Kathy473

I bought an Ab-Lounge...Suppose to be easier on you...we'll see!

I had a really great experience with my surgery...I woke up, got up and dressed...went to the bathroom if I needed...did the swallow and the x-ray...drank a bottle of water and kept it down and went home! Yeah, felt like I got punched in the gut but overall great experience. :Bunny

Well a week after I was banded I swallowed my gum and FREAKED out! But it was a small piece of gum...not a huge chunk of bubble gum and I drank some hot tea once I got home and drank some hot soup later on and it was fine (this was pre-fill) but I do make myself aware of the fact that I am chewing gum now and the moment I think about the gum is when I spit it out. I carry mints now instead of the gum or a breath spray. It's just easier doing that than having to always worry about it. It's ok every now and then, especially when offered gum when with friends...I never turn it down....that's rude but I chew for a little bit and get rid of it soon after. So just be careful if you do but try your hardest to avoid it.

I did okay...but I was able to eat a little more than expected but I plan on getting a fill next month. I knew that if I put on a couple of pounds it would be okay...not going to freak out about it. The Christmas cookies were the bomb! And I am looking forward to the liquid enjoyment on New Year's....cheers!

Okay everyone...It's the holidays and I have been at 195-196 for the past week or so. I have been able to put down a little bit more than before. But I was wondering if I should get a fill before the holidays or trust my band will be up to the challenge of Christmas and New Year's. I want to be able to have a good time without the worry. I know what to stay away from and what to do but I don't want to to feel miserable either. What would you do?

The only feeling I get is a little needle-like sting but it doesn't hurt. I figure it is just the feeling you get as your healing. And a little tenderness around it but no inflammation or unbearable pain.

I named mine Nike, after the Greek Goddess of Victory. Thought it seemed fitting since 'victory' over my weight is my goal.

Congrats on the amount of meds you take now! That is great!As far as the foods, it was alot of figuring out on my part. But, just try different things...Like...Beans and sour cream, with cheese and maybe some salsa or sugar free and fat free frozen yogurt with some fat free whipped topping. yum! Or you can try any of the sugar free and fat free puddings, jell-o and add the whipped topping, great snack! Grits, eggs, oatmeal, cream of wheat and applesauce are good too. Mashed potatos, soup-at-hand soups are great! Just play with it a little, you are doing great so far!

Personally, I have NO problem reading about "male" problems. So what. I hear about my husband's and he hears about my "female" problems. And maybe one of us on this website might have an answer or advice to give. Well at least those of us who actually care about your problems and want to help out. Believe me, nothing shocks me and nothing emabarrasses me...I own a tattoo shop...can't get any weirder than that at times. So let it out and see what happens. One of us might have an answer for you or we might care enough to ask someone else for you to get the answer. Don't be shy!

I totally agree with you 100%! Here in Houston, there are alot of ads on TV talking about the LapBand procedure and how it changed their lives and everything else. But I knew it was my decision and how I handled the process was all up to me. I researched the doctors here and when I read of Dr. Spivak, I knew he was the one for me, no question. And when I went to his seminar and talked to the women there that had the surgery by him and aftercare was by him and their success AND his success rate was astounding, I knew I could not go wrong. So, my insurance turned me down and I went to the bank, rolled over my loan and got another $15,000.00 and had the surgery. I know not everyone can do that but I was in the poisition and grabbed hold and never let go. Now, here I am, doing fine and glad I made the choices that I made and that I didn't cut corners just to save some money. I could have taken half of the money and gone to Mexico and used the rest to pay off bills, but I didn't. Would I do it over again? In a heartbeat! Am I happy? Absolutely.

Congratulations! I had mine done in Houston also. Who is your doctor? That is so sad to hear about that man, how awful.

I have always loved the Food Network channel! I even TiVO some of the shows. Tyler Florence is my favorite. And the best thing that came out of that channel after I had my surgery was watching Essence of Emeril and FINALLY learning how to make the perfect omellette! I was happy and proud of myself. I always screwed them up before and ended up just scrambling the eggs! LOL~ Food Porn? ooooooh yeah!

Good luck!! Go on wit yo bad self!!!! I have a brand new elliptical machine that I need to dust off too!!! Motivation is my demon that I will make my lover and friend! I have to get the exercise in....that is my biggest problem. But now that I have hit the 100's again, I have to do it! Can't be a slacker now! Hey just noticed you are in Michigan. My husband is from Dearborn. Cool!

I went to my seminar in August and had my surgery done in September. But, I was also self-pay and my doctor accepted my labs from March of this year since they were less than 6 months old and I only had to have an Upper GI. So it was quick and easy for me but it did take a month, not a week to make it happen. Good luck!

Way to go Jacilyn on your weight loss! I am up to 25lbs gone. Great feeling isn't it?

I know how you feel about the jitters! I took them a while back and ended up having to have my heart checked out. Around 5-6 years ago. That is a scary feeling, no doubt. Just be careful with it and listen to your body when you take them.

