emjay

I couldn't be happier with my decision to have lap band. The pros outweigh the cons each and every day. Looking back, it's hard to remember how all the excess weight interfered in my life. Knee pain, back pain, migraines (okay - still have them, just not nearly as much). Barely able to buckle a seat belt in an airplane, heels hurt, clothes were "functional - not pretty". Ankle swelling, tiredness, feeling like a failure and out of control, not wanting to do or be able to do the things I enjoy, the disgusted looks, the comments...not to mention the increasing likelihood of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. Among many others I can't seem to conjure up right now. The few things I had to give up for lapband - soda, beer, any carbonation, switching meds (to liquid form at times) - are so minor they hardly register with me at a "con". But the pros are absolute endless. Most importantly - I feel great! My BP and bloodwork are outstanding. I have energy, I work out, I eat better than I ever have in my life, it's fun to shop, I am doing things I've wanted to do for years, and loving life again. I am at a weight where I'm a normal BMI and the lowest since junior high. It's amazing how much my weight affected so many aspects of my life. I agree with the other posters that people come here for many reasons and those that aren't having much/any trouble don't post often. I find myself not coming here as often. So, take everything you read with a grain of salt. Everyone's journey is somewhat unique. Find what works for you and commit to your decision. It may not be lapband, but whatever it is - give it your best shot!

Sorry to hear that you lost your band ElfiePoo. I haven't been on here lately so I've kind of lost touch with what's going on. Hope your revision goes well. Keep us posted on how your sleeve works out. I know if I ever have issues with the band that can't be resolved I'll need something else to keep me in check, either gastric plication or sleeve.

Yep - keep drinking liquids - warm if they go down better. It may take a few days for the swelling to go down. Like Eko said - make sure you get in enough fluids. If you band feel tighter when you drink really cold things - limit those as much as possible for the time being. Also, and I know there are several opinions about ibuprofen..and I only recommend this if you can drink fluids adequately, but you can do a children's liquid ibuprofen (adult dosage is about a full dosage cup that comes with the ibuprofen). Drink a dosage cap full of liquid ibuprofen and follow this with plenty of Fluid to "wash" it through the band. You may even want to drink milk or something a bit heavier after the ibuprofen to help things along and keep it from irritating your stomach lining. I use it for headaches when needed, just only do it if you are able to drink plenty of fluid afterward to wash it down. Ibuprofen is good at reducing swelling. And if all else fails - a slight unfill can do wonders until you are feeling better. Good luck!

McDonald's Yogurt Parfait - 160 calories of yum. Arby's roast beef (bun or no bun). KFC roasted chicken. Wendy's hamburgers seem to go down pretty well - juicy/moist. Best advice though is keep a few things at work in case of days like this (easy to say now huh!) Things that are shelf stable - like a fruit/nut mix (can keep you filled for hours), canned mandarin oranges, I've also seen some shelf-stable packaged meals (Hormel? - not sure the brand) that might work in a pinch. Granola is always good - although can be high in calories like the fruit/nut mix. A little goes a long way.

I didn't get a chance to see the show, but I hope to view the "snippets" posted on Dr. Oz's site in the near future, but really, his associates could have found people that more realistically represented how much a bandster can eat and what types of foods are encouraged. If I saw the amount of food visually these 2 people eat in a day I would never have had the surgery! I can eat 3/4 of a patty melt at the local restaurant and be full. Toasted bread and all. People that do not know I have been banded would never notice that I have been. After this show, the ones that do know and have seen the show will wonder if I still have mine! I feel very isolated from the negativity concerning obesity, that is until they post some stupid article on msnbc about obesity, WLS, and research findings about the two. Then the comments to the article reveal the ignorance and downright cruelty of people that don't honestly have a clue to the mental aspects of having issues with food and food addiction. I guess in the end I always feel like I have the last laugh in regards to the naysayers. It worked for me and I couldn't be happier. (And regarding the post of Oprah blasting her audience members who have had WLS, she should count herself lucky I wasn't in the audience - I would have gave her a earful!)

I could have wrote your story...except I don't have children. 25 years of yo-yo dieting...feeling out of control when the weight creeps back up and needing control over the situation led me to the lap band. You have to be willing to work at it to get to your goal. There are only a select few that get to their personal goal without putting forth extra effort to get there. And by that I mean eating healthier, watching portion sizes, and exercising. You have the right mentality right now. You've quit smoking! CONGRATULATIONS! That is a major achievement right there - don't minimize that. Getting banded was the absolute best thing (outside of finding my hubby) that I've ever done. It has opened up a whole new life for me. An active, relatively pain-free life and I'm loving it. Ask a bunch of questions from your physician, peruse the boards (but take all opinions with a grain of salt). Many successful people don't post often anymore because they have moved on. Jachut is a great resource and posts often as well as others. You will get to know them after awhile. I wish you the best in your decision and hope you find the answers you're looking for...

I agree with Band Groupie - newer bands and new techniques on how to suture them in have reduced the amount of slippage in lap bands in recent years. Not to say that something can't go wrong...my biggest concern would be a major illness or a bad case of the flu where vomiting is frequent for forceful. Honestly, knowing what I know now - if I had a weak stomach (luckily I don't), but if I did or know of someone contemplating the lap band who had a weak stomach - it is not a surgery I would recommend for that reason. I think it's important to have at least an annual checkup - complete with a flouroscopy/barium swallow to check the band. Also to notify your physician anytime you notice a change in order to stay on top of potential issues. For instance, if you have a bit more than a mild dilation - you may need to have your band deflated for a period of time and then gradually re-filled - as opposed to waiting until you really notice a major problem and the only way to fix it is with surgery. All I know is that life is not certain and while I'm here I want to enjoy it. I don't regret getting the band for 1 second despite the risks/complications, because it got me where I am. Anything you do is going to have some risks, and remaining obese to me carries more risk than the band will ever have. So, try and weigh (no pun intended) the good and the bad, research all other WLS, and see which one is right for you. And whatever you do - I wish you the best!

sbrick - it is different for everyone. It depends on alot of factors - if you exercise, you get to eat more because you are burning more calories. Also, you're age, heredity/genes, obviously what you eat and volume has an effect. On too low of a limited intake, your body can start to conserve calories (some call it starvation mode) due to the limited amount being eaten as it fights to conserve energy. You're best bet may be to increase your caloric intake to 1000 calories...keep track of what you eat, the types of foods you eat (limit sugar, starch, "white foods" - like flour, Pasta, bread, rice, sugar, processed foods, and drink plenty of Water. Keep up your Protein levels to help maintain or build muscle tone. Try this for a couple of weeks and see what happens. You may very well have to adjust your intake depending on your metabolic rate (if 1000 calories is not enough - up it to 1100 or more if you are exercising strenuously) until your rate of loss is 1-2 lbs per week. Shoot for slow and steady...it's not a race. If you can't seem to figure out what your optimal rate is - you can get your metabolic rate tested to find out. There is an app for smartphones called myfitnesspal (they probably have a website too but I haven't looked at it) that is very easy to track your calories, exercise and weight and helps to keep you focused on your goal and your progress. Good luck to you!

This has always been a topic on the boards for as long as I've been on here...some physicians don't even mention it to their patients. Ibuprofen is the only thing that will kick my headaches other than migraine meds which are expensive, so I used to take a children's Motrin chewable with alot of Water whenever I needed them. Unfortuately, the powers that be took them off the market for awhile. The last I heard was that they should be back on the shelves in late Spring. Alternatively, there are children's ibuprofen in liquid form available, however, it's not the most convenient for carrying around in your purse. As long as you use them sparingly, take a form that dissolves easily and can "wash" the meds past your band, you shouldn't have a problem. I let my surgeon know I was taking them this way and he didn't have a problem with it. From what I understand, you just don't want the medication sitting above your pouch irritating your stomach lining. So, I'm not advocating daily use, but occasional use when needed in the proper form should be okay. However, I would always get your own physician's opinion on the matter and let them be aware of what you proposed to do.

I agree - Greek yogurt is a great protein source. If it is too tangy for you - try and add a packet of Stevia to it. Add a Tbsp of Peanut Butter for added protein along with the Protein Powder. And remember you can always try and blend more solid food to puree - add a light gravy to some chicken and blend - or any chunky soup (Beans = protein). 2 oz per meal really isn't much. I don't think I could have lived on that. No wonder you're getting hungry! You should be pretty safe at 4 oz of mushy and then wait awhile before you drink anything.

Best of luck on your surgery date! Every surgeon seems to have their own course of treatment after surgery. I'm going to assume you know what to do until you are healed at this point. The best advice I can give you is that IMO the band by itself will only do so much, and the rest comes down to how bad you want to lose the rest. Remember that you are still healing for the first couple of months post-surgery, so the main thing is to focus on eating correctly - small bites, chewing well and paying attention to what your stomach is telling you (and by that I mean if you feel any pressure, don't take another bite until it subsides). You want to really avoid regurgitating your food especially in the first few months. The eating part of it takes practice but becomes somewhat second nature after awhile. Focus on eating healthier foods and cooking healthier...limiting salt, butters, oils, "white foods" (pasta, rice, bread, flour, sugar). Do not eat until you are stuffed, but feel satisfied. Get active. If you haven't been exercising, start by walking, hiking, then gradually try more physical things to get your heart rate going for a better cardio workout, then do strength exercises to try and keep or maintain muscle tone. I'm in a rare circumstance where I have several family members who are banded. We all have our own opinions about what works and what doesn't and what we are willing to do. I had a hard time getting the last 15-20 lbs to budge, so I realized that if I want to get where I want to be, I needed to take more of a targeted approach to get there and started journaling what I ate, the amount of calories, what exercise I did that day, and weighed myself daily. It really helped me to get the weight off. I also recorded my weight along the way so I have a history of my loss. Take pictures of your progress, Celebrate mini-milestones. Don't try and see how tight you can get your band. For longevity, the looser you keep your band the better off you may be. It may be more difficult to lose or maintain your weight that way, it forces you to really be more aware of your eating and exercising, but then again you will be able to enjoy alot more variety of foods. Some people have trouble with bread, white chicken, fibrous veggies. There isn't anything I can't eat...I just don't eat as much and I really limit the things that distract me from my goals. If you aren't already, begin taking a mult-vitamin and make sure you get enough Calcium in your diet. Biotin may help curb any hair loss - but expect a little hair loss in the first few months - it will grow back. It's just the shock of your body adjusting to your new way of life. Don't drink your calories unless you are doing Protein shakes. By that I mean avoid sugary drinks, drink lots of water/fluids to keep adequate hydration. There are things that can make your band tighten up. Salt, stress, TOM, lack of proper hydration, travel, exercise, and sometimes people have tighter bands in the morning. Also, when it is time to get your fills, don't get one more than 1 per month until you figure out how they affect you. My fills don't fully kick in until the third or fourth week after a fill. Sometimes people feel the fill affect right away and then loosen up. Don't allow yourself to get too tight...not fun and very uncomfortable. Always be able to drink 64 oz fluids per day. If you can't - you're too tight. Best of luck on your journey. It may seem like alot to handle, but it really is not bad. It sure is better than doing it on your own. Really try and focus on developing new eating habits in the first few months - it will help you in the long run. And congratulations again on your upcoming surgery. Hope all goes well!

You all have so much to look forward to! I have been at or past my original goal weight since August. I'm not stick thin (in a size 8), but am very happy to be in single digits instead of a tight 28. Unlike a couple of you, my weight affected almost every aspect of my life. How I related to other people, what I've done, what I haven't done, and it underminded my self-esteem and confidence. Much of that has changed. I am overall a much happier person, and for once in my life I feel good about myself. It's fun now to shop, I don't worry either about fitting in chairs, the seat belts on airplanes, and the person nobody wants to sit by in a crowded seminar because I overflow onto their seat. I am so much more active, used to sweat like crazy and am now usually cold or need a sweater (I'm talking in the summer). I've enjoyed the compliments, the positive attention from others, and feeling like I "fit in". That was the one thing I really wanted. To feel like I was normal and fit in. And that was the main reason I gave my surgeon about having the procedure other than to be healthier and hopefully have a longer, better chance at a quality of life. I wanted my weight to no longer be an issue. That I realize may never be as easy as I want it to, but it definitely is something I can manage now with the band. I have a sense of control that I've never had before and that has meant the world in terms of keeping sane while trying to maintain. I wish all of you the very best in your journey and hope you enjoy all the amazing things that you will feel and experience along the way. And if nobody ever says it to you, I'm proud of you all for doing something to make yourself healthier and have a better quality of life. Be proud of your accomplishments along the way...you've earned it!

Spoiltmom - Try mixing up your eating times or routine. I have noticed that if I don't eat a little toast, or nuts with my main Protein (chicken, pork, fish, red meat) I get hungry sooner. I usually eat 1/2 of a sandwich thin (50 calories) or 1/2 of a piece of toast or bagel thin. I don't usually get hungry in the morning so I drink a Protein shake and wait until lunch for something solid - or have a small handful of nuts mid-morning to tie me over. I then have a yogurt with granola mid-late afternoon and eat dinner around 7:30 - 8pm. That way, I don't get hungry before I go to bed. Maybe you need to add a healthy snack and switch things up a bit. If you do not have a problem with any foods, are able to drink fluids adequately, and are not pbing or sliming on a regular basis, then a fill may be in order. Not sure why your doc is hesitant to give you one at this point. From what you have told us, you seem to be eating the right things, but if they are keeping you satisfied for 4-5 hours, then it's time to see what works in terms of changing that. Keep doing what you're doing in the meantime and best of luck!

I average about 5x/week cardio/strength training. 35 minutes on treadmill or elliptical and about 20-25 minutes on strength machines (which I believe is KEY). As far as calories, I average around 1500-1600/day at this point. I also drink 2 Protein shakes a day to keep my protein up along with cottage cheese, yogurt, nuts, dried fruit, lean meats/poultry/fish. I don't eat alot of red meat anymore and focus on eating healthier. If we hike, it's usually for 45-50 minutes whenever the weather agrees. In the beginning, just try to develop healthier habits and being more active and gradually build up your intensity. It may seem like a mountain to climb at first, but it does and will get easier. When I started, I couldn't go 2 minutes on the elliptical without being out of breath. Now, I wouldn't even break a sweat at the pace I was going back then. Baby steps! BUT, don't be afraid to push yourself. food - try and stay away from fried foods as much as possible. Limit your "white" foods also - Pasta, potatoes, rice, sugar, flour, bread. I say limit because depriving yourself completely may make you crave them all the more. Find new ways of preparing foods that are healthier - a crock pot/slow cooker can be your best friend. Best of luck! Your on your way!

What you describe is my worst fear. As well as I have done on this journey, I know that my work is not finished in terms of my mental state in my relationship with food. And my fear is without restriction I'll give myself the green light to eat whatever and whenever I want without hesitation. While I've developed better habits, knowing that the restriction is there and that the sheer volume of food I can consume now is much less than pre-banding is quite comforting and empowering. It does feel like I have some sort of control over food with the band, and without (or unfilled) I'll lose that control. Without sounding too much like a hypocrit, may I suggest that you get a referral to a psychologist that specializes in food disorders? Or, take a cold hard look at what you have accomplished and what it took to get there and re-adjust your mindset that you're not going back. That means making new habits. You may have to mix it up and try a different routine in terms of the way you are eating. Try eating 4-5 smaller meals per day...eating like a bandster (small bites, chew well, take your time eating slowly). Focus on healthier foods. Mix up your exercise routine or start one if you haven't. I really feel for what you are going through. It's a dark hole to be in and hard to crawl out. Focus on what you can change. I have posted an excerpt from a blog I follow called the Anti-Jared that was very inspirational. I hope only the best for you! ---------------------------------------------- The Anti-Jared post 02/05/11.... When I first started my “200 pound lost” journey in 2008, I hated it. I do not like change. Eating smaller portions was not as good as eating a huge amount. Celery was not as tasty as pizza. Water is not as exciting as a Diet Dr. Pepper. I was determined though. At 400 pounds, I had to do something. Because I had high blood pressure, I could not chance it with taking diet pills. Plus, I have done this diet thing for a long time. I knew that diet pills do not work. All lifelong dieters wish they did. We will always be fooled by the root in a third world country that is revolutionary and will miraculously help us lose weight. The first day I ate well, and the second day. Yet, when I looked in the mirror, I looked the same. My pants were still big. I still could not tie my shoes. Life was still rough. After the first week, I went to weigh in at Weight Watchers. They do this crazy thing where you get on a scale, and the WW employee will tell you how much you lost. You never see it, they tell you. I lost 9.6 pounds. She then said “It is probably water weight”. I thought, “Thanks for making me feel like an idiot.” But she did not need to tell me, I did not feel much different than 420 pounds. I made better choices. I was not eating myself into a coma. I was writing down everything that went into my body. My wife cheered me on, but in all honesty, spouses have to do that. The best compliment are those from people who do not like you. I kept it up. I kept eating right. The scale was going the right way, but I wanted some results. A sign that all of this was worth it. It was so condescending when you are 400 pounds, and everyone around you tells you”Eat to Live” and “‘You can do it”. In the third week, after losing around 26 pounds or so, I got in my car. Just on a whim, I tried to put on my seat belt. I have not worn my seat belt for a long time. I couldn’t. It scared me because if I got in a wreck, what would happen? This time was different. When I tried this time, I heard a click. I could not look to see if it was clicked in because I was still quite large. I unclicked the seatbelt, and tried again. I heard a click. I cried. Not like a dramatic tear burst, but small tears. Three weeks of work and dedication were worth it. Where I felt so far gone a month ago, I saw hope. Writing down my stupid meals and going to meetings where I was the largest and only male there felt right. I do not know where you are in this journey. 400 pounds, 600 pounds, 175 pounds? I do not know what diet you are on, nor do I know what type of workouts you are doing. Just know you are not that far off from your goals. Small decisions can mean a lot. The scale is great, but putting on a seat belt means a lot to me. Getting in a booth. Tying my shoes. Getting a hug where both arms go around me. Today is my 21st anniversary of my first diet. February 5th, 1990. I lost 50 pounds in three months. No Internet, no Twitter, no Muscle Confusion. 21 years later, so much has changed, but one thing stays the same. If you want it, you can do it.

You didn't exactly say where you are located. My doc is at Cincinnati Weight Loss Center in West Chester OH. Kristina and the Doc have both filled me and are terrific. No pain, minimal tenderness and a great atmosphere. As far as I know, he still accepts transfers. I believe he may also have an office in Columbus (or a nurse goes to do fills). Check out their site and www.cincyweightloss.com if you are interested. mj

Hi Paula - In my experience my fills seemed to "kick in" about at the 3 week mark after a fill. But I know it's not the same for everyone. Do you remember if you had delayed restriction before? Chances are it will be the same if you did. I wouldn't go and get another fill just to find out you're too tight down the road...then you're paying for an additional visit anyway to get an unfill. Try and see if there are any foods that you can't tolerate that you could before or are more uncomfortable to eat than before. That may be a good indication that your fill level is there even though you may not feel it. Best of luck to you! And congrats on your 5-year mark! mj

My surgeon and I had a talk about this about a month ago when I went in for a barium swallow. He mentioned that a sure sign of a dilation is reflux. Personally, it would be very hard for me to get enough Fluid intake during the day before 6pm. Sounds a bit unreasonable. However, if you want some peace of mind, request a barium swallow and see if he/she can tell if you have a pouch dilation. I don't want to worry you, and it may be something that doesn't need any surgery, but just an unfill to resolve. It's better safe than sorry. He/she can also check to see if maybe you are too tight by the way the fluid goes through the band. Good luck to you! Reflux is awful. I had it when I was too tight and it was no fun.

I still get up in the morning and step on the scale every day. It has shown me that there is a pattern to my weight fluctuations during the month and also if my weight is creeping up. It just my way of holding myself accountable. Not saying it's the best way, it just works for me.

I still have a couple Lean Cuisine's in my freezer for emergencies - and I do occasionally eat the ones with pasta/noodles in them, but I haven't found any that taste as good as fresh food. They are relatively high in sodium, more than likely loaded with preservatives and not that great in Protein. However, in a pinch - I do eat one. I prepare alot of meals for myself also since hubby eats when he gets home. If you get by a grocery store and see any chicken on special (breasts, thighs, legs). Get a couple of packages, rinse them off, put them in a slow-cooker with a can of fat-free cream of chicken Soup for about 6-8 hours. Take all the meat off the bones (it should just fall off) and then freeze the leftovers in little containers. That way you have something quick, relatively healthy and can add whatever "side" you want with it. Just a thought. This way makes the chicken very moist (if you have problems with chicken) and tender. Then you can also use to make chicken salad, put on top of salads, for dips, etc. It's hard cooking for one - but don't always think about just 1 meal. Leftovers can be good and don't have to take a bunch of time to prepare. You may want to consider investing in a vacuum sealer if you do this - helps to keep your frozen foods some shelf life. Good luck!

Congratulations on your success! The first few months are definitely difficult! Still have those old ingrained eating habits, not at proper restriction and going through the emotional side of having a band. But it does get better. Exercise is the key and changing what you eat also. Let's face it, if we can't eat very much, then it should at least (the majority of the time) eat healthy. Keep rockin' the band!

Stateofzen - I think in the first few months if my husband brought those "forbidden" things home and ate them in front of me it would have felt like sabotage, but now that I'm 21 months out - having Reese's in the house or Snickers doesn't bother me. But potato chips - look out! We've come to terms with foods that are "triggers" for me. He has his own cabinets for food that I don't go into. Some of us still - even at goal weight - have food issues. I think they will always be there (for me). The key is to recognize them for what they are, be aware, and find ways to mitigate their hold over us. Some things I've come to terms with and they no longer bother me. I don't have to eat a whole box of something anymore - that "feeling" is gone. But it helps to have someone there who won't eat it

I have a different opinion than Katy in regards to what you told us. The journey is difficult enough when you have support let alone when you feel someone is out to sabotage you. You didn't say whether you are married or not, so I'll assume no for now. You really have to ask yourself the tough question of whether or not you want to be with somebody who doesn't want the best for you and for you to be happy. I'm not saying to ditch the guy right now without giving him the opportunity to improve, but my idea of being supportive is not crawling up on behind everytime you eat something he doesn't "approve" of. I don't think there is a single person out there who hasn't eaten something "forbidden" or not necessarily band-friendly. A heart-to-heart conversation with him in a non-defensive manner may help to put things on the right track. Let him know what you consider and need in terms of support. Whether that means someone to exercise with, someone that takes an interest in what your feelings are when you struggle, someone that can help create boundaries (like keeping a special place for food items that he can eat, but are your weakness)...whatever "support" means to you. Personally, I don't need a hawk watching every single morsel that does in my mouth. I have and had enough issues with food that I don't need to compound them by someone getting to be the judge and jury over what I can eat. If he gets defensive, try and understand and ask why. Is he afraid of losing you? Or what you are capable of? And if he continues to behave the way he has in the past, you have to figure out if this is the kind of relationship you want long-term. Can you be successful on your journey with someone who clearly does not have your best at heart? Maybe all the support you need is for him to just mind his own business. I don't know. Try and figure out the best way he can help you and how much you think he would be able to and have a talk with him. It may take some time, but he may just come around and be your best ally. I wish you the best. And remember to do what is best for you.