Melissannde

Actually, all doctors are different. I came out of surgery with 3cc's already in place and a friend came out with 4 in hers. I wouldn't say it's uncommon to have fill placed at surgery, it's just an option. stick to your post-op diet as best you can, it's to allow for healing and for the band to settle well in position before any adjustments (aka fills). Be aware that some folks have to get 2 or 3 adjustments before their appetite is dimmed. Best of luck to you.

I didnt have "stages" or phases of refeeding. Or if I did, the doctor didn't call them that. I have this cookbook which suggests the timing after surgery for each recipe: recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery: Delicious Dishes for Nourishing the New You by Margaret Furtado M.S. R.D. L.D.N. (Author), Lynette Schultz L.R.C.P. R.T. (Author) This one does about the same: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein Recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years After Surgery by Patt Levine (Author), Michele Bontmpo-Saray (Author), William B. Inabnet (Author), Meredith Urban-Skuros (Author) Both are on amazon.com Honestly, I used the one I have for a little bit, then went out to the internet and searched low calorie or low carb recipes and flew from there. Hope this is helpful.

I suspect it's a little of both, the fill and the reducing of processed carbs. Small fills sometimes work just as well or better than big ones. I've only had one that was 1cc, the rest were .5 or .2 and do what they're supposed to do.. dim my appetite so that I have better control over my choices. Congrats at getting a lessened appetite so early in the game.

I don't know how large your college is, but if it's a small one, could you go and talk to the instructor before signing up. Maybe that would help you make up your mind.

Well, I AM proud of my size 16 jeans. Coming from a 34/36 or 6X and not being able to find jeans at all... I don't mind wearing 16's in the least. I am heading towards smaller ones though. I say walk tall and be proud of any weight loss accomplishment.

Oh, ok. Now I understand. I didn't realize you were in the UK. Yes, it is not unknown for a Hiatal Hernia to develop either before or after banding. I hope you feel better soon.

@ AFMom: yes, I use 1/4 cup of the steelcut oats, and 1 cup of Water ( I suppose you could use milk or other liquids, but I've only done it with water). Put those in a bowl and then put that bowl inside my crockpot. Put the lid on the crockpot and turn it on low. Go to bed and 8 hours later (more or less) it's ready. The texture will be slightly different than oatmeal cooked in a pot, but I like it. If you leave it too long, the top will get a bit crusty, but I just stir it up and I'm ready to go. I add cinnamon, 1/2 of an apple, chopped or sometimes s/f applesauce, a tablespoon of chopped walnuts, a tablespoon of half/half or powdered milk and a dash of salt. @MaineJackie & JinTx: I don't believe you have to cook oatmeal if you let it soak long enough. I do prefer my oatmeal warm though. Cold stuff is difficult for me first thing in the morning. No reason that the "swiss oatmeal" couldn't be warmed up.

I'm not sure I understand why you can't have the hiatal hernia repaired?

I use Bob's Red Mill Steelcut oats frequently. I make mine overnight in a bowl which I set inside my crockpot . So easy, it comes out warm and only 1 bowl to clean. Since no one else in my family will eat it, this works for me. Your recipe sounds pretty good too. I have quinoa and we use it some, but haven't become huge fans. Oh well. Glad you like it.

The band isn't supposed to keep you from eating too much. The band is supposed to dim your hunger so that after eating your allotted portions, you are satisfied for a period of time.. anywhere from 3 to 5 hours. To the OP: I'd suggest taking your food diary in with you to your next appt. Show the doctor/nurse (whoever you see) what you are eating and how often. EVEN IF you are losing weight, if you are struggling with hunger, you need a fill. I understand, I had lost 20lbs at my first 6 week check, the nurse didn't want to fill me, but I told her I was really struggling and what I was doing to get through the times between meals and she gave in and gave me 1cc. That's been my largest fill ever. Even if they give you a tiny fill, they work and work well. The lapband.com site has an explanation of the yellow, green & red zones. If your doctor doesn't use that guide, maybe ask about it? Could even print it off and take it in if you're comfortable with that. Best of luck to you.

There's a thread with some examples posted already: http://www.lapbandta...-12-months-out/ I wish I could tell you what I ate over the weekend, but it is totally unrepresentative of my usual intake. You see, I ran in a race Saturday and then my dh and I took the opportunity to spend the night out of town and ate out a bunch. I didn't eat much at any one meal, but the things I ate weren't "normal" for me. Hopefully some others will be able to respond. Walking is great exercise. That's all the exercise I did to lose my first 100lbs. If the Zumba class you were taking is too vigorous, look for Zumba gold (low impact) or AquaZumba (Zumba done in the water). Hang in there!!

Oh.. and my surgeon did not require me to lose any at all before surgery. He said it would be good if I could, but didn't require it.

I started at 383. Today I'm 190. I've lost about 190 lbs and am on my way to a 200lb loss, and hope to lose about 220 or so. I ran a 5K on 3/19 and a 2 mile race on 3/26 (well, I ran some and walked some. October of 2010, I was only able to walk a 5K). IT IS VERY DOABLE!!! My BMI was over 60 when I started. I'm still obese according to my BMI, but BMI's are NOT adjusted for age or for athletes. Use the BMI as a guide, not an end-all/be-all attainment. My RHR (resting heart rate) is now 48. My body fat % is somewhere between 23 & 25. My bariatric surgeon is very happy with my progress and so are all my other docs (PCP, Oncologist). You can lose as much as you want with a band. If this is what you want and you prepare yourself mentally for this.. you can do it!!

Centrum Silver (no iron) comes in a pill and a chewable. How much calcium do they have you taking? I'm also post-menopausal and they want me taking 1500mg a day. I take 3 500 mg doses.. morning, noon, night.

Calcium & Iron interfere with each other.. reducing the absorption of the calcium (and maybe the iron too). Also our bodies can only handle about 500 mg of calcium at a time.. so if you're taking more than 500 at a time, whatever is over 500 is basically wasted. This is what we were told by a speaker from a bariatric Vitamin company. Holds true for any brand though. I'd heard it before from other sources (a nurse who is a bariatric coordinator with Baylor University). Also you can take Vitamin C with your iron to help it absorb. Just another little tip. Just verify with your surgeon/nurses to be sure. I'm only repeating what I've been told.

She wants to be able to try them on.

When I first started out I got mine at Catherines. They had some that zipped up. I even had to double bra for a while. http://catherines.lanebryant.com/intimates/bras/sports-leisure/4574c4575c4580/index.cat?Mrsaa=*&Mrsavf=Brand&Mrsavf=Size&Mrsavf=Color&Mpg=SEARCH%2BNAV&Mstor=5000&Mpos=1&Mpper=16&Mreft=1&Mrnam=Size&Mrval=44DD I'm not sure if these go up to a 44, but Walmart has one that is surprisingly good, and is even nice enough to wear for an everyday bra. It's by Danskin NOW and is a front hook. Darn, I just checked, it only goes up to a 40D. But I bet you'll be able to wear it soon. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Danskin-Now-Front-Close-Deep-Plunge-Sport-Bra/14506157 I understand. A year ago doing bootcamp I used to have to hold my arms over my chest while running in place. It gets better (if you keep up the exercise). I PROMISE.

If your vitamins have Iron in them, you may want to consider spacing your Vitamin & calcium intake at least 2 hours apart. And also you should be taking your calcium in divided doses throughout the day. We had a speaker come to our support group last month and these are a couple of things that they told us. If your doctor is telling you different.. go with what he/she said. But if they haven't, ask if you should space them out. I've always been told that iron will interfere with calcium absorption.

I was still sore at 6 weeks out when I had my first fill!! If it's hot to the touch, if you're running any kind of temperature, if the area is red, there might be a problem. Swelling could also possibly be a indication of something not quite right. Best thing would be to call your bariatric surgeons office and talk to one of the nurses. They know you and your history better than we do. ::smile:: More than likely you're just taking a while to heal, but call to make sure. Hope it resolves for you soon.

Examples? Breakfast (around 7am or so): 1 cup of steelcut oatmeal & 1 Turkey sausage link, OR 5.3 oz Dannon f/f greek yogurt, 1/4 cup Kashi Go-Lean High Protein Cereal & 2 T. blueberries, today it's probably a container of Carbmaster Yogurt (out of the greek), 1/4 cup Kashi & blueberries. Or I might just drink a 8.5oz carton of Muscle Milk light. Haven't decided yet. Still working on my coffee & Calcium right now. Yesterday midmorning: 1 scoop of Syntrax nectar in 16 oz of Powerade ZERO & 4 icecubes whirled in the blender. Drank half, saved other half for later. I drink this to help repair my muscles after my vigorous (90 minutes or more) workouts. I take my multi at this time. I never did drink the other half yesterday as I didn't go back to the gym as I had considered. So I will probably have that today. 1pm Lunch: 3oz baked salmon & 1/2 cup of leftover veggies (stirfry of various things, mainly greenbeans). Calcium. 5pm Snack: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the rest of the leftover veggies. I didn't measure, but there wasn't as much as at lunch. Usually I'll have some kind of protein (cheese stick, yogurt) as a snack.. just didn't this time. 8pm (yes, I ate late.. my bad): 3.5 oz of baked porkchop, 1/2 cup of stirfry (squash, mushrooms, onion, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, spinach). I stirfry with minute amounts of olive oil spray. Calcium.

My main meals are 3oz of Protein and 1/2 cup of veggies. I've been banded 2 years. I do eat more frequently than 3x a day come to think of it, but strive to stay around 1200 calories. I don't sweat it if I go over for a day or two or even 3, but start cracking down on myself after 3 days of indulgence. I know it seems like a tiny amount at the beginning, but as you go on, it really does become enough food.

Make sure your PS specializes in working with bariatric patients. I think the type of TT that Insurance will usually cover is called a Panniculectomy (removal of the "pannus" or "apron" of skin). It's not really a TT, but sometimes they can do a little tightening at the same time. I could be way off base though on the types of surgeries. No authority at all. Do get the rashes documented with your PCP or Gyn. That will help.

They work about the same. I don't personally know, as my doc only does the Lap-band, but I've heard that it requires a bit more fluid to reach the "green-zone" with the realize band. Other than that, seems to be a coin toss.

Oh.. the bodybugg is a good idea. Also consider a Polar Heart Rate Monitor or a Fitbit or BodyMedia. All good options to help you more accurately determine what you're burning.

Along with journaling your food intake, I'd suggest getting a food scale. I have one that's really meant for weighing packages, but I can put a plate on it, turn it on and it will zero out (tarn) and then whatever Protein I put on the plate, I know the weight. My doctor suggests 3oz of protein and 1/2 cup of veggies. 1/2 cup of veggies can weigh anywhere from 3 to 5oz, depending on it's density. If you don't want to use a scale.. 3oz of protein is about the size of a deck of cards (all 3 dimensions) or the palm of your hand. 1/2 cup of veggies is about the size of a tennis ball or a large serving spoonful (not restaurant size, but home). If Zumba isn't your thing, try walking, swimming, bike riding. Even hanging clothes on a clothesline is exercise. leave the clothes in a basket at one end and make yourself go back for each piece. Can't hang out clothes? Take things from the dryer one at a time and put away. Live where you use a Laundramat? Ok.. get the stuff to the apartment, leave the basket in the Living room and carry things one item at a time to the bedroom. I've been known to do lunges across my kitchen to put away silverware. Do squats or heel raises while on hold on the phone. Fidget. ANY movement will burn more calories. Or go back to Zumba and find an AquaZumba class.. or Zumba Gold (lower impact). Yoga is good, so is Pilates. It can take a while to find what works for you. I understand, I got overly enthusiastic a year ago and did too many bootcamps in a row and hurt my knee. Took a while for it to get better enough for me to do one again. You might benefit from finding a trainer who specializes in bariatric patients. Those people do exist. Here's one in San Antonio, TX (yes, I know you're not in TX) http://www.jk-fit.com/ Maybe they could help you find someone like that in your area. Hang in there.. it really should get better.