manofsize

I had a plication with a lap-band on June 30th 2014. I find I can get a lot of food into my folded gut - and so the doctor put some saline in my band, which has helped on a bit (I got see him again this week and he'll put more in). I don't know anyone else in my world who's had this combo (plication with band) and am curious to know what that journey has been like...if anyone is willing to share their stories with me. Thanks so much!

TODAY'S THE DAY: It's been two weeks since surgery (band + plication) and I start "soft" foods today and I'm terrified. As much as the liquid diet was revolting (after two weeks), at least it put me in some "control" -- how much weight can you get on liquids? -- and it limited my choices. Now, starting today, I can eat a lot of the foods I loved: fish, cheese, chili, burgers -- I'm not saying I will eat all that (and I have to stay away from carbs totally), but I'm not quite confident in myself yet. I'm going to pop by an OA meeting today (my 2nd -- my doctor is a big believer in them -- anything that keeps you mindful, I guess) and is insistent on writing all the foods down (he's a big fan of the app "My Fitness Pal" -- oh, and today's the day I start exercise (Jane Fonda, I'm on my way). So it's a scary day for me. Is there a point to this? Yup: Others must be in the same boat as me, since we all had our surgery at the same time. So...how are you handling it emotionally? Thanks for your help and support.

So, June 30thers.... Today I had my one-week post-op follow up with my doctor. I'm lost 8 lbs since surgery, which is fine, but he also takes my body-fat % - it was 17% before the surgery -- & now it's 24%!! Very weird. He says that means I lost muscle weight. Oh, great. On the plus-side, my blood pressure is 116/67, which is a huge improvement for me. I had lap band with plication. I have another week on liquids, then two weeks on soft food. Seems like an eternity. And am I the only one here who know has the breath of death?!? I can't even stand my own breath. Tomorrow I go back to work & feel like I should wear a surgical mask...

Hi, T.M. (TiredMama)....I'm curious to know what, besides soup and Protein Drinks, you are "eating"? Besides Water, that's all I'm eating -- mainly because I can't think of anything else to drink!! Well, I'm having coffee in the morning, but that's it. Since I have at least another week of this, Any suggestion would be helpful...but I have a feeling there's nothing more out there! Let me know what you discover.

I had my surgery on Monday, June 30 -- lap-band with plication (stomach sewn in ½). Anyone else had that surgery done? I guess we're all different anyway, but my biggest side-effect is that I'm going buggy! And I know the only way this is going to work is if I have support from all kinds of people -- even those I know only virtually (like in this group). My son, who is in high school, is a big jock and thinks this whole thing is "ridiculous" and if I just had the will-power he has, I wouldn't need "this stupid surgery." So he is the opposite of support! But I'm going to be going to O.A. groups starting today (courtesy of my doctor's recommendation -- he thinks they're great for emotional support). Liquids have been working fine -- in fact, I'm kind of scared to start eating Actual food one of these days (a month?)...but I'll get to that neurosis when the time comes. Would love to hear how you other newbies are doing. Thanks!

That Facebook group -- JUNIES 2014 -- was up for one day and then mysteriously disappeared. I'm really disappointed, because I want support everywhere I can get it. But I guess this forum is kind of the same thing, right? Just that Facebook is so much easier. Anyway, I've written a bunch of emails to god-knows-how-many-people about getting the F'book page back up, and now it's July 5th...so I think we'll just have to congregate here. I had my band + plication done on Monday and the recovery has been okay and mainly boring. There is a psychological component to this that nobody addresses. Or maybe it's just me. I'm gong to drag my fat ass to an O.A. meeting this afternoon; my doctor (surgeon) says they are the best support groups and perhaps it's time I get some real (as opposed to virtual) support. You?

I'm not itchy. I'm bitchy. I think I've been in this nunnery a little too long! I need to be out and about with actual human beings (who aren't on a television set). Although I don't know what I'd talk about...except my gas, my favorite liquids, my incredible bad breath -- yeah, maybe it's better that I just live out the rest of m life alone in front of the TV. My recommendation for anyone contemplating bariatric surgery: Don't do it during summer reruns!

