outside*looking*in

I agree - I would never have felt well enough to go on a cruise. It is a lot to adjust to when you get home. Why do you have to give your co-workers an excuse at all. So you want a little time off - no big deal. If you have to tell them some excuse, tell them you have to have a hernia repair. That way you can rest at home.

I am posting this in the Pre-Op as I know many do shakes as part of their diet. I use a powder shake mixed with milk. The first thing I thought of to mix it well was a little device that I used to mix my daughters baby formula. It is made by Munchkin and can be found at Babies-R-Us for about $5. It is small, hand held, and battery operated. The longer you mix the better result you get. Just thought I would share. I know Target used to carry it but I have not seen it there in a while. There also used to be another one made by Lion Heart.

I decided to try on my summer shorts that I have from last summer that eventually felt so tight that I quit wearing them last summer. They felt just fine.! So, I decided to try on ALL of my shorts and I made a little note to put in the pocket of each pair with the date, how they fit and my current weight. Now, when I try them on when it warms up enough, I will know how they fit before. :thumbup:

UGH!!!! I guess I just had a moment of bandster hell! I have been so hungry. I ate two scrambled eggs for breakfast and an hour later hungry. I went in got a yogurt. Before I could finish I declared a "cheat day". I texted my husband to bring me some lunch home and threw a bagel in the toaster and ate it with some promise butter. I finally felt full................................................................................................Then the guilt set in! Oh - man...I ate too much, too quick. I listened to my head hunger even after I was full. WHat the heck? That was too much food at one time, am I going to stretch my pouch now? Crap. crap, crap.:smile2: texted husband and told him to NOT bring me anything!!! I will have a shake for dinner and get back on track tomorrow! :w00t:

Got right back on track by the afternoon yesterday. I never would have done that before. I would have spiraled out of control for a few days. Thanks for the support!:biggrin:

Pre-band I had gone back and forth MANY times between low carb and WW. They are two different schools of thinking (especially hard core low carbing). Carb loaded foods are the quickest things to grab UNLESS you plan ahead of things you can grab like cheese sticks, deli meat and cheese roll, pre-cooked turkey burgers and lots of other things. Regular Yogurt is higher in carbs than some greek yogurt. Did she give you any kind of meal plan? If you are not already trying a food diary program, myfitnesspal.com has been awesome for me. It has a huge data base of foods and will track your Protein, fat, carbs, and calories. You can also track your exercise. I have not done WW in a while but I thought they had come out with a low-carb version??? best of luck.:smile2:

Nope - I don't have restriction. I went for my first fill of 3cc last week (4wk post-op) and I swear the next day and everyday since I have been more hungry than before the fill. ???? I did cancel the Burger King order that I was having my husband bring so I guess it was good to snap out of it before that came. Thanks for the support. It is what I needed/need.:smile2:

I was banded on 2/3 and I had the feeling of needing to burp but couldn't. That feeling went away as the days went on. I had the tight chest/breastbone feeling as well. It is swelling from the surgery and some gas. You sound normal. Just keep searching the threads and if you really get concerned about anything give your doc a call. Welcome aboard!

I was banded on the 3rd. I had my first fill of 3cc on March 2nd. It made no difference. I was actually hungrier afterwards for some reason?? I am down 13lbs. I was stuck at the same weight (up and down by 1lb) the week of and after my cycle. I have gone down a pound a day for the last 3 days though. My next fill will be April 1 but I am not sure how much it will be. I stick to about 1000cals a day.

I had my first fill on Tuesday and I swear I am more HUNGRY! I want more and more often. I have been trying to stay on my docs plan of eating no more than 3oz. of food each meal but I am starting to feel really hungry. Did I mention that I am hungry? I think he may have taken some out instead of putting some in! I just try to keep up with tracking on myfitnesspal.com (LOVE IT!) and stay abut 1000cl and within my protein goal. I will not get another fill until April 1st.

That is actually a little scary. So, how long is it going to take for you to get in for fill appointments afterward, or heaven forbid you need an unfill! What area are you in?

