brown bear

I don't know the cure - wish I did. I have found that support socks or ankle supports are great to relieve the symptoms. Are you exercising? I have started walking regularly and I believe it has helped my circulation and has helped with the swelling around the ankles. I always hoped I would not have cankles because I did not like the way they looked but what I did not know was how much they hurt.

Many people lose in spurts. They hit plateaus, make a change, then lose again until the next plateau. I think walking is a great idea. Give that change some time to have an effect and see what happens. Good luck!:thumbdown:

If you haven't already, talk to your doctor or nutritionist about what you are eating and how much. Keep a food journal to show them so that they can help you.

Title was supposed to be Ticker Tutorial. OOPS! From the home page, go to the left side "Lap Band Talk Forum Listing". Under the heading "Basics for Lap-Band Surgery Beginners", find "Frequently Asked Questions" then under that CLICK ON "LapBandTalk Forum FAQs". CLICK ON "General Forum Usage". CLICK ON "Adding a Ticker to your signature". CLICK ON "Ticker Tutorial" which is underlined in a sentence near the bottom of the screen. The tutorial is great, just follow it step by step and you will have a ticker, too. Good Luck!

Wow! I think you should keep going and hope that all goes well. You need to think about how fills would be paid for, though. You might be able to work something out with your doctor once you know you will be having the surgery. Personally, until I hear from the doc's office saying the insurance approved it - I won't believe it. I still think my insurance company will find a way to not pay though I seem to have met all the requirements. Hang in there!

I think you need to keep reading. It sounds as if you read a certain thread that was dealing with throwing up. Most people are not throwing up much at all. Please keep reading and I believe you will find that while there are some people that like to be so tight they can barely eat; there are many more who eat well but just eat smaller portions chewed very thoroughly.

One of my best friends recently had bypass surgery. I don't know how typical she is but she has not lost a ton of weight and has to work at making the right food choices and exercising just as band patients do. She was diabetic and ate an amazing amount of sugar - she just could not stay away from it. Now, she eats a very small amount of sugar - no more than 2 small bites and she does not dump but any more than that and she will be sick. She is happy with her decision but I think for both surgeries the key is to change your habits. I am still sold on lap-band but respect other people's choices. She only has to take one multi-Vitamin a day as the bypass is not as extreme as it was years ago. Good luck with your decision. I am sure you will be fine either way.

Donna - I think you should definitely take a look. 90 pounds ago, I met an athletic man that we jokingly call a health-freak. We are still together, he never once said a word about my weight gain other than when I brought it up. At those times he says if you want to lose weight then do it. He just wants me to be happy. He has been supportive through all my false starts at this and in between. I am fortunate to have him and if I had been afraid, I would have missed him.

"And so if I lost all the weight I would no longer have any excuses..now none of this is concious...but I think it is legit...also, I am single and I think sometimes I keep men at bay by being overweight..I get in relationships..but can use weight as the reason they do not succeed." My college roommate was overweight and she used to say she did not want to lose weight before she had a man because she wanted to know he loved her and not the way she looked. She worried about what would happen if she lost weight, met a guy, then gained weight. Would he still love her? I know this is not an answer, but I wanted to share that you are not alone in these feelings.

Thank you! I have heard other people say these are really good, too. I think the dry powder milk is a great idea for any protein drink. I will try these.

I have read that alcohol consumption makes the band tighter but I don't know why or how to solve excessive tightness. Good luck!

Froggi - Hang in there. When I found out I had to do a 6 month diet I was disappointed but like Tami I have used the time to practice and learn. I am much better prepared for this now. This is a journey and surgery is not the destination; it is much closer to the beginning. Heather - 1. PB - productive burp: food comes up without retching stomach so it is not vomiting; often caused by overeating 2. Yes, but it is high calorie so not too much. 3. Varies; many people say some activities are fine after a couple of days but they tire easily for a few weeks. 4. Insurance approval may require a 6 month doctor supervised diet. Many people do not have a record of that. Hope this helps.

That's what we're here for. Hang in there! My info went to the insurance company some time in the last week so I am waiting also.

The bypass has improved a lot over the years. They no longer remove intestines to drastically shorten the path and so patients no longer have to take the large amounts of supplements that were necessary before. They, of course, do have to re-route the intestine so that it is attached to the small part of the stomach that is still in use after the bypass. I still prefer the band as I believe it is my best chance to keep the weight off.

My doctor says that if you really want it to pour it over ice and drink slowly so you don't get as many of the bubbles.

I feel the same way about the 6 month diet. :thumbup: I am going to True Results in Houston. Dr. Hollis is my doc. I hope to be a Jazzy Junie, but do not have cardio clearance yet. :thumbup:

Yes, I have heard of people gaining weight back and not losing in the first place - always due to not going in for maintenance visits (fills). Supposedly, fills don't hurt.

Yes, after bypass your stomach can stretch if you repeatedly stuff yourself. With the band, you can drink high calorie drinks that will keep you from losing weight or you can not go to maintenance appointments (fills). It seems that many people with band still have extra skin but it is better than with bypass. I have friends that want to lose weight fast and say they would not be disciplined enough for band so are having/have had bypass. I choose band b/c safer and can work forever - no gain back but must follow rules. If I can't follow the rules for the band, what makes me think I would follow the rules for bypass? Good luck whatever you decide, I think you have to find the one that is a better fit for you.

Hang in there. My EKG was abnormal and until that is resolved - no surgery. I am using the extra time to try and be better prepared. For me that means getting into an exercise routine and chew, chew, chew. Good luck!

Congrats! I am in Houston, too. Today is my last appointment of my 6 month diet to satisfy insurance requirements. I should know soon if I am approved. I am going to True Results. I have not been able to get my ticker to show up either. I have seen many people ask how it is done so we are not alone - but I have yet to see the answer.

My understanding is that you will be able to bend as soon as it does not hurt you. It is just a result of the swelling in the area and the incisions needing to heal. You probably will bend before you lift. I also am not to lift more than 10# for at least 4 weeks. My doctor is very cautious when it comes to lifting, though. He, unlike most, recommends not doing any weight lifting exercise for 6 months!

I think it is different for everyone. I am doing a 6 month diet for the insurance company. I have already seen a nutritionist, a video, had lab work done, and a psych visit. Congrats on upcoming surgery!:cry_smile: I am hoping I will be approved.:crying:

Wow! Check the amount of protein in your liquids. Adding some protein powder or some other form of protein to a Slim Fast can make it more filling, etc.

Lots of good advice here. My doc says to start eating as if I am banded - for the best success. My personal demon is that I need to make exercise part of my routine.

I have PHCS insurance and I think I need to start eating as if I am banded. Everyone keeps saying that is the way to be successful - to start now.