meats and you may not. I am in the green zone and I am able to eat just about everything in moderation. It is usually the eating mechanics of not chewing well enough or waiting between bites, eating too fast, and drinking and eating at the same time that cause hang ups for most bandsters. If you practice your eating mechanics and you are compliant with your band you will be a great success. As far as foods go it's going to be trial and error and a matter of taste of what you like and dislike. What works for you after banding and what doesn't. Sleeve patients have it a bit different then banded patients in their mechanics and the way they digest food. They do not have the capacity in their stomach any longer and their process is forever changed. Not so with the band. I have band and plicaion which mimics the sleeve to a degree without the removal of the stomach and even with this procedure the process of mechanics and digestion are different. Do lots of research, and check around this forum you will find so many helpful posts, articles and tips. Best of luck to you! Don't be shy to ask questions and share your thoughts. That's what the forum is for.

Hi Pittsburgher, How did the doctor NOT know what kind of band he placed...? That makes me question the surgeon, and then to say you have a tilted band...also makes me question. I'm not saying that it's not possible to have a tilted band, but I would want to double check with another doctor before going for all kinds of tests etc. especially if I was not having any kind of problems. It just makes me question what's going on....

Hi Anesheim, I posted this yesterday...maybe it will help you out. I came across this message in my in box today, and I thought I would share it with you all. Recently we had a discussion in another post about adapting to the changes in our bodies and accepting our new bodies as they grow leaner. Reading this excerpt and working on some of the thought exercises has really helped me to refocus my reaction to certain stresses in my life, as well as to refocus some of the goals that I have set for myself now and in the coming year ahead. This is an excerpt from: From Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul On-Line Course by Deepak Chopra http://www.dailyom.c...gi?cid=122&aff= Your body is boundless. It is channeling the energy, creativity, and intelligence of the entire universe. Are you ready for a radical change in the way you see your body? Before we can reinvent our bodies, we must be willing to let go of our old limiting beliefs about our bodies that continue to imprison us. Consider the following: • If the body is just a machine that wears out over time, then why do muscles grow stronger with use and bone density increase with weight bearing exercise? • If the brain is merely a biological computer, then would we be able change it through learning, meditation and the experience of compassion? • If our bodies are only a passive product of our genetic code, then why would our behavior be able to change the expression of some genes? • You share 60% of your genes with a banana, 90% with a mouse, and more than 99% with a chimpanzee. What does this fact tell us about our uniqueness in physical and non-physical terms? EXERCISES 1. Think of a personal experience from your own life, where the limiting physical properties of the body were superseded by a concept of the body as a flow of energy and intelligence. (For inspiration, read Aidan's story in the book, Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul.) 2. Make a list of any physical ailments you are experiencing in your body - these may be related to weight loss or gain, physical ailments, disease, etc. Next to each desired change, think about the thoughts related to each ailment vs the physical experience of each one. Now, make an intention to change your assumptions about these realities. (Ie. My intent is to think of a beam of sunlight radiating my soul every time I experience back pain. OR My intent is to think of loved ones when I experience heart burn today.) 3. This week, make a point to observe the thoughts inside you. Take extra note of the thoughts, images and memories that make you believe in unconditional spiritual love. These positive feelings are signposts towards a future opening in the expansion of your soul. Take notes on how you want to manifest these positive feelings of love even more in your life. For more information visit Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul

My boss who is Mr. Triathlete Iron man competitor both he and his wife. They make these types of shakes every morning, and swear by them. Here is one that is practically NO calories and I have had it before it's not bad tasting at all! Kale banana Ginger Walnuts Milk Put 8-12 oz of Water in the mixer, add kale chop on low...add banana and handful of walnuts and a dash of milk to taste.

Hi Terry, with my last fill I had some of the same issues. When I went back to solids I started with a few Protein bars. They were soft enough to give me some confidence and solid enough to help me get over the fear that I might get stuck. After that I was able to get back to my regular chicken, fish, and other solid foods for meal times. I think I am at the looser side of the green right now, and next month may let the Dr. tweak it but I totally understand where you are coming from. Take it slow and as B-52, Cheryl and Karen said as long as your getting something in your gonna be great! Happy New Year to you!

Thanks so much for this. I have been in a slump and really struggling with food. I know from reading posts for so long that this period is the hard time -- I go next week for my fourth fill and I'm hoping that will get me there. Really working on listening to my body so I can listen to the band but until there's real restriction I am not hearing much back. Unless I totally screw up, which is not really my mode. My problem is the grazing and going back for more because I deprived myself earlier on -- round and round I go. That said, I managed to lose three pounds in the month of December so I am doing alright. But he's this is the hard part. I have a lot of enthusiasm and energy but bootstraps are needed right now. Pulling myself up, up, up.....and grateful to every one here for the support. Bandista, you are doing fantastic! I am finally at a good restriction, I can eat just about everything in moderation and that's what the band is for. I never want to get to the point where I am only drinking or where I can't partake of something I might want to like pizza or steak. If I want to have a bite while out to lunch at a Pizzeria with my co-workers or friends I want to be able to do that. I want to be able to LIVE my life and not be restricted by my WLS which I had to make my life better and healthier not to restrict it. That said I think there are times when we all struggle with food choices. Especially being women I think we struggle a bit more with the cravings then the guys do. That is just my experience of going through this with my husband. He rarely has a craving for anything, while I have them occasionally. Sometimes for the "wrong" things like ice cream and chocolate and sometimes for things like steak and fish and even vegetables! I listen to what my body is telling me and I think at times when it's craving things like that it's because I need it. Maybe not the chocolate and ice cream but I think those things too have their place. Anyway I think your right on target and doing awesome! Have a Happy and Healthy New Year! 2014 is going to be a GREAT one!

Ah friend...it happens and it's great that your picking yourself back up and dusting yourself off. You stuck with the gym and that's awesome. I would take a second and ask yourself why candy and ice cream became your bff at this time period. What was going on....? You don't have to share your revelations just take some time to reflect on them for yourself. I find that when I do this I am able to recognize those feelings/events when they surface again and it helps me to not get hit and run over by the wagon if I happen to fall off Every day is a process of learning something new. So I am always new, there will never be a day when I think I know everything there is to know about my band or myself.