BetsyB

I don't know about your surgeon, but mine specified that I use only sugar-free popsicles, and limit myself to 2 a day. Ice cream is not just like popsicles. It's loaded with sugar and fat, and requires a great deal more digestive activity. Why do you want ice cream? You just had surgery to place a band around your stomach to reduce your food intake. Are you already looking for ways around the band? I am not asking this to be mean--I'm asking because these are questions that you should look inside to answer. The band only takes care of one aspect of this process---the rest has to come from you. I know that you're hungry now. But ice cream, while technically part of a (non-bariatric) full liquid diet, really is not suitable for a bariatric diet. Your body has a finite amount of space for food--make sure that what you give it has nutritional benefit.

Yes, I do feel it from time to time--ouch!

You asked what the prep for surgery involves. When I got to the hospital, there was a bit of information-gathering. My nurse had actually phoned me a few days before I was admitted and taken my history---I was impressed that the same person was assigned to me in the hospital. After that, I changed clothes, removed jewelry, and went to the bathroom. An IV was started. Through the IV, I was given prophylactic antibiotics. I was given an oral antacid and an antihistamine, as well. The latter made me a bit drowsy. When I got to the OR, they moved me to the table with a nifty hovercraft-like thing that made it effortless for all involved. Then they stealth-anesthetized me. When I say "stealth," I mean that there was no major build-up to it---no, "I'm going to give you this medication now" or "Count backwards from 10." I was awake---and BAM! I was out. Yes, I was intubated. You will be, too. The anesthesia used was light enough that I emerged very easily and quickly. I was still intubated at that time, but of course the anesthesiologist was right there--and as soon as he was aware that I was aware, I was given a tiny bit of sedation and the tube was removed. This is pretty much the worst case scenario, and I can assure you that it was no biggie at all. It was a fleeting sense of, "hey, this thing is still in me!" and then it was addressed. There was no pain, no struggle, no nothing---just appropriate action to keep me safe and comfortable. In the recovery room, there is a nurse present at all times. If you are too cold, you will be given warmed blankets. If your throat is dry, you will be given ice chips or Water. If you are in pain, you will be given pain medication. Every effort will be made to keep you as comfortable as possible--and that includes emotionally. If you're frightened, they will address that, too--both before and after surgery. Please don't let fear of intubation hold you back. You won't be aware of the tube's placement (you will already be under anesthesia)---and even if the very worst happens and you do develop awareness of it as you emerge from anesthesia, it's not scary. It's just sort of momentarily gaggy---and then BAM! It's all better. I was kept in the hospital overnight; my surgeon and insurance require this. Once I got to my room, I felt pretty good. I did accept pain meds when they were offered---they helped me feel good enough to get up and walking right away. THAT is what helps the most! I had a nice night of not having to worry about whether my cats, dog, or son would bump my belly---and this little bit of time gave me the opportunity to gain my bearings a bit. By the time I went home, I felt pretty darn close to normal, albeit sore. There is pain--but it is very manageable. Compared to other surgeries and procedures I've had, this was by far the easiest.

While it's true that our bodies have a great deal of stored energy---and that therefore we don't require as many calories as those without excess weight to lose--we do need nutrients that our bodies cannot manufacture. We have to be careful to meet our bodies' needs for protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. We have less need for the energy-dense carbs, though they often are nutrient-rich as well. It's safe not to eat when not hungry if your body's needs for nutrients has been met. If you get enough protein, get a dose of heart-healthy fat, and get good-quality nutrients from fruits, veggies, legumes and (if you eat them) whole grains---and take a multivitamin for good measure, then there's lots of leeway, calorie-wise. But your body positively requires the nutrients. In the short term, you won't cause harm by skipping meals. But at two weeks out from a fill, you're leaving "the short term."

My doctor uses fluoroscopy during a fill. I don't see any responses that describe this, so I'll tell you how it goes for me. (It is very simple and quick.) I stand against a wall next to the flouroscopy machine. The doctor locates my port, cleans it with an alcohol swab, and inserts the needle. He injects a small amount of Fluid, then rests the syringe against my abdomen (it hangs from the needle by a small length of tubing). He has me swallow a mouthful of barium, and observes its movement through the band. Then he returns, injects a little more, and we repeat. This continues until I get to the right level of fill. Then, out comes the needle, on goes a bandaid, and it's all done. It's really no biggie at all. H

My internist's scale is about 400 years old, resides in a hallway where it's continually bumped, and is--at his own admission--rarely calibrated. It, at very best, measures a downward or upward trend. My gynecologist's scale is even older---his father started the practice, so it's been through two doctors' worth of patients banging up against it. It's calibrated every now and then---but still, at very best, gives a general idea of upward or downward trend in weight. My scale is a very good-quality Terraillon digital scale. It weighs me at exactly 1 pound less than my surgeon's scale. Every single time. My bariatric surgeon's scale is --- as one would expect in the office of someone who specializes in weight management-- state-of-the-art. Every single time I step on it, I weigh 1 pound more than I did at home. That kind of consistency tells me that, of the four scales regularly used to weigh me, two are accurate: my surgeon's, and mine. Comparing them is no problem---because they are consistent. My point is that, just because a scale is in a doctor's office, it doesn't mean it's accurate. Stick to what your surgeon's scale tells you. And if keeping track of an accurate number is important to you, consider investing in a really good-quality home scale. Don't let the rest drive you nuts. ETA: Yes, I track inches. I take measurements monthly. Lots of times, when the scale is not cooperating, I do lose inches. In fact, I've been pretty much at the same weight for two weeks---and just got into jeans that definitely did NOT fit at the beginning of that two weeks. The scale doesn't tell the whole story.

