srknepler

My doc said to expect about 15lbs the first month....that's right where you're at. I don't think that it's unusual to lose more quickly at first and then have your body "stall out". I'm in the same place as you right now....waiting for my first fill. I just started feeling hungry this week and it's miserable. My band was installed with a little fill, so I had some restriction right from the start and now I miss it!! I've been tracking my calories this week for another group that I'm in and I'm averaging 500-600 per day. Only a week until my first fill.....can't come soon enough for me!

After my steristrips were long gone I started unsing Aquaphor on mine...it keeps them moist enough to stop the itchies, but it's water soluble so it doesn't make them greasy or keep them from "breathing".

I've got an enormous pile of "too big" clothes in my bedroom right now...It's hard to say goodbye to some of my faves. I have some stuff in my closet that I bought last winter that I'll never get to wear Oh well....shopping here I come!

I'm happy to see this post. I am starting to feel hunger again too and I'm a week out from my first fill. (by band was placed with a fill also) I had hunger pains the first week, but after that they went away....and now they're back. I like the suggestion to keep fluids in your tummy to keep it happy. Maybe some protein water?? I'm going to try that!!

I agree that the heating pad is your friend!! I'm still using mine at 2 weeks post-op. I found that sleeping with a pillow against my tummy was the best way to get rest for the first week and a half and being rested helped me get through the days better. I was able to start some mushie foods on day 10 and that helped my head hunger. Also, Isopure protien Water is great for sipping throughout the day to keep the hunger at bay.

the gas-x strips made me gag, so I found some gas-x chewables (and they're extra strength!!) that work well also. I had my DH pat my back from my belly to my shoulders in little circles (just like we burped our son) and it helped alot.....I also tapped my chest and could get some burps out that way as well. Oh...and going from reclining to standing pretty quickly can usually bring up some air for me as well. Some warm broth or tea might help to soothe your band enough to get out a burp, too. I'm 2 weeks post op now and I hardly get that burpy feeling anymore

I'm happy for the ring tip too.....my wedding band is crazy loose already (lost 50lbs this year) and it scares me. The lbs vs. inches is good to know too! I've not had the same success with lbs vs. sizes though. I've lost 50lbs and am only down a size or two (depends on the clothes).

Thanks for sharing that Hollie......it's a great article. I'd never thought about surgery in teens until I came here and saw your posts...so it's good to read more about it.

Congrats!! I have also dropped a size recently. It's a great feeling when I can't find a thing to wear because nothing fits....because it's all TOO BIG!! I bought some pants on sale that are 2 sizes smaller than my starting size...and they all button now, but aren't quite comfy yet. It makes me smile! My DH noticed the difference for the first time yesterday. It made my day!!

I hope that you are all having successful surgeries and recoveries today!!

Mmm, I hadn't thought about egg salad. My doc's mushy list includes scrambled eggs (thinned)...it doesn't make mention of eggs in any other form. I tend to use the 'is it baby food consistancy?' question to decided whether or not to have something though....

Nordstrom's also does bra fittings.....as does JCPenney's. I have the underarm, underwire pokey problem myself. I've been measured/fitted at about a dozen different places and I have bras ranging from $12 up to $80 and they all do it. I finally gave up on the underwire (at least until I lose a little more). I found some nice playtex minimizers that have good support without the wire. The biglots tip is great...thanks!

My stomach growling brings along nausea sometimes...anyone else have that problem? If I get to that point, then the shakes and sugar-free popsicles/jello just seem to make the nausea worse.

I was banded on 9/11. It was a bit weird to be sitting in the surgery center lobby with my family, watching GMA and seeing all of the memorials, etc.....knowing that it would forever be a date that I remembered fondly from now forward.

Best of luck to you all tomorrow!!

I'm feeling better today, too. The gas is still here, but it has moved to my chest (feels like indigestion). I'm still using the gas-x strips (and I took a soft gel today also) and sipping hot tea and broth when it's really bad. I have been lying on the heating pad too... My skin feels really tight around my incisions and it's itchy there too....so I started using some arnica cream around the steri-strips...hopefully that'll help.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one feeling like this... I was banded on 9/11 and today was the first day that I could consume the 3, 4-6 oz shakes that I am supposed to. My gas pain wasn't too bad this morning, but tonight it's horrible. I feel like someone is sitting on my chest. They say to walk, walk, walk...I've been trying to walk around my house...going outside wasn't an option this weekend with all of the rain here. Not to mention I'm sore and just want to rest...

My Surgery Story....September 11, 2008 My DH & DS took me to the surgery center at 8am and we got all checked in. The nurse had me pee in a cup (for a PG test) and fill out lots of paperwork. We then went over the financials (meaning, she took the giant check that I had in my purse) and made post-op appointments...one for 3 weeks, one for 6 weeks and one for 6 months. I waited around for a bit and then it was my turn to go back. The pre-op nurse had me change into a gown/socks/hat and then she weighed me (down 33lbs since first appointment in March!). As she was doing the IV, the patient advocate came by to talk to me and show me her "before" picture. I feel pretty well read on the subject of lap-band so I didn't have too many questions for them. The anesteseolotist came and gave me a shot of versed in my IV and then they wisked me away to the OR. I recall scooting onto the table and commenting on how bright the room was.... and then I was waking up and being told that it was over and I was officially banded! :thumbup: I'm generally slow to wake from anestesea, but I woke up quickly this time. I was quite nauseated so they gave me a shot of Zofran...then phenergan, and phenergan again...then the patch behind my ear. BTW, I was still dry heaving like crazy and getting penergan as soon as they could re-dose me. I got up and walked around the post op holding area and into my cubible. It had a giant recliner chair for me....so I sat down and my family was brought back. I needed a barium swallow, so my family left to have lunch (it was past lunch time and they were starving...poor guys) and I waited my turn. I did the 5 second swallow...and it went down just fine. After that I was allowed some cold Water and ice chips....aaahhh! I had to wait around for the surgeon to finish another patient and then he worked his way through the cubicles in the holding area (I was in the last one). After I spoke to him and he teased my DH a bit about when he was coming in for his band....I was released to go home. I slept quite a bit that first afternoon and evening as I was on the phenergan plus pain meds. I walked around my house when I could and took sips of water. I did my sleeping in the recliner as the bed was far too painful (felt like I was suffocating). Friday was rather painful as the gas was still with me...... Saturday I went to my cake decorating class for 2 hours and the walking was good. I definately felt a bit better after that, but I was tired. Most of the gas pain is gone today, though I am still having some belches that seem to get stuck in the band :smile: and some intestinal gas. I have terrible allergies and Ike has definately irritated them, so I have some excess phlegm that's getting stuck in my band as well. I'm trying some hot tea to "melt" it this morning...and also some mucinex to thin it a bit. I've not had anything significant to "eat" yet. Just water/tea and one bottle of Isopure (yesterday). I have another Isopure for today and hopefully I'll feel up to the regular shakes tomorrow. My tummy is definatley growling this morning...

My band was put in "pre-filled" also and I definately have some restriction. The nurse was actually afraid that I was too tight (but my barium swallow said differetly). I feel that "heart attack" sensation with a big belch and it sucks!! I've also had some sliming episodes already (from the severe nausea that I had post-op)

Oh I competely feel your pain!! My surgery was on Thursday the 11th and I felt the same things that you've described...plus I had constant nausea with dry heaves for 2 days. Today seems to be shaping up as a better day....we'll see.

I LOVE my magic bullet!! I've used it every single day since I bought it. If you register your e-mail with linens-n-things dot com, they will e-mail you a 20% off coupon that you can use in the store...that's what I did.

Debbie~ You're gonna do fine!! (and yogurt is good for you!!) Try the la creme' kind if you don't like the tartness...it's mild flavored.

Yay! That's me!! :biggrin::cool2: I just went and got the huge honking cashier's check from the bank....now I'm ready to go!!

My pre-op diet said that I had to use Myocel (which has super slow shipping, so I haven't tried it yet) or Atkins...so Atkins it is. I have them with a little ice and a spoonful of sf/ff pudding mix in the magic bullet. They are super yummy.:cursing::drool::crying::drool: Tastes like a milkshake! I especially like: strawberry shake with either banana pudding mix or cheesecake pudding mix. vanilla shake with lemon or banana...and of course...choco shake with choco pudding!! Woohoo, choco overload!:thumbdown:

P&PT for the Wednesday group! I hope that you all have quick uneventful recoverys!!