*susan*

Alexandra!! Wow, what you have accomplished is absolutely amazing. Congratulations on your bandiversary and thank you for sharing your pictures. For those of us just starting out, they are a real inspiration, as you always are.

I agree Jacqui! I am not a big fan of plain old boring water. I asked my nutrionist if it is ok that I am getting it via Crystal Light and she said that is fine.

Hi and welcome to LBT! Whereabouts in Florida are you? I live in Jacksonville.

Wow, you look fabulous! I am definitely interested in hearing more from you and others on the healing process, the pain involved, etc. I am sure I will need a tt once I get to goal. But, the other night on Discovery Health dh and I watched a show about the "incredible shrinking woman" and she made the tt process look so painful that it scared the you know what out of me. I am hoping it is not as painful as she made it look. Did anyone else see this show?

I just had my second fill on Tuesday when I had my port revision surgery (my port flipped). I am excited to say that I think I am finally understanding what true restriction is with this fill. I am hoping it stays this way, and is not just swelling.

Since being banded, I never drink soda. However, one time when I was stuck someone suggested taking a small drink of soda. I did and it immediately brought up the stuck food. Whenever I have a problem now, I drink a swallow of soda and it quickly alleviates the problem. Try this and see if it works for you. I hope you get to feeling better quickly.

OMG, Koala, I just read your post, got a visual and couldn't stop laughing. On a serious note though, no, I had the exact opposite problem. I had my surgery and then didn't go for 3 weeks. When I finally did, I called everyone and told them, and even posted about it on here because I was so excited!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/197/134 - 37 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/288/150 - 70 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308/298 - 94 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/188/130 - 32 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/231/150 - 42 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/259/150 - 51 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117 op.day/106.6/69 - 18.4 kgs/40.4 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/235/170 - 35 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/246/165 - 43 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/208/145 - 56 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/253.6/145 - 29.4 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/278/145 - 55 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/182/135 - 42 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/215/150 - 25 total <!-- / message --> <!-- / message --><!-- sig --> _

Ahh, the age old Water question. I always look forward to the responses to this. When I did weight watchers, everyone used to swear by this site that said it was based on your weight and that you should drink half your weight in ounces of water per day. Meaning that a 300 pound person should drink 150 ounces of water a day! If I did that, I would never leave my bathroom. The funny thing was, of course this site would say that because they sell water! The more you drink, the more profit they make. I have talked to my surgeon, my regular doctor, my obgyn and 3 different nutrionists about this. They have all said the same thing. The old standard of six - 8 ounce glasses per day is what we need.

I agree with LapBandit. I think the best thing to do is contact your doctor and go by whatever advice he/she gives you. Have fun!

MrD, perhaps the family still likes to eat at those kind of places, and that is why people still go there. I have to say I agree with those who say that when I went to buffets prior to my surgery and definitely ate more than the average person, I was never charged more because I was obese and ate more than everyone else. Therefore, if they refuse to charge me less because I have now had wls and eat less, that is ok too. I understand that, they are in business and have set prices. If they do allow me to order off the children's menu, or pay a little less, that is fine. However, if they don't, it is certainly not a deal breaker for me and does not mean I will never eat their again.

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/197/134 - 37 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/288/150 - 70 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308/298 - 94 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/231/150 - 42 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/259/150 - 51 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117 op.day/106.6/69 - 18.4 kgs/40.4 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/235/170 - 35 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/246/165 - 43 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/208/145 - 56 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/253.6/145 - 29.4 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/278/145 - 55 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/182/135 - 42 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/215/150 - 25 total

Are you nervous about the surgery itself or how it will affect your eating habits and life afterwards? I think a lot of people get nervous right before any type of surgery, not just wls. Just remember, you have probably done a great deal of research on this and I am sure you made a well-informed decision to have the lap band. You are doing this so you can live a healthier, happier and longer life. I promise you, you will not regret having this done. I am just 4 months out and would do it again in a heartbeat. Perhaps if you post what specific things are making you nervous, we can better help you address those issues. Tomorrow is your big day, and we will pray that all goes well for you. Please make sure to come back and let us know how everything went for you.

My doctor said I can drink right up until I eat too. I just don't drink during or for one hour afterwards. I thought it would be really difficult too, but after the first few days I found it really wasn't that difficult at all. The only time I do have to take just a teeny tiny drink is when I am eating something like buffalo wings, they are so hot I just have to have a little something.

I didn't have my surgery there because I am in Florida. However, I have heard wonderful things about them. Welcome to LBT! You will gain lots of useful information as you go through the lap band journey.

Ok, so I guess I have to be the curious one. This thread was started back in April, with what looked to be some very exciting changes coming to LBT. Many members have also listed some great suggestions. When might we be seeing some of the changes? Just curious.

I actually just had port revision surgery the day before yesterday. I had no indication that it had flipped, no pain or anything. I went in to get my second fill and it had completely flipped. It was not even accessible under floro, so if I wanted fills, I had no choice but to have the surgery. The doctor said it wasn't caused by anything I did or didn't do. It just happens sometimes, although I was his first patient to have one. As far as the surgery, it is not that big of a deal. Especially not compared to the original band surgery. I admit, I am pretty sore right now, but I am back to work and the soreness is manageable.

Hi and welcome to LBT! Do you have a date for your surgery yet? Be sure and keep us posted how things are going and don't be afraid to ask questions, we love to answer them!

Welcome and congratulations on making the decision to get the band. Please let us know if you have any questions or if there is anything we can help you with.

Hi Stacey! Welcome to our little corner of the web, you have found a great place for advice and support on the band. Feel free to ask any questions you need in helping with your decision, etc.

I have always heard the best thing you can do is good ol' fashioned exercise. Check out the exercise thread, there are some people there who are doing fantastic who may be able to offer you some really good advice, especially Telly.

There are some very funny posts in this thread, and I have really enjoyed reading it. I was going to post some of my own too, until I started feeling a bit guilty. I agree, we were all newbies at one time or another. I do think a forum devoted purely to newbies is a great idea. It could be loaded with great information, including a sticky on all the abbreviations, how to search, etc. etc. But, the bottom line is.... this is a support board. So what if someone posts a question about something that may have already been posted a million times? Maybe they want/need to have someone assure them directly, not via a very old post. Does it really kill us to quickly, efficiently and politely answer their question? As a not so "newbie" anymore who has some experience under my belt, I actually feel good when I can respond to a newbie question, encourage them and help them out. I am offering them support on a support board. Hopefully, when they become an oldtimer on these boards, they too will remember what it was to be a newbie and help them out as well. I think what is sad as that when some of us have an opinion or thought that does not agree with others, or they do not approve of a thread, they post their thoughts/opinions in such a negative manner. When you yell at someone like they are a child, or that they are less of a person than you, well... wow, to me that is a thread killer.

I love salad and have absolutely no problem with it going down whatsoever. I could live on them!

That is so wonderful that she noticed. It makes everything worth while and I bet your are on cloud nine. Congratulations.

I agree with Wheetsin, when things get stuck, I actually look forward to the pb because I know I will instantly feel better. And, like she said, it is over very quickly and not like normal vomiting where it seems to go on and on. I never drink soda anymore, except when I am really stuck and need to pb in a major way. Quite a while ago, someone on the board told me that drinking a small swallow of coke will bring the food up quickly, and boy does it work. If I take just a small drink of coke, within a few seconds the stuck food comes back up and I go on about my day. I never go back to eating right after I pb though. Once I have done that, I have lost my appetite. But, usually 3 to 4 hours later I am good to eat again.