The Laughing Cat

Yes there are nutritionists who specialize in bariatrics. Your doctors office would be a great place to ask for recommendations.

Congradulations on your progress. Will you get a CPAP machine for the sleep apnea? I have one and my sleep apnea is mild. It wasn't hard to get used to but I still don't like it. I'm hoping with further weight loss I can get rid of the machine!

I agree with Banderama in that we all are different. Yet we have mostly the same goals. Fears are transient. They change size and come and go. I don't know anything about fibromyalgia. but please don't be afraid to use the pain meds. The pain after surgery is temporary. Some of us have more, some less. It does go away in a fairly short time. I wish you the best

Holy Cow! I got tired out just reading about your day. Your energy level puts me to shame. Yes, I believe you overdid it. You are still healing both inside and out. Don't forget your Water, lack of that can result in fatigue. Best wishes the Laughing Cat

Welcome I'm fairly new here myself and have found an endless amount of experience and knowledge among the other members to help us on our Lap-band journey. the Laughing Cat

Yes, people do lose at the time between surgery and first fill. I was banded 5 1/2 weeks ago and am scheduled for first fill next week. With the help of the post-surgery diet, I have lost 22 pounds. If you follow your doctor's instructions, you will lose weight, even during this early period. At times it's tough but the end justifies the means. Go for it! You can do it!

I knew I had a hiatal hernia, but not as severe as it was. Instead of four incisions I have seven. Who cares! The shoulder pains were the worst, Lortab liquid was the savior for days two and three. My doctor's instructions were followed completely and I have healed without issue. Best wishes

It's tough but you can make it. My doctor told me to consider every pound I lost pre-surgery is one less pound to lose post-surgery. As simplistic as that sounds it helped me stick to it though the uncomfortable times. There are other reasons of course to have that pre-surgery diet and I'm sure you have heard them. The very restrictive post-surgery diet was a breeze for me after struggling through the pre-surgery part. Keep to it, your surgery is almost there.

It's a 3D USB pedometer, brand name "Data Tracker", purchased on Ebay. So far, it works great.

My doctor advised no soda due to the carbonation's effect on your band. It increases the pressure from below. coffee is an OK beverage for me. Of course, moderation must be kept in mind. That's sometimes a hard thing for me to do... love that coffee! Laughing Cat

I'm only 5 weeks post-surgery and have seen the scale moving down, until this last week. The good part is I moved into a smaller size of jeans! Same brand, same style so I know it's for real. the Laughing Cat

Hi Everybody, I am only one month post surgery and still learning to work this band of mine. I'm confused to when I'm really hungry. I often look at the clock thinking its meal time then stop myself because I question my feelings of hunger. Sometimes I go half a day without eating because I don't think I'm really hungry. A down side is I'm starvelating in the evening. Is my morning coffee a factor here? My Water consumption if fine. At times I believe I'm hungry but nothing sounds good to eat. I'll look in the fridge and see nothing worth the calories (my refrigerator has plenty of healthy foods). Is this head hunger or real supressed hunger? I try my best not to graze as it was a past downfall pre-band. Does anybody know of a good gauge on true hunger? I'm also having trouble planning my meals and/or Snacks for the day since I don't seem to keep to a hunger schedule. I have not had a fill yet but I think when I reach the green zone I will need to know the difference between real and imagined hunger. thanks for your advice, the Laughing Cat

A guy in my support group says he lost a full shoe size. I thought he was just pulling my leg. Then I heard it from another person. I guess it can happen. Good luck to you!

My one month milestone was yesterday. I can't wait to get my first fill and move towards the green zone. Lately it seems like I'm just on another diet.

My incisions were glued but quite tender to touch. I wore a snug camisole under my regular clothes to prevent rubbing. If you have a binder from your doctor that works very well too.

I want to be like you!

Living alone I don't have someone to tell me of my apnea episodes. I learned I had it when vacationing with my BFF (she thought I was dying!). The sleep study confirmed I had OSA. My machine reports 5.3 AHI, so I guess I still have it. My insurance will need some prodding to cover another sleep study. I plan to request it when my BMI is less than 30. Has anyone out there gone through getting off the CPAP and how did you do it? I despise the machine but know it's for my benefit. thanks the Laughing Cat

Mine is supposedly between my ribs and navel and slightly left. When I stand it's in the vicinity of my largest scar. I can barely feel it. It seems really deep, or is it just covered with fat? I'm four weeks out of surgery.

I'm in the same place and my will power is getting thin. What's holding me together is the scale results, going down.

Hi Everybody, I've seen posts refer to PBing, but I'm not sure I understand what that means. Could someone explain this to me. I'm nearly four weeks post-surgery but haven't had any fills yet, hence no restriction. Still fairly new to this endeavor, my pre-op education never used this term. thanks the Laughing Cat

Hi Everybody, I'm the Laughing Cat and am new to this forum and forums in general. I was banded 6/12/2012 after 3 1/2 months from my first appointment at the surgeons office. I feel I was well prepared but for sure will have questions down the road. Starting at 252, I am now down to 220. I'm struggling to keep on the diet as I feel no restriction. In two weeks I see the doctor and am hoping a fill will help me control my eating. Maybe I'll be a lucky one and reach the green zone the first time! Thank you for allowing me to join your forum. the Laughing Cat