DonnaB

You'll be on full liquids post-op, probably for two weeks or more, so, no, you won't need anything but clear liquids for awhile. As far as the last meal thing goes, in my opinion, you're better off not doing it. Your body is going to go through a lot, and if you add food to the mix you're going to regret it. You really don't want your body to have to work at eliminating solid waste while you're trying to recover from surgery. My doctor did not require me to do a pre-op diet because of my (relatively) low BMI, but I've had laparoscopic surgery before and I knew my recovery would be easier if I did fast for the week before surgery. It was. Very little post-op pain (I took one pain pill from the stash my doc gave me) and very little gas pain. I do recommend buying some Liquid Tylenol PM Golden Vanilla Flavor. It doesn't come in any other flavor as far as I'm aware, but I wanted to tell you the whole name so you'll have an easier time finding it. Liquid Tylenol controlled my pain and the PM part of the recipe made it easier for me to sleep. It's good stuff, I keep it on-hand even today. Best wishes on your upcoming surgery and on your weight loss journey.

Oh My Gawd!

Posting Guidelines 1. Don't report other people's experiences as truth. Share your own experiences, thoughts, opinions, theories at will.

I thought it was the experimental gas suction study your surgeon was participating in?

All the beer talk is dangerously close to liking cheese. You all realize that don't you? Back on topic please. Um, does anyone remember what it was? Oh ya. Put up or shut up.

That was the point of all the blahs - glad you got it!

Blah, blah, read what she said, blah, blah, when I specifically, blah, blah, can't you just, blah, why shouldn't I do, blah, blah, can't sleep at night, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, can't you just, blah, blah, curse, blah, blah, sick, blah, blah, get some help, blah, blah, I said, blah, blah, then I tried to, blah, blah, psycho, blah, blah, so then you said, blah, blah, should seek therapy, blah, blah, when I could just as easily have, blah, blah, blah, blah, wish you'd go away, blah, blah, can't stress enough, blah, blah, blah, too much time, blah, blah, learn to move on, blah, blah, blah, why shouldn't I? blah, blah, it's my right to, blah, blah, me, me, me, blah, blah, you idiot, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, leaving and never coming back, blah, blah, sex toys, blah, blah, blah, she said, blah, blah, blah, you said, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, curse, blah, they said, blah, blah, me, me, me, me, blah, blah, blah, why? blah, blah, when, blah, blah, if, blah, blah, blah, blah, fault, blah, blah, blah, cry, blah, blah, we were told, blah, blah, blah, blah, why not, blah, blah, blah, would you, blah, blah, I can if I want, blah, blah, you, blah, blah, me, blah, blah, I said, blah, blah, curse, curse, curse, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, jealous, blah, blah, read your own posts, blah, blah, I'm right you're wrong, blah, blah, I was here first, blah, blah, no my name is really no.name, blah, blah, PSusan is a real user, blah, blah, blah, leave me alone, blah, blah, ramble, blah, blah, ramble, blah, blah, blah, ramble, blah, blah, ramble, blah, blah, ramble, blah, blah, blah, blah, rant, blah, blah, ramble, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. See? Last word syndrome. This conversation was about a forum titled "Rants and Raves" and what that means exactly. This conversation was not an invitation to attempt to justify something which cannot be justified.

Hi "D", I didn't have to do a psych eval, but I was self pay in Mexico so I only had to do medical pre-op stuff. I do know that there are lots of people here who did have to do the psych eval. Hopefully, you'll hear from them soon. Welcome to Lapbandtalk. Best wishes on your journey.

I don't know about y'all (that's my Texas twang comin' out) but my liquid diet was super high in protein and I was only on full liquids for a week before surgery and a week following surgery. I don't think the hair loss is protein related. My hairdresser, whom I've been going to for 20 years (we were both babies when he first started doing my hair!) says that Nioxin shampoo does help with hair loss, and that its chemical compound does penetrate the skin and stimulate the follicles. He says not to bother with or waste money on the Nioxin conditioner though. My pharmacist says the only thing he knows of which will help with hair loss is Biotin and vitamin E. So . . . now I'm taking TONS of Biotin (hope I don't reach toxcicity one day), TONS of flax seed oil, and vitamin E. Have been for a few weeks now. The vitamin E I only added about a week ago now. Pssssst. Come closer, I don't want to say this loud enough for my hair and scalp to hear. . . I think the last two times I shampooed and styled my hair, there was significantly less shed. *fingers crossed* I'll keep you posted.

I think that's part of the point trying to be made. Rambling, abusive, and volatile, as it may be. Here's the rub, you say you would stay away from them, but what if you felt they wouldn't stay away from you? I wasn't here so I don't know what actually happened. I do know that if I felt persecuted I would eventually fight back. I hope I'd be smart enough to try to resolve it privately or ashamed of myself enough to know when to STOP, but . . . It appears that both of the parties feel that they are being harassed. It also appears that both of the parties ARE harassing each other, whether they intend to or not. Throw in freedom of speech in an open forum, friends trying to stand up for friends, egos and hormones flying out of control, and a SERIOUS case of 'last word syndrome,' and that's where we are! The question is, how do you solve it? For me, the solution is to watch the wreck and move on. For the "injured" parties, who knows how to solve it? Not me.

Ya? So were you earlier. . . but you'll notice I didn't START the thread! LOL See? I learned from you today. And isn't that what it's all about? Learning, support, forging friendships . . . Love ya Dianechef!

