BetsyB

Awesome perspective!

Yes, totally normal. I'm just a little farther out than you are, and have had my first fill. I did get some restriction, but my stomach still empties faster than I'd like. (I find it easy enough to limit myself to the portion size my doctor recommends, though I'm not really FULL-full; it doesn't stick with me until the next meal time, though.) Some people experience more restriction, and others, less. It's hard to predict what will be your experience, but it never hurts to be hopeful!

My stomach capacity remained restricted until my first fill. So, I got full very quickly--although not on quite the limited volume recommended by my doctor. (He recommended 1.5-2 ounces of protein; I needed 2-2.5.) Because there was no restriction to stomach emptying, though, it simply did not stick with me for long.

I'm torn on the idea of addiction. I recognize that food can be used to anesthetize, and think I've probably done that to a certain extent at times in my life. But I have trouble with the concept of addiction---at least for me. It doesn't really fit with my M.O. I don't think that I was as married to food as a short-term intoxicant as I was to its long-term effects; instead of eating for immediate comfort, I overate because fat served an insulating purpose for me. I've eaten relatively cleanly for several years; I'm not fanatical--I eat cake made with sugar on birthdays and pie on Thanksgiving--but by and large I eat very carefully. But I ate TOO MUCH. And too much of even good things packs on pounds. For a period of my life, that worked for me in a dysfunctional sort of way. It seems as though there are as many psychological profiles for obesity as there are obese individuals. The one thing I've figured out for sure is that none of us seem to fit the self-indulgent, gluttonous, weak-willed mold that is used so often to portray us. ETA: To answer your question, no--I don't have foods that I think I will have to avoid for the rest of my life. In order to keep myself properly nourished, I will have to make healthy choices the backbone of my intake. In order to achieve my weight goal, I will have to say "no" to some foods, some times. (Thankfully, the band makes it so much easier to do so.) But I don't fear food, or believe that occasional indulgences will derail my success. In comparison, I know that if I had just one cigarette, even though I quit smoking a decade ago and haven't craved one in years, I would quickly be right back to smoking a pack a day.

I, too, have severe pain issues and initially, my motivators were external. I have a 3-year-old Lab-shepherd who demands a daily (at a MINIMUM; in the months when it is light in the evening, we do it twice) 3.5-4 mile walk. And I have a 13-year-old son who makes sure I get to the gym every other day for weight training. Combined with the care of a good pain specialist, this works for me. I've reached the point where I notice a profound difference in the way I feel (physically and emotionally) if I don't exercise---so it's become rewarding on its own.

Mine involved 2 Protein shakes a day (I used Inspire shakes from bariatriceating.com) and a meal consisting of 4 oz. of protein and a cup of non-starchy vegetables. Additionally, I could have 2 servings each of broth, sugar-free Jello, and/or sugar-free popsicles each day. It wasn't the most fun I've ever had, but it was liveable. I hope you're feeling better fast!

My PCP is extremely nutrition-oriented. I didn't think he'd support weight loss surgery--but it was moot, because his approval was not necessary. There was NO convincing to be done when it came to the guy DOING the surgery---so the only people who had to clear me were the handful of specialists (cardiologist, pulmonologist, etc.) the surgeon and my insurer required. That said, I was in my doctor's office for another reason during the wait-for-approval period, and told him my plans--and he was very, very supportive. I haven't seen him since the surgery--but suspect that having a patient who does well (and, really, aligns with his nutritional beliefs) will open his mind even more. Maybe one day, he will recommend it for his patients who've had a long battle with their weight. Don't be afraid to discuss it with your doctor---you really may be surprised at the support you receive.

Many doctors very appropriately require their patients to achieve a lower BMI before surgery. This reduces surgical risk DRAMATICALLY. It also allows them to assess the likelihood of postoperative success. You will not be losing alone. You'll find hundreds of people here who are doing the same thing. You will also have your doctor and his resources at the ready. I would NOT travel to someone willing to do it at an unsafe BMI. I'd rather get with the program and get the weight off. It's HARD but---and this is hard to hear, but important--no harder than the postoperative course. Because even then, you have to make good choices every.time.you.eat. Now, I'm assuming your doctor is making this recommendation to benefit you in terms of safety. If, OTOH, you believe he's doing it to push another agenda, then I'd discuss it with him. Some doctors do have surgical preferences, and can try to influence patients toward their preference. I would expect that a doctor who's recommended RNY instead would still require preop loss to reduce risk. If not, I'd ask some questions, outline my reasons for preferring banding, and get another opinion. But no--I would NOT travel just for the purpose of getting operated on sooner. First, I want the safest procedure possible (part of the reason I chose banding in the first place)--and secondly, do you REALLY want to travel for all of your (considerable) aftercare? ETA: The insurance approval process involves hoop-jumping that often takes several months. Chances are that, if you commit to the loss, you will have achieved 50 pounds down by the time your approval comes through. This does not necessarily mean adding even ONE more day to your preoperative wait.

The Inspire protein powders from bariatriceating.com are very, very good.

Well, by the time you chew the bejeebers out of it, ground beef might just as well be a puree. Under the circumstances, you probably made the best choice possible. Would it be possible for you to keep an emergency stash in a desk drawer for times like this, though?

I'm five weeks out, and would have no qualms about traveling.

