jbflorida

Snap, I KNOW that feeling. Small bites and chewing to mush will help (isn't that such a lovely visual??) I also keep small cans of pineapple juice around for just that purpose. It is supposed to help digest what is stuck if you take small sips. Papaya enzyme (at GNC) also helps. Live and learn. Judy

Hope--where were you tonight while I was in PAIN???? Good advice. This is harder than I thought it would be. But I'll learn. I'd better!

OK--I had fill #2 and do feel restriction. BUT, I went out to dinner and had a grilled chicken salad. I ate 4-5 bites and whoa! painful lump in my chest! I waited a few minutes, the pain went away and then, I was able to finish the entire salad. What's up with that?

Jeneal-- No regrets here--not for one moment! Be prepared to make changes for your health, but it works! Use this board for support. There are nice people here who want you to be successful. Banded May 13, 2008--down 39 lbs. Almost to size 14!

Hi tiger-- My surgeon is Dr. Rehnke in St. Pete. He also works through JourneyLite, but I signed on directly with his practice (in order to spend a night in the hospital--same $$--I am self-pay). I am down from 217 to 180 and will go in for Fill #2 tomorrow. I was doing so well and the last couple of weeks--plateau'ed and eating more. I am still making good choices, but I am having More than I want to want! I want to get to 6 bites and I am done. I am recommiting myself to Phase 2 and anxious to get that scale moving. Anyone that thinks the Lap Band is the easy way out--is WRONG! You HAVE to "work it" not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. Oops, this is supposed to be a "where are you from" thread, but my fingers took control and typed too much....not my fault.

Tigerlilli--I am 15 minutes south of Brandon and I was also banded on May 13! Good luck to YOU!

I used something for insect bites---anti-itch. That helped.

I see Joan in perfect health, smiling and energetic. She has skilled doctors and nurses who shower her with their healing arts. Joan is filled with good Spirit and her heart is full knowing of all the prayers and good thoughts of her fellow banders. And so it is.

Prozac comes in liquid. It tastes like hell.....but I'd rather make one mean face a day than mean faces all day long.

One article I read said not to exercise on an empty stomach, to have something to eat before. The lady at GNC said not to have a Protein Drink until After exercise ( saying that if I drink first, the body will be working on digesting and burning off those calories rather than working my body....). Advice, please. WHEN do I have a Protein drink??:thumbs_up:

Anewme--I can just give you my experience. I got the band 7 weeks ago and my first fill a week ago. I went out to dinner last night and was able to eat 1/2 a piece of grouper and 1/2 a piece of chicken (my friend and I shared our meals). I ate some of the vegetable and had 2-3 tastes of the mashed potatoes. I was not stuffed, but I WAS satisfied. Normal eating, indeed!

One quick prick. (Oh my, there are soooo many things I could write here......)

My doc says, Heartburn? Call him!! I had my first fill yesterday and he had me drink Water (good sized swallows). He told me to tell him when I feel the water "backing up." At that point, it was too tight and he took some out. It sounds like you are where I was when it was too tight. Please call your doc and tell him/her how you are feeling. Let the doc make the decision. Don't just wait a week and suffer. Sure, it may get better, but you may hurt your band. Just one opinion.

Young at heart--I was on BP meds for the last 7years or so. The day of my surgery, got off of them. My BP this afternoon was 114/70. No meds! Pretty good deal, huh?

I am 56 and was back to exercising in 2 weeks. Feeling good with no regrets!

Hi nana, Part of the surgery fee (self-pay), was 2 weeks of Optifast in those little cartons (looked like juice boxes). I had 5 of those a day, total of 800 calories. I could also have Crystal light and broth and Water, of course. I lost 13 lbs in 2 weeks and except for days 4-6 (?), I was not hungry and felt fine. I liked not having to plan a meal, prepare it and wash dishes!

I use GNC Whey Protein ISOLATE (better for you than the concentrate). I did not use it during pre-op as I was on Optifast only. I mix it with a small amount of sugar free flavorings. (Does anyone else find themselves reading this board and sending lots of posts on the day they are supposed to clean the house??? It is 6:30 PM, I still having cleaning to do---but I got to talk to a lot of Banders today!)

Handling emotional eating.... For me, it is becoming AWARE that it IS emotional and not true hunger. Before the band, I just ate...all the time. My appetite has changed and I have no cravings......yay! BUT--- 3 weeks ago, I went to a dance (I do not like going to dances as I am single and hate sitting there watching dancers--most were couples--but a friend was singing and I said I would go). When she was done, I left--yes, feeling lonely! and as I drove by a grocery store on my way home, I had an instant CRAVING for potato chips! My immediate thought was--"where did THAT come from?" I was not hungry. I made the instant connection of emotion/craving. I remember that moment and that has helped me stay on course. (I did NOT stop for the chips or anything else!)

Hi Bas--Here's to a successful and uneventful surgery for you. This journey has been very smooth for me. Yes, I am hungry at times, but I am dedicated! Today I had a cheese omelette this AM (eggbeaters, 1/4 cup) and for lunch I had a turkey burger with some muenster cheese melted on top. For dinner, I will have some cut-up chicken with peach-mango salsa. I will have a Protein whey isolate shake (vanilla with banana flavoring) later on for a snack. 1 cup of coffee, 1 cup of decaf and--WATERWATERWATER! I had 6 weeks of liquid. Did I like it? Did it kill me? Only a few of the 36 days were a problem. The time IS going to go by, why not do the right thing? Now, 5 weeks past surgery--down from 217 to 184, off BP meds, exercising with plenty of energy---and feeling goooood. I am excited about what is to be! Feel free to write me anytime! Judy

I asked the surgeon which one he would choose to put in his wife (who is gorgeous and has a diamond the size of Chicago) and he said the Lap Band. But he said that the two are very similar in "results." I liked that the Lap Band seemed to have more substance--the tubing, etc. was a bit thicker. That may seem like a disadvantage to some, but I thought the Realize tubing seemed flimsy. Just an opinion. I got the Lap Band 5 weeks ago and so far, so good.

Debbie-- So many of us can relate to this...how can I NOT be losing when I am doing all the right things!!!! By trying a different type of exercise, I got it to move again. Your body gets used to the same--you gotta shake it up! I did treadmill, weights and Water aerobics. I just added a Zumba class--cardio dancing to Latin music--it's hot! And so are WE!!!

Bandfan--I am also getting my first fill on Monday and I am ready! I know I can handle more food and am using good sense and good choices to get by...but it is hard. The scale is moving sloooooowly, but it is moving in the right direction. As my friend says, "who cares about the numbers on the scale? I'll don't care if I weigh 300 as long as I am a size 8." (She is a large lady--unbanded). I am out of women's sizes..and into misses..NSV PS It's nice to be part of a community here at LBT that is so supportive and caring.

Speak to your pharmacist. One medication I take also comes in liquid form, so I got that. He/she will be a good resource.

I was told to call the doc immediately if there was any heartburn or reflux! Please remember that the doctors are working for us. We "hired" them to take care of us. (I am not saying this in an arrogant way.) Call today!

At the seminar, my doc held his hand about 3 feet off the floor and said, "this is the risk you take with the lap band." Then he raised his hand to 4 feet off the floor and said, "this is the risk you take with the bypass." Then he raised his hand way above his head and said, "this is the risk you take if you do nothing." That made an impression on me. I was banded in May and haven't regretted it for one moment.