ShantelleElaine

Thanks to you all for such support! It's an ongoing battle but I'm not about to give up, when i started this journey I had the eye on the prize and still do! Just bumps in the road hopefully .. This is a fabulous support system, I appreciate all of you taking time to speak to me or say a prayer.hugs to all!

ShantelleElaine- you are an inspiration your upbeat tone even in the face of such adversity is amazing!
My heart goes out to you both! You are both such strong amazing women!!
You ladies ROCK!
Please take care of yourselves, and I hope everything comes back good for you both!

Wow...you posted again while I was posting the last message. I'm going to say a prayer for you tonight before I go to bed. I really will...I just made a reminder on my phone so I wouldn't forget. Those are a lot of things to be concerned about. Since you are a nurse, you know the importance of positive thoughts and surrounding yourself with positive people. Don't allow anyone around that's going to feel sorry for you, only those who believe in your strength to overcome. I don't know you, but I'm sending those vibes your way now. You can overcome anything that comes against you, there is a power within that makes it possible. Find it, use it.

I will definitely be keeping you in my prayers. Let us know what happens please! ((hugs))

I must be the only one who hates Unjury it's awful to me. I've been through every kind, shipped it back for a replacement 5 or so times I lost count but I tried every single one, they are all disgusting. The only one I haven't tried is the cheese sauce because it's a seasonal item. I wish I could be like all you that like it. The texture, taste, huge scoop amount and all to get only 21 grams of Protein ughhh. Can't do it, I literally couldn't swallow any of them

I had surgery on Dec 19, 2012 and 8 months later I'm down 80 pounds! I reached onederland about a week ago. I've lost more than 50% of my excess weight. Overall it's been a great experience. Just wanted to share this with people that would understand. Very glad I found this forum.

Birth control suggestion
I had blood clot post op (shunt placement) and I had to get the copper IUD (no hormones) for birth control its suppose to last 10 years as apposed to the 5 year hormone ones!
Best of luck with everything!

My heart breaks for you. Just two months ago, I spent 8 days in the ICU with life threatening blood clots so I understand what you're going through. I actually blogged about it and the enzyme they used to dissolve the clots, called TPA. It was brutal but I am thankful. It saved my life and my legs. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blog/6349/entry-26062-a-warning-about-blood-clots-grahic-pic-beware/
The problem with conventional blood clot treatment is the clots aren't dissolved, they're only stabilized, usually with IV Heparin. So, when you get home, you still have the clots and have to wait for your body to naturally dissolve them. Some people live with them for months and some actually never dissolve. Most people have some level of pain and discomfort ongoing because of it.
Before this latest round of clots, what was your INR at usually? Were you on Coumadin and/or Lovenox? Was your INR target between 2-3? I am on Coumadin for at least 4 more months and have to have my INR tested weekly. My target is 2-3 but I find it really bounces around. Last week, it was too high. The week before too low. It's frustrating.
Here's a good website about blood clots and forums for them too: http://www.clotconnect.org/
I will definitely be keeping you in my prayers.

Oh gosh! I'm so sorry to hear about all of the complications! I can somewhat related. I developed a blood clot after knee surgery a few years ago. But definitely not to the extent you are experiencing. I'm wishing you an uncomplicated and speedy recovery. Stay strong. You got this! :-)

I'm going to the beach, wearing a bathing suit! Yeahhhhh, thank You LapBand!!!!

I have blue cross/blue shield PPO blue. It is so exciting to hear that your approved and my deductible is already met for the year so I will have no out of pocket expense throughout the whole process. Very grateful.

I started my journey 13 months ago and with a lot of hard work, difficult decisions, and some very supportive people I am proud to say that I have finally lost 200 pounds.

[ATTACH]27543[/ATTACH]

My port is directly under my longest incision.

August 15 marks 1 year since my band! 94 lbs down, hoping to hit the 100 mark by the anniversary, and 130 by my wedding in November! Best decision I've ever made!

Hi there. Not everyone gets stuck on the foods you mentioned above; however, some people do and some don't. That being said, I do believe it happens after being filled and we forget to chew our food until it is mushy. This has happened to me a few times. It is not a great feeling. I can eat all the foods you have mentioned with no trouble if I chew, chew, chew. Good luck to not getting stuck.

So im 4 1/2 wks post op, now on regular foods as tolerated. I have had absolutely no trouble with anything I've tried to eat. I read alot about everyone getting stuck on eggs, some meats and esp bread products wraps etc. I've eaten pork chops, bread, had a wrap today, eggs everyday, etc. I mean I don't WANT to get stuck or have issues, im totally cool with it but I just wondered is this normal for anyone else having no trouble on anything? Even had broccoli that wasn't very well done n still just chewed alot n was fine. I have no fills obviously cuz im only a month post op, do the stuck issues start after I get some fills maybe?

