kayzoog

I was scared to do liquid too. I didn't think I could do it. But it actually sounds worse than it is. I read all the blogs Blissfullybanded mentioned plus her own. They are great resources of inspiration. Good luck!

Wow! I wouldn't even know how to shop for a size 4! Imagine how many more clothes fit in a closet when they are that small! Ha! Congrats - you've done some hard work!

So inspiring! Thank you! -K

Congrats! Great story! I'm almost three weeks out and would do this again in a heartbeat! Sounds like you have done a lot for other people. Time to focus on YOU! - K

Hang in there. It does get easier. I'm on day 30 liquid pre and post op. Make sure you are getting enough protein to keep you satisfied. When you start to have mental hunger, try doing something else to keep your mind busy. It's hard, but it's not forever and it's so important for successful surgery. -K

Congrats Nat! I was super nervous about the pain myself. But, as you have probably read on these forums, everyone has a different experience. And any pain you might have, is temporary. You can read in my blog- the first 5 days were all different. Just know that you can get through it! Also, if you have to take the pain medicine, take it. That's what it is there for. But, I recommend trying Tylenol first to see if it takes the edge off. The narcotics have other side effects that are not fun. Good luck to you! - K

I'm not on mushies yet, but I am 2 wks post-op and can still see the "bump" that you are talking about.

This is great! A real reminder for those even in the beginning stages. On the liquid diet still, I am dreaming of real food. But, I need to not get too excited and make sure it's the "right" food. :)K

Good luck! Congratulations on the big day! -K

Don't be bummed. Everyone heals differently. I took a total of 8 days before I went back to work. (Read each day on my blog http://banderland.weebly.com). And I'm still not 100%. Just know that it gets better and better with each day. :)K

Hang in there! I'm so sorry, that really sucks. But, you would rather a surgeon be nice and well, then working on you while sick. It's a temporary set back. You've come so far, just take deep breaths and center your mind. It will happen, and you will do great!

My surgeon insists on protein post-op. I was never on a clear diet. However, my stomach also makes the wierdest noises. Not hungry noises. Just noises. It may be because I am drinking a lot less than pre-op just because I am not hungry at all.

Love this! I have a long coat from college that is in my closet just waiting for me to get to goal and wear again! Congrats!

I also took a week off. My only kid is 17, so it was a bit easier than with small kids. You will definitely need help with the kids during your recovery. This is a perfect opportunity to rally the grandmas, grandpas, best friends, aunts, uncles, hubby or boyfriend to help. I am very independent, but everyone wanted to help. It was hard for me to let them. (It was weird to ask my boyfriend to do my laundry), but I think our closest people really truly want to feel like they are helping through those first few days. As for starting the discussion, I looked for a Lap-Band surgeon on the lapband.com website. You can call the 800 number and they will find you one near you who is on your network. My surgery center is a Surgical Center of Excellence for Cigna, but my actual Cigna insurance did not cover bariatric surgery, so I ended up cash pay. i was still glad I was at a Center of Excellence. -K

I agree with Leepers. Maybe she thinks you are good enough friends to joke about it, and doesn't understand that it hurts you. Maybe she is just excited in her weightloss. It's a great point though. I can imagine myself being so excited about Lap-Band progress that I overshadow my non-lap-band overweight friends who may still struggle on their diets, while I am losing steadily. It will be important for me not to belittle their efforts. Weight loss is weight loss regardless of the method, and we should all be supportive. - K

Nice job!!!

Hang in there Nat123! Are you drinking shakes that you actually like? There are a lot of different kinds. I prefer Premier Protein. I add coffee to the vanilla, or sugar free Jello powder (like orange) to make a 50/50 bar tasting one. Do you have a blender to add ice and make it like a real shake? MagicBullet works really nice. Soup is good, but make sure you are getting your protein (add unflavored protein powder) and avoid the additional sugar. Also try greek yogurt blended with fruit, ice and Water if you want a change from the protein mixes. I know it is super hard, but you have already made it 4 days! Mental hunger is the worst! Keep your spirits up, and try to find other things to do when that mental hunger creeps into your brain. For me, I end up cleaning. It accomplishes two things - keeps me busy, and cleans the house! I wish you well! - K

Thanks for starting this topic. I am interested in seeing the responses.

My nutritionist actually suggested adding coffee to the Vanilla Premier Protein shake and ice, and blending it up. I use a Magic Bullet. It is very tasty, like a Frappucino! I mix the hot coffee with ice first to get it cold, then add everything else. You actually don't need that much coffee (maybe 1/2 cup max) if you use the Protein Shake and ice. - K

I did not have the gas pain, but the incision pain kept me up the first night, but in general I slept ok even without the pain killers. I did wake up every night a couple of times with a sore throat from the tube during surgery. By night of day 2 I took a unisom because I wasn't in pain enough for the pain killers and didn't want to be constipated. I slept like a baby on that. Last two nights I have been sleeping great, but wide awake at 3am for no known reason. Hang in there. It will get better. - K

Yes! Great solve. In the mornings I blend vanilla premier protein shake with coffee and ice. It makes something very similar to a Frappucino! I put the unflavored protein powder into a low cal soup like Amy's split pea. Blend that up with some water so it's not chunky at all. It tastes a little different, but doable for a change from shakes. For tomato base soup, used Fage greek yogurt blended in for a better taste. Your protein does not HAVE to be from powders, so a non-fat greek yogurt works nicely- as long as it's blended into a liquid and paired with right ingredients. FYI - Greek yogurt and chicken broth DO NOT go together- yuck! Learned that the hard way. I am thinking this will go by really fast, and we will all just look back on our pre and post op diets and wonder how we did it! We were so amazing! - K

Hang in there Valarie kk! I did 2 weeks liquid and now post surgery I have to do another 3. I add protein powder to soup and it's a nice change of pace. I know it's tough but it is temporary! K

I was banded Monday too. I also feel full after only 1/2 a shake . Are we supposed to drink whole thing even if we feel full? I am not sure about that part. Any advice would be great! K

Wow! I can't wait to be 10 days out ! Congrats!

I was extremely sore on day 2 as well. I'm 4 days out now and feeling a lot less sore. I put Fage greek yogurt in a tomato base and heat that up. But, I can really only eat a 1/2 cup or so at a time. I had a strange sensation of being hungry and full at the same time this morning. Must have been mental hunger. Read my blog to see all of the ups and downs of my post-surgery. Congrats on your surgery!!! Yay! - K