Who's got Band questions? Anyone?

Bette B.
on 6/26/12 10:14 am

I'm not a doctor or medical professional, but I've got almost 9 years of band life under my belt so I do know a lotta s**t.

Who's got questions they'd like answered? Don't be shy. Ask about anything; I've addressed most of them at some point! Poop?

Puke?

Post WLS sex?

I promise to try my best or, at least, to make suggestions and point you in the right direction . . .

Banded since 2003, maintaining my weight loss and still knowing I made the right choice for me. If you want information on what life is like for a band success, have questions or need help and suggestions on band life, feel free to message me. Otherwise, just read the Lapband Forum.

Bette B.
on 6/26/12 10:44 am

Lap Band on 12/02/03 with

Okay, then. Since no one needs me, I am headed outside to enjoy this lovely day and study for my state EMS practicals.

Banded since 2003, maintaining my weight loss and still knowing I made the right choice for me. If you want information on what life is like for a band success, have questions or need help and suggestions on band life, feel free to message me. Otherwise, just read the Lapband Forum.

deactivated member
on 6/26/12 12:21 pm

ever heard that song ONE HOT MAMA

Bette B.
on 6/26/12 12:33 pm

Lap Band on 12/02/03 with

No. Sing it to me?

Banded since 2003, maintaining my weight loss and still knowing I made the right choice for me. If you want information on what life is like for a band success, have questions or need help and suggestions on band life, feel free to message me. Otherwise, just read the Lapband Forum.

deactivated member
on 6/26/12 2:37 pm, edited 6/26/12 2:37 pm

I will do better. I shall get Sammy Hagar, my beloved, to serenade you.

But remember he is MINE

NunnOther
on 6/26/12 12:53 pm - FL

Lap Band on 04/05/12 with

I WAS having a poop issue....but I think I got it figured out. But I still need to take a swig of M.O.M on occasion. I'm not as regular as I used to be (still once a day, but not as much) so I feel backed up. Buuuuuttt, I'm thinking, that because I'm eating less I'm producing less.... Hmmmm....sounds like I may be on to something...

Bette B.
on 6/26/12 4:12 pm

Lap Band on 12/02/03 with

I swear by Miralax, since MoM and Metamucil both gross me out. Miralax (I buy generic) mixes in any liquid - hot or cold - dissolves completely and is tasteless.

Banded since 2003, maintaining my weight loss and still knowing I made the right choice for me. If you want information on what life is like for a band success, have questions or need help and suggestions on band life, feel free to message me. Otherwise, just read the Lapband Forum.

deactivated member
on 6/26/12 4:47 pm

Questions:

Does one count weight or volumn (IE: 3-4 oz of protein) or cals?

also, hub asks if I am to eat 4 oz protein, do I count the others (veggies/fruit) in that or is it seperate??

I am afraid to eat tooo much (not that I can but am being very careful with portion control.

Advice??

S M
on 6/26/12 5:18 pm

REALIZE Band on 05/28/10 with

I weighed my food on a scale AND measured to insure I got 3 oz protein...cut it into tiny pieces put in a 1/2 cup measuring cup, then added veggies...

Empty 11cc band. Fill 8/10/10 3cc Fill 3/1/11 .5cc total unfill 6/12/12 slightly dilated esophagus, 7/17/12 UGI shows improved motility, no dilation. GES 2/21/13 normal, except for food backing up into esophagus, manometry 4/9/13 severe achalasia, motility 0% consult with Dr Pellegrini 5/30 to determine surgical plan

Bette B.
on 6/26/12 6:18 pm

Lap Band on 12/02/03 with

LOL - I don't count anything. When you feel yourself starting to feel full, stop eating.

4 oz of protein is a "normal" sized portion for normal sized stomach. 4 ounces of chicken, for example, is the size of a deck of cards. Could you eat that, and have room for veggies? It depends on how far out you are. Early on, no way. Try an index-finger sized piece of meat, in small bites, chewed very well, and then a few bites of veggies. You can always have a little more if that doesn't cut it.

Banded since 2003, maintaining my weight loss and still knowing I made the right choice for me. If you want information on what life is like for a band success, have questions or need help and suggestions on band life, feel free to message me. Otherwise, just read the Lapband Forum.

marymcd54
on 6/26/12 5:22 pm, edited 6/26/12 5:22 am - Warwick, RI

Bette,
Did you have to shake up your diet at any point during your first year?
I am 11 months out and have lost 6.7 pounds since April 12. A total of 66.7 pounds since July 25 2012
I just feel maybe if I change what I am eating and do a better job of tracking I can get to that
gosh darn 199 mark!
HELP, I am still following all the rules but just lose 1.8 pounds then gain .6 and so on and so on.
I am 11.7 pounds away from that special mark!

Marylmcd

Bette B.
on 6/26/12 6:14 pm

Lap Band on 12/02/03 with

It never hurts to shake up your diet, especially if you are getting tired of eating the same things.

It also never hurts to shake up an exercise routine, if you have one. Believe it or not, experts say that our muscles can get used to doing the same exercises all the time and get - for want of a better word - lazy.

Remember, too, that you will go through a plateau, often more than one, on your journey. They suck, but are nothing out of the ordinary. If you are doing everything you were doing when you were losing, you may just be in a plateau. Try to mix things up while you wait it out.

Banded since 2003, maintaining my weight loss and still knowing I made the right choice for me. If you want information on what life is like for a band success, have questions or need help and suggestions on band life, feel free to message me. Otherwise, just read the Lapband Forum.

deactivated member
on 6/26/12 5:25 pm

Question:

I am going for my first month post op next Friday.
Will they do a fill?

How do they judge that?
I have heard terms bandster hell and green zone and banded honeymoon, what are they?

Bette B.
on 6/26/12 6:11 pm

Lap Band on 12/02/03 with

They will do a fill if you feel like you need one. If you DON'T, don't hesitate to tell them that you're doing fine as-is.

"Bandster hell" is the time prior to a proper fill when you are feeling ravenously hungry.

"Green zone" is a proper fill level - not too loose and not too tight.

"The honeymoon" is the stages early on where everything is going right and you feel that nothing can, or will, ever go wrong. We ALL have bumps in the road; some big and some small. But we all them.

Banded since 2003, maintaining my weight loss and still knowing I made the right choice for me. If you want information on what life is like for a band success, have questions or need help and suggestions on band life, feel free to message me. Otherwise, just read the Lapband Forum.

deactivated member
on 6/26/12 6:18 pm

How do I know if I need one??
Kind of in yhe great unknown with that since I am new.

Bette B.
on 6/26/12 6:27 pm

Lap Band on 12/02/03 with

How do you feel when you eat? Full on a fairly small amount of food? Then you may not need a fill.

How long to you stay feeling full? A few hours? Then you may not need one.

Are you happy with your rate of weight loss based on your food intake? If so, you may not need one.

I had a chat with a woman last year who felt obligated to get a fill at her first "fill appointment" but really didn't feel like she needed one. I told her to get it if she thought she needed it. She didn't, waited a couple of months and got one then. She seemed to think that it was "do or die" - get the fill that day or don't get one at all - which is not the case.

Banded since 2003, maintaining my weight loss and still knowing I made the right choice for me. If you want information on what life is like for a band success, have questions or need help and suggestions on band life, feel free to message me. Otherwise, just read the Lapband Forum.

SueBee01
on 6/26/12 6:57 pm - Orange Park, FL

Lap Band on 01/30/12 with

I had the same fill question for my first fill. I didn't want one, but the explained to. Me that you stomach changes as you lose weight and they wanted one fill because of that. I have not had anymore fills and am doing fine.

Totally agree with Bette on how you feel about your eating. I feel it is more important about how long you are going without feeling hungry with eating the small amount of food.

I would also make sure you are eating real food before you make that decision.

Sue

NunnOther
on 6/27/12 1:28 pm - FL

Lap Band on 04/05/12 with

Hey Dober, I am still unfilled and decided to stay that way. I passed on my first fill 1 month after surgery. I'm hungry every 3.5/4 hours, and I'm eating normal protions. I've lost 17 pounds since April-- which seems to be 1 or 2 pounds a week give or take. Right now, I'm happy, so I'm not getting a fill at my next appointment in July. UNLESS, my appetite increases.

deactivated member
on 6/27/12 3:42 pm

HI Nunn
Congrats on the weight loss as that is fantastic.

I go next week for my 1st month follow up. I don't think that they will do a fill until my 2nd month follow up.

I ger hungry about 3-4 hours after I eat (where my stomach growls). I sometimes think it could be head hunger especially at work when other people eat around me. I was told by my doctor to just go slow with food as I am on mushies/real soft foods until my visit next week. Eating real food again is scary to me. Heard so so much about vomiting and pb and slime......

If I do ever get one, I wonder how much they put in especially on the first one?

Am glad you are doing well.

nikkizca
on 6/27/12 2:09 pm - Temecula, CA

WLS on 07/16/10 with

thank you so much for your advice I went to see my doctor and he took out 1cc. I feel amazing. he told me they tighten up sometimes on their own no reason why. but its the 1st time in like 6 months i feel great. I think I knew down inside i was getting to tight. now I just need to watch my diet. not feeling hungry just relief of pressure. thank you again

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Who's got Band questions? Anyone?