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- GLP-1 medication Zepbound, Wegovy, access, side effects, progress, and support.
- Before surgery Compare procedures, plan ahead, and get honest pre-op answers.
- Post-op Recovery, food stages, symptoms, and support.
- Long-term Regain, labs, habits, and life after the honeymoon.
- Revision Explore revision options, complications, and next steps.
Everything posted by 54Shirley
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has anyone brought food with them to fills?
NO ! You will be swollen anyway from him working with the band. So. rule is 3days liquid, 1day mushies, then try food. You don't want to swell up from that egg. Shirley.
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Milkshake vs protein shake
She's to tight ! She should be drinking Protein Shakes anyway... Now your getting a chance to see what being to tight is. Remember that ! If it happens to you. You can go in and get some fluid taken out of the band. Once the swelling has gone down, your Dr. can add a little more back.
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I wish I had kept my lapband a secret.....
The first time around, I told everyone. That was a big Mistake. I was Judged, told things like don't you have control, You can do it if you want,Just skip meals or don't you have any willpower? I heard them all. We were instructed to spread the word. Now I know why? It drummed up business for him, but ripped me down to the ground. I never heard congrats ! That took nerves to do. So when I got refilled again this year, my lips are sealed ! I still don't think Society is ready for selective surgery. Even face lifts are still criticised.
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Help! Need to Understand
Try the Lipton cup of soup CREAM OF CHICKEN. There's no vegetables, it is the same as a broth. If you think it's to heavy, thin it out with more water. You can't hurt your band at this point on fluids. Because everything is going threw you. That's why you're starving. I know. I have been there and done it to. That was the advice given to me. If you make it according to directions, and don't thin it out,. It will help kill the hunger.
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Do I have a leak?
When they draw mine out, they tell me to sit up a little, and it comes out. They thought I had a leak, Fluoroscope should that I did not. but ! They put in a adhesive, so that if there was a leak it would be plugged. No Problem At ALL ! I too when I lose weight, start to lose restriction. So I go in for just a tweak, and it makes the difference. Good Health to you, Shirley.
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What are the advantages/disadvangtages of being banded
mist: I really am sorry to hear that you are where I have been. The only thing that I can tell you, (AND THIS IS THE TRUTH.) Is that it was not the band that was bad, it was the after care, that screwed the whole thing up. I know you don't believe it????? But it is true ! I went through the Humidity problems with not being able to swallow, waking up, and for who knows why? not being able to swallow. I have even choked on Water... When the surgeon over filled me, he told me he blew the band, so he deflated me. He wouldn't have anything to do with me at all. I finally got laid off ,and got a appointment to see him. By this time I already regained around 40lbs., and he instructed his student to throw me out! Was I P8ISSED OFF... Come back when you can control yourself, and then we will talk about a fill. Now ! no Insurance at all, and a blown band, and no help at all. Just this year I found a Dr. to take care of my needs, or take the D*mn thing out. In the Hospital, under fluoroscopy they told me the band looked Great ! Just a little 4cc band. They wanted to put in 2.5cc's in, and I told them that 2cc's was were I couldn't swallow spit. THE RED ZONE. They said leave it up to us, and we will take care of it. I said o.k., but if it don't work,,,, it's coming out. They agreed ! I was totally fine? I couldn't believe this? How was this possible? Well he was putting in more then he said,,,, and in a new band ! it messed everything up. Swollen all the time, feeling sick, feeling like someone grabbed me by the throat, and was squeezing me, like a Death Grip 24/7 it never stopped.! ! ! I wanted this Piece of garbage taken out ! Now that I know it was the surgeons bad aftercare, and I watched to see the weight loss with this band since January. I'm glad it's in. I have lost 60lbs. banded. I only lost around 20-25 with the band threw him. 12 month diet over 120lbs. so 145 total loss..., but almost all gained back.. So my weight loss now has nothing to do with a pre surgical diet. It's straight loss from 800-1200 calories a day. I'll take what I can get. What I'm saying is it's almost to true to be possible but,,,,, it could be from the aftercare. Why don't you try someone new, and see if they can put things on the straight and narrow for you. I know the band is not for everyone, but it is very easy to work with. You already know the ups, and downs, same as I do. If they can get you feeling well with good aftercare,, this is a snap. I know I am not wrong about this,, or I wouldn't even bother to wright about this. Do yourself a favor and see someone else. They might deflate you, then under fluoroscope find your fill level, and just fill you up to it. Good Health to you, Shirley.
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Incision Healing?
He said just leave it alone ! They will all fall of at different times. So,, some areas look lose or open, They will close. What ever I still had left on, he took of. I to was worried, but he said your fine !, and it was...
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When do you think I will be in a size 14?
Don.t be frustrated,,, be glad that you are on your way to losing weight. I know I am. Right now I am wearing a 2x in Capri's (ALL SIZES FIT DIFFERENT YA KNOW.) Most of them are getting real baggy in the butt. So, when I get some smaller cloths. I will list these on our clothing exchange site. They are in nice shape, but I will be glad to see them go.
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Fill every two months?
.....
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Recommendations for am ELECTRONIC SCALE?
Find out how high up they go in weight before you invest. You don't want it to break at say 300lbs. That's why I didn't invest. My surgeon explained that they are all basically junk, everyone's scale is different. So there's is regulated often, and for me now that looks like the best way to go. Plus I don't drive myself CRAZY !
