Elayne

Jeeeeessssh! I just googled - 3 meals vs 6 meals and got many interesting articles to peruse. e.g. - 3 hour diet apparently this is a hot issue. (there is probably another thread in the forum about this, but since I'm losing well and feeling healthy, I'm sticking to my good ol' 5-6 routine.)

My surgeon suggested the REALIZE band which is for the most part similar to Allergan's LapBand. The Realize has one continuous receptacle for saline under the band rather than the chambered design of the LB. The port has a lower profile and is implanted "suture-less". More information on this site ; Realize Band vs. Lap Band My surgeon has experience with both systems as well as RNY and other procedures. As for the "snacking" vs. Non snacking - I just read the LapBand Diet - It is contrary to several eating plans that were encouraged by 2 nutritionists that counselled me - They strongly suggested 5-6 mini-meals - as does my endocrinologist (I am/was a diabetic) The more I GOOGLE the more I learn about the 2 different "camps" of thought. So - 3 meals as suggested by LapBand vs. 5-6 as suggested by Realize and other nutrition plans ? ? ? :biggrin: Is this a new "can of worms"????

Just a few thoughts and comments: 1. "3 meals" doesn't seem like a logical plan. Both of my dietitians (surgical and personal) suggest a diet closer to 5 - 6 meals. breakfast, mid am snack, lunch, mid pm snack, dinner, evening snack. Small yet nutritiously planned meals. Frankly - sometime difficult to comply with, 'cuz albeit they're small - they're frequent. 2. To band or not to band - that is the question Do your research - consult the bariatric professionals - do more research - Make the informed and rational decision. It's YOUR body, your life-style, your mind-set, and so many more factors that only YOU can make this decision. (After nearly one year of prep, 2 months since surgery, virtually NO physical discomfort, an acceptable loss of poundage and a remarkable gain of self-esteem - I feel completely justified in my decision for the Realize Band procedure) 3. Hair and skin - Again - with personal research and professional advice - my hair and skin are probably better now than before the surgery. I'm taking my vitamins (can't stress this strongly enough). Biotin (B1), calcium, E, D and the other Bs are important. After about a month of an organic "hair, skin, nails" combo, NO blow dryers or irons, good scalp cleansing minty shampoo/conditioners and lotsa pure fruit juice flavored water - my skin and I look great. (Don't forget to FLOSS!) Sleeveless tops again - after many summers of none! 4. Negativity? Please - not everything about WLS is rosy and without disappointments and hazards. Let's just temper the down-side issues with common sense and useful feedback.

I DID call the doc's office yesterday and spoke to his coordinator. Apparently the "appointment maker" was mistaken when she set my next follow-up/fill for September after my late May visit. Newly banded patients are seen every 6 weeks if all is going well. And - under my plan - visits and fills up to 3 months after the surgery is covered is considered part of the surgical procedure. I'm just under the wire with this second fill - so no co-pays yet. And about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ My hospital bill came to over $34K!! I haven't received the surgeon or the anesthesiologist bills yet. With my Insurance coverage of just over 6K - my bill is over 28K!!!!! (NOT going to happen! - not with our wallet!) Phone calls overdue - certainly - but it looks like the "forgiven" uncovered over-charges haven't been forgiven yet. My trip is 2nd week of July with my 2nd fill the week before. We're taking the USA route south of Lake Erie, Lake Huron and up to Marquette Michigan. We'll wander that part of Lake Superior with a few hikes in the Huron Mountain region. My knees say it's OK to resume hiking! YAY!!!! (Pies don't tempt me as much as P!ZZ@ ) My husband and I are still precariously on the edge of a split - but my surgery feat inspired him to quit smoking and he wants us to have time away from everything. We'll see . . . . No promises . . . :thumbup:

Thanks for the input about time between fills. I will call the Doc's office tomorrow. I believe he only does followups and fills on Thursdays. (surgery on Mondays and Tuesdays, golf on Wednesdays, clean on Fridays) I'm anxious to get restriction so I can actually experience this whole lap-band process. So far it's been will-power and anticipation and practice. I call my scars - the "Caterpillar" and his 4 little bugs. Apparently the lap-band surgeries have progressed from many little incisions to ONE incision and now NO incision! It's like Star Trek with "Bones" passing a gizmo over the part that "ails ya" :thumbup:

Just a long overdue update. I had my first fill (3cc) little over 2 weeks ago. Virtually NO restriction (unless I forget and guzzle water after a satisfying bout of gardening) I'm losing weight at a comfortable weight - but on primarily on will-power. My next appt for check-up and a probable fill is early September. I'd like to move the fill forward a bit - How soon is too soon? I'm planning a wandering trip to Lake Superior in mid-July and don't want to be tempted by treats along the way. Will Power is great - but I need the extra help of the band!

