Poodlelover56

Congrats on getting in to onederland !

I found any bra I have ( sports bra included) to be very uncomfortable for the first several days. Then I could wear one for several hours at a time. Now I'm okay but it's been a month. My port is placed in the right upper area of my abdomen, so it's not far below my bra line. But once you get rid of some swelling, you should be fine. But yes, it was uncomfortable for over a week or so. It WILL get better!

Congratulations! I hope things go well with your eyes too. Beautiful picture.

I was banded 10/12 and have lost 12 lbs in a month with no restriction yet. And I lost 10 on the pre op liquid diet. So I say, get the band! Good luck:)

I know what you mean about chewing. Do we get exercise credit for that?! I sometimes find that I lose interest because my food gets cold too! But since the lbs are coming off, it's all good!

I am hoping to have a "Winter One-derland" experience by the new year, fingers crossed!

I am hoping to have a "Winter One-derland" experience by the new year, fingers crossed!

In a peculiar kind of way, it is very nice. It is quite a learning curve. Now I know that veggie flat breads are too much for my band. And I am down 23 lbs this morning! 12 lbs since surgery almost a month ago! Woohoo!

That makes sense. It didn't feel like too much at the time, but I'm still getting used to eating solid food I used to eat those for breakfast because it was made of egg whites, veggies , one slice cheese on a round flatbread. But, I'm banded now and everything is different. Thanks for your reply. Those are off my list !

I also haven't mentioned it on facebook. Just didn't feel right for me, though it has not been a secret. People know whom I have personally told.

Walk. And I found that my percocette helped I took 2 usually late afternoon when the pain was getting to me. That took the edge off. The gas pain goes away. Everyone is different. Mine lasted about 12 days. But for some , it goes away sooner. Good luck. Oh, and a heating pad helped a lot too! Feel better soon!

I told my co workers . I am an RN in a large private pediatric practice . They have been so supportive. And my family and many friends have also been told. I am proud of taking this giant step to improve my health and well being. I appreciate the support and would hate to be secretive about such a big thing in my life. I go by the adage of "whatever someone thinks of me, is really none of my business". It works for me and I haven't had one nay sayer yet. In fact, I have had a few friends talk to me about people they know who could benefit from weight loss surgery. So , be brave and don't worry about anyone but your self. It's your life.

I want to jump on the "onederland" band wagon too! Just not there yet. Had my surgery 10/12. Starting wt on 8/17 was 237. I am now 215. So my goal is to hit onederland by 1/1/12! That's 15 pounds in about 7 weeks. I hope I can do it! But I know this is not a race.

Congratulations!

Gas X doesn't help. This gas is not in your belly, it's in your abdominal cavity and will dissipate over a week or two. I had it really bad for about 13 days. Then it just stopped , like my surgeon had reassured me. Walking and a heating pad are good. I also took my pain med, usually towards later in the day when it really got to me. Hang tough. It will be history soon.

Why are you so discouraged? Did you prepare yourself for this surgery? I am 24 days out. Just started solids the other day. I am weighing my protein, eating meals on a small plate, chewing well, trying to savor every bite. I am sticking with healthy choices, no junk food. I have not had a fill yet , but I am satisfied with my portions. But you have to put in the emotional work. Like everyone says, the band is a tool. YOU control what goes in to your mouth, not the band. Do the work. This is no quick or easy fix. But going by all the successes I have read here, I choose to have faith that the band will help me to change my life. What's the alternative? Staying fat and uncomfortable with low self esteem and the eventuality of obesity related diseases. No Thanks! Good luck. Keep in touch. I love these message boards.

It sounds like your where you should be. It doesn't sound like your friend is following the band rules very well.

Wow! What a wonderful group of posts to read through! I found myself smiling! I am only banded 3 weeks, but down 22 lbs since my first visit to the surgeon on 8/17. I am now back in clothes I was wearing a year or so ago but had gained 20 lbs last year. So, it feels great to be wearing my size 16 's again, but the next 10 lbs will get me in to a new area and hopefully a new size! I haven't had a fill yet, but I am managing to stay at 1000 cals or less and getting in good protein. So your posts were SO inspirational. Keep em coming!

The nurse practitioner told me that after surgery, your new pouch is the size of a walnut! A Walnut!! That's so tiny. So it's no wonder that the first several days can be so difficult. My surgeon doesn't put any fluid in the band. Did yours? Just take it slow, take pain med if you need it. And don't expect too much too soon. It's a real process. I just started solids ( banded 10/12) and it feels great to eat again. You will get there too. Also, call your surgeon if you are unsure about some of the symptoms you feel. I found that to be helpful and reassuring. Keep us posted!!

I was banded on the 12th. It will be three weeks tomorrow! I still have periods of time where I feel exhausted. I'm still on mushies/soft foods but getting my protein in. I had arthroscopic knee surgery 4 weeks before my lap band. I'm thinking that I was just hit with a double whammy and thats why I am so tired. I started sub lingual B12 several days ago. Any thoughts? I work part time as a nurse with a busy pediatrician in a busy office. Yesterday was my first day out on the floor with patents. Maybe that's what did me in. I just want my vitality back. It's a little frustrating.

Thanks for all the replies. I had my first visit to the dietician and NP today. The NP told me the fatigue is very normal so I felt a little better. And the dietician advanced me to solids!! Yay! She was so helpful in giving me guidelines. I had brought her print outs from the "my fitness pal" app where I've been tracking my food. It was helpful for her to review it and give me suggestions. She also felt that the B12 strips do nothing for energy. My B12 level pre op was normal and what the body doesn't need, it excretes in urine. So, I'm on my way!

I was banded on the 12th and at my first post op visit with the surgeon 9 days later, I was still in a ton of shoulder pain. He said it would go away. Well, it lasted another 5 days and then it gradually went away. So he was right. And interestingly, I was passing tons of gas for several days before the pain resolved. I took about 2 of my percocettes a day until it was gone. So, hang in there It does go away. Gas x did nothing for me, but the heating pad was comforting. Good luck!!