EricaLyn

Hi there - I actually did really well on the pre-op diet. I was so worried that I wouldn't shrink my liver enough that I was totally serious about my diet. I was on a 1,000 calorie a day diet and I never felt hungry. My typical day was: Breakfast - Slim Fast shake lunch - Lean Cuisine dinner - Lean Cuisine I could have SF Jell-o and SF pudding. I could also have salad greens and low-cal/low-fat dressing. They preferred lemon juice or no dressing, but ack, I can't do that. If I wanted all Slim Fast, I could have had four shakes a day and no Lean Cuisine. I found with this plan I was really satisfied and I lost 17 pounds before my surgery. Take care!

I had my post-op doctor appointment this morning. The nurse used the regular cuff to take my blood pressure. My first reaction was to say, "Uhhh...you need to go get the BIG cuff. The small ones don't fit my arm." She replied, "No, no I don't. This cuff fits." I laughed out loud and said, "No way! Really?!" She just giggled and took my blood pressure. Over 20 years of the big cuff and today - the regular cuff! I am so excited!

I'd talk to your nutritionist since your doctor is Speed Racer. If he keeps that up though, I'd tell him that if you're an inconvenience, you'll find another doctor. Sometimes people don't know they're treating us poorly until we tell them. As for feeling that sick feeling (due to hunger) I get that sometimes in the morning. I just have something to eat (usually yogurt or some liquid) and it goes away. We have to remember that our bodies are adjusting. We just had major surgery - it takes some time for these obese bodies to get with the program. Hang in there. And don't let your doctor treat you any way other than the way you wanted to be treated.

Kim - I just have to say that you are mentally more in the game than most. I'm sorry to hear that your band slipped, but you've maintained and kept up your weightloss, which is no small amount of work. Congratulations are in order for your great attitude and ability to stay strong. You're an inspiration.

Heidi - You can do this. YOU can do this. So you slipped up. Okay. We probably all have in one way or another. You've recognized the slip up, so let it go. Right now. Move on from that place. Don't allow depression and anxiety to consume you. You're more than the numbers on a scale, you're more than the ounces you put into your mouth, you're a beautiful person who is striving to better herself. You're a child of God and He sees your frustration, your tears, your cries for help. Believe that you can continue on this journey. It's definitely not easy, but get your eyes on the prize. Look ahead to what waits for you. A new you! Ask God for strength. If it matters to you, it matters to Him!

I just finished my two weeks all liquid phase and now I'm 1 1/2 weeks of blended then 1 1/2 weeks of mushies. A lot of my hunger was mental too. What helped me was before surgery I put a bunch of pictures of what I wanted to look like on a piece of paper (just pasted them into one document in Word) and taped it to my frig. What a reminder when I'm pissing and moaning about being hungry, standing in the kitchen staring blankly into the frig and pantry! I also just tell myself, "Knock it off, Erica. Seriously. Nut up and drink some Water." and then I leave the kitchen. We can do this! Our health, our future, our lives are on the line. WE CAN DO THIS!

I have always had regular periods, but while I had a white blood cell issue a year ago my periods got wonky. When they started up again the first period was really heavy and had a lot of what seemed like clots. I had heavy cramping too. It sounds like things are just starting up again, but you should probably go see your doctor. I like the suggestion of telling them about your insurance issues and asking if they would put you on a sliding scale fee. When I was without insurance a few years ago my doctor did that and it helped out a lot. Make sure you get additional Protein during this heavy time and drink plenty of fluids. I wouldn't go more than three days with heavy bleeding. If it doesn't slow down, definitely get to a doctor. Take care of yourself. There's only one of you! If you have to, make payments to the doctor. Keep us posted on how you're doing!

I'm not sure what to tell you. I was banded on the 13th of May and had an overnight in the hospital. I haven't even taken Advil, aspirin or anything for pain. I know the port incision is the biggest incision - I have six total and my port incision is twice the size as the others. I just had my post-op appointment today and my doctor said it all looks good. He asked about pain and I said I didn't have any except for some random zings and stabs, which is just the nerves getting it back together. Can you go see your regular doctor about the pain? If you've had previous surgeries and given birth, I suppose you know about pain, so I would think your LapBand doc would take your pain complaints into consideration. Do you have any pain medications? I was prescribed Oxy but I didn't even take that. I'm sorry for your pain. I'd go see your regular doctor if your LapBand doctor is unresponsive to your needs.

So I was banded on May 13th and I just started my blended diet phase. Since I'm not allowed to eat meat yet I'm powering up on Protein shakes. Just now at work I was in the break room kitchen whipping up some Slim Fast Protein powder, 1% milk (I can't do skim - blech), ice and for added protein some organic, creamy Peanut Butter. Yummm! I brought in my all-in-one blender (it's small - you can drink from the container) and was just getting ready to add the peanut butter. Then all hell broke loose. :frown: I purchased the organic peanut butter at costco last night and honestly, I didn't see all the oils floating on the top. I even looked. I took off the cap and went to peel back the safety foil/film when "SPLASH!!!" all the oil jumped out of the jar and attacked me. I'm covered in peanut oil. I've tried to rinse off in the sink (basically took another bath), but I know I still smell like peanuts. Sigh. What we do for a diet. On a better note, my shake is pretty good. :sad:

I'm in Kirkland. I see Dr. Wright tomorrow for my post-surgery follow up. We haven't talked about fills. Does he do them?

I was banded on May 13th so I just ended my two week liquid only phase and now I'm in my two week blended phase. Here's what I typically had during my liquid only phase. Morning - Yogurt lunch - Slim Fast shake or Tomato Soup made with low fat milk dinner - Protein shake or a cream soup Snack - SF pudding or Jell-O Dessert - SF popsicle I drank a lot of water/Crystal Light Iced Tea On my blended diet phase I'm having: Morning - Yogurt or Slim Fast shake Lunch - Refried Beans with light sour cream and some non-fat shredded cheese or Slim Fast shake Dinner - Refried beans or cream soup Same Snacks and dessert Still drinking a lot of Water and iced tea

Sure you can! I just ended my two week liquid only phase and I lived off of tomato soup. I made it with low fat milk for added protein! Go for it!

Congratulations! Your story was a much needed inspiration today. I cannot wait until I'm at a normal BMI and under 200 lbs. I have visions of running up and down the street shouting for joy. I was at a size 30/32 up on top and 18/20 on the bottom (I'm a tomato on toothpicks). Now I'm down to a 22/24 on the top and 14/16 on the bottom. It feels so good to shrink!

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I sneeze ALL the time and at first I would hold my hand over my stomach because it hurt (when my incisions were still fresh), but now I just let it rip. It's my opinion that our doctors know the human body and what we put it through - throwing up, sneezing, coughing, bending, lifting, etc. Unless you feel wicked pain in your stomach area after sneezing, I'm sure you're fine.

I too am not allowed to eat snacks. Three meals per day. Period.

I agree! I was banded May 13th and I won't have a fill for another four weeks (if my doctor agrees). I'm hungry right now, but I've been trying to get more protein in and I'm honestly feeling fuller now. Slim Fast Protein powder is amazing. Fills me right up (sipping 6 ounces). I add in a little creamy Peanut Butter and some low-fat milk and it gives you some great (and filling!) protein. We can do this!! We didn't go through this surgery to give in during Bandster Hell! I just received my UHC notice that the hospital and doctor sent in their bills for my surgery. $2K plus for my doctor and $18K plus for my surgery. WOW!! That was additional incentive for me to behave. I want this to be money well spent! Plus, I'm going to California in October (hubby and I are doing a Pacific Coast Highway road trip R/T Seattle to San Diego) and I want to look goooood. LOL

Great question. Here's my list: 1. If you take medications make sure your doctor writes your prescriptions for crushable and/or liquid medications before you are discharged from the hospital. 2. Make sure your insurance is accepted at the hospital pharmacy. My hospital and doctor take my insurance (UHC), but they don't take my prescription plan (weird). My hospital was the only pharmacy around that had the liquid Oxy that I needed, so consequently I never did get any pain meds (which worked out fine, but the day after surgery I wasn't happy with this news). Also my regular pharmacy that does take my R/X card didn't have my medications in liquid form nor did they have the crushable medications that I needed. It was a big cluster. I wish I'd had all this figured out BEFORE surgery. 3. A lot of people bring a lot of stuff to the hospital (if you're having an overnight). I brought myself. Period. My roommate had enough crap to fill a U-Haul truck. Personally, I don't think you need all that stuff. Just more to carry. 4. If you're keeping this a secret be sure and give your husband/boyfriend/partner a good lie to tell others. I didn't think my husbands friends would want to know the exact details of why I was having surgery, but they did and my poor husband was flumoxed. God bless him, he came up with "gall bladder surgery" on the fly. Poor thing. 5. If you can, take time off of work. I had surgery on a Tuesday and returned the following Monday. The week I returned to work, I worked half days. I could have worked full days, but I took it easy on myself and I'm glad I did. Your body will thank you. 6. Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk. THE best way to get the gas out. 7. I didn't sleep in a recliner like some people do. I slept in our guest bed (I wanted more room) and slept on my back. Two pillows behind my head and a pillow on either side of me to rest my arms on. I don't know why, but this position took all the pain away and I could sleep! I'm normally a stomach and side sleeper, so not being able to sleep that way was torture at first, until I came up with this arrangement. Worked beautifully. 8. Buy lots of SF Jell-O and pudding in advance and stock the frig. 9. I stocked up on Crystal Light Iced Tea (my favorite). 10. Clean out the frig and cupboards now - get rid of all the junk food. Don't tempt yourself. 11. Stock up on SF fruit popsicles. I didn't know some of this and some of it I did know, but didn't realize how important it would end up being. Hope it helps!

Good luck to you on your June 11th surgery date! I was banded May 13th and I've had a great experience. There was a screw up on my pain meds (liquid Oxy) and I haven't had any pain medications since the afternoon of my discharge from the hospital (May 14th). No Advil, Tylenol, etc. My incisions (six of them) are healing nicely and I'm up and about, walking, working, cleaning the house, etc. I'm very happy with my decision and I'm looking forward to a healthier, better life! :sad:

Maybe a solution would be to restrict the junk food while you're losing weight or set a certain 'goal' amount, i.e., no junk food in the house until you lose 75 lbs or whatever. I grew up in a house that didn't have soda, sugar Cereal (Cheerios and Grape Nuts ONLY or my mom's homemade granola - ugh!) or dessert every night. It wasn't a big deal - we just didn't buy it or have it around. I had to be honest with my husband and tell him that for right now we can't have temptations in the house. He is so on board with that and he's happy I told him what I need - right now. Your kids will learn by example. If you're striving for better, that can only be a positive thing for them. Maybe having a 'family fun night' where everyone gets a favorite treat. Not the entire bag of Nutter Butter's, but a limited number or it's brownie night or whatever. Everything in moderation. Right? :frown:

It was about 10 years ago that I lost 100 lbs. Co-workers would come up to me and say, "WOW! You've lost a TON of weight!" or "You're like half the person - how much have you lost!?" Okay. Thanks for noticing I'm smaller, but...a ton of weight? That's a lot of weight. And second, I didn't want to shout out that yes, I had 100 extra pounds on me. What's wrong with, "You look great! Keep up the good work!" or "I'm happy for you - I know it's been hard work". Sometimes people just don't get it. I won't go into the names I've been called. No sense in going down that memory lane, however one of my all-time fave's (not) is my Grandparents telling me that they'd buy me a whole new wardrobe if I lost weight. My grandpa has since passed, but my grandma is still alive. I wonder if when I get to goal I'll get that wardrobe. They taunted me with the 'new wardrobe' carrot since I was about 5 years old. I didn't grow into the overweight person they said I was until I was about 14 years old. Nice.

regarding "trying to change mentally". I never did comment about that title. I really need to try harder on my mental picture. I need to start seeing myself as the healthy, beautiful, curvy girl that I'm meant to be, that I will be. Since childhood I've always seen this fat girl. My mental picture of me really stinks. I need to forgive myself for the rotten image I have of myself. I've been so mean to me. I'm sorry, Erica. I'm really, really sorry.

regarding "trying to change mentally". I never did comment about that title. I really need to try harder on my mental picture. I need to start seeing myself as the healthy, beautiful, curvy girl that I'm meant to be, that I will be. Since childhood I've always seen this fat girl. My mental picture of me really stinks. I need to forgive myself for the rotten image I have of myself. I've been so mean to me. I'm sorry, Erica. I'm really, really sorry.

Today I'm two weeks post-op and I've lost 11 or so pounds so far. The scale keeps fluctuating between 284 and 281. That drives me nuts. I know I shouldn't weigh every day, but I want to and I'm going to keep doing it. I'm driven by the numbers. I'm not bummed out when I don't see the scale fall - I know I'm losing inches. I went through my closet yesterday and got rid of a lot of clothes that are now too big. Some still had tags on them. Good grief. I tried on some pretty nightgowns and robes that I had been given at my bridal shower two years ago. Two years ago it was so depressing - I took the nighties and robes on my honeymoon, but never wore them because they didn't fit. NOW....they totally fit. They're actually a little too big. I screamed. Then I called my mom and then my husband. Of course he wants to see me in them! He's so wonderful - what a great supporter I have in him. I know I couldn't do this without him. I've been walking a lot since surgery, but today was my first - put the tennis shoes on and power walk - day. I was actually a bit sore and light headed towards the end of the walk. I went for 30 minutes and walked as hard as I was able to. It felt good to get out and to get going. I'm still on liquids though, so my energy isn't where it should be yet. I suppose I could start my blended diet today (I'm allowed to two weeks post-op), but my post-surgery appointment with my doctor is Thursday and he had originally said he wanted to approve the advancing of my diet, so I may wait until Thursday. I'm so hungry though - I think I may blend up some refried beans and salsa. I need more protein and I'm sick of protein shakes. Back to my closet - I tried on some nice summer work blouses I've saved for a few years. When I bought them they fit (barely), but I soon out grew them. I have one of them on today and it feels so good. I don't need any summer clothes...right now. I know I'm going to keep losing and they're soon going to be hanging on me. My dress slacks look ridiculous on me - they are a bit loose in the waist, but the butt and legs are totally baggy (I carry my weight in my waist) and look stupid. I may be wearing capri's from Wal-Mart this summer. They're inexpensive! I don't want to spend a lot of money on dress-work clothes until I'm closer or at goal. Oh and a non-scale victory. At a meeting today I crossed my legs. Ahhh, sweet victory!

Today I'm two weeks post-op and I've lost 11 or so pounds so far. The scale keeps fluctuating between 284 and 281. That drives me nuts. I know I shouldn't weigh every day, but I want to and I'm going to keep doing it. I'm driven by the numbers. I'm not bummed out when I don't see the scale fall - I know I'm losing inches. I went through my closet yesterday and got rid of a lot of clothes that are now too big. Some still had tags on them. Good grief. I tried on some pretty nightgowns and robes that I had been given at my bridal shower two years ago. Two years ago it was so depressing - I took the nighties and robes on my honeymoon, but never wore them because they didn't fit. NOW....they totally fit. They're actually a little too big. I screamed. Then I called my mom and then my husband. Of course he wants to see me in them! He's so wonderful - what a great supporter I have in him. I know I couldn't do this without him. I've been walking a lot since surgery, but today was my first - put the tennis shoes on and power walk - day. I was actually a bit sore and light headed towards the end of the walk. I went for 30 minutes and walked as hard as I was able to. It felt good to get out and to get going. I'm still on liquids though, so my energy isn't where it should be yet. I suppose I could start my blended diet today (I'm allowed to two weeks post-op), but my post-surgery appointment with my doctor is Thursday and he had originally said he wanted to approve the advancing of my diet, so I may wait until Thursday. I'm so hungry though - I think I may blend up some refried beans and salsa. I need more protein and I'm sick of protein shakes. Back to my closet - I tried on some nice summer work blouses I've saved for a few years. When I bought them they fit (barely), but I soon out grew them. I have one of them on today and it feels so good. I don't need any summer clothes...right now. I know I'm going to keep losing and they're soon going to be hanging on me. My dress slacks look ridiculous on me - they are a bit loose in the waist, but the butt and legs are totally baggy (I carry my weight in my waist) and look stupid. I may be wearing capri's from Wal-Mart this summer. They're inexpensive! I don't want to spend a lot of money on dress-work clothes until I'm closer or at goal. Oh and a non-scale victory. At a meeting today I crossed my legs. Ahhh, sweet victory!