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I have to drink coffee in the morning in order to take my meds. I have really bad Insomnia so after that it is decaf anytime I drink it. My doctor and staff never told me no coffee. But if I am hungry coffee kills my hunger too. I am sure a bottle of Water will too. I also have anxiety that I take meds for and my Dr. told me one bottle of coke or coffe wipes out your anxiety meds if it has caffine in it. Cheri

Sorry to hear about your possible job loss. I hate drugs as they have destroyed most of my family. My brother started with pot and overdosed last Christmas and died. But I agree with the posts before mine, maybe they will be willing to let you get some therapy and keep your job. I believe God closes some doors before He opens others, maybe He has a new direction for you and a better job waiting. I will pray that He helps you. Thanks for being so honest I am sure it will help somebody. Please don't let what happen to my brother happen to you! Also your weightloss is great! Cheri

My advice to you is change your plans now. The chances that you will want to play host to many people and be around all that food one week out of surgery are small. Why put all that stress on yourself. There will be many more Thanksgiving to come when you will be able to eat more normal. You know yourself better than anyone. How will you feel having to prepare all that food and play host too as you drink your dinner. Let someone else host this year and go and see family and friends after dinner time. But like I said you know yourself better than anyone. Solids a week out of surgery could damage your band so really what is your willpower like? I would pass myself, but you do what makes you happy, put yourself first since you are right out of surgery. It's okay to put yourself first every now and then. Hope it is a happy day for you whatever you decide. Was reading my post and it sounds like I am telling you don't please don't and I am. Once I was in the same position and it takes so much out of you to pull off a big event and you are going to be right out of surgery. Cheri

You need to talk to your Dr. as you are wrong. Different people respond to the band differently. My Surgeon a well known and respected man, knew that I spit up - vomited whatever you want to call it since I had surgery. But it is normal for some people. I spent about 2 months too tight so I know what too tight feels like and I am not too tight. Sometimes when food hits my pouch it is just instant reject. I have even had coffee come up through my nose . . . if it wants out it is coming out. I am more than 2 years out and have had many fluros and my Band is just fine and when I drink the barium it passes right through. But people's bodies react to things differently. Such factors as stress, medications, age, etc. can cause people's bodies to react differenty. You seem so negative about every issue involing the band. You only see black and white and not the grey inbetween. None of us is right all the time and we do not know how other people's bodies will respond to the band. If I had read that I would spit-up - vomit all the time I would have passed on getting the Band as I always hated to vomit. But this is what I have and it has worked for me, with a few side effects but none like some medication's side effects that we choose to take. Elcee is right it is really not vomiting but it seems like it, it is food in your pouch not in your stomach, except the coffee I think it comes from the stomach. Its not like I eat and then run to vomit, trust me I would bet many try to wait it out and when it seems it will not go down you just have to cough a little and up it comes along with whatever is on top of it. I am not sticking my finger down my throat to make myself vomit or spit-up. We do not want to spit-up or vomit it just happens so we make sure everything is okay and then we check and see if we can change anything up, if not we deal with it. I have several banded friends more than 2 or 3 years out and they have never vomited but they slime so much they have to spit it out in a napkin, sometimes many napkins. I would rather spit-up than slime, but they did not choose that either it just HAPPENS! Cheri

I ran in to the same thing at a WLS convention. They really did think they were better than me. Why because they spent more money? They had some body parts taken out? I was very shocked at those people's comments. They even talked about moving to another table since we were banded people and they were bypass people. The convention was for people with all types of WLS. But I also attend a WLS support group where people have the band, or they had the band and changed to the bypass, last week one had their band removed and got the sleeve, but were are all respectful of each other and their choices mined is the Band. Cheri

My husband has never had a weight problem. He still weighs the same as when I married him 30 years ago. But he eats all the junk food and lots of it. We went together to the Doctor we both did blood work, mine was not that bad but his numbers were perfect. I walked out with 4 prescriptions and he walked out with “Try to drink at least one glass of milk a day” What? I have lost 84 lbs . . . him nothing. I workout . . .him no workout (unless you you consider mowing grass on a $5000.00 lawnmover) Yes I said $5000 he got that and I got the band. I make him buy all his junk food pre-packaged for one person. It cost more, but I will not open a package to get a cookie but I might eat one if it is already open. I also have a 2½ and 5 year old grandbabies who I have at my house about 4 days a week for about 4 hours/day. They want ice cream and fruit Snacks, chips, crackers etc. I never knew a Dora fruit snack could taste so good. But I do the same with them. if they open a tiny package of Cookies and do not finish them, they have to take them home. Right now in the kitchen there are 2 chocolate filled donuts sitting in a box on the table, not the so so ones from the grocery store but the good ones from the Donut Shop. They are calling my name, even though I could not even think about one passing through my band. I am just crazy enought to try. So my point is buy stuff in one serving size packages or make him keep his junk in his car, we did this right after I got the Band done untill I started getting fills. Cheri

So sad I added it on my facebook page Cheri.

