aubrie

alexandra, that sounds so much better for me. Thank you. I am a fresh fruit and veggie nut, and also try to do organic as much as possible. I actually feel bad when I don't eat my veggies and fruit. I don't mind throwing them in a blender, but still will want them. so the flexibility of the band is nice to know.

Usually, if I want something sweet, I enjoy a piece of fresh fruit. I've been reading some of these posts and many are cutting fruit out of thier diet for calorie counting and carb control. is this necessary to be successful?

I too am very nervous about having this surgery done. On some days I'm convinced that because I have a thyroid problem, not even this will work. But then I go through my mental list of all the things I look forward to after the surgery and it helps!! I look forward to: 1. getting in a canoe or kayak with my husband to go fishing 2. fitting in a movie theater seat without the armrest up 3. getting the seat belt on an airplane to fit and buckle safely 4. reaching to clean myself appropriately 5. walking upstairs to our guestroom without being completely winded 6. not having to lean over to drink out of a glass with a stem because my boobs are in the way 7. not covering my double chin with my hand when my picture is taken 8. dance the night away like I used to 9. not snoring worse than my husband 10. not being paranoid about what people are thinking if I catch them staring 11. my bras lasting longer instead of the wires popping out because of the added weight 12. buying pretty underwear instead of basic white or black 13. wearing short sleeved shirts again 14. not bruising my arms walking through a narrow doorway to quickly 15. not having the steering wheel touch my stomach 16. being "on top" for a change 17. enjoying walking the mall again and going shopping 18. painting my own toenails 19. getting down on the floor to play with my dog 20. Crossing my legs. 21. Wearing my hair how I want. When I think of all these things, my fear just disappears. I plan to have surgery in September and look forward to a new life. What do you look forward to?

gadgetlady, I've never heard of Stevia. I'll have to look into that. thank you. What are most of these shakes and protien drinks made with?

I'm 47 and looking at banding in early September. I have arthritis in both knees, spine and hips. Aggressive exercise is not going to happen for me. Swimming is the only thing that isn't extremely painful. I will need to join a health club to do this as I don't have a pool. Will this be enough exercise to be successful. I would hate to spend the money and fail as a result of arthritis. Some say my arthritis will improve. Is this true? I need to lose 120 lbs. to reach my goal.

I don't eat a lot of sugar. No cokes, cake, etc. Only ocaisionally. But I REFUSE to eat artificial sweetner. #1 I know what it does to you. #2 I know how it tricks your body into dumping insulin. #3 It is vile tasting. The aftertaste is even worse. #4 It gives me headaches. I looked at the diet for post op and was schocked at the amount of artificial sweetner in it. If I forego the artificial sweetner, there is almost nothing left for me to eat. I've met with my doctor and told him about this and he said it was wonderful that I didn't like it, but didn't give me any suggestions. I'm looking at having my band done the first week of September. He only requires 3 days of pre-op liquids, so that's not so bad, but I'm concerned with the post-op liquids and creams. Suggestions?:help:

I asked my current OB/GYN about PCOS. I do have cysts, but not those kind. I had a hysterechtomy 2 years ago, and my doctor looked at my ovaries while he had me opened up. That was not there. Interesting that you asked about the antidepressants though.... I have read medical journal articles that in some rare cases, prozac has caused thyroid damage. That sure would make sense in my case, but why the thyroid medication doesn't work is a mystery. You all have been so sweet. As a newbie to this board, I am touched by the level of support you get here. THANKS for listening.

Well, I never woke up from surgery with one in, but I HAVE had scratches and swelling afterward and a sore throat for two weeks!!! I have also had my stomach pumped many years ago, and I truly thought if the poison in my stomach didn't kill me, the tube down my throat would. I fought like a wild cat. They had to strap me down. I couldn't breathe at all and thought they were going to accidentally suffocate me. I've never been so fearful.

LOL!!! I kept reading PBing and wasn't sure what it was either. So it's a productive "burp". I assumed it was short for puking and barfing.!!!

