finallyncontrol

I know for me these two ideas worked... 1. sugar free Popsicles--everytime I thought I needed something to snack on I would have a SF Popsicle. I am now addicted to them. I have at least 3 a day. 2. If I wasn't having a popsicles and wanted something warm I would have a chicken bullion. It will also make you crave more water (or make you thirsty) due to the sodium. Like I said these work for me but not for everyone. The other thing to do is to do something else (take a walk, read a book, go online..anything to distract the "I am hungry" signal) for 15 minutes..see if it comes right back. If it does then you are really hungry, if not it is in your head. If you are really starving and have been for so long I would call your surgeon and see if you can get your fill pushed up. Take care.

Yes, please go get liquid Tylenol and or pain pills. I know for a fact you can liquid pain pills I take it on a regular basis for chronic back aches for a non band related issue. I am so sorry you are in so much pain. I know this is going to sound wierd but I honestly think that the best thing I could advise you to do is to walk as much as possible and get in as much liquids. I would play around with the liquids..see if you did better with warm ones or cold ones and then stick with which ever felt best. As for the walking...When they did the surgery they put in a ton of gas in your stomach to blow it up..I think you are still full of gas and you need to release it. Walking helps so much, actually more than one would believe until you do it. If your surgeon will not order you the liquid pain meds call your primary doctor and explain the poor treatment that your surgeon gave you. I would request 10-14 days worth and see how you feel then. I hope this helps. Take care of yourself!

I am on of those who agrees with Bob...walking and swimming in my pool is my game. I like to check out what is happening in my neighborhood and then I work out in our pool. Once the work out is done then I can relax in the pool but not until I work out. My doctor also agrees..you do not need a gym membership..we live in Florida there is so much sunshine and outside areas to see! I firmly believe you do need a positive attitude and believe in yourself and see yourself succeeding. Once you picture yourself succeeding then you need to follow your dreams one day at a time achieve all those mini goals on your way! I wish you the very best!!

Another thing that I do is if it is a planned event I will check out the menu before I go. Some will list the nutritional values of each dish so then I can make up my mind as to what to order. Some restaurants don't and then I just do the soup and salad. I also do the take home the leftovers. I am very lucky that I get the hiccups when I am full so as soon as I get my first hiccup I am done and ask for a to go box.

It is really hard to tell. My doctor puts me on a strict plan after each fill...clear liquids for 2 days, protein shakes for 2 days, pureed foods for 2 days, soft protein foods for 2 days and then solids. He feels that when you get a fill that you swell and you need to give your band time to heal each and every time. Not each doctor feels this way. If I was not able to get the clear liquids down then I would say I was too tight..which one time I was and yes you are right that being too tight does not do you any good. I hope this helps. Take care!

You are doing so well!! It is kind of like the saying if it isn't broke don't fix it!!! Keep up the awesome work and the great attitude!! You will be reaching your goal before you know it! :-) Take care!

I take a water pill every day for the same reason..low leg endema. What I have learned is that if you are taking HCTz it will release all the potassium that you take which is not good when you are banded. It is actually very serious. I had to switch to another med which does not work as well. I have been battling this for the past month. I had a couple of trips to the ER and spent a week in the hospital over it so be very careful about what water pill you are taking. HCTz is hydrochlorothiazide...like I said it worked wonderfully before I was banded and for the first 4 months but then it caused other medical problems..chest pains, numbness in my arm and other things. It can be really serious. Take care.

Bentsam, I hope you made it to the dr and got a fill by now. I am familiar with the pouch test and have recommended it to others but I would not say for you to do it right now. I am hoping you were just needing a fill especially since you had not had one. It seems like it is hard for you to get to the dr but I can't stress it enough how important it is for you to find that time until you get to your sweet spot. Hopefully you have an agressive dr and it will only take 3 or 4 fills. This will make a huge difference. I wish you the very best on your journey!!

I am a little behind in my reading but I wanted to say AWESOME!!! You have done so well!! You are an inspiration to others!!

crsti I hope your dr appt went well! I just wanted to add that I use pineapple juice when I get stuck. You can get the small cans of it. It only takes a couple of drinks and you will either throw it up or "move or swallow" whatever was stuck within minutes. Take Care!!

I am so sorry to hear about all that you are going thru! I will say a prayer for you and your family! I am certain that your uncle will understand. He will know that you will be there in spirit and would want you to take care of your health and how much you have been looking forward to this. You also might be able to call the hospital and explain your situation and they may put you on the schedule for the end of the day. I wish you the very best!!

what a great story!! the moral of it to me is...don't give up!!! Make sure you remember that once you are banded!! In everyone's life there are always ups and downs (or as I say not so ups). Just stay positive and don't give up!! I wish you the very best!

