MaggieB

I did the aetna 3 month "fast track" - which actually took almost 6 months to complete. I was right at the 40 BMI and was told not to lose or gain during that waiting period.

I love my band! This was one of the best decisions of my life. I have not had any complications and this whole process has been alot easier than I thought it would be. I am really pleased with my weight loss. The emotional/mental part of overeating is the hardest to beat - 7 months out and I still struggle with it.

Hiccups are my sign that I have eaten too much and better not have another bite!

Take your pain meds and get up and moving - even it is only short 5 minute walks. The pain should be less each day. I know that everyones tolerance to pain is different but alot of my abdominal pain was gas pain and the only thing really to help with that is walking. Take your pain meds - I made the mistake of trying to get thru it without taking the narcotics - but trust me you will feel much better, you will be able to get some good sleep. It will get easier, just hang in there.

Kohls - I just bought a pair for $19.99.

I was allowed these on my full liquid diet - just had to be thinned.

No jello or pudding for me -thought of it makes me gag!

I was quiet at first but now I tell if asked - I do not volunteer the information. I have lost this weight quick (at least I think so) and people are noticing. I have had a great experience so far - no complications, so I want people to know that. It seems like everyone has a horror story to tell about friends of friends etc. I want a good story out there of someone successful with the lapband.

I do eat them on occasion - usually when I am low on groceries

Just like someone else stated - I believe we hear more about the negative things than positive. Everyone knows someone, friend of friend etc that has had nothing but trouble with the lapband. Because of hearing of nothing but bad things about the lapband I now tell anyone who asks how I am losing weight - I want people to hear the good about my decision. I have not had any complications either and am losing weight at a slow, steady pace. The one complication I have had is my own doing - getting stuck a few times and actually vomiting once - infact I really dont consider that a "complication". My surgery was uneventful & recovery went great. I follow my doctors/nutritionists recommendations and am doing fine. Not perfect - I overeat sometimes (especially over the holidays), I do eat things that I shouldn't at times- but heck - my skinny friends do to sometimes. I am really glad I chose the lapband - no regrets, except I wish I had thought of it sooner Good luck on your journey!

Another fan of Unjury - chocalate is my favorite - I make a shake with skim milk (28g protein) every morning for my breakfast sometimes I will add it to my coffee - 20g protein with the coffee. Did not care for unflavored or chicken. I mixed the Strawberry with crystal lite lemonade. See if your doctor has any samples if not you can order online a sample box.

I haven't officially measured yet but I know my bra size has changed - especially in the cups. I don't want to spend lots of money yet - I am waiting until I hit my goal, I just went to Walmart and bought sports bras to get me thru this phase.

Sounds like my stuck episode - hope I never have that feeling again.

Ask your doctor. I was cleared to start exercising after my 2 week post op appointment with the same instructions "if it hurts, don't do it".

You are not alone! I have overindulged more than a few times this past month. I have decided that I am not going to worry about it. I have one more night of this (tonight) then back on track. Though I haven't been as bad as I thought - I did manage to move the scale down 2 lbs last week - so I know I am at least doing something right

Nope - was encouraged to not gain or lose weight but stay the same during the requirements - I did the 3 month Fast track that in the end still was about 6 months.

Alot of it depends on if you have insurance or not. I had insurance that covered the procedure but the insurance had requirements - psych eval, sleep study, meet with the nutritionist for 3 consequtive months, meet with a weight loss physician (not the surgeon) for 4 consequtive months, 2 years of documented weight history - my BMI was around 40-41. The surgeon and physician both "encouraged" me to stay at my weight - they didn't want me to gain or lose anything during all of this preliminary stuff. The only pre "diet" I had to do was right before the surgery - I was on full liquids for 3 days.

Same here - I did my 3 shakes a day and just supplemented with soups, pudding, italian ice, applesauce if needed.

You can still drink alcohol. I choose not to - too many calories. Most of the time I am too full. I have issues with beer due to the carbonation - makes me feel bloated and uncomfortable, I get the same feeling with sodas.

Contact the office - voice your concerns. My doctor is Dr. Hamn - same office. I was banded in June. Strange that you feel you were not prepared - I felt they did a great job with the information. Yes, the 6 weeks of "full" liquid diet sucks - but you can get thru this. You can have oatmeal & grits on their plan - just make sure they are really thin & runny. The other thing is make sure you are getting the required Protein in. The only protein that I like is the

My doctor did think that the sleeve would be a better option but he was very encouraging about the Lapband also. I have alittle over 100 lbs to lose. I just was really scared to do something so drastic as the sleeve - I didn't feel I was "fat" enough for that procedure. I looked at the Lapband as something that could possible be "reversable" if needed - so if I had complications it could be fixed or removed. I am very pleased with my decision of the Lapband, I am very happy with the amount of weight I have lost so far. I have not had any complications, only have had a few "stuck" episodes with one of them ending up "vomiting". In my experience and from what I have read on these message boards is that if you follow you doctors orders and the 'rules" of eating with the lapband you will do fine. My "stuck" & "vomiting" episodes were from my own doing - eating too fast, taking too big of bites and eating something I really shouldn't have. My friends and coworkers have been surprised that I am successfull with it - most of them have nothing but horror stories for me about people they "know" having issues with the Lapband. My husband is quite surprised at the weight loss that he is now going thru the insurance process to have it done. Best of luck on your journey.

Less is best. You really don't need much. The only clothing I brought was what I wore into the hospital that morning. I did bring my own toiletries. I just wore the hospital gown during my stay - it was easiest with the IV. I brought flipflops also - great for walking, I had to wear the TED hose and the flipflops worked perfectly - you can slip the end of the hose over your toes. Any medications should be ordered by the surgeon - he should come talk to you before wheeling into the OR - just ask him at that time what meds he as ordered postop for you and make your requests. Walking is going to be the best thing for gas pains - the gas pains didn't really bother me until I was at home on Day 2. The hospital should provide your "meals" - broth, juice, water, etc - I was allowed unlimited water but only up to 2 ounces of juice/broth every hour and honestly those first few days I had to force myself to meet the minimum requirements of taking in fluids. I work as a nurse in pediatrics - it always cracks me up at how much useless stuff people bring to the hospital for their stay.

I hear ya! It has been a slippery slope since Thanksgiving for me. Way to many holiday parties, tons of food at work then way to much food at home during the xmas holiday. Just hang in there. Do what the others have suggested, time to get the junk out of the house. I think you are on the right track if you are aware of things getting out of control and trying to put a stop to it. Just remember you are not alone with these temptations. The one thing that has helped me is basically just take it one meal at time - choose healthy, good foods to eat. If you mess up and eat one to many cookies or sweets dont beat yourself up about it. You are probably doing better at controlling your portions than you think. Hang in there!

I am also a picky eater. while I was on my "full liquid" diet ( 6 weeks) I would drink my 3 shakes a day and have some kind of soup at lunch or dinner. If I was hungry in between my shake meals I would have some applesause, pudding or an italian ice. I also would have popsicles every now and them - though I was more satisfied with the italian ice. I also drank lots of Water. I tried to eat different Soups - the Campbells soup in hand were great. I didnt' need to blend them up or do anything to them. I also made really thin turkey chili that would keep me full.

yes I still eat tacos- the crunchy shells are easier to go down. Flour tacos sometimes are a bit rough. Most of the time I make a taco salad and skip the shells.