TKW

I say it will and can work for anyone.... as long as you work it. Learn how it works and follow the rules, you'll lose. (my opinion)

No, I haven't swallowed gum but NO do not make yourself throw up. You want to avoid throwing up because it can cause band slippage so don't "make yourself" If it doesn't pass... and gets stuck, you'll throw up then. Otherwise... if you don't feel stuck I would say it has passed through.

My pre-op diet was. "Try to lose some weight before surgery" No guidelines set. If you are not on liquids, this is just my opinion, I say as long as you are staying with in a calorie amount to lose weight there would be nothing wrong with a few. They also make lots of "baked" crackers and low fat. I LOVE Pepridge Farm 4 cheese baked naturals - YUMMY Good Luck on your surgery!!!!! So exciting!

yup... that would do it!

I thought it was less evasive and safer, altho all surgeries have risk. Also, I wanted to have healthy weightloss. I have lost my weight over 2+ years I think it's much healthier than dropping 100 pounds in 3 months. This is just my opinion. There are some lap banders that have dropped a lot of weight in just a few months too, I will admit... I'm a little jealous. But the mal-absorbtion issues with the other surgeries discourged me from them. At the time of my surgery, I had never heard of the sleeve. Anyway, I'm very happy with the choice I made.

I don't have a problem with celery, but you could peal the outside with a veg peeler. that would take a lot of the fiberous stringy stuff off. (But... oh how we need fiber)

Wow... great weight loss! Congrats! It shouldn't hurt to eat, sounds like mild stuck episodes. Perhaps you are a little too tight? Sometimes the tinest of unfills or fills for that matter can make a huge difference. Are you seeing your dr. anytime soon. You should discuss it with them but that is my guess.

I weighed 432 pounds when I had surgery.... obviously, my life was food. I was sooooo afraid how I was going to deal with it. For me, it was no where near as hard as I thought it would be. I don't miss anything, honestly. I mean, every now and then I still eat a cookie or have a slice of pizza. But I don't miss stuffing my face. If I go out to eat, it feels the same as it always did. I get full and satisfied on so much less food and it doesn't really seem any different. It's normal, because it is a big life change. But you won't believe how amazing you are going to feel with each pound you lose. Yeah!!!! Excited for you. Best of Luck tomorrow! Teresa

Wow... that's odd. I guess it could possibly have affected your band tightness. I'd go in for a small unfill. You don't want to be throwing up and risking band slippage, plus you need nutrition. Hope you get it worked out.

I love pizza. Miss it. Eat it once in a great while but there are lots of alternatives. You can make a really good pizza on a tortilla, put healthy topping on it. yummm. Or on a cracker bread. Remember that when you are back to normal foods. Ya, your in mushies, but if it went down ok, you didn't harm yourself band wise. I mean you didn't get stuck and throw up etc. Dry your eyes and smile! Best of luck to you!

Agree... every now and then I step on the scale and I'm up 3 or 4 pounds. Uff I hate that. I've learned to live with it. It usually disappears in a day or two. I think your body retains water because of sodium etc.

I can eat normal after a fill too. I usually take it easy and eat something "mushie" just to feel it out. I was too tight once, I knew it immediately. Who knows? Take it slow, but listen to your body.

I didn't have a pre-op diet. My Dr. wanted me to try to lose weight prior to surgery but no specifice diet, no liquid diet etc. I'd do it.

Awwwww.... we are all ok, young and old. We all have opinions and ya, maybe sometimes we keep saying the same thing over and over but it's what we believe and what has worked for us, we are all just trying to help. The written word can be interpreted so differently by different people and much more can be read into comments and sometimes it just gets a little out of hand... other times someone just "bugs" you and ya gotta say it. We are all here for the same reason and I will say this forum has motivated me, helped me and at times, irritated the hell out of me. Sort of like an old friend.

lol.... I saw that, thought that was pretty good!

Yep, and you've done a great job and I wish to God I had this option when I was 20 cuz I've been fat since I was 8. Just like what works for you.... a cup of food works for Missy and counting calories works for me. And because I have been banded for 2 years and experienced a lot in those 2 years I like to share what has worked for me. I don't care if anyone takes my advise or not. Sometimes... honestly.... when you are getting stuck often... you need to chew, chew, chew and some people think they are chewing a lot, but their not. Every fill I received I had to chew even more. They drill these things into out heads at all our Pre-Op stuff for a reason. Feel free to tell a poster your experience and what has worked for you, we are all different and Lord knows the band works differently for all of us. Here's wishing you continued success, you look like a beautiful young lady. And... don't let the "children" comment upset you too much. We didn't get excited when you called us "old".

Well... if that is how it is for you I'd want mine out. Are you still with no fill, because it completely sounds like you are way too tight?

I know... I hate those people who have lost 158 pounds and think they know how this works, and then proceed to tell us how it's done. How dare they share their success!!! They obviously have no clue! I'm not a 1 cup measurer like Missy (thank God). I'm a calorie counter. I shoot for 1200 calories a day or there about. Oddly... it ends up my meals are about 1 cup. Oh the shame.

Why won't they take out your gallbladder??? My dr told me that if you have gallbaldder problems prior to surgery they will take it out while they are in there placing the band. I have no regrets and really no cons. Getting used to it can be interesting until you catch on to the eating small bites and chewing well. I struggled with getting stuck at first, but I almost never have that problem any more. So happy with my decision to be banded. Good Luck!

That friend probably knows someone who has been banded and wasn't very successful. Learn everything there is to learn about the band, how it works and what life will be like once you are banded. I think a lot of bandsters are under educated and then overwhelmed and disapointed that the weight doesn't just fall off. I've lost 157 pounds, the band was responsible for 52 of those pounds. Healthy eating was responsible for another 52 of those pounds and blood sweat and tears at the gym I give credit for the other 52. I truly believe it takes all 3 to be successful, that's my opinion. I knew early on it wouldn't be easy and what I would have to do to be successful, I learned exactly what to expect and what would be reqired of me.... and, it's working! Best of luck in your decision. Teresa I'd like to lose 52 more.... think the gym is my best offence!

JeALOuS! (but nice work)

It takes 3500 calories above what your body uses in a day to gain 1 pound. I think you are retaining Water or something. Every now and then I shoot up 2, 3 or 4 pounds and in a day or two it is gone again. LOL.... Really ticks me off tho!!!!! But, it is always a good wake up call!

to me it sounds like a bug, i think if you were too tight it would be more of a PB type thing. I have not had the stomach flu either since being banded 2 years ago. Good Luck to you.

He'll be there.... every step of the way. May beautiful Memories and Gods Grace help you through these very very difficult times. I am so sorry for your loss. Teresa