lifeisjustbeginning2011

Hope everyone is doing well. Seems to be pretty quiet on the post-op side lately. I grabbed some multivitamins today - I'll wait to buy a larger quantity until I know where my deficiencies are (I'm guessing that I'm going to need Iron). Still taking my calcium twice a day like a good little patient. <<hugs>> Amy

You'll be fine One of the benefits of being in the July group (and being at the end of the month) is that you get to see us be all nervous, dramatic and generally freaking out. And you also see us now, perfectly fine. I read the message board nonstop in the days before my surgery. All of you guys are what got me though it (and continue to support me). I'm a giant weenie. If I got through this, anyone can. I really mean that!! Amy

Hang in there!! I went 6 days with no weight loss (and I was very careful with my food choices, well, except once...) but finally the scale shows a loss today. I've also started walking on a treadmill, so that probably gives the body a nudge, too. Doc says nothing much exercise wise for the first month, so I just walk about 20 minutes. Amy

I feel your pain! LOL I used to wear 26-28's, but now they're too big, but as many of us know, there is no 24-26 size!! BLAH! There's 18-20, 20-22, 22-24, 26-28.....where is the 24-26??? There's my rant for the day! LOL Amy

Welcome! Hopefully they can use the same scars from your GB surgery....I'd ask for sure if you haven't!

It was probably about 2 weeks for me. I'm a side sleeping, but I found that sleeping on my back with a pillow or two under my knees helped me to be more comfortable. I was happy when I could sleep on my side again, I missed it.

From what I've heard, PBing should be something that rarely happens....so if you're PBing "all the time" I think you need to record what you're eating and the quantities very carefully. Please stay in contact with your doctor - this is worrisome! Report your food logs to your doc or nutritionist so they can help you. Perhaps you're eating too fast, too much or not chewing - this should not be something that is taken lightly. The band can be damaged by doing this. I have a one minute sand timer that my doc office gave me to train myself to eat slowly. After using it for a week, I can see a difference. Maybe that would help? I just don't want to see you flip your band or damage it so it won't work anymore. Take care & let us know how you're doing!

When I was researching docs, I went to five. Out of the five: 1 used ultrasound, 2 used nothing and 2 used fluro. I haven't gotten my first one yet, but my doc said she'll use fluro, lidocaine, etc if I want, but she really doesn't need any of them. I liked that she was flexible and that it was basically my decision. Amy

I know what you mean. I was so tired of sweets, too! I wanted a different taste so one day I stuck my finger in the BBQ sauce and licked it off. What can I say - I was desperate for a change of taste! LOL Amy

Mmmmm....that faux pizza sounds good! I'm all for quick and easy. I run into problems when I'm starving and don't have something to eat immediately. Thanks for sharing Amy

I'm sorry Know that I'm thinking of you and hoping for the best! Amy

Here is the thread that you were referring to that has all of the recipes for the different stages. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/3908-lapband-food-stages-lists-suggestions/ Amy

I had full labs drawn right before surgery, and I plan on having them drawn regularly to see the effects of my new diet. I was prediabetic with high cholesterol....I can't wait to see those numbers go down. That's one thing that won't change - it can only get better! Once I meet with my PCP next week I'll post some more details on my blog. Amy

I think that dropping so much during my pre-op week (16 pounds) kind of fooled my head a little bit. Every day I lost...and now, well....I'm not. I think my body was in such a state of shock after the sudden drop that it is now in a protective mode. I'm not gaining, I'm not losing. But I did have a non-scale victory - NO MORE PRILOSEC!! I've been taking it for TEN YEARS. Now....GONE. Woot!! Amy

Well, 5 days of no movement on the scale. I don't really care, to be totally honest. I just want to have my energy back. I'm hoping that my blood tests next week will help me and the doc decide which supplements I need to be taking. I'm over the exhausted phase, down to one nap a day, but I'm sill feeling like a slug. I'm not allowing myself Snacks, only three meals a day as Allergan recommends. I still think about food all the time, but the only way I know I'm really truly hungry is a grumbling tummy. I try not to let that happen, because when it does, I'm usually very tired and need food immediately. I'm able to drink more Water and that is helping. I'm officially on solids now. I haven't tried steak or anything like that, but basically my diet is back to regular foods. If anyone is interested, my daily food diary is available at myfitnesspal.com. Just send me a friend request if you're on there. I can't say that my choices are always the best, but I'm trying to change a lot of really poor eating habits. It is a lot of fun tracking my foods and holding myself accountable for every bit. I have no pain or discomfort at all. 2 out of the 4 incisions are almost completely closed. No bloating or gas feelings, but I rip a few good burps after meals. I'm continuing to write daily (sometimes more than once a day) on my blog. I really enjoy doing it. Sometimes I write about recipes (I'm a sucky cook), sometimes it is about emotional struggles, but it is always about stuff I'm thinking about. Hope everyone is doing well post-op. Tomorrow marks 3 weeks post-op for me! Amy

