marner1500

You are in the healing process for at least 6 weeks. My doctor told me no ab work and no weight lifting. Walking and cycling will work your core without directly impacting your stomach area. Just let your body be your guide and take a break or slow it down when you start to feel soreness.

I go on the 26th also, Not looking forward to it for one reason...I still get "charley horse" muscle spasms in my stomach and the doctor asks the patients to do a leg lift so he could find the port. Im just hoping that my ab muscles behave! I hope he gives me a choice for how much he could fill because I often find myself starving, especially when doing more activity. Thanks for the information and the confidence booster!

What danielle said! Protein is essential in the healing process for at least 6 weeks and essential in your lap band diet. I felt bad too while I was on clear liquid but I had a big rebound when I was allowed to eat real food and protein!

Thanks for the advice! Im scheduled to see my regular doctor in a few weeks and i'll have him test me. My biggets concern is that i'll be returning to work shortly and my job requires me to maintain some of my strength (I work in law enforcement). I agree with the fact that some of the weight I lost has been muscle. I'm hoping that through my new lifestyle and eating that it will come back (and be much more noticible than before).

Hello, I got banded on 2/21/12. Im down over 30 pounds from the surgery and an additional 15 from the pre op diet. I am 40 years old and im starting to notice a decrease in my testosterone since my surgery. I don't know whether it's from the whole food change (i've totally cut red meat) or the lack of resistence training (i;ll be heading back to the gym in about 2 weeks when the doctor gives his clearance). Is there any suppliments that could help give me that extra boost for when i start hitting the free weights again? Also, has anyone found a good post op workout to help build overall strength? Thanks!

Thanks! I updated the informtion!

Thanks for your help! I just sent out the e-mail. (hopefully it gets corrected before my next dr visit! )

Im not even three weeks out of surgery but I have to say that I have found a new love for chicken. I believe that the 2 week south beach phase 1 diet helped in bringing that out. I would have taken a steak over chicken before but now I can honestly say that I prefer the chicken. I've been in the process of developing some tasty, healthy recipes and I look forward everyday to trying each out. I also never ate many veggies before (unless they were battered dipped and deep fried). During the pre op phase, I remembered that as a kid I loved string Beans. I've been eating them with a new passion. And, for whatever reason, I have found that I like spinach (never did before).

Hello! Being slightly computer clumsy, I clicked on the stars button to rate my surgeon (He was a 5 out of 5). Unfortunately, the vote registered a 3 out of 5 instead. How can I change this? I was unable to find a moderator button under the surgeon's page and have been unable to re-enter the vote. Any information to update this would be great! Thanks!

I've only been banded for less than a week so I cant give a full perspective but I will do my best. My biggest problem was when I came home. I had so much swelling, a slight respiratory infection, a long walk to the house and then the living room was extremely dry. After 15 minutes, I had to go for my inhaler. That was the only time I had a problem. It's going to be uncomfortable to breathe deeply initially, but that goes after two to three days later. Today (5 days post op), my lungs feel pretty darn good! My swelling is down and I am much more comfortable walking around. In fact, I walked around the block this afternoon (needless to say, I didnt break any land speed records). A friend of mine who has asthma and had the full bypass done said that his asthma is much more manageable since he had his surgery. He's almost 2 years post op. He completed the couch to 5k program and loves to run (he just keeps his inhaler nearby). I'm planning on starting that as soon as I drop enough weight that it won't punish my knees too much.

I was a total wimp when it came to being put under. I never had any major surgeries and I was extremely scared. I told my doctor about this a week before the surgery and he prescribed me a single dosage of xanax to take the morning of my surgery. I dont think it helped, because I was freaking out all the way into the OR. Once I got placed on the table, the anesthesiologist asked me how I was. I showed him how nervous I was by raising my shaking hand. That's all I remember... I woke up in recovery. I had no concept of time (I thought I was still in the OR). The fear of general anesthesia was gone. The only side effect I had was that I wanted to get up out of my bed and start walking around. My mind was telling me I had the energy to do that but my body said otherwise. I am also asthmatic and the surgical staff was aware. I had a minor issue with the asthma after I came home (after an overnight stay). The only problem I would foresee is if you get overly anxious before the surgery like I did. But for the surgery itself, you will be in good hands and won't feel or remember a thing. Good luck!

Southern Poconos here. Banded 2/21/12. Had my operation in the Lehigh Valley with a great surgeon. I was supposed to have this done last summer but had some issues with my insurance (they still considered this an experimental surgery and wanted me to have the full bypass instead...I held out for this!). Good luck with the path to a new you!

Congratulations. Not only am I a fellow 2/21/12 bander but I have also been put on the clear liquid diet. When I asked my doctor about the diet, he said that I have to follow their guidelines until the follow up visit (on 3/1/12). After that, i'll transition to soft foods. Other than broth and juices, i've been told i could have sugar free Jello. The jello and the broth's have been doing ok. When I have those intense hunger pains, i'll have some crystal light juice and that usually does the job. I was a little apprehensive about the need to do this for up to 10 days post op (along with the 2 days pre op). Apparently there is a reason for this. But, I am just thinking about next thursday when the doctor tells me to switch up to soft foods. It's making the cottage cheese and greek yogurt that much more appetizing!