GoingforGoal

Hello Healthy alternatives: Crystal Lite (or similar brand)...great way to get your Water in if you find water too bland Unsweetened Ice Tea (add sugar substitutes if you have a preference) I have hot tea and coffee all the time and mine always have milk/sugar (Sweet & Low). However, if you are a cold drinker...make your fav iced coffees at home so you can control the indgredients to keep cals/fat/sugar low. Try to make this a treat because as diuretics this should not be considered water intake.

Irish, I'm not sure of your particulars (ie age, current weight, how long you've been overweight, or how your weight is carried etc) but I just wanted to share a realistic viewpoint that sagging skin for most obese people is inevitable. I am in no way discouraging getting active and trying to get toned, but I also don't want you to be under any disillusions that this will solely prevent sagging skin. If docs orders are 4 weeks, than it's best not to do anything until than

I know that dance by hard HAHAHAHA I'd show you my shake What Your Momma Gave You clip..but it's not allowed here ahhahah

Ok.. where is that post about the guy who popped an incision working on his car...hmmmm... (snicker) Although it's fantastic that you feel the energy to do this, I still think it's premature. Did your doc give you a guideline as to when you can resume lifting, exercising etc? I think the avg recommendation is 2 weeks postop depending on how conservative your doc is.

Congrats on your decision and we are all pulling for your approval. That was the most anxiety provoking thing for me initially...waiting and fretting a rejection from the insurance co. Stop biting your nails, come chat with us... we'll be there no matter what

Instead of locking threads, they should just delete them

Hello Some filling options: Chili (and toppings) Frozen (<300 calorie) meals ( for those too busy to make lunches kind of day) tuna, chicken or egg salads cold cuts, cheese and rice cakes Now the problem is you are not at green. I don't know the volume you are taking in and how frequently you are eating, but I know it can be difficult during the transitional period between surgery and green. This is especially true if you are super active and burning those calories as soon as they are consumed. So think of Snacks to keep you satiated in the interim. Cottage cheese is great, string cheese, even dense foods like raw carrots which take longer to break down, or yogurt to curb your appetite until it's mealtime again. Perhaps this is when you get your fruit in or enjoy some hot Soup during the cold months. I know many of us stick to the 3 meals a day rule. But I'm more of a calorie counter which allows me to spread my meals out with snacks throughout the day. I prefer this because, even at green, I feel that I get hungry before mealtimes. I keep meals </=300 cals and snacks </=100 cals and usually end up in the 800-900 cal range by the end of the day.(My cals are low d/t little exercise per dr. orders).

Awesome, you are looking HOT my friend

Hi Miss, Sliming is the body's normal response to clearing objects that are stuck in the esophagus, It's basically mucous production that is supposed to cling onto the object and pass it down into the stomach. Unfortunately, this happens when food is stuck in the stoma and is not passing. The slime is ineffective at this time and only causes built up pressure behind the blocked food. This results in regurgitation (not vomiting) like you experienced. Regurg is not harmful to the band, only vomiting.

What Mis means as problem foods for banded people is that they are foods that commonly get stuck for people. Other examples may be eggs, dry meats, breads, Pasta etc. It's highly individual and requires experimentation to know what your problem foods are (if any)

Doing the shake what your momma gave you dance. Hi 5!!!

Princess, No, there's plenty of people from England, Ireland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand and Canada here. I'm sure elsewhere, but these are just naming some friends I've made along the way

The vagus nerve innervates the diaphragm. For some people, when you reach your max volume it'll stimulate the vagus nerve (as it should because this is what signals the brain to say you are full) but it also activates other areas the nerve innervates (ie diaphragm, shoulder, even the mouth). These signals should definitely be anticipated and listened to because it's your soft stop signal to let you know you are done eating

PS My response was under the assumption your doc was aware or has seen it.

