bulldog3

I can't wait to for this to happen to me! I was banded 1 month after you with about the same starting weight. Hoping that I can get to this same milestone in the next couple months.

I'm trying to eat the small meals I started when I just got banded, but the last couple days I've started getting hungry a few hours later. These are high Protein meals. And I try to use the Protein shakes to hold off hunger, but it doesn't always work. Should I be eating more at a meal...I really don't want to because I haven't lost weight in 2 weeks, but I also worry about setting myself up for failure if I can't stick to 3 meals and the protein shakes. What is the right balance? Any suggestions?

It is likely you are loosing inches not pounds. Muscle weighs more then fat and it is a lot more compact for the same weight. This would be a good thing if it is happening.

I was in LOTS of pain for a week and a half....It was very difficult. I had regret, but now that I'm through that it is just my port that hurts and I really appreciate feeling great!

I just got the fruit baby food. Apples and cherries were extremely delicious. The other ones I got are going to the food shelf because it was just too weird to try them. I know they will go better use there.

Such a weird thing. Banded 12/27 and last night I had a sharp pain in my left shoulder starting as I moved through dinner.

Rock It! You are amazing and an inspiration. Keep up the good work. Your going to live longer and fuller life due to your hard work.

We will be here for you! Don't let yourself get frustrated. I'm a newbie, but everyday is still a struggle, especially if I don't see results. I feel your pain. Recommit everyday. We are all struggling and we can do it together. I think feeling "full" isn't the right promise of the band, it sounds like it is more subtle and not hungry. Measure, eat and the then get away from the food and keep busy. Maybe that will help.You don't want to stretch out your upper pouch by eating too much out of frustration. You've been through too much to go back now. All My Love!

I'm still on the pureed phase, so you may not be interested, but my hubby made me this tortilla-less chicken enchilada. Very yummy. He had his with enchiladas. Ingredients boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded 1/3 cup red enchilada sauce 2 ounces Kraft 2% Lowfat Graded Cheddar Cheese 1 Tablespoon non-fat sour cream Directions 1.) Place chicken in a small bowl and add sauce. Top with shredded cheese. 2.) Microwave until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with sour cream and enjoy! Author's note: LOTS OF PROTEIN, VERY LOW FAT, FILLING!

Hello, I'm really interested in the Salon Pas. I'm still having a fair amount of pain and the pain meds they gave me made me sick and liquid Tylenol isn't doing it for me. Is it safe after surgery? I know I'm not allowed any aspirin/ibeprophen anymore now that I've had the surgery (which they didn't mention until shortly before the surgery)?

I was blindsided about how much pain I was in. It was A LOT. The first two days were the worse, but it stayed pretty intense for one week. The pain is dulling, but I'm still in a lot going into week 2. I'm trying to walk and get lots of rest. My body needs to heal!

That's what happened to me. Banded 8 days ago, started on day 7.

Thanks everybody. Lots of great responses. I will take them all. Boy do I need help. I'm a decent cook, but have no experience in this area at all. I'll have to re-learn everything.

Can anyone give me some advice on what to eat tonight for dinner. I'm on Stage 2, purred, but can start adding soft things in. I want a quick break from stuff Protein shakes and yogurt. I want something that is a little food like. I'll be honest. I've been craving Mexican like, though that may not be possible. What works besides babyfood, yogurt and cottage cheese. Please help. Any recipes???

Sounds amazing. Thank You!

So I'm going to be a bridesmaid in late June. I went to David's Bridal a few days before my surgery with the bride and the other bridesmaids. Boy, was that hard. I looked horrible in all the outfits and I felt 3 times bigger then the other girls. The dress that was decided upon has a trumpeted skirt with is very unkind to most larger curvy girls. However, it is the brides day and I will suck it up and wear whatever. They are two piece dresses, but the skirt and top don't fit my body type and would require lots of alterations. Several girls already ordered their dresses. Well, I was a few days from the surgery so I didn't. How long do you think I can wait before ordering and how do I predict my size? Obviously, it is better to go a little big and take in then go a little small and be stuck. Right now it would be a 24 bottom (to fit the trumpeted part over my thighs and then have to take 6-8 inches off my waist) and an 18 or 20 top (so it fits over my hips) taking 6 inches off near the bust). Any suggestions. I was 258 pounds the day we tried it on, and June isn't that far away, but I just had my surgery and it is a lot of money for an really unflattering dress so I just want to have the best shot at the best fit possible. Thanks!

Day 5 my hubby made me a Protein shake from the lap band website. He served me it in a large shot glass, so I obviously drank a small amount at first. Today, I am drinking a premade one from Target called Pure Protein little by little today. It is going well and doesn't taste terrible. I'm drinking Cookies N Creme Flavor. 120 calories 1 gram of sugar 23 grams of protein However, with slowly sipping this all day, I do not know how I am going to get in all the Water I'm supposed to slowly slip all day. Any suggestions?

We are surgery date buddies. 12/27/2010. I've been on liquids mostly so far, but could you some guidance moving into soft. Will have more advice as I move on.

My first one was on day 7! On day 5 I did have a small dime sized bowel movement (if you can call it one). I figured the liquid diet didn't leave a lot to excrete.

Hello! I am 26 and was 158 pounds when banded on12/27/2010. I've had a hard recovery as my stomach muscles still really hurt, especially where they put the port in. It makes it difficult for me to get around, especially up and down from couch, bed or car. I really wasn't expecting it to be that bad. Any suggestions people have would be amazing. I was supposed to go back to work today (after 1 week of healing...I'm a teacher so winter break was over), but decideded to take one more day to give my stomach another day to heal. Getting in and out of the car often feels like I'm getting stabbed in the stomach. I've heard that all stomach surgeries heal differently and I guess I had bad luck. Any suggestions people have would be great? I have been happy with the results. I've almost lost 10 pounds in one week. I never would have been able to do that before. I just can't believe that loosing this weight is possible. I have to go 1.5-2 years before I can get pregnant after getting the lapband. I'm hoping at that time, I can have a healthy pregnancy and a healthier weight then I could have ever gotten to on my own.

Wait, I did go into the doctor for a strep test yesterday and I complained that I needed to cough, but it hurt too much. She told me to take a soft pillow and hold it tight against my stomach when I cough. I wonder if that would work for hiccups. Worth a try at least. She said, "the pillow is going to be your friend."

Hiccups and air in my stomach and gas have been the worse. I was banded 12/27. As my stomach heals, it doesn't hurt so bad. Please don't make fun of me, but I never thought I'd be so in tune to my bodily functions. I've been super proud of getting through a burp or a fart. It's like I'm a baby. Sorry I don't have any suggestions. Would love to hear what other people say. It happens most after I eat, but I'm not eating much or fast. When I think it is bad, I get on the scale and that does make me feel better.