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While I was at a support group for bandsters last night in NJ I mentioned a cookbook for weight loss surgery patients. Here is the information for all who want it. title: Eating well after Weight Loss Surgery, Over 140 Delicious Low Fat, High Protein recipes to enjoy the weeks months and years after surgery. Author: Patt Levine. this book is great because it tells you what and how much you should eat from each recipe whether you have the band, bypass or the switch surgerys. It also advised you of what portion is approiate for people who have not had the any weight loss surgery so it make sit easy to cook one meal for the whole family. An added bonus it lets you know which recipes can be pureed for that oh so wonderful mushies stage we all got to go through right after surgery.

For my last two fills I have had my throat burn and irritated,it started both times about 1 week after the fill not in the first week and both times I had a headache with it.I was not as concerned the first time as I had Pb'd a couple nights before and put it off on that.But the second time it was just outta the blue.I was able to use an old fashion remedy for acid reflux and knock it out both times.Milk and honey works wonders for acid reflux.But it does seem to be related to the fill and maybe the swelling from the fill,I am thinking my esophagus swells from fills now that I am getting to the true restriction stage.I am currently at 6.2 in a 10cc band so I think after my next fill if it happens again I will hold off awhile before I go for another.

I have been banded 2 years. I was banded at 285 and am down to 215. I have 15 lbs until goal. My lapband surgeon said I am a success at 75% weight loss. I had a tummy tuck 6 weeks ago and feel good. I started in a size 24 and now wear a size 16. I am 5'8 and am happy at that size. One day I may get down to 185 but for now I am happy at 200 lbs. Thanks for the post.

Hi. I had surgery on 8/1/06 and my first fill was 1.4 cc on 9/14/06 (more than 6 weeks after surgery) I have been havinf a lot of pain with solids and it has nothing to do with my band being too tight (I dont think). As soon as I swallow any solids food, no matter how well I chew, it gives me immediate hearburn. From feeling like hard stabbing pain to the burn that feels liek a fire. And its all from my throat to top of stomach. I feel this pain way before the food would have had time to reach my stomach so I know its not directly about the band rtestriction. I cannot eat any solids til late afternoon and only after Ive eaten liquids or mushies every three hours before hand. Has anyone experienced this? Can you give me some advice or insight? I have not been able to speak with my surgeon yet. Thank you soo much. Im so uncomfortable :-( PS when I can finally eat, I do not feel much restriction at all. I'm definately not at my "sweet spot".

Okay, I have posted on here before about my boyfriend, and his obnoxious ways. Well were at it again. This time it is so big that I am not sure that we can recover. My Bf made a remark about my past to me during a heated argument. "The best that you could get was a Momma's Boy, because you wanted to bully him." The discussion started with me expressing my feelings to him, and how his actions play a role in my feelings, and how he makes me confused. I told him that he does things that makes me feel as though he doesnt respect me as a person. Like talk over me while I'm talking, or cut me off, or change the subject, that he doesn't listen to me, he's judgemental and other things as well. Because he says one things, but his actions contradict what his words say. So I asked him, "Do I listen to what you say or do? I never got an answer from him. The feelings that I expressed to him I also gave him 3 examples for each one that happened at various times to help him understand that this is a pattern. I was so shocked and hurt by the comment. All I heard was the first part, not the bullying part, but the best that you can do. I immediately felt insulted and extremely hurt. I am really a closed person, and this is the first man in a long long time that I did open up myself to, and allow myself to be vulnerable. The day after the argument we had another discussion, and I told him how hurt that I was. He did immediately apoligized, and then explained that it wasn't meant the way that I took it. And I could understand how he meant it. I told him that because of all the feelings that I had that I needed a week, 7 days away from him. I was so hurt by the comment that I wanted to break it off at the moment, but I love this man, and know that this decision will not be an easy one, so I asked for the time to really think about us, and where we are. I am still hurt by the comment, but understanding what he meant, and what I hear are conflicting. I asked for time last thrusday this is tuesday. I went away for the weekend, and had several calls, and yesterday he called like 5 or 6 times, and I didn't answer the phone. My head is saying leave him, he can't even respect you enough to give you some time, but my heart is saying maybe he misses you , and wants to talk to try to work this out. I don't know what to do. Everytime the phone rang all I could hear was him saying"The best that you could do", and I get so mad. I am mad at myself because normally I have a wall around my heart, and my feelings. But with this man I let it crumble, and I let him in, and I am so mad at myself for allowing him into my heart to hurt me, and at the same time I don't want to be without him either. Over the weekend I did decide that I would ask him to tell me ways in which that he has shown me that he respects me. Because although he says that he does, I could not come up with one time that he has shown me. I feel like this relationship is just starting all over again. I was at a point where I was willing to divulge my entire past to this man, and now I am reluctant to tell him anything for fear that I will get slapped with it later on. I don't know what to do, and advice input would be appreciated. How do I get past this.

HI Terri, I'm working in Az for 5 weeks and I need a fill. Where do you get your fills? I'm in Marana this week then I go to Globe next week. Finally be in phoenix for 3 weeks after that. Any fills docs around these areas? Are you even close to these areas?

:think Hi everyone, Okay, so I went for my first appointment with the surgical center and everyone was terrific. The nurse, psychiatrist and nutritionist all thought I'd be a great candidate for the band. I have a goal of 8 lbs to lose in the next 6 weeks (piece of cake - well actually no more cake!) and if I do, they'll schedule the surgery. Problem is, my stupid insurance won't cover it. It's an exclusion so I'm completely out of luck. I'm going to appeal but my chances aren't good. I am thinking about taking a loan from my 401K but I feel so selfish. It will be $18000 for everything (pre-op, op, post-op and 2 fills) to get started and I don't feel right spending so much money. Part of me says "stop being weak and just try (again) to lose the weight yourself" and the other part of me says "if you want to live a long life, and see your kids grow up you HAVE to do this." I really don't know what to do. I'm so sad right now.....

jsagiha please do call your dr just to be on the safe side...I know it can take weeks after your fill to start bp'ing but if you are doing it constantly and in pain...that needs to be checked out. you don't want the risk of slippage/erosion or anything...keep us posted. becky

The 2 week diet is to help shrink the liver before the surgery. I know some surgeons don't require this but I think it's really a good idea. I am an ultrasound tech. I have scanned myself and know that my liver is way too big and it's due to excess fat in it. During surgery the liver can flop right over where the surgery is happening, so if there is anything I can do to keep the surgeon away from my liver, I am doing it. Good luck withyour research! Christine

I've been having lots of issues with my weight loss the last two weeks....I've been using dailyplate, exercising, and limiting my carbs. I was only eating between 500 and 700 calories, realized was probably in starvation mode so I upped my calories to 1000-1100, started my period, had a 7 pound Water weight gain and now I've been drinking water like crazy trying to get rid of the extra weight fast. Well my period is over and so I decided to weigh myself last night. Before my period I was at -24...then I stepped on the scale...-31.5...I ran into the living room and excitedly told my dh. Then I thought...I will weigh myself again before putting my jammies on...I will probably weigh a pound less......... I pulled out the scale an stepped on it...My scale had lied...my digital scale that has NEVER read wrong...had....I was up 7 pounds still. How could this be?? I cried and cried...I thought everything was going well since my fill except for the low calories, which I had just changed days ago. Was my water weigh going to go away... I just don't understand! I certainly ton't want to go down to my second fill appointment with a weight gain on the 1st. So now I'm just disgusted and second guessing myself. The scale thing...I may have had it off center of where I usually have it, but I weighed myself twice and our home is only 5 years old so it would not be because the floor is uneven... Should I up my water intake again? Take water pills? Exercise moring and night? I'm just disgusted. I make great food choices and have been right on track with healtheir foods and such. This water weight gain is really bringing me down again. This is my second period since surgery and I lost the other water weight relatively fast after my period. I really need to get out of this Funk I'm in.... Any ideas.... I'll have my 2 month bandiversary on Friday!

We have really had to adjust to get used to this as well - I had my first restaurant meal last week - a 7 oz. sirloin that I worked on for days - was eating it each meal and I still couldnt finish it before I couldnt stand how 'leftover' it had become lol. The first few weeks I feel like I threw out tons of food - now I am using the freezer more and realizing my husband and I just cant eat that much - it helps having a 16 year old who has dubbed herself "The Black Hole" because she is happy to eat our meal leftovers - she is not overweight but has lost a few lbs. herself with no carbs or sugar in the house - well, except for low fat tortillas, we don't eat those and she likes them. I think it takes a little bit for our brains to catch up to the fact we won't be able to eat that much - it is such an ingrained habit to cook a mountain of volume - even cooking normal portions is too much - just gotta keep practicing

Do you have the option to use the specialty sections of your grocery rather than the pre-packaged? Here in the states I can go to a fish monger and ask for 2-4oz cut of fish, 6 prawns, 3 scallops; or to the cheese counter where they have all the fancy cheeses, and ask for just 2oz of what you like. That's what I do to keep waste down, plus eating the same thing multiple times in a week. It's not ideal, but I figure it's better than not wasting food and staying unhealthy! Sometimes I'm paying a little more by not buying pre-package or bulk, but then I'm not wasting on the back end. I rotate that one week I will have Greek yogurt, the next week cottage cheese -- but I won't buy both in the same week since my husband eats neither.

hi bandista , I am hoping to see my dr this week to discuss whats going on , its been suggested today it could be stress related , the trouble is if I have trouble trying to eat I then dread the next meal incase I have problems again . Its so good to be able to get advice from others that have actually had the same operation

<HR style="COLOR: #cdccde" SIZE=1> <!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> so i didnt get a chance to measure myself before the surgery so i measured about 1 week after surgery so now that you know that i have news!!! I MEASURED ON THE 9TH OF AUGUST AND I MEASURED AGAIN TODAY JUST FOR KICKS!!!! AND............................................... ...... I HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 9 INCHES IN 10 DAYS!!!!!

I hope all sept bandsters are well. I was banded Sept 21. I feel very much back to normal these days. The first 2 days after the op, when I could barely swallow liquid without reflux/pain or sit/stand without discomfort, I wondered about what I had done. I have lost 10 kgs in total since Sept 7 - 6kgs pre surgery, and 4 kgs since then. I would never have done it if I just hadn't been able to eat. :-) I can see that food and I have a very tenuous relationship - I use it when i am bored, as reward......I'll have to work on that. I'm back at work and feeling great. I am so excited to be moving onto pureed food on Monday - only 4 days to go. I don't think I will ever enjoy soup again in my life as I did before the 2 week liquid phase post surgery. I have tried every kind of soup I can think of to lessen the boredom factor. I am officially sick of soup, probably forever lol. My energy levels are great. In fact it is the best I have felt in years. To anyone reading this recently banded still in discomfort who wonders if they will feel better - I PROMISE you, you will. Walk, get up and move - the more the better. Get plenty of rest. Drink slowly and write down how much fluid you are having. (My doctor told me to aim for 1600mls-2000mls of fluid each day.) And don't forget to have plenty of plain water too. I have not had enough water this week and have a mild UTI as a result.

Nonono! You have to join OURS in Phoenix! Speaking of such, we are doing the bandster lunch thing a week from this weekend. Wanna join us?

omg! This sounds SOOOOOOO delish! and you ONLY had 1 piece???? good good good for you! Sorry Im late - but I hope you had an awesome day and an even better birthday WEEK!!!

Nothing special planned? Are you nuts? Milk the heck out of this day, heck, milk the whole week! Go shopping, to a show, buy yourself some bling! Happy Birthday

It is more than likely due to swelling in your stomach, it should get better. When I get an unfill my Dr puts me on liquids for a week.

Nope, my band has been in place the entire time. I actually didn't even require a complete unfill the first time until I was about 30 weeks pregnant. With the second pregnancy, I got unfilled right away because I was having some issues with gastritis anyway, so it was a good time to give my stomach a break. I really believe that having my band kept me from ballooning during pregnancy. I imagine I would've gained a lot more than I did if I didn't have it.

Thanks for the replies.....I am trying to dump the pressure but it was a goal I set from the begining. I am just going to have to do away with it. I started to keep a journal of everything I was eating and realized I was eating less then 900 calories a day so that is why I bumped it up. I thought maybe my body thought it was starving. HMMMM I go for a fill in two weeks. Maybe that will help.

I am back at 1 1/2 yrs out.Banded Nov 05, hope I count...lost 45lbs, had major back surgery in January so 6 months of no or little exercise. Thank goodnes for the band. I had a weird problem. I think I need to have a little taken out of the band but I am scared. If I eat three hours before bed and it is not practically liquid, I wake up choking. I try real hard not to do that.I am now really aware of what I am eating, definatly protein. I cannot eat in the early morn so I have a warm protein drink, the warmth seems to open the band. If I have some removed I am worried that I will be able to get too much in. I finally got filled to what I felt was the right amount. I just hate choking and figure it is really a must to pay attention and not eat meat that is not ground, or anything too heavy at dinner. I have stayed at this weight, otherwise without the band and a surgery( had 7 knee replacement revision in 5 years) why I gained so much, I would surely have gained again. I have not read of anyone being maybe overfilled and choking and or coughing during the night..... Anyone hear??? Info would be great. Debra

So, I've had my band for about 8 months now. Within the last week, I have noticed some pain where my port is. It's not severe, just a little uncomfortable. It almost feels like a gas cramp, or a cramp you get when you are running. I have lost around 40 pounds, and a lot of it has come from my abdomen. My port is definitely a lot easier to feel now. You don't have to press very hard to feel it. I was just wondering if anyone else has had the same kind of issue, after losing weight. I don't see my doctor all that regularly, only if I have any problems. And I would like to avoid having to go in.

Hi Blond Chick! Welcome!! You don't say how long ago you had surgery. I think sit-ups and weightlifting are the sorts of things you can do at whatever level you're comfortable, but probably not for several weeks after surgery (at least for the sit-ups). You want to give your body plenty of time to heal completely before putting any stress on the muscles. 8 weeks? And my doctor didn't say anything at all about alcohol in general. More than a little probably isn't the best idea, though, because even besides the empty calories it can lead to eating more than you might otherwise want. Which, with the band, can lead to major ouchies. :sick

That is great - good for you!!! I have my medical evaluation followup and psych eval appts next week, I am hoping to have a surgery date for the beginning of May sometime. I get more nervous/excited everytime I get one of my appts out of the way!! Keep us posted with how the Optifast goes!