Wheetsin

This is just a thought, I wonder if your surgeon is a band surgeon, or a WLS? It sounds like you're on a RNY type post-op diet. I was, that's what my surgeon used for all WLS types, and I know that when I did the math and followed their guidelines, it was physically impossible to get in all the requirements. There were guidelines for how much water to sip over what period, how to mix Protein shakes... and between the protein requirements, drinkingl imitations, etc. -- literally no way I could have followed what was in the instructions. So I called, and asked them some tough questions, and finally they told me I had been given a RNY diet, that I should follow as much of it as I could, but that really as long as I followed the food stages, everything else was subjective. I tried a LOT of protein shakes, and I can tolerate more of them now, but in the beginning the only one I found that didn't make me gag just to smell it was a brand called "Six Star" - the only place I could find it was Wal-Mart. And I had to mix it with milk (I don't even drink milk, so this was a stretch for me). It has really good ratios, and is even pretty cheap to buy. That never happens! Like $15 for a cannister, compared to the $70 I was paying for gag-me-with-a-spoon Isopure. My favorite ways to make it (just to pass on some ideas) included the choco powder with a spoon of creamy Peanut Butter, the choco powder with some DaVinci sugar free Kahlua brand flavoring (I added ice to this and tried to tell myself it was a mudslide), or the vanilla powder with half milk, half low sugar OJ, and a packet of Splenda. Just like a stormy week at sea won't kill the sea life, a low protein week or two won't kill us. What matters most of all right now is water. We can go a very long time without eating, but not so much for hydration. The agreement I finally reached with my surgeon was that I would drink water, and when I had room left over I would eat, as long as I agreed to take my vitamin/calcium no matter what. (I had this issue where I lost my appetite in the pre-op diet, and it never came back - still never really has - so I literally had to make myself eat). So I did, and it worked well.

I was a gum chewer but gave it up immediately - didn't want to risk it. (IMO) the perfect solution are the little ice breaker mints. They're tiny, probably smaller than a BB, and look kind of like blue fish eggs. The coating is a Gelatin base that dissolves, and the fillings are all liquid. Even if you swallowed one, the coating would naturally dissolve. (I've sucked on them to see how long it took, and within 20 - 30 seconds it had dissolved). The meltaway strips are ok too, I just don't care for them. If you prefer natural remedies, you can chew parsley (nasty but a great way to freshen your breath). A few weeks ago I purchased a breath spray from the organic market. It was pricey, about $10 for a very small spray bottle, but it's completely natural and even though it tastes like crap at first, man - it does smell nice, and lasts a very long time. My co-workers tell me they love my breath. I don't have it with me, but I can look up the brand next time I'm in the office.

Welcome to my world! Most of the time I'm so tight during morning/early day that liquids will cause pressure. I don't even try to eat Breakfast any more, and lunch is (95% of the time) Soup. I'm less tight at night, most of the time. Sometimes not, but usually I can eat normal foods for dinner. It varies. My period will absolutely effect me. If I PB, I can pretty much guarantee it's within 3 days of starting my period. And I can't always trace it back to something stupid... sometimes, it's just that nothing will clear. For a long time I played the fill/unfill game trying to get to my "sweet spot" where I would have consistent restriction throughout the day. Then I realized - this IS my sweet spot, and that not everyone experiences restriction the same, and that I needed to make this work for me.

Don't worry about your Protein counts right now. Very, very few people find they can actually meet their protein requirements within the first... I'd guesstimate 2 - 3 weeks post op. I know I could barely get down a few ounces of Water, let along water with anything in it. I've never encounterd two surgeons who used the same post-op diet. I don't remember the specifics of mine now, but it was something like liquids for 3 or 4 days, then thick liquids which included "cream of" soups, yogurt, etc. Then mushies, then soft solids, then as tolerated. I think all in all it was an 8 week acclimation period. My pre-op diet was 2 or 3 days of clear, SF liquids. I never cared for soup before I was banded, but that first taste of "cream of" soup was heavenly - to finally get something with some consistency, and non-fruit flavor. I will never forget that moment.

The main issue with banding and hairloss is general body trauma/anesthesia. If you're seriously malnourished it can play a role, but few if any of us will ever be in that category. Most people experience hair loss after anesthesia or a significant trauma to the body. Surgery is both.

If it's not on your post-op diet, it's not a good alternative. It really is as simple as that. Best of luck.

Protein shakes generally have better quality protein and higher amounts of it. I found them very unpalettable in the beginning. My tips - if you're mixing them with Water, mix with milk or soy instead. Makes a huge difference. And add in flavor - a spoon of Peanut Butter, a dash of coffee flavoring, etc. I never had a liquid protein stage so I can't share my solutions. My surgeon didn't allow Soups until the "thick liquid" stage. During liquids it was Jello, popsicles, etc.

Oh, I had no problem losing the weight. I lost the weight probably 5 times. Many companies want to see the 10% loss to prove that you have the ability to lose weight. Losing 10% excess weight, and getting banded, aren't the same thing. Many of us could lose 10% without thinking twice (that's 10 lbs? 20?) but could never maintain. That's where the lapband comes in. Providers feel that proving the intiative and ability to lose weight is indicative of a higher success rate with the band. And they're probably spot on. So, going on what's written there, I would think they're looking for medically documented weightloss. Usually going to the office for other things, and getting weighed while you're there, won't work. Same as with medically supervised diet. You have to go and have the visit coded for the specific purpose of weightloss (treatment for MO, or whatever the term is). So basically, did you lose 10% of your weight within the last 2 years, AND did your doctor submit proof before you submitted a request for coverage. If either of those were not done, they can deny payment. Keep in mind that's all just a bunch of "I think." To know for sure, call your provider.

Actually an awesome idea for people with Alzheimer's. Can I get one for my keys? And purse? And maybe one for my husband's pager?

I have (had) a large stomach, with a pannus. What helped me was to put my arm under it, so the pannus was resting on the inside of my forearm and its weight was supported by my arm. Almost like using my arm to "scoop" it up. Before I tried this, I was doing this stupid hunched over old lady walk, but it was the best I could do. By supporting it, I could stand up and take somewhat normal steps. It helped me so much because the source of most of my pain was my port incision, which is in the middle of my chest about 2" below my bra. All of my stomach weight was pulling down on this incision. As soon as I relieved the weight, and the pulling, life got a lot easier. At the end of August I had my gallbladder removed. With that surgery, I woke up in more pain, but nothing I couldn't easily tolerate. I also had a sore throat, which I did not have on my band surgery. I also had minor gas twinges near the inner part of my collar bone. With my band surgery I had no gas issues at all. The incisions from the GB surgery also hurt more than the band incisions. For my band he stapled me and then put large clear tapes on top. For the GB (same surgeon), he just used butterfly strips and the tapes, no staples, and come to find out there was a small incision in my bbellybutton that they didn't close at all. That one hurt. Felt like a constant bee sting. Both surgeries were outpatient, and I was on my way home within 3 hours of being wheeled out of the OR.

And if you're questioning whether or not a marshmallow will hurt you, enough so to post about it, why are you still eating them? If you're not sure it's a good idea, shouldn't you stop until you find out?

If I understand correctly, you are on your second band, and are now 4 weeks post-op and want to know if eating a fat-free marshmallow affects your diet or the band position. Is that right? To answer the first question, depends on what your diet is. If your diet includes marhsmallows, then it is not going to effect your diet. If it does not, then it will. Second question is whether or not eating a marshmallow will reposition your band. Umm... probably not. There are other ways than marshmallows to feel full...

I ususally hold on with one hand or the other, purely for balance. I'm not the most coordinated person, nor do I have the best inner ear workings. I have been known to lose my balance just standing in place, or taking a step. WHen I try to do a treadmill without hanging on, I an only do a few steps before I lose my balance or feel like I'm going to. Even just putting a finger or two on the controls or rails makes all the difference in the world.

I keep reading about PBing, and sliming,and I'm wondering how bad that really is? Does it happen at the table, unexpectedly, or do you always have time to get away? This is something I didn't really understand when I was banded. I thought it would "just happen" -- but that's so far from how it is for me. Always have tim eto get away because it's a good 10 - 30 minutes of pain before anything really happens, unless I provoke it. When I've had to PB in public, it's 10 - 20 minutes of sitting there hurting, followed by a (hopefully) quick trip to the bathroom. Perhaps a revisit. If I get a lap-band will I be gassy and constipated as long as I have the band, or do those things go away? How the heck could I have any idea whether or not you will be gassy or constipated?? Umm, yes? No? *I* am neither gassy nor constipated. But I have no idea what you do or will be. I was reading on the thread about people who have taken their bands out, and I must admit, it kinda scared me, but it seems like most of you guys are happy about your bands, even if there are hard things about it. Complications are still a small percentage. As long as the potentia gains outweigh the potential consequences, the decision isn't a hard one.

There are a few things different from eating soup, than drinking with your meal. For one, the soup is warm. Why this makes a difference, who knows, seems counterintuitive, but many people find that warm liquids go down when cold liquids won't. For two, not many bandsters are going to eat a meal, and then want soup on top of it, or during it, which is how you'd make the comparison to drinking during a meal. For most of us, soup is our meal because we're full after it, or to full after regular food to eat soup. For three, soup is eaten what - a scant teaspoon at a time, especially if it's hot? Whereas most bansters into the solid foods stage are drinking much more than a scant teasoon full at once. Quantity does make a difference. If eating, and then trying to drink hurts you -- you probably don't want to eat, and then try to put soup on top of it. The mechanics are the same, minus any variables from the heat of the soup.

I really like Subway's tuna salad. I don't know how they make it, but it's really tasty, and doesn't have all that stupid crap like relish and celery in it that you normally find. I'm also a seafood snob, but I like their seafood & crab. That surpises me. I've never found an easy way to order it thought. Usually I just ask them, since it's $1.50 for extra meat, can I give them $1.50 and they put the "extra" tuna on a plate. You'd think I would have asked it is Sanskrit or something. But it's better than trying to say "I want a tuna sub on a plate, no bread"... then they just want to suggest the salad b/c it's better for ppl on Atkins. *sigh*

I've had 3 prolonged PBs but all of mine hurt, so I can't give advice on the "no pain, just burps" part of it. I've tried all the remedies I've heard of and none have ever worked for me. The only thing that maybe works is if I hunch over my island. Could be coincidence, but more than once when I've done this, within a minute I've had relief. Doesn't work all the time though. If you haven't yet, try taking some deep breaths and holding them, then exhaling slowly. This may do nothing, but it used to help me earlier on (although I get to a point where it hurts too much to take a deep breath, let alone hold it.) Also, sorry if this is TMI, but if you have the urge to go poop, give in to it. Sometimes this trikes me when I'm stuck, and going along with it really does seem to help. I have no idea why this is. (I used to call these "PBMs")

I felt no pain when I woke up. The first thing I remember is someone asking me to lift my butt so they could put xray films under me. Then I remember reaching up to make sure the breathing tube was already out(nurse had told me they may leave it in until I took it out myself), and then I remember being surprised that I didn't hurt b/c of all the horror stories I had read. I didn't have any pain. I remember peeking under the covers to see where my incisions were because I couldn't feel pain from them. They asked me to rate my pain 1 - 10 and I said "like a half" because I was hesittant to tell them I didn't have any. I was asking to be discharged within 5 mins of being able to keep my eyes open. Never had significant pain unless I was sitting/getting up, coughing, sneezing, etc. Walking was very uncomfortable until I figured out to support my stomach, then it suddenly was not that bad.

For take-out it's either Chipotle or Hot & Sour Soup. Turkey pepperoni. I micorwave it on paper towels until it's crunchy. Fat goes in the paper towels, they go in the trash, and I'm left with a good ratio food that's tasty and works nicely as a chip subsitute. I like to dip mine in cottage cheese. Cottage cheese. Edamame - I like to roast mine until browned, or longer/lower heat until dry so they're crunchy. Makes a great snack nut. Refried Beans. I always have a can of fat free chili/lime refired beans in the pantry, and now that I've found refried black beans, those as well. Soy milk. In a pinch, it will do for a meal on the go. I've yet to find foods I can't eat, but some cause more discomfort than others. These include anything slimy (cut strawberries, bananas, applesauce, wet eggs, etc.), things I tend to swallow too much at once (I don't care much for chips, but I do like the Archer Farms Hot & Spicy chips... but have to go VERY slow). I've given up red meat because it's way more chewing than it's worth. I can do grapes but I either peel them or chew them up and spit out the skins. And I can do Peanut Butter, but unless it's whizzed into something, I have to be careful with it.

