SillyWillyMommy

My date is 8/19... we'll be doing pre-op starvation together

I had a band as well.... my doctor removed it back in March, and my sleeve date will be 8/19...

How are you feeling? I am having VSG with Dr. Ahmad on 8/19

Dr. Mehta did my lap band... she's very sweet.

My date is Aug 19th.... We will be suffering thru our preop diet together!

Ok, so after seeing all the success stories associated with the body bugg... I started to budget for one. While doing some research, I found the actitrainer. (sleep study feature (which bodybugg MAY have, but I didn't see it) Which tells you how many times you get up while you are sleeping. It has a food log so you can see if you're burning more than you are consuming (which, hopefully, you are). I'm wearing it right now.. I like the challenge of seeing if I am burning more calories today than yesterday... I highly endorse it, if you were on the fence about getting a body bugg... you may want to consider the actitrainer. FYI- I challenged my husband to see who burns more calories a day, me who leads a relatively sedative life as a stay at home mommy (Who's pretty lazy, I'll admit).. or him, an aircraft mechanic, who lifts 60-100lbs parts all day long, and runs 6 miles on average at home... Well, I burned nearly 300 more calories than he did.... (I told him maybe he'd have more luck if he did his daily routine with a 70lb back pack on).... Anyhow.. I love my acti-trainer.

Hello. My name is Rachel, and I am currently doing my 6 month doc supervised diet (as mandated by my insurance co.). I'm feeling a little down, though... because I cannot stick to a diet, and my eating continues to be out of control. As a part of the process, it is recommended that I lose aprox. 15 lbs. I haven't even lost one pound, and I'm 4 mos. into the process. I don't know why I overeat... I've convinced myself that I'm ALWAYS hungry, (even though I don't REALLY TRULY believe that). I think I'm addicted to food.. and I'm afraid that the band won't work. I'm 5'3, 240lbs, and DEATHLY afraid to do RNY, but maybe that's the ONLY solution for me... my doc's keep telling me that there are ways to 'trick the band', and that the band is just a tool, that I have to be committed. I AM commited, but I just can't stop eating. I keep hearing that I need to find the cause of my over eating... I'm at a loss... Great kids, amazing husband, awesome job, no financial issues.... yet, something must be 'eating' me.... Anyone have any advice?? How on EARTH can I stick to a diet NOW, when I've never been abled to before???:eek:

I am in Long Island as well. My Doctor was in Riverhead.

Ok, so I was just banded on Wednesday (May 16). I'm finally starting to feel like something OTHER than someone who's just had surgery. I am eating (full liquids) regularly. My question is... Right now, feeling 'full' to me is a tightness in my chest.. well, my esophagus. Does this eventually change to a more natural feeling of fullness.. does it ever feel like you are full in your tummy?? Or will it always be a discomfort a little higher up?? Does that make sense?? :eek:

Thanks, Karla. I'm not 'worried' about it. I was just curious. I am on full liquids, which includes things like yogurts.. which DO fill me up. I guess what I was asking.. (and I think you answered it)... was if, (obviously once everything is settled and healed) the 'fullness' you feel resembled a natural 'fullness' which would be in the belly. Thank you for your help.

Ok.. so this is what I'm doing to get thru the liquids, which I'm sick of. (Congrats to all you that were banded yesterday, and today!!!).. I took a container of cottage cheese, and scooped some out. The rest I put in the blender with a splash of milk... then blended and put back in the fridge. When I'm craving something sweet... I have a tablespoon or two of cottage cheese with some jelly folded in. You can use sugar free. I'm using regular because yesterday, I used all sf foods and I think I ended up consuming 60 calories for the day... For right now, I'm allowing myself one or two regular sugar foods. Enjoy! (Oh yeh.. I wouldn't eat it right after blending... because (for me anyhow) it gets too airy and contributes to my gas problem!)

Congratulations!!!! Keep up the good work!

Try drinking something hot or warm. Bigelow makes a decaf French vanilla tea.. It's very yummy!!! Best wishes. PS- Or try drinking something very cold. Freeze a bottle of Water, or crystal light... honestly, even a hawaiin punch or something.. drink it as it defrosts.

Also.. try moving a little more. Excercise can DEFINATELY get that scale moving!! You're doing great.

