KBaum

I haven't visited this site for a while now. Tomorrow is my 2 year anniversary of surgery. I have lost weight but no where near where I anticipated I'd be at this stage. I've been making bad food choices, not exercising enough and have gained weight over the summer. What is going to happen to me this winter if I keep this up? How do I go about starting over...Go back to a liquid diet for a few days? I do have good restriction...maybe even a little tight. Please do not beat me up - I'm very good at doing that myself. I really need encouragement and ideas to use this tool I have been given. Thanks...

I was banded in October 2011. I have accepted a new position at a different company and am wondering if the band will be considered a 'pre-existing condition'. I'm hoping I don't have any issues getting fills/check ups if needed. I know every insurance policy is different....just wondering if you have any insight on this topic.

I have no issues with or baby spinach salads.

I too weigh myself every morning. Nasty habbit I've gotten myself into but it does keep me accountable. Every time I think about eating something I shouldn't, the fear of the morning weigh-in is enough for me to say no.

Today, the security guard in our office building said "Wow....you are just wasting away!". YEAH!!! Although I have a long road ahead of me, its nice for people to notice the 23 lbs I have lost.

Hot showers and a heating pad on my shoulder help tremendously! Day 4 was the worse for me. I stopped drinking protein smoothies-too much air from the blender so I just shook up my protein powder with milk. I never had trouble with burping before, but I do now. By 1 week post-op, I was feeling pretty good and by 2 weeks post-op I was back to normal. Hang in there!!

Hi there! I too had a c-section and recovered quickly with minimal pain medication - and I do not have a high pain tolerance . The shoulder pain I experienced the first 3-4 days was horrible. I had zero pain in my abdomen. The shoulder pain comes from the gas used to inflate your stomach for surgery, in addition to, a hernia repair. Along with your liquid pain medication, get some gas-x strips and a heating pad and you'll do just fine! Good luck! Kelli

Just wondering if anyone has days they feel like they just aren't 'getting' the band? I've lost 20lbs and 16in since the pre-op diet started. I'm careful what I eat, exercising 4 days a week on average but I'm just not losing. Maybe I'm not eating as well as I thought I was, maybe I'm eating too much or too often. I've only had one fill so I have 3cc in my band. Probably just having one of 'those' days and wishing I'd be seeing more of a result on the scale. Is this normal or am I really doing something wrong?

You could try shopping at consignment stores also. Even if you do have to by 2-3 pairs, you're still spending less than buying new. Snug is good....skin tight, however, is not work appropriate.

I too have this same issue! Now, I put the scale in the exact same spot (measured by the checkerboard pattern on the bathroom tiles). I know we aren't supposed to weigh ourselves everyday, but I agree it keeps a person accountable.

By far, days 3 and 4 were the worst days for me. If you feel up to it, go with the minor outpatient procedure on your stomach. I wouldn't want to be alone on Thanksgiving either if I wasn't 'sick'. No one needs to know the details unless you want them to. Just tell them you'd prefer not to discuss with an audience. Good luck!!

I had my first fill on Tuesday this week! Came out of surgery with 2cc and received an additional 1cc during my first fill. I can really tell the difference. Staying full longer and no need/urge to snack.

I can totally relate to all of your points above. I get my first fill on the 8th too. I'm a bit nervous...but its a good thing!

Hi there! I'm a week behind you. I also noticed the weight loss slow down/stop when I moved from mushies to regular food. Waiting for my first fill to control the hunger. Good luck!

Hello all! I was banded 10/10/11. I've been back to work for 3 weeks. Other than that first week post-op, things have gone better than expected. I've lost 20lbs total since starting my pre-op liquid diet, however, I've lost 15.5 inches and I am pretty excited about that more than the weight loss!! I'm getting a fill next week and it cant come soon enough! I get full really fast BUT I'm hungry all of the time. Doing my best to get all of my Water in every day. Walking 1-2 miles everyday or riding stationary bike 3-4 miles. It isn't much, but it's all my out of shape lungs can handle at this point. I plan on moving forward to the 10 Minute Trainer and Jilian Michaels '30 day shred'. I'll get there!

Here are a few of the things I tried: Mashed sweet/white potatoes, squash, scrambled eggs, flaked fish/chicken, moist ground turkey, beef, pork, yogurt, well cooked broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower (no stalks) carrots, green beans, beans, lentils...Good luck!!

Agreed, Corrigan! Same thing happened to me post op. I ate a small amount of protein (cottage cheese worked wonders) and it helped tremendously.

Banded 10/10 and I am able to get my first fill November 8. Cottage cheese had gotten me through tough times.

Try the other 'code' they give you. That worked for me.

I also had the hernia repair along with my band. I took a week off of work and I worked 1/2 days most of the 2nd week just to get back in the swing of things. I bought the whey protein at Sams Club/Walmart. The chocolate mixed with milk takes just like chocolate milk so that is easy to get down. I mixed the vanilla with milk, greek yogurt & a handfull of berries. Tasted really good, but the air from blending was too much for my stomach. I've tried Muscle Milk and that was really good.

I was told by the nutritionist the goal is to have 3 meals a day and only water/milk in between. I was so tired of soup by the time I hit the mushy stage, I just couldn't eat it any more. Mushy foods that worked for me: Sweet or white potatoes (mashed), scrambled egg, cottage cheese, banana, squash, soft boiled veggies (broccoli/cauliflower/asparagus tips - NOT the stalk, carrots, etc.), yogurt, flaked fish, canned chicken, Beans, lentils, moist ground turkey or hamburger. Chili went down just fine for me. Chew everything really well until you get to know your band!

Other than walking and normal activity, please wait to exercise until your 2wk post op check up. This will give your stomach time to heal.

After lunch every day, I get a sweet tooth. So I've been taking my Calcium/Vit D chocolate chew then. Just enough chocolate to get a taste and its a Vitamin. BONUS!

I'm 2.5 weeks post-op and it has absolutely no impact.