Rutiglius

I also had a hiatal hernia. My surgeon said they are fairly common within overweight people. I did have some pain with mine, but it was pretty mild.

Remember not to judge someone until you "have walked two moons in her sandals".

If you're healing okay, your doctor may say "yes" on the mushie food. My doctor gave me the "go ahead" on the fourth day past surgery. It made such a big difference! I was in heaven! I hope you get the "okay"!!!!

Congrats!! :thumbup:

I have yet to eat a meal in 30 minutes -- mine goes down MUCH faster -- even though I try. I teach school and when it starts, I can only dream of having a 30 minute lunch. By the time I get the kiddos to lunch and settle down to eat, I get about 20 minutes, max.

I also felt like I couldn't get a full breath. I think mine was the Co2 gas, plus swelling. It helped me if I stood and with both hands on the kitchen counter, I leaned forward slightly. Reclining in a recliner also seemed to help. If you are not doing so, take the max that you can (according to the package) of the Gax X strips. Once I started burping, I could breathe better!

My surgery went without a hitch. I had little to no pain -- but everyone is different. I have been banded 4 1/2 weeks, and have had NO nausea. I haven't thrown up, or been "stuck". I have had NO complications!! I have lost almost 20 pounds in 5 1/2 weeks, and I only had to do the pre-op diet for 1 week. So, most of my weight loss is post-operative. I love my band, but I do somewhat miss all the "bad" foods I used to eat. However, I am too excited about losing the weight and keeping it off to get too bothered by it! I was very scared before my surgery, because face it, this is a life-changing event. Now, I wouldn't change it!!

Early on, right after I was banded, I had a Hate relationship with my band. I had no pain, but I was kind of freaked out about having this "thing" inside me controlling what I ate. Now, I love my band 99.7%. It has made it so much easier for ME to control what I eat (and I haven't had a fill yet), but a small part of me sometimes regrets not being able to eat just what I want to. Once I get over my pity-party, however, I Love it!

I am on the green bean kick too! Don't know why...I always liked them, but could take them or leave them. Now..YUM!

That is good to know about drinking more Water. The last couple of days I got up and ate breakfast first. I got that "stuck" feeling. I used to get up, drink my water, wait 30 mins and then eat breakfast. Water first from now on!!!

I gained 2 pounds during the "transitional" stage between mushies and "real" food. I think everything tasted SO good, and I was SO hungry... Anyway, I got back on track and started eating around 1000 - 1200 cals a day, and have taken off the two pounds, plus another .4. I try to eat a LOT of protein to stay full longer.

I'm glad the local worked! I have about 2 1/2 weeks until my first fill, and don't want a nightmare!

I made it through liquids, mushies, and the transitional phase. I can now officially eat real food! I had a small salad with grilled chicken. I chewed it slowly and NO problems!! Now I just have to watch my caloric intake until my first fill on the 10th of August. Hooray...one more "obstacle" overcome.:cool2: Hang in there everyone...it WILL get here (although I thought it would be forever)!

CONGRATS!!! I can't WAIT to get there too!!!

Congrats! Good luck on your job -- you will do fine until your fill, because your attitude is great!!

I think if you are comfortable, and your health numbers are good, your goal should be what YOU want it be! Congratulations on your success. I can't wait to get there too!!!

To help those with discomfort. I had very little pain, but I am a side-sleeper and felt a swollen-type of pressure when I laid on my side. I found that hugging a pillow and kind of "tucking" it under me, helped to support my tummy area and I was able to sleep really well. Good luck all!

YEP -- four weeks out and BURP, FART, BURP!

If you can tolerate them -- almonds are great. I like the ones that are oven baked with sea salt. I also just found a new Breakfast product. It is Jimmy Dean's low fat breakfast bowl. It is scrambled eggs (egg whites only), cheese, potatoes and turkey sausage. It has 23 grams of Protein and keeps me full for a long time. You just heat it in the microwave for 2 -3 minutes. I also liked refried Beans with salsa and low fat cheese all melted together in the microwave! I also like Newdicarlo's snack of turkey wrapped around cheese. I use the reduced fat colby/jack sticks. Hope you get some good ideas!

Welcome to ONEDERLAND! I can't wait to get there!! Congrats!!!

I had the same feeling. A couple of things helped me to catch my breath: 1. I would stand up and bend slightly at the waist and hold on to the counter. I could then get a complete yawn or a full breath. 2. I would sit in the recliner and just slightly recline back with my legs out. Again, I could breathe that way. After about a week, I was able to catch breaths on my own. I figured it was a little trapped gas along with the swelling that contributed to the tightness. Gas X seemed to help me breathe a little easier too. I hope you feel better soon! If it doesn't get better in a couple of days, you might try the doc again.

Well...I'd say they were about the same. However, she did shut the machine off between lip and chest. When she finished my lip she shut down and then told me that it was going to be a really slow day because she didn't have any other appointments. So, I asked if she would do my chest. She said sure and restarted the machine. I don't know if that has anything to do with it??? I do have a tan, but haven't been out in the sun for a couple of weeks and it is faded. I told her this...

When I was banded I had a great experience -- very little pain. On the 1 - 10 pain scale, nothing more than a 2 really, and that was mostly shoulder and neck pain from the Co2 gas. So, yesterday I go to an aesthetician (Kelly, a.k.a. "SATAN") for some IPL (Intense Pulse Light) hair removal on my upper lip. This place is pretty tender, but she zapped me and NO big deal. While I was there, I asked if she could also zap my cleavage area, because I have started noticing some dark hairs there (YUCK)! Holy CRAP! It felt like she was hitting me with a hot curling Iron. Luckily, my DH drove me, because it hurt so bad on the way home, that my arms were shaking!!! On the pain scale I would say it was an 8. :scared2: I get home and put an ice pack on it (per Satan's instructions) and take some Advil. Finally the pain slowly abated, but now I have this HUGE brown rectangle of burned skin between my boobs which is still tender to the touch! My upper lip -- not a mark. Go figure!!!! :wink2:

Oh Yeah! That's THE pose I want too! The "girls" are popping out of the top of the lingerie...Sexy. When I reach goal, I am doing it for my hubby too!

To "parrot" parrothead (pun INTENDED)...the left shoulder is where that co2 gas seems to end up on a lot of us. I had relatively little surgery pain -- mine was all in my shoulder and neck. Walking did help! Good luck.