erinbefore

I've lost 44 pounds since the beginning of the 2 wk pre-op diet, and 32 of those are since surgery on 6/30. I haven't had any fills, since I'm losing at or beyond the recommended guidelines and don't frequently feel hungry. In non-scale victories, I just finally treated myself to some new clothes, and the XLs at the gap that I tried on were TOO BIG? (what!?) I bought a skirt and a tee shirt in size large and was beond happy. :omg_smile:

I was banded 6/30, so I'm about two and a half months out from surgery. I'm not filled at all currently, as I've been losing great and am still able to eat a large variety of foods. I currently eat almost everything in extreme moderation. I'm not much of a Pasta or rice person, but I eat half an english muffin with Peanut Butter in the morning with no issues, and I've eaten good bread in small amounts as a side to a meal (not really eating sandwich bread, though). I eat my version of BBQ chicken nachos (400 cals, good protein!) I have had small burgers openfaced (no top bun) a few times. I eat salad and any kind of meat with no issues at all. I mostly eat good choices, but haven't cut treats out completely. I just am now satisfied after a few bites of a brownie instead of a few brownies. :omg_smile: I've lost 44 pounds since the start of my two week pre-op diet, 32 since surgery. I'm sure there are people losing faster, but I'm happy having no issues with PBing, sliming, getting stuck or any other side effects and to eat between a 1/2 cup and a cup of food per meal, still be losing weight well, and feel full and satisfied all the time. Good luck!

No undies, and no cath for me! :thumbup:

Hi all, I'd love some advice. I was banded on 6/30 and have been eating solid foods for about two weeks now. I eat my Protein first, then veggies, and eat around a 1/2 cup per meal 3x's a day with rare Snacks (healthy or low-cal, and only a few times a week). I occassionally eat carbs, but try to not choose empty ones. My calorie range has been between 600-900, but I've been trying to bump it up because my weight-loss has slowed some.. so now I'm probably eating around 900-1100. I'm rarely hungry and head hunger has been very slight and totally manageable. I'm supposed to be going in for a fill next Wednesday. I had planned on not having one, because I have decent enough restriction to feel happy with the foods and amount I'm eating -- I mean, isn't eating the way I'm doing already supposed to be the purpose of getting fills? At this point I've had zero issues with PBing/sliming and have no problem foods. I'd kind of like to keep it that way if I can. Buuuut: I'm losing fairly slowly. This week I've lost about a pound. Last week was 1 1/2 pounds. The week before that (on purees) I lost just under 2. I'm frustrated that I'm eating correctly and not seeing the weight fall off the way I think it should. So, I'm not sure if a fill would help things along, or if it's not really necessary since I'm already eating small amounts of 'good' foods with my calories in check. I also love that I can still eat half a piece of wheat toast or protein Pasta or eggs and chicken and not have issues. If I started having a hard time eating most foods, I think the band would be a much harder tool to get used to. But, I want to be losing more than 4 -5 pounds a month too... especially this early into the game. Advice??

I went through MMC's program, but it's been a while since I did my pre-op work (a year to a year and a half ago) so I'm not sure if what I'll write here is still their process. I first met with my surgeon and attended an informational seminar and then about a week later met with the social worker and the dietician . Then, about two months later I met again with the social worker and the dietician for round two of appointments and then about two weeks after that I signed my consent for surgery with Dr Cobean. Which social worker do you have? I've met both and they both seem lovely. None of my appointments were scary, though MMC did employ a social worker that many people has issues with way back when I was first in the program.... She's not there any longer though. Let us know how it goes!

I can't feel my band at all, and I don't feel my port either. If it weren't for the incisions and the weight loss, I wouldn't really believe I'd been banded! :biggrin:

Hi Wicked... :thumbs_up: You know, I didn't even look into other programs for a couple of reasons: 1: I was first introduced to MMC through my friend Kelley's bypass surgery there, and she had such a good experience with Dr Cobean that I was impressed, and 2: I live in Portland, so convenience was key too. My path to WLS was much longer than most -- I did all the prep work in '06 and early '07 and was initially given a band date of March 5th, '07 when my insurance at the time denied me (no co-morbidities). :thumbup: Ironically, we had been waiting to adopt kiddo number two around that time and got the call to pick up our two month old (at the time) daughter on March 4th, so it worked out perfectly, in the end. This April I changed insurances and found out they cover lap-band with no co-morbidities needed if you have a BMI of over 40, which I did. I resigned up with MMC and the process when super fast from there because I had already done all my preliminary work. I had one SW appt and one nutritionist appt and signed consents in mid May. My surgery was scheduled for about 5 1/2 weeks after I signed consents -- teir average is 4-6 weeks, and I was on vacation for some of those weeks so requested a timeframe toward the end of that window. I had good experiences with the nutritionist and SW... they used to have a SW that I couldn't stand, but she doesn't work there anymore. (Whew!). I seem to have restriction just from the band -- I've had no issues transitioning to solid foods and am still feeling full after 1/2 a cup 3x's a day. Weight loss is slowing, which is to be expected, but I'm doing ok in that arena too -- so overall, one month out from surgery I'm super happy with both my band and my surgeon/his team. I'll let you know if I stay this happy as time goes on! Have you been to a support group yet?

Hi there! Just found this Maine forum -- yay! I'm Erin, 31, living in Portland with my partner and two kiddos (3 and 19m). I was banded on June 30th, so I'm almost a month out, and I've lost 17 pounds since surgery (29 since the beginning of the two week pre-op diet). I was banded by Dr Cobean at MMC's Bariatric Surgery Center / Casco Bay Surgery. I can't say enough good things about the program, and I'm having fabulous results with no issues thus far. :thumbup: Anyway, it's great to meet you all. xo

My doc gave no weight lifting restrictions, and I've been carrying around my 22 pound daughter since three days post surgery. It's more than likely your port. :thumbup:

I'm about a month out and feel restriction from just my band. This may change, of course, but I'm completely healed and still can only eat about 1/2 cup at a time and am not hungry throughout the day. I have to work to get in my all my calories, but I've lost about 17 pounds since my June 30th surgery. At this point, I don't think I'll get a fill at my 6 wk checkup. Right now I have no problems with pbing, sliming, etc and other than portion size, haven't had any trouble foods (though I'm abstaining from soft bread, Pasta and rice). As long as I'm losing 1-2 pounds a week, and I'm not hungry, I'm not getting a fill.

I've never had a major sweet tooth, but man I love me some fried food. I'm wondering if anyone has a good recipe for a baked and healthier version of typical fried foods -- chicken, chips, onion rings, fries and the like. Or maybe a good brand of baked 'fried' products? Obviously these would be treats, not part of my everyday eating -- but I've seen tons of healthier Desserts and very few savory/salty treats, so I'd love any recipes you could share! Thanks!

I was extremely anxious that my surgery would be cancelled -- mostly because I was banded on June 30th, and my insurance was changing over (because of workplace's decision to go with a new insurer) on July 1st! I was really worried the surgeon might be sick that morning, or that -- even though I followed my per-surgery diet perfectly -- my liver would be too fatty and I wouldn't be able to have the surgery and would wake up unbanded. I think worrying about a huge life change like this is almost inevitable. That said, I'm two weeks out and everything was textbook and all my worries were unfounded. Good luck surviving the next few weeks!

Are you getting in all your Protein too, or choosing carbs *instead* of protein? Have you been doing Protein shakes? What are your portion sizes? I'd say if you're following your dr's rules, then the course of action is to try and stay as mellow about losing weight during this time as possible. However, if you haven't been getting your protein in, or are eating significanly more than you should be, then definitely try to recommit to the general bandster rules. I'm not counting carbs at all right now (2 weeks, 1 day out from surgery) because I'm eating so little. I eat plenty of higher carb foods right now, but work to get in my protein through shakes, and through mixing some whey powder into most everything I make. Mashed potatoes can totally be higher in protein with a little unflavored powder mixed in. I'm keeping my intake to 1/2 cup portions three times a day, or two if I have a biggish Protein shake in the morning. Many, many bandsters don't lose or don't lose much until their first fill. They don't call this time "Bandster Hell" for nothin'! Take care (hugs).

8 days out for me and no major issues so far. I had some pain on days one and two, but felt a lot better by day three and other than some gassiness, life is good. I'm on purees and have very little hunger and the allure of unhealthy foods has diminished a lot. At surgery I had 95 pounds to lose to goal... and I've already lost 8 of them. :biggrin: I'm feeling really good about my decision!

Hi there! I'm newly banded (June 30th) and I've been faithfully following my surgeon's post op eating instructions. The only issue is that his instructions state that lap band patients follow a modified diet of pureed foods directly after surgery for 4 weeks. So, smooth applesauce or cream soup consistency foods for the first month. After that, eating regularly is fine (with all the other precautions for eating slowly, no longer than 1/2 hour, etc). I didn't think anything of this, but after reading here, it looks like most surgeons have their bandsters on clear liquids, then full liquids and then mushies (is this the same as purees?). It also seems that most post op plans are 6 weeks, and mine is only four. So.... will I hurt my pouch or band if I continue to follow my surgeon's plan? Would I have more success or minimize the long term risks of erosion or slipping by going to full liquids? I've been eating cream of chicken soup, french onion broth, protein shakes, sf pudding, applesauce, blended beans, hummus, and low fat blended potato salad (for the fourth!). I think I have some post surgery restriction, because it takes very little for me to feel full -- though I'm eating way faster than the 1/2 hour mark. I've had no issues with vomiting or PBing or discomfort beyond a full feeling and I've lost about 5 pounds since Monday's surgery. Any advice?

So tomorrow marks the week out point for us 30th'ers! How's everyone feeling? How's getting in your Protein doing? How's the weight loss for each of you? Any issues or concerns to report? I'm finally feeling pretty great -- today I was able to easily pick up my 18m old and chase my 3 year old a bit... I go back to work in a desk job on Tuesday and I think I'll be completely able to do that with no issues. My incisions are itchy now, but my hunger is managable (though my surgeon has us start on purees, so I'm not having to deal with a liquid only diet) and I'm losing a good amout of weight -- I'll weigh in tomorrow for the official one week loss, but so far I'm down six and a half pounds. No other issues to report -- though I am really gassy when I eat -- I'm worried I may be swallowing too much air?? Oh, and I can eat my 1/2 cup of Soup or whathaveyou very quickly... are you all eating faster than the 1/2 hour folks mention? Maybe that's just for solid, chewable foods? I'd love to hear updates! Hope you all are doing well!

So, we're banded! Hoping everyone else is doing well.... I'm in a fair amount of pain (today SUCKED, but tonight I feel a bit better) but the surgery itself was textbook and fast and everyone was kind and helpful at the hospital. Overall I had a very, very good banding experience. I was admitted at 6:00 AM with a surgery time of 7:30. I went in on time and was out an hour later. The anesthesia didn't really bother me (no throwing up or crying jags or anything) but I did have a sore throat from the tube they put in and was/am very gassy. The gas is the worst! I slept on and off and walked and sipped a Water bottle and eventually ate dinner at 6ish. The half cup of cream of chicken Soup was DEVINE. I'm feeling very grateful my surgeon doesn't require a liquids stage -- it's straight to purees for me for four weeks. I was discharged right after dinner. As mentioned earlier, today sucked pain wise -- I had a very hard time doing anything other than sitting in a recliner and needed help getting up to a standing position. I'm also having a very hard time getting in my water and Protein -- I've had half an Atkins Advantage shake twice today and another 1/2 cup of cream of chicken soup. Plus probably 30 oz of water. How's everyone else doing?? My thoughts are with you all!!

This thread is seriously like heaven for me! I'm also being banded on the 30th, also in my 30s, and also had my pre-op appt yesterday. :embaressed_smile: We should pull together a yahoo group for june 30th'ers since we'll all be taking the exact same journey. The pre-op diet is coming to a close soon -- anyone else actually excited to be able to eat Soup and the like after surgery? I'm getting so sick of shakes, though I'm getting accustomed to the Atkins Advantage ones and after the first sip or so can 'enjoy' (I'm using that word loosely) them. I had lost 11 pounds to get to 231, and then some constipation (Tmi?!) happened and I gained 2 1/2 pounds -- so infuriating when you aren't eating over 700-800 calories!! Things are better in that dept today so I'm hoping my loss will keep happening over the weekend and I'll be down into the high 220's for surgery on Monday. Are you girls nervous? What are your eating plans post surgery? My surgeon has me on blended/mushy foods right for a month -- but there's no liquid only stage. I'm trying to get a handle on what I'm going to want to eat... what are you all buying for the first few weeks?? SO GLAD to have found you! (And my birthday is July 1st, so I get to spend the first day of my 31st year as a newly banded girl!) Erin

This is good to know... I'm on the pre-op diet (getting banded Monday the 30th) and have been having two Atkins shakes every day -- so far just the chocolate and the dark chocolate royale... though I'm having a vanilla one this afternoon! I'm so sad I missed the good tasting ones, because the aftertaste is really gross for these new ones. That said, I'm getting used to them. *sigh* Maybe they'll change their minds and go back to the old formula!

Hi there! I'm Erin, a 30 yo newbie living in southern Maine who'll be banded on June 30th -- the day before my 31st birthday. My surgery was the 2nd of July, but I was moved up thanks to a cancellation and the fact that my insurance is changing on July 1st, so now I'm with you June folks! I am as married as I can be to a great partner and I work part-time as a church administrator for a small, progressive local church. I'm mama to two small kiddos -- 17 months and 3 years. My kids joined my family through adoption -- any other adoptive moms? I need to add a ticker, but I'm currently 241ish, down from my heaviest of 277. I'm 5'4'', so I'm hoping to get to around 135ish... but right now anything under 200 sounds amazing! Glad to have found you all -- I'm off to read, research and prepare!

Hello :wink_smile: I'm Erin, an almost 31 yo living in Maine with my partner of 8+ years and two kiddos (3 and 16m). I was in process in '06 and '07 with a surgery date of March 5, '07 when my insurance at the time denied me because I had no comorbidities (that they recognized anyway). I have new insurance as of April of this year, so I started back up and have moved through the steps very fast -- and I now have a surgery date of July 2nd! (A day after my birthday and three days after I move... ugh..) Now I just wait to make sure my current insurance (Anthem BC/BS) covers me, though I've read the policy and it looks like I meet all their requirements, so I'm hopeful. As far as stats: I'm 5'4'', my highest weight was about 277 and I've worked my way down to around 240. I'm hoping to lose at least 100 pounds, maybe 110. Any July dates? Nice to 'meet' you all!!