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What are the advantages/disadvangtages of being banded
Getting stuck is when you swallow something to big, and it gets stuck in the pouch. You have to get that out, it is very uncomfortable, and this is what the band teaches you. To eat properly so you don't get stuck. Being stuck can last a few minutes, or longer. . You are still hungry with the band until you start getting fills, 2 or 3 or more. Depends on your Dr., and how big of a fill you get for starts. Once you get to your comfort zone, it kills your appetite, So now when you do eat, you will only eat less because you will fill up a lot faster, then it's just time before you really start to see a big difference in the mirror, or your cloths size. Foods depend on you and your band, everyone is different. I don't eat bread. It's to dry. I do eat chicken, steak, pork, fish, Chicken salad, tuna salad etc. . Basically what I want that is high in Protein, and what I feel like eating. I don't have much of a appetite, so,,, I don't worry about food that much. I don't have to. But Soups, Burgers (TURKEY TOO), Hot Dogs, cheese, Protein shakes. I always like to try something new to
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What are the advantages/disadvangtages of being banded
That's not all true at all. I'm not in a P*ss*ng contest, and I have went through a lot myself. But in the long run it was worth it. I eat at Restaurants a couple times a week. Their is no Problem at all. I just have to read the menu, and see what I can have. Also I was given a Bariatric Card, and I am to show that to a Restaurant. They have to (BY LAW) Honor that card, give me what I ask for because I can only eat so much, then charge me reasonably for the lesser amount. So,,I show my card and save. As far as getting filled all the way to your band level is wrong ! You should be in the RED ZONE long before that happens ! If it's not working that way for you, you should see someone, or someone else. I'm not a Dr. at all... I will be banded 5yrs this October. It was rough the first time, and now with the Fluoroscope fill, and specialist doing this, it's accurate. Something to think about. Good Health to you, Shirley.
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Recommendations for am ELECTRONIC SCALE?
I just look at the body scale. Now that would interest me. Otherwise I refuse to bother, to many different readings from the Overseas junks! So, I stick with the Dr.'s Scale. I will keep my eye on this though, and see if it's worth it.
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What are the advantages/disadvangtages of being banded
I was always Extremely Hungry, I had done my share of dieting, and working out. I use to run, then my knees starting hurting allot and they were able to look at the x rays, told me I was a runner because the bones were flattened out. They were shot. So I would need new knees. I would have to lose weight though. I had the band done at Henry Ford Bariatric Center in Detroit. I lost 145 lbs. threw the process, then the Dr. overfilled me, and he thought he blew the band, so he deflated it, never to inflate it again. 3yrs. later I finally found a student of his, in the area where I now live. Now as a Dr. he told me he will take care of me, and it's been GREAT ! They filled me under Fluoroscope, and took me wright to my fill line. 90 days later, just a slight tweaking of it. So since January I have lost 60 lbs.. I am not HUNGRY ALL THE TIME !, I average between 800-1200 cal. a day. I plan on going a lot further trust me. Pros and Cons It's some time getting use to it once it is filled, you have to learn to take small peaces, chew until it's mush, and understand that eating is going to take you more time then anyone you are with. When your band is filled, and you learn to drink Protein shakes. You will find it kills the Hunger Beast. The Band is made to teach you the proper way of eating. If you don't pay it any mind and get caught ! You will get stuck, and find yourself throwing up to try to get it up. Then you will remain swollen for possibly a few days. Which means liquids. If you use your band the correct way, it's a breeze ! BUT !!!!! You have to eat the proper foods High in Protein, and Low in Carb. also,,, you must get some kind of exercise. They work hand in hand. Soon your weight will come off, and you will lose inches, then your cloths sizes start dropping. Find a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE, and look for THE CHIEF BARIATRIC SURGEON, then you know you have the best, and your band will be put in properly. you don't need a problem with Slippage, or anything. You just want success. Hope this helps, Shirley.
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Fill every two months?
If interested: Google Fill Center U.S.A..... You will have to enter your zip code, and it will tell you where the closest fill center is to you. You go when you feel like you need it. This is the only fill center that I know of, besides your Dr...
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When will my swollen tummy go down
Give it some time... That all depends on you, and what your surgeon did. A lot of Gas in the Abdomen can take some time, but it will go down. Are you walking to help move that Gas that they put in you? You should be, otherwise it can get firm. This way you move it throughout your system.
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Should I start over?
Congrats ! and Good Luck threw the Process. Let us know what you decide O.K... Shirley.
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am i infected?
I have seen worst ! ! ! It doesn't look all that bad, It's pink, and not Red. No Drainage at all or smell. ? If it is in the bend of your waistline, it could take a while to heel. Every time you bend, it cracks open,and does not heel. That;s the best I can tell you, No Oder, Not Hot, No thumping, and No Drainage. If that's all in check,, your good to go to see your Dr... If you have a persistent problem, then see your Dr. Quick.
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After nearly 4 years, I want to quit
Yep ! Me too.... Two fills, and I'm good to go. I did it the OLD WAY before ! I'll take Fluoroscopy any day. It's the only way to go.... Good Health to you, Shirley.
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Too soon for protein shakes?
You are Newly, and Freshly Banded. I wouldn't use a straw, until you check with your Dr..
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Problems with the Midband
I have never even heard of this.... This one is new to me.. Banded at Henry Ford Hospital Detroit. Then fixed at Hurley Bariatric Center in Flint, Michigan.
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Too soon for protein shakes?
Remember ! Don't use a straw...
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Getting Stuck!
I hear you, and I finally feel the same way. It took me almost 4 1/2 years to get hear. (PLEASE DON'T ASK WHY !) But I have finally arrived... Now this should be a lot easier, then all that struggling before. Congrats to you !
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Too soon for protein shakes?
To this day I still drink MUSCLE MILK LIGHT lots of flavors(BUT I THINK THEIR chocolate IS LOUSEY.) It still kills the Hunger Beast. So I still highly recommend it. Google MUSCLE MILK LIGHT, you should see some jugs of it on the screen. That site I think is the cheapest..
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Too soon for protein shakes?
Yep ! It should be drank... Take it easy, and enjoy.