LB4Me

As you start to introduce solid foods, you may get gas. In all forms. Take Gas X or another antacid. As PP said, avoid ibuprophin as much as possible. It can erode your stomach lining which is not safe with the band.

I had a great NSV this week. My PCP lowered my blood pressure meds. Then today i went for a fill, and the nurse there took my blood pressure and said, it is probably time to see your PCP about lowering your blood pressure meds. I told her I already did that this week, and she was amazed that my blood pressure was perfect.

As long as your port has not fliupped, it is easy peasy.

It really is different for everyone. So far, I have not found anything that I cannot eat. I stay away from certain things because I know they are not good for weight loss, such as most bread, Pasta and white potatoes, but I do eat an occassional wrap and love multi-grain, light english muffins for Breakfast (a lot better than my bagel and cream cheese pre-surgery). I also stay away from things that I have heard others have a very bad experience with. Shrimp is one. Rice another. Although I have had a couple pieces of sushi with brown rice. Right now, my restriction is how much I eat, not what I eat. I just choose to limit certain things. I go for my 3rd fill this week and it may all change. But I find you need to experience it yourself.

I've had Wasa crackers. Sorta like melba toast. No problem, but they taste like dry cardboard. I have no problem with some wraps, tortillas and toasted multi-grain english muffins as long as I go slowly.

I'm a Food TV addict. I love it. I also read all the magazines and troll the food websites. But I'm a much more careful cook. I've learned how to lighten up recipes and make things taste good using spices and herbs instead of butter and fat.

Congratulations! What a great milestone.

I was petrified. I had never been under anesthesia. Never been in the hospital. I never even had stitches. The day of my surgery, I had to walk into the OR without any meds and get onto the table myself. I thought I would die right then. But then then they strated fussing over me, and asked me to breath into the mask. I thought they just were asking cause I was panicing. The next thing I knew, I was being woken in recovery. The surgery was the easiest part. The rest is the hard part.

Thank you Shirley.

Thank you Tamie.

I have good news and bad news. I lost weight while on vacation over New Years. Unfortunately, I gained 2 pounds back since then. That's the good news. The bad news is when I returned from vacation, I was laid off from my job. 23 years with the same company. Survived through countless mergers, layoffs, etc. I think it may be time for me to change more than just my weight. Seriously considering moving out of NYC and reinventing myself. Work so hard just to live and nothing to show for it.

Tamie - Just glad you're better. The weight will come right off. - Joyce

Welcome to the other side.

I eat cereal with yogurt all the time. Just watch the sugar content and your portion sizes.

I just got back from vacation in FL. 2 1/2 months after surgery and a week after my second fill. No issue flying. My doctor suggested liquids only on the day you fly. But since I did not experience any issues, I did eat dinner. And on the way home, I sorta forgot the suggestion. The best thing was I had so much more energy this time. No Disney this time, but I was able to keep up with my husband and do everything I wanted to do. Have fun.

Candy and cheese. I have 2 cups of coffee with sugar free syrup and soy milk every morning. I also indulge in the occasional coffee drink, but try to keep it skinny and sugar free.

I was told not to use a straw. But while on vacation last week, I totally forgot and used one several times. I did not seem to have any issues. I think a straw can add to gas, but I really haven't had any major gas problems.

It took me about a week initially. I finally had a probiotic yogurt and things happened. I still have occassional times when I can't go for a day or two. I was always very regular. Make sure you are drinking lots of water as well.

Great post! Thank you for sharing. It makes some very important points: It is not an overnight process, it does take work, and you can find support in complete strangers. I was on vacation for 2 weeks and even though I had tremendous support from my family, I missed the support I got from the site. When I returned, and the site was down, i began to have serious withdrawal symptoms. Glad to be back online!

First, who says you need to be "full"? How about just satisfied. You need to start separating the head hunger from the real hunger. It is not easy to do. But whenever you feel you need to eat something, ask yourself, is my tummy grumbly hungry or is it my head trying to trick me? If it is your head, drink a bottle of Water and then see if you still are hungry. Works for me "most" times. Not always. And for gosh sake, throw out the junk food.

About a cup. But I am learning to stop eating when I feel the least bit full. I once overate the refried beans right after I started mushies cause they just tasted so good to me. I still was not going regularly. I had such a tummy ache for days that I could not eliminate. I never did it again.

You do not need a special diet before the fill, but after you will be a day or two on liquids and then a day or two on mushies. I've had two fills and neither were painful. Others report different. I think it depends on the doctor and the way the port was originally positioned. I just lay back and shut my eyes. When i hear the bandaid, I open them. The only different I feel with the first two fills is I get fuller faster. And i am not really hungry first thing in the morning. I also don't really have the urge to snack after dinner. Again, everyone's experience is different. Relax. It is over in like 5 seconds.

My hair is thin to begin with. A friend recommended Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. I started using it right before the surgery. My hair so far seems to be getting thicker. The only issue, it is expensive. I also quit putting my hair in ponytails and I wash it less often.

I think it is a terrific idea. It will also give you a chance to wean off the bad things like sugar and soda. Let us know how we can help you. And good luck on your "surgery" tomorrow.

Weighing in a day early. Also leaving on va-k tomorrow. Final weigh-in of 288. 2 lbs this week. Not quite my lofty goal for the New Year, but I'll take it. Happy and healthy New Year to all!