GoingforGoal

Shantelle, the weight loss will help with the aggravating acute pain. Pain will always be apart of our lives, but I think manageable is what us degens look for. Just to be able to participate in normal functions is great. I'm happy to say that I have managed to get myself back into horse back riding. Something that I wouldn't have dared to do just this past January. These are those NSV (non scale victories) they talk about and this one just makes me feel as free as being at a healthy weight

Wow, I think this is the first time I've heard this. Sorry for that..geesh you must have the strictest dr out there

I noticed hair loss. I take vitamins, biotin etcetc Although it will not prevent hair loss it will support hair growth

Could you be more specific with what kind of pain/where, how long does it last, is it piercing or more like discomfort etc. Do you have any history with getting stuck etc. Slips are usually accompanied with new or increased signs of acid reflux/GERD, increased appetite and ability to eat more (or not at all) etc. Only way to know is to have a fluro study to be sure. Unfortunately the options are endless from eating too large of bites to erosion.

Shantelle, Hello fellow degenerate LOL. (bad joke). I too have DDD and have 3 herniations. One so severe I complete compression on the spinal nerves that cannot be visualized via MRI. I too will require a discectomy in the near future as well as fusion in the (hopefully longterm) future. I was banded in 2009 at 250#. Got pregnant a year later. Ended up in a major car accident that put my back into acute strain (bursitis, sciatica and severe loss of ROM). I couldn't do passive PT nonetheless real cardio/weight lifting. After 8 long months, my neural symptoms finally subsided and I am now on spinal injections to manage the inflammation/pain every 2-3 months. After I was back to 'normal' (which is back pain not all the other bells and whistles) I resumed my diet. I've lost 40-45 lbs since January and am now at goal. I NEVER did a day of exercise during the entire time I had my band. There's just no way. The weight loss has helped tremendously with my back pain and I feel it has helped to resolve my neural symptoms from the accident. I am just at the point where I am considering some core exercises to strengthen accessory back muscles. Dead lifts, ab crunches, leg presses etc are all hard nos for me. It terrifies me to try because my back is so vulnerable and easy to sprain (which means 4 days of bed rest for me). So yes it is possible. I don't find my wl was slow at all, quite the opposite. However, do recognize that your caloric intake for 'sedentary' lifestyle needs to be decreased in order to lose the weight. IM me if you wanna chat.

Some generic guidelines you hear are 60-80g protein minimum, 3 meals a day 1/2-1 cup per meal, no drinking w/ meals or 30 mins after. Sometimes the band restricts what we can eat (ie I do not do well with starches). There are plenty of menu ideas both on this site and if you do a generic google search for lapband menus. Many bariatric centers post their post surgery menu and ideas as well to give you a good starter list for what to buy at the grocer and what foods to focus on. If you are simply eating out, eating 'normal' ie high fat/carbs than the band will in no way help you. Food selection is paramount. Also, getting to green is equally important otherwise 'dieting clean' becomes very difficult as it was pre band. I too recommend seeing a nutritionist or changing doctors.

(Pressing the Alarm) I call bs. No need to be polite in this situation. I would have 'enlightened' this professional and stated she was apparently unfit to teach my child about long term health and weight management due to her apparent ignorance and lack of attention to detail (ie your 30# loss). Not that I see it as our role to correct others with misperceptions of the lapband, but boy o boy, if someone insists I'm in the wrong-game on! I know much of this is personality types etc, however, that's precisely the point. There are so many patients who are vulnerable, who are new and learning themselves, some who struggle, and even those trying to cheat their band and themselves. We don't need 'professionals' like this instigating self sabotage. Like you, I cannot eat heavy starches. I get stuck every time. It's been so long that I no longer even desire these foods. No way in hell the "FUTURE" is going to change that and I don't want it to either. I commend you for taking a role in your daughter's health. As a lifetime obese person (or ex now) it has always been my #1 priority to ensure my children won't end up the way I did. This does not come through force, restriction, diet etc rather education, reinforcement and enrollment in family activities. I am so proud my first son is conscience of healthy eating, my 2nd sons fav food is broccoli and all three of my boys are at their ideal weight. It truly one of the best gifts us parents can give our children

