redrum602

I have the same problem in the morning. I am super tight. My dr's nurse say's it's the stomach being swollen with Water from laying down all night. I dunno if that is the truth or not, but sounds good. :crying:

What I do is drink something hot in the morning first before I try to eat anything. I usually drink a cup of hot coffee on my way to work. By the time I get to work, I can usually tolerate something. Sometimes yogurt with fruit/granola in it. Sometimes 1/2 a breakfast burrito with egg beaters, mushrooms, and cheese. Sometime I can even eat a bagel (almost the whole thing!). Also, I do oatmeal quite frequently. On the weekends sometimes I will make biscuits and gravy with some egg beaters for me and my husband. I usually can only do a few bites. It really just depends.

I really like breakfast so I always try to eat something. But the key, for me, is drinking hot liquid prior to eating. It almost seems like it loosens the tightness. I would say try to drink a cup of something hot at least 45 minutes before you try to eat. Hopefully this helps.

Good luck!!! :ohmy:

Yes - I am too a slow loser. However, I understand why I am a slow loser. And until I decide to put more work into loosing, I will continue to be a slow loser and I am okay with that.

I got my lapband on August 2007 with 3 other friends of mine. A few months after getting the surgery I moved 1/2 way across the country. I know 2 of my 3 friends have lost alot, and fast. I do not know exactly what they have done different than me, but I know our journey's have been different. I am okay with all of this and I am sooo happy for them.

For me, I am happy. I am happy #1 because I am at a comfortable weight. I am down about 70 pounds since last year (20 pre-op with Jenny Craig). I love that I can do pretty much whatever I want and I don't have to be inhibited by my weight. I am also happy because I am in a new place. I don't have my friends near me to constantly compare myself too. Also, I don't have people around me that know what I looked like before -- I don't enjoy the praise - the pointing out, that 'oh my gosh you look so good' - I know it sounds weird, but it makes me feel like there was something wrong with me before, but now I'm better, I'm acceptable by others. I know it may sound weird, but that is how I feel.

I am also happy because I feel great. And I know, that because I eat around my band, I am not loosing consistently. That is causing my calorie intake to be higher than it should, so my weight is not coming off. Also, I am not exercising much, and I need to get back into that - for at least the stress release.

So, I guess what I am saying is that I am extremely happy that I have my band. It is MY tool. I can choose to work and it will help me. I can choose to not work at it, and it will STILL help me by helping me maintain. I plan on continuing to enjoy my new life, and when I decide I want to keep losing, I will put in the effort.

Good luck to all of you! :ohmy:

Nope - I didn't do it. No unfill for me!! I just have to deal with it. My parents will be here next weekend. I am excited to see them - not eat - so I decided to not go for the unfill. I will enjoy myself no matter what! Thanks for all the advice and support. :thumbup:

Thanks for all the feedback. I appreciate everyone's honesty... I really do!! I think what I am probably going to do is make the Dr appointment now for next week. And then assess a day before my appointment what I want to do.... then if I want to cancel, I can.

Thanks again bandsters!

I have had 2 dr's in the Chicago area in the last 7 months (since I have moved here). My previous Dr was Dr Vafa Shayani from Day One Health (Chicago Lap-Band Surgery at DayOne - Homepage). I had to leave him because he was no longer covered by my United Healthcare insurance. I am not sure what other plans they take. I would suggest calling them.

My new doctor is Dr Ervin Denham from Evanston Northwestern Hospital. Again, I am not sure what insurance he takes, but his assistant had mentioned to me something about a fill clinic she runs outside of office hours. I think it might be for something like what you are looking for. I will PM you her contact information.... maybe she can help you, or at least point you in the right direction.

So - I wanted to post this to get some feeback form other bandsters. I am 9 months post op and am doing great. I haven't lost as much as others, (down 45 since surgery time) but my weight loss has been steady and good enough for me. I'm and haven't regretted anything. :blushing:

I would say I pam retty close to (if not already at) my sweet spot. I have good restriction and had my last fill I think about 6 weeks ago. The only downside that I experience is when I have to go out and socially eat like for work or with friends/family. I have to be extra cautious on what items I choose from the menu. I need to make sure they are items I can tolerate and eat at a bit faster pace than I am used to to keep up with everyone else at the table without getting a lodger (what I call stuck/painful episodes). Usually I pick items that are softer and easier to get down, like Soup, Beans, etc. And so far this has worked out just fine for me.

However, my parents are coming into town next month for a weekend and we are planning on trying to have a good time. That includes over indulging in food and drinks - probably eating lots of starchy food that doesn't work too well with my current restriction.

