Cindy C

I'm sorry you've had so many problems. Good luck with the bypass.

It's perfectly normal to gain when you start back on solids. I gained 5 pounds then too. Your body is adjusting to all the changes. The weight loss will pick back up in a week or two.

Name, real or screen~Cindy Age~51 Weight on September 1st~176.4 Goal Weight for September 29th~170 Exercise Goal for September~Go to the gym more Dietary Goal for September~To not fall off the wagon Personal Goal for September~To excel in my phlebotomy course that starts 9/19 Date Banded~6/10/08 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~148

It's perfectly normal to be nervous about anesthesia, but rest assured that you will be in good hands. The OR team will be monitoring you every inch of the way. You'll be in recovery and awake before you know it. I understand the your need for control. I'm the same way. But, honestly, if you were in control of your life you wouldn't need WLS. Think of this as the first step in regaining that control!

How cool is that! WTG!

I learned that lessen the hard way too. Trust me, my episode was about 100 times worse than yours. I was outside in the blazing hot sun about 8 weeks after surgery waiting in line to get into Comerica Park for a Detroit Tigers' game. When they opened the gates, my son and I went to the restaurant where I chugged 2 great big glasses of ice water. I didn't order food but took a bite of one of his french fries. That's all it took. I sat there fighting it off for about 20 minutes when all of a sudden all that water, mixed with saliva, started coming back up. It looked like Old Faithful! It only takes happening once to know you never want it to happen again!

Not only is it not an easy recovery, its not a quick one either. It took me just as long to recover as it had taken to lose 100 pounds. But it was worth every bit of it to be rid of all that skin!

At 6 ft tall a healthy weight for you would be anywhere from 136 to 185. Since you have a large frame I would think toward the higher end would be better than the lower. I'm sure you'll figure it out when you get there.

Good questions and I will practice on you by answering them! The band is made out of bio-compatible materials and is designed to stay in the body without causing damage. The 3 most common causes are persistent overeating, persistent vomiting and carbonation. You can prevent it by avoiding those. It's not like organ transplant. The band is made of silicone so it is highly unlikely that the body would reject it. Good luck with your surgery next week.

It's true, all doctors are different. My doctor's theory (did I mention I LOVE my doctor?) is "You know your body better than I do." If I want a fill I get a fill...and HE asks ME how much? When I tell him, he sometimes questions me or even argues with me. Sometimes we compromise but I always have the final say! This is not something new...he's been that way since day one! Once, early on, I went for a fill and had lost 10 pounds that month. He gave it to me and said, "When you come back next month if you've lost that much again I'm not going to give you a fill." I laughed and said, "Yea, we'll see!" I came back the next month having lost 8 and he gave me a fill!

Wow, you've already lost 33 pounds without restriction. Good job. Keep doing what you're doing. Relax and be patient....restriction will come soon enough. It's a process. You need to build it up gradually.

Set your goal ant whatever YOU think it should be. You can always change your mind...and your ticker!

Instead of hamburger in your sauce add diced in season veggies....zucchini, summer squash, green peppers, onions, mushrooms. Replace the noodles with thinly sliced eggplant and use ricotta instead of mozzarella.

IMHO, all of the premixed protein shakes are nasty! I mix Carnation Instant Breakfast with skim milk and a scoop of Muscle Milk protein powder.

Oh, Honey....you are too tight! That is a classic sign and not something you want to mess with! Over time, if left untreated, esophageal erosion will wear away the walls of your esophagus which could cost you your band or worse! Go get a slight unfill!

Tomorrow morning I'm attending my surgeon's seminar to speak to potential patients and answer any questions they may have. Although I've done this several times, I would like some input from newbies (and old timers too). What did you not ask that you wish you had? What do you wish you had known before your surgery? Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

I can't believe I'm about to say this.....Your husband is right!

I agree with Jen. I was on clear liquids for 2 weeks with the exceptions of protein shakes, milk and lumpfree yogurt. He said that protein was imperative to proper healing.

I didn't need a current PAP!

Whatever you can tolerate should be fine. Just don't chug! I did and it came right back up.....looked like old faithful! LOL!

You may not feel it in your chest but it IS reflux. That's not something you want to mess around with. Youn should go get a little fill removed for a couple weeks. You've probably got some swelling going on.

All I can say to that is....FAR OUT, MAN!! Congrats! You're doing great!

Are you serious? The OP is 19 years old and living with her parents. I think we can safely assume that it is their house and not hers. She has no right to dictate what they bring into it. Her parents would not be doing her any favors by shielding her from temptations. She needs to learn to deal with them on her own. If Mom and Dad are eating something she finds difficult to stay away from then she needs to go out or stay in another room.

It really shouldn't be heartburn. You're on a liquid diet so I'm assuming you haven't been eating anything that would cause it. Try sleeping with more pillows and see if that helps. You might also want to call the doctor.

How's your restriction? Maybe a fill is in order. I still drink protein shakes but not as much as I used to. Maybe about 3 or 4 a week. In the beginning it was 2 a day.