Dimitri1950

3 with a thin cut Deli slicer - Good luck on your journey :-)

Annabelle - Congratulations on getting 'banded'. I had my surgery 3/19, and so far, so good. Yes, I went on a pre-op diet 2 weeks before surgery. Mine was 1200 calories a day, but I could eat solids. I lost 15 pounds pre-op. I've lost 16 since my operation (I started at 385). I have found this forum to be a wonderful tool. Also, there is a fabulous website with shopping lists and recipes that I stumbled onto - http://theworldaccor...e.blogspot.com/ I'm taking it one day at a time - but I am confident when I say this was the best decision I have made in a long, long time. Good luck on your journey - may you have fair winds and following seas. Jim

Saundra - I was banded 3/19. Every morning, I feel better than the day before. I'm approaching it just 'one day at a time'. I've made a couple of mistakes, and have tried not to beat myself up over them. This is truly a lifestyle choice - I don't see it as a diet at all. I am learning volumes about food, diet, nutrition, physiology, and whatever else I can come up with. I've made two decisions in my adult life that have changed my entire outlook - one was stopping drinking 20 years ago - the other was to get banded. The tools I use to stay sober are easily applied to the nutrition plan I am learning to eat cleanly. There seems to be a myriad of sites to support those of us trying to find our way through all the information we are exposed to, both pre-op and post-op. This is something you do for you. It hasn't been too hard. I get pretty hungry between meals, but I don't get my first 'fill' until the end of this month. I was weighing myself every other day - and that was way too often. I've changed to Wednesdays only. I am a disabled Vet who was a Marine in Vietnam - walking is very hard for me - but I get out there 5 mornings a week - and it gets easier every day. The choices for those of us who are 'morbidly obese' is rather clear cut - lose the weight or die. That's the way it was presented to me. For many reasons, not the least of which is I am a single father raising a 12 year old daughter on my own. So, I have chosen to lose the weight. I hope your surgery goes smoothly. My wish for you is that you always have fair seas and following winds. Jim

I was banded 3/19. Between the pre-op diet and post-op, I've lost 31 lbs. as of today (130 more to go). I feel completely confused on planning meals/menus, keeping portions small, and getting the 80-90 g of protein my dietician wants me to have. If you are not supposed to drink 1/2 hour before your meal, during your meal, and 30-60 minutes after you meal, how do you get 64 oz of liquid down in a day? I'd like to hear from anyone who is 3-4 weeks post-op, and how they are doing. Semper fi

I would get a second opinion on locating the port over your sternum. I was banded 3/19 - with the port on the belly button side of the lower left quadrant. My surgeon has a technique using mesh to pull the port into place - the mesh attaches to the tissue, and there is no problem with the port. With the port over your sternum, what would be the effect if you ever needed CPR? Since your surgeon has done this on 'a few ports', is there any reason he would need to place it there on you? You need a medical opinion you can rely on - rather than what I'm offering :-) But any reliable surgeon should welcome a second opinion. Good luck - so far it has met all my expectations, plus some. I've dropped 30 lbs since going on the pre-op diet 2 weeks before the surgery.

Sammi I just e-mailed my doctor this morning on this issue. The restriction feel is from surgery and the area adjacent to the band healing. Not all patients get it, but if you've got it, enjoy it. The long term restriction will come after the first fill, which is 4-6 weeks post-op. Good luck to you. I was banded 3/19 - I've lost 30 lbs since I went on the pre-op diet, and I wake up feeling better every day. There is a lovely park near my home that I walk around, and I truly feel blessed. I'll put you in my prayers for a successful surgery. As a wise man once said: "May you have fair winds and following seas". Jim

I was banded 3/19, and my port is to the left of my belly button also. I had pains from the gas they inflate you with during surgery - it lasted about 4 days post-op. I waited 3 years to get banded - and I am stoked at my weight loss - 30 lbs since I went on the pre-op diet of 1200 calories a day. I am finding that this site is great for support. All the best to you on your new journey. Jim

RACHAEL I've been fighting hunger pains since I was banded last Saturday (3/19). I'm also looking forward to eating something that requires teeth :-) I go on solid food next Wednesday - It will be 'soft' solids, but who cares after 10 days of liquid only. I'm a single parent to a 12 year old, and Friday is/was our 'Pizza Night'. I got a pie for her last night - it wasn't hard until I went to bed, and then it started talking to me. But, I'm still on the straight and narrow. I've lost 25 pounds since I went on the pre-op food plan of 1200 calories a day. Good luck on your journey. May you always have fair winds and following seas. Jim

Jenn My name is Jim - I was banded last Saturday, 3/19. Our weight loss is very similar - I've lost 25 including my pre-op diet. I too was an emotional eater. What I'm finding (from one newbie to another) is journalling really helps - as does getting out and walking. Hope the shoulder pain is getting better.

Nobia - I'm having my LB procedure tomorrow at 1530. I'm also a former Marine - please give your husband a Semper fi for me when he gets back home. I have been working down to 1200 calories a day - today has been the hardest. I stayed on a liquid diet all day yesterday, no problem. I did break down today and have a small amount of low - fat cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt. Other than that, it is protein drinks and fruit juice. I don't have a lot of questions - I've been waiting to have the surgery for 3 years - so you might say I am REALLY ready. It would be nice to have a 'pen-pal' to chat with. I'll let you know how I'm doing after I get home tomorrow night. Semper fi Jim aka Dimitri1950

I had a similar problem working full time days and going to law school at night. I finally made a commitment that at least 30 minutes a day were for me - I started walking first thing when I woke up - 100 sit ups, and then I'd hit the road. I learned to love it - the quiet let me clear my head and think about the day ahead. I got down to within 20 pounds of my ideal weight - now I've grown to 380+, and am having Lap Band surgery this Saturday. I just started walking 3 days a week - There is a neat app for iPhone that is free - Endomondo - it keeps track of your workouts, and has some pretty cool features. Nike hit it on the head with their slogan - "Just do it" - it becomes a habit after a while. Good luck.