In my original post I stated I didn't want to get stuck just wondering why it was so easy for me to get everything down. I've never went over my alloted portion size, I chew very thoroughly and slow and take at least 20min to eat a half cup of food. I eat 3 times a day as instructed 60grams of Protein and hover around 500 calories a day, track my Water intake, protein intake and my fitness pal for cal intake. Doing everything right as far as I know. Just wondering if anyone was as "lucky" as I've been with having no trouble getting all diff types of food down easily. I've been scared of breads so I stayed away for a while but did fine w it now so I guess im good. I know the purpose of the band, and i'm full for hrs between meals w no fills. Im a nurse and overly researched it for yrs so I think I have a pretty good grasp..

Wow!! That's amazing. What a great jump start for you.

So today, I stopped by McDonalds to get my daughter something to eat. I was banded on July 3rd and have been having my doubts about the surgery. Doubts began when I couldn't imagine the "gas" pain ever going away. And today, up until my bad experience. Since my surgery a week and a half ago, I have lost 10-13 pounds, it fluctuates. I get discouraged because in my mind, I should be losing a pound a day (due to the low amount of calories I eat a day)but that is not happening. I felt like the surgery wasn't working. The gas pains have subsided and I feel basically 100%. So...I tried to eat not one but TWO of my daughters chicken McNuggets, quickly may I add. And guess what happened. I proved myself WRONG. The surgery HAS worked. I threw the nuggets up IMMEDIATELY! Needless to say, I am now a believer again and will be back on my post surgery diet ASAP! :wub: For all of you who have been recently banded, I have experimented for you and have tested the boundaries. DO NOT EAT ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO EAT! I guess the weight will come off once my body has healed?

I actually feel like now I eat normal. Before I had the band and changed my lifestyle, I ate like a glutton.
Do I ever miss the gluttonous eating? Every once in a great while, I wish I could sit down and have a Big Mac, large fried, large Coke, and apple pie. It's usually when I'm upset over something. BUT... that is a very fleeting moment because then I look in the mirror. I love my new life since losing weight and wouldn't trade that in for the world.

Frankly, the band can be a pain in the ass but it can still be an effective pain in the ass kind like a personal trainer. When I see someone that's already bitching about how hard things are before they are even banded I start to worry. The band is not a miracle cure. If you're not willing to work your butt off then get another surgery. I think too many people get lapband surgery because they think the other surgeries are 'too invasive' or they don't want their stomach cut up. I'm sorry, but lapband surgery is still surgery and ask someone that's had a bad slip how non-invasive their surgery ended up being. Choosing lapband because it scares you less is not a great reason to get banded. A great reason to get banded is to be able to have control over how much weight you lose and to realize that it is an effective tool that with your help can get your weight down. It can't do it on its own though. There are many ways to defeat the band by not getting fills, living on Cereal and milkshakes, and many other ways. Don't get the band if you want to sit at home all day, eat pizza (just in smaller portions YAY), and shed all those pounds without an effort. That's not what the lapband is and you're going to be disappointed.

The Lap Band didn't work for me... How many times do we hear this? The fact is the Lap Band DOESN't "work" for anybody... YOU work for YOU... Getting banded and just expecting to drop all of your excess fat is like buying a lawn mower; parking it in the driveway; pulling up a lawn chair; and then complaining that the grass is tall...
Fact is if you aren't getting the desired result then have the equipment fine tuned and try a different strategy. If the equipment is functional then you are the key to achieving success...
Brad

With all due respect, this isn't true at all. It doesn't matter how much you chew your food, if you're on mushy or liquid phase then that should be the consistency before you put it in your mouth. If doctors just wanted food chewed til mush then that is what they'd say- but they don't. They are very specific about it being liquids, mushy, soft, etc.
Your stomach is seriously manipulated, sutured, and outright injured during surgery. The whole purpose of the post op diet is to allow the stomach time to heal. By not following your doctor's post op diet exactly, you risk ripping those stitches and/or causing a slip.
Everyone needs to follow their own surgeon's post op diet exactly- no exceptions or variations.

I'm willing mine to any fat descendants I might have. I can picture it now, This lapband has been in our family for generations!

I've lost 78 lbs in 7 months no exercise at all! Not because I can't physically but have a very hectic life! I do need to exercise but you can do it. Good luck! Lap band with plication nov 6,2012,