Humming Bird

I too drink up to my first bite, not a big gulp size or anything, just to quench thirst. It's all a learning process. You will get what works for you all figured out.

Too funny! It reminds me of walking in a department store with my son last summer. I said something like, "Maybe I'll get some of those thongs." He gasped. "MOM, those have not been called thongs in years! Don't say it so loud. They are flip-flops now. Thongs are something totally different now!" When I was younger any type of shoe with a strip of something between the toes were called thongs .....What can I say, it's hard to call them something else. Now the strip of something on a "thong" goes between the person's fluffy butt cheeks!

Yes, it is very common for some of the fluid to be gone after such a long period of time. This is why I'm going in for a maintenance fill tomorrow. I can really feel when I need it. Some of the fluid does go away ..... think osmosis. I wish they would explain this to bandsters before they gain a bunch of weight back. I hope you say something about the rudeness and get it cleared up.... there is no excuse for that. Don't let the frustration get to you so bad that you have the band removed. Just understand that in order for it to keep working you need to go get maintenance fills about every 9-12 months unless you become an exercise queen.

I get all mine at walmart and Target. Did your surgen tell you exactly what to take? It can be bad to take Iron if you are not low on iron ......... Mine told me to use adult Centrum chewable and I take a couple other things ....

I have the problem with avoiding the camera as well. I have been at/or close to goal for a very long time now and I still can not bring myself to the point of posting before and after pics. I'm looking forward ..... no looking back! I just am so ashamed of how huge I got, the before pics would seem like dwelling on the past. I would rather not look at them and I sure don't want others to look at them. Maybe one day I'll feel like I can post them. Believe me, after over 100lb loss there is a huge difference, but I'm just not at that place to post it.

If you are starting with an empty band I don't think 3 weeks is too soon. My doc put in 2.7cc at surgery and my first fill after that was 6-8 weeks. I reached my sweet spot at fill #2 and I do believe that is how I had great success with this thing.

Try taco salad ..... I'm not talking about the kind you get at taco bell. no deep fried tortilla and no iceburg..... make it at home and if you have a family that will eat it that will be great too. Here's what I put in mine: Leaf type lettuce salad onions fine chopped red/yellow/ or orange bell pepper light red kidney Beans ground beef seasoned with salsa cheese a few crunched up fritos for crunch dressing of choice Believe me, it is very yummy and a good way to get the Protein with the cheese, beef and beans ...... I mix up all he veggies and serve the other stuff in dishes on the side. That way you can store it and have it again for another meal .... just nuke the beans and meat the next day.

If I ever get a slip or erosion it won't be from drinking carbonated stuff. It causes discomfort, so I don't touch the stuff. There are plenty of other things out there to drink.

I'm not sure what perfect would be because there are so many different rules and guidelines out there. I guess it doesn't matter what perfect is because I guess I've figured out what works for me personally. From day one of this lapband journey I have not dieted, counted, tracked anything. I don't exercise either, but I am more active in general since I'm no longer lugging around over 100 pounds of excess weight. Life is good, so maybe that in it's self is perfect

Keep in mind when we hear "lapband erosion" it is not the actual band that "erodes". No matter the cause, it is the actual stomach tissue that erodes.

I agree. After weightloss surgery .... Take your Vitamins!

It may just be a suture from the inside of the incision site that was supposed to disolve. I don't know, I guess it could also be what they use to anchor the port to the muscle and they left a long tail on it or something. If it were me, I would definitely contact my surgeon about it, but it would be a real drag if it's like that all weekend. I would not go to the ER for something that is not an emergency, but I also do not have insurance. It would be an expensive visit.

Well said Cazzy and elcee I guess in the beginning I felt a bit strange about having an object inside my body, but I was desperate to get rid of my morbid obesity. The band has become part of me now just as a knee replacement would be to someone who needed it.

I would say that before being banded my fav foods were all junk food/fast food. It was just so easy to go through the drive-thru and pick up that stuff. I loved pizza as well. Now I can't eat that stuff and it is amazing that I don't miss it like I thought I would. After being banded I've gone through phases of fav foods. In the beginning I ate quite a bit of chili. It is a great Protein source.

Jacqui, I just love how you still manage to keep your head in the game even when things get hectic. Things in life happen and tend to take over for awhile sometimes. It's great that you don't let them get you off track for long before you nip them in the bud.

Ditto what Kimaly said. It is very common for us bandsters to have constipation issues along the way. I take Vita fusion brand fiber gummies so I don't have the problem. Even with taking something for it, it is very normal to not go daily. Sometimes there is just not enough volume of solids going through your system to make it through every day.

They should have told you. It's inconsiderate. Most people not only have to pay, but also have to take time off work.

I agree. My doc told me to go to weight watchers because that is what his wife does. I went straight to a lapband doc and I have had great success! (the wife........not so much, but don't want to gossip. )

Wow Sue, I hope you get it figured out. Have you considered thyroid?

I don't think it's wrong to "milk it" a little, but I'm sure it will be short lived. It seems when you are the one that always takes care of everyone else, those people are clueless and sometimes don't return the favor for long. Don't be upset if it's short lived. Work on recovery and start living your new life

I agree..... just don't use them. If they give you such a bad reaction that you are needing to lay in bed or just can't be as active they aren't worth it. If you absolutly have to sweeten something use sugar. You will in a much better position to burn it off if you don't have such a bad headache.

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geezzz why in the world would they consider hiatal hernia repair cosmetic........idiots! Glad you will be getting it done still.

I agree with what the others said. There is no shame in using the band. That is the point in having it. I dropped 100 pounds in the first year and I would give using the band 80-90% of the credit for the loss. I spent very little time "working at it", beating myself up, or struggling to do it on my own. Fills and staying in the green zone/sweet spot is the key to my success. I say go get a fill and use that band!

I see a couple others said what I would say. Lesson learned. Find a new reward system that is not "food rewards". After you get yourself retrained it feels pretty good to reward yourself with things that are not food.