catlover602

Hi. I'm almost 8 months post op, and I went in for a physical last week. Apparently my cholesterol levels came back high. I was never a big meat eater, but I have been eating more meat because "Protein first." I do not want to take medication. I was able to get off pre diabetic meds and high blood pressure meds. I have never had high cholesterol or have been on meds for it? could it be my age? I just turned 49. I don't know. But I want to cut down on animal protein and get my protein from other sources. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. My weight loss is going great though. It has slowed down a little, but I am happy. I have not gained, some weeks no loss but I am still losing. I was self pay, so I am going to look into seeing a nut. My health insurance might cover that. If not, I will just pay. thanks guys.

I've noticed after each fill bites of food need to be smaller and I really don't know what to expect after a fill. I've had one stuck episode a few months back. My chest was sore for 2 days. I stayed on liquids and then soft. I felt fine afterwards. just recently I had to go in for an unfill of .2cc. I can only handle tiny fills at a time, even coffee was giving me problems in the AM. you should never have problems with liquids. best wishes.

I've gone without using a straw, chewing gum and drinking soda for the last 10 months. I try to follow rules as closely as possible. TRY... listen to your doctor. old habits are hard to break. be strong.

congratulations to you on your journey. do you have a recliner? I had to sleep in an upright position for a few weeks after surgery. it was too painful to sleep on my back or side and forget stomach. just do a lot of reading on the band. I wish you all the best. oh, and I walked every day.

Thanks for sharing. I have been eating more of what might be considered "slider" foods lately because my cholesterol came back 15 points higher now than it was back when I was almost 300 pounds? I've been getting my Protein from other sources other than animal products. I do find that I get satisfied on smaller amounts than I did pre band. Whether they are considered slider foods, I watch my portion sizes and am really enjoying eating Beans, peanut butter lately... I'm still learning how my band works, but I read as much as I can on it. I do miss using a straw or drinking a beer but vodka taste pretty good with lemon crystal light...

Hello everyone. Well today I had my first post-op DR apt following surgery. I found out I have a 10cc band and during surgery the Doctor filled it with 4cc. The NP went ahead and added another 1cc so now my band if filled with 5cc. She had a hard time finding my port. She had me lay, stand, finally she had me go in to the x-ray room. she was thinking it might have flipped. I was so scared I didn't know what to think. Once she was able to look at it, she said the port is tilted a bit. So the next time they fill my band, they will have to insert the needle at an angle not straight. I've never heard of this? Does anyone have a port that is tilted? She said it will just finish healing in that position and didn't seem to alarmed about it. I really didn't think I needed a fill. I've been measuring my food and walking. I've lost 42 pounds (that includes pre-op diet also) and I'm not starving. Oh well I guess i'll just see how this goes. I'm relieved that my band hadn't flipped. I do not know what that would have meant, but it sounded scary. I do not know how my port could have tilted? I have been off work, I have not been lifting.. just walking every morning? If anyone out there has a tilted port will you please give me some info on it. Thank you.

My health insurance does not cover any wls. I had to finance it through care credit. I went through true results. I had to do something. My weight was getting out of control. If you can, look into financing it yourself. I sold my truck bought a older Nissan and the rest is history. I'm worth it! And don't listen to your family who says you can do it on your own....Best wishes.

You look amazing! Congratulations on your hard work.

We can eat as many "clean calories" as we want, but if we eat too many the scale won't move. Have you watched the show "My 600 pound life?" that doctor will tell his patients if they only eat 2 meals a day and are not losing weight, they are taking in too many calories. I have not gained with my band, but my weight loss has slowed down. I know why. I snack between meals. I know I shouldn't, but old eating habits are hard to break. I'm working on it though. Good luck.

I never get full when I eat. I eat until i'm satisfied. I don't eat past 1/2 hr, whether I finish food or not. I am not at the green zone yet, so I try to have healthy snacks, try, when I get hungry between meals. You will never feel any "Restriction" from the band. The band does not restrict anything. We do. what we are looking for from our band is to not be hungry for up to 4 hrs between meals, causing us not to snack. Until I get enough fills to reach the green zone, it's really up to me to measure my food and not snack so much. not easy, but my band does help me. good luck.

