starting a new thread for anyone who has or is considering surgery thru the Brigham/Falkner program.

~Mel

surgery 11/13/07 Dr Vernon

-35lbs

and he shouldnt give you a fill either...you need that esophagus to heal and that takes time. I know you are struggling but you CAN DO this! I was reading a blog post about weight loss surgery and how its "hard stuff" and guess what??? Us bandsters are able to do" hard stuff" look how far you've come Tova.

Well I just my first clearly identifiable stress pb...I know this without a doubt bc Ive been eating this same food all week and at different times without an issue...as a matter of fact its been quite a while since I have pb...then today. But at least I cant put the blame on myself like I usually do.

I agree, and am trying to stay positive!!!

I know that this is for my good - and that the foods I eat are my choices and its up to me to watch my weight!!!

thanks for the encouragement

Tova

So sorry you guys are struggling. I'm just having a hard time getting my rear end into the gym regularly. I'm pleased that Tiny's suggestion for Miralax and flaxseed oil have worked wonders. My pressure has never felt band related, but always more intestinal. Sad that the wonderful Dr. R. never helped me find a solution and realized how that would affect my band.....but I feel like a new woman. I could likely get a fill next time, but not sure I will. Thinking I need to practice a little self control and considering making an appointment with Phyllis to get myself reacquainted with what I am supposed to be doing then start journaling again.....but not so sure. I did make an appointment with him just in case. I figure I can either cancel or just not get a fill if I'm not ready.

Tova, I'm sorry you're struggling. I can imagine that stress (as Tiny mentioned) adds to the hassle. It's a super busy time of year for us at work! Keep your chin up. When you're ready to get back at it, the band is there for you.

Blue Sam, how are you?

Heidi, I get odd port pain from time to time, but it usually goes away after a day or two. I used to work out heavily with my trainer and do really tough ab workouts, but my port hasn't moved---not to say it isn't sore, particularly after those workouts, but it hasn't moved as far as I know....Hope it's feeling better. :biggrin:

Enjoying this beautiful day and hope you all are, too!

well, my port is still a bit sore but feels a lot better. I couldn't take the Siatic pain anymore & finally went to my chiroprator. I see her again today. :-)

I am able to eat anything I want as well but I am not hungry. Just gotta make my mind up that I will eat the RIGHT foods.

Tova~I hope you heal up totally very soon so you can get your fill!

i'm sorry to hear so many are having some tough times. I just made a breakthrough! I have finally kept my calories to under 1500 while getting all my protein. So I'm pumped about that. Now I need to distribute it more evenly. I have my CIB in the morning and then don't have a good dose of protein again until dinner. i need to find a lunch thing not too high in calories that adds protein. Almost there!

i'm sorry to hear so many are having some tough times. I just made a breakthrough! I have finally kept my calories to under 1500 while getting all my protein. So I'm pumped about that. Now I need to distribute it more evenly. I have my CIB in the morning and then don't have a good dose of protein again until dinner. i need to find a lunch thing not too high in calories that adds protein. Almost there!

Thats great JAY!!! Goo for you! :Banane20:

i'm sorry to hear so many are having some tough times. I just made a breakthrough! I have finally kept my calories to under 1500 while getting all my protein. So I'm pumped about that. Now I need to distribute it more evenly. I have my CIB in the morning and then don't have a good dose of protein again until dinner. i need to find a lunch thing not too high in calories that adds protein. Almost there!

way to go Jay!!! You've inspired me....I havent logged my food in a few weeks and I need to get back to it and ditch all those dry carbs that I tend to overeat. Im gonna start asap!!

Just checkin' in and wondering if there is a support group meeting tonight at Faulkner? Maybe I have the week wrong...or heck..even the day!

~Holly

Just checkin' in and wondering if there is a support group meeting tonight at Faulkner? Maybe I have the week wrong...or heck..even the day!

~Holly

Hey there, Holly--it's the 2nd Monday, which is next week.... :smile2:

Just a quick question for everyone and I apologize in advance if it's been discussed or not:

How do you know when you can tolerate certain foods? For example, when you learn which foods get stuck etc. and which to avoid? Is it right away or is it more when you get your fills?

The reason I ask is that, last week I progressed into the maintaining phase of my diet. (i.e. no more mushies or stages - basically moving onto normal life).

Well, as we all know, Easter was yesterday and I spent the weekend on the Cape with my wife's family. We rent out 25-30 rooms in a hotel and basically have a reunion of sorts.

I figured that this would be a good time to try and figure out what i could handle as far as food went. While I didn't go overboard, I found myself able to essentially tolerate most foods with no real problems. I had a few instances where I maybe ate too fast and my stomach was in knots but no issues as far as getting stuck or PB-ing.

I know that everyone is different as far as what their body will allow them to do and I know I am not out of the woods yet. I just don't want to get lulled into this false sense of security that I can handle all foods.

Any info/advice is appreciated. Thanks Everyone!

Just wanted to say hello...My name is Genise and I will be having surgery at BWH on 8/23/10 with Dr. Lautz. I'm interested in attending the support groups because I have TON of questions.

Any support for a newbie is much appreciated

BlueSam if you can go back and read the packet from the dietitian it does have most of your answers. At this point you may be able to tolerate almost all foods but you should still follow the rules of chew chew chew, small portions and protein first....etc.

LAP-BAND® Postoperative Diet

Every person is different in what they can and can not tolerate also it can vary day by day. One day I can eat cups of salad other days a bite or two clogs up my stoma. This will become more prevalent as you progress with your fills

Welcome g_2000 There are support meetings at the Faulkner the 2nd Monday of the month and the third Tuesday of each month at the Brigham. Have you been to the pre-op seminar yet?

Weight Loss Surgery Support Groups

~Mel

Hi Blue. I'm at the point where I can eat just about anything especially if I eat slow enough. I think some banders like there band tight & some don't. I believe mine is pretty lose....I like it that way. I like to eat whole wheat bread if I want to. I'm in a good place right now not too tight W/ good restriction. I have not had i fill in a while & when I do get them I get VERY small fills only if I am hungry a lot. As, Tiny said we are all different. :-)

Just wanted to say hello...My name is Genise and I will be having surgery at BWH on 8/23/10 with Dr. Lautz. I'm interested in attending the support groups because I have TON of questions.

Any support for a newbie is much appreciated :smile2:

Hi Genise! This is a great sight for info. Look around in the forum & ask questions. Everyone is very helpful. :-)

Hey everyone, just wanted to say hi.

I'm not doing so well on this journey. Life has been so chaotic. I'm in the process of buying a house among all the normal chaos of being a working mom of 2 kids. My dad and my brother have been sick and they are ok now but it was very stressful! I know it's not a good excuse but I eat anything and everything I want. The scale flucuates between 5 pounds every week but at least i know when I've been really bad, to cut it out for a few days and i come back down.

I know this is just a tool, but was really hoping it would be easier. I'm at 5 cc's and am terrified to go further even though I need to. I canceled my last fill almost 2 months ago and still haven't called to reschedule, basically out of fear. I can eat anything and everything and still feel like i didn't have surgery most days. It's just wrong.. ha ha

Not looking for sympathy, cuz i know I'm the only one that can do this for me, more of a venting note. I really should make it to the next meeting. I'm hoping to find my motivation again soon.

Hope you are enjoying this weather. :thumbup: