GoingforGoal

I vote inflammation/healing. Although a very small percentage of bandsters will feel restriction post surgery (and some never require fills) the reality is as you get closer to one month postop will you have a real perspective if you are in that small percentage or not. It's great you are not hungry as it makes it SO much easier to deal w/ the transitional phases from liquids to solids. I say work with your band and hope the 'healing' is prolonged long enough that you can get to solids without much discomfort. Keep portions small, eat 3 meals only etc but ensure you are getting adequate nutrition (60-80g protein is #1). Good luck and congrats

Only advice I can give is to base your symptoms on what has been the norm for you in your past. No reason those symptoms should change. If you do experience 'differences' than perhaps than you can examine whether they are lapband oriented or not. The only thing some woman have shared is that due to the influx of hormones their band's have a tendency to be tighter during their MP and will take precautions during that specific time (drinking hot drinks prior to meals, eating less chewier/solid foods, or using more shake supplements etc).

Hi there I'm a nurse and iodine is a toughy. Use rubbing alcohol for an initial scrub but than soap/water will do the rest. Mind you, iodine stains readily and is hard to remove. It will be absorbed and will diminish with time, but it does take time. Unfortunate that the med team didn't wipe the initial gunk off post surgery for you. Large iodine doses screws with the thyroid so it's common practice for nurses to take as much off as possible.

Raising her pom poms..GOOOOO MICH GOOOOO, We just know.. You'll be fine, even though you cant drink wine. We will be there on the other side, lets all get on the lapband ride. (Wow, Im so embarrassed...someone should take away my post privileges ahhah)

Potential complications with body jewelry: 1) If an emergency occurred and an MRI was warranted this is an absolute no no. Metal is forbidden in MRIs despite location (the machine is a huge magnet and the metal WILL come out), 2) some nose/oral jewelry can interfere w/ placing G-tubes and ET tubes to secure an airway. Last thing med professionals want to deal with is a secondary issue like a rip/bleeding or worse swallowing the object etc. 3) down below jewelry can interfere with placing a catheter and because scrubbing for sterility is required, again, risk for tears etc, 4) tummy jewelry potentially an issue with abdominal surgery (depends where the laproscopic incisions are placed (some go through the belly button for instance) etc. Lastly, body jewelry does harbor bacteria, and just like wearing makeup etc removing these objects will hopefully decrease risk of infection. Speak to your doc as to what is required and what he is comfortable leaving in. But these are the rationales.

Any calorie is possible on the band but in all honesty, that would require one of the three: 1) cheating the band through liquid calories (think icecreams, shakes, liquor or things that dissolve quickly like cake, Cookies etc), 2) eating excessively. The rule is 3 meals, however, if you wanted to eat more meals or snack continously you can get excess calories or 3) having a band that is not filled to green. Without restriciton, it's like being preband. Not even men are on 1500 cals typically with the band. Once you are banded and at green you should not feel as hungry nor should you be capable of eating large meals thus restricting caloric intake.

Im sorry, not trying to be insensitive...but I would die to eat 1500. I eat approximately 800-900. Avg for bandsters is 900-1200 depending on activity level. This is actually a good transition for you so when you dip down further it won't be such a shock or as difficult... (daydreaming what an extra 600 cals would be)

Everyone is different because we all have different insurance, which has different requirements. Some ins. companies require a period of time of supervised weight loss the traditional method (mine did not), some require extensive tests ranging from pscyh tests to an EKG. Than there's nutrition meetings/classes, consults etc. And these are scheduled first come first serve, or they are offered on a set time frame (ie classes once a month for instance). So it's a matter of what your insurance co. requires (check with them) and how soon you get orders to get these tests completed. If you were like me, you'd try to get more than one done at a time to expedite the time

Nothing you share with your doctor should be embarrassing. This is a mere reflection of your feelings regarding being obese etc. As a nurse, patients who are forthcoming and confident yield the best results because they recognize that a proactive attitude can give them the success they seek. So go in there and just tell him that today is the day you want to change your life.

a lol Made me laugh

If the port was damaged or dislocated you may experience: persistant pain, noticeable swelling, noticeable harden fluid filled sack underneath skin. If you were able to feel your port you might detect that it has migrated (typically up) or is lying sideways (as if it wants to flip). Other things may include a notice in decreased restriction (as if the tubing was damaged and caused a leak). I'm just thinking off the top of my head. However, it is very rare and quite the feat to accomplish this. I'm on a farm getting mauled by animals constantly, I have 3 boys 18 months to 10 and they maul me where the animals missed, and than I'm always trying to do 3 things at once so things falling on me or me slamming into things is an everyday occurance. I'm not sure how newly you are banded, but if recently, than the area can be ultra sensitive to pressure. But be more concerned with persistant and increasing pain

If you get mildly stuck where food easy regurgitates without force I usually stop eating and than later that day introduce fluids to see how I feel. If all is well I will usually proceed with solid foods. However, if you get stuck and it takes a prolonged period to pass, is super uncomfortable and has symptoms like nausea, acid reflux, or it induced vomiting this is when you should exercise some caution as this type of 'stuck' will have caused some inflammation. To do so, go on a liquid diet x1 day and the next day intro some mushies first and than solids if all feels well. Liquid diet can be extended for however long is necessary if you continue to feel sore or if you notice increased restriction (d/t inflammation). Chicken is one of those meats a lot of us struggle with us. One day it goes down no problem, next day not even close. Make sure your lean meats are super moist and cut it as small as possible before chewing it down like a lawnmower. Hope this helps

Nope, just means it's time for a fill. Call the doc for an appt

Although I have told all the practitioners I have come across, no one has commented on it. The only person who has was at my cosmetic surgery consult. She does the financing and was just completely interested in learning more (she was not in need of one herself). I have also found myself educating other medical professionals on what exactly the lapband was. It's really fun to get xrays and the techs freak out because there's something unusual in the abdominal cavity and they think it's acute ahahaha..nope..thats the lapband.

You have perfectly described a too tight band. We are not substituting one unhealthy lifestyle for another. I know we are all eager to shed pounds and feel motivated when that scale goes down, but we cannot neglect our health by depriving ourselves of the basic nutrition our bodies require. Depending on how much of a fill your doc gave you in March, you may only need a smidgin of an unfill. For example, if you are relatively new to being banded and your doc gave you an aggressive 3cc fill, you may just need 0.5-1 cc taken out. If you are on the other spectrum where you are getting maintenance fills and your last fill was only 0.5cc than maybe a 0.1 - 0.25 cc is warranted. Eating continuously on a too tight band can set you up for serious complications ranging from slipping/erosion to malnutrition. Although these complications may be experienced by the small percentages, you can believe they are higher in those who are noncompliant too. Get to the doc and get a partial unfill.

So I read your post and it put me through a bit of rollercoaster. 1) I was so happy to hear that you recognized you were gaining self control. There is nothing more rewarding (even weight loss) than realizing you now have the tools to succeed AND you are using them to your advantage. The reality that this is happening and that it will continue to happen is just such a relief and is motivating! I am just thrilled that you've come to that realization and congratulations! but than 2) I saw the self doubt trickle in. And YES! this has been our norm for so long that it's just a natural knee jerk reaction. We second guess everything because we have failed repeatedly. But this is not only different, this is the solution. This is what has been missing for us all these years and that is why you no longer need to self doubt. You need to just keep reminding yourself YOU ARE IN CONTROL. Control doesn't mean perfection. It doesn't mean eating clean 100% of the time. It means giving yourself permission to indulge on occasion with control. It means recognizing gaining 1, 2 even 3 lbs is not failure..it's a break and one you can easily turn around from...again, because you are in control. The more freedom you give yourself, the more control you have and that = success. I have full faith you can do this. Ignore the others. We are individuals and some of us make poor decisions. You sound like you have a good handle on this and are doing things right. You'll get there..one pound at a time. Now put that self defeating attitude in a box and burn it ahhaha

