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Thanks everyone for your kind comments!

There is so much more to the Band and its results psychologically than I could have ever imagined. I know that my surgeon (who is my leader and on a pedestal to me!) doesn't fully understand the mentality of being obese.

This Band is so worth everything sacrificed for it and I would do it again in a heartbeat! :thumbup:

I got my fifth fill on Friday and have great restriction (I'm getting close to that spot!), and I have been using Metamucil daily for regularity.

However, yesterday my daily dose became stuck! Now I see why some of you say that your surgeons recommend that you don't use it--of course, it was wretched! :crying:

Today I read here that some of you put your teaspoon dose in a large amount of Water, followed by more water; and that's just what I did. But I'm unsure whether it will really work as well (and I dread the outcome if it doesn't!)

I have been reading about "liquid fiber", (which is used in tubal feeding patients also). It's relatively expensive, but may be worth the $ if it works well.

Anyone of you have any experience with this? :thumbup:

Way to go, Heather! You are exactly right!

I was lucky enough when I began (in 1983) to join an all-women's gym with excellent trainers. It's very very important to do the exercises correctly or you can never achieve the desired results, and may in fact harm yourself. Once you get the (eight-count) movement and the breathing down, the rest is just making sure your weight amounts are right for you.

This is why I often advise people to start at Curves--with low preset weights for the beginner. My two days a week at Curves now is more for the aerobic benefits and the socialization (And I AM sorry for those of you whose Curves are not fun to go to). My other two days a week at the YMCA are for strength-training.

And, as with our Lap Bands, this is NOT a competition. Your only competitor is yourself and the goals you set.

I swear to all of you that working out, no matter what you do, is the very best thing you will ever do for yourself, both mentally and physically!! :thumbup:

Welcome to Lap Band Land, tkelsey!! As you can see, I am your age and had the same issues this time last year BB (Before Banding!)...

If you are dedicated and committed to this life change, you will be very successful. I'm sure you've read "This is only a tool" and it is SO true. We are the ones who live with our bodies every day.

Best wishes to you--keep the golfing goal in mind!:rolleyes2:

Laurinda, I am TOTALLY with you! Years ago I began moving "back" in the milk category, from regular to 2% and then back to skim. I have had it for so long now that it tastes "clear and clean" to me--when I run out and have to even taste my husband's 2%, it tastes so heavy and thick--ugh!

Shiny--what about the Protein you get from milk? I drink my daily Protein shake in Water, but every evening I have 1/2 - 3/4 glass of skim milk. And I just pay no attention to the carbs...! :tongue:

Ditto on the protein! A lack of Protein in the diet can cause hair loss, slow healing and growth, reduce muscle mass, lower immunity, weaken the heart and respiratory system, and may even cause death.

Make sure you are getting in 60 - 80 grams of Protein daily--I have a shake daily in order to be sure I'm getting enough. :teeth_smile:

Just want to interject with a few words about whey Protein and lactose intolerance:

Make sure you buy the whey protein ISOLATE, which is pure, and not the whey Protein CONCENTRATE, which uses lactose as a filler. The Isolate will mix instantly in liquid, whereas the Concentrate must be blended in order to get out all the lumps.

I'm lactose intolerant and have used the Isolate since banding, and like phil0355, my surgeon recommends that I have a Protein shake daily to assure that I get my protein intake from 60-80 grams daily! So it's belgian chocolate powder for me--yummy!:tongue2:

I WILL say, though, that the whey protein Isolate is more expensive than the whey protein Concentrate, but our bodies are so totally worth it! (And I get mine from www.amazon.com -- when you see whey protein on a shelf and it just says "Whey Protein", I always assume it's the Concentrate!)

:smile:

Great article, well written!

My surgeon just said to me "I have a lot of patients that get banded and never come back", to which my response was "Perhaps they GAINED some weight and were too embarrassed to come see you!"

Your point of keeping in touch with the surgeon is so true--even if we gain weight, we MUST keep that appointment because it is to our benefit to talk to him! Even if you are disappointed in yourself, he can help you get back on track... :tongue2:

I've been a member for 5 1/2 years and love the social atmosphere I get from there!

I went back at 5 weeks--but I must tell you, the two machines that gave me the most issues were the leg press (legs up in the air, pushing outward) and the leg curl (legs tucked in rolls and lifting upward)--they put a little strain on my port. So I did avoid them for about 2 months and then it was fine, must've just been the healing thing.

I also work out at the YMCA (didn't go back there for 7 weeks after surgery) but I had to cut my weight way back on the leg press there too--and honestly, I am still not back to using the amount of weight on the leg press that I was pre-surgery.

Our Curves owner is just terrific and the comraderie is so worth going for! Oh, by the way, I pay just $29 a month (committing for a year), but it is $39 a month if you want to just pay monthly (some Curves give you that option). And they are constantly running specials that cut the enrollment fee in half or eliminate it altogether--so check that out too.