Hi, K. -- Yes, I'm a writing teacher (college). I have to teach for four hours straight on Tuesday and I can't wait. I'm going a little buggy (my surgery was on Monday). I did poop (my major accomplishment of July) and I wasn't expecting that! I don't know where that came from - oh, I know! 35 years of bad eating! And this is what my diet is now consisting of: Water water water + coffee in the morning, Protein drink, creamed soup for lunch, Protein Drink, cream soup for dinner, protein drink. And today I think I'll mix it up and -- do exactly the same. BORING. I could go see people, but why bother when I can only sip sip sip. I don't have head=hunger, but I have "memory" hunger -- like "it's 7pm, time for a burger and fries." Thank god I didn't drink or I know I'd be craving that. And we will be able to over eat -- and over-vomit. So we'll just have to pick one or the other. Does life sound grand?

Hi, K. I think this is my breakthrough day. (I'm about to give you T.M.I. -- Too Much Information): It's Day 4 and I had a bowel movement today. I was shocked. I thought it would take weeks, what with all the liquids I've been drinking. And then my son gave me a 9-1-1 call that he'd locked his keys in his car and needed me to bring him his extra set. I hadn't driven yet -- well, I did today -- for about an hour. Baby steps. And baby poop. But I felt like I'm moving forward. I've also decided that naps are about "healing" the scars/stitches on my stomach, so I'm letting myself doze off as much as possible. Tomorrow's goal is to get on my treadmill and walk -- slowly! - for about 20 minutes. I think by then I'll be able to do that. Tuesday I have to go back to work (teaching) and I'm sure I'll be ready for that. But enough about me ... how are you doing??

What happened to this group?! It was my support. My life-support!

Wow, that is heavy-duty. Isn't the recovery for that supposed to be much longer and much more "rigorous" than a lap band? How did you happen to make that decision, if you don't mind me asking. If you do mind me asking -- well, answer anyway! It's totally anonymous here!

I feel like an idiot -- but what is RNY? I had lap band with plication (do you know what that is?) and had it done (self-pay -- yikes!) by a doctor in L.A., which is where I live. I get the getting in and out of bed stuff. Sadly, I like getting into bed more than I like getting out of it! Today, I gotta move!

Hi, H. I also had my surgery the same day as you did. I'm doing about the same as you, and it didn't occur to me until you mentioned it, but I get liquids down quite easily. I didn't even think about it! Now I'm wondering if I should slow down. I'm not drinking gin -- just things like protein drinks and (yes) coffee, but it all seems to be going well. I'm the kind of person who's always looking for new things to worry about (neurosis is my hobby), so now I'll have to start paying attention to how much and how quickly I am drinking these liquids. Have you been hungry at all? Light-headed? Are you up and at 'em yet? Interested to hear your progress in other areas besides liquids.

That could be me writing that, pattierie... all the facts align with mine. I had my surgery on Monday (June 30) and recovery has been different than what I had anticipated. My energy levels change dozens of time a day. I'm just trying to roll with it and setting baby goals for myself. I'm curious to know how this has all worked out of you in the last 10 months. I hope there's a happy ending -- or at least a happy middle -- to the story.

I realized something yesterday: I have spent so much time from minute-to-minute focusing on "how am I feeling" and "is everything going to be okay?" and "is this surgery going to work" -- and I'm only at Day #4! So last night, I decided to watch a TV show I like -- and it took my mind off of it (and me). And so today, my goal is to do things that aren't related to my WLS -- like I'm going to do some work (at home) and writing (at home) and clean up a bit and do some walking -- i.e., semi-normal things. I'm not quite ready to jump in the car and go places (although I could), but that is my goal for tomorrow. i.e., I want to get out of my head and back into my life. I think it'll help.