brlgirl

Good luck to you and hoping that it is fixed and that you can get back on with your progress.

Hello everyone. I'm late posting...because believe it or not...my scale is broken. I know that I am "up" a few pounds (but I have now switched from mushies to real food). I will either get it fixed or get a new one by next week so I can post a real weight--and hopefully a loss. I will let you know that the last time I was able to get an actual weight...it was 247.5...which is up from the last posting...I am really looking forward to that first fill and being able to actually feel full. Until next week....hope everyone has a great week.

Hello everyone. Later this week (Wed. to be exact) I actually get to start real food. I understand that you are to take small bites and chew...chew...chew....then chew some more. I am with True Results and they want us to wait 2 minutes between bites and to limit each meal to no more than 20 minutes. Ok...anyone have any suggestions how to do this?? I have been on MANY weight loss programs/plans and know that one really shouldn't watch tv or read when eating....but when I read I have found that it is much easier to wait those 2 minutes between bites...(I generally eat by myself or dinner with my 3 year old who really isn't much of a conversationalist). Does anyone else have any other suggestions?? It is so difficult to take a bite...chew...swallow...then wait for 2 minutes while looking at what is still on the plate. Is it so horrible to read if it helps me to slow down??? Also...I had a rough weekend and have "gained" several pounds (I have only been banded about 3 weeks and am now on the "mushie" stage). Is it normal to have a gain as I switch from thick liquids to mushies then from mushies to real food?? Please help ease my mind... Thanks everyone!

Oh my gosh...I am so glad you posted this...I was banded on 4/26 and I have also gained like 6 pounds. I have been on mushies this week...and that really isn't the heathiest I've discovered...but on Wed I start on real food and I am terrified that this weight gain will continue as I will be consuming more calories. My first fill is on 5/24--which I am very anxious and nervous about. Thanks for letting me know that I am not alone is this gain...I have a feeling the fill will be great...but until then.....?

I am scheduled to go for my first fill on 5/24 and was wondering the same thing. I was also wondering how much of a restriction this first fill is?? Right now I have noticed that I do get "full" faster than before the band...but am just wondering out loud how this will feel. Good luck to everyone.

I was told not to drink from a straw because it causes air to get into the stomach which will cause gas...which we know is awful. I am an avid straw user and have had to work hard not to use a straw becuase I can feel the extra, unwanted air in my belly...which is so not comfortable.

I'll admit it...I drank a dt. coke this morning. I got one from McDonalds and I brought along an extra cup since we aren't to use a straw. I poured it into the cup and let it sit for a while before I started drinking...to let the carbonation "out". To be very honest...it wasn't that great. I don't drink coffee or hot tea and I needed a jolt of caffine this morning...but to be really honest...it wasn't that great at all. If I do it again it will be only becuase I need that jolt of caffine and it will only be a couple sips because flat soda is really yucky!!!!

I was banded on 4/26 and I took my steri-strips off after 5 days because they itched so much. My were a little oozy the first day or so and then they started itching...which caused me to rub off the "scabs". After I have finally been able to stop the itching mine have scabbed over and are doing well. I have one right under my bra line which has been somewhat of a problem...but when I checked it this morning the scab is gone and it is now a scar. Don't worry...it'll heal.

Hello. I am 5' 4 1/2" and I have set my goal at 150 (which I don't know...it may be too low) I remember going to Weight Watchers years ago--when they actually gave you a goal weight--and for my height it said about 150. I have only been banded for about 2 weeks so I have a long way to go...but I also realize that at my age (45) 150 may be too much...my body may not be able to do that. To be quite honest I will be happy with 160 or so. For right now that is what I'm going to leave it...it may change as I get closer. Good luck to you.

When you went on lapband.com where did you find the "card"?? I've done a quick search and didn't have any idea where to start looking. Thanks.

I was banded a week ago and removed the "steri-stips" the dr. used to close the incisions after 5 days. I know that I am healing but my belly is so very itchy. Does anyone have any tricks to stop this never ending itching??

Hello. I am posting today because I will probably forget tomorrow. I am down to 241.5...since this is my first month since being banded I guess I should have increased the goal amount.

Ok everyone...I wanted to share a "cure" for the belly itching. I woke up at 2:30am on Sunday morning with my belly/incisions itching so bad that I was afraid that I was going to tear off all my skin because I was itching so much. I did an internet search on "itcy incisions" and was directed to a website there people were talking about incisions--really a kinda wierd "place"--as I read I found one person said to try some Benadryl. Well, my son had some chewable generic benadryl and I chewed 2 of them (an adult dose is 4). The itching was GONE...one "dose" and the itching was gone all day long. I took 2 more before I went to bed so I wouldn't wake up scratching...and when I woke up this morning the redness around each incision was lightened. I wanted to share this because it was such an easy fix. I know that not everyone can take benadryl...and if that's the case then I'm sorry...but if you can take it...it is amazing.

Thanks. i will give that a try when I get home.

I had my hiatal hernia repaired and no it didn't add any extra pain...it did offer a wierd sensation that felt like a knot being untied...it didn't hurt but didn't feel good either--fortunately the twingy pain doesn't last but a few seconds at a time. My port/abdominal area is what what caused the most soreness.

Congratulations to you on this amazing accomplishment. My question...how is it that you have not had any fills? I was under the impression that the dr's start filling them whether we think we're ready or not. I don't get my first fill until the 24th so I'm just wondering how you were able to convince your dr not to give you any fills. Congrats again!!!!

I was banded on the 26th and I have also been Hungry...especially so at about 4:00. I have tried to drink more Water (exercise from running to the bathroom to pee counts right???) Yesterday I finally felt full...I drank about a cup of broth then about an hour later I had a Protein Shake. I felt full...like bloated full. I think that maybe my brain is telling me I'm hungry because I used to eat when I got home...but not really sure because I am kinda dizzy and my stomach is making those deep hungry gur-ggling noises. I am really...really thirsty. Nothing seems to quench the thirst...anyone feeling that??

You'll do fine. I was banded exactly 1 week ago and despite some abdominal pain I feel great. I think that your positive attitude will help you through those first few days of recovery. Good luck!!!

where did you find them?? in the vitamin section?? I looked and didn't find them at Walmart--of course not all Walmarts carry the same things I've come to find out.

I was on a 2 week pre-op plan which included 2 protein shakes and 1 sensible meal. I did a major "cheat" one week before my surgery...went to CiCi's pizza with my 3 year old. After eating 2 pieces of pizza I decided it wasn't worth it and ate salad. The next day I got back on "program" and when I went to the surgical center I had lost 15 pounds total (the center expects patients to loose at least 10). I didn't feel bad at all...but now know that I need to really be careful about what I eat. Don't beat yourself up about it. Get back on the program and you'll do great.

I am an itinerant teacher of the visually impaired (special ed) in the Houston area. I was banded last week (the 26th) and went to work on Monday the 30th--I had 3 ARD/IEP meetings that I had to attend. My job is slightly different, as I am not in one building with a group of kiddos all day long, I travel between 20+ schools and service students. To tell you the truth...the pain hasn't been too bad but by about 1:00 in the afternoon I am exhausted and really could use a nap. I did leave early on Monday and Tues just to go home and rest. I did tell a few of the teachers that I work with that I had hernia surgery (which was in addition to the banding) and they were much more adapting--especially in the afternoon. I have made a point to find a place to sit and rest during my lunch and planning times so that I can make it through to the afternoon. Have you told your students that you had surgery and that you are still in some pain and could really use their help? You don't need to be specific about the type of surgery, but lots of times kids will step up and surprise you.

Just a question...how were you able to have the surgery and not tell your husband? I know that I was very sore and had to ask my husband for help lifting things. Besides...I know that I made horrible faces as I tried to get up and down those first frew days.

Thanks so much Larry. This all makes sense...wish the directions were posted on the acutal "signature" page. Thanks for all your help.

I was banded last week (the 26th) and I can say that just the drive home was miserable...I live in Houston and the drive home from the surgery center was about 45 minutes...when the car hit bumps (no matter how small) it hurt and it was difficult to get comfortable. I will admit...that I drove the day after surgery. I had to go to Walmart to pick up my pain meds. Walmart is just around the corner from my house, but it was also difficult...getting in and out of the car hurt and the seat belt was not comfortable across a sore belly. If I were you I would wait a week or so until you travel. I will admit that getting in and out of the car is still tricky because of abdominal discomfort but most of the "gas" is gone from my belly so sitting is alot more comfortable.

Thanks so much...I got my offical tracker posted. Now how do I add the May Flowers one? I have tried to add a second and it just duplicates the first. I know it can't possibly be that hard to add. thanks for all your help.