Punkinx2

I am only a month into this but I thought that I'd add my "opinion" and what I've learned. Basically you need to keep up on your fills, exercise daily, don't snack, and find a dr whose program doesn't just end with surgery. I did tons of research before I settled on my surgeon. They have many support groups each month, cooking classes, clothing exchanges, and access to a personal trainer, psychologist, dietician, etc. You get to use any of their services for a year for free (minus the support groups and cooking classes which are free forever). I have several friends that have gotten the band and some are successful and some aren't. The ones that are the ones that think the band will do all the work, which it won't. They basically graze on junk all day, don't exercise, and never get fills. To me, what is the point of getting the band.

B12 is a Vitamin and it gives you energy. I know that it's vital for other things too, but that's how it helps me. Today is my first day of solids and I was able to get down everything I tried. I actually wish it wasn't so easy. I don't even feel resistance at all. I have an appointment next Friday and I'm hoping she gives me a fill. So far I've lost 11 lbs and I don't want to gain any of it back!

I haven't had the time to read all of the responses, but there is no way that I'd do it myself. My best friend is the surgeon's clinical nurse, I'm friends with my surgeon's wife...I would track them down (even in the middle of the night) to get it done. If that wasn't the case, I'd be going to the ER and make them call the surgeon or someone that had a clue!

I have been tracking my food since my surgery on 8/8/09. My dietician wants to see me a month after I'm on solids to see what I've been eating and how it's working for me. It's easier to keep track online (I'm using myfitnesspal.com) and then I can just print it out for her. I don't obsess and some days I don't track everything, but I do try to keep it somewhat accurate. It really helps me be true to myself. It's easier for me to do online because I can do it from home, work, wherever I have access to internet!

I had my surgery on 8/8 so I'm still not to the solid stage yet for my surgeon. However, my surgeon's nurse (who is also my best friend) let me have broiled halibut the other night and it went down fine. Our surgeon makes us do 2 weeks of liquids, then 2 weeks of mushies, then slowly introduce solids. When was your surgery? Maybe your body just needs more time...don't push it! My friend said that she did and she was MISERABLE for a few days. I've felt pretty good since I've been on mushies and have only felt like something was "stuck" once...and that was when I took a pill. In the past week, I have been able to also eat Ritz crackers, chicken salad (pureed in my food processor), melted cheese on scrambled eggs, steamed zucchini (without the skin), oatmeal/cream of wheat, avocado, cottage cheese. I know that these aren't technically "solids" but they are healthy and will give you the energy you need. I also got a B12 shot this week and that really made me feel better.

I have had 3 abdominal surgeries before: 2 c-sections and then gall bladder removal) and I had the gas pains really bad in my shoulders in each of them. The only things that helped me were (1) walking and (2) a heating pad. Instead of a heating pad that you plug in, I have this homemade "bag" that has rice or beans or something in it that is heavy. I think that the weight of it combined with the heat really helped a lot. I lived with that thing on my shoulders for days!

I was told by my surgeon to stay under 1200. I was only banded 2 weeks ago so I'm struggling to even make 800. My first few days on liquids I was only at 300-400. He said he doesn't want me under 800 because I won't lose that low.

I love avocado. It's on my list of mushies. I have that and cottage cheese for lunch almost everyday. I also love mashed potatoes and I change up the flavoring with either a dab of sour cream (tastes like a baked potato), gravy, melted cheese, garlic, etc.

In my first week, I went into Vitamin World and bought a variety of shakes that they had individually in the refrigerated section. It was more expensive initially, but it let me taste each brand before I bought a multi-pack. I really ended up liking Muscle Milk and I loved that they sell it at costco. Costco even has a $6 off coupon right now.

I used to get those all the time. Now I've switched to skinny lattes, which are a much better choice. I also get decaf. I know that coffee is also on my surgeon's list of things to avoid so I try to maybe get them once a month. I was just banded 2 weeks ago (tomorow) so I'm still in the very new stages.