BetsyB

Ohm, another thing: Eating Well and Clean Eating are magazines that have at least some of their recipes available online. Neither focuses solely on vegetarian/vegan choices, but a lot of their recipes are very, very adaptable. I don't know if you specified, but do you tolerate rice/brown rice?

Leigha took the words out of my fingertips. I was going to ask about this, because I use spaghetti squash in many ways that I'd ordinarily use Pasta. My favorite way is a very light Asian "noodle" salad that contains a variety of vegetables and a light peanut dressing. It's FAR better with spaghetti squash than with real pasta; it stays crisp and delicious in the 'fridge for up to a week---which makes it ideal for someone with finite stomach space!

Once you achieve restriction, nothing larger than the size of a pencil eraser will be able to pass through the stoma. To avoid problems, it really is a good idea to start out with bites the size of a pencil eraser---that way, if you accidentally swallow without chewing as well as you intend (and this does happen!), you will not introduce anything to your stomach that is apt to cause you problems. As for your coffee question---I don't know what your doctor recommends, but mine vetoes coffee (and caffeine in general, for six months). It was a very difficult habit to break! I do use a little mayo with my tuna---not too much, though, because a nice, dense Protein can be transformed into a slider food pretty easily if lubed too much.

I really haven't missed it. I mean--sure, I have fleeting moments when, in a restaurant, the bread basket passes me and I think, "Ah, bread" kind of wistfully. But the yearning is really more out of habit than really, truly missing the experience of eating the bread. I still don't quite have ideal restriction, so I do get quite hungry before meals. During those times, I do have to tell myself, "No!" so that I don't eat inappropriately. I have to make very conscious choices. But I really don't miss food, per se. While I love good food, I find that there are bazillions of ways to make the foods that are now best for me really appetizing and delicious. I don't feel deprived of the "good stuff," because I'm eating good stuff! It might make a difference that I was not really a comfort eater preop--I was a overeater. At meals, I served myself too much. At other times food was available, I'd eat without thinking. I had poor habits, but didn't generally soothe myself with food. Now, the overeating is not possible, and I think before eating. But I honestly don't feel deprived. (Before my last fill, though, I would happily have gnawed the legs off my furniture for fuel! I was hungry--all the time!)

Be aware that I Can't Believe It's Not Butter is intended to be used in miniscule amounts. I know that sounds terribly elementary, but I know many people who use it in volume as a butter substitute. Five sprays is a serving, and is considered fat-free. A bottle of the stuff contains over 800 calories, and is decidedly NOT fat-free. If you open the bottle to pour it, then you're probably better off finding another answer. I haven't really encountered many foods yet, post-op, for which butter is needed. When I do, I have a tiny bit of the real thing. A teaspoon of butter has 33 calories--not horrendous. And a tiny bit offers so much more flavor than the substitutes, IMO (and has the bonus of being...well, real.)

It's hard, when you're ready to go, and have to wait. I had a three-month supervision---but the actual time between seminar and surgery was around five months, due to the holidays. I tried really hard not to view it as a "waiting period," but rather a time to really prepare myself---both emotionally and physically--for the surgery. It helped that, during that time, I was still seeing my surgeon routinely. Gaining weight would NOT have been favorably viewed at all! But even without that sort of external control, I made a conscious decision to start living the way I imagined I'd live post-banding. That doesn't mean I adopted exactly the same eating habits. But I did adopt many of the behaviors, such as not drinking while eating, taking small bites and chewing very, very carefully, and so on. I tried different Proteins to find one I really liked. I tried different bariatric Vitamins, too. I also looked at the time as a good time to get to know my doctor and his staff better. This surgery forges a long-term relationship, so being really comfortable is a bonus. I know the wait seems like an eternity, but you can turn it into something positive, and gain a lot (not weight!) during the time. Good luck! I know it doesn't seem like it, but you will be banded before you know it, and the wait will have been well worth it.

Liz, you'll be driving right by me on your way to the doctor. Let me know the time you'll be on the road, and I'll wave :scared2: (One day, we'll have to meet for coffee when you're passing through the area. You know, when you're NOT en route to Sybaris, with far better things to do :thumbup:) Hummingbird, the boob shrinkage is one of life's injustices. I plan to have mine rearranged when I get to goal. I never, in my life, thought that augmentation would be in the cards for me, but I am beginning to wonder. You're lucky to have your own closet to shop in. I am a ruthless thrower-awayer---I have kept NOTHING in other sizes, except for a handful of pairs of jeans that were worn relatively recently (or swiped by my offspring, later to be reclaimed). I am going to have to do my shopping the old-fashioned way. Which means that I'll be driving the distance to my hometown to visit their second-hand shop, 'cause it's got really beautiful stuff, dirt-cheap. Bob-What did you end up feasting on? Did it sit well with you? Grrr! :cool2: :w00t: :rose: The scale is up again for me this morning, and even though I know all of the reasons (upped exercise, added veggies that are NOT moving through my system, missed two days of BP med that contains diuretic, etc...) I am having a very hard time being as compassionate and rational with myself as I would be with others. I really need to work on that. On the plus side, I'm pretty sure I will achieve both 30# down AND under 200 by my appointment next Friday, which will be good. Mark pointed out to me that I've lost a lot of weight, and my body usually decides, after a big loss, to hold on to weight for a while. This is pretty astute; I had no idea he ever paid any attention. (Bless his heart, yesterday I divulged how close I was to getting to being below 200, and it never occurred to him that I was above 200. Because we all march in to bariatric surgeons' offices when we weigh 120 :cool2:). This time, though, there's no throwing in the towel....!! My body can hold on to things until it gets the message that this is the way it is, buddy! Have a great day, everyone!

I think that most of us will very freely own up to mistakes we've made. But, too, most of us are very, very dedicated to making life changes that recognize that doing things the way we've always done them will not work for us any more---and therefore are working very hard to be compliant, particularly in the immediate postop period. "Cheating" is a concept that becomes moot when you realize that it really isn't "cheating" to make a decision to eat. This comes a little later in the game, though. Racing out of the starting gate and immediately deviating from plan really can set you up for difficulties---not food-wise (no one is going to die from eating ahead of what may be a very conservative diet advancement schedule), but emotionally. If you set yourself up, right from the beginning, for a sense of guilt and failure, you might wind up with a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's more positive to work on mastery. You can conquer food! It doesn't rule you! Be the boss. Make good choices. It's hard, but it can be done.

Felix Delgado! Bwahahahahaha! That's priceless! I'm glad you were cleared to eat, Bob--and knowing your amazing weight loss history, you won't go overboard. But please be careful not to HURT yourself! I mean, stuck and sliming just ain't what they're cracked up to be! (But have something good). We're going out tonight....big excitement. Someone else will make my little salad with a few grilled shrimp thrown on top. Christie, I'm just two steps behind you, fill-wise. I'm almost 2 weeks in to Fill #2--and just beginning to feel the restriction taper off. I hope your results are wonderful! Truman and I just got back from Walk #2 for the day. It is so so so nice outside. The birds are returning, I heard tree frogs, and the beavers are building lodges at an alarming rate. It was a great walk, and brought us to a little over 7 miles for the day. Off to fetch the youngest spawn---have a lovely evening, everyone!

Yes, but mine was only $300. $3,000 seems awfully high! Do you have a flexible spending account? It may be reimbursable through that. Most program fees are not, from what I understand, reimbursable through most health insurance plans.

Anne, I'm so glad your cancer treatment is just about wrapped up---and that you are here & healthy and looking forward to another form of self-care. It's interesting that you describe yourself as a caretaker. I wonder if you're like me. I, too, am a caretaker par excellence...except when it comes to myself. Learning how to do care for myself in the same loving way I do with others has been ...well, difficult. But also very rewarding. My dog and cats are often my favorite members of my support system, too. They think I'm waaaay smarter than I am, and they listen to me far better than the humans in my life most of the time! Karen, I agree--Chicago is gorgeous, architecturally. I'm in the suburbs now, in a cookie cutter subdivision (that is magically built around a few acres of what little wetland prairie remains in Illinois)----but do plan to live downtown again when I have no kids at home. I want a huge loft with lots of wide open spaces. When I have grandkids, they can zoom around on Big Wheels and rollerskates :scared2: It's astoundingly beautiful here today---I think Truman and I are going to head out for another walk. It'd be criminal not to soak up the sunshine!

It's hard to address the weight question without knowing what you're eating (and how much). In general, the rate of loss of someone without a great deal to lose will be slower than the rate of those with more to lose. At a month out, you should be planning on seeing your doctor at frequent intervals for the next year or so---every six weeks is pretty typical. You'll be assessed, your progress measured, and your band adjusted. (There's not much point in having a band if you don't use it!) Your pain should be discussed with him/her. If you don't have an appointment, make one. Off the top of my head, though, I wonder whether it's port-related. My port site still gets quite sore--and the pain can be persistent. The one thing I CAN tell you with great certainty: avoiding the doctor will NOT help you avoid necessary treatment. It can, however, severely compound a problem that might begin as something very easily treated. Make that appointment today.

