TheProfessor

@@lorless Your irrational emotions might have been you de-toxing and getting rid of the junk in your system through the Fluid diet. I know I had a brutal headache, leg twitches, sleeplessness... it was a tough few days.

Be kind to yourself and try not to do too much while you are on your pre-op fluids. Take it easy, get lots of sleep, drink loads of Water and try not to do too much strenuous work (including working out...). There will be loads of time for that after you have your WLS! :-)

Hi Kaila - can you private message me?

Seriously - anything you can put in a blender so that it sticks to the back of spoon is probably ok! (Take very tiny bites though - you don't know what you can tolerate until you try a little itty bitty bit.

Sounds weird, but I had a whole salmon and chicken fixation. I would shove some pieces of cook fish (or chicken) into the blender (we have a Vitamix so it really gets the job done well!) with some mayo, lemon juice, salt, pepper, roasted red pepper, green onion... whirr it until it was more or less a thick Fluid puree.

My husband would observe this with mute disgust and amusement. I ignored his snorts of derision and chomp all that pureed goodness down. Nom nom nom! Sounds nasty but MAN OH MAN was it ever great after being on fluids for a month! It tasted like heaven!

Pasta (seafood fettucine, chicken tetrazzini....) and french stick slathered in butter. I am so grateful to my lap-band for forbidding these foods - I simply cannot tolerate them. No matter how well I chew, chew, chew and take small bites, by band puts up a fight very time and I wind up in the bathroom.

So - I miss the memory of those flavours and textures... the silky sauces, the bite of garlic, the twirling of Pasta on my fork and seeing the parmersan melt, the sweet taste of French baguette... but the reward of weight-loss far outweighs the nostalgia.

@KristenLe - - - Dehydration might have been the reason for someone else, however not this girl! I've been, and continue to be a Water hound. I love it. Its like my own personal form of heroin. I am ridiculous about Water intake, and know most certainly that dehydration was not the issue!

You are absolutely right, though - most of us do not get anywhere near what our bodies require in terms of fluids in an average day.

I believe I was a camel in a former life....

Yes indeed this happened to me.

I was 6 or 7 days in to my liquid pre-op diet and I *almost* passed out (unlike you, who took it across the finish line... ) while I was in the shower. After lying down in the tub (and having a weird completely unexpected cry) I researched what happened - I was hypoglycemic due to lack of calories. I felt nauseated, had head spins, saw stars and was irrationally emotional.

I realized that this was ridiculous (my body was shocked out from so few calories), so I ate a salad. Just lettuce, cucumber and a dash of lemon juice and Bragg's Aminos. Just getting that incredibly low-calorie salad into me made me feel 100% better.

I'm not recommending that you "break" your liquids diet, however I am suggesting that your body needs more than what the liquid diet is giving you. Maybe add another shake in there? Best thing - call your surgical nursing team and ask for some direction.

Look up on this forum or Google lap-band+ pre-op+tips or something to that effect. This forum is full of advice (including one large post written by me, actually!). Some digging around should get you the info you need. You will do great if you do a bit of research and prepare! :-)

Hey - I'm in Ontario, too. :-) We can give each other support... I'm two years post-op, 78 pounds down and in a tremendous stall. What about you?

"Awkward" is when I get a stuck episode publicly, and have to excuse myself to vomit or PB when there is no way OUT. Its happened 3x in two years, and each time it's horrible, embarrassing and stressful.

@@kbarbs yes it may be tempting to rush through but DO NOT. Take it one day at a time or you risk hurting your healing tummy. Take is slow and careful. Lots of Water, take it easy!

@@dorriee an Hi there - yep - you will need to prepare for some pain. Totally worth it, BTW. Have some gas-x dissolvable strips on hand. There will likely (not always) be moderate to severe gas pain in your chest and shoulder caused by the surgical necessity of having them fill your stomach with air in order to do the surgery. You might want to a) search this forum, google or c) search Pinterest for what you should have on hand immediately following surgery.

There's lots on this forum on this subject - different threads.

I've had no trouble with lettuce of any kind (romaine, rocket, iceburg) sticking. This is a relief as I was a salad hound before being banded! What kind of WLS did you get? I don't know if this makes a difference. For myself wtih the lap band it was about a month after starting back on regular food post-op before I braved a salad. I was very careful to chew, chew, chew but never experienced any troubles.

Well hello there, kbarbs!

Congratulations on your being banded. Welcome to the 'other side'. :-) Like you, I got the surgery to reduce my risk of breast cancer (in my family extensively), Type 2 Diabetes, etc.

Since being banded I have lost 77 pounds, 60 of that in the first year. Woo woo! I have no idea what your starting weight is, and how much you have to lose, but 50 pounds sounds very reasonable as a goal. Every single person is different and will lose at different rates, so be patient and try not to compare your progress too much against other people.

Be patient with the process. You may lose very little initially (first month or so?) and may feel afraid that the band is working. This is normal! Your body needs time to adjust, and of course your band likely has very little Fluid in it at this point. Once you get a few adjustments ("fills") you should notice the difference and the weight will begin to melt away.

Its a pretty amazing thing when it all starts happening.

For now, know that this forum will be a terrific place for you to receive support and encouragement. We've been where you are! Be sure to adhere strictly to the timing and nature of your post-op diet (fluids ... full fluids ... mushies .... soft foods, regular foods...) and try not to rush anything.

Glad to know you!

Me, too. Getting a potential breast cancer diagnosis and considering preventative double-mastectomy has made me say "eff it" and make bad food choices. I've been eating like a hog, with little discretion. This is a set-back, I know, and temporary.

That said, I've gained 5 pounds. Sucks, but I know EXACTLY where I went wrong, and it's all reactive to the cancer scare. Will be getting biopsies tomorrow and will be eating according to the results.....! LOL!

xxoo

Yes dear @DAWYFE - you can and WILL sleep on your side/tummy again!

I am a tummy-sleeper first, side-sleeper second.

The first couple of weeks post-surgical, I slept mostly on my back with pillows. After the healing really kicked in, I found myself able to sleep in my delicious old comfy positions with no discomfort at all. Yay!

At 75 pounds down, I now find myself settling in early for a good night's sleep on my tummy right away, with no discomfort or pressure on my back or spine. I roll over painlessly. :-)

I was only 2 weeks post-surgical when I returned to tummy sleeping (my favourite!)

Hope this gives you hope. You are doing great!!!

The first few days post-banding can be rough. Hang in there, it DOES get better!

Lots of Water (sip, sip, sip, sip) and pillows and Gas-X were a god-send. I also found "engaging my core" before getting out of bed or out of a chair helpful - before getting out of bed psyching myself up for the big move, clenching/locking my stomach muscles together (engaging my core) and then making the move with my hands applying pressure to my incision sites!

Before I knew it I was back into my normal life - maybe 10 days tops?

Keep those steri-strips on for as long as you can - some take up to 2 weeks to fall off on their own!

@melimel11Repectfully - you have not been successful with your band., Fair enough. 10 pounds lost in 12 years tells us a lot. How about NOT being negative to a new member who is on the brink of making a positive life change, and posting elsewhere (or nowhere) on the forum?

@@Chez2812 Hi Chez!

I was banded 18 months ago and I am absolutely DELIGHTED with the decision I made. I've gone from a size 22 to a size 12 (I went from 259 lbs at my heaviest to 181 lbs - my current weight).

I also had physical problems that prevented me from exercising. I had weak, sore knees (the extra weight...), foot problems (fallen arches due again to WEIGHT) and two ruptured discs - obesity related. AWESOME. So as soon as I started to lose weight, my issues began to resolve. Next thing I knew, I was down 50 pounds and feeling 100% better. I got on the treadmill in our basement, and it's been steady losing and feeling terrific ever since.

Getting banded was the best decision I ever made. While my surgeon was in there he repaired a hiatus hernia, too. No more heartburn!

Its normal to be nervous. You will be terrific! As I write this you may actually be in the recovery room.... ANYWAY! The gas pain will likely hurt terribly, and you'll wonder what the heck you were thinking. After it's resolved, though? JOY!

Keep us posted!

Truth - I absolutely LOVED your brag list, LipstickLady. You are so much MORE than the fat you lost, and you deserve to identify with those things fully and unreservedly! My brag list:

I have eight wicked tattoos, some of them really big (one is a half sleeve, left arm) that NONE of which my College students know about (My tats are AWESOME SNEAKY that way).

I hold the record for eating the most mangoes in one day in a town called Tchaourou, in Benin, West Africa. (56 mangoes, January 14th, 1993)

Yup, those are my two brag list items that I would wish to identify with, rather than being an ex-fat person.

Feel the same way about getting into a pair of size 12 Lululemon yoga pants (after being a size 22). Not exactly a size 2 (YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!) but the same elated feeling of utter disbelief! Pure joy!

Congratulations - you are an inspiration!

@@Daddyof4 Hello and thank you for your kindness! :-)

Looks to me like you are doing FANTASTIC! Try not to compare yourself to others progress on the board (ha - I know, its hard not to) as everyone loses at different rates and in different ways. 37 pounds gone forever! Way to go!

Funny - your post is timely in terms of being reassuring, as my band and I have been fighting since yesterday. Went out to a gorgeous dinner last night at a favourite Bistro with our daughter, had a beautifully prepared, tender rib-eye with pomme frites and asparagus. Within ten minutes, I was in the washroom whoopsing it up. MY FAULT (partially) as I had eaten the Protein far too quickly, and not chewed near well enough. I also indulged in another personal no-no - a FRENCH FRY. (Cue tragic music). Haven't had a starch like that in months, decided to treat myself. The paste got stuck and caused the vomiting episode.

SO! Lesson learned, and this morning my tummy is tender and I have no appetite. Sigh.

At least there is coffee.

