Colleen C

It is normal to have concern, most of us have that little worry that we could be the 1% or fail for whatever reason. You can find plenty of information on either side. It is just what is the other option that is better? For me, their wasn't one. I was banded on June 20th and did a lot of searching like you and it made me feel better to know not only the good success but also the failures. It helps take away some of the fantasy of the band being this magical weight loss cure. Like many people have said it is a tool. The rest is up to us to make it successful. Good luck to you on your decision. Colleen

I have lap band and no straw was what they told me. Straws and carbonation were the only things they said were no no's. Suggestion, don't use one until your next appt. and ask them.

From my experience carbs are what keep you out of ketosis. I had trouble with the shakes too. Call your surgeons office and ask what the alternative is, maybe another brand or whatever. Just stay on really low carbs. If you feel the need you can buy little ketosis tabs/sticks to check for ketosis. Good luck, this is tough going through the pre-op but you CAN do it. Colleen

Stop beating yourself up. Drink as much as you can and that is it. Only you know your body and getting sick to make a quota is not fun. Just make sure you make a decent effort and take it a little easier on yourself, stop stressing! Good luck to you! Colleen

I sent you a private message, did you get it?

I have never liked it but the Dr uses it sometimes to let us know we are fat, no I mean obese, no again I mean morbidly obese. It is a torture tool just in case we don't realize how fat we are, the Dr has it in writing. he he he

It must be amazing, I hope you are proud of yourself for such an accomplishment. Great job!

I am assuming you would prefer to keep your surgery private. Answers could be: 1. None of your business 2. If I told you I would have to kill you. 3. Battle scars. 4. Been practicing fencing. 5. Under cover spy I mean really, you are not obligated to answer that. If you feel the need to say something then give a smile, use one of my suggestions and move on. Good luck and congrats that you can wear a bikini! Colleen

Maybe you are sleep walking and eating at night! he he I know we all said it already but PLEASE, go to your Dr and don't quit until someone helps you with this. Let us know when! Colleen

I cook a lot and have a larger family. Sometimes when you cook you have to taste test. When it is something I either am not suppose to eat or don't want to eat, I just quietly spit it out into the trash can/napkin. This way I am not wondering if I have it right without tasting but still not wasting calories or eating what I should not at the time. Hope I didn't gross anyone out. It is just something that works for me. Colleen

Since your family is doing it out of love and concern, get on your laptop and pull up the BMI charts on any website that has one and show them your height, weight and where you fall compared to where you want to be. Then thank them for loving and caring about you but you are done with the subject and move on to something else.

Stop that and get to the Dr. You need someone on your side to correct this, not later but now. Do you need a little kick in the caboose? ; ) Fight for yourself, you really are worth it. Colleen

Wow, there has to be someone out there to help you. Do you have insurance now that would cover having the lap-band changed out to something bigger or different? Is there something keeping you from trying other surgeon/specialist to help with your condition? I mean really, no one is suppose to go through life miserable. That sounds very depressing which makes it harder to get help for yourself. I really hope you get help very soon, that is just not acceptable at all. Keep in touch, Colleen

Ouch guys, although I don't agree with the drinking thing we do need to remember to try to not be offensive. We all have our own experiences.

Sitting here reading these stories giggling thinking how every time I see someone out burping a lot I will think wonder of they are a lapbander???

Linsuk, You screwed up. I bet almost everyone has at some point. All you can do is the best you can. Obviously you cant have the stuff around because it is too tempting. Get it out of your house. I am like that. Eating one of something only leads to another and it is never enough. I always hated that about myself. No little piece of cake or anything, it would only get me started. If we were able to not eat we wouldn't have needed the surgery but we can not use that as an excuse to do anything we want meantime. Slap yourself around a little, feel bad and then get yourself back on track. Whats the saying? something about this is a marathon, not a sprint. We still love ya! Now love yourself and don't get stuck in self pity, we all know what that leads too. lol Colleen

Hi Bulawookie! I was surprised reading you had the band removed. How come? Colleen

Hello, I am newly banded (June 20th) and it depends on what your surgeon gives you on your list to eat/drink pre-op. Mine was Chike Protein shakes, Jello and sugar free drinks and broth. I did it for 2 weeks. Hated everyday of it but there were no other options so I did it, because I had to and I am worth it. The shakes even made me sick to my stomach so although I was allowed 4, I rarely got in more that 2or 3. Try not to fret and get all twisted up about it. It won't be easy but you can do it. I promise you wont die, (might be grumpy!) but you can do it too! Although it is to shrink our fatty liver the best part is if you follow it, the weight will fall off. I lost 22 lbs in 2 weeks. Good luck! Colleen

I had lap band surgery on the 20th of June and yes, within a couple of days I felt normal and do get hungry, every day. lol

Wow, I give you all praise, I think I would have flipped over the chair (and what a mess that would be) if they postponed my surgery. Not that they gave you a choice. That really sucks, especially if you have to continue the same diet I did. Good luck and if the call back, turn on the crazy. lol

Not sure where you are in your surgery healing. If you are allowed yogurt, look in the yogurt section Yoplait has the Whipped version, I found if you freeze them, they are perfect for a not so bad treat. Taste like ice cream.

I agree with all the above statements on one point or another. It is true, we are all human and make mistakes and should be forgiven. With that said. this is a surgeon and although he was off duty, it is very bad judgement and it is just one of those jobs that you are held to a higher standard. It is too new and I would not want him for my surgeon either. He needs his time to get his head straight and decide what is more important to him. Loosing patients and $$$ is exactly the penalty that stops many others from abusing this law. It is understandable you don't want it to postpone your lap-band plans. He let you down. Good luck, I am sure everything will work out and I hope it is quick. Colleen

Woot Woot, doing the Happy Dance for you! That is awesome. You must feel like a million bucks. Life is good! Colleen

Leave it to me I actually gained weight right after surgery. The day after I came home my weight went up 5-6 pounds. It took me the week after to loose it again. Aargghh. I think we are all different, some comes off fast at different times. We will all get there. I know I want to be on the loosing fast track but my body has other ideas darn it! I so look forward to not being hungry!!! Did I mention that a time or 200? xo Colleen

Oh Icy One, that cracked me up!!! I feel ya for sure. I did my best too and wasn't perfect but all we can do is our best. For those who made it through exactly as told I think is great. I personally don't think the little antics ruin anything but can not be used for a free for all either. I cheated with some grilled chicken and never felt guilty. My husband cheated so much I couldn't even watch him and although our surgeon said he would sew us back up everything turned out okay. Colleen