alondralibre

Just wanted to say that having a period with a lap band makes your stomach feel like a giant Water balloon with a tennis ball inside. That is all!

I take Calcium and coq10 gummies. It's just like any thing else with the band - chew thoroughly.

I use BlueBonnet liquid multivitamin/mineral supplement.

I was just banded two weeks ago, and I haven't had too many problems with lack of energy after surgery. Though I will say that I had a major energy crash while I was on the pre-op diet. Come to find out, my blood pressure had dropped too low, and my doctor told me to take half a bp pill per day instead of a whole one. So depending on whether you have any pre-existing health issues, you may need to watch for things like that. Otherwise, just be sure to take a good Multivitamin and get enough Protein.

Well, I don't want to contradict your doctor's instructions, but I had the runs until I started phasing in solid food. It was only then that I got some relief, and even now I'll still get it if I eat a bunch of soft foods and drink Protein shakes.

I'm 31 years old. For the most part, I've worn size 24 pants for over 15 years. My weight has ranged from about 280 up to around 350. It was only when I briefly hit 360+ pounds that I went to a size 26 pant. So I have a feeling I'll be wearing the same clothes for a while.

Anything sleeveless!

Please don't be so hard on yourself. I had lap band two weeks ago, and while I eat mostly soft foods, I do have one "real" meal a day. I get too hungry and lethargic if I don't, and my doctor said it would be okay as long as I don't get sick and vomit. It is my understanding that prior to your first fill, you may not feel much restriction (if any at all), and healing from surgery is your most important goal. My doctor told me that it is possible to gain a pound or two prior to the first fill, and that it may take several fills to reach the ideal restriction. And it takes repeated instances of overeating to stretch your pouch, from what I understand. Perhaps when you go for your first fill, you can ask for the x-ray so they can take a look at your pouch. That's what I plan to do, just to be sure that everything is okay.

My lifestyle hasn't had a direct effect on my family because I live in another state. So they don't have the deal with the day-to-day changes. Most of my relatives are either overweight or obese, so they are generally interested in how my weight loss journey is going. However, I can tell that my mom is a little bit uncomfortable because I've been pretty candid about the process, particularly my weight. I'm 5' 8" and weighed 337 on the day of surgery, and I got the same reaction you did. I guess it's a compliment that I supposedly carry my weight well. But to me, high blood pressure, diabetes and knee problems isn't exactly a good way to carry my weight. I know in my family, we don't like to talk about how much someone actually weighs. But it's been pretty important for me to be honest with myself about how much I weigh instead of hiding behind a large frame, family history, etc. And that same degree of honesty may make other people uncomfortable, but I don't really care at this point.

Dr. Marsden is awesome! He has a very practical approach to weight loss. I've heard some doctors are super-strict and downright mean. And while I have a high pain tolerance in my abdominal area, my recovery was practically painless. So I have to thank Dr. Marsden for not butchering me.

1. liquid calories add up fast - very fast. Once you are banded, your ideal calorie intake is usually no more than 1200 calories. One average soft drink has about 250 calories, so if you have two of them, you've met nearly half your daily allowance with no added nutritional value. 2. liquids pass right through the band, so it doesn't get to do its job, which is to tell our brains that we are full while taking in far less food.

Great tip, Cindy C! Thanks!

Welcome to the site! Wishing you the best on your new journey. P.S.: I'm originally from Northern CA too - San Jose.

You're welcome. I had my surgery at Baylor Trophy Club.

Yes, this is normal. My doctor advised me that I may gain a pound or two as well before I have my first fill. Remember, progress is progress. The fact that you are eating less and making better food choices counts for a lot toward your overall health.

Well, I haven't tried any "cheat" foods, but I have progressed to soft foods and even a bit of "real" food at a faster pace with my doctor's approval. He said I didn't have much swelling which is why I felt hungry sooner, and why I didn't get sick when I ate ahead of schedule. But any freedom I have now will likely change once I start getting fills.

I started the pre-op diet on 4/11 and was banded on 4/27. I lost 10 pounds during the pre-op period, and I had lost another 7 pounds as of my post-op doctor's visit on Thursday, 5/5. I ordered a scale so I can track my weight loss from home.

Okay, I know I'm probably just being dramatic. I had lap band six days ago, and it seems like I still have a bunch of gas. It isn't necessarily painful now, but I'm on the full liquids right now, and it seems like whenever I drink something I end up belching a lot. I'm trying my best to take sips instead of gulping it all down. And while I haven't gotten sick, I do feel uncomfortably full until I burp, and then I find that I'm still kind of hungry. So I'm having a hard time gauging whether I'm truly full, or just full of gas. Any ideas?

Okay, glad to hear it's not just me. I wasn't particularly gassy before surgery, so I was kind of alarmed when I couldn't stop burping! It's getting a little better now, but I'll take burping over throwing up any day. Thanks everyone for your input!

Yes, you most certainly CAN do this! I am so sorry about your miscarriage. You have set perfectly reasonable goals and you've put it in writing and shared it with us. And most of all, you have lost weight before, so I have no doubt you can do it again! S/N: Why are some people so stupid?

I understand where you're coming from. While my mom wasn't against me having lap band, she seemed relatively indifferent when I first told her about it. She finally voiced her approval about three days before I had it done because I sent her a really good explanation of exactly what it is and how it helps you lose weight. She has also had weight problems, and she said she would consider getting it done also. So maybe it will just take time for your mom to come around.

Hello everyone. I was banded on Wednesday, April 27th, by Dr. John Marsden in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. I am surprised and pleased to say that I have had very little pain. In fact, I am going back to work three days ahead of schedule. My goal is to lose approximately 150 pounds in two years. I look forward to chatting with you all soon.

Thank you, and good luck and much success to you also. It is a journey, I will tell you that much! If nothing else, recovering from surgery will make you appreciate food. I had tomato basil Soup last night, and chicken tortilla soup broth the night before. You would have thought I was eating lobster and filet mignon!