QuasiTova

I think NOW I might actually be at that elusive "sweet spot". Today, I felt great! No more slime or pain, and I am definitely eating less that before this fill, and not hungry at all. Here I was panicking that I could not eat, and now that I can, I don't want to... are you sure this thing is not tampering with my brain? lol It is amazing what only .25cc can do. Hopefully, this feeling will last...

Like you, I have neglected my health for career and kids and grandkids the past few years. I could only scrounge up 4 actual doctor visits in the past 5 years... three of those were in the same year. I had one in 2003, and three in 2004. That was all. And then I got a physical in 2007 right before my first lapband appointment. My BMI was 43 (I think). I did not have any other health issues (but I was borderline on some), but I listed EVERY issues that my family members have. I think they look at this a lot, and expect that you might get these eventually if you do not lose the weight. So, I listed TONS of them... everything I could think of. I also have UHC... and was approved in only a week. Also, when you go for your physical, have the doctor document weight loss attempts during the two years that you do not have any history. Most doctors will just make a statement saying that the patient says, "blah blah blah". Every little bit helps. Have you had the same policy for all of this time? I think they can see that you have not gone to the doctor if you do not have any claims. Good luck

Thanks to all of you for advice... I called my doctor this morning, and he said to come in ASAP for a slight deflation. He reminded me that this is NOT supposed to hurt, and that it can be dangerous to wait when you feel like this. I will never wait this long again if I feel too tight. He removed .25cc, and I felt INSTANT relief, and was able to drink two glasses of Water with no problem at all (Water has never tasted so good in my life). I have eaten Soup and some hummus this afternoon, and all seems well now. My throat still feels a little scratchy, but I am sure that it is just from all of the irritation. The BEAST inside of me has been tamed! No more gurgling or growling or SLIME... at least for now

Dr Adam Smith is AWESOME!!! He is my doctor.. read my post above for a few reasons I chose him. Of course, there are many other reasons as well... if you do a search on the board for him, you will find MANY people who sing his praises

How do you know that the band has slipped? I would think a slippage would be worse than a PB.

I am 43... and was experiencing a lot of the same issues you have, except the blood pressure (mine is low). The plantar fasciitis was getting so bad that I could barely walk.... and even that was SUPER painful. I was also getting charlie horses almost every night in my calves... waking me in excruciating pain. Since being banded, I have not had even one charlie horse (YAY!), and the plantar fasciitis must be gone too because I can walk for HOURS without pain, even getting out of bed in the morning is painless (physically, anyway). This is when I noticed the difference: One day my daughter and I were out shopping at a strip center, and she asked if we could go to another store at the opposite end of the parking lot, and I said okay... and just started walking in that direction without even thinking about it, until she asked me why we had left the car at the other end (in the past, I would always drive to each store, and park as close as I could because walking was painful). It was that day that I realized the band truly was making a difference in my health. Now, I do not spend 20 minutes driving around the parking lot waiting for a closer parking space... I just park and walk... I actually try to park as far away as I can (unless it is raining)... lol

I forgot to quote the person who suggested the alternate "kitty" names (sorry), but I like Ginger Falene

I have only had this happen twice, but my daughter says I looked like a cat hacking up a hair ball... but it is more like a slime ball.

What the heck are Ninja Throwing Stars? Even the sound of them is painful...

Thanks The wonderful thing about using these responses is that we can switch up the items we have lost simply by using our math skills. there are many ways to add up to our total My 49 lbs lost so far can be described as: 1. a mid-size microwave, a human head, and a Chihuahua 2. a human leg, a human head, and a guinea pig 3. two automobile tires, an average newborn, and a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts and many many more combinations... So, even if we do not lose any weight in a week, we can change our items lost, and the "diet police" will still be impressed. If nothing else, we are improving our math skills... lol Sorry, but as a homeschooling mom, I tend to think this way :laugh:

Someone posted a thread that IMO has the perfect comeback answers for the "diet police". http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/ive-lost-leg-brain-what-about-you-53548/#post734736 My new answer to these people who want to ask about my progress is: So far I have lost a mid-size microwave, a human head, and a Chihuahua. This should make them stop and think... I already cannot wait to see the confused looks on their faces... lol

So far I have lost a mid-size microwave, a human head, and a Chihuahua. I think I will use this answer the next time I am confronted by the "diet police" (i.e. friends and family who ask that dreaded "how much have you lost so far" question). This should make them stop and think... I already cannot wait to see the confused looks on their faces... lol

I try not to look at the big picture... because it is too overwhelming. I just set my goal at TWO pounds a week, and it doesn't seem too difficult to attain. And, in reality, those little two pound losses each week add up to OVER 100 lbs in a year. You will get there before you know it When people ask me how much I have lost, I tell them that my goal is two pounds a week... and so far I have dropped 4 pants sizes. Steer them away from the big numbers they are wanting to hear. This is not an overnight miracle cure... it is just a tool. I think a lot of non-band people assume that the weight just falls off when you get the band... and they expect HUGE results overnight.

I went to several seminars and met several doctors before deciding on the one I chose. I also talked to patients of each doctor before deciding. I really liked his personality for one... he was honest about complications that he had with previous patients... but most of all, I liked the fact that he has the lapband HIMSELF, as well as several of his office staff. To me, this made it more likely that they would be understanding of what was going on at each stage of the process... from emotional aspects to physical ones.

