StephM

Well guys, I over did it tonight! I guess I was eating too fast and didn't listen to the band! Damn it hurts!!! I walked and walked around Wal-Mart hoping that would help (it helped after surgery!!!), but to no avail. I took some Gas-X and that is helping a little. Just wanted to vent and tell everyone about my stupidity. Now I am going to TRY to go to bed.

I was told during my pre-op diet, that while on the liquid diet you could possibly have bad breath. If I had a guess, I would say it is due to the lack of chewing which helps get rid of some of the (odor causing) bacteria as you chew. Just my thought!

Here's another one to try: http://www.core.monash.org/assets/documents/research-papers/2004-39.pdf#search='vanguard%20lap%20band%20inamed'

Go to: http://www.allerganandinamed.com/pdf/health/94800-12_LB_Product_Data_Sheet.pdf#search='vanguard%20lap%20band%20inamed' This is the actual "book" that is given to surgeons to understand the differance between bands, procedure techniques, fill techniques, and anything you ever wanted to know about the VG and the Lap Band behind the scene. If this doesn't help, I will do a little more digging. Good Luck!

My mom has not necessisarily been the most supportive to my MANY previous weight loss attempts and I was SCARED TO DEATH to tell her what I was doing. I finally decided I had to since we usually went to dinner together at least once a week. When I told her, she was so supportive and told me if I needed anything to let her know. Of course the closer I got to the surgery date, she kept asking me if I was sure this is what I wanted to do. Now that I have had the surgery, she is always asking how much I've lost, how I am feeling overall, and when we are going clothes shopping. It will be scary to tell your mom, but you need to do this for yourself. Your mom has two choices: 1) Accept and support or 2) Not accept and be a pain. If she chooses #1 GREAT, and if she chooses #2 it's her loss to accompany you through the tremendous journey. Good Luck!

Ugh! I don't feel full! At lunch I had about 1/4 cup of ground beef, 1/4 cup of pinto beans, and 1/4 cup green beans. It took me about thirty minutes to finish all that so I stopped eating. Three hours later I was hungry again, so I atw another round of what I had previously eaten (ground beef, pinto beans, and green beans). Three hours later I came home very hungry and had dinner. I had about 4oz of fresh tuna, and 1/2 cup of green beans, took thirty minutes to eat, but still feel physically hungry. I don't feel any pressure or pain when I eat a certain amount to tell me that I have had enough, but I don't want to over do it either in fear that I will streach my pouch. Any suggestions, comments, etc?

I have to confess...I broke doctor's order today!!! I was supposed to be on full liquids for six more days, but I just couldn't take it anymore (I was really good for 2 weeks of clear liquids and the first week of full liquids). My hubby took me to Red Lobster and I did great! Small portions, chewed well, small bites, AND finished my saucer of food after he finished his "all you can eat" shrimp...and he eats ALOT!!! I had read on several posts by previous months band crews that sometimes you have to tell the waitress that you just don't eat a lot or that you can't, due to WLS. I really didn't think it would ever happen but it did. I ate about 1/4 of my fish, 1/4 of my mashed potatos and the tomato and cucumber off my salad. Everytime she came by she kept asking, "Ma'am, is your meal okay?" I guess this really goes to show just how much Americans are eating now days, when the waitress thinks something is wrong with your meal because you don't scarf down your entire meal that is big enough to feed 2-3 adults! It was a very enlightening experiance!!!

WELCOME! Of course you can join the ABC chat. We are a very friendly, laid back group here to support anyone who needs us. All comments, frustrations, etc. are welcome! We are here for you!

Don' be so hard on yourself! You are still new to bandland and you are still learning what you body and mind are trying to tell you and which one to listen to when. Hang in there! Things WILL get better! :eek:

I was really worried about this myself, but everybody thinks it's hilarious. My co-workers are very proud of me as I was always the shy lady-like worker who made no bodily sounds and my hubby and in-laws find it pretty funny also. If anyone gives you grief over your burpees, tell them that the gas could be coming from the OTHER end; I'm sure that will shut them up! :eek::cool:

I thought I would have to crush all my pills (7 of them) after surgery, but my doc said if they are small I should be able to take them with sips of Water and have no problem. I have one tablet that is kinda big and I break it in half, but the rest go down whole with no problem. The largest whole pill is a little smaller than the eraser on the jumbo pencils we used in kindergarden. It takes me about five minutes to get everything down, but I have had no problems, and I started this the day after my surgery. Have you tried taking them whole? Just a thought.

PeloRojo: Sounds like you are doing great! 1) I was on Clear Liquids for two weeks and told by my surgeon that I could have broth. You technically can't see through it, but there is nothing in it to make it anything but clear. 2) I had a burpy sensation, and still to, but everytime comes a BIG burp! 3) I used rubbing alcohol to get the iodine off. I had to get my husband to help and it took a little rubbing. A few days later I was having a lot of sticky left from bandaids and I used "GooGone" it's a citrus based goo removal. It might work great for the iodine too. You can usually find it at Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc.

1) I was unable to eat/drink anything for the first two weeks that was cold. Everything had to be room temperature. This was really weird for me, because I always liked COLD drinks. 2) I did Centrum liquid for the first two weeks and I am now doing Centrum Chewables. I figure they are adult strenth so I will be sure to get all the "adult" stuff I need. 3) I am almost three weeks out and still have a little bloating. I don't think it's necessarily swelling, but definately bloating. Hope this helps.

Faybie: Although you feel you could go back to work if you HAD to, make sure you rest ALOT over the next four days. I was feeling great the day before I went back to work, but when I returned to work (desk job), I was exhaused by 2:00 and had to come home. I have now been back to work for a week and a half, but am still pretty exhausted by the end of the day. Take it easy and remember your body is still healing.

I am on full liquids (anything you can drink through a straw). I have really been craving protein lately and am not a big fan of the protein powders. WARNING - The following sounds gross!!! I have pureed/liquified roast chicken and port tenderloin (at differant times, not together) to date. It doesn't look like much, but the taste is heavenly and it is PACKED with protein. I am sure if those meats taste good liquified, then pureed would definately be good. Also, try going to the food catagory here on LBT. There are some very interesting recipes on there for every stage of the "game". Hope this helps!

Dah...guess I should post my October 1st goal! 260

I like the ABC idea!!! It seems so simple, but I don't think I would have ever thought of it myself. I will start the 'ABC September Chat' in just a moment, so go find our newest thread and continue sharing our stories, victories, difficulties, etc. With you first post, make sure to share what your goal is for October 1st. We can do this one month at a time.

I felt great after surgery. I think getting up and walking quickly after surgery really helped.

I find that if I stand for longer than about 15 minutes my port will hurt a little, but nothing that I need pain meds for. I would call your doctor just to be safe. I called my doc today with what I thought was a stupid question and they said they were glad I called and asked.

I have always been a BIG water drinker, but have always tended to gulp whenever I drink. I have continued to gulp since two days after surgery and have not had any "complications" from this as of yet, but want to learn to sip before my first fill. Does anyone have any suggestions to "teach" myself how to sip??? How much is a sip?

I set my goal based upon the weight I had previously been the most comfortable at. I lost a lot of weight in high school and got down to 165 and was told by my doctor to gain weight (I am VERY big boned and at 165 my collar bones were showing). But I would be just as happy if I could just get under 200 and stay there.

I still have a couple of weeks to go until I will be on solids, but wanted to get a feel of how many calories, fat, and protein surgeons have recommended to those of you who are close to or on solids. I don't recall reading this anywhere from my surgeon and was just curious. Of course I will go by what my sugeon says in a few weeks, but just thought I ask others.

It sounds like you are doing great so far!! I know the pre-op stuff can be very over-whelming. You have done well on your pre-op diet for 11 days, so just keep telling your self...4 more days, 4 more days, 4 more days.... Keep your head up and if you get over-whelmed just stop by LBT and vent. That's what we are all here for...support. Good Luck!

Make sure your surgeon and anathesiologist know that you are anxious. I made darn sure both knew and I was "higer" than a kite leaving the pre-op area. All I remember is them putting the IV in and telling me they were going to give me some medicine to make me relax. Boy! Did I relax! All I remember after that is saying "weeeeeeeeeeeeee" as they rolled me out of the pre-op room and the lights turning on in the OR. :notagree Then I woke up in recovery and I was feeling "good" the rest of the day. :clap2: Good Luck! We all had some type of anxiety before (and even after) our surgeries.