You look awesome!! I hope you enjoyed your steak!!! I eat steak all the time!!!! We were banded about the same time (if my memory is right)..I was banded Nov 23rd.. I just cut it up in very small bites and eat it slow..haven't had any problems!! I have to remember to order the 8oz since my eyes are bigger than my belly..still have that problem! LOL

One thing that I learned was to eat until I was satisfied not until I was full. Also, you said you were eating "sandwiches" maybe you should take away the bread?? I eat meat roll ups..a slice of lean meat with cheese rolled up in it. I may eat 2 but no more than three for lunch and they will fill me up. Then for a snack if necessary a Greek yogurt. I guess what I am trying to say is cut back in the carb area that would really help. 30 Minutes on the treadmill is excellent!!! Think positive. Having a positive attitude is also a key factor in this as well! I wish you the very best!!

Each doctor has their own reasoning as to why they feel that they should be so strict or so lenient. Mine was very strict like yours. I would prefer him to be strict. It caused me to have less problems in the long run (I believe). I didn't eat things I shouldn't or get stuck by eating things too early. But yes, there are many different procedures out there!! I wish you the very best on your journey!!

I love the recipes I have got off of spark! I have it downloaded on my phone so when I think of something and I am at the store I can just look up the recipe to make sure I have everything I need...it is awesome!! Have fun at the beach!

I have BCBS of Alabama..they also turned me down so I self paid. I then turned in the receipts. They reimbursed me 50% and they are now paying all of my fill visits to the surgeon. Have the hospital get a pre-admission approval, see if the anes will get a pre-approval as well...the third bill I had was the surgeon..that one you will have to fight. But like I said I submitted the receipts and they reimbursed me 50% and are paying 100% now for the office visits.

Yes, you can claim all of your medical expenses for the year on your taxes..in your case you can only claim the 2500 since you were reimbursed 10k..so 2500 plus any and all other medical bills that you have incurred for this year (prescriptions, office visits and so forth). I am not a tax expert, I just know how my tax accountant did my taxes. You can google taxes and medical bills..you can get the legal definitions or if you use quicken it will ask you all the right questions. I hope this helps..

Sorry I haven't seen your post any sooner! I am worried..I don't like the dizziness and the throwing up. I am thinking your band is too tight (requiring an unfill..just a little will make you feel so much better). You just might not be able to eat as much as you need. How much were you eating to how much are you eating since this fill? Is it significant? Did you just cut out your carbs? It also sounds like carb withdrawals (the dizziness does). Bottom line you need to go in and see the doctor tomorrow for sure. I don't hesitate about that..that is what they are there for. I sincerely hope you feel better!! Get some rest and take care!!

I am also having the potassium issue myself!!! Just about the same levels as you..just a tad bit lower!!! Same chest pains only my EKGs are messed up as well!! After taking the IV, the supplements and so forth I am still not able to retain the potassium...SO THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT to everyone..keep eating all of the foods listed above!!!!! The liquid potassium is NASTY!! You cannot take it daily or at least I can't!!

If I'm not mistaken I believe I had diarrhea as well right after surgery but I also had to drink magnesium citrate the night before..not sure if that was lingering but it may be common. My procedure was clear liquids for 5 days and then 7 days of protein shakes..7 days of mushies followed 7 days of soft protein before I started on solids. If you wanted to follow my plan..totally up to you or if you wanted to follow something similar!! I know what you mean about not wanting to end back up in the ER!!! Make sure you get enough fluids...being dehydrated is scary as well!!

Yep, now you will get to learn about slimming and PB'ing...aren't you excited?? LOL all kinds of exciting things!! There are different variations of how much comes out and what form..foamy, slimy or "pukey". All of which I prefer to do at home but we don't always get a choice..LOL

Sounds like you are ready!! How awesome about United!! I was one of those who had to self pay after fighting for 2 years!! Anyway, it gives me more motivation! I look at everything in a positive way!! Everything happens for a reason! I wish you the very best, stay positive and you will be fine!! Take care!!

Hey regardless of how old you are..it never hurts to have mom there!!! My mom went to the hospital with me!!! Hugs going out to you!! Oh, I didn't sleep the night before either..I just laid there and dreamed about the new me...

I think part of it is get us in the right mindset..even after surgery we have think Protein first, then veggies and then starches if you have room..to be honest sometimes I don't even have room for the veggies. Then there are some nights that I mix my foods but then I am short on my protein. So the bottom line for me is getting that mind of ours ready..that is the key! I was on the same as you...3 shakes a day and that was it!! All the crystal light I wanted but only 3 shakes a day and nothing else!! I wish you the very best and remember it will all be worth it. Believe me I would have never thought I would be down 105 lbs 7 1/2 months ago but I am and loving life!!! Take care and believe in yourself..you can do it!!