Leena

I am a little over 2 months out and can not tolerate lactose at all. I was told that many people develop intolerance and it stays with 80% of them (as per my nutritionist's statement). I find cheese is fine so I stick with that. I was never a big milk drinker so I don't mind at all. My first post-op milk experience had me frothing at the mouth as I PBed it back up, let's just say something I'm not going to try again.

Ok this is going to sound really strange. But I've been working on running lately, doing the couch to 5k. Anyway today I ran at 4.2 mph on the treadmill for 5 minutes, then it all started. I started drooling/sliming and then the puking started. Considering it was first thing in the morning the only thing I had in me was Water. I felt like my band was really really tight. So I stopped to puke and then just layed in bed for an hour and sipped a hot cup of tea. I felt fine afterwards and my band seemed to lossen up. Has this happened to anyone? I've been working out for the past 6 weeks with no problems until now. Cardio is either biking or the treadmill. Thanks, Leena

Hi Amy, I know what this is like. Last weekend my sister was visitting and had a similar response to my weight loss. I'm getting close to her size. I noticed in the photo, you're getting close to your friend's size. Apparently people start to freak out at that point. A friend of mine had the bypass and her mother lost it when they reached the same size in clothes. I really hate to say it, but this is a part and parcel of WLS. I've seen it in a few of my relationships lately (my sister, a few of my friends too). Thankfully I have a great friend who had the bypass and knows what it's like and won't dump the shrinking me. Hang in there, it's only going to get worse before it gets better. -Leena

I was so afraid to have the surgery done. I got everything in order, just incase I ended up dead. I have a husband and 3 sons and run the paperwork part of the finances and make sure everyone gets to their doctors appointments and takes the right meds. I left a 6 page instructional sheet for my husband, just in case. I also made sure all the the prescritptions had refills (asthma, allergy and adhd meds for the sons). When I was sitting there in the surgery holding area I almost backed out. I told dh "maybe I shouldn't go through with this." Thankfully he's the sensible non-overly-emotional one and he said you're just nervous and you'll be fine. So I went to the bathroom about 5 times in the course of 45 minutes (being nervous makes me have to pee). I remember asking my surgeon some strange questions about whether or not the monitors they use were high definition or not, LOL. And that was it. I don't even think I was asked to count backwards. (during my wisdom tooth extraction and tonsilectomy I remember counting backwards). Surgery is risky, but I think the procedure has a mortality rate of 1/2000, which is really minor compared to the bypass of 1/100 or 1/200. That's how I looked at it. Hang in there, Leena

I had one inserted after surgery (couldn't pee on my own for some reason those muscles weren't working). Honestly I was on so much morphine it didn't hurt. I actually felt the pain of having to peee and not being able to, but didn't feel the catheter being put in or removed for that matter. I just had a straight cathetar put in, not a permanent one. The next day thankfully I was able to pee on my own.

I never mean for the advice that I receive here to replace my drs. I'll call the office on the monday before my thursday appointment, to see what they think if I still feel this way. I have been loosing 1-2 pounds a week, but I think it's mostly due to working out every day and exercising control when it comes to eating, as well as embracing healthy food choices. Prior to the band my problem with food was quantitiy not nutritional quality. So the band helps with the quantity issues/portion control,

Thanks so much! My hunger isn't too bad. It seems like I don't get too hungry before a meal, but after a meal it seems my stomach empties and within an an hour or two I feel a bit hungry so then I start constantly sipping Water. At this point I feel like there's a lot of will power that I have to use to not eat. I'm starting to think that I do need a fill. At my last fill my dr. told me that eating a whole chicken breast and veggies is normal, but if I were eating 2 of them he'd be concerned. He filled me last time anyway. There was wonderful restriction in the post fill, but it's gone away.

I can eat a whole entire fast food size salad (minus the dressing) which is about 2 cups or so. I can eat a whole chicken breast with veggies too. 1/2 cup of oatmeal for breakfast with soy milk. I work out a lot to be able to still loose weight with eating this much. I can eat 2 egg whites with 1/4 cup of fat free ricotta cheese too. All of these being individual meals. I eat 2 meals a day and have a protien shake for breakfast, since it's easy to drink and fast for the morning with 3 kids.

Thanks so much for that excerpt. It really helps. I'm going to order his book from amazon, as I seem to have lots of questions about how to know if I really need a fill. Thanks, Leena

Just wanted to add I can eat pretty much everything (chicken, salad, eggs, ricotta cheese, etc). So I know I'm not too tight now.

i'm scheduled for a fill the week after thanksgiving and am trying to figure out if I really need one. I had my first fill a month ago and felt amazing restriction for 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. That sensation is gone, but I still feel some minor restriction. At time of fill I was 303 and now I'm 287. So I definately needed that first fill. I was also really really hungry before. Now I kind of get hungry, but not like before. So should I reschedule or just get a small small fill? BTW I have 1cc in a 4cc band. Thanks, Leena

My Dr. is in New Brunswich, not sure itf that's south enough for you. There is a Fill Centers USA in Mt. Laurel too. I have never been there, but it does exist.

