GuateMom6

I am assuming that the pain I feel when I use my stomach muscles on the right side between two of my incisions is the port. That has really been my only pain and while it is getting better, it still rears it's ugliness when I stand too long, stand up, sit down, bend over, etc. When does this go away? Is this just the pulling on the inside where they sewed the port in place? If it weren't for that I would be feeling great 1 week out after surgery. Susan

Have you been walking? Try to walk as much as you can and drink your Water. I am 12 days out and the bloating has pretty much gone away. Also try the gasx strips. Good luck!

I had my surgery on 4/26 and went back to work one week later. The day before going back to work I had my post op over the phone with the nurse practitioner at the surgeons office. I have had no problems (other than the mild port pain). She moved me from mushies to soft solids. It is so good to be eating real food again even if it is mostly soft. I have enjoyed chicken salad, egg salad, baked tilapia, mashed potatoes and shredded chicken. It has really been heaven after all the liquids and mush. I am eating pretty small portions using 6oz yogurt containers as my "tuppperware" now which seems to be just about the right size (dont fill it all the way up). I am getting full pretty fast but as the days go on, feeling the lack of restriction so the swelling is definitely going away. I have lost 18# since the pre-op diet and 10 overall inches. My abdomen is still swollen and larger than when I had surgery so still bloated from the gas I guess. Just wanted to share with those that just got banded that it does get better and success can come quickly! It is keeping me motivated. Off to try a few minutes on my elyptical trainer to see how that feels. Susan

We are at about the same point post-op. My surgeon and nurse practioner told me that after the swelling went down, my appetite would return full force and that I would not really feel any restriction because the band has no Fluid yet. They said it was a normal feeling. However, you want to be careful to follow the stage of diet that they tell you. You want to make sure that you don't stretch out your pouch. After you start getting feels, you will feel that restriction that we need to have to feel full and to tell us to stop eating. Hang in there and don't beat yourself up too much. Susan

If anyone is interested in a motivational tracking spreadsheet that I have, I am willing to share it. When I did the change one (readers digest diet) many years ago, one of the members of our forum created a spreadsheet that you can track your weight, exercise and various measurements to track your inches lost. What I like about it is that you aren't just taking 3 measurements (breast, waist, hips) you take about 17 different measurments. It is amazing the places we lose inches! Based on my measurements this morning, I have lost a total of 10.8" since starting my pre-op diet! SO MOTIVATIONAL to see the inches come off. My biggest loss was in my hips area (4 from the middle of the cheeks and 2 from below the cheeks). If anyone is interested in a copy of the spreadsheet (excel) send me a message with your email address and I will send you a blank copy. Susan

I am just over a week out and the pain is definitely reducing daily. Still hurts getting in and out of the car or if I bend over or walk too long. Better every day!

Best of luck to you Deb. I enjoy reading your posts!

runny oatmeal, cottage cheese, blended up soups, mashed potatoes, pureed fruits and veggies. I just started them today but loving more flavor.

You will do great! I am on day 4 now and was telling my mom tonight that I don't remember anything after they gave me the initial sedative until I was back in my room. So far doing great. Minimal pain and looking forward to mushies!

I had surgery on Thursday and I am feeling pretty good. Lots of gurgling today. The only pain I am feeling is on my right side. I am guessing that is the port side? Hurts when I get up, get down or lay down. Heating pad has helped a lot. Haven't had any pain meds today. The pain hasn't been bad at all really since I came home except on that right side. I have done some walking. No hunger and ok on tomato soup, beef broth, shakes and water so far. I am looking forward to purees on Monday for a little more variety in flavors. Haven't weighed yet because I still feel so bloated. Susan

I can't believe that I am having surgery this week. It is starting to feel real. One more day so 2 shakes and lean cuisine and then Wed I am on all clear liquids. I am first surgery Thurs at 7:30am (arrive 6:00am) and they say I should be home shortly after 1200. They told me liquids through Sunday and then pureed/mushy foods like oatmeal, cottage cheese starting on Monday. Seems like there is such a wide range of diet progression with everyone's surgeons. I feel really confident with my surgeion. He is one of the top in our area. Getting ready to have this step behind me and start uncovering my skinnier self again! Susan

So is it a liquid or a mushy food?

Make sure you are getting the Water that you need (48-64oz). This will actually help your body release more water. I know I have been peeing up a storm on the pre-op. At one of my dr appts they have a scale that analyzes your body fat, water content and she told me my body had 100# of water! If they could just drain all the water off I would be close to goal! Hang in there!

Ladies great post. I am 3 days from my surgery. One thing that my doctor reminded me of when I met with her 2 weeks ago was that I shouldn't expect to lose much weight before the first fill. You also have to remember that prior to surgery we were all probably eating a lot more calories (I know I was). When you drop your calories significantly your metabolism actually slows down and goes into starvation mode for a while as it tries to hold onto your fat. Give it some time and let your metabolism adjust. Easy for me to say but I have been frustrated with the pre-surgery diet in only losing 12# so far with eating so little. Of course when was the last time I lost 12 pounds in such a short time? Hugs and hang in there. Thanks for sharing! Susan

Sharon, I started my preop on Thursday also and yes the weekend was so hard. I stayed pretty busy but I made some minor slips. Still it was gratifying to weigh this morning and be down 6#. My surgery is on April 26th also. We can do this! Susan

Thanks everyone for sharing. I started my 2 week pre-op last night and met with doctor today fo update my medical history. It is helpful to hear how everyone is doing post op cause that is where my fear lies. I have never had surgery other than my tonsils out 20 years ago and it was pretty miserable. Keep sharing!

It is interesting to read about all the different pre-op diets that people are on. I don't start mine until April 12 (circled on the calendar). I am allowed the following: Breakfast: Protein Shake with 2 servings of no sugar added fruit (fresh or frozen) which can be in the shake or not. lunch same as Breakfast Dinner: lean cuisine or weight watcher dinner 2 additional servings of skim milk, juice, fruit and a few other things that are on the list Unlimited no sugar items like Jello, popcicles I am easing into it and have started the Protein Drinks in the morning. I have been putting frozen strawberries or raspberries in the chocolate and it is really yummy. We will see how I feel after 2 weeks of them 2x a day.

Hi everyone. I just got approved by insurance last Friday and have scheduled my surgery for April 26 which is when my parents can come up to help me out. I am 46 years old and a single mom to an almost 6 year old. She is the light of my life and I want to be able to be around for her for a very long time. I also want to be able to do the things I once loved to do with her (skiing, rafting, biking, etc). I have been overweight most of my adult life (since college). I have had some sucesses back in the day with Phen/Fen bought illegally from Mexico because I couldn't get a doctor to prescribe it for me. I did Atkins and many other diets but like everyone else it came back with a few extra. I have never been able to maintain my weight more than a couple of years. I went to my first seminar last summer and then insurance said I had to do a six month supervised diet which started in October. In February insurance changed their policy and removed the six month requirement and my surgeons office resubmitted me as soon as they were notified of the change. So now I get my surgery 2 months sooner than planned which will hopefully give me a good jump start on summer! Glad I found this forum and this group. I start my pre-op diet on April 12. Susan

I just got my approval on Friday which was about 2 months ahead of schedule as my insurance changed their requirments and did away with the 6 month supervised diet. I am scheduled for April 26 and getting excited and feeling optimistic!