Melody2006

Hi, Adam. Congrats on being banded. I was banded on 7/15/08. So fair you men loose weight faster!

I'm glad I'm on the right track about doing liquids only today and maybe tomorrow too. I figured if my band slipped I would have had heartburn/reflux in the middle of the night but I didn't have that. Please update after you appointment today, pjd3252!

I could eat completely normal before. I even was able to get other foods down after and not throw them up. All night in bed I could tell I was irritated and every time I hiccup I can feel it too. I'm to afraid to call my surgeon.

I was banded on 7/15/08 and have not yet had a fill. I'm in the same position as you. I got something stuck, had to throw it up and now I feel I'm irritated down there. I figured today I'd go it liquids only and see if that helps. I'm highly curious to the replies this thread gets.

I love the idea of the adult tricycle. I see walmart online carries them. So I'm sure any walmart store could order one in. And a great price too! Walmart.com: Schwinn Meridian Adult Tricycle: Bikes, Scooters & Skates

Excellent idea, or even a friends younger child in that age range if that worked better.

I'm so glad you shared your story with us and you found your way back here. Your story shows that this is a journey and it's never to late to start again.

My surgeon says because it irritates the lining of the stomach. We cannot have caffeine for 6 months after either.

I'm at almost the 4 week point and I know my band is empty but I do feel restriction. Ive had a few stuck episodes. I'm only eating around 800 calories a day. Thats all I can really do. I think I don't need a fill at this time. How can that be? Then I watched this video, and I really changed my thoughts on fills. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPvVIMF1lxE]YouTube - Dr. Ortiz - Basics on Band Adjustment[/ame]

I got these bars called Pure Protein High Protein bars. Each one has 19-20 grams of protein in them. Each have on average of 190- 280 calories in them. They come in Chocolate peanut butter, Chocolate Deluxe, Strawberry Shortcake, Chewy Chocolate chip, Smores, & Blueberry crumb cake. You can find food labels for each flavor on Amazon.com if you want to check them out. They are sold as some grocery stores, the vitamin shoppe & GNC just to name a few places.

Can I ask what kind of exercise your doing, and how often consistently? Can I ask exactly what your eating? Are you keeping a food journal?

:thumbup: This is a HUGE waste of your time and money. Time to call your insurance company and make sure it's a supervisor and or someone high up immediately and make sure to tell them this story and make them document it. They will fight to get payment back from her. They need to be aware how this Dr. is doing business. Bet that will end up being a Dr. your insurance will no longer cover for other members in the future. You can also call the state medical board and let them know she refuses to give you copys of your medical visits for months past. These are the people you need to hit in the pocket book hard to get their attention.

My dietitian said NO vitamin waters. If sugar or a type of real sugar is one of the 1st 5 ingredients, not to eat it, or drink it.

My dietitian said NO vitamin waters. If sugar or a type of real sugar is one of the 1st 5 ingredients, not to eat it, or drink it.

I'll be looking this up tonight and making sure it's added to my TIVO!

The pre-opt and the post-opt diet has been the hardest part for me until I got to mushies. Everyone falls off or has weak moments. But that was inconsiderate of your husband to let that go on in your house knowing your situation. They couldn't have done it outside of the house? You just had a very expensive elective surgery done. And if your insurance paid, lots of people are going to face a raise hike next year so ones like us could have this surgery. We owe it to ourselves, and to who we effect to do our best. You can get right back on track.

I see why you don't want to tell them. I'd keep the surgery part vague, and I'd tell them Mom is trying to get healthy. The food, exercise, etc only has to point to you wanting to have a healthy lifestyle. For the reason you stated I wouldn't tell them you were having lapband. I'd say check up, or something along those lines. I told some co-workers I was having it done and now I wish I didn't. I feel pressure to loose weight and have visible results before I go back to work in a week (I took a month off because I have a physical labor job).

Dear (Food) Diary - Yahoo! News This is a good reason why to keep a food journal if your trying to loose weight.

I think your post really spoke to me. I had WLS at the hospital I work and and a lot of co-workers know I had it. So I know when I go back to work after taking a month off, I'd better show a loss. I feel that pressure. Here is the plan I'm following : -800 to 1200 calories a day -60 grams of Protein a day minimum -64 oz. of Water a day minimum -no non-natural sugar -no more than 20 grams of fat -no more than 100 grams of carbs -no white carbs (sugar, flour, rice, bread and potatoes) -no sugar alcohols (aka, sugar free candy) -no use of straws -no chewing gum -no caffeine (at least for the 1st 6 months) -no carbonated drinks Well, I am loosing consistently. But now I find I feel like a failure if I'm not 800 calories a day or less. I never go under 700. I log everything that passes my lips on thedailyplate.com, and measure everything.

I think a lot of people that don't know about the band just think it's an easy fix, and a cop out way to loose weight. Once I learned about it I was shocked. I learned I would be making changes and I would be giving up a few things for good. I "self" learned here and on youtube.com. Only to have what I learned confirmed when I asked my surgeons office if these things were true. What they tell you in classes isn't the big picture. This is hard work! And you do have to make changes. Average people say, oh you'll be forced to eat less and you can eat what ever you want just smaller portions of it. Sure, thats true but you can not loose an ounce that way too. You can eat icecream all day and let it slide right thru and not loose much at all. That would just be a waste of the whole effort. I think this band was good for someone like me who eats normal but at the first few hunger pangs grabs anything and binges. I can no longer binge. When I don't feel hunger I have self control. For me it was a good choice. I also think the band would be a bad choice for "grazing all day long" eaters who take bites of everything all day long and who are in denial. I also think it's not gonna work for anyone that can't stick to the basic band rules. The surgeons don't tell you that because they want to get paid. The band is a tool to help you deal with a food addiction. If your not ready to quit your food addiction and your still stuck with excuses in your life not to change, the lap band just isn't gonna work. It's not the complete answer to your food addiction problem. I think more people need to hear this truth before they are in your shoes. I'm sorry you weren't told the real deal.

My surgeon makes us wait 6 weeks for our first fill. I find myself not depending so much on Protein shakes anymore I eat high protein foods every meal (tuna, fish, string cheese, etc.) I log my food on thedailyplate.com and I'm getting around 100grams of protein a day from regular foods. I'm still keeping my blenderbottle.com shaker cup I got at GNC for hurried days, or for liquid only days at fill times, or just in case. Also keep stocked on whey Protein powder from walmart for those times too.

Thanks so much for this link! Right now I wear a 42 D in Bali bras I wear from Kohls. I can get them for around $20 a bra when they are on sale half price. I'm so sick of the underwire stabbing me under my boobs and the thick sholder straps hanging out the necks of my shirts. Now sure why this is happening because I was measured at layne bryant as a 42 D.

I need a Meal Replacement bar to keep in my purse for emergences, and upcoming long school days. I don't really do sugar alcohols or added sugar. Today I paid $1.30 for one Atkins Advantage bar. I got the chocolate Peanut Butter bar. I just did not want to spring for the 5 bar box costing $7.50 with out knowing if I liked them or not. I tried it today and it was pretty darned good! I'd like to buy a box, but who has the best price? My local grocery had 5 bar boxes for $7.50. Do any other chains such as Target or Walmart (I don't go to Sams Club) have these for a better price?

I'm having a hard time finding plastic liquor bottle spouts. Tried looking today. I did find sugar free syrups for $5.99 each at Marshalls. I'm sure TJ Maxx has them too but TJ Maxx moved out of our area. Wondered if Starbucks sells some too, but didn't have the guts to walk in and buy nothing if they didn't. Anyone know if they do?

My insurance paid the bulk cost of this surgery for me so I feel I owe everyone else on the insurance plan who have to face jacked up rates next year because my fat butt needed weight loss surgery. So if I want it, I'm going to follow the rules. Thats the least I can do for the $25,000 this surgery was billed to my insurance. I can have coffee, it just has to be decaf. (if your a heart patient, you can't have caffeine either, and I'm sure those patients listen.) I can have tea, it just has to be with the fake sugar. I was never a person who could "have just one" so sugar alcohol, the kind of sugar free candies just would never keep me on track. My doctor says after 6 months you can go back to caffeine, but I doubt I will. And I'm not going to die with out carbonated beverages or chewing gum. So many other alternatives. The no gum rule is because you can get stuck if it accidentally gets swallowed, and then you'd be facing another surgery. I admit, I used to swallow my gum on occasion. So for me I can't even risk it. My doctor said a glass of wine was ok, but not to go into excess because alcohol will hit you harder than a non-banded patient. I was never a alcohol drinker, so I can live with out it. Used to give me bad heartburn so I never picked up the habit. If you can keep the sugar free candy and alcohol in moderation, good for you. I wish I could. But moderation was never my strong point...hence why I have the band. And I have to be honest with myself that I'm over weight because I can't control my portions. Other people are overweight for other reason (maybe they ate like a bird...all day long small amounts) and portion control isn't their issue. Some trigger foods I can't even keep in the house because I'm honest with my problem that got me this fat. chips and Peanut Butter, and ice cream being some of those things. The plan I listed was what my surgeon recommended and I'm loosing and not feeling deprived.