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Ladies, you are too funny! Ayana, keep working at it. I was banded in August of this year and have my surgeon told me no fills as of yet. The reason is like Betsy wrote, I am working the band and my body as if I do have restriction. I watch my portions, measure, weigh and even though I am certain that I could tolerate certain foods in larger amounts, I don't even go there! I exercise 7 days a week no less than 30 minutes at a min. and an hour max. so far been averaging approx. 2lbs per week. Go back take a look of what you are eating and how you are doing it, look at your exercise routine and if your surgeon's office gave you information and suggestions, go for it. Wishing you the best of luck!

Cottage cheese on the go by knudsen, tuna fish in pouch with water, light string cheese, if you can have crackers, ritz reduced fat crackers are great with the tuna fish, yogurt, brothy soups (premeausred and ready to go into the microwave), don't forget protein supplements. It will not be as bad as you fear.:wink2: good luck

Everyone has said it! Stop beating yourself up! This is a new life and new life styles require a process and that process is the LB. Things don't change overnight. Go back to your instructions, or call the doctor's office to discuss your feelings. Just don't give up and know you are not alone. Keep going forward there is a whole new future out there for you.:wink2:

talk to your surgeon and ask about fiber replacement to help with the diarrhea. Also are you taking in any protein drinks? I found that the protien drink/supplement helped me alot.:wink2:

Citrate magnesium is an over the counter laxative that is about 8 oz and will take care of whatever is in your bowels!:wink2: IF you go this route make sure you take this stuff after your last meal (hpefully not to late in the day or you will be up all night running to the bathroom. Good luck Usually procedure is done under moderate sedation.

LOL! How funny! Thanks for making me laugh! Glad to know that I am not the only one who does stuff like that too. :thumbup:

Congrats Bob! Isn't life wonderful! :thumbup:

Leigha is spot on and you have nothing to lose (except for a few more pounds:thumbup:) Take in some protien drinks at room temperature for a day or two and see if that might help. Keep your protien levels up as much as you can.

Call your doctor and let him/her know of your feelings of weakness and dizziness. Discuss the option of proteins. Don't wait call.:thumbup:

Count me in for both challenges!:thumbup:

I experienced stomach spasms day 3,4,5 post op. My surgeon had me take only small amounts of room temp to warm fluids such as peppermint tea, and water for 24 hours. It actually took 48 hours, but the stomach calmed down and now my stomach, the band and I are ever so much more happier.:thumbup:

I told everyone, mainly so they would not invent some type of traumatic disease as to the reason for my weight loss. Plus, I have no concern about what folks think of me. The unseen benefit of telling everyone for me was the amount of support and good will that has been thrown my way! People I work with are so good...come potluck time, folks have asked me what it is that I can eat and then several make sure that there is something there for me. We even have smaller paper plates so my spot of food doesn't get lost in the bigger ones! People go out of their way to compliment me on the changes they see. I am blessed! The only person that i held off telling about the surgery was my mom. Her health is not the best and she has had a life long fear of surgery so I told her after the procedure. She was a tad bit mad at me for trying to protect her, but alas, she loves me and wants me to be around long after she has left this world! (her words not mine!):sneaky:

My surgeon did not require a pre-op diet. The surgery went well and I was up and walking within two hours after surgery. It is a surgeon preference as to whether they want you on a pre-op diet or not. With that said you might want to trial a few of the proteins out there so you will have one that has a taste that you can tolerate. It is ok to be nervous...keep thinking of the goal and the new you!:blushing:

Protein is important, however until your stomach calms down, you may have water and broth if you cannot tolerate the shakes 24 hours or so will not hurt you and will allow the swelling to go down. Try to keep your liquids room temperture or warm. Try your protein shakes the next day and see how you tolerate them. Good luck!:blushing:

Have you called the customer support service on your insurance to obtain the required criteria needed for approval of the lapband? It can't hurt and the more knowledge you have the more powerful you are when it comes to this journey. I wish you luck.

Calling the docotor is always a good thing when in doubt. you may have to give your stomach a "holiday" to help it settle down. I had stomach spasms and the doc had me drink room temp protein and peppermint tea to allow my stomach to rest. I did it for 24 hours and my stomach settled down and I have not made the mistake of over eating again.

First things first congratulations! Everyone reacts differently to post op. I think your reactions are healthy as long as you don't stay on that track. You are grieving the loss of a life style (true not a very healthy one, but none the less) that you are comfortable with and now you are onto a journey, challenge and a process of unknown proportions! Don't worry about the smaller portions as you start this new life, you will see that it all fits in together. Psychologically we all go through various degrees that we have to adapt to. For me it was smaller plates and bowls with them my portions aren't so small and because I am full...I don't miss those giant portions of food. Wishing you lots of luck!

the hubby was with with me in pre-op up to the time they rolled me out to the OR. He was waiting for me in my room and stayed with me through out the night and walked with me every two hours. The nurses loved him as he kept intake and output info for them.:thumbup:

Melanie, I too am new at this I was banded on August 23, 2010. So I also am learning as I go, but I live over the hill in Culver City and work in Los Angeles (downtown). If you need to talk, I am here! Kathy:smile2:

I don't know whether you will or not. My advice to you is to call them and ask them. If they say yes, then ask them to tell you what the criteria for approval is and they will tell you.:thumbup:

I called my insurance up and spoke with them as to their criteria. Called the surgeon's office spoke with the staff and started to set up appointments that were required (some may have to be found doing a search [ask for a list from the office staff]) set up the appointments and let it all fall into place. I was lucky, the surgeon that I chose is a center of excellence and his office had everything and everyone that I needed so the only thing that I had to do was to make the appointments and show up. Once I had completed the required meetings the request was sent to my Insurance company. I then called the insurance company and spoke with the nurse reveiwer who actually approved me within a week (I think she just wanted to get rid of me). :thumbup:

I had an overnight stay in the hospital. Hubby at my side walking every two hours. Went home the next morning and was walking around the neighborhood. Hubby stayed with me and was great with hounding me to get out and about which helped me alot! Could I have done it without him absolutely, however it was much more fun with him for company.:thumbup:

I had four days of lasting nausea a few retching episodes. The doc had me sipping on peppermint tea and room temp water so that my "gut" could rest. It did work for me.:thumbup:

Count me in the fun too! :thumbup:

I usually go out and walk (neighborhood, mall) it usually helps. If it is too late to get out, I will do a puzzle or something equally mindless anything but sit in front of the telly.:thumbup: