blackhole

Hello. It has been quiet! I was just bideing my time until my first fill which happened today. I don't think he went for a large fill since I'm going on vacation starting next week. I haven't watched the scale for several weeks now, but somehow I still managed to lose 3 lbs over the past 4 weeks. Not much, but it is 3 lbs less I have to worry about. Up to now I've been able to eat anything I want since starting solid food, but I haven't, because I knew I shouldn't. Hopefully with at least a little restriction I will have the band helping my willpower. It's great news that your band is not leaking. I know that is a load of your mind. I don't go to the meetings. I know it would be good to go, but I'm kind of a private person.

Congratulations, that is wonderful! Since I started the soft foods, and now just yesterday, regular foods, I have been on basically a plateau. However, I'm not worried because I know I'm eating so much less that it will start again. My joy is just how good it feels to walk around without that extra 40 pounds that I had when I started all this. I've still got 17 pounds to go before I cross the 300 mark, and that will be a day of celebration. (low-fat and sugar free of course)

Into week three and everything is going well. Down about 12 pounds since surgery plus the extra ten pounds of Fluid that appeared right after surgery. Thats 42 lbs since I started a diet on advice of my family doctor, and 33 lbs since first visitng Dr. Zarif and starting my pre-op diet. I've been following the diet to a tee up to now. However, I have a question about portion size starting this week. It appears that I should be eating less as I go into the puree phase, but I don't see how that is possible. I survived okay on a cup of Soup or runny grits for a meal, but reducing intake any further without having been filled, just because the food is a tiny bit thicker appears to me to be just too little. I want to do this sensibly, not eat so little that I get so hungry that I raid the refrigerator and blow the whole diet. Right now I'm sticking with the Soups for the most part. What did you all do at this point?

Thanks for the suggestion of the Progresso broths. Went right out and bought some. Finally something that tasted good. Starting week 2 now. The first week really went by fast. I've only had two dreams about food, and they were both about eggs and grits. This week I'm at least going to be able to eat some runny grits. Next week I get the eggs. I'm sorry you are still having gas pains. The only pain I had was around the port incision, and that one has almost completley gone. My only problem has been taking my Lipitor. They are just too big to crush and try to force down. I'm not going to risk gagging for them. Where do you find the chewable Calcium tablets around here?

Thanks to you both. The extra weight went away by the 2nd post-op day. As it was almost 10 lbs, it had me concerned. However, the next day 6 of the extra pounds had dropped away, and then on the second, the rest had disappeared. I guess I've been especially lucky because I haven't had any gas problems, or at least no build up to where it causes any discomfort. I guess the Gas-X strips are doing their job. I'm following the liquid diet to a tee, just wish I had done a little more research before and found a broth that tasted better than what I bought.

Had it done yesterday, and here I am sitting in my own living room the next with everything going great. Only had to take the codeine once and that was just so I would make sure I got a good night's sleep You are right about AGH. Great people and rooms. One of my nurses already had the surgery with Dr. Zarif and also thinks he is wonderful. As to Dr. Zarif, I can't even start to sing his praises. I had planned to have the surgery at another clinic, but once I met and talked with him, changed over to him. I am so glad I did. What a great office and bedside manner. Kept checking on me throughout the day, and even called in to the nurse's station that night to check on my progress. I was told by another nurse that that is just how he is, especially with his lap band patients, and the attention and caring really showed. I feel lucky to have had it done now because as his reputation grows I know he will become very busy. My one question is, did you come home from the hospital heavier than when you went in? Even though I have only had a little broth and some liquids, I weigh more today than I did when I checked into the hospital yesterday. I guess its just my body holding onto liquids because of the surgery.

Hi: Surgery scheduled for July 16th. So far so good. Dr. Zarif was highly recommended by other physicians. Very good office manner. My only concerns are privacy at such a small hospital and pain control after the surgery.