divaofhighmaintenance

Hi there. Welcome to the best thing you could do for your body. After your lapband, you'll enjoy cutting down on any medications you were taken or eliminating them in about a month or two. If you had reflux, you will no longer as they will fix the hiatus hernia you might have had while they band you. The pain is nothing. If anything, the worst part was the post op shoulder pain which means the gas that they put in you to inflate your stomach so they can view as they work is working itself out. Tips? -follow their instructions to the letter. Be slow about going from liquids to purees to mushees to solids. Don't rush it at all. -buy powdered Protein to use to augment your protein needs -when you do get to solids, eat your protein source first -you'll probably know when you are full. If you don't one hint is, if you sigh after consuming your meal, chances are you're full -buy chewable Vitamins or liquid vitamins, chewable fibre tablets or take stool softeners. Prunes and prune juice may be your best friends -never drink while eating. Space that about 20-30 min before and about 1-2 hrs after eating -look on line for wonderful lap band recipes - a slow cooker is a real help because you end up with moist meals That's what comes to mind first. Best of luck. Keep us posted.

How are you doing Grams? You won't ever regret doing this.

Interesting fact...I had a gascroscopy and colonoscopy yesterday. (All went well.) In preparation, I had an almost total defill done so that it would make things easier for the scope to go down. (Mind you, Dr. B said I actually didn't need to do that as he's done gascroscopies without defilling, but my gastro doctor and I felt it would be better.) What was noteworthy was, I still felt restriction this one week of the defill. Next week, I'll be filled up again. Hint: If you ever are scheduled to have one of those, be sure to take 2 Gravol before you take that 4 litre colon prep!

I agree. I think it's the heat. I read somewhere that could make you feel more restriction. I who have never PBed or vomited have experienced both twice!

Me too. What's with that? Mind you inches and a changes in size are occurring but I want pounds to go! Have we hit the 80% never to budge again that books hint at? down 62 and holding.

Wish I could get a re-booking. Jenn has no openings and hasn't gotten word from Terri as to when she could make up the day. Frustrating! You are doing so well, Moonbeam. Congrats. I thank you so much so many months ago sharing your experiences and your tummy tracks. You are my mentor. I am so stuck which in a way is good I guess - not going up. But I'm just being good and gritting on will power. I don't feel the band. I can eat larger amounts of good foods - I'm way over due for a fill. We decided not to fill me when I went on my cruise and it's put me back. An appointment this week would have been so perfect as this is March break for me and I'm free of my students. Oh well, someday soon.... Thanks for the sympathy. Just venting. Susan Right at one derland

Anyone get bumped from a fill on Tues. Mar. 30th :frown: because the docs and Terri were not available? Now I don't have any appointment any time in the future and am living on sheer will power. Hoping for one soon... Diva just at one der:thumbup:land

I remember being very tentative about committing to the operation. I read loads and loads on various internet forums, asked questions, and ordered a couple of great books from chapters. I had loads of questions for the doctors. I was mostly worried about the operation. My biggest fear - would I wake up from it? Apparently, a normal fear given our size and complications. I did a plus minus decision table - reasons for and reasons against having the operation. Then looked at each criteria that I wrote carefully. I had my operation Sept. 29, 2009. It was not an uncomfortable operation nor difficult recuperation and has been the best decision ever. I wish they had had this available or I knew of it years ago. One of the side benefits is that the surgeons fix a hiatus hernia if you have it before putting on the band and you no longer have heartburn like you used to. By following the guidelines to the letter, I have lost 60 pounds. I have not been that successful on any of the other diets I've been on like I have on this in such a short time. Plus, having a band keeps me on the straight and narrow. I have never vomited, been stuck, nor slimed. I even went on a cruise this Feb. and maintained. Another benefit is if you are on any medications, likely they will be reduced or eliminated. For myself, by the first month post op, I was taken off my blood pressure pills and of course no longer need acid reduction meds. I figure not paying for those will cover this operation in 3 years alone. If you have any other questions, we are all here for you. Good luck with your decision.

I'm going Tuesday 15th at 12:45. Was on a cruise and did well. See you then. Diva

Just wanted to say hi and Merry Christmas to all the Manitoba bandsters. Isn't it great that we have a tool that will help us through this holiday season? We've all done well. P.MsoNormal { MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt } LI.MsoNormal { MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt } DIV.MsoNormal { MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt } v:* { BEHAVIOR: url (#default#vml) } P.MsoNormal { MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt } LI.MsoNormal { MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt } DIV.MsoNormal { MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt } This is the time of year to think about all the wonderful friends you have. Bandsters are a special part of my life. So if I don't see you in person, know that I extend the greetings of the season . Keep you family close and give them an extra hug and kiss. MERRY CHRISTMAS Banded Sept 29 2009, 50 pounds down

Do not eat for 1 hour before your fill. If your port is difficult to find, ask if they'd like you to do a half sit up so it can be found easier. It seems to help needle pain too. Surgery Sept 29/09 down 45 pounds Dec. 10/09

I'm for getting together, tammar. Some of us live in the south end of the city. Would meeting at Polo Park be a logical middle ground? I'm wondering if Chapters Starbucks would be a good spot because it has lots of seating. They might even open up their book club meeting area if we ask nicely... Shall we meet before Christmas?

Moonbeam, this is wonderful. What a milestone! It's what all of us are looking towards. We are all so proud of you and what you have accomplished. You are our heroine and inspiration. Being in one-derland is like the best pre Christmas present to yourself. I imagine you have to go shopping just to get clothes that don't fall off on you. Such a delightful problem! Again, way to go, Moonbeam.

Welcome Boomboy64. You will not regret this. It works! Operation Sept. 29 2009 off BP meds 40 pounds down

fergieis: Thanks for all you are doing! And man are you doing great on a personal level! Congratulations. My first fill went well. Thanks for the encouraging words, Moonbeam. Had Dr. Andrews who put in .5. I'm up to 2.0 on the band but I find I'm hungrier. How can that be? Oh well, I think it means it's time for liquids and that stops the rumbles. On a personal level, I'm totally off blood pressure meds! Talk about a personal triumph. Seeing less of me... Operation Sept 29 -down 38 pounds

Going in for my FIRST fill (hopefully) on Tuesday Nov. 10th at 10:00. Anyone else going in for a tune up? Personally, I can't even find/feel the port. Where the heck is it anyways? It's not under an incision. I'll find out Tuesday. I understand that you shouldn't eat or drink beforehand. True? I also hear that it's better if you do a partial sit up before they needle you. Agreed?

Fish, I've taken to having those small individual cottage cheese containers with the fruit on the bottom in the car, if I know that I will be out and about. As an emergency, I carry a small small tuna can too. They come in different flavours: lime/jalapeno, mayo, sesame and ginger. They have a tab opener - no opener required. Sept. 29/09 operation -33 pounds down since -BP meds cut - priceless

Is it normal for your port site incision to hurt and bite so 3-4 weeks out? :blushing: What's up with that? Or, is it my stomach not happy with the mushies?

You know what we need as we go down in sizes...a clothing exchange... Not complaining (30 lbs down) but I'm in my last pair of "skinny pants." Shopping required.

Hi fellow bandsters, I just found the best (maybe not well known) site for us. This site is done by a bandster called Megan. She was banded in 2008 and has lost 100 lb. On it is the most complete set of yummy recipes I have seen. I've been looking all over and collecting recipes but this site has the best ones, and tips!! She has a whole section of putting entrees in muffin tins so the portion size is perfect. I also love the pictures that go with many of the recipes so you can see how they are prepared. She also has her own menu planner. The site can be found at Band Friendly Recipes: Recipes.

Whew! Glad to hear the redness is normal. This is what makes the forum so valuable. The ladies with a lapband for 2 years were...stalled, I'd say. They know what they should do and what they should be eating, but... On the flip side, they accredit their bands for helping them reduce the amount of medication they have to take and wouldn't remove their bands for anything.

Hi I Wanna, No, it wasn't me. I have blonde hair but was wearing a black jacket with a embroidered peacock on it. I went from person to person talking to them, but unfortunately not my lap band friend. It was fun talking to the ladies 2 years out. Dr. Bracken (he had a cold, poor baby) was early early so I was in and out before my scheduled appointment at 10:30. So I didn't get to meet any forum friends. ): Having the staples out feels so much better but boy, are where they were red and inflammed!!! Put Polysporin on them. Is that normal?? Looks like they'll scab. I forgot to ask when to start exercising - more than just walking. When could I start my Curves workouts? I've finished my second week out.

Poor I Wanna be a Loser. Hope today is better. Perhaps I'll see you Tuesday when I come out after 10:30 or whenever I get in (I plan to bring a book!). Fergeis, wow, we are in the midst of a celebrity. I wish I hadn't missed your interview. What questions did they ask you? How did you feel it went? Did your points get across? Interesting about the MB Health funding issue/fiasco. Geez.

Wow Moonbeam, you are doing so well. I get my staples out Oct. 13.

Sue in ne, I'm a newly banded 59 year old. I had my operation just a week ago and am on full liquids. You have done so well. Tell me what you eat in a day and quantitites.