Harvest

I got banded two days ago and will need someone to connect with in the Madison area when I'm up and running. Anyone interested in starting a meetup group?:tt1:

I was banded on June 23 and have been on liquids since June 17. Each day since my surgery day I wake up hoping I'll feel good enough to go for a good walk. I've tried but I get really exhausted after a couple of blocks and my back muscles hurt alot. Is this normal or am I a wimp? When I read posts it sounds like many if you are up and walking with ease a day or two after being banded. How do you do that?:thumbup:

It's time to start planning ladies :tt2: Mich Fest 2009 will be here in only 7(ish) short months...are you going? I just sent off my application to work the festival. If you're short of funds, working for the festival is a great way to get in free and a great way to make new friends. Shall we all meet at the festival, strip off our tops, and proudly walk about with our lap band scars exposed or maybe we could all do body painting on our bellies that somehow incorporate all those little scars :mad: It could be fun! Harvest:drool:

I'm still on my weight loss journey, but I'm starting to see the skin on my legs and arms get very loose. I was wondering if there was something I might do to tighten the loose skin without actually going into surgery... I've heard weight bearing exercise might do the trick...anyone had any success with this approach? Harvest

As I Celebrate loosing weight I'm starting to wonder how much ps might cost me if my insurance doesn't pay for it... Has anyone out there paid for their own ps? What did you have done and how much did it cost? Also, what was the recovery like? Harvest

I feel sooooo virtuous...Thanksgiving and I didn't overeat...and I didn't even have room for any pie...wow For the first time the holiday was about the spirit of the celebration and not the consumption of large quantities of food. Now, comes the hard part...Christmas treats in the teacher's lounge at work. It's soo easy to take a taste of this, a bite of that, one little cookie, ect. until you realize you've eaten the day away a little at a time... How are others going to tackle the Christmas "Cheer"?

So are there any lesbians/dykes out there who have been banded and now go to any of the festivals (ie Michigan Women's Music Festival)? Did you tell anyone while you were at the festival that you had weight loss surgery? How did others take in that information? I'm a little concerned that the radical lesbian feminists will be outraged by my decision?

chew that first bite extra carefully...I often don't do this and end up sliming...also my doctor said that if there is any stress to the esophogus to go back on liquids for at least 24 hours so the swelling can go down.

GAS!!!! You are experiencing post surgery gas pain...the best cure is walk, walk, walk...you have to move so the gas can move. I had back and should pain from the gas. It will dissapate with time...use your pain meds if it gets too much for you...I took liquid tylenol for the pain because I didn't like how the prescribed pain meds made me feel. Some people get relief from Gas X strips.

I slept in a recliner for several days and then graduated to the couch. It was about a week before I slept in my bed. I suggest you have several sized pillows too. I liked to sleep on my side so I put a small pillow under my belly to ease the pulling on my incisions. I also put several pillows behind my back so I didn't roll over during the night...it hurt alot to roll over from lying on my back. I think you should definitly rethink sleeping on a matress on the floor.

Walk!!! You are experiencing the effects of the gas the surgeon put in your body to do the surgery...my shoulder was in pain for several weeks...it does go away as your body releases the gas...walking helps get the gasses moving and releasing from your body.

HI..I was just wondering when you had your last fill...it sounds like it might be time for another...my doctor said to call for another fill if I find I can eat full meals or I'm getting between meals...You seem to be doing the right things otherwise...don't give up hope...it's great that you are exercising too!!!

I had my first fill two days ago. I didn't get any tightness in my chest during the fill but my doctor didn't want to go more than 3 cc. Yesterday I was hungry all day and today I wanted to pig out sooooooo bad...I can keep up my willpower for a while but I'm afraid I'll loose it and bindge on a mountain of junk food...I'm thinking I need to call my doctor on Monday to come in for another fill on Tuesday... Has anyone else had to go for an extra fill right after their first fill?

