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:thumbup:Hi everyone, Wth the holidays rolling around I figured I had better get back on here for some much needed pep talks!!! I only lost 1 pound this past month and am a bit upset with myself! I really wanted to be at 200 or under by Christmas and was well on track to being there....but this past month has thrown a real challenge at me. I need to drop 12.5 pounds this month and need some real encouragement to accomplish! So, my fellow Lap Band buddies....I am turning to you for some great food ideas, exercise ideas and whatever else you can throw at me!!! Thank you so much for being there for me!!! Dot

Thank you all for the replies. I have not heard of the body bugg? Where do you get it? Exercise......well honestly...have not really done any....I know how iimportant that is and need pushing big time!!! Hobbie....I love to do crafting. Now that it is getting into the season I will spend more them on that then I do most of the year.

You did us all proud!!! Thanks!!

Hope you are feeling better today. I was banded on June 9 and the worst of my pain was on day three post op. My gas pains started in the upper part of my back then went to the front collar bone to collar one. That lasted for about 2 days then slowly subsided. WALK, WALK, WALK!! And take deep breaths. I know that hurst also but it helps the gas pain pass quicker. At least it did for me. Now to #2. I did not go for almost a week. But I was not in pain from it. I chalked it up to no solid for for a total of 6 days. I will also say that since my banding I my bowls do not move like they did prior to surgery. But again I am not having any problems due to that. Once you start eating some solid food again you will probably start to move again. Good luck!

I agree call the doc and get on an antibiotic ASAP!! Any yellow seepage indicates infection. I really would have seen the doc when it was hot to the touch regardless to what the nurse told me. You don't want to take a chance of an infection especially if it is the incision where your port is. Let us know how you make out!! Good Luck

I went for my 1st. fill today, Thursday, July 16, at 2:30pm and could not have had a better experience had I written it myself! Didn't feel the needle at all and my wonderful doc found it on the 1st. try!!! I only lost 1 more pound since the surgery but my doctor said I have lost 11 pounds of fat!! Can you imagine!!!! I know my clothes are getting looser by the day! I'm happy for that. Back to the fill. I do not feel anything different with this fill but have not had anything to eat yet. I forgot to ask him how many cc's he put in so I may call the office tomorrow and find out so I can post it. Anyway, I am now on clear liquids for the next two days (which I am not happy about). I didn't eat anything all day today so hate to say I am hungry about now. Will have a big glass of ice water and a sugar free jello and call it a night!! Talke care all:thumbup:

I am so sorry you had such a terrible experience. Hope you are doing better now. I went for my 1st. fill today, Thursday, July 16, at 2:30pm and could not have had a better experience had I written it myself! I only lost 1 more pound since the surgery but my doctor said I have lost 11 pounds of fat!! Can you imagine!!!! I know my clothes are getting looser by the day! I'm happy for that. Back to the fill. I forgot to ask him how many cc's he put in so I may call the office tomorrow and find out so I can post it. Anyway, I am now on clear liquids for the next two days (which I am not happy about). I didn't eat anything all day today so hate to say I am hungry about now. Will have a big glass of ice water and a sugar free jello and call it a night!! Talke care all.

Ok, let's start with the pain meds. Yes, I also took them every 4 to 6 hours but I have to say they knocked me for a loop and I was constantly tired. So.....I stopped taking them and just took one about an hour or so before I went to bed. I could keep myself busy during the day to try to take my mind of of it. My biggest pain problem was the gas pains. 1st. they were at the base of my neck and across my shoulders. Then they moved to the front from colar bone to colar bone! That hurt. Here's what I found with that. I took some gas x strips and popped one on my tongue when it hurt. I found walking and taking deep breaths helped. It hurt but it helped if that makes sense to you. Plus the port site pain. Sometimes if I turned a certain way it felt like something was pulling, pretty painful. Glad to say that has gone away and I am back to sleeping on my left side!!! Protein drinks, I found that I like the EAS Chocolate and Coffe Late. The vanilla not so much. Don't get me wrong I'm not crazy about them. So I found at GNC a no flavored protein powder. I also have a 1000000 pound bag (kidding) of the EAS vanilla protein powder. What I did with this is I used 1/2 a scoop vs an entire scoop and mixed it with the Sugar Free Pudding and Fat Free Skim Milk. Not bad. Or I also bought some of those popsycle maker thingys and made frozen pudding pops out of it. GOOD tasting! Vitamins I was taking Publix Brand children's chewable with Iron but to tell you the truth I mostly forget to take them. I want to get the Centruim Liquid for adults and try to remember to take that. So far I have not found them. Now I am on the soft foods and Tuesday will start the full foods. I am getting plenty of protein without the shakes, etc now. I have started eating off of a large saucer vs a dinner plate that seems to help me with quanity!!! I eat all the protein first then the veggies then any carbs if I have them on my plate at all. Weight wise I lose 2 gain 3, lose 3 gain 2, etc. I was out of work for 2 weeks (my choice). I decided I was 1 day shy of putting in for Short Term Disability (which I have paid into for years and never used it). So I was able to take off an additional week. Hey what the heck....that is about 800$$. I think I can use that.....maybe to buy some new clothes. OK, sorry to be so long winded. Take care and keep me posted. Hope my noval helped ya a bit!! Dot