I too had my period on the day of surgery, and was given undies similar to the top of pantyhose and allowed to use my own pad. I'd ask for the maternity kind of I were you though (because they're really big and absorbant). I was at the end of my cycle and have a hormone releasing IUD, so have very scanty periods now. Yes, I used to practically bleed to death before, so I know where you're coming from. Just let them know in pre-op-it's very very common. Leena

I highly suggest going with a board certified Bariatric Surgeon for your surgery. One who is trained in bariatrics is going to be much different than a general surgeon. Mine had a fellowship in Bariatrics, an additional year of Bariatric specific training. Afterall it's your body, and you should go with one of the best in the field instead of the one closest to your house. Dr. Mehta has performed over 700 weight loss surgeries ( I think it's closer to 1000 now). Bariatrics has become an area of big money for surgeons, so you'll find general surgeons, vascular surgeons and other ones. Please research your doctors and know who exactly is operating on you. Afterall they only get one chance to do it. Others have gone to Mexico and had excellent well trained and experienced surgeons. The downside is the flight from NJ to Mexico and doing it post-op. Closer to home NYU has a great Bariatric team. Just some things for you to think about. -Leena

I live in South Jersey (20 minutes from Cherry Hill) as well, and decided to go with Dr. Vishal Mehta in New Brunswick (Mehta Bariatric Center). His office staff is amazing, and he has a great free monthly support group. He has also never had a patient mortality in lap band or bypass for that matter (at least as of my date of surgery 9/10/2007). I highly recommend him, he's well worth the drive. -Leena

I used Capital One for fiancing too. They were really quick about it as well. They pretty much just have to confirm fees with your Surgeon and know how the checks are to be written. For example mine were broken up as follows: hospital, anesthesia and surgeon fees for a total of $14,500. Hope this helps, Leena

I had a cathetar put in after the surgery, as I wasn't able to go on my own. I pushed but nothing came out. So the nurse put in a cathetar and an amazing 1000 cc came out. I did not need one for surgery, as I was in and out in under an hour, but afterwards I did. Honestly it didn't hurt at all. I was on a morphine pump at the time so that may explain it. I was still on it when it the catheter came out. So no pain there. Honestly I was on so much morphine I could have cared less if they did the actual lap band surgery to me then. I was sent home with oxicontin, which in my opinion was wayyy stronger than morphine. Just because the surgery is short doesn't mean you won't need a catheter. -Leena

I had my period during surgery and was told no tampon. I ended up with pantyhose type of underwear and a pad. Also no metal/jewelry. I also had a catheter put in after surgery, so had I had a piercing it would have been seen. There was a woman next to me during the OR check in phase who had to run to the bathroom to take some piece of jewelry out.

Focussing on what you haven't done yet isn't going to get you anywhere. There's no point whining because others have less to loose. If anything you should be happy that you're well on your way to goal. I have a long way to go, but I did it to myself (that's for sure). -Leena

Ok, let me wipe the drool off of my face. I am in love with your scale. Do you have someone to calibrate it? I had no idea you could buy an actual scale like they have in the doctor's office. That may have to be my next one. I can just see the expression on Dh's face though, it may just push him over the edge with a giant monsterous scale in our kitchen. As it is there are 3 lined up there right now. I can just see the big one next to those three, a happy family of scales, now just one more so everyone in our family ahs their own scale. Let me know how the scale works out for you. -Leena

Make- I love the idea of tattooing it on. I so badly want a one anyway, just haven't had the guts to do it. But after one very painful fill (bent numerous needles) I think I can handle the pain of it, LOL.

A friend of mine ahs an awesome Health O Meter scale that measures body fat, weight and hydration. So I couldn't resist buying one for myself. I have a bit of a scale obsession (well I only own 3). Anyway it says I should have a hydration level of about 50%, mine was only 22%. I guess I need to drink more Water and that may be the reason that I'm not loosing as quickly as I could. Oh don't get me started on body fat I wanted to just chop some off, LOL. Has anyone been this dehydrated? I started some gatorade fitness water hoping to rehydrate. Thanks, Leena

I'm 5'5" and received the 4cc band, go figure. At Banding I was 333.

I was still on Liquids 6 days post-op. Actually I had 2 weeks of liquids. I would call your doctor and ask, as I know most people have a week or more of liquids before doctors allow mushies.

Thanks gals. I figured it was normal. It lasted a bit longer today, so I just ate two egg whites with a spoonful of nonfat ricotta cheese. My doctor's office said I'll loosen up as I loose more weight. So I can't complain, atleast the weight is coming off and atleast I'm not PBing.