cashley

Yeah.... I happened (as a newbie also) to stumble on one of those pages and it was quite scary because this place had a whole lot of people who had passed on. And it was like a blog so you could read all their post, their hopes and dreams, read their excitment about being approved for surgery etc. And the last entry would be something from their spouse or the moderator that said they passed. I feel better knowing that all of the ones on the board I read were full by-pass so I know that's much more complicated. But it was still so sad and so scary. Some passed a year or so after surgery.

That's a great mental image! I pictured it perfet in my head.

I wish the Fen of the Phen/Fen would come back because when I was on them two together I was great. It really helped with the emotional eating. The phentermine doesn't seem to work at all for me. Makes me jittery but I can still eat...

I think the adjustablity is a big plus for the band. I've seen others who's have ByPass and they loose a lot but get stuck at a size 14 - 16ish... Which is great but it's hard to loose that last amount because they are used to their stomach size. Anyhow if we get to that point with one or two more sizes or 20 - 30 pounds to loose we can still get an adjustment.

Wow! I'm so glad to read this becuase I had the same issue and everyone acted like I was going to hurt myself eating foods so earlier. I called my doctor and he explained that the main reason you don't want to eat solids isn't from the digestion process (which your stomach still does during liquids and mushies) but that he wanted to prevent me from filling up too much and causing me to throw-up. He said throwing up is the worst thing to do in the first few weeks after surgery because of the stiches holding the band. He said as long as I chewed well and it went down without any problem I was ok. He said "Some people just progress on the post-op diet faster then others"

I rejoined WW after my surgery also.... I like it becasue it's the type of diet that lets you eat anything you want but only 26ish points per day. I guess calories would also be ok to count but I like the points since they allow for less points if the item has more Fiber. In the past I always liked weight watchers but feld deprived or hungrey a lot. That was discourgaging to me expecially since I'm a slow loser. If I went a week (or two or three) and was perfect to the plan I felt "proud" and "confident" but if I didn't lose that week I was depressed wanted to quit. I'm hoping that it will be much eaiser to not lose faith since I'm banded. Hoping that the limited quantity on Weight Watchers doesn't feel "limited" Also, I like the e-tools to track my points and excersie it's a nice program. For me I think the band and weight watchers will be a great combination. ***Keeping Fingers Crossed****

My docotor said I would begin an excersie program starting one week after surgery. I walk on the elyptical (spelling) since it's very low impact but gets my heart pumping really well. I do about 30 - 40 minutes and i'm trying to do 4 - 5 times a week. I also lift weights (but not since surgery). I actually love lifting but have a habit of lifting too heavy and my legs and shoulders get too big. My hubby is a powerlifter so I've always lifted free weights.

Hey I just noticed you were from Louisville too.. I had Dr. Lusco, who's in the same group with your doctor. Kool!

I was banded on Wednesday 2/8 and I guess I feel ok. I still have a lot of stabby pains from the gas. It's espeically bad in my back. Did anyone eat solids or soft foods early? My nurse said that the band doesn't provide much restriction for me and that I would progress faster on the post-op diet then others but hell - I've already had a chicken finger (chewed well) and a 1/2 serving of oatmeal. I'm serously hungry. I don't think I get a fill until 6 weeks.

My docotor said that some people progress faster then others and that it's not about healing so much as letting the swelling go down enough so you don't puck. He said that puck'ing was the worst thing right now but if I could comfortable get down mushys before is was time then "No Problem".

I paid $17,500 in Louisville KY and it includes 1 year followup care. I think Dr. Pleatman sounds like a great deal I wish I lived near his area. I guess i should have done more research to see that the prices are so different. I didn't think twice... drove to the bank got my loan and completed everything in about two weeks.

I've had a lot of pain that moves around my back and check since my surgery. I've already called the surgeon 3 times so I don't want to wear out my welcome with him. I'm almost sure it's gas pain from what I've read on here but wasn't sure how long it should last. It started the day of surgery in my chest and they said it was normal. It was a stabby pain. Then it moved two days later to under my left ribs in my back and felt like a knife in my back. It moved to my right side and then back to my chest. Now a week later it's in the center of my back below my neck. Anyway, I'm not too worried but wanted to touchbase with others that have been though it. Is it ok that it's lasted a week? I think I read one post'er say it lasted 4 weeks for her. I've tried GasX and it's not helped. A heating pad helps a little and I'm taking Celebrex that my surgeon perscribed. I didn't fill it until yesterday because I was tired of the pain.

I like to weight everyday when i'm losing

For real.... no doggy bags in Australia. I mean it's your food you pay for it. Weird. What about take-out? I'd kinda be mad about a rule like that. I mean my hubby loves my leftovers.

I like the idea of eating some of everyone elses. My mom and I go out a lot and she never finishes her food so I think we'll just share in the future. As for going out with hubby he's used to finishing part of mine so I'm not sure he'll share. I guess he'll just have to eat almost two meals.

I'll try stretching. I hadn't really thought of that. The Celebrix is helping also but my mom thought it was weird. I've had surgery before but it wasn't laproscopic. (spellin'). I guess the big reason I ask is because my friend didn't have any of this type of pain but I guess everyone is different.

Hey it's cool that there are so many of us GeekGurls! I'm trying hard not to be so obsessive this time on my #'s... but I'm normally right there with you. I'm only a week in this time. Last time I was on a diet I tracked everything in an Access program... I'm software consultant for a living so Geekgurls rule!

1 Week Pre-Op - Liquids & Yoguarts (Limited 2 protein shakes and 2 yoguarts - No Sugar Allowed) 2 Weeks Post Op - Clear Liquids until comfortable getting them down then all other liquids and yougarts. - Sugar Allowed 3rd - 4th Week - Mushy Soft foods like Oatmeal, Mashed Potatos, Some fish 5th Week - Regular food, small well chewed foods.

Yes... I'm either on or off a diet. And when I'm off of the diet it's look out food! I'm amazed at how much I can eat and not be satisfied. I've always heard a food addiction is so hard to give up because it's not like you can go "cold turkey" and turn food away from your life forever. It's a battle I'm so tired of fighting. I told my surgeon I'm just can't fight this fight any longer.... He seemed to empathize. That's why I'm here... is to be with others who understand the fight. I also am not looking for a judgement, just someone with something in common.

Opps... sorry I reminded you of Cashews.

My doctor repaired a hernia at the same time as the banding so it's an easy story to go with. I know that bosses aren't supposed to ask but when you are close to someone like your boss it's hard to lie... it is for me anyway. It's even harder to say "It's personal"

Yeah - That's a big issue because sometimes you just don't have time for all the dumb questions from people liket that... So far when I have told people I get "I don't think you need that why don't you just diet?"

That's exactly what I'm telling most people especially customers I'm not close with. Actually the more I think about it the more I may want to tell people... because I don't want to hear "See I told you that you coudl do it if you just put your mind to diet and exercise" When I start losing I'd just scream if I hear people say that.... It always seems people don't beleive you when you say "Diet and Exercise" didn't work for me... Surgery isn't a cope out for me I felt it the only way.

I agree with the keeping them out of the house.... I wasn't trying to be defensive. i was just trying to dive into the deeper Why... I mean even after I was banded and not hungery at all; I still stood with the refridge door open and just looked.... I wish I knew "Why" ....

Why do people cheat on their spouses? Why do we get fat to begin with? Why do people smoke? Why do we spend too much? Why do some people get addicted to drugs? I wish I knew the answers... I'd have more money and wouldn't have had to even had the lapband in the first place if I'd practiced better control. Personally I enjoy good food... I decided on the band because I wanted to continue to enjoy good food just at limited quantites. I did Atkins for too many years and it only made me feel more deprived of sweets.