jen_1381

1. Can the procedure be performed with just local anesthesia and IV sedation? I am very afraid of general anesthesia. I can't wait until I see the doctor to ask this and I can't find answers on the internet.) No, they can't perform this procedure under local or MAC (IV Sedation). You need to be under full anesthesia since they are working in your abdomen. When they fill your abdomen with air to be able to move the laparoscope around, it will cause too much pressure on your diaphragm and you will feel like you can't breathe. Trust me, general anesthesia is the way to go. I asked my surgeon to do an ovary removal under MAC but he said any time they enter the abdomen and use air, general is typically required. 2. Are there lifting restrictions post-op? I teach Special Ed. and do tons of lifting and positioning. Every surgeon is different but you will probably have some lifting limitations post-op for a few weeks. My surgeon recommended no strenuous activity for two weeks post, until I saw him for the follow-up and was cleared. After the two week mark and I was cleared, I was able to start full exercises including ab exercises. 3. I love to eat - not as an emotional outlet but because I enjoy cooking, baking, going out to eat, and tasting food. I know I can handle the smaller portions post-op and that food types are limited but after the 6 week recovery, can I still go out to eat and eat whatever I want but just in limited portions? For example...can I go to Burger King and eat a couple bites of a Whopper to get the taste but not have any issues? Or will I have to eat pureed foods for a long long time? I crave certain tastes and don't want to live without that. There are a few different theories on this. There have been some very successful bandsters that still eat their normal way but just a lot less amount. That method wouldn't work for me; I'm an all-or-nothing girl so I completely avoid the burgers, fries, sandwiches, etc. I made a lifestyle change to become successful, and focus my diet on only Protein, fruit, and veggies. Honestly, I don't even miss the Big Macs or chicken McNuggets. My body doesn't need that type of food, so I don't eat it. I'm eating to live now, not living to eat. And it feels GOOD! Also - you will have a dietary protocol to follow post-op. The most typical transition is Clear liquids for a few days, then full liquids, puree, soft/moist, then normal food. You will find that there are foods that you can't tolerate with your band though. My best advice is make sure you are completely prepared for this. I am following my doctors instructions to a T and have been quite successful so far. I had a LOT of work to do on myself before I felt ready for the band. I made sure before surgery that my brain was completely in check, and I haven't regretted one second of being banded.

Life is so much nicer when you love your job. Mine is super fun, meeting new people all the time and the people I work with are great. If you HAVE to do something, it may as well be something you enjoy, right?!

Okay 1) xsentrick you're job sounds like SO much fun. Do you love your job? And 2) I run a Physical Therapy office. I'm at my desk half of the time, and up and around the other half. I had surgery on a Friday, took the weekend off and was back Monday - - but I have an insanely high pain tolerance and saved vacation time for Vegas next month

If I'm kind of hungry, I'll go for a string cheese or a Laughing Cow cheese. If I feel like I'm just STARVING I'll have some string cheese with a piece of lunch meat wrapped around it. I was just having a V8 but my nutritionist pointed out better options. She also suggested some fruit and cottage cheese.

I have never really loved shopping. When I was 243 lbs, it was just discouraging. None of the cute shirts came in an XXL. I thought I would put on my brave face at hit the mall yesterday. I had nothing but time to kill, so I wandered through Old Navy. I haven't really shopped since I started my weight loss journey. I grabbed a few shirts that were XL (pretty confident they may fit, since I've lost a whole cup size!). Headed to the fitting room, cringing the whole way, and slipped the shirt on. It was TOO BIG! Tried on the next one (different style - love their "vintage" line) and it was WAY too big! I was actually smiling when I left the dressing room to grab a Large. I was so excited when I came home, I told my husband that I no longer required the "X". He was naturally a little puzzled since he has no concept of sizes whatsoever (I don't think the man has bought any of his own clothing since we started dating!) but he was excited for my excitement. For the first time, I felt like a "normal" girl who could walk into a store and buy a shirt without panic or regret surging through me. This journey has been amazing so far. I can't wait to go get my next fill and show my surgeon my progress. I set a goal of losing 10 lbs between fills. I'm 18 days from my next fill and already hit my goal! I hope he will give me the fill (last time he did half because I was losing fine on my own) but a little restriction would be nice. I'm at 4.5 cc right now in a 11 cc band and not feeling much restriction, it's all been will power. I do stay fuller, longer, but I don't get my "full" signal if that makes sense. Well I wish everyone out there in Band Land all the success in the world.

I think it's different for everyone. I have heard though that the flat sandwich bread and tortillas are less problematic. I've successfully had a tortilla before my second fill and it was aye-okay, but generally I've sworn off all empty carbs (breads, crackers, etc).

Myfitnesspal is the best. I'm only 10 weeks out from surgery and am still intensly focused on getting to my goal, so I try to only net between 300-500 calories. I eat about 300 calories per meal (Protein, veggies, fruit), 3 meals a day plus a snack in the afternon if needed. I also run every day, which burns enough calories to help me stay in my net range. It's different for everyone. I met with my nutritionist and reveiwed my plan. She made a few suggestions but said calorie wise I'm at a good target for me.

Checking in at 193.8 this morning. Exercised every single day (with the exception of 3 days I had tonsillitis). Life is feeling pretty good!

10 weeks out and 50 lbs gone, officially this morning!! Best advice? Stick to your doctors plan.

Full liquids was by far my least favorite stage It's a challenge to find filling, healthy liquids!

Are you in the full liquid stage? Also, did your nutritionist give you a list of options? I'm afraid I don't have much advice to offer, the first two weeks all I remember is things like Protein shakes, tomato juice or V8, and Water. Adding a splash of sugar free coffee syrup to my vanilla shakes did help mix it up a bit.

