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Hi Donna, I started a Blog because my reply here looked too big. Do take a look So far......... - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum

Hi Donna, Good to see you here. I am not sure where 133 lbs came from , my personal target is 182, 13 stones. You know after the op my brain was in la la land for a few weeks, I think I was in shock LOL I shall change that immediately. Regarding foods and supplements, I eat what I want. I believe our bodies tell us what they need anyway although I do take a multi vitamin each day I never added protein powders or anything in addition to meals. I started off on liquids for 3 days and I had fresh fruit juice watered down and vegetable juice, V8 is quite tasty. For that short time the juice and my favourite cups of tea were enough. I then moved onto liquidised foods for what should have been 2 weeks but was in fact 11 days because I craved chewing and gum didn't work. It was at the 11th day I started back exercising, I had played with it previously but I stopped losing weight and was feeling quite despondent and wondering why I had bothered at all if all I was going to lose was the 15lbs I managed upto that point. I still felt very strange but that's just how I am after general anaesthetic. I read this site, cover to cover and the point that kept screaming out to me was that those who lose regularly, also move regularly so that must be the key. It's not rocket science but hey, what fat bird exercises regularly with passion, certainly wasn't me. For the very soft foods I liquidised everything but made my meals simple; fish in sauce with veg was a favourite and they were those you buy in the bags with sauce. Instant mash and carrot and spinach were quick and easy and I made in bulk and froze. It doesn't look great liquidised but it hit the spot. At this stage I started to use quorn as a protein replacement because it is softer than meat of any kind. It liquidises well with veg too or on it's own with gravy. I also pureed fruit which I would eat with plain low fat yogurt, still a favourite now. I did find prunes were not beneficial for the purpose I bought them, constipation was a problem at the early liquidised stage. Prunes gave me pain in my gut rather than got things moving. I had to revert to movicol which doesn't purge you, but holds the moisture and so stops constipation. And on toilet matters, you need to know, you won't 'go' as often as before and taking the movicol will help stop constipation at this stage when you will hold any waste much longer than usual. At my worst stage I went 5 days and that was before movicol, not a pleasant experience in fact I'd rather eat nails! I spent the whole day upstairs in and out of the bathroom doing nothing of effect. Hence movicol, well worth getting some in ready. It is vitally important to drink water. That sounds like a silly point to make but it will keep you hydrated and I don't know why but on the days I don't take at least 1.5 litres, I lose nothing! And now I can probably eat anything. I am still learning to chew properly and did have a problem yesterday when I totally forgot all the rules and downed a roast potato that may as well have been a brick. IT HURT! and it was my fault. I eat whatever I make for the family, unless I fancy something different. I control my portion by using a small glass, if it doesn't fit in, it doesn't get to my plate and therefore it doesn't get to my mouth. I don't count calories but I am more and more aware not to abuse myself with eating rubbish. The way I see it, if I can only eat a handful, it had better be good and by good I mean serve my body as well as my eyes which are still bigger than my belly, or so they think LOL. Others may say I should count every calorie,weigh every gram, be more aware of nutritional values etc etc but this is a lifestyle change for me. I'm not training to be a dietician and dieting taught me in the past that I can't do that, it's boring, makes life boring, takes up far too much time and energy. I am aware to eat protein, carbs and vitamins and I do and occasionally I have something naughty. It's working for me right now, it may be that eventually my thinking on this will change and I will become a 'counter' but for now, I eat less and move more than I ever thought I could and it works. It is all new to you and will be totally different to your life before your op andyou will have fleeting moments when you regret doing it but I assure you it's amazing Donna. The feeling of empowerment and so what if you need a lap band to assist you to live a longer and healthier life? The only people who will knock it are those who haven't tried it. Opposition is something you will come up against. I have already lost a friend because of it, she's a big girl (32 stones) and happy she says and spends most of her life drowning in beer. She called me a traitor. Another slim friend didn't like the fact that I may become slimmer, I think the word 'threat' was at the back of her mind but she said I'd lose my personality. She may come to terms with it, she may not. I can live with either. Everyone I know is aware of my band, it's no secret although I know for many people it's vital it isn't revealed. It's also no shame to have the help the band gives you. Going back to the exercise issues, I recently found out I have arthritis in my knees, wear and tear I suppose and that I have the scar from a previous fracture to the femur that I never knew about. The arthritis does slow me down but I exercise daily when possible with walking and the gym and alternate days when the knee tells me to. I want to swim but still can't bear the thought of being in public in a swimsuit. Maybe one day.

