NewLife'sGr8

I think a huge part of the band-failure problem (and this is just my opinion) is that many do/ have done the research, and then decided on the band because "it can be removed" if you don't like it, you can get it unfilled if you want to gorge yourself on vacations, family gatherings, holidays- whatever. WTF? For me, banding was/is forever! Unless life-threatening, I will work through any and all issues and eventually arrive at the green-zone and in band-synchronicity. I can't imagine going through banding with another one or two excruciating surgeries in the back of my mind- as ok - if this doesn't work, or if I'm not patient enough to get to the green zone, or if I don't want to follow doctor's orders, or eat around the band. IMHO, people who continually, consistently self-sabotage their weightloss simply should not have any WLS! Anyone can eat around the band, not follow Dr. orders, and blame it on the banding so they can get the next best thing (latest fad WLS) just like they (and I) did- onto the next fad diet, fail, next fad diet, Fail... on & on. NO MORE! For me, my band is for life! MY life!

Can't really speak to caffein because I'm a consumer of- full strength. I did cut back from drinking it all day up until 3-4pm, to drinking a mug-full, mornings. coffee has strong, deep family roots. This is a tough one... Re: soda I gave that up pretty much completely, sometime in the 1980's or '90's. Didn't really drink much before that anyway. Mom only bought it for holidays/ special occasions. I used to curse her for that because all my friends had free-flowing soda-access. Now, I thank her. Besides all the reasons already mentioned, Perhaps THIS will help inspire you to give up nasty soda for good: - Soda corporations knowingly SACRIFICE PEOPLE'S HEALTH FOR PROFIT! Who knows? Maybe they have an inside deal with the Medical Industry- who view our bodies as COMMODITIES FOR PROFIT. Hey! Your mindless consumption guarantees job-security in both industries. Sweet, eh? - Soda is 100% LAB-CREATED CHEMICALS INFUSED WITH CARBON DIOXIDE to make bubbly - Soda has ZERO NUTRITIONAL VALUE - Colas REMOVE RUST FROM METALS. Now that's some strong chit! Do you really want that in your pipes? - Colas LEECH Calcium FROM BONES (osteoporosis anyone?) - Unbelievably high, natural sugar-laden sodas contribute to a myriad of health probs; diabetes, hi-body fat after conversion to glucose--> stored, etc., etc., etc. - Artificially sweetened sodas have a whole other myriad of health probs. - They are also 100% LAB CREATED with ZERO NUTRITIONAL VALUE - Studies show high Aspertame intake causes LESIONS ON THE BRAIN (brain scars). - Studies also show the Chemicals in pink & yellow packets have been ASSOCIATED WITH A VARIETY OF CANCERS - Longterm (generational) affect is not fully known. DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO YOUR FAMILY TO BE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS PASSED ON GENETICALLY TO YOUR CHILDREN, GRAND-CHILDREN, GREAT-GRAND CHILDREN? 100yrs from now, do you want your family to do a genetic history of health probs, and find the source was YOU? - Bubbly "flavored" waters are also LAB CREATED with zero nutritional value. Use these in moderation. Most are also artificially sweetened (see above) These are just a few reasons why I quit sodas about 30yrs ago- way before banding. It was a huge, shocking learning curve for me. I was like; NO THANK YOU! Fast forward: I don't drink many carbonated beverages in general, I used to be a big beer-drinker in my 20's & 30's. Now, maybe one in a whole year. When I do drink carbonated beverages, (I like Champagne on New Years or for 'celebrations" to Cheers! and an occasional Hard Apple Cider) I 'flatten' them, not totally, but I like most of the bubbles out so I don't stretch my pouch, burp, fart, etc. much. Either gently shake & unscrew cap on & off a few times, or tap bottle bottom on my hand a few times with cap off (not very noticeable in social settings), or open way before I drink them to release gas. Good luck! I hope this helps jump you off the soda-train. As for me, I still have the coffee-work to do. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'm paying close attention.

ooohhh this sounds so yummy! I'll def have to try it sometime

It sounds different than what I'm feeling. I hope you can figure it out and feel better soon!

The "gross thick saliva" is a mucus plug that (I think) sits at/ near the band site. I've had it, and other things come up. I've had stuck "things" come up from above the band and other nasty stuff from below the band. Below the band is way worse. Always, the plug comes out 1st, in my case anyway. Was wondering what affect a negative-energy-purging hyawaska journey might have on the band. Probably not recommended. Probably should've done that first. hindsight...

Say it isn't so! I get so much info, comfort, support, & ideas from the bandster community forum thanks to all the last remaining band-people. I see value in co-mingling with other WLS patients- all supportive & informative too. Still, it's good to hear from same-kind re: complications, tricks of the trade, successes...

I'm where you are now. No motivation after a really harsh set-back. Weak & tired, can't get off the couch. Thank you for this post! Lets me know I'm not alone & is helping me find ways to get myself back on track. Thanks you posters!!!! <3

My pants last longer than they should. For example, taking my HUGE (125lb), super strong, 18 month-old puppy to vet for post-op visit, she decided she wanted to walk around outside rather than wait in waiting room- and so it was. Rainy, cold with a dusting of snow, she pulled me around where she wanted to go- and as she did, my jeans fell lower... and lower.. and lower... so I had the leash in my right hand, and a belly-sling huffed up over my left shoulder with my overstuffed purse, and tried to direct her in the direction "I" wanted her to go in (cooped up for two weeks, she just wanted to run all over the place! Thankfully, I had a mid-thigh sweater on, but my pants were drooping like those "pants on the ground" pants some of young guys like to wear (no clue why!) so there I am, trying to huff my pants up - while being yarned around- overladed with massive pup-on-leash, too-big purse & belly sling- in the cold rain. I'm sure I looked like a hot mess. when we got back to over by my car- I tried to 'discretely' hike them up to an acceptable level - got one side up & the other side drooped. Back & forth... Then, I noticed the receptionist looking at me out the window with an odd, "What the FK is she doing out there???" look on her face. so when I finally got back inside, I chimed for the whole world to hear, "OMG! My pants were falling down the whole time! I kept trying to pull them up, but they kept falling down!" which made everyone chuckle & diverted embarrassment (for the most part) with comedy. A NSV- of sorts. take-home: I need a belt!

Don't eat bark off the trees! ...even though, ravenous, you'll want to over the next few weeks while getting fills that at 1st- you don't feel any restriction from

Reducing stress (exercise, meditation, breathing exercises) lowers cortisol Easier said than done, right? I need to do more of these, myself I also heard there's a new med that reduces cortisol. cortisol is the biggest factor for piling on / maintaining belly fat. Def. check with your healthcare team for ideas, suggestions, regarding the cause as well

My port is stitched to the right-side abdominal muscle. Sometimes when I stretch upwards or twist a certain way I get a sharp pain. like you, I can't replicate or pinpoint the trigger. It's sharp, hurts but goes away after I relax it. I always figured it was the port because it's exactly where the port is installed. Maybe you need a longer line from the port to the band? Sounds to me like when you have fill, it shortens the line making it pull on the muscle it's sewn onto. I'd check out a different surgeon. Sounds to me like yours is in denial about your pain being associated with the banding- like he's more concerned about preventing lawsuits, by denying causal relationship, than taking care of his patients' needs.

It'd be nice to have a general (not just banister) back to or started dating place to go for all WLS patients

Lower your cortisol level & stress

Back off to Clear liquids for a day or two, then full liquids fro several days to allow inflammation to calm down. re-integrate to solids slowly.

Fabulous! I'm SO happy you're freeeeeee from that unnamed horror-center. Your Angels were working OT on your behalf! So cool you were able to reschedule with another surgery- in DEC '14 - a day earlier! wow! This tells me the Universe has your back on your WLS journey- that now, it's the right place, at the right time. Best wishes

Our WLS "father" - the giver of new life! Thank you

I've been pretty successful with banding. A few bumps and humps to get over. Always had an iron-stomach. With banding, it's a lot more sensitive. Takes getting used to. carolinagirl: I have Realize band. Surgeon stitched some of my tummy up over the bottom of the band to prevent slippage. DOn't know if I had "with plication". What's plication?

I've been on a date site for awhile, went on a few dates. No connection. Feels weird. No good selection. Could branch out onto other sites. Don't want to pay to be on them. Then again, you get what you pay for.. Would love to meet someone organically; get all tingly looking at each other from across the room., then meet. Do men even ask women out these days? Or is everyone meeting each other sitting in front of their computers now?

gowalking: How wonderful for you! I enjoyed reading your post. So exciting, a breath of fresh air. You've got my wheels turning... yes, I want that feeling of a new relationship again too hopefully, I will

I haven't dated in so long, I don't even know how to meet anyone anymore. Any tips on THAT would be really helpful. I put off dating to raise my kids, then I put off dating to finish college, then I put off dating to have & recover from a boatload of (non-elective) surgeries. I realized there's always something to put off dating for... but now there's not really a good reason. I feel ready but have no clue how to meet a good, respectable man. Clarification: I've had a lot of 1st dates, a couple 2nd & third along the way, but wasn't ready to date 'seriously'. I had a couple bad experiences dating after my marriage ended. Wanted to get to know ME well enough to be a good "I'm interested in him" picker. So now I'm ready, but frozen, like a deer in headlights without a clue where to go 50 dates in a couple months? wow I wouldn't even know how people can 'connect' that many times to go on a date. Did they all ask you out? I like the man to do the asking but ... none have. I need to get out more, that's a good 1st step- but where? lol And what's the get it started protocol these days?

