marfar7

At 2 weeks, I was eating at Red Robin. I was on a full liquid diet and they kindly blended clam chowder for me in the blender. It sure was ugly but yummy. That was my first out to eat experience. Luv me somn RR!

I also voted "Other". I luv to go out to eat. About 3-5x a week. Breakfast food is my fav. Luv eggs benedict - I can eat about 1/3 of 1. When my hubby is on track with his eating program (does Atkins), I always have about 2/3 of my food to bring home. When he's NOT on his program, he eats whatever I have left. Lately, I have a refrig full of leftovers. ABout once a week, I toss the stuff I've gotten sick of nibbling on. My fav: Red Robin Avo-Cobbo salad. Luv salads. Acctually, I eat everything, just in small amts. Don't understand the point of eating a burger without a bun. Don't see the point...I take a few bites and I'm full.

When I was on full liquids (4 weeks of em, ugh!) I wasn't allowed oatmeal. Too chunky I guess. I was allowed soupy cream of wheat and malt o meal. Never been a fan of any hot Cereal besides flavored oatmeal (the kind filled with sugar!), so I bought some chocolate malt o meal. Yuck. Didn't eat enuf to see if it filled me up or not. I stuck with cream Soups (Progresso Tomato Basil is yummy), sf Jello, sf puddings, yogurt, and Protein shakes. Congrats on being able to progress ur diet. BTW, my serving size that first month was about 1/2 of a little pudding cup, or 1/2 cup of Soup.

I hung a really cute tank top on my bedroom door when I was banded 4 1/2 yrs ago, looking at it everyday. By the time I tried it on, it was too big! What a problem to have! Last summer, I looked terrible in tanks. I had gained 30 lbs when my band slipped but I've since lost almost all of that since my revision 9 mths ago. I've bought a few tanks recently and they look almost decent. Still have some rolls (boob fattage) that pop out occasionally, but they look better than they ever have. I think it's a great idea! Have something u can look at everyday and aspire to fit into. Good luck!

Had my lapband in Oct 2009. After a 100 loss and 2 1/2 yrs later, I started having severe nightime reflux. Was scared my dr would take out some of my fill so I just suffered. Finally after 4 mths my hubby talked me into going in. My band had slipped. They took out about 50% of my 10cc fill (14cc band) and no more reflux. So they started filling me 1cc at a time. At 2cc, the reflux began again. So they took out the previous 1cc they gave me and told me it was now up to me. My band was done with it's work. About 6 mths later, I was in the ER with extreme upper abdominal pain. I was taking 40 mg of Rx Prilosec 2x a day, OTC Zantac x 4 and Tums like candy. After my CT, the determined my band had herniated, about the worst "slip" u can have. Had an emergency total unfill and arranged for my sleeve revision 9 mths ago. U need to have the reflux checked out. I'm assuming that they've ruled out a slip? My primary care told me if left untreated, reflux can lead to esophageal cancer. It needs to be fixed, whatever u decide to do. So, so, so happy I had my revision. While I'll most likely be on PPI's forever (most sleeve patients are), I no longer vomit on a regular basis. Good luck to u!

Breathe. You'll be fine. Good luck to u on a speedy and painless recovery!

6 yrs ago, I lost my 46 yr old husband and was left a 40 yr old, 200 lb widow. I grew up the fat kid, grew into the fat teen, and was even a fat bride. While my husband supported every weightloss effort I made, he loved me regardless. After 2 yrs of a deep depression, a gain of 50 lbs (yes, 250), I woke up one day and decided to "start over" again. While I didn't see love happening anytime in my future (I was scared if I did love again, I'd always compare him to my 20 yr marriage), I had hope that I would find love again. So 4 yrs ago I moved 3,000 miles away where I didn't know a soul, 2 mths later had lapband surgery. Started dating again (online cuz I didn't know anyone) when I was down to about 180 and a little more confident. Met my share of "chubby chasers". One lunch date actually asked me if I was still ovulating! Can u beleive that? Also asked if I could have my lapband removed. Met my current husband of 2 yrs at about 175. Had revision surgery 9 mths ago cuz of a slip. I'm now at about 149-151, on any given day. SO I guess the reason I had wls was to gain the confidence to find love again. I was blessed twice in my life. ACtually, 3x, if u count a 100 lbs loss in the blessing!

