michellyoh

I'm glad your consult went well. I used to think just like you! "firm believer and pulling yourself up by the boot straps and keep on keeping on.. That's the way i was raised... You can't blame your whole life on your past. There comes a time where you have to take responsiblity for you" Yup. . that was me!!! But when I finally faced the truth about the fact that I was not in control of my life (ie. weight), I sought out help. I started seeing a therapist in August of '05. I saw her every 2 weeks for about 1/2 years. I talked about the easy stuff first, but after about a year, we got to the rough stuff (sexual abuse when I was 7). It was hard, but I realized that my subconscience had more control over me than anything else!!! It's like I've been punishing myself all of these years because I felt like it was my fault!! I know. . sounds crazy, and even though I never told myself that, it turns out that is exactly what I was thinking. Anyway. . after a bit of self discovery, and a confrontation to the bastard that hurt me all of those years ago (sorry for the language), I AM IN CONTROL!!! It enabled me to make the decision to have this surgery! With this being just a tool, if I had done this 2 years ago, I would not be successfull!! I know I just started, but I also know that I'm a "new me", and it WILL work!!! I know you didn't ask for anyone else's "story", but I just wanted to share. Sometimes, the things we swore would not define us, already have. And it'll come up and bite ya in the rear when you least expect it!! Glad that your appt. went well though, and you're on your way!! This is the BEST decision I have ever made (aside from marrying that man 'o' mine)!!! I love it, love it, love it!!

I received notes at the hospital before I checked out regarding the "do's and don'ts" after surgery. I was "glued", and I had to stay out of the chlorine for at least a week.

Well, for me, it's mashed potatoes! Can't do it!! I don't like gravy w/ my taters (I know. . I'm strange), and in order for them to go down, I have to drown them in gravy. . so really. . .what's the point? Fish is good, but it has to be really moist, or I have to have something to dip it in. Since it takes so long to eat, the longer the fish sits on my plate, the drier it gets.

THIS IS THE BEST POST EVER!!!!!! Not laughing at you, Kaohinani; I'm sure most of us can relate, just didn't have the guts to ask the question!! Get it girl!! vbmenu_register("postmenu_495268", true);

It's uncomfortable when I take deep breaths. I was banded on May 31st, and I wouldn't say that it hurts when I take a deep breath, but there is some definite discomfort and pressure. At first I attributed this to gas, but I just want to make sure. The pressure is in my belly area, and in my back. Anyone else have this? I've been feeling great up until today, and I just don't want anything to go wrong. Thanks!!:help:

chicken, cut into very small pieces, has worked well for me. I have also had mac'n'cheese. The carbs in the Pasta may not be too good for me, but it went down really well. I had some tilapia yesterday. . went down well at first, but the fish tends to dry out really quickly, the drier it got, the harder it was to go down, so I stopped eating it. Toast is going down, crackers. . .mashed potatoes must be VERY creamy.

LOL!! that pita bread post scared me too!!! I was banded on the 31st (just 14 days post op)!! I went to my follow up visit w/ my surgeon on Monday, and he moved me right past pureed food to soft foods. He also suggested that I start to incorporate a different solid food at each meal. So far, so good!!!! I did have some issues with some lumpy potatoes today. Other than that, things have gone down just fine! Just chew, chew chew!!!

You can also try a compound pharmacy! They take medications and put then in different forms for consumption.

Okay. . I should clarify that I have not had this recipe since my surgery (which was 05/31), BUT. . my nutritionist told me that beef is fine as long as it's at least 90/10. He also told me that I could have chicken breast, as long as it's moist. He said that dark meat would probably be better, but the moist white meat would be fine too. I am 2 weeks post-op, and on to soft foods, but my surgeon wants me to incorporate a different solid food with each meal. I have my first fill scheduled for 07/02 (just 2 1/2 weeks away)!!

This happened to me before I got banded! I would have a hard time going to sleep, and when I did sleep, I would have very vivid dreams about people in my life who have passed away (like my grand-parents, friends and other family members). I would have long conversations with them. I also found myself wanting to contact all of my friends, just to talk and catch up! Now, I'm no therapist, but I have been seeing a therapist for almost 2 years. I usually have some pretty "off-the-wall" dreams anyway, and they have been part of our discussions quite a bit. During this pre-op time, we are going through a lot of different emotions. We are excited about what our futures hold for us. We know that we are on the right path to getting control over this whole weight issue. But deep in the back of our minds, our subconscience keeps telling us those little white lies and putting doubts in our minds. "Is this really going to work for me? Can I really do this and stick with it?" These are all very normal questions. We have ALL been down that dieting path, so we KNOW how we are! Most of us are diet cheaters by nature! Since this band is not a magic wand, and we still have to do a lot of work to make it a success, do we really have it in us to succeed? That is a LOT of questions surrounding a VERY big decision!! Of course we're going to have some anxiety about it, which is why we have a hard time falling asleep. For me, the dreams were indicitive of me being worried that something would go wrong during the surgery. This is normal for any type of surgery! But I came through it all just fine, and I'd do it all over again tomorrow if I had to!! Sometimes, the best thing to do is just talk it out!! If you don't have someone that you can really open up to, then write in a journal!! But get those feelings and doubts out!! This forum helps too!! I'm sure once you start verbalizing everything, you'll be a little less anxious, and you'll be able to get some sleep! Good Luck!!!

I would do it again. . .and again. . .and again. . .and again!!! I was banded on 05/31. Since my 2 week pre-op diet started (05/16), I have lost 32 lbs (17 pre-op, 15 post-op)! I know that it will slow down, but like sheshegirl, I signed up for a slower weight loss! I have a cousin who's husband had the bypass, and due to complications, spent 4 months in the hospital!! Sure, he lost 150 lbs during that 4 months, but he had to learn how to walk again due to being bed-ridden for so long! I just tell myself that I didn't get this way overnight, so I can't expect to lose it overnight! But I have the confidence now that I know I WILL lose it!! You get out of it what you put in to it! You can do it! Good Luck!!

Hamburger Surprise Get 1 lb of 90/10 ground beef. Add 1 egg, breadcrumbs, worstcheshire (sp??), salt, pepper, and garlic. Mix all together in a bowl. Make 2 hamburger patties, one slightly larger than the other. Place the larger of the two patties in an 8x8 baking dish. In a pan, saute onions, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Once veggies are done, place them on top of your larger patty. Cover with cheese (of your choice). Place smaller patty on top of veggies. Pull the bottom patty up to the top and pinch together (so that veggies and cheese are enclosed). Bake in oven for about 20 minutes (on 350). I LOVE this recipe. . .it's like having a really good burger without the bread. I even put mustard and ketchup in my meat while I'm mixing it with everything else. You can just cut out a slice of it and enjoy!! Reheats really well too!! If you prefer lower carb, substitute the breadcrumbs with smashed pork-rinds. Enjoy!!

Welcome TexGal!! I was banded on 05/31 in Austin!! Happy as a clam I am!!! I lost 17 lbs from my pre-op diet, and 15 lbs in just 11 days post op! Good luck to you!!!!

My pre-op diet was low carb/high protein. I lost 17lbs. I was banded on May 31st, and I have lost 15lbs since then. So, I'm down 32 lbs in 3 1/2 weeks. But now I am on soft foods, so that weight loss is going to start slowing down. I'm also walking every day.

I was in your shoes last Monday!!! WOW!!! The worst pain I have EVER felt. Our friends here on lapbandtalk really know their stuff!! I got the same advice everyone is giving you. . walk walk walk. . .when you're not walking, try a heating pad. Warm liquids help to ease the pain. RKidder is right. . the pain medication will cause gas as well, so ease off of it as soon as possible (I stopped taking it 2 days post op). I too prefer chewables over the strips, however the stage of gas you are in, none of it will help much (at least it didn't for me). The thing that DID help (that I hadn't seen mentioned before), was laying on my side. Prop a pillow or blanket under your belly, and just lay on your side. It helped sooooooo much!!! I was able to start passing gas (sorry, but hey. . it had to go somewhere), and by the next morning, all was fine and I haven't had issues with it since!!! Hang in there! It hurts, but it WILL pass (no pun intended!! well. . maybe just a little)!!! God luck!!!

Anyone have any tips for getting the gas out? I'm 5 days post op and this is the worst I have had it so far! The GasX isn't helping right now. Laying down on my back is impossible. Could use whatever tips you have available. . . still on clear liquid diet, so some things are out of the question. Help!!:help:

it's definitely not a cop out. I too had great success with weight watchers. . .but I always ended up cheating, or quiting, and always put the weight back on, plus some! This is a tool that will help you not cheat, and keep the weight off!

Too Large, you're not alone!! There are many reasons why we allow our weight to spin out of control. Weight was always an issue for me growing up (even though everyone else in my family was heavy). My mom fixed my plate for me until I was 17, and I was never allowed to have seconds. I was on the drill team in high school, and well. . that scale had to be less than my magic number or I was unable to perform (even though I didn't look any bigger than the other girls). My line officer checked to see what I ate for lunch EVERY day! One time I opted for 1 slice of pizza. I happened to gain a pound that week, and was cut from the 1/2 time performance at that week's football game! Neat huh??!!?? When I was finished with that, I decided that if I wanted a Royale with cheese, I would have one. . and boy did I!!!! I DO know that I made the choice to eat like I did, but there comes a time when you no longer have control over those "choices"!! As for your daughters, once you start the pre-op diet, and they see what you have to go through, they will understand that this is not a quick fix!! My mom went with me to my appt with the nutritionist, and when she left, she cried. She couldn't believe what I was about to give up, and what I was going to have to go through just to lose weight. She didn't think that she would be able to do it. When people say "it's just a tool", it's true!!! YOU will have to make it work! The important people in your life will see that. The others, well. . .does it really matter? One other thing. I'm not sure what type of pre-op diet your dr. will have you on, but mine was low carb, high Protein. I had a really good time finding new recipes online and trying them out! Who knew you could make a pizza crust out of cauliflower? Maybe this could be a time where you and your family learn to cook healthier, which will in turn, help your daughters. Much luck to you! Just always remember. . .you're not alone!

You can do it! Just remember that once you have the surgery, your diet will be even more restricted for the first month or so. The pre-op diet serves two purposes. 1) it helps to reduce the amount of fat around your liver (which has to be pulled back so that they Dr. can get the band around the stomach) and 2) it's almost like "conditioning" the brain. Hang in there. . .it gets better!!!

Spamela, I hope you are feeling better today! Make this decision about you. As a wife and mother of 4, I'm sure that you think you are being selfish. Just think of how much healthier you will be afterwards. Think of how much more energy you will have. It will help your physical AND mental health, making you a much happier person. So while it may seem selfish, really everyone around you will benefit. Hang in there!!! And trust your instincts!! I haven't met a mother yet without killer instincts!!

whew!! thank you all for your suggestions!!!! I was finally able to "release" quite a bit early this morning, and holy moly, I feel like a whole new person!!! I found that laying on my side (with a pillow propped underneath my swollen belly) REALLY helped too!! I'll be walking a lot today!! Don't want to have to deal with this again tonight!!! Thanks again!!!

It's in my shoulder and on my left side. I can feel it just swirl around in there. . not knowing if it wants to go north or south! I'm going to drag out the heating pad! Thanks for the info! I just took a walk. . .didn't help too much! I know it's all "part of the process". I'm hanging in! Thank you so much!!!!!

Hi SVM and Lauren~ Welcome to you both!! This is a very exciting journey!! Mine went pretty fast, even with insurance approval. Once I decided to have the lap-band, I talked to my primary care physician (PCP) and he referred me to a local surgical team that performed the procedure. That started it all. . Here is the condensed version: March 21st, went to seminar discussing lap-band and gastric bypass surgeries. This was VERY informative. . more than I learned online. The surgeon holding the seminar didn't try to sell one surgery over the other. . just gave an informative presentation on both. I called the next day to schedule my first appt. with the surgeon. April 16th: 1st meeting w/ surgeon. He discussed everything I would need before I could have the surgery. *Mental consultation *Fitness consultation *Nutrional consultation *EKG *CBC/CMP (blood work) These appts. can all be scheduled on the same day! As for insurance; after this appt, the patient advocate at the surgeon's office submitted all of the paperwork. 2 weeks later, I received approval!! (my insurance co. also required a 6 month diet history. since I had discussed my weight with my PCP at each visit, he provided the dates of each office visit in the last 2 years. . they accepted that). May 8th: went for EKG, blood work, physical, and nutrition consult (already had the mental) May 16th: Started pre-op diet (pre-op is supposed to be for 2 weeks. . started early so that I wouldn't have to wait until 2 weeks from appt date) May 21st: Met w/ surgeon again to schedule the surgery. He reviewed all of the results from all of the testing. Scheduled surgery for May 31st. May 31st: had surgery!! (and found out that I had lost 17 lbs while on the pre-op diet) Today, the 4th, feeling really good (except for some excrutiating gas pains). I am able to eat about a cup of broth at a time. Drinking liquids. . just following dr.s orders until I can eat something else (with substance). June 11th; f/u appt w/ surgeon This is how it went for me! But I have seen people on here that have endured a much longer process! Much luck to the both of you!!!

I was banded on the 31st. . I too am on a liquid diet for 2 weeks! I am taking down the broth just fine. .as well as water and crystal lite. Today, I can honestly say. . that I am HUNGRY!! I've put a call in to my nutritionist to see if I can move on to the cream soups! Wish me luck!!!

Hofefull Loser, I am glad that I could help! You have to take this one day at a time! I had my surgery last Thursday (the 31st) and I am on liquids for 2 weeks! Holy Moly. . now THIS is difficult! But. . everytime I want to eat something, I remind myself, that uh. . .I can't!! :welldoneclap: Literally can't!! It's not the hunger. . it's the darn commercials! If I have to see one more commercial for Olive Garden's stuffed ravioli I'm going to scream!! So, I just daydream about the day that I will be able to eat it!! I made my husband cook something last night just so that I could smell the food (I think he's been afraid to eat in front of me. .bless his heart). I told him that I would be eating vicariously through him for a while, so he'd better start eating something good!! LOL!! You have to talk about it all, or you'll go crazy! It can all be done! We all, in some form or fashion, have developed an addiction to food. Just remember that. . you're trying to beat that addiction. Okay. . I've rambled on. . .lack of food!! :success1: Hang in there. . you can do it!!!