ParrotheadCathy

A lot of people just take 2 Flinstones chewables. I use Berocca Performance ... but you'll have to buy it from a Canadian pharmacy because it isn't sold in the US. It's made by Bayer, is an effervescent tablet with some flavor in it. I mix it with Crystal Light and some Benefiber. It is not a complete multi-vitamin but it's all I need.

Lisa, if you've read many posts on LBT you've seen the phrase "bandster hell". That's where you are right now. 2 weeks post-op, you're still healing. Don't be so darned hard on yourself! A lot of people gain in the post-op period. I gained and lost the same 4 pounds three times before I actually starting losing post-op. Just keep following your doctor's instructions and once you start getting fills, you will find it easier to do what you're supposed to do and the pounds will start coming off.

Nothing about the band is cheating! You went through pretty much major surgery (general anesthesia with all the attendant risks, cut into your body), and hey, the weight doesn't just disappear! What the hell is easy about that? You still have to choose the right foods, eat the right amounts and exercise....just like anybody else who is dieting. AND you have to put up with getting stuck, sliming, PBing, going for fills AND BEING BERATED FOR CHEATING BY SOME DUMBA$$ WHO DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE. Join the weight loss challenge, Three Boys! Dare them to call you a cheater! And, hey, invite the laziest one in that group to be your exercise partner .... meet at the gym, walk in the mornings or evenings .... all not so gentle reminders that you have to do the work just like the rest of them! Justin, right on!!!

Tamm, if you've read many posts here, you've seen the phrase "Bandster Hell"....and that is exactly where you are. Yes, it sucks. But if you had surgery on 8/11, you are barely on real food (IF your doc has advanced you through mushies). Lots of us lost nothing in the 4-6 weeks after surgery before we got our first fills. I personally gained and lost the same 4 pounds. When I was advanced to real food, I was told to eat on my plan ... 3 oz of Protein, steamed vegetable, serving of whole grain carbs. No drinking immediately before, during the meal and for 30 minutes after. And, I was told that if I got hungry in less than 4 hours, to snack only on solid protein. Low fat cottage cheese, low fat cheese, a boiled egg, and similar stuff. Remember each fill will take you closer to your sweet spot, but continue to eat the same way. And, yeah, there's that exercise business. I get up at 5:00 every morning and walk/run 4 miles. On Saturday and Sunday, I don't get up at 5:00 but I get up and do my 4 miles before I do anything else. It was hard at first but it does become a habit, a routine.

Make your own beef and chicken stock. There are several ways to do it, recipes abound. Let me know if you need one. Trust me, stock tastes like food, unlike the canned broth you can buy in the store!

Erin, I had a stinker of a summer cold a couple of weeks back. At first, I didn't realize I was coming down with it and I felt like something was stuck in my throat. See my post to your other thread about phlegm/mucus

Remember that you can get stuck. I find that I can go a week or so and lose NOTHING (gain nothing, either, which is good but still......)! Then, I get on the scale and I'm down a pound and a half. Go figure! You just have to keep doing the right thing (and do yourself a favor and don't weigh every day), and it will happen!

Slippage actually doesn't occur very often. You would probably not be able to swallow anything, though. My surgeon told me specifically that he stitches the band into the proper place so that it won't slip. I've read others say their doctor did the same.... If you believe you have a problem, call your doc today (it's FRIDAY and you'll be stuck all weekend if you don't).

Phlegm is mucus, and can be the result of a cold or other respiratory infection or allergies. It can also come from consuming orange juice and dairy products (my father was an opera singer and dairy and OJ were strictly forbidden during "the season"). From my doctor's reminder sheet: "Colds, allergies, respiratory infections and sinus brainage can cause mucus to plug the opening in the stomach (Stoma); you may drink warm liquids before meals to help dissolve the mucus plug." Hope that helps!

Try journaling every bite you eat and when you eat it (most journals just ask you to log what you eat)! Journaling when you ate it as well may point out a pattern that you can work to change. And, make an appointment with your doc! Discuss your circumstances, eating habits, etc. and whether or not you need another fill. Maybe try to see the nutritionist for some guidance, too? There are days I eat more than the recommended amounts, but I try not to go berserk with food...and the band helps me to accomplish that. As long as I'm losing, I consider it a success because without the band, I'd most certainly be gaining!

