NWgirl

My band was also empty til my first fill appointment.

I own a Fitbit Aria wifi scale. Shows body fat, lean vs. fat mass, weight, etc. Previously, I owned a Taylor, which always showed about 2lb lighter than Dr's scale. This scale matches the Dr scale perfectly. I also love the wireless sync option and the fact it combines effortlessly into one interface with my other fitbit items.

the reason some people wake up during procedures is that their bodies metabolize the anesthesia faster and so what would be a normal dose for someone of their specific weight/height is not correct. This is an extremely, extremely rare occurence. Stop worrying about these kinds of things or you will drive yourself batty!

My surgeon worked with me on a date, but some may only do lapband's on x days per week. You will have to ask the scheduler.

If you used insurance, they have to approve the facility your are receiving surgery in, not the hospital. Does this mean you did out-of-network because the insurance would not let you go where you wanted to go?

I was on a low-fat/low-calorie, which is all my surgeon requires. For the week before surgery, I did a diet consisting of two protein shakes, two greek yogurts, and one protein bar per day. Diets can vary a lot by surgeons.

I am allowed Centrum Chewables. I ordered O-purity mult's from Unjury but will test the centrum next. I buy chewable iron at a local vitamin store due to low iron and I have purchased a sublingual B12 and a B complex liquid from Walmart. My surgeon required a multi and chewable calciums. I also electively take biotin.

I would also say to make sure Protein is your main focus of meals. If you are not getting 20-25g protein per meal, evaluate what you can change. I usually can go 3-4 hours before getting hungry. My meals for today are as follows: - Breakfast (7:30): approx 3/4c cottage cheese with pineapple, one packet Good n' Hearty oatmeal - lunch (11:30): 1/2c kale, 3oz rotisserie chicken, 1/4 avocado, sprinkle of fat free cheddar, sprinkle of sunflower seeds - Snack (4:30): Fiber bar - dinner (9:30): 1c kale, sliced steak, 1/4 avocado, tomato, 4 slices of cucumber. May have a SF pudding for dessert.

I felt nauseous when eating certain things on full liquids, specifically SF jello... If you don't like protein shakes, look into protein shots or Nectar brand protein- both are supposed to be like fruit juices and not milky protein. It's imperative you get your protein in, as you want to thwart losing any muscle mass.

I am guessing that is for constant, heavy lifting mover type lifting. Sometimes these differences aren't taken into consideration...

I only walk 6-7 miles a day total, but I have an active job where I'm on my feet for 8 hours a day moving. Then I go home and walk another few miles for exercise. I have had both a Bodybugg and a Fitbit (devices that reliably calculate calories burned) and can say for certain I burn between 3000-3500 calories a day. The body has a basal metabolic rate, which is what calories are required for your body to just stay alive. For example, if I spent all day in bed and did not move at all, I will require 1811 calories for my body to operate. The more you weigh, the higher your BMR. Any exercise or activity on top of the BMR increases calories burned for the day.

This thread has a lot of before/afters: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/4543-before-and-after-lap-band-surgery-pictures-only/

Yes, I can eat popcorn just fine I am not super restricted, but it seems to go through without problems...

I had gas pains til about two weeks post-op... I would give it some time and then if it's still happening, be worried. Also try peppermint tea- it's supposed to lessen the pains.

The ones I highlighted in red would be things I bought again. I did not find any relief using GasX, so it is not on my list. The peppermint tea seemed to help with gas pains the first few days I drank it (I burnt myself out on it and stopped drinking at day three or four, gas pain started soon after). Stage One: - Peewee Pillowpet or small travel pillow to hold against stomach when getting up/down, in/out of car, walking around house, sleeping, etc. - Lipton cup-a-soup Cream of chicken - Soups that can be pureed and put through a sieve. - Peppermint tea - Protein powders or ready to drink shakes. - 3 Protein mix shakers if using powder - Yogurt without seeds or chunks. Only two or three cases = 8 to 12 yogurts. - SF syrups - Pillow "chair" to prop up in bed with - food processor. I bought a Ninja Kitchen Pulse so I can get rid of some of my other appliances.

have you tried making fruit smoothies with some added protein? I also was thinking about making an orange cream "ice cream" with Jay Robb's Orange dreamsicle powder....

I have been overweight since about third grade and was around size 16-18 in high school. I have never been smaller, so I am unsure of what I will look like. I know I have a good figure, but other than that it's really unpredictable. I am worried about the life that comes along with being thinner- I've been with the same handsome man since I was 16, so he's loved me close to my smallest and at my large, but I don't know how to deal with attention or take compliments well... It will be a learning curve. I've gone down a few clothing sizes since being banded, and even though I'm wearing my new pants, I keep finding I am wearing my old, too big shirts because they are more comfortable to me, which I think has something to do with my need to "hide" myself.

I also use milk of magnesia when necessary. I know that since you're freshly post-op you are probably on a liquid diet right now, but I found if I have a 100 calorie bag of popcorn a day, I also go regularly. I do fiber gummies too. I guess I'd rather have constipation issues than fat issues

Sounds like you are doing great! Congratulations and keep up the awesome work

Even though I've only lost about half of what I need to, I already am having the same feelings. I was making a scrapbook last week for my honey and aside from not having too many "event" photos for the last two years, the ones I was in were terrible. I saw my photos from my birthday last year and couldn't believe I was so BIG. Even though I am ashamed of how big I got, I put those photos in there as a reminder of who I was then. I also didn't want to discount that the events themselves were wonderful, but I was ultimately embarrassed looking at myself. Like you, I wondered how the heck my honey could love me at that weight and how nobody said anything to me. Also, I can't believe that I thought I looked good in those pictures???! A couple weeks before my surgery, my mom had me sort through some things she still had at her house. I ended up coming across a bin of clothing from when I was probably 15/16 and could not believe I was wearing 12's and 14's. I look back now and wonder why I hated my body so much. I now have a real appreciation for my size and the work it takes to get back going in the right direction.

looks like you're about a few weeks out of surgery according to your profile, so what's happening is that the swelling from surgery has probably dissipated and now you are hungry again. This is absolutely normal, so don't be worried

I got the gas shoulder/neck pain about 4 days post-op and it lasted for about a week. It seemed to get really irritated if I was working, but if I sat still or used a heating pad it felt better.

Nice to know you have someone along for the ride I have been surrounded by super supportive people my whole journey, so I feel extremely lucky. This past week has been a mental hunger game for me, but I'm not letting it derail me.

Probably because you have to pulverize the crouton and when you are eating the salad alone, you may not chew as well...

Nice to see another NW face! Are you from Seattle, or did you just go there for surgery? I'm glad you're doing well I got my band done in Portland, but have suggested to a few on here to look into Swedish Medical Center because the cost seemed significantly lower than for-profit places, esp if you're self pay.