illuminationlady

Yes, there is aftercare and it all depends on your insurance. Mine is covered with a $20 copay. You will see your doctor regularly for follow up and fills. Best wishes!

HB- Love the new room! Bobbie--just love you!!! You are by far the happiest person I've ever met (well not face to face). Leigha--you're doing great on the running...keep it up...Denise--you are only 5 lbs. from your goal...Wow! amazing! As for me, I've just about given up on the 2000 piece puzzle. I got the perimeter together and the moon but the part I'm working on right now is so darn hard! I work for hours to find one or two pieces. I think 2000 pieces is too many. I'm quite disappointed with the whole thing and I always enjoy my puzzles so much. I don't wan't to feel bad about doing it...so I may give up and buy a 1000 pieces. From now on I'll stick to 1000 pieces or less. Just checking in. Love to all, Dottie

The band is not a "magic pill"! You must do most of the work...especially in the beginning. I was told that "stretching your pouch" is a myth...that it really can't be done. However, you are consuming to many carbs, to many calories and to much food...period. If you plan to be successful than you must "diet" until you reach restriction. Then the band will help you lose weight. And to answer your question, no, I could not consume all of that food nor would I want to. You can do this! Hang in there! Call your doctor for some guidence. Best wishes!

After you get used to measuring food, counting calories, reading food labels over and over again you just know, and you don't have to do it so religiously anymore. But I still read food labels that I'm not familiar with, like in restaurants. I always ask for the menu with the nutritional values of their meals. Best of luck to you!!! You can do this!

I would say that you are at your sweet spot or close to it. However, some people choose to have their bands a little tight. I do not and weight loss is slow for me. I'm okay with that. But I'm hardly ever hungry any more, which is Heaven! My doctor said that sometimes that "hungry switch" just all of a sudden gets turned off. And mine is off! So, I say it's a personal decision that you must make after you read the responses here on this forum. Oh and by the way it took me 5 fills before that "hungry switch" got turned off. Best wishes!!!

Sounds like an acid reflux. Did you have a hernia repair also? Are you on any medication that might have an odd taste now with a burp? Remember your pouch is much smaller than what you're use to. But I would mention this to your doctor though. I'm just guessing. Get a professional's opinion if it keeps up. Feel better soon!

Frozen SF Popsicles and a loooot of gum!!! SF Jello helps too. And add fruit and ice to your shakes (if you're allowed to) to thicken them up in a blender. It gets easier. Hang in there! Best wishes!

Hi Lisa, Your husband should follow the doctors orders. That being said...I have problems with popcorn, green bean, breads and pastas. What your husband is experiencing is normal. The swelling has gone down and he may be hungry for a while until her gets some fills. It's important to measure the food and count calories in the beginning so you don't gain weight. Now that I have restriction I don't have to "diet" any more and it's easier. Some foods that I transitioned on to in the beginning were scrambled eggs, Cream of Wheat, creamed soups, or I would add some fruit to my shakes. Hope this helps! Best wishes!

I'm so sorry you are so terribly sad! You do sound suicidal and should seek help right away. It's true that you must work hard, especially in the beginning, to maintain or lose weight. I started with an empty band and was hungry almost immediately. And I didn't reach restriction until after my 5th fill. It was terrible and caused me a lot of anxiety because I was so hungry. But I was careful...measured my food...counted calories..all that. And I didn't gain any weight. Now I am losing because I have restriction. I hope this helps and really think you need to talk to someone face to face and maybe see about going on some meds. They really do work. Best wishes!

I take Viactiv chewables. The multivitamin is chocolate and the Calcium is caramel. Both are very tasty. I buy them at Target for around 10 dollars for a 30 supply. Best wishes!

I got really stuck on it once and haven't had it since. However, after reading all the replies here maybe I will try it again. I would say I was eating too fast at the time. That seems to always be my problem when getting stuck. I am learning slowly to slooooooow down!!! Best wishes!

Exactly!!! except we're the successful ones!

It would be interesting to see a statistic of people who do participate in this forum (or some other support group) vs people who do not. I believe, as a PP stated, that the people on this forum are more likely to be successful because of the support given. Best wishes!

It all depends...on the things mentioned above, such as your eating habits or you could be to tight. If I couldn't eat at all I would rethink getting a little tiny unfill. I am not hungry in the morning but I force myself to have some form of protein, such as eggbeaters. I have to eat very slowly and carefully but this sustains me for many hours. Lunch is practically nonexistent for me. For dinner I split a chicken breast, yam and some veggies with my husband. Again, all very slowly and carefully or else I end up in the bathroom Pbing and sliming. My point is that yes, I am tight, and have restriction, but I can eat. And you should be able to also. Hope this helps! Best wishes! ps. I can guzzle water just fine.

Spend this time you've been given to educate yourself. I know people who had to wait longer than you have to and they have done excellent because they were well prepared. I myself had to wait 4 months for the whole process and I looked at it as a gift. Read these forums, read WLS books and prepare yourself mentally for the "loss" of food. Be positive and keep your chin up!!! Best wishes!

I've tried just about everything in moderation. Some foods give me problems, like green beans...too stringy. When I was on vacation I had beer and it didn't bother me. But I choose to not drink my calories. Like others have posted, now that I'm on a high protein diet my cravings have changed. Refering to "the Last Super" mine was last Thanksgiving. I had turkey with allllllll the fixin's. But that was the only time I cheated Preop. I knew, from reading these forums, that I would be able to enjoy food again. Best wishes!!!

Congrats! Before you know it you'll be in Onederland!!! Way to go!! and your positive attitude certainly helps! Best wishes!!!

I keep liquid Pherengan in the fridg just in case I get the flu (for vomiting). My doctor doesn't want me vomiting to much, even with the flu. Also on hand is Immodium AD. Just in case. Feel better soon....

This too shall pass...soon...you'll be back to you're outgoing self again. It takes a couple of weeks but you will get through this and feel so much better about yourself. Take care and pamper yourself right now...Best wishes!

I think of this often throughout the day. It was also an aa-ha moment for me. It really helps me get in those 64+ oz. a day. I know that I must drink a certain number of oz. before I eat anything again. In between breakfast and lunch I have a Diet Snapple. In between lunch and dinner a big bottle of water. After dinner another big bottle of water. It really does keep you from eating and often fills me up. Best wishes!!

I'm not going to miss huffing and puffing up my steps. Now I can walk up and down them without getting winded. I am also not going to miss the pain that is associated with Fibromyalgia. Fibro and fat don't mix either. I have already noticed a difference in my pain levels. I'm not going to miss having to shop at "women's" stores. It is so nice to be able to buy a piece of clothing at Target. I am also not going to miss struggling to shave my legs. I do not have a very woman friendly shower and I used to just die trying to shave my legs. Now it's easy. I'm not going to miss the feeling of shame after a binge. I know there's more. I could go on and on...so happy...me and my band..

Yes, you will know. I'm just like HB in that it happens right away or shortly after I've eaten. It usually comes from me eating too fast. I have a problem with this. It has taken me a long time and many hard lessons to make me finally slow down. It just isn't worth the pain/sliming. It doesn't happen very often any more because I'm so careful. But I do avoid green beans, breads, pastas, and a few other foods now. With some foods I can eat them but very slowly, like steak. But I can eat it. Hope this helps! Best wishes!!!

I would say you need another fill. If you are "grazing" you will gain weight. If you are hungry then you will graze. Also, we all must realize that the band cannot do it alone. You must be a willing participant. I started with an empty band and was hungry from the start. I did not graze. I measured my food and chewed a looooot of gum! I counted calories and read on this forum all throughout so as to not give up hope. I was/am a willing participant and did not gain weight during those long months awaiting restriction. I now have restriction and the weight is coming off. Thank God!!! You must be diligent in your ways and get yourself to the doctor's for a weigh in and fill. Then you must follow the rules and you will start to lose. Please don't give up! Hope some of this helps. Best wishes!!

Yes, I agree, that soup and salad will soon become your friends while eating out. I always ask for the children's menu too and check that out. Sometimes I order and then have them cut the portion in half before bringing it to me. That way I have lunch for tomorrow all boxed up nice. I, too, eat a lot of soups or salads with chicken on top. I can only eat about a cup of food now so I don't eat out much any more; only occasionally. Also, I order ice water to start and finish it before they bring my meal. I cover the glass with a small plate so the waiter doesn't refill it. The plate reminds me not to have any more with dinner or after. Hope this all helps! Best wishes!!! ps. I can't do pastas or breads any more either

BRAVO Betsy!!! Boy, do we love having you around! Well Said!