jms462001

I eat Chef Jay's Protein Puffs at night quite often.....9 grams of protein in half a bag and 99 cals , 18 gr protein in entire bag and 198 cals and low fat. I think they taste really good too!!

I believe the self pay part has been quite motivating for me!!!!

Mine bothered me the first 2 or 3 months with jeans, but it doesn't bother me at all now, not even if I wear tight jeans. So, perhaps it will stop for you too!! I can even press hard and feel nothing and I do modified crunches with no problems.

Some people do have good restriction right from surgery, but many don't and most don't by 3 or 4 weeks after. This is a time for healing, not weight loss. You must follow your Dr's instructions carefully so that you heal properly and do not cause any band problems. Fill up on protein shakes when allowed and eat as much as you are allowed of the foods allowed as they are added to your diet. Do not worry about losing weight now. You might even gain a few pounds before your first fill. You will lose lots of weight after you have healed and started getting fills so that you have restriction. Most Dr's do not do the first fill until you are 6 weeks post op. Congratulations to you and good luck in your weight loss!!

I'm doing fine. I've only had two fills and still don't feel ready for another. I'm down to losing 1 - 1 1/2 lb a week which is ok. I have gone through clothes way too fast and wasted quite a bit of money!! My appetite is small most days.

You should do fine!! Have fun!!

I'm glad you are having it checked out. You have had too many problems in a short period of time. I sure hope they figure it out and it's nothing serious. Do you feel ok up until dinner time? I have not had much appetite lately and have not been really eating as I should be which leaves me with not enough energy. I'm trying to do better! Good luck to you with the test!

198.8 on 4/27. Yeah!!!!!!!!!

You are probably really close, but still just a little too tight! Try taking just a small amt more out.

Oh, I have tried it among other tips I have read on the board!!

That's funny because I just ordered some online in size 13/14!!

I hit 200 4/24 and have not weighed since. I should hopefully be with you all very soon!! I am scared to get on in case it moved the wrong way!

Most people need more than one fill to feel any good restriction. Many say it's 4 or more. I was just lucky to have good restriction after 2, but the first was lg.

Are you taking the petites? I don't like those either, but they are much easier to swallow.

I think my very problem has been eating on top of being stuck and ignoring the first signs. That is why the few times it happened it was so severe with the "vomiting". I am learning fast now!!

I have never burped when I have had food stuck. I always have to go to extreme measures over the sink or toilet hitting my chest and gagging to get it up and it takes awhile to all come up. I'm thankful it doesn't happen very often!!

The change in altitude can cause the band to tighten I believe. It seems to effect some more than others. Traveling can be a problem if you get in an emergency situation where you might need an unfill and you are in a place with no medical facilities or in a country where they would have no clue what to do with a lapband such as where I was.

My Dr wanted me to have a complete unfill because of where I was going. I didn't want to do that for all of the obvious reasons including financial. So, he gave me the needle and syringe. I do not believe I would be able to give myself an unfill! He told me if I needed to go to a hospital there, to tell them to access the port like a mediport as it is just the same and everyone is familiar with that. And then they could probably help me. He showed me where he had just inserted the needle, etc.

I flew from AZ to New Orleans a couple weeks before the big trip with no problems. I really had no problems with the long trip to Africa. I flew Phx to Atlanta and then a 12.5 hr flight and I was fine. I am not sure how many cc's I have. I only have had 2 fills, the last one was mid Feb. I think I have around 5.5 in a 10 cc band. You should have no problems with that flight. Just stick to liquids while you are flying ust in case!

What are the complications that go along with it? I have read others say that, but never have said what all their complications are. Just curious.

If it's a bad one, meaning it takes a half hour or more and a lot of semi-vomiting (I don't call it PB, I call it vomit!!!), it's really important to go on liquids for a day because it causes inflammation and eating regularly too soon could cause damage. I slowly work up to regular food.

I have severe spinal disease needing a huge surgery along with severe arthritis in my knees (symptoms of that have improved already!). I cannot walk either without great pain and get little exercise, but still have had good weight loss results so far. Now that the knee pain has eased up I am able to ride an exercise bike and ai do that now along with my physical therapy exercises. You might try some water exercises if you can fin access. The weight will come off even if you cannot exercise much initially!!

I was also one of the lucky ones who had some restriction right up until my first fill 6 weeks after surgery. I never experienced the "bandster hell". It must be tough.

I never had a problem until after my second fill, but the prior advice is correct.......small bites and chew, chew, chew. Also, you will learn fast what foods you personally need to avoid. Good luck with your second fill!!

I actually only lost 4 pounds this last month as well. But, I don't think I want another fill because I don't eat that much and can get stuck easily if I'm not careful. I don't want any further problems eating. I still get satisfied on a small amt of food usually. There seem to be some days when I am super hungry. I had no problems eating on the airplane, I ate quite a bit, but was careful. I was fortunate to be upgraded to Business class for the 12 hour flight and was given lots of food. Of course I did not eat that much of it, but had no problems. I did seem to be slightly more restricted the day following flying. I ate fish often while there and did fine with it except the last time when it got stuck and I was a long time bringing it al up.....not fun!! I also got stuck on the crust of a meat pie. I had been eating the filling of them frequently and decided to try a couple bites of the crust.......big mistake!! Other than that, the band was not a problem and my emergency needle stayed put in my suitcase thank God!! I know you other two getting ready for vacation are excited!! I would just say not to get a fill just prior to leaving!