I was banded Wednesday. I had really bad dizziness over the weekend (when I didn't have much Thur or Friday)... Today I feel better.. but still get a little dizzy after standing for too long. I'm pretty sure I'm dehydrated. Tonight I'm Freezing a few spring water bottles... I'll drink them as they defrost, hopefully that will keep me hydrated. It will get better :-)

Dutchgrl... ARGHHH!!!! MEN!!!!! I cannot imagine how you feel. Is there someone who can help YOU at the house with the boys?? A relative/friend?? I saw your older boys are 14... so maybe they could step it up a bit so you wouldn't have to do cleaning.. and just order delivery??? I cannot imagine what it would be like not knowing that my children were in good care while I recovered. Best of luck with everything!

Melissa.. glad to see I was not the only one who had to do the barium balance. :-) My surgeon has a stand up xray that you just stand there and drink the stuff and watch the monitor.. but I guess the hospital wasn't as advanced :-(

Cindy/Wenjea- Thanks for making me feel sooo not alone. It seems that the positive stuff gets posted 100x more than the negative. I guess that's because no one wants to scare anyone off... which I totally understand. Cindy- I was on 6 days full/ 1 day clear preop. Post op, my doc seems to be the most lenient. I was on clear liquids for about 12 hours post op. (But I couldn't/wouldn't eat or drink anything anyhow).. Then the hospital gave me yougurt and skim milk the night of my surgery (didn't eat or drink that either), ... and for my one week follow up she'll put me on mushies. I'm still only consuming about 4-6ozs of food daily.. and I eat MOSTLY things like chicken broth and tea.. Hey, those of you on clear liquids.. I found this tea.. I think it's by earl grey.. not sure.. it's French Vanilla Decaf.. YUMMY!! IT's sooo good..... Thanks again guys.

Cindy/Wenjea- Thanks

I'm back. Very run down. I spent 60 hours in the hospital (for which, I AM thankful).. I was in alot of pain but could not stomach any kind of pain medication. They gave pain meds via injection for the first day after but then I had to swallow.. which I couldn't ... too gross. I also had a hard time with the barium for the swallow test... (Mostly because of the conturtionist table they put you on :-) but I did it. I vomited once, and all the nurses were like "YOU CAN'T VOMIT... YOU'LL SLIP YOUR BAND"... (Like I was vomitting because I wanted to). It was worse than I expected, and when I was checking out.. I asked the surgeon how soon I could schedule a lapband removal. When I got home.. I walked as much as possible, but constantly felt dizzy, clammy and cold.. Most likely from dehydration because I couldn't drink much (not that there was anything wrong with the band.. just the gas pain and the boulder in my neck :-). Yesterday (day 4 post op) I started to feel a bit better.. I've been craving salt.. I would have licked the salt off a potato chip it there was one available.... (I don't know what that was from). Today is the first day that I feel like things are going up. It's sunny out. The excruciating pain in my shoulder has lessened.. the gas is not as bad, and my tummy feels ok. (My incisions were the only thing that never actually hurt. Not even when I sneezed or coughed). I have yet to have a bowel movement... But I haven't really eaten much. Today is the FIRST day that I don't feel like I've made a bad decision. I've also lost about 10lbs since the surgery... but I'm quite sure that will creep back on once I start drinking regularly. I don't want to discourage anyone.. and everyone recovers differently.. BUT this definately was major surgery and by no means whatsoever a quick fix. Congrats to all you banded already.. and good luck to those on deck. :-) Rachel

Ok, right now the Actitrainer can NOT be worn under Water (althought it IS water resistant). They are working on a new neoprene casing... but I don't think that would be water proof either. They are constantly evolving the software, and although there is not currently a feature that asks what you were doing when you weren't wearing it... it may be available in the future. So... to answer your question.. you can't wear it while swimming :-(

I have the actitrainer and LOVE it.. However, the 'novelty' of it wore off for me after about two weeks. I want to start using it again now... BUT it involves wearing a chest strap, and since I just had my lap band surgery, I have some tenderness and scars along wear the strap goes.. I think I'll be without it for a few weeks.

Hey... was it just me, or did you guys all have a hard time getting on the boards before... and what are those orange and green boxes at the bottom of each post.. maybe they're not there.. maybe I'm just alittle loopy from the lack of food .... :-)

Cannot LIVE without my Tivo, Oil of Olay body ribbons body wash, Oil Of Olay Total Effects Moisturizer, my blender..and now.. My lbt board :-)