Sooverit, Thank you so much for your kind words. I know I need to find out why. Believe me I tried. My doctor even sent me to an endocrinologist in Houston for testing. I went through every test imaginable and he said he couldn't find a thing, but my food diary supported what I was telling him. He told me it was more than likely a genetic problem and in his experience NOTHING i ever did would help me lose more than 18% of my total body weight. At 260 lbs., that just wasnt' good enough. I went home and cried for 2 weeks. At the time, lap band was not available. (This was about 10 years ago) I'm a firm believer in antioxidents as well. I take daily shots of pomegranate juice, eat berries as often as possible, etc. I think this is the only thing saving me from knee replacement. I can only pray and have faith that this will work. Is there anyone else out there like me????? Did lap band help you?

If you have erosion or slippage, can they "fix" it? Or do they have to remove or replace the band?

I know this sounds totally stupid, but at least you all can put your finger on WHY you are fat. I would love to be able to answer that question. Since age 31 I have been mystified and totally frustrated at my weight. I was a normal weight until then. After the birth of my second child I had terrible post partum depression. I lost most of my baby weight, but had a terrible problem with post partum depression. At least that's what I thought it was. OB/GYN put me on prozac. With no changes in my diet and I was still exercising regularly, I gained a whopping 60 pounds in 18 months with no explanation. Several years passed. Liquid diets for weeks on end would only show a loss of 6 - 8 pounds. I GAINED weight on weight watchers. I cried bitter tears for so long. Finally I was told I had a thyroid problem. HOORAY! I'll take thyroid medication and finally get the weight off. WRONG. It never happened. Went on every diet imaginable and even had physcian supervised weight loss medication. Minimal results. I rarely snack. I don't eat desert. I don't care for chocolate or sodas. I eat very healthy foods. Eating is not a priority. Sometimes I forget to eat. Admittedly, I don't exercise. At 260 pounds the arthritis in my knees, hips and spine is now unbearable and makes it difficult. The lap band will be my last resort. I can't help but think that even this won't help me. If it doesn't I don't know if I could take that emotionally. I'm really scared to try. So what crazy category do I fit into???????

New here. Describe "PB" and "Slime". It sounds horrible. what is it?

This sounds scarey. Is it common? What happens if either of these things happen?

I'm still trying to figure out what you all mean by slipping and erosion. Please explain. I'm new and don't have a clue.

I have a very strong gag reflex. I gag when I brush my teeth, and many foods cause me to gag. I don't like the feel of it in my throat. (pudding, guacamole, bananas) Many mornings brushing my teeth will actually cause me to vomit. Will this make me a poor candidate for a lap band? I'm afraid it will cause slipping. Although I don't really understand what "slipping" means. Advice?

My lap band is a package deal. Fills are included for one year after surgery. I can't believe you people are getting ripped off like that!! $300+ for a fill?? that's ridiculous. My surgeons even rotate out and take turns coming to my city once a week to see all their patients here, so we don't have to travel so far. That's why I have chosen to go with them. I'm looking at July.

Whoa!!!!! This is the first I'm hearing of all the liquid diets. No one mentioned any of this in my seminar.The nutritionist didn't mention it either. So what exactly is this for? Shrinking my liver??????

Hi. Working on my "required" 6 months of weight managment with my regular MD. Had my sleep apnea testing, my heart tested (was put on baby aspirin for chest pain) have tried to lose weight (yeah right a whopping 5 pounds in 4 months):eek: and had my appointment with the nutritionist (she tried to scared the crap out of me so I wouldn't go through with it). I have two more visits then my insurance "should" cover the lap band. I'm planning to have it done in July. I'm SCARED. :nervous I'm hoping this site will dissolve my fears and give me the confidence to get my life back. Up until age 31 I was a normal weight. (125 to 138) The thyroid then threw me a curve ball. I'm still not convinced a lap band will help with a thyroid problem. Any of you out there have success? I'm currently at 255 and want to get back down to 140. I have a cute little sun dress in a size 12 as my goal.:eek: Will be having surgery in Victoria, Texas.