Jackiepurs31

Just tell everyone that you are on a diet, and have a little spoonful of whatever you want. I guess it depends on when you were banded...I guess if you are still in the mushy phase, you might have more explaining to do! lol

Same thing happened to me after surgery! It was aweful! The only thing that really worked for me was increasing my water intake and Walk, walk, walk. In a week or so, it was soo much better. I feel for you. Hang in there, it WILL get better, I promise!!! If you are taking pain meds also, that has a huge impact and will cause you to be constipated. Ease up on the meds if you can, and that will help also! :mad: Best of luck to you!

Congratulations! I know how you feel. I was banded April 22, 2009 and I have lost 50 pounds. I feel great! I have about 40 pounds to go. My life has completely changed for the better. I haven't felt this good in quite a long time. I would get banded again in a heartbeat. No regrets AT ALL! :mad2:

Hi Bobbie! Congradulations on your surgery and the start to your new life. I was banded on April 22nd, and I have lost 40 pounds so far and I am thrilled with my band. I will have my 3rd fill on Monday. I now have 5cc in my band. I have never gotten anything stuck or had any problems at all. Also, I have not gained since the surgery at all, and there is really nothing that I don't eat. Everything is just in much smaller portions, and of course if I do treat myself to something bad like ice cream or cookies or whatever, it is a very small amount. Just enough to satisfy my craving, and then I am done. As far as meals go...I try to make sure I eat my protein first all the time! then veggies. There is rarely any room left for carbs or anything else. After eating about a cup of food, I feel as full as I would be if I went to a buffet and stuffed myself. It's fantastic! You will do fine! Just don't suck down ice cream shakes and malts all day! you will get the hang of it, and then you, too, will feel wonderful about your new stomach !!!! Best of luck to you!!!! Jackie

I can definately feel my port. Sometimes I think it feels bigger than other times and sometimes I don't think it is in the same place as it was before. Doctor said this is normal. It is a little odd though....I'm always afraid I am gonna dislodge it or something and it will be floating around in there....:thumbdown: Other people can feel it too....I think you are normal, don't worry. :biggrin:

Hi Stacey, I was banded with the realize band April 22, 2009 and I have lost 38 pounds so far. Started out at 240, now at 202. I have had 2 fills. First one was 3ml and 2nd one was 2ml. I get my third fill in a couple weeks. Dr. said after a couple more ml's I should be at my sweet spot and losing 2-3 pounds a week. I am very happy with my weightloss so far. good luck to you, you will do great! Jackie

Ok, I don't mean to laugh, but that post had me cracking up!!!! I am so sorry for your horrible experience, but my goodness, the way you told that story was priceless. Thanks for the laugh. I haven't even had 1 fill yet, so I have no idea what to expect, but I hope that doesn't happen to me. If it does, I hope I can make it as entertaining as you did when I tell my story....lol

Hi Misty, I am so sorry that your husband is not on board with the surgery. All you can really do is give him all the information you can about the surgery and hope that it opens his mind a little bit. Explain that you really need his support. If he loves you than he will support you regardless of his feelings. Maybe take him to a seminar on the surgery and surely that will open his eyes a bit. My husband was pretty clueless also, but once he got more information, he was completely supportive, and he loves the results. good luck to you....I hope your husband comes around soon....

I don't know your kids, but I don't think they will be asking you those questions. All you really need to say is that you are going to have a procedure done that will allow you to eat less food and become heathier so you can be around for them for a long time. If they ask other questions after that, you can answer as well as you think you should. My 12 year old wanted to know more than my 8 year old. I showed her pictures if she wanted to see it and explained a little more. Their biggest fear will be of something happening to you during surgery. Try to reassure them that you will be fine and the surgery only takes about 45 minutes and you will probably be home the same day. I went in to the hospital when my kids went to school in the morning and I was home before school got out. I was home before they were. You will know how much to tell them....just listen to them and see how much they want to know.....Good luck to you !!!!

Good luck to you!!!! You will do fantastic and yes, this is a wonderful beginning to the new you. I was banded on april 22nd, and I don't regret a thing. It will be challenging for you during the pre op eating phase, but you can do it! After this is all over with, you will be wondering what you were so nervous about to begin with. The best advice I can give you, is to STICK TO DOCTORS ORDERS and you will do great!!!! Congradulations and welcome!!!!!

I had surgery on a Wednesday and was back to work on Monday. I do not have a sit down job. I draw blood in a lab, but I took it slow and felt pretty good. Just a little sore at port site. I remember the first couple days I was pretty much layin around and on my pain meds. Never did have gas pains, but if I were you, I would give yourself at least 4 days. You don't want to over do it. You will know....it depends on how you are feeling. People heal differently. Good luck to you!!!!

Hi Melissa! Congradulations on your surgery date! My name is Jackie and I just had surgery on April 22nd. Everything went really smooth. congrats on the weight loss so far! I lost 11 pounds on my pre op diet and 8 more since surgery last wednesday. I am now on mushies and feeling great. Would love to chat with you sometime. I started this at 240 and now I am at 222. On my way!!!! Good luck to you!!!!

wow, congrats! Take another look in the mirror girl , you look FANFREAKINTASTIC!!!! Be proud!

