ddrobins

Sorry for your experience. I hope Monday goes off without a hitch.

I like all of yours, and will add: Being able to paint my own toenails Cross my legs at the knee Feel sexy again, for my husband Sit on the floor and play with grand kids Go horse back riding Feel comfortable dancing at a party Not being the fattest person in the room

In April, when i stepped on the scale, that I had been avoiding all winter, I weighed 287 lb. I knew that I had to do something drastic. I had tried and tried and failed and backslid, for the last 10yrs. I decided on lap band, as it seemed less invasive than the other types of bariatric surgery. I found a wonderful surgeon, Dr. Chris Coburn, in Mississauga, Ontario. The day of my consult, June, 21st, I weighed 284lb. My surgery was scheduled for July 27th, because I was a self pay, I didn't have a lot of preliminaries to take care of , besides a general medical check up and a two week full liquid protein diet. I think the liquid diet was very beneficial for me. Besides getting my liver into shape, I totally turned around my thinking and cravings about food. It was like doing a cleanse and a lot of my bad eating habits fell away. The day of my surgery, on July 27th, I weighed 271 lbs. Now, here it is, just over 5 weeks from my surgery and I'm down to 256lbs. I couldn't be happier. I was just in my hometown visiting family and already people are noticing that I am losing weight. I'm down like 2 sizes and I've lost a lot of weight off of my stomach. I can bend over without feeling like my eyes are going to pop out...lol I'm also amazed and delighted just how easy this journey has been so far. The surgery itself was a piece of cake. I slept on my recliner for about the first 3days and by day 10 post op, I was better than I had been even before the surgery. I have stuck to my doctor's guide lines and now am eating most solid foods. Still can not eat grilled steak, no big deal. I make sure to get all of my protein, at least 70 gr. a day. I keep my carbs low and make sure I get in some fiber. My appetite has been tamed to that of a thin woman. I have my 3oz. of protein, and usually two small servings of some kind of veggies. I am using a divided childs plate to eat on and that works good for me and keeps my portion sized in line. I am learning to listen closely to my body and as soon as I get the first feeling that I'm done and satisfied, I stop. If there is still food on my plate, that's ok, I leave it. As, my doctor says , the idea is not to see how much you can hold, but how much you need to feel satisfied and able to hold over to your next meal. I never snack in the evening anymore, ever. I have no desire to do so. I actualy sleep great, with no heartburn or acid reflex, since I have not been stuffing myself with food all evening. This has been way easier than I ever imagined, and I think its probably one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

That is wonderful! You are doing great!

We had dinner with friends. I had one slice pizza. Ate all the veggie and cheese topping and about half the crust. Then i had one bite of my hubbies chocholate cake. I felt satisfied and since I eat slowly, I'm not done before everyone else. I had about 900 calories for the day and around 80 gr. Protein. It's working for me, I'm able to eat with family and friends and not even miss the old way that I used to eat. Life is good.

well, I'm now about six weeks post op. My doctor was right on. I'm no longer dieting. I'm living like a thin person. I've lost 33 lbs so far. I eat protein in the form of chicken, fish, shrimp, small amount of beef, eggs , cottage cheese, etc. I try very hard to get in my five veggies a day. Thats' it. I'm eating three small meals a day and usually a mid afternoon snack and I am completely satisfied. I dont think about food. I have no cravings. I have no desire to graze or binge or stuff myself on anything. I have had no pasta, no bread, no rice, no cereals. I could if I wanted them or had any room left for them, but I don't, and I don't even miss them. This band is some sort of miracle for me. It has completely changed my thinking about and relationship with food. I was very sceptical that it would work for me, but it is working and I couldn't be happier.

Hi I used slim time and had no problem with them. I got the vanilla and then you can mix your own flavoring in. Dr. Coburn is my doctor too. He's great. I have had zero problems. My surgery went great. I healed in like 10 days. and I'm having great success as of five weeks post op. I have very little hunger, eat my small meals and I'm done. I don't think about food or crave food or feel like snacking at all. I have not had bread, Pasta, rice, for over 7 weeks and don't miss it. Once I have my Protein 3 to 4 ounces and some veggies, I'm feeling very satisfied and there is no room for the startch. and believe me, I used to live on carbs. But no more, I'm amazed every day that this is me, eating sensibly and not feeling like I'm starving or hungry or about to fall off the wagon and binge. You'll do great...Dr Coburn understands us and just follow all of his instrucions and you'll do fine. I go in for my first fill on Sept 14th. I probably won't need much as I already have a bit of restriction. Good luck.