No starbucks! that is what is says on my post op instructions. You can have anything you want to eat or drink with the lap band. If you want to see results, you need to let go of some of the goodies that are unhealthy. I know it's hard. But I just can't see wasting so many calories on a drink. Unless it's vodka, lol.

wow you had surgery? I haven't been here in a while. congratulations! having second thoughts is normal I think. I thought the same thing. It's going to take more than a few days to feel well. I took 5 weeks off work and am glad I did. I do a lot of lifting at work so I had to. walk as much as you can. just take it easy. read as much as you can on your band. good luck on your journey.

The past 6 months has been a learning experience with my lap band, but all so worth it. My lap band does not stop me from eating anything!, but it does remind me to take smaller bites, chew well and to eat slow. I have not experienced a stuck episode and I never want to... I try to follow the rules as much as possible, but I'm not perfect. I am not in the green zone yet, so when I get hungry I try to make healthier choices and watch my portions. What I need to work on is the evil "head hunger." Sometimes I do miss eating a big plate of Mexican food... I have to remind myself though that I've been there, done that and that is what got me in the position I was in. I just feel good. Happy. I will be turning 49 next week, and I am so happy with my decision to get the lap band. I am still learning and reading everything I can on my band. When I read about people getting stuck or hating their band, I want to know why. I want to learn from them so that I do not repeat their mistakes, lol. This morning I weighed in at 206.5! I weighed in at 287 at the beginning of my 2 week pre-op diet, the day of surgery I weighed in at 267. For once in my life I did not start of the new year by starting a diet! Now on to Onderland! Best wishes to everyone! Thanks for sharing your journeys with me.

After the first fill, you might not even feel anything. The band does not restrict us from eating anything. The band is to dim our appetite for up to 4 hrs between meals, so that we do not eat/snack between meals. I am on my 5th fill, and if I don't watch myself I can over eat. Make sure to measure meals, and if you have to snack make healthier choices. WLS is by no means the easy way out. Hang in there. 1 fill might do it for you or not.... Some people lose without any fills! You don't want to over eat and stretch your band or get stuck. I have never experienced a stuck episode, and I hope to never. Good luck.

1-1-15 / 208 on to onederland!

Sorry I can't help you. But what are you waiting for? Get to the doctor asap! I would be freaking out if I had black liquid coming out of my mouth. Maybe you should sleep in a recliner or in an upright position until you're checked out. It might not even be lap band related.

I agree with JWM. It is a process. I've had 5 tiny fills. and as you lose more weight, you might need more Fluid put in band. Remember. The band does not stop us from eating. We do!! It has not been easy to lose weight. I've had to count calories and walk. Until we receive enough fills to dim our appetite for up to 4 hrs between meals, its a struggle. But you can do it with help from the band. Best wishes.

Hi. I'm in AZ too. I didn't go through your surgeon, I went through True results in Scottsdale. I have read and learned so much from your doctor's web sites. Just read, read, and read. I personally like premier Protein shakes. I pick them up at costco or sam's club. The hardest part for me was the 2 week pre op diet. I don't know how I did it... but I did lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks. Good luck on your journey. I am still learning. I have had 5 fills so far... Just follow the rules as best as you can. Best wishes!

Congratulations! Thanks for the words of advice. Best wishes.

I just had my 5th fill today. A piece if cake! I can only handle small fills though, at a time. So sometimes less is more. Just remember the band does not restrict us from eating anything. It's up to us to make healthier choices. Best wishes.

I tell everyone! I am not ashamed of my band. It has helped me lose weight, that I would not have been able to do on my own. "I'm with the band" is what I say. LOL.

11-2-14 / 216 11-30-14 / 210.5 almost made my goal of 6 pounds. I'm happy. Goal for the end of December, 205.