Hastings

Did your doctor's not tell you beforehand what your diet stages would be and why you were to follow them?

I always measure my calories for a 24 hour period. It doesn't matter if you go from 7 am to 7 pm, or midnight to midnight, as long as you are consistent.

Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum - FAQ Click on that link. It will take you to a list of threads. One is Lap Band Abbreviations. Everyone should read this if they are beginning.

I tried stevia once and it seemed horribly bitter. I thought it was because I let the tea get cold. I would rather just do without.

I have noticed a lot that people are eating things, and then the phrases follow: it goes down easy, it was easy to swallow, I didn't throw up, and once even "it didn't put up a fight" . . . . and on and on. Have you notice that there seems to be a thought process that says if you can swallow it, it's ok. Take a couple of steps back and think about this. If we can get it inside our bodies and thus POSSESS it, it's ok? This is not healthy nor even normal thinking. What all would we eat, possess, conquer by swallowing it, if we could (I'm not talking about emotions). A picture of Jabba the Hut is coming to mind. No one is going to die from hunger from following post operative directions and a liquid diet for a while.

There is a school of thought that says if you just replace your full sugar items with artificially sweetened items, you aren't making a real life style change. I too worry about the chemicals. If I want 158 grams of blackberries (close to a cup) and they are too tart, I put one teaspoon of sugar on them. Most of the sugar ends up on the bottom of the bowl and isn't eaten. It's remarkable how little sweetened stuff I eat anymore, whether sweetened with sugar or chemicals.

It's good to remember that, while normal weight people may make assumptions about obese folks, it's just as common to see/hear obese folks make rude, snide, assumptive comments about normal weight folks. Do your own thing and don't take other people's baggage on board.

I'm still trying to ride mine, Sue. I haven't given up but I'm not having much luck either. I will presevere.

There is a thread about this in the exercise forum. I have a trikke. I love it. I'm not such an accomplished rider, but it's good exercise trying. My suggestion is to get some lessons from the place where you buy it, if possible. Get a helmet. It's not nearly as tricky as a skateboard. Check out Youtube there are lots of trikke videos on there. Have fun.

I think part of the issue with chewing gum is swallowing it. A few have had to have it removed at the hospital cause it gets stuck.

No embollisms is excellent. Did they explain how the band is affecting your breathing?

I think I did get an email about an allergan web site. I deleted it though. I don't want it or need it. You could search on the net. I think both bands are equally effective.

I love my birkenstocks. I found two pairs, new and still in the box, at a good will for 2 dollars a pair. I looked them up on line and they were 112 and 124 dollars. This was a couple of years ago.

I had a catheter put in after I was in the operating room and "under" and it was taken out in the operating room before I returned to the step down area.

Did you fly? I've heard many people get tighter after flying.

It does get much much better. I used to measure my pint of milk and keep it in a glass in the fridge and then just take drinks of it as I was up walking off the gas. Hang in there and just sip constantly at your drinks. You will do great!

I'm still struggling with my BP. I hope I get off the medications some day soon.

I have a couple of mugs of coffee a day. Black, unsweetened. Doc said it's no problem.

Yes, I count calories. Yes, I follow the rules, why bother otherwise? I was never told no caffeine or no sugar. I have 158 grams of blackberries with 1 tsp sugar and it's about 90 calories. I try not to use artificial sweetner. I also exercise.

I'm not sure why, but I think it is the skill level of my doctor, I have not had one moment's hunger since I was banded three months ago. Not having hunger does bring a different set of challenges but one that I'm up to.

It's not a question of "will it work" or not. When people post on here that they are weeping because they can't have a soft drink, or that they want the foreign object out of their body right this second, I doubt if they are ready to have the lap band installed. I think that a longer preparation period and working on food related issues prior to banding would make the journey easier, and possibly more successful. Just my opinion.

I had three ccs put in at surgery and my band is 10 ccs. I still have restriction. I've been banded three months.

A. Carbonation won't stretch out your band, but it may stretch out your pouch. B. coffee did not make me morbidly obese. I drink it black no sugar.

What happened for me is that food became just that: food. It's not a BIG source of pleasure. I get satisfaction and pleasure from other things almost exclusively now. It is a change that seems to have happened automatically. Food=fuel

The band isn't meant to cause starvation, in my opinion. I had three ccs put in when I had surgery and I have restriction, but I can eat anything, really, except eggs. As long as I am losing, I will not get a fill. You will have to rely on will power for a certain amount of your loss. It's NOT effortless. Good luck on your journey.