chrissylu

Going through this now. I want to eat everything...even if I'm not hungry. I haven't given in to it (thank God) but its there. As far as the restriction or pain, that really hasn't changed.

I think I just had my first experience with being stuck. Tomorrow is 4 weeks post-op so I was feeling good about not having had one of these episodes. Then it happened...a bite of cold chicken...chewed well. At first it felt like indigestion...and then it almost felt like choking. Tried to PB, cough. Nothing produced but the "choking" feeling went away. Experienced bandsters....was this being "stuck"?

That's great! I like that you are weaning yourself from something you feel is going to be an obstacle for you. I'm betting we've all had to do that. Best wishes to you and may God bless you.

That's awesome! Support is such a big part of this! And its not just the being there while you're in the hospital...its accepting a new lifestyle. My husband has just sat here for 30 minutes listening to me talk about conversations I've had on this site and how cool it is, other people asking about the surgery because they know my story. That is a wonderful bit of support. I pray God blesses you greatly on this journey!

One of the most humbling things, I think, that one can experience is for someone to tell you that you've inspired them to do or be something. Wow! What an impact. Having struggled with my weight most of my life, I never really thought about the possibility of being an inspiration to anyone in the area of being healthy. Sure, I try to inspire my son to be a child of God, to work, and go after things the focus on the talents God gave Him. I try to inspire my husband to see the positive side of life and encourage him that he is a good father and husband. I've tried to inspire people in faith and that God is an awesome God. But that's not really happened much in the health arena. Until now. Since I've been posting about my procedure, my success AND my failures on facebook and in my blog at www.chrissyluther.wordpress.com, I've had two people say that to me and have wanted to know more about the surgery, my doctor, the band itself, the diet, the food, excercise...everything. I feel so blessed that God would give me this opportunity to share what I'm experiencing and learning as I go. I understand what these particular people are going through...I've been there. Its not fun. Its not easy. People look at you weird and judge you without ever knowing you...and most times don't take the time to get to know you. I think that's one reason God give us trials to go through. So that from that experience, we can learn, move forward and then on to helping someone else who is going through the same thing; letting His love for that person flow through us, into them. I want to encourage you today, that if you've not made that step to get healthy...branch out and take it now. It doesn't have to be LAP-band. It doesn't have to be surgery at all. It might not even be about losing weight. But trust that God has a solution in mind for you, and He will show if you ask Him to and listen for Him to do so. I'm praying for you. Blessings, ChrissyLu

Thanks Jennifer and Caribear! It IS awesome to look back and see where God's hand was moving the whole time, when we thought He was off handling someone else's stuff. LOL. God bless!

Great job Boppers82! Lisanj...I haven't tried the baking kind yet. My mom uses the baking/brown sugar kind of Splenda in her pecan pies. Oh my word!! so good!

Hi Alexis: Congratulations on your decision. First let me address the "easy way out" line. I would have those family members watch the online seminars for this procedure and make sure they know what you're going to have to go through. This is not an easy way out...it is a tool. Its a tool just like excercise or Weight Watchers or the phentermine. It just happens to be a surgical one. You will still have to watch what you eat, measure your foods, excercise and follow doctor's orders. Okay...now that I have that off my chest (and I apologize if it seemed rude).... I was back at work about 6 days after my surgery. I am 4 weeks post-op and still am careful about certain things. My incisions have healed on the outside, but every now and then, I still feel a twinge here and there that I attribute to the abdominal muscles/nerves healing. As for excercise, after the first week/ 1 1/2 weeks, my doctor told me I could do light excercise and that if it hurt, to stop. However, your doctor may want you to do something different. This a journey. Some days will suck (like the few after the surgery when all that gas they pump into you makes you feel bloated) but there should be more good days...like the first time you step on the scale and see a HUGE hunka pounds gone...or putting on a pair of jeans that fit...or when out of the blue someone looks at you and says "wow, you look great!" There's the day that you realize you've done more in the excercise department than you ever thought you would...or when you realize that you're actually full from a 1/2 cup of food. What ever day it happens to be, I personally think its worth it. It has been for me so far. and...you have other bandsters here to support you and answer your questions and to cheer along with you. God bless you and keep us posted on your journey!

Great job! I figure we're all going to have days like that...probably more than once or even twice. At least we have each other to vent to and gain encouragement and insight from. You go girl!

polyethylene glycol is the active ingredient in Miralax (Wal-mart also has a generic version). I don't know if its less expensive than Rx but with those you don't have to have a prescription. I don't know how the amount of the the active ingredient differs from a prescription. Could be more, could be less.

I like it better than most other sweeteners. I will still used Splenda in some things. The Stevia, too me, is a little sweeter than sugar and most times I can't tell the difference...unless I put it in something hot. Something about heat changes it just a touch and you can tell its not sugar. Though, i do believe they have another "formula" (for lack of a better term), that is good for baking, etc.

I agree with these posts. I had my first fill a week and a half ago. In the office and for the first day or two after, I could feel restriction. Then for a day or two, I felt like I couldn't. But then everything settled down and I at eating about a 1/2 cup of food. Blessings and luck to you!

Welcome to the site. I'm a bit of a newbie myself. Its an interesting journey but I've most people here are wiling to help! Blessings to you!

I've added Miralax to my last few ounces of water for the day. It hasn't upset my system. Things are still slower than they used to be, but the Miralax helps move things along. It seems that taking it at night helps the digestive system work better while the rest of your body is at rest.

That's awesome! I've had a couple of friends at work tell me the same thing. It's true...most times, we don't realize how our speech, attitude, etc can affect other people. Congrats on the NSV!

will do Bert!

I am 4wks out today. I thought I might be able to go back to work the next day but decided before surgery that since my procedure was on a Wednesday, I would go ahead and take Thurs & Fri, then have the weekend also to recover, then back to work on Monday. heh, Monday rolled around and I said, oh no...can't do this today. lol. I used my pain meds for two days, every 4-6 hours. After that, I would take it at night to help me sleep. I'm a side sleeper too so to keep me from doing that, I slept on the couch at a slight incline for my upper body. Good luck and many blessings to you!

good point, Resptech2band.

I love the EAS Pure Protein chocolate powder. I mix it with unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Yum! for an extra kick in the morning, I'll add my own "espresso" made with a teaspoon of instant coffee dissolved in about 3-4 teaspoons of water. blend with ice and you've got a great frappucino.