kimk1999

If you're just 7 days post op, I wasn't allowed a bath at that time only showers. What are you allowed to eat - still on liquids? Have you called the doctor? Maybe they can prescribe something else for you.

Hey cutlass - I'm just a month post op. So I don't have any long term data for ya. I was scared too. I was scared of failing in the first place - never losing at all or failing and gaining it all back. So far so good on the first part. I like how the band is adjustable (no fill yet for me) and you'll have negative reinforcement if you eat too much. That's why I chose the band. Good luck!

Yeah you don't want to be coughing after the surgery, but call your surgeon first thing Monday morning to get their perspective. Stay on your liquid diet till you hear back from the doctor. My pre-op diet was two weeks. You might feel better by then. Drink lots of fluids. I'd suggest to add in OJ but I'm not sure if your doc allows. You might be able to get a prescription cough suppressant for after surgery. I wish you the best! If you have to postpone hopefully it won't be for too long.

For me the serious pain only lasted about 5ish days. Then after that it was more sporadic. Quite often I felt like I was being stabbed in the abdomen. Rolling did help somewhat. I'm usually a stomach sleeper so I didn't sleep too much that week either. Ice pack on the belly and heating pad on the shoulder is how I lived during that time. Also I drank a lot of hot tea. I had heard that it'll help soothe that area from the inside. Not sure if it's true or more of a placebo, but it seemed to help me. It will get better. Congrats on starting this journey to a new you.

I warned my fiancé preop that I'd have this problem and not to laugh as I need to get it out and not be self conscious. He did really well at ignoring it! It's normal.

Most of the people, I've just told the, that I was having surgery. Plain and simple. Some I went on to say abdominal surgery. Most people haven't pried past that.

First off, sorry to hear about your moms passing. I too am a former skinny girl. I weighed 120 when I got married in college about 14 years ago (wow now I feel old). I used to play ice hockey, kayaked, volleyball and decently physically fit. Over the years work took over my free time and I've gained. I struggled with many diets (HCG twice, Atkins/south beach, etc). My last one was the divorce diet - too depressed to eat. My weight has gone up and down many times. Usually up more than down. After struggling with fertility issues for 1.5 years and after numerous tests the doc said I need to lose weight. So here I am. I started this weight loss journey seriously 7 months ago with the lap band surgery almost 4 weeks ago. Weight loss surgery is not an easy peasy magic pill to make you lose a bunch of weight. You will have to work hard and start exercising again. It is a wonderful tool (if you let it) to control your portion size. You still have to control what you put in your mouth. I was a junkaholic but after surgery I'm not really craving those things anymore. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Nikki - sorry. I haven't been cycling or exercising that much so I'm not sure what to tell you. Can you do a Protein shake? Maybe take it with you and mix when ready? I've seen a number of people like Protein Bars. Have you had your thyroid checked recently? It might be more of a biological issue than a straight mathematical issue. Also if you're eating too few calories maybe your body thinks you're in starvation mode?

I've been trying vit e oil or coconut oil on my skin. Per google those should work, but I've only been doing it a couple of days and only at night.

I can't find my recipe on my phone but simply one way is to buy the premix guac and mix it with chicken. That's pretty quick and easy.

I just had a funny story to share with the group... I'm 3 weeks post op and wanted to attend a support group. It was my first meeting. Well the meeting was at a church about 20 mins away that I've never been to. The Facebook page only listed the church and not the specific room. So when I walked in one door it happened to be across from the pastors office. He looked on the list and didn't see it. Tried to call the lady that normally hosts the meeting etc. While waiting he offered me some chocolate. I politely smiled and said no thank you. It took him a few seconds to connect the dots that I was there for the bariatric group (which I told him in the first place) and he was offering me chocolate. He quickly apologized a few times and we laughed. I thought it was funny and I'm proud of myself for easily saying no. Previously I would have accepted for his hospitality.

I'm in Clearwater (so I know we're a bit far distance wise), but I did get the band specifically to help lose weight and hopefully help with some fertility issues. My surgeon knows of my desire for pregnancy as well as my ob knows of the band. There is a specific pregnancy forum if you're looking for something specific.

Depends on if you're self pay or wanting insurance to pay. For me, for insurance to pay min was 35 with a comorbid condition. I had high cholesterol. Never took meds for it but it was documented/officially diagnosed. I think the band is FDA approved down to 30 BMI. Just need to find a surgeon for it. For your height, how many pounds till you're up to 35? I know I had to be careful not to really lose much during my mandatory 3 month diet to stay above 35 BMI.

I would also suggest Sun Coast Bariatrics (Dr. Jessee and Dr. Ache(mine)). They are in St. Pete. Two female surgeons and super nice. They offer support groups with a dietician. I had my surgery at Palms of Pasedena and they offer support groups as well. I've heard of someone that uses Dr. Gordon but I have no experience with them. Sorry, I know it's not in Bradenton but hopefully not too far for you.

I'm in Clearwater. I tend to mostly look at the new threads and not specific forums and I only see maybe the past 20ish recent threads as I don't check this site all the time. Welcome aboard! I'm 3 weeks post op.

What about the weather? I don't know where you live but there's a new front coming through and I have a bad headache / borderline migraine. Hope you feel better soon.

So day 4 - did you abruptly stop your caffeine? I know if I miss my caffeine then I'll get a nasty headache. What are you doing differently with this pre-op diet that you didn't do before? Have you incorporated artificial sweeteners from your diet foods (specifically aspartame)? Those are migraine triggers for me.

Sorry I hope it didn't come out wrong... (Joys of text vs face to face). I was just trying to suggest that your comfort with the surgeon should be more important than waiting a while to get establish again and a new surgeon to perform it. At one point I had doubts about my surgeon and thought about switching but I didn't. She didn't to anything wrong and it all went well, but part of me wishes I would have researched different doctors better and more thoroughly. I mostly didn't switch as I did like her but I was worried about the calendar and a delay.

Haha that is funny.

Hello and welcome aboard! Congratulations on fighting for your health and making it a priority. I am a bit concerned about the wife possibly not being on board, but glad you're taking the steps to a healthy you. I'm only 3 weeks out from being banded. It's not the easiest new life but I need to lose a bunch of weight too. I miss my crunchy foods right now on this post op diet.

If something is going on and you're no longer comfortable with your surgeon, I'd recommend to switch now no matter if you have to redo everything. This is surgery. It's not a haircut you can change or redo the same day. Your health is utmost important. It seems like the other poster said you have some options and won't be significant delay. Your X-rays, blood work and EKG have to be within 30 days of surgery so I think if you move now you might need to redo those tests.

My surgeons binder of information states for us to get 800-1000 calories a day.

I'm right there with you. I was banded on 12/16. First two weeks, I lost 8 lbs. this past week I lost one pound but my hunger is increasing so badly. I caved in last night (stress and hunger) and ate a lot more of the leftover Christmas chex mix than I should have. I was hungry all day. I couldn't sleep as I was so hungry. I was feeling depressed. After a bit of watching TV I just had to snack and that was calling my name. I agree we're in bandster hell. I saw an article that someone posted that helps explain the plateau / gain at this point in the journey. I don't get my first fill till 1/27! This is going to be a long 20 days.

I'm only 3 weeks post op. I've lost about 20lbs since that picture was taken last summer. I want to lose another 50. Oh one thing I struggle with, is my doc doesn't want us to get pregnant within a year of surgery. This will let things heal better and that's the best weight loss period (in her opinion). She did let it slip that many people (trying) become pregnant after 6 months. Just make sure your surgeon knows your goal. I think she put my port in a different spot and your gyn of the surgery.

Ditto ditto. I try to get rid of the waste if it's ready. That I feel is the most consistent (and possible lowest) measurement. Then I take my meds and then shower.