I've never been able to count carbs. My dad is diabetic and he can calculate carbs and grams of carbs in no time. The whole thing confuses me (he's allowed x amount of grams of carbs, so many carbs equal a gram...??!!). I do track every calorie that I take in though, using MyFitnessPal. Sometimes I have to do the closest thing if I can't find the exact food, but the barcode scanner makes it so much nicer. I just cut out foods that I know are higher in carbs (crackers, breads, etc).

Hello Bandsters! Pondering in some deep thought here. Wondering when you all actually FELT like you had lost weight? I was banded 10 weeks ago and am down just under 50 lbs. Inside, I don't feel like I've lost anything. The scale proves me wrong every morning, and I'm down two pants sizes (and a bra cup size - ugh!). I visited my Mom last weekend for the first time since March and she was shocked. Her coworkers (whom I've known for about 10 years) were commenting on how "skinny" I was. I felt VERY uncomfortable with that word. I am skinnier than I was three months ago, but skinny? Not this girl. I thought maybe when I went shopping for new pants I would feel it, but not really. I do notice, for instance, when my husband puts his hands on my hips it feels different since they're getting boney. I've never been good at taking compliments, I've been overweight my whole life and anytime someone would comment about me I just instantly think they're lying or joking. I feel very uncomfortable when someone comments on my weight loss. I feel like I don't deserve the accolades yet because I'm not done and I still have work to do. So when did you feel like - AH, I did it! I'm rocking this body! ??

That makes total sense! I used to work in outpatient surgery and I would see someone who was the same weight as me and I would think - - NO WAY! I'm not like that! I always thought I just carried it very well. Don't get me wrong, I knew I had a weight issue but I really didn't think I look like other people that weighed the same as me. Denial, I'm sure.

My fear with living too tight would be when the time comes and you HAVE to have that unfill, you'd be able to take in more food comfortably and gain weight. Being too tight may not be intentional, and some people may not realize they are for some time, but it puts you into starvation mode (if you can only eat a few bites per meal) and that never turns out well for your body. I did a Very Low Calorie Diet for 3 months last year, dropped 40 lbs fast, but when I went back to eating "normal" I gained it all back plus. I don't think living intentionally with a too-tight band would work out well in the end.

Thank you!! It all feels very surreal - like I can't believe this is actually working! Then I remember, it's not really a "diet" or "program", it was my lifestyle change, and it's permanent!

I asked my surgeon which he would use, and he simply said "well, honestly it's whatever I feel like that day and the OR has on hand". He asked if I had a preference, and after researching them both and realizing it was comparing apples to apples, I let him chose. He explained he didn't notice any difference success wise, but that the Realize band's port is slightly easier to access and slightly less likely to flip. On the day of surgery, he said he was going to use the Realize band. It was aye-okay with me.

Being stuck does not sound pleasant! I don't think I've ever truly been "stuck"...I've had about 5 minutes of horrid indigestion but it was self-inflicted (I'll just have this one last bite even though I just got my full signal). It's only happened twice, and the second one was with hummus. Hummus! Nothing chunky or anything, but it was a little thick. I was walking and snacking, not concentrating, and BAM, misery for 5 minutes. Learning how to use our bands is not an easy task!!

I was raised to ALWAYS clean your plate. "If you can't eat it all, you shouldn't have taken so much!". Can't tell you how many times I heard that! I got used to filling my plate then making sure it was empty. My new lifestyle has really re-trained me to 1) use a smaller plate, and 2) it's okay to stop when you're full. Before being banded, I *maybe* felt full 10 times in my life. You know, that 'can't take one more bite or I will explode' feeling. Post-band, I've learned to really tune into my body and recognize my full signal. Using the smaller plate helps me feel like I'm eating a full meal like everyone else.

My meals are still pretty boring! I'm still trying to get the hang of it. I have 4.5 cc in my 11 cc band and was banded 10 weeks ago. I start out my morning with a cup of pu-ehr tea. About an hour later, I have breakfast which is usually 1 egg scrambled and Greek Yogurt, or a packet of oatmeal with some fresh berries. lunch is usually some sort of Protein, like 2-3 slices of turkey lunchmeat or some tuna mixed with lite mayo. I'll add in a veggie, like the "just for one" carrots or green Beans. If I'm still hungry, I'll have a handful of fresh berries or diced pears. Mid-afternoon, I'll have a light snack, either a string cheese or a slice of cheese. It's probably not the best for me, but I love cheese it's super filling for me. dinner I try to eat along with my husband (if he's home) so I'll bake chicken or fish, or throw a turkey burger on the Foreman grill. I'll add in some steamed veggies and fruit. I'm my sweet tooth is getting the best of me, I'll have a couple spoonfuls of frozen Greek Yogurt. Everything I eat is either 1/2 cup, or 2-3 ounces. I'm taking in about 800-900 calories a day, and do an hour of intense cardio that usually burns 300-500 calories depending on what I do.

Welcome, and Happy Birthday!! Having Lap Band was one of the best choices I've ever made. Not only is it an amazing tool, but it really kicked my butt into gear as far as accountability and responsibility for myself. Wishing you a very successful journey!!

Just remember, everyone is quick to spread the word about the bad stuff. When all is good, people are quiet. Everything in life has a horror story that can accompany. To me, it came down to personal accountability and knowing that I can't make the same mistakes other bandsters have. Each success or failure story is very individual. Sure, there are cases where the band was faulty, or a surgical issue, but for the most part the band failures I've heard/read about come down to personal choices.

Thanks I will have to try this! Last time I tried to make meatloaf using turkey I couldn't find my normal pan so I put it in a pie dish...and it turned out like Turkey Pie It tasted alright but the consistency was off. I'll try this recipe out!