Astrasmom

Ahhh! The slime effect. Well this is how we learn. I believe that everyone should experience it once in their banded life so that they know what it is and how to deal with it when it DOES happen. You are right it's horrible but you know what not to eat or do next time. And never take a drink after you get stuck because that just makes it more stuck. I can't eat toast or beef. And it happened to me about 3 times already. You really can't be afraid to eat. You have to try things and some of them unfortunately won't agree with you. It might happen again. But then you will know that you can't eat those foods again. Not all episodes last for a long period of time. And you don't want to make yourself gag all of the time because your band might slip. Obviously this time you had to because your pill got stuck. After you get stuck like that and you slime, it's sometimes best to do the liquid phase for the remainder of the day because you tend to get irritated.

Happyloser 10/1 heyred1 10/1 bethany329 10/1 Timmers 10/1 Lindac80 10/1 Marfar7 10/1 Ca7696 10/2 Opus03 10/2 RedboneLA 10/3 ihavehope3 10/3 Viking_girl 10/5 leetie 10/7 Jtreece 10/8 MommyOf1 10/8 Suz-Q 10/9 Noodles 10/9 Alien Bandit 10/10 SharPei 10/13 Guy 10/13 Cshytle 10/13 MoniqueD 10/14 Jenfromtheburg 10/14 ncarreras 10/14 angela677 10/15 Kme 10/15 Nooshie 10/15 munkee'smommy 10/15 Oliverdog 10/16 danyett 10/16 We3601 10/19 Onikenbai 10/19 Thegerm 10/19 Mzcancer 10/20 LeighaMason 10/20 Soexcited 10/21 erenstar983 10/21 pina3940 10/21 jenrobbar951 TBA HDmama 10/22 Astrasmom 10/23 Crazychica133 10/26 Idahlem72 10/27 Daria77 10/27 Barley 10/28 4girlfamily 10/29 Tina 10/29 Akmabe 10/21

I have BC/BS of NJ, but mine is a PPO. I have coordination of benefits with my husbands insurance which is also BC/BS ppo. I had no problems with them at all. I had to do the 6 month nutritional visits but I was approved with no problems. Because of the double insurance it has costed me nothing.

I saved one pair of 'FAT JEANS' so that I can look back and see what progress I have made. I was afraid to get rid of my clothes at first but I looked at it this way..this is the new me. I am NOT going back to the old me. I am starting over and I refuse to let that alien body take me over again. I am happy now. Before I was depressed and fat. I still have a long way to go but I am 60lbs lighter, started in a 22/24 and am now an 18. I own one pair of 24 jeans that sit on the top of my closet. Next year I will take them down. Just like we have to get rid of those old habits of allowing food to control us, we have to let go of other things too. It's ok to keep those clothes around for a little while. But just think of how much space you will have for NEW clothes once they are gone. Or space that can be used for something else if you aren't replacing with new clothes. This is us people. WE DID IT!! Feel proud of yourselves.

Since you are doing the cooking. Is there no way that you can cook your portions separately from everyone else? I have to do that alot of times in my house because my family doesn't like the way I prepare my food sometimes. My husband is also a diabetic and brings the sweets into the house. When they come in, I tend to just go into the bedroom. I feel for you. It's very hard. I also have to agree with what someone else said. You need a job. I know it's easier said then done to find a job these days and I don't know your circumstances as to why you aren't working, BUT you need to get yourself out of that rut. And from the sounds of it your step-father isn't going to help you get out of that rut. And it kind of sounds like mom is powerless over him. So you have to do for yourself. If you don't, yourself esteem is going to go right down the toilet.

I agree with everyone else. That is the restriction you are feeling. And if you are getting stuck you need to chew your food better or you need to not eat that type of food for awhile because it's not agreeing with you. When you drink to bring it back up you are taking the chance of getting it even more stuck. Best thing is just to let it pass on it's own. You don't want to keep bringing it back up either because your band might slip. CHEW CHEW CHEW!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!! Welcome to the losers bench. All of your feelings are normal. Use us for support. This board is great. I would also suggest going to a local support group if you have one in your area. They help tremendously. Please keep us posted on your progress and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

You click on the name of the person you want to add. Go to their profile and click on 'Befriend (whatever name)'. That's how you add a friend. As for the ticker you can go to Graphical Tickers and Trackers: Weight Loss, Trying To Conceive, Pregnancy... and make one then paste either the bbcode or the html code into your signature. Your signature you will find under the USER CP tab at the top of your page here.

I use Dymatize Ellite whey Protein isolate. The vanilla is yummy and so is the Mocha. Isolates do cost a lot more money then regular shakes but they are better for you. The difference between regular shakes and isolate shakes is not just about the protein. It's about the calories and the carbs. They are loaded with open ended calories. Whey Proteins are made from soy and vegetables. You might spend a little more on them, but in the long run you will have better results. This is also a good website to explain differences. Protein Shakes: Bariatric Surgery Patients Need Them. Pick the Best! You might also want to try a local weight lifting store that sells the whey proteins because they tend to have samples for you.

CONGRATULATIONS!! You are almost there. Just one more day. And you will be amazed at how you feel. I would be happy to help you along the way. Although I was banded on Oct 23, 2009 and am not a 'old timer' I would be glad to answer your questions and help you along your way. Please feel free to add me as a friend. Keep us posted on your journey please.

