mrsto

We saw Lone Ranger yesterday. Also disappointed.... There were some good parts, but overall.....too long & not great. The best movie we've seen this year was White House Down. Loved it!

When we go to the movies, my husband usually gets popcorn. I may pour a little bit into a box & nibble on it. And I add it to my daily calorie allotment. The BEST thing I've found for the movies, is eating lunch/dinner before going. If I walk in on a full stomach, I'm not interested in snacking.

I'm with Cheznoel on this one... There is a lot of retraining to do during this process; pre and post-op. Although I understand the desire to lean on drugs to get through the "hard part", diet pills fall into the "old behavior" category. WLS is a complete change in anything you've ever known regarding weight loss, so it's best to white knuckle it......like everyone else. You will have greater success if you learn early on, how to get through the difficult times.

You are off to a GREAT start! The band is like any other big life change you want to make in life, in that it ALL has to start with "our will" do make it happen. With your mindset the way it is, you will do great once banded. I'm not going to lie.....there will be some difficult times as you move along, but you will get through them. This is a life long decision, not a temporary fix. Good for you!!!

Thank you! I love your posts, but my poor old eyes were struggling to read them

Yep - I'm with B52 on this... If we could do it without the band, we would have done it. And many of us HAVE done it.......over and over and OVER again! It's a vicious cycle; big losses, even bigger gains. For so many of us, the band is a way to stop the madness. For me, in the beginning, when I was back on mushy/solid foods, I was frustrated that I couldn't eat more. Though clearly I was "done" on a very small amount, my head yearned for more. But I'm very happy to say, that 3.5 months out, that feeling has subsided. Now, when I go out to eat and a huge plate of food is put in front of me, it somewhat grosses me out. I order what I want, and pick through, eating what I can, and then either leave the rest, or box it up to take home. But the restaurant portions now look so inflated. I'm used to smaller portions, and I enjoy every single bite; SO much more than before the band. Head hunger is our biggest obstacle with the band….or any WLS. I go for a few days where I'm fine, and then I'll have a day where I just want to EAT! On those days I have to be more strategic with my daily calories. Maybe I'll allow myself 1,200 instead of the 1,000 I'm trying to stick to. And I'll plan little Snacks in order to satisfy that need to "hand to mouth" it. I'm at a stage in life where I've accepted that I will not break certain habits, and I’m totally okay with it. I've made SO many changes since surgery, and I continually reap the rewards for doing so. Your concerns and fears are completely normal. I went through SO many emotions prior to surgery, and when I finally settled on the band over other WLS choices, I was completely ready. But it was quite a roller coaster ride getting here, and I haven't regretted it for one single minute. I love my band, and finally feel that my life is coming back. That would not have happened on another f-ing diet.

That is AWESOME! I know how good you feel! Congrats on your fabulous success

CONGRATS!!! Well done!!

Thank God for push up bras!!!

Karen - I'm with ya! I've never been large breasted, but they became way larger with this last round of weight gain.....to a D cup. And I don't like it! They're starting to deflate, and I'm thrilled!

Your post-op diet is pretty much the same exact as mine was. I was on clear liquids for two days following surgery, then switched to full liquids for the next 12 days. After that, mushy foods for 10 days & so on. I was told to take small sips, while finding my comfort level. The two ounce cup thing is a tool for some, to keep them from gulping & going too fast. In time, you will find your own comfort level with this. Amberley - PLEASE follow the instructions given to you by your doctor, and don't get too hung up on what you read others are doing on this site. This is a wonderful place for support and interaction with others who are banded, but the number one expert on all issues with your surgery, is your doctor. Nothing you've mentioned sounds off the mark. If your doctor told you that you could resume normal eating the day after surgery (solids including steak), I might lift an eyebrow. But it sounds like you're right on track. As mentioned above, you will read so many variables in each doctor's post-op (and pre-op) instructions; it can make your head spin. Clearly, there isn’t one single template for lap band aftercare, but everyone seems to do perfectly fine…..as long as they follow their specific instructions. Good luck - you will do fine!

Yes - the fatigue is totally normal. Anesthesia alone can do a number, not to mention that you just a major surgery. That, and the complete & total change in diet. Rest when you need to, and just know that this will pass. If it becomes an ongoing issue, call your doctor.