I think if you give your new meds time to start working. You will feel a lot a better about 4 - 6 weeks. Does not mean you have to take them forever but right now from what you said I do think you have some depression. It is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you are so depressed, much less worry about food, calories, water, working out and not eat something that might get suck. But do keep or start working out more it will helps with your depression. Always willing to talk. I think if you went to see Dr to get med you have already made a big step in the right direction. Like someone posted above baby steps. Cheri

How are you supose to decide when the medical field can't agree. I always thought how can they buld a space shuttle and send it off to the moon and then bring it back but they can't figure out and agree how to lose weight and eat healthy when they do not even know what they consider healthy. Cheri

Just the thought of opening the cabinet and seeing 200 white packages with no photo on them and then drinking or eating the samething time after time for months at at time. Cheri

Will it has been 6 days on the Crestor and now I am only having a headache and some muscle pains about 2 hours after taking it. Everything else seems to be okay. Still not sure that I want to be taking this, just do not like all the problems and possible side effects. Trust me when I go back for bloodwork in 3 months my Dr and I are going to talk about this and make some decisions. I want him to believe me when I say I will make the changes in diet and exercise. But when I go back this time the Creastor will get all the credit if there is any. I trust him but come on give me a chance. A couple of nurse friends I know said they know people don't really do the diet and exercise so thats why they (Dr) put people on these drugs. But I want a chance! Cheri

I did Medifast for about 3 months years before the band. I did it and it was not too bad but I did not like a lot of things so I would just order the things I liked, as everything is the same calories and everything. I ate the banana pudding and drank the hot chocolate for the last 2 months 5 times a day one or the other. After 3 months my skin smelled like soy. I later switch to the "New Lifesyle Diet" same thing but they were cheaper and it was a little bit better tasting. They have a website too. If you are doing low carb they have some good Snacks and the bars are good too but they said to only eat one bar a day. After getting the band you could not pay me to do it again and I still want to lose 5 or 20 lbs. Hope that Helps. Cheri

I was self pay and brought all my current medical records to seminar on Saturday had an appointment right after seminar and he said everything look good, had surgery 1½ days later Monday morning. I have not had any problems during, or after the surgery. He is a very respected Dr. and I miss him as do many of his patients. So if you see a Dr. on regulars basis for bloodwork and general health and are selfpay you can move along without much or any test. good or bad thats how it works. Insurance requires all the tests Cheri

I am out by Galveston, had my surgery 2 years ago in Houston with a Dr. that moved and now I am seeing the Drs at TLC. Dr. Terry Scarborough is very nice and they seem like the have a great before and after care and the staff is really nice. Cheri

Sounds like you might try a few months of counseling and maybe some meds to help you right now. I only say that as I have been through 3 years of counseling and need my meds to keep me from being locked away in my bed or house for days at a time. Most of the time there is a reason behind our eating patterns. Not everybody . . . some people just enjoy eating. I knew a girl who was raped while she was overseas serving our county and she put on weight to make herself less appealing (her words not mine). She is now banded and looking great but she needed some special help. Maybe you need some help in this area to help you with the weightloss. Nothing to be ashamed of, trust me we could all benefit from some counseling. You seem too down on yourself and being so tired you want to hide in the bed. That is me. But I have been learning to deal with it and so can you. I could be totally wrong but you remind me of me before the band and before the counseling. You might check it out could be just what you need. You have to believe in yourself and sometimes we just can't so we need some help. Okay before anyone thinks I am being mean, just remember I said this is me . . . may not be her . . .but could be. Just adding my opinion. Cheri

I have been following you those 2 years as I was banded just a couple of months before you. You had such a hard time at first, well about your first 6 months or so I think. I have seen your photos and you are a beautiful young lady. Keep motovated and you will do great. Sometimes I think you are too hard on yourself (as per your post) You were really young when you were banded and trying to finish up high school. At that age I do not think I could have done this. I needed to but do not think I could. I have had quite a few start-overs to try to produce new weightloss and it usually works. So put all you got into it and do it. You will be looking beautiful in your outfit come December, just don't let Thanksgiving throw you off as you know it is hard to get back on track when we slip. Cheri

