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I am nursing my 18 month old twins and just had the surgery two weeks ago. My opinion, for what it is worth, is that I would wait until the baby is at least 6 months old (didn't catch the age of your baby) and eating some solids so that you won't have to worry as much about keeping your supply up. Proper hydration and nutrition are a given. Although my girls are only nursing once a day (weaned from the 2nd nursing right after surgery because they were pulling off and annoying me...now I kinda wish I hadn't...), I have noticed a difficult time nursing when I have not had enough to drink....which, to be honest, is rather often...Having a hard time drinking all day! Also, there was no reason to pump and dump at my girls' age because all of the medicines were the ones they would have given them if they needed surgery... Anesthesia is out of the systme very quickly, percocet is not a problem and the little bit of antibiotic is fine as well. I didn't nurse the first day because I was very sore, but the second day went fine. Best of luck! Rain

I can understand...I have almost 200 lbs to lose to get to the high end of my ideal weight, and sometimes it seems insurmountable. I have, however, lost just shy of 24 lbs in 2.5 weeks and I can ALREADY tell the difference. I have more energy and my wedding band is easily removed (instead of having to whip out the Windex). My first goal is to fit into the pants I wore (which were still 26's) before having my twins. Well, not just fit, but feel comfortable in them. I am a very loose skinned size 28 b/c of the ice cream eaten during my twin pregnancy....and I think it will take a while before those clothes fit me in the waist... I can't wait to drop that first bag off at Goodwill!!! Good luck and best wishes. Rain

You ROCK!!!! Congratulations, that is phenominal! Rain

Hello! I'm finding myself to be getting very easily upset and realized it's because I can't just stuff something in my mouth when I get upset. I have three children under 3.5 and I can't keep being so angry...it's just not good for any of us. I need to find something that can take the quick edge off of it. So, what are all of you doing to calm yourself when you are angry or console yourself when you are upset? Thanks in advance! Rain

in and out..... 7:30am until 12:30... Good luck! Rain

Manatee...I don't know if that would work for a woman...and it's not everyday people that anger me (usually)...it's my kids and husband...probably because I seem them the most...My girls are too little to have to deal with atilla the mom. Becca...Crushed ice sounds good...How old are your kids? Jack...I would love to self reflect....I'm working on it...Sometimes I don't like what I see. Insubbordinate...I tried the whole pleasuring myself thing...but it was awkward while pushing a stroller at the mall.... :car: Hope you find your zen soon as well! :car: Thanks ya'll. Rain

Just a quick FYI...which probably won't affect anyone but me.... Curves is made for the average sized woman...I am 6ft tall and the machines just do not accomodate my height and I was unable to extend my legs and arms appropriately. At first I was afraid it was my weight, but my average sized sister (6'1") had the same problem. Just figured I'd let you know. Oh, it did, however, work great for my mil directly after her gastric bypass surgery and she was quite large. Lorraine

Hi all, I was banded on 7/10/07 and am doing well so far, but I have a question about sugar free products... I don't generally use them because I try to eat as naturally as possible after having both parents die of cancer before 60. All that being said, I don't have much to choose from for the next 10 days...clear liquids, low fat cream broths, SF Jello, SF ice pops, SF pudding, low fat cottage cheese, veggtable juice (ewww), apple sauce and of course my Protein shakes. I am picky(amazing since I'm so large!) and don't eat certain foods...ie, cottage cheese,veg juice and pudding. The jello hasn't been working. My thing is...I love yogurt and could it eat it very often but I don't like the SF kind...I've tried different flavors and the after taste etc...is just nasty...I don't mind putting chemicals in my body while these are the only foods I can eat, but I don't like them and to be honest they kind of make my stomach hurt. Any suggestions? Can I eat non SF yogurt? I like the Stoney Field Farm but there are 12 grams of sugar...But, I would be able to eat it unlike the SF kind. Thanks in advance for your help! Rain

Hi ladies, I'm 5 days post op and I am feeling pretty good, but my temper is through the roof!!! I have three little ones, as you know, and I am sooo pissy I am afraid I am going to pop. Generally I eat if I get upset...so not only am I not able to eat...I am super grumpy because I am not eating.. So, any help??? Also, I am so tired...here's my food intake for the day...can anyone help me? Incidently, I can't add anything to the shakes or blend my soups so they are smooth....the Drs. office said not to do that. breakfast--yogurt snack--chocolate protein shake (8oz of skim) lunch--chicken broth snack--2 ice pops another chocolate shake because I was so tired...not hungry though dinner--broth from new england clam chowder (fat free) drank 1 class of sugar free apple juice and 1 diet snapple and one glass of water in addition to my liquid meals. Geez, looking at it it looks like I haven't stopped eating all day. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Rain

I live in a bi-level and had to go up stairs just to get into my house...I think you'll be fine to get upstairs as soon as you are done! Best of luck! Rain

Thanks ladies, I'm still a little blah, but I am feeling better as I am able to eat easier. My back is still uncomfortable most of the day...but I can deal with it. Rainer

