khelm32

I know how you feel. 01/07/15 was my year anniversary of being banded. I've lost 45 lbs- which for me to loose more than 5 lbs in a year is a miracle. I tried for several years working with doc to lose weight before the surgery. I don't regret it, but the last month or so it's been harder for me to stay on track. I don't know if it's the cold, gloomy weather or what. In January I joined Jazzercise, which I really like, but despite doing that for an hour 4-5 days a week. I haven't really lost anymore weight since before Christmas. I feel that I am falling into the same cycle I did before surgery. I'm on track for a while, but when I see that I'm not loosing-I self medicate by eating whatever I want... It's hard to stay motivated when you aren't seeing results.

I had mine done last year at Clark. They are great there and have a great after care program for the bariatric surgeries.

It's been 1 month post op after having the lapband procedure done. So far I'm down 14 lbs and 3.5 inches. I'm on regular food now and so far, knock on wood, I have never been "stuck". I only eat 1/2-1 cup of food at at time and chew, chew,chew. I can eat toasted wheat bread, thin crust pizza, steamed veggies, etc. I try to take at least 15-20 min to eat for a meal. My first fill isn't until the end of Feb., but I was told they put 3 cc in my band when it was put in. My main goal everyday is to eat at least 80 grams of protein and get 6-8 cups of water. I was told that I'm insulin resistant, so I have really avoided sugar and carbs as much as possible. I do have a small piece of dark chocolate here and there or sometimes i have a weight watchers ice cream popsicle. Because I've always had such a hard time losing weight I'm happy if the scale at least moves a little every week. I'm trying not to put that much emphasis on how much I lose every week, just that I am. That's more than what I could accomplish before the band. I have started exercising this week and am aiming for 4 days. I've got two down. The biggest difference I see so far with the band is that it does require me to learn to eat slower and of course smaller bites. The other thing that has helped is I don't get that hungry feeling very often, so that in and of it's self is a big help in staying on track. It's a journey! Feel free to email me if you have any questions! I'm also on myfitnesspal.com, userid Khelm31.

I try to take 15-20 min eating. I chew everything until it's liquid almost. The nurses I work with told me about a soft stop. These are ques your body gives you telling you are full before you actually feel full. It is different for everyone. Mine is I either hiccup or my nose runs. This goes for non banded people as well, we just ignore these signs and wait to have the full feeling from our stomach. With the band you want to stop before then. I eat and when I have one of those signs I stop. I've never really felt restriction per se. I don't think I want to. I was told to gauge whether I need a fill based on how long I can go before I'm hungry again. 4 hours is the standard. I'm not scheduled for my 1st fill until the end of this month but am still not getting hungry a lot.

I'm about 4 weeks post op and have been having back pain between my shoulder blades. It happens at different times so I'm not really sure what is causing it. Sometimes laying on a heating pad helps but not all the time. I was thinking maybe it's from laying on the hard table during the procedure. Has anyone else had this problem?

Met with the nurse last night. She told me to take Prilosec and see if that helps the esophageal spasms. I've been feeling better and haven't had the back pain for a couple days now.

I'm getting the lapband and am wanting to get a medical ID bracelet. Do any of you have one and tell me where I can get one?

Thanks all! I had read about the the gallbladder too. I'm not experiencing any other symptoms of gallbladder. I did contact the nurse that works with my surgeon and she said she doesn't think that it was gallbladder but I'm meeting with her tomorrow. I haven't lost a lot of weight yet and the doctor did check the gallbladder when putting in the band and didn't mention anything being wrong with it. She is saying she thinks I could be having esophageal spasms since I'm eating thicker food. She told me to try to eat slower and see if that helps. I'll keep you posted on what I find out.

@Melc Some of the things I've been eating this week are oatmeal, eggs, lean cuisines that I cook and then purée in the blender, cottage cheese, and sweet potatoes.

Things are going good so far. I'm on mushies now. It's funny how you don't think a food will taste the same when it's pureed into baby food, but it does. It may not look the same but it tastes the same. Next week I start soft foods and week 5 I start on reqular foods and the chewing, chewing, chewing and more chewing will begin. My energy level seems to be back up to par. I don't think I've lost anymore since last week. I think my body is in starvation mode, because I haven't been able to eat 1200 calories yet. My body likes to hang onto everything for dear life anyways...Hopefully by next week I will have shed a couple more pounds. I start working out this week. I did 45 minutes on Monday and hoping to get a workout in this evening. It's a process no need to rush it, just follow your doc's orders! I'm on myfitnesspal, you can add me and read about my journey so far: khelm31.

I was banded Jan. 7th and am still having some soreness, especially in my port area. Is this normal? How long before the soreness goes away?

I was banded on jan 7th. I'm still recouping, but not as sore as yesterday. I did clear liquids the 1st two days. Today I started heavier drinks such as protein drink, milk, creamy soups. I'll stick with that the 1st two weeks. Anyone else in the same stage as me?

I was banded Jan. 7th. I stayed in hospital over night and have been home for two days now. Had a lot I soreness, but it is getting better. I'm still not hungry or able to get a lot down. I have very little energy. I get up walk around a little and then have to lay back down. I guess this is normal.

My procedure is Jan 7th. Right now I am doing 1200 calories with 80 grams of protein. What are you doing for pre op diet?

It's been a long journey, but tomorrow is finally the day! I will be staying in the hospital overnight. Any words of advice? I'd love to hear from others who have already had the procedure. I've been documenting my journey on myfitnesspal if anyone wants to add me, my user ID is khelm31.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Definitely some things mentioned I hadn't thought of!

Thanks! My surgeon suggested I get one in case of an emergency.

I'm into About Time protein powder. It tastes good and is all natural ingredients. Congrats on the surgery. I'll be banded on Jan 7th.

Awesome, keep us updated!

I'm using about time whey protein. This is an all natural protein powder with stevia as the sweetener. I also use thinkthin protein bars.

Did the pre op testing yesterday. I've been doing a 1200 calorie diet for 2 weeks now. Now I start on a more restricted diet: v8, oatmeal, cottage cheese, soups, sugar free jello, protein shakes. I can only eat those foods but I have to get in 80 grams of protein. Upper GI on Saturday. Anyone else in this stage of the process?

Congrats! I'm having my surgery on Jan. 7th. When is your surgery date?

Mine is Jan 7th