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.

I had my hiatal hernia and lap band done on 8/8/09. I seem to be fairly comfortable (went back to work after 4 days). I know that I'm a lot more restricted and if I drink too much I get super uncomfortable, but I'm not sure how much of that is band and how much of it is the hernia repair. I am on the same diet as my surgeon puts all of his lap band patients on: 2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of mushy, then add from there. I have a friend that had her lap band surgery in March. She has eaten pizza, but does get the thinnest crust possible and still has to make sure she chews it really well and takes it slow. The most pain that I have is on my left side, but that is also where the port is. They told me that area will be more sore for a bit longer than the others.

I was told that I had to wait 3 weeks to swim (or take a bath, jacuzzi, etc). I was just told to walk until my appt, which is 1 month after surgery. I have 2 little kids and they kept telling me to not lift them (or anything more than 30 lbs) for 3-4 weeks. I've been walking each day, about 30 minutes at a time, in the morning and night. I'm only 4 days post op though.

A lot has changed for me in the past few days. I'm finding that my body isn't really hungry, but when I smell foods, I think that I'm hungry. I actually am having trouble getting enough of the protein and liquids that my dr requires. If I drink too much too fast, I am so uncomfortable.

I drink tons of iced tea. I got one of those Mr. Coffee Iced Tea makers and it has been used more than any other small appliance in the house. I only like a hint of fruit so I usually use a few bags of regular plus 1 bag of peach black tea (or you could use whatever flavor you want). Play with the tastes and strengths. I don't even use sugar or sweetener in my tea.

I wasn't banded during the first week, but on 8/8. I had to stay in the hospital overnight per my insurance. I'm really only sore where the port is. I had horrible gas pains in my shoulders but that is pretty much gone today. My surgeon makes us be on 2 weeks of liquid diet and I'm already hungry. I'm kinda worried about getting through these next 2 weeks. I have my first pre-op appointment on 9/11.

Hi everyone. I am new to the board, although I've browsed it a few times. I'm having my surgery tomorrow morning and I'm excited to have this board as a tool to help me out, especially in these first few weeks! Fortunately I had a super easy time with the whole process, including insurance (Health Net HMO). The whole process from start to finish took less than 3 months, including diagnosing me with a co-morbidity to have my insurance qualify me. Anyway...just wanted to introduce myself. Hopefully I'll get to know some of you better in the following days.

I'm getting mine tomorrow...August 8th. Thankfully my whole process was super quick. I had my first consult with the surgeon in the beginning of July.