Hello all, I'm Rain and I had my surgery done on the 10th of July (two days after my 31st birthday). So far I've had managable pain, but I am starting to be irritated by the constant pressure in my chest. I ate my first thicker liquid foods today and although I didn't feel like I overate, I suppose I did since I am tasting the Soup over and over again. So, what do you do to get past the initial grumpiness? Also, I'd give my left arm for a pretzel...how pathetic is that? Rain

dmtjet, It is a crazy day, but is generally fun! I didn't have the dry mouth, but I do have the worst BREATH!!! yuck-o! When did you get banded? I am feeling pretty good today..I'm 5 days out... Rain

dieka32... Welcome home and congrats on your surgery. I'm impressed with your positive outlook on it! That was a major concern of mine and actually asked the dr. why they didn't just do the barium swallow in the OR instead of waiting a few hours. Don't remember his reason...think it had something to do with inability to swallow so soon after anesthesia. Glad you are on the mend and have joined us again. Rain

Nurse75: I'm Rain and my husband is Squale. He got banded on 4/3/07 and has been doing phenominally well. He just had his first fill and is losing more and more weight. He's at about 65lbs down. He is awesome. I'm a stay at home mom with three little girls ages 3, 1.5 and 1.5. They are the love of my life and will be the bane of my lab-band existance..They literally eat ALL DAY LONG... Well, they eat the way they are supposed to, but they eat at slightly different times, so there is a constant meal prep going on. I used to be a HS English teacher, but am happily spending the days playing with my kids and teaching them everything I can. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to stay home...although we could really use the money! Sorry if that was more than you thought. Oh, and I live in NJ. Rain

Dmjet, I am super competetive, so I think it will be great to be together while we get healthy. I was banded on July 10th and dh was banded on April 3rd. He's lost a boat load and I hope to only be slightly behind him!!! Have a great day! Rain

NDprairielover, I have to agree with you about English teachers going to heaven. I honestly don't think I will go back to teaching when my girls (ages 3, and 18month twins) go to school...I don't think I can deal with the BS anymore. Also, it is difficult to go to work everyday and be told that what you are doing is boring, sucks, etc...and the testing in NJ is just getting more and more ridiculous. I'm not sure where I will go from here...only time will tell! Rain

It seems as though there are so many different protocols for pre and post diets with the lap band...would everyone like to type out your pre and post dietary requirements? ME: no weight gain from initial consult until surgery allowed...may cancel surgery if you gain weight. Clear liquid diet for the day before your surgery. Then 48 hours of clear liquids followed by 2 weeks of full liquids (yogurt, cottage cheese, cream soups made with skim plus, pudding). After the two weeks you get on to the mushie stage, but my dr. told my husband to just skip the mushie stage and move onto regular food. I don't know if he does that with all of his patients. Anyone else want to share? Rain

Wow...we do have a lot of teachers!!! What do/did you all teach? Rain: High School English

Onmyway and dmtjet, I'm a former teacher as well and isn't it every chubby teacher's dream to go back to school a skinny person? My husband was banded in April and is so excited to go back to work in September...they saw him lose a good chunk before summer, but he'll be a whole new guy come Sept. Since I'm a stay at home mom, I'm going to have to live vicariously through him...Although I suppose I could always go back to my old school for a visit. Onmyway, I am not a smoker, but I do recall my surgeon stating clearly that he refuses to operate on anyone who has not fully quit for a month. Just my thought (for what it is worth) is that if you are making this amazing life change for yourself and your loved ones, why not just go full stop? I know, from watching my parents quit, that it is so difficult...but it is so worth it. My parents both quit when they were individually diagnosed with lung cancer...as soon as they heard the news they never smoked again. Sorry to be preachy. Best of luck with quitting...I give you credit for doing as well as you are! Rain

Hello July bandsters... I was just banded on Tuesday July, 10th...I took my first walk today and I am wiped out! My stomach is feeling better, but I have some loose stool today and that is making me feel worse. Also, I'm not loving the hard time I'm having while breathing. I am the mom of 3 little girls. My oldest daughter is 3.25 and is named Marie, then I have twin 18 month olds, Elizabeth and Rose. I have help for this week and into next week, hopefully it will be enough. My husband had his surgery done in April and had his first fill yesterday. He's doing very well and has lost 70ish lbs. I've lost 11lbs since Tuesday and am feeling ok. I'm looking forward to being a part of this board. I belong to a parenting after infertility board that is much smaller...this intimidates me, but if I tend to stick to this group it should help, right? Best wishes to all! Rain

Hand held shower head and my husband's help (that was very embarrassing!!!)...At the least (after looking at your age...doubt you are married), you could have someone in the bathroom with you handing you things... Good luck! Lorraine

I am following their plan...clear liquids for 48 hours and then thicker liquids (yogurt, cream Soups made with skim milk, etc) for two weeks. ugggh... The chest pain/compression feeling is so overwhelming...Just tried a gas-x and a percocet...hoping it works. Thanks for your reply! Lorraine

Hi all, My husband Squale had lapband 6 weeks ago, is down 55lbs and now it is my turn. I am going to the initial consult next week, the nutritionist and psych the week after and hope to have surgery the first week of July. I've been fat my entire life save a few years as a child...and, after having twins and a singleton in 22 months, decided it was time to make time for me! So, here I am waiting for insurance approval and a go ahead from the dr. Looking forward to meeting all of you further! Rainer

Hi ladies, Thanks so much for your welcome. Pat is doing such a great job, I'm so proud of him...but, at the same time, I am JEALOUS as heck!! Alexandria, Pat told me that you met at the support meeting. He said that you are a sweetheart and very inspirational. And you're right...he is a super nice guy. Looking forward to getting to know all of you! Rainer