Marmar....bandter hell is just frustrating, that's all! You survived the pre-op diet, had the surgery .... only to find that you can pretty much eat just as you did before undertaking this journey. Not what you wanted, at all! This is the hardest part of getting banded. with GB, the weight loss kicks in immediately but with the band, to lose in the beginning you really have to work at it. But as you get closer to your sweet spot, it does get easier!

Poor nutrition, poor hydration, lack of good sleep, all those things and many more could make you feel the way you describe. Aim for at least 60 grams of Protein a day. READ nutritional labels and pick things that are high in protein. Do you like cottage cheese? Guess what? 1/2 cup of cottage cheese has about 12 grams of protein! A boiled egg has 7 (if I remember correctly). Are you getting 8 hours of sleep? Most Americans are sleep deprived. Try getting 8 hours tonight and see how you feel at 3:00 PM.

WDW, most insurance policies (not all) require a BMI of 40 OR they will accept a BMI of 35 with TWO of a pre-set lislt of comorbidities (usually, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, Type 2 diabetes, sometimes high cholesterol). I know that a friend's insurance accepted a BMI of 37 BUT you had to have documentation to prove that your BMI has been at least 37 for 3 years. You MIGHT be able to eventually win approval with your foot problems, but I wouldn't hold my breath on it. Insurance companies really don't want to spend the money even if spending it now would save them money down the line.

I've had CHICKEN sausages a couple of times. They were quite good with a little dijon mustard!

Sharp, sometimes you don't feel the effect of a fill right away, something lots of us have experienced. If you can't get liquid down, you're too tight, so bear that in mind tomorrow if it feels tighter ... you wouldn't want to go all weekend without being able to eat or drink!

I've seen those. I think one (of the many) diet plans I was on offered one for sale. Honestly, I don't measure anything. I eyeball. 3 oz of protein is about the size of a deck of cards. Pretty much the only carb I eat (since soft bread doesn't go down well) is Special K crackers and 24 crackers is a serving. Veggies, I just put some on my plate, LOL. But you know, it's whatsever makes your life easier, more comfortable, etc. If you feel you need to measure, try it out.

Many doctors don't want to "maintain" a patient from another surgeon, but if there is a Fill Center USA or a surgeon who's willing.....then there's only one question. Do you have to pay each time for your fill or is it covered? If you go somewhere else, it could cost you anywhere from $125 to $450 based on what I've heard people quote.

I don't think you get to pick whether you get the 10cc or 14cc band...I think which one is used is based on anatomy? I know I have the 10cc band.

I agree with Nicole...call your insurance company and find out what ALL of their requirements are and then don't send them anything else until you have EVERYTHING they told you they need. Sending it willy-nilly doesn't accomplish anything except put you on a roller coaster ride. Go ahead and go to the seminar .... that's an informational thing. For most people, the seminar is the first thing they do so you're ahead of yourself on some stuff. The surgeon's office likely has experience with your insurance carier, will assemble everything you need to make the claim and submit it for you. Let them help you with this whole process so you don't spin your wheels unnecessarily.

Shy, try Care Credit and Capital One, both of whom do medical financing.

Erin, hydrocortisone cream will help as well. Some tubes actually say "anti itch" on them but any will work.

Patty ..... some of the information in that letter is true, but a lot of it isn't or is exaggerated. When I get something like that, I ALWAYS go to snopes.com to look for confirmation....or evidence otherwise. It is a highly regarded and honest website. Accordingly, go to www.snopes.com and in the search window, simply type "obama montana" and the first result is the one you are looking for.

Breakfast .... If I'm in a hurry, a Protein shake. Otherwise, Greek yogurt, low fat cottage cheese (which I happen to love), scrambled eggs, low fat cheese lunch .... low fat Soup with cheese and some whole grain crackers; salad with chicken, black Beans, low fat cheese and low cal dressing; leftovers from dinner the night before. Dinner .... Last night, baked chicken, peas, a little stuffing; night before, chicken dipped in an egg wash and coated with a little crushed French's onions and baked, with mixed veggies; baked fish with half a baked potato and a vegetable (everybody in my house enjoys this meal, so we have it regularly, just changing the type of fish and vegetable).

This is a direct quote from the instruction sheet my doctor gives me after every fill: Colds, allergies, respiratory infections and sinus drainage can cause mucous to plug the opening in the stomach (stoma); you may drink warm liquids before meals to help dissolve the mucuous plug. As RestlessMonkey said, if you can't get Water down, go to the doctor now!

outpatient! I was home by 2:30 in the afternoon.