I'm also a side sleeper. I can fall asleep on my back but eventually I'm on one side or another. Turning about every 60-90 mins. I was stuck on my back for about the first 10 days, then I started propping a pillow on my side so it would "catch" my belly if it flopped over. Finally started sleeping without the pillow about 3 weeks out. While sleeping on my back, my back ached every morning and I never slept very well. Was so happy to have found the pillow trick. Good luck with ur surgery!

LOL. An "Indian Burn" (not very politically correct of me, I guess) is when (usually a kid) twists ur wrist with both hands, frontwards and backwards at the same time. Didn't know this was a new term. Maybe I'm telling my age (46)???

4 1/2 yrs ago, when I was banded, my dr suggested those little Dixie cups. I was to drink 1oz of Protein shake every hr and it makes it very handy to just fill 1/2 of 1 of those little cups, chug it down and toss them. I did the same thing for my revision 9 mths ago.U can get them for like $2.49 for 200 of em. The less dishes u have to do the first couple weeks, the better. SO I would recommend to those looking for ideas for post op items, that u buy these little beauties at ur local store.

Just drop something on the floor and ull c just how important having someone around for the first few days is. Odd r if ur by yourself, unless it's a $1,000 bill u drop, it's just not important enuf for u to pick it up. I had a rough recovery (it took my dr an extra 30 mins for my dr to dig my band outa my stomach, so I was much more sore than normal) and everyday commented how I felt like I was hit by a semi. U have no idea going in what kind of recovery you'll have. It was summer so I wore flip flops. Otherwise I woulda needed someone to tie my shoes. I fixed my own "food" (heated up broth, blended my Protein shakes and retrieved my own popsicles from the freezeer) but it was nice to have the company, if nothing else. I find it nice to have someone else around to b---ch to when needed. And b---ch I did, especially that first week. If nothing else, someone else around might come in handy to take out ur post op pain aggression on. But did I actually NEED physical help after getting home? probly not. It's nice to have someone around, if u can. If not, then thats ok too. Marci

Having the lapband previously scared me enuf about drinking with my meals. The Fluid would back up in the "cork" and come right back up. At time, after eating, it still feels like I have "something there" (like the band), preventing liquid from going down, so that scares me enuf to not want to drink with meals. I can tell when the food is passed (usually 25-40 mins) and then I can drink. It's really hard to eat Mexican spicy food without drinking. If I eats something too spicy, I will suck on an ice cube till the burn goes away. Wish my cravings for Mexican would just go away! Good luck!

After over 4 yrs with wls ( 31/2 with the band and 9 mths with the sleeve) and 11 lbs from goal, I'm still obsessed with food. I stock my pantry like I'm expecting Armageddon soon, I LOVE the grocery store and go there about every other day, and I think about my next meal during my current meal. While I've brought this up with my psychiatrist, he's drawn diagrams and explained to me how to think about food and it never gets thru to me. I hafta keep some sort of "crap" in my nightstand at all time, even tho I rarely eat it. I've had a couple of Cadbury eggs in there since they first came out before Valentine's Day "just in case". I over buy food and toss out so much bad stuff. My husband, on the other hand, won't even think about a meal till he's actually hungry. I've panned dinner for hours and he won't even think about eating till he's hungry. Wish I could be more like that. While I eat very little, I think about it constantly. Probly more than before wls When they come out with brain wls, sign me up!

