adagray

Woohoo, what a great day!!! I have had the experience of running into an Ex at the gym after I had lost 50 pounds (and, at that time, was at my goal weight). It sure was FUN... so much that we ended up dating again, but not so much that we stayed together. LOL Which Lane Bryant around here has the Icon? Is it PV Mall?

Yesterday, was the big day!!! I tried to update my blog last night, but hit the wrong key and deleted my update. But, I am happy to say everything went great yesterday. :thumbup: I love my surgeon's assistant, Melissa, who did my fill. She took her time and explained the whole fill process and all the questions they will ask me each time to determine if I should get a fill. She said after this first appointment, I can decide when I want to come in again (anywhere from 2 weeks to 8 weeks). She also explained how important it is to focus on reducing percentage of body fat... that over the course of time it takes to get to goal, she wants me to go from 51% body fat to 30% body fat. I'm all for it! And, she cleared me to return to Jazzercise (which I have been dying to do - walking is so boring to me). I'm just not supposed to do the stomach crunches they do at the end of class until 8 weeks. That's OK, I am usually so worn out by the time we get to the floor work that I just lay there anyway when everyone else does the crunches. OK, so on w/the fill. They have a big chair in every one of the exam rooms and I didn't know until this appointment that they electronically adjust all the way back so you are lying down when they put the needle in. So, I got to lying down, she cleaned the area, and told me to look away while she put the needle in. It was quick and no big deal. She gave me 2cc and then sat me back up to drink some water. The water went down fine, so she put in another cc (for a total of 3cc in a Lapband APS 10cc capacity). I drank some water again and it felt a little weird like it was not going through as fast and I felt some little bubbles, but it did not hurt. She stopped there. She told me after that she can give 2, 3, or 4 on the first visit, but most people get 3. So, I guess that makes me average. Now, the hard part... I am supposed to be on clear liquids for 72 hours (but no juice or sugar). I am trying, but I'm not sure if I'm gonna make it that long. I already cheated a little and put a little soy milk and agave nectar in my decaf tea. I am drinking clear protein shots I got from Costco (25 grams of protein in a 3 oz tube - tastes like unset jello - 100 calories). I drink my broth or tea as my 'meal' and then the protein shot like a 'dessert'. Yeah, right, not sure how long I can last like this! :thumbup: I'm also just curious to see if I can feel any difference when I eat from the 3cc. I might try a yogurt later today if I can't get my mind off of food after lunch. I did discover an AMAZING broth I just had for lunch. It is made by 'College Inn' and is called 'Culinary Broth' in 'Thai Coconut Curry' flavor... chicken broth infused w/a blend of coconut, curry, garlic, and coriander flavors. It has a lot of sodium, though, so I cut it half-and-half w/low sodium vegetable broth. It has great flavor, though... just the right amount of spice. OK, I am probably becomming delusional at this point from lack of calories if I am raving about a broth. :thumbup:

I think you can eat whatever you want before a fill. I just had my first fill today and wasn't given any limitations as to what I could eat before. I ended up just having some cottage cheese for breakfast because I was running late and it was the fastest protein I could get. In hindsite, I wish I ate a heartier breakfast because I can only have clear liquids after the fill now and I'm hungry!

I think its funny all the controversy over one Cape Cod. For all the time spend updating and reading this post, I bet if we had all spent that time on the treadmill instead we could've all had a Cape Cod and burnt up the calories in it too. LOL Ultimately, though, we all have to fashion a 'lifestyle' utilizing the band as best we can as individuals. My dietician has a lot of advice, but ultimately I have to decide what I am willing to do permanently for my lifestyle. In some cases, that means I embrace something more than it is even recommended. I've been able to get in more Protein, more Water, and more exercise than what has been recommended. I have eliminated carbonation, caffeine and artificial sweeteners as recommended even though I didn't think I could at first. I have cut way back on alcohol, but for me, this is something I want to keep in my lifestyle in moderation. I think everybody has something they refuse to give up entirely or refuse to embrace (like exercise or drinking water). I think on the long list of behaviors that could slow your weightloss, drinking one Cape Cod in a month is pretty minor.

Thanks for all your replies. The calcet ones sound so yummy, but they contain dairy and I am lactose intolerant. I have to take a lactaid chewable every time I eat milk products or my tummy isnot happy. I'm still getting used to doing that. I only figured out about 3 months ago about my lactose intolerance and its hard to remember to take the lactaid every time I need to as it is. So, I searched around online to try to find something else. I decided to order some Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate Chews. They come in lemon flavor and chocolate. I read a review from someone that said the lemon flavor tastes like a starburst candy. So, if that is really the case, then it should be much better than the big chalky ones I am taking from TwinLab. I will report back once I get them in the mail and have a chance to try them.

This is the brand I ordered from drugstore.com prior to surgery: Calcium Citrate, Chewable wafers Online at drugstore.com (Twinlab) I bought three bottles at one time because I'm supposed to take 2 of these 2x per day to get the dose my surgeon wants. So, each bottle only lasts 15 days. I'm just about to start my third bottle so figured I should restock soon. Not sure if I want to buy more of these or try some other brand of calcium citrate. I hated these at first (big and gritty), but I've gotten used to them. I wonder if there is something I would like better, though. For those of you who take calcium citrate, please respond and let me know what brand you take and if you like it. And, if you've tried others, what you think. Thanks!

I was told the only exercise I should do the first month is walking on a flat surface or using a stationary exercise bike. I know it is so boring. I usually do Jazzercise, but they said even though I do it low impact, it engages the core too much for the first month. They did say that doing walking videos like Leslie Sansone's (Walk Away the Pounds) are OK. I also bought a Wii game called 'Walk it Out' which is just walking in place, but you get points for walking in time to the music and unlocking things along the way so it is a little more interesting than just walking in place. It is only $28 from Amazon.

LOL I totally agree w/you. I like it, but I use it more as a replacement for sour cream. I REALLY like sour cream so it works for me. I put it on my fajitas, a dollop in soups/stews/chili, to make dip, on a potato, etc. If I want to eat it like yogurt, I mix in agave nectar and fruit to make it sweeter, but I feel like it is still kind of too tart for me.

I have my first fill scheduled for tomorrow. I don't have a cold YET, but my whole family has been sick. My son is over it, but my husband and daughter still have it. So, I'm worried I am gonna get it any moment now. So, my question is if I do get this cold between now and tomorrow, will I still be able to get my fill?

My surgeon also only had pre-op diet instructions for a few days prior. I had surgery on Thursday and was supposed to 'eat light' on Mon and Tuesday. Wednesday, I was to have a light b-fast, then only Soup for lunch, bowel prep, then Clear liquids the rest of the day, then nothing after midnight. Don't worry if your instructions are not exactly like mine or anyone else's. It is very normal for different surgeon's to have completely different instructions. LOL As for the nails, I have no idea... maybe call back just so you don't take them all off for nothing. Best of luck to you!

My scars are really small and already healing really well (had surgery on 12/17). Mine are also across my tummy like your surgeon does (one that is one inch and three that are less than 1/3 inch). There is also one under my left boob that is so small you can't really even see it anymore. With how well they have already healed, I think they will be barely noticeable within a year. I heard that the scar treatment sheets that they sell at CVS are really good so I bought some of those today. I have my first fill on Wednesday so I'm gonna ask then what they think of the scar treatment sheets and if its OK for me to start using them. I assume it will be since my wounds are all closed, but just want to check to make sure. But, honestly, even if I was left w/a horrible scar on my tummy, it would be worth it. At least you can hide a scar on your stomach. You cannot hide 100 pounds hanging off the front of your stomach. LOL Of course, if the scarring is a really big concern for you, you could seek out a surgeon that does the single incision lapband through the belly button. For me, it just was not something I seeked out because I have no intention of ever wearing a bikini again no matter how much weight I lose. I will be ecstatic to just look OK in a one piecer. ;->

This is a tough question, lots of things to consider, and only you know how hard you have already worked w/the band. Personally, I would convert to gastric bypass if I did everything I was supposed to do w/the band and still failed w/it. My health issues are too numerous and severe to ignore (high bp, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, and sleep apnea). If I can't succeed w/getting these health conditions under control w/the lapband, then I would do a second surgery to convert to gastric bypass because doing nothing is more scary to me than gastric bypass. But, I would definitely give the band more than a year to see if I could work with it. I mean going into this we all know it can take 6-9 months to even get to the point where the band is adjusted properly. And, I think you owe it to yourself and the band to give it at least one year after proper adjustment to see where you end up w/it. And, there are so many lifestyle factors that you have to embrace regardless of whether you use the band or bypass to try to lose weight. You need to embrace exercise no matter what. You need to follow certain rules about the foods you will eat. You need to actively manage your weight and your health. Neither way is really easier I think. I go to a support group through my surgeon's office and sometimes we split out by surgery (so lapbands are in a separate room from gastric bypass), but sometimes we meet all together. And, trust me, that gastric bypass patients can struggle just as much as lapband patients. Anyone who says either surgery is easy is lying.

