happy2lose

Welcome! I'm sure you will find some great useful information on these boards.

Very true! I'm not the one quoting authors or books - you are! I stand behind my comments and if anybody is insulted by them as "elcee" is, perhaps some sole searching is in order. :thumbup:

I have no intention on pushing the envelope with my band because I want to be a success story. I'm not looking for a possible slip or erosion or any other kind of band failure. So when my surgeon gives me rules and guidelines I follow them to the T. Perhaps this is because I had to work hard to pay for my own surgery...I don't know. Perhaps it's because I am a rule follower.....or perhaps because I am not looking for excuses to eat or drink whatever I feel like. Who the heck knows!

You're just looking for an argument with this question. All I'm saying is all the band info out there that I have read when considering getting my band advised against carbonation for the duration of the band. This no carbonation rule is not new by any means.

You poor thing! It's good that you didn't gain and it's great that you are back on the wagon again. Best of luck to you, Donna

I totally see your frustration. I really hate confrontation and if my boss month after month complained about something I was wearing or said co-workers are complaining I would be so bothered. Ask for another copy of the dress code to be sure you fully understand what it is before you approach your boss about the complaints. Such petty BS!

I guess now we know why the success rate for lapbanders is low. Because they have doctors giving them bad advice and some of their patients don't follow the rules of the band anyway. The no carbonation rule is stated all over the place in lapband literature. It is no surprise or late breaking news that bandsters can't have carbonation. I just don't get it! The first several months on this site I encountered some really rude and obnoxious people and couldn't understand why they were this way. I now understand! They just got fed up with all the dummies who wont follow the rules.

It's so exciting and real when you finally get your surgery date. Welcome!

Before I had good restriction I would get down on myself because all the posters on here were eating so little and I didn't feel any different then before surgery. It's okay if you have to eat a cup to a cup and a half until you get more fill. Just follow the band rule of Protein first, then veggies, then fruit. I recommend that you not be afraid to go to the meetings and tell the truth. I guarantee you that everybody there will understand what you are going through and want to help. The band is not a magic wand, it is a tool and you are still trying to learn how to use this tool. Stand up and be proud of yourself for having the courage to fight your obesity.

The soups are good but solid Protein will sustain you longer. Don't beat yourself up, just make a few changes. Here is my sample daily menu: Breakfast: 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt sweetened with a little Splenda and vanilla extract and 2 teaspoons granola Lunch: 3 piece chicken selects from McDonalds dipped in buffalo sauce Exercise has been a vital part of my success. I recommend you find some form of exercise and make it a daily routine for at least 30 minutes each day Dinner: Whatever my family eats, I just eat much less (approx. 1/2 cup) At night I eat popcorn and in the morning I have a cup of coffee, otherwise, I drink my Water all day.

Applause! This is right on!:thumbup:

About week three I had to take a laxative. That is the only time I ever felt that constipated. Sometimes I go a couple of days without going and feel somewhat constipated but not unbearable. It's okay to take stool softeners if you need to.

You should check with your surgeon because some don't require you to fast. I have to fast for 6 hours before, I can drink water though.

I don't think many of us bandsters have experienced the stomach flu with the band so this is probably why you aren't receiving many replies. 2Flyguys has just recently posted something where she had the flu. Try finding her post and you can ask her. Donna

A 1/4 cup did nothing for me prior to fills. Most people wont tell you this. I ate 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups of food until I had enough restriction to feel satisfied with 1/4 cup. And I still lost weight. Don't worry, it's okay to have a little more food until you get filled. Just be sure to follow the band rule of protein first, then veggies, then fruit. Truth be told, I rarely eat any fruit.

By the way, you are doing a great job!

My doctor has me do a day of clear liquid and a day of full liquids after a fill then I can go back to life as normal. Did you get your first fill?

This doens't sound like you are stuck. Sounds like you have heartburn or indigestion.

Sorry! I can't tell you anything that will help you since you don't want to hear the truth!

Congratulations! As long as you rise to the challenges and follow all the band rules there is no doubt you will be successful.

I asked my surgeon at my 6 month check up if I would ever be able to have carbonation again and he said absolutely NOT! I really don't understand why someone would go through a surgical procedure for weight loss and deliberately do something that could damage themselves. Makes no sense to me. Sorry! Just say it as I see it.

You are the best judge of something not feeling right. Call your surgeon and see about getting an appointment.

You really need to contact your surgeon and have him fix your port. Future fills may be more difficult if not impossible and you run the risk of the doctor puncturing your port tubing anyway. Get it fixed!

The newer bands seem to take longer to reach good restriction. This is when will power comes in. If you want to lose weight before reaching good restriction you must eat less, move more and focus on eating protein.

Being successful with the band depends on each individual's level of commitment and ability to really make a lifestyle change. For this reason I feel surgeons prefer the GB that isn't as dependent upon patients commitment level, it is a sure thing that patients will lose weight with GB due to the malabsorption factor. Both procedures have complication statistics that you can and should research. There is always a risk of weight re-gain with any WLS procedure. I recommend you research the sleeve.