sash

This looks like a good story. I think sometimes in our zeal for "peace" we forget that the people who are "serving us", who usually believe in what they are doing "for us", get lost in the middle. I think it is so important to always remember their service and sacrifice "for us"! We cannot let what happened to the Vietman Veterans ever happen again! The men and women who fight for our country should be respected and honored. Regardless of how we feel about the war itself. Whatever war that may be at the time. I feel very strongly about that!

I was so worried my surgery was scheduled for my TOM and it was no big deal. I worried for nothing. I just wore an nighttime pad; they gave me some net panties (woohoo sexy!) and everything was fine. Don't worry! It'll be alright!

Try 5 dried apricots each morning. This will keep you regular. Just make sure and chew the heck out of them! They are tasty and do the job naturally! There is a thread somewhere on here and they really do work. I do this faithfully! They work!

Count me in for a goal of 15 lbs! I think I can do this! Thanks for the motovation! Sash

I have eaten popcorn since being banded. I only eat it when I go to the movies (I don't go that often) and I always order the kiddie bag. I can't ever finish it though. I see it as a treat.:thumbup: It is my absolute favorite snack of all time. I used to eat a whole microwave bag by myself before banding. I do not eat it at home anymore; it's just too much temptation for me to eat the whole thing.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Having the band was kind of a relief. I had my first fill last wednesday so I was concerned I wouldn't be able to eat anything! I knew I would not be able to eat much so I made my mind up ahead of time I would have a Tbs of everything and I did. I was able to eat everything and I was not stuffed like I usually am. While everyone else was stuffed to the gills I was quite content! I even had some pumpkin pie with cool whip on top! Ummmmmmmm! I really enjoyed myself this year!

I had pain for @3-4 weeks. When I tried to lay down it felt like my incisions we ripping inside. I tried not to take the Lortab unless really needed it. My Dr's office assured me this was okay and that I could/should take the Lortab as long as I was having pain. I would take it at night so I could sleep. I really tried to tough it out but that really didn't help me at all so I gave in. After a 4 weeks it got better! I hope this helps. Hang in there. Sash

I feel like I have to share my surgery story with you! I have wanted to have the Lapband for a long time and I was so excited when I found out my insurance would cover it. I was scared from the moment I decided to really do it! But I was excited too. I have been on the yo-yo band wagon for years and the one thing I kept thinking about was that what weight came off each time came back plus some! The morning I went for surgery I was so nervous I was crying even as I was talking to the Dr before the surgery. I kept telling my husband maybe I should not have the surgery done. It is so scarry to make a life change. My DH assured me that this was the right thing to do. So I trusted him! The first week was the hardest but it gets easier. 8 weeks out I am so happy I did it. I know now I have the help I need to accomplish my goal. I always have my support with me (my band). My DH helps me when I need someone with real skin on as does this board. I did the same reading of the "scare threads" and that can do a mental number on your head so I stopped! I don't go there anymore. I too have a friend who only lost 30 lbs and gained it all back. She does not eat like she should but that is her choice. She has fills and unfills at will. I choose to use this tool as it is intended; to make a life style change. When she my friend saw me loosing weight she said she was tired of being a Lapband failure and has gotten back on track. It is not a "quick fix" by any stretch of the imagination! I think you will be happy once you get past the fear! Hang in there! Sash

I remember having a feeling like this after surgery. I thought it was the swelling in my abdomen pushing on my diaphram. The one thing that seemed to help was walking. I walked as much as I could. It seemed to relieve the pressure on my lungs. I'm not sure if this is the feeling you have but it is certainly worth a try.

I get my first fill on 11/19 so we'll just have to see how it goes. I have been able to eat almost everything so far as long as it is not too dry. If I can I am hoping to have a tsp of everything maybe a little more turkey. If not I'll just have a shake! I keep trying to remind myself to focus on people not food but that is hard as Thanksgiving has been about the food. I like to tweek Suze Ormans saying People First then Food. That's my new moto for Thanksgiving!:tongue2:

I've lost 15 lbs so far! :thumbup:

I was wrong! You are right it is more like 17 grams of Protein not 22! Sorry!

I too use the rubbermaid 1/2 cup containers. They help take the guess work out of how much I should be eating. I take my breakfast and lunch to work so I use two a day. I purchased 2 packages which contains 4 containers each. I think they were @2.50 per package.

This is so exciting! Congratulations!:rolleyes2:

Thanks for asking I was wondering the same thing! :thumbs_up:

Greek Yogurt is thicker and creamier than regular yorgurt. It has a whopping 22g of protein and 0g of fat in one small container. It does not taste that great (just being honest) but I can eat it no problem. I think it's worth it for the protein trade off seeing it's @1/3 of your daily required protein. I am going to start using the plain in place of sour cream as it has no fat! I sometimes eat this in place of my dinner when I fix something for my family I cannot or am afraid to eat. Stoneybrook Farms puts out a brand OIKOS they have plain, honey, and vanilla. I heard they have a new flavor blueberry I am excited to try. Walmart carries this brand in my area. It runs @1.50 a small carton.

Bridgett, I hardley ever had problems with constipation until being banded. I ate activia every morning with my breakfast and was very on schedule. Then I got banded and bam everything stopped! The activia didn't help. I don't know why but it didn't work anymore. Hummmmm....... I hate the "laxative/stool softener" kind of thing. So this is just excellent! I think Kerr sells an apricot juice in the can it is certainly worth a try!

I'm with you on the prunes. Can't stand them! (that's an understatement) The apricots are just wonderful! I'm going to costco and buying a LARGE bag of apricots! WOO HOO! (I never thought this subject could be so enjoyable):thumbup:

I tried the dried apricots this morning and lo and behold It works! It really works! You have to try this! It's wonderful! I cannot believe how well it worked. I am so excited! No cramps, no gurgling tummy, no running to the bathroom like you get when you use laxitives or stool softeners!:thumbup: Just gentle relief. Thanks so much for sharing!:rolleyes2:

Have any of you tried Barleans Omega Swirl? It is a Flaxseed Oil supplement in a smoothy form You take two tsp a day. I saw this in a natural food magazine. I wonder if it would work the same way?

Thanks for sharing. This seems to be a common problem. Activia used to work for me but since being banded it does not seem to do the job anymore. It's definantly worth a try!

Thank you I'll try that. :biggrin:

I was wondering if any of you more experienced bandsters might be able to offer a solution....... I am 5 weeks post-op and I have for about a week been having the most terrible gas pains at night. They are so terrible they are waking me up at night and are causing me to loose several hours of sleep at night. :biggrin: I am using Gas-X strips and walking when they wake me but since this is really putting a damper on my joy of being banded I thought I'd ask if any of you have experienced this and how you delt with it. My doctors office didn't have any advice other than what I'm doing so I thought I'd ask the people who might have first hand knowledge. I am miserable!:biggrin: Please help!

:thumbup: That is fantastic Becky! I am so glad to hear you are doing so well. I am so encouraged! Keep up the good work!

I Loooooove my Fitflops! I mean I love them. I have planter fascitis (sp?) and they have made it possible for me to walk. Period. Before getting my Fitflops I had so much pain in my heel I couldn't walk very far without being in excruciating pain. They have been a life saver. They are pricey but worth every penny! :laugh: