Stephanie1972

Your doc is right. I too have PCOS and Diabetes. Everytime I would diet throughout my life, I'd get my period. Don't freak out. Be thrilled that your body is working!

If the business conference is 1 week post op, I think you will be fine. I would double check with your doctor to make sure blood clots aren't a risk and from the nutritional perspective, make sure you are prepared...lots of crystal light, you'll need to bring lots of protein and have access to milk.

I am 10 days post op and have recovered amazingly from surgery. Yesterday, I had a pain in my side that was so excruciating, I thought I was going to die...It was a stabbing pain and it only when I was in a certain position. It is gone today (thank God) but I think it was a gas pocket. Perhaps that's what yours is? I exercised like heck yesterday to make sure that if it was gas, it was gone!

What Parrothead said! I coudn't have said it better!! I am 10 days post op...I was freaking out as well...mourning the life I knew, the beer I loved, the plates of mexican food that would stuff me to the hilt, but the better questions are these: Can I handle my life the way it is now? Am I going to live to have children, much less watch them grow old and have children? Am I going to dread getting on an airplane and praying that the person next to me is tiny or that the seat is empty. Am I going to go out to a business lunch and pray that they don't sit in a booth, just in case it's too tight. Am I tired of my girlfriends kindly letting me sit in the front seat...I would recommend thinking of all of the things you are sick of...through with...the real reasons why you're doing this, including health reason, comfort and self confidence. It is easy for someone to say, don't worry...you'll be fine...and damnit! You Will!! but I would reevaluate how life is as a fat person. Someone who gets looked at, not because she's "hot" but because she's morbidly obese. Good Luck. If you ever need anything, you found a great outlet!

I quit smoking on November 30, 2008. I was a smoker for 22 years. I was banded on April 16, 2009. The nicotine is completely out of your system after 24 hours of quitting...the rest of it is psychological. I recommend Commits losenges if you're still craving nicotine. Do not start again. It will nearly negate the benefits of being banded...this is such an opportunity for an entirely new life. You know...I have the tendency to judge people sometimes. I hate that I do, but I do...it is very ironic to me that you often see the obese person sitting at the bar doing shots and smoking. 3 addictions in 1 place...stop numbing and start feeling. (I'm not incinuating that you do shots) I have and what a ride it's been!

You are weak because you are not likely getting your 60 grams of protein...

My doctor is a huge advocate of the newly design Realize (they just redesigned in about 6 weeks ago). He was indifferent prior to the redesign. I was just banded with the Realize last Thursday.

I too was banded last Thursday and I'm starving too! I've lost a bunch of weight as well. You are not a freak. Make sure you're getting 60-100 grams of protein and sugar free popsicles work well in helping to curb the hunger. Also make sure you're getting your 60 oz of water in too.

EXERCISE! My doctor, who is a BCBS Circle of Excellence Surgeon in Bariatric Surgery DEMANDS vigorous exercise as early as day 1 post op! I promise it will make a difference. It has to, right?

I am 37 and smoked for 22 years, so like you, I was a bit apprehensive about undergoing weight loss surgery AND quitting smoking! There was not 1 surgeon I could find that would operate if I smoked within 2 months of the surgery. The reasons are as follows: 1) Smoking present a much larger risk with anestesia 2) Healing is much slower as there isn't much oxygen in the blood 3) Smoking can cause ulcers. Ulcers create serious problems with any weight loss surgery, specifically erosion with the band. 4) You're undergoing a major procedure to get your life back...and yet you're still doing things to sabotage your health... So...to make a long story short...I am an asthmatic...yes, a smoker with asthma. I walked around for years with my albuterol and a cigarette. What an idiot. By the grace of God, I was driving to work one morning and felt tight in my lungs so I decided to NOT have a cigarette that morning. That morning was December 1. I used Commit losenges to help but my last cigarette was November 30th. Good luck. I know this is a tough deal, especially for a smoker. Be an advocate for your health though. You won't regret it.

I walked twice for 30 minutes each slowly the day after my surgery. I did this everyday. My gas pains lasted 3 days max.

It sounds like gas to me.

Excess skin is going to be a problem if you are obese and you lose weight regardless of how you lose weight. As for the pre and post op diets...I'm starting week 2 of my post op diet. It is not fun, HOWEVER, it is such a small price to pay if it means getting my life back...for all the times I stuffed my face, I'm a little hungry right now and will be for another week...After that, the band will be my friend, it will be a part of me for life and it will comfortably help me control my portions, thus my calorie intake. I hope you stick with it...dieting doesn't work for 94% of people long term.

Yes Jim...I do remember! Great point. By the way...I went to college in De Pere! Not too far from you...

Did someone say heating pad? Yes!!! Have it ready...you'll be amazed how much comfort it will provide you.

Sugar Free Popsicles!!! Seriously...they are yummy after this surgery (i was banded last week). You'll do great! My biggest piece of advice is to walk around Friday...even if it's down the driveway and back. You will feel groggy possibly and not up for it, but it will help you get back on your feet sooner and it will also work better than Gas-X at alleviating the gas pains.

I was just banded on Thursday. I had researched each of the surgeries for 5 years and obviously concluded that the band was best for me. Quite frankly, over a 5 year period, they yield the same average weight loss, so with them being worlds apart in terms of complications, safety, etc...it was a no-brainer. The clearest difference to me is that the band patients have to work with their tool moreso than bypass patients. Feel free to fire any questions away...

ok, that's funny because I'm walking my 2 80 lbs dogs 2 miles daily! (1 mile intervals). The only thing that gets me is when the 18 month old Chocolate Lab sees a bird and thinks it's time to hunt! The 7 year old Yellow Lab could care less. Walking is GOOD. I used to HATE it, but now I just LOVE breathing in the smells, looking at flowers, and appreciating the fact that I have legs that move...if you have dogs, it's a huge plus. My dogs are so high energy yet were so deprived of daily exercise...

I am holding up well! The toughest part is keeping track of drinking all 60 oz of Water daily, drinking 60-100 g of Protein daily and walking 60 minutes a day. Aside from that, I am having pain where the port was attached to the muscle, but nothing that's keeping me from getting around. When is your date?

I had surgery April 16th and on April 17th I was walking twice a day for 30 minutes each time. I have done cardio for an hour a day since the day after surgery...I also did advanced step aerobics on wii fit, but afterwards got a little nauseated so I will hold off on that until 2 weeks out.

I would start making small changes in your life. It will make the transition much easier! Start taking a 20 minute walk everyday. You'll need to do at least that after surgery. Start drinking 60 ounces of water and start experimenting with different protein shakes. Find one you like. You'll need to consume 60-100 g of protein each day. If you really want to get crazy, learn how to take small bites. It really does take practice.

I was just banded on the 16th and mine hurts too. It will get better daily. My suggestion is to try to avoid getting up and down and get yourself a heating pad. It has soothed a lot of my discomfort.

Hey! I got the Realize. Why, am I eating something I shouldn't?

I was banded on the 16th as well. I am still very sore and bruised but have been able to get around. The sharp pain you are feeling is most likely gas (they fill your belly with gas during the surgery to make room to work). The day after surgery, I walked an hour (broken into 15 minute increments. Yesterday, I did the same thing...I promise that if you're active you will find relief soon. You can't sit on the couch. The gas will have no where to go. Take it slow, but get up and move. You made the right decision. I would avoid the pain meds. They will make you tired and will mask the pain, not resolve it. Good luck to you!

I like the Wheybolic powder found at GNC. I get the chocolate and vanilla and mix 2 scoops (40 g of protein) with 8 oz of skim milk. I throw in a tbsp of Peanut Butter and 5 or 6 ice cubes and blend...It's really a treat!