Okay so tomorrow I go get my first fill. I will be 4 wks post-op. For the last 10 days or so I have been watching my weight and food amounts. I do not have restriction of any kind so I am really trying to be good and follow the "rules" I recently joined myfitnesspal.com (love it) so I can better track my colorie and other intake. I find that I am getting sticking around 1000 cals a day. BUT for the last 14 days I have been going back and forth with the same stupid 1lb! Why would I not be dropping weight if I am eating less cals and doing more and more exercise! I don't think I am in starvation mode. How will getting a fill and eating even less make the weight come off if it is not coming off now? I have lost a total of 10lbs in my 4wks post op (all in the first two wks). Am I doing something wrong? I have cottage cheese, yogurt, applesuace, deli meats, eggs, cheese and Protein shakes. Should I increase calories? SO CONFUSED! Any thoughts appreciated.

Well - I finally started moving down a little and I went for my first fill yesterday of 3cc. That being said I feel like I could eat like crazy today! That has not been an issue until today. I know that you probably won't get restriction after your first fill or two or three, ect.. but should I feel this stinking hungry!!?

I got my first fill yesterday and was told to go back to liquid diet for 24 hours then back to whatever phase diet I am on after that. I have been SO hungry today. Way more hungry than before the fill!

I weigh myself in the am and in the pm most days. I have learned to understand how my body(weight) reacts to different things. I know that I am usually higher by at least 2lbs at night.

Here is how my nutritionist and doctors office does it. Daily Protein is based on a formula of (1.2-1.5) grams of protein per kilogram Ideal Body Weight(appropriate) My protein range given to me as I left the hospital 70 - 87gm daily

You will do great!!! Excited for you.:thumbup:

I am going for a fill today at 2pm. My question is this. Should I go in on an empty stomach or is it okay to eat before I go? Does it matter either way? Thanks

My doc does not allow straws either. I just recently started filling up a 64oz container in the am and put it in the fridge. I try to have it finished by the time I go to bed. My docs office also wants us to have 100oz a day! Not making that. I stopped having ice in my water because it would slow me down. I like to eat ice and never sure how much it is in terms of oz? I have problems sipping though. I don't guzzle but still take bigger sips than I should. I tried using my 2y/o sippy cup but she steals it back from me:laugh:

Betsy - I think you are right. I did not take in fact that my body is still thinking about those first 10lbs. I just figure it is wondering "where has all of our food gone??? better hold on to what we got now!" I have no worries of erosion. I really don't think that would even happen in such a short time. I used to always get stuck at 10lbs no matter what diet I tried. I guess I will just wait it out more. Thanks

Will do... Best of luck to you with your surgery and recovery. Keep us posted.

Not a dumb question Btreiger, but yes I am drinking the Water. I am writting all of my questions for the docs now so I will remember them for tomorrow. I have watched your unbanded success for the last few months and wanted to say "GREAT FREAKING JOB!:thumbup:"

I also used CreditCare (17,000) no interest if paid by 18 months. The only hiccup we had was 3 days prior to surgery when we had to make the final payment (we put $2000 cash down) to the hospital We call to set up the payment and they told me they DID NOT ACCEPT credit care. I about flipped. This was one of the finance companies that the doc suggested. Turned out we had to pay the doctors office that remaining amount and THEY paid the portion owed to the hopital. SHewww. Still had surgery and did not need to postpone as I thought I was going to have to do.

Just a few things to think about if you have not been banded yet. 1. Have them put your IV in your NON-dominant hand, especially if you have an over night stay. (It makes bathroom trips much easier - among other things) 2. IF you experience blurry vision after the surgery it may not be the pain meds but a motion sickness patch that they have put behind your ear (if they give you that). 3. Neck pillow was nice to have. Best of Luck to you all. :eek:

I agree with Betsy. I was in the same boat with my insurance. I decided to do it anyway as selfpay. I have heard of people finding out if they happen to have a hernia and having the insuance cover a hernia repair surgery and then they pay the doc the difference for putting in the lap band. I did not explore that option, ended up having a hernia repair and now I am trying to see if I can get them to cover any of it after the fact. It would have been better to try BEFORE. Just a thought. Best of Luck