Stephanie1972

I'm sorry to hear that Was...did you have erosion? The complication rate for the band is generally very low, which is why I opted for it...does anyone know what caused your complications? Congrats on your great weight loss anyway!

You feel this way even though you lost 103 lbs?

I was extremely low too when I went in for my lab work. I asked my doctor if I'd ever been low before. He didn't know because Vitamin D is not something that is tested for on a regular blood panel! 1 billion people worldwide are Vitamin D deficient and most don't even know it. I was prescribed 150,000 IU's per week for 4 weeks and now I'm on 50,000 per week. After much reading, the benefits of Vitamin D being at normal levels and the risks of it being deficient, are reason enough for everyone to ask their doctors to check them...you're not alone!

I would stick to the diet your doctor has requested. I would make SURE you're getting at least 60 g of protein in. If you must supplement with shakes, then do that. And yes, I would walk twice a day for 30 minutes each time. I would give yourself 1 day off. If you have a dog, use it as an excuse to give them exercise. If you don't, borrow someones dog, lol...use an Ipod or something. I HATE exercising but I am now looking at this differently. I have neglected my body for way too long. It is time to embrace it. Your body is very strong, underneath the games that your head may play with it. Push your body to work harder for you. I promise you'll get results...today is just a day...the number on the scale today will mean nothing to you in a year when you are healthy in body and mind...

I would crank up the exercise intensity to 60 minutes/day 6-7 days a week...your metabolism has slowed down because you're not getting many calories. You'll need to kick it into gear through exercise.

I would increase your excercise to 60 minutes daily 6-7 days a week. That is my doctors expectation. I have been following it to a T. Not only do I feel great, but I've had some weight loss too (now I am still only 2.5 weeks post op) but the exercise is shrinking my waist!

I would wait to shop for mushie's. By the time you're on them, you will feel good enough to go to the grocery store. As for liquids, I would buy: Low sodium chicken and/or beef broth Crystal Light sugar free Jello Sugar Free Popsicles (I ate these a lot and still do) Skim or 1% milk (probably a full gallon) Reduced Fat Peanut Butter (for your Protein shakes) Every doctor is different. My doctor was all about Clear Liquids for 2 weeks, so I couldn't do Soups and such... Good luck! This is a fun journey. Plus, you're being banded on my wedding anniversary. That means it'll be an extra great day for you! :-)

Sam, he put a TINY in your band. Hold a rubber band in your hand and put it in your hair. It doesn't hold your hair in place. Now wrap it around your hair twice...it creates restriction. It takes time to find your sweet spot. The spot at which 2 or 3oz of food makes and keeps your full. I highly doubt your band has slipped. Good luck and nice weight loss!

It's probably that your port area is still tender. I was banded April 16th and mine is still a little tender too. If you don't think it's that, I had sharp stabbing pains in my side when I leaned a certain way. It ended up being gas.

what does your doctor say? I was on clear liquids for 2 weeks, with the exception of protein drinks. Instead of mashing the banana, why don't you throw it in the blender so that it's liquid-like and add protein.

what are you eating 3 days post op? I just started mushies yesterday and I'm 15 days post op!

Weight loss is weight loss, right? I guess that's how I look at it. Use your weight from your consultation! I did...

What surgeon are you considering in NC? My experience with Anthem BCBS is that they needed a 5 year weight history, not a diet for 6 months.

Wow...welcome to my world, although I'm only an hour from a big city and 90 minutes from my surgeon. Picking your surgeon is (I think) the single most important part of this journey, so it makes sense that you're frustrated. Secondly, the after care with the lap band is SO important and I think is a huge part of someone's success. So herein lies the question. Fills typically happen every 6 weeks. I would research the doctor in Phoenix. I would find out what kind of support his office offers (after the band...for example, does he offer nutritional counseling, etc). If you love him, I would keep your chin up and plan on making it a road trip every 6 weeks! The other thing I might recommend is looking into Dr. Kirshenbaum. From what I understand, he's EXTREMELY reasonable with a set price under 10 grand and he's in Denver (I think...I know he's in Colorado) You could have your after care done in Flagstaff (make sure they're willing to do someone else's fills).

Did he mention the name of the bacteria in your stomach? By any chance is it H. Pylori?

Ladyjp...you are fine! You are normal! :-) I had my surgery 4/16 and I'm STILL showing a little bruising...and it's starting to go away. In fact, the bruise was so big, it looked like I got booted in the stomach! The bump near the large incision is your port! I can feel mine too. My incisions are not sore anymore, but I can still feel a little tension (in the muscle area where the port is attached) when I'm getting out of bed. Everything you're experiencing is totally normal. The only thing I would worry about is if the incision areas get red and hot which could be a sign of infection...but that doesn't happen often either. Relax, have fun and enjoy this journey! It's so exciting, isn't it? Oh, and make sure you're doing the following DAILY: 60 minutes of walking (break it up as many times as you need). It will help with gas pains and swelling and will help you lose weight~ 60 oz of Water daily...or crystal light...no exceptions 60-100 g of Protein daily...this is critical for energy and muscle restoration

and it is...it will eventually come off. Right now, our bodies are in metabolic shock! So few calories slows our metabolisms to a crawl, preventing weight loss from happening or causing us to get stuck. I would recommend kicking up your exercise commitment to jump start the metabolism again...I'm walking 3 miles per day and doing step aerobics on wii fit and I am losing weight. The 2 days I was sedentary, the scale didn't budge...I too am consuming less than 800 calories as I'm only 13 days post op.

I'm in NC too! Who did your band? I'm only 12 days out...

Do you drink protein shakes? Those have tons of dairy...fyi (not trying to insult your intelligence)

Could there be a chance of lactose intolerance?

I just went through that...and finally this morning the scale shows another pound lost. There are quite a few things go on...first of all, our bodies are in complete starvation mode. When we don't take in enough calories, our metabolism essentially shuts down to a crawl. The only way to boost that back up is with exercise. I would recommend making sure you're drinking 60 oz of water a day, so that you stay hydrated, but don't retain water, and that you exercise 60 minutes a day...get that heart rate up. The weight has to come off, right? You're eating much less and burning calories...be patient. The band is a life journey, not a sprint to the finish line...Easier said than done, but I have that posted above my scale at home.

Congrats to you! By the way, my best friend lives in Langley!

Do not focus on your weight right now. I know it's hard. You are still in the healing phase of this journey. The weight loss phase doesn't officially begin until you have a fill in your band. Follow the doctors orders in regards to portion sizes and types of food you can eat. The bottom line is that you are consuming so few calories on liquids and mushies that the body shuts down and goes into starvation mode. Your body will recognize the new portions soon enough. Use the band as a tool. Don't try to outsmart it by dieting.

Cathy, Did you have resolution of your Diabetes? I, too am a Type II Diabetic. My sugars are very controlled since surgery 10 days ago without medicine but I know once I'm on solids they'll hike back up. I'm hoping with significant weight loss they'll go back down. Did they with you?

Do you have the Wii Fit? If not, ask for it as a gift from someone! It takes the work out of exercise.