marfar7

I physically CAN'T drink while eating - I'll throw it all back up immediately. I drink right up to the point of eating and always wait at least 45 minutes to an hour (or whenever I feel that the food is lower) to drink. I've had this since I've had restriction 5 mths after getting the band (I'm 2 1/2 yrs into it). Now, I can sip coffee or hot liquids while eating but not enuf to even count it as drinking. But the first time I tried to wash down my salad with diet coke (I know, also a no no but I drink it occasionally) - out it came ijmmediately in the public restroom. Good luck! Marci

My husband asks me from the time I take my first bite "are you full yet". I know it's because he wants to finish whatever I'm eating! He also watches for signs of me getting sick. I get kind of tired of it too. Hang in there, it's got to get better! Marci

Im 5'5" and my initial goal by my doc was 150. The more i lost tho the lower my goal got. 2nd goal for myself was 140. I now weigh 147it and my newest goal is 135. I cant imagine my life without having some weight to lose. So when i eventually get to my goal (which is the hardest 12 lbs I've ever lost) i wont know what to do. My husband thinks that I'm at the weight I'm sposed to be, that its the reason i cant seem to lose anmore. I still wear an xl on the top and i would be much more comfy in a large. I now wear sz 7/8 in pants tho. I've never in my life fit into single digits. I think i went straight from "pretty plus" sizes straight to the "fat lady section"

I'm 2 1/2 yrs post op and have recently begun having acid reflux also. About 5 mths ago, I started nite coughing really bad. I found that if I sleep comfortably on my side (like I normally sleep) I wake up with my pillow all full of **** (sorry if tmi) and tasting acid in my mouth. I lie on my back while propped up with 3 pillows. I also take OTC Zantac and prescription Nexium. IT helps some but it doesn't totally alleviate it. I have a dr's appt this Monday for a barium swallow to see if my band is too tight (I don't think it is) and have Fluid taken out if neccessary. So yes, there's others with this problem. It's called GERD (Gastro esophageal reflux disorder) and my dr told me that eventually it can erode the esophagus so much that it may cause cancer. I need to good nites sleep without all the pain, spitting up, and acid taste in my mouth so I'm willing to take some fluid out if neccessary. Hope you get some reflief soon. It totally sucks! Marci

I make 2 kids of spaghetti at my house: One normal for me and one without noodles for my lo-carbing-it husband. He just likes a plate of sauce with meat, mushrooms, and peppers with parmesan on top. I like it with noodles. I can't eat but maybe 5 bites of it - but it helps the Pasta cravings! If I were you, I'd try it before I resigned myself to not eating it forever. I can eat almost anything (sans pizza crust) if I take small bites and chew it very well. Good luck! Marci

I was diagnosed with NASH about 10 yrs ago after my liver panels kept coming out really high. Had a ct scan done and was diagnosed. I never had any other problems with it. Since I lost over 100 lbs, I've gotten rid of the NASH, hypertension, and severe depression. Thank God for my band! Marci

Here's some hope for u: I got my band 2 1/2 yrs ago Nd the first 5time mths (till my 3rdlast fill) I lost about 5the lbs. I could eat like I could before the band. After the 3rd fill, I literally started melting the pounds off. I've now lost 102 lbs with about 10 left I thought I had failed yet another weight loss attempt and regretted my decision to even have it. Then it started working and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Yes, there's lots of us out there that it took a while to see results. Good luck to u Marci

My dr orders liquids for 24hrsthe after a fill. Ut in the last 2 1/2 yrs, I've followed his orders once. My last fill (I think it was the 6thlast fill). In fact, after my 3rd fill, I finally got restriction. I ate about 3the bites of chicken, 2 bites of baked potatoe, and a coupla bites of salad and I was totally full. It was like magic. The last fill I got in Jan was. 5 cc's and maxed my band out at my current weight. I still need to lose about 10 lbs so to hear I was maxed out was a bummer. I would advise tho to follow ur drs orders. If s/he tells u to only do liquids for a certain amt of time, do it. I guess im not a very good patient as I rarely follow drs orders. Good luck Marci

I excuse myself and head to the bathroom. I've gotten pretty good at quietly vomiting whatever is stuck (usually from eating to fast). I still get the occasional "are u ok" coming from another stall. After 2the 1/2 yrs of doing this, Im pretty proficient. My husband always teases me that Im just making room for dessert. Good luck Marci

I stick my toothbrush down my throat and make myself throw whatever is stuck up. NOTHING else works for me. I'll break out into a cold sweat till I get it out. Marci

Well, I've had my gallbladder out for almost 18 yrs now and had to have an open chole (cuz it was really infected). Stayed in the hospital for 6 days. The band was MUCH easier! Easiest surgery I've ever had, as a matter of fact! Good luck to you! Marci

You look amazing! Congrats and have fun in London! Marci

Im 2 1/2 yrs out and my hair never changed. My dcos office recommended Nizoral shampoo (u get it at the hair salon) to use after the surgery. I never used it and never had any problems. About 4the yrs ago, I lost 30 lbs after my husband died and my hair came out in clumps. Its definatelt true that u need to watch ur Protein intake. Just wanted u to know that hair thinning doesn't happen to everyone. Good luck with ur surgery Marci

They let you eat tuna salad and cranberry sauce the day after your surgery? Lucky dog! I was liquids for 4 wks! Marci

I use the sugar free flavored creamers. They're about 10 calories per tbs. If I go to Dutch Brothers or Starbucks, I get a skinny latte (made with Splenda and non fat milk). I can't stand black coffee either. You have to work your favorite foods into your daily diet otherwise you'll start feeling ripped off and go overboard. Are you on Clear liquids, is this why s/he said no milk or sugar? Marci

I say : DRINK A CUP OF COFFEE!! Why are you not having it? Are you giving it up cuz your doc says you can't have it? That's fine - I don't see where the problem is, but if you're following dr's instructions, so be it. But if you're giving it up cuz you don't think it's good for your band - hooey. A cup or 2 of coffee isn't going to hurt it. Now what hurts your weight loss is to get one of the fancy cappucino drinks at the coffee house everyday. Those have sometimes 500 calories in them. I've been drinking coffee since I was on the liquid diet 2 1/2 yrs ago. It actualy heps my band lossen a little so I can eat Breakfast. Good luck! Marci

I'm 2 1/2 yrs out and I can eat a very small portion of Pasta. Olive Garden is my fav restaurant and I was afriad I'd never be able to eat there again. I eat about 1/2 bowl of chicken gnocci Soup, 1/2 breadstick, and about 6 bites of pasta. I also make spagetti occasionaly at home and can eat a very small portion. Good luck! Marci

I take numerous (by numerous I mean over 12 a day) mostly at night. I'm 2 1/2 yrs out and have no problem taking them. Including a couple of huge ones. I find tho if I don't wait at least an hour after eating anything, they come back up. So my mantra "don't drink or take pills for at least an hour". Sometimes I forget, take them, throw them up and up comes every single pill. What a waste of pills! Besides that, I have no problems taking them. Marci

Some drs believe that you have to have the Fluid taken out just to fly - mine thinks it's unnecessary. I don't think the altitude will have any effect on your band. Now, when it comes to the food in Africa, I might just have it removed to be on the safew side, as elcee said, if something happens there, they might not know what to do. I hate the thought of emptying out my band only to slowly have it filled again. Good luck! Marci

I can't imagine a dr doing that. Giving you as much as possible for your first fill. They probably give you the most during the first fill only because they're starting from zero, but you want to go slowly. And yes, almost everyone has to "rest their stomach" as much as possible after a fill. My dr tells me Clear liquids for 24 hrs then diet as tolerated. Some people do 3 days of full liquids. Just depends on your dr. Good luck! Marci

A few docs put a little fill in when they place it - but not many. They feel that this isn't the time for restriction, it's time for healing. You'll lose a little the first month with no fills cuz you'll most likely be on a very restrictive diet (mine was liquids for 4 weeks, then soft for a week, then regular). It's kinda hard to gain weight drinking broth, cream Soups, and crystal lite. But after the restrictive part is over, you'll most likely need fills. There's a few people I've heard of that never ned a fill, but I think it's a very small %. I needed 3 to feel any restriction at all - it took about 4 mths. I thought I had failed yet another "diet". I could eat just as much as I did before - and if I could limit my food on my own, I would've never needed surgery! But the 3rd one was magic! Pounds started melting off. It's now been 2 1/2 yrs and I've kept off 100 lbs. I still have about 15 lbs to go, it's coming off mighty slowly. Most of my weight came off the first year, then the 2nd yr about 20 lbs and this past 6 mths or so another 5 lbs. The closer you get to goal, the harder it is to take off! Now I know what my friends would talk about when they'd complain that they had to lose a WHOLE 20 lbs! My 4th fill lasted 17 months. I now have 10cc in a 14cc band. I think I'm good now - altho I fight my husband over whether or not I need another fill (he says I don't, I say I do) Good luck to you. Be patient. It'll happen. It'll just take some time. Marci

Stephanie is right. It makws the food wash thru ur band quicker, not letting u get as full. But I'm 2 1/2 yrs out and physically CAN'T drink for at least 30-60 mins after eating. I'll throw up. I read a lapband book about a yr ago and found its called the "cork effect". The food lodges in my esophagus making a cork and if u drink, it'll all come back up. I drink right up till the time I eat then I can't for about an hour. Marci

We got a Ronco 5 layer dehydrator from eaby for about $30. It makes about 1 1/2 lbs of jerky at a time. Works well. Done in about 12-18 hrs. Also I've made carrot chips and zuccchini chips. Just cut them, spray with a little olive oil and salt and voila - a yummy lo cal snack. Good luck Marci

MMine actually tells me to drink more Protein shakes even 2 1/2 yrs out. I haven't drinken one since I was off the liquid diet at 4the wks tho. Couldn't even swallow them anymore. I gave my father in lkaw 2 big jugs of Protein powder. I eat enuf real food to get my protein in. I don't count calories, protein,fat, or carb. I just eat what I want until im full. And that worked for almost 1002 lbs. I can imagine tho ur dr advising u to eat rather than drink ur calories. Good luck to u Marci

I was stationed near Wurzburg Germany from 97-2000. I really miss the bread and yogurt in Germany. And the Turkish donors. Yummy. I had IVF at the University hospital in Wurzburg and had to stay 3in nites. Its done op in the US. And they had nuns for nurses. And they barely understood spoke any english and my medical German was limited. No advice for u. Just reminiscing about living in Germany....enjoy while ur still there. Id love to go back someday but at $1700least per plane ticket to Frankfurt, I don't think ill make it anytime soon. Good luck to u.. oh was it cheapee on the economy than in the US. IVF costs us $3,000 instead of about $18,000.. Marci