Greetings: Mimin, Ghost, BJean and I (Kareyquilts) are all September 2006 bandsters. We are all around 20 pounds to goal and we want to get there as close to our 2nd band anniversary as possible! Thus, the new thread. We are putting out to the universerve and you that we want to lose that last little bit that has been tripping all of us up for a while now! We would love your support, suggestions and help. I believe that all of us (not sure about BJean) have had some plastic surgery to get rid of excess skin, etc. We are of various ages and stages, but through it all we have supported one another. In fact, of all the September bandsters that started with us, in our thread, we are the last ones to keep up the chatter. I guess we will all state how we're going to try and lose the last 20 pounds. The challenge starts on July 1st. Hope you'll join us for the ride!

Thanks for all the kind posts! It means a lot to me. I was sharing them with my DH and he was very surprised at the comaraderie we share. Today my pain level is probably a little worse. I guess the swelling, etc tops at around day 3 to 5, so after that it should be smooth sailing. I'm a little afraid to put any food in my mouth, even the liquids I'm suppose to have. My experience was so awful, but so far the liquids are going down. Though I must say that I feel tight even with a protien shake. I guess I'm probably very swollen internally also. Anyway, upward and onward. I'm trying to count my blessings because I'm truly blessed in so many ways and I count you ladies among my many blessings. Have a good day!

Karey, glad you are on the mend. Keep taking extra good care of yourself and get those fluids in your system!

Just catching up on the thread. OMG Karey - I am so glad you are ok after that horrible experience . Make sure you are taking care of yourself and taking it getting lots of rest and as many fluids as you can tolerate!

Between you and BJean - wow you are making my heart pound in anxiety for you both.

Jacquie

Hi Karey,

Just checking in to say that I'm thinking about you and sending quick healing vibes your way. I hope you're resting comfortably and feeling much better.

:smile::drool:

Hi! Feeling a little better today.Able to count my blessings better. Can I tell you how thankful I am to still have a lap band?! All my friends have said I should have just had them take it out, that I'm thin now and know what I'm doing. But, when given the choice, I knew I still wanted a band. I think I know what I'm doing but I think that my band is my back up plan and I'm certainly not proud enough to think that if a real emotional crisis hit that I might not turn right back to food. Think out it for yourself? If you were at goal, and your band slipped, would you want a new one? I'm a little afraid of drinking anything that's not too thin, my protien shakes even feel, I don't know, almost to thick to go down. I think there must be a lot of swelling, because I never felt restriction with just my band the first go around. My doc said that had to put in the largest band because my stomach was so swollen. She said I will need a lot more fluid in this band. I'll have to find out more when I see her this week. I was a little out of it when she came in to talk with me. Anyway, my son who is a doctor is here for a visit and watching over me. My daughter-in-law is helping around the house and my little 9 year is taking great pride in being my "go fetch it" girl. My husband is a dear as ever, and I have to say, if nothing else, I feel very loved. I walked my 10 month grandson in his stroller (after someone else lifted him in) around our little circle, while my family is saying, "Do you think you should be doing that?" Pretty funny. If I don't push myself a little, I'm going to be smothered in well intentions! LOL. Here's some information about bands slipping: They will slip if they are cronically overtight, if you overeat on a regular basis or because of adhesions. I think that I was too tight and according to my surgeons, I had a lot of adhesions. Slipping happens to about 3-6% of bandsters. Pretty good odds. If you get a new band you have the same chances as the first time around. Now, if I slip again, I guess, I would have the band removed, but hopefully, my odds will be with me and I'll at least make sure I'm never too tight again. Anyway, I thought you might find the information helpful. Thanks again for the support. Have a great Sunday!

Karey I think you absolutely made the right choice in keeping your band. My doc told me that those that have any type of WLS reversal have a 95% chance of regaining their weight. No matter how thin you are or how much you have changed your lifestyle. Just the mere presence of the band helps with satiety and the prevention of too much overeating.