Sorry, Jacqui--that was a tad clinical, wasn't it. Didn't mean to trigger your gag reflex! But then, it's not exactly creme anglaise we're discussing LOL

Please go ahead and start taking the meds. If you have low thyroid levels, it won't produce the scary side effects you've read about; it will normalize your levels (and also make it easier to lose weight). Also, I think you can relax regarding approval; it won't be hindered by this diagnosis. Hypothyroidism is very, very prevalent, and along with your other comorbidities will help build a good case in favor of surgery.

I returned, very part-time, right away--the day after surgery. But I have a very flexible job that can be done from home. If I had a more traditional job, I really would have liked 10 days or so.

I completely understand what you do & why--because I've been there, too. Not since banding, but still... I wonder: instead of telling yourself you deserve the food indulgences, would it help to reframe it by telling yourself you deserve to take good care of yourself in other ways? I know this sounds really elementary, but for me, there really has been, in the past, sort of a sense that I'm not worth the effort and success. I'd achieve a certain level of success, then convince myself that I deserved to deviate---when, in fact, I really was self-sabotaging because I just didn't feel worth it. I don't know if this applies to you at all--just a thought.

Liz, good to see you! I didn't know you were from this area! Who's your doctor? I grew up on the North Shore (now I'm further south). Sybaris is awesome. Getting a weekend away sounds like a wonderful idea! Yes, it IS possible to lose inches and not lose weight. The body does a lot of redistribution. Also, remember that workouts usually result in a bit of fluid retention. They say the scale doesn't lie--but sometimes it really does.

This is where having an dog with bad table manners comes in handy. Mine sits and drools and stares at me. When I reach the full point, I just say, "Oh, ALL RIGHT!" and give the leftovers to him.

Anne, I'm glad you're joining us :wub: Bob, you can blame your pseudo-gain on estrogen, if you want. You're losing weight, so you've got more of it than normal in your bloodstream. I am sure that just makes your day. (Lucky for you: the damn hormone will GO AWAY instead of make you a raging ball of...well, you can fill in the blank.) Leigha, I find myself doing the same thing. I'm having a party on Saturday, and am already planning how I will get my evening walk in! (I love entertaining...I will muddle through this dilemma somehow.)

Insurance companies are well aware of the customary and reasonable costs of each procedure they cover. If they actually did cover the full amount billed, then someone on the insurance end is involved in the fraud. I'd report it to my state's department/board of insurance. I'd probably also report the doctor to the state medical board. But first, I would call the clinic and ask for an explanation and request that the very obvious error be amended --- with the understanding being that if it is not, you will report. It's NOT unusual for out-of-pocket payers to be given a small break, price-wise; they don't have the same administrative costs associated with their care. But what you've described is ridiculous--and if true, criminal. (Time to find another clinic for follow-up care, I think. If a doctor/group is that unscrupulous, then you don't want them administering your medical care.) ETA: I'm not sure what "risk" is assumed by going through insurance, since each and every doctor gets pre-approval!

Hi, Bree--welcome! Karen, I'm near Chicago--but was born in Philly :wub:

I'm with Elfie on this one. My surgeon is brilliant--at performing surgery. He also happens to be really on-the-ball about nutrition. This is a bonus I didn't expect, but was thrilled to receive. Most North American surgeons are not. All the "due diligence" in the world won't change the fact that the vast majority are just regular guys with opinions when it comes to nutrition. The most honest among them will freely admit this. We choose them for their surgical expertise. If you get more, you are fortunate. Most do not.

Of course you're still sore! The incisions are tiny, but they're just that: incisions--and there was manipulation done inside your body that you can't even see. Add in muscle soreness from surgical positioning, and so on--and yes, you are sore! I probably am one of those "I'm fine" people you refer to. But "fine" is relative. I felt SO much better than I expected to feel, and found that my pain was pretty tolerable. But I took pain meds to get moving as much as I could as soon as I could--so my "fine" probably was not a lot different from what you're feeling now. What you're experiencing is completely normal. And it really does improve rapidly. By Day 10 or so, I really did feel "normal."

Of course, this is your decision entirely, but I would suggest rethinking it. It may take months of fills before you achieve restriction; why not make use of that time to practice eating the way you will need to eat in order to ensure good loss and good health maintenance?

Infection after catheterization is very, very common; many/most doctors avoid catheterizing for short procedures to prevent infection. It's also common for infection to develop after urinary retention due to anesthesia. (Add in that the retention itself often requires catheterization, and the likelihood is compounded.) It's really inconvenient, and very uncomfortable, but if promptly identified and treated, should resolve quickly. Be sure to get plenty of fluids--it really helps. Hope you feel better fast!