Hel

I hope things start to get better for you. My band came out 3/15. I (fortunately) can only eat small portions, at least for now. Overeating still makes me sick, and I was very surprised that I can't do carbonated drinks--soda makes me vomit- a great deterrent, although I wasn't ever a big soda drinker anyway. I also still have shoulder pain, it's driving me crazy. I haven't been able to find a whole lot of information on life AFTER the band around the internet. I still find the best information right here.

I had a band slip, which caused severe chest and shoulder pain. I had the band removed 3/15, and while the chest pain was gone right after surgery, the shoulder pain is just now getting better. I didn't have it the whole time with the band, only at the time of the slip. Hopefully, it's on the way out for good, because it has made these past couple weeks miserable. Hope your pain can be resolved.

just wanted to say thanks for this post.. I am starting to get over a major cold, and couldn't keep any food down for a couple days. I was going to schedule an unfill, but came here first to see if this was an issue for anyone else. I picked up some Mucinex and it sure did help. I know not everyone with this problem will find Mucinex a 'quick fix' (especially if you really DO need an unfill), but wanted to say it can be a great help for a temporary mucous problem (like a cold). :smile2:

I am 8 months out too, and I am still losing a significant amount of hair. It is becoming noticeable to others. Like you, I get enough protein, take the biotin and multi-Vitamins too. I have been using Nioxin for about 4 months, the only thing it does is make my hair frizzy, no real improvement. I hadn't really been stressing about it either (since I know that's not helping any) but I am becoming concerned. It seems to have slowed a tiny bit, but it's still coming out and no new growth is coming in yet. I hope things change for the better soon! Please keep us posted. :smile:

The Wii balance board can actually support over 600 pounds. However, as has been said, it won't let you 'play' if you are over the 330 limit. I found this on a Nintendo discussion board when I was researching this a while back: I think that the 650 lbs max weight is an impact issue anyway. While NOA or its parent company may say that it can support that much weight, perhaps they really mean that that is the maximum moment of weight it can support, which is not the sustained limit. (ie. merely standing on the board, as opposed to walking up and down upon it). When you stand all of your weight is exerted across the surface area of both feet, but when you walk, not only must one foot bear all of the weight but there is an increase which results from the moment of contact. If I recall correctly the total weight on one foot when you walk is about 1.5 times your normal weight -- So for me, 320 lbs over both feet (160 lbs/per foot) becomes 480 lbs over the surface area of one foot. Vigorous activity such as running or jumping can increase that multiplier to as much as 4 times -- That would be greater than 1/2 ton across the surface area of the bottom of my size 13 foot on top of the Wii Fit Balance Board. Wii Fit Weight Limit increase - Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus - Nintendo's Tech Support Forums More on the Wii board: Wii Balance Board - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is about where I'm at now too, although I think it's beginning to slow down. My surgeon said it's usually grown back or well on its way by a year. Fingers crossed.

Hi, I'm Helen and I'm a scale whore too! Every morning, that's how I start my day. Now that I'm several months out I know the general trends, and am just aware if the numbers go too far in either direction. I don't think I could stick to once a week, at least not now. maybe a 12 step program is in order. :biggrin:

When I went, Dr. Acosta did the seminar; however, Dr. Lara is my surgeon. I had my surgery 6/2009. I think he's great, a little straightforward, but that's exactly what I wanted. The office staff is good too, although a couple times it's taken a couple calls to get things done. The one complaint I have is the wait time, it usually takes a couple hours of waiting before I am seen for a fill. I have a 2 hour drive (Alamogordo) home so it's kind of frustrating. Please feel free to ask any specific question you might have, not sure what you'd like to know. Where is the seminar at -- I had to go to Las Cruces, but now they have started one in Alamogordo (just a year too late! LOL)

I'm at 7 months out, and I'm still losing more than a usual amount of hair. I've been told that I should notice it slowing down (I haven't yet) and that by a year I'll notice it's back to where it should be. There are so many theories as to why it happens, it could be any/all/none of them. I can notice how much thinner my hair is, and a few other people have (but it was very thick to begin with) as well. I get my protein, take biotin and use nioxin hair products, but none of it is really helping. Everyone is different and you may not have any problem at all (and one of my nurses pointed out that STRESSING won't help one bit). I'm so happy with my weight loss (105 lbs) that I can live with the hair loss, especially knowing it's coming back eventually. If it happens to you at all, it's not going to all fall out, and it WILL come back

Great questions! :smile2: 1. Would you do it over again? Absolutely. I've lost 105 lbs since June '09, I am very happy with my results so far. 2. How long post-op until you feel normal again? Do you ever "forget" you had the surgery done? I was back at work a week after surgery, took another week or so to feel 'normal' again. I generally forget about the surgery except mealtimes. 3. Are there any foods you CAN'T eat post-op? )I heard veggie and fruit skins, pastas, popcorn?) I can't eat potato skins (didn't even think about it, went to Applebees and got the steamed potatoes w/dinner, and, well, lesson learned. Guess even at mealtimes you can forget about the surgery!) 4. Do I need to give up coffee and soda? You will want to check with your surgeon on that one. I wasn't much of a soda drinker, but I do love my coffee, and drink it regularly now. 5. Do you deal with heartburn or reflux regularly? I'm fortunate in that I have never had any problem with this. 6. Can you have this surgery and NOT tell your whole family, friends, and co-workers? I'm sure you can, but I'm also sure they'll all be asking how you're losing the weight. I told everyone, and they are supportive. i don't have to explain why I can't eat this or that, or the portion size, they understand and even ask questions about the surgery so I get to educate people about it as well. 7. How is it you DONT lose weight immediately after surgery? I started losing weight right away, but everyone is different and everyone's body reacts a little differently to the surgery. You need time to recover and adjust, and that can take a little time. 8. What type of band do you have and are there any differences in the manufacturers? I have a Lap-Band, you and your surgeon should decide which is best for you. 9. No liquids with meals, whatsoever? That's a tough one for me, I try really hard but sometimes I do have Water closer to meals than I should. 10. Post op diet consisted of? Clear liquids til I got home from the hospital, full liquids for a week, then mushies until the surgeon said I could have pretty much anything. I haven't tried Pasta or rice or popcorn, but I probably will eventually. 11. Anyone have a doctor they can recommend in the LA, Ventura area? I'm no help there, but good luck finding the right surgeon, and best wishes on your weight loss journey.

The pre-op diet really varies, I didn't have any restrictions/diet until the day before suregery. Then it was liquids for the rest of the day, nothing after midnight except a sip of water for meds in the a.m. I checked in the hopital at 5:30 am, stayed overnight and went home the next afternoon around 3. That varies too, you'll probably find out more when you see the nutritionist. :thumbup:

Hey Jason-- you are still doing great and will hit that 100# soon, I know you will. Have a great trip, enjoy seeing your family and take lots of pictures :bored:

Hi! I am Tricare prime, and was initially referred to Beaumont--but they knew I wouldn't be going there because of the wait. I got a referral to a civilian surgeon (Dr. Lara in El Paso) who did my surgery. It worked out well for me. Maybe you can get a referral as well?

That's great! I am SOOOOO looking forward to being where you are. I also had surgery 6/9. My first fill was 7/31 2cc, which did nothing. Second fill 8/28 1cc which is not feeling any different. My surgeon said next fill will be 0.5 or 1cc depending on how I'm doing. (I'm losing weight fine, but it's willpower so far!). It's a little frustrating to not have restriction yet. I know, I'll get there and waiting really is the hardest part. At .5 cc/fill, it could take a while to get there. Maybe that's what I'll tell Santa I want for Christmas. :wub:

WithTricare Prime I didn't have to pay for anything; my (civilian) surgeon's office has their own dietician and the psych eval was covered 100%. All I needed were the referrals.