daisychains7

From my first appointment to my surgery day was about 7 1/2 months, because my insurance required the 6 month diet.

Congrats! Its a relief to have it over. The fluids will get easier in a couple days. Christine, your feelings are normal. I was an emotional wreck about a week leading up to my surgery. One minute I was excited, the next minute I wanted to just sabotage the whole thing. My moods were everywhere. You have nothing to worry about. This is an extremely safe surgery with a quick recovery time. I will be honest, the first few days sucked but as long as you can have pain meds and remember to REST you will be fine. You can do this.

YAY! The more the merrier. Debbie, how did you prepare the beef? I want to try beef and chicken but I'm scared. lol. May have chicken for dinner tonight but I am stumped as to how to keep it moist, especially since my nutritionist wants me to be able to mash all my food up before I eat it. A month or two from now I would say you should have pushed it, but right now... no! Listen to your body and stop when it feels uncomfortable. I had the same experience yesterday.. my port area started burning.. almost like sandpaper was being rubbed on it. Now is the time to go easy on yourself so that there are no issues later Very proud of you for joining a gym. I was always too embarrassed to do that because of my size, but bit the bullet 6 months ago. Here is what I did yesterday: Breakfast - 1/2 cup strawberry greek yogurt, 1/4 cup smashed banana snack - 8oz Milk lunch - 2oz garlic fish (mashed up), 1/4 cup diced peaches Dinner - 1/4 cup ground turkey with tomato sauce, 1/4 cup sliced strawberries Snack - 8oz Milk For exercise I did leg stretches then 20 mins on my elliptical machine at the lowest setting. I was sore for a few hours after that. Took my 2 weeks post op pictures. I want to take pictures at the beginning of every month to see my progress. Tonight I am going to Applebees with my family. Normally I would get boneless wings, juice AND a quesadilla. I think I will go with Soup and fruit salad if they have it.

I have BCBS as well and was approved in 2 weeks. My BMI at the start of my 6 month required diet was 48, BMI by the time I got approval was 44. I was banded on 5/8 and am in the healing process. Even though this has been a huge adjustment so far (mentally more than anything), I am happy I did this.

I've only been banded a couple of weeks so haven't eaten at any parties yet, but I do have family coming in town and I know we will be eating at restaurants at least twice next week. Then I am going on vacation a week after that. Yikes. I know at the restaurants I will be sticking to Soup, fruit, fish and veggies. Just sucks how everything revolves around food. When I am at home I feel like I have more control. What are you doing for exercise? I think an occasional treat is ok as long as you have planned for it -- getting your regular exercise and sticking to your meal plan the rest of the week.

WOW! Congrats! I have a long way to go but can't wait to get there too.

Yes, finally feels like I'm getting into a bit of a groove. first fill is June 14. I'm nervous. Oh no... Make sure to get plenty of rest and listen to your body. You don't want to push it too hard the first month.

Hey Sara. I was banded 5/8.

For dinner I had 1/4 cup ground turkey in tomato sauce, and 1/4 diced strawberries. I had no problems getting it down. I will probably have 8 oz of milk in an hour, and another 8oz an hour or so after that. My doctor says I should be having 3 glasses a day. Lactaid free milk has been a lifesaver. I know I need to work on upping my Protein intake but the Protein shakes literally make me sick. I am going to have to try deli meats, and more milk and yogurt. I normally don't eat cheese but may try that. Measuring cups, a self timer, and actually eating at my dining table have helped me with the transition to soft foods so far. Anyone have good recipe suggestions?

I think we've all been through that vicious cycle. Losing weight, then gaining it all back, and then some. 13 days post op and I feel really good. I am measuring my food, getting myself on more of a schedule and taking it slow. I am so happy to hear your insurance covers the band. Feel free to message me any time with questions.

I'm 13 days post op. I still get pain and sensitivity at my port and incisions, especially if I overdo it. Otherwise, I feel pretty good. I did 20 minutes on the elliptical VERY slow today and did a few stretches. I am measuring my food and drinking my milk (yuck... But necessary for protein). Today I had a friend take pictures of me for an album I am putting together of my journey. I want to do this monthly. I went through the same thing. I live alone but had family staying over for the first few days for support. Once they left, I felt very depressed and alone. It's hard when you're on pain meds so can't drive, and don't feel well enough to keep busy. I really had to pray a lot and listen to uplifting music. Is it possible for you to invite people over for brief visits? Can you read a book in your backyard or go on a balcony? Sit by an open window?

Oh no. How are you feeling today? I didn't drink very much the first few days either. Everything made me gassy and it felt like work. Lol. Keep trying. If you're on full liquids try some peppermint tea. I've found that warm/lukewarm liquids sit better with me than ice cold liquids.

Had 1/4 cup garlic tilapia (smashed up) and 1/4 cup diced peaches for dinner. Yummy. I had a few small teeny sips of warm water with it and took 40 minutes to get through it. Everything went down well. Yay! Those of you with upcoming surgeries are in my prayers.

