goddesscordelia

I love my Protein bars (Keenwah Decadence) but they're super expensive so looking for other ideas. I usually have a veggie & fruit smoothie mid morning. Other ideas? -Cordelia, banded 1/08

I don't try to vomit- but when something gets stuck- it must come out. For me, it never just works its way through. Once you are a few months post of you really should be fine. Best not to, but if you have to- the quickest way is my fave -Cordelia, banded 1/08

So, its taken me a few years to work up to this but if I have something get stuck I just stick my finger down my throat to throw up and it comes out. With two kids, I can't just sit around waiting for it to resolve. You may need to do liquids for a bit- dislodging/pb'ing/puking- can make yor band area a bit inflamed -Cordelia, banded 1/08

Oh- still nursing too! -Cordelia, banded 1/08

All- I finally got my fill when my son was about 14mos old. I did not get it super tight. I've lost about 12 pounds in 4 weeks. I have to use lots of willpower too but I can drink liquids with no problem -Cordelia, banded 1/08

I find that if I alternate a small meal with a shake - I eat 3 small meals a day and drink two shakes. I almost always use an apple, then I can add kale, sprouts, cukes, spinach and the apple makes it taste good. Btw-that's with a Vitamix blender not a juicer. Don't forget to use organic! -Cordelia, banded 1/08

I can drink a few sips with food but usually don't. Everyone's body is different- and it's even diff at diff times of day or the month -Cordelia, banded 1/08

Eggs are tough- I can't eat them. Try eating whatever with a crunchy cracker- this helps me chew adequately. The sign of a too tight fill is if u can't keep down liquids -Cordelia, banded 1/08

Not glam, but stuck your finger down your throat while bent over the toilet . Tickle the flap of tissue in your throat- you'll hurl in no time -Cordelia, banded 1/08

I just made tex mex black Beans with brown rice. Sauce: 1 can diced tomatoes, 1/2jar salsa, some spices and blend- then mix with cooked rice and heat. My baby and I ate it plain with crackers, hubby and 10 year old ate it with shredded cheese in whole wheat tortillas. It would be good on nachos, in taco shells or on a salad! -Cordelia, banded 1/08

I just bought a vita mix cause I had so much trouble with fruits and veggies. I LOVE it- I just got filled after almost 2 years off (had a baby) so I just make it pretty thin! I had apple & cuke juice today along with a lemon ice for dessert- a whole lemon with a bit of agave nectar and tons of ice- yumm! Whatever we can do to make eating healthy foods work is worth it! -Cordelia, banded 1/08

Am sooo nervous about going thru it all again. I am still about 50lbs down from my Pre surgery weight (banded 1/08) but am 60 above Pre pregnancy and about 130 to goal. I'm still nursing and just scared about giving up the food again. I would love encouragement and to hear from any breast feeding bandsters! -Cordelia -Cordelia, banded 1/08

Sounds like you've got to get your port moved and your fill removed. I'm not sure if the can move the port while u are preggers, mine was done first. I had most of the fill out at the beginning of my pregnancy and now my baby is 1, I'll be getting filled up.

I will try to answer some of your questions. I was much farther along, over 2 years out from my original surgery when I got pregnant. So that part is different but the rest applies. Weight loss history. 376 when banded (1/08), down as low as 250 but then in 09 (8/09) my band broke, I regained about 40 and then had revision surgery in 10/09. (Band breakage was not my fault-just really bad luck). Got down to about 265 and then got pregnant (5/10). Now am hovering around 330. (Ugh) I had an "unfill" at about 4 weeks along. It was not total but had the effect of being total-I really did not have enough restriction to stop me from much. I gained about 100 lbs during my pregnancy (just like I did with my first son 9 years earlier). My doc actually wanted to remove a bit less than I asked him to but I had gotten so bloated at the beginning that I could not really even drink much for days so was literally starving when I got my unfill and thus not very rational. It does not have to be completely open, you will have to check with your doctor and OB and preferably have them in agreement with you. I did not slip and have not known anyone who did. I think that they way they put bands in now, by stitching the band to the stomach make is very unlikely for a slip to occur. I vomitted plenty. I did not have any medical complications due to my weight other than my being huge. I had my baby on Jan 31, 2011. The band cord is in a totally different part of your body so the baby does not even get near it let alone get tangled in it (I asked my doc the same question!) I have had a horrible time losing after having my son. I lost 40 lbs in the first 6 weeks and have plateaued since then (it's now been 6 mos). I am terrified of getting a fill because I am loving nursing and am really committed to it and do not want anything to mess that up. So still have not decided about when to get a fill. If I can help in any way-let me know! Good luck!

Thank you. It's just that I want to nurse for a few years. I don't want to wean him. The other problem is that it's hard to find someone who is an expert on lap band, weight loss and lactation. If anyone has any suggestions, I want to hear them! Nursing does take calories but I'm plateaued. I just don't know what to do. -C

I had my son 1/31. I gained almost all my weight back during the pregnancy and have lost about 40 lbs since I had him but have plateaued. I know I can get a fill but I just don't want to. I cry every time I think about going through that deprivation again. My doc says he'll do it even though I'm nursing but I just haven't had the guts to schedule. Thoughts? Experiences?

I had my unfill at around the same time. He did not take it all out but enough that I basically had no restriction. Just do your best. If you are going to overeat, eat healthy food for baby. -Cordelia

For me - my second fill was the 'sweet spot'. If something feels stuck-it may just be uncomfy for a while-if it is stuck - you will do what some call PBing or productive burping-my experience is heaving, and coughing until I puke. But-it's not that easy to mess up your band-so ask your doc if you're really worried but you are probably just fine. I was starving until my first fill. BTW-crackers are easier to chew enough-stay away from bread and steak.

i'm about 18 mos out and we still have issues. As you lose it's gets better but still can be an issue. If I (forgive bluntness) put a pillow under my butt-that usually (not always) takes care of it.

the goal of the band is not to starve yourself. good job on getting a bit out. Cordelia Lap Band Surgery: 1/10/08 Total Lost So Far: 128 pounds !!! -376 / 248 / 175 -Start/Now/Goal

What you are feeling is totally normal-eat as healthy as you can - you should eat every 3 hours to avoid overeating. I didn't feel real restriction until my 2nd fill-and then it was like a light bulb went on over my head. Oh-this is how it works! Cordelia Lap Band Surgery: 1/10/08 Total Lost So Far: 128 pounds !!! -376 / 248 / 175 -Start/Now/Goal

Trust me-you would know if you had restriction. Its not mistakable. Sounds like a band problem. I'm having one too-after 18 mos. I've lost 128 pounds so far. Keep being your own advocate. Cordelia