Good luck to you--you will never regret making the decision to exercise, m'dear!:tongue2:

I do want to add that early in my banding I could feel something getting stuck--and normally (pre-Banding) you would wash it down, right? Oh NO, not after banding!! It just got stuck much worse and I thought I was going to die!!

When you stop to think that the stoma (opening between the pouch and our old tummy) is the "size of a straw" (as my surgeon said), it would be easy to push something down with liquid and have it become trapped.

Y'know, I find that 30 minutes before and 45 minutes after is NOT that long--so it's better to just play it safe...:biggrin:

Luckily my surgeon provided me with a list of the foods that are "generally not well tolerated" before my surgery.

By this time, I can put something in my mouth and chew a few times and then know automatically whether I should 'send it down' or not (is it clumping, veiny, etc). I'm VERY VERY careful when eating lunch with my coworkers or eating out.

Some things that were on the "not tolerated" list, like Pasta, I tolerate very very well (also chips, crackers, salsa) but other foods like cocktail sauce is not on my list--and it was wretched going down!

You'll get to know just by imagining the consistency of some foods whether you should try them or not--it just takes time.

The very best to you... :biggrin:

Do you have a Curves near you? I've been a member 5 1/2 years and Curves was made for (larger) people like us!

The machines are preset with the weights, which aren't too heavy and you can do anything you want on the aerobic "stations" in between the machines (walk, jog, dance, just move your arms). And it's all women, which is less daunting--our club has an excellent social atmosphere too! (but I do know that some clubs that are all business--with no talking allowed--ugh!)

I also work out 2 days a week at the YMCA and so I know what you mean when you talk intimidation--sometimes the guys can be jerks and think they are the only ones who should be there. I was working out a few weeks ago and four guys were sitting on machines just WATCHING another guy do upright rows on another machine. So when I got to that area and needed a machine a guy was sitting on, I just said "OFF!" to him and he moved. (but I HAVE worked out since 1983, so I'm a little aggressive with those just playing around in the gym--sorry!):tongue2:

If you stick with your program, you'll eventually become comfortable enough with the routine to feel less intimidated. Whatever you decide to do, please keep it up--you will NEVER regret it!:smile:

Grace, I am so sorry for your gout attack--OMG it is SO painful!!!

I have not had another attack since that first attack in January, but here's how I've changed my life drastically to combat it:

1. I bought the cherry juice concentrate and take 1 tablespoon daily. Originally I started with the black cherry juice concentrate from my local drugstore (back in the pharmacy area!) for $14.99 a pint bottle. I then progressed to buying a gallon from the internet of the tart cherry juice for around $50 which includes shipping--not as sweet but it still does the job.

2. I now drink 3 20-ounce bottles of Water a day, in addition to my other liquid intake, i.e. coffee, juice, iced tea. This flushes my system nicely.

3. I limit my intake of legumes to twice a week. I KNOW it was the Beans aka legumes in my case (because I know that's ALL I was eating for protein).

By making these three changes I have not had another gout attack since. If I start to have any pain in that area again, I up my cherry juice intake to 2 tablespoons daily.

Call me crazy, but I think we all have to find the answers for our individual bodies!! :incazzato:

I'm a big Cereal eater, so it was one of my first questions to my surgeon. The answer was to pour the milk on for a few seconds to moisten the cereal and then dump it off.

At first I was doing that, but I find I can eat some cereals without moistening at all, i.e. Quaker Oat Squares.

I also enjoy oatmeal (in the winter), which can be "moistened" with brown sugar!! :thumbup:

Like everyone else, I'm shocked they didn't pick up on your issues PRIOR to being in pre-op!! In the six months prior to surgery I felt I had every test in the book done, including the EKG and stress test on the treadmill.:biggrin:

Well, we're all rooting for you--do keep us informed, girl!

Okay, so I ADMIT it: I absolutely HATED Water before the Band! I mean I didn't drink one drop a day if it wasn't in coffee or iced tea, so there!

Now here comes the Band and my new life--and with my total research into the Band, I realize that I will so need Water to flush my kidneys and to fill my big old tummy up. So about six weeks after surgery I buy a bottle of water at work. Not so bad, drinking a little at a time--don't have to chug it down just to "get rid of it".

I then worked my way up to refilling that bottle in the afternoon--HEY, I'm up to two (20 oz) bottles of water a day--yippee! So you get the picture, next thing you know I'm drinking two bottles before lunchtime (plus my two cups of coffee, of course!) and even fitting one into the afternoon. Now I also grab one from the frig in the evening too.

I simply don't know what happened--I was merrily on my no-water way when suddenly I was hit by the loving-water bug! :biggrin:

And yes, froggi is correct about the liquids BEFORE eating time: When I get up before work I now take cherry juice concentrate and metamucil in 1/2 cup water (you'll be OLD one day, too--don't laugh :thumbup:) and then have to eat breakfast--OMG, I can only get down maybe 6-7 Quaker Oat Squares and I am stuffed!

