EspeciallyKK

OMG, this is the story of my life. And let me tell you, it's led to bladder infections, hemmorhoids, etc. I am always dehydrated when this happens, as it becomes impossible to even keep down water. Im working through it now, but I find relaxation & deep breathing helps me combined with protein shakes & as much water as I can get in. I will admit though, I def sometimes use it as a milkshake excuse.

I lost 50 pounds this year and often get discouraged. However, I keep reminding myself that normally Id gain weight!!

My doc also said no carbonation. It stretches your stomach out due to the bubbles, just like white rice. The issue is if you don't stop drinking it, your band will eventually, years down the road, be unable to help you anymore because it can only be adjusted so much. I cut it out totally a year ago, and I was a 2 soda a day at least kinda gal. At first it was so hard, I could smell the bubbles from a mile away. Now - so glad I gave it up bc I know how it helps my weight loss. Beer, I do miss sometimes though. But since we can't eat & drink at the same time anyway, Id almost always rather eat. Haha. Good luck.

Just wanted to congratulate you guys & wish you luck! I'm a year post-op on the 19th and am down 50 pounds. Best wishes!! Listen to your docs...

I am a year post op and am having a lot of kidney pain & UTI symptoms which come and go. Ive been researching this & found many people have this post op and it's almost always a result of dehydration.

I was only on all liquids for a week or so, and my doc said as long as I pureed foods or chewed them to mush, it would be ok. I have had no problems. Just make healthy choices!

Ya, I learned the "alcohol now hits us harder" rule the WRONG way. Last week, I was on a cruise and had maybe 4 drinks....and 2 shots. For me, this is normally not enough alcohol to have much effect, especially with dinner and over the course of an 8 hour evening out. Well, boy was I wrong. I was feeling ok, and then suddenly, I wasn't ok at all. I then vomited for 15 hours. Which was painful. I was pretty sure I would die. So I can say, wholeheartedly, that we can NOT consume alcohol the same way anymore. Not to mention we are eating a lot less so there is nothing to absorb it. And my doctor was adamant that there can never again be carbonation or beer. This all happened as a result of cranberry and vodka.

Hey guys! So, I noticed while showering this morning that I had a little white spot on one of my smaller incisions. I, of course, started to pick at it, then decided against it, and awhile later, a little blood blister appeared on that part of the incision. I've also picked at that a bit and some blood has come out. What is going on? I feel like 5 weeks post-op is a bit late for an incision infection, no? I emailed my surgical nurse. I am going for my first fill tomorrow, but am in the meantime, panicking like a lunatic. So figured I would see if anyone had similar issues.... Thanks, Kristen

So I have had diarrhea ALL DAY, every HOUR and some nausea. I was banded April 19 and have tolerated all post-op foods well. In the past two days, I have eaten: yogurt, skim milk, cottage cheese, apple sauce, some sliced turkey, tilapia, some potatoes, and some Cereal. These are the same foods I have been eating for the past few weeks with no problems. I thought maybe I just have some sort of bug, but am slightly worried. Anyone else have this issue? Are we allowed to have Pepto?

Hello! So I just wanted to tell you that I was in SOOOOO much pain after surgery for at least 5 or 6 days. Like, I cried it hurt so bad. And I once broke my elbow and didn't know it was broken and continued wrestling and lifting weights for 5 weeks, so I have an extremely high tolerance for pain. It is def gas related pain. I feel like it took a really long time for all that gas to pass. You have to breathe through it. Deep breaths. And walk around as much as you can. That is incredibly helpful. A potassium supplement may help.....and a heating pad. Hang in there, it does get better!

I haven't lost much either. Everyone tells me this is normal and to allow 6 weeks for healing. Just follow your post-op plan! We will get there!!!

Hey guys! I am new, just banded 3 weeks ago tomorrow. I weighed 227 at surgery, and I am pretty sure I am basically the same weight. Maybe down ten pounds or so. I don't like weighing myself because I feel discouraged when I see the scale hasn't really moved. Anyone else slow to lose? I am freaking out! I know this is early still, but you all know how it feels. I am doing everything they told me to, eating soft foods or chewing thoroughly, and making healthy choices. Fish, yogurt, cottage cheese, potatoes, low fat milk, multi Vitamins, Calcium supplements. I guess I just feel like I should have lost a LOT more weight by now.....3 weeks eating half the normal calories I used to......I'm annoyed. Also, I am STARVING! I am pretty sure I could keep eating just like I always did. When can I expect to feel full? I was thinking maybe after my 1st fill which is in like 2 weeks.... Any thoughts? Also, how long did your ports hurt? Mine is on my right (which also worries me, was there something wrong with my left?) and is STILL sore. It hurts to sleep on my side, and at the end of long days, I am super sore at my port incision. Final question, how is alcohol now for you guys? Haven't had any drinks yet but am going on vacation this weekend.

I was banded on April 19, and I had a small slice of pizza over the weekend at a friend's birthday dinner. It was my 1st "doughy" thing in a month. I enjoyed it, but it really made me constipated and I've had to have Milk of Magnesia ever since. I also felt horribly guilty about eating it. Other cheats include a few jelly Beans and 1 Peanut Butter egg my Mom had given me for Easter. I've learned that you can, as you say, eat most things, as long as you chew them well. However, as the others say, the band isn't going to stop us from wanting those things or being able to eat them, it's just going to make us full faster. If we eat crappy things, we will just not lose weight, because the empty calories will still convert to fat, and are not the energy our bodies need. My favorite Protein shake is some vanilla whey with peanut butter. I also advise you to try my special "Thanksgiving" protein shake: it's raw pumpkin, vanilla whey, cinnamon, some Splenda or Truvia, some skim milk, and some fat free whipped topping. It's like pumpkin pie heaven!!! It will def feel like you are cheating when you are not.

Thanks everybody. So, as for exercise, I haven't yet. But one of the reasons I was banded is because weight loss for me has become extremely hard. I ran two marathons and did two triathlons last year. I teach Spinning and kickboxing at the YMCA and work out like it is a part time job. Hours upon hours. With no weight loss results. I am also a certified personal trainer, so I know various ways to cycle my workouts. My muscle mass fluctuates up and down based on what I am training for and how I cycle my workouts, but I have a very reluctant metabolism. Anyway, thanks for the support and encouragement. And you're right, it's taken me 30 years to get to this point, I guess patience is key.

I always burp when I am eating now (surgery was April 19). My doc told me I am eating too fast or not chewing enough which is getting too much air in my stomach, creating the burping. He said it is more common to have an increase in burping, but to be sure I am taking my time eating. Also, the first 7-10 days after surgery, the burping comes from the laproscopic surgery itself. They fill you with air/gas to work in your stomach. All that air has to come out!

I still can't sleep on my stomach or side without pain, and mental concern, lol. I had surgery April 19. I know I heal very slowly, and I am just worried if I sleep all night on my stomach or side, something will go wrong. I'm probably too worried about it, but let me tell you, sleeping on my back every night sucks! It hurts so bad! I can finally crack my back again though by rotating so that's nice. I am hoping in the next two weeks I can sleep on my side or stomach again. Last night, I did do a few minutes on my side with a pillow under my stomach. Not sure why this helped.