scout47

Christina, I am assuming that since you are self-pay you had your surgery in Mexico because it was much cheaper, I'm sure I would have done that too. Do you have insurance at all or your insurance just won't pay for this surgery? Maybe if you are unable to keep your band (which I hope doesn't happen) you could wait until healed and possibly find a dr in the US who could do another band or some other type of WLS--things are changing all the time--I just read about the new surgery that just goes through the belly button. Possibilies are endless. I will continue to pray that everything works for your good.:tongue2: Keep us updated!

Christina, I don't really have any advice, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that you have had so much trouble. Since you are self-pay and have to have something done anyway, I'd probably keep the band if your dr says it will work as it should after this procedure--well, guess I did have advice after all:smile:. Do you trust your dr--that would help me decide what to do. Whatever you decide, keep me updated. You are certainly in my prayers.

:thumbup:That's great! I know that is really encouraging--would be to me!. You go girl!

OK, let's think about this...how much Water do you drink per day? Seems like I fought the same 4 lbs for over a month. I weigh every day too, but I know that a gain really encourages me eat garbage. I have to remind myself that the "might as well eat this" attitude is what got me in the morbidly obese category in the first place. Of course you need to eat the 5DPT recommended foods, but water, water, water is the key--at least for me. Just keep on keepin' on and you'll see a loss soon.

Dear NBG, When I was younger I had never had dry skin, except for every year when the weather started getting cold, my lips were so dry I became constantly attached to Chap Stick until the weather got warm again. Then I read somewhere that Chap Stick is addictive--the more you use, the more you need to use it; I know that sounds weird. Well, now that I am older, my skin is much dryer on my feet, legs, hands and arms--of course my lips are dry all year long now. My favorite lip quencher is sold at Bath & Body (can't think of the name), not that it helps more than anything else, it just feels so good when you put it on. I am Type 11 Diabetic and I know that causes my feet to be dry, but I agree that dehydration is a big problem, especially after lap band surgery. I have always drunk lots of Water, but now with this "wait an hour after you eat" deal, I find myself forgetting to drink. You should probably ck with your dr regarding dehydration, because it is much more serious than most people think. Good Luck!

Gone 4 Ever, Thanks for your answer; it really helps. I think I'll try this "test" again in a few days. Regarding the unjury, I ordered a few samples, but haven't tried them yet. I use EAS Myoplex Carb Control (has 25g protein) Ready to Drink. I 've had a problem with powders ever since I got very sick on the old Shaklee diet-yuk; that's probably why I haven't even tried the Unjury. Thanks for the heads up about the taste.

Thank you for your response. Ok, but when you ate did you only eat for 15 minutes like the "test" says? I'm one of these of these people that if it says "eat for only 15 minutes", "I think you're supposed to do that exactly and I just don't understand why the 15 minutes is important, especially after say the "eat anything and as much as you want". I think if you have a whole website devoted to this plan and even write a manual, it should explain more. That's why I bought the manual because I thought it would cover it more fully, but I would advise people to save their money because you can get exactly the same words free on the website. BTW, I would ask the lady who has the website but she has no contact info posted...sorry, for the rant:smile:

Ok, I have been recommending the 5 Day Pouch Test to everybody and even purchased the manual, but I have a question and I couldn't find the answer on the website or in the manual, when it says on the 3rd day "you get to eat as much as you want as often as you want"..."but you only get to eat for 15 minutes each time you sit down to eat". It doesn't mention eating SLOW. And does that mean that after you wait the suggested 30 minutes after eating, then you can just eat again for another 15 minutes? I know I sound a bit duh:unsure:, but I have to understand something before I can do it and there was really no explanation of this. Since you've made it to the 3rd day, I thought you could explain. Thanks

Dear T, I seem to be recommending this to everyone; I heard about it on this website's Chat. Anyway, go to www.5daypouchtest.com and it will get you back on track. Lots of good info and a definite 5-day plan. Also, you can print off anything you need for free. Good luck, I've done the same thing only my goof-up was Taco Bell Mexican Pizza; fought the same 4 lbs for a month :frown:. Turns out my band was too loose, so I got a fill on Tuesday. However, the 5-Day thingie really helped get me in gear. You can do this!!

Dear Isavolinist, Have you had a fill yet? The reason I ask is because I was banded April 1, 2009 and have been getting a fill (or unfill) every month and after an adjustment I have to go on a liquid diet for the next two days--so that pretty much takes care of the liquid diet deal for me. If you need a kick-start, I would suggest you go to www.5daypouchtest.com . I don't really consider it a test but it gets you back to the basics. I found a lot of good info on this site that you can print off for free. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I thought other than expanding your pouch the big deal is that the acidity in carbonation will corrode somthing in the band--so I went cold turkey and haven't had one since I started my preop diet. I really miss my Diet Dew, but I've been drinking Crystal Lite instead.