Just keep glugging--you'll find water is kind of REFRESHING....h-m-m-m-m!!!

Now that I've just changed my wardrobe over (yes, there comes a time when you MUST do that!!) the biggest difference I found in my hubby is that he encourages me to wear blouses that a little tight (in my estimation)--and you KNOW that my body just wants loose clothing!!

He is just so proud of me! But I find that I now have no clothing sense--of what goes with what--and I don't have much of a wardrobe yet--but it is SO good to have such a wonderful person supporting me in this! :crying:

Whatever you do, please get yourself with a person who is so totally supportive and proud...

I gave up daily Metamucil last summer, feeling that I no longer needed it (had used it for about a year) and that the gas wasn't worth it.

After surgery in October, I have now found my wonderful Metamucil again! I use the orange powder, just 1/2 teaspoon in 1/2 cup of water--and I down it immediately, so there's no chance of it becoming "like glue". (A friend gave me the capsules, but they're a little big to try to go down).

With the 1/2 cup, it's just enough to regulate the body and not send it into overdrive, if you catch my drift!!:crying:

I think EVERYONE gains weight during the surgical period. For one thing, all they continued to do was to change my IV bag, filling my body with fluids and I KNOW I didn't go enough to get rid of them.

Don't fret--the scale will begin going down again. Life as we knew it before will never be again!! :crying:

I'm finding that some men that never noticed me or had time for me before are suddenly finding the time to discuss issues with me. And guess what? Now I don't have the time for them: because I now know how very shallow they really are! So what has changed about us that suddenly makes us desirable? Nothing but our physical appearance, and that's it!

I am very happily married and nothing has changed in that area--yes it's nice to get the "looks" but my own prestige is so valuable...

I've just always been a believer in: if you want out, get out and then you can go and have all the good times you want! But don't cheat--because you're only cheating yourself...:crying:

(Sorry to be a downer!)

At first I must admit I thought you were POST-OP and I was freaking out!

When I stop to think about the amount I was eating BB (Before Band) I am just amazed myself! It was nothing for me to sit down and have four barbequed country-style ribs and 1/2 a box of Kraft macaroni & cheese for dinner--to be followed up by two Hostess chocolate cupcakes! AND, like you, I was just comfortable!

Our tummies are so big by now that it takes a good deal of food to fill them up. Once you are banded, you will be even MORE encouraged to drink Water to satiate your body, as well as fill your big tummy (which will eventually shrink down).

No, m'dear, eventually you feel exactly like the "skinny chicks" once you've eaten a SENSIBLE amount of food--we just didn't know that they are the NORMAL ones...:crying:

There are two words I always use to describe life with the Band: Commitment and Discipline.

I honestly think that some people think this is another instant diet device--like someone who said recently that she didn't want to go "Hog Wild" until after she had a fill! "Hog Wild" is for NEVER AGAIN!

I advise everyone to study the band and learn everything they can about the new lifestyle they will be living FOREVER. To rush into this is a major mistake, as you have found out.

I don't think the surgeons are totally aware of the psychology of the obese--they know how to do their jobs very well, but are oblivious to what we really go through on a daily basis. I tried to talk to my surgeon about the stigma attached to the obese and he just said "I don't think there's a stigma with obesity". But he is an excellent surgeon...

And atallen06, I think Jachut was referring to those foods that I consider totally safe! Ones that won't get stuck, ones that won't have big pieces that can slip down into the pouch unexpectedly before you have a chance to chew them up--nice "Slider" foods like yogurt and cheese and a whipped up tuna salad! :confused_smile:

This entire process does take total commitment and discipline--AND a LOT of time, between the workup process, the surgery, and then the doctor's visits afterwards.

My first nine visits to the pulmunologist, the cardiologist, the psychiatrist, the upper GI, the stress test, all the labworks, etc. were scheduled by my Bariatric Center--and they simply called me and give me the dates and times--and I was expected to show up. (and some of the doctors were 50 miles away)

I am very very fortunate that I have a workplace that is very understanding--and if you go through with this, I hope you do too...

It may take a few fills before you really get "restriction" (it took me four before I felt any difference).

Now, my question to you is: is it really hunger you're feeling or is it just 'head hunger'? Are you getting in the amount of Water you need daily? (minimum of 64 ounces) Are you getting in a Protein shake a day to make sure you get enough Protein?

These are the things you need to do to satiate yourself in between meals. Believe me, good restriction WILL come--it just takes time. :thumbdown:

I'm with bozzj! I actually look forward to my mid-afternoon Protein shake--I only use low carb powder mixed in Water, gives me 26 grams of Protein, 5 grams of carbs in belgian chocolate flavor--and it tastes absolutely terrific!

You keep trying until you find the one that's right for you--we have to protect these bodies, y'know!

The site I use is www.amazon.com they have like a gazillion flavors and sizes.

Good luck! :thumbup: