HOWLUCKYAMI

Hi all! I want to thank you all for sharing your wisdom and experiences with the rest of us. I don't post often, but I do read this thread daily and it is both informative and inspiring to me. Today though, I have a question for you. I'm about one month out of surgery and started eating solid food day before yesterday. I have enjoyed what I feel is good weight loss since surgery...18 pounds the first month, and I've consistently lost weight each week since my surgery on 12/16/08. I've also taken measurements and have lost a significant number of inches. Now I'm at the point where my scale seems to be stuck and my weight hasn't changed in the last 4 or 5 days. I'm exercising 4 days each week with increased intensity and eat between 800-1000 calories a day, meeting or exceeding my Protein goal of 68 grams as well. Fortunately, I also am experiencing a feeling of fullness on the small amount that I am eating, so I'm wondering how the fill I have scheduled for 1/23/09 is going to help me if I'm already satisfied on my dramatically reduced portions. Finally, I just finished my TOM, so I don't think that is the cause as I lost while on it. Am I being silly to be concerned this early? I guess it's that voice inside my head that whispers "you're going to fail at this too" that still haunts me. I sure would appreciate any feedback or suggestions you have to offer!

I didn't tell anyone at work and don't really plan to. And the scars are minimal so unless you're wearing a bikini I don't see how anyone would even see your scars. As for weightloss, it's pretty gradual. If you were having bypass you'd probably have a harder time hiding your weight loss, but with the band it's not so terribly dramatic that you couldn't get away with telling folks you're watching your portions and exercising, especially if you start making changes now.

This is just a thought, but if you think you can get away with it, how about wearing ankle weights to your weigh-in? That way you will meet your weight requirement, but your body won't have to suffer the burden of the additional weight.

Yes there is light at the end of the tunnel, but everyone is different. If you're like me, you will enjoy about 2 weeks of no hunger at all! It was great. Once I moved on to the mushy stage I felt the hunger a bit more, but nothing unmanageable. I have had little problem keeping my calories between 800-1000 on most days. During full liquids I drank a lot of Protein shakes and they really filled me up, especially since I was sipping them pretty much all day and night long. I like Myoplex Original the best. I also sipped tomato soup, broth from Top Ramen (way better than canned or packet broth), other broth-based soups (homemade are the best) and drank soy milk (filling). Also, pick up some Kelloggs protein Water. You get 5 grams of protein and while you're drinking water. Best of luck to you!

Isn't it amazing the variance in the pre-op education some doctors require? I've met people who did a two hour class and that was it. My surgeon required 10 two hour classes prior to surgery. And then I was quizzed by a nurse at the hospital before I was released! The pre-op ed was a bit of a pain, but I am so glad that I did it now.

Are you sure? I haven't heard of anyone who doesn't have internal sutures. When the band is placed it is commonplace for the surgeon to fold some of the stomach lining up and over the band to hold it in place.

You've lost 17 lbs since surgery? That's fantastic! My doctor told me that I shouldn't worry about losing during this stage. Many people don't. Your body needs to heal and weight loss is secondary. He said the real weight loss will come when you start getting fills and eat solid food. I wouldn't worry a bit about it. And if you've lost 17 pounds since surgery you are doing incredible!!!

Wow Bill! You're doing fantastic! Congratulations! I was banded on the 16th. Still on mushies until the 12th, but I'm able to do eggs, chicken and the like, as long as it's pureed. Looking forward to more solid food, but for now I'm fine with what I'm doing. Just wanted to give you kudos and keep up the great work!

I just wanted to turn you all on to a thread I found that has been really helpful and inspiring for me. In case the link doesn't work you can search for it by "I'm here to help." It's a great thread with experienced bandsters who are informative and so incredibly helpful. Everyone who has a chance should really check it out and feel free to ask questions of the folks who have been there/done that. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f260/im-here-help-64725/index119.html

One more thing...if you're not on mushies yet then drinking while you "eat" (you're probably just doing Jello, broth, etc.) shouldn't be a concern. If you're on the liquid stage, everything you eat is liquid anyway. My doctor indicates that I can drink immediately following meals on the "mushy" stage, but once I move onto solid food I have to be aware of not drinking during, and one hour after, any meals.