I have to add that everyone's experience w/ the band is different. My band indeed restricts what I can and cannot eat. For example, heavy breads like pizza are impossibles for me. I have hard times with pasta and rices too...and I'm not complaining. I no longer crave it and it's helped me tremendously in the carb reduction department. Some meats can be problems like thick cut meats or dry meats so I take precautions and make slim cuts, marinate and ensure I don't over cook them. The band will NEVER prevent you from eating sliders and of course those are the culprits (ie milkshakes, icecream, cookies, cake etc) they dissolve readily and slide right past the band with some serious ramifications in the end (weight gain!). You still need to exercise self control. The plus side (for me) is that when you are in green the band does help limit the quantity you can eat and thus cheat days don't have near the damage it use to have

Sounds about right (wink) Give yourself a full week to recover from pain and initial GI issues.

I take vitafusion vitamins and vitamin D gummy chewables. They taste great and easy to go down. I bought them at walmart, sensibly priced I would avoid the gummies that are sugar coated..they are too sweet

I've spoken to someone who had theirs well over 20 years. Of course they are not from the US because it was approved in Europe long before here. Band is intended to work for life as long as there are no malfunctions or complications.

Some docs require a preop diet others not. Also it's patient specific. I didn't have to go on one but my husband had to do the 2 week liquid diet. Just depends on your start weight and how likely you have fatty liver. Consider it a detox opposed to a weight loss, trying to slim down that liver as much as possible. That can't be quantified through a scale. Even if your doctor says no diet is necessary, try to get yourself ready by making nutritious choices. If you are put on a diet, try not to focus on the #'s on the scale as much as being compliant (that's hard enough)

Has your doctor ever checked w/ an xray to confirm placement. Sometimes if there is a slip the only symptom people experience is increased appetite and gaining weight. Not to imply this is the problem, but it seems that your band is otherwise intact as there is no apparent leak. Like lulu mentioned, some of us require no fills and others require max fills for that green zone. Unfortunately there are some that the band does not work for at all. For us with effective bands, it's hard to relate, but this is a hard truth. Also, just so everyone knows that the band is an option for lower than 40 BMI or self pay and for other countries. I converse w/ a quite a few foreign bandsters who are in BMI of 30s. I know it's hard for us to wrap our heads around getting the band for a mere <50 lb loss but the band does not only allow us to lose but also to maintain and long term 50lb overweight people struggle with that aspect just as much. Back to topic, I have no idea what your daily menu looks like..maybe you can type one up super quick and it'll give us an idea as to what and how much you are eating.

Congrats

So day one didn't go well. Is there a plan B? Drop in daycare, family/friends who can babysit etc? Something to stress w/ hubby is that if you prolong your healing, healing takes longer. Additionally you risk injury, infection, fatigue etc so it's super important to get any support you can. I have 3 kiddos as well and I know how challenging it can be.

Hey Tina, I'm with you. I don't do shakes all the time, but they are always stocked in my pantry as my go to. Sometimes the band's tightness fluctuates (time of day, hormones, dehydration, hell the weather) so shakes are a great way to ensure nutrition when you know food is going to be problematic. It's also a great 'on-the-go' option for those rushed days. 60-80g protein can be achieved w/out the shakes. I don't consume as many cals as your doc recommends also. Just need to look for those high protein options but I wouldn't get rid of your shakes. Do you use them as meals or just supplements between meals

If you 'wing' it you are bound to overeat and give into temptations. When I am trying to lose weight I fully immerse myself into it. For example, I will create a daily or even weekly menu for myself. Not only does it help w/ grocery shopping but it dictates what I am eating. When I generate this list, I put the # of cals and protein grams on it so I do not exceed my calorie goal and ensure I get adequate protein. If you wrote a log of what you are eating this week, you'll be surprised how quickly the cookies and sweet tea just sabotaged your healthy choices and your overall progress. Another recommendation, if you have a sweetness, stay the hell away from it. Sorry to be blunt, but it takes energy and intent to go to McD's. That's a habit that needs to be relearned. Eating out is the #1 way to ruin your diet. Many times people assume they are selecting the healthiest options (baked chicken and steamed veggies) and when they look at the nutrition menu they realize it was twice the calories they assumed and not even close to being the healthiest option. If you are not at the stage where you know what foods are staples or how much of one time= x amount of calories, I would restrict my diet to the same foods for awhile and practice learning your staples so that you can eyeball a meal and know how many cals are in it. This helps tremendously when you do eat out or are preparing meals. Some people poopoo calorie counting, but I feel if you don't know how much you are putting in than you don't know how much excess you are taking in. Additionally, if you log your calories you can also fine tune how many calories you should take in..for instance if you take in 600 you might not lose, take in 800 you lose and take in 1000 you gain. Well than, your body is telling you where your range is for optimal loss. This will need to be recalculated once you start on a consistent exercise program since you will be burning cals. But you should be in tune w/ what your body needs to lose.

tx, join me in the chat room to discuss getting stuck

Congrats hon. And no, we all struggle. I'm at 155 trying to get to 150 and it seems like it's going to take 5 years before I get there... having lots of head hunger and grazing doesn't help hahaha. We all have our up and down days..just hang in there

a lol Made me laugh

BREAKFAST 1) Oatmeal: One packet plain oatmeal mixed with 1 tsp brown sugar, 10 g dried fruit, 10g almond slivers 200 cal can add a Greek yog with fruit for extra 80cal 2) Eggs and Bacon, 1/4c eggwhite and 3 turkey bacon = 200 cal (again add a yogurt if necessary) 3) Omelet: 1/4 c eggwhite or 1 whole egg, cook spinach tomato and garlic in separate pan for bulk, add quiona for texture and depending on your calorie allotment feta cheese for a punch of flavor (2-300 cal). SNACKS: 1/2 c cottage cheese (80 cal), greek yogurt (80 cal), cheese stick and slice of ham (80 cal), soft laughing cow cheese on rice cake (80 cal), soup (100 cal), after workouts I have protein shakes for proper recovery (100-150 cal), hummus on rice cake or well toasted low cal bread 1) df

Name, real or screen~ Stephanie "Hazelsbliss" Goal weight for July 31st~ 150 Weight on July 1st~ 155 Age~ 35City/State~ Larkspur, CO Dietary goal for July~ Reduce mindless snacking Exercise goal for July~ Work on lower body exercises Personal goal for July~ Get physically & mentally prepared for plastic surgery in August Date banded~ 11/2009 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 95 Favorite Independence Day Activity~ Discussing the Constitution/Bill of Rights/and the history of July 4th w/ the kids

I know it must be nerve wrecking but I think the consensus is that you are giving yourself the biggest gift ever. Most of us did this later in life 30, 40s and even 60+. What life would have been like if we did this in our 20s instead. Trust me, you don't want to wait if indeed you need this. You'll thank yourself once you live life the way it was always suppose to be lived-free of weight obstacles lol

Hello. Ahhh caffeine..I think some of us are more reluctant to do away w/ our beloved caffeine than chips, cookies and pizza alike (ok, that's a stretch but still... try taking my coffee away and I just might act that way lol). Caffeine is indeed a diuretic. Not a great thing if you want to remain hydrated for a surgical procedure where IVs are necessary (and hard to access and maintain on dehydrated patients) or if you are struggling with your fluid intake (think postop week 1). Also, caffeine is in many carbonated beverages..which if I were to prioritize a no consumption list, carbonation would come before caffeine. However, someone mentioned erosion. Here's the deal, caffeine does increase stomach acid. This in turn can result in GERD and/or ulcers. This in turn can cause band erosion. However, some of us do not suffer from acid reflux and do not find caffeine to be an irritant (thank all those lovely night shifts as a nurse where 2 pots of coffee is necessary not desired). If you have GERD symptoms or if you feel any negative symptoms after coffee maybe cut back to decaf (will lesser caffeine) or cut it out completely to prevent these symptoms and further complications. I have been banded 3.5 years and coffee/tea is a common staple still. However, I notice I cant drink coffee on an empty stomach anymore so I have decreased coffee intake and ensure it's with a meal. Lastly, caffeinated drink like coffee are usually laced with sugar and cream and become high cal drinks. Another reason to cut back if indeed you cant drink it w/out all the high cal additives

Get a second opinion. I have a different attitude than some others. So I'll just keep it at that lol