GottaBThin

My pillow became my special confort item after surgery. I still have not given it up. I feel much better and don't really need it, but it help with security. CRAZY!!!

Well, this is frustrating. Did we all just misunderstand what they told us? I dont think so. We just have to try to stick with what they tell us and pray is all works out. I do keep the faith by checking other blogs of long time bandsters. There are soooo many that have done well. I want to be one of them!! I just know in the first 3 weeks, I could barely eat and now I think I feel full, but am not sure. Like you, can drink fluids pretty quickly. I get really thirsty. Is anyone exercising? I haven't started yet. I plan to Monday, go to the gym and do some walking and light weights. Any recommendations?

I happy for all you November Bandsters. I'm a Oct bandster and am happy everyday that I made this decision. Keep your head up and everyday get better as you heal and can eat a little better Take care

The veggie soup helped me greatly. I went from pebbles to soft. (sorry so graphic) Jodi - do you exercise a lot? Your weight loss is awesome!

Does anyone feel like their band isn't there? I mean I'm full but feel like I can eat more, where I was only able to eat 1/2 cup of food thru the liquid phase (yogurt & soup). I just started the phase 3 today. I would say since Sunday, I feel a little hungry after the 1/2 cup and started eating 1 cup. Is this bad? My 1st feel isn't until 12/1. Does it mean all the swell inside is gone, or what? How do you know if your band has slipped? I know it's hard to do that. When you go in for a fill do they do a ultrasound or x-ray to check it?

Hey Folks...I'm smiling because I'm still regular :laugh:! When I first tried the flaxseed I thought I would go hard core and just take it like castrol oil (which I've never taken in my life). IT WAS HORRIBLE!!! I ate a sugar free cream-sicle right behind it to get rid of the taste. The next day I put it in my cream Soup. I couldn't taste it at all. (BUT...the smell was slightly there still) I figured I start my muchie food in 2 days and will tough it out and then start eating cooked veggies, which I hope to keep me OK. I think I will try to stay with the flaxseed though because it is suppose to be soooo good for you. I will say being able to use the bathroom does affect the scale. Any recommendations on how to take it? PS...I made veg soup: zucchini (green & ylw), canned tomatoes, celery, grn Beans, onion, mushrooms, carrots and garlic, salt & pepper. Can't wait to eat it tomorrow!!!!

I agree, my expectation is out of wack. I'm trying to come back to reality and know this will take time. But, I got to go to the bathroom :eek: (OK, TMI), but I think the flaxseed oil helped greatly, or the plum juice, or the apricot juice. I'm out of the apricot, so we will see if the other two continue to help. Thanks Bathroom Buddies (gross:frown: title...but funny:lol:)

I feel so blessed to have all of you. It's great to be with folks that are at the same point as me. Thanks for the reminder of 1-2 lbs per week is good. I keep feeling disappointed if I dont hit 15 per month. I've lost 13 lbs at my 3 wk point tomorrow. I'm gonna get in the gym next week. I feel so much better this week. Moving much faster now. Folks be careful with your food in take. I'm never once I go to the fish, cottage cheese and can foods stage (stage 3)...the stage before real food. I hope I still loose. Take care bandsters!!!!

thank you everyone for the info. I bought apricot juice and plum light by Sunsweet, I hope they help. If not I plan to get the flaxseed oil. Either way, I will probably get the flaxseed, because you are right, it is good for you. I'm still on liquid, last week. I loss 11 lbs. It seems like it should be more. I think the constipation is keeping me from loosing. I don't feel like eating much because of it.

No, someone had mentioned flaxseed oil pills. So, I was wondering about those.

Overall the shoulder pain lasted about 2 days with me. But the gas build up in my stomach lasted about 1 1/2 wks. The main thing i was told to do was walk as much as possible. So, I did or I should I tried as much as possible. By the 2nd week to the day, it was gone. Hang in there.

You can swallow those big pills and don't have any problem with blockage?

Hey sveltelady...I'm on the 21st too!!!!:smile2: I'm so excited:sad:, but scared just becuase this is my first surgery. Everyone banded JUST LAST WEEK, you make it sound OK. Thanks for that. I go to my appt on the 15th to get the pre-op diet. I want to RUN, play soccer, go swimming and not worry about what I look like in a swimsuit. I want to be able to cross my legs like a lady vs cross my ankles.:laugh: I pray that all of us do well short-term, long-term, life-term. We need a LAPBAND photo shoot for Oct 2008 bandsters in May. that will be the 6 months mark. I'M SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!

So, Liquids for the day and 1 no carb meal?

what's the trick on the Fatty Liver Diet? My band date is 10/21!

My date is October 21!!!! I'm so excited, but scared. I've never hace surgery. I'm 5' 4", 236 (last weigh in). Are you still trying to loose weight?

We'll I'm doing OK. I started my diet on 8/14 & have lost 3 lbs. Not too bad. Let's just see if I can keep the trend going. I stopped diet soda, and all carbs (HARD). :thumbup: I do veggies, but no fruit. I've been doing a shake in the morning. I found Isopure...it has 50g of Protein, 200 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugar & it tastes descent as long as you like shakes. I hope to loose 15 lbs by 8/10, my next appt. I hope they schedule me for the surgery then. They put it the final approval to my ins co. :wink2:

I understand the disappointment of not be able to eat favorites anymore.:sad:I already ate everything that I thought I would never be abot to eat again. So, my OK with the shake...but today is my first day.:tongue_smilie: Ask me how I am on Monday. So, i am basically doing 2 shakes a day and 1 meal. We'll see how that goes. Good Luck and dont get discouraged. Try to remember the end results.

Thanks a bunch for the update. I called my dr and he gave me the same menu as you gave me...so thanks. Im trying to get my page set up. How did you get your BMI and weight progress on your profile?:biggrin:

So, I just met with my doctor and he told me he is putting in for the approval from my insurance company. He said to start to loose weight. He didn't say how much or anything. :Banane37: So, what was the goal your Dr. gave you to loose before the surgery? can you send me a sample deit plan? I want to get this going.:sleep2:

Hello Folks - I would like to start a Forum for our area, is anyone interested? Or can you let me know if there is one already.:wink_smile:

Well, I'm getting started. I want to do this so bad. I've contacted my Dr. and will be seeing him soon to start the process. How is it getting qualified and approved by Blue Cross Insurance?

HeY!!! I just got his # today from Good Samaritan. That's where I'm going. How was he? I go the the informaitonal meet tomorrow held at Good Sam.

What doctor did you use in SJ?