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Hi there, I just saw this video on the tube and wondered if one of you are the interviewee? [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SZzXV85dyw]YouTube - Dr. Ortiz - Interview Canadian Patient 10 weeks after surger[/ame] Dr Ortiz has some excellent videos posted with testimonials and some generic information. I am six months post-op and heading back down to OCC for a fill in March. Hopefully, that will restart my weight loss that has stalled for a few months. cujo

Your rate of weight loss will slow at times, and even reach "plateaus" occasionally, where you can remain compliant with your diet and not see the scale move for a week or more. As long as you remain compliant with your surgeon's instructions, and continue with your exercise, the weight will come off. As I've often mentioned, this journey has taught me a life skill which eluded me for years, patience. Try to remember that you did not gain your weight in a short span of time, so it is not realistic to expect that you will loose it rapidly. Best wishes...

I had surgery in December, too, and am only down about 45 pounds. I have worked really hard to lose every ONE of those pounds and am not at all disappointed by that amount. Keep at it and don't beat yourself up. Do the best you can, day after day. The defeatist attitude is part of why we're here in the first place. My old WW leader told me that WW is filled with perfectionists...the moment they make a mistake, they scrap the day or the week and have to start over. Let today be your first day and start fresh. You'll get there, though not everyone has a detour free journey! Learn from it and keep at it. Good luck. I hope you are problem free from here on out. :tongue2:

I am on a 'regular' food diet now. And idk what to eat. Breakfast is so hard for me. I eat the same things all the time. What is everyone eating around this stage?

Hi all, I didn't start losing any hair until about the 4 month mark....since then I have been on a 6week stall and just this week it looks like my hair has pretty much stopped coming out....except I need to loose another 100lbs (my 2012 goal) and I have lost 105lbs so far this past year. So as I loose more over this next year will the hair loss start back up again or when it stops.....is it done????? I know that Biotin does not stop it but I did start taking it (7500mg) when the hair loss started so could it be helping too? Thanks, Tracy w.

I had my band take out and replaced last week and I am so sick of my stomach. Today is one week and still can not smell food. Medicine if i put in my mouth I trouw up but nothing comes out jus big gurgling. Is that normal? Please help me guys.

Crystal light has JUST come out with drops - got them last week at Walmart and they are YUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMY They have a few of the mock cocktails - but my favorite right now is the strawberry lemonade drops on the same note - walmart has a watermellon something sugarfree drink mix (and a grape -mmmmmmmmmmm-) and I’m totally addicted to them

