VegasGrace

Well, I've been suffering from PTSD w/ agoraphobia, chronic depression, and panic disorder for 18 years. So I feel qualified to give advice as I've taken dozens and dozens of meds during that time. What will work for one will kill another, literally. I rate meds according to help/not help. Then adverse/not adverse. Some meds while they may help or not can cause someone to go off the deep end...better off without the meds, right? I take absolutely nothing as I feel NOTHING will help. While my doc wants to control the depression, the anxiety gets in the way as they are contraindicated. Good luck with your search.

Hey. And welcome! You would be a perfect candidate as your motives are not 'what you see in the mirror'. You want health, to feel better...to sleep well. Good luck on your journey and keep us posted.

Wow, just banded. I was on regular food by weeks end...but talk with your doctor. And yes, it's all worth it. Went to Vegas this weekend to shop for a new wardrobe...Nordstroms, Macys, etc. Was nice fitting into a size 6/8 w/o bulging over or anything! So worth it!!!! If you haven't done so already schedule an appointment in 5 more weeks (6 weeks post op) and get a fill that day. While you are there, schedule another appt for 4 weeks later for another fill. Need it, go. Don't, cancel the day before. Congrats and we'll see you on this end before you know it!

Had a blast! So busy for the weekend didn't even have time to do everything. Learned something I never knew before: Don't take the taxi. Used to be it was such n such from this hotel to that...but now they charge $2.50 for each red light they wait at...no kidding. Sitting at flamingo road going south....I saw 20 cents charged every few seconds. It's a new fare, not only miles but time, too. So if you have a taxi that stays in the right hand lane, or stops at a yellow light when others go thru til it turns red... yep, it costs! Never again! Tip: all hotels/casinos have FREE valet parking. Just pull right up, get your ticket, and have fun on the block. When you are ready to go, just present your ticket and go to the next block...FREE PARKING.

I got one of those 'casino cards' just to get the discounts on the buffets. That was a weird feeling...they gave me a deck of cards and all this information on how to swipe the card at gaming tables and slots. I've been to Vegas proably 9 times in my life and have not gambled once...not even a slot machine. The food is great! The art, magnificent! Fun! Fun! Went to the Venitian for the first time and WOW! A tear came to my eye, it was so beautiful! That will be the closest I ever get to Italy.

Since fasting is very personal, it can be modified to fit someone's situation. I've heard some say because they have _______ (fill in the blank) that they "can't" fast. Fasting is so much more than going w/o food. My sister who has a thyroid condition will go w/o a certain food she dearly loves and eats often. Or she'll just drink Water instead of juice, koolaid, etc. For me, I have fasted, but not in the traditional sense. I go w/o food for 1 meal and I'm shaking/sweating/ and feel like I'm going to die...but I know I won't. The band doesn't interfere with fasting, as going without a meal, two...or even a few days won't hurt anything.

Yes, I do have input. Your doctor is right. Someone with addictive behavior....well, drink/drugs/gambling/food/etc....you name it. They will pick one or a combination. The behavior will not go away. Detox, right? I picked up cooking, sewing, etc. And now I Iron my underthings. Hey, at least I'm being constructive! hahah

I'll be the PB police. Productive Burp.... that's what babies do. Teens that drink too much dr pepper PB isn't a band term. Who made this up?

The lapband system wasn't designed for 1 week post op and weight loss. It's meant for weightloss after restriction. So congrats to all who lose the weight thru dieting! (I wasn't able to diet...the band was my tool to lose weight)

I'm wondering the same exact thing! Why? I was banded and have completed my journey...am on maintenance. Never seen the likes of such stuff....protein drinks. But hey, if your doc says you need it.... drink it!

Keep us posted as we are worried...and curious, too. Thanks again for sharing your experience!

I just had a bag, small bag, of chips for lunch w/ splenda koolaid. (leaving today to go to Vegas and Friday is usually my grocery day...have nothing else in the house) Thanks for your input...I guess I will just consider myself fortunate that I can eat anything I want and not gain weight. (anything being a bite or two)

"most people need 2 per year" Wow, that's me. I only needed two the entire time. But that's 2 that follows the guidelines...not 2 of some silly low number alot of docs do just to make more money by having the patient make multiple visits to equal 2. And it's true, those 2 may do the trick if you follow the recommended diet and all.

