lotusflwr

Sorry, I've been absent! Daughter got married, and I've been doing wedding stuff. I'm down 35 lbs as of this morning. Just got my second fill last saturday and I am super tight. It is uncomfortable when I eat but doesn't hurt. I sure makes you NOT want to eat!!! LOL. I am making sure I get protein by eating pureed meat. I cannot drink anything cold...it must be room temp or warm. I'm starting to doubt my decision to be this tight. Prior I was eating as much of anything as I wanted....to the point that I was beginning to doubt the decision to have even been banded. I need the deep restriction, however, I never imagined it would be this difficult. I'm not hungry except for in my head....hopefully when the carbs get out of my system the head hunger will leave as well. Anyway...missed ya'll bunches!!! Patty

:eek::smile2::eek:Those that are on the liquid diet pre or post.....are you having any problem with diarrhea....I know it's gross to talk about but it's bad! I've actually changed clothes twice today. I don't have a gallbladder and was wondering if this was the cause or if anyone else was having this problem. I bought some liquid immodium today and will give it a try this afternoon. I'm trying not to stress my body with any more medications than I already have to take on a normal basis. Thanks Patty

I have a bladder infection and have gained 4 pounds in 2 days. I know it's Water and will come right back off after the antibiotic takes over, but Geesh what a kill joy! My clothes are starting to hang on me, but my rings have gotten tighter since the infection kicked in. I start the antibiotics this afternoon, so hopefully I'll see it drop off in the next 72 hours!!!! I hate water weight!!! Patty

Here's what i haven't figured out about the whole "lazy" thing. The band doesn't do the work for you. It's a tool, just like a food scale, or a treadmill. You don't get a band and then poof the magic fat fairy comes and takes it all away. We have to work at it.....lazy??? I don't think so!!! It sounds like it's time to do some garden weeding in the friend section! Hugs, Patty

I occasionally have a glass of tea unsweet if I am out to dinner, but at home it's Water. I think twice I have had some crystal light. Patty

On average I'm eating about 700 calories a day. I'm stuffed and not hungry until the next meal. My dr told me to watch my carb only 35 grams a day, protien 70-75 grams. I personaly keep my fats at about 30 percent of my calories. All my fats come from healthy Proteins and dairy sources. All my carbs come from fruits veggies, and dairy. I eat 3 meals a day. My dr said if I stall when my treadmill comes in then to add a fourth meal to my day. To up my intake some, because I can't physically eat anymore than I do, and that my ratios were good with what I was doing. He also stressed that I still must live my life. He said occasionally eat something I really wanted. Not as a reward, but just for the joy of it. He said plan it, for when your going to a party or some special event. He also said to have a margarita now and then. He also stressed that occasionally ment every 6 to 8 weeks not every day! He and psychiatrist stressed that this new way of life was about living. Real people eat! LOL I typically lose around 3/4's of a pound per day! Some days a little more, some days a little less. I'm not a nutritionalist, but I would make sure your getting at least 30 percent of your calories from healthy fats (lowfat cottage cheese, lowfat mozzarella, alvacado, olives, etc. I know in the past when I quit eating fat all together or really low....I never lose. Personally I no longer eat bread, rice, potatos and pasta! Those are triggers for me and what helped me get here. Plus after getting them out of my system I no longer crave them or other foods. I have found substitues for everything except bread for a sandwhich, so I just roll up the meat like a wrap with the goodies inside! Hang in there...the scale will start moving again. Patty

I was banded 8/7/09. Dr has moved me from mushies to real food. I have never had any nausea. I'm back to my normal self, except for lifting. I've taken up a new hobby...cooking. I've tried tons of new recipes. I am sticking to soft food even though I can have anything. I've done alot of thinking during this stage, and have decided regardless of tolerence...bread, Pasta, rice, and potatoes are no longer a part of my life. I have found some good subs for everything except bread. I will schedule a fill for about 4 weeks from now. I have no restriction but keep my meals between 4 to 6 ounces...using the white knuckle technique! I am trying to drink more Water between my meas, especially when hungry. Yesterday I walked past a Cinnabon while shopping, you could tell they were making fresh waffle cones. It smelled wonderful. I had a "lightbulb" moment. I can appreciate the wonderful smell, without eating one! It's not that I couldn't, it's that I choose not to. After having a little talk with myself about it, I enjoyed the aroma without the guilt of wanting and feeling deprived. Life is full of wonderful things to enjoy, it's all about choices. Lane Bryany was having a sale, everything gold dotted was 6.99. I bought 4 items all very basic in sizes 22 to 28. They are blazers etc. It felt very liberating even though they don't fit now. It was too good of a deal to pass up. I work in an office and clothes are expensive. They were soo stylish!!! I currently where a large 30/32. Hugs to all, Patty:biggrin: Anyway, I didn't mean to ramble. Life is good! I'm glad I did this and can't wait to get some restriction.

I'm so glad the infection is clearing up. I was so devestated for you when you said they may have to do another operation!!!! Woo Hoo for you!!!! Hugs Patty

Physically I am feeling pretty good. Mentally I'm having a little bit of trouble! I'm really struggling with the "what the hell have I done to my self" feelings. I'm starving. liquids are playing havoc on my bathroom time. I want something solid to eat so badly. My post op requires 2 weeks of liquids. I went to full liquids today. I want to chew something. I think I'll get me some sugar free gum. I have been able to feel my band since day one. I can feel it around my stomach. I hate that weird feeling I get every time I swallow. I noticed this afternoon that it was not as noticeable as today. I gave my self a little scare, I was griping at my son for not putting away the groceries correctly, forgot what I was doing reach down and grabbed my juice and started chugging it. It was a couple of swallows before I realized what I was doing. I guess the swelling is going down, because it passed on through with no restriction. For dinner tonight I ran the lasagna my family had through the blender with broth. It was pretty good, it did have some bits but they were very small. It hasn't seemed to bother me. I made sure to drink lots of liquid with it. I'm so ready to start the mushy phase. I feel like I could, but I'm going to stick to the dr.'s direction, because everyone says it is so important. My biggest question is.....am I going to be able to do this?????? I WANT FOOD! Patty PS. it is so sad because I'm sitting here contemplating licking the left over garlic bread....how sick is that????

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Your gonna do fine. Can't wait to hear how things went!!!! Hugs Patty

I was banded 8/7/09. I have lost 6 pounds post op and 15 pre op for a total of 21. It moves slow but steady. I think as I continue to heal, move and eat more protien, it will move faster. My treadmill I ordered should be in by Sept. 2 so I'm hoping that will move things along. Hang in there it will happen! Patty

First clue,,,,I woke up on my stomach with no pain. (Consider we have a sleep number bed and have it sitting on 30 so it is very soft.) I went to a bbq for a friends birthday with my Soup in tow. Had an awesome time. It's the first time I've ever been the designated driver instead of the drunk. Everone felt so guilty eating. We have a very close nit group of friends. We are closer than most family's. I'm Miss Patty to them all, kinda of the momma bear. Our friends are all 10 to 15 years younger than my hubby and I. I finally set them all down, and told them to stop. I had made this choice, and there were going to be a lot of times, I am going to have to do things differnetly then they do. It didnt' mean I felt bad about it. I love them and am still Miss Patty whether I'm chowing on BBQ and Tequila, or swilling soup and Water. Nothing has changed except the way I eat and drink. There is nothing to feel bad about, or guilty, or aqward! After that things went back to normal and we all had a wonderful time. Today I'm off to another bbq for another long time friends daughters sweet 16..with soup and water in tow! I guess this is my new normal, and I think it's going to be fine! Patty

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

We are all here rooting for you. Hope your recovery goes smooth. Let us know how you doing as soon as you can!!! We luv ya! Patty

Wow! What a great idea. I think I'll make my first reward be when I hit Twoterville. I started this journey at 342, I'm down to 20 pounds with 22 to go. I'm not sure what my reward will be I'm going to have to think on that a little. I just ordered me a treadmill, so maybe I'll get the wii fit as the reward......let me think on it I'll get back to you when I decided. Patty

Yes, I can feel my port! It does feel kind of weird. It doesn't bother me though? Patty

First, I want to say congrats to everyone who has been banded and hope that your recovery is going well. I have not been on much, I've had a really tough time mentally with this surgery and the worry I caused my self with the "lasagna incident". I would like to say to everyone, DO NOT PUREE AND THIN LASAGNA 3 DAYS POST OP!!!!!!!!!!! Be very careful to read, reread, and reread your post op instructions. Do not make my mistake and go from memory. You will have just undergone major surgery, you may think your memory is on it's A game, but from my experience it may not be!! READ!!! Please, Please, Please!!! I apologize to those of you who were banded for not supporting you here. Please know that even though I didn't post you were always in my thoughts and prayers. Second, I want to thank all of you who supported me during this phase. It has been tough. I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Each of you that posted I want to thank for caring enough to respond. I don't know why but it is important for everyone to know that I didn't do the lasagna thing because I intended to cheat. In my mind I was following the rules. The problem is I had already lost my mind and didn't know it. I have spoke with the patient coordinator who is always in contact with the Dr. They both feel since I didn't have any nausea or vomiting it is unlikely that I did any damage. He did not think it necessary to look under fluoroscope, unless I wanted too. After much thought and counsel with my husband we decided to wait until I go back for my first fill in 5 to 6 weeks as I still have no nausea or vomitting issues. The Dr. said he would be more concerned if I had vommited or had nausea. If in the future if I have problems I will always wonder if I caused it. However, there is nothing I can do about it at this point, except pray and move on! I believe in my heart that I am fine and extremely lucky to this point! I get to move to full liquids today per the Dr's insturctions!!! Thanks ladies!!! ****THIS IS NOT AN INDORSEMENT TO PUREE LASAGNA, I WAS LUCKY!!! FOLLOW YOUR POST OP CAREFULLY!!!

Girlie , so sorry to hear about this...sounds yucky. Glad all is weel though. Hope it continues to resolve itself! Hugs Patty

Wow glad your both okay!!!! Patty

Come on peoples.....I hate that my post caused all this drama. Can we please call a truce. I come here because it's a safe place. Both sides have valid points can we just let it go. Patty

my prayers are with you!

I had surgery 8/7/09 and don't return to work until 8/17 which is Monday. Physically I have done great. No nausea, no shoulder and chest pain. I've been a little gassy a couple of days especially later in the day. Physically I could have returned to work probably Tues or Wed after my Fri surgery. However, mentally this has been really hard. Lots of tears, lots of depression, lots of "what have I done to myself"...why didn't I just stay fat I've lived with it this long". I am 100 percent better today. I have a great support system. I have gotten tons of support here and my close family and friends have really rallied around me. I never expected such a tough time mentally. It's been years since I have had such a total breakdown. My port site has been sore. Yesterday is was really sore, but I think I rolled over and slept on that side during the night. I put a pillow behind my back so I wouldn't do that last night, and a small rolled up towel under my belly to support it while sleeping on my good side and today it is tons better. I wish I had thought of supporting with the towel sooner. Patty