armymom2012

I am in week 2 of eating regular foods. My husband and I go out with friends a couple times a month if we can. Now that I have the Lap Band, I feel so self concious around everyone when we eat. My husband tries to pick places that should have a few things on the menu that I can eat, but this weekend we went to a Cajun place. I love Cajun food, problem is it can have lots of gravy and huge portions. While everyone ordered the good stuff, I had to order a cup of Gumbo. All though it was good, I could only eat part of it and left the bread alone. Somehow I just didn't feel the same enjoyment from it as I used to. Oh well. We are going on vacation in 2 weeks to California. I rarely drink, but I was really looking forward to going to a couple local wineries, but now I am not so sure thats a good idea:( If I drink a little I can't eat. If I don't eat a little, it goes straight to my head.lol Other than eating out that causes problems sometimes, I am glad I have the band and hopefully in a year I am close to my goal weight.

I lost 20 pounds in the first couple weeks, after that it has been 1 pound per week. This week I don't think I lost any and I started walking 4 days a week on the treadmill. My calorie count is around 750-900. I asked my doctor how many calories should I be taking in and she said anywhere from where I am at to around a 1000. If I go to 1200 I would be maintaining what I have. So it all depends on where you are at and how many calories you need to be taking in to lose, plus womens bodies are strange. We can look at food and gain sometimes.lol Honestly I can't wait for my fill this week. I feel the rumbles way to often now. Good luck to ya.

I have the same problem. I was banden on 1/25/12 and up until last week I felt so bloated. The doctor says it was due to the pain meds and the fact that I hadn't really eaten much up to that point as far as solid food. I started Milk of magnesia and a daily stool softer, now I am much better. If that doesn't work, take an enema and atleast it will give you instant relief if it's really backed up like mine was. Also,be careful taking Fiber supliments if you are not getting enough water intake per day. Suppliments like metamucil will harden like cement in your system if not washed down with enough water.

I haven't had those problems yet, but last week I felt a strange feeling where the band is located, like it was moving around. I used to be able to feel what I think was the port side where they will do the fills, now I feel a hard knot and what feels like the rope part of the band. I really need this fill this week. I hope it hasn't slipped or turned around Good Luck to you, I used to have Reflux for years. I feel for ya.

Actually my husband is really good with this new meal planning. He has supported me from day 1 and understands that at times this can be really hard on me, so we cook just enough for that meal. I know what I am capable of eating and I just make a little more for him. so far it has worked out pretty good. If there is a day he wants something that he knows i can't have, we make separate meals that day. so far so good. It's easy when you have your love ones onboard with you.

Being an military wife is a tough job, I know I used to be one. Now I am an Army Mom With all the stress involved and the moving, yes it can wreck havick on your emotions and your health. I have had my band for almost a month and I have seen such a huge difference in the way I see food now. It is almost like having a baby again, where you are constantly aware that you have to take care of it. But this time it is you that you are taking care of. Something alot of people tend to forget at times. Before my surgery, I admit I did partake in my favorite meals, thinking I will miss this so much. Now, I catch myself paying attention to everything I eat and the portions and looking for recipe ideas on this site and others. In a way thats good because, I am now taking the time to plan my meals, where before I took the easy Drive thru route alot. As you will find out, their isn't a whole lot you can eat at a fast food drive through anymore, except maybe refried beans, which is good at the soft mushie stage. Great source of Protein to. After loosing 22# in a month, that in itself is reason to enjoy this new life. I'm looking forward to my next shopping trip to.lol I am due for my first fill next week, honestly I know I am due for one to. At first I was hardly ever hungry and had to force myself to eat, but now I know it's time for a fill, because the growling in my stomach is back. I think by writing everything I eat down and go to my weekly weigh in's keeps me honest and holds me accountable. Just find something that works for you and good luck to you.

Just got back from the bariatric clinic weigh in. This was my first week with eating real food and even though I was eating around 700-850 cal a day, I still only lost a pound this week. Guess my system is not used to eating real food after so long on watery stuff and mush:( Hopefully next week starts to pick it up. Other than that, I'm feeling really good. Already started to pack up a couple outfits I can't wear anymore to give a friend of mine that is getting lap band soon. Time to start shopping again

I had mine on Jan. 25 and until this week, I was not able to sleep on my side without it being uncomfortable, but now most of the time it's not an issue now. It's also nice to kinda not feel the sensation all the time that it is in there to. I was always worried that it would feel like a foreign object, but unless I touch it, I really don't notice it's there most of the time.

Happy Valentines to everyone. Today I went for my weekly weigh in. 1-1/2 pounds lost since last week. Not huge, but a loss none the least. I also was able to start real foods today. Thank goodness, I was starving with all the liquids and mush. I made Orange Roughy with Broccoli, MMMM . Even though I was only able to eat a small piece of the fish and 1/2 cup of the broccoli. Wow what a difference a day can make. I think I can get used to the small portions now. Then if the day couldn't have been better already, my husband gave me these beautiful diamond earrings and a vase full of flowers for Valentines Day. This is going to be a good year after all. Take Care

Tonight I was taking one of my meds and I think it may have gotten stuck. I'm not sure exactly what that means yet. But right now I feel like I have something stuck in the back of my throat.It did not start until about a half hour after I broke a large pill into many pieces and took it with juice. If it is stuck, wouldn't I feel it more in the gut, than in the back of my throat. Water and applesauce doesn't seem to help wash it down either. What have others done when this has happened? Tomorrow I am calling the doctor and try to get a liquid.

I have the same problem. When I was on liquids, I thought I was going to float away, just with the soup and broth alone, but to expect me to drink 64oz of water to was not possible for me. Now that I am on a mushy diet, I still have trouble drinking all my water, even when I add Crystal Lite to it. the biggest problem so far I have encountered is that because of the diminished diet allowances, I also do not have normal bowl movements which have been a huge problem since surgery. Does anyone else have this problem?

After a rough start of it, I am finally feeling good again. Went to my weekly clinic review and lost 4 more pounds in a week. WhooHoo:, a total of 20# since surgery. Only regret is that I couldn't have done it on my own, but whatever, it's a new beginning and a start to a better live. Thats what matters:) Lisa

Just wanting to know where everyone is getting their weight time line that shows up on your page? How do you install it?

Thank You:)

It's tough, honestly I thought my body was going to shut down from lack of solid foods this past two weeks. It made me so tired, but honestly I thought that when they told me I would be eating a half cup at a time: I thought they were crazy. Now I am almost at 1 cup three times a day, along with my fluids intake and an occasional popscicle when I need a sweet kick:). Never thought that aount would be enough to fill a person up. Make sure you take your multivitamins. Good Luck.

beach333, I stated off with clear liquids for the first 3 days after surgery, broths, popcicles, water and low cal gatorage. Up intil today I have been on pureed soups, like tomato, cream chicken, pea, etc as well as sugar free fudgecicles, yogurt, protein shakes. Starting today I am now able to have mushy foods, like mashed potatoes, soups. Eggs, applesauce, cottage cheese. Pretty much anything that is smooth and will go down (low cal).

I am just courious? I am due to have my first fill March 1, just a week prior to me flying to San Diego for Vacation with my husband. I have been told that I may feel some pressure until the flight is over with. Has anyone had any issues with flying close to the time they had a fill done and what happened? Considering, I just had surgery and I have had a really rough week with pain, I am kind of wondering if I should wait to have the fill untill after I get back. Lisa

I'm sure many of you have felt this way before you had your surgery, but since I started a pretty much liquid diet of soups, protein shakes and yogurt, I have been consuming around 700-850 calories a day. I am now extremely exhausted and at times feel light headed, more than likely from the huge drop in food intake I'm sure. Any advise how to get through the next few days till surgery. I also work and go to school and am afraid that this may be a huge problem after surgery. Especially with my classes, I need plenty of energy and brain power to get through my classes.

I am 10 days past surgery and to say the least. I was really having a hard time recovering from the pain. This morning I am feeling pretty good. The stabbing pain is gone, my shoulder pain is gone. I was starting to wonder what I had done, but now I am getting ready to help a child hood friend celebrate her Daughters Sweet 16 party, sitting by the pool drinking my soup. lol Thanks for all the support and good luck to you all.

I had Oblation surgery two years ago, so I have not had a period in 2 years. After I had my Lap Band Surgery I started spotting, which I was told that, because your body has gone through changes due to surgery, that spotting is not unusual, even for someone like me who hasn't had a period in a couple years. Just watch it and you should be fine.

It has been 5 days since surgery. At first all I felt was really sore and pain in my neck and shoulders. The pain near the port is getting better but my neck is killing me still, but from day 1, I was never sick to my stomach. Now I feel like I may throw up, but don't. Thank goodness. I am taking my multi-vitamin in the morning along with my 2 blood pressure pills and a B12 with an 8oz protein shake for Breakfast. Sometimes I feel growling part way till lunch, so i eat a 1/2 cup jello. At lunch I will have a 1/2 cup puree soup of some kind and maybe a popcicle or jello midway before dinner, then 1/2 cup of soup for dinner. Throughout the day I will sip water and a bit of juice with metamucil mixed in for fiber. So far, thats all I seem to be able to get down in a day. I have also had to take the liquid Lortab for pain a couple times a day or tylenol for pain. Do you think that I am taking in too little and the meds have nothing to keep my system functioning normal? I just can't imagine that this small amount of food can keep a person going in a day, but then again this is all new to me to. Any advise would be great. BTW, I am getting episodes of hickups the last few day and talk about pain, sometimes it goes on for 10 minutes at a time

Thanks. Yesterday was a nightmare. Went to my doctor and he thinks I may have laid funny in surgery and pinched a nerve in my neck, because he feels that the normal neck pain should have been gone by now.After I left his office the spasms in my stomach were so bad I had to stop the car and have my husband come get me. The doc prescribed me Flexerol for the strained neck issue and said that the pain meds after surgery may have caused my bowls to back up, causing the stomach pains. Wow. Gallbladder surgery was easier than this:( Sorry, just venting. I'll just be glad for the pain to stop and I can start enjoying the weight loss. BTW, I lost 15# so far:)

Just got back from one week follow up. The doctor thinks the pain in my neck might be from a muscle strain caused by my position during surgery. He just gave me a muscle relaxer to see if it works it out. As far as stomach cramps, i had to have my husband pick me up at the store just a few minutes ago, because they are so bad right now. You would think i was in labor:( I was told to take a laxative and see if my bowls will move. They seem to think that may be causing the roar and grabbing in my stomach. I weighed in today. 15# loss since my surgery a week ago. At least one thing good has come of it.lol

I had my surgery this past Wednesday. i was told that i would have some pain from the gas they blow into your stomach, but in the last day, the pain in my left shoulder and neck is rediculous. i have taken the liquid Lortab and i have tried Tylenol like the doctor suggested, nothing is working. it feels as if someone is pulling the muscles in my neck. So painful. I have tried walking them out, using a heating pad and just relaxing, nothing is working. Any suggestions would be great.

I just had my surgery on Wednesday. I always thought I had a high pain tolerance, but for some reason this is kicking my behind. I also went back to work and my classes yesterday and to be quite honest, I should have stayed home. I have been getting really bad pains in my neck and shoulder from the gas that they blow you up with and the nurse I just talked to, says it should have gone away by now with all the walking and heating pad use I have done the last 5 days, but it's stll there. I have a sit down accounting job and honestly it hasn't made it easier, plus I have to sit in traffic quite a bit to get to work and any pothole or bump in the road hurts my port area. So if you are in and out of the car most of the day, just be careful. It hurts to turn and look at oncoming traffic at times. I try to take the back roads as much as I can right now:) Good Luck to you.