Leena

Things have unfortunately changed with the band. With the 4cc band there was restriction right away. And it didn't take many fills to get restriction. I have to say reading that some of you now take 3-5 months worth of fills or even a year to get get restriction is really a shitty deal (sorry guys 'n gals). I'm so glad I have the smaller band.

In this case i think your employer has a right to know about your surgery if you're going to be entrusted with potentially saving others lives. Also, you may want to ask your surgeon when you can return to work, ie chlorinated pool, rescuing people.
And at work, I'm sure you signed a contract regarding performing duties.

In this case i think your employer has a right to know about your surgery if you're going to be entrusted with potentially saving others lives. Also, you may want to ask your surgeon when you can return to work, ie chlorinated pool, rescuing people.
And at work, I'm sure you signed a contract regarding performing duties.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I am not a lifeguard so I can't say for certain but I am guessing that being only nine days out from surgery is not going to be enough recovery time for you to return to work. Never mind putting on a bathing suit, being a lifeguard is seriously physical work that requires a lot of strength. You have to swim, lift, carry, bend, twist and so forth. Do you think that you can do all of that, that soon after major surgery? I don't want to come off as a total jerk here but ask yourself, if you were in a perilous situation and needed rescuing, would you want the person coming to your aid to be nine days out from surgery and possibly not fully physically ready to be doing the job?
Maybe you should sit down with your supervisor and have a conversation with him/her, let them know what you are planning and why. Tell them about the length of time you are going to need to fully physically recover and get back up to speed and see if there is other work that you can be doing, in the meantime.

Bandista- if you're going the thinning out cream of wheat route, just remember it's high in Iron and may constipate you a bit, or a lot.
Bandista's list is great. The only thing I'd add is a recliner. I slept in mine the first week as it was sooo comfy. Also a small shot glass. It helped me remember to take small sips in the beginning.
The pillow for the car ride home is ESSENTIAL! Hold it on your stomach for the bumps.
Make sure you have something comfy to come home in (think yoga pants, sweats, loose shirts, etc) You're probably not going to want to put on jeans.
I really overdid it with buying broth, trust me you are not going to need a case of it. A few cans/boxes will suffice. Popsicles however- buy a few boxes of those as they're good. Or maybe it was all the pain pills that made them good.
And, after surgery your tastes may change a bit. I went from loving the taste of Atkins shakes to absolutely not being able to stomach them. So you might want to have a backup shake on hand or be able to send someone out for them. At that point premixed ones are good just to see if you like it.

About the leg/foot pain: I'd see an orthopedist to see what's going on. They'll probably refer you for some PT and do some in office testing and such. I hurt my back a few months ago and started gaining then. Walking is painful. But I found I could still use my recumbent bike. I also went through PT. I apparently herniated a disc and have arthritis in my back- so I go in next week for a procedure and then more PT after that. I'm hoping that I can actually get back to the gym in the next month or two.
So I went in and got a fill (apparently had lost some of the fill that was in there). Have you been in for a fill recently?
Getting the fill for me and coming back to lapbandtalk helped me to recommit to my band. And it's going to sound strange as I'm not in the liquid phase- but buying Protein powder and having a shake at Breakfast. It helps me with eating Breakfast (which I'm not a breakfast person at all- never have been) and it adds more Protein to my diet.
There's also a November Thankful/ Loosing thread that'll help you stay on track. I'm one of those who needs to set goals for myself.
Hope this helps

About the leg/foot pain: I'd see an orthopedist to see what's going on. They'll probably refer you for some PT and do some in office testing and such. I hurt my back a few months ago and started gaining then. Walking is painful. But I found I could still use my recumbent bike. I also went through PT. I apparently herniated a disc and have arthritis in my back- so I go in next week for a procedure and then more PT after that. I'm hoping that I can actually get back to the gym in the next month or two.
So I went in and got a fill (apparently had lost some of the fill that was in there). Have you been in for a fill recently?
Getting the fill for me and coming back to lapbandtalk helped me to recommit to my band. And it's going to sound strange as I'm not in the liquid phase- but buying Protein powder and having a shake at Breakfast. It helps me with eating Breakfast (which I'm not a breakfast person at all- never have been) and it adds more Protein to my diet.
There's also a November Thankful/ Loosing thread that'll help you stay on track. I'm one of those who needs to set goals for myself.
Hope this helps

Ask you doctor. But generally walking is ok.
Just an FYI- work out on an empty stomach as your band may feel tighter during and after exercise.

I'm going to start this month. I'm an old bandster- from '07, getting back on the wagon. Mom to 3 boys, 11 chickens, 1 Rooster and 2 goats in suburban NJ (small backyard farming at it's best). I'm having a back procedure next week- so I'm not envisioning a big loss this month.
Name, real or screen~ Leena
Goal weight for November 30th~ 210
Weight on November 1st~ 218
Age~ 36
City/State~ NJ
Dietary goal for November~ Get in my 60g of Protein a day
Exercise goal for November~ don't have one as I'm having a back procedure next week- so I'll be happy just being able to exercise
Personal goal for November~ Get all my holiday shopping done before thanksgiving
Date banded~ 9/10/07
Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 132
Favorite Thanksgiving Activity~ Watching the parade with my kids

Go straight back on to liquids- your body is shocked. If you can't tolerate liquids get an unfill.
It's going to sound gross, but crying a lot, can make mucus that goes down the back of your throat. Yeah, that in addition to being really upset.
You'll make it through, don't forget to take care of yourself now. HUGS

Beer and carbonation is a HUGE NO with a lapband. Yes years out you can do it under certain circumstances. Yes I've had beer about 3 times in the last 6 years. At those times I was no in the green zone or anywhere near it. And I have no tolerance any more, 1/2 glass of Belgium beer just makes me sleep- so not a whole lot of fun.
Soda- again carbonation and soda is acidic so you have a double whammy there.
Erosion, slips, pouch stretching, reflux......
Sorry the beer and soda just isn't worth it.
Most of us are walking around with something that costs the same as a cheap new car. Do you really want to bash the hell outta the thing?

Beer and carbonation is a HUGE NO with a lapband. Yes years out you can do it under certain circumstances. Yes I've had beer about 3 times in the last 6 years. At those times I was no in the green zone or anywhere near it. And I have no tolerance any more, 1/2 glass of Belgium beer just makes me sleep- so not a whole lot of fun.
Soda- again carbonation and soda is acidic so you have a double whammy there.
Erosion, slips, pouch stretching, reflux......
Sorry the beer and soda just isn't worth it.
Most of us are walking around with something that costs the same as a cheap new car. Do you really want to bash the hell outta the thing?

Did you let your dr know about the reflux? Were you put on an acid reducer? I was on protonix which helped immensely. And it also helped to heal the ulceration. I've had 2 endoscopies, they;re not bad- I just hate twilight sedation.
I'd put a call into the drs office to let them know you're still having pain, and ask about solids/liquids/ and acid reducers.

Did your dr put on on liquids following the defill? Any time I've been defilled, even partially I've been put on liquids while my stomach was adjusting.
Were you having any acid reflux/ gerd? The only ways I know of to check for erosion and ulceration is an endoscopy. Not a fun procedure but effective at getting a good picture of what's going on in the pouch.

Does your surgeon have post-band eating guidelines/rules? Mine doesn't permit sweets, pastas and high simple carb foods. Splenda is my friend, in nice hot flavored teas, for a sweet treat.
Cutting out the bread and Pasta from your diet you should see some big results this week, especially if you're replacing them with healthy lean Protein.

Does your surgeon have post-band eating guidelines/rules? Mine doesn't permit sweets, pastas and high simple carb foods. Splenda is my friend, in nice hot flavored teas, for a sweet treat.
Cutting out the bread and Pasta from your diet you should see some big results this week, especially if you're replacing them with healthy lean Protein.

Hi Stina, it's great you've lost the twenty -- hang on to that success; it is a great start. I am pre-band and decided to seek therapy to sort out food issues -- the reasons besides physical hunger that make me want to eat. Anxiety is a big one for me -- anchoring myself or hushing a whirring inside. Stress eating, eating out of boredom or to prep myself before doing something I don't want to do, or eating for pleasure, etc. identifying these patterns has been really helpful for me and now that I'm aware of what the tendencies are I feel so much more empowered. The band dims the appetite but if the food is about something else, that something else needs to be dealt with, too. I find journalling very helpful as well. Good luck to you -- the fact that you are here and reaching out just prior to getting a fill next week tells me that you are ready to do what it takes. You can do it!

If you watch the video, you'll see she broke so many of the rules of the band.
I'm glad she's putting this out there.
Is patient education really this bad now?

The experience I had with my slip was that I could actually eat a bit more. But I had horrible aid reflux all the time: at night and during the day. My pain was all reflux related. I had a complete unfill which fixed the slip. They also found some ulceration inside too- hence the pain.
Glad your dr is on top of it.

The experience I had with my slip was that I could actually eat a bit more. But I had horrible aid reflux all the time: at night and during the day. My pain was all reflux related. I had a complete unfill which fixed the slip. They also found some ulceration inside too- hence the pain.
Glad your dr is on top of it.

So excited! I just opened my insurance letter saying I was approved for a tt! I'm waiting to hear from my doc but I think they approved the whole think, below and above the belly button! So excited! So glad I run cause I think that is what made the difference ( I never thought I'd be thankful for that godawful rash). Did I already say I AM SO EXCITED! Ann

Not so glum chum! I've been there...heck, I'm there right now - LOL. The good news is that all you have to do is draw that line in the sand (sounds like you're doing that now), talk to others (preferably a counselor) and get back on track. The great news is that unlike your pre-band days, whatever weight you gain now comes back off quickly. Shock your system with heavy doses of Protein (80 - 100g a day) for about a week and you'll see. Sure, your loved ones won't like the butt music you're making or the aroma you leave behind...but you're worth it!

I tried not ordering anything to drink, but that usually ends up with some weird looks. So I just go with Water by default, however I don't even touch it.
In the last year I've become a vegetarian and you'll rarely find an unchewable piece of tofu or vegetable. Soups are by far my favorite thing to have out. I'm more adventurous out now as well: Pho, Indian, Japanese, Greek.
When I did eat meat: rare filet minon was my go to for dinners out, and NJ has great steak. It's close enough to Philly and NY to go out for dinner.

I tried not ordering anything to drink, but that usually ends up with some weird looks. So I just go with Water by default, however I don't even touch it.
In the last year I've become a vegetarian and you'll rarely find an unchewable piece of tofu or vegetable. Soups are by far my favorite thing to have out. I'm more adventurous out now as well: Pho, Indian, Japanese, Greek.
When I did eat meat: rare filet minon was my go to for dinners out, and NJ has great steak. It's close enough to Philly and NY to go out for dinner.

PB is a productive burp. As it produces the food you just ate.
It's not the same as being stuck- stuck is that icky feeling of a golf ball.