bebers

This post has most definetly helped me. I am making very wise choices in my food, as far as what and how much. I haven't really felt any restriction, but I'm not pushing it by overeating. And am following the post-op diet. I guess I expected to lose at a rate of 2-3 pounds a week right from the start, but that's not happening. I lost 8 pounds while on clear and full liquids, but once soft foods started, not much. I keep comparing my self to people I see that, for example, were banded 3 months ago and have lost 35 pounds. But then again, maybe only people we lose a lot of weight post because they are embrassed and feel like a failure compared to the others. That is why this post is beneficial to me. We just must keep on going. I know this lapband thing will work.

That is exactly right. We have all tried several times, only to gain it back. And we are doing it on our own, with the help of the band.

Hi my name is Rhonda (aka bebers). I was banded on the 16th also. I'm doing great. My surgery went very well. Went back to work on day 4 after surgery. Had some gas and bloating (but not shoulder pain gas), but that has gone away. My incisions are fusing nicely. Just some port soreness. But that will take a while to go away. Even though there is no fill yet, I am definitely full on smaller amounts of food. Currently on the full liquid diet. But on my full liquid diet I get oatmeal watered down and that keeps me full for quite a while. I keep wondering if this less hungry will stop. Because I heard that after swelling goes down and since we have no restriction (fill), we may be wanting to eat more, like we did before the band. Not sure though, seems like many people lose quite a bit before their first fill. What do you think?

Hi Wanda, I do agree that we rely on the wisdom of the veteran bandsters. And I hate to think I was ever annoying. But most people here are very helpful and I'm grateful for that. I don't think they meant it quite as harshly as it may have sounded. Because I have to agree that there are some people (not most people) that are just down right ignorant. They don't do their research or read the info from their doctor. I think all of us who post are here to support one another. The veteran's just need to vent a little.

Hi CookieLover, Well, let me start by saying: You have lost 31 pounds! In about six weeks! That's fantastic. You're doing great! I've only been banded a week, but I am a knowledgable dieter. If you are eating a 1,000 cals or less a day, your metabolism will slow down. You need more food. That is what your body is telling you. And since you exercise regularly, you need to add more food (say another 100 to 200 cals per hour of exercise). You will not and should not lose at the rate you've been losing (significant weight lose is normal right out of the gate, but will taper to slow weight loss as you proceed thru this weight loss journey). You should start losing at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds a week (At least no more than 3lbs/wk). This is how the lapband is designed and this is the healthy way to do it. You body is rebelling at the strict diet you are forcing it to live with. If you eat 1500 cals a day on average, you will lose weight and provide enough energy for your body to exercise effectively 5 days a week. So quit pounding your head on the computer and fuel your body! I'm not the best one to answer why you have lack of restriction after your fill, but I have heard that you don't always fill the restriction right away. Be patient. Hope this helps. Let me know how you do.

Atkins shakes are all low carb and can be found at grocery stores. I go to Ralphs (it's a newly built store). If you go to a newer larger store they usually will have a bigger inventory (thus more flavors). Slim-Fast also has a carb control version, but I think Atkins taste better. You should try both and see how you like them.

Here's what I suggest you should have to get you through the first 3 days after surgery for the clear liquid diet. Your doctor should provide you with a list of acceptable foods for the full liquid portion, which you or someone else can buy before the 3 days are up. You should be able to get around easily enough to get to a grocery store. The abdomen pain in the incision area is the most pain you should feel and that is only when you move around and you are using you stomach muscles and then that really isn't bad. Your doctor will give you pain pills for that. Then have these on hand: Clear chicken broth in a can (heat and sip like soup) Tea (hot or cold, if you like it. Avoid coffee during the first 3 days). Jello (suggest not sugar free at this time, you need some calories) Isopure Protein drink (you can buy single serving bottles at GNC or similar store. You need protein to keep you from feeling too hungry). Your favorite, clear fruit juice; I suggest cranberry or pomagranite. I mix the juice with the Protein Drink 1/2 and 1/2 and it tastes great! Oh, course keep sipping Water. Have chewable Gas-X pills (I don't have shoulder pain gas that some people get, but I definitely have gas in the stomach area). Liquid Adult Tylenol (since you want to avoid swallowing pills at this time, or at least cut all pills down to pea size). If you have any problems with constipation, go out and get Milk of Magnesa; tip try smallest suggested dose first; works great! If you have diarrehea, go out and get Imodium AD (cut pills in half to take). Have plenty of bandaids, guaze pads, and polysporin (not neosporin) to clean and treat the five incisions you have on your belly daily. Guaze pads are used to clean incisions with antibacterial soap and water and to dry incisions. I tried many bandaids and they gave me a rash. I suggest Curad Extreme Hold, assorted sizes. Seems like a lot to think about, but it's not as bad as it seems. If you don't have everything you can always go run out and buy it as needed. No worries. The surgery is fast and you'll be surprised how easy the recovery is! Best wishes to you! Let us know how you did.

That was it. I had too many spaces ahead of my message. It works now. Thanks!

Can someone advise me how to get my Banded date to show on my signature? I have my ticker symbol on my signature, but when I try to add the banded date and select preview it's there, then I save. But it goes away next time I check (and of course, doesn't show when I post messages). What am I doing wrong?? :whoo:

Did you mean to say: "We have to drink about it"? Ha ha

I would say make sure you eat right. Enough protein like the others said. Maybe you should add some protein shakes. Also wear comfortable clothes. No wire or tight bras for a while. I'm wearing a cami with a shelf bra under my garments and no tight waist bands.

Alida, Along with the other good information given here, I would read as much and you can on this site. Read, Read, Read, most of my reaserch and information gathering was found right here on this site! After about a month, I decided it was for me. I would also try to find a free seminar in your area, if possible. Good luck with your research. PS, Losing weight is the best thing you can do to alleviate or stop sleep apnea and the Lapband is a great tool to help get you there.

I think it's definetly gas and or fluids. My husband was noticing my stomach and said it looks a bit bigger. And it shows by the scale; I was up four pounds right after surgery and it's certainly not due to food this time!

I'll remember that when I start eating. I was just banded and I'm on Clear liquids right now. But, Holy Toledo! Have you lost all that weight since you've been banded? Is that 8-30-2007?

I like Atkins low carb drinks in single serving cans. They are 2 grams of carb, 160 calories, and 40% of your daily serving of protein per can. Grocery stores have them. If you find a store with a good selection you can get flavors such as, Mocha and Carmel Latte (my favorite), besides the usual Chocolate and Vanilla. They are very tasty, a little more expensive than Slim Fast but worth it for the short time we are on liquid.

It's done! Thank goodness, because the waiting was the worst. Dr. Kuri and his staff are great! I had the lapband surgery Friday, Nov. 16th and returned home today, Saturday, Nov. 17th. The first 12 hours I felt like crap. Sore stomach, sore throat, cold (from surgery) and lethargic. Now I am much, much better. My stomach is still sore, of course, where the incisions were made, especially the port area. But I don't really feel any soreness unless I move around, walking or trying to get up from the sofa. So not bad at all. I don't have any gas pain in my shoulder are anywhere else that some people get. At this rate I should be able to get back to my desk job on Monday. I'm doing my clear liquids, chicken broth, Ispure protein drink, jello, water, and gatorade. My stomach was growling earlier, but has stopped, I think the protein drink helped with that, plus I just keep sipping on the liquids. I made another bandster friend named Pat, and she is from the San Diego area, too. I told her about this site. Her daughter came with her, my husband came with me. We all had our last Dinner at Los Arcos, highly recommended, and I understand they plan to open a Los Arcos , I believe, in Chula Vista, California. As an official Bandister (one who gets banded in Mexico), I look forward to my new life and the new bandster friends I will meet.:clap2: Rhonda

You'll do great! I was just banded, Friday the 16th. Piece of cake! You just have to relax and let the professionals take care of you. You are your worst enemy for fear. Remember, it is just you playing head games with yourself.

My surgery is done!! So far the worst part is soreness in the abdomen and I'M HUNGRY on this clear liquid diet. Oh well, just one more day and I can go to full liquids!

Thanks for the advice about the GAS-X. I tried some and it alleviate the occasionaly pressure in my diaphram area.

Right. You're not yet 2 weeks out. Glad you're doing well. Wish I wasn't, but I'm hungry on this clear liquid diet. Just one more day of it though and I can go to full liquids. Best wishes for your success.

I was banded 2 days ago and am having the same problem. I'm assuming we are still tight and their is some gastric reflux. I took some pepcid AC (chewable). You might try the gax-x (chewable) as suggested also. Also, never hesitate to call your physican.

Hi Ladybug! And congratulations. I, too, just had my surgery on Friday. I feel quite good. I would like to eat, however. My husband is watching footbal and eating chips and dip. While I'm on clear fluids (they don't fill the void). But I will make it. I'm so glad it's over! Waiting for the surgery and the day of is the worst. After that, it is all down hill. I was lucky, I didn't have any gas pain. My abdomen is sore where the incisions are, but I only feel the soreness when I'm moving and mostly when I have to get up from the couch. I'm going to use my husband's back support strap, I think the support to my stomach will help when I am moving around. Take it easy, some say the sorest days are days 3 and 4.

Thanks Kristin. How are you feeling now that you're 2 weeks out?

You're right about not getting too excited just yet. I am more sore today than yesterday. I can see how some people might do too much in the first day or two. I was reading on another message that you are most sore on days 3 and 4. I will definitely take it easy until I get past those days!

1/2 at cup at a time sounds about right. Remember 1/2 cup equals 8 TBSP. 2 TBSP could not possibly be enough. Unless your doctor is supplementing with the protein shake. My doctor reccommends that women take in 1600 to 2000 calories during the healing stage (first 6 weeks). It can be tapered back later.