During the first few weeks after surgery, you need to take the time to recover and to start adjusting to your new life with the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System. A big part of your long term weight loss success will be your motivation and commitment to a new lifestyle that includes a new diet and exercise plan, routine check ups with your surgeon, ongoing LAP-BAND® System adjustments, support group meetings, and more. However, be patient with yourself in the first weeks after surgery. You've already taken the biggest step - the first one. Now, it'll be a new life and lifestyle you create over time, not overnight. Your doctor will work with you to address your needs specifically. Below are some guidelines: Recovery Here are some key points for your recovery in the first few days and weeks. First Days You can expect some soreness, especially where the access port is, but it should subside (Please call your surgeon if the pain persists after a few days). To prevent infection, your surgeon may tell you not to shower for a day or so after surgery. Try to walk as much as you can comfortably, so that you'll regain strength and prevent blood clots, but take it slowly. [*]First Week(s) During the first week after surgery, allow yourself to recover and get plenty of rest. In about a week, you should be able to return to work, provided it's not physically demanding. For more physically active jobs, allow yourself two to three weeks to recover. Within four to six weeks, you should be able to resume all normal activity and start a new exercise program. Note: Before engaging in any physical activity or exercise program, first consult your surgeon. Many surgeons see their patients weekly or biweekly during the first month after surgery, so you will be sure your recovery is going well, and have any questions answered. Dietary Guidelines After surgery, you'll need a new nutrition plan. You'll learn about the positive changes you can and need to make in your diet and lifestyle from your surgeon and/or dietitian. It's very important to follow your new eating and drinking instructions beginning immediately after the surgery. In the first few weeks after your LAP-BAND® System surgery, you will be on a liquid diet since only thin liquids will be tolerated by your stomach at that time. As you heal, you will gradually progress to pureed foods (three to four weeks post-op) and then soft foods (five weeks post-op). Finally, after about six weeks, you will be able to eat solid foods. The First Few Days Post-Surgery It's extremely important to follow the eating and drinking instructions immediately after the surgery. This allows your new stomach pouch to heal completely and the LAP-BAND® System to stay in the right position. In the early weeks, it's crucial not to stretch the small stomach pouch above the LAP-BAND® System. Vomiting will do this, while also increasing the chance of stomach tissue slipping up through the band. Right after the surgery, you can take an occasional sip of Water or suck on an ice cube. Don't take any more liquid than this, though. The day after the operation, you can take a little more Fluid but only a small amount at a time. Besides water, you should also choose Clear Liquids that have an adequate number of calories. To prevent nausea and vomiting, do not drink too much. [*]liquid diet (1-2 weeks post-surgery) Your goal during the first few weeks is to protect the small stomach pouch so that you can heal properly. It can only tolerate thin liquids at this time. It's also important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water (small amounts at a time). Other liquids recommended during this phase include: clear broth or Soup (with no vegetables or meat, and not creamy) skim milk fruit juice no-sugar-added popsicles [*]Pureed Foods (3-4 weeks post-surgery) Now, you can start adding slightly textured foods. Think of the consistency of baby foods. This stage will help you transition to more solid foods later. Protein is very important for maintaining muscle while you lose weight. So, you should eat protein-rich foods first, and then move on to fruits and vegetables. Foods in this stage may include: pureed skinless chicken or fish mashed potatoes peas low-fat yogurt or pudding [*]Please note: In the first few weeks you may be able to eat foods that might not be allowed in your diet later, because they may contain too many calories. [*]Remember, it's more important in the first few weeks to let your stomach adjust to the LAP-BAND® System than it is to lose weight. Also, your personal timing and progression into each dietary phase depends on your progress. In general, when it comes to your nutrition, you should follow the advice of your surgeon and/or dietitian. [*]Soft Foods (5 weeks post-surgery) Your meals can now include tender, cooked foods like fish and ground turkey. Now that you can chew, make it a habit to chew foods well. If you have dentures, be sure to cut your food into small pieces and chew your food thoroughly. By not chewing properly, you may experience vomiting, stomach irritation and swelling. You could also have stoma obstruction (obstruction of the stomach opening created by the LAP-BAND® System). Some products like bread, red meat, and rice may still cause you problems, so it is better to eat softer foods that are easier to digest. These might include foods such as moist white meat (chicken or pork) and fish. If solid foods cause any nausea and vomiting, go back to the liquid diet you had earlier. Then you can slowly add soft foods and eventually transition to solid foods. Always ask your doctor or dietitian for advice that is specific to you. Again, remember that vomiting may increase the incidence of band slippage, stomach slippage, or stretching of the small stomach pouch above the LAP-BAND®.

Thanks to all those that I've met online, on the phone, or at the N. Van support groups. You made this a positive experience. Off to TJ on Wednesday and banded on Thursday. I, coincidentally, will be there with three Albertans. Scott:thumbup:

I had a slipped band about a month ago. I ended up pb'ng or vomitting everything I ate, even liquids. I couldn't keep anything down and always felt full. When I laid down, I would get acid reflux. I did not have any pains with it though. I went to the doc thinking I just had something stuck, and instead found out I had a slip. A slip isn't actually the band moving, it is the stomach tissue moving up or down inside the pouch. My slip was caused by the vomitting. My doc drained me (except for 1cc) and made me wait for 2 weeks to see if it would correct itself. I was told to only eat 1-2oz a meal NO MORE. And a liquid diet will do nothing to correct it, the food will help drag it back into place. So, after 2 weeks, I went back on the 3rd and found out that I am extremely lucky and the unfill did allow the slip to correct itself. However, I am now, and forever, limited to the only 1-2oz a meal. That way I do not run the risk of my pouch getting too full and the stomach tissue coming back up. Plus, I should NEVER at all costs vomit again. ugh Moral of the story, if you are vomitting, get it looked into, hopefully a little unfill can fix it without you getting a slip if it isn't too late. BEING TOO TIGHT IS NOT WHAT ANYONE SHOULD AIM FOR. IT ISN"T GOOD!!! good luck to ya!

Whenever I get nervous I find relaxation in dreaming about the other side...being able to tie my shoes easier, no seatbelt extender on airplanes, riding a rollercoaster with my son, no more handicap stalls in the ladies rooms, breathing easier, and so on....I'm scared too, but I find comfort in knowing there is a better life out there for me!

It seems like whenever I get over one hurdle another arises. I live a 2 1/2 hour flight away from where I had my surgery so I had to find my own fill doctor here. I arranged one before the surgery but she told me about a week ago that she could not do my fills. I cannot afford to fly to Toronto every 2 weeks for fills and the clinic offered me no help whatsoever (they have no fill doctors anywhere near me). Anyways, I managed to find a fill doctor a 1 1/2 hour drive away but I cannot tell my clinic I am going to her because she is a fill nurse for another clinic and they already told others they could not go to her (she is VERY experienced with doing fills though). I had my second fill on Saturday and she checked how much saline was in my band. I had 3cc put in over 2 weeks ago and I only had 1cc in there when she checked. I'm scared to death that I may have a leak. I'm self pay and not sure if that would be covered. Plus, how can I explain to the clinic that I have a leak if I'm going to someone they did not approve of? This band journey has been very discouraging thus far. I feel like I'm always posting downer messages lol. Sheesh.

I remember all this very well....adn each day IS different - You need to remember to take small sips. Your surgery area and around your port and band are still swollen, and you will be very restricted for a couple weeks. When you feel you are full.....just stop...it's hard...but learned my lesson. If you need to go back an hour or 2 later, then have more then...but don't force it. and Water will just make it even worse! It won't push it down....quite the contrary...it just comes up even more.....the chest pain is typical....it's trying to go thru the band....just stand up and walk around and in a couple minutes it will.....hang in there....trust me....it DOES get better ...hence the reason for liquids >>>> strained >>>> mushies >>>> then gradually getting into solids.... :-)

Lindsey, I am only a little over 2 weeks post-op so probably not the best expert but I did get alot of chest pains about a week out. I just assumed it was either gas or overeating or reacting to something. I walked alot, used a heating pad, took my pain meds (something I didn't do the 1st week). I still get pain in my left shoulder late in the day at work. I think its either from being overly tired or drinking too much/fast. I am finally coming to realize that day by day I am having different experiences with my body - Tuesday and Wednesday I itched inside like mad, Thursday that was all gone. I would just take it easy today, rest, walk, etc. Be careful about what you eat. Sip (not gulp like I tend to!). Hope you are feeling better in the morning. Celeste

I didn't really try to conceal it; a lot of people I work with know that I had some sort of surgery, others I just told them I was doing a detox (LOL). But, it was definitely hard to eat soup/mushed stuff for weeks when everyone else was enjoying pizza. We had 2 office parties during that time and it was SO hard. As for the protein shakes I'd make them at home and bring them along with me. I also bought the ones that are pre-made which made things a lot easier. I never got weird looks drinking protein shakes; seems a lot of people around here bring them in for snacks, etc.