I haven't been participating in this forum lately - I'm trying to spend less time on the PC (AND my butt). I had my first fill today - 3cc and it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. The only GOOD needle is a KNITTING needle in my opinion. The doc told me to put my hands behind my head. With my Italian background - I was unable to talk without using my hands so I when I tried to say something he humorously scolded me and explained that he didn't want to risk me pushing his hand away. My youngest daughter (23) is fascinated with medical procedures - having had much to much hospitalization for her own ailments - and watched closely. It's NEVER my philosophy to believe "ignorance is bliss" - but I made exceptions for procedures involving needles. I generally look to the side and hum. The procedure took just a few minutes - most of it spent scanning and mapping the port area. After the little band-aid was in place - little Miss Nosey informed me that the needle wasn't nearly as large as she thought it would be. Nice to know - I guess. I'm back on liquids for a day or two. Exercise is difficult for me - Despite the good intentions - I abandon the whole boring business within minutes. But - I've rediscovered an old love - gardening! A bit every day - and at least I'm having fun and have something to enjoy long after the sweat dries. I plan to make a small waterfall on a gentle slope in my yard. Herbs and morning glories in the raised bed instead of buggy squash and blighty tomatoes.

Got my staples out yesterday. I was tempted to pull them out myself - with a flat head screwdriver! (kidding - sorta) Two and half weeks was too much. The "big boy" is still angry looking and not totally sealed yet but the 4 "helper holes" look like fine white lines. Now I'm sporting steri-strips. First fill of 3cc in one month and I'm a bit apprehensive about it. I think I'll forgo knitting for a while and return to needlepoint and sewing. For the time being I'll sew for my children (perfect 2 and 4!) and then for myself (no more size 18 patterns!) Needlepoint frog (for my wonderful son) on the frame and a pink teddy bear pillow on the sewing table. Funny development - Instead of passing on their gorgeous Victoria Secret bras to friends and charity - my girls are saving them for the future me. I'm a snug 38 D - formerly 34 B - One daughter is giving up her 34 C's (wishful thinking for her, but they never fit her athletic size 2 blissfully slender and flattish figure). I'm too realistic to look forward to reviving my size 8 jeans but would LOVE to give up the elastic waist horrors. Remember WAISTLINES?

Hello all, Still healing fine. No more "funny feeling" - and I can't say that I've been in pain at any time other than the day of surgery. I realize now what untapped strength I have. To go through this major commitment has revealed an inner "self" that I was only aware of back in my idealistic youth. (Before a lot of traumatic "crap" happened - too long and irrelevant for this forum - I'll write THAT book later) I'm still moving toward that legal separation from my husband of 25+ years. He was remarkable during the days prior to surgery and a few days after. But to tell the truth - I truly think I could have done it without him. He'll change the tires, mow the lawn, be a loving father, etc. - but when it comes to communication and affection - ZERO. He's a heavy smoker and although I forbid smoke in the house except for the basement (the "Cave") I suffer from 2nd hand AND 3rd hand smoke. I want something more - later of course. I've got to use this re-found energy and spirit to go forward with my plan to teach knitting and embroidery. AND - today I'll start walking - one level block - and back again. Tomorrow - ELLIS ISLAND with a busload of Italian relatives to explore the gateway that our grand parents came through back in the early 1900s. (NO Italian deli sandwiches on the bus nor lasagna in the restaurants for me - I guess it's minestrone broth and cannoli filing)

One week ago today! An observation - My stitches are itchy - but not as annoying as a pesky insect bite (or MANY bites) The bruising is turning from red/purple to green and yellow Normal and good to see because there is a LOT of bruising! A complaint - My weight hasn't budged since several days after surgery! I'm eating protein drinks, my homemade applesauce (JUST apples) and the dreaded SF jello (I NEVER liked jello but it gives my mouth something familiar to do) :sad: A happy bragging bit - My XL t-shirts are too big, I'm down to an L Pants are baggy in the butt - now lets see some tummy action here. :wink2:

About hair loss again - (I'm no expert - but just passing along some stuff I heard from a beautician/bander); NO BLOW DRYERS! or heated straighteners or curlers or any of those heat things. And a question or two - I haven't "tested" the band yet although I get a few NON-productive burps. I forgot to sip and took several strong swallows of my AM coffee and NOTHING happened. My weight hasn't budged from 190 - 191 since several days after surgery (a week ago today!) I know I'm eating (er . . . drinking) far less than the 800 cals prescribed and most of that are Protein drinks. Of course the band isn't inflated yet - but is this normal? And - When I turn 60 on 12/31 can I still hang out here??

I'm still sore but not in pain. The advantage is that I get "excused" from some housework - like pushing that awkward monster Dyson around and up the endless steps of my old Vic. I just HAVE to get out of this house - and I mean further than the porch! My husband and I have shelved the separation for a few months so we can take the afternoon off together with very little threat of an argument (or two or five or twenty) and skip the ice-cream stop. I haven't tested the band yet - sip sip sip instead of glug glug glug. Made applesauce last night - only added cinnamon. Jeesh - I takes more time to prepare fresh apples and puree them than to grow the dang things. Absolutely LOVE my homemade hummus - any no-nos about this?? Re-opened my 3 online stores (lolabear, squirrelsintheattic, needleworkattic on ETSY) and made 1 sale already in the Needlework Attic which is my de-stash of all things needlework. Stitches are getting itchy and the bruises are turning green and yellow - that's a good sign. About hair - I started taking biotin supplements weeks before surgery and I also use the Sally brand Nutri-Ox for chemically treated hair - which is their version of nioxin. It's minty and pleasantly tingly - apparently it cleans and stimulates the scalp for optimum re-growth and strengthens the existing hair. The results are not evident until 3-6 months after starting use. Here's a good article; Hair treatments: nioxin benefits and uses

I'm popping in for a few minutes. Thank you for all the good wishes. I'm a "different" sore today - but no biggie. Weather here in Northeastern PA is finally more spring-like. I think I'll sit on the porch with my needlepoint frame and hope that my 2 dogs enjoy the sun too. (wow - I missed them) I had those pressurized things on my legs in the hospital and every time the right leg thingie expanded I thought my black lab was snuggling up against my leg. I'm not hungry - but I'm coaxing myself to at least sip a fruity protein drink. Watery Farina never tasted so good although I added a teaspoon of brown sugar. Heck! I need a treat once in a while. First shower in a bit if I can get the "guts" to change my dressings right after. My surgeon is extremely neat with his staples - perfectly straight and more evenly spaced than my orthopedic surgeon. I hope that he left my "innards" just as he found them. Bye until maybe tonight.

Had my surgery on Monday morning. All went well. While traveling the 50+ miles at 5:30 in the morning (check-in / pre-op was at 6:15 and surgery at 8:00) I sorta panicked and thought, "What the hell are you doing girl??" I found 2 Valium (10 mg) from a recent dental procedure and took one to sleep better before getting up at 4:00 am. It worked well and although I wasn't bright-eyed and bushy-tailed - at least I had several hours of sleep. Before the pre-op business started - IV and the like - I asked the nurse if I could have the 2nd Valium. She said "of course" - apparently Valium is prescribed frequently. I wouldn't recommend anyone taking it on their own - but I had it AND I asked. It lowered the anxiety a bit. It was nice to see many smiling faces overhead as I was wheeled into the OR. This is a HAPPY surgery and the surgical team made it almost pleasant. No snags - no traumas - I went smoothly from recovery into my own private room. Attentive nurses - especially my personal nurse "Tyler". He was very informative and gentle. Best of all - my family (3 children) spent the entire afternoon with me and my husband stayed well into the evening. Sleeping wasn't as easy as I had hoped. Several helpful doses of morphine - the pain wasn't too bad. They skipped the dreaded CPAP and I wore the oxygen doo-hicky the entire time I was there. I also needled insulin shots as my glucose spiked - because of body trauma from surgery and the dextrose drip. All in all - it went smoothly - although I gained about 8 pounds - water retention, EKG monitor and what-not. But after 4 days - my weight has gone 2 pounds before my pre-op weight. I'm moving slowly - sipping juicy water regularly - chewing my vitamins and getting ready to take my first shower and change my dressings. Good luck to everyone else!

Hello (and a quick bye-bye - I'm going back to bed) I had my surgery Monday morning. All went well and the hospital experience was very comforting and I felt very well taken care of. I think I'll heal quit fast although I'm still quit sore. I don't feel any restriction - but of course I'm not going to test it at this point. I'm still on my Clear Liquids and sipping so slowly. I'd love to suck on a Ritz cracker though! Unfortunately I weighed myself on the first walk down the hospital corridor and was appalled to see my weight bounce up about 8 pounds. Of course it's the post-surgery fluids and IVs and the weighty EKG monitor I had to wear. I needed several insulin shots (which surprised me). They said it was because of trauma to the body but mostly the dextrose drip. Staples come out in two weeks and my "holes" are larger than I expected. But - I assume they'll heal to little white lines eventually. I'll try to visit tomorrow. My bed is calling me.