You already know they weren't the best choices. There's no place to go but forward, right? Really, guilt is wasted here. You deviated from an eating plan; you didn't murder your brother-in-law I'm with Anne. Try to keep healthy options available. And always have a plan. Even if you don't have a Protein Shake on hand, it's usually possible to order food for any eating stage from almost any menu. You may have to ask the kitchen to modify menu items---but it can be done, and pretty easily. If you're honest with yourself, you'll know that the real issue was that you wanted the bar food. You just have to decide, before you even walk into a bar or restaurant, that you're going to stick with your plan, no matter what temptation comes your way. Or, you can choose to make an exception. And that's okay--there's room in life for that. HOWEVER, I wouldn't recommend making many exceptions in this immediate postop period; diet is advanced slowly for important reasons.

I don't think I'd attribute this to diet change--it sounds as though it's more likely coincidental to the timing of the diet change. Have you seen your dentist? If the pain is worse since surgery, it's possible that intubation aggravated a minor problem (cavity, loose filling, etc) that was already starting to bug you.

Nope, no straws for me.

Michelle, it sounds like you're doing great with exercise! Walking is my favorite activity---I walk for miles and miles every day, and it's made a huge difference in my overall wellbeing. Tracey, the mental/emotional stuff really gets WAAAAAAY easier once you approach restriction. Right now, you're in the hardest part of all. It gets so, so much better! Froggie, I'm not a fan of Vuong. He presents theory as fact, without the research to back it up. He's fairly well-regarded as a surgeon, but his writing is not well-regarded in the medical community. His lack of citation is really problematic for him in this regard. That doesn't mean he doesn't have anything of value to contribute. It does mean that he doesn't have the authority of peer-reviewed research to back him up; he writes based on anecdote and opinion. Anecdote and opinion can be very interesting and, in fact, very useful. But it's wrong of him to present them as fact.

Hi Ron and Katie! I'm glad you're both here! Crystl, your name suits you---as does Hummingbird, actually. Do you have a preference? Denise, yes! From what I gather, the band's tubing can irritate the vagus; I wonder if that's what's going on?! I've heard of people who've had intractible hiccups as a result of this, but that's pretty minor compared to your BP issues....but man, that makes perfect sense. When you get home, I'd give your surgeon a call; he can investigate for you. Nothing fun on my agenda today--I have to grade quizzes, tests, discussion forums, and final exams. To increase the excitement, I think I will do laundry, too. Yee-haw! Oh! In incessant BB blather: I got a 1900 calorie deficit yesterday--with a handful of extra activities. This tells me that on an ordinary day, I won't have any trouble, with my long walks with Truman (which burn far more calories than FitDay tells me--I must be going farther and faster than I thought), reaching my deficit goal. Too bad my scale doesn't translate that straight to pounds lost. THAT process reminds me of how I get paid for freelance work: I do the hard work. I sweat and struggle and meet impossible deadlines. Then I wait forever for the vendor to pay the development house who pays me.... Yep, that's about how weight comes off my body. Have a great day, everyone!

Calorie needs are very individual. A lot of people will tell you you're NOT taking in enough calories. I'm not among them--but that is because I lose best around 800-900 calories, and do not lose if I go much above that. It sounds like you're doing a really good job tracking that your nutrient needs are being met. That's really great. If you're doing this tracking with something like Fitday, you can also track weight and measurements over time----and having that information will help you assess, as time goes on, if you're taking in enough energy in the form of calories. There's lots of talk about "starvation mode" in the press currently (things like this occur in trends)--but there is NOT peer-reviewed research to back up the assertions made. The research does not exist--but that does not prevent people from stating it as fact, and as we all know, it's become accepted lore about weight loss. It's true that, as you lose weight, your metabolism will change; this is not a function of starvation except in that a smaller body does not require as much fuel. If you have excess weight to lose, your body has a steady, ample supply of energy, and you do not need to provide it in the form of food. (Sometimes, the body becomes temporarily stubborn about letting this fat go--so remembering that plateaus are a normal part of the process will keep you from going nuts!) The body's energy needs are already met by the large warehouses we've stored for lean times (ha! no pun intended.) Food becomes a way to get the vital nutrients you need---something it seems you're doing quite well. Keep track of what's going on with your body---listen to it, and follow your own body's trends. You'll figure out what works for you. Your needs are likely different from mine, or those of anyone else who responds to you. If you do find that your body requires more calories to lose efficiently, you don't have to add them in the form of the starches that concern you. A little more Protein, a teaspoon of heart-healthy fat, a handful of nuts--there are all kinds of non-carby foods that will do the trick :redface: (I have yet to eat anything carby other than legumes---and have NO intention of adding anything back in until I'm at goal. Pouch space is at a premium---no way will I choose something that meets none of my nutritional needs.)

I agree with Leigha. The fact that foods sometimes get stuck doesn't mean you're at the right level of restriction. You're NOT a failure! The band is not failing you, either. You've just seem to have made a decision about whether you need a fill based on information that doesn't really tell the right story. Stuck-ness is not really a measure of appropriate restriction. It tells us more about user error and, even more often, about certain foods that aren't as compatible with the band as we'd hoped they'd be. Getting another fill may well push you into the green zone---where you feel satisfied longer, and aren't white-knuckling for each and every pound lost.

You can talk about whatever you want, Dblex. But you probably should tell us your real name so we know what to call you :redface: (I have cats, too; the funniest thing I ever saw was a marquee sign outside a Chinese restaurant. It really belonged to a pet store nearby, but the juxtaposition was priceless. It said, "We have kittens! Meow! Meow!" Mmmm. Kittens....<drool>) Okay, my weight-lifting regimen burns just a paltry number of calories. I should have known that, because Fitday has told me the same thing forever. I did not want to believe Fitday, but now it is confirmed. OTOH, shopping was oddly gratifying, in terms of calorie burