crackedpepper

go look at this person's post... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/hospitalized-2-wks-post-op-dr-said-future-erosion-likely-48045/#post667545 as i said in my comment to them, there is another thread -- and there are many about post op pain/complications... just look at the main site. feel better!!!!!!!

I posted this in the newbie section, but I guess since they are all in the same boat, they don't know how to answer my questions - here's the original post, and thanks in advance!! Ok, so I thought instead of starting 20 threads, I'd ask many questions in one I'm around 330, 5'6 or so, and 25 years old. Is anyone like me, if so, what is your experience with the band? Is there anything physical you shouldn't do, that could like, cause slippage? How can I maximize my weight loss, I'd like to lose at least 200, and frankly I don't want to wait 5 years. Anyone who has had optimal success, what did you do during to make it go so fast (I saw someone here say they lost 200 in 18 mos or something)? If I'm all hot and sweaty, sometimes I'll just down a big glass of Water -- will I still be able to do that? If something gets stuck, how do I get it to release? Any other newbie tips would be much appreciated!! Thanks!!

2 weeks liquid here..

Drinking soda/eating too much/drinking with meals can stretch the pouch????

Hi Alex - I'm new to the site, thanks for creating it! There is another forum (completely different subjects) that like you guys, used to use email to alert you when new posts came in, but now they have this really great link at the side of your screen that says "Participated Discussions" and when you click, you're taken to a page of the threads you've posted in, and the ones with new posts rise to the top... so you just come to the site and click there, no need for emails (unless you want them) -- it's really great.

Hey - wow, I am so sorry for all you went through! ALWAYS, get a second opinion, especially if a doc walks in and tells you stuff like that. A family member was once having emergency surgery and the doc was rude, scary, and we wouldn't let him touch her. We got a second opinion and another doc. Also, i can't remember where it was, but a bunch of people on this board were talking about pain, if you can find it, or I will try to as well, refer them to this post. Also get another opinion from another lap-band surgeon, and ask whether you should take out and replace the band before the erosion... there is something where the band, or the stomach, or something folds inside, and you can't get other surgery.... so you should discuss that with a DIFFERENT (or a few different) doctor(s). Glad you are feeling better!!!

Wayne, I have no say in what you believe - but when you write on this board and say that you know you're going to heaven because you are Jesus' person, that's really insulting to anyone of any different faith, and quite preposterous. Believe what you want to believe and have whatever faith you'd like, that is fine and wonderful especially if it gives you comfort but do NOT push it on other people or say that others that haven't "accepted Jesus" will go to hell, which is what is inferred by saying because you have, you'll go to heaven. Candy, I disagree with you. There are many circumstances where people go when they didn't have to. I don't like the term 'before their time' because it's insanely sad when someone dies at 90 or 100... but there are many factors when someone lives or dies. One of these is who is your doctor... two people could be exactly the same and go on the table at exactly the same time, and one has a bad doctor and one has a good... so it is the one's time to go that has a bad doctor? No, it's the doctor's fault. Or like, people who died in the holocaust, it was their time to go? Maybe I'm getting too much involved for a board that is supposed to just be helpful, but Candy's & Wayne's comments really upset me. I am glad both Candy and Wayne are healthy and doing well.

I haven't had it yet, so this may be of no help, but technically you ARE on a strict diet... first off, you don't have to explain anything to anyone, but you can say anything from "I have just changed my lifestyle" to "I have drastically reduced my portions" - and that would explain your little portions... etc. It's not necessarily anyone's business... but you could just say you changed how you eat - which is true.

Oh wow, I missed the first set of people! I don't always reply to every person in such a specific way, but you've all had such individual things to say. SueMagoo - thanks for your help... you're right, it's not long in the grand scheme of things... I don't know what I was thinking for the first few days of not doing it, and then I kept thinking oh one last this.. one last that... Tarheel- Why werre the carbs such a big deal? Maybe that's what I was thinking of when I told the person above that I was going to peel the peppers... LA - Wow, a week and a half early - haha you're brave! Shortgal - yeah I guess that's what I had, the LFT, and it said I had a fatty liver. Also - do any of you know what are the foods that they want you to stay away from the most? I know sugar and fat, but what about the carbs like tarheel was saying, or anything else?

