Ang1982

I agree with pretty much everyone else in regards to WW. While I do think that you CAN have success I do not think that it works well for many people in the long run. People will just eventually stop going and then that's when the cycle of gaining again returns. I went to WW about 5 years ago and lost approx 55 lbs and kept it off for years continuing to lose about another 20-25 lbs on my own. However, I only lost 55lbs because eventually I just got tired of going and while I did learn useful information about portion sizes, reading nutrition labels etc, I was fortunate enough to keep that 55lbs off BUT I was still around 290lbs (this with my own 20-25 lb loss) so I obviously have food issues/laziness issues I think I lucked out and my body agreed to stay at the weight for a while. I attempted WW online a couple years ago and did nothing but waist money as I never really followed along with it. So then I tried Medifast which I lost like 20lbs in a month and well I couldn't do it for more than a month and in the time frame from doing that and meeting my now DF and doing the whole "eating out new relationship thing" too much I managed to gain back all 20lbs and an additional 15-20 in revenge (my last supper syndrome didn't help my cause either). So while I think that these programs can be successful, I firmly believe it's only short term successes and it's just a matter of time before people fall off the wagon, gain back the weight and revenge weight and have to start ALL over again.

Unfortunately, my DF has stomach issues (doctors still trying to figure out what is wrong) so he can be quite gassy and boy they smell BAAAD with a capitol B. I tell yah, you'd think you'd get used to it but, you really don't. STINKY. Altho, due to this it means I have free reign to fart in front of him should I feel the need to and he can't say anything about it :confused:

*BIG HUG* sorry that thing's got so nutty for you!

How is everyone doing with this? I cannot seem to drink probably even nearly enough as I should. As it is with my clear fluids post op stage it seems like I'm constantly drinking all day long and then to add Water into it, I know I'm not getting the amount of water I should - I maybe drink one 8 oz bottle tops. Is this just me? Suggestions, recommendation? HELP! lol

That is so sad. Heartfelt thoughts to their families. AND WHO would rob a Lane Bryant for craps sake?!

Ugh I know what you mean about those strips being itchy - the same reason I peeled mine off (although my doc gave me the okay at my follow up appointment) and things felt much better after that! I'm so jealous you get to eat mushies already - I have to wait until Thursday I had my surgery in Delta British Columbia where my surgeon is - I live a couple hours from there in the Fraser Valley area. :wink2:

hah! I forgot it was February already. Silly me! This is what happens when you're off work recovering - I had no concept of date/time while I was at home relaxing. Good luck with your fill at the 6WEEK mark hehe.

Hey all, hope you are doing well - I have a question about post op "diet". My surgeon's post op food requirements are this: 4 days clear liquids- done 10 days full liquids - tomorrow's day 8 14 days pureed foods - can't wait lol My question is - I am only eating like MAYBE 300 (at the very most - very high end of the spectrum) calories a day - does that seem low? What is everyone else at? Currently on full liquids my meals are basically this: Breakfast - 1/2 cup Protein shake made w/ skim milk lunch/dinner (same for each meal) - 1/2 cup cream Soup strained & 1/4 cup Fat Free pudding OR 1/2 cup yogurt & 1/4 cup Fat Free pudding. I don't snack in between. Any thoughts? Where are you guys at with yours? Thanks :eek:

Really? You have your first fill less than half a month after surgery? Doesn't that seem a bit.. soon? Seems a bit soon to me. I don't get to go to see my doc for my first fill until like 5 weeks after my surgery date.... Jim, glad you are feeling better and that your band is doing okay! Welcome back we missed ya!

Heyas, I'm doing well - down 12 lbs so far since surgery. I feel hungry not all the time but I do. I am on day 7 of 10 for full liquids in my post op diet and am looking forward to going to pureed food towards the end of this week which I will be on for 2 weeks I believe it was. I've been struggling with head hunger and not being able to just "eat what I want" or anything normal. Getting a bit tired of Soup, pudding and yogurt but eh, thems the breaks, it will be all worth it. Still struggling to drink enough Water but I'm working on it. One embarrassing thing though - I haven't pooped yet (TMI I know), but perhaps since I'm only consuming liquid'ish type foods that is the reason. It's not that I'm "backed up" because I don't even feel like I need to go. Steri-strips are all off and incision sites are healing quite well, I'm pretty sure that besides possibly my port spot the others will be almost unnoticable. I am looking forward to pureed food like you wouldn't believe and then to be able to just .. eat normally OMG HEAVEN. :eek: Hope everyone is doing well. *BIG HUGS ALL AROUND*

Ugh, Im seriously lucky if I get through an 8oz bottle in a day which is bad I know, I know. I've always had a hard time drinking water and now more so because it's like all I do is drink, drink Breakfast, drink lunch, drink dinner, drink water in between, geeebus. I am on day 3 of creamy soups and such currently. I am making it my challenge to drink more water its just .. not workin so well right now. lol

I'm not so sure I agree with this statement. Barfing is VERY bad for the band (the action of barfing whether food is in your tummy or not), and if you do it a lot (once and a while is probably inevitable) you can cause slipping and you don't want to lose your band do you? My advice, make extra sure to chew, chew, chew small bites and if you do end up with something stuck, try a small sip or two of pineapple juice as some people swear that it's like Draino for bandsters.

I knew I was getting my band in October, I didn't have my surgery until January - I gained approx. 20 lbs before my band. My surgeon basically told me that he didn't want me to gain any more weight (that was the very beginning of January) and I said okay no problem and made sure that I didn't. My surgeon also doesn't believe in preop diets (and I know he's not the only one) as he says he will do my surgery and doesn't really think that it helps the liver that much as it is. And I had a BMI of 50! And now here I am - had my surgery last Wednesday and am down 10lbs my first week. Stay firm with your surgeon, good luck *HUG*

Wellll... I've had it done, and done by a professional. As for embarassing I figured - whatever it's like going to the gyno -they've seen one they've seen them all. And because this is their job they will be nothing but professional about it. At no time will your "goods" be staring them full on in the face. You go in and undres from the waist down, they give you a "paper cloth" type of thing that you lie on and then it folds up over you and you hold on to it, you move it to help them with different areas but it also covers you up where they are not working on it. Does it hurt - sure it does, how bad? Well I don't know I have a high tolerance for external pain (a few piercings and tattoos attest to that) but it's worth it and sooo smooth after. You can buy something to "roll on" after you shower that stops ingrown hairs and whatnot. And it doesn't give that crazy itchy feeling that shaving does when hair comes back in. My opinion - if you think you can handle having it done then schedule one with a professional at a salon/spa as it's just another day and another dollar for them.

Excellent idea! I ended up not needing any pain meds after surgery but it is good to know I have an option for down the road for any aches, pains or headaches that may come my way!

Hey, 3 lbs is a great start! And don't get discouraged if you maybe gain a smidgen of those 3 lbs back when you start on mushies. Like Chrisann said, it's time for healing! *hug* And once you're all healed up you and eating "normally" and able to do more excercise you will be well on your way !

My surgeons version of a mushie is anything that is almost "pureed consistancy" so if it's like mashed potato consistancy or came out of a blender then you are good to go. Basically what Chrisann listed. Good luck with your journey - and don't rush the healing as you will have a lifetime of eating normal so whats a few weeks on post-op diet in the grand scheme of things! :cursing:

*big hug* You can do it, you will be fine! You will be in the great hands of many very excellent professionals who know what they are doing - you aren't getting your surgery done by some back alley black market kidney stealer! You'll be alright! I don't have children so I cannot empathize with the thought of leaving a child but I can say - you're having the surgery to make yourself healthier and this surgery will be done by people who are professionals. You probably have a higher chance of getting hit by a bus then dying in surgery. You are having this surgery to PROLONG your health and your life for your self and your family. I've been under anaesthetic 4x now and for whatever reason have never been scared or worried about it. You lie down on the surgical table, they put a mask on your face and tell you to just relax and breathe and that you will be feeling relaxed shortly - before you know it you are waking up in recovery and everything is all done! *hug* If you have never had anaesthetic before be sure to make sure you keep the hospital staff informed if you feel nauseous at all as you do not want to be throwing up from it with your newly placed band (a side effect that affects some people, knock on wood I'm not one of them). Feel free to check out my blog if you haven't already and I have posted my entire surgery experience. YOU CAN DO THIS!! AND YOU'RE GONNA KICK @$$ AND TAKE NAMES!!! Before you know it you'll be eating jello counting down the days until it turns into yogurt LOL!

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone! I've actually been doing alright - not too hungry, bit of a gas pain everyonce and a while still but I also know I haven't been walking as much as I should (and to top it off it snowed today lol). But I'm doing alright! Looking forward to moving onto the full liquids stage as the Clear Liquids is starting to get a bit boring. Today was a quiet day so even for day 3 post surgery, it wasn't too shabby. I did however get to take a shower today - first day since surgery that I was allowed and well - that was quite the experience. We just have a stand up shower stall so DF stood at the open door and took a wash cloth to all the iodine, etc on my belly. The Water wasn't super hot the way I usually like it as I thought it was probably not a good idea on my tummy. I had just finished washing my hair and rinsing it when I knew bad things were about to happen. I think it is from a lack of calories/nutrients and the hot water as I opened the door and told DF "must sit now" (he was waiting outside the shower for me in case I needed him) as I knew if I didn't sit down I would have passed out in the bathroom (which isnt very spacious). So dripping wet I made a beeline for the toilet seat and had to sit there, leaning against him while the dark cloud came over me (I don't know if any of you have ever passed out before or almost passed out - but it's not fun). This is not a feeling that I am a stranger too and I knew the signs that it was coming - I've had issues with this since I was a kid (blood tests come back fine though everytime and it's VERY sporadic and occasional). I was leaning against him and I think I did actually pass out (wasn't from pain as I wasn't in any) leaning against him. When I was able to we got me to the bed, I lay down and just chilled there for about an hour. So note to everyone, if your low on your calories/blood sugar, careful with warm showers as that is usually what triggers me on my "near black out" moments, and post-surgery was no exception. On an exciting note - my official "weight day" isn't until Wednesday so I am not updating or putting it on my tracker but so far - down 8 lbs since surgery on the 23rd. I realize that I will likely gain some of this back once I start mushies but I'll be so damn happy to have mushies I don't think I will care!! Hope everyone is doing well! *big hugs and well wishes to you all* It's actually been my experience (as well as that of friends) but also what has been told to me on more than one occasion by doctors. Thank you! If you check out the Canada boards there is a group that posts under different threads related to BC Bandsters, you should check them out some time. None of the lapband procedure is covered by BC Medical unfortunately, and likely won't be any time soon. Gastric Bypass is covered but I believe the waitlist is about 6 years now for it if you have it paid for by medical. I don't know if he does bypasses or not (I don't think he does though) but he does do the "sleeve". His cost is $400 consulation fee (first time you meet with him) and the cost of the surgery is $14,000 (includes free aftercare fills no charge for them). I believe he is accepting patients you just have to call and ask how to go about getting a consult (they send you a questionnaire to fill out) - I'll pm you his number. I will say though - if you are seriously considering the band and have the money to self pay - give it great thought before going to Mexico or the US at this point. Not due to lack of great surgeons but due to there not being very much aftercare options in BC right now. Dr.Leung in Surrey also does the lapband and WILL NOT accept any other surgeons patients. Dr.Woodhead *may* and I say that with great emphasis as I know he prefers not to as well. Other than that, your only other option for aftercare would be to travel to Everett area in Washington to one of the fill places there. So be sure you check out all of your options before settling on a location/surgeon. I would have loved to go to Dr.Kirschenbaum in Denver for a cheaper price but figured by the time I have to go through the hassell and paying for fills (most places charge $150-200 in the states , per fill) that it wasn't worth it and that it was worth shelling out the extra $5000 up front. Good luck on your journey and decisions, feel free to message me at any time. :cursing:

Well here's my story of my experience with the surgery... As you know I was scheduled to be his first surgery than got bumped to being his second (don't know why but whatever, made me laugh because he had to be there super early and we both left the hospital at the same time haha). So we got there at 8:15am, got all checked in and sent down to wait in the surgical day care waiting area. We did not have to wait there long at all before someone came to see me - maybe 10-15 minutes at the most. We went into the surgical day care area, they filled out the last bit of papers, weighed me, checked blood pressure, etc and gave me some kind of pill to take and off I went to get changed into my fancy socks, slippers and gown. Went over to the bed/stretcher area that they had for me, they came to put the I.V. in and had a hard time getting it in the back of my hand because of the size the anaesthesiologist wanted them to use so they ended doing it on the inside of my arm instead with a smaller size needle. So that was all done and now I just had to wait until my surgery time. The anaesthesiologist came down to say hi as did my surgeon before hand and then off I went to the OR. The got me all assembled on the table then did the - you're going to feel really relaxed and the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery coughing like a son of a gun from them pulling the tube out of my throat. I wanted to just lay there and be sleepy but I figured that wouldn't do me any good so I fought the anaesthetic to stay awake. They gave me a thing into my IV for pain and I laid in recovery for a bit then they took me over to the surgical day care area. Was completely awake once I got to the surgical day care area. Got once to go to the bathroom and after I got back in bed I felt a teensy bit nauseous and a bit sore so after a while they gave me a bit of morphine and some gravol which actually made me feel worse after that so no more pain/anti nausea meds for me! Had to go to the bathroom again just after they gave me the morphine and they didn't want to let me get up (protocol) and I was like well I gotta pee so lets just give it a shot see if I'm steady enough on me feet (NO WAY WAS I PEEING IN A BED PAN!), I was so off I went again to the bathroom. Once I got back into bed I was still a bit tired and was cat napping when my DF arrived so we chatted for a bit and I cat napped a bit more, woke up and had to use the bathroom again (silly IV) and this time I went and then did a couple of laps around the ward. My mouth was incredibly dry and I was very thirsty but I wasn't allowed to have icechips until like 4pm or so which was great when I got them. Dr.Hornstein (the anaesthesiologist) came by at some point to check on me and then Dr.Woodhead (my surgeon) came by around 5pm to say if I was ready to go or not and I was. So got dressed and off we went. THANKFULLY I did not get any gas pain in my shoulder which I am very happy about. I have some in my belly but apparently it's much more painful if you get it in your shoulder as well (this is from the gas they have to pump your belly with during surgery). So I am up and about today moving around (not too quickly but not super slowly either). I am currently drinking my apple juice for Breakfast and may follow it up with some Jello later. This is my Post-Op Diet Timeline: day 1 - Water only day 2 - 4 clear fluids (apple juice, jello, broth) day 6-16 full fluids (can now add pudding, yogurt, milk, cream Soups - strained) day 17 - 31 is pureed foods day 32 - slowly reintroduce solid foods.

Well so far I think I am kicking ass and taking names with this healing thing I think... today is day 2 I think that the majority of my gas pains are gone and I've only been walking around the house a bit and sitting with a heating pad - too damn cold to walk outside haha. I feel soreness in my belly but it's not excrutiating just a lot of discomfort really and I haven't taken any post-op pain meds. Tomorrow should be interesting as day 3 is always the worst day of post-op recovery for pretty much any type of surgery so I hope it treats me nicely. Hope everyone is doing okay! *BIG HUGS*

British Columbia, Canada

Thank you me too, I think I got lucky! I will not overdue it for sure! (DF would kick my a$$). :rolleyes2:

Kat, I just wanted to comment to you as I have had a breast reduction (I was a G cup by the time I was 19) and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The loss of sensation as well as the fact that I will never be able to breastfeed was just a part of it and worth every bit of the reduction. You get used to it, you learn to live with it. They took 10lbs off in total - that's bigger than most babies and your back and shoulders will thank you! No offense intended hon but I don't know if these are the "potential dates" that would be in your best interest. I too have tried internet dating (met my fiance online) and I rarely ever had a man ask me my breast size/measurements and the maybe one or two that did well they turned out to be dogs... soo... maybe you want to steer clear of those ones? As to the why do they get all drooly thing - I think they hear "36G" or whatever and picture boobs like pamela anderson. my guess is most men don't realize that real breasts that big arent pretty and perky. lol.

I think these age specific forums are a cool idea - hopefully they will take off with people posting