marieforme

That is AWESOME! Levi's size 10!!!!!!! You rock the NSV casbah:clap2: ~

How could food be stuck between the band and the stomach? I am confused! (not suprising though!) Anyway - re. alcohol - I have had flat beer. Not great but I'm not gonna lie about it. I went to Bunco and it's just sort of a habit I guess. I just opened a beer and poured it over ice and let it sit out about 10 minutes and I was fine. I know its not great for the calorie count but its my one night a month to be wild and since all the other girls were EATING taco salad, I had my little indulgence. I don't think wine would be bad. Or some something smooth with juice or water. Have fun and relax!

Well I had my 2 week checkup today and I have lost 4 lbs (I didn't know b/c I don't weigh at home). I thought I had lost more, but the nurse said 2 lbs a week is perfect. I was just eating SOOO much before the band (trying to cram it all in I guess) and now I am probably taking in 1/4 of the calories I was, so I thought I would have dropped some water weight quickly (or something!) My doc HATES weighing - he says we should only go by how our clothes feel. But I haven't been weight lifting or anything so I know its not muscle weight gained or anything. Anyway, if these 4 lbs never come back ever again and this is the last time I see those numbers on the scale I will be happy! I have my 1st fill in 4 weeks so we'll see! Anyway, anyone else feel this way? My doc says my body may need more calories to lose weight (the starving body theory). Who knows? I will just keep on what I'm doing and now I can add exercise so that should help~ Hope everyone is well!

Barbara - that "lasagna" sounds awesome! My bday is tomorrow and I love italian food but couldn't think of what to have ~ so I think I'll treat myself with a little! I watched Rachel Ray today and she made a shepards pie and I was inspired! So this is my mushies version - it is awesome and no probalems going down (I am 15 days post op). In a large saucepan, Begin to brown 1lb. lean ground beef Add 1 bag frozen seasoning mix (it is just onions and bell peppers chopped) 1 can black eyed peas I can veg all (both with about 1/2 the liquid) Let cook unitl meat almost done - add I pkg fresh mushrooms chopped fine (or I can of mushrooms) In a seperate saucepan, mix up 4 cups of brown gravy (Tony Chachere's Creole Brown Gravy Mix in a can has 0 grams of fat and is just made with water) When gravy is ready, add to meat/veggie mix and let simmer. (I also added some of that new Fibersure at this point - it has no taste and is a great way to sneak Fiber in when not having grains) At this point I added salt, pepper, garlic, and worchestire (sp?) to taste. Make up instant mashed potatoes ~ about 4 servings (I then mixed with a little beef broth to thin) When meat/veggie mix is cooked to the consistency of a stew, pour in casserole dish and top with mashed potatoes Broil for 5 minutes in oven - YUMMY! It was pretty soupy but I loved it and my family did too! Bon Appetit! Let's keep the ideas coming!

This thread is really helpful for us newbies. I still have 4 weeks until my 1st fill but it is great to know what to look for. My dr said when he does the 1st fill he fills it up all the way and then gives me Water to drink and he unfills until I can feel the water go down. He said the amount is different for everyone. Is this how ya'll did it? Do you mind telling me how full you were and how much was added? I am really curious if this was your first fill or what. I too sympathize with the money issue as I am a POOR college student and only my first fill is included in the surgery cost. My nurse suggested after I finish the first fill to sit in the waiting room for 30 min to an hour drinking liquids and make sure I feel OK before I leave. I guess if I hadn't left yet they wouldn't charge me for an unfill! Anyway - any details on fill levels, size of your band, and how many fills you had would be great. I am trying to be an "educated consumer!" Thanks!

Linda, I am one of those newbies! Will you please explain erosion to me? I assumed people meant the band started disenegrating or something! Please explain!

:help: Ok - I had my surgery 8 days ago and I went through my packet of info I have collected from my surgeon, dietician, PCP, online, etc. and I realized I have about 10 different post-surgery diets and don't know which one to follow. Liquids do not make me feel full - at all - and I am so weak I can barely get off the couch. Seriously, I can't imagine doing anything. It was a lot of effort to go to the computer. Anyway - some diets say liquids for one week, some for 2 weeks, and I've heard on these boards anywhere from a few days to a month. Can I have a scrambled egg? Some refried beans? One diet said in week two you can have soft pasta and well cooked veggies. I have not had any nausea and I don't want to throw up and risk doing something bad. But I'm not sure if I can get enough protein and sustain any sort of life on the liquids I'm drinking. My doc suggests 25-30 g of protein a day(which I am doing) and I take vitamins 2x a day. Any advice?