Dr. Coburn did my surgery 3 weeks ago. I love him and his staff. I knew as soon as I had my consultation with him that I was going to choose the Lap Band and have him perform the surgery. Reading this only confirms what I already knew. He is an excellent surgeon and a really good person.

Now this is what worked for me. I'm short waisted and a couple of my small incisions were in my bra band line and my port incision was right where my waist band sat. So, for the first week I wore mostly cotton yoga pants and capris and tucked the front underneath my stomache. I wore long enough shirts that it was not noticeable. I also wore a front closure bra and left the bottom couple hooks un hooked. 24 hours post op, you are really going to want to go for comfort so make sure everything is soft fabric and loose. I had a lot of left shoulder pain and it felt better if I kept it covered and warm, as for me it felt not so much like gas pain as muscle soreness. Make sure you have a nice fleece jacket or small fleece blanket you can throw over you if you get cool. I found this to be necessity. Also, I would take a pain pill half hour before boarding. Good luck. You'll feel so much better once you get home to your own bed. You will be wiped out after your trip, so plan on getting rest.

I'm 3 weeks post op and have lost 10lbs since surgery. My appetite has changed drastically. I'm eating pretty much regular food now, but on the soft side. I eat about a cup of food per meal, some times a bit less. When I get about half way done with my portion, I really focus on each bite and as soon as I feel satisfied, I stop. It's a subtle feeling and I'm still learning when to stop. My relationship with food has changed dramatically. I don't think about food all the time, like I did before. I'm using food as nourishment instead of a hobby and a friend. I hoped with all my heart that this would be doable for me but I was very unsure. I LOVED to eat. I still enjoy my meals, but when I'm done, I'm done and not thinking about the food that I just put in the fridge and feeling the need to finish it off. I know it will still be there for my next meal and I don't have the need for it until then. Since I'm eating such small amounts, I cook 2 to 4 portions of whatever I make for myself and save or freeze the extra, that way I need to think about food , even less. I know its eary on, but this is working for me. I feel normal and not obcessed by food. I can easily make it from one meal to the next and even beyond and with no hunger.

Nine days should be plenty of time to kick your cold and cough. Drink plenty of fluids and tea. I understand eating with your meds, I'm the same way and if I dont eat, I get very nauseous. I would not eat Ritz crackers, as I think they are high in fat .. You would be better off with dry wheat bread toast or Rye Vita crackers.

Sounds like we are all healing , but each a little differently. Nothing wrong with that. Pay attention to your body and do what it tells you. I feel blessed. Had surgery July 27th. I slept a lot and stayed pretty much at home for one week and then started to get my energy back. I would say I am back 100 percent now and even better than I was pre op . I'm down 24lbs as of this morning. I'm on soft food and eating around 900 cal. and around 80 gr. of protein a day. I start my day every morning with a protein drink and incorporate a lot of protein into lunch and dinner, along with one small afternoon snack. I'm surprised and elated how seamless and easy thngs have been so far. I feel no hunger between meals and do NOT snack at all after dinner, don't even think about snacking. The hours between 8pm and midnight were always my undoing on any diet I've tried in the last 8 yrs. I even was on one diet where I went to bed at 9pm every night just to keep from eating. That didn't last long. I LOVE my Lapband. Not sure how or why ,,,,but this thing is working for me. I thank God and my surgeon dailey. I couldn't be happier or feel more blessed by this whole experience. The whole process has been so stress free and smooth, that I know Jesus had his hand in the mix. Do I sound happy? lol I am and I hope and pray that this process continues working in the way we all hope that it will.

I met with my surgeon and one month later had my surgery. I had blood work and an EKG. I did a two week preop of a high protein medical grade liquid protein. 3 protein drinks a day and some green leafy veg. It was hard to stick to but I did it, was a little mean towards the end...lol I think if you are self pay, you don't have to jump through all the insurance hoops . The cost of my surgery also covers five yrs. of follow up care, including all of my fills , and access to the dietician. He has an excellent clinic. I was treated like a queen by all of the staff.

Does anyone else absolutely love their Lap Band? I was banded on July 27th. Very new, I know. I feel great. Almost completely back to normal. First 3 days, mostly laid around and slept. Then started getting energy back. I started on my pureed food, last Thursday. I'm up to about half a cup of food per meal. A little less sometimes. I eat slow and try to pay attention to how my stomache is feeling. After eating, WOW, I have no appetite , whatsoever, until my next meal. I'm eating 3 meals a day. No Snacks. I still have Protein drink for Breakfast and then two pureed meals. Incredible! I think for the first time in my life, I am lasting until my next meal with no thought about food or being hungry or having any cravings. I'm sitting at night, watching tv, reading, using computer, whatever, no snacking whatsoever. And I don't feel like I could snack if I wanted to. I am very satisfied with my small meals and the thought of eating more food does not interest me in the least. I am praying that this will last. I keep expecting to wake up ravenous. I'm praying that I don't. I have had no nausea or vomiting episodes at all. I can drink Water freely, with no problem. My food goes down good, I just need a small amount. Twice, I probably overdid it by maybe one or two bites and had an uncomfortably full feeling. Not pain. Just like I had overeaten. I'm trying to really learn that first feeling of when I have had just enough. I have never eaten more than half a cup at one meal. I have lost 19 lbs. in 3 weeks. That is my two weeks of pre op protein and one week and 2 days of being banded. What has everyone else's experience been like this early into it. I'm thinking this is really going to work for me.!!!! Yea!

Well, I'm still on soft foods. Today for breakfast, I had a cup of liquid protein drink and half a small banana. For lunch, I had a half cup of cottage cheese, a tablespoon of gucamole, I small peach chopped. For dinner I had egg salad made with two eggs and a tablespoon of mayo, half a cup of sweet potatoe and a small dollop of yogurt. This evening I had the rest of my protein drink that I had left from breakfast. I'm not really counting calories. I'm having 3 small meals a day and one or two scoops of protein made into a drink. I just make it with water some coco powder and one splenda. My doctor told me if I eat in this manner. I will not need to count calories. I know some of the people here don't agree with this approach but I can't imagine counting calories for the rest of my life. I'm trying to manage with portion control and common sense. I know I need to stick to basic wholesome and nutritious food. I don't expect to eat fried foods, pastries, and high fat foods. Although I don't think anyone can live without an occasional treat. Like my Doc said. I'll still attend parties and have a piece of cake. It will be a small serving or a few bites and I'll be satisfied. I will no longer feel the need to have several pieces. This makes sense to me and the way I'm feeling now. I think it will be very achievable.

Yea! Wendy! I'm so happy for you. Stay connected to this board. It's great for info , advice and encouragement.!

I can't feel mine either. Don't care as long as Dr. can find it. I sure don't want to have to worry about bumping it ..I think it is still underneath a lot of fat. Muell, you look great.....I'd like to hear your story.!!!

I was worried too. I'm 56 yrs old and have battled weight for most of my life. I was pretty good with my weight in my 30's and most of 40's and then menopause kicked my ass and I think I became depressed and I started eating and couldn't quit. Food became a big part of my life and I jusified it to myself and eveyone else. I love to cook and cook, I did, and ate and ate and ate. I've never been a junk food eater or fast food eater, my love is real homemade food. I really was not sure just how this would work for me. But, I decided I really wanted to do more with my life than just eat. ok, I've done that now I want to do other things. So, I have gone into this with a positive attitude along with fear that it won't work. But, let me tell you. It's incredible! I have no Hunger. I have no Cravings. I Do Not feel drprived. I eat my bit of food and pay attention to each bite, I try-still learning, and when I get that first feeling like : ok, that's enough. I stop. No matter if I still have food on my plate or I haven't eaten my whole portion. I just stop, wait, yes I'm satisfied. Then I clean up and don't even think about food for 4 to 6 hours. I'm eating 3 meals a day. No snacks, and it's working great for me. I have no hunger and no desire to eat. My evenings are completely food free and I'm loving it. I've always loved water and didn't ever drink much soda . But, I was a big coffee drinker with cream and sugar. Well, my preop protein , two week diet pretty much weaned me off coffee. Because I could not drink it black....Ugh. Since I was already used to eating good home cooked food. I really haven't had to change my food choices too much. Just very small portions. And my day is not consumed with cooking. Today I am making a lasanga with the meat and ricotta cheese and sauce, but with no noodles. I'm just making layers and baking it like that I figure it wll be loaded with protein and still very tasty. I thnk I'm going to put a mushroom layer that may take the place of the noodles. I'm tweaking a lot of recipes and making them Lap Band friendly. If you want this. Go for it and make it work for you. I'm making it work for me.

I would say, whichever works best for you. Both white and dark have lots of protein ....Just dark is moister and easier for me, at this point. But, I also cook chicken breast in the crock pot and keeping it very moist works well too.

Sounds like you are doing great! You won't continue to lose the weight as fast as we do at the beginning. My surgeon says it will be about 2 lbs a week. You are off to a good start and seem right on track. How is your hunger? Are you feeling satisfied?

I'm just recently banded and my head is whirling. This is what my doctor told me when I asked him what kind of diet I would be following post lapband. He asked me to name a few of the diets I had been on: Low carb,lowfat, high protein, etc. He asked me if any of those had worked long term for me? Well, no Doc, that's why I'm here getting surgery. He said, Ok, you are officially done with diets. You will eat what you feel like eating, but only until you feel satisfied, and that doesn't mean stuffed. He said he will adjust the band to make it possible for me to still eat and lose weight. Im taking him at his word. We'll see how it goes.

I bought a plastic two part dish that you put your egg in mix with a fork, a sprinkle of cheese on top and about 40 sec. in the microwave gives you a nice soft scrambled egg. Just rinse and wipe the cup out and you are done with breakfast and cleanup. I got it from Wall Mart for about 5 dollars, use it all the time.

I was banded on July 27th, and I'm right there with you. I have zero appetite and have been sipping water constantly, as I know this is important. I have been lucky to get down one serving of protein drink a day. I've had a bit of broth, some very thin cream of chicken soup, a bit of thin cream of wheat. That's been about it for the week. The nurse told me not to worry about it this week but make sure Im drinking water. She said everything is still swollen and settling into place. I have had lots of gas but no nausea to speak of and no vomiting. So I guess that's good. Im very tired and have been sleeping quite a bit. I've been walking a bit, not enough, it just seems to drain me if I go out in the heat. All in all , not too bad I guess. I see my doctor tomorrow too.

What is your doctor or nurse practioner saying about this problem. This doesnt sound like something you should have to figure out on your own. I would give them a call and tell them what you are experiencing.

I'm not sure how old you are, and that doesn't matter. I'm sure you are an adult and legally entitled to make decisions for yourself. You need to listen to that voice inside of you. You've heard it before and you know what is right for yourself. You need a support system in your life that is rooting for you, no matter what, and will still love and support you even if you were to falter along your weight loss journey. We are all given families at the time of our birth and you know the saying, blood is thicker than Water. Sometimes the ones who understand you and support your decisions in the right way, are not people that are blood related to us. You need to make a support system for yourself and not deal with any negativity. That does't mean that you cut your family out of your life, you just don't include them in your personal decisions, knowing that they will not be accepting of your decisions. I made the decision to get Lap Band, because nothing else has worked long term for me. I'm depending on my Band and the feeling of restriction to remind me of what I need to do in order to live a longer and healthier life. I was getting to be very limited in my mobility and dealing with lots of joint pain. I know this has to work for me or my golden years will be spent in my recliner watching life pass outside my window. If you are committed to changing your lifestyle. And that might mean turning things upside down in your life for awhile, then you are a good candidate for the surgery. Go after what you want and don't let other people pee in your cheerios! Good Luck!