Hi, I just joined this forum, having previously browsed through it a few times a couple of months ago before my surgery. I hope to get and give encouragement here.
My story:
Banded January 22, 2009 at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland Washington by Dr. Kelly Clinch.
I first visited Dr. Clinch in October 2008, and a week later started the paperwork to submit for preapproval from insurance carrier. Initially was turned down, but was approved upon appeal, January 5, 2009.
Starting losing weight at end of October, when my doctor said they'd like me to lose at least 10-15 pounds prior to surgery. My first weight measurement at the doctor's office, end of October: 339 pounds.
Weight at pre-op appointment, week before surgery, January 13: 321 pounds.
Weight at one week post-op appointment, January 30: 305 pounds.
Current weight, 3.5 weeks post-op, 293 pounds.
My first question/inquiry: I'm a bit confused between what I should eat at this stage, and what I can eat. I am concentrating on getting protein, drinking lots of water, and avoiding bad stuff. My doctor wants me to work up to see how much I can eat in one serving, going up to 3 cups, to see how much I can eat in one serving. I can eat a cup easily, and 1.5 cups if I'm really cautious and deliberate. My doctor said that the band is actually quite open until my 6 week visit. Then it gets filled to reduce the size. I'm trying to adhere to the recommended foods from my doctor, the hospital, and a book on diet after surgery. It would appear that I could [physically] eat just about anything as long as I chewed it 20-30 times. I am limiting my portions to one cup, getting 50-70 grams of proteing a day, keeping a simple menu---chili, macaroni and cheese with tuna, sliced lunch meets. If I went by hunger alone, I'd be eating 6 times a day. I don't feel really full when I do have my one cup of food. Oh yeah, I am taking my vitamins too. I come down on the conservative side of how much and how often I try to eat because I don't want to aggravate my stomach and cause slippage or inflammation.
When I get my first fill, and the lapband is more restricting, will I have a much more discernible feeling of fullness?