Do you mean you have a headache? That may be from being dehydrated. Clarify for me and we'll see if anyone can help ~

Ok guys - I went to GNC and got the Isopure. It comes in the hugest containers - it is so funny - one of my friends came over and said "Wow you sure have huge jugs!" I laughed so hard my port hurt! Anyway, I have made up a pitcher of Protein shake with SF/FF frozen yogurt, a couple of tbls. of reduced fat Peanut Butter, skim milk, and the chocolate Isopure powder. I am drinking 2 cups a day - which gives me 50 g of protein and I feel much better. I think that was definetely the problem. I talked to my dietician this morning and she still feels 30 g of protein a day is enough but I do not agree. Also - thanks for the heads up about the eggs - I will hold off. Now that I am feeling better I don't feel like I HAVE to have one. However yesterday I did go to a restaurant and I ordered some soup and some baked fish and I had about 5 tiny bites of the fish and it was fine. I think it was because I was also having the soup - which I'm sure helped wash it down. I know that is against the principle of drinking while eating with the band, but I had to try it. I guess when we start real eating we shouldn't have anything liquid like soup with our meal? That would defeat the purpose right? Anyway - tomorrow I go to my first support group meeting and I am looking forward to it. Oh and also I have Bunko tomorrrow night (which is usually a lot of fattening food and lots of alcohol). I am really woried about it so pray for me. Only one of my Bunco girls knows about the surgery so I am going to try to just be laying low. I will say I already ate dinner or something and I guess bring a Protein Shake with me. Any suggestions? Anyway - just wanted to thank everyone for the support and I will keep you all posted. I love your suggestions and I am about to hit the 2 week mark and transfer over to mushies so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks guys! I will definitely up my protein intake and I am drinking 64 oz of water a day (at least). I think it has to be the protein. I just keep hearing all these people say how great they felt and I was wondering what was wrong with me. I will call the dietician again on Monday and if I can't get her I will call my surgeon. I think the Isopure shakes might be the key - I'm hoping I can get them at GNC. Keep the suggestions coming! I appreciate them all ~

Just to clarify - I am supposed to drink at least 64 oz of water a day. The 1/4 cup per hour is for things other than water. I have tried to call my dietician today but she wasn't in. Maybe the 1/4 cup is a minimum and not a maximum? Hell, maybe I've got it all wrong. But I do know it says to add 25-30 g of protein a day. Well when I can't eat meat, peanut butter, cheese, or well, anything that has real protein in it I am assuming to "add" 25-30 g a day would be all the protein I am getting. I have had Carnation Instant Breakfast and hi-protein slim fast, I will definetely try the Isopure shake. I'm still thinking about trying an egg and just keeping my fingers crossed. But I think for dinner I am going to have pureed vegetarian chili and hope that is OK. Thanks for all the advice and please keep it coming!

Sorry guys, it has been 10 days since my surgery, not 8. If that makes any difference. Re. the protein - I have noticed 25-30g is lower than most. But how do you get that much protein unless you drink protein shakes and nothing else? According to my doc I'm only supposed to have 1/4 cup of liquid every hour. Let's say I eat (actually drink) 10 times a day - that only 2 1/2 cups of liquid. Can you get 60 g of protein in 2 1/2 cups? argh.

I notice not a lot of people are standing up and saying "I have had a drug problem too" so I will. Please know that the reason I finally got clean (October 2000) is because of the "Suicide Mondays". I don't know if you have ever heard that term but basically ex is the most famous for causing it. Ex releases a flood of seratonin in your brain an you feel GREAT for a while and then you crash big time. Coke is similar. I got tired of feeling horrible when I was coming down. The high wasn't worth the low. And if you are bi-polar or taking any type of mood stabilizers or anti-depressants taking ex or doing coke will totally screw this up. You might as well take nothing because they completely screw up what the real meds are trying to do. When your seratonin gets out of whack you are in for big ups and downs, highs and lows. as I'm sure you know. If you want to talk please send me a private message and I will help you through this all I can. You have to realize that the lows bring on the desire for highs which bring on the lows again. It is a vicious cycle. I got tired of feeling like I wanted to die after a binge and quit. I had to get away from the people that I partied with and start over. Reach out to some people who are clean - whether it be in a meeting, a counselor, family, whatever. Trust me, it will be the best thing you ever did. It is so great to know I will never feel that crappy again (I hope!) Anyway, good job on getting it out there. Hang on and take it one minute at a time (when I got clean one day or even one hour was way too long a time frame for me). It will get better - I promise.

Goodness! 500-700 cal a day seems like pretty strict a year after surgery! I'm sure your doc knows what he's doing but I'm sure it is hard. It looks like you've come far in the past year so keep up the good work. My doc doesn't want me to count calories and he only has me do 25-30 g of protein a day. But that seems pretty low from what I've read on this board. I just can't wait till I can eat some real food with real protein rather than having to drink it in a shake. I'm only 8 days out and I'm starting to hate drinking anything - especially a Protein Drink. But I guess I better get used to it and get over it or my hair will fall out!

My mom read some article that said a large percentage of people who have weight loss surgery end up alcoholics. That is scary. I wouldn't mind a cold beer (because it's so damn hot), but I'm scared to death of the carbonation (and the fact it is junk). But I'm only a week out and I've been wondering the same thing. I can't exercise for another 3 weeks so I've been sewing a lot and trying to stay busy. And I miss food alot. But I know I just want it for the comfort - not the actual food itself. I think it will be a long process. Good luck to all! Marie

Trish, I echo the above sentiments - I was banded on the 26th and I am not in "terrible" pain. I am uncomfortable - but certainly not terrible. You need to be watching closely for signs of infection - which are swelling, redness, skin feeling hot at the site, and fever. If You are just swollen and puffy that is one thing, but that plus any of the other signs are reason for concern. Also the pain should be worse on days 2 and 3 after the surgery - then gradually get better. If it isn't going that direction, you may have a problem. Also, the feeling light headed or sweaty or clammy sounds alot like dumping syndrome, which is rare in lap pts but common with the RNY bypass. It would occur if you had taken in too much sugar or fat too quickly. It is your bodies way of trying to compensate and it is sort of like a sinking spell + hot flash. But if you aren't taking in a lot of sugar or fat at once, this shouldn't happen. I encourage you to call your surgeon or your dietician to discuss if it doesn't get better. Do you do anything strenuous at work? This is major surgery and some people's bodies heal more quickly than others, but be on the look out for potential problems just to be safe. I don't know about you but where I live it is 103 degrees today so that will make anyone feel terrible! Stay hydrated and watch your sodium intake as well. Hope you feel better soon and keep us up to date! I hope my nursing school knowledge is helpful (I try to cure everyone already and I still have year before I graduate!) There are lots of people praying for you - keep in touch! Marie

Oh Matthew - AMEN - not only am I tired of soup but I am hungry! I am six days out and can't wait until I can have some applesauce - or anything besides soup and juice and Protein shakes etc etc etc. Are you hungry? And of course I had to teach a seminar this morning and someone walked in with Krispy Kreme donuts - ouch, that hurt. Anyway, I'm with you on the soup but I keep telling myself in six months or a year it will be soooooo worth it! Anybody drinking anything that really fills you up? Any ideas? I need HELP!! Marie:help:

:hungry: Ok - several people have commented on slim fast - but I was wondering b/c my doc said not to drink regular slim fast but the SF Optima (which has less sugar) or the SF High-Protein. The Optima has 190 cal and 18g sugar, and 10 g protein The Hi-Protein has 190 cal , 13 g sugar, and 15 g protein Is that too much sugar? How much sugar does ya'll's stuff have? Of course I bought a case of the slim fast (30 cans)! But if I have to I will go buy something else with less sugar. I just wanted to see how they compare before I spend more money! Also - about sugar free fat free yogurt - Baskin Robbins has it (soft serve), TCBY, I can't believe it's Yogurt, and any grocery store should have it with the ice cream. But any place that serves soft serve yogurt usually has a fat free sugar free version or a sugar free low-fat version. And the stuff from the grocery store is great blended with Carnation Instant Breakfast and Skim Milk for more protein. Good Luck everyone and please advise on the slim fast dillema - Marie - 6 days post op and trying to get creative with my liquids!

I asked my doc and he said when he said "Sugar free CIB" he meant the "no sugar added." I think it is great. I drank it before surgery and now it tastes even better! It is also good blended with a tiny bit of sugar free reduced fat peanut butter and banana (if your doctor allows this). Its a great source of protein and that is so important. I always mix mine with skim milk and sometimes I put it in the freezer to make a cold dessert.