I wanted to elaborate on this question: There are 3 reasons to be aware of: 1) Surgical Gas- Because this is a laproscopic procedure, the doctor uses carbon dioxide gas to expand the abdominal cavity so they can access and visualize internal organs and have sufficient are to operate in. They attempt to expel as much of this gas as possible once the procedure ends, however, it is impossible for all of it to be removed. The residual gas will rise and put pressure on the diaphragm. The diaphragm is innervated by the vagus nerve and this nerve will radiate pain into other areas it innervates, such as the shoulder. Unfortunately there is nothing but comfort measures that can remedy the pain (such as heating blankets and walking). You have to wait for the gas to be reabsorbed by the body naturally. 2) The vagus nerve is what runs alongside the esophagus and is what is stimulated by the band apparatus. Sometimes when bandsters eat too quickly, too much, get stuck etc they hyper stimulate the vagus nerve and again will feel pain in referred areas such as the back/shoulder 3) I also wanted to make mention that many bandsters will have gallstones. A classic sign (aside from abdominal pains) is referred pain in the right shoulder blade. I wanted to make this differentiation in case someone who typically does not experience shoulder pain finds themselves experiencing shoulder and abdominal pain they'll think of the gallbladder.

hahahah nice one I just underwent cosmetic surgery. All the incisions are healed except my right arm (from arm lift). There was increased irritation in the armpit area and it started to swell. So much so that the swelling caused the incision to come apart. I think the fact that you are constantly rubbing your armpit area, putting pressure on it when sleeping, and the arm is mobile doing everyday tasks it's a sure setup for irritation. Just wanted to share how delicate incisions can be and you really do need to be careful. PS They look nastier than they are. Clean with regular soap/water, put polysporin on it and nonsticking gauze on it until it heals. Takes several weeks for it to heal from the inside out. End result won't be as bad as you may think looking at it from this stage But do keep a careful eye to ensure it doesn't become infected. Wound care gets ugly real quick.

Standard labs and a pregnancy test to ensure nothing popped up last minute (infection, anemia, pregnancy) etc that would put you at risk during surgery.

Hello This same topic was posted yesterday, do a quick search for our discussion

I got pregnant while banded as well. Gained 20 lbs than lost it almost immediately. Got back on the bandwagon at 195 lbs and starting losing again until I reached goal. It's doable so keep working on it. Perhaps share what your diet/exercise looks like or some of the struggles you think might be having. Maybe we can help?

Hi Jude, Itching is normal. Histamines are release during the inflammatory stage which causes itching. Consult doc, but benadryl may do the trick. Also, if you are on narcotics, itching is a typical side effect. On the topic of hairloss, lack of Protein will certainly encourage hair loss, however, major stress like undergoing surgery will as well. Don't get too freaked out if you see hair falling out in the early stages after surgery. Nothing you can do to prevent it, but give your body the essential building blocks to discourage excessive loss and to sustain what is already there Protein shakes are really a personal preference thing, based typically on palate. I like Premiere Protein Shakes. 30g of protein, smaller portioned but super filling. I'm a fan of chocolate

I'm a straw drinker as well, but have never had issues with air entrapment. But I am mindful enough to suck up Fluid into the straw and exhale before starting my sipping...<shrugs> may or may not help haha eggs are tricky sometimes. I always cook them sunny side up to make them less dense. I also find that if I mix things like tomato or spinach it sometimes makes it easier to pass and better tasting at that Good luck

It's an amazing physical validation ey? I also recommend buying an outfit in the next size down and hang it in your closet as a visual reminder and motivator to keep going. There is nothing more rewarding than that instant gratification of putting on a new outfit that makes you feel great after losing another 10 lbs. I use to hate losing weight and than feeling bummed out by the fact that my clothes made me feel frumpy Nice ego booster Congrats on your tremendous wl.

Whew, at least I could take penile implant off my list (snicker) but I guess that's negated by the breast implants (darn!)

Tell us more. For example, do you feel restriction with your fills? Are you in the green? How long have you been banded? etc This will help us dive into what may be going on (not fill related)

You are overstimulating the vagus nerves that runs alongside the esophagus and is already stimulated by the band's restriction. When you overstimulate a nerve it can cause symptoms in any area of the body that nerve innervates. Examples include hiccups because it innervates the diaphragm, shoulder pain because it innervates the lungs, and your oral symptoms because a) it innervates the larynx/pharynx and these areas are innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve and these two nerves are playing tag...creating the painful sensation in your palate. When you can start predicting tightness patterns in your band, its best to eat according to that schedule. You do that by either delaying Breakfast after rehydrating and exercising your stoma through drinks (I recommend hot drinks). Or eating foods that can pass much easier than eggs for instance. Also avoid habits that induce this kind of pain like drinking from a straw, too large bites, fast eating etc. I would definitely let your doc know to start a history with him in case these solutions do not remedy the problem.