bmmb2009

I think it really depends on your insurance and Dr. I first approached my Dr in late June to inquire about surgery...and it was a very quick process for me. I was banded on 10/04. Good luck to you!!

I still drink and enjoy a nice cold beer or 2 or 3. I didn't drink for the first 2 months..out of fear but have zero problems with it. I know it's high in calories but I don't like vodka or most other liquors. I can no longer drink near as much as before the band so I save some calories there...right? My Dr. asked about drinking and I told him I was still having beer, he told me I need to switch to wine...

Sorry I don't have any answers on the low carb thing...I just had to comment on your loss! 110lbs in 5 months?!?! That's AMAZING...Congrats! That's got to feel good. Breath mints do the trick since gum is a no no.

i just had my 2nd fill on Tuesday so I don't know yet if I have more restriction. I don't get to start eating until tomorrow. I felt nothing with my first fill so I'm really hoping #2 gives me something. My Dr. told me I could come in every 4 weeks until I get to the green zone, so I have another on 1/31...2 in one month. I'm pretty excited about it. I have 4 ccs right now in a 10cc band.

I was banded 10/4 and am averaging 1.6lbs a week. I was very discouraged because it seemed like every one on here was losing a ton of weight quickly and I wasn't. Then I had to step back and ask myself if I was really following the 'rules' and the answer is No. Until I give it an honest 100% I can't be upset with 1.6 lbs/week. I had my 2nd fill on Tuesday so I'm hoping I start feeling some restriction but I also know that I have to put more effort into. I actually stopped checking in to this site because it was upsetting to me. I'm in the right spot mentally now and actually lost 3 lbs last week. It's soo very different for everyone...I had to stop comparing myself to others and focus on my self. Congrats to all of you!! Average of 4lbs a week sexymomma...that's amazing!

I waited 6 weeks for my 2nd fill which I just had on Tuesday morning. My next fill is scheduled for 1/31 so 4 weeks out. I have 4 cc's right now...

I get horrible stomach cramps within minutes of chewing gum. I can drink through a straw and drink soda which my Dr. said would do the same but gum gives me horrible pains. I've tried a few different times with the same outcome each time. I've moved on to breathmints. I was banded 10/04/11. I've read on here that others have no problems with gum...trial and error.

Centrum chewables...orange flavored. I tried the flinstones but couldn't stand the taste. I like the Centrum much better. I live in SD and can only get them at Target.

Hang in there, it gets a little better every day. I know it gets frustrating but you're still "fresh" from the surgery and our bodies are still healing. I was weighing myself every day and gave up after weighing in one afternoon and I took a nap woke up and for whatever reason weighed 3 lbs more than before my nap. REALLY?!? So now I only weigh every other day. I was banded on the 4th and am completely free from the pain, I can even comfortably sleep on my side again. A bit gassy today but that's because I tried to chew some gum which I knew was a no no but I guess I had to experience it for myself. I also go on a lot of walks....it truly does help. I've lost 23lbs total...10 on the pre-op and 13 since 10/4. Last Friday I was in horrible pain...I even had to check to make sure my incisions weren't ripped open. I've read on here that it was most likely my nerves. By Sunday I was free from all pain and have been since then.

I could only have clear liquids the day before my surgery and absolutely nothing after 8pm. Was I starving? YES absolutely! But I was willing to deal with a headache, crabiness and hunger because I knew the next morning was my chance at a new life and I wasn't going to do anything to mess it up. It's 100% worth it...please don't do anything that your Dr. didn't tell you about. I was banded on 10/4, I lost 10 on the pre op diet and have lost another 9 in the last two weeks. It's sooo worth it...go to bed early. That's what I did to get away from the thoughts and hunger.

oh...greek yogurt is good to and high protein...if you can stand the tartness. I really like the Chobani greek yogurt. Maybe give that a try?

I don't get full on liquids either...I'm not at all satisfied on liquids. i'm 10 days post op tomorrow. Are you still doing protein shakes? Those helped a bit and I'm drinking a lot of chocolate milk. I know it's frustrating but you just have to remember that it's only temporary...only 2 weeks and you can have mushies! I am soo looking forward to mushies...can't wait until I can have eggs, cottage cheese, etc. I started eating mashed potatoes and gravy around 7 days post op and it helped me get through the days. I know they don't really recommend them yet but I haven't had any problems at all...small amounts. What about Cream of Wheat...have you tried that? They have one that's high fiber and more protein than the original...i put brown sugar in mine and it's good. Keep your eye on the prize and remember it's only temporary. Best of luck to you!

I was banded on 10/4 and have zero restriction. I'm only 9 days out and have not stuck 100% with the liquids. Today for supper I had mashed potatos and gravy. I have had a couple bites of pretzels here and there....I need something crunchy. I'm starving and cannot wait for my fills to start. My Dr. said i won't get one at least for another 4 weeks.

I was banded 10/4 and doing well so far. My only complaint so far is how much my port area hurts. Very uncomfortable and sore...hoping it gets better but sounds like it may never go away...from what I've read on other threads.

Thanks for creating this AmyRose! Looking forward to all us helping each other and having both scale and NSVs to share!

Yay to all of you! Keep on sharing! NSVs encourage me more than seeing the scale go down. I can't wait until I can cross my legs...no biggie for a lot of peeps but I haven't been able to cross them since high school.

Thanks for posting! i'm 4 days out and itching where the port is.

I have a three year old and it's been a bit difficult because he doesn't understand why I can't pick him up and hold him. I showed him my 'boo boos' and told him I can't hold/pick him up until my boo boos are gone. He constantly has to check to make sure they're still there. We've watched a lot of movies since Tuesday...I'm not a big fan of sitting him in front of the TV but I need it right now to recover. My parents have been around a lot to help too. I keep books within arms reach to...actually I keep them right on the bed or the couch so I don't have to move too much. I make sure to nap when he is...just had a 2 hour nap and I feel great! I've really been amazed at how much he has been 'helping'. He normally is one to throw a fit when it's time to pick up toys but all week he's been very good about it. Sure, I have to tell him a lot that I have boo boos but whatever helps me right?

I am a smoker...I told my surgeon from day 1 that I was a non smoker. I had my last smoke on Sunday and surgery was on Tuesday, not that it made any difference I'm sure. I tried smoking one yesterday and couldn't. My lungs hurt like crap and it was hard to take an entire drag...that's the only time I've attempted to smoke since surgery Tuesday. i don't plan on doing it anymore, I know as soon as I'm ready to go to the gym it'll be that much harder on my body if I'm smoking. I also bought an ecig...it's not the same but I absolutely does help when you just want a drag. CONGRATS to those you who have quit and good luck to those of us who need to quit!

I too have PCOS and very rarely have mine, I'm talking like maybe 3 times a year and even then it's only light spotting. Of course I started spotted a couple of days before surgery...NO it didn't stop my surgery!! You should be fine, like Amyrose said, tell the nurse but it shouldn't stop anything. Good luck on the 12th!!

I was banded Tuesday and am going back to work on Monday. I sit at a desk all day so I don't think I'll have any problems.

Zero pain here...I was expecting it though and stocked up on gas-x but haven't had to use it. I was banded Tuesday morning and was up walking within the first hour out of recovery. The hospital bed was soo uncomfortable I couldn't sleep so I walked most of the night and I drink lot's of water. Good Luck!

I was banded Tuesday and thankfully haven't had any gas issues. I was more worried about the gas than the pain from the incisions....I feel for you. Keep on walking!! Have you tried getting on your knees with your torso on the floor and doing deep breaths?? This is the pose my Dr. told me to do if I had gas pains. A banded girlfriend said the pose really helped with her pains. Best of luck to you. I hope the gas goes away very soon.

Good Luck to everyone tomorrow and the rest of the month! I was banded Tuesday morning at 8am and in recovery by 845am...much quicker than I expected! I ended up staying the night because my heart rate and blood pressure was really low...the surgeon said that it's pretty common though so nothing to worry about. I was released at 10:30 this morning!! Pain level is about a 4 right now...I feel very similar to the way I did when I had my c-section. I'm much more comfortable sitting on the couch than laying in bed. Lots of walking today so no gas pains yet...hopefully they stay away! All in all....everything was much easier than I had expected. I am not at all hungry but have been eating and drinking like they told me to. Cream of Wheat for breakfast...4oz tomato soup and 2 bites of yogurt for lunch, chocolate milk in between lunch and dinner and soup again for supper and 2 bites of jello. Anyone else have trouble sleeping? I'm exhausted but have only slept a total of 6 or 7 hours since Monday night. The hospital bed was horrible but I figured I'd sleep all day when I got home. Slept for 45 minutes and then 1.5 hours again this afternoon and haven't been able to go back to sleep.

Good luck all!!! Tomorrow at 6am is my time...super scared, nervous, excited all in one. I'll try and get on tomorrow to give you my experience of what surgery day is like.