You have to really take the "friend of a friend who works with someone who..." stories with a grain of salt. Hernias are a common result of OBESITY, not the band. (In fact, they are often corrected during banding surgery.) Intestinal strangulation related to herniation is not a banding issue; it's an obesity issue. Banding actually reduces the risk of recurrence by addressing the obesity. Unless I hear it from the medical examiner or read it in a peer-reviewed journal, I'm just not buying the horror stories people love telling those who are considering this pretty benign procedure. For most, the potential benefits FAR outweigh the risks.

happy bandiversary! I'm glad you've reached that elusive sweet spot!

If I'm not mistaken, COBRA coverage extends the same benefits you had previously. Good luck! I hope you get to move forward as planned!

I'm not sure what has given you the impression that, "no matter what," the band is removed. It is approached as a permanent implant. Its lifespan may be limited, and all of us know that, at some point, we may need to have our bands replaced. But we also know that, should we outlive our bands, replacement is necessary in order to maintain the restriction that allows us to lose and maintain our weight loss. Some people---a small proportion of those banded--do experience problems that require removal. They are the exception, rather than the rule. Often, they choose to have another WLS so that they can continue to lose or maintain their loss. It can seem, when reading message boards, as though problems occur more often than not. This is because people do tend to post for support and guidance when things aren't going as well as they expected.

Yes, it's pretty common to gain a little--but you have to remember, it's more a function of having extra bulk in the gut than anything else. You'll see lots of fluctuations as you lose--it won't be a clear downward shot. But with your good plans in place, you're going to do great.

The usual adult dose is 325 to 650 mg every 4-6 hours. It's not a good idea for anyone to translate this into liquid dosing for you, because different Tylenol preparations contain different dosing per mL--if the bottle you pick up is more concentrated than mine, it can spell liver damage. The packaging will tell you how many teaspoons/mL translate to the appropriate dose. I hope you feel better fast

Great job! I, too, find that just sort of quietly waiting and listening to my body helps short-circuit bigger problems

I was told the dressing could come off right away---but not to use any ointments, etc. on the site. I don't know if you have staples and steri-strips in place. If so, just keep things clean and dry. What's done is done--channel your anger toward changing your life. A two-inch incision is a small price to pay for the hope that the band carries with it.

I learned, pretty quickly post-banding, that milk and milk-based foods nauseate me. Lactose intolerance postop is pretty common. I wonder if you're experiencing this. (FWIW, cheese and yogurt, because of the bacterial cultures they contain, don't cause problems. But milk, puddings, and so on--they're a no-go.) ETA: After reading the other responses, I wonder whether you're getting enough Fluid. While not enough Protein might be the problem, it's kind of early in the game for that to produce symptoms. Dehydration, OTOH, is the #1 cause of nausea.

I don't think it's likely that a little tidbit, not quite big enough to stick in your stoma, is still lingering in your pouch. I'd guess that you triggered some irritation, and that is the source of your continued discomfort. That, and also perhaps that some of the foods you're choosing are less-than-ideal, particularly for a touchy pouch. It's great that you went to liquids after the Cursed Slippery Jam Experience; I'd try to stick with soft foods (or even full liquids) for a couple of days to see if that helps.

That's great! I love my band, too. It's so nice to have a little band of HOPE wrapped around my stomach

Anorexia is very difficult to manage when the person affected is resisting help (as is most often the case). The one thing I would try to do is make sure that my loved one was in the care of a psychiatrist very, VERY experienced in treating eating disorders. EAPs are a great place to start, but it's important that her doctor and therapist appropriately refer her to a specialist rather than keep her in their care if they are unequipped to effectively treat her. In your shoes, I'd do some research about the leading eating disorder specialists in your area, and ask for that referral. You may be resisted (by everyone)--but it will at least plant the idea in their minds for future action. Inpatient care is often required, particularly when physical symptoms complicate the scenario. The situation can become very grave---and being in a place where both body and mind can be attended can be lifesaving. I'm so sorry your family is facing this; it is a horrible disease to witness, and it is horrible to feel so helpless.

It's really great that you want to be sure to fill these out correctly--but you can relax. The information is for the surgeon's office, and will not affect your approval. Yes, put down the HMO PCP. Lots of us don't have close relationships with our PCPs--but it's just routine info they need. My surgeon never contacted my PCP; he doesn't even know, yet, that I was banded. (I did tell him I was waiting for approval the last time I saw him.) If you're still a little uncomfortable, make a note on the form that yes--they can contact him, but you've not yet seen him due to a recent insurance change. If you want, you can add the name and number of the last PCP who "knew" you. As for diet history, we're ALL in the same boat! They really just want to establish that you have a history of trying to lose the excess weight, and have not been able to do so. If you accidentally miss an attempt or two, it will be okay. You still will have established a years-long series of attempts. When it comes to approval, it really comes down to this: if your BMI is high enough (or a bit lower, with comorbidities), a handful of specialists say you're safe for surgery, and your bariatric surgeon agrees you're a good candidate, you will be approved. Your insurance will deem it MEDICALLY NECESSARY---and you will have the surgery. Good luck! The process seems endless, but before you know it, you will be banded

calcium citrate is more bioavailable than calcium caltrate. (More of it dissolves and becomes available to the body's cells.) This is particularly true for bariatric patients---though the difference is far more striking in those who've had Roux-en-Y (because of the malabsorptive features of their procedure). If you have difficulty with the big pills, Calcet chews contain calcium citrate, and are AMAZINGLY good. Celebrate Vitamins also makes a chewable calcium citrate for bariatric patients. Both are becoming available at more and more places; I order from bariatriceating.com.