Hi Everyone, I was just banded on Wednesday. Still sore when getting up or sitting down. Trying to walk all that I can, and trying to get in all of my fluids. I made a mistake and drank some ensure that had 23g of sugar in it and now I have horrible diarrhea. I was supposed to start the FULL liquid diet today but after this, I am back to clear liquids and scared to try anything else. Anyone else have this problem?

Ok, I think the ensure that I was drinking definately has too much sugar in it! I drank about half of one...about 4 oz, then I took a nap. When I woke up I had bad diarrhea..sorry...but do you think it is because of the sugar??? I hope nothing else is wrong. My stomach is rumbling like crazy. I hope I didn't screw up already!!!

Ok, as far as the protein shakes go....I am gonna get some carnation instant breakfast and I also bought some ensure..vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors. 8 oz of it has 9 grams of protein, which is good, but it also has 23 g of sugar. Doesn't that seem like too much sugar? I don't know what I should be drinking at this point. There are so many choices...which protein drink is best?

Hi Everyone! My surgery was on the 22nd. Had to be there at 7am, surgery was at 8am, was in recovery at 9am and went home at 1pm. It all went pretty smoothly! Since I have been home I have been pretty sore, but not too bad. Gas pains are not good, and I don't know if anyone else has had any problems coughing, but man it hurts to cough and I feel like I have so much junk that I need to cough up and I can't. It takes alot of concentration and holding onto my stomach. I had a slight cough and cold before my surgery so that is probably what is causing me to need to cough. Other than that, so far so good. I am supposed to start my FULL liquid diet today, but I am very nervous!!! I think I will try a protein shake first. The thought of some kind of soup or pudding sure does sound good though.... Congrats to everyone!

Hey Joann! My name is Jackie and I too had my surgery done at Tallgrass with Dr. Berntsen! I just got banded 2 days ago. Still pretty sore and this gas pain is not fun! hoping I will be feeling ok to go back to work on Monday. I am supposed to start my FULL liquid phase today. I am nervous about it, but I am looking forward to having the taste of "food" in my mouth again! So glad to find someone that had the same surgeon as me. You are the first so far!

Well, I did it! Can't believe it is over....or should I say it's just beginning :thumbup: The whole thing went pretty smoothly. I had to be there at 7, surgery was at 8, I was done by 9 and home by 1pm. Was pretty sore, but it's better today. On a liquid only diet of course, but don't feel too hungry although I AM looking forward to some soup or something! If anyone wants to talk or e-mail, feel free! Jackiepurs@hotmail.com

Well, I did it! Can't believe it is over....or should I say it's just beginning :thumbup: The whole thing went pretty smoothly. I had to be there at 7, surgery was at 8, I was done by 9 and home by 1pm. Was pretty sore, but it's better today. On a liquid only diet of course, but don't feel too hungry although I AM looking forward to some soup or something! If anyone wants to talk or e-mail, feel free! Jackiepurs@hotmail.com

I did not have to be on a full liquid diet. I was allowed 3 oz. fat free ham, turkey, or chicken. Cottage cheese, peice of fruit or 1/2 cup of fruit in lite syrup, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles. Also had to drink 64 oz of clear liquid for 10 days before. I was so thankful that it wasn't only liquids for 10 days. Don't know how you do it! I was so hungry on the diet I was on. Just got banded yesterday, and I am on liquid only now. I can't wait to be able to eat some soup or something! Good luck to you!

I did not have to be on a full liquid diet. I was allowed 3 oz. fat free ham, turkey, or chicken. Cottage cheese, peice of fruit or 1/2 cup of fruit in lite syrup, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles. Also had to drink 64 oz of clear liquid for 10 days before. I was so thankful that it wasn't only liquids for 10 days. Don't know how you do it! I was so hungry on the diet I was on. Just got banded yesterday, and I am on liquid only now. I can't wait to be able to eat some soup or something! Good luck to you!

Hi there! Congradulations on your surgery being just around the corner! I just got banded yesterday. I went into surgery at 8am and at 9am my husband was calling family to let them know everything went fine. I am real sore still but not so bad that I can't function. If I were to give you any advice before you have this done, is not to go onto these websites and look at all the complication websites and blogs. The complications that can happen are very rare, although they do happen. Right now you need all the positive feedback you can get, and there are plenty of success stories out there. Stick to those! You will do great!

Hi there! Congradulations on your surgery being just around the corner! I just got banded yesterday. I went into surgery at 8am and at 9am my husband was calling family to let them know everything went fine. I am real sore still but not so bad that I can't function. If I were to give you any advice before you have this done, is not to go onto these websites and look at all the complication websites and blogs. The complications that can happen are very rare, although they do happen. Right now you need all the positive feedback you can get, and there are plenty of success stories out there. Stick to those! You will do great!