kellye

I too had chronic left shoulder pain from day one. I was banded on 12/17/07. My shoulder eventually froze and I had to have a shoulder manipulation on 2/5/10. My Orthopedic surgeon diagnosed me with adhesive capsulitis. He literally had to go in and break my shoulder free. He said that It froze due to under use due to pain with movement and it just eventually froze in that position. My advice is to stretch your shoulder daily to prevent freezing up. The manipulation is painful. Stretch, stretch, stretch...

Protein and Biotin!!

You will be fine. Don't worry and have fun!! Be safe!

Don't panic...your swelling from surgery has likely gone down so you will not feel that restriction you did in the beginning. If you are only 2 weeks out you are just beginning. Don't worry about 2 or 3Lbs. You will go up and down 2 or 3 lbs in a few hours. That is normal Water weight fluctuation. Don't weigh everyday!! That was a hard lesson learned for me because I was wanting to see pounds gone daily. I weigh and take a new picture of myself every Friday! You will be surprised at how much you lose in a week as opposed to overnight. Hang in there...you are on the right track but be patient. You didn't gain the weight over night and it will not come off over night. Good luck!!!

i rescheduled my surgery 5 times. I think everyone has second thoughts but you will not be sorry. Giving up soda's is not so bad. I drank Mt. Dews like they were going out of style and put them down with no problem. Yes you can still go out and have a drink. Just don't mix it with carbonated beverages. Have a Margarita or 2. they are great but don't go overboard because they are high calorie drinks. Go for it. It will be worth it. Kellye

I think you need an unfill because you are not eating enough. You have to have enough calories or you will not lose weight. You also need protien. Take Biotin for hair loss. don't buy the high dollar stuff....go to walmart and get 100 pills for 5 bucks. Niacin is also a good Vitamin to take for hair and nails. When i had my last fill I stopped losing weight. I went back and had .5cc removed and started losing again immediately. I couldn't get the recommended calories until i had an unfill. If you don't want to get an unfill get you some high protien ensure or boost. It will give you the calories you need and your Vitamins. I would suggest you call your doctor though. Kellye

i don't think you are sliming. It has to come out. You are probably still irritated from the breathing tube that was in you throat. I would not panic. It will go away. I was the same way when I moved to soft foods. If you start to throw up or spit up mucus then you will need to worry but right now I would just take it easy and try not to worry. Kellye

You have to give up some carbs but not completely. You have to have an equal balance of fats, protien, carbs. I was banded on 12/17 and have lost 61 lbs and I still eat carbs everyday. I don't suggest that you eat Potatoes and Mac and cheese and Corn all in one sitting but a baked potatoe will not hurt you. Eat only serving sizes and drink your Water and get enough protien. You should not be able to eat as much food as you are. I have had 5 fills to get me to my sweet spot. It may take more than 3 for you. Don't give up. This tool will work if you allow it to work. It will not do all the work for you by any means. You have to move too. Take the long way to the mail box, park in the far end of the lot at walmart. Get those few extra steps and you will be amazed at the difference it will make. Good luck...keep us posted and don't give up now. You are just getting started. Hang in there. Kellye

Cb you are not right. "It really can't be that big of a mystery as to why you gain weight. I mean, you don't gain weight by eating right and exercising". My Question to you is...If you know you don't gain weight by eating right and exercising....WHY ARE YOU HERE??? Oh I guess that was something you learned after being banded, right? You just made it sound like every overweight person in America is an idiot. TS...Hang in there. Find you a good Dr. and do the best you can. It is not easy for any of us or should I say most of us. Don't let rude, cold people discourage you. Kellye

I have this problem too but mine is because of my period. When I am having my period I am very tight but when I am not I can eat anything I want. My surgery and my first fill were done while on my period so we are going to do the next one differently. Women who still have a period do swell and that will make you tighter. I am also tighter when it is time for me to ovulate. One thing about it....my band tells me when I am about to start and when I can get pregnant. Good luck.

I had my surgery on 12/17/07 and was losing 2 pounds a week until feb. 8th when I had my first fill. I have been at the same weight since then. I went in on 3/25/08 for a second fill and have gained 3 pounds. I don't understand why or how I can not be losing weight when I am not eating but 1/4 cup of food at a time. Someone said if I was too tight I would not lose weight because my body would be in starvation mode. I do stay hungry alot but can not eat much. I am not pbing or sliming and I feel like I have good restriction but I am new at this and really don't know what it feels like to be restricted. I know I felt more satisfied before my fills and was losing weight. Someone please help because I am very discouraged. I thought this was going to be the answer to my weight problems. Has anyone else had this problem?? Kellye

I understand all of the things you mentioned but I am only 3 months into this thing and I was doing fine until they started adjusting me. Now I just have heartburn all the time. I work out 5 days a week in a gym and walk 6 miles daily on a treadmill and play golf at least 2 times a week. I don't think my body is recieving enough calories and I can't make my dr's. understand that. It just seems strange to me that all the weight I have lost came in the 1st 6 weeks and as soon as they done a fill it stopped completely and I am eating less food. I hope I am just at a plateau and i will start losing soon but i think until they listen to me and take Fluid out I will not lose any. The only thing I am losing is my hair. Thanks for the input Kellye

Be careful with all the protein. You can have too much protein. Believe me that is not a good thing. Been there done that. It is hard for your body to digest 45 extra grams of protein unless you are a body builder. too much protein will put a strain on your kidneys. Just be careful and exercise enough to use the extra protein.

Top Picture Before 03/07 Bottom In Progress 01/08

finally free, What does the cooking oil do?? What do you add it too? I have thin hair and if this will help I will surely try it! Kellye

It is not that bad. My throat was really dry and sore from the breathing tube but other than that I was wide awake and not hurting. I was only in recovery for 20 minutes then to my room. I had to stay 8 hours because my potassium was low and had to have IV but I was up and moving in about 45 after surgery. You will have an IV and that should be it. My doctor wanted me up and moving quickly to help with the gas. You will do fine. Try not to think about it too much!! Kellye

The new curvation bra's are great...also just my size at walmart. Try to find the one that is lacy with a little rhinestone stud in the middle. They give you great shape and support. They are about $13.00, great buy for a great wearing bra.

keep us posted!! Kellye

This soup is great and very filling. It will stay with you longer than any other soup I have tried.

Here is a great cold soup recipe that is yummy and very filling. I do use fat free sour cream instead of the real thing and it is just as good. I also leave out the garlic just because I don't like garlic. Enjoy Jamaican Chilled Avocado Soup with Fresh Ginger and Lime Crema Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2004Show: Emeril LiveEpisode: International Soups and Stews 1/4 cup butter 1 cup finely chopped onion 2 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated (about 1 ounce) 2 large ripe avocados, peeled and mashed 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 green onion, finely chopped 1/2 cup half-and-half Salt and freshly grated black pepper Lime Crema: 1/4 cup sour cream 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon salt Melt the butter in a saucepan and cook the onions for about 4 minutes, until softened. Add the ginger and continue to cook an additional 2 minutes. Add the avocado, lime juice, and chicken stock and whisk to combine. Simmer soup over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Add the green onion and transfer the soup to a blender and puree, in batches if necessary, until very smooth. Stir in the half-and-half and salt and pepper, to taste. Chill thoroughly before serving. To make the lime crema, stir together the sour cream, lime juice, garlic, and salt. When the soup has chilled, garnish each portion with a generous dollop of crema.

I had mine on the 17th and was menstrating and they let me wear a tampon to surgery. It really depends on the dr. I think and if you will have a catheter or not. I did not so I was cleared to wear the tampon.

<p><p>Hi Cynthia....Don't be so hard on yourself. We all know the reason we were overweight to begin with was because we had an eating habit. Most of us eat out of habit not necessity. You need to find a replacement for the habit. Get a new habit. To help with my eating habit when I feel the need to eat I go and brush my teeth or read a chapter in a book. After doing this for a week or so the need to eat slowly deminishes. If you are addicted to reeses peanut butter cups allow yourself 1 or 2 of the Bite Size ones a day. I am addicted to 3 muskateres. I buy a bag of the bite size and eat 2 a day. That takes care of my craving.</p></p> <p> </p> <p>Having the lap band surgery does not take away our cravings for food, it is only a tool in this fight we have against obesity. Don't punish your self or be too hard on yourself, I have been exactly where you are and will be there for the rest of my life I am sure. I was just banded a few weeks ago but have been battling obesity for 10 years. Old habits are hard to break. We can't undo in a day the habits we have spent our lifes living by. It will get better with time just hang in there. I know we can all do this one day at a time.</p> While you are at work have some sugar free hard candy in your pocket and when you feel the need to eat pop a piece of candy in your mouth or munch on a cup of ice. There are many ways to beat the habit and I just know you can do it. Reward yourself and be proud that you have lost as much as you have. Pat yourself on the back. You are doing great!!

You are probably up from the swelling. I felt a heaviness in my stomach the 2nd day after my surgery from the swelling. Drink plenty of water and move as much as possible. I was banded on 12/17 and am down 26 lbs. The weight will come off just be patient.

<p>janetnbama....I am in bama too. I was very nervous about going under and had 2nd thoughts right up to the moment they put me out but everything went fine for me and I have faith that it will for you too. It is normal to be scared about being put to sleep. Don't worry about it so much that will only make it worse because you will try and fight it. If you have questions ask them, they don't mind. I will be thinking of you! Hope everything goes well. You may have some regrets a few days post op but those will go away as you start to feel better. I was up and at em on day 4. Remember to drink plenty of water...you do not want to dehydrate. Drink your broth too it will help give you back your strength.</p>

ChaCa...I was just banded on 12/17. I also have anthem bc/bs and I started my journey in April and was approved in june. Anthem does not require the 6 month supervised diet like many others. My surgery was put on hold till december due to gall bladder and shingles. I have already lost 26 pounds since my surgery and feel great. Good luck!