kiwijo

Been stupid tonight and have eaten too much. Band is empty, I have my first fill this Friday an I think I was testing how much I could eat. Hubby made a lamb curry with rice for dinner. Had a modest amount. I was still hungry so had some custard and stewed apples that were still in slices and had a big portion. Now im gassy and uncomfy and angry with myself. Also have a little pain. I've been for a walk (it's easily -3 c outside) which has helped but I'm so disappointed. This was preventable. Anyone else let themselves down?

Karen K - That's incredible! You must be overjoyed with the results? I'm just at the beginning of my journey but fully accept that this will be in my future. Sigh.

Hey all, haven't posted in a few weeks. Now 4 weeks post surgery and starting real food this weekend. A little apprehensive about it but think I'm ready. Got my first fill in 3 weeks time on 29th June. Looking forward to it. I think I'm actually doing pretty well. I haven't needed any diabetes meds since starting pre-op and my blood sugars are all normal range. Loss so far since pre-op is 16 kgs or 35 pounds and 11 kgs or 24 pounds since surgery. Haven't been exercising nearly enough as it's winter and we've just had a good dumping of snow but I'm allowed to start Zumba again this week and cycling if the weather allows so I'm pretty excited about that. Have started to notice flabbiness on my butt which although I've always been big, I've never really had a flabby bottom so hoping zumba sorts that quickly! Starting to get LOTS of comments about how much I've changed and how good I'm looking. Haven't got any clothes that fit anymore so off on a spending spree this morning to get a couple of things so I don't look ridiculous! I'm also taking some quality items from my wardrobe to a local secondhand clothes shop to sell on behalf to help fund this spending spree! lol Watching how you are all doing and all May Bandsters should be very proud of how they are doing. Remember it's a marathon not a sprint.

I'm type II and stopped taking insulin on the pre-op diet and haven't needed to start it again yet at 2.5 weeks post surgery. I also haven't needed metformin although my doc tells me it will speed up weight loss. My bs readings have all been normal since surgery. But I'm only on mushies so might change when I go back on normal foods.

My husband has also been incredibly supportive. He even did the pre-op fluids diet with me (although he would have a normal lunch away from me while at work) and he's lost almost as much as me! Throughout the surgery and post op recovery, he took amazing care of me. Only thing I will say is after a couple of beers the other night, lying in bed he said that he wonders if he will still be attracted to me if I end up thin but with lots of hanging skin. I'm 38 and have been big my whole life so I will end up with some baggy skin but I'm hoping with exercise and taking it slowly, I can tone up along the way and maybe only need brachioplasty and a boob job. But in reply I said that you never know what will happen but hopefully our love will get stronger with me being healthier and more energetic... And I've told him the boob job will be for him because he loves my big boobs.

I don't want to get pregnant and having been on depo provera shots and then implanon for the past 8 years, I haven't had a period. But I've noticed 2 weeks post surgery some spotting. I'm guessing that being overweight I was infertile but now I'm losing weight, my body is returning to normal. Apparently it is normal to get periods with the implant contraceptive, I've just not had it personally. Anyone else experienced something similar?

I've told lots of people. In proud of it especially since I'm off all diabetes meds since starting pre op fluids on 1 May. Every single person has been supportive and encouraging.

Good luck kah. I was banded on 14th May and whilst it's not been a smooth road so far, I have lost 17.6pounds in 2 weeks and I've not been hungry once. I have had constipation issues so my advice is keep up the fluids and Benefiber as much as possible from the start. And allow yourself time to heal well before returning to work. I have had 2 weeks off and back parttime for this week. I'm lucky to have an understanding boss.

Help! I started mushies today and now have food stuck. I can't seem to shake it no matter why and have even tried drinking coke to bring it back up. Even fingers down the throat isn't working. I won't say I'm Really uncomfy but I am in some discomfort. I've tried hot drinks, cold drinks, stretching, walking, laying on my left hand side. Nothing seems to help. Suggestions please! It's after midnight and I need to sleep. Thanks in advance.

