Band_Groupie

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Thinin10- Yeah, I learned way more here than from my doc's office. And I do see my doc every visit/he fills my band. I went to 3 different hospitals/centers of excellence here before I chose who I wanted to use (seeing the same person each time was important to me). Marfar- 4 weeks isn't unusual at all, but you'll see others who were allowed mushies in the hospital even. Mine was unusual just because I wasn't allowed any full liquids, like the Protein shakes, just clears (talk about a low cal diet). Homeade broth and SF popsicles saved me...they make them in yummy tropical flavors now (get some- I was great to chew something). I've got great restriction now and I ate a tiny bit of Pasta with some pesto I made yesterday, not the best choice but the basil aroma in my kitchen was ovewhelming LOL and I don't eat pasta often. You'll figure out as you get your fills that how filled you want to be is a matter of choice. Some want their bands so tight they're still drinking their meals a year later. I don't have anything I can't eat...I want a lifestyle change I can live with, not another deprevation diet.

I missed that you were so early post-band. You'll be able to get in the cals. once you get the fruits and veggies week 5. The first 6 weeks is just for healing...not weight loss. The stitches, especially those holding your band to your stomach need to heal without you eating things that might disturb it. If you eat too many solids your bottom stomach moves around more when it's moving the food along and digesting the food...this can pull on the stitches...and filling up your pouch more than a few ounces would do the same thing. I'd ask if you're allowed more meals a day or some Snacks to get more cals. in. At least eat the 3 oz. max you're allowed and eat higher cal. items if you're allowed (red meat vs. chicken?). I was only allowed Clear liquids and skim milk (no full liquids) for the first 3 weeks...worst post-op diet I've seen here (but I could have things whenever I was hungry since liquids go right through). I did cheat the last few days, but with a few Protein shakes (I was so weak I was getting dizzy...and not because I'm blonde!). Then I moved to mushies and then solids. Don't worry too much about the weight too much until you're on the full diet (I know, I know...easier said than done). I promise the weight will start coming off again once you get enough fills (my blog today shows when/how I lost the weight so far). Bandster Hell sucks, but it's a small price to pay in the end. Hang in there!

What were you doing last night? I was watching the Steelers win the kickoff NFL game (BTW the Penguins were at the White House yesterday meeting the President)! But do you remember where you were and what were you doing on 9/11/01? I find it's sometimes cathartic to talk about traumatic events. What a defining day in our lives. I think this day will resound with my generation as Pearl Harbour Day does with my parents. I’m sure most of you remember where you were. There are very few days in my life where I can tell you where I was and what I was doing at the time…Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, my wedding, the Challenger disaster, my three children’s births and a handful of other days. On 9/11/01 I was with DH on one of a handful of pre/post business trips I’ve joined him on. My Mom had come from Columbus to watch our 3 kids so I could join DH for two days before his convention in Las Vegas, of all places! It was my first trip there and I’d put our names on a waiting list for the Cirque du Soleil ‘O’ show (the one that is in/over a giant pool of water) and the second night they called to say they had tickets available for the late show…we went and if it hadn’t been such a great show we would have fallen asleep as it ended very late (our time). We slept in and DH got in the shower while I turned on the Today Show and started quickly packing for my return flight home that I needed to catch in about an hour. I remember screaming to DH as I watched the first plane hitting the tower...at first he thought I had it wrong…I was so riveted on the TV I couldn’t leave and kept screaming to him to come and see for himself. We watched in horror as the second plane hit. As soon as we knew what was really happening we were on the phone to the travel agent and even went downstairs to try and rent a car to get home. Others had beaten us there and even when we tried to rent a U-haul truck we were informed that everything in town was gone. People were trying to find others who had cars to pay them for a ride their direction. The phones were so tied up that I couldn’t get through to my Mom at home. All we wanted to do was get home. Unbenounced to me, my family was panicking wondering about us and by then they had all heard of a plane going down ‘somewhere in Western Pennsylvania’ (that was back when none of us but DH had a cell phone and the landlines were tied up). They didn’t know if that was my plane coming back to Pittsburgh or even if our home had been hit in Pittsburgh (there's a big memorial ceremony going on now near here at the Shanksville site). We eventually got through and all of us reconnected. We sadly watched with the rest of the country as the towers fell. I’m tearing up now remembering the tragic and devestating loss of life and horrors we all witnessed that day. I think it hit home even more to my kids as we’d all been to NY City on vacation just a few weeks before 9/11 in mid-August with DH’s sister’s family. We actually had reservations in the ‘Windows on the World’ restaurant at the top of one tower for lunch, which we decided to cancel in favor of having more time to take the kids to Ellis Island and past the Statue of Liberty via boat. Over 150 people; everyone present in the restaurant that morning perished. I'm glad, for the kids sake, that they hadn't been there. Windows on the World. When I took DD back to NYC a few years ago for her spring break all she wanted to do was go to Ground Zero; even though she knew nothing was there but some fencing and excavated foundations. It took DH a few days to track down his college roommate who worked in one of the shorter buildings in the WTC complex. His building suffered quite a lot of damage; windows all blown out, etc., but he was safe. I’ll have to say being in Las Vegas was a very surreal place to be during this event. We were stuck there for an additional 3 days and were lucky (with our travel agent’s help) to get one of the first flights home. When we went downstairs to try to find ground transportation that first morning we walked through the casino and lobby to see a few TV’s with people gathered around them and right next to them were people still playing the slot machines…I wanted to scream at those still gambling ‘Don’t you know what is happening?’ We also had some wonderful moments of commeradery…we took a taxi out to the closest department store where I found the lengerie department packed with women like me looking to buy more underwear to get through the next days until we could get home. We were all helping eachother find sizes and discussing how many we might need. I only had clothing for two nights, so I bought a few more tops as well. I remember having discussions with the resort staff as well. Immediately every show was, of course, cancelled and by the second day the staff knew this event was going to be devestating to the economy in their town and were expecting huge lay-offs, which happened…their economy was devistated. There was lots of talk on that morning about the fact that Las Vegas might be a likely next target. It was certainly disturbing to later learn that a number of the 9/11 hijackers make at least six trips to Las Vegas immediately before the attacks. I can tell you I was never so glad to get home and hug my family. Our lives will go on, but WE WILL NEVER FORGET. Where were you, and what were you doing that day?

You should follow your doc's rules, but I'm not sure why no fruit or veggies if you are on solids now? I'd call and review your diet to figure out what's going on if you're eating the amounts they gave you (I'm sure they want you to have more than 600 cals. by this point). Maybe ask about adding some Snacks for a little while if you can't get more in at meals. My doc's information was to get 1000-1200 cals per day. Also said anything around 800 cals. or less will put you into starvation mode and stall your metabolism so you'll stop losing (you'll lose for a little while, that's why we get a post-op loss, but your body will figure out it's not getting fed so then it stalls). Happy losing all!

bashful- Just a note. The LB AP doesn't come with a fill...some docs choose to put in a 'primer' fill (meant to only fill the port and tubing) at the time of surgery (I've heard that the LB manufacturer recommends this). My doc does not put the primer in so I left surgery with zero fill (He has some patients who NEVER need a fill). And yes, you're right, I know some who had too much restriction just post-op who had the primer, so it's a good thing to ask your doc at your consultation.

114lbs. is incredible! I can't imagine weighing 160...sounds like a great goal! Go girl!

Women's shelter...great idea! Thanks! -BG

Found these...hope it cheers you up. -BG

Congrats on your dates! There's a Low BMI group here on LBT (under 'groups'). We need to support each other as we lightweights certainly have a whole seperate set of issues in this journey (I was just at a 35 BMI when I started looking at this and was 37.7 at the official start...and yes, at almost 5'9" I 'carry it well'). I was lucky to read enough here early on to convince me to tell no one but DH. I need this to be as positive experience as possible and even the comments from all the preop docs and nurses 'You don't look like you need THAT!' were enough to reinforce that decision. I also had the added burden of having everyone see me lose the weight before (yes, I was starving). I spent 20 years drastically yo-yoing every second of that up or down and it took a toll on my health and my self-esteem. I, like others here, didn't get the LB to lose the weight...I got it to KEEP it off. Best decision I've ever made. The upside of this is that no one questions my WL now...they've all seen me do it before. The even better part...I've lost 30-40 pounds more times than I can count. I've lost 40-50 pounds at least 4 times before. Today...I reached 60 pounds. The band is the best tool in the world as long as you do your part. Let others say what they want...when you start to get the results you want it all won't matter! You've finally decided to do this for YOU.

I totally agree. I've PB'd many times and it's all 'operator error' (I'm a slow learner) and if you read the other posts carefully they're saying that too. I've got great restriction now and if I'm careful there's nothing that is off limits for me. I have no hunger between meals, but I'm not so tight I have to puree or drink my meals. Remember, how tight you want to be is a matter of choice. I hope to never get to the point that I have a list of foods I can't eat...I need a lifestyle change that I can live with...so far, so good!

But that's the plus of LB...it forces you to deal with all the issues as you lose, not after. You'll be that much more prepared for the maintenance...that's why we LB'rs don't usually gain some back. Sucks now, but the payoff...all worth it...and yeah, I wish a 'headband' came with it too. Best wishes! -BG

Perfectly normal...I could have eaten my youngest at your stage. It's all up to you and willpower until you get enough fills...then the band will be there to help you. Keep the faith and don't get too discouraged (and get in as much protein as you can to curb the hunger)...have some patience and the restriction you felt immediately post-op will be back. I accidentally skipped lunch today and didn't even realize it until hours later...amazing!!!! I've been on EVERY diet out there and have lost thousands of pounds...I was STARVING the whole time. I love my band and you will too. Best wishes! -BG slim fast...

Head hunger sucks...and the sooner you can figure out that that's what it is and what triggered it the better you'll do at this...so you're going to do great! Best wishes! -BG

Take a look at voiceomt2002 blog. She posted lots of great recipes. I made the soups (broth and creamed soups) and other mushie recipes as well...they saved me. I didn't have a specific pre-op diet to follow, but like Connie said, you won't be hungry post-op for weeks, so there's something to look forward to! You wouldn't be normal if you weren't nervous about the banding. Keep posting and you'll do great! Best wishes! -BG PS- If you're allowed SF popsicles GET THEM!!! They even come in great tropical flavors now. They helped me with getting in that 'crunchy' something solid craving.

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Poor puppy! So cute! Your puppy stories remind me of having a baby in the house...need lots of great care! Hope he's better soon.

Well said! We need them to install a bucket of patience with the LB! -BG

188 for me! Whoot! 4th fill is like magic, so far! Going to cut another head off my ticker! JT- saw the clip...rock star! Congrats on the medical milestones as well...reminded me I need to make a PCP appt. (hope I can get rid of the BP meds some day). Angie- Below 250 is a landmark moment...Awesome!!

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CONGRATULATIONS! Wow, 80 lbs. pre-band is awesome WL! You should be proud! Sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk! Get in as much liquid as you can and rest up! Best wishes! -BG

Great attitude! Some of that you'll have to deal with as head hunger issues come up even when you're not hungry, but it does get easier! Best wishes! -BG