hairagain

Goodness no!! Seems like all I want to do is put on the feed bag. I am waiting for my first fill. I have an infection in the site where my port was inserted. He (doc) wants me to be off anti-biotics and free of infection before we do a fill. I have an app. for Apr 5. I wish it wasn't such a struggle. I have always been a grazer when it comes to eating. So, since I don't ever eat much at one time, seems like I want to nibble all day. In fact today I caught myself eating kind of unconsiously. Habit I spose. I am discouaged and frustrated. I was banded on Jan 19 and have been dealing with this infection in my incision for 5 to six weeks now. I am down about 20 lbs. now. Had hoped for more by now but I am counting on the fills helping with the eating.

I have had salad and it was now problem. I have found I can eat whatever I want but have to eat very slow and chew a great deal. The only thing I ever had any problem with was when I don't chew enough. Then it feels like it is stuck. Goes down eventually but hate to push the issue. better to just slow down. I was told if you don't have 45 min to eat a meal, skip it for now and have a protein shake. Good advice. I still use them some. About 1 per day. I too have some pain on my port side but I thought it was because of my infection. It is getting better every day now. Hope it is closed soon. Hope things are continuing to go well for you. Darlene

I had a moment much like yours a few days ago. I clipped my own toenails. I had been paying for pedicures. I will still go sometimes for the fun of it but not because I have to. It is really swell to celebrat the victorys. Darlene

Hi Jamoorse, I was banded on Jan 19 in Bismarck ND. My first fill will be on March 14. I have had a little infection in my incision and I am on an antibiotic. It is no big deal but glad I went in and had it looked at. I think I went back to my aqua class too fast but I did get thier permission first. Oh well, stuff happens. I was scheduled for my first fill too on Feb 21 but he decided I should wait a while because we are going on a vacation and he doesn't want me to have trouble and be so far away at least for the first one. I hear what you are saying about not being able to control the eating thing. I eat pretty much what I want just cut it in half. I am doing pretty well I think. Down about 20 - 22 lbs. I have water retention all the time so it is hard to tell. I have not been excercising like I should or it would be better. YOu know we didn't have our brain taken out and reprogramed, we had a tool installed to help us control what we do when it comes to food. I beleive this is a chance to learn new ways to live with our addiction. REmember, Rome was not built in a day and we need to be patient with ourselves at times. This has some very sweet success but also some trials. I would call this a learning curve. I need to live because I eat not live to eat. I say there is a difference. I need to learn that daily. I try to keep busy too that seems to help. My husband is also watching what he eats and that is good. Helps a great deal. Thanks for posting. I need to repeat these things to myself over and over so they become a way of thinking and behaving. Behavior modification I guess. Keep in touch sounds like we are on the same path and time table. Darlene

I plan to come to the Lobster fest. My hubby and I are going to be on our way home from Fargo where our son lives. We will be towing a trailer but he says it won't be any problem so we will stop. He is wondering what he will do and I told him he can eat dinner too. He likes to visit Scheels so that might be an option too. I can't wait to meet others who have been banded. I am at two weeks yesterday and doing good. In fact I went back to my deep water aerobics class ant the ymca this morning already. I teach it at least twice a week and I didn't have anyone to cover for me anymore. It felt great. Hope it kicks up my losses a little. See ya all Monday!! Darlene

Tomarrow it is two weeks since I got my band. I had lost a little more from the get go but I think right afte surgery I was a little dehydrated. Now I am at about 14 lbs. No records but I am staying steady. I feel good. I have my usual back problems but that is nothing to do with the band, I have those all the time. I hope as this fat comes off I have less problems. My itching has gotten better, I think it is mostly healing on the inside. My strips are off too. Friday I am going back to my deep water aqua class. I conduct the classes and I have had someone cover them for me and she doesn't have time to do it anymore. I will just have to do it from the edge till my incision is healed. My biggest problem is the constant never ending desire to eat more than I should. The week-end was the worst. I am still on full liquids so pudding, cream soup etc. I don't feel any restriction because it all runs through the band at this point. I feel hungry a lot of the time but have found if I keep an open can of protein drink in the fridge and sip it throughout the day it gives me energy and helps with the hunger and I have to have 40 gr of protein drinks each day anyway. Well, gotta go get ready for work. Have a good day Julie and keep in touch. Darlene:clap2:

Not quite at two weeks banded and my biggest problem is wanting to eat all the time. How can I ever loose an ounce when I can't figure out how not to be eating all the time? I do good all day but tomight it is crazy!!!!

I am having a very hard time. I just want to eat eat eat. I really am not hungry. I just want to eat stuff. I am only spose to eat soup and soft stuff but want even more of that than I need. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi to all and wecome to bandland to you new folks. I was banded on the 19 and have had next to no trouble. A little gas from the beginning. I was so hungry from the beginning but it is better now. I am on full liquids now. Cream soup and pudding etc. Each day gets better. I went back to work on the 5th day and did okay. Had a back ache from the gas they give you. You know the stuff to inflate the belly so they can see in the bady cavity. My trouble is the food cravings. I want to eat. I feel good and want to eat. Won't take a chance but my mind keeps trying to do the debate thing. I have another week on full liquids. I hve already lost about 15 lbs. It was a little more but once I went to full liquids I got a couple pounds back. I won't have a fill for awhile so I will need to find will to control the eating urge. My best to ya !!! Hang on it gets better. I found out the sooner I quit the pain meds the gas and everything improved. I also found out when I started walking more I felt better. I went out and walked a little. Slow but at least I was moving. Darlene

Hi, I have sort of been out of touch for a bit. I went back to work and have had a real time crunch. We have even had out of town guests and beleive it or not I cooked for everyone and didn't eat. Wow!! Today we met some more out of town folks for breakfast (there was a funeral they came for) I thought when I got to the resturant I would have yogurt. WEll, didn't have any so I improvised and talked her into making me a milkshake. It wasn't sugar or fat free but at least it was still liquid. I thought about bringing along my protein drink but I thought for sure they would have yogurt. I only had a little and felt kind of cold so I didn't have any more and got a cup of tea which I drank all of. Just the first one of many times I will have to "deal" with this decision. I am still just thrilled with the experience so far and I do feel good. Incision is still sore and kind of itchy. I am told that means healing is taking place. I think it means I am allergic to the tape. I have never been even able to use a bandaid. Very sensitive skin. Work went well. I am a hairdresser and spend a lot of time standing. I think it would be easier to go to work and sit, stand , walk etc., that standin in on place gets tough sometimes. We hairdressers earn our bread I tell you. I don't know any hairdressers that don't have lots of aches and pains. I decided today we all have horrible eating habits. None of us ever eat meals. WE don't take breaks or lunch hours. WE just work on through. 10 hour days as a rule. Hence we eat on the run. I HAVE to find a way to stop that habit>HELPPPPPPPPPP!!!! Scared!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can do this! I can! I can! I can! DArlene

Dear Julie, I will try that when I get home tonight. Headed for work first and need to stop at the store and get some of those ever nutritous protein drinks. I have exhausted (myself) my supplly of the ones I like. I find it interesting you can eat food. I can't have food until another 12 days. Full liquids for me. Like soups and pudding. I have noticed a slight improvment in gas today. I think it is going to settle down now. I am going to try some laqtaid too. Maybe even some lactose milk for my soups and pudding. I have had no problem with eating too much cause I can't eat. Will be nervous when that day arrives. I guess this doc is very conservative till you get the stoma healed. Wants no trouble from food and stretching. Glad for you that you can eat. I long to chew!!! Gotta go to work, Later.... Darlene

Yeah!! Lets gietter done! 17 lbs and counting! Yessssss Buddies make the job easier. I have sooo enjoyed conversing with everyone. I have to go to work tomorrow and I feel bad cause I won't have all the time I have had in the last few days. I also have so enjoyed staying in my home and just doing whatever I pleased and not feeling like I had to do a million tasks. You all know how that feels. I told my husband that this little cocoon I have built where the food is safe and the environment is friendly. It will be hard to go out and face the challenges of real life. He is a recovering alcoholic and he said he understood my point so completely. Home is haven. I can and will succeed!!

