otters38

I just had my post op appointment over the phone. Based on how you are doing they decide if you need to come in or not. I am good to go. The nurse said one week from today I should be on a normal diet eating anything except raw veggies and doughy breads!! YES!!! I am only 9 days post op and am already eating so much and doing so well. Last night I had enchiladas. I pretty much just ate the filling and not the corn tortilla, but I did have a couple bites of it. The refried Beans were awesome! Granted, in total the amount of food I ate was probably 1/2- 1 cup of food, but still I felt normal and it wasn't pureed. I just chewed every bite really well. The chips and salsa were hard to pass up but I did it!! The nurse also schedule my first 3 fills. The first being April 16th. Hooorraay!! The day after my birthday!! Lap Band life is GOOD!!! Thanks for letting me celebrate!

I know exactly what you mean, but fortunately I have gone through labor and delivery so that got me over it and have never thought about it again. If it makes you feel any better, the gowns they provide are really roomy since we are larger people, so it will more than cover you! My nurse almost double wrapped me in it and then tied it. Once I was given the first cocktail and wheeled back to the OR I do remember them asking me to loosen it as I was moving over to the OR table. I did that and the next thing I new I was back in my room and I was all wrapped up again. As someone else said the OR team will be right there to keep sheets, blankets, whatever over you. The dr just wants to zone in on your stomach so for all we know they put a sheet over everything with just a circle for the belly like the do for other surgeries!! Trust me this is 100 times better than having kids. When you are in labor every person that walks in the door either looks at your girlie parts or shoves something up your girlie parts....LOL!! You get so used to it, that you then are like WHATEVER!! I'll say a prayer for you! You'll do great!

I am considering myself really lucky with how things have gone. I can't wait for my first fill.

I am one week post op today and I was and am right were you are....HUNGRY!!! I found blending (and can't stand the taste of pureed foods) helps. I have eating soups from Panera, spaghettios, refried beans, etc. My discharge orders from the hospital said after clear liquids for the first 48 hours, I could move to full liquids--cream soups, yogurts, puddings, OR anything purreed that could easily go through a straw. So, I ate just about anything that could fit through a straw. I have also found that I am stressing too much about just eating 3 meals, not drinking before, during or after, yada, yada. I decided I need to set some of the to the side and eat every couple hours just to function and not worry so much about the rest. It is still in the back of my mind and try to abide by it as much as I can, but I was getting to the point where I was feeling weak, dizzy, etc. I called my dr today and talked to him about all of this and he said as long as things were the fit through the straw consistency and nothing was getting stuck I was fine. So after all of that....go ahead and eat just try to make it smooth.

Do you have a gynocologist you go to for yearly check-ups? My gyno had more documentation about my weightloss attempts then my GP. She wrote a letter that said I was her patient for over 10 years and in those 10 years I had failed time and time again at losing weight and keeping it off. If not, I'm not sure. My insurance required that kind of info even with BMI at a 45. Don't panic though. The bariatric doctor wants your business and if they are like mine will do all of the leg work to get you approved. You don't need to convice them, it's your insurance company. Good luck!

My doctor isn't that strict either. I was on clear liquids the day of my surgery and then the next day. After that I added cream soups and puddings and yogurts. Now 6 days out I am having scrambled eggs, tuna salad, mashed potatoes, etc. It's all in small portions and it is all soft, but it works. I was so ready as I was so hungry. My next step is to add soft foods which should be about Wednesday or Thursday--baked fish, baked potato, etc. It's all good. Your doctor would not steer you wrong!

I'm sorry you're having a bummer of a week. You are human, don't beat yourself up too bad. Your life will be so wonderful after you are banded, You will have the band on your side to help you get through the tough times. You can do it!! Go get a pedicure or a massage or do something to make YOU feel good Hang in there!

I agree with B-52. It's easy to get pulled in by things that are shared on here. Although their doctors may have very good reason for what they practice, if it doesn't compare to what your doctor suggests, it doesn't mean either way is wrong. Take what you need from here (which is a lot of wonderful support), but be able to push stuff to the side too. Your dr knows more than any of us do on here You will do GREAT!! As I always told people before my surgery who asked me if I was scared or nervous.....I would tell them I am MORE scared about what will happen if I don't do the surgery and keep on the path I was on!! You can do it!

Please know I say this is the most respectful way possible, but I think you need to focus less on the number on the scale each day and more of the big picture of how overall this is going to change your health for the better. It is pretty much science that if you starve yourself you lose, once you eat again your body holds it all thinking it is still in starvation mode and you gain. I would suggest stepping off the scale for awhile and just eat a healthy, well rounded diet. Also, if your dr is mad, you need to find a new dr. You don't answer to him, you are HIS customer and he should be helping you not, pointing the finger and being judegemental. Good luck!

Mine did too, but has gotten better. How many days post op are you? I am 6 and it is gotten better each day!

Hi Tracie!! I lived the fertility world for 3 years!! I have been through it all. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have. Do you want to give me your e-mail so we aren't doing it so publicly, or are you fine to do it here? I'm not sure there is any pain worse, than that of not being able to conceive a child. Hang in there. I'm heading out to a movie in a few, but will check back later this afternoon!

Ok. I've just been really curious about this and am finally getting the nerve to ask. It will sound like a silly question, but I just can't find the answer anywhere. Here it goes....why are potato chips considered a slider food, but rice and pastas are no nos for a lot of folks? I am racking my brain trying to figure this out. Rice and noodles seem so soft and "loose" while chips and crackers so rigid and hard to break down. Hmmmm?? I am weeks away from being able to have any of these, but it has been a question I have had since the beginning. Anyone know?

Hang in there it does get better. I am 5 days post op and it is better, but still there. A heating pad feels good too. Good luck!

Makes total sense now!! I'm glad I asked!!

Girls, I'm right there with you. My surgery was on the 6th as well as the gas is killer!! GasX really doesn't seem to help. Hot decaf tea has helped some. I think we only have a few more days of it though from what I have read. It is worse then my sore tummy or incisions, or anything! Hang in there! Take comfort in knowing we are in pain too!!

I'd be feeling really good right now. I have 5 days post op and have seen improvements each day. The gas is what is giving me the pain, not my incisions. I also had a hiatal hierna so that is causing some of the pain too. I know it will get better, I just keeping thinking how great I'd feel if I didn't have all of this pressure!!! I'm feeling very hungry today too which tells me I am healing well and recovering well from surgery! How long will this gas pain linger?

Ok, that is encouragin!! I can do a few more days:)

I'd be feeling really good right now. I have 5 days post op and have seen improvements each day. The gas is what is giving me the pain, not my incisions. I also had a hiatal hierna so that is causing some of the pain too. I know it will get better, I just keeping thinking how great I'd feel if I didn't have all of this pressure!!! I'm feeling very hungry today too which tells me I am healing well and recovering well from surgery! How long will this gas pain linger?

SO today is my last day of my post op diet, and I get to have Full liquids tomorrow. What do you all suggest? My dr suggests runny mashed potatoes, yogurt, creamed soups., etc Anyone have any other suggestions? I can't wait to eat something with substance. It is going to be really hard to eat slow though, because I am so hungry!!!

You wil be so glad you made this decision. It is very empowering taking your life back!! Best of luck to you!

Thanks for the great tips. I am so ready for this next phase!!!

I got overly full on water yesterday and felt that same way. Just a reminder to slow down. It's hard to do when you are starving!! Slow and steady wins the race. ALong with buying smaller plates and bowls, I also bought the toddler forks and spoons just to help me slow down with eating until I am more comfortable with everything!

I am right there with you. I had my surgery on the 6th too and that feeling is so awful. I will say though, that today it is much better. I think the swelling is slowly going down as things are passing much better today. You are TOTALLY normal with what you are experiencing. I feel your pain. It can only get better I was so hungry yesterday but nothing would go down right. THankfully today I am have some relief so I am geting more sips down. Best of luck to you. It will get better!

I checked in at 6:00am, had surgery at 7:30 and was on my way by 11:30. I was totally fine to go home, but I too had my wonderful hubby with me. I was chomping at the bit to get out of there. No rest for the weary in a hospital. Best of luck to you!

I haven't been brave enough to eat Jell-o. I can't get passed the feeling when I drink. It does feel like it is sitting up high on my chest and going no where. I was almost wondering if it was going to come up. I heat some broth a while ago and I could feel the warmth of it go all the way down. WHy does this freak me out so much? I feel like I am 9 months pregnant again when the baby is so big that everything pushes upwards and sits on your chest...ugh! Someone please tell us this is going to go away soon!!