When I used to diet (pre wls), I had my share of fat free plastic cheese, fat free mayo, and even low fat Peanut Butter. No more. I don't eat enuf of anything for it to make a difference. Plus I hear fat satiates u faster than the fat free version, meaning u eat less and be satisfied. Now, I do have 2% milk cuz I just don't like the taste of full fat milk. And fat free milk reminds me of breastmilk, it's so watery. And hubby won't drink 1% so I buy 2%. Its got like 8 calories more than skim milk. Whoop-dee-doo. So do u eat fat free/low fat or regular fat stuff? Why?

I felt pretty normal at about 3-4 wks. I had a rought recovery and the 1st 12 days I felt like Id been hit by a truck. Kept checking out the posts of those who ran a marathon 2 days after suregry (an exageration, of course) wondering why I couldn't be that lucky. Good luck

Geez Louise! Bike riding is HARD work. Kliichow is correct, it's not like ur opting to not exercise at all - ur riding a bike for goodness sake. Last month I decided to ride my stepdaughters new bike to the local Starbucks and grocery store. It's about 3 miles each way. Made it there - no problem. I can do this everyday. Here I was , on the way home, walking the darn thing about 3/4 of the way home. Didn't realize it was uphill the whole way home. Don't even notice it in the car or even walking. U can definitely tell on the bike tho. Congrats on ur massive leg muscles that u must have. When we go up our local mountain road, I'm in awe of the bikers going up. It's got to be some major training to get u that far. Good luck!

I will say that in 2009, following my lapband surgery, I cheated after 1 week of my post op diet. I was single and it was easier to cheat than now, being married to the "food Nazi". Plus I was paranoid at getting a leak post op so that kept me on the straight and narrow. I was on full liquids for 4 weeks tho. I just started getting my hunger back at 2 weeks so that wouldn't have been such a problem for me. By the time I started my soft diet at 4 weeks, I could've eaten my arm. I was never one of the lucky few to lose their hunger for a long period. I did it tho, staying on my full liquids for the full 4 weeks. I knew my hubby would've tattled on me at my 4 weeks post op visit! He had an eagle eye on me (I even accused him of setting up cameras in the kitchen to catch me!) and wouldn't even let me eat Jello the first week cuz it was too "solid" Good luck to u. This is defintely the hardest part of the journey. Once u start eating solids again, u will fill more easily and the focus will be taken off ur constant hunger. I promise, it WILL get easier! Oh, and so many people post that u can talk to ur dr about progressing ur diet early if u ask. I emailed my nurse at 2 weeks and heard a big "NO". So that was that!

I've heard from numerous sources that those with a revision tend to lose slower than virgin sleevers, most likely due to the fact that we already eat less and weigh less than those with a virgin sleeve. I had my revision (all at one, btw) last July 2013. I weighed 174 and yesterday I weighed in at 147, so I've now lost 27 lbs in 9 mths. My bmi is now normal, however I'd like to lose another 7 lbs (I've revised my goal weight from 130 to 140) which will make my bmi 23.3 and I will be thrilled with that. The 1st 100 lbs was much easier than the last 15, for sure. The more u weight, the quicker it will come off. While it may take a year for someone to lose 100 lbs, it may also take a year for someone to lose only 35 lbs, depending on their weight at surgery vs how strict u are vs ur body type. Ur doing fabulous. I started getting discouraged last month after not losing any weight for 5 mths so I changed my goal weight from 130 to 140, making my goal more manageable. So since I changed it last month, I've lost 6 lbs. Not sure why but it actually worked! Be patient. Remember that it takes time to lose weight FOREVER. It comes off alot quicker if u take it off temporarily but u tend to keep it off if u do it slower. Good luck!

If u have no refrig at work, they make some really cute bags now that keep ur food cold. Especially in the beginning, I would pack my own food. Even a Lean Cuisine heated up in the microwave is better than most of the options at any of the food places u listed. U can pack a hard boiled eggs, a salad with some tuna or chicken, fruit, yogurt, cheese or stuff that can be heated (like Soups or chili) and it's much easier on ur wallet too. Now this is what I'm suggesting. At 4.5 mths out I was eating everything and winging it also when I traveled. Do as I say, not as I do - or so the saying goes! Good luck! I used to work the 7p-7a shift when I was in nursing school in the early 90's. I lived on McD's and popcorn, as anything "healthy" didn't seem normal at 3 am. Now, of course, it would be a different story.

For the record, I wasn't attempting to be judgemental about how anyone eats. I was truly just pointing out that not everyone can eat perfectly, or even want to. I see posts every single day to people who "cheat" and they're given a sermon about how to eat "right" I apologize if I offended anyone. That was not my goal. My goal was to share that u don't have to be "perfect" and be successful. Now I'm hanging my head in shame for offending anyone... Marci

Welcome to the ranks of "the not so lucky few" that lose their hunger forever or for a time (like the first year). I lasted 10 days and then my hunger returned. I know what stomach acid feels like (and that wasn't it) and I took Prilosec 2x a day anyway. I thought for sure I'd end up cheating, as I did during my 1st wk following my lapband surgery 4 yrs ago. I had 4 long weeks of liquids (never clear, thank God) then soft for 4 weeks. I was single when I had my lapband surgery so it was much easier to cheat. Plus there wasn't risk of a major problem ie: leak. Everytime I wanted to eat something (just yogurt or something harmless, imo), my husband became the food Nazi. I knew he would tattle on me when I had my 4 weeks post op visit. So I did stick it out. Not sure how ull get thru on clear liquids, I thought I was starving with cream soups and Protein shakes. Hats off to u tho. Drink lots of broth - warm fills u up more than cold. R u allowed to use unflavored Protein powder? That may help fill u up a little if u can use it. I feel for u. Truly. Longest 4 weeks of my life. Good luck. And don't risk getting a leak just to chew something, please. Read the complications forums about the few people that gets leaks. My dr said most are caused by people advancing their diet too quikly. Convinced me enuf...

Was never on purees. Went straight from full liquid to soft after 4 weeks. But my first meal I guess can be considered purees: Refried Beans with a dollup of sour cream and a pinch of melted cheddar and a little taco sauce. It was like eating steak and lobster. Good luck!

I'm guessing ur talking about antidepressants? I take Celexa and nothing has changed. I've been under control for about 4 yrs now, not requiring any changes. I've attempted to go off of them but then feel "blah" Anyway, no changes for me. My meds work just like they used to. Don't forget that nothing but ur stomach size is changed. Nothing to make ur meds either more or less potent. Good luck to u!

Ok, so I had a sleeve revision 9 mths ago, after 3 1/2 yrs with a lapband (slipped). Today as I was throwing towels in the washer, I felt a "snap" pain on my left side, right where my port was. Felt like a rubber band snapped, burning pretty badly. I went into the bathroom to look and not only is it more puckered than usual but there's a solid "mass" there, about the size of an almond. Hurts when I sit or stand. While I've felt scar tissue around the site since getting my revision, this is the first time I've felt something that feels like a rock inside there and it actually hurts. Burns. Could I have a hernia? It's easy to suggest I see my dr but unfortunately I moved about 800 miles away about 4 mths ago and now I see a primary care at the VA clinic (he's probly never heard of, let alone see a port). Just wondering if anyone else had any problems with their port site??

Now, I'm all for cruises (planning our 5th one this Nov) but at week 3? I was still feeling like I was hit by a semi. I was still on full liquids (4 weeks) and while u CAN do that on a cruise, it's not very enjoyable. And snorkeling? Not even in my wildest dreams could I have gone snorkeling at 3 weeks (have been, in Mexico in 2011). Now everyone is different. Some people never take more than Tylenol afterwards. I wasn't one of the lucky ones. I LOVED my bottle of liquid Vicodin. For the first 10 days I took it round the clock. I did take a road trip (up the ORegon coast) at 4 weeks, it wasn't an expensive cruise that I'd saved for and anticipated. If it were me, I'd wait till I was eating regular food and could physically do whatever I wanted to do. If that u, then congrats! More power to ya!