Yeah, it's fast food. Assembly line style. Maybe similar to Subway in how it works, tho I've seen two Subways with drive thrus. If you have a Mesa Wraps or Qdoba, it's not horribly different. Sit-in, but their futniure is specifically designed to be uncomfortable. For two reasons that are related - one to ship people out faster (they get horrendously busy at lunchtime), and two is because they sell beer, but don't want people lingering there like they do at restaurants or bars. Chipotle: Gourmet Burritos and Tacos

BooBoo - our master bedroom has a walk-in closet. The right side has a high-hanging rod, for dresses and such, and a shelf above it. The left side has a shelf at the middle with rods above it abd below, for shirts, slacks, etc. In the middle is built-in shelving for sweaters, shoes... My husband gets the lower rod on the left. The rest of the closet is mine. Of the chest, dresser, and armoire he gets one drawer in the chest. Our has has two other bedrooms, each with identical closets to the master, but smaller. The 2nd bedroom closet is completely mine. The 3rd we split evenly. I've finally gotten the closets to the point where I actually wear what's in them. Every now and then I will "closet audit" and find things I don't wear, and toss them out. I'm like Fairy in that I have criteria for staying in my closet. I have to have work it in the last 3 months, OR know I will where it but just haven't had the right occasion/event. It has to fit, if it's too big I toss it or put it in my "consider it for lounge/housework" pile - things like big tshirts and knit gauchos go here. I REALLY need to do something about my clothing situation, as in get rid of it. We have a storage unit and at least 40% of it, ceiling to floor, is full of big 50+ gallon storage tubs full of clothes. On top of that there are probably 20+ of the Ziploc XXXL storage bags, 4 - 5 55+ trash bags, and who knows what else. Easily enough for 4 separate wardrobes. But what to do with it? I thought about ebay but was talked out if it. Maybe consignment. I'm not much of one for charity (depends on the charity), and don't have a lot of bandsters in my area who would wear those sizes. Maybe in the spring I will just get a uhaul or smtg, and go consignment... *shrug*

Im eating soup now. If I eat lunch, 95% of the time it's soup because that's the only thing I can get down. I have uneven restriction, so I'm usually super tight early - mid day, and open after. Lastnight for dinner I had a turkey patty with onions and peas, and this morning it took a good 10 mins to "recover" from a drink of soy milk. However, the only way I mix my lunch soup with solid food is if the soup has chunks in it.

My fast food choices: Chipotle chicken bol, no rice extra black Beans, hot salsa, light on the cheese & sour cream. I can easily get 2 - 3 meals out of this. Schlotzky's Thai chicken pizza or Soup. Taco Bell or Taco Bueno - pintos & cheese. Sometimes I will get a spicy chicken taco and add some of the meat to the beans, hubby eats the rest. McDonald's Fruit n' Yogurt parfait.

I'm the wrong person to answer this because my basics are overboard and particular, but here you go. My basics for winter: 4 pairs of jeans. Two light wash, two dark wash. In each wash, one with an inseam for flats and one with an inseam for heels. So basically a pair of light & dark jeans for heels, and a pair of light & dark for flats. Two pair of black dress pants. A pair of grey pants. 3 pair of subtly patterned brown slacks. (I do not like solid brown pants.) These are absolute minimums for me b/c I won't wear slacks more that once between cleanings, and I don't want to bother with 24 hour cleaners. Camis and long sleeve cotton shirts. I have camis in just about every color. I like to layer, and they're perfect for wearing under blazers, layering under shirts, etc. I also keep 2 cream and 2 white long sleeve cotton shirts, for wearing under sweaters. Shoe basics - brown pant heel boots, black pant heel boots. An everyday black heel, an everyday brown heel. An everyday black flat, an everyday brown flat. A boot for when there's ice/snow out. And then the "sport shoes" - not quite tennis shoes, not quite flats. Think Sketchers style. I wear these fairly often outside of work. I follow the same rules for coat basics. One for black-based outfits, one for brown. For black, I have a black wool peacoat, and for brown I have a leather coat with a tie waist. I'm extremely particular about what I wear black with, or what I wear brown with, and I never mix the two unless it's khaki bottom with black top.

It wasn't that pleasant to think about as I wrote, either. Very few things can make me ill on site. Cadavers, organs, blood - doesn't phase me. Saliva on the other hand, ewwblblblb...