MelodyJ

Ralheit-- You can try to walk now....even if you walk 2 min out and 2 min back! That's how I started!! That's how we start the heart patients too!! :confused: You can do this!! You are meant to walk a mile from day one....YOu start little and finish BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs :party:

Seppi-- If it's band irritation then warm liquids and resting your gut is the only way. If it's GERD then make sure the head of your bed is elevated 6-8" this will create gravity and keep stuff in your stomach easier....extra pillows will make it worse. No over eating (band limits this), no tight clothes, no eating for at least 3hrs before bedtime, watch peppermint, onions, citrus and tomatoes.....all the good stuff can be aggravating. Prilosec is good....hopefully that won't cause problems...let the capsule get soft in Water then take it. Prilosec turns off the pump in your stomach that makes the acid and this will hopefully help the burning sensation you are feeling. Hope this helps.... God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs :confused:

Teachntots-- Don't get insane w/ jealousy!!! You are doing GREAT!!!! This is a marathon....we must stay in it for the long haul!!!! I started this marathon over 300lbs....so don't know where you're beginning but I have ALOT to lose!! I absolutely was not moving or doing anything before surgery! I went from somewhat eating healthy last year then took a job working in an orphanage and it was CARB country!!!! Anyway.....I was doing NOTHING....now I started the 10min like they said then I have slowly worked up to about 40min each night and walking around 2.4mi (we just drove it last night to figure it out!) :party: I have so much more energy which is my motivation!! On weekends we try to find something to walk around in or on! My job is 9-6pm and my wonderful hubby has dinner prepared and then we go walk when we're finished!! I eat only 1/2 cup average....although this last week only lost 1lb so was aggravated. Figured out I was eating lunch at work and it wasn't so healthy and w/o a measuring cup I'm guessing my eyes got too big!!? :confused: So now that is fixed and I'm back to 1/2 cup average. In the morning I am so restricted that I might get 2 or 3 bites of a wrap in....but then I got that stuck just recently!! So Protein shake is all I can do and some mornings I give that back?! Lunch is whatever they serve us....from salad to chicken.....I do love chicken salad that I make (only cause I know what's in it) and for dinner usually 2-3 oz of meat and a few bites of veggies. I don't snack anymore as the 4 oz tends to hold me about 4-5hrs if I don't get "head hunger"!!! That's still my biggest enemy!!! I don't think I'm any kind of expert.....but hoping this helps a little! Just move a little more as it sounds like you've cut way back once the kids get out of school! :party: GOd Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs :party:

Teachntots-- Maybe when school is out you can commit to some exercise and this has helped me!!! :confused: Not always easy in this hot FL weather....but we can do it!! 27lbs is VERY Good!! Just think where you would have been pre-band!! BandedBabe-- Hang in there!! Sometimes they loosen a bit w/ use....but would stick to warm liquids!! I have an aggressive dr that likes to "pack it out" and he put 2.4cc in the first fill in my 4cc band!! He put more in but I gave him back the water so he backed off!! My battle lies now in my mind and my "old" ways!! The war is on!! I have started consciously fighting in prayer and behavior!! 24lbs is AWESOME.....I weigh 100lbs more than you!!! GOOD JOB to you!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -44lbs :party:

Carla-- I am VERY impressed !!! You go woman!!! Good job!!! Like you I am VERY happy w/ the band....it has saved my life and has offered me a feeling of control for the first time in a lonnnnnnnnnng time! I had my first fill this month and I lost about 6lbs in 3 days....hoping to keep going!!! What a rush to do so well!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Mercedes-- I believe that Kristin is right in eating too fast! BOY have I done this!!!!!!! I KNOW!!!! Timing is good!!!! It helps....I still have to practice and watch the clock!!! If you are having pains....hot liquids are more helpful....cold makes it spasm. If I eat too fast and get the golf ball and pain then I start taking big deep breaths and then go to liquids....hot liquids. I rest my esophagus/gut for a while..... Hope this helps!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

If it's your gallbladder should not have ANYTHING to do w/ the band and be covered....your insurance should cover it. But make sure it's not just gas....Maalox Max has magnesium and this will make your stools loose but also move the gas if it's just that. But your doc can order a simple ultrasound and find out if that doesn't help. Hope this helps. God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :second:

Jennifer-- Hang in there!!! You can do it!!!! As long as your losing it's a GREAT thing!! Exercise has helped me and given me more energy. Portion control and distraction!!!!!!!!!! :second: God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

You'll have to call your insurance company or look online and see if they cover the surgery! I had my surgery done in TN where I was living.....you can google "lap bands Chicago, IL" ....this should give you some options. Once you have names....then you look on the IL Board of Medicine and you can find any reports against them. This may help. Also go meet them....hopefully, you have good "gut" instinct and will know who to select. Many will let you talk to former/current patients. Hope this helps.... God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :second:

