Jewelsm1127

I also have a 10cc band. My doc typically keeps worrying overnight but because I was walking within 15 minutes of coming out of anesthesia he let me go home that day.

Tango - you're right...we will get through this. Everyone loses at a different rate. I say we follow the rules and let the weight come off at its own rate. Some weeks I bet it will be more and others it will be less but over time it will come off. We just have to keep at it. Glad you are doing well!

Sunny - congrats on setting your date! I haven't had gall bladder surgery but there was another thread comparing the lb pain to that of a csection. For me the lb surgery pain was minimal and I took no pain killers. I was driving the next day and back to work 4 days later but everyone's pain tolerance is very different. As for not drinking with meals I think a lot of people struggle with it. I can't drink 30 minutes before which is easy enough because I stop drinking while I'm getting dinner ready. I make sure not to have any beverage near me when I eat to avoid grabbing for it. No drinks for 1 hour after either which is the hardest part for me but I get up and so the dishes and clean up or surf the net...anything to keep my mind off it and that usually helps the time pass quickly. But a couple of us have also done the swish and spit too. Rinse your mouth with water but don't swallow. Eventually I think it will become second nature.

Shady - ditto here. I slouch sitting at my desk and it does put pressure in my port. I've been paying a lot more attention to my posture lately too!

Keesh - Of course allergies can always be a possibility. In my case I don't think that's it because I've done the Atkins diet having whey protein shakes for breakfast every day and my skin never reacted like this. However, every time I do change my diet extremely (from all fast food and fatty foods to lean protein and veggies or vice versa) my skin bugs out in some way...whether breaking out, getting too dry to the point of redness and itchiness, etc. If you've never had whey protein shakes before then it definitely wouldn't hurt to ask. Actually, either way it doesn't hurt to ask your doc. This could be so totally common and we just don't know it. Here's to hoping your skin and mine clear up soon!

Ally - So far I have to say everything has been great for me. I made darn well sure I was mentally prepared for all of this so I didn't stress any of the pre or post op diets because the food I love is always going to be there (McD's won't go bankrupt just because I'm not eating there every day!). I am on solid food now, but during the mushies week I ate pureed cottage cheese, soft scrambled eggs (made with skim milk), mashed potatoes and even some Gerber baby food (beef w/gravy, turkey w/gravy) that was just like gravy and I put it on top of the mashed potatoes. My doc only required 7 days of each stage so I didn't invest in too many different foods. I even ended up having baby food left over and gave it to my brother who has a 4 month old. The main thing is I take it day by day and basically don't worry about food. I eat what I'm allowed to eat and know that I would be back on solids soon. But I'll tell you what, when I started mushies I woke up extra early to make myself a scrambled egg before I went to work and it was the best darned thing I ever had! Even now on solids I have a whole new appreciation for food. Brussel sprouts for cripes sakes! Now who likes those? But I'm loving them! Whatever happens, know that you only have a few days/weeks to spend in each phase and soon you will be eating foods that are good for you and can be quite enjoyable. Don't let any of it get you down! :-) Whatever happens you can do it!!!

Keesh - My skin is a big old mess right now...sounds exactly what you have...I have a whole bunch of very fine bumps on my left cheek and the right side of my chin. I'm not too worried about it just yet because I've had my skin go haywire before when I've completely revamped my diet. That's what I figure caused it. Two weeks of pre-op diet of strictly protein shakes, then liquid diet, then mushies, then soft foods, and now solids consisting of all protein and veggies. I figure it's just a skin detox and it will clear up on it's own. I'm going to give it a couple of months until everything levels out a bit. If it doesn't appear to be getting better then I might consult a dermatologist.

Victorious - From everything I'm reading 1 cup is the norm. I have the permission to eat that much I just haven't gotten there yet. Not sure if it's because mentally I was set for all of this or what. But that's why I figure I ride that wave as long as it lasts! Then when I come back here whining I'm hungreeeeeeeee, I'll go get that fill! :-) It sounds like you are still doing great. And fills are there for a reason so use it if you need it...nothing wrong with that, that's for sure.

Victorious - I'm awesome, thank you for asking! My next appt is the 2nd week of February. The week before last I lost 5 lbs and this past week 2.5. I am still at about 3/4 - 1 cup of food 3 times a day and I'm good with that. No hunger in between so far. If it continues that way I'm not going to get filled. My mental will is still strong and I would rather wait to get filled until I really needed. So far, I'm not regretting a single thing. How about you? Hanging in there?

Ally - I also had the runs for the first few days post op and then I got constipated the following week when I started on mushies. Now I'm 5 weeks post op on solid food taking two fiber gummies a day and I'm right as rain. Talk to your doc. I cleared the fiber gummies with mine too before I took them. Congrats on making it through the pre op and surgery!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Onederland...I love it!

In style...hang in there! My weight loss stalled post op when I started mushies. When I started on high protein solids it picked up again. With all the gas and bloating I didn't expect much. Let yourself heal and take care be it will pick up again.

I started taking 2 fiber gummies a day. They are by Fiber Choice which is what my local Walmart had. I've been taking them for a few weeks now and they have helped tremendously. As for gas, I have it, I let it out but it's not any worse since I started taking the gummies.

Happens to me too. At first I couldn't belch so there was only one way for it to come out! Now I'm burping again so that helps a bit. But no matter which way it comes out it does happen every day!

I was banded on 12/21 and I only have clearance for cardio. No sit ups or weights yet. I go back to the doc in early February.

15 day liquid diet here too. Didn't cheat once. Didn't cheat post op either. No reason to cheat...don't panic...all the food will still be there after you get banded. You can do this. One day at a time!

No fills yet and there is no way I could eat all that. I'm also wondering what the point of posting that on a band site was? Hmmmmm.

Ditto the others. Between not drinking before, with, and after meals it doesn't leave a whole lot of time to cram that water in. I don't loathe the water now but I am also not as thirsty as before. I used to carry a 1 liter stainless water bottle everywhere I went and I would drink four of those in a day. Now what's weird is I found that when I switched to a 16 oz bottle it's easier for me to get the 64 oz in. Maybe it's not so daunting and its a total mental game but it seems to have helped. But it also took me to 3 weeks post op to build up to it and if I don't make a conscious effort I won't drink it. Not sure what the deal is. :-)

Brann - I had surgery on 12/21 with no fill. Had my first post op on 1/4...no fill, just checking in. I'm scheduled to go back the 2nd week of February. They said they would do an aggressive fill of 4cc's (10.5cc band). I am just now at 3 oz of protein with 1 tablespoon of veggies, three times per day with no snacks and I'm totally not hungry or have any cravings. I asked the doc on 1/4 if I'm losing weight and feeling fine by the time I come back, can I opt out of getting a fill. They said absolutely. So if I continue at this rate, then I'm not going to get the fill. I would rather wait and get it when I absolutely need it, which I imagine will be when the time comes to maintain my weight. However, if you feel you need the help and aren't losing, then I think you should go for it. It's supposed to be there to help you along. But if you feel you don't need it and are continuing to lose weight, then speak up and tell them you don't want a fill yet. I believe you should be able to make that decision, not your doc. At least that's what my doc said.

Chad - I stopped at Walmart tonight and saw that they had these. I was excited until I saw the sodium. I'm no expert on how much is too much but one of the breakfast meals had over 1000mg. I googled and according to the American heart association they said your intake should be less than 2000mg per day. I left the Atkins back on the freezer shelf. I thought it was way too much even though I'm a big fan of the Atkins diet because high protein works well for me.

You know, another thing...I wonder if it's possibly you were banded with a shiny black patent leather band instead of the usual white silicon one?

Gosh I'm glad it settled down! The way I see it is my lap band is like someone following me around with a fireplace poker. If I push it too far I'm going to get jabbed and whacked something fierce. I'm too chicken to test my band but I know where you are coming from when something tasted so good. As far as the head hunger goes, tell it to shut up and go find something constructive to do. I keep myself distracted with chores or Internet surfing or anything I need to shut that voice in my head up. Live and learn but hang in there Terry!!!

Hey I have a zit. I think it's the bands fault (insert major eye roll here).

Not sure what's in the Monster but my doc specifically said no caffeine so no energy drinks for me. I just get my protein in and try to get to bed at a reasonable hour.

Definitely an inspiration. You look awesome! Congrats!