RestlessMonkey

I took it back right after they took redux and the other part of phen (phentermine)-fen (fenfluramine)off the market. It didn't help me, just raised my blood pressure. And unfortunately once you quit taking it, if you eat like you "did", you'll gain everything back.

I think you've probably seen that on my signature line and the answer is obviously no, not really! I was given a preop diet (three weeks) to shrink my liver and I assume my surgeon gave me one that long because I was severely obese (405 pounds 5'5") and because of all the test results he had (I didn't quiz him) HOWEVER...because I had read on here about many many people who "cheated" on their MUCH shorter preop diets and had no problems (and I'm sure they were telling the truth and not intending to mislead anyone) I figured I could "get away" with it, too. SO during my 3 weeks I lost 15 pounds but did it "my" way. My liver was still too "thick". Shamed and angry at myself, I did exactly what my surgeon told me for 2 1/2 weeks and lost 17 MORE pounds and got my band that time. Surgeons don't prescibe such a diet to everyone, I assume (not a doc) because not all people NEED to do one. Furthermore, as you go through these boards, you'll see poster after poster who "cheat". If docs made everyone do 3 weeks preop liver shrink, people would just cheat and get that (dangerous) mentality that it is ok to cheat. (it's really important to follow your docs rules post op, too...while you're healing especially) So just do what your doctor said and you'll be fine. And people on here who say "i did so and so and got away with it"..I'm sure they did. They are lucky! THey most likely mean well! But do what your doctor said, incase you are one of the ones that will NOT get away with it. OH and my liver wasn't diseased....just big. So I've said "fatty" but maybe I should just say "too fat". He said it was healthy, just had too much fat stored in it to get it moved out of he way (he tried!). So I didn't have any liver disease...thank goodness!

Just a quick guess, now that you are slimmer, are you more active? Do you go out more? (shopping, the mall, dinner, whatever?) Odds are you are around people more and so are more susceptible! Just a guess, of course. The band itself shouldn't make you more prone. Only other thing...if you aren't eating right and are now thinner but unhealthy...

I wouldn't borrow trouble, as my granny used to say. Your surgeon may not restrict caffeine and if s/he does, ask why. If it's just "makes some people hungry" and doesn't impact you that way, then you can decide. I do NOT support the "ignore your doctor what does HE know" mindset, but as I said, I've had coffee and tea without ill effect since about 1 month post op. (I wanted time to heal just in case there was something odd about caffeine and healing)

Each person should follow his/her docs rules and ask the DOC if in doubt....solid foods too early can tear the stitches and do damage...and shelly2b's doc even told her she "probably" was ok just eating mushies! Not to be a Grinch; it is HARD to stick to the post op diet but there's a reason for it. We all heal differently and even surgeons have different surgical techniques etc. SO do what your doc says, and if you cheat, let him/her know so they can reassure you, check you out, whatever. The rules aren't there just for punishment, you know! :wink_smile: (my doc assured us he does not own stock in EAS shakes, for example LOL)

It depends on the surgeon and nutritionist; they all have different rules. Our nutritionist bans it and being the curious sort I asked "WHY?" She said "It makes some people hungry". It does NOT make me hungry, I have unsweetened iced tea, and am doing fine!

There are people who have posted here who did intentionally gain so they could be approved, and were glad they did it and never looked back. Honestly, if you want the band that badly, that 10 pounds can save you thousands of dollars. It is stupid, it is counter-intuitive, but it is insurance. If you don't honestly think you'd gain that much over the next year or so anyway, have you tried just dieting and exercising to lose? That way might work for you if you don't struggle to hold your weight. I know you'll decide what's best for you! :wink_smile: I know what I'd do! LOL

IF your doctor requires a specific shake, choose that one. If not, my doc required EAS Carb Control AdvantEDGE shakes...110 cal, low fat, low car, 17g protein each and while I didn't love them, I don't love ANY Diet shake. They did the trick! Weight dropped off of me like water!

Call your doctor IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait. Yellow eyes means you need medical attention.

Yes you can get pneumonia 5 days after surgery...you are doing what you should with the incentive spirometer so it may not be surgery-related, but just...pneumonia! OR bronchitis, or allergies, or a bunch of other things. Good that you called the doc! :wink_smile:

Since this is a site for the lap band...(although of course open for everyone!) you might not get the response. Does realize have a chat board for it's users? I'm sure it does...have you tried googling "realize band chat" or some such? You are of course welcome to post here! Just afraid you may not get the info you need! Good luck!

Food isn't bad. It's just food. I think so many of us are all wrapped up in "diet = "good girl" (or boy), not diet = BAD. There's enough bad in the world today. So you overate over the holidays. NBD! Unless you went off of a post op diet while your band was healing, or did something else truly dangerous or vile, then all that happened was...you ate too much. Don't feel guilty about that. Even people who are thin and healthy can occasionally overindulge during the holidays. You'll be fine...just move on beyond it. It's just food. You didn't rob Fort Knox or kill someone.

Guess what? Follow the rules, do what your doc says, and odds are good you'll be able to eat a variety of that food you love...you'll just be satisfied with way less of it. Mole, Ceviche, etc. This isn't a "salad chicken and diet coke" kind of a lifestyle. The band is a tool and you will learn to use it in a way that works best for you. Some still weigh and measure every bite, some do WW, some get so much restriction they PB every other bite...and some just go out there and live their lives. (As one poster put it...I didn't go through all this to eat cardboard the rest of my life" So welcome and good luck. I think you'll both be pleasantly surprised. My doc does stress exercise but that's ok. They've found 30 minutes a day of exercise can help keep alzheimer's at bay. So more good brain time in front of the computer. A small investment of time now for a longer future full.

Here's a link to a tutorial someone posted a while back. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

Ask your surgeon what he wants you to take...that's your safest bet!

Follow YOUR post op plan and you'll be fine. Each person is different, and heals differently.

Do what your doctor told you. Each has a different post op plan! Tomato soup is very acidic and salty and high in carbohydrates and sugars so it's not often a "go to" soup in many surgeon's books. Follow your post op directions; your surgeon knows what works for HIS patients.

Your surgeon should be able to direct you to a nutritionist (if he doesn't have one already that he works with) Barring that, if you want more structure, WW is a good weight loss program (and they offer 2 different diets now, I think)

What does your doctor say is causing it? If he doesn't know, but acknowledges that there is, indeed, less fluid, he needs to find out where it's going!

Just from reading these boards, there is a doctor in Denver CO who does the surgery for under 10K I think...Dr. Kirschenbaum? you might try searching that name (use the search heading) I don't know a THING about him...no one personally who used him, didn't research him myself, etc...but he is in USA and I've read, doesn't take ins, just cash. Actually that 10K is probably close to what he'd get from insurance anyway! Good luck! Ok I just did a search myself...looks like I did spell it right! My doc locally that I used( and LOVE) is 15K And the poster who said make sure fills etc are included (or well priced) is correct. One thing I've learned...getting the band surgery is just like buying the car! You still need gas, oil changes, tires rotated etc. In other words, You'll need fills and a source of medical care should the need arise!

I was VERY obese. My port is placed about 2" down and slightly midline from my left breast. I'm not exactly sure because unless I mash the pooey out of myself (which I generally do not do LOL) I can't feel it and would never know it's there. I have read about some people having problems (can see it, feel it) as they lose. I asked my surgeon about that. He, VERY tactfully, told me in larger people it's a challenge to access the port so larger is better. However once I've lost, if it's bothersome, he'd be pleased to place a low profile port for me

You might want to call your dentist because I believe you may have to drink only liquids post op....depends on what your doctor prescribes.

I'm in San Antonio, welcome! What doctor are you using? I LOVE Dr. Cavazos and his support staff. They are excellent!

Good luck! I'm a nursing student (at 53! I'm insane!) and just honestly told them I was having lap band surgery and had wanted it earlier but it didn't happen... they were all really nice about it. Early in the semester you'll probably be ok! It really is better to have some time; what if you still need your narcotic pain med, for example? You don't want to take that and drive, or try to take notes! Good luck! Hope it works out well for you!

If you don't get any answers, try entering "rheumatoid arthritis" in the search area (you have to click on the word "search" upper right screen) and you'll find bunches of threads on the subject! Good luck