I am 2+ years out and I still vomit, I have since the very beginning. Thats the first thing people think is your too tight, but not true for everyone. I have been too tight before and lived with it for about 2 months and then listen to a friend and had a small unfill. Most of the time when I vomit it is because I am not chewing enough. I always get stuck if I eat when my Grandbabies are with me because they ask a million questions and you can't talk with food in your mouth and I tend to swallow. I have seen some of the food I have vomited and the pieces are not chewed enough. (I know it is gross but hey you can't help but see it) I have never had a slip or any problem with my band just have always vomited. Pretty sure it is my fault all the time. But I have had many fluros and the band is always good. I think it should be our goal not to vomit so we never have to worry about slippage because of it. But I have been eating a certain way for years and I guess I am a slow learner or a rule breaker. I have two banded friends who have never vomited 2+ years but one slimes really bad and I do not slime. I have also read that people with dentures or certain dental work may not chew as well as others? So if you only vomit once a week I say GREAT! Sometimes my pouch just does an auto deject for some reason not the right texture or just giving it's opinion. Cheri

You have to give it time. Step up your exercise it always helps. Once it starts to come off it should be steady. Give it time stress will only make it worse! Cheri

So sorry I had no idea I had wriiten that much . . . sorry! Cheri

November is the month of my birthday. I have been banded for over 2 years down 84 lbs. I love my LapBand and will always be happy I to decided to do this. I thought I might give you all some advice even though you did not ask for it and I am not a November Bandster but its something I wish I had known when when I got banded. The surgery is not bad, and the recovery time for most is very short. I think you need to go into this already knowing you will be hungry for about a month afterwards. You will not die if you feel some hunger pains. But if you go into it with the mindset that it is only one month out of your life. You can spend this time getting ready to really lose weight. The first 6 months to a year is when most people lose the most weight. You are getting banded right before the holidays it is a hard time since people make everything about food during the holidays. I tell you it is a must that you do not give in to temptation, be strong and see food as what it is just food. It does not mean you can not enjoy the holidays just because you can not have "All you can Eat" on all the food. I do not know about all of you but I can not just have a little of a food that I should not be eating so stay away from it one bite and it can start you on a roll. Be as strict as you can during that first year eat only what your are suppose to and work your butt off once you get an okay, but remember you do not need an okay to walk. You will see the weight drops pretty steady the first year and then it slows and for some people it really stops. I wish I would have worked out more during that time period. I did workout but and extra 30 minutes could have pushed me along faster. But if you are not careful the holidays can really hamper your losing from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. that is 2½ months of peak losing you time could miss out. There will be plenty of years of holidays to come, by next year you will be ready to face the holidays and know how the whole band thing works. Also something seemed to happen to me and a couple of my banded friends about the 6 month post op, we had drop a lot of weight and we kinda dropped the ball on our diet. It was like we rewarded ourselves with food for being so good the first 6 months (What were we thinking.) Some of us gained some weight and that really upset the ones who gained. Also it is not always easy to get back on track when you give in to the bad eating habits. I need to lose another 15 lbs and I have been playing with that for a good six months. I know that if I would just step up my exercise it would take just a couple of months. I have made a promise to myself that this holiday season is not gonna be about food. Yeah, we have to eat, but not pie, cake, rolls, Cookies, etc. figure out another way to not make food be the center of the Holidays you will be so happy when it is New Years Day and everyone is wanting to lose you will be so far ahead. Since most who post here will be getting banded in November (unless some other crazy like me invades your thread) you should make at least one contact and exchange e-mails or phone numbers and get that add touch of support. I met a lady on these boards and she was banded 2 days after me and we met for coffee alot and we talked on the phone everyday or text each other. Then you are with someone in the same stage you are. Do not compare yourself with each other on pounds lost or fill amount as everyone is different, just support each other because nobody will understand you like someone who is going through the same thing. Also stay on these boards for support too and find a support group you can attend in person. I always hated when the support group meeting is over. Also I would find you a couple of books that deal with the LapBand as when you really need some support or understanding you can read them. (amazon has some great ones I have about 5 )One last point always listen to your surgeon over what you read or someone says on these boards. Sometime you have to decide what is best for you, but always follow your Doctors rules. You trusted he/her to cut you open and mess with your inside listen to them. If you think at some point you surgeon is wacko find a new one. We all have to remember food is food it is NOT our friend, or a shoulder to cry on and getting something you know you should not when you are sad, upset. That is when you should workout. Oh and how can I not tell you all what you have heard or been told "The band is just a tool" it does not control what you stick in your mouth, drink all your Water and just my opinion never touch Ice cream in your peak losing time as it takes only one bite to get you hooked as it goes down smooth and taste so good and will become a habit just because of those reasons Also chew, chew and chew some more. This time next year you will be wearing your pretty, smaller clothes looking good and feeling great. I believe in prayer and before I sign my name to this I am going to pray for all of the Novermber Bandsters to have and great surgery, short recovery time, courage during the holdays and a great band experience. YOU CAN DO IT. starting picking your buddy now, buy your books and go for it! Cheri