I've taken 2 weeks off. Doctor signed me off for 3 weeks but I feel happy to go back early. Very glad to have the second week as I was dealing with very painful constipation which would have been awkward at work.

I was over 300 pounds when I first started Zumba and thought I would be self conscious but I was so busy watching the instructor that I didn't notice or care if people were staring. Turns out they are all too busy watching the instructor too! I now go up the front and give it my all. Great workout! Missing it at the moment as I'm only 12 days post surgery and not allowed to go until 4 weeks post surgery.

12 days post surgery.

Oh and I've just thought of another questions. Before my surgery I had a mild cold. The surgeon wasn't worried about it as I wasn't really coughing much, just a sore throat. But for the past two weeks the coughing has got worse but I have no other cold symptoms. And it's worse at night. Could this be a night cough/reflux thing now? The coughing is stopping me and my husband getting much sleep and I'm conscious of pain at my port site when I cough.

Great tip! Yeh I think I'll ditch the peanut butter. I'm only having wee half teaspoons at the moment but the more I have, the more I want. And let's face it, that's how I got here in the first place!!

I know what you mean Sombra1718, I thought the same pre surgery. I've had a healthy appetite my whole life and could not for a moment believe an Optifast Protein shake could fill me up. But it does. I started my weightloss journey a bit differently to many on here as I started to replace meals 6 months ago and lost about 25 pounds over that time so trained my body to get used to hunger and knowing that it was ok to be hungry. Being diabetic I was terrified of a hypo but actually the excitement of seeing my blood sugars in the normal zone was inspiring and motivating to keep it up. But now I'm banded because being a realist, it's easier to lose weight over summer when salad food is easy, exercise is easier, etc etc and I knew over winter I would struggle so I wanted the extra insurance of the band to keep me going. So far I've lost 55 pounds overall and 13.8 since surgery on 14th May. And I don't feel hungry. You will rock this!

My hubby is starting to make noises about when... My hospital advice sheet said 'it is fine to resume sexual activity when you return to work' so he's waiting until Sunday night.

I was banded 14th May and have my first fill on 28th June. Still not really hungry but went shopping for mushies food last night, my first time in a supermarket since the surgery and it was quite tough. Now I've got things like cottage cheese and peanut butter in the house, I'm really tempted to snack on them! Was easier when there was nothing here to eat. lol Starting mushies tomorrow as I am going back to work on Monday and want a couple of days to settle in to the mushies before then. Really hoping I don't gain weight once I start eating. I've lost 13.8 pounds since surgery date and 55 pounds to date since my heaviest. I'm walking lots each day and trying to make sure I get my fluids down too. One thing I thought I might ask although this group might all be a bit to new at this but my diet sheet says after 2 weeks fluids and 2 weeks mushies, I can start to eat normal food and provides a sample menu which includes bread, pita, muffins etc. I thought that I would have to give up bread altogether. What have your experiences been? I love bread so would love to still be able to eat it, albeit in smaller amounts.

I don't know the exact ins and outs of it but SOS (Southern Obesity Surgery) in Chch got the contract to do 20 weightloss surgeries for the DHB this year on a trial and I got the call on 23rd December to let me know I was successful. I guess having Diabetes was a big factor but also taking into consideration my age, length of time with it and the lack of too many other complications means that losing weight for me will cure me of this disease. CURE. I too have private health insurance and there was cover for WLS but only after so many year's standdown period and there were all sorts of conditions and parameters and even if they were all met, their contribution was only about $7,000. Paltry. This country needs to wake up to this issue and I just hope that my success and the success of others on the trial makes a difference to the attitude of the govt.

I'm with SageTracey. I'm desk bound and have 2 weeks off. Coming to the end of the second week and am starting to look forward to going back to work but I know that if I was there this week, I'd be flagging by midday and needing to sleep. I work 25 miles from home so no opportunity to pop home for a nap.

Hi Tere I've found telling people what I weigh has been a relief rather than an embarrassment. We always think that we will be judged but I've found nothing but support. I also figure that the more people I tell, the more determined I will be not to disappoint them or myself by cheating. I'm day 9 post surgery still on liquids and have lost 13.8pounds so far. I know this is not sustainable (nor healthy) so am expecting a change to happen once I start mushies this weekend. But oh my god how much do I crave mashed potatoes with gravy!! Good luck, Tere.

Hi all I was banded on 14th May and at 6 days post op, I'm down 5kgs (11 pounds). Finally able to sleep on my right side but not for long. Pain is pretty good with today being the first day with no painkillers. I'm walking well and the fluid diet is ok. Sneezing and coughing hurt (I have a cold:( ) but I'm not too uncomfortable. I'm tired and need naps. There still a little bit of gas trapped under my diaphragm which is helped with a wheat bag. I'm having clear fruit juice diluted 50/50 with water about 1.5l a day and 3 protein shakes a day. Sometimes I'll have soup too. Desperate to chew something! Oh and I finally had a BM today. Phew! This forum is a godsend! Cheers everyone.

Hi all I'm Jo and I received my lapband on Monday 14th May - 5 days ago. I was operated on in Christchurch New Zealand where I live. As a Type II diabetic for the past 5 years, the opportunity to have the surgery funded by our Public Health System was too good an opportunity to turn down. I started the Optifast Protein Meal Replacement diet back in October replacing 1-2 meals a day and lost about 12 kilos (26 pounds) over the course of 3 months but it plateaued and I got bored and it was still easy to cheat and eat whatever I liked. So in March I got the letter confirming my surgery would go ahead in May. The 2 weeks on Optifast and vegetables only before surgery was tough and a good test of my determination to succeed. I lost 5.5kgs (12 pounds) over the 2 weeks and since the surgery, I have lost a further 3.6kgs (8 pounds) in the last 5 days. I had a bit of a tough start as my surgeon put 2 ml of saline into my band during surgery and the next day I struggled to get enough fluids down and ended up in hospital a second night on a drip after experiencing having the band emptied. That was excrutiating given the site was only 24 hours old but I coped ok and the relief in being able to drink more made it worthwhile. So overall I have lost 48 pounds already with another 99 to go til I reach my goal of 165pounds (75kg), I'm really pleased I found this site as I have a very gurgley tummy and have a lot of wind so being able to read on here that it's normal and others are the same, I feel a lot better. I'm also loving the recipe ideas.

Hi Catherine Good for you. I'm feeling similar to you. Like my ribs are going to explode. But I'm hoping it'll pass. Good luck with your journey. Jo

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and had a LB fitted on 14th May paid for by the DHB. I'm a type II diabetic who was diagnosed 5 years ago and became insulin dependent 3 years ago. I started on a weightloss journey last October before being accepted for funded surgery and had agreed with my husband that if I couldn't lose the weight by myself and wasn't accepted for surgery, we would pay for me to go privately. I lost 19 kgs pre surgery and have lost 22 total so far. I've got another 40odd to go to get to my own personally set goal and I believe I will get there. The public funded scheme was not a lottery and I was told that the selection criteria were strict and they put forward 100 candidates who then go through a selection committee. I was considered the right age, attitude, BMI range, and co-morbidity and was therefore selected. I will NOT take this opportunity for granted. I realise I'm lucky to be selected but I also believe that had I not been successful, the cost of treating my condition would have totally exceeded the cost of surgery several times over. And I stopped all diabetes meds 3 weeks ago when I started the 2 week pre-op Optifast diet.

I am in this situation too. I'm 4 days post op and haven't had a BM yet but I'm also on a fluid only diet so wonder what there is to actually pass. I've been taking Kiwicrush daily to help which is a kiwifruit based fibre product but still nothing. I'm walking twice a day and drinking lots so hopefully it will happen soon.