anastasia566

My kids keep telling me I have bad breath and I am constantly brushing my teeth! I figured it was from lack of food/chewing! That is interesting about it coming from no carbs. Maybe I'll get the gas x strips for my breath!!

I agree with all of the above comments. The most important thing is that we are making changes-doing thing differently than before. If we make better food choices, cut down on portions and start to move more, it WILL improve our health! I think that if I didn't do this the scare would be eventually creeping up as it always has, or yo-yoing like it has all my life. 1-2 pounds per week is a healthy weight loss and WOW to think of 102 pound in a year is like getting rid of a 7th grader attached to us!! Best of luck to everyone on this shared journey. Keep up the good work! Smiles.....

I was banded on 2/15. I think the worst pain I had upon waking from surgery was the gas pains mostly in the left shoulder. Like other people have mentioned, walking helps. A friend also taught me a yoga pose referred to as the 'wind eliminator.' LOL It sounds kind of funny, but helped as well. I will try to describe it as best as possible. Lay down flat on the floor. Gently bend and bring the right leg toward your abdomen. When the leg gets close enough for you to reach grab it with both hands. (You can actually put your hands around the sides of the leg so that you are helping to hold it up.) Now gently pull the leg toward you and as you do that EXHALE. Then slowly and gently push the leg away from you (keeping it bent at the knee) and INHALE. Continue the movements as long as you like. I did it for two or three minutes on the right leg and then two or three minutes on the left leg. Remember the motions are gently and slow, but just enough to be help push that air down your body. I have never been into yoga, but I have to say this helped me. I did it periodically throughout the day and found it helpful. I hope it helps! I know how painful the gas can be!

Hi, I got banded on Wed., 2/16 too. My abdomen did not start to feel sore until the second day, which surprised me. The most uncomfortable was the gas in my shoulder and back. It is finally coming out little on day two. The anesthesia side effects knocked me on my butt!! The nausea on day one made me feel as if I wanted to vomit if I moved too much, but no vomiting at all so far. Fortunately, my throat was and has been pain free. I was worried I was going to wake up with a major sore throat after surgery, but did not. I think the biggest issue I am having now is being physically hungry! In fact, STARVING!! I was able to start clear Proteins today, broth, ices, tea, Jello, but it just isn't cutting it. I woke up out of my sleep due to the hunger pains and now hoping a cup of bullion will suffice. I am going to call my surgeon tomorrow and see if it is possible I have some liquid Protein shakes as in pre-op. At least they satisfied me more! The lack of nutrients has also given me a headache. Anyone else experiencing this and have any suggestions? I know various surgeons have there stages in different lengths of time. I wish the best to the both of you!! We are going to do this and be successful!!

Hi, My surgery is scheduled for 2/16. I am on day 6 of the pre-op diet. The first 3 days were very difficult for me, but I must say it is getting easier. However, I did break down and eat a salad twice! LOL They mainly want me on liquids to shrink the liver and keep the calories below 1200 per day, which I did even with the salad. I am using Bariatric fusion Meal Replacements and I have to say I like them. I have vanilla and chocolate. One of my friends who had the surgery suggested it and I am so glad I tried this one. He also gave me a tip on mixing them. If you mix one scoop of the Protein in the blender, 4 frozen strawberries, 3/4 cup of 1% milk and a few ice cubes it tastes like a smoothie. It also has 27 grams of protein. You can order them on line at bariatricfusion.com. They are also available in several other flavors. LOL I sound like I work for the company or something! As far as telling people at work about the surgery, I did not. Only two people close to me at work know. However, I wanted to take some time off to heal, so I said I was having surgery to repair my hiatal hernia, which is true. I just left out the part that they are also putting on a band! A few people seen me drinking shakes at work and when they asked what it was drinking I said it was a Protein shake. They said, "Oh, I drink them sometimes," and asked no other questions. I wish you all the best! : ) Anastasia

I am scheduled to be banded on 2/16, next week. I share many of the same thoughts and fears as you do! You are not alone I keep asking myself why I can't just do this like I am doing on the liquids!? If only I could I wouldn't have to have the band, but as my track record has shown, on my own I do ok for a bit and then gain it back along with some more! Please keep us posted on how it all goes. Smiles.......

Hi! My surgery is scheduled for 2/16. I start on my 2-week liquid diet on 2/2. I think the thing I will miss most is a cup of morning coffee! I just emailed my nutritionist about possibly having a cup a day! I am waiting to hear what she says. My BMI is 36 and in order to reach a healthy BMI I need to lose 79 pounds. I am hopeful and very nervous! I would like to keep in touch on here and here of your progress. It helps to begin the journey with others if you would like. I wish you all the best!

Hi! No, you are not the only one getting cold feet! I went to my first informational session in June. I made appts to do all the required visits for my psych eval, cariologist, nutritionist, sonograms, etc. and got scared, canceling all of them! I told myself I would just drink the protein shakes on my own and lose weight. Taht never happened! Then September came around and I decided that even though I was afraid, I was going to continue with all the appointments and requirements for insurance submission. Through it all, telling myself that I could decide at the end after I was approved, if I was. So, here I am and it's January. I was just approved by my insurance for the band. My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 16. I ordered my protein shakes and have to start the liquid diet on 2/2. I am still getting cold feet! I continue to go forward telling myself I can still back out. My appoval is good for six months. I believe I will go through with the surgery, but honestly, I am still scared of the unknown. I have done so much research and sometimes too much! There is so much stuff on the internet, which someone on this site pointed out to me. That helped a lot because sometimes it is just too much. I am trying to focus on the positive that will come out of this and trust God it will be okay. So, that was a lot said, but in short, know that you are not alone. I wish you all the best in making your decision. I am still in the beginning- getting insurance approval.. I am starting to get cold feet.. Did this happen to any of you?

Hello, I am trying to make a decision as to which band I wil have inplanted on my upcoming surgery. Does anyone have any information on the safety of these bands long term? I have done extensive research over the past several months and want to make sure I am not missing anything. Also, I see there were recalls on both types of bands, the Realize and Lapband. Any feedback on what band you have and why you chose it? Your feedback will be most appreciated!

Hi Everyone, I am new to this site. My Lapband surgery date is scheduled for Feb. 16. I recently googled the mortality rate for LapBand and came up with two class actions against NYU. Apparently, two patients ages 25 and 27 died after approx. 2 months after surgery. The information in the paper was vague so I am not sure if the deaths were, in fact, related to the band. However, the article did say that the mortality rates used nationwide are not accurate because they are only focusing on during and within 3 days of surgery. Maybe I am readind too much into this, but I am a single mom of 3 and I want to make sure I am making the right, safe, decision in getting the band. Thanks!!

Thanks for the reply. Your words helped more than you know. Yes, I do have to trust God. I am a strong believer, yet was stuck in fear for a bit. How long did your recovery take? I see from your progress chart you lost 49 pounds! That is wonderful!