I would definitely say at least one week. Everyone responds differently to the pain and despite pain thresholds, previous surgery experience etc you'll find the discomfort inevitable. Some residual pains such as entrapped gas peak 4-6 days after surgery and that in of itself can make working super difficult (even at a desk). Others discover their bodies are ultra sensitive initially to the band and feel nauseated, acid reflux symptoms, prolonged pain etc. Waiting it out a week to learn how you are going to tolerate and recover from the procedure is better than going to work prematurely and exasperating the pain.

Nice! I'd hang it on my door in my bedroom as a daily reminder of what the near future holds

There are many variables that you have to remind yourself of. Everyone starts at different weights, some are on different diets, metabolisms are different and the list goes on. 10lbs is exceptional and your doc will be satisfied with that. I know it's hard, but don't get into the habit of comparing yourself to other's progress. It's not tangible so just focus on you and reward yourself for the loss you do accomplish

Everyone is different as you have caught on to. I lost 30 lbs quite readily and than it slowed once I started needing fills. You will not lose 10s of pounds a week for too long, especially once you start eating your solids again. Be mindful that if you do that that is not something to strive for and you'll need to incorporate more calories. But you have another month or so before than. Until than, enjoy the loss, take advantage and best of luck

It is hard to retrain yourself to eat small bites and slow down, especially when rushed or distracted. So we have to create new rituals if you will to ensure that we do this by being mindful of these habits when we eat. Tools such as smaller plates, smaller utensils, putting forks down between bites are all good suggestions. But also try to other things like not eating when standing (it compels you to move around and do things like cleaning, putting things away, making calls etc), set the mood with some soft music to calm your nerves and to distract the mind (if you are like me who is constantly thinking of what needs to be done or have 3 kids making a ruckus thus making food chewing a nonpriority). Also sometimes if this just becomes a super hard habit to bust, try different cooking techniques. For example I find if I ground my meat it already helps with the first step of breaking down my meat. Cooking with water or even a light based tomato sauce helps with drier meats that have a tendency to be hard to pass. Finely chop veggies instead of eating them whole sized etc. Just anything that helps in case you continue to be forgetful

As a nurse, I am here to tell you that it is not our role to guilt, scold, or harass our patients. A good doctor will evaluate your progress and help you identify what went wrong AND how to get back on track. Education and support is paramount from your medical staff. If everyone was healthy and compliant we'd have no jobs <wink> On the other hand, the one who is actually doing all the guilt tripping is you. Because you realize that you let yourself down and now it's time to face it. We all have had setbacks. Some have stalled on their wl for months, years. Others have gained some to all their weight back etc. This happens because we no longer abide by the rules AND we no longer work with our support team (docs etc) to get back on track. Keeping the band in green is the lifeline to having a band. Finding excuses to not go to the doctor will keep you out of the green and that is a guarantee for failure. So no more sulking...get up and call your doc for an appointment!

Sorry I also forgot to add that many people who are postop are on narcotics and drinking alcohol is a major contradiction.

Sorry hon but it's impossible for any of us to answer your questions. Every insurance company covers different things and sometimes it's specific to locale, even employer. You will have to consult with your insurance company

Karen, I would advise against consuming alcohol for a couple reasons (at this stage). 1) right now your stomach is on the high acidic side. Making you prone to things like acid reflux and ulcers. Alcohol and caffeine alike increase acidity in the stomach and can predispose you to these complications. 2) I know you may feel like you don't have to watch calories, but these mindless liquid calories are not what your body needs right now. Protein is essential for recovery. Alcohol is a blood thinner and thus slows healing. It offers no nutritional value. and 3) Right now is the prime time to follow the rules, being diligent with healthful choices etc. You are establishing new habits and a foundation for the remainder of your banded life. Yes, alcohol can be consumed when you are banded. I would just advise against it until you are well established on solids for now.