june09bandit

Good question - I've been wondering the same thing. I have a tendency to gulp water as well. I think it just flows through, but I'm not sure. I haven't had any discomfort as a result. Hopefully someone knows the answer.

Very good questions.. are you a lawyer??:blushing: How long was I on it? So long I'm embarrassed to admit. I was on it for probably 5 straight years, then off and on for another 10. I was getting it through a doctor at first and was very successful. I lost about 70 pounds. As soon as it lost it's effectiveness, I started to gain it back. When my weight started to creep back up, I started getting it over the internet and in Mexico. Not legal, but not illegal either, and it was still phentermine. It eventually became totally ineffective. I tried to increase the dosage slightly and scared myself when I felt my heart racing. It also caused me to have long lasting insomnia - up to this day I can't sleep without a melatonin and 4 diphenhydramine (sp?). My blood pressure was elevated from the day I started to take it. If I had a doctor's appt, I would skip a dose so that my BP would fall back to the normal range. My BP is totally normal now. I haven't taken any in about 3 months when I started researching the lapband. Up until I found the band, I didn't see any other alternatives. When I lost the weight the first time, I was in the very happy camp. Now that I realize what all I was doing to my body with the phentermine, I refuse to take it again (at least for now). I can get it very easily, it's about 15 miles to Mexico. It was never meant to be used long term, but I did it anyway. I was just banded on June 2, so this was all pre-band. I have to learn to deal with hunger myself rather than counting on a drug to do it for me. When the drug stops, so did my self control. Just my two cents worth. Like you, when it was working, no one could talk me out of it. Actually, I wouldn't have asked anyone's opinion. If your band doctor agreed it's a good idea for you, then no one should try to convince you otherwise. This is really strictly between the two of you. Good luck!!!

I was on phentermine for a long time. It did raise my blood pressure. Mine has always been "normal", but on the phentermine, it was borderline high.

I got my band yesterday at 0815 (or somewhere around that time). No clocks in any of the rooms, so really not sure. I arrived to the hospital on the edge of late. They whisked me straight back to the prep area. I had a super chatty nurse, Shannon, who kept my mind occupied with trivial things (blessing in disguise I'm sure). The doctor came in for about 1 minute, read my chart and disappeared. Shannon set the IV (painless) and gave me the heparin shot in the tummy (also painless). She also brought in a huge syringe of antibiotic. I told her she MUST be joking if she thought she was going to give it as an injection. Ahh.. it goes in the IV - not so bad after all. Next comes the anesthesiologist, Dr. Oh. He told me all the things he has to tell me then changed topic to my rapidly peeling tan. So far, so good. Into the operating room we go. They lift me (YIKES) and move me to the other table, strap my left arm down, and I'm out. Wake up in recovery. First question - was it done laporascopically??? Answer, yes. Second - it hurts, and I want to cry for unknown reasons. Nope, don't want hubby back there yet. Drugs for pain, then I'm ready for hubby. Get me dressed and out the door! Loaded into car, and away we go. It's a 2 hour drive home. For unknown reasons, the hub decides to take the longer more scenic, more mountainous and curvy route. Excuse me hon, but did you hear them discussing the nausea that may come? I didn't say a word and just kept my head down and my eyes closed. Ok, whatever the reason for the leisurely drive home, we finally make it home. Super sore throat, sore tummy, bad headache, but I survived! Today, sore throat is finally gone. I slept on my side by firmly wedging pillows in behind and in front of me. Good luck to those that are preparing for a future band!:wub:

It seems to carbonation thing varies from doctor to doctor just like everything else. I was surprised when I saw that my doctor does allow diet soda and coffee. Diet soda can even be consumed in the first week post op. I wonder why the docs are all so different?:thumbup:

Regardless of our name, we are all in this together.. all that matters is that we are a team. It's definitely gonna be a journey... And thanks to Breanne for bringing us all together and making us a group!

You are a hoot! I love your blog entries - they always make me smile. I remember everything you mentioned in your post - and I probably still have some of those pants as well!

When does the poll close and we get an official name? Surgery is less than a week away, and I don't know my group name. Ya'll don't really want to contribute to my identity crisis do you??? :thumbup:

I told my boss I'm having a "personal" minor surgery. He won't ask any further, just in case it's female stuff he's rather not know about.

I think it's a tough journey for all of us. I understand why you felt embarrassed in the chat room - we always feel guilty when we know we did something we shouldn't have done. I don't think they were actually judging those that eat before the week is over, but they are probably concerned. That first week of liquid is to allow the band to heal, not to test your willpower. Hopefully you ate the food so slowly that it had no impact. Hang in there, today is a new day to improve!

My favorite so far is vanilla protein, milk, 2 ice cubes, 1/2 frozen banana. Drink it quick and it's sort of like a banana milk shake.

13. Eat slowly: Chew 3 min., wait 3 min. between bites 14. Meals should last no longer than 20-25 min. Based on this, that's 6 minutes per bite. If meal time is no more than 25 minutes, then your meal will have to be 4 bites. There is something wrong with this - 4 bites won't equal even 1 cup!

Google for ENELL. They make them big enough, and once you get it on, those boobs aren't moving. They are ugly, but they do the job! Online store Two Roads Fitness carries them up to a size 50DDD.

Depends on what sort of acrobatic manuevers you'll try to accomplish!:mad2:

I haven't even attempted the ticker yet, so I can't help you on that one! To get to the June group, to "Monthly lap band support groups" (left side of your screen toward the bottom) then click on June 09 bandsters. Put your information on to the June 2009 band date thread, and hopefully Gonna Loose It will add you. She knows a lot more than I do about how to use the boards to their full potential. Good luck on your journey!

Welcome to the board! You'll be banded about the same time as me. I think we all try to "practice" something. I tried to practice the protein shakes, but I'm not doing a very good job! There is a social group created for everyone being banded in June. Hopefully someone who is better with the boards will show you how to join. Good luck!

Thank you. That sounds like a wonderful idea. Even if you can't eat the orange, at least you get to enjoy the flavor. I can't believe I never heard of that before!

I've never heard of freezing an orange. How do you do that? Just put the orange in the freezer? Sounds like a yummy treat.

It depends a lot on your doctor and what his specific requirements are. Most of the hoops we all jump through are to satisfy insurance requirements. My experience - as soon as the insurance was approved, they wanted to schedule surgery 2 weeks later. That would have been in the middle of my vacation, so I had to put it off 2 more weeks so that I could avoid the preop diet while in Mexico! Good luck to you! We all see the band as a tool to start life over and live healthily every after.

Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. It helps all of us newbies to read about those of you that are already banded. This time next month, I'll be banded and asking how to make the shoulder gas stop!

I just ordered a sampler package from them yesterday so I could sample all the flavors. I had to email them to get the info, but here's what they sent me back. I promise I am not affiliated with nor advertising for the company. We are currently offering a Variety 'Sampler' containing 11 full serving packets of the following flavors: Apple Ecstasy, Caribbean Cooler, Crystal Sky, Fuzzy Navel, Lemon Tea, Roadside Lemonade, strawberry Kiwi, Twisted Cherry, chocolate Truffle, Vanilla Bean Torte and Latte Cappuccino. The price is $21.89. We are however offering a coupon discount of $16.90 leaving a total of $4.99 plus $5.00 UPS Shipping. The total you pay is $9.99 and arrives in 2-3 days. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please give us a call at 866-333-7403 x 718. Our hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm Central time. Best regards, Amanda SI03 Customer Support Phone: 866-333-7403 x 718 Email: customersupport@si03.com SI03 INC.

I'm not banded yet. But I'm sure that someone will come along that has the answers to your questions. This site is a wonderful resource - lots of people who have already gone through the process.

Sounds to me like you want this for all the right reasons. Perhaps you could start talking to your doc about weight - that would give you a head start on the "doctor supervised weight program" even while you are still pregnant. Most of all, for now, just worry about having that baby! You are close... Good luck!

I think your insurance will be mostly happy with that. That's pretty much what I had. I also documented every other weight loss attempt - Used Alli program for 3 months, weight watchers, nutri system, etc. I didn't have to "prove" any of it. I think the doctors notes from each appt did the trick. It showed that I did try to use my doc to lose weight. My insurance approved my in less than a week. Good luck!

Thank you all so much. I worked up the courage to go to Wal Mart on a Saturday in southern AZ (all the Mexican nationals LOVE our WalMart) - it's not a fun experience at all. But.. I did get their version of protein powder, but the Magic Bullet was sold out. Ventured to Target and got my magic bullet! I think the nectar protein sounds the best. I will try to get some of that. Thank you all for your suggestions!