I'll tell you a little story here. When I was researching surgeons, I asked to attend their support groups so I knew what type of support they offered. I went to a support group one evening and there were two rooms: one for Lap Band patients and one for the other surgeries. The Lap Band "group" was one person (and a psychologist). The other group had 20 people, easily. I sat in both groups for a little bit. And I'd be lying if I said that I didn't go home questioning myself over and over. But you know what? I made the decision with all of the facts. I knew what was important to me. I talked to patients that had both procedures. In the end, I was the only one that could make the choice. People fail with the Lap Band. People fail with bypass. People fail with the sleeve. Your dedication is what makes you succeed. YOU are the driver. But in the end, it's your choice of which road to take. I think that the feelings you're having are totally normal. If you really think about it, any major decision that we make in our lives involves some amount of second guessing. I believe it is human nature. Hang in there. You've got a bunch of cheerleaders (well, overweight ones, LOL) here for you. WE CAN DO THIS!!! Amy

sure thing. My user ID is the same as here.

Shauna, Cut yourself a break! You're only 5 days postop and you're thinking your goal might not happen? Never! Six months is a long way away. Also, you have less to lose than many of us, so you won't lose weight as quickly. Many of us have 100+ lbs to lose. Hang in there...you'll do great. My doc says exercise is ok after the first month, so once you add that in, I bet you'll see some more loss. Don't be discouraged - you've got to give yourself time to heal. Amy

Yes! I couldn't tolerate shakes after[ surgery. I lived on fruit juice (the kind with sugar), small amounts of Jello and popsicles for days. It wasn't fun, I was really dizzy, but the last thing I wanted was to throw up. Just make sure to stay hydrated and you'll be fine. I wouldn't do that for more than 48 hrs though without checking with your doc. I also found that applesauce was wonderful after the first 48 hours. Amy quote name=karmaandkismet' timestamp='1311174149' post='1642296] to any of the July bandsters who have gone have had surgery already: my doctor said I could resume my pre-op diet today (day after surgery) but the shakes are making me nauseated. I can only tolerate a few sips of Water at a time. Anybody else stay on clear liquids for a while after their banding?

Hope all goes well with Betty!! Sal and I will be thinking of you guys! Amy

I have to use the soy Proteins, too. Here is what I found at my local Hi Health store - NOW Soy Protein Isolate - unflavored. It has 20g of protein per serving (most of the time I just sneak a tablespoon in my meals. I think it was $20 for 2 lbs and I can't taste it, but wow does it thicken!! http://www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail&item_id=3236 Amy

Went to the Lane Bryant outlet today - dropped $130 there. Yikes. I got quite a bit though. I needed some good sports bras (I've dropped a CUP SIZE!) and some exercise clothing (when I get to that point). I think I'm down from a 28 to a 26 pants. Although it is nice, I really have to be careful with what I buy because of the weight loss - my exercise stuff is all drawstring so that I don't have to keep buying new clothes. The surgery really took all my money (and then some). Question - so clothing sizes are always 22-24 and 26-28, but why doesn't anyone make a 24-26? I've never seen it at any store. Kind of drives me crazy! Just a little rant there. Amy

Yep - I'm with ya. Yes, I know that physically I can eat a lot of what I did pre-surgery. But why? Yes, I want fries, ice cream, nacho cheese dip and all that useless crap. I had ice cream once, but it wasn't the same. I knew it would go right through the band and right to my butt. I had mac and cheese once, but you know what, I was hungry two hours later. Everything I've been told about carbs and junk food causing hunger earlier is completely true. I just try my best not to eat anything that isn't very nutritious. Emotionally, it is tough. But I didn't shell out all this money to do it half-arse. Stay strong!!!! Amy

Just scroll back in the pre-op section, its here in our July group. The one thing that I would highly recommend is: Biotene mouth spray (designed to help dry mouth and also freshen breath) - in the toothpaste aisle at Walmart. It is a moisturizing mouth spray. SO awesome for dry mouth. It was the first thing I asked for when I woke up. My mouth was SO dry. Even when I was lounging around, that stuff was great. It was like $5 and a very gentle mint flavor. Trust me....buy it. If you don't use it, return it. But you will, trust me! Amy

I forgot where I got this link, but it is an excellent food guide for the first weeks post op. http://www.longviewregional.com/weightloss/Documents/LapBandPostOpDietMealPlan.pdf