LadyDiva618

In the begining I told my family and my best friend that I was considerating getting the lap band. 3 months later I told my boss and when I got my surgery date I started tell everyone. I got more congratulations than I can ever imagine. This was a 7 month process for me it was not like I woke up one day and said I was getting the lap band. May 1st I was banded and have more support now then I did before I was banded. Good Luck to you.

Wow I can’t believe yesterday has been one month since I got banded. I am happy to say that I have lost 27 pounds and I feel amazing. I really didn’t have any plans yesterday I just made me some coffee and use Atkins French Vanilla protein shake as creamer and worked out for 15 minutes until I received a phone call from my Bestie Mandy. She stated that she had a surprise for me. Mandy had tickets to the St. Louis Cardinal game! I was a little bit excited until my fears kicked in. So what were my fears? Yesterday I was able it start drinking alcohol but will I be tempted to have a beer or mix drink. What if I get hungry and Busch Stadium didn’t have 5 week post op friendly food. Unfortunately I did not have time to research their menus and I need a better cell phone. My least favorite fear was am I ready to do this? I decided to not shelter myself because I am banded I need to live and learn. Mandy brought her cooler and added 4 bottles of water. At the stadium we found an Asian stir fry place and they had shrimp. I ask the hostess if I can just order a side a shrimp because I am lap band patient but they charge me $10.50 anyway. Mandy didn’t care about the price and paid for it. The cool part about it was they gave me a Large Chinese to go box full of shrimp! We got more than $10.50 worth of shrimp. Mandy stated laughing at me because I got full of 12 pieces of shrimp. She ended up taking the leftover home. It was a great game because the Cardinals won! After the game me and Mandy met up with our friend Jessica. I haven’t seen Jessica since she came over and made me homemade soup for day one of my 2 post op diet. Jessica complimented me on my lap band success and told me that I look amazing. I have to admit I felt pretty good. We went to our first bar and I had a glass of water with lemon. I wanted to have a drink at the second bar we were at. I was thinking shot of grey goose with water and I was going to add a crystal light packet in it or maybe a beer and let it fizz out for a bit before drinking. I had all these scenarios going through my head and I decided to drink at home first to see how it feels before I drink in public. So water was my drink of choice last night and I was okay with that. If felt good going out last night and just having fun. I am so bless to have great friends in my life. Thanks for reading.

I used Campbell soups for during my 2 week post op. I used fat free milk in my soups. My surgeon reccommend me to use milk because of the protien. I also added fat free plain greek yogurt to the soup for addictional protien. I hope this helps.

I got mine the day before my surgery and it was super early my doctor told me it was because of the change of my diet and stress.

I am glad you found a protein drink that you like. I might have to the Isopure products I heard nothing but good things about it. Keep up the good work.

Now that I have your attention… so what did I do? See what had happened was….. I over did it this past weekend. Not with eating but with my movements. It’s was graduation weekend was I got invited to so many parties and I wanted to show everyone my support. One thing about me I am always willing to help anyone out and I am stubborn! So I Saturday I was going a lot of lifting, carrying, and cleaning. Sunday I woke up and my main incision was swollen and it was hurting bad. It felt like the first 3 days after my surgery. So I toughen up and went to my last graduation party for the weekend. I really didn’t an appetite on Saturday and Sunday because I barely ate but I had plenty of water. Monday I just stayed home a relaxed. I talked to my dad and thank him for his service and we talk about the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks game. (Not only I am a St. Louis Blues fan but I am a Red Wings fan too) I did a 5 min workout and spent the rest of the day on my couch. Yesterday I called my surgeon office and told them about how I over did it this past weekend and about the swelling on my main incision. They told me it was from me lifting and carrying things and I need to take it easy for the next 3 days. I told them I would and thank them. But around 5pm I noticed that had a stain on my shirt so I lift up my shirt and noticed that my main incision was leaking! I start freaking out because all my incision was healed! So I called my surgeon office again explain what was going on. The asked me a series of questions to make sure that I didn’t have an infection. Thankfully I didn’t my incision stop leaking about 7pm. I hear some of you guys saying “didn’t I tell you to take it easy!” This is time I hear ya this scared the mess out of me. I don’t want to do the pre op diet ever again unless this band is getting removed! On the plus side I heard from my Bestie Lesley this morning we talk for 15 minutes and it was worth it! Thanks for reading.

Thanks everyone. I just got home and my mail box was full of thank you cards. So maybe the swelling was worth it because the cards put a smile on my face. Today I take it easy it was hard but I did it. No leakage today and my temp was normal which is a plus. But I will continue checking my temp and my incisions. Thanks again for everyone's support and input.

I took 2 week off from work but I know some people returned back to work 5 or 6 days after there surgery. Good luck

I was banded on May 1st and it's gets easier. Everyone post op diet is different but I can give you my advice and what has worked for me. After my surgery I was brunt out on sugar free jello and broths. I only had sugar free popsicles and water. Two day later I was able to at protein shakes. I don't know what protein shakes you are drinking but I love Atkins brand and Muscle Milk Cookies and Cream. I am sorry you broke it off with your boyfriend but things happens for a reason. You don't need any drama or anything extra right now to trigger your old habits. I am not going to tell you to forget about your ex because that is easier said than done, but try to keep your mind busy so your won't be tempted to call him. I have a pinterest account it keeps me busy for hours and the game Candy Crush. LOL I know this is an adjustment but you are going to do just fine. Remember the real reason why you got the lap band. Good luck to you.

Hello I had the Lap Band Surgery On May 1st and yesterday I was going my hair and I noticed the my edges were just about gone and my head was shedding. I don't think its from the quick weaves but maybe this is a results from the surgery? I was wondering what products out there I can use to get my hair back healthy and strong? What hair styles do you wear? Or Tips for me that I can use? Thanking everyone in advance.

Today I woke up kinda sad every work day at 630am my best friend Lesley calls me and we talk until I get to work. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday she calls me and asks me how was my support group. I got none of those calls last night because Lesley is deployed for 3 months. You would of thought that I would be used to this by now but she is my accountability buddy. So instead of me overeating at work, on my lunch break I went shopping any brought me some shoes as a treat to myself. I just love my new shoes. It’s graduation party weekend for me. I am trying to figure out how I am going to handle it. I was thinking about at one party just have a bottle water in my hands at all times and socialize. Then eat at the last party. Sunday I only have to go to one party and I will eat there depending on what they are having. I am only on week 4 post op so my options are slim but I doubt they will be serving seafood at a High School graduation party. I might bring my mini cooler and put it a couple of protein shakes in my car. My tooth doesn’t hurt as much as it did on Wednesday but I am just taking it slow and making sure I chew my food thoroughly. The pain is tolerable and I think I will be alright. Thanks for reading.

Thanks so much I did pretty good at all my Graduation parties and I heard from my best my friend yesterday too.

I was banded on May 1st and this week I started 4 week of my post op. So far so good just learning.

Talk about irony! A toothache really!!! I have no idea how I got a toothache. Could it be the way I am sleeping? I know its not food? I wonder what happened? Anyway how is everyone day today? Today I did not wake up hungry I took my multivitamin and grab my 16 oz. bottle water and I was on my way to work. I even luck out and found a close parking spot to my job. I know what you are thinking I should park far and I normally do but it looked like it was about to rain and we all know that sugar melts! I grab my second bottle of water and went into my office and my coworkers congratulated me on my first day of week 4. I call it my treat is meat! LOL Anyway for breakfast I had 1 hardboiled eggs and the Buddig Chicken deli meat that was 150 calories and 15 grams of protein. I was actually full until 130pm I was really not hungry but I thought I needed to eat something so I had a tuna salad with 5 saltine crackers. That was 200 calories and 20 grams of protein. I had a hard time eating lunch because of my toothache so I took my time. It’s 8:05pm and I am not hungry. I put on orajel on the pain and its not working. Maybe the pain is keeping me full or maybe I am just not hungry. I am still trying to get familiar with my Band. This is the first relationship I had when I taking things slow! Anyway I am going to try to get a quick workout in. Thanks for reading.

Today was as bad as yesterday but I feel for you on the root canal. Good luck to you

This wakened was not bad at all. Yesterday I had my first outing since I have been banded and I think I over did it. … Wait I know I did. Yesterday I went to the St. Louis Zoo it was such a nice day out so why not. I grab my book bag put 3 bottles of water and a frozen GoGurt in, called up a buddy and we were on my way. According to my pedometer I walk 6.14 miles while at the zoo. I had girts mixed with Greek yogurt for breakfast so I was still from that but around 1pm I was starting to get so I had my GoGurt but by 230pm I was getting hungry. Too bad the Zoo was not 3 week post op friendly. I really thought they would sell protein shakes there but I was wrong they only had milk. So I went to a Quick Trip gas station to pick up a muscle milk (cookies n cream) 14 fl oz. and 25g of protein and 220 calories. Later that night I received a phone call from Mandy and she was upset because everyone bailed on her birthday weekend. Mandy didn’t except me to come out because I am still trying to get use to this banded life. That change last night! I went out and had a great time. Mandy was concerned about me because I already was out early that day. But I love Mandy she been with me since day one of my surgery and I would do anything for her to make her happy. So we got dress and I grab a couple of crystal lights and put them in my purse and we were on our way to the bar. So did I drink? Yes I did…… WATER!!!! The whole time Mandy brought all my bottle waters and I didn’t even use any crystal lights. If anyone offered to buy me a drink Mandy quickly said she is my designated driver I got her drinks and she kept checking on me to see how I was going. I told her that I was okay but how cool was that! We didn’t sit at the bar because we got a table. We listened to live music and socialize with the other band members. My old triggers were leaving me alone until 1am when my stomach started growling. Again I was at a place that was servicing non 3 week post op food. I told of had fries and a hamburger but I didn’t, so I slip on my bottle water and it stopped. We left the bar around 2 am and I was home by 230am. Once again my stomach was growling so I went to bed. I was nervous about eating that late on the band because I didn’t know how my band was going to react. So any input and advice are welcomed! Today I am not going to lie but I am tired it’s 420pm and I am still tired. I worked out for 20 minute and I am going so light cleaning around that house. I know I over did it yesterday but I refuse to spend another weekend at home. Maybe my energy will change on Wednesday when I start week 4 that is when I get to add tuna and deli meats to my diet. I am still learning and getting familiar with my banded life but I think I am doing well so far Thanks for reading.

My brain is my worse enemy! My brain loves to play the second guessing game. I am still trying to understand my band. I am eating every 3 and half hours sometimes 4 hours. How do I know if I am full or satisfied? And why do I have a have a snack around 430pm? Craziness. I know I will get better with time I went to bed early last night for two reasons: one I was tired because it was my first day back at work and two either my furnace or air conditioning went out. It’s a good thing I have home warranty insurance because I can’t afford anything new right now. I think I was tired yesterday because I did a lot of walking around yesterday at work. My coworker welcomed me back with flowers and I was getting much praise on my weight lost from everyone! I have to say my ego gotten a little big yesterday. I also learn that one of my coworkers got the Lap band 5 years ago yesterday! When she told me I told her I would never guess that. She told me that she had great success with the Lap Band and has been maintaining her weight for years. She shared with me some recipes that she uses and things that she keeps at her desk like back up lunches and snacks. Now she emails me to check in on me. How amazing is that! I am so glad that I told everyone that I have gotten the Lap Band. Apparently I have opened some doors for people I work with that that were considering getting the Lap Band to go ahead and do it. I feel good about that and I’ve been completely honest with them too. I told them this was a 7 months process for me because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do this or not. It wasn’t like I woke up and decided to get the Lap Band this was some serious soul searching. But that is all I can tell him I am only 2 weeks out. I can’t answer their questions about what food I can eat and what can I tolerate. The only thing I can tell them is everyone is different but I know I will have more stories to tell them. Oh for those who are wondering if I took my day care kids on a Nature Walk yesterday….. I did and we walked for 15 minutes. They like it and they want to do this every day when they get out of school. How cool is that! Thanks for reading!

Things go better with me on day 3 but I felt back to normal on day 5. I know this is an adjustment but you can do this.

I took 2 weeks off from both of my jobs. My first job is a desk job and my second job is a day care. I understand where you're coming from but take it one day at a time. If you have to go home then go. I hope everything works out for you.

I don’t wanna go to work tomorrow! Only because I know I have 2 week’s worth of work I need to do. Job 2 I get to see my day care kids and I will get 2 weeks of hugs from the kids. Since the Midwest is starting to have a spring I think I will take the day care kids on a Nature Walk tomorrow. Tomorrow I start week 3 post op and I start adding soft foods. I already packed my breakfast and lunch for work tomorrow. Also, I added a snack just in case I get hungry. So what is on tomorrow menu? Breakfast 2 hardboiled eggs (seasoned with garlic powder) ½ serving of cottage cheese Lunch Mashed Potatoes 430pm Snack 12 Special K Crackers and a low fat cheese stick. (24 crackers is 120 so I decided to do a half portion) Dinner Soup What do you think? I know I will have to add some more protein but I will get better with time. I noticed lately I’ve been getting hungry either around 4pm or 8pm. I don’t know why. I read that having snacks on the band is not good. I hope I am doing this right. Anyway my momentum is still strong and I am starting to look good in the mirror now. :wub: Thanks for reading.

Banded Diva Day... LOL I crack myself up sometimes! First I want to thank everyone for the advice and word of encouragement. It is nice to know that I am not alone. I am truly blessed. Thank you so much. Today, I decided to take action and do something fun. So I went to the nail shop and got my toes and eyebrows done. Then I went shopping for week 3 of my post op diet. I felt pretty good and wanted to do more but I need to slow down. Today is my friend Mandy’s Birthday she is having her birthday party at a local club this weekend. I told her I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it or not. I explain to her I may be around to many triggers. Here is a brief history lesson. Before me being banded almost every other weekend I was drinking… a lot. Those nights consisted of shots, shots, and bud lights. Then after club hours a trip to Jack in the Box I usually ordered 2 tacos and Jumbo Jack on sourdough. I know I can’t do that now or anytime soon but Mandy understand my situation. Eventually I will have to learn how to deal with social situation but I do not want to be staying again this weekend. I was thinking about going to the movies this weekend. I never was those types of people who had to buy popcorn or nachos. I usually buy their version of a $6 dollars Icee and maybe a pretzel. Since I can have low fat cheese and crackers I thought about putting them in my purse just in case. I am so glad I have a big purse. Anyway life is good and I have no regrets! Thanks for reading.

This weekend has been harder than my last two weekends because the loneliness has finally kicked in. Yesterday I went to go see my primary doctor and she told me that I was fatigue and need to take it easy. This is hard for me to do because I am always on the go! I tried working out for 30 minutes yesterday but I only made it to 15 minutes. After that I was hungry so I had a protein shake because it was too early for me to have dinner. For dinner last night I had some red bell pepper soup and a sugar free chocolate pudding. I ate until I thought I was full but I was hungry again around 10pm. So I had a sugar free fudgesicle but around 11pm I was hungry again WTF! This time I had a protein shake and that kept me full until 8 this morning. Today I did little shopping and worked out for 15 min but I took a nap a couple minutes after my work out. I guess I over did it but I know it will take me some time to make my way up to 30 minute workout. Before the surgery and pre op diet I was doing 40 minute workouts. I know my situation is only temporary because it this sorta sucks. Thanks for reading.

Happy Mother's Day to you. But I am glad you are okay. I would call your dr tomorrow to see what is going on with you. I don't have problems breathing but I think I have some type of mucus around my band. I am trying to cough it up but nothing is coming out it feels funny. Hang in there girl and keep us updated.

My both of my DR said it was okay to start working out. Something that is low impact. I've been using my Wii Fit maybe I should stick with walking for now. I promise I will take it easy thanks for the input.

Popsicles was my best friend. I was so burnt out on broths and jello I just enjoy Popsicles and crystal light lemonade. Hang in there you can do this