Chabutter, I was told nothing bigger than a pencil eraser! I have found w/ capsules I can put them in Water and let them get mushy and then drink it w/ the water in the glass....but this isn't regular just an antibiotic. Xenical is rough ....have not taken but have prescribed it and if you let a stinker....get ready because it will probably be in your pants!! :second: Not sure how it would react to the band....it is another tool to make you decrease the fats in your diet or you will have the stinky in your undies!! Hope this helps! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Hot/warm is better than cool liquids!! Cold causes spasms....keep reading there are many words of wisdom around here w/ all the experience!! I had many such "spasms"....something would come from way down deep and just give me the pain!! Congrats on your weight loss!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to Band Land!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Well as one of the three Amigas....you can say I was very concerned...but came in after the fact! So glad your feeling a bit better Leenerbumps!!! Can't have only 2 !!!! Also ya made me nervous....don't like these complications!! Scar tissue can come from anything....2nd hand smoke.....prior pneumonia.....asthma....anything that has aggravated the lung can leave a scar....just like on the outside. I don't think it will spread or cause problems if it's a scar. Just my humble opinion! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Warm up whatever your drinking....cold stuff causes spasms I was told....also with the others....glad your calling your doctor!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Tracey, I was self-pay. I had about as much to lose as you. Initially I thought my insurance was going to pay...they did not. Anyway, as someone else said you can get your primary care dr to order the basic labs, UGI (barium swallow), and EKG under your insurance w/ proper codes. I did not have to have a sleep study as I was negative on the questionnaire they had about obstructive sleep apnea. The surgeon will determine what you need to have done. I did not have to go on a diet before surgery except the day before and he didn't want me to pack on all the food as a "last meal" effect I believe!?!?! My dr (Dr. Ponce in Chattanooga,TN/Dalton, GA) said I was the perfect candidate because I didn't have the co-morbidities! I did do a psych test....just a written questionnaire and they never told me any problems w/ it?! I think being self-pay lightens the load of jumping through the hurdles of insurance stuff! Hope this helps! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

I had my band place by Dr Ponce in Chattanooga. He is wonderful....but don't know how far it is. www.lapbandinstitute.com is his website. God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :confused:

Hey ...why not!? The 3 amigos seems to fit!!!! Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :confused:

My gas was completely gone til I got filled!! Then whooop there it is!!! Both ends!!! I believe....through my vast personal knowledge and experience...HA....that it is definitely too big of bites and too fast that produces the golf balls!!! I told my husband I'm going to get the hang of this band or die trying!! I just go back to clear broth and it settles right down by the next day! If you keep eating then you just pile food on the stuck part which is ABSOLUTELY miserable!!! Terez---don't think your totally unrestricted or you wouldn't be getting "stuck"....remember you didn't have this pre-band!!! So....we gotta slow down...continue small portions....I"ve went back ot the baby spoon for size control in my mouth!!!! Praying this helps!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :Banane10:

Paula-- Had my surgery March 20th in Dalton, GA. My first fill was May 4th and he popped that thing up!! 2.4cc in my 4cc band!!! Felt just like I did post op for a few days...but has calmed down and I am going to get the hang of this band yet!!!! Have found out that I can eat big pasta pieces....I guess I chew much better....but thin spaghetti and such gets caught!! Just not worth it!! I still have to learn how to go slower!! But only eating about 1/2 cup each meal!!!! Have lost 43lbs....that is EXCITING!!!! Exercising by walking 2mi for 30min each day....that's a huge improvement in my lifestyle!! Eating and feeling better than I have in YEARS!! :Banane10: Loving the banded life!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :Banane33:

Deb- Thanks!! I was able to do it last week before the fill....I told my husband last night as I had my broth...."I'm going to get the hang of this!!" And I will!!! GodBless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Leenerbumps-- My guess is YES....you are eating too much and too fast!! That's the feeling I get when I get stuck....there tonight! Tried Pasta for lunch...didn't eat more than 1/2 cup or so but I did eat too fast....all afternoon was blessed w/ a bit of a golf ball....then I came home and felt a bit hungry and took a bite of tomato....ugh!!!!! So back on hot liquids....cold causes spasms!! GOd Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Jenwillwin- I keep hitting the tab button....this sends my message!! I"ll figure this out!! Anyway....did you find out if you can join Dr. Kim's support group w/o paying the fee???? Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Jenwillwin- Did

Cat-- I am not w/c bound.....so cannot answer from that perspective!! I can tell you medically you WILL benefit from weight loss....you get clearance for the surgery and the weight loss will increase your mobility!! :clap2: Just do your research and pray and talk to your healthcare providers!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Cat-- I am not w/c bound.....so cannot answer from that

TellyMelly- I am a goal setter....I actually have only set though for the first 6 wks then the 2nd six weeks....then the end of the year. My first 6 wks I wanted to lose 30lbs...I have lost 38lbs....my 2nd 6 wks I want to lose 20lbs more.....I haven't even finished my first week of that and I am down 5lbs as I got my first fill. I believe goals are important....my husband asks me if I will be "upset" if I don't accomplish my goal....yes...but I will keep going!!! Marathon attitudes win....not sprints!!! You are doing great!! Keep looking at the prize!!! Completion!!! Now I after I finish this 2nd week then I'll set another goal for 2mos maybe?! I haven't decided....I broke it down 6 wks because of fill schedules....so we'll see!! I just know that I WILL succeed THIS time!!!!!!!!!! :mad: God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs