thebandedgirl

Pre-op was hard. I'm so grateful that my surgeon didn't require only liquids! Hope you're doing great

YAY! You're both in my thoughts :w00t:

I think that most of us have. We all have issues with food, I think, or we wouldn't be in the situations we're in. Some people are able to overcome their food problems easily, some aren't. I'm in the latter category, unfortunately, and plan to seek counseling as soon as I get my new insurance card.

I wasn't exactly an addict, but I drank one or two sodas a day (Dr. Pepper or Jones Soda berry Lemonade). I had a couple throughout my three week pre-op diet, but found I didn't really crave them. Since I had surgery over seven weeks ago, I've had one small sip of Sprite, but it tasted awful to me. I don't really miss it, though I imagine I'll probably indulge once in a while. My surgeon allows soda 60 days after surgery and beyond. In high school, when I *was* an addict, I stopped cold turkey for quite a while. I still don't know why I started drinking Dr. Pepper again after that!

Many people report that they're not hungry for a while after they have surgery. I went in hungry, came out hungry, and remained hungry until I could eat solid foods! I did discover, however, that some of the signals I thought were from hunger were actually just general tummy rumblings because my stomach was upset with me.

Wow. That's one horrible partial paragraph I wrote! Hope it makes sense :cool:

I wouldn't stock up TOO much; my tastes have really changed since I had surgery. Having said that, I did buy chicken broth, Jello, baby food (only fruit!), apple sauce, pre-made mashed potatoes, Cream of Wheat, and cottage cheese for my liquid and mushy stages. Check on the mashed potatoes, though; I know that some docs don't want their patients to have potatoes. I limited myself to one mashed potato meal a day. If you like sweet potatoes, you can sub those for mashed :cool: I really liked the cottage cheese mixed with Pasta sauce and nuked for 10-15 seconds. Mashed potatoes mixed with pureed green chili and topped with a little low-fat cheddar are heaven. I was really anxious to eat things that weren't sweet. I was *so* sick of Protein shakes!

Congratulations on getting a date! I can't imagine going through the process for three years; you're a trooper! I told very few people about my surgery: My boyfriend, mom, boss, and three closest friends. I didn't want constant scrutiny and criticism from my coworkers!

I was in a lot of pain. I slept a lot. I walked a lot

I asked about it, but my surgeon still does four incisions. I didn't really care because I already have scaring from my gallbladder removal a few years ago and I'm not going to show my belly to anyone anyhow

Ask your doc. My surgeon says okay, if there's no discomfort, two months or more post-op. I used to drink one or two cans a day...but I don't miss it now. I can resume soda in a few weeks but doubt I'll have it.

Awesome progress

You can make a ticker at tickerfactory.com and then post it in your signature area under the user control panel of the site. As for your weight loss: don't expect anything right now! This is a time for your body to heal and rest, not lose weight It's pretty common for people to gain weight during this stage, actually. Try to be patient. I know it's difficult (believe me, I'm having problems right now), but try. Go easy on yourself!

Wow. My doc has us on one or two days of liquids followed by one or two days of mushies--we are to advance as we are comfortable. I can't imagine two weeks of liquids!

I was surprised at how much chicken four ounces is when I weighed it out pre-op! I don't weigh or measure food, but I should start. I'm really resistant to the idea of adding one more step into food prep, though.

Listen to RestlessMonkey, please. Postponing the surgery is much better than death or major complications from having an illness. Don't forget that these are usually smart and highly trained people and they'll probably catch it if you're sick and think you silly for attempting to fool them.

Same here--liquid Lortab! I started taking liquid Tylenol almost right away, though. I don't like the way Lortab makes me feel.

Echoing therapy. I'm going to go as soon as I get my new insurance card--old insurance didn't cover it!

There is a ton of information you should know. There's no way anyone can put all of it in a response for you :smile2: My best advice for getting it? Read posts around here and peoples' blogs (check out signatures, lots of us have them). I was so sick of LAP-BAND stuff by the time I had surgery, I couldn't force myself to get online to check forums or even update my blog when I got home.

Any way to get the gas out is a good way. It relieves pressure and feels better :smile2:

We were banded on the same day :smile2: You've lost more than me. Congratulations on your progress and willpower!

Mine hurt for three or four weeks and twinges from time to time. I can't lay on my port side for long periods of time now, six weeks out. Fortunately, I sleep on my other side anyway :smile2:

I didn't have a hernia, fortunately, but it is pretty common! I've read that recovery from banding plus hernia operations is a little tougher than just the banding, but only a little.

Yay! Enjoy Costa Rica. The best advice I can give you is to pamper yourself and relax before surgery. I got a pedicure :smile2:

Does anyone else have a surgeon who is very conservative with fills? The office I go to does 1cc at a time. I, therefore, have 1cc in my 10cc band and no restriction whatsoever. An entire sandwich from Subway? Yes, please! I'm feeling a little frustrated because my weight is yo-yoing between the same three or four pounds and has been since I started solid foods three and a half weeks ago. I know that it's common for some people to get 3-4ccs on their first fill visit, and now I'm concerned that it's going to take me MONTHS (as the surgeon will do fills every 4 weeks) to feel any restriction at all. Anyone have reassurance? Similar stories? I'm feeling a little alone right now. Thanks