zil

Good morning. Well, I need some guidance. It has been 3 weeks since I was banded. I have to say it has not been all that bad. I seem to be tolerating food without any problems...no vomiting, no tightness within my band, nothing like that. Do have a couple of questions, tho. I am scheduled for a fill on 9/19 (it will be my first one). But, until I reach that very special "green zone" it is normal for me go eat my 1/2 cup of food, and not really be satiated? I have cut down considereably, and try to stay within the amount allotted, but found that I am not losing weight. In fact, even put on a couple of pounds, then took them off. Do any of you use a protein drink in the place of a meal? I am one person who I know cannot eat very many carbs, (it seems as if I crave them,) and even when I eliiminate them, I have a really hard time losing weight. I am not a big breakfast eater, so usually have a protein drink there, then eat lunch and dinner. If I eat cream of wheat for breakfast, or oatmeal, therein, lies the battle. Any advise?

GREAT JOB!!! Keep the positive attitude and you will see the end of your journey soon. 100lbs...so proud of you.

Had a nice w/e in the cool mountains. Even managed to lose 3 pounds, although I am not sure how that happened--must be the good food choices, not over eating and walking. So, I am 19 days post op and doing good. Am learning to eat sensibly, while focusing on protein as my first food choice. Have been having chicken, and beans (lots of beans since they are easy), and slowly adding veggies. Sometimes I have a protein shake in place of a meal, only because I am out and about and it makes it very convenient. Probalby going to start cooking again for my hubby by the end of the week, and seeing where I go from there. I am scheduled for my first fill on 9/19, so am not sure what to expect after that. I have seen where some people have indicated they go back to smooshies for a few days. Does that help with the adjustment or is just a rule of thumb? My daugher is bringing me a bicycle over this week, I am working on getting a Jumba dvd and moving onto more exercise. thanks for the support. Still loving my band and this site.

Thank you one and all for the feedback. I still have a few questions..for instance, my dr says to eat about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food at each meal and only have 3 meals a day. And while this is probably a little unrealistic at this juncture, since I have not had any fills as of yet, but understand that that will be my ultimate goal. Correct??? In any case, I am being very careful about the food I choose, selecting to have those foods high in protein and fiber --- Sunday I made a delicious stir with chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, scalions, carrots and cherry tomatoes. Had enough left over that I packed 2 small containers for Monday and Tuesday meals. (would have had enough for the whole week, but my hubby decided he liked it too). Oh well. I do not want the same thing every day anyway. Thanks again for the support. Down 33 pounds since I started the pre-op diet and 13 pounds since surgery.

I love this site. The info here is so helpful and everyone is so supportive. I was having a lot of questions and a hard time trying to figure out what I was actually supposed to be doing. Finally, Wednesday night I had an epiphany after reading replies to my worries. Glad to say I think I have finally put it together. 1/2 cup of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Water in between with an occassional cup of coffee and sugar free gum. I was invited to lunch yesterday by a friend who I had not seen for awhile. (She did not know I was banded.) I happily accepted and agreed to meet knowing I could not take my lunch into a restaurant. I was very cautious when looking over the menu. Finally ordered a grilled chicken breast with a side of refried beans. I think I had about 2 tablespoons of the meat (cut in very small pieces which I chewed, chewed, chewed) and probably about 2 tablespoons of the beans. Before I knew it, I was satified, and put my fork down. YEA ME!!! The best part was that I did not have any problems with food being stuck. I just know I am going to eat the weight right off of me with mind control and exercise. HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY WEEKEND. Be strong Banders!

I realize I have lots of questions and this seems like the perfect place to get feedback. Before my surgery (8/19/2011) I was having 2 protein drinks a day and 1 well-balanced meal. things went pretty good. Since being banded, I stayed on the liquid diet for a week, and then progressed to the smooshies. I have not had any problems with any of it goesg down or staying down. About the only thing that I find that will fill me up and hold me for a while is oatmeal mixed wth a little yogurt or one of the protein shakes (I started using the powder and mixing it with skim milk). Does this seem right? I have not felt any tightness at all and have absolutely no problems that I keep hearing about. Does this just mean that I will need the fills to help me get to where I need to be? I hate thiking about the next time I can eat, and I do not like the fact that the 1/4 or 1/2 cup of food they recommend does not satisfy me.

good, I am glad you called to get some direction. Sounds like you are doing well. BEST OF LUCK with our wt loss. Hang in there.

thanks to you both for the words of wisdom. I am eagerly awaiting my first fill which is scheduled for 9/19. Like i said, this is the best place to get the real scoop. thanks again.

GREAT JOB!!!! YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION FOR ME.

I am not a medical person, but the fact that your incision has stuff coming out of it and that it smells does not seem like a good thing to me. I would at least call your dr and tell them what is going on, then let them decide what to do. It is always better to be safe than sorry. I am having some type of reaction to the staples, and my dr would not remove them yesterday because they appear red. So, he has put me on antibiotic for the next week, and he said he would remove them next week.

OK, I am confused. I understand the process of being banded (surgery) but what I am confused about is the recovery period. I know I am supposed to be eating healthy, which I am desperately trying to do, but here is the confusion part..why am I told to eat things like yogurt, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, oatmeal, puddings, applesauce??? all these things are packed with either sugar or carbohydrates. Is this just a recovery phase while healing and waiting for the fills to start? And after having watched the DVD which was provided to me yesterday, which outlines the 8 rules...am I supposed to do this from the very beginning or after I start fills? What do you do? I truly want this to work and I know the band is just a tool, but I need to know how to make it work to my benefit. Any suggestions? Z

Oh, and to top it off, they could not take my staples out...they are not sure if I am having a reaction to them, but I have to take a weeks worth of antibiotic and they will take them out next week. go figure.

thank you so much. The same to you. I am sure our paths will cross here frequently.

I think everytone will agree...you have already started your journey to good health. Congratulations. I am excited for you. I am sure everything will turn our just fine. Think positive thoughts and remember to follow your doctor's orders. Everyone here will be rooting for you.

Had my surgery a week ago today. I am feeling pretty good, tho have experienced some hunger pangs from just having fluids. Today I get to start smooshies. Does anyone have any good recipes or ideas??? I could use them. I go Tuesday to get the staples out. I am looking forward to that. I think I have lost 5 or 7 pounds since the day of my surgery, and while I wish it was more, I am happy. I went into my surgery with a very positive attitude, and did not experience very much in the way of discomfort except for the day after when my stomach felt like I had done about 50 situps (muscles were really sore), and then on Monday I started getting that darned gas in my shoulder. That has been a little rough at times, but I am weathering through. I am proud because today at work we served sub sandwiches (2 6-footers), pasta salad, macaroni salad, potato salad, chicken salad, chips and birthday cake. I stuck to my protein drink and sugar free pudding and applesauce. The thought of eating that stuff made a little queazy. Just not ready to go there yet. Although, I would like a piece of fish (and I don't know where that is coming from, because I am in no way a fish eater). Well, fellow bandsters and bandsterettes...I wish you all the best. Let me know if you have any recipes for me. thanks,

Well, here it is...just a little more than 48 hours since my surgery. Yesterday afternoon was a little rough, my stomach hurt as if I did 50 sit ups and getting up and down was a chore. Finally dug out the heating pad and took an Aleve. Thas has really seemed to help. I only took the prescription pain meds the first day, then I switched to liquid tylenol. Gosh, those things taste AWFUL. Plus they didn't very good at relieving the pain; hence the Aleve. Feeling pretty perky except I think that darned anestesia (sp) is still hanging around in my system. Not quite up to normal speed yet. But, today will be my first outing. Our granddaughter turns 2 today so I just have to go to her party. But will be taking my protein drink and Greek yogurt. I am doing pretty well in not experiencing hunger yet. But I am sure that will kick in shortly. Well, it is back to work tomorrow morning at 0630. I just hope I feel twice as improved as I did today. KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK, MY FELLOW AND FEMALE BANDSTERS.

My first day and night at home was not that bad. I expected it to be worse. Only had to take pain RX 3 times, I don't like that it makes me sleepy, except when it IS bed time, then I like it. Woke up this morning and made breakfast for 2 of my grandkids. and I had my broth and juice. Everything seems to be going along swimmingly. Took a shower and removed the bandages...not too scarry. I feel good, have been walking around the house because it is just too hot to be going outside today. I am taking each day one at a time. Will keep you posted. Please keep good thoughts for me as well as all the other bandsters. ZIL

THANKS

Yes you can. Just follow what you know is right, and you will be there. and don't forget to exercise. BEST OF LUCK.

Well, here I am about 7 hours post-op. Had my surgery at 9 this morning, they woke me up around 9:40 or so, and was on the road to home by about 10:30. Had a long ride since I live about 70 miles from the hospital, but was not as bad as I thought it would it. Took some pain meds when I got home, took a alittle nap, and have been walking, walking, walking around the house since it is wayyyy to hot to be outside. Juice, water and tea has been doing down very well. I am pleasantly pleased. If this is the worst, I will count myself very lucky. Of course, the real test will be if I on hold of on not being hungry and keep p with the exercise. But I am determined since I didn't spend all this $$$ for nothing. Keep me in your toughts.

GREAT JOB!!!. Keep it up. I will be looking to you for inspiration. You are so correct, the LB is a tool, not a diet.

I have been reading all the messages for the past few days, and I am very inspired. I will join the ranks of the banded this Friday and I am very excited. My husband is being super supportive (He had gastric by=pass about 10 years ago and is literally half the man he used to be), so much so in fact, that he said if insurance wouldn't pay, we would, so we did. All of the information I have been reading is very informative. You all area so supportive of each other. I do have one question tho, what kind of protein drink did you use when on your liquid diet? I have been drinking EAS advantEDGE and wonder if it will be OK to continue with that, or should I try something else? I am eager to hear from anyone and WISH ME LUCK. I will keep you posted.