YEA MANDIE!!! Welcome to the land of the banders!!! Glad all went well for you! Keep me posted on how you are doing. I am going back to work tomorrow!!! UGH!!! I enjoyed my relaxing time off. All my pain is gone just the port site is a bit tender to the touch. All bandages off except at the port site. But....come Tuesday I can start to go in the pool!! I plan on doing some water exercises for the big ole belly and my chicken arms. I'll shrink what I can and learn to live with the rest!!! Take care Dot

Yep, 30 grams is the max per day as far as my doctor was concerned to effectively shrink the liver. You can do the 30 carbs it is just really, really, hard!! It was for me anyway. Tuna is fine the best for you is in water. I had gone out an bought a low cal mayo and guess what?? It had double the carbs in it as regular. So I used the regular just half of the serving size. Which was way under. I like my tuna fish a bit on the dryer side and like to have large chunks of onion in them (green onions for less carbs) and I use a bit of red wine vinegar and for a treat a dash of sweet relish or sweet pickles!!! This on a sandwich made from Romaine leaves satifies me just fine. I don't miss the bread!!!! Good luck and keep us posted!

How much protein should we be taking in per day? I also am using the EAS Advant Edge (carb control) Calories are 110, protein 17 and carbs are 6. What about vitamins?? I am using the Publix children chewable with iron so far I am only doing one per day. Do you think I should do two?? Thanks a bunch!

HELP!!! I am a cheese nut and do not know what is considered non-processed cheese. Does anyone have a list of processed and non-processed cheeses?? Please post or e mail me a list. Going shopping for my Soft Food days!!! Thanks

Hang in there Mandie!!! I know this is the hardest and longest part of the entire process. By this time tomorrow it will be all over!! :wink2: Hang in there!!!

Mandie, won't be long now!!!! How are you feeling? Any temp? Just a couple more hours and you will be on the road to a new you!!! I am soooooo excited for you!!:wink2:

Hi all, Had my first soft food today!!!! 2-oz Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage 1 scrambled egg 1 oz. xtra sharp cheddar Scrambled it all together. And savored every bite!!! Couldn't eat it all!! THAT'S A FIRST!! Lunch will have some egg salad with cheese Dinner will be Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken and a Veggie. (Will stuff the birds with some Stove Top Suffing and may have a bit of that) Tell me do I still have to continue on the protein??

Mandie....thinking of you this morning and hope you are feeling well!! Good luck and keep us posted!!

Ok, Mandie Let's all think positive thoughts!! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!! What time is your surgery scheduled for?? We will be waiting with baited breath until we hear from you again!!! GOOD LUCK!!!:wink:

Oh Mandie....I am so sorry :frown:you are not feeling well. Do you have a temp?? Are you feeling any better now?? You do not want to have the surgery if you are sick. Plus, you can be assured that if you go to the hospital and are ill....they will not do it. What time does your doctors office close?? Maybe you can get in to see him and let him make the decision. Keep us posted and Good Luck!!!:wink:

I'm with you Julie.....I was all prepared to go back to work on Tuesday, June 16th. NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!! I went for my post-op appointment this morning and everything looks good. Stopped at the job to pick up some paperwork and then to the store to pick up a few things for my "SOFT FOODS" on Wednesday, June 17th. By the time I got home I was exhausted. I am not going back to work until Monday, June 22nd. Take the time ya need and rest.

Hi....Good luck on your big day tomorrow!! What time is your banding? Dr. Baptista is just wonderful. He makes you feel so relaxed. Once you are in recovery he will go out to the waiting room and give a report to whoever is there waiting for you along with COLOR PICTURES of your insides!!! That was just amazing!! I had a hernia that had to be repaired so that takes a bit longer. I am feeling 100% better today the first couple of days were a bit rough but let me give you this STRONG advice!!! When you are tired REST!! I tend to fight it and that only makes you feel worse. So take your meds, drink your water and rest, rest, rest!! Did I say REST!!?? Let me know how ya do. Welcome to a NEW YOU!!! I am down since banding......DA DA.....6 pounds. Keep in mind, it is not about the loosing right now it is about the healing and all the rest will fall into place!!

Sometimes I feel so STUPID!!!! I have been on full liquids now since Friday (yeaterday) my docs instructions say to AVOID: soups, yogurts, oatmeal, grits, etc. (I have pureed some soup and eaten Cream of Wheat) OK, now what can I have besides protein drinks? Can I get some soft food and puree it?? I start soft foods on the 17th. Thanks for everyones help!!

I was banded on June 9th. and started my full liquids today. Here are some of my questions. First I am really tired, sleepy tired not physically tired (does that make sense)? I started on a one a day chewable vitamin yesterday. Gas pains worse today then yesterday. Walking as much as possible. But probably not enough. Now this is an embarrasing question. What about having bowl movements? I have not had one since the morning of my surgery. I am in no discomfort but wondered if that was because of the clear liquid diet. I have always been very regular and surely don't want this to become a problem. Thanks a bunch!!

Thanks that makes much more sense. I am making my own soup this way I can control the salt. I have cooking right now a chicken with mushrooms and veggies. It is so simple to do. Once it is done I will cool it down some and then puree it. Not to the liquidy stage but thick enough to drink through a straw. So the chicken will give me some protein. Then tomorrow I am doing a crab mushroom soup also very low salt. I'll let ya know how they taste tomorrow!! I got these recipes on this web site!!