Ollie

congrats to you...it must feel wonderful to reach this milestone! keep up the good work!

Alex, I hope that everything turns out fine for you. You have no idea what a help you are to those of us looking for info and support. With all the good wishes we are channeling to you, the result can't be anything but good! be well.

My doctor prescribed an anti-nausea patch that I applied the night before surgery. I can't remember the name of it....sorry good luck to you!

I was also banded Nov 06 and I have lost 41 lbs as well. It is slow but it is the lifestyle change that is most important to me. It is a struggle every day and some days the meal planning gets to be a real nusiance but I look at it from the perspective that I am learning a new "skill". The band does make it easier in that I don't have that ravenous feeling I always got as soon as I even thought the word "diet". But it is hard work!Sure, like everyone else on this board who wanted to lose the weight overnight, I just try to eat the right things and take it one meal at a time. it takes time to undo all the wrong eating habits I developed over my lifetime. Keep looking forward and not down at the scale.

I was in ICU overnight and discharged by noon. Every doctor is different....

I was starving five days after my surgery too and I called my doctor and they allowed me to start with protein shakes which really made me feel better. Talk to the dr's office and see what they say. Good luck!

My personal favorite is when my mother came to visit me after not having seen me for about a year...and she says....'you know, you look like his mother instead of his wife'......okay.....I am glad to see you too.....

I have been following your posts and you must be so happy.....we are so happy for you. See there is a light at the end of the tunnel....

congratulations on your success and your hard work. I am very happy for you.....you go girl!

I was banded 11/21/06 and returned to work 1/2/07....I had a six week recovery. I have a desk job but I do lift 5-10 lbs. I probably could have gone back after a month but since I had the sick time, I decided to really get myself on track with the menus and keeping track of my protein and fluid intake. I think that part is the hardest.....writing everything down and tallying it all up to be sure you had all the nutrition you needed for the day.

The same thing happens with me. I want to know how one day I get on the scale and it shows I am down two pounds, then the next day I am up 2 lbs ....it gets frustrating especially when I have been following all the rules!

I am not a fan of the protein drinks .....they make me gag. I am careful to get all my protein from other sources....I just can't do the protein stuff.

HI...I have Harvard Pilgrim as well and had my surgery on 11/21. I had to have my primary refer me to the weight loss clinic and from there I had to follow the surgeons instructions for consideration. Will be happy to answer specific questions..............

Don't think you are alone....I was so hungry the day after my surgery which was THANKSGIVING!! It was torture to smell the turkey and fixin's....I won't lie....I took a tiny piece of turkey and chew it til was liquid....It was heaven. On my third day post op, I called the Dr's office and told them that I was starving so they advanced me to the liquid protein stage. I felt so much better after it. Give the office a call and tell them that you are very hungry. Every patient is different and you could be ready for the next step. Good luck!

Good luck in the days ahead.....my surgeon did not require a pre-op liquid diet but in order for me to get a surgery date, I needed to lose 5% of my body weight. I have sleep apnea, I had a sleep study done about 3 years ago before I even considered a band. I was told to bring my cpap machine when I had surgery only for my own sleeping comfort. I did use it the night after my surgery, only so that I would get quality sleep. I am hoping that with continued weight loss, I can give up the machine. It gets annoying sometimes....I wish you well on your journey... Ollie

good luck....the liquid stage will pass and like the rest of us, you will come to loathe chicken broth, and jello......keep us in the loop with your progress!

I was banded on 11-21 and I have lost 39 pounds since. It is a little slower than I would like.....wouldn't we all like to lose 10 lbs a day???? I already had one fill and have an appointment for my second fill on Tuesday. I find that I can eat more than I could when I was first banded....I keep telling myself that it took my whole lifetime to get to be overweight so whats a year to lose it?

I am not a big fish person either but have been trying to make it once a week much to the delight of my family. I do like the talapia ....very mild and easy to eat. It is easy to prepare too. Just put some diced tomatoes, some pepper and some chopped black olives and bake for about 10 minutes. It is really good.

I know exactly how you feel.....I was STARVING during the liquid stage right after surgery....I nibbled on protein as well....a tiny piece of chicken or slice of ham....it didn't hurt me but I finally called the office on the fourth day after surgery and begged them to let me have some protein shakes. it does get better....but being so hungry stinks. Try giving your Doctor a call to see if you are ready to move on.....

I will mix mine with a little fat free italian dressing and a teaspoon of mayo

Congratulations to you! You look great but more importantly, you MUST feel great! thanks for giving the rest of us inspiration!!!

I didn't tell any anyone other than my husband and two sons. As far as work goes, I told them that since I had lost a few pounds prior to my 'hernia repair' I was going to continue watching what I ate and I was going to continue seeing a nutritionist for better health. They know that there are foods I can't eat now and with the nutritionist recommendations, I am on a special diet. Just make it seem like it is no big deal, change the subject when it gets to food or what you eat, or be direct and say that you don't want to discuss it. From what I have read on this forum, I am glad that it is only my family that knows. People want to see you fail for some ungodly reason...the less who knows the better in my opinion. And the weight loss is so gradual that the topic of what you eat will no longer be of interest.

why do the clothing manufacturers think that plus size women have arms that would resemble a gorillas? Any long sleeve shirt I buy I have to roll the sleeves up about 22 times before you can see my hands. What's up with that?

I had my surgery with the Center for Weight Management at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell Mass.

Good for you......it was the best decision I ever made for myself. I wish you well.......