ericsmom

As far as pain, the only time I've had a problem was yesterday on my trip I had to get out a crutch because I have such bad bilateral degenerative osteoarthritis in my knees that after a long day of shopping, I couldn't hardly walk. Well the strain on that side from using the crutch made it hurt. I got some Xtra Strength liquid Tylenol from a local Walmart and I was fine after that.

I went to my two week follow-up on Thursday. We've decided I could be the poster girl for the lap band, as I've had absolutely nothing go wrong, and feel awesome! I was told to go ahead and start eating "real" food! I graduated! I had tuna salad - went down without a problem. Then I went on a trip yesterday out of town and had 1/2 of a hamburger with some swill cheese and mushrooms...no bun, just burger. Chewed really well and it went down without any problems. Then I had to go to a wedding reception tonight and had wonderful salmon, one baby red potatoe, and a couple of cooked cauliflower flourettes. So far so good. I was told for my height that I should take in a minimum of 60g of protein, and to have a minimum of 40 oz of H2O a day. I've also started my exercising on my recumbant bike. So all is well. Oh, the best part - the doctor's office goes by the weight you were when you met the surgeon, so I'm down 28 according to them!! I'll take it!

Congrats on your NSV!!! You look great in the new shirt!! Guess your mom will have to get her own LOL! I had one today, too...drove DS to church and looked down and realized my stomach wasn't touching the steering wheel!! Not by much, but not touching!!! Yippee!!

Congrats on your progress!! I have bilateral degenerative osteoarthritis in both knees and the right one is bone on bone and needs to be replaced. I get cortisone shots, but they only last for about a month, if that. Then I have to tough it out until I can have them again, so I get out a crutch. Just shy of 25 lbs gone for good, I'm stiff, but getting up a lot better than I would have 1 month ago! I'm so happy for you!:clap2:

Wow! I didn't realize there were so many options! My favorite is Slim Fast Optima chocolate Royale Powder. I can't drink the stuff in the can - blech! And CIB made me gag... I take 8 oz 2% milk, 1 cup ice - blend Add 1 scoop powder and 1/2 scoop Chocolate Whey Protein Powder Blend into a smoothie. YUM!

I go for my first post-op visit tomorrow, too!! I hope there isn't too much difference between their scale and mine...I hate when that happens. But I figure I'll be on mine more than theirs, so I'll track my numbers. UNLESS, of course, their scale says a lower number...then I'll take that for sure!!!

I'm down another 4 this week :eek: . Somehow I got messed up on the numbers, but this is correct: C 312.4 - 24.6 total lost

Does it come in peaches w/the cottage cheese? That's my favorite next to pineapple. I'm going to have to look next time I go to Walmart.

That's so true...it will be over before you know it :eek: I couldn't believe I was already waking up in recovery when it seemed I had just rolled in to pre-op. Keep us posted Good luck!

This is exactly my situation, too! I have a whole other wardrobe waiting for me to wear :eek: I'm hoping to be in the 2X's by fall. I started in a 4X when I was banded. I'm SO looking forward to getting rid of those for good!

Yes, the pain you're feeling could quite possibly be gas pains. Walk, walk, walk and drink your Water...little sips...it will be okay. Congrats!

I'm surprised at how different each person's instructions are. I was banded July 5th. I was told the next morning by my doctor that I could introduce soft foods when I felt I was ready. I had watered/milked down oatmeal (about 1/2 a pkg) a week after my banding - and just once that day...then I've been adding soft foods like SF jello pudding, SF jello, Egg Beaters scrambled, Cream of Wheat, applesauce, and the like. I just had cottage cheese for the first time today. It was so yummy! I have two shakes a day still. I have my follow up appt. on this coming Thursday. I don't think I would have any energy at all if I were still on clear liquids. I had no complications, though. So again, everyone is different. I lost 7.3 lbs the week after surgery and I'll weigh tomorrow to see how this week went. I feel you have to pay attention to how you feel and what you think you can handle. Everyone is going to have differences in how they feel, what they can tolerate, and what they can't.

I haven't yet...thanks for the tips...it's never too often to be reminded of the eat slow, chew a lot scenario... I have my 2 week follow-up appt. on Thursday. I am a lot like FunnyDuddies...I don't feel the band and can swallow normally right now. I've been on liquid/soft foods for a week now. The scale continues to move - and for that I'm thankful.

I have a book I've started, so I'll post a few. Dr. Phil is by far my favorite when it comes to motivational quotes. <!--fonto:Comic Sans Ms--><!--/fonto-->Dr. Phil<!--fontc--><!--/fontc--> You create your own experience. If you want different you have to do different. No one ever climbed a hill just by looking at it. Create what you want by doing what you can. To have what you want you have to do what it takes. Break down your goals into manageable steps. Change is slow...When it is real change, it takes time. Stop justifying your inactivity and stop avoiding the challenge of change. You can't change what you don't acknowledge. Oprah Winfrey Become the change you want to see. Failure is just a way for our lives to show us we're moving in the wrong direction, and that we should try something different. Tom Landry Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan. John Wooden Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. Dottie Walters Success is not a doorway, it's a staircase.

Has anyone heard from any of the people who were banded today? MDG, I'm With the Band, or Jojo41?

My first three days were the worst - I agree, carb and suger withdrawals. I did the liquid from June 21 - July 5 (my banding day). It's just a way of life now. You'll get used to it. Just keep yourself busy...I scrapbook, so I just hang out in my room here and work on stuff to keep busy. Before I know it a couple of hours have passed and it's time for another shake You can do it!!

I have severe obstructive sleep apnea...by the time I went to the sleep center to have my test done, I was falling asleep in the middle of conversations, while driving, and at the computer at work. I stopped breathing for 2 whole minutes during my test with little more than a hiccup in that time span. I literally stopped breathing 183 times in 52 minutes. My CPAP has saved my life...yes, I look like Mama Vader when I go to sleep, but at least I get quality sleep now. The test said I should have my machine at "8", but after I used it for a while, he let me bump it up to "10". When I had my band on July 5th, as I was coming out of my anesthesia, I could hear beeping noises (it was alerting them that my oxygen levels were too low), and the someone would say to me, "Take a deep breath, Stephanie" and I would breathe deeply with the oxygen mask on. See, I didn't have a CPAP hooked up to me at that time and so I was lapsing into Apnea. As soon as I was put in my room, they hooked up my mask that I had brought with me to one of their machines, and I slept perfectly. I'm sorry your date will be pushed back because of this. I hope the sleep study center can get you in quickly. Good luck to you.

I have this - it's called plantar's fascitis...I've had all the same things mentioned above prescribed by my doctor. He gave me a cortisone shot in the spur over a year ago and it's been fine ever since. Knock on wood it stays that way for a while longer

Hey fellow Minnesotans! I grew up in the Twin Cities and have lived in Superior, WI for the past 18 years. I did, however, have my banding surgery in Duluth, MN at St. Mary's Hospital, on July 5th by Dr. Jay Lenz. I'm doing exceptionally well so far. Had they not had this option in Duluth, I would have gone to Unity Hospital's Bariatric Center. They just started doing the Lap Band surgery on March 17th at St. Mary's, and they are having very good results with it. If you live in the Northland, I would highly recommend Dr. Lenz

All I have used is Fit Day and it's been great. I guess I can't compare the two at this time. I think it's pretty much to each his own, though.

Marc - I was trying to think of many things to say to you, but everyone before me has been very eloquent with their advice and support. LBT is THE best place you could be for exactly that. I am recently banded (11 days) and so I don't have too much experience with it yet, but my experience thus far has been nearly perfect. It will help save your life. In the three weeks since I started preparing for this procedure I can already bend over better to tie my shoes. I'm seeing changes in my face already, too. Those little milestones will help you get excited about your new lease on life and coming here to LBT to share those milestones will give you such great pleasure. Everyone here is just great about celebrating those little accomplishments with just as much enthusiasm for you as the big ones. I'm proud of you for sharing your story. Good luck to you - I know you'll be okay.

So far the only "foods" I've had are SF pudding, applesauce, and Cream of Wheat. Oh, and yesterday and the day before I had Egg Beaters eggs scrambled and they were great, and went down good, and satisfied me for at least an hour and a half. Otherwise I'm still doing slim fast and adding Protein powder, popsicles, and chicken broth. I go for my follow-up this coming Thursday. I am going on a trip on Friday and will have to eat out. I'm trying to decide what I should order. I'm seeing a commonality between a lot of you - bread, Pasta, dry and coarse meats, and sweets. This thread has been very helpful.

WTG!! You did good!! I'll remember you when I have a similar situation.

My DH has a hard time expressing any emotion, so when I was going in for my surgery, he just kept saying "Everything will be fine." very matter-of-factly. As if he was trying to convince himself without showing me to much. I had a melt down a couple days before the surgery and was crying and I said, "This is where you put your sensitivity hat on," and he said, "I know, that's why I'm trying to figure out what to say." Then he said, "but this is what you wanted." I told him yes, it is, but he needed to just give me a hug and tell me it was going to be alright and he said, "but it will be alright." When we were in the pre-op waiting I told him that if I had any complications afterward that I didn't want him saying, "this is what you wanted," again. He knew exactly where I was coming from. I never had any complications, and so he's been very good now that he knows he was right and it really was alright. I hope your DH supports you the best way he can. I've learned to just ask for what I want, because if I wait for it, it may never come. Good luck

Congrats - glad things are going so well for you