That is what I thought too. This should not hurt. I do not want to feel like this all the time just to lose weight. I want to be able to enjoy life and still eat normal foods (just less). I have literally been in bed all weekend because I just feel yucky... there is no way I will ride this out for a month. I will be calling my doctor tomorrow. I just really do not want to go to the ER unless if it a life or death situation. I prefer to have my doctor make the decisions that he thinks are best instead of someone in the ER who might have little or no experience with lapbands. I really trust my doctor. He has had the lapband himself, and I truly feel like he has my best interest in mind.

I am the same way. I prefer water to anything else. So far, I have not found one that is flavorless that doesn't add some weird texture to the water. The closest I can find is the nectar lemonade... and CytoSport, which is more like gatorade. I tried adding the "supposed" flavorless Protein powders to food (mashed potatoes, oatmeal, etc) but the texture was HORRIBLE to me. I could still tell it was there. So, I just try to eat 10-20 grams of protein each meal (which is easy to do)... and then supplement with a Protein Drink. If your goal is only 60 grams per day, you should be able to reach that with just food.

Upon waking this morning, I felt like the "golf ball" had subsided some. At least the monster inside of me was quiet... So I had my daughter make me some warm tea. Apparently, the monster was only "asleep". Let the gurgling begin... After only two small sips, I was gurgling, and burping just like before. I think I angered him once again. I REALLY need to make "friends" with this creature who now lives inside me. I will update later today... right now, I am going to try to go back to sleep. I am still thinking that maybe I have a touch of the flu... perhaps combined with being a little tight.

My hair is very fine... and straight. It is not really thick or thin. the beauticians always tell me that I have a lot of hair, but it is just very fine. I think this was meant to be "my perfect cut" because I literally do not do ANYTHING to it... and it automatically curls under where it should and looks freshly brushed all of the time. If I let it get even an inch too long though, it doesn't curl under the way it should. I would ask your beautician if they think this cut would work for your hair. They are the professionals, and should know.

I confess... I am one of those people... I tend to eat very fast, and take big bites... so, before I got banded, I bought some teeny tiny spoons to eat with... they are actually souvenir spoons from the places I want to visit once I get "skinny" So, every time I put that little spoon in my mouth, I think about how much fun I am going to have in Alaska, Australia, Jamaica, etc. I do not take them to restauarants (but I have only been to one since being banded)... but I do use them at work, and at home.

Thanks Sue.. I did try to call, but the office was closed. I didn't think to leave a message. I think I will...just to be safe. What do you mean by "Be careful because it sounds like you're in trouble with your band now."?

chicken is EVIL in my world! I have been trying to eat more turkey, lamb and fish. I found that I can tolerate chicken better if it is ground. Whole Foods makes fresh sausage in their meat market daily out of all types of meat... lamb, pork, turkey, chicken, etc. They have hundreds of flavors, and I find that they are easier to eat because they are finely ground. I just do not eat the casing. I have not had as good of luck with "packaged" sausages, but the fresh ones seem to work good for me

I have that haircut! And, I love it... I don't even have to brush it if I am in a hurry in the mornings... just run my fingers through it and it always looks neat. I am lazy and hate to brush my hair... when I went to get a cut, I told the beautician to give me something that I do not have to brush! And, she did. And, I love it

I try to "eat" at least 10-20 grams of Protein each meal... and then drink one or two protein drinks to reach my goal of 100 grams per day. Personally, I do not like the "milky" type Protein shakes... I have always been more of a gatorade type girl. I tried a lot of protein drinks before I had my surgery so I would know what I liked and didn't like. You can buy samples of protein drinks at Vitalady.com - Protein supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, and Safe Snacks!. I think she has a few hundred different types. I paid $1.50 for each sample (which was one serving... 34.5g of protein). The "Nectar" lemonade flavor is really good She also sells this really cool battery operated mixing/drinking cup. I bought one... just to try... then went back and bought FOUR more! I absolutely L-O-V-E "CytoSport" Protein drinks (the tangerine tastes just like Sunny-D). This brand also has the highest amount of potassium that I have found. 40g of protein per bottle, zero carbs, 160 calories (I think). You can buy them at the VitaminShoppe, GNC, etc. The "ProteinSLAMs" are also pretty good. I like the peach flavored one. Sometimes they seem a bit too syrupy though and I have to dilute them. I also make popsicles out of these protein drinks for when I am feeling "snacky". I have discovered that diluting them with a little with Water before pouring them into the popsicle molds prevents them from melting too fast.

You can buy samples of Protein drinks at Vitalady.com - Protein supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, and Safe Snacks!. I think she has a few hundred different types. I paid $1.50 for each sample (which was one serving... 34.5g of protein). The "Nectar" lemonade flavor is really good She also sells this really cool battery operated mixing/drinking cup. I bought one... just to try... then went back and bought FOUR more!

If it was jsut the tight feeling, I think I would be okay, but this golf ball thing in my throat, and all of the gas... I am afraid to burp because I do not know what might come up. Hopefully, this will pass before Monday, and I will not feel the need to call the doctor. Maybe I need to take some of that liquid Hydrocodone the doctor gave me to kind of calm down a little.