Chrisann

I bet feeling that pain will make you aware from now. It did me, and I still miss the body signals. But geez, does it hurt.

I was stunned when I saw my BMI and weight. My scale at home was showing freaky numbers, so I never knew if it was accurate. But when I started on the lap band journey and saw those two figures, I went pale.

4 mykidz, click on someones ticker and then go to create one. That is how I did it. On another note, did anyone get their band at 40, like me, and take more than 10 days to feel good? My stitches don't itch or hurt anymore, but I am feeling crummy. Knowing my body, I really thought I was going to bounce back faster.

Well I have shown my belly more times in the last month than ever in my life, so here it is. Surgery was 12/31/08 My scars are ok, they don't hurt or itch anymore, but look at that weird rash I developed today. It doesn't hurt or itch. My mom is freaking out, so I am going to call the doc tomorrow, but has anyone ever seen that?

Ironically enough, I was NEVER a fast food person. I though the chili would be good during the mushy phase, as I ran it through the Magic Bullet, but it didn't sit well. The fried rice was a moment of weakness, and it didn't sit well either. The KFC, I actually went for the mashed potatoes, 120 calories, 4.5g fat, and they were out, so I got 3 wings, pulled off the skin and shredded the chicken. I don't know what has gotten into to me since I could count on one hand the number of times I had been in a fast food restaurant in 5 years, and here, 2 in two weeks.

I followed the 2 weeks after surgery of liquid to a T. When mushies started, I was good for about 5 days, but then I had Chili from Wendys and some fried rice from the Chinese restaurant, and it hurt, so I went back to blended mushy stuff. I had some KFC hot wings last night, no skin, and I chewed the chicken like 20 times and was full with no pain. I am 10 days into the mushy phase.

Nice that they got you scheduled so fast NYGMEN. I was banded by his wife, Dr. Ren also at NYU. Good luck to all of you!!!

Well I know that now I eat several times a day, about 4oz of mushy food at a time, I seem to be losing weight/inches. I refuse to get on a scale, but jeans I wore to the surgery were big on me yesterday. When I had the doctor visit last week, I hadn't lost or gained anything. I don't see my surgeon until next Wednesday, not sure if I am getting a fill, but will get on the scale then. I still get incredible pain if I am eating too fast, or if I stop early and put that next two spoonfuls in, I have to stop immediately. If I didn't feel that pain, I wouldn't know if I was full. I can't go on with life like that so now I am trying to pay attention to the number of times the fork/spoon goes into my mouth so I can gauge when I have eaten enough. Today, I had 6oz of yogurt, and still wanted more, so had chicken broth, 8oz, and that ironically was enough, hit the spot. I just had 4oz of Cottage cheese, I am still at work, and my tummy is grumbling, but I am not putting anymore food in until I go home.

See what your doctor allows. I am able to have scrambled eggs, reg broth based soups run through the blender, applesauce, flaky fish, etc. I am in week 2 of mushies with one additional week to go.

As far as the pre-opt liquid, follow what your doc is giving you, as every docs prep is different. I was on a liquid high Protein pre-opt with 2 cups of veggies allowed, with broth, Jello and ice pops too. My nutritionist let me have a Protein fruit smoothie once a day. As a Football player, you are probably aware of protein supplements, just pick the ones that are low carb, and whey Isolate protein. I like Isopure low carb chocolate powder, and Designer Whey Natural. I mix them into smoothies, or the Carnation Instant Breakfast sugar free versions. You can also try Slimfast. The hardest days for me were days 5-7. I was in the liquid phase over Christmas and it was tough. Once you are over the hump, it gets easier and you feel it. But most importantly, do this for yourself, your happiness and your health. Don't let others sway you. I should have done this 10 years ago, after being on more diets than I care to remember. You have your whole life to look forward to.

I made 2 eggs, milk, and some onions on Saturday. Threw them into the magic bullet and cooked them with Pam. I was still hungry after, so instead of making more eggs, I drank a slimfast. I have a 10cc band with nothing in it until I go back to the surgeon next week. I am still in the mushy stage. Scrambled eggs are on my doctors list during this phase, so is mashed potatoes btw. I know when I eat too fast I get a tremendous pain in my chest and left shoulder. I am eating more than I think I should, but I am hungry now, but I am not eating what I would have ate pre band.

I don't like the show this season either, and I look at what they weigh and I am like what??? I happen to like that the pink mother was trying so hard, she is over 50 and was doing the workouts. I can't stand the orange mother and son combo.

Yep, every doctor is different. Was told nothing heavier than a gallon of milk for four weeks. I had a hernia repaired as well, so maybe thats my reason. Also, nothing except the walking in the street, not even a treadmill. The trainer that was at my last support group told me not to sign up for his class until a full 2 months after surgery, as his weight training workouts are exhausting.

Don't worry about your english writing it was fine. I went out to eat during my pre opt liquid phase. My nutritionist allowed me to have vegetables, so I ordered broth based veggie soup and requested no pasta or potatoes in it. Then a salad with the dressing on the side. See if your doctor will allow you that kind of meal for eating out. Good Luck with everything too!!!:biggrin:

Wow and I haven't lost anything in the liquid/mushy after surgery phase. I think my metabolism is in shut down mode, which always happened when I was trying to diet. I am still having midabdomen pain if I stretch, so aside from walking, and its been too damn cold here to walk much, I haven't exercised either. I figure that I do need to eat more at this point to jump start the metabolism.

See now I can have no more than 2 cups of coffee or tea a day. Not decaf, but honest to goodness caffeine. Every docs plans are so varied.

Well I am not sure either, but I will say this about my band experience so far. Pre-Opt liquid Hell, Post Opt I can't get anything down Hell, Post Opt Liquid Hell, now Post Opt Mushy Hell.

I got my "friend" on the day of surgery. I had to wear these surgical strechy undies with the hospital size pad, talk about uncomfortable. But it didn't matter. I am guessing that if you are having breathing problems you might have to postpone. Check with the surgeons office ASAP.

Personally, I know if I could afford the personal trainer 5 days a week, and the zone diet where the meals are prepared, are portion controlled and delivered daily, including Snacks, I would be able to get down in weight. But since I am not in that financial position, and never will be, this was the way to go to for me. What really annoys me is the Nutrisystem commercials where they lose 30 pounds. Why eat that crummy food to lose 30 pounds? The Jenny Craig commercials with Kirstie Allen and now with Queen Latifah show women that had/have to lose large amounts of weight. Again that is another expensive weight loss program, but I respect women of size trying to lose weight and keep it off.

i was going along merrily, saying I was a healthy fat person, as I am, low blood pressure, excellent cholesterol etc. So the band was never a thought I took seriously. Then I started getting pains, tore a ligament in my foot, pinched a nerve in my neck. The doctor didn't attribute it outright to my weight, but to my physical condition. (The same thing to me.) He then suggested the lap band again. This time I went with it and my mind frame after I decided to have it done was that if I drop the weight, these injuries won't occur again. I am down 25 pounds, and don't feel that pain in my neck to start with. I think if you attribute the weight loss to something you can grasp in your life, it becomes much easier to accept. To merely lose weight, after all the failures I had in the past wasn't an option. But when I attributed my weight to the injuries. That was it.

Adding fresh fish to my diet, instead of the meat, as I am still in the mushy phase is expensive. Even though I am buying 1/4 pound. Salmon is $10 a pound here. Even Tilapia is $6.99 a pound. I buy Greek Yogurt, because its 0% fat, and 14g Protein, they are $1.59 each. The protein powders, slimfast, Carnation instant Breakfast is expensive too. Whats cheap is that I got Target childrens chewable Vitamins with Iron, 60 tablets to a bottle, doctor said to take two a day, and its costing me $3.00 a month. Adult regular vitamins cost more, and forget the adult chewable or liquid vitamins. I am hoping that when I am ready for regular food and my band is adjusted correctly I am in the situation with you guys and spending less.

I am on May 29th.... Still hard to believe I am publically admitting to 40...

Does it specifically say Water or liquids? I know that for 5 days after surgery, I was forcing myself to get in 30 ounces, and it was mostly broth, tea and propel. I just couldn't get more down.

Designer whey is another cheaper alternative. The big canister of unflavored was on sale, $19.99. I shuddered at the prices too, but when you start cutting down on the food, and the urge to eat overwhelmes you, packing the Protein drinks in helped to stop those urges. I think I would have failed if I didn't have them.

Its happening to me now. Its crazy. Cause when I listen to my brain, I get that awful pain in my chest and left shoulder. So I have taken to writing down what I am eating so if I get that urge to eat, I read out what I ate and at what time and repeat I can't be hungry, OUT LOUD. Is it working? yes and no, but since I haven't had my first fill yet, its the best I think I can do at this point.