Thanks for the heads up on the Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Exercise, exfoliate, cocoa butter, bio oil, epsom salts baths, and baths with strong coffee in it

My band was installed empty. That methodology may have changed since I was banded. If so, I could be wrong about when, post-surg - you'll feel restriction & satiety

After that first overnight in the hospital, with crazy pain from being blown up like a balloon, I felt fine. No pain nor discomfort. Other than- I felt disappointed in myself that it wasn't a day surgery for me. Your lack of satiety is normal. After the 2nd or 3rd fill, you'll start feeling restriction & satiety

Aribay1 I hear you. I recently posted a thread and didn't get responses I'd hoped for/ expected. I'm still processing what everyone said, because I know they're giving me their best advise- even if it isn't concordant with what I wanted to read. Actually, I'd hoped to see a post from you to get perspective from the young-set. I understand It's hard to read when people don't agree with you or don't give the type of reinforcement you'd hoped for. Some of it can be pretty harsh. Take time to process it. It's a lot to absorb. I'm so relieved you've course-corrected. SO important. I cheated on my pre-op, and on my post op. I was on medifast liquid yuk for 3 months pre, and the post-op: Clear liquids and then more shakes Nothing solid for ~3months total? OMFG! I couldn't take it. Had to sink my teeth into 'something', can't remember what it was, but I know it wasn't crunchy. Probably a McD's happy meal hamburger (not the whole meal). I didn't do it a lot, probably 2-3 x's in 3 months. Even after the 1st 2 fills- I was ravenous! I could've eaten the bark off a tree. I had huge guilt, beat myself up to pieces and like you- course corrected. Not trying to make it sound ok- it wasn't. Still, I did lose the pre-weight I was supposed to and was no worse for the wear on the post- i chewed till extra mush. I'm banded tho- not sleeved. My stomach wasn't cut at all the way though, although it was stretched up over the bottom of the band and stitched to itself to prevent slippage. yours and mine, both MAJOR surgeries. The difference is: your stomach wall was sliced clear through. I know you know that. I'm just saying, it's a huge difference. The posters are right. it's easy for a tiny seed or even a ground up flaxseed to lodge in the incision, easy to get an infection or worse, tear the incision from an unchewed crunchy. (I wonder if you chewed to mush before swallowing) The raw stitched/stapled wound through the stomach wall is going to take some time to heal. Get something lodged in there- it could literally ruin the rest of your life- or shorten it. I think the bigger issue, is that when we're young, we think we're indestructible and we'll live forever. VerY common in young, early 20-somethings. We don't think twice about how the decisions we make could make us suffer later on- it seems so far away... When we're middle-aged, suddenly, we start feeling the repercussions of those bad decisions we made in our youth. Aches & pains all over, trust me. A LOT of middle-agers forget what it's like to be young, with so many years ahead, feeling indestructible- and those bad decisions they made then that caused themselves grief later on. I don't think you are selfish or have serious mental food obsession issues that you can't follow your plan. I think it sounds more like you didn't fully think through the repercussions of 'cheating' and the super serious ramifications that could result from.... a couple lousy chips. I hope I'm not making you feel bad. Not my intention. I'm just letting you know you're not the only one who's 'cheated' pre or post surg. That wasn't a good choice for either of us. We know that. There's probably others who've cheated as well but aren't brave enough to be truthful and/ or didn't post openly on it. I also want you to know I care, and want you to really understand that major surgery is no joke. We have to be patient and allow our bodies to heal. There's no rushing it. There's no such thing as wonder woman super fast healer. You just have to love yourself, love your body inside and out, whatever weight or size you are, and allow yourself the time to heal. And as your body heals, so will your mind, and your insecurities, and your head-hunger, dying for some crunch, and your poor outlook of yourself - all goes away - Super exciting prospect for your future- but only if you allow yourself to heal properly. And I know you will. With love...