rose2014

Had my 1st fill at 3 weeks 3 days post op. I have a 10cc band and received a fill of 2cc. The first day was a little weird with the filling of being tighter. Do you all have a weird feel to your restriction of the band? It is not painful but feel like the band is constricting as your food digest and it can be a little achy but not hurting or painful. My surgery was done in Kansas, MO however, I go locally to get band fills. After my 1st fill she has released me to cardio workouts only no weights as yet. I want to exercise but sometimes I just don't feel like 30mins a day. Do anyone else have this issue? I know as I lose my energy will go up and maybe I will have that desire to workout more. My food choices are limited because I don't know what to eat so that I don't gain weight. I'm sticking with what I know is safe. I am tired of Protein shakes been trying to eat protein packed foods. Since fill I have been dropping the pounds.Trying to stay under 40 carbs a day and getting 80 grams of protein is very challenging. I had 5 incisions and my main incision and 2 others are looking real good. The other 2 are not healing like the others. One is right above the waist line and keeps getting rubbed so it is taking longer and it did bust and Fluid seeped out. It now has a hard crusty scab over it I will be happy when it heals 100%. The other one seeps every now and then it has a hard crusty scab over it also. The nurse that does my fills say they look ok they are just taking longer to heal, if I start running a fever let her know and she would put me on an antibiotic. I am a diabetic and know that we sometimes heal slower however 3 of the 5 incisions are healed. Today I have bee so tired haven't done anything different but today I just wanted to sleep. Do anyone have those kind of days? Sorry for being so long winded. Any suggestions are welcome. Rose

Thanks SandyM I sure hope the endurance kicks in soon. Industrious Bee thanks, I am proud however, you know we want to see the pounds come off quicker. How are you doing? Congrats on your weight loss also!

Tom, I made these pancakes today for my son, grandson, and myself they where good! I cooked up some turkey bacon and scrambled some eggs, a great 4th of July Breakfast for all. Question...the calorie, carb, fat, Protein that is divided by the number of pancakes you make correct? My batter I got 4 pancakes and not six. Thanks for sharing good tasting pancakes!!!!

Josiek1988, congratulations on getting to this point. No turning back now! I am 5 week out from being banded and love it!! As everyone has mentioned each surgeon is different and there protocol before surgery. I was allowed shakes(some I made and others I bought like the slim fast.....HIGH PROTEIN), broth, sugar free popsicles, sf Jello, and sf pudding. My sister was allowed 2 shakes, a sensible dinner, broth, sf popsicles, sf jello but no sf pudding. Inform your surgeon or call ahead and speak to the nurse about your concerns on the Protein. Maybe they have some free samples to try out products they recommend. When I go for my fill, the office gives us samples of a product (ujury) that they recommend. Best wishes to you and please keep us posted. Rose

Lisacaron, thanks for clarifying what restriction feels like. My doctor said liquids day of fill and then back to solids as I can tolerate them. Next day I was ok however, know that I know what restriction feels like I know what im feeling. my waist area incision gets bumped all the time and it had busted on me. It is now scabbed over but I will be happy when these last 2 incisions heal up. I am keeping them dry and clean along with a piece of gauze draped over it not taped down. Bandista, thanks for the tips and the congrats (smile). Being banded has changed my life in such a short time. Losing weight and having non scale victories is such a BIG deal for me. As I mentioned above the next day after my fill I was ok. 2muchfun, I did not eat solids until the following day however, the fluids and Soup that I ate I could feel the pressure but now I know that, that is what restriction feels like. Mike57, thanks for the encouragement and I will be taking things slow. I thought the fill was kind of early too but she says they start fills at 4-6 weeks and since I had started solids I lost weight but not enough where she did not think I needed a fill. Thank you all for the feedback!

I too had issues with paperwork getting misplaced. I had been approved for weeks but the approval went to the hospital not the office. I called my insurance and found out I was approved. Pissed I was to the point of finding a new surgeon. My son said don't delay your surgery for the incompetence of staff. If I had gone with another surgeon I would have had to start over. Having faith in my surgeon and tomorrow will be 5 weeks post op.

Thanks everyone for the congrats and encouraging words. It is amazing how all of this is working out. I know i am still a newly banded and there may be time I won't be this excited. I will relish while I can and prepare for some of the possibilities that can happen. CTJohn great job on A1C. January 2014 mine was 11.2 repeat test before surgery (April 2014) was 8.2. I had changed my eating habits and increased the protein and lower carbs. Can't wait to see what my next A1C will be like in July.

Hello everyone, Today I had my very first noticeable non-scale victory. With being a big girl I only had two pairs of jeans. One pair I just bought in February for my grandson b-day party. Well they are so baggy now(YEAH). The other pair I could fit but unable to breath if I wore them. Well today I decided to try them on and low and be hold they FIT! but are not too baggy. I tried these on 2 weeks ago to day and they where still too tight. I wore them to work(casual day) and my co-workers kept saying i need to go by some jeans...lol Love my non-scale victory!! Rose

Congratulations you look TERRIFIC!! I am inspired that I can do this. My journey with being banded just started May 27, 2014. Congrats again on a new life and new you!!

No worries per our support group here. My first fill will be in 3weeks which is a month post op. Let us know how it goes.

Congrats, you are doing great! Enjoy Chicago scenery. Last time I was there was 31 pounds ago :-). Can't wait to go back and experience it lighter. Keep up the great job!