Oh I know it is scary but it will be OK! You will be much healthier and live a more fulfilled life for your daughter. Just think about how great it will be when ya'll can go to the park and play together without getting tired? And you won't have to worry about the very serious problems that come with obesity - diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. You are doing a great thing for you and for your daughter also. She doesn't want to lose her mom to obesity related disease and that is tons more common than severe problems with the band. My doc says this surgery is the best thing you can do for yourself and your children, too. I was scared to have the surgery, but even more scared of dying from a stroke or heart attack. God Bless you and there are lots of people praying for you!

JMO - when you feel pain in your shoulders it is what is called referred pain. There is still gas trapped under your diaphram from where they blew you up (sounds silly huh?) Anyway, the nerves that run to your shoulders also run through your diaphram so you feel the pain there when the pressure is up in your tummy. It is completely normal and it is more severe for some, can last a day or a few days or up to a week. Best thing to do is walk around your house and very light stretching. Oh yeah - for those of you wondering about cortisone shots - I'm not gonna lie - they hurt like an SOB. Reason is, the cortisone itself is thick so they have to use a bigger needle. BUT - they are a miracle for some with joint pain. But be careful b/c a lot of times 12-36 hours after the shot you will feel GREAT (lots of energy, no pain, etc.) and you may do too much. Just remember you still need to take it easy if you are soon post op because you will crash from the shot after a couple of days and if you did too much physically it will catch up with you. When I say crash, I mean that boost of energy will be gone and your body will be tired b/c it thinks it wants more cortisone (which is a steroid). But like i said, they are a miracle for joint pain and should provide relief for quite a while. I am about to graduate from nursing school so I have been looking all this stuff up in my books so if ya'll have any other questions I'll be glad to help - Marie

I am 3 days post op and not up for it yet, but I was wondering when ya'll started exercising? I belong to a club so I can start slow and walk the track, but I was wondering about biking and maybe some light weight lifting? I'm ready to go!!! Just wondering if ya'll could let me know when you started and what you did - thanks!

I am 3 days post op and I went to the Vitamin store and got some things I needed. I would suggest doing some shopping right before surgery, or have someone do it the day you come home for you. I would suggest just the simple Clear liquids to start - don't try to think to far ahead. But my doc recommends chewable Vitamins and tums w/ Calcium 2x a day so if you need things like that get them ahead of time - I would suggest liquid Maalox or Gaviscon and some anti gas liquid, too. Also liquid Tylenol for sure! They make an adult kind called "rapid blast" that is new and helps alot. I was so scared before - I cried for 2 days. I thought something horrible would happen during the operation and there are only a few people I have told and I thought the whole thing would all come out and be a disaster. But alas, I am home and all is well. My doctor asked me why I was keeping the surgery a secret and I told him I didn't want people to think I was taking the easy way out. He looked at me and said "If you think this is the easy way out you are wrong. This takes hard work and you should be proud of yourself. This is the best decision you will ever make for you and your life will be better for it. It takes guts to do this and you've got 'em!" I repeated that over and over and it got me through. So - hang in there - post if you need support, and know it will all be good! Just imagine us all a year from now! There are lots of people praying for all of you undergoing your surgery soon! Just relax and know you are doing the right thing!:Banane56:

I am only 4 days post op. My doc had me on clear liquids for 2 days then full liquids for 2 weeks. The 2 things that fill me up so far are the Slim Fast Optima shakes (I can only drink about 1/4 of a can at a time) and then my aunt is making me these wonderful shakes. The recipe is: 2 cups skim milk 1 mashed banana 1 tablespoon reduced fat Peanut Butter 4 tablespoons carnation instant Breakfast (sugar free) She blends it with a hand held blender and keeps adding skim milk until it is really liquidy. But I swear it is a great source of Protein and that is what is keeping my energy up. I keep it in the fridge and drink about 1/4 cup a couple of times a day. I have read about people being on clear liquids for a month and I really can't imagine - but I guess a good quality chicken broth would have to do - but I would definitely add Fiber sure and Protein powder to stay strong and heal. Good luck and let me know if you love the shake as much as I do!

I really considered going to Mexico for my surgery - as I am in nursing school and hane no health insurance whatsoever. I would have done it, but a relative who was graciously paying for the surgery, forbid it. I went to a dr in my home town of Shreveport and was really encouraged by his philosophy on follow up care. He knows all of his patients and keeps up with their progress not only physically, but emotionally as well. And it felt good to know if I needed to see him it was only a 5 minute drive from my house. The total cost (with all pre-op testing and everything), was a little over 20K. However, if you are considering the band and absolutely can not afford that, then I would definetely say go to Mexico (or one of the cheaper places in the US), and then find a support group in your hometown. Good Luck!:bandit