Ok I was starting to question myself, but it seems like a lot of people progressed to soft foods around the same time, if not quicker than me, lol. Such a variety. I was just thinking the same thing. The conflicting info can be confusing. The best thing is to follow our individual doctors instructions of course. I'm glad it wasn't just me that had an issue w/ beans. I don't think I'll try them again for a while. How do you know you're full? I always used to eat to the point of being stuffed, lol, so this is new to me! But when I feel some pressure in my chest or side I stop. I got an example meal plan from my Dr and I actually can't even eat that much yet. For Breakfast it said 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/4 cup smashed banana.. I couldn't even finish the yogurt before I felt stuffed.

Lol' date=' thank you! Walking really helped. I also ready pineapple juice helps breaks food up and it worked like a charm. Hi Honk. Every doctor seems to have a different timeline. But yes my doctor recommended those foods and gave me a specific timeline which I've been following to a tee. It says on my instructions I can have eggs, chili, moist meats with sauces such as ground turkey, fish, crab, canned chicken, lean deli meat, lite canned fruit or veggies without skin. I just have to mash everything with my fork for about a week and have it 1/4 cup at a time.

My Dr said I could start exercising as soon as I felt up to it, but nothing super intense or abs until about a month post op. I will have to take it slow.. Maybe a recumbent bike, treadmill, or elliptical for 15 minutes. Actually I have an elliptical at home so may exercise here instead. I don't want to overdo it.

It's crazy how every doctor differs. I wasn't allowed shredded meats, fruits or veggies at the puréed stage. I can start having that as of tomorrow. I bought strawberry yogurt, turkey patties, garlic tilapia, deli meat, sweet potato, canned green beans, oatmeal, diced peaches (lite syrup) and some berries. I may try chili too. The binder my nutritionist gave me says I can have up to 1 cup in a sitting, once on soft foods. I also verified that w/ her in person. But considering i had a miserable evening after doing close to 3/4 cup of beans, im gonna take it 1/4 cup at a time. I REALLY do not want to overeat and hurt myself. Lala - With puréed, everything has to be applesauce consistency in a blender. Soft foods are things that are moist, or mashed, and easy to chew down.

I will give you guys struggling through the pre op diet hope: It is SO much easier after surgery to follow the liquid diet. You will have no interest in food for a few days, and once you do, knowing you would be physically ill if you eat solid food makes it a heck of a lot easier to avoid. Please hang in there because it will get easier soon.

Hi Maeg! I am only 11 days post op, so I'm learning as I go along too. But I did do a lot of research before i decided on the band. The first thing I did was go to a lapband information session at the hospital. You should be able to find one near you. My insurance needed me to have a certain BMI to qualify, get tests done, meet with a physical therapist, psychologist and bariatric doctor, as well as go on a 6 month medically supervised diet. I also chose to go to a bariatric surgery support group to educate myself. Its not as overwhelming as it sounds. Go to an information session locally, call your insurance co to see what you need to do to qualify. The bariatric team at your clinic will guide you through it and give you all needed info.

Ok Debbie, I will post here on Monday to say how i did that day. I haven't exercised more than short walks since being banded, so I need to go back to the gym Monday. I am progressing to mashed/soft foods tomorrow and had a little stuck incident w/ beans yesterday, so I really need someone to talk to as I am introducing new foods.

My doctor said the exact same thing. I had lost 20lbs on the pre op diet.. I'm 11 days post op and have only lost 3lbs since I was banded. I guess I expected big numbers. But I'm trying to be realistic, avoid the scale and focus on learning to eat right for my band as opposed to a number.

I am so happy everything went smoothly for you on surgery day. I too was amazed by how much I rely on my abdomen to get up and down! I didn't have any interest in food the first few days so I think that's normal. Congrats on being banded!

Ok, i was banded 11 days ago and other than the normal pain and nausea, had no issue until yesterday. I am on puréed foods for another day, and I stupidly had refried Beans without measuring how much I was eating, barely chewed, then had apple sauce. Was fine for an hour and then I felt like there was a rock in my chest. It hurt so bad but I was still able to get Water down. Woke up today, felt better except for tiny amount of pressure in the chest. I have done tons of walking today, and had 1/2 cup apple sauce eating VERY slowly. I've had water and milk. Now a bit of the pressure is back and every time I have water I burp, and it hurts. It gurgles in my chest. I'm so frustrated. Is this normal when you first have the band. When you get stuck or have an "oops" with food, how long til things feel clear again?

Well, it took me an hour but I was able to eat a whole 1/2 cup of applesauce! I don't feel like I've overeaten but did burp a few times after. I can't wait to have soft foods tomorrow but no clue how I will have 1 cup. Hah. Has anyone started mashed/soft yet?

I'm on pureed foods right now. Tomorrow I start mashed/soft foods. Excited but nervous for that. I'm not quite able to have 1 cup of food in a sitting yet, or maybe I just need to eat WAY slower. When I ate 3/4 cup refried beans and 1/4 cup apple sauce yesterday I think I got stuck. I haven't been chewing cuz all the food is mushie