SumSum

I just spent a good amount of time at Barns & Nobel... picked my self up a calorie book for restaurants, $6 and totally worth it.... However, I was really looking for a book that I've heard mentioned on here before, but I couldn't think of the name/author at the time. Living with Lap Band? Or something to that effect. Guesses? Anyone have any good lap-band/WLS book recommendations? Also couldn't really find a food journal I cared for, anyone find one they love? Thanks, Sum

I had my first fill yesterday, and after all the freaking out I read on here and all the talk of numbing the area, I was a little nervous. But then, it happened, and it was totally painless. Took a total of 30 seconds for the Doc to find the port, stick it with a needle and fill me up. No numbing necessary! And I barely felt a thing. I got 1.2cc added to my 2cc I got on Surgery Day. :-) I'm hoping to finally get some restriction from this. How much of a fill did it take before you really knew that you had restriction? What does restriction feel like, anyways? lol Thanks. Sum Oh, and I posted a new Vlog on YouTube if anyone's interested in following...

Does anyone sneeze when you eat too much or eat too fast? Its my new & somewhat embarrassing signal. lol. What happens to yall??

Hey yall. I was finally banded October 8th (last Thursday) by Dr. Choi @ Strax rejuvenation in South Florida! Today is my first day of really getting out and about since then (I'm on campus to use the internet) and not taking the Percocet. I'm noticing the discomfort in my incisions for the first time today. Ohh man I had no idea what people meant when they said "gas pain"... I thought it was going to be like the feeling you get when you try to hold in a fart.... but man oh man I never imagined I'd have gas up in my SHOULDERS and back. ugh. I slept the first two nights sitting up in a recliner. That was the worst. Thank goodness for Gas-X and walking around. Oh and I think I've forgotten what its like to poop.... I haven't since the day before surgery (6 days!)... damn liquids. Is that normal?? I'm on liquids and seeing my Doctor today for the follow up, so maybe I'll get good news and be allowed to move on to mushies. I feel the urge to have something salty and savory, these sweet shakes are getting old fast. Anyone have any suggestions on what they found to be yummy and satisfying when they were on mushies?? Hope everyone is doing well. any advice is welcome. :-)

For the first week I was strictly liquid Protein shakes (I love the Atkins Shakes - 150 cal, 20 grams Protein, NO carbs and YUMMY), Jello, and a little bit of cottage cheese. I was absolutely NOT hungry for a week (because of the swelling, I'm sure), but since then I'm hungrier by the day. After a week of liquids, I moved on to soft Proteins like chicken salad, tuna, and that artificial crab meat. I'm also a big fan of the Progresso weight watcher Soups because it feels like a lot of food and fills me up for very little calories. Its been almost 4 weeks since surgery and I've been eating "normal food" and can tell I have very little restriction. I try to go Protein first, like ground beef or chicken breasts (I cook up enough for the week and tupperware it so all I have to do is reheat and eat) and then a side of veggies. I snack on low cal string cheese, cottage cheese and apples (gotta get that fiber!). My favorite fast food on the go treats are a small Chili from Wendy's (according to their website, 220 cals, 15g protein, 6g Fiber) or the Pinto's and Cheese from Taco Bell. I've tolerated everything well except fluffy Breads and sometimes I feel like I could/do eat more than I should. I'm definitely eating more than a cup or two of food at any one time. But, when I eat too much I instantly get the differed pain from my diaphragm in my left shoulder and in my chest, and thats usually uncomfortable enough to stop/not eat that much again. I've lost 25 pounds, 15 of that was pre-op. I went from a tight size 20 to a loose 18, and comfortably wearing XL tops (I was squeezing into Old Navy XXLs). So I can tell a difference for sure, even if its not drastic. I'm 2 holes tighter on my Belt! Sometimes I feel like I'm not loosing as fast as I expected, but I did have a week of crappy eating where I thought it would be ok to buy "healthy" ice creams, Snacks, 1% milk, and had a REALLY bad football Sunday with french fries and hot wings out to eat! And sure I didn't eat as much as I would have pre-band, but its still crap food thats not going to help me loose the 100 pounds I want to loose. I think I was rebelling after being so good for the two weeks before and two weeks after surgery and I felt like I was in withdrawal (man I sound like an addict). But I decided that was tooooo much carbs & empty cals that weren't satisfying. I guess thats what you call "slider foods". Good news is I'm back on track! I've also just started really exercising and I think that helps especially when it comes to staying motivated, toning up and loosing inches. My dogs seem to appreciate it too. I really think I'll be more successful once I get a fill in a week and half. Right now I'm running on will power and distraction to not over eat. Sometimes I feel like I could have way more food than I allow myself. But I'm happy with my decision. The only thing I can say I dislike about the band is the scars from the incisions. I have one thats just not wanting to totally heal and I can tell its not going to be pretty once it does. (I have darkish skin, and scar easily, so I know its not ever going to disappear). I hope that answered your questions. :-) Sum

I finally pooped! (sorry for the TMI) I can't believe its been 8 days! Word to the wise, ask for something other than Percocet for the pain if you can and invest in some stool softeners, cause i've been miserable. I just lost another 2 pounds! lol.

Hey there. I'm planning on getting banded on October 8th at Strax (anyone else go there?) in South Florida. I have my pre-op tomorrow with the surgeon, and thanks to all you awesome people I have a list of questions for him. This board has been very helpful, so thank you. Anyways, the reason for the thread is to ask... Does anyone regret their decision to get banded? Is there anything you wish you had known before you went through with it? And anyone have any questions I should add to my list for the surgeon? Thanks again. I'm glad I found this place. -Summer

Mine is scheduled for outpatient at a surgical center thats next to a hospital but not technically in a hospital. I am self pay, so my surgeon didn't want me to have to pay the extra expense especially since I'm low risk, young, and don't have any "health problems" other than being over weight.

I've just recently started my pre-op liquid diet 3 days ago (and I've already lost 4 pounds!) but I think what I have is way too high in carbs. I've been drinking the Ensure with Protein (230 cals,12g protein per shake) three times per day and about 20g whey Protein in Water. I've also been including sugar free Jello, popsicles, apple sauce and Soup broth. Im not really "hungry" other than the head hunger. Anyone have any suggestions? My surgeon wasn't very specific on what I should have. Thanks, Summer

What foods have you either been told by your doctor to avoid or have had problems with? Just curious. thanks. _Summer_

You know when you get that feeling to just give in and have something you know your not supposed to have, what do you think triggers it? My triggers... 1. Long drives (almost always had McDonalds in the past) 2. Sitting on the couch watching TV (major snack time) 3. Going out to dinner with people who don't know I'm dieting 4. Quick/rushed lunch breaks at work 5. food sitting out buffet style (like at a party or tailgate or sitting out at work) What are yours? Any tips?

I wanted to. It looked yummy on TV the other day. But I've been everywhere and cant find it in stores. I think you have to order it online. If you do get it let me know how it is! -Sum

1. fitting into the seats at baseball/football game, desks as school, or other peoples car seats. 2. buying clothes from the GAP like i did in high school 3. being able to use the stairs at work without being embarassed because I'm winded when I go one floor. 4. Not having my thighs rub together 5. sharing the same side of a booth with my fiance at dinner 6. going to the beach in a swimsuit, even a bikini :thumbup: 7. trying on/buying a "normal size" wedding dress and having more options than ordering "plus size" from a catalog 8. having everyone say "you look so good!" :thumbdown:

My surg center is contracted with Care Credit. And they applied for me in the office once I decided I was a go. The total cost of my surgery is $10,500 (all inclusive + fills for a year) and I was approved for $6,500 (10% interest over 60 months ---> $150/month, about what i spend on crap food anyways) and my mom is helping me out with the rest as a graduation present. I'm only 22 and a college student with a part time job, so my credit history, albeit good, isn't very strong. I figure if I can get approved for that, then anyone not in a substantial amount of debt (I owe about 20 grand in student loans) should be fine. The approval process is easy.... you self report your income (so if you fib a little, they cant prove it) and they give you different options (I could have gone 0% for 12 months, but those payments were too big for me). I didn't really look into a private bank loan and maybe I should have for a lower interest rate. But to me, I feel like I got a decent deal as is. And the way I look at it, considering the cost associated with over eating and being over weight over a life time, this will be money well spent. Another company that I have used in the past (when I got laser hair removal) is Chase Health Advance and they offer a lot of 12, 18 or 24 month 0% offers if you finance a large enough amount. -Sum

I have found a few vlogs on youtube of people who have been on this journey with the lap band and I find it so inspiring to see their faces while telling their stories. Sooo... I just started mine! www.youtube.com/user/sumvolsgrl52 :-) Anyone else have one? _Summer_

OCTOBER 8 2009 SOOOO EXCITED! www.youtube.com/user/sumvolsgrl52