So, I was wondering what others may think about me getting a slight un-fill before they get here so I can indulge with them! I want to be able to take my parents out to Breakfast, and not just have to sit there and sip on

coffee because my band is too tight in the morning to try to get anything except for oatmeal down. Of course, my plan would include going back to the doctor after my visitors leave to try to get back to my sweet spot.

Is this a selfish thing for me to be thinking of doing? Or should I just be happy that I have the flexibility with the band to do it and go for it? What do you all think?

Hey - I am a bit concerned that you are already home from the hospital and don't really have a clear understanding and/or direction as to what you should be ingesting. Did the office staff and or nurses go over this with you?

You should be drinking Clear Liquids - I drank gatorade alot for the electrolytes and broth. Little sips of course. Take it easy and get lots of rest. Set yourself up on the couch, turn on the TV and have your liquids close by. Don't get dehydrated like I did - because it will cause your band to tighten. I ended up back in the dr's office getting all of my Fluid drained because my stomach had swelled due to dehydration. That was about 3 days after my surgery.

Good luck girl! Hang in there!

Sometimes I get bad and eat too much ice cream because it goes down easy. And since it's easter time - I have been eating way too many Reese's Easter eggs - they are my downfall!

I hate to be a bum - I can't do it today! Something came up between last night and today. We'll have to plan for another day - and maybe try to get some more people to join in. Whatcha think?

What about someplace by the Old Orchard Mall in Skokie? It's right off 94. Maybe one of the restaurants there or a small cafe around there. Maybe the food court?! This place looks good: Corner Bakery

Just some ideas....

I think this would be considered mushy....

My new favorite after fill salad is my chicken salad.< /p>

Take a can (or a couple) of chicken (like the canned tuna, but it's chicken)

Chop finely some - black olives, sweet pickles, dried cranberries (or crasins), and cashews. (maybe some shredded Parmesan might be a good add too)

Mash up the chicken and add the chopped ingredients. Add some mayo and a little mustard (spicy or yellow). Salt & pepper to taste.

It's yummy! I fill up a small container and spoon it for lunch. If you can tolerate crackers, it's good on the top of those too!

So - the 29th is getting here soon.... anyone still up to meeting up on Saturday? Maybe noonish? Somewhere.... that preferably has soft food since my last fill has done one on me!

I live a tad bit north of the city - Irving Park and 90/94. Saturday's work best for me as well. Let's do this!

Hey all. I have had a strange feeling every time I get a fill. When I am getting the fill - I get really light headed - almost like a "stoned" type feeling. Then - usually after (as I am walking to my car and driving home) I feel a stronger intense "stoned" feeling. It actually feels really good. Takes me back to my younger days . Then usually as my day goes on - I try to eat some Tomato Soup - it goes down ok, I just eat it really slow.

Within a few hours after the fill I get a headache and start to feel somewhat sick, almost like how you feel before you get a bad cold or flu. I usually take a nap and stay lazy for the rest of the day; resting. I have been taking the day off of work every time I get a fill because of these weird feelings I have. By the next day, I am feeling back to normal.

Do others have any similar feelings after they get a fill?

I don't drink soda or beer. Occasionally I will have a sip or two of my husband's soda- but I never order it or drink more than a sip. I probably could, but since I have pretty much quit it, why start back up when it's just wasted calories? Now - beer-- I miss beer- alot. I have had a few over the last 6 months since my surgery - and usually it ends up making my tummy not feel to good. I try to stick to mixed drinks if I am drinking. Oh - but I do miss my beer.....

Hi - He is my new doctor and I have my first fill appointment with him on 3/14. I had my surgery done 8/07 in AZ and moved here to Chicago in October. I have been seeing Dr Vafa Shayani - until I found out he was not covered on my insurance plan. I am sad to have to see another new doctor - so I hope dr Denham will be good. Let me know how your appointment went!

Hello all - I'm a 27 year old married Female who recently moved to Chicago from Arizona about 4 months ago. I am about 6 months post op. I am looking for some patients that live in the Chicago area that like to go out and socialize about our bands! I am up to traveling outside the city limits if needed. But I would prefer to stay within the Chicago city limits.

I've been seeing Dr Vafa Shayani - but recently had to cut ties with him because I found out he was no longer approved on my insurance list. However, he was great! I have a new appointment scheduled with Ervin Denham in about two weeks. Hopefully that will work out ok for me.

So - send me an message or reply to this post and let me know what groups may already be meeting or what groups maybe we can start up!! :biggrin2:

Thanks!

-Nicollette