MaggieB

I went to the hospital with a few things. I wore the clothes I came in home - minus the bra - I just couldnt wear anything that was constricting. Packed - toothbrush, toothpaste & hairbrush. Wore flip flops to walk the halls in - I had to wear ted hose during my stay so the wearing the flipflops worked best with them. Couldnt stand having the TED hose on with socks on top of them - way to hot for me.

I felt the same. No health issues except being overweight. I was scared and second guessing this procedure all the way up till I was getting my IV for the procedure. I feel like I live a normal life...though sometimes I miss my old eating habits :sneaky: But I knew what I was in for when I started this whole process and have been very happy with my results. I also worry about all the complications that can happen. Most of the horror stories I have heard have been about people that really don't follow the rules & havent made the commitment to this lifestyle change.

My doctor carries it as does the pharmacy at the hospital where he does the surgery. I order mine online - cheaper than the doctors and the pharmacy.

I started losing right away & started "using" my band right away. My doctor explained to me that the 1st 6 weeks after surgery were for healing and starting to learn new behaviors - eating slowly. My doctor schedules 1st fills at 6-8 weeks post op. I didn't have my first fill until around 10-11 weeks due to several vacations scheduled. I have only had 2 fills - been losing steadily, my doctors are very pleased with my weight loss and feel I am at my "sweet spot", they don't plan on doing anymore fills unless my weight loss stops or if I feel l am getting hungry or eating more than the recommended amount.

Check with your doctor - hopefully they give you a list of recommended foods. My list is pretty much the same as previous posters - Gasx, liquid tylenol Clear liquids - apple & cranberry juice ( my doc told me to get the regular juices - he said I needed the sugar while on clear liquids) sugar free popsicles, chicken & beef broth. Full liquids - Jello, pudding, oatmeal - really thin, cottage cheese, Soups - any kind without chunks or you can puree them, Protein shakes/drinks - start buying now so you can try them to find out what you like, Water, and if you are really desperate you can even eat baby food - I couldnt - just found it gross & bland.

I can't wait till I can shop at Victorias Secret - neither can my husband :w00t:

I sold some in a garage sale last weekend. The rest are bagged up for Goodwill. I am not keeping anything. Right now I am down to a couple of pair of shorts from the summer and 1 pair of jeans I just bought. Most of my shirts are the fitted tshirts - which fit me perfectly right now. I wear scrubs during the week and I am down to 3 pairs I am rotating thru. Hoping to get thru another month of them before purchasing more. I just dont want to spend the money on clothing I am not going to wear long.

I get the issues with underage girls, welfare fraud etc. But what about those that are basically law abiding citizens? What is the difference between a man having X amount of wives and a man having a legal wife with a few girlfriends on the side? The lifestyle is not for me - but if everyone is of age and makes their own decision who cares?? I watched this show last night - Kody is weird, the wives are weird but they are happy. The kids appear to be well adjusted even though they live in a crazy environment.

I live in Dallas area. I am a pediatric nurse.

I do every year. I'm a pediatric nurse and around sick kiddos so need to protect myself and family.

I have had a few drinks but most of the time I am feeling too full to drink so I skip it when out with friends.

I have lost 9lbs since 9/1. I go for my 2nd fill 9/30 - hoping this will get me to a good spot. I almost canceled my next fill last week - but started to get hungry between meals so thought I better keep it for now.

It sounds like the band is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. The way my doctor explained to me was that when I had a fill I should not be hungry for longer periods of time, be satisfied, have good weight loss (1-2lbs/week) while eating a small portion to achieve this. I have had one fill so far. I can still eat anything I want but my portion size has decreased since the fill - I do have some trouble with doughy breads & beef (mainly hamburgers - but can eat ground beef just fine) but if I take small bites and concentrate on chewing I do Ok.

Last night I came to the realization that I need new clothes. I am still losing - down 40lbs, my clothes are hanging on me. I'm a nurse - so wear scrubs during the day - don't notice the weight loss much, its amazing how the scrubs hide it. I had changed into some shorts and tshirt to attend a meeting for my daughter - saw myself in the mirror and was alittle shocked - my shorts and tshirt were so baggy they looked awful. I'm trying to hold off until the weather changes before buying more clothing - live in North Texas & we are still having 90+ degree days. Even tho my clothes looked awful - I'm loving the weight loss!

I had my first episode a couple nights ago. I also waited too long to eat dinner - was "starving". Made BBQ, took too big of bite and without thinking took a swallow of my 7up I had - oh boy, dont ever want to have that feeling again. Hurt so bad, slimed like crazy, gagged once but nothing came up. Finally after roughly 5 minutes it passed.

My doctor is ok with 1 meal being my protein shake. I cant hardly eat breakfast so I drink a shake. By lunch time I am ok to eat. Majority of the time I mix my protien with milk, somethimes I will use coffee but I have found out that when I mix the protein with coffee I tend to get hungry sooner.

I started off by only telling my immediate family. Now I will tell if I am asked about my weight loss. I have also been hearing alot of "horror" stories - that is why I haven't been very open about the lap band.

I was banded in June and noticed the last couple of weeks that I am "shedding" also. I don't get it - I am eating way better than before my surgery and I know before surgery I didn't eat 55-65g of protein a day.

Everyone is different. My doctor had me stay overnight, I was Ok with it.

I brought mine but I ended up not really using it - couldn't sleep, was up almost all night - not really in pain but uncomfortable. The respiratory therapist came in to see me, just asked if I had any questions/concerns and that was it.

I also weigh myself everyday - right after my shower. I know I shouldn't.

I didn't lose or gain. My BMI was right at 40 the doctors office told me to maintain my current weight.

I do the sandwich meat alot. A couple of pieces rolled up with cheese - I love Boars Head stuff from the deli. Some kind of fruit and a couple of crackers.

I had 6 weeks of a "full liquid" diet - which included cottage cheese, oatmeal (thin), blended Soups, pudding, Jello, popsicles & Protein shakes. I was then able to progress to finely diced/chopped foods for a week then onto regular foods. I was pretty good with sticking to the prescribed diet - only slipped a few times with a bite of a few things towards the end. Eating out has been hard for me. Since I can't eat alot I end up eating a little bit from everyones plate - so I feel my choices are limited to whatever my kids or husband is eating - and sometimes I don't want what they are having. The thing I am most struggling with is watching the amount I eat. My eyes are still bigger than my stomach and there have been times where I overeat - then I am stuffed and miserable for a few hours.

congrats! Same here, I'm down 35lbs, banded in June. No complaints, no problems. No nausea, vomiting, sliming, or PB's. I can eat anything but need to be careful with breads - have been stuck a few times eating too fast and too big of bites. I have my first fill tomorrow - hoping all goes well.