Als...when were you banded? If you're not on mushies yet, I'm assuming it wasn't long ago. Are you sipping on Protein shakes throughout the day? If not, and your doctor hasn't told you otherwise, try doing so. The protein shakes really kept me filled up. I liked ready-to-drink Myoplex Original the best. 42 grams of protein in one shake and I could sip on it all day long. I'd do 1 1/2 to 2 of those a day and I got in my required protein no problem. They are very filling! Also, I was very tired from lack of calories, too. That's not unusual. You're supposed to be tired...remember this is the phase that your body is healing in. Just take it as easy as you can. Resting, walking, and protein intake are the most important to focus on at this point.

Hi Style...I was banded on the 16th. Didn't start feeling hungry until I started on pureed foods on the 29th. The first two weeks I got very full on the Protein drinks. I've found that cottage cheese and refried Beans w/cheese are very filling during the mushy stage of eating. As is egg and tuna salad. I also drink Kellogg's protein Water between meals along with Protein shakes. That helps to take the edge off for me.

Hi Jayne! Sorry to hear about the pain you're having. I found that when I had the shoulder pain that it really helped to walk. From what I understand, the pain you are feeling is related to gas and that walking is the best way to get rid of the gas. I'm virtually gas-free now and I walked a good deal. You may not feel like walking with all the gas, but give it a try. You might be surprised. Hi Krisann..I'm a 12/16 bander as well. Good to meet you! Good luck at your post-op appointment. I had what you're feeling as well and like I mentioned to Jayne, walking seemed to take care of it. It doesn't have to be a fast pace, rather slow and steady. If you haven't tried a good amount of walking, I'd say go for it. It truly did help me. As well, and it probably goes without saying, be sure to mention it at your appointment tomorrow. Best of luck to you!

Poodles...try to relax if you can. I had a hard time with the anesthesia and the meds they gave me really made the nausea tolerable. Don't be afraid to speak up if you wake up feeling bad...that's what they are there for...to take care of you. I was banded on 12/16/08 and I'm back to work full-time and feeling great! I've lost 13 pounds since surgery and am so happy that I did this! I finally feel like I have control. I wish you the best of luck! The first couple weeks aren't easy, but they aren't as bad as you might think. The human body is an amazing thing and you'll recover before you know it! Just take it slow, follow your surgeons instructions, and wake up each day knowing that you're starting the next phase of your life! Oh...walk, walk, walk. It really does help with the gas and the recovery as a whole. Blessings!

Hi! I was also banded on the 16th. Everyone has said it, but I'll reiterate...walk, walk, walk. I got out of the house my 4th & 5th days post-op and went shopping. I could take it at a slow pace, sit down when needed, and I know it helped. Now that I'm 6 days post-op, I can truly say that walking will help most with the gas. We stayed home most of today and I didn't get in the walking that I had on day 4 & 5. I had a good amount of gas mid-day so I got on the treadmill and walked at 2 mph for ten minutes. Nothing vigorous. By the time I was done the gas had calmed substantially. I'd also suggest you get started on those Protein shakes. I have to say that I like the ready-made ones the best, plus you can drink them right out of the can. Sip...sip...sip. It takes a LONG time to finish one, but you've got to get it in. Hang in there! From what I read and those I have talked with, this is going to be the best Christmas present ever!

I've had the gas pain, rumbling stomach, shoulder pain, and loose stools as well. Nothing that would keep me down, but definitely experiencing the same. As well, my port site has a small layer of blood under the paper, so I would guess that's relatively normal. I'm 4 days post op and getting in my liquids fine. Today I have experienced being short of breath...or rather I feel as though I can't take in a deep breath. Is this what being tight feels like??? Fortunately I am not physically hungry at all, but have had the occasional head hunger (which subsides almost immediately). It has been quite an experience to not be able to reach for food. I always knew that I was a "tester" when I cooked, but never realized how prominently different life would be not being able to do so. All in all, I'm very happy to have done this. I'm down 4 pounds in as many days and almost 20 overall. It's been years since I was able to lose 20 pounds!

The first two days I was religious about taking in 1 ounce every 15 minutes. As you might imagine I spent a great deal of time measuring, sipping and logging. Today I decided to "live on the edge" a little bit. Instead of measuring every sip, I measured my protein intake and just sipped other liquids throughout the day.

Hi Mair! Sorry to hear you're not on the protein drinks yet. I'm surprised, as I was told to start them right away upon discharge. They really help to keep that full feeling and I feel like they give me energy to get up and around. Are you doing broth yet? I have found broth especially comforting, especially with the cold weather. Best of luck to you!

I was banded n the 16th. Stayed overnight and in the hospital until 2 p.m. the next day. I was pretty much couch-bound on the 17th. Yesterday, the 18th, we went to the mall and walked for a couple of hours. I felt much better after doing so. Rested a while after and was up and around relatively normally thereafter. Today I woke up after a very good night's sleep. I was a bit light-headed which I attribute to taking pain med prior to bed. Shook it off with a shower and some protein shake. Then off to the mall again for another 2 hour trip. Came home and have been resting on the couch again. Will probably get up now and wrap some presents and just hang out. All in all I feel tremendously better each day! I am truly amazed by how quickly our bodies recover! Best of luck to you!

My surgery day went very smoothly. Arrived about 1 1/2 hours prior to surgery. The nurses were fantastic! They did all my pre-op blood work and got me ready. I honestly don't even remember going into the operating room. They had given me some kind of sedative, and I think it took really well! After surgery I woke up in the recovery room and boy was I nauseous! In fact, "nausea" was the first word out of my mouth. They took care of that pretty quick with medication. I then asked if I'd been banded and got the good word. I was moved into my room and transferred into the bed. I was pretty uncomfortable, but they gave me pain med that helped. Again, the nurses were fantastic and very attentive. I was fortunate to have my band check just a few hours afterwards, so I was started on liquids sooner than I expected. It was a nice surprise. Because I had continued nausea because of the anesthesia, I pretty much stuck to water. I slept off and on. I was not rushed to get out of bed and walk, but because I had read so much about how it helps, I requested they take me...which they did happily. The following day was my checkout day. I waited until about 10 a.m. when my surgeon came in to see me. He told me all went very well. They wanted to monitor me a bit longer because of the nausea, so I stayed around a bit longer and just tried to keep walking and drinking. I checked out and arrived back home around 2 p.m. From there it was just managing the pain and getting used to drinking protein drinks as well. Things have gone very smoothly. Today was my 2nd day home and I feel 100% better than yesterday. The pain is more manageable and I even ventured out today to do some Christmas shopping for a couple of hours. That did me good because when I came back home I took some pain med, relaxed, and generally felt much, much better than I thought I would. I slept pretty good last night and anticipate that tonight will be even better!

I came home from the hospital yesterday. Things are going well. Pain is manageable, but I'm pretty sore. Got up and around and that REALLY helped get rid of some of the gas pains. The amazing part is that I am not hungry at all! With the swelling and constant liquids I have zero appetite. All in all it wasn't too bad. I'm still happy to have made the decision to be banded!

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to thank you all for sharing your experiences with us. I'm being banded tomorrow and I know that hearing all your positive stories have helped to ease my anxiety about the procedure. I'm really not terribly nervous, just excited and ready to get on with my new life! Hope you all have continued success and I'll look forward to getting home and getting online to read more! Take care and God bless you all!

I had an an EKG and echo as well.

Hi Mair...I'm guessing that's a twist on Mary? I have a favorite cousin named Mary and I always refer to her as "Mair." I'm so happy for you that you fought the system and won! Congratulations! You're almost there! I was fortunate not to have to do a pre-op diet...just had to lose 10% of my EBW (10 lbs) and I've done that. I've been moderately enjoying some yummy "last meals" while exercising more so I get the best of both worlds. I wanted to have a bit of wiggle room so I'm down 13 pounds, but also wanted to indulge a bit before surgery during the holidays. Thanksgiving was great and I have no qualms about missing Christmas dinner this year! They'll be many more (and happier) Christmas' to come! Best of luck to you come Tuesday. I'll say a prayer for the both of us! Hi Peaches...you're the day after me. I'm very excited as well! How long is your pre-op diet? Mine is two days Clear liquids. I'm not thrilled about the prospect, but I'm not dreading it either. And I have found that with each passing day my nerves are keeping me from having that "gotta eat it" feeling. I suspect that the two days prior to surgery will be anxious enough to curb my appetite. Do you suspect the same with you? Loved the visual I got of imaging your family as food! Reminds me of Alex the Lion in Madagascar when he imagined all the animals as steaks! Good luck to you!

Hi Mair, I'm also the 16th can can hardly wait! It's so exciting and just around the corner. I'm one of the fortunate ones in that I only have a 2 day liquid diet. How about you? I'm in CA, how about you?