MissBS

Welcome Dafina!! Congratulations on your upcoming surgery. What a wonderful Christmas gift to give to yourself. I struggled through the pre-op diet too - most of us who had to be on one did. I too was worried about my liver, but it turned out to be fine. Not sure what kind of shake you are using, but it is probably ok, even if it may not be the best - and "the best" varies from doctor to doctor anyway. LBT is a great place to come and ask questions, read other people's questions and answers, get needed support, and just a good way to stay out of the kitchen. Good luck with your surgery. I'm sure you will be fine. Happy Holidays and keep in touch. Becky

Hi Just Banded. I had my surgery done at True Results in Houston too. Who did yours?? I am very happy with my doctor and the treatment that I've received there. If anyone is considering True Results, I would highly recommend it. Becky

Hi. I was banded in September and I cannot feel my port. Before my first fill, I thought my port was near my biggest incision. I was way off. When I go for my fills they have a LITTLE BIT of trouble finding it. They usually have me put my legs down flat, my arms over my head and have me do like a mini crunch. They don't seem concerned about it and I'm not worried about it. Yours might be different - did they seem concerned when you got your fill?? You might want to speak with your surgeon if you are worried. Good luck to you!! Becky

Hi. I had my surgery 3 months ago (September 19th) and I feel great. I lost 16 pounds on my pre-op diet and I've lost 36 pounds since my surgery. I flew to Houston yesterday for my third fill. Didn't feel much restriction with the first two, but this one feels different. I am on liquids today, but I am not feeling hungry at all - didn't have this feeling with the first two. I am hoping I am getting closer to the place that is right for me. I have much more energy, wearing smaller clothes, and feel so much happier and healthier. Getting the band was the best thing I've ever done for myself. If you are reading this, I hope you are happy, healthy, and loving your band too (if you have one... if not - I think you're gonna love yours too). Happy Holidays!!!! Becky :biggrin:

This is from one pickle freak to another. Don't give up on them. It might be beacause you just had a fill.... or didn't chew it up enough. Wait a few days and try again. I want pickles in your life. When I am craving sweets late at night, if I eat a kosher dill pickle spear or two, it takes that craving away. Good luck to you. Becky

I thought the same thing. Don't know him but he probably just thought it was a good quote... I do. To me it is just saying - have fun and make the most out of every day. Becky

I'm sorry to say it... but I agree. No carbonated beverages at all is what I was told. I have read on here about people who have tried a soda pop and really wished they hadn't. Wine?? Screwdriver?? Have fun!! Becky

Hi. Congratulations on getting your band. Oh I sure know what you are talking about. I was soooo tired after my surgery... for about a month. But that gets better. Now I have more energy than I have had in a long time!!! Hang in there and rest when you can. Take good care of yourself. Happy Holidays!!!

I always say do what your doctor tells you to do. My doctor also says caffine is ok. I drink coffee and hot tea all the time and have had no problems. I need it and so do the people around me :smile2: Good luck to you... maybe you can check with your doctor again.... try growling at him... just kidding. Happy Holidays!!! Becky

Hi Teresa. Welcome and congratulations on getting your date. It sounds like you are going through a lot right now and I think it is wonderful that you are doing something that is so good for you. You deserve it!! If you get tired, lonely, uncertain, bored, or just have a question... LBT is a great place to come. The nice people here will keep you company, answer your questions, listen to you, and support you (and the time you spend on LBT is time not spent in the kitchen or even thinking about food :smile2:!! Everyone here knows exactly where you've been, where you are, and where you want to go... and you can't find those kind of people just anywhere. I have made some very good friends here. Good luck with the smoking!! I know that is not easy. Take good care of yourself and enjoy the holidays. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with. Becky

Hi SWLEWIS. Welcome. You are sooooo right - what a wonderful way to bring in a new year.... with a new you. Congratulations on getting your date. You will love LBT. Keep reading and asking questions. Everyone is very friendly and very helpful. I read and asked a lot before my surgery and by the time I was wheeled into the operating room, I was not even nervous. Do you have a pre-op diet?? The holidays are a fun time, but there sure are a lot of temptations. Stay busy, focus on your loved ones, and keep your goal in mind. If you have any questions or concerns, I would be glad to help you out. I'm no expert, but I am a good listener and I've been reading other's questions and answers for awhile now. Good luck to you, take good care of yourself, and enjoy the holidays!!! Becky

Hi Roxy. Welcome and good luck with your upcoming surgery. First and foremost, you must listen to, and follow, your doctors instructions. I was put on a 3 week pre-op diet (protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and a small portion of fish, chicken, or turkey and vegetables for dinner). My 3 week diet turned into 4 weeks because my procedure was postponed due to Hurricane Ike - I flew to Houston for my surgery. I lost 16 pounds on the pre-op diet. My surgery was on September 19th, and I have lost 34 pounds since my surgery. I used the Atkins shakes for the pre-op diet and still have one for breakfast every morning. I like the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. While I was healing after the surgery, all I did was focus on that - healing. I had 1 week of clear liquids, 1 week of liquids (soups, etc.), 1 week of soft foods/mushies, and then went on to solid foods. I did not worry too much about calories or grams of protein during that time. Now I have at least 60 g. of protein a day and try to keep my calories at, or under, 1000 a day, always eating protein first. I have had 2 fills and go back to Houston this Thursday for my third one. I still don't have lots of restriction, so I just try to eat what I am supposed to. Now.... about exercise.... ummm.... well..... take my advice (I'm not using it). Exercising every day will help get the weight off. I have much more energy now and I know I am more active than I used to be - I just need to get my bu** in gear and be better about a regular exercise routine. Anyway... not sure if any of this will be helpful - hope so. Again... good luck. Take care of yourself and let me know if I can help you in any way. Happy Holidays!!! Becky

Hi Sandy. Welcome to LBT and congratulations on your upcoming surgery. What a wonderful way to bring in a new year. We have all failed at previous attempts to lose weight and that is why we are here. Forget about all that old baggage and focus on your exciting journey that is about to begin. This site is a great place to help with the nervousness and fear of the unknown. Keep reading posts and asking questions. The people here are so friendly and helpful. By the time I was wheeled into the operating room, MANY of my questions had been answered, my concerns addressed, and that really helped me to be more excited than nervous. I have made some really good friends here and it is so nice to be able to talk to people who REALLY know where I've been, where I'm at, and where I want to go. Let me know if I can answer any questions or if you just need someone to talk to/listen. Take good care of yourself and happy holidays!! Becky

Hi. I am no expert, but I think the gas you are passing is not the same as the gas they put in you during surgery. The gas put in you takes some time to go away. Things that helped me were walking, Gas-X strips, heating pad on my shoulder, and peppermint tea. All of these helped a little bit, but the only thing that made it go away is time. It is very annoying and makes it hard to get comfortable. I am almost 3 months post-op and I still feel it every now and then - but not nearly as bad. Good luck to you. Becky

Hi. I am so excited!! I weigh on Friday mornings, and when I weighed today.... I have lost 50 pounds!!! I was hoping to do it by Christmas, and I made it. I began losing on August 20, 2008. I still have a lot to lose, but reaching this goal gives me the boost that I need while waiting to get to my sweet spot. Good luck to you all and thank you to my friends who helped me get here!! Happy Holidays!! Becky

Hi Kiddow and welcome!! I'm glad you found this website too. Do you know when you will be getting your band?? You will love this site. Lots of very friendly people here to answer questions, address concerns, and offer lots of support. You have come to the right place for information. Feel free to ask any question that is on your mind. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Good luck on your journey!!! Happy Holidays!! Becky

Hi Kathi. Welcome and congratulations on making the decision, and working towards getting banded. You will love this site!! There are so many nice people here who will help you with questions, concerns, and support. I have made some very good friends here. It is so nice to "talk" with people who know where you've been, where you are at, and where you are going... people who really can say "I know how you feel". Good luck to you. You will have your band before you know it. If I can do anything for you, please let me know. Happy Holidays!!! Becky

