mrsto

I feel ya! I do the same thing, and wish I could just shut off my brain. Obsessive thinking......horrible! Been doing it since I'm a little kid

I also deleted the app from my phone and my iPad. I took a break for a few days, and now breeze in and out. It became all consuming, and I needed to just be with my band, and the support from my doctor's office. These forums are a mixed bag; can make your head spin And the posts by the people with complications are informational, but unfortunately, a lot of the posters think that the lap band sky is falling if someone posts that they're having an issue. It's just TOO much sometimes!

My pre-op diet was 1200 calories/day; low fat. I wasn't perfect, and probably ate around 1400 calories/day. My surgery went fine. That is NOT to say that it's okay to go off the plan, because as mentioned above, if your liver is too large and fatty, they will not do the surgery.

I was also on clear liquids for two days, then on to full liquids. Did you get the dates for your diet progression? If you are on clear liquids, what type of protein shakes are you drinking?

Campbell - and (I didn't mention) that I also had a hernia repair at the time of my lap band surgery. I got severe heartburn about 8 days after; so bad that I thought I was having a heart attack. I went to see my doctor, and he said that it was hard to know, being that I just had surgery. Some of these things resolve with healing, but you should talk to your doctor. Did he/she put you on an acid blocker after surgery? Many doctors do; mine did.....I was given a prescription for generic Pepcid, and told to take one twice a day for one month.

You still can; I did. But that was soon after surgery.....like you. I'm now 5 weeks out, and haven't had a problem. But I will say that if you drink a protein shake or milk.....something other than water soon before you go to sleep, that will cause the stomach acid to backup into your throat. My problem has improved a great deal, but if I eat something too close to bedtime, I'll have reflux. And now with the band, I'll have other unpleasant happenings if I have anything in my stomach too close to bedtime.

Only your doctor can diagnose the issue, but it sounds like it could be reflux. I've had this issue for years, where I wake up in the middle of the night try to swallow a lump in my throat. It feels like a lump of post nasal drip, but as many times as I swallow, it doesn't go down. And it doesn't go down because it's swelling in my throat/esophagus from the reflux. You should talk to your doctor; possibly you should be on an acid blocker like Pepcid or Prilosec.

I had the band and plication done on 3/25. My doctor has done many of these procedures, and also told me that the long term data on it isn't available yet. But the results are promising, and as stated above, it reduces some of the inherent complications of the band alone. He factored the procedure into the bill, in a way where I didn't have to come out of pocket for it. He also repaired a hernia, and removed my gallbladder at the same time. After much thought and research, I decided to go with the plication, not only because of the reduction of potential band issues, but I wanted a secondary procedure in place, in case the band did not work for me. At least with the plication, my stomach capacity is now dramatically less than before, which is another added way to limit what I can take in. FYI - this is probably just a matter of semantics, but the plication is currently referred to as "investigational", not experimental. I don't know if that puts a little different spin on it for you? There is a lot of data you can find online, but none of it is conclusive. All very promising, but not yet approved by the FDA. My understanding is, they're about 2-3 years out from having what they consider "long term data", which would then provide what the FDA requires to either approve.....or not. So far, it's all looking pretty good :-)

My surgeon said never again......for the reasons already stated above. Advil has always been my drug of choice for pain, but I haven't had any since two weeks before the surgery. And I won't take it anymore. Not worth the risk, and though extra strength Tylenol doesn't work to the degree that Advil does, it's what I now take for a headache, etc. Not the greatest, but better than nothing.

You have a really good attitude, and I'm in the same boat. I'm (only) 15 pounds down since my surgery 5 weeks ago, which includes the two weeks pre-op. Although, I have to admit that I wasn't exactly diligent with the pre-op 1200 cal/day; more like 1400. But I did drop a few pounds, and there weren't any issues with the surgery. I'm sticking to 1000 calories, and the weight is coming off slowly. Like you, I've made peace with the fact that at 57 years old, everything is slower. I'm not going to drop 6 pounds the first week I decide to diet, as I did when I was 30. I fight to keep my head on straight every day; some days better than others. But my attitude is, as long as the number on the scale is going in the OTHER direction, I'm good. There have been many days since doing this, where I knew if I didn't have the band, I would have blown whatever the diet du jour. Which I ALSO have to remind myself, is exactly why I got banded. In these last few weeks I would most likely have put on another 2-3 pounds, instead of dropping 15. That is the ball I work to keep my eye on.

Fabulous! You look amazing :-)

You do not look overweight whatsoever. GREAT job!!

There is a free app called My Fitness Pal. You can download on your smartphone, and also login on your computer. Once you fill in your specifics, and track your food daily, the program will give you the information you need. Ask your nutritionist how many calories per day you are supposed to have, along with the grams of Protein. As you track your food, the program will tell you how many grams of protein you've had at each meal, each day, etc. It gives a lot of other information as well, but calories and protein are the most important for us. My doctor has a computerized scale that calculates just about everything in your body; weight, baseline resting calories, Water level, fat to muscle ratios, etc. I was sad to see that in order for me to simply maintain my weight, is 1400 calories. I'm sure if I start gaining some muscle mass by exercising, that number might change a bit. But given my age and my 5'2" frame, I need to cut down to somewhere between 800-1000 calories a day to lose. Even so, it's going pretty slow (I think). And even with restriction, it's a struggle.

I did the same thing. I drank 1/2 of a Protein shake between Breakfast and lunch, and the other half between lunch and dinner. It was tough, but it got me through.

I just had my first fill on Thursday, and that was a little over 4 weeks post-op. Initially, I had some restriction, but apparently the swelling from surgery went down, and I was getting hungry 2-2.5 hours after eating. I think that's probably what's going on with you. I'm much better after the fill, and I'm back to being satiated for up to 4 hours. Don't be nervous; it's really no big deal. Just a little pinch. Believe me when I tell you, you went through a LOT more with the surgery

I get the same thing.... From all the posts, it sounds like a band-ism. Thank goodness I read Jean's article on soft & hard stops, because as soon as I hiccurp (Missy - love that), I know that I better put the fork down SOON It's difficult, though, because sometimes it happens after only a few bites. I've pushed the envelope & kept going...slowly, but my total shutoff happens within the next three bites.

Cheznoel is right.....Rome was not built in a day. Don't under estimate the assault this surgery has on your body. I was very much out of sorts for a good 2.5 weeks, and didn't really feel "good" until 4 weeks. During the first three weeks I had weepy moments, and felt very frustrated at times. Even yesterday, I was so out of sorts, and all I wanted to do was eat......but I couldn't. I wanted to take a sleeping pill to escape, but I had to just sit with the feelings & wait for it to pass. Give yourself a break.... If you feel sad or out of sorts, allow yourself to feel it; don't fight it. Just rest, go for a walk, read a book, etc. The days will pass soon enough, and you will come through this.

I absolutely LOVE popcorn, and most always get it when we go to the movies. My husband doesn't necessarily love it, but he eats it along with me. NOW - low & behold, we've been to the movies about 2-3 times since my surgery on 3/25, and every time he gets fricken popcorn! As he sits down with the bag and a diet coke, he asks if it will bother me. I just said, no. I figure, just because I'm on lock down, doesn't mean that he can't enjoy popcorn at the movies. Some day (I guess), I'll be able to have a little bit again. But I was just surprised when he sat down with it the first time, because he doesn't necessarily like it. Whatever! He's been VERY supportive through this entire venture, so I can't really say that he's testing me

As far as laxatives go, MiraLax is the best. Non-stimulant, no cramps, mixes with Water - tasteless. Typically, it takes a couple of days for it to work, but it's something you drink every night for a period of time. It's not like other laxatives that you take at bedtime, and need to be seconds away from a toidy all the next morning Another one that works GREAT is Milk of Magnesia tablets. But the tablets are kind of big, and may be too difficult to swallow. But the liquid (as gross as it is) works great, too, and it's gentle.....no cramps. I think the best thing is to find a permanent solution. As Barb5227 mentions....probiotics work fantastic. When I take them on a regular basis, I have no difficulty. And they're excellent for gut health.

Part of the reason that you're so exhausted, is from the surgery; anesthesia, etc. It's an assault to your body, and it takes time to get your energy back. It's true that all the doctors differ a bit in their protocol. On mine, full liquids was the Protein shakes, and any liquid that goes "naturally" through a straw. Creamed soups were fine, as long as any solids were strained out. pudding wasn't acceptable until I advanced to soft/mushy foods. On full liquids I could have frozen yogurt, but not regular/greek yogurt. It's probably best to clarify what's acceptable with your doctor's office. There are so many variations, and it's most important that you stick to your doctor's progression. Good luck!

I use MFP, and under nutrients it shows me in grams. Which screen are you looking at?

I find that I'm not thirsty, either. And I know I'm not getting the 64oz/day of Water that the doctor wants us to have. I think that the reason we drank so much prior to surgery, is because we were eating anything and everything we wanted; much of which causes thirst. Our bodies also craved the fluids to push through all that food! Now, with the very scant portions, drinking doesn't interest me. I do it because I have to, but getting as much as they prescribe, is a stretch.

Ask your doctor to call in a prescription for Lortab. It's liquid Vicodin with acetaminophen. That's what I took after surgery; so did many others. It goes down easily, and was a gift from the Gods for pain :-) Good luck.....

I was told to discontinue drinking coffee, because they've found that the acid can erode the band. That, in addition to the small ulcers coffee can cause in the pouch. I'm curious to know how others are dealing with this. Or, if they were even instructed against coffee. I've been SO out of sorts without that little bit in the morning, and tea just doesn't cut it. A couple of days ago I allowed myself a 1/2 cup of coffee (about 4 oz), and it made ALL the difference in the way I feel. Would love some feedback on this.

PS: Writing is a great tool. Keep doing it until the "action" becomes a normal part of the way you eat. Not easy, but changing old habits never is......