wnt2lose

It is amazing what two weeks off of a job will do for a person. As well as losing 20lbs. I was banded on Nov. 5th. I took 2 weeks only because I had the days available and I didn't really know how much time I would need. Anyway today was my first day back to work since I had my surgery. (I am a teacher in a high school. ) It is amazing all the compliments I've gotten so far. I told several friends in the faculty about my surgery, but I only told my students I had to be gone for some surgery. I had also gotten my haircut. Everybody just says what a different person I am. They say I look happier and younger. Even students are commenting on my hair etc. I'm sure in their heads they're wondering what was really going on. It is also good to know that I was missed. Especially when you teach in a tough school with kids that are not always the most respectful bunch. I've been told by several kids that they were glad I'm back and they felt lost when I was gone. So far everything has been really postitive. I have gotten a few eye rolls from some people that think I took the easy way out, but for the most part everybody has been really supportive of me. I just try to stay away fromt he negative people. So I thought it would be fun to tell about any comments/compliments you may have gotten from other people.

Isn't it funny how everyone acts differently towards you after the surgery? My family is big on not wanting to eat in front of me. They apologize if they make popcorn or when deciding what to make for supper they ask if it is ok with me for them to eat it. I'm like you don't need my permission. For instance last night I took what they made and made a soup for me to eat. Wasn't too bad. It's amazing what I can do with a blender now.

I've never been a big coffee drinkier, but what I like to do is mix a cup of coffee with my chocolate Unjury for a great cup of Mocoa Coffee. It helps get my day going and I don't feel hungry after. My Dr. says coffee and tea in moderation is ok.

Glad to hear everything is going well for you. I also will be celebrating my 2 week bandiversary tomorrow! I was banded on Nov. 5th and can 't believe how much better I feel. I am on a restrictive diet, but I don't feel deprived and I am losing quite a bit right now. When I see my Dr. on Wed he may move me to the mushy stage for Thanksgiving and the following week. Last night I went out with some friends. We were in a Mexican restaruant and I was drinking Iced Tea and enjoying a night out. I didn't even feel bad that I couldn't eat or drink the margaritas. I did look at the menu and tried to figure out what I could eat in the future instead of my smothered chimi In years past if I was on a diet I would've talked myself out of it for a night and eaten, but with the band I had to really think about the outcome and it is worth it to wait. I was just glad to be with my friends out in public and enjoying myself. Keep up the good work Phil and the rest of us Nov. bandsters!

Welcome to our group. Since finding this great community I find it hard to go anywhere else. Good luck on your future surgery! I had mine on Nov. 5 and I have been extremely happy. Wait until you see the lbs melt away. It is actually fun to step on the scale.

I believe everything you just said wheetsin. Here is what my Dr. has his patients do. Full liquids for 1 week prior to banding- anything that will go through a straw including creamed sopus, pudding, yogurt, and Cream of Wheat. Clear liquid the day before. The day of banding I only got nourishment through an IV or ice chips. then the next morning get the barium swallow then only clear liquids for 1 week or until I see him. Saw him Wed. he moved me to full liquids and told me to come back next week and he may move me to mushies depending on how I do. He wants us to get used to small portions at each meal so we are only allowed 3 oz. at each meal. Of course in b/t we are to sip Water, crystal lite, Protein, etc. Then after a week of mushies we can move to food with caution.

Just got home from my first follow-up appointment with my surgeon. I've lost 20 lbs since the last time I was in his office a week before my surgery!!(Oct. 29):peace::rockon::wow2: He moved my to full liquids and said to come back next week and depending on how I am doing move me to mushies! That means mashed potatoes for T-day!! I got all my staples taken out. Feels much better, but they do itch!! My incisions are closed nicely though!

I also made some Campbell's chicken noodle soup and gave all the noodles and chicken to my dogs or the kids whoever was there and I ate the broth. I felt more satisfied doing that then boulion.

I just had to laugh at your comment about the bm. Glad I'm not the only one who went along time without #2. I was banded on 11/5 one day ahead of you and finally got mine on Tuesday!! I do find if I take too big of a gulp of Water it hurts going down, so then it's back to sip, sip, sip. Here's to a great BM!!

Pam, Thanks for asking about my surgery. It has gone really well. The first few days I felt horrile. Shoulder pain, couldn't cough etc. Now, I can't believe the difference in my attitude and how I feel. I just went to my first follow-up appointment with my surgeon. I've lost 20lbs in 2 1/2 weeks!! Actually about 40 lbs from this summer when I was at my all time high weight! I know eventually the weight loss will level off, but I love the head start. I am really glad to have this extra week. I don't think I could've made it on Monday. I travel to 3 different classrooms and I think I would've been beat by the end of the day. Plus, just getting used to my new eating schedule is an adjustment.

Hi. Glad to hear I'm not the only one with staples. On each of my little incisions I have 2 and on my port I have 6. They don't bother me too much. I get them off tomorrow. They are just starting to itch and get pretty red. Otherwise my incisions look really good.

I have tried to not focus so much on the scale and to just get myself healthy. Unfortunately when I see I am losing 1-2 lbs a day it is actually kind of fun to step on the scale. Once I'm done with liquids, I know it will stabalize, so I am going to hide it and only plan to weigh myself once a week.

I am now 1 week past surgery. I had surgery on Monday Nov. 5th. What a week will do for the body and mind! I feel really good. Although I didn't have my first bm until yesturday! That was awful, but I feel much better. I initially took 2 weeks off. I am a teacher, and I had a lot of sick days built up, so I decided to take what I could get. I could've gone back yesturday, but I am glad to have this extra week. I go see my Dr. for my follow-up appointment tomorrow morning. Does anyone else have staples? Mine finally come off tomorrow! They are starting to itch, and get sore when I do a lot. I can't wait to see what my "official" weight loss is! I also can't believe how much weight I am losing!:whoo: It seems like every day I am down 1-2lbs! Of course it's easy to lose when you are only drinking clear liquids! Today I was able to graduate to full liquids. For Breakfast I made Cream of Wheat and added a bunch of milk to make it really soupy. I could only eat 1/4 cup, before I was full! For lunch, I had my chocolate unjury in milk. I was getting tired of mixing the unflavored with my crystal lite! I am enjoying having this week just for me. I have actually cleaned and done things around the house that I've been ignoring or didn't have the energy to do before. I am actually making a nice supper for my family even though I can't eat it. And guess what???? I don't care!!! Sorry for such a long post, but I just wanted to let everyone know who just had surgery or will soon that the pain is only temporary!

Hey, good for you. I remember back when my surgery was scheduled. The time has gone by so fast. Soon you will be on the losing side!:whoo::clap2:

Sorry I missed the vote, but I do like November Nymphs.

I was banded on 11/5. I haven't felt deprived or hungry since surgery. I've only been able to drink clear liquids for the first 7 days, now I'm up to full liquids.. milk, yogurt, pudding, creamy soups, etc. I couldn't wait until I could go to the next step. This morning I made really creamy Cream of Wheat for breakfast. It was heavan! But I could really only eat 1/4 cup before I was full.

When I start mushies, I am told to only eat 3 oz. per meal.

Hi. I was just banded on Nov. 5th. Even though I was making big changes.. stopped drinking Diet Coke, took smaller bites, tried to watch what I was eating, I also felt a need to eat. We had several last meals. Steak one night, ribs another, then I had some sweets, etc. I know exactly how you are feeling. Just remember that after the splurge to watch it the next day. I only had to do a liquid diet for 1 week before surgery. I did end up losing 17 lbs before I had surgery. Since Monday I've dropped another 10!! Of course a week of Clear liquids will do that to a person. Good luck and enjoy your journey. It does get easier and after you are banded you don't have a choice, but to follow the plan.

It's amazing how much better I feel today. I actually am starting to feel human. I may even go outside for a walk later. I'm getting a little bored. I'm staying ahead by taking my pain medicine on schedule so that may also be a reason I feel better.

Yesturday was the day. We had to be at the hospital by 6:00a.m. so was up early, took a shower and left for the hospital. Once we got there they took us to this holding room. Everyone was really nice and made the time go really relaxing. Then got my hand poked and hooked up. The anethesologist came by and asked me quesitons and again eased my mind. Then it was time to go for a ride. Once in the operating room I could hear everything everyone was saying. Some nurses were in the corner talking about the bands. I asked again if I was getting the new band, they said yes. It took me a little longer to go to sleep then they expected. I kept hearing them say "breath" then I was out. Next thing I knew I was in recovery. This is where my story makes sense. In June my family went to Colorado for vacation. It was on top of the mountain after a struggling hike that I told myself I have to do something. I can no longer lie to myself and say being 100+lbs overweight is fine. There began my journey to the lap-band. In the recovery room they had pictures on the ceiling to look at. Mine was the MOUNTAINS! It was my sign that this is what I needed to do and everything will be alright.

Hi, all. Just got home from the hospital 2 hours ago. I had my surgery yesturday, 11-05 at 7:30 in the morning. I was up and in my room by 10:00. Yesturday I felt awful! I wasn't sick or anything, but I found out what pain in my shoulder felt like! By 2;00 I was able to get out of bed and go for a walk for the first time. I was pretty dizzy, but it felt good to move. Slept off and on all day. That night my kids and dh came and also a good friend. I finally got a good dose of morphine at 2:00 am and was able to sleep until 7:00. This morning I had to go do a barium swallow test and x-ray. Yuck!! That stuff tasted gross. Everything worked the way it should, so I finally got to have some Carnation Instant Breakfast juice and broth. The nurse that took care of me today also has a lap-band, so she gave me some really great tips and info. I felt much better, but my shoulder still hurt a lot. Was able to walk the halls a lot easier. My Dr. stopped in to see me. He said everything looks good. He took of my bandages and I got to see my staples and incisions for the first time. I do feel bloated. What hurt me the most today is my shoulder and neck. They had a lot of people going home today, so after my nap, I finally got to sign my papers and leave. I feel much more comfortable at home, but I am glad I spent one night in the hospital. The way I was feeling yeturday and last night, I would've been miserable at home.

Sitting here anxiously awaiting my surgery on Monday!! Feeling a little anxious, scared, nervous, and excited all at once. I got my hair cut today. Figured I needed a new hairstyle to start my new chapter in my life. I really like it. I got a lot cut off, but I already feel lighter and better! I feel like I have so much unfinished things to do such as laundry and cleaning up. I'm hoping the cleaning fairies come while I am in the hospital! Tomorrow I will stay busy finishing laundry, cleaning, and packing a bag. I have to stay one night in the hospital. I love hearing about all you who have already had surgery and are recovering. It is hard to believe that I started this journey in July and it is now becoming reality! I am hoping by Thursday I'm feeling better. Carnie Wilson is coming to my town to speak at a bariatric surgery reunion night. Even thought she's had bypass, I still admire her and if nothing else I can get motivated by all the other people in our area who have had bypass and the lap band. Good luck all fellow November bandsters!

Glad to see other teachers. I co-teach high school English. (I am a special education teacher) I will have surgery on Nov. 5th. I have a lot of sick days accumulated. Although, I don't think I'll need it, I've taken 2 weeks off. Part of me felt guilty taking that much time off, but then 2 of my teacher friends talked me into the second week to use for myself. So I did it. I am actually looking forward to a little break.

Hi. Could you add me to your list?! My surgery is set for November 5th. Can't wait. Glad to see I am in such good company. Just think how we'll feel and look by Christmas and the new year!

My mind is racing thinking of everything I need to do before Nov. 5th. Yesturday I bought a new blender. It is a combination food processor and blender. Then I got all my supplies and soups etc for my liquid diet. I don't technically need to start my liquid diet until Monday, but I've been trying to do liquids for breakfast and lunch and then eat a sensible supper. Next week it will be full liquids. Monday I also have to go to the hospital for my pre surgery testing. Anyone have any idea how long that will take? Good luck to all November bandsters!! It will be here before we know it!:clap2: