RestlessMonkey

Negative stuff doesn't work for me. It makes me depressed and angry... I have a journal that I am keeping (bought a pretty blank gook) with pics of me now, my measurements (shudder) my BP and BMI and the tapes I get from the docs office with my BMR, fat mass etc. I'm also writing my thoughts, feelings, hopes etc down. I'm not doing this for looks so much as just to "fit" into things again so I'm planning a trip to my beloved Mickey Mouse when i can wear the size XL t-shirts I have (that's a over 100 pounds away) and so on. We're all different but if I dwelled on bad and negative stuff, I'd bog down. I guess some of us need the carrot, and some of us need the stick. I'm a carrot girl myself; reward motivates me.

From someone who doesn't have the band yet, it's nice to hear reports back that are positive instead of horrible! And I was told to expect 1-2 pounds a week weight loss, so if I can get 2.5 pounds a week like the OP I'll be really happy! Thanks for sharing your positive happy experiences!

It's personal and you can tell or not tell as you see fit. I'm a teller, but that's just me.

I remember we could have macadamia nuts on atkins but i don't like almonds and so don't remember. My thing is, I did NOT do what doc said. You are! Stick with doc's orders and I'm sure you'll do fine!

Good Luck! I was scheduled for 8/11 but cheated a little on the preop diet and my liver was too fatty, but I am rescheduled for this Friday, 8-29. So I'm still (barely! LOL) an August All-Star!

EEEK Sorry I mean FOLKS in Australia and New Zealand. Not Folds! LOL

Thanks Neenz! You too! My surgeon, believe it or not, told us that folds in Australia and New Zealand typically lose better (more excess weight) than we Americans! So I told him I planned to help the US up the curve a little!

Hi All! I know I can ask my doc about this and I will, but I wanted a concensus.... I'm doing a fairly long pre-op "atkinsesque" diet to shrink my fatty liver, consisting of 2-3 low carb shakes, lots of water, and "palm sized" lean protein (only fish turkey or chicken) and some low carb veggies. What I was wondering is...I'm going NUTS! Do you think I could chew some sugar free gum, just to get rid of the ick taste in my mouth? Plus it gives me something to gnaw on besides my chair arm. I don't want to blow it; and I CAN tough it out if I have to. Had I followed his rules properly at first I'd have been banded 8/11, so I don't want to cheat. Just wondering if, pre-op, sugar free gum is ok. What do you think?

WOW New Zealand! Hello! I haven't had the band yet but can share with you what the nurse practitioner from my surgeon's office told me....horror stories are horrible but the fact is most people have no issues, heal fine, and can eat most things. She said red stringy meat (not all red meat) and white bread are the biggest culprits but it depends on each person. SO rather than flipping out I am just feeling true empathy for those souls who are suffering but believing 100% that I'm going to get through it fine. I didn't have issues post op when my gall bladder was removed like everyone said I would; I'm sure this will be similar. It's nice to know the risks! BUT not all of us have it as hard.

Wow how wonderful you must feel!!! Congratulations! I'm getting my band 8/29; I can't wait!

You're right, Desertrose. Restriction is why we're all getting, or have gotten, the band! Willpower alone can only take you so far for so long.

If for no other reason than the fact that all alcohol causes dehydration, in the early days you should refrain. Again OP is a grown up...but we were told none for 3 months. I figure the band is more important to me than a drink...but then I got my party days under my belt a while back! LOL

Welcome! Stick to the preop diet! I did my "own" and lost, but not in my liver, and he couldn't place the band! It's a bummer to come to in recovery and be told your liver is too fat! I'm rescheduled for 8/29. And as to your other question...go to "edit profile" at the right.

You're just past 2 weeks post op and you haven't healed internally yet, although you feel good! So unfortunately, no. You need to let your insides heal well before you start drinking.

Sounds funky to me, too.

Rather than try fumbling to explain it.... here's a link with good directions: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f183/how-guide-creating-your-weight-loss-ticker-72359/

Sounds like you're doing everything right then! But you might want to hold off going to work for at least a week! :tongue: Hang in there.

WALK! Seriously WALK WALK WALK. You must. It will help dissipate the gas. It will help you clear the anesthesia from your lungs. It will help prevent blood clots. It will help your digestive tract "normalize. I know you want to baby yourself; you have certainly earned it! BUT you must walk. The gas will mostly dissipate over time. Keep taking the tylenol elixir as prescribed, sip sip sip Water, and walk. The walking will help you so much! I just read on this board the other day about a lady who was nauseated and so just laid in bed for 3 days and got a clot in her lungs. It makes sense your tummy is agitated; it doesn't know what you did to it. That should get better too. Just hang in there and take short walks very frequently. You'll feel better soon!

It's common to want to know how fast it comes off but I think from what I've read, we'll kind of move away from being obsessed with the scale and with what we "get to eat" A year or so out we'll just eat healthy and keep on losing. That's what I'm hoping anyway! Good luck to you!

Ifish..i don't know if it matters, but although I do have a fatty liver that didn't shrink enough the first time, I also started out weighing a LOT more than you. I think my initial weight was a big part of it! Plus they do ultrasounds and blood work and all. I'm sure you'll be fine! Good luck on your surgery!

Yes...I thought you said you were in a pilot program or some such to see how teens do on the band, right? that means there aren't many of you! But you should be able to rustle up some in their early 20's, I'd think!

Hollie I didn't know you posted this and I was coming on to tell you about.....Hollie! LOL I think you are in a class by yourself.

Hi Lshire, and welcome. Use this address: it will lead to an old post that has instructions on how to get a ticker! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f183/how-guide-creating-your-weight-loss-ticker-72359/

Sounds like you're both on the right track! I was supposed to get the band 8/11 but will get it 8/29 so I'm just a few weeks behind you!

OH and you will need to closely monitor your blood pressure. Its likely to improve and your meds will need to be adjusted and/or discontinued down the road....so you need to keep an eye on it.