Heather - I agree (for the most part). At the same time, if a partner chooses to tell their significant other, they should also advise them to keep it to themselves. I know that when I tell my friends certain things (private), that it's a good chance that their husband/boyfriend knows. But never has anyone's partner said something to me, as if it was open knowledge. I think in Aviva's situation, that's the issue. Thank goodness that the response was positive, because that could have gone either way. If negative, there would probably have been a whole OTHER layer of discontent.

PS: If my BF told her husband, I would expect that at the same time she would tell him that it's private.....and not to say anything. Which equates to, don't bring it up with me, until that time that I choose to bring it up with you.

I'm down 34 pounds, and I'm already like a different person. Before, if I needed something that was upstairs, many times I would just pass on going to get it; too much effort. Now, I'm up & down the stairs with much greater ease, and don't feel like I'm going to have a heart attack when I get to the top. I walk a lot more, for longer periods, and I'm so much better in every way. We just got back from Las Vegas, and we walked non-stop. Aside from that, it's like a gazillion degrees there right now. Four months ago, I would never have pulled this off the way that I did.

Aviva - I haven't experienced this situation with the band, although, I'm sure there are a few people who know, that I didn't tell. Regarding your friend, the issue isn't whether or not you're overreacting regarding the surgery. The issue is that you asked a close friend to keep your decision private......and he didn't. That is the conversation you need to have. It's a trust thing. If I found out that my BF shared info that I specifically told her not to, I would be pissed. And I would have a difficult time trusting her with personal things going forward. With your friend, I think that is what needs to be addressed. Aside from that......if someone contacted me on FB regarding such a sensitive subject, I'd be even MORE annoyed. I certainly hope it wasn't posted on your wall!!

I don't consider swallowing pills whole, cheating. If they go down and you don't have any issues, then there are no issues

You are still early out of surgery. It's going to take some time to get used to the band, and the signals it sends. I'm sure you've read all over these forums, about bandster hell? There comes a point when hunger returns, and you have to white knuckle it until you start getting fills. Are you tracking your calories and Protein? If not, I highly suggest that you start doing that today. It's amazing how quickly the calories add up; even on "healthy" foods. I'm not familiar with Captain D's. Is that fried fish, or do they have grilled as well? It took awhile for me to get in touch with the band signals. As Karen above said, most of us do not eat until we're full. Once we hit that point, there is a lot of discomfort involved. When I eat, I go very slow, take small bites chewed VERY well, and listen closely for the signal. My doctor says, take 20 minutes to eat, and then stop (even if there is still food left). I'm usually done before the 20 minutes, but I do notice that I'm satisfied at around the 15 minute mark. This is a whole new way of life when it comes to food and eating. The stomach growling & bubbling part is very normal.....especially in the beginning. I used to gurgle, but now that rarely happens. At 12 days out, what you feel now will change as the weeks & months pass. Once you start getting fills, I think you will notice a huge difference. And I can't stress enough at the importance of tracking your food; calories and protein.

Thank you! Worked like a charm :-)

Does anyone know how I can set my daily calories at 1,000? Every time I enter my updated weight loss, it decides that I should have 1,200 calories per day to get to my goal. I'm GLAD that I can eat 1,200 (per what the system shows), but I want it kept at 1,000. Any help is appreciated

I still have some of those clear Isopure drinks from surgery. They're a no go for me, even on a GOOD day

nectar makes one, but there are others. I got it at the Vitamin Shoppe.

GOOD that you feel some difference today! I've had two fills since surgery. The first fill I felt right away. The second one was a bit more subtle.

I had a hernia repair, plus a couple of other things done when banded. I also had the horrible left side pain, and found it difficult to breathe normally for about 2-3 weeks. It will subside, but it takes some time. I know how frustrating it is, and was concerned that it would never go away; but it does. Regarding your food intake, I would talk with your doctor. One shake a day is hardly enough to maintain your health, and I'm not surprised that you're feeling weak. I also got to the point where the shakes made me gag, so I started putting some unflavored Protein powder in things like V-8 juice. The change from sweet to tart was a huge help. I think that once you're able to have soup, this will probably change. But I would tell your doctor about the problems you're having, and also ask if you can move to full liquids sooner than later. I hope you feel better soon!