Well, that's my third "duh". Maybe someone else out there has the answer. Good luck Thursday!:thumbup:

Neighbor, I have two "duh" questions about the Protein drinks: Do we consider them a food or a liquid? When I eat something for breakfast i.e. boiled egg, do I have to wait an hour BEFORE I drink a Protein shake (like it was a liquid) or treat it as a food and wait an hour AFTER I drink it? And since they are liquid consistency how do I get the benefit of the protein--don't they just go right through like slider foods? :thumbup: I know I should probably know this but I am a bit lacking in education of the basics. Thanks for your response, Scout

Nik, I lost 40 lbs quickly and then I got cocky and started eating wrong things and started gaining, this was so depressing after going thru all the pain of surgery. But the people in the Chat Room of this forum recommended this website (and its strictly for weight loss surgery people) www.5daypouchtest.com and it really gets you back on track--it's not really a "test", it is full of encouragement to keep you doing what you need to do. It has really helped me and I have lost the weight I'd gained, plus 3 additional lbs. You can order a manual, but it is not necessary because all the info is on the website to read and print--and it's free!! :thumbup:I encourage you to check the website out. Good luck, Scout

Restless Monkey, Thank you so much for that information :thumbdown:. I will certainly do some more research. I had wondered about all that slime! I have a newly developed band and I think my dr said it holds 10cc (is that possible). I had no fill until 3 wks after surgery, then he filled it 3.6 cc, this made me unable to keep my meds (or anything but liquids) down--I take 35 perscription meds--a big reason for being banded was to get off some of these meds and stop my 4 insulin shots a day. So at my 6 wk visit, his assistant took .6cc out and I did much better. At my 9 wk visit she decided to not do another fill, but his assistant said she thought it was too loose, I agree. She also wanted me to see my dr for the next fill. The earliest appt I could get with him is July 7th and I will be glad to get another fill--presently I can eat way too many things that I shouldn't and I still have head hunger. Yes, my dr told me I should not drink until 1-1 1/2 hours after I eat, and I have been following that rule religiously. My blood sugar has also been a big problem--when I eat right it bottoms out and then I have to eat carbs to bring it back up. Anyway, I know I do not chew enough and I am really working on that. Starting today I plan to do the 5 Day Pouch Test--that plan is specifically to get you back on track. You all might want to check it out at www.5daypouchtest.com I discovered it from reading the Chat on this forum. I have gotten a lot of new info (new for me) from that site. Again, Thanks! Scout

Restless, I think there is a whole lot of basic band knowledge that I wasn't given--no, I didn't understand when you said "5/7 when I finally hit restriction". My dr told me I would feel full like in the top of my stomach, but I have never felt that, I just get this big lump in the back of my throat and have to stop eating, sometimes it goes away and sometimes I have throw up what I've eatten. My dr said I would have a slgnal when I need to stop, but it's been one bite is fine and the next bite may turn into the big lump. Throwing up scares me that I might damage my band or make it slip. So, I appreciate your time, and going to the trouble to explain it to me. Thanks, Scout

:thumbdown: Hey Restless, What is your "sweet spot"? And also, I don't really understand "hitting restriction" either. HELP!

China, I was banded 4/1/09 and was really losing W8 until I started eating only slider foods to keep from being sick--then horror of horrors I started gaining . I was reading in the Chat room and they kept talking about the 5 day Pouch Test, I asked about it and one of them gave me the website. The information on this site has made all the difference to me. I have now lost all the weight I gained and lost an additional 3 lbs.:thumbdown: I would recommend this website to anybody who has been banded: www.5daypouchtest.com. It is there to specifically get you back on track. Good luck, Scout47

Thanks to Bear and the rest of you guys. Nobody ever said that someday you can eat your favorite foods--only in small portions. Probably don't mean to, but they make you feel like this is the best it's gonna get. But when I read your post and look at the amount of weight you all have lost, I feel hopeful. I'm still having a problem with my food coming back up :thumbup:, so I've been eating way too many slider foods. Think I need to chew, chew, chew more.Thanks for all the ideas.

Dear Bubble, Although your post was over a year ago I hope you are still out there. I want to thank you for this post, it really motivated me. I was banded 4/1/09, immediately lost 40 lbs and then stalled. You have given me so many things to think about and implement. I just found this thread and have stared at the beginning to read all the posts.

I can certainly understand, I had a big Diet Mt. Dew craving before surgery:tongue_smilie:, but I gave it up completely with my pre-op diet. One thing that helped me is the "no drinking with meals rule", I really liked to drink Mt. Dew with my snacky foods. And upon stopping I had some bad headaches, however, my dr allows coffe so that took care of that. But the biggest reason I stopped the Mt. Dew was because my dr told me (or I read) that carbonation could damage your band or some part of it by causing erosion. And after going thru the sugrery, I don't won't nothing touching my band! Good luck to kicking your habit. If I really want a "shot" I drink a cup of Sugar-Free Swisse Mocha International Coffee:wub:. It's 30 calories, but really satisifies my cravings; you can buy it by the can at the grocery. scout47

Good Morning, Tomorrow will be my second-month anniversary of my lap-band surg. Dr. Charles Morton and his staff have been great to me (and my insurance co. has had no problem with his charges). The second time I had a fill, a lady named Anook (not sure of her title or how to spell her name) saw me and she was very, very helpful (and gentle) with my questions and gave me great suggestions. My next fill is next week and I look forward to it. I can't say enough nice things about his office. scout47

Thanks so much for the "gas" exercises website!

:w00t: Finally feeling much better, I think my dr's date (Day 7) was just too early for me to start solid foods. As of today I have lost 23 lbs! I am using my first day of pre-op diet as my starting w8. Ok, I'm going to ck this out and see if I have posted my blog correctly.

:rolleyes2: Finally feeling much better, I think my dr's date (Day 7) was just too early for me to start solid foods. As of today I have lost 23 lbs! I am using my first day of pre-op diet as my starting w8. Ok, I'm going to ck this out and see if I have posted my blog correctly.