koolkel

I've yet to find a broth I can tolerate( taste-wise) I keep making my own chicken soup and straining it for the broth. It's richer and more flavorful. I have found that I relish creating and cooking the soup because I know I will enjoy a tiny part of it. Someone on here said their dietician said to heat up soup and strain it so that it tastes better. One word of advice-- after banding, make sure you have some warm fluids( tea or broth) it helps to "get things moving." LOL!

I have Anthem CT and everything was covered. They denied hospital admission but I stayed in extended care overnight. I had to have psych eval and two dietician visits. I also had to be cleared by Pulmonologist.

My biggest surprise so far is that I feel absolutely NO restriction at all! I am over on my fluids everyday... I can still drink large mouthfuls and do so quickly with no problem. On the advice of the folks on this site, I am consciously trying to sip so that I'm used to it. Yesterday I had a few twinges of pain where my port is, and the swelling has subsided enough for me to feel the port through my skin( a little freaky!) Otherwise, all is GOOD!

Hi everyone! I've enjoyed reading this thread and you are all so supportive! I was banded on 2/19. I had no pre-op diet except for clear liquids the day before. My surgery went smoothly and I had very little gas pain. I still some slight discomfort at the port incision site, and it's quite bruised. My surgeon had me shower with Dial anti-bacterial soap for the two weeks prior to surgery( to decrease risk of infection.) I went a step further( because getting a hospital-born infection is my BIGGEST fear) and used Hibclens wash. My surgeon used no bandages at all and sealed my wounds with glue, and then covered them with glue as well. That's another way to decrease risk of infection. I spent one night in hospital( I walked all night!) and came home the next morning. I've been tired, and in the first few days I was STARVING! I even wanted lobster( thanks to a Red lobster commercial) and I don't even LIKE lobster! It gets easier everyday! I'm not sure how much I have lost because I didn't own a scale until after my banding, but I was 263 when I started and on my home scale today I am 246. I don't see a weight loss myself. My stomach looks bigger but it's probably still swollen.(?) When I am tempted to eat, I remind myself of the people who need feeding tubes. They can never eat again. We will be able to eat soon and we will have trained ourselves to exist on much smaller portions. Good luck to all! It's ALL worth it!

My band was placed on the 19th and I felt hungry( sometimes it felt like I was being tortured!) for the first 3-4 days. I would fantasize and dream of food. Now though, I only feel hunger on occasion and I'm really sure if it is true hunger. When my stomach rumbles I drink, water or a shake. Sugar-free jello sometimes helps too. If drinking does not make the hunger subside, I make a broth. I have been making my own chicken soup and straining it because I need to taste something. Tasting something usually helps. Good luck and keep your eyes on the prize!

Congrats! I was banded on the 19th

I found that the best tasting whey protein( for me) is by EAS. I get it cheapest at Target. I have both vanilla and chocolate and is love to find strawberry. I make all kinds of delicious shakes with it! I always grind fresh nutmeg into all shakes, it gives them a great flavor. Adding a few tablespoons of frozen orange juice to vanilla makes a creamsicle. Adding a cup of cooled decaf coffee to chocolate , with a dash of vanilla extract makes a mocha latte type shake. My dietician said add a little bit of any sugar-free jello powder to flavor. I find the fruity ones tastes too sickly sweet though.

Hi everyone! I was banded on 2/19 and everything went smoothly. The thing is, I was prepared to experience problems drinking, and I haven't. I can still gulp down water( I know this because I awoke thirsty in the night and guzzled water before I remembered my band!) I am also experiencing pain in the port incision( which my nurses said is larger than normal,) I also have bruising around the incision. I tried to go to work yesterday but it was too uncomfortable. I'm on liquids for three weeks and the store bought broth is disgusting to me. Has anyone made their own? I tried it and it was delicious but it sent me right to the bathroom. Any advice/thoughts are appreciated!

The thing is, I'm WAY over on fluid intake because there is no pain. I was expecting some but it never happened. My only pain has been the one larger incision. I didn't even have gas pain! I think they may have forgotten to place the band, lolol!

Congrats to all! I was banded on 2/19 and I'm really loving my shakes. I've been experimenting so I'll share some ideas with you. It gets boring quick! I use the EAS 100% Whey Protein powder. I mix it with Blue Diamond brand, unsweetened almond and coconut milk( it is found in the dairy section and it is DELISH!) I make a vanilla one and add a few tablespoons of frozen orange juice mix to make a creamsicle. I make a chocolate one and add two teaspoons of sugar-free jello pudding powder( cheesecake flavor or white chocolate.) I also make one with a cold cup of decaf coffee, one scoop of vanilla powder and one scoop of chocolate. I always grind some fresh nutmeg( from the actual nut) into all of my shakes. Also, adding some banana extract or any flavor pure extract helps! I bought one of those "blender cups" that has a round, whisk-like ball in it so I rarely use my blender. Good Luck and Happy Banding!

That's great news( straining the soup!) I can't stand plain broth and I find myself craving taste. Have you have diarrhea? Seems I have bouts whenever I have a rich broth...

My surgeon's instruction say I should wait one year before drinking alcohol. Doubt I'll make it a year with no wine...

Hi Everyone! I have been trying to join this group since sometime in Jan. Here is how I finally got it to let me in: I "right" clicked on the "join" button. A menu appeared and I clicked on " open." Now I am finally here and I can't remember all of the questions I had! LOL

Hi everyone! I stumbled upon this site as I was trying drifting around the web, trying to ease my nerves. I am scheduled for lap band in mid- feb. live in CT and I have been refusing to even consider surgery for at least 8 years. This summer, i watched my son take his first surfing lessone. Next to him in the ocean was a woman who was older than me, learning to surf. That is when I started to seriously consider this. BY November I was sure. I have cleared all hurdles and now await my procedure. I have told a few friends and co-workers and their reactions have upset me a bit. ' You don't need that!" " You're gonna puke constantly!" " You are curvy, not FAT!" SO little understanding. Anyway, i am nervous about the surgery itself becasue i don't tolerate surgery well, and I am so afraid of feeling hungry but only being able to drink ( for three weeks post-op.) Any encouraging words will help and it is nice to " meet" you all!

Wait!! Are you guys saying that I will be on a liquid diet for two weeks BEFORE my surgery? I was told I will be on a liquid diet for three weeks AFTER but nothing about BEFORE! I am slithly in shock. I do have an appt next week where I was told they will go over everything, but geesh, I have been going to appointments for months with no mention of this.

I am scheduled for lap band in Feb. and the three weeks of liquids( post op) has me nervous! Do you feel hungry? I think I will be fine as long as I am not ravenous. i have to cook for my son and I don't want to be sobbing while doing so! LOL