Today I started taking the Crestor. I does make me feel bad but kinda like a mild touch of the flu, much better than the deathbed I was on last weekend on the Zeta. I only bought 5 pills at $21.50 so I can see if I can take it without going to the ER. I am trying to decide if I want to even take this. Elcee really made me think about how I need to do what I think is best for my body not just what my Doctor says I should do. I like my Doctor and respect him and his opinions but this seems like a really strong drug when my numbers are not off by much. I have been overweight most of my life and I am 50 so after I had surgery and lost weight isn't it normal for it to take some time for your numbers to come down? Mine have come down a lot but they are not perfect and I think that is what he is looking for. Plus I think he should have said you really need to watch what you eat and step up your exercise. He knows I have the Band and pretty much have a diet style way of eating and I already work out but I think he should have given me a choice to step it up and change my diet even more or take the super statins=Crestor. My Doctor requires complete blood tests every 6 months as he goes by your numbers more than what you say. Also I do not know if I only have to take this for a while to get my numbers down or have to keep taking it to keep the numbers down. Any one know this? I started this drug today as when Monday comes it is back to work and grandma duties so I wanted to see what it would do to while my husband would be home and I did not have the grandbabies to watch. I am spending a lot of time researching this drug and the effects on my body taking it vs not taking it. I will keep you updated. But if anyone is taking Crestor could you enlighten me on how this all works. Also thank you Elcee for your input it has opened my eyes and got me researching. Cheri

Thanks for all the GOOD information believe me I am reading it all of it. Talked on the phone to my Doctor's nurse whom i love. He is so kind and always trying to help me in anyway he can the Doctor not the nurse. Well his nurse told me he would really like me to stick it out on the Crestor. What?? Continue to eat stuff that makes me want to die? I just so do not understand but surely he thinks the side effect won't lost but a day or too. I might could do that on a weekend With some of my antidepressants I had to go through a litte bit of hell the first 2 weeks but I knew it would get better soon so I could do it. If you want to know what real HELL is try to withdraw from anti-depressants. it the worse pain I have every had to go through in my entire life. in 10 years I have had to do it 3 times, it last between 3 - 6 month. My brain does all kinds of crazy things and my body hates me. My husband begged me to go back on them. But once i was off them for 6 months and could not face the world. I cried and cried I could not function. MY husband had to carry me in the ER. My DR. and Counselor and I want to try to ever y couple of years I do not want to be on all these meds. But the DR told me last time that I need to take them no choice and i know what happens when you stop so I told him put me on a low dose of one that will work and he did. But this stuff is so very different It does dammage to the Liver maybe and Kidneys sometimse. i am pretty scared but will try one and see, but will not take meds that will make me sick. My numbers are not too bad at all. But zetia and creastor is supponse to make dramtic change. I would think about changing my diet first. He know I have the band but would be willing to try and stick to any diet he wanted me to follow but no . . . . . I will update you. At least this one is only $75/month Cheri

I only took one pill and paid for it all day Saturday through Sunday night, took off of work today. Needless to say I will not be taking another pill. My Doctor now put me on Crestor, but I will not be picking it up till Friday as I have to work and watch my Grandbabies and can not afford to be sick. I am only going to buy one and God help me I am going to take it and see what happens. The bad thing is I looked at the website and the side effects are the same. But my Dr really wants me to take this he says it works fast. I will buy the one pill on Friday night when my husband is here and can keep an eye on me. I know I must be stupid but I will try one, but I have already spent $144.00 for the 30 days and know I can not take these. So that is why I am only going to buy one, the thought of that is scary. Anyone take Crestor? Any side effect for you? If so a couple of days or always? Thank you to everyone for your input I am really new to all these meds. I know he is a great Doctor and does do blood workout every visit. But noway will I take anything that is gonna make make me so sick. Cheri

Welcome! You sound excited.The people here are for the most part very friendly and supportive, once in a while you run into a bad apple. But almost everyone is is great Cheri

I have lost 84 lbs in 2 years and am having more trouble with my cholesterol since being banded. Not blaming it on band, I am 50 years old and 169 lbs want to lose another 15 or 20lbs more, but I read everyone is getting OFF their medications and I just keep getting MORE, blood pressure is down so I did get to lower that dose but he will not take me off. My thryroid is low so I must now take meds for that. 2 cholesterol meds one I have been on since about 3 month post op. Now this week he added another cholesterol med called Zetia. Has or is any one taking this? Did it help you? Did it make you sick? If so did the sickness ago way in a week or so? Oh my gosh today is the first day I took it and I would rather be dead then go through the nausea and headache, extreme stomach pain and back pain no vomiting and I can live with the diarrhea. Also chills and extreme muscle pain, Anyone else go through this? Plus I am selfpay so my new med cost me $144.84/a month. There is no generic unless I order online from Canada, Anyone get their meds online? Is so where? I hope I am still here tomorrow to read any answers so sick. Can' t see or talk to Dr until Monday Thanks Cheri