We're leaving for a 7 day Alaskan cruise on Monday! Already have my snack bag packed for the 8 hr drive to Seattle (almonds, Cheerios, jerky and a cooler for yogurt and water). Our last 3 cruises, I was banded and never gained any weight. This time tho I'm totally unfilled (slipped last month, awaiting a revision to sleeve in late June) and I've gained a few lbs since being unfilled. I've noticed tho that my stomach hurts really bad for about 24 hrs and I have to be on liquids for 2-3 days when I overdo (like I did 1 day last week) so I'm hoping that will deter me from eating too much. Anyone who's been on a cruise probably know what I'm talking about! Access to food 24 hrs a day. I plan on going to the gym everyday tho! And walking around in all the ports. Hoping that I don't gain. If I come back to my drs appt on May 22nd without having gained 10 lbs since the last time I was at the drs a few months ago, I'll be happy! Being totally unfilled for months and having gained only 10 lbs is a feat in itself, I think! Wish me luck! Marci

I dont eat artificial sweeteners. I've learned to tame my sweet tooth to some degree - and I gave up sugar in coffee and tea at 17, and it was pretty easy, it took 2 weeks. Other than that, I keep sugary items to a minimum, but if I'm going to have a treat, I eat the real thing. As far as yogurt and stuff like that - well I dont eat Jello, pudding or Desserts ever anyway, and things like yogurt, I'd eat greek yogurt with some fruit, not sweetened yogurt. I never drink soda ever anyhow, so I dont have a problem with that. You can train your tastebuds away from overtly sweet foods pretty easily - the sugar in things like baked Beans or canned tomatoes or whatever is a bit harder to avoid and you have to read labels. I dont believe sugar is the evil people think it is, its only problematic in the humungous quantities that people consume in all their processed foods and drinks.

Merry Christmas to all my lapbander friends!!!! I'm sorry, I've been off-line all week because of my stupid service provider. I just logged on and have seen tons of posts I've missed, but I don't have time right now to go over them, so I just wanted to say a VERY WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS to all of you!!! We'll talk to you all soon, when things settle down. All the best, Cloe/Carey:)

Yes, I am exactly where you are. I'm a slow loser I think only have lost 16 lbs since surgery. I got something stuck right after my 2nd fill and am terrified it will happen again. I lose about 1-2 every six weeks. I look at everyone else on this board and think gee I thought it would be 1-2 every week. Thinking I'm failing even though I worked out 4 times a week. Last week I thought I could have eaten the kitchen sink. I have an appointment tomorrow. I think I'm going to have him put in a small fill. I will never again eat what got stuck.

i had the same issue around my period. there were two very stubborn weeks. where my weightloss slowed quite a bit. last week nada lost.. however my period ended i started excercising and two pounds came off since two days ago. i eat probably less than800 cals a day. and ive been walking on my treadmill for 20 minutes at diff paces for 5 min each. its a start i hope. anyway. period time can really mess with your numbers for real.

I wash once a week with a GOOD conditioners and flat iron/curl. When I work out I make sure its tied down TIGHT. And last year I fell in love with pin curls so I make sure my hair is pin curled or wrapped before it's tied up. I also make sure my scalp is dry bofpre I take my wrap off... it really makes a difference!

After four years of braids, weaves, and wigs I decided to get a relaxer in November. I was pleasantly surprised by the length and now want to keep my strands as healthy as possible. With working out four days a week, comes a lot of sweat. What is your excercise haircare regimen?

We'll basically I fell off the wagon and started eating like a high school football player. Cokes, bread. Almost anything and everything I'm not supposed to eat. Now my pouch is dilated. The RN said that my pouch should be about the size of a thumb and now it's the size of three. So basically the nutritionist said, back to the basics. I guess I just need to encourage myself to eat right no matter what.

I went to Europe 3 weeks after surgery and was totally fine.

Hi Contessa V, I am also getting banded in the Toronto area but not at swlc. My doctor wants me to do 2 weeks on Opti-fast shakes only. I start on tuesday and my surgery is on the 26th. Best wishes.