Keep us all posted on your progress, Daddyof4! Cheering you on!

I am down another pound today, and BOOM my BMI is 29.5 - the first time in 15 years I have been under 30. I don't really care about the BMI, but there we go anyway - just another milestone result from being banded.

When I first started this thread all those months, I had experienced some pretty awesome things. Here's my new, updated list:

• I popped out to Lululemon just for the hell of it to see if any of their gorgeous yoga-bum pants would fit. Yup, they did. Now I am poor (but my ass looks divine, so it's a fair trade).
• I have experienced a surge of confidence in my appearance, which has translated into a surge of confidence at work.
• With the energy I have now, I am joyful about new projects. I begin my master's degree in education in September!!!!
• My daughter says she's proud of me for the nutritional changes I have made.
• I am down from a 42DD bra to a 36C.
• I have returned to hot yoga and am no longer the biggest person in the room. NOT that it's a competition, but come on, I'm only human.)
• I was not concerned with being judged as I got naked to shower after my yoga class. The other women didn't even notice me in my nakedness.
• I no longer have to support my breasts as I walk up or down stairs to prevent them from jarring as they are significantly smaller
• I can wear a strappy pair of wedge heels with 3/4 length summer pants and not look like a sow's ear trying to be a silk purse
• I can no longer park a Volvo under my booty. (Seriously. My butt was horribly heavy and big...)
• I cannot wear my "old" size 22 or XXL clothes anymore as they swim on me. I have donated more clothing to Value Village this past year than I have ever in my entire life combined.
• I can sit on regular folding chairs worry-free.
• I no longer scout out the sturdiest place to sit at a party.
• I can stand for hours and not want to cry from foot pain
• I can hop up on a bar stool and reach the highest cupboard in my kitchen without any stress.
• I am able to ride my hybrid road bicycle again!!!! When I gained all the weight, I felt horrible shame that a) I simply could no longer ride my bike due to obesity-related balance issues, and the frame of my bike would likely not support my weight. This is no longer the case.
• My body no longer craves carbs, and so I eat no rice, bread or Pasta. This has become remarkably easy.
• I went down the slide at the park and did not get wedged! THE SLIDE. As in, made for 4 year olds.
• I went into the "Plus Size" section at Forever 21 and nothing fits me. I walked out with a grin on my face.
• I am a 10-12. This is the size I was 20 years ago.
• I do laundry and I sometimes have to check twice which t-shirts and jeans are mine and which are my slender 15 year old daughter's. (She's a size 8).

So. The band is still teaching me about eating right, and eating differently. Sometimes I mess up and over-eat, and then feel gross. Sometimes I have "tight days" where the band makes me feel a ton of restriction. Other days, I can eat like a moose and feel snacky. I've learned not to sweat it.

Here I am 17 months in, and I am STILL in love with my band. Huzzah!

Not me. 15 months in, and after having the band placed by the most experienced bariatric surgeon in Canada, and followed up closely with excellent nutritional webinars, tiny adjustments and me modifying my bad eating habits, I am down 75 pounds, dropped 10 dress sizes and feel incredible.

Like B-52, this is the best decision I've ever made.

So my assumption is that, of course, you have been accountable as well. You have addressed your concerns with your surgeon /surgical team and nutritionist, clearly described your symptoms and lack of weight loss? Your indicators are that the band is likely too tight, hence the heartburn and 'red zone' lack of weight loss. Hey, I'm no Doc. I could be wrong.

It's a partnership. If you band was placed correctly by a skilled surgeon, and you have been keeping up your end of the bargain by modifying your eating habits, there should be results.

Don't give up on your band. It sounds like a bit more education and some adjustment will get you on the right track.

Wow, what a fantastic story. Thank you so much for sharing it with the forum. Yes, having babies really throws a (joyful!) wrench in things, doesn't it?

I'm banded (15 months) and loving it. Sounds like it was really working well for you, too, (despite the stall after your incredible 138 pound loss!) and it sound like your new Doctor, Dr. Mihil, is supportive and kind. How lovely to have someone in your corner.

So your port flipped... not an overly big deal to correct laparoscopically, so I hear (if it comes to that). I'll bet you're excited to get the "wrinkle" ironed out, and to hop back on the weight loss train. Woot woot!

Keep us posted!

• Hot flashes (due to obesity) have disappeared. I used to get them CONSTANTLY. Haven't had one since I lost my first 50 pounds.

Hopped up on a high kitchen stool yesterday with no effort to grab a rarely-used pot.Sat cross-legged on a desk in front of my students and discussed a course topic yesterday for 45 minutes - no discomfortI can walk for miles and not have to sit down and rest my poor feet.I can run up and down stairs and not lose my breath.Knee issues have resolved. Disappeared. Happened at the 50-pounds lost markRuptured disc and associated backpain has vanished.I no longer have to lift "stuff" up to wash other "stuff" in the shower. (Seriously ladies, can I get a holla!)I sleep better than I have in years. Deeply, soundly, beautifully.Happier. I am happier.