disneynut

Thanks everyone on your well wishes. I can't believe this is happening to ME. Shopping was a blast and I hate to shop. I could get used to this ! Darlene - I had never had surgery before so I was most afraid of this pain afterward. I think I made myself crazy thinking about how much it was going to hurt. I was very surprised and thrilled when I found it to be almost a breeze. It hurt, yes, but I was completely off pain medication by the beginning of the third day. I found a heating pad to be one of the best helpers and every day literally was better than the day before. I am not a pain martyr by any stretch, but it was tolerable for me. I could have gone back to work probably on the 5th day after surgery but I waited an additional 2 days to get my strength back and other than the fact that I couldn't lay on my side or stomach until the second week, I have had no problems at all.

How many calories are you getting in per day? If it is too little, you will not lose anything because your metabolism will slow down. You might be is "starvation mode" and your body will hold onto every calorie you consume. Have you spoken with your nutritionist lately?

No sample needed the day of surgery. All lab work was done on the final pre-op appointment 4 days before surgery.

On my nutritionist's advice, I eat 5 or 6 times per day and I'm rarely hungry. I don't have good restriction right now so it's hard to eat less around dinner time. I find eating small meals and snacks (yogurt, fruit, cheese, 100 calorie snack packs, stuff like that) really works well. I couldn't eat 3 meals a day and nothing else. I don't normally eat breakfast, but never have been a breakfast eater, so how would I get in 3 square meals a day under this scenario?

I think we all experience this one. I know I did and as it got closer to the surgery date, kept thinking I can do this on my own, I don't need surgery I just need to try a little harder, exercise more, etc. I also know myself well enough to know that without help, it was not going to get better, that next year I'd be 20 + pounds heavier, then another 20+ pounds heavier the year after that and so on. I came to the realization that I need help. It's hard to admit to yourself that you can't do it on your own, that you need help and I hate to ask for help but you know that you can't do the things you used to be able to do, you can't fit in the seats at the movies or dinner, you can't walk without breathing heavily, you're tired of the looks and comments from other people and you want and need to change and that this is going to help you get healthy. We are all afraid of the unknown but even more afraid of continuing on the same path we can't seem to get off of. This experience has been great for me and I wouldn't change a thing (except getting in done years ago). Good luck to you in your quest!!!!

Diamonds of any kind!

Good luck Yoda. I'm going for my second one on July 12th and I can't wait. I can eat way too much. Trying really hard to control my portion size and am doing ok. I had restriction for about one week on my first fill and thought I was one of the lucky ones that would get it right the first time. Unfortunately, it didn't last and I want it back. What size band do you have and how much have they put in so far. I have a 10cc band and they put in 4 cc's the first time.

tuna wrap, soup or cottage cheese and fruit. I never (well hardly ever) ate cottage cheese before banding but I love it now. It's got lots of protein, easy to make, don't have to worry about hurrying to finish eating before I have to go back to work.

Spiced chai tea with 1% milk then late morning Yoplait custard style yogurt. I have never been a breakfast eater and the band hasn't changed that.

Economic Left/Right: -3.13 Social Libertarian/Authortarian:-0.72

Kiana, I was fortunate that my doctor didn't require a liquid diet prior to surgery. A lot of doctors do though. I know it's hard to stick with liquids. We all either pre op or post op had to stick with liquids for a while. Just keep remembering why you are doing this in the first place, to get healthy. You can do this! We are already in the middle of June and the time will fly. This is just a blink of an eye on your journey to a new you. Your surgery date will be here before you know it and you will start your banding journey with 30 pounds less to lose. Good luck!!

MelAnne It's nice to hear that things are finally happening for you. I remember reading your posts when you were about 3 weeks post op and you were saying that the band didn't work for everyone and that included yourself. You sounded so depressed, I was worried. I'm glad to see that you took the advice regarding getting in more food, not less to get the weight to start coming off. Keep up the good work and good thoughts!

Geez I wish my first four weeks were that good. I was told no fruit juice (too high in natural sugar and calories), just water, broth, protein drinks.

I have the 10 cc band and my first fill was on June 6th. The dr. put in 4 cc's to start. I felt restriction for a couple of days, now I don't feel it at all.

Hi Heidi. Welcome to LBT. You and your husband are being banded on the same day? That's great - you'll recover together. The surgery for me was a breeze. No gas pains, just discomfort with the incisions, but nothing so horrible. I was off pain meds completely my second day home. I work a desk job so I took a full week off to recover. I probably could have gone back a day or two sooner, but I was really tired during recuperation. I did get out and about, but was wiped out quickly so I napped a lot. The second week, I still tired easily but no other problems going back to work. I couldn't handle physical labor for about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks after surgery, but that's just me. I don't remember what the first month's weight loss was but I have lost 33 pounds (as of last week, haven't weighed myself this week yet) since the end of March and my doctor is really happy with my progress so far. Good luck to both of you!

Janey I never liked yogurt either - the texture made me gag (the same problem with pudding) and the gross aftertaste - yuk! Since I am determined to eat healthy food and I know yogurt is good for me, I made a serious effort to like it. I found that Yoplait custard style in almost any flavor is really, really good with no aftertaste. I find myself eating one at least four times a week for a nice snack and I really like it.

I don't feel any less full if I drink a little with my meals or within an hour after eating. It doesn't feel to me that liquids push things through my pouch so I end up hungry quicker. I try to stay within the guidelines of no liquids until an hour after eating, but this is a tough one for me. I feel fine drinking or not shortly after eating, but I try just to take a few sips only.

Kellie - It's a nice thing to read that someone's life is going so well. Congratulations on finding your wedding dress. When is your big day?

Prior to submitting authorization for the surgery for insurance approval, my surgeon requires a psych consult and meeting with the nutritionist (both happened to be two meetings with each and post op nutritional counseling). I contacted my insurance company for preapproval on both of these. Insurance covers so many visits in a calender year. You need to speak with your health insurance provider. Once I got approved, then I went for blood work, urine testing, EKG, xrays, etc. and insurance paid for all of that.

Hopes place - Thanks for thinking of me. I had a fill on Tuesday, June 6th (4cc in a 10cc band) and I feel restriction after two days. I read a lot here that restriction sometimes doesn't kick in for a week or two but since I definitely have restriction now, I'd hate to think what would happen in a week or two. It's perfect today - this is where I want it to stay! :biggrin1:

I found the best protein drink to be unjury unflavored, mixed with low fat milk and add whatever flavor you like. Congratulations on your new date. It will be here before you know it.

You look fantastic! Keep doing whatever you are doing cuz you're obviously doing it right. Congrats!!!!!

I have a 10 cc band and my first fill was yesterday and he put in 4 cc to start.

I work in a small office and unfortunately for me, I have too much responsibility to be able to play hookey. It always seems like there is something important going on. I dream about it a lot though. When I was working retail many years ago, I called in so I could go strawberry picking with my mom. Of course it was 100 degrees in the shade of which there was no shade and I was out at high noon picking strawberries. I got so hot baking in the sun with heat exhaustion and got so ill for the rest of the day. That was my punishment for playing hookey my one and only time I ever tried it.

Hello all. I had my first fill this morning - 4cc's in a 10 cc band. The port site is a little sore this afternoon because the doctor had a bit of a hard time finding it so the manuevered the needle after it was inserted until he hit the spot. It really didn't hurt at all, I think I've given myself more pain than he did. He wants me to follow up in 5 weeks. I guess I'll figure out then if I will need a second fill or not. He is also very pleased with my progress as am I. I have not had this much hope for a normal life in a very long time.