Nikki S

I am not much of a traveller. However, I just returned from a business trip which required flying two short stints (1 hr each) to return home. Ever since, I have fealt like something is stuck in my throat - different than food being stuck deeper in my esophagus. And it hurts!!!!! Has anyone experienced this sensation? and what helped to resolve? I had my band 20 months ago and I have been at my goal weight for 7 months. Any suggestions. I am ready to call my doctor tomorrow and ask for a slight unfill.

My port is exactly in the same spot as the day I had surgery.

I don't know how to look at stickies. However, I do know a little bit about scars. At three weeks, your scars are still very immature. On average, scars mature in approximately, 6 - 12 months. Massage, Massage, Massage is the best treatment. When you rub the scar you desensitize the scar and you breakdown the scar tissue (collagen). Mederma is a good product to use when massaging. Also, you should prevent sun exposure because this allows darker pigments to "set" in your scar and often they will not fade. Anybody want to instruct which tab contains "stickies"?

Name: Frangipani Weight loss from day of surgery: 81 lbs Total weight loss: 87 lbs Name: Candle Weight loss from day of surgery: 81 lbs Total weight loss: 95 lbs Name: Salsa Weight loss from day of surgery: 81 lbs Total weight loss: 81 lbs Name: Pammycakes Weight loss from day of surgery: 84 lbs Total weight loss: 86 lbs Name: Ceradad Weight loss from day of surgery: 80.5 Total weight loss: 100.5 Name: KarenG. Weight loss from day of surgery: 74 Total weight loss: 74 Name: NanaRenan Weight loss from day of surgery: 45 Total weight loss: 65 Name: TexasBecky Weight loss from day of surgery: 88 Total weight loss: 98 Name: SPEBSQSAlady Weight loss from day of surgery: 55 Total weight loss: 55 Name: Nikki S Weight loss from day of surgery: 102 Total weight loss: 102

I was always regular while I was overweight (270). It has only been since I lost 100 lbs that I missed a month. Maybe it's my age (47) and menopause kicking it. I thought I would ask my doc when I see him on the 22nd.

Personally, I would never recommend anyone to gain weight in order to have a surgical procedure. However, I do understand your concerns. I think it is safe to ask your insurance company questions about their requirements.

My doc says that I need a fill if I can eat one-half of a sandwich.

My doc's protocol involved 3 every 2 week fills which began 6 weeks after my band was placed. In retrospect I view this as one "great" fill. I did feel a bit after the first, more after the 2nd and the 3rd kept me "filled" for 2 months before I needed another. I agree it seems like a "put-off" but it really worked and made me find ways (like drinking lots of water between meals) to help curb my appetite. Hang in there. It will work out.

I have been able to take pills all along, even with my tightest fills. They have to be small pills and of course all of my vitamins have been chewable. I ran into trouble with allergy season this week - but the Zyrtec and Sudafed tabs helped with the allergy symptoms and were not too big.

I'm in. Even though I was banded 8 months ago, I only recently found and joined this web site. I did not start exercising until January 08 but have consistently done low intensity aerobics since then. I plan to get in 18 hours of aerobic activity (walking) and 8 hours of resistance training. We'll see.....:thumbup:

I take glucosamin/chondrontin in liquid form. The other vitamin (besides the chewable multivits and vit C) that I take is subliguinal B-12. You should be able to get adequate fish oil from your diet and it's been sooooo long since I took CoQ10 that I don't remember why I took it. You are right in being concerned about taking capsules and larger tablets. Your MD could help with advice.

Does anyone have more difficulty with this when its rainy/stormy? My band seems tighter during this kind of weather and "morning-band" can last all day.

Lap-band has been a real answer for weight management for me. I also can eat anything I want - in very small quantities. But I still get some. Because I lost weight I am able to do physical activities that I have not been able to do since before I started having children (22 years ago) like horseback and bicycle riding. When people say to me - where's the rest of you?, you look so great...I just smile sweetly and say - I cheated - I got the lap-band and it is the best tool that I ever purchased. Stay strong - stay POSITIVE. Follow your Drs. advice. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!:thumbup:

The Support Group associated with my doctor had a representative from a company called SmartForme talk to the group. Their products are specifically for pre & post-op bariatric surgery patients. I particularly like the wafers 200 cal w/15 gm pro, (2 in a pack, most often 1 is plenty for breakfast and the other for mid-afternoon snack), also the clear drinks 70 cal w/13 gm pro. You have to have a "clinician" code and they can only be ordered online. They have really helped me. As far as the amount of protein per day - the recommendation that I was given was 10% of daily calorie intact with that goal being 600 - 800 cal/day, therefore, 60 - 80 gm protein.

My husband & I (& sometimes our teens) do Leslie Sansone's walk DVD's every day. We have 3 of her videos; one that is 4 miles w/boosted walking (jogging), one that is 3 miles w/a waist band attached to resistance bands, and the third for strengthening using a exercise band. We really like doing this and have been more consistent with it than any other exercise program that we have tried in the past. Bonus: It's working.