I am so happy that you were able to keep yours. Hope you feel better. Have you tried Isopure Protein drinks. They are fruit flavored and are as thin as Water. Though beware...even though they are wet...they can dry your mouth out. They are not too bad flavor wise though....just make sure they are REALLY cold.

Salsa: Thanks for the tip. I'm also going to try out Dian's fruit flavored cottage cheese (without the fruit cocktail) in a few weeks. Anyone out there remember a favorite liquid or soft food that helped you get by? I'm going to have to get out my file and refresh my memory!

Here are some soup recipes that I lived on.

Soup recipes.doc

Mmmmm Beer cheese Soup!

Also on the Isopure. I like them as well but the flavors are quite week. They taste better if you mix in a Crystal Light packet. My favorite is the Grape Frost with lemonade mixed in to boost the flavor.

Hi Karey,

I'm glad you're feeling better and had a chance to get out a bit. I didn't know your were a Grandma! How wonderful is that???? I'm sure having your grandson there is the best medicine in the world:thumbup::crying::thumbup:!

You are quite a woman -- even as you're recovering from surgery you took the time to write a very helpful and informative post about what can cause Lap Band complications -- thank you for that!!!

I have a very simple and easy recipe, Campbell's French Onion soup with some Water, beef bullion and fresh ground pepper added to taste. Once heated, add some grated Asiago cheese. You can enjoy this straight up as a soup and it's also very good over mashed potatoes.

I hope you're having a good day -- talk to you soon!

:eek::smile::frown:

KAREY, OMG I am so sorry you had to go through all of this. I was gone over the weekend, and came back on here to see what was up. I am glad you are on the mend. Take care of yourself.

This has beena eye opener for me. I was to tight a few months back and had to have a unfill and stay that way for over a month due to reflux problems. My surgeon was very adament that I never be over-filler again. I was a little upset with him at the time, but as I have learned more about what can happen I consider myself lucky. My surgeon has the band himself. So that helps, he understand what a fill is like, what a PB feels like, etc.

Karey, just take care of yourself. The weight will come off, but you need to be healthy most of all.

Laura

Thanks for the recipes Salsa & Ghost! I'm going to have to try some new things because liquids for a month is going to be the pits! These are great ideas. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude and I think I'll be able to if I can just feel a little better. I've been drinking those Wolfgang Puck Soup bases and they are really very good. I'm quite nauseated still which is bothersome. I've been taking the anti-naseau script my doc gave me, but it makes me light headed. I'm probably making all kinds of typos, oh well. I love being a grandma! My little grandson is such a joy. He reminds me of his daddy when he was that age. Very intelligent and very active! Did I tell you he's also good looking? I'm not prejudice or anything! Anyway, I've lost a pound, though I'm not really trying right now.

Karey,

One of my favorites was:

Surgar Free Cho. Puddin mix - about 1/2 package

One scoop Protein powder (vanilla)

Once cup ff or skim milk

I just would use one of my drink shakers, it would be thick like a milk shake, sure was good. Of course the longer you let it set it turns to pudding, so I would make mine with a little more milk.

Laura

Laura: Sounds good, I'll add it my new stash.

Mimin, Ghost, Bjean and company: How are you all doing?

Well the DH found out over the weekend I'd had my unfill. I hadn't told him before as I was worried about him hovering over every bite I took. As it was he still brought it up on his own. Thinking I was eating more than he thought I should he asked point blank about my "fill" last week and even though I didn't have a problem avoiding telling him about the unfill I was unable to lie directly to him.

Turned into a 2 hour argument. Still I appear to have lost a whopping 0.4 pounds since last Sunday. I'll have a hard time believing it wasn't just a fluke until I see the same results (or better) next Sunday. Though I am making sure to weigh myself at the same time and in the same clothing (Sunday Morning/ in nothin' but my undies)

It has been so nice not to have acid reflux or hearburn for the last 12 days but I'm still scared I'll never get good restriction again. But how can I complain when compared to what others like Karey are going thru?