Great ideas however, I am only 4 days post-op. I am adding Protein to my Soups and pudding. Cannot wait to eat some smoothies in a few days. Had Jello to day and did not chew it enough and now I know the feeling of stuck and how it feels when it passes through. Lucky it was jello it slid through in a few mins. Rose

I was in shock when I read your SUPPOSE to be bff's blog. Your friendship should NOT be based on what lifestyle choices you make for your life. WL surgery is NOT cosmetic! Insurances do not cover cosmetic surgery except for some exceptions. Supportive friends is what you need and here you have found. I am 4 days post-op from getting the lap band. The only people I told where the ones I knew would support me in my decision. One of my bff's told me I have encouraged her to do something to improve her health. It hurts I am sure however, you are better off without that type of attitude and controlling issues. Best of luck to you as you proceed to better YOURSELF for YOU!! Rose

Surgery went well on Tuesday and I am home recovering. At discharge I had only gained .8oz from my pre-surgery weigh in. Doctors where great gave good pain meds and I had no problems with nausea or keeping liquids down. I walked a lot and gas pains where minimal. Day of surgery and 2 day post op had lots of energy and was feeling pretty good, wanted to drink my liquids. Today 3 days post op I am so sleepy/lazy, sore as hell and not feeling hungry. Is it normal to feel good for a couple days and then the sleepiness overcome you? I have a slight cough but nurse says that is normal just keep using the breathing machine. My incisions are ugly however, I do know that they are still "fresh" and need to heal. For the most part my recovery is going very good. Tomorrow back to the pre-op diet for 4 days then creamed Soups, non clumpy oatmeal foods consistency of baby food. So glad to be on the banded side. Rose

Day of surgery I drank everything they would give me....LOL Don't think I was really hungry the day of surgery I was just thirsty and couldn't sleep. The meds I have backed off on, I am just sore not much pain. I rested a lot yesterday feel better today still a little lazy feeling. Going to just do things as I feel and rest most of the day. Back to pre-op diet today and it was so lovely to have a chocolate Protein shake this morning. After reading posts on here I assumed I would not be able to drink the 10oz. It took about 45 mins but I was able to consume the entire 10oz of Protein Shake. Never thought I would say it took me 45mins to drink a protein shake...LOL Was I suppose to stop once I was full or was it ok to sip and let it go down and continue sipping until it was gone? I am new to this my post op is on wed 6/4. What other foods are comparable to the consistency of baby foods. Creamed soups and creamy oatmeal/cream of wheat but what else?

Thanks 2muchfun for your response, hoping this sleepiness passes soon. Congrats Booflu and Joe on recently being banded. This is def a new experience and I am off work until Monday. Unfortunately, I am taking online classes and I have work that needs to get done today and over the weekend. Rose

I increased my walking during the pre-op since, walking is very good for us post-op.

Hello everyone, Just wanted to let everyone know that tomorrow is my turn to be banded. Starting the next chapter of my new life, seen through different eyes. The past two weeks have been a learning process, getting to know me and what I am strong enough and capable of doing. At first when I heard two weeks of liquids I was like this is going to be torture. Actually for me it was not except for the second day when I craved a salad but my sister talked me off the edge...lol and then on Friday I smelled food and it drove me crazy. For others the pre-op was hard for me I would again have to say wasn't bad. Today has been a busy day cleaning the house, packed my bag, did homework, and relaxed a little. Thanks for all the support you all give. It really is encouraging and comforting. Praying for limited shoulder and gas pains My surgery is at 8am in the morning. In less than two hours I will be headed to Kansas for my surgery. Will update as soon as I can.....NERVOUSLY EXCITED!!!!! Rose

Hello Everyone, Thanks for the well wishes, they are so much appreciated. Surgery went well and I am home now. The gas pains where minimal and the hospital gave me good drugs after surgery so I was in very little pain. Still have some gas pains but they are tolerable, I am sore today and have had minimal pain. My incisions look ugly but again they are still fresh and irritated. Hope they look better when they are all healed. All and all I would have to say that my experience with getting the lap band was a good one. After surgery I tolerated all liquids no nausea and walked, walked, and walked. Walking I believe has helped me so much in this process of recovery. I am only two days post op however, I feel great! During my two week pre-op I had lost 16pounds and from the day I decided to do the lap band all together I had lost 26lbs before surgery. Got weighed this am before I left the hospital and I gained .8 ounces after surgery but that will be gone by morning....LOL So happy to be on the banded side!!! Rose

Congrat! My surgery date is May 27

Mrs. Bee, I just had a case of bronchitis and my surgery nurse told me I had to be off antibiotics seven days before surgery. Best advice talk with your surgeon,keep your head up and look at all the support we have on this site. Getting banded 5/27

The pre-op so far is not bad. Day 3 and already down 4lbs. I had a craving for salad last night but I called my sister in-law who will be banded 5 days before me and she helped bring me off the ledge....

Hello everybody, I was not suppose to start my pre-op till the 20th(surgery 5/27). I decided to start a week early to try and get the hang of things and see how my blood sugars will react. This is only day one on a full liquid pre-op diet. I was able to get in 97g of Protein however, I was unable to meet the calorie requirement of 1000-1300. Are we suppose to be watching the carb count of 30g a day also? I will check with my surgery nurse also. Carb count was well over 30 for the day(51) and at bedtime still had 245 calories to eat. Any suggestions on how to get the calorie amount up to at least 1000? Thanking you all in advance. Rose

Bee, I second what bandista said. My surgery date is 5/27 . I'm on day 3 of my liquid pre-op. Nerves and second guessing my decision kicked in the day before I started. The diet really has not been too bad. Protein shakes,broth,sugar free Jello pudding and popsicles. You will be ok. One day one hour one minute at a time. Rose

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I spoke w/my surgery nurse today and she told me not to focus on calorie intake. She said my main goal now is to try and hit the 80-100g of Protein. In regards to the carbs on the pre-op there is no set amount such as 30g but she said keep them as low as possible. So yesterday I got in 90 protein and today I barely got my 80. Rose