Julie plunk, Thanks for the reply. I am feeling pretty good but not eating much. I am still doing just liquids. If I try more I am so afraid the gas will get worse. I did have some sugar free ice cream tonight. Went well. Also went and got some defferent types of soup. Wondering if I shouldn't try some lactaid pills. I wonder if my gas problem isn't comeing from dairy. I think I may have had some of that troublr before only felt too full and stuffed all the time who knew why I had the gas??? I tried the ticker tape thing but could not get it from the web site over to this one?? I need step by step I guess. Darlene

Happy for you1 So glad you have a sister who will be there. It is nice to know somebody cares enough to come take care of you. I was banded Jan 19, 2006 and am doing very well. Just went to the store to get soup and pudding. I am so happy to say I have dropped 17 lbs as this morning. For your info. I live in Minot, ND and was banded in Bismarck by Dr. Schmidt. Good luck!!!!

Right now soup is my best friend and cherry jello with a little ff cool whip. mmmmmmm! Love it! (just a little self talk there) I made a recipe of tortilla soup. I watered it down with a little broth but it is all using ff soups. I strained out the chicken for that # 1 man in my life. Bless his skinny little butt! Last night he made a bag of popcorn and told me "Ma! I love ya but I need popcorn so plug your nose." He is a riot. Keeps my spirits up. He has this marvolous quirky sence of humor and I think that is why I still love him after 36 years at the trough of marriage. Today I weighed too. I am at 17 ugly pounds lost. Half of them left my face but that's okay. It was kind of fat too. Hope most of the rest comes off my sit downer and the balance off my fat tummy. Ugh!! Well, I'm off to have my 2nd protein drink of the day. Can't wait!!

I live in a medium size town with an large air base in ND. Minot is the town. We do not have a Sams Club here. One in Fargo and Grand Forks but that is 3 to 5 hours from here. I can make jello no problem and did get some already in the little cups. Pudding too. Do you have schwan home sales there? I got some very good fruit bars and some more creamy fruit bars that are fat free and sugar free. They are good. I was told with lap band you can eat anything, some things just are not tolerated as well. I can have(down the road of course) anythng I want as long as it goes past the band. I will however be strictly adhering to the weight loss and excercise guidlines they gave and will give me. I teach a deep water arobics class at our ymca and can hardly wait to get back to that. I hope to get the okay on my next visit. I'm going to the mall today to do a little slow walking. Maybe work out a little gas. It is winter here or I would just go outside. Don't trust myself on the treadmill yet. I will try google to see what I can find. My son who is a weight lifter uses some protein drinks that are pretty good but I guess i like a little variety. He uses the same stuff over and over. He says if it ain't broke don't fix it. However he can have a regular meal at this point if he wants to. I am craving a little more creativity than he does I guess. I have found I like the pre-mixed ones in the cand. Vanilla is my fav I even like the slim fast ones. Don't really like chocolate ones. Maybe will try again. Lets hang in there. WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really find it amazing that they told you no nuts. The lady told me after I am on regular food they recommend and few nuts (unsalted of course)each day to try to get in the protein. She said not to worry till the time comes so I am not. I am taking a fruity vitamin drink called Ruby reds I saw on tv and ordered it. It is very good mixed with apple juice. 4 oz is all I can have per day but I put it on crushed ice in a pretty glass and feel like I am enjoying a treat. I am wondering where do I find fitnes essentials? never heard of it. I could use a protein drink that I like a little better. I am wondering too how to get the ticker over to this board. I got a post on how to do it but guess I am kind of stupid and need more detailed instructions. dah!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just want to say thanks to you all. I don't know how I could do this without you and my sweet husband. (He has been great but I found out he doesn't even really know how to make jello) That old saying about men and not being able to boil water. I guess I spoiled him. I have always been the caretaker in the family and maybe that even helped make me fat. I forgot to be selfish enough to take care of myself. We ladies sometimes give till our health gives out. Guess I am rambling. Will stop. D

Hello to all!! I am just banded on Thursday. The day was a little nervous for me because I am not fired up about being put under anesthesia but all went well. I feel good except for tummy gas (I am gonna go get some gas X) and have been hungry. Today I drank a protein shake that was creamy instead of clear and that felt wonderful. My question for all of you is I need some assurance that I can have pudding etc and it will stay put. So far I have had no nausea or any complications. In fact I am off pain meds totally. Last night I slept like a baby and can hardly wait to face this day. I get to go to Wal-mart and get some protein drinks. Any other ideas of what I could have on full liquids? I am so fired up for this. I weighed myself today for the first time in about 10 days. I didn't weigh because I wanted to be surprised. I lost 15 lbs since my doc appointment before banding. That was on Jan 5. WooooHooo!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to you wonderful people and my band, family and the Lord, I can do this!:clap2: Ps. How do I start a ticker to chart my lose?

Sorry to hear of your problems. I was banded on Jan 19. Just 4 days ago. I am feeling very well. I have been on the soups and added some pudding today. I sleep very well. Not even using any pain meds since Friday night. I wonder if you should call your doctor. I have been very careful to only have fluids that are clear. Chicken broth. sugar free pop-cicles and apple juice and a clear protien drink called isopure. I do plan to go to work on Tues and I have a job (hairdresser) where I stand all day. I feel I can do it. Gosh, hope you feel better soon. I do have alot of gas in my tummy though. Not sure what from. It is not like I eat anything to cause it. I am told it is fairly normal to have a gasuous situation after banding. Anyway, hang in there!! It will be worth it. I keep telling myself that over and over and over again.

Thanks, I will try the cream soup with a little insant potatoes in it. I am having watered down tortilla soup for dinner. I made it. It is a weight watchers recipe I have made before. I strained it twice to make sure there was no lumps. Any body know how to do the ticker tape thing??

Actually I am feeling pretty good. Did a little light house work. Like laundry and such. Made some soup for my hubby and I strained out the solid stuff for me. Then I watered it down with chicken broth. Trying to go a little easy on dairy and kind of ease into it. You must be into motorcycles because of your name. Asphalt Angel sounds like a bike enthusiest. We(my husband) had a bike for years but sold it because he had such a bad back and could no longer really enjoy it. My step sister who lives in Bismarck and her husband have a couple of harleys and ride all the time. Let me know when you get together. My appointment with Dr. Schmidt is on Feb 21. We want to go on a vacation to Arizona so I may have him wait until I get home for my first fill. I don't want any trouble while I am gone. Will have to wait and see what the man says. I like him. Didn't see much of him that day. He had several surgeries that day and was reuuning behind. He stuck his head in for a couple of min. I think he saw alot more of me than I did of him.LOL No kidding.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your support and reply. Would like to meet you. Darlene

Hey Photonut, I checked out the site you gave. Wow! what an inspiration. I loved it. I am talking via internet with a friend in Oregon that is interested. It is so good to send such positive info. I just had some chicken tortila soup. It was strained and watered down with chicken broth but it was a treat just the same. Also had a little pudding and it stayed put just fine. I am trying to get the fluids in today. Have been a little short in that regard the last few days. for some reason warm water with a little lemon works best for me. Three days and counting!! Do any of you know how to do the ticker tape thing to show the loss a person has??I am not very computer savy so forgive my ignorance. lol

Boy, tough one! I consulted with mmy husband and asked what he would think if it were his Dad and we were in this fix. He said, I would tell here to go do your surgery. He said he is from a large family and after having lost both his and my parents, siblings seem to be the ones that are the best comfort at a time like that. You know feeling the same loss etc. After having just lost my Mom I also know that it is such a tough thing to go through. I guess as long as he has a good support system and you have it all planned, I would go through with my plan. If you are lucky, he will last till you come back anyway. If not he probably won't know if you are there anyway. Life sure soes throw road blocks doesn't it? I am going to pause and say a prayer for you and your family. The decision should be between you and you husband. Best wishes in your outcome! DArlene

Hey, is anyone out there today from ND? I would like to know if there is a support group in ND. Maybe Bismarck? I know some folks have gotten together to support each other. Is this a formal meeting or is it an organized situation? Just banded on 1/19/96

I got up today, Sunday and feel good. Hungry but good. I start on solid liquids today. I am gonna go get gas x an see if that helps my gas pains. I understand how it feels to have a sick parent. I was scheduled for my banding on Nov 10 of 05 and my Mom passed away that day and I had to cancel. I miss her very much but would not wish her back to the life she had. She had many problems with bowel obstructions. One of the main reasons I went with banding instead of bypass surgery. Her heart just finally could not take the strain any longer. I am going to pray for you that your father in law is at peace. I weighed myself for the first time since my banding today. I am at exactly 15 pounds since I started this 2 1/2 weeks ago. I am so happy about that. I already feel more mobile. I too would like to know how to do the thread thing and also to start a ticker for wieght loss. I am fired up to the max!!!!!!!!!!!! Darlene