I just found out about a whey protein bar called Detour Bar...30 grams of protein, 350 calories, 32 carbs...people say it's chewey and tastes like a candy bar...I haven't tried them yet, but plan too.

What you've been experiencing is the effects of the surgery. The swelling is going down now and you're going to get that hungry feeling back. Once you get your first fill you'll start to feel full again. Right now just focus on healing...don't worry too much about weight loss until you get your first fill.

I can't do whey either...I've used soy products for the last 20 years and have no problems with it...as far as soy protein drinks I liked Spiroutein...you can get it at most natural food grocery stores...they have lots of flavors including two sugar free ones...it's a powder that you mix with soy milk...don't forget how versitile tofu is and is great during the mushy stage...

Okay...I've been reading the posts on this site in hopes of finding others who are struggling with exercise, but instead I seem to keep reading about what perfect athletes you already are. I want to hear about how so many of you went from morbidly obeste to 'marathon runners' etc. What was your exercise journey like from surgery date to marathon man (woman)? Who esle is feeling a bit overwhelmed to start a strenuous exercise program?

It's been three weeks since I was banded. I've noticed I get exhausted after eating my meals. I am following the diet progression very carefully and am eating portion sizes that my nutritionist set for me. Why do I get so tired after eating? Anyone else experience this?

I was banded on June 23...when I met with my dr. a week after surgery she told me to just focus on healing...she told me not to worry about weight loss yet...my goal these weeks has been to feel well enough to take my dog for a daily walk..with the reduced calories I get tired real easy, but today I walked the dog far enough to wear him out. It's great that you are sticking to the food progression...focus on healing not on the weight loss right now...do something wonderful for yourself as a congratulations you made it through the surgery and are well on your way to full healing...I plan on having a pedicure in the very near future... We have to be patient...but we will start loosing soon enough...Keep strong, have courage, keep focused you can do it

Alot of it depends on your insurance company....some require a 6 month weight loss program...my insurance didn't...so from first Dr. appointment (April) to surgery date (June 23)everything went pretty smooth for me...my insurance only required documentation from my dr. of 2 comorbities and a BMI over 40...whatever your insurance company requires it's worth jumping through the hoops...listen to your dr. and find a good contact person to work with in your insurance co.

Okay...I just got done walking my dog and I think I wore him out!!! We walked 1mile in about 45 minutes...I am so proud of myself. Thanks again everyone. Hey Ann you can do it...and guess what?...it's true...I feel so great having done a mile walk tonight.

You absolutely need to make sure your doctor is aware of this and file a formal complaint with the hospital. They will know which nurses were on duty while you were in recovery and will take action regarding this. If your doctor prescribed anti-nausea meds and you didn't get them, somebody's going to have to answer for it. My partner's doctor prescribed them, and thankfully, she never needed them, but they were available to her, and the doctor and nurses have constantly checked to see if she has any nausea, even on follow up visits. If you doctor didn't prescribe them, that needs to be brought to the hospital department head and administration's attention, since as my partner says, "Lapband surgery and throwing up are not very compatible." Hospitals are aware that they are not just health care facilities but businesses as well and poor "customer service" can hurt them. BTW, she had a pretty rough go of it for the first week. Mostly gas pain and an inability to get comfortable enough to sleep well, even in her recliner (a bed was a total non-starter), but things improved a lot in the second week. If you can, get up and walk as much as possible. That will help a tremendous amount, and make sure to drink, drink, drink. BadgerMom

Jason, Co-morbities can also include joint pain, asthma, and shortness of breath. Remember to include all of your symproms (co-morbidities) even if they seem insignificant to you. Harvest

Okay...I (like many of us) love eating out...so while I patiently wait through the full liquids this week, blended foods next, and soft foods after that I want to hear where you all go out to eat and what your favorite dish is to order:tongue2:

Banded June 23 Pre weight = 227 Post weight = 216 Waist N/A Goal weight = 135