Dulci

If your doctor approves, try different types of Protein powders. Whole Foods and the Vitamin Shoppe sell some in single serving packets. I love the Jay Robb protein and I like the 100% whey (by Muscle Milk and sold at Costco). There are a few brands of protein and/or Meal Replacement shakes that send me running to the bathroom within 15 minutes.

That's amazing news! Good luck on your journey to good health!

Malpractice laws vary greatly by state. Most malpractice attorneys take cases on a contingency basis. If I were in your situation, I would obtain a complete copy of my medical record from your original surgeon and a copy of the records from current doctor. After I had them, I would scan them to a CD and starting calling med mal attorneys. If an attorney thinks that your case has any value, they will review your medical records or have them reviewed by a doctor or nurse. Having the records in your hands can save you a lot of time, waiting and frustration.

I was off for two weeks. I could have gone back to work sooner, but my doctor's stated two weeks and my employer required me to take the time off or have a note clearing me to return to work. It was just easier to take the time and rest.

I cut out caffeine during the pre op diet and while I was on liquids post op. The day I started mushies, I returned to having my coffee. I only have two cups per day and I have extra water to compensate for any diuretic effect caused by the caffeine

One of the bandster skills that I am trying to master is to take tiny bites. My dietician recommends bites approximately the size of a pencil eraser.

Today is my one month bandiversary. I had planned to update my blog here frequently so I could record my journey, but I haven’t updated it as much as I intended. Recovery My small incisions are nearly healed. I expect that those scars will disappear, much like the ones I had from the endo surgeries. My belly button incision seems ok too. But I wish they had made this incision in the same place where the prior scar was. Even if I do get small enough to wear a bikini, the only person that is going to be able to closely examine my belly button is Nick and he won’t notice it. (He will just be thrilled for me to be healthy, happy, and confident again.) My port incision is healing nicely as well. I still need to be careful of where waistbands hit my belly. This scar will likely be visible, but hopefully it will fade to a white line. One obvious scar is much better than many pounds of quivering blubber. Weight Loss I started this journey very close to 220. I was struck with the realization that 250 lbs was only a few months away, if I didn’t make a drastic change. I am now in the low 190’s and the 180’s are so close. I have hit a plateau. Although I am frustrated, logically, I know that my body has dropped a good amount of weight and is still healing from surgery. I didn’t start recording my weight until I began the pre-op diet, so I have “officially” lost 20 lbs (since the beginning of the preop diet). My scale seems stuck in the 190’s, but I do have to acknowledge a bit of progress. I was stuck fluctuating between a low of 193 and 195. After a week of stick to my plan (even during Thanksgiving and even incorporating Nick’s Egg Nog Cheesecake into my meals for three days) I am now fluctuating between a low of 191 and 193. Exercise I need to increase my activity level. I have to stop inventing excuses, getting comfortable on the couch and not thinking about activity. Nick is being so supportive. Tonight we are going out to buy a Kinect game that looks like fun and that will get our heart rates elevated. As soon as I am cleared for full exercise, I need to commit to using Mom’s gym and pool. The indoor pool will be nice. Hopefully, I will begin to enjoy swimming laps again. Clothing My clothes are fitting a lot better. I have been wearing tops that I haven’t been able to wear in almost a year. There are a few that look good from the front, but not from the back. A month ago, I would have worn them and ignored the rolls in the back. My jeans are getting loose. Soon I won’t be able to wear my “big” jeans at all. My work pants are getting too loose and too long. I need to go through the clothes in the guest room and get rid of the garbage and see what fits of the remaining clothing. My Appearance I can see a difference in my face. My chin is more defined. I also see that my boobs and butt are shrinking. Usually, my booty is the last part to slim down. I hope I can hold out on replacing pants as long as possible. I am thinking that buying cotton Capris are the best idea because they won’t drag on the ground if they get loose. Health It seems that my blood pressure is back to the normal range. It wasn’t an issue in the hospital at all, which is a huge relief. I feel more engerized. I’m not napping as much during the day (only once the whole Thanksgiving weekend). I also feel much better rested when I wake. I’m not sitting on the couch, sipping coffee and trying to wake up! I wonder if 30 lbs was enough of a loss to lessen the sleep apnea? Appetite and Diet I am doing surprisingly well at following my doctor’s protocol, even though he is stricter than most of the diet plans I see people mention on Lap Bank Talk. I am satisfied by the allowed portions of protein, but I am getting hungry before 4 to 5 hours after a meal. I also need to learn to s l o w d o w n and take small bites. I am doing ok about 75% of the time, but the 25% of the time that I am eating mindlessly may (will) cause me problems when I have a fill or two. I am so scared of getting PB’s and stuck episodes. I have one month to learn to ALWAYS be mindful when I eat before my band will begin to teach me the hard way. Going Forward I promise myself to continue my commitment to myself. I am worthy of my best efforts.

FYI - Nick is my husband, my best friend, and my staunchest supporter. He is an amateur chef and he spent months before I was banded experimenting with low fat/low sugar cheesecake so I could have a high protein, low carb treat on occasion. Regarding my comment about buy capri pants for work: my office is casual dress, i.e. no shorts. I live in South Florida, so capri length pants are in season most of the year.

I'm at the point too, but my first fill isn't scheduled until December 27, two months after my surgery!

I haven't been on this site very long. I joined in July just before I went to my surgeon's WLS seminar, so I don't have a reference to compare. However, I have found this site to very helpful and supportive. I have made friends. I have identified several experienced lap banders that I hope to emulate. I have learned the things that may cause me problems. I have learned suggestions for dealing with stuck episodes. I have learned which foods to be especially cautious of eating. This is a place to learn, a place to vent frustrations, a place to get a pat on the back, and a place to get a kick in the butt, if needed. Good luck with your last 15 lbs and please come back and let us Celebrate your success with you.

I was banded one day after you. You are having great loss so far, great job! I won't have my first fill until December 27 and my weight loss has s l o w e d. It seems that my doctor is really conservative compared to others. I keep telling myself that it isn't a race. The important thing is that we all get to our "finish line" and maintain.

I did stay overnight but I didn't have a foley. I was in post op recovery for 6 hours waiting for a room. When I got to my room, the nurse said that if I didn't go, they would give me a foley because I hadn't gone in over 4 hours. I didn't recall going in recovery at all. Once she made that threat, I asked her to help me to the restroom so I could go. It wasn't that I couldn't go, I just didn't have to go bad enough to ask for help.

My surgeon has an insurance coordinator and her job is to get insurance approvals. If your surgeon has a similar person, I'd call them Monday and let them know that your approval is still on hold. Perhaps if both you and your doctor are calling BCBS, they may act a bit faster. They say that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I lost a pound yesterday! I had turkey, a spoonful of mashed potatoes with gravy, a spoonful of SF homemade cranberry sauce, and a small slice of SF lower fat egg nog Cheesecake (so yummy!) Love my band!

I am almost a month post op. My doc's protocol is high protein/low carb. Right now I am eating all soft Proteins, including turkey and chicken. Beef and pork are not permitted until after 6 months. Every doctor's diet recommendations are different, but I'm sure that you will continue to be able to eat turkey and chicken. I haven't had a fill yet, but I have seen people comment that they find dark meat easier to eat because it is more moist.

I had an overnight sleep study and a daytime sleep study. I had to stay the next day until 4 pm and they made me try to "nap" every other hour. It was horrible. I have apnea and I had to go back for the mask sleep study. I couldn't tolerate any of the masks and they sent me home at 1 am. Hopefully, the weight loss will help the apnea because I can't wear a mask and I won't go back for another study to try.

I'm glad that they finally sent your paperwork in for approval. Call them every day ask. It only took them 3 business days to approve mine. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Read this thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/139074-negativity/ I had my surgery not quite a month ago at a Center of Excellence. My doctor insisted that I stay overnight in the hospital. During the time that I was in the hospital, they monitored all of my vital stats, kept the massage thingys on my legs to prevent blood clots and gave me heparin injections. The following morning, I was taken to the xray department where I was given barium to sip so they could view the placement of the band and ensure that I could easily pass liquid through the band. After xray, they took me to the ultrasound department where they checked to be sure that I didn't have any blood clots in my legs. After I had a "meal" of Clear liquids and no nausea, I was allowed to go home. Even though I would have preferred to go home and sleep in my own bed, I was glad that my surgeon's protocol was as cautious as it was. I had undergone laparoscopic procedures previously, so I knew what to expect and I didn't expect any complications. Nor did I have any. I'm quite sure that since you have a history of clotting issues, your surgical team will be right on top of things to prevent any issues. I would also mention your history of clot issues every time you see your surgeon, his nurse, the surgery nurse that preps you for surgery, the anesthesiologist, and all of the nurses you see in the hospital. If you have questions, call your surgeon and/or ask the great folks here.

I plan on having some turkey, cranberry sauce and dessert. My wonderful hubby is making me a low(er) fat/carb Egg Nog cheesecake (lots of protein!) I can't wait for the day.

Usually the 6 month supervised diet is a requirement of the insurance company, not the surgeon. Get a complete copy of your medical records from the clinic/dietitian so you will have the documentation of meeting the 6 month requirement. I agree with Corrigan's recommendation to find a Center of Excellence in your area. Centers of Excellence must meet a lot of specific criteria regarding the surgeon's experience with performing bariatric procedures and they must have a comprehensive program. I can only imagine how stressed you must be feeling. Relax, find a surgeon at a Center of Excellence and continue on your journey to good health.

I am having the opposite issue, I can't manage to eat enough calories. My doctor has me at his Stage 3, which is mostly low fat Proteins. I can have Protein supplements, poultry, fish, dairy, and tofu. No veggies, fruits or grains. Try replacing some of the carbs in your menu for a different low fat protein. Instead of the wheat thins with your sandwich, you could have try serving of cottage cheese or a string cheese. Good luck at getting your scale moving again.

I told my husband, my mother, my cousin, one banded friend, and my two supervisors at work. My mother told my aunt, who in turn told people that I only see at weddings and funerals. I also discovered that while I was recovering from "stomach surgery" one of my supervisors decided to violate my right to privacy and told everyone in our department and the two departments on our floor. I have only been in this location since March and I have people from other departments, whose names I don't know, asking me how much weight I have lost!!! I'm livid.

I wasn't sure where I should post this, I guess this forum is best. I started a Myfitness Pal account today and I really like it so far. However, I don't like the nutrition goals that the system automatically plugs in based on your vital stats. It set me at 1200 calories and only 45 grams Protein. My nutritionist didn't specify a calorie range, but my protein should be between 60 and 90 grams per day. If I adjust my calories down some and my protein up, how should I adjust the rest of the nutrition goals? Can I eat 1200 calories and still lose weight? Tomorrow, I will have been banded three weeks. I lost during the preop diet and the first two weeks after, but this week I gained two pounds, then lost them. I'm not very hungry and I am having a difficult time meeting my minimum protein goal and I'm eating under 800 calories per day. My doc's "Phase 3" is soft Proteins - yogurt, fish, poultry, legumes and tofu. No fruit, veggies, grains, or red meat. Any advice would be very appreciated.

I was specifically told to make sure that I kept taking my prescription strength Pepcid. The day I was discharged, the doc told me to take it as soon as I get home because they didn't give it to me in the hospital. I have been crushing all pills and opening capsules. I empty the capsule on some SF Jello, pudding or applesauce.

Sip on liquids as you are able, this is normal for having surgery so soon. If you have any SF popsicles, try slowly munching on one. The coolness seemed to help me. If you are concerned or think that this is worse than "normal" swelling, call your doctor. Good luck and heal quickly.