Cangel76

This is truly one of those things that is about the Journey not the end result. It is a tool that is supposed to teach us to take better care of our bodies. It is like giving up any other addiction, if one falls off the wagon, as a therapist we often say, "the guilt is the only thing that makes you stay off the wagon." The idea is, yesterday, I ate crap food, carbs, carbs, carbs. Plus I had a chocolate covered cherry, only one, but I know that every day I am going to learn to behave better with my food intake. I also allow myself a little bit of the one thing I love, whatever that is. So that I am not depriving myself. The hardest thing for me is when it comes to the liquids, I sometimes drink with foods I am eating, I know, naughty, but if food is dry I take a small sip and then chew it into the food. You will get there. I really recommend finding an exercise routine and this does not have to be horribly difficult, things like parking farther away from a store and walking instead of looking for the closest spot. There are other options like if you have stairs in the house go up and down a few extra times a day. Another great thing is to get a Pedometer, it measures the amount of steps you take, wear it, and try to make a new goal for yourself every week. See what your base line is and then increase it in small increments. Be patient, but most of all, be kind to yourself. Oh yes and it is so easy to give this advice, but living it is difficult. I am frustrated too with no fill in over a month I am starving. I am, however, going to the gym every day and lost a pound and a half in a week. So the gym does help, if you can't afford it, add in exercise however you can.

The problem with alcohol is empty calories. I think my doctor had told me to wait up to a month but still doesn't recommend it. As far as you Swan56, I would ask your doctor. That could be a problem with pre op, or maybe not. I really don't see how it would be a problem pre op unless you drink a lot and it was like a day before your party. Remember you need to try and heal your liver and reduce the fat in it, if you don't they can cancel your surgery. As long as you are doing well with the pre op weight loss otherwise, then I don't know how it would be a huge problem. Again, I already said that. LOL

Okay everyone, I have an infection in a surgical site. It is awful, last saturday I noticed the infection started and I went to the emergency room and they cut open the incision right there. Now it has to get packed and unpacked every day, basic wound care. I was okay with it but now, I think I found a new infected area, which could mean the port needs to be removed and I have to go back in for surgery. I am not happy about this and I am soooo angry I can not even tell you. I know it isn't anyones fault but if the little spot doesn't clear up I might scream. If you saw how red and sore my belly is from the tape, you would cry for me. I know you would. I am waiting for the big moment I can go down a size in clothes but that isn't going to start happening until I start exercising. I can not keep like this too much longer with out going completely nuts. So I am just venting.

If you start showing signs of a slippage, going to the ER at the hospital you had your surgery. Otherwise 2 week follow ups are pretty standard. If your cough is accompanied by a fever or a lot of mucous or difficulty breathing you may want to contact your Primary Care to be sure you don't have Pneumonia. Your doctor is correct, it takes a bit to make the band slip so his lack of concern isn't because he doesn't care but because it is rare for the band to slip due to cough.

I had surgery November 2, 2010 I was supposed to go for a refill on December 2, 2010 but due to a post op infection I most likely will have to wait a few more weeks.

I haven't been to the gym in over a year. Going to the gym a year ago is what prompted me to look into the lap bad because I was putting on muscle but the fat was sticking around, no matter how well I ate and how much I exercised. So today I got to the gym and reminded myself I couldn't start where I left off. So I went on the Treadmill and it killed my knees and hips but I pushed through the discomfort. I wasn't in PAIN I just felt loose everywhere. I did 20 minutes on the weight loss setting. My legs were wobbly and then I had to walk back and forth to my car twice because I forgot my daughters coat. LOL She loved playing with the other kids and wants to go back tomorrow so she will be my motivation to go to the gym so she can play with the kids. Very thankful for them watching the little ones which will let Alexanderia get much needed interaction with other children. I am thankful to be holding steady with weight and not putting on weight despite the fact that I have no restriction and no exercise. Onward, my wound seems to be healing pretty fast now.

My doctor said he was opening the incision a little to see how much it had to drain. Then he said to me that it was essential to get control of the infection before doing a fill. He will probably not do a fill until the would is healed because he doesn't want to risk even more infection spreading elsewhere. I hate this and my weight loss is pretty much stopped. I am starving all the time.

Sorry you are going through the same thing. Big hugs to you as well.

First of all the nurse that did my wound care was nice but wasn't following protocol. Oh well, will make sure the nurse does it right this weekend. Second of all I think I found another location that is becoming infected. I don't know what to do about it, well I do know, but I don't want to go to the Doctors and get put under, nor do I feel like having myself put through the local and a scalpel again. I keep thinking, maybe there is a way I can clear it before I have to suffer through more. Though I am appreciating the way the lap band is helping me, I am also very frustrated because I am not dropping any sizes. The weight is coming off but the clothing size is staying the same. I am agitated because I can not actually go to the gym and start toning. UGH, I just need a break.

I had surgery November 2, 2010. I am day two out and the gas is making me nuts. I really didn't need too much in the line of pain meds and hope to be off them completely in a few days. I am having a hard time getting the Protein drinks down. Tender, sore, feel like I have done 1000 sit ups. Chest pain from the gas, all to be expected and shall pass. I wish everyone the best of luck. I posted my story on my blog if you want to read it. In November 2, 2010 at 7:30am out in recover by 10:30am. One incision in the belly button, small needle mark upper stomach. Now on to the rest of the journey. Look forward to being there with you all. Height 5' 0" weight date of surgery 217.5 went up after surgery from all the gas and fluids. Will keep you all posted. Need to figure out how to do the tickers.

I made the number one error for bandsters, do not wait too long to eat. Do not wait until the point you are ready to chew off your hand. I ended up not chewing something as well as I thought I did and ended up making friends with the porcelin bowl. My friend, the bowl, a friend I don't want to visit again soon. It hurt but I went back and finished my meal darnit.

I had a piece of stuck food yesterday. I made a huge error in that I was starving by the time I ate and not thinking about chewing well enough I guess. Well the slime, out with the food thing was fine, I even went back to finishing my meal. HOWEVER, question, Anyone who has had this happen, when you ate after that did you have trouble with excess slime making you cough and such again. The back of my throat felt like I had lots of snot, in fact my nose even started backing up. I don't have a cold and was coughing and weezing all night. It cleared up this morning but I was wondering if either a. I am GETTING a cold, or b. It can be related to the earlier sliming episode.

Wish you both the best of luck

I am now on regular foods, and let me tell you, it has been heaven. I have not been measuring like I should because I am starving all the time. I keep it to 3 meals a day most of the time and drink lots of Water. If I have been bad and didn't focus on Proteins, I have Iso Pure. Or one of my other cold protein drinks. Being on regular food with no restriction and no fill in site due to an infection in my incision, which was in my belly button, it totally sucks. It's like, "here just gain all your weight back hon."

I really didn't notice any swelling for me. I am sorry wish I could be more help. I was gassy for the first few weeks and still get burpy after I eat.

Welcome Melissa, I also have PCOS, was told I wouldn't have kids. Started going to the gym regularly and taking Vitamins, I lost some weight and ended up pregnant 10 years ago now. Then I started taking prenatal vitamins and walking and ended up pregnant about 2.5 years ago now. I am 34 and have a 2.5 year old and a ten year old. I hope that PCOS will do a couple of things, lower your cholesterol, help with sleep apnea and get you off the "border" of diabetes. If your body is healthy I would hope that the baby would come next. Good luck with your journey hon.

Good luck with your journey, it gets easier.

I am making this topic to post our favorite recipes in. High Protein Bison Chili Bison has 23g of protein per 4oz of meat, that is about half a cup. Take Bison Chopped onion Brown together Add spices I use Cayenne Pepper, Red Pepper, Cumin (dried) (If you get the actually peppers cut small and cook with the meat) Add a can of Red Kidney Beans (If fresh soak until soft, I just buy the cans of them presoaked) Add a can of crushed tomatoes (Large cans) Stir and let simmer I am not listing how much for spices because it depends on how spicy you like things. This is really thick and a half a cup is filling and full of protein, very little fat because Bison is so lean.

I know you post lots of recipes, I just figured for the newly banded, this might be a great place to get some quick information. Thanks.

If my doctor knew that the visiting nurses hasn't called me today to set up the wound care he would be mad, this infection could spread with out proper care. I am upset because I found another infected area. UGH I popped it and cleaned it out really hoping it doesn't get worse. I am still taking my infection meds so hopefully it will all be okay. However Sulfer is disgusting! LOL As far as everything else in life, it is good. I went to the support meeting tonight with the bariatric group. It is always nice to hear positive stories and those who are struggling and what they are going through and offer support. Overall I am feeling really good, believe it or not. The infection is more a bump in the road rather than a huge issue right now. If I need another surgery, well that will be more of an issue wouldn't it. Trying to remain positive. The weight is still coming off so that is good. Being on solids with no restriction has been a challenge.

missjoany I hope that they don't have to remove the port, that will be my next thing. Just had the surgery November 2, 2010. I have proved before I can eat healthy and exercise, but it never worked before, now with the band I am loosing, blessing of all blessings. I don't even have a fill yet and I am thrilled. I don't want to have to go back under the knife.

I was going to post this happened to me today. I went to have a fajita and though in my head I chewed it well enough a chunk of chicken went down that wasn't small enough. I made friends with my porcelin bowl and slimed it out. JOY! Then I went back and finished my meal with out the flour tortilla and it went much better after that. This was purely my fault because I was soooo hungry. I had not kept up with my meals today.

Fill up on proteins. That is the best option.

Congrats and good luck on your journey

That is so AWESOME. Congratulations.