Ocnlvr

Congratulations! :thumbup:

I have problems now and then with Vertigo, so when I had surgery I told my anesthesiologist; I took an Antivert prior to surgery and didn't have any problems until that afternoon when I was taken down for the barium swallow; for some reason that motion trigged it. I will tell you that when I have problems it can be trigged by dehydration so try to get your flds in; also, you can buy Antivert now over the counter and you can crush it, if your dr. doesn't want you to swallow pills yet. The more you can stand to sit upright the better, hope you feel better soon.

Congratulations! It is such an amazing feeling to pull something out of the closet that you hadn't worn in years, and find it fits! This morning, I was looking for something to wear, (because for the first time in I don't know when, the problem is all of my pants are way too big) and I found a pair that I had folded up and placed in the side of my closet, so I said I will give these a try (I bought them 2 yrs ago, and didn't try them on in the store, so I was disappointed when I got them home and they were to tight) but now they fit, but they are too baggy in the butt! Yay! Congrats to everyone on the journey to a new us! :biggrin:

Exercising is hard to start when you are not used to doing it. I work in a large hospital, I work behind a computer most of the day, but I have started to take those 2 15 minute breaks that I never took before and I go walking thru the hospital. I eat my lunch and then I go for a walk outside, I feel so much better just moving. I also bought a recumbant bike, (I found a display model on sale at Sams) I ride evey night for 30-45 mins. esp. when I have had a stressful day, I get on there and ride my cares away. I don't let myself think about the dusting that needs to be done, or the dishes that need to be washed while on the bike. This is my time. My doctor told me that one reason we become overweight/obese is that often we don't take time for ourselves. Not anymore! You have to tell yourself that I am worth 30 minutes a day! Start slow, maybe you can get some friends to start walking at lunchtime with you, before you know it, you will love the feeling of energy you get after you work out a little. Good Luck! Remember, You are worth 30 minutes a day! :biggrin:

I was banded on Aug. 5th: I am doing the pureed stage; next week I move onto mushy stage: I could probably eat more than I do, however, I am sticking right to what I was told to eat and I measure out everything. This has helped me to "make myself feel full", I have lost 14lbs since surgery and 10 prior to surgery for 24lbs, the scale hasn't moved down for about a week now, but I am staying steady at the 24lbs. I go back to the dr on Sept 15th, I guess he will do a fill then? I am not sure, but I feel satisfied with what I am eating. I agree with the others, stick to what you are supposed to eat and add in exercise. Hang in there, you will make it thru and be successful.

Amanda, My dr offers a monthly support group that is led by the dietician. I have been 2 times, both right before my surgery. I have found them to be very helpful, I liked being able to talk to people that live near me that have been thru the same thing; they have offered so much help and advice. The leader has a brief informational session on things from how to prepare certain foods, to exercise; then the group is allowed to ask each other questions etc. Depending on the age of your child, some people bring their children to our group, they sit and color and have been no bother.

I was banded on Aug 5th, and had my first post-op visit today; I was promoted to the pureed stage. I made chicken salad and it wasn't too bad, I also pureed some cantaloupe. Then I was still a little hungry so I had a soft boiled egg, I mashed it up very fine with a little "I can't believe it's not butter" little salt and pepper, let me say it was devine! I am too afraid to go outside the guidelines my dr. gave me, I know several people that went to him and they have been very successful and all said they did exactly what he said. I know dr's are different, but like the others I would be careful adding in foods before the time to do so. Congrats on the weight loss!

Did anyone have this Chest pressure feeling when you were on the liquid stage? I feel it when I take a deep breath in, thanks guys. :smile2:

Ms_C, making changes in the way we live is hard. If it was easy everyone would do it. My suggestion is try to find some exercise that is fun, maybe walking the mall with a friend; or depending on where you live your neighborhood is a great place to get out and see what is acutally in your neighborhood. Hopefully with the soon change in weather, (it's very hot here in VA) I am looking forward to walking outside with our dogs and seeing what is new in our neighborhood. Pick your chin up, stand up tall, look in the mirror and tell yourself, I am worth it! :smile2:

Hi there, Yes, I was banded on Aug 5th, and I occaisionaly have some buring like pain at the site where my port is, I was told that is from the area where the port is stitched healing. As a nurse it seems to be the right symptoms. I notice mine if I lean forward to much; it really has gotten better so hopefully yours will too; but, if not make sure you tell your doctor.

Several people that I know that have already been through this process said that yes they did do the baby food in the pureed and soft stages. They also made some of their own foods too, such as carrots, my brother told me to buy a Magic Bullet since it will do lots of things like puree, and will shred meat like chicken etc.

This is my 2nd week post-op and my suggestion is: Stay away from the TV, I never knew there were so many food commercials on there! This website has become a great tool for me, esp. when I feel a little down. Take your own pillow with you to the hospital, and ask for lots of them while you are there; I found sleeping on my side to be most comfortable. Good Luck!