LOL! You all posted while I was typing blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,

I too thought that was the reason for creating the "Rants and Raves" forum. So . . . why WAS it created? Maybe the Rants and Raves forum could be changed so it's threads wouldn't pop up into the 'current' or 'recent threads' area. That way, if you want to fight endlessly, mindlessly, psychotically, about . . . WHATEVER . . . you'd have to go find the fight and it wouldn't impact newcomers and members who don't want to hear it, don't give a damn, need a break, wish you'd get a life, stop picking on "my best friend," he said, she said, you said, I said, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Don't get me wrong, its not like I'm not watching the train wreck as it unfolds . . . but I'm staying out of it. Not out of fear of retaliation, I can hold my own, but I think when it escalates to the level it has, its unhealthy for the community. I guess I subscribe to "What happens at fight club, STAYS at fightclub."

LOL Jack. Frequently I type LOL when I want someone to know I'm amused - this time, I really did laugh out loud! You certainly have a way with words.

I use my scale every day. I'm not obsessive about it, but I'm better equipped to manage my weight on a daily basis, if I know what my weight IS daily. Does that make sense? I'm aware that hydration, time of the month, bowel movements, sodium consumption, etc., make a difference on a daily basis, so I don't panic if I see the scale go up one day - but I am careful to watch it over the next few days to see what my AVERAGE weekly weight is. I'm so glad I discovered www.FitDay.com through LBT. What feels like YEARS at the same weight is revealed to be an average of 1.68 pounds lost per week. You would think I'd be able to recognize that amount of weight loss, but because it is averaged over the entire time I've had my band (6 months now), not just over a couple of weeks, it's not as easy to recognize on a weekly weigh-in. I mean, like most of us, I dropped weight FAST when I was first banded then it slowed down, now it's slowed WAY down (I need a fill). If I wasn't able to see the longterm average weight loss I would be extremely discouraged right now. Instead, I see an amazing weight loss over several months. To make a long story short (I know, too late) I look at my scale as a tool which provides the data I need for longterm analysis of my weight and health - not short term measure for weight loss. It may seem like I'm doing a song and dance to distract from the daily grind of watching my weight, but the truth is in the longterm statistics, which, considering we're all hoping to have longterm success, actually makes the most sense.

This is OT, sorry. Tricia, is that a new avatar? It looks similar to the one you've had in composition but, my goodness!, you look skinny, skinny, skinny! I'd love to see your lastest picture on the "Before and After" thread! Looking good!

I agree with the other posters - you should consult with a new lap band doctor. One who is interested in your ongoing banded journey. I suffer from reflux after banding - I never had it before. My reflux does not present with bringing up acid fluids, I have sternum pain which is controlled with Nexium. Nexium and Protonix are the prefered method for treating chronic reflux. Have you ever been on either of these meds? If not, you should have your doctor prescribe for you at the time of your unfill. What is your current fill level? You say you've had two fills but do you know how much saline is currently in your band? If you get an unfill and take Nexium or Protonix, wait for at least a month before getting a new fill. My doctor told me that it takes a long time for your esophogus to heal and to give it at least that long so as not to re-irritate it when you do get a fill. Start with a small fill and wait for awhile - a month or 6 weeks. If you're able to eat solid Protein and vegetables but you're not losing weight, get another small fill. Wait a month or 6 weeks. If you're able to eat solid protein . . . you get the idea. When you reach your ideal fill level, or sweet-spot, you will be able to eat solid protein (no one will succeed if they can only eat mushies) but you'll only be able to eat a small portion and you'll be losing 1 - 2 pounds per week. This is a long process, made longer by going through what you've already experienced. Unless you've got problems with your esophogus, which cannont be alleviated by any other method than band removal, I would recommend patience and a fresh start. You've come too far to give up without a fight. Sorry if I've given information which you're already aware of. Being banded in '04 makes you an 'old timer' in bandworld! It just doesn't sound like your surgeon gave you much to go on. Best wishes for success whatever you decide to do. Keep in touch and tell us how you're doing.

I'm so sorry you've had to go through this. Unfortunately, we've all been trained from childhood to listen more to what the doctor says than what our bodies say. It's time we stand up for ourselves and demand healthcare which is appropriate to our symptoms and individualized to our needs. I'll never understand why doctors think it's appropriate to follow ONE protocol for all INDIVIDUALS. It just makes no sense. Best wishes to you on your decision.

I think Jack's got the full measure of this one! What a HUGE step you've made away from that other life. Good luck on the next step down the amazing path of your new life!

Is it just me, or do the rest of you think that the mods are leaving it alone, hoping we'll either: a) Fight it out and get it out of our collective systems; Give up and give it a rest; c) Get bored and go away; d) File for individual restraining orders; e) Wake up with a grinning rictus hovering over us; or, f) All of the above ?

Congratulations! I don't have any answers for you, but I wanted to wish you well, and hopefully bump your thread to give someone who's been in your shoes a chance to see it and respond. Again, congratulations mom! Is this your first?

Um, so EXACTLY where is this restaurant? . . . . . LOL What a GREAT NSV! Congratulations you skinny, er, HEALTHY girl!

As much as I like the majority of the people who play in the "Thread Killer" thread . . . you all know me, you know I like you, but . . . I have to agree. Trying to kill a thread or even defuse a thread isn't your job, or mine. If the tension of the thread in question is too much, the best way to defuse it or kill it is to walk away from it without posting. There will always be threads that are uncomfortable or unpleasant. If you really want to make them go away, you have to be able to walk away. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, I AM saying it's confusing and annoying to new people and to people who DO want to read or participate in those particular threads. Still friends?

Hi all, I am almost 6 months post op and have been having pain at and around my port site. Kinda stabbing sharp pains, a lot like the first few weeks following surgery. It happens between 3 and 8 times a day and goes away fairly quickly, but it's been going on for about a week now. Has anyone else had this happen? It's starting to make me nervous.

In S. Grand Prairie it rained enough to wet the patio, then was gone. *sigh*