Hi. Restless is so right....and so smart. Right after surgery, you just need to make sure you get plenty of liquids and take good care of yourself. Focus on healing. When you get into real foods, you will have to have that 60 grams of protein each day (or whatever your doctor tells you - it is 60 for me). With a protein shake each morning (15 grams) and the protein I eat for my other 2 meals, I usually hit it or come very close. If I need more by the end of the day, I put a scoop of unflavored Whey Protein Powder from GNC into my yogurt. It has 21 grams of protein, doesn't change the flavor of the yogurt, and puts me well over my 60 grams. I was very worried about getting it in too, but it is much easier than it sounds. I use thedailyplate.com to keep track of my meals, calories, protein, etc. Good luck to you!!! Becky

Vangirl. It sounds like the pain you are experiencing is from the gas they put in you at the time of surgery. It will last for awhile and some people find relief by walking, taking Gas-X strips, using a heating pad (but not on your incisions), and I found drinking peppermint tea helped. My chest hurt when I drank cold beverages - did much better with warm. Until you have restriction, it is pretty hard to overdo it with the liquids (they go right through the band, which is why you are required to be on the liquid diet - to give your body and band time to heal without having to work). Sue is so right about tiny sips - just keep drinking. Good luck to you!! Becky

Did your doctor say what kind you should be drinking? I use the Atkins shakes and I don't think they are bad at all. I like the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. They are not as easy to find as some and they are not cheap. I'm sure there are people who don't like them, but I do. I still have to have one every day for breakfast. They keep me satisfied until lunch. Good luck to you!! Becky

Hi Brian. I already had my surgery, but I wanted to wish you good luck. There are a lot of emotions involved with this procedure - most of them good!! It sounds like you are ready and comfortable with your surgeon - that is important. I hope your surgery goes smoothly and that you have a quick uneventful surgery. If you have any questions - let me know. Again.... good luck!! Becky

Hi Teresa. Everyone is different, but I felt pretty good after a week. I went back to work and I chase a 4 year old all day. If you have no complications, you should be able to do the work you described. I think getting up, out, and about is sometimes better for you than laying around. I'm sure you will be tired at the end of the day - I was. Again.... everyone is different. Good luck to you!!! Becky

Hi. Congratulations on being banded. How are you feeling?? I think it is normal not to lose for awhile after your surgery... or even to gain at first. It will come off and you will be surprised at how much you will lose. My post-op diet was 1 week of clear liquids, 1 week of liquids (soups, etc.), 1 week of soft foods/mushies, and then week 4 I moved onto solid foods. I think I was so happy to have the pre-op diet over that I didn't think about the post-op eating until I was there. It sure seemed like a long time until I got to eat something "real". I just kept thinking that my body and my band site needed to heal, so I ate what I was supposed to. I didn't want to do anything that would slow down that process. Keep up the good work!! It won't be long until you are chewing again. Take good care of yourself!!! Becky

Hi Wendy. What a wonderful post. It sounds like you are VERY ready for your surgery and I wish you lots and lots of luck!! Congratulations on getting your procedure approved by an insurance company that excludes bariatric surgery - you could probably make lots of money and many friends if you taught a class on that :thumbup: Good for you!!! I'm sure you will be riding that bike soon and cruising the aisles of the stores that you want to shop in. I had my surgery done in Texas and I am feeling so good and so happy. If you have any questions or just want to talk - I'm here. I'd love to hear how your surgery goes and stay in touch. We are in this together. I know you will do well. I'll be thinking about you Monday!! Good luck!!! Becky

Hi Teri. I am so sorry that you and your family had to go through this. I'm sure it was scarey for you, and for your boys. Being a Mom of healthy children is rough... but when they are sick it is so very hard. I know you go through a lot on a day to day basis, and I think you are an amazing woman and a wonderful Mother. I'm glad that things turned out ok. I am so proud of you for doing so well with you new band - I know how important getting healthier is to you and you are doing an awsome job. You are lucky to have your sons and they are VERY lucky to have you. Keep up the good work and take good care of the angels Mother... ok? Becky p.s. - I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ate well, spent time with the people that I love, and focused on all of the things that I am thankful for. I am blessed.