lovekatz1975

Despite how I felt doing my pre-op diet, I would do the whole thing over a million times if I had to. I am so happy with my decision to get the lap band.

I got 3 cc's in my first fill - I was STARVING the next day. I guess my doctor likes to take it slow. I'm going this afternoon for my second fill. I'm going to complain that I'm hungry all the time, which is the truth!! I'm hoping the scale shows a loss....but I am not expecting one. In the midst of being hungry all the time, I also quit smoking. Double whammie!!

I went through the same thing....lethargy, headaches, shakiness....it gets better after a few days.

I was smoking over 2 packs per day before and after surgery. I started Chantix and weaned myself down. I haven't had a cigarette in almost 2 weeks. There are some times that I REALLY want one, but I'm able to get through it. Chantix is a wonderful thing!

My doctor said absolutely no canned pastas.

At 8 weeks I am down 33 pounds. I go on 11/29 for my second fill, so that number is going to change.

OMG, I love the Outback aussie fries! I can't believe the fat and caloric content in them!!!

Ricotta cheese, mozzarella and tomato sauce in a bowl, microwave it for 30 seconds. I also ate chili, egg salad, tuna salad, filet fish (sole, tilapia), cottage cheese, new england clam chowder.....there is so much to eat while on the mushy stage.

I was smoking around a pack and a half to 2 packs a day. The day of surgery my surgeon RIPPED into me when she found out that I was still smoking. She told me how the nicotine affects the port, it goes into the port and disintegrates it. The nicotine also eats away at the band. I started taking Chantix 2 weeks ago. You are supposed to wean yourself off in the first week and by the time you begin the full dose, you are supposed to be not smoking. I took an extra 5 days to stop smoking. I am officially a non smoker since 11:30 pm, November 16th, 2007. Yes, I am DYING to smoke a cigarette. There are times I feel like I would kill to have one. Then I hold my breath for 20-30 seconds and the feeling sort of goes away. It is hard, I'm not going to lie to you. But you know what? I'd rather get myself 100% healthy, between not smoking and having the band to help lose weight. Besides, I got a scare. My Avon district manager died of lung cancer 2 weeks ago, she was 56 years old. She fought it for 1 year and lost the battle.

My doctor says 5 minutes before and 20 minutes after.

I feel the same way. I'm not drinking nearly as much as I used to.

I got stuck twice yesterday. Miserable feeling. First was at lunch, I had matzo ball Soup and then tuna. It was after the tuna that I got THAT feeling. Second was at dinner. BBQ spare ribs and veggies. I also have to learn to slow down and chew, chew, chew.

I have 3 ccs in my 14 cc band and yes, I am able to eat salad. I've also had london broil and chicken parm. I have not tried to eat bread, but I have had stuffed breads from the italian pork store (one stuffed with broccoli and meats and the other with broccoli rabe and sausage). I did get stuck with the broccoli and meat one, but that was because I was hungry and took too big of a bite and did not chew well enough. It was my own fault for not paying attention.

What are you going to do with your clothes that don't fit you anymore? So far I have a pile of 5 pairs of pants, all in size 3X that I cannot wear anymore. I've been wearing 2X which are now getting too big. I ordered 2 pairs of 1X so I can have 2 pairs of pants that are not hanging on me. As far as shirts go, I plan to wear last winter's long sleeve shirts. By the time spring comes, I'll have to get new short sleeve shirts, but I'm going to wait to get them so I can get the proper size.

I had something like that. Turns out there was a collection of fluid around the port area. They withdrew the fluid and I was fine. I'm not saying that is what you have, I'm just telling you my experience.

I found that I have a hard time with grilled chicken, pizza and cake. I did fine with chicken parmagiana. Now that I have my first fill, I will have to start the trial and error period again.

I went today for my first fill. I have the 14 cc band and my doc put 3 cc's in it. I lost 11 pounds since October 8th, for a grand total of 33 pounds since August 16th (that was the last time I was weighed). Even in bandster hell I managed to loose weight!! I'm definitely feeling the restriction. I'm sipping on a can of slim fast and boy does it feel tight in there. I'm having trouble burping again, which happened after the surgery. I was told when I start eating again (48 hours of liquids and then 48 hours of mushy/pureeds), that I should take a bite, chew it 15 times, swallow, put my fork or spoon down, count to 50 and then do it again. I honestly didn't even feel it when she put the needle in! She had me do somewhat of a crunch, I guess to make the port stick up.

I didn't feel a thing, just a tiny bit of pressure when she pushed down to find the port. I didn't even feel the needle go in. I was eating a lot before I got filled. I will let you know how that changes when I get back on to food.

I notice that I've been cold too. Especially my hands.

I'm going to Dr. Ren for my first fill today, so I can't answer your question about the sweet spot yet. I can tell you that they are extremely professional, clean and nice.

Is anybody else starting to eat solid foods again? It's wierd, but I'm almost scared to eat solids because I'm afraid it will get stuck, even though I have no restriction. I'm due to get my first fill 11/6. I've definitely been getting hungry, but I notice that I've been eating a little bit less at my meals.

Wow, I have a few milestones. I've had a LOT of people tell me they see the weight loss. My clothes are all hanging on me, I'm ready to buy a few new pairs of pants in a smaller size. My bras are loose (bye bye girls!!!). I had a salad last night for dinner and was not hungry afterwards. The list goes on, but I don't have enough coffee in me yet to remember everything!!

It has been 1 month since I got my band! It's amazing how time flies by. I just realized this morning, I'm not sore in my port area anymore.

I don't have a scale at home. I have no intention on getting on a scale in between doctor's visits.

Hate to say it, but that is the going rate. I paid $325 to see the psychologist that was recommended to me by my surgeon's office.