LapBandit

I agree...you need to get on the bandwagon ASAP. My diet was low carb, low fat and no sugar. Those three things are what I was told for my liver-shrinking! The whole liver thing is important because it will make the surgery easier on the doc and your own recovery. Good luck...you can do it.

I had the same advice from my doc. I was cleared for normal physical activity at one week post-op. But...I'm not your doctor so maybe you could talk to him/her and see if it's OK?

I got hives too and freaked out thinking "my body is rejecting my band" but it was a normal allergy. The doctor said the band is made of a material which the body would not reject or consider "foreign" so the chance that you are reacting to the band is very, very slim. Some of us just get hives...it happens to me quite easily for some reason. I was told by a doctor one time that I just have a hyper-sensitive immune system which reacts very strongly to things I'm allergic to and so my body just freaks out when I come into contact with something it doesn't like. Weird.

Yep, my bet is Ketosis. I had the same thing happen as well as many other bandsters. It should pass once he is eating a more normal diet again. Early on we are so focused on protein intake that it's easy to not get enough carbs which throws us into Ketosis and Ketosis is notorious for causing bad breath! Either way, get him some sugar-free breath mints and mouth wash and the dragon breath should calm down soon!! Good luck!

OH BOY...quite an exciting day for me. First the good news...I had made a promise to myself about 12 weeks ago to complete the local Walk America challenge that my company always participates in. For the past 7 years I have participated by volunteering at a checkpoint table and handing out water to the walkers but not this year! I decided that I was gonna complete that 7 mile route if it killed me. I DID IT! And, I did great and felt great! I completed my first-ever physical challenge today and I'm really proud of myself. I just wanted to share! Now the non-happy events for today...ugh...I'm a tad bit worried that I might have hurt my band today. My breakfast got totally stuck and I PB'ed/Slimed/Vomitted pretty badly. Then I went to the walk and afterwards was hungry so I came home and made some lunch but it got stuck too and was even more violent than in the morning. I have never had such pain and slimed so bad in my whole banded life. Now, my belly feels sore, my chest feels sore and I am scared to eat real food for awhile. I did have some cream of wheat for dinner and it went down OK but jeez louise...I really had a bad band-day today. I'm gonna do liquids and very soft foods on Sunday too and maybe test regular food for dinner Sunday night. If the same thing happens again I'm scared it means I've hurt my band because this is definately not normal for me. I've PB'ed etc. a few times before but nothing like this and I've never had actual discomfort lasting hours from it before. Have you? Should I be worried? Thanks ahead of time for any input!

That is SOOOOO ridiculous!! My BMI was like 56 and my surgery went great and now my BMI is under 30 in a year. That's so not fair for them to do this because the whole point of WLS is to help us get out of the 50's and into healthier BMI's!!! I'm sorry you're going through this but hang in there and it'll happen for you.

Hi Donna, I'm sorry you're feeling this way. Have you considered talking to a therapist? Losing a lot of weight can really play games with your mind and it's OK to need help sorting them out. I am scared for you because you mention that you vomit after most meals. Being a senior bandster...you already know that this is really not healthy. Who says you won't lose those last 20 lbs if you get a slight unfill...I think you can do it. Plus, keeping your band too tight cannot be very pleasant. Just consider it...what happens if you lose your band altogether because of damage from too much vomiting? Isn't it worth it to lose that last little bit maybe a tad slower from a less-restricted band versus losing the band and having nothing to help you? Just a thought. At any rate, I'm glad you posted and hope you'll continue to let us know how you're feeling!

OK...I better NOT get a bad rep or I'll have to kick some butt! (Just kidding...trying to see if anyone will give me a bad grade!) That's weird...I wonder what happens if you get a good score...free fills for a year??!! That would be SWEET! If you get a bad score maybe you have to go to LBT jail where they post a pic of you with bars over it along the side underneath the ads!! Too funny!

oh yeah...count me in!! I've got about 8 lbs to go. I cannot wait but my darn body is fighting me all the way. Probably because it knows that it hasn't been in Onderland since about Jr. High!!!!

Same here. Stress affects your entire life, including your band. You'll just have to find a way to relax...take a walk outside or read a magazine...something. You talk about dry heaving...I'm not trying to make you feel worse but that is not good for your band at all. So, hang in there and keep repeating "I think I can...I think I can"!! You'll get through this!

That's my first thought...you might be eating too quickly. They say it takes 20 minutes for our brains to sense that we've eaten so that's why it is usually suggested to spend about that time during each meal. Kudos on stopping before your feel full though!! That's a trick I'm still working on!

I chug all the time...but only if it doesn't hurt. Now, eating like this is BAD but water goes right through so I don't worry about it.

I agree. It is not normal to be PB'ing and Sliming all the time. Usually this is a symptom of being too tight. I have had both of these happen to me a few times but each time it was totally my fault...didn't follow the rules! So, just like edieparks said...once you learn for yourself what you can handle then you should be fine. It is a learning curve at first so I experimented with new foods by eating extra slowly until I could see how they would work for me. But in general...I have no problems with food and only PB or slime if I've made a sloppy mistake!

Oh, I threw up. It hurt like heck too because that band does not like to let things come up from the bottom part of the belly! Now...we are supposed to try really hard to not throw up. I guess because it is pretty hard to do and it's not good for our bands. So, they always suggest taking anti-naseau meds or calling if you suspect you've got a stomach bug. In my case, it hit me all of a sudden and I wasn't prepared for it. So, knowing that it was hard on my band I just did my best to relax so that I wasn't making things any more violent than they naturally had to be. I made out OK and once I barfed I immediately felt better. If I had continued to feel badly I would have definately called my doc for the meds. I hope my gross story helped!

Come on Libra...share some pics we're ready to celebrate with ya! Good job everyone. I'm sorry to report...I seem to be in a rut. I'm doing my best to kick it into gear. But, for some reason I am just hungry ALL THE TIME. I have never had good restriction so I can't blame that. I'm used to not being restricted. So, I'm wondering...do you think our metabolisms can get out-of-whack? That's what it feels like. I feel like my body is just screaming for food and I can't explain why. What do you guys think? Ever gone through something similar?

Just as the old saying goes "the sqeaky wheel gets the oil" the same goes for the stories of complications...they stick in our minds because they're not the norm. Yes, some have had problems and I don't envy them. But, I'd venture to say the majority of us have not experienced any sort of complication of any real severity. So, please don't be scared. Take in the information and use it to keep aware of the issues possible, but keep it in perspective. If you feel good then that's all that matters and then offer support to those who may be struggling. That's what I try to do.

Well, I don't have children so I can't offer any "parental" advice; however, obviously it's up to you if you even explain that you're having surgery. As far as explaining what you're eating...are you sure they'll even notice that it's different? Now the pre-op and post-op diets will be drastically different but it's for a short time but later on when you're back to regular food...well, I'm not sure it'll look "odd" to them. You'll still be eating regular food just in normal to small portions. So, if you decide to talk to them about it, which I think is very sweet. I'd suggest telling them that your health is important to you and you are going to start making sure you are eating good, healthy food so that you can be the best mommy possible!

Super yuck on the new board. The ads on the side are really distracting. But, I guess I can't complain about a free board which has provided me with a whole year of support and inspiration! But...still...ewww! Libra-I am SOOO proud of you! What an accomplishment! 90lbs is incredible! I'm really happy for you! Did you notice all the stars by our thread?! We're special!

You seem like a nice sister for wanting to help. My suggestion...talk to her. Ask her what she would like you to have in the fridge or offer to go grocery shopping together when she arrives. As far as helping her stay on track during the visit...I know from my experience that social eating is my biggest hurdle still. When I'm off my routine and in a new environment I tend to forget the rules and get off track. So, again just talk with her. Otherwise, maybe plan some healthy Snacks to have around the house like fruit, lowfat cottage cheese, sugar free popsicles or sugar free fudgesicles and other stuff like that. I don't know about your sister, but my philosophy has always been that I didn't want people to change their lives due to my problem. So, I would feel bad if someone didn't have any "junk food" around just because of me; however, I do appreciate it when someone takes a little care to try to have some healthier alternatives available for me. It shows they care. Good luck with the visit!

JULY 4th CHALLENGE!!! Week zero of 11 Name...................Starting…...…..Current….…..Goal…....To Go losingjusme....................317.25................317.25.............295.............22.25 tann................................257.....................257.................232.............25 juliegeraci......................232......................232..................220.............12 Josette............................340.....................340................ ..315.............25 Inner_me........................306.....................306...................280.............26 Elisabethsew..................276.....................276...................250.............26 Waterlily1072................278.....................278..................252..............26 Libra..............................230......................230...................205............25 Lapbandit……………..208……………..208…………...185……….23 OK-I'm in. I tried to pick a goal that I might actually hit this time! I'm gonna try like heck to get there! I was short by about 9 lbs on the tax day challenge! As far as when to check in...as usual, we can check in whenever we like but perhaps the "official" day can be Wednesdays as our Fourth of July challenge will end on a Wednesday. I can handle that and will probably continue to check in weekly.

Yep, I had hiccups during my recovery and I still get them occasionally if I eat too quickly. Luckily they haven't really hurt...just annoying!

I like EAS CarbAdvantage shakes. They are ready-to-drink and taste pretty good to me. Hang in there...you can do it! Just think how proud you'll be of yourself for getting through it!

http://www.prevention.com/article/0,5778,s1-2-87-15-3841-1,00.html This is the site I borrowed the animation from. Hope that helps!

I have started doing an exercise which appears to be helping the ol' bat wings. How can I describe it?? I found an animation on the web...hopefully it works...if not, let me know. But here's the description: Overhead Triceps Extension on a Ball Grasp the ends of a dumbbell with both hands and sit on an inflated exercise ball (the edge of a chair will work if no ball is available). Keep your abs tight so you don't arch your back. Lift the weight over your head, positioning your elbows near your ears.

Exercise was HARD for me at 392. But, I started out slowly and aimed for 3 sessions a week. Guess what?! I grew to like it...not love it, but like it. It helps relieve stress and I love the endorphin rush. So, to answer your question....YES...I honestly believe I wouldn't have lost half as much as I have if I hadn't been exercising throughout. Plus, strength training has helped me shape up. If I had just lost weight without the exercise, I'd be a floppier, yet smaller version of the same 396 pounder! But because I've toned some muscle I am physically smaller. My collar bones show and my arm and leg muscles are starting to appear!