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I will try them.

I am down 45lbs since surgery and 55lbs all together. My weightloss has slowed down now to 2lbs a week. Which is what I am supposed to be losing. I'm doing pretty good. I've had 2 fills already. I have 3.5cc's in my 10cc band. I have my head hunger fits once and awhile but I try very hard not to give into that temptation. Over all I am feeling much better. I am happy with my progress so far.

EVERYTHING you are feeling is normal. Fear is the biggest thing on everyone mind before the surgery. Don't worry you aren't weird or anything like that. Every surgery has it's risks. Worst case scenario would of course be death but the percentage for that is VERY low. People have problems with Anesthia. Which minor problems with that would be upset stomach. Yes of course there is a chance (Although slight) of infection. But as I said if you have the same surgery that I did, there are only 5 holes. The largest hole is where the port is (mine is on the left side). I would also suggest (as someone else did too) going to a local support group meeting if you have one in your area. I had open heart surgery in 2001 for an Aortic Aneurysm and valve replacement. I survived lapband surgery on Oct. 23, 2009 with NO complications at all. The surgery lasts for about 1 hr. You will be in a little pain afterwards but that's what the pain medication is for. Get yourself some Gas-X strips for the gas pain and make sure you walk as much as possible to help move the gas around. I sure hope that this has helped you a little bit. Keep doing your research. The doctor never should have told you to stop reading because that's how you learn. I hope that this has helped you a little. Good luck on your surgery.

As with any operation there are certain risks. Doctors are also human and some do unfortunately make errors once and awhile. I would say 1% is really nothing to freak out about. And as for the bed side manners. Some of the best doctors in the world are the ones that don't have a good bed side manner. There could be any number of reasons why the doctor made the error that he did. But I am sure that he has learned from his mistakes. At least you KNOW about the mistake. And it was a minor mistake. Infections can be cured. If I were in your shoes I would probably ask the same questions but I also think that I would be ok about it. I'm sure every doctor has made mistakes in his career. Many don't tell you about it. So there is no way of knowing unless they chose to share that with you. Do you know anyone else that has successfully had their surgery from this doctor? I hope this helps. It really is a very easy procedure. Congratulations on your sugery.

Hi all. I'm looking for some suggestions on some good protein bars (higher protein) with little to no sugar (under 5g) under 200 calories, and low carbs. Any suggestions?

Have you tried Gas-X strips and are you walking? It takes about a week for the gas to get out of the system. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I promise. Hang in there.

Your little pouch is like a funnel. The water or liquids don't exactly go right through you. It does take a short time. But yes they do go through faster then solids. The more solid the food is, the slower the food goes through to the big stomach. Protien shakes are thicker and go slower than water would.

Hang in there. The outcome is awesome. Make sure that you are walking and try Gas-X strips if you haven't already for the gas. A heating pad might work for you also. Good luck to you. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I promise.

I can only tell you what I have heard and seen. I do know someone that had the bypass and she almost died. What I have been told is that there are alot more complications with the bypass. Also you may lose weight faster with the bypass but the bypass stops working after 2 years because you can not be adjusted anymore. Where as the band you can be. I know people who have gained the weight back again.

Ash I am so glad that you went for a study. I remember telling you in the chatroom before that you should go for a test. I am glad that you did. I have had sleep apnea for 3 years now and sleep with a cpap. I stopped breathing 75 times during my test. I used to wake up with headaches, high blood pressure and I used to feel like I was totally stupid because I would forget things. I would also be very tired by the afternoon. Since I've been on my machine I feel much better. Make sure that you use your Cpap even if it feels a bit uncomfortable, you will get used to wearing it. Now you are aware of what sleep apnea will do to you so you have to force yourself to use that mask. THe good thing is, with the lapband and losing the weight you probably won't have to wear it for that long. My goal is to get off of this machine. In another 10lbs they want to pull me back in to re-evaluate me. I did take it off one night and my husband said I still snore so I know I'm not quiet ready yet. Let that fear that you are feeling now, guide you in the direction of really using that Cpap when you get it. You will be fine.

I have Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus, Goldsgym and I just bought Wii Active today. My favorite has to be the Wii Active. It's an all around better workout then the Wii Fit Plus. You don't have to use the board as much and it comes with a reistance band also. I absolutely LOVE it.

My NUT told me no caffine because caffine is a natural diarectic and you will dehydrate. Having the band is all about keeping hydrated. To replace the Fluid in your body from one cup of coffee you would have to drink 2 glasses of Water. Also coffee has something in it that is supposed to make you hungry. Even decaf coffee has a certain amount of caffine in it.

I have both the Wii Fit and the Wii Fit Plus. Today I went out and bought the Wii Active and I have to say now I have a new toy. Wii Active uses alot less of the Wii board and it's higher intensity work out too.

Also if you go to www.unjury.com the chicken Soup flavor protien is excellent.

Doc told me no gum because you risk the chance of swallowing it. And I was also told that chewing gum makes you hungry not just because of the chewing sensation but because of the chemicals in the gum it's self. I stick to breath strips. After the surgery you will pretty much be drinking every hour so you won't need it to quench your thirst to much. You will need to consume 64oz of fluids a day.