Good morning Ladies, I am so pleased for you both. This is the new dawn for you! I was so lucky not having to wait for my funding, from referral to op was 3 months and I reckon someone was watching over me but realistically I was in the right place at the right time. This is the best thing that ever happened to me regarding my weight, I have now lost 2 stones 7 lbs, according to hospital scales in 6 weeks since my op. Mr Ammori said it was what he would expect from a bypass patient! I gym 3 times a week and walk 2 miles at least twice a week. It's hard to fit in and I'm not naturally selfish but this is all about me now. I had xrays recently on a 'jippy' knee and I have arthritis plus it was discovered I had a fracture of the femur in the recent past which I never knew about, how bizarre is that???? Oh well not to worry. On a more serious note, I manage my weight loss by literally making my goal my next pound because I can't see beyond that pound or the task becomes too big for me. I'm going to post some pics in my profile, I'm still a big girl but less big than last time I posted a photo. I'm loving this even though there have been times especially within 2 weeks post op I wondered what the heck I had done, then I got moving and turned all negative thoughts on their head. It's a good place to be now and I look forward to you joining me here :thumbup:

Gggggggggrrrrrrrr, will not work for me and I could have bee walking instead. Never mind but thank you anyway. I'll keep trying

Thank you Willow, you're a star !

Interesting, I get 36 minutes for lunch so I can manage 12 bites, I'll be so slim so fast I'll be skinny. I'm glad it's not a fixed rule :w00t: actually 12 bites sounds quite a lot when I think about it :sneaky:

My ticker keeps saying, 'invalid file' what am I doing wrong? Help please I want to see the progress as well as join in :w00t:

Had my band fill with x ray today at Spire in Manchester.

Hi, I'm due my first band fill this Friday and wondered if anyone has any ideas for either home made or ready made nutritional drinks I can use for the liquid stage? Apart from liquidised fruit or veg juice, I'm at a loss here so any help will be greatly appeciated. Thanks

Lots of options there for me, thank you so much. I had 4cl fill today, piece of cake! LOL I wish! Complan here I come, specially before bed.

Just what I need, can I join in too. It's not much fun hoofing it on my own although my 15 yr old daughter has literally pushed me out to walk recently. I go gym as in treadmill , cross trainer and recumbent bike ans walk around a gorgeous lake locally. does any or all of this apply? If so I'm up and running from today, well walking, running is a future goal. Good to see you all moving too Realistically I will set my August goal at 50 miles. :ohmy:

Hello :sneaky: I was banded 27 June and lost 15lbs in the first week and only 6 since. My first fill is on Friday so we're at the same point too. Seems to me we're a good gang to go through this together.

I do the exercise to get that feel good feeling after. I don't go crazy with it because I have bad knees but I walk 2 miles a day and gym 3 times a week. Also considering swimming when I can take the plunge to wear a swimsuit. Whether or not it contributes to my weight loss is consequential, it certainly contributes to my feel good factor and my knees don't creak so much either. If I labelled it as exercise I'd never do it, this is my time for me and makes me feel great! Happy walking x

That is such good news. Exactly what I'm dreading though but we shall see what they find. It seems ages since I had the band fitted but have my frst fill this Friday, all being well.

I only lost 21 lbs so far and one pair of my trousers fell to my knees when I stretched high in a shop recently. I long for new undies though but will have to get them in and ready me thinks! LOL

This is like deja vu for me LOL Been there felt all those things and 1month post op 21 lbs down and feeeling great and looking forward to my first band fill. It's a good club to join and the only changes in personality must surely be more self confidence and better self esteem.

Hi, I could eat anything but if it doesn't fit into a normal size coffee cup I can't eat it. How long did you wait for you fill?

Hi, due my first fill on August 7 and dreading it to be honest. Longing for it because 3 weeks post op I am now feeling hunger again but dreading I'll get there and the band slipped, the port flipped or whatever else might have occured while I've been eating mush and slush :thumbup: Will get myself in a right state waiting for it but maybe the worry will help me lose some more before I get there. who knows????

I didn't even wait, within 12 weeks of being referred I was banded and am now 3 weeks post op. Bury PCT at the beginning of their financial year, I think I just got lucky.

Heparin is standard practise in the UK I believe for 7 days post op.