Cali - Yeah, I know about the liver, that's why I'm scared... my doctor showed me a tape of the surgery, with them holding up the liver. I CAN'T talk to the doc/nutritionist, because they will just cancel everything. Chrisann - Olives are really high in fat - did you tell your doc about them? What did s/he say? I can't get rid of anything in the house, because I'm with others... but now that I am being strict, I'm tempted, but I'm in control (so far). Your surgery is today, right? Good luck! Type as soon as you can. Dave - see, I'd be FINE if I were allowed to eat veggies... I'm a vegetarian I do have fattening and bad eating habits, but veggies are usually what I crave.. I'm not getting satisfaction from all the liquids, but I have to do it, so whatever. Tracey - I saw your thread, and I wrote on one of your others... what I'm worried about is that it's not like I cheated once, it's that I didn't stop solids until the 30th when I was supposed to begin on the 25th. Thanks for your encouragement! Kellie - Really? Wow. Did you tell your doc? If I did that I would feel like I was putting myself in danger - but it is good to hear someone else didn't go strict for so many days.. What did you normally eat, and what was your weight? I'm around 325 right now... plus they told me I have a fatty liver. Felecia -- exactly, I need flavor, but even if I'm going to be bland, I just do not like a lot of canned stuff. Usually the cans I buy are garbanzo Beans, but obviously can't have those right now. Tomorrow I am going to make 2 Soups for myself -- one like I described to you, with onions, celery, carrot, tomato, mushrooms, parsley, and dill. I'm also going to make a pepper soup, I'll sautee shallots and maybe some garlic with peppers I have peeled (to get the skins off, because I think they want you to cut down on Fiber or something, right? I don't remember), and then I'll cut up and stick in a jar of pre-roasted peppers... I'll put that all in some Water with some boullion cubes, and then puree it, I think... I'll let you know how they come out. HSBeach - That's great news for you! I have been told that I'm just above the borderline now and so technically, I have type II too, but this is recent, and I haven't had to take any insulin. Here's hoping your diabetes dissipates even further! Anyalee - you're very right, and usually I would say the same thing, but I'm not worried about them postponing the surgery, I'm worried about them canceling it, since it was postponed once before. I am being strict now, but that means that my fast will have begun the 30th instead of 25th.. I really hate slim fast and canned soup and stuff that isn't real food, plus I don't think just to lose weight one should have to eat chemicals... so I've been making a lot of smoothies with non-fat yogurt, soymilk, bananas and frozen peaches... those are really good. I have frozen treats that are low in fat and sugar, i have nonfat yogurt that i top with a little honey, and actually i'm doing the opposite, i bought all of my favorite sodas... i will miss them.. my friends call me a diet cola addict... but it's better not to have them, because they have chemicals. What happens when you want to have soda now? The main thing I'm worried about is what I wrote above to Tracey - I'm really worried about those 5 days, even if I'm perfectly strict until the surgery... especially since they told me I have a fatty liver.

haha none of the updated lists have my name... oh well.... jan 8, i'm sure i'll post..

oh, i didn't realize you were asking all at once -- but yeah, they do that stuff in the US i'm relatively sure -- they've had stuff on the news about "mommy makeovers" lately, which is the same concept... all over PS

when i expressed my fears of death to the doc, he said that the death doesn't happen on the table, it would happen from complications afterwards... i think we were talking about bypass then, but i think the same probably goes for lap, but at a lesser risk... and he then reassured me he's never had a death. make sure you've got a great doc, and that they'll be there for your aftercare.

Of course..

I have a small Cuisinart food processor, do you think that might do the same job as a blender?

Somebody needs to combine the last few lists... I don't see me, citygirl4616, or Dianegoe on this last one... and the one before was even more sparse...

Eek, I just saw that! I wonder what kind of plastics are used in these things... you should only use things that are food grade plastic, like polycarbonate... GG, I'm sorry if I've led you astray!

Georgiagirl - maybe I will get that too, if you say the bullet is so good... decisions decisions!

In my experience, the stuff they tote on TV is usually crappy, or a crappier form of something good (like they have that new ped-egg commerical out, but I have the real foot thing, from Microplane -- though I have not used the ped-egg). I am still researching some blenders online, deciding whether to go to Macy*s or Bed & Bath... This is the one I really want, but the cheapest I can find it is like $85: Waring Pro Blender - Professional Blender (Retro Green) PBB212

I know what I'm getting into with the band, but I have not considered any plastic surgery beyond the tummy.

flip - you're right, having stuff in the house makes it so much harder. i'm at home home and not my apartment, so i have my family's food here too. i am going to make a section of the fridge for myself, and only look there, i really think this will help... how about you do the same thing and we keep tabs on each other? if the people you live with are really understanding, you may be able to put foil over their parts of the fridge, so you don't immediately see temptation. i'm jewish, and at passover a lot of the non-Kosher for passover food is covered up or put away, and you don't go for it, so i think it could work! what do you think? also, if you talk to your doctor about your cheating, please let me know what s/he says about the liver and everything. i think you should definitely talk to the doc. i am the first person to say this, and i would talk to my doc, i'm just so afraid since they were annoyed before that they will be like, forget it... and i want the surgery so badly. we can also trade tips here for the diet. i am a vegetarian, so i do not do chicken, but i have made the broth with noodles and then strained it, it's hard... you're like... oh, just one bite!! why don't you make a soup from scratch with your standard mirepoix, which is onion, celery, carrot, some herbs and spices... and then strain it all... it will have amazing flavor and not just some crap from a packet... i'm going to shop soon and i'm going to do that... does anyone know if it is ok to puree vegetables into soup, a la gazpacho, or if that is not ok?

It is from Bella Cucina -- hang on, I'll get you a link, I just saw it on Macy*s website... I'm sure they ship if there isn't one near ya. Here it is... hopes this helps: Macy*s - Kitchen - Bella Cucina 17-Piece Rocket Blending System

NancyJ - what would that entail though. Tummy tuck, and removal of skin flap, arms, thighs... anything else?

The travel blenders look nice, but I do not think they'll blend the frozen fruit I use. I am looking for more motor strength than the one I have now. I saw something akin to a magic bullet selling for $19.99, so maybe I'll get that. The blade just kind of freaks me out, because it's right there after you take off each cup --- does it freak you out at all, ggirl? Thanks to everyone!

Definitely helps! I have apnea, and used to use one when I was younger... hopefully the weight will take some of the strain off. Do you use one even if/when you get thin? Thanks!!!