I've been noticing something weird...didn't think much of it, but am giving it alot more thought now. I don't think it's a 'bad' thing...but a phenomena none the less. I met my goal in January and went in for a slight unfill to begin maintenance. The goal at that point was to cease weightloss and ensure no weight gain. The scale would move up a pound or two...or three, but within a week w/o dieting would come back down. Go up, come down. So maintenance is working for me. I'm done! I don't diet and haven't with the band. My goal with the band was modifying my behavior of how much I eat...not what I eat. Dining out so much (used to go several times a day to binge) has stopped. I go about 1-2x a week now. I cook more now instead of my nuke it. So you can see what I eat has changed for the better w/o giving up on the things I love. Thing is, today I weighed myself for the first time in a week (weigh at least weekly so I can catch if I start gaining) I lost another 2 pounds. And this week I haven't eaten as much as I usually do. So...my thoughts are.... I am eating to sustain my weight. My caloric/fat/carb intake is keeping me at 143. But when I go below that, I lose weight. I still have some restriction to keep me from binging. That will be a lifetime challenge for me as I did it for so many years. Anyone else on maintenance and having similar things happen or can anyone share insight as to should I 'diet' and get another unfill to loosen the restriction? Or just count my lucky stars?

It's normal for dieters to lose hair....thinning of the hair. But it's for sure there has not been one case where someone lost ALL of their hair. And it's temporary. This is the time for you to try new things with your hair. And a time to laugh. Congrats on the weightloss.

Wow! Thanks for sharing. You've heard so many say, 'stay off the scale', right? I disagree with that and say weigh daily. And if you don't want to do that then at least weekly. An adjustment is in order when you gain 1 pound. So you should have gone in at that time. But you didn't know. Knowledge is power. This is a setback but make it your shining moment...a pivotal moment in your life. Get an adjustment. Get a scale. Get those adjustments on time, every time. Come back and tell us about your weightloss!

It's up to you. Do you mind it? If not, enjoy the weightloss. You do, go back for an adjustment to have some taken out. Being too tight can cause problems so you and your doctor have to judge things to ensure that doesn't happen. Good luck!

Let me tell you...I was where you are and thought this was going to be horrible. The size of that needle! hahah, no...just kidding. But for real, you lie on your back and raise up your shirt and tuck it under the breast area (in a bra if you are wearing one) They take this needle w/ syringe and get it ready. But they spray something on the area to numb it. And you really don't think it's gonna work...that you will indeed feel something. Watch as they take the needle and insert it .... you are gonna look harder because you didn't feel anything and you want to ensure they are doing it. They did! And a few seconds later you are done! No pain at all. Don't worry, you are normal.

Mary, I just don't know about this one. I've not ever had that problem except when I ate too close to bedtime. I don't eat after 3-4pm. (I go to bed early) But I'd see your family doc if you have insurance, they will cover a simple visit for heartburn/acid reflux. Get a script and give it time to work. Good luck.

Drugs! For real. Not illegal mind you, but I'd get PMs. Take the internet out of her house. For real, if she's on the computer at night it's been shown to disturb the bodys sleep patterns. Keep us posted.

Yes, I went through phases where sometimes that would happen. But going a few days, even weeks w/o food isn't going to hurt anything. Your body is stronger than what you think.

That's if clear means liquid only...no particles. some docs allow just liquids, no shakes as that's fiberous. Check w/ the doc.

Got to be creative and think outside the box. Hot chocolate Cereal...Froot Loops- pour the cereal and then milk...let it sit 5 minutes, drink it up! Don't get the cereal...just milk. Lets see...what else.... pumpkin Soup if you can figure out how to make it. Good luck. Hang in there.

Not true. Anything dealing with the band...of course they won't cover it...slippage, leaks, whatever. Low potassium...YES swallow something, gets stuck, ER for retrieval...YES things the band can do to your body...YES...just not the band itself

My dr was going to be away so they needed to get me in for another fill which was Monday 3/3 Has someone lost their marbles! You should only get a fill when your doc is available for the next 3 days in case you need them....not get it done and they leave.