finallyncontrol

Isn't it awesome when your clothes don't fit for a good reason!!!! Keep in mind if the scale ever gets stuck..try on a some clothes that haven't fit, sometimes the results can be seen in many ways other than on the scale!!! Keep up the awesome work!

It will always be that way in regards to the drinking. If you drink right before you eat you will be too full and will not be able to eat the protein that you so desperately need for energy. A lot of people including me will say that drinking while you eat can cause you to get stuck. If you drink as soon as you finish eating you will flush out the protein that you want to retain as long as you possibly can in order to keep you full otherwise you will get hungry quicker. What I suggest people to do that have issues or problems giving up drinking while they eat is to make a glass of ice just as set down to eat..when it melts then you can drink it. After a while you will no longer even take a glass to the table.

Kurby...sorry if it is the first time you heard it..nope no drinking is allowed before, during or after you eat. The time before and after varies per doctor it seems. I wait 45 minutes to 1 hour before and 1 hour after.

my doctor does something very similar. The way he explains it it is similar to the surgery. You heal each and every time and you do not want to rush it. "Would you rather end up in the ER with blockage?" or eating something too early? I say no. He has been so good to me and I have done so well with my band..losing 92 lbs in 7 months..It is all fine with me by following his guidelines! :-)

You can count on me to help you thru you journey! I have been very successful and love to help others! I have lost 92 lbs in 7 months. It is not easy, there are good days and there are a few not so good days but the one thing I say each and every day is I LOVE MY BAND! I am on here pretty much daily but you can always reach me at mrsbardo@gmail.com. You can ask me anything and please feel free to do so! I look forward to hearing from you!

I know I am a firm believer in using pineapple juice when I am stuck so it probably would work...for me 7 months in without gum I am over it. I used to be a gum freak but haven't thought about it a long time.

As time passes you will find that you can eat at almost any place..just pick the best dish for you. Wendy's is great to start with the Chili is great even pureed and then eat it regularly when you are craving fast food. Almost all places have a chicken dish..ask for a to go box..you will not be able to eat it all. Look at the appetizers...they may be the better choices as well as the smaller portions..not always though.

Never..it is not worth the risk. If I can forget to chew my food enough and cause it to get stuck..I can probably get caught up in the moment and swallow a piece of gum. To me as I said it is not worth the risk.

I am also self pay with no regrets at all!! A couple of things I will stress is keeps all reciepts and should be able to write it all off on your taxes. Even though you are self pay..ask the hospital to try to get pre-authorization for you stay even if it is denied. Once you have all of your reciepts..submit it to your insurance company for reimbursement. I got the EKGs, all blood work, pre-op testing etc, the anesthesia and part of the hospital bill reimbursed..they wouldn't pay for the surgery but as I mentioned they paid part of the rest which is better than nothing..plus I got a huge tax benefit. With my doctor his self pay program offers 1 year of fills (how every many you need) and requires you to see him monthly. He jokingly says "abuse him" so that is what I do and I have done remarkedly well. I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 92 so far. I have 34 lbs left to go. I wish you the best on your journey!!

Debra..I can't access your blog??

This sounds horrible..not only to be living with day to day but to be getting this kind of reaction from your doctor. Is there any other bariatric doctors in your area or in a distance you are willing to drive to so that you can get a second opinion (besides Canada)?? Best wishes to you!

I get the hiccups as I am eating and it is my indicator that I am full..so I don't eat any more after my first hiccup.

You can count me as a friend to help you along with your journey! I was banded on 11/23/9 and have lost 90 lbs so far and have 36 more to go. Looks like you are going in for surgery tomorrow..I wish you the very best! You can reach me at dsmith16@tamapbay.rr.com the sooner you can get up and walk the better you will feel is probably the best advice I can give you for right now.

I think you are doing great!!! Down 15 lbs total..sleeping on your left side (which that and tummy sleeping was very important to me) are huge steps. Walking out the gas is the best medicine, it will pass. Already on date night..awesome!!

Sounds like you had a great time!!! Welcome back! Although Alaska looks beautiful it is way too cold for me. LOL

what a wonderful posting will_b_healthy!! You could not have put it any better!!!

I think you are doing wonderful!! I personally am not a breakfast person but I use www.recipezaar.com a lot. You can put in what you want to search...ie: high protien, low carb, chicken or in your case breakfast meals. This site breaks out the entire dish by calorie, carb, fat, protien and so forth.

I like this picture much better..it shows where you are now!!!! Have a wonderful vacation!

I was wondering what happened to you as well!! Great update!! Yeah the only time I had a couple of sips when I ate I got stuck...taught me not to do that again!

I think it helps talking to bandsters daily helps and it helps you stay on the right path. LoseIt is right on being too tight is not good, it does more bad than good. I would love to be an email buddy and talk daily if you would like to get thru this...you can reach me at dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com

All I can say is positive things!! Best thing I have ever done! I am 6 months post op and down 89 lbs..have 37 to go!! This is the best I have ever felt! It isn't easy but I wouldn't trade it for anything, I love my band. It is a tool that helps me put my food in control. I wish you the very best on your journey!

Sounds like you are right on track!! Do you go next week for your first fill. Stay positive and try to drink fluids as much as possible to deter those hunger feelings. I wish you the best!!

Another thing you might want to try is the 5 day pouch test...it is like a restart. It is good for other things like "have I stretched my band" and so forth but it is really to restart the weight loss again. Here is the website..it explains the whole diet. Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test

Wow I really feel for you (no pun intended). That stinks!! My dr always drains out what is in there and then fills it back up. I thought that is what all drs did with ea fill. You might have to go back and demand that you only see the dr since he was able to find the port. If you can't get liquids down you will get dehydrated quick and that will cause further problems. Please take care! I wish you the best!

Hi Carol, my name is Michele I was banded 11/23/9 and I would love to be your buddy through this. I think it is fantastic that you are starting to take the steps the live your life! I have a son who turns 3 on June 1st, so I know exactly what you mean. If I didn't do something I would miss his whole life. Now I can do anything with him (well almost..not sure any adult has toddler energy but I don't give up). You can reach me dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com I look forward to hearing from you!!!