Check w/you doctor about your post-op diet. Mine did not have us do a pureed or mushy stage. I went straight from Clear Liquids on day 3 post-op to solid food from day 4 on. I also had my first glass of wine around day 7 post-op (when my parents came in for Christmas). Definitely do NOT drink beer or any carbonation, but if you want to nurse a glass of wine, I think you'll be fine... worked for me. All that said, if you could postpone it, that would be easier of course.

My surgeon's recommendation is 60-80 grams of Protein per day. I guess I'm a protein fanatic because I usually have met this requirement before dinner and end up eating around 90 grams of protein in a day (and I haven't even had one Protein Drink, shake, or supplement since being banded). I have not had a fill yet, though, and am not supposed to eat bread/rice/pasta/potato/etc for the first month. So, I end up filling up on protein, fruit, and vegies. I suggest that if you are having trouble getting the protein in, eliminate starches (such as bread/rice/pasta/potato/etc.) from your diet for at least a few days as it will force you to be more creative about finding protein choices you like. Honestly, I could never make it through the first month w/absolutely no starches. I usually have a little starch w/one meal per day. But, I think it helps to shift your meal planning around what protein you will have rather than plan the meal first and then figure out how to add enough protein to make your rqmts.

I really seriously doubt you have stretched your pouch. Basically, restriction is what creates the pouch and you don't have restriction yet so you don't really have a pouch. I hope this makes sense. Basically, your band is like a belt that creates an hourglass type shape in the top of your stomach and the top part of the hourglass would be your pouch. But, since your band has never been tightened much, food is probably not collecting in the top portion (or pouch) and if food has not been collecting there, then you couldn't have stretched it out. One of the psycholgists who runs the support groups for my surgeon's office says that one of the best things about the band is even if you 'aren't ready' or 'don't get it' at first, you can turn it around w/the band and have just as much success later when you decide to work with it. He said he has seen people who didn't lose anything with their bands the first year, but then they started coming for fills and to support group and started losing just like they were newly banded. So, I say try to look on the bright side... you have a band already installed and you haven't gained anything since pre-band. Those are TWO really great things! Put your mind to it, find a new doc to take over your care (hopefully, one w/support groups cause I think that would help you feel a lot better), and I'm sure you'll do great!

Awesome! Congrats to you!!! You are almost halfway to your goal. Woohoo!!!!!!!

Don't worry, it gets better! I know my 3rd or 4th day was the worst and it freaked me out because I was expecting that everything should get better after I left the hospital (not worse!). I highly recommend doing a ten minute walk every 1-2 hours. It REALLY helps more than anything else and you will feel tons better within just a couple days.

In the post-op class I took w/others that got banded by my surgeon the same week, the dietician recommended that we give up some things for just the first month after banding. And, after giving them up, I'm thinking I may just be better off without them at all: 1) Red Meat and Pork 2) Caffeine 3) Artificial Sweeteners The funny thing is that I really missed the red meat and pork the first week because I am so used to having these options when I plan my cooking for the week. But, now, I've found all sorts of chicken and turkey products, fish, and soy products I love. And, with my high cholesterol and other health issues, am thinking maybe I am better off to just not even try to eat red meat or pork again. I think most bandsters have trouble getting them down once they have proper restriction anyway so what is the point of reintroducing these just to end up taking them away again later I figure. Now, w/the caffeine, there have certainly been DAYS when I would have LOVED to have a cup of coffee to get me going in the morning. But, overall, it feels great to have broken this addiction. I actually crave a big glass of water in the morning now. And, the removal of artificial sweeteners has had the most amazing effect for me. The dietician claimed that artificial sweeteners make you crave more sugar and I really didn't believe her when she said that. But, much to my amazement, she was right! I used to crave sweets all the time and now I can take 'em or leave 'em quite easily. I've been using agave nectar instead which is a natural sweetener (similar calories to sugar), but much lower on the glycemic index (so good for my prediabetes). It feels weird to add 'calories' when I know I could just throw in some splenda for 'free', but I can't argue w/the results I am enjoying. No more sugar monster! Anyway, I'm just so surprised that I'm even considering embracing these changes long-term when I had grumbled about them in the first place. And, I'm trying to figure out how I will handle the lamb chop dinner my mother-in-law is planning a week after my first fill. I have already told her not to worry about me when she plans meals because... (1) I really don't eat much now and (2) I can always find something that works for me out of everything she makes. It seems like everyone worries about whether their menu will agree w/me now that I have lapband and I'm the only one who is NOT worried because I know that even if there is hardly anything I can eat, I don't need much anyway. Oh, by the way, I am down 2 more pounds as of a couple days ago. Yay!!! :thumbup:

I was just grocery shopping when my surgeon's office called to tell me they had to reschedule my appointment (first fill). I was supposed to have it on Friday (day after tomorrow) and now it will be next Wednesday, the 27th. I'm not really annoyed... I know stuff comes up. But, I was just so excited to get it done on Friday. I feel so deflated, figuratively and literally! :confused: I had made a point of not planning anything for the weekend so it wouldn't be a problem to not eat for 72 hours. And, now I gotta cancel my volunteer day at my daughter's school on Wednesday. And, my mom friends were planning to play Bunko next Thursday night and maybe I should cancel that too. It might just be torture to go play Bunko if I can't eat or drink anything. OK, enough of my pity party. It is what it is. Bleeehghghghghghgh!!!

If your doctor doesn't have you on a pre-op diet that excludes it, then go ahead and enjoy! My doctor did not have any rules regarding cutting out alcohol before surgery.

I was only told to give it up for one month after surgery. The reason given is because caffeine is acidic and you want to avoid anything acidic on the stitches (where your stomach is sewn around the band) while you are still healing. I think advice on this varies a lot, though, cause I've heard of some people drinking coffee immediately after surgery and others who have been told to give up caffeine forever.

I was so bummed a couple of days ago when my surgeon's office called to say that they had to postpone my fill from this Friday to next Wednesday. I would've been getting my fill right NOW, but I am so glad right now that I'm not. I woke up this morning w/terrible cramps and sooooo bloated. Yep, my TOM is here w/a vengeance. I can't even get my rings off if I wanted to. I've heard that water retention and bloat like this can make your band feel tighter so I am so glad I am not getting my first fill right now. And, I usually only have PMS type symptoms the first day or two so I should be totally back to normal by Wednesday for sure. :thumbup:

LOL I love the title of your post. YES, you can have a freakin drink for sure!!! It will not hurt your band and your stomach will process it the same as it did pre-band. Those that say that it goes to their head faster... that can be explained just by the fact that taking in fewer calories (like being on any diet), you will get tipsy/drunk faster because you have less food in your stomach. Of course, it is high in calories, and they are empty calories so you gotta watch that aspect of it (just like you would on a diet). And, just like someone who loves Cookies and has one or two as a treat, that is fine if you can really stop at one or two. If you gotta eat the whole bag once you get started, then you are surely better off just giving it up. I think its great that you are already thinking about doing extra exercise to make up for it. Also, make sure to drink extra Water (since alcohol is dehydrating).

I am in Arizona too. I did research online mainly and decided to go w/Scottsdale Bariatric Center. Dr. Robin Blackstone was my surgeon and she is one of the top bariatric surgeons in the country. SBC is a Center of Excellence and has a great reputation. All of their surgeries are done at the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Hospital (which has a separate bariatric wing) or Piper Outpatient Center which is connected to the Hospital. I have been very happy w/their entire program and everyone I had appointments with there from Dr. Blackstone to the psychologists to the dieticians, to the insurance coordinators. If I had one gripe it is just that they are a very busy practice so many times appointments run late. But, everything else and awesome support groups really make up for it. They have support groups twice a month run by a psychologist. OK, I'm starting to sound like an infomericial. I would just recommend you at least attend their seminar because it is a great education in all of the available weightloss surgeries (they do lapband/realize, RNY, and the sleeve) and what you can expect from each one. Even if you don't decide to go w/them, the seminar is well worth the time. Here is their website: www.scottsdalebariatric.com

I was so bummed a couple of days ago when my surgeon's office called to say that they had to postpone my fill from this Friday to next Wednesday. I would've been getting my fill right NOW, but I am so glad right now that I'm not. I woke up this morning w/terrible cramps and sooooo bloated. Yep, my TOM is here w/a vengeance. I can't even get my rings off if I wanted to. I've heard that water retention and bloat like this can make your band feel tighter so I am so glad I am not getting my first fill right now. And, I usually only have PMS type symptoms the first day or two so I should be totally back to normal by Wednesday for sure.