Well Kathy, sounds like a plan. The one thing that I have found that helps me deal with feeling sluggish is instead of drinking plain water, I drink Propel and take a Viactiv Multi-vitamin chew every morning. I was never one to take vitamins and now I don't miss a day! Plus it's like getting that chocolate that you crave with no guilt! So I am getting a dose of B vitamins all day. Maybe that has helped my metabolism, who knows. Plus, green tea is great for your digestive tract, from what I have heard, so that doesn't hurt either. Every little bit helps. I don't know about taking a diet pill though. Which kind are you wanting to take? If you don't mind me asking.

No problem! Felt good huh? :banana

You know...I love coming to this message board...it's kind of an addiction. But anymore I feel like this is a horror movie that won't turn off unless you actually grab the remote and push "stop"! I don't want to stop coming here but when I read some of the threads on this board I start to second guess the way I feel physically and mentally. "Is that little pain a slip? Or erosion? Has something happened?" My Prozac doesn't even help it. Go figure...my Ob/Gyn puts me on it for PMS and then I actually end up needing it for more than that! I feel for each and every person that has had minor or major problems or set backs with their band. But if you read these boards and really "read" more into it, then you are setting yourself up for a roller coaster of emotions. Just because someone else has this feeling doesn't mean that you do or will. And that is exactly how I have been feeling lately. Some of this scares the hell out of me and then alot of it is helpful and makes me laugh inside and out! And I love giving advice to people when they ask and getting it in return. It's great. I am happy with my decision on getting the band. I am confident in my doctor and his staff. I have the support of my family and my friends that I can do this. I am confident in myself most of all. I read the boards and tell myself that even though this is horrible, what has happened to some people, but that I have to stay positive and know that it "could" happen. But to dwell on the possibilty that it will is more harmful to me. I take each day and I live it. I use the band as a tool not a miracle cure. If I feel the slightest tightness or pain that tells me to stop and I do, no matter. I take a deep breath, sit up straight and relax. I have a husband to love, children to cherish, a business to run and friends to laugh with, than to consume myself with feelings that aren't there. I don't think about my band slipping, eroding or leaking. I do think about how people are doing when I read that someone is having a problem and that is why I come here. For information, sharing information and laughter. With the holidays upon us....we need a little bit more cheers than jeers. And it doesn't hurt to have a Dirty Martini every now and again to just...........................chill. If anyone saw the news and remembers him you will appreciate this. And to end on a quote by the late Mr. Miyagi.... "Breathe in...........breathe out." ...........*Pause*............. Very good, Bandsters. Relax. Take care and take the time for yourself...don't worry....it's all good.

Give a couple of weeks for the restriction to happen. It'll kick in! I have lost about 7lbs since I had mine done, Thanksgiving and all! It's amazing what you can and can't get down when you have a fill. Plus, knowing that I have had the fill, I make better choices and I am more aware. Good luck.

This is the liquid diet that is on my doctor's website and is the only thing I followed. As far as sherbert, I would make the quick call to your doctor and ask them. Hope this helps! STAGE 1 (FIRST FEW DAYS POST-OP) liquids from the list below. Remember small amounts (4-6 ounces) at a time. GO SLOW WHEN YOU FEEL FULL STOP NO CARBONATED drinks LIQUID DIET coffee, tea, diluted fruit juice broth Blenderized soup Skim milk or Lactaid milk Jell-O, Popsicle’s Yogurt Sugar Fee pudding Cottage cheese Applesauce, oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat V-8 low sodium Protein drinks, carnation instant Breakfast, pure pro powder (no slim fast) In my opinion though, if you can find a sugar free or fat free sherbert and have a small amount at a time and let it melt before you swallow, it should be fine. But always call your doc first!

You are doing great! Keep up the good work. I would rather have mine come off slow than fast. Your skin bounces back better if it comes off slower!!! That is a plus im my book. Smaller chance of having to get a tummy tuck! OUCH!

I have to say that I am happy with my decision to get the band. I did Jenny Craig for 2 years straight and only lost 29 pounds and I have had this for 2 1/2 months and I have lost 25! I know that this is a tool and I could lose it at any time or keep it the rest of my life but I have my self-esteem back and I take time to make myself feel good inside and out. My friends and family have noticed the change and it feels great! I know how you feel about the negative stuff on this message board and sometimes it scares the hell out of me and gets my mind going so I have to take a break from it for a few days and not think about it and then check the boards again! And I try to stay away from all of the abbreviations too...those drive me nuts. I like to read straight through and not stop for a second to process NSV, PB, DH...etc...ugh!!! So I try not to use them for the new people! I have read alot of happy stuff, sad stuff, scary stuff and funny stuff. But I still some back.

Hey guys!! I am in Santa Fe, Tx, down by Galveston. Also used Dr. Spivak and love him to pieces!

So sorry about the PB. I haven't had one yet but have had the 'stuck' pain and that hurts. But I have figured out that I can still have drive thru breakfast but I have to take it apart to eat it. I eat the sausage and egg and then I have a couple little bites of the muffin or...dare I say....McGriddle!!! I loved those before but I behave now and just have a couple of bites...the egg and sausage are more than enough! And I usually have some ketchup or salsa to wet it so it goes down a bit easier. Take it easy!