Hi guys, I too am 7 days post-op, and I am also sick of liquids. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I really needed that, I have lost 12lbs post-op total of 22 and that feels great. I have my post-op visit next Wed. hope to be able to add in the pureed foods.

Thanks Guys!

Hi guys, Just wondering, how many pounds lost equals a decrease in dress size? For example, if you loose 20lbs how many dress sizes would you change? :rolleyes2:

Hello, can someone tell me how to get the weight tracker to show up on your posts?

Do you paste this into your signature

Hello! My surgery was on Aug 5th: I arrived at the hospital at 6:45am, (I work at this hospital so in a way it was nice to see people that I know) I was quickly checked in and then waited until about 7:45 and was taken back to pre-op where they helped me into the lovely hospital gown and then put on some ted stockings and little footie slippers. I spoke with my surgeon and he asked if I had any last minute questions I said "no" and he said well let's get your new life started! I then met my anesthesiologist (I had selected him already) they brought my family back to see me for a brief minute and then he gave me some lovely Versed and we were off to the OR. I am not sure when I arrived to my room I was pretty groggy. I would wake up and then doze off again, my family was there with me. My daughter in law is a nurse and she was so helpful, in making sure that I had pain meds every 2hrs; for some reason I did not get the PCA pump, but that was okay. Around 3:30 or 4pm I went for the Barium swallow that trip on the stretcher made me almost sick so I was given Zofran. Barium swallow done, everything looked great. I went back to my room and was placed on my right side with lots of pillows for comfort; being on your right side helps your stomach empty. After that I was up in the chair for a bit, then back to bed, more pain meds, since I was having such nausea they didn't want to give me anything to drink so I had the little swabs that you dip into water, they were quite good. That night I was up and down to the potty, my IV came out and had to be restarted, but mostly rested pretty good thru the night. Next morning, I was up in the chair and walked in my room and then down the hall. My surgeon came in and said everything looked great and I could go home after lunch, they wanted to be sure I could drink fluids well since I didn't have any the day before. For breakfast I had some jello, chicken broth and popscile ate some of each not much. But, felt okay, no pain or anything; Lunch I ate pretty much the same and felt pretty good. Let the hospital around 4:30pm. Came home and had some chicken broth and slim fast. Only had to take the liquid Lortab once, that evening and took a nap; have not taken it since then. I don't like the way it makes you feel and I really haven't needed it. I have had some issues with diarrhea, but if that helps get rid of the gas I guess it's okay. I feel pretty good, this morning I felt that my blood sugar was a little low so I have been sipping on the slim fast and some juice. I have lost 7 lbs since I got home! Including the pre-op diet I have lost 17lbs! I am so excited to be on my way to a healthier me. Will post updates later, Have a great day everyone!

Hi everyone! This is my first time here, I am 52 years old, and I will be having the Lap Band surgery on Aug 5th. I look forward to chatting with you guys and learning tips that I can use to help me now and after surgery. :cursing: Ocnlvr

I am on for August 5th! I have been on the pre-op diet and have lost 9lbs so far. I have a shake for breakfast and lunch and for dinner a lovely low fat frozen dinner. I like many of you have not shopped yet for the post-op phase but will do that later this week. I do want to say that I have found so much information here, thanks :wub:

I am August 5th, :rolleyes2: doing the pre-op diet now, shake for breakfast, and lunch and a low fat/low cal frozen dinner, for dinner. The first few days were kind of hard, but now I am used to it, I have to admit I love getting on that scale and seeing the numbers go down. I haven't seen 275 in so long...don't remember when.

Hey guys, I am set for surgery on August 5th, I am very excited and I appreciate everything that you are willing to share here. I will post my surgery day experience after I am banded. Ocnlvr:thumbup:

Hi Jenn, I too work in the hospital where I will be having my surgery; I know many people who work there that have also had the surgery. I have come to the conculision that I cannot be afraid of what anyone might think of me for having the surgery. I feel that it is right for me, I have the support from my friends and most of all my family. I am not sure how big your hospital is where you work, but you might see if there is anyone there that has had this done and look to them for support. Also, if there is a support group offered I would suggest you attend and see if one of your friends or family members would go with you. I will be having surgery on Aug 5th, but know many people that have had this done already and see how this has changed their lives for the better. I am curious, as to why you said you felt selfish for having this done, why is that? May I ask? Ocnlvr

Thanks guys! I am very excited about this journey. Yesterday I had my pre-op visit, now it's time to just continue the pre-op diet and wait till next Thursday! My brother had this done 2 years ago, and he has done so well. He is quite the inspiration to me, he endured breast cancer and then decided to have the band done, best decision in his life for him. I have to say the first few days on the pre-op diet wasn't fun, but now, I have ajusted to it and it's not too bad. This weekend I plan to make some chicken soup and strain it so I will have some homemade broth post-op. So far, I have enjoyed this site, and found some helpful hints. So long for now, Ocnlvr :cursing:

I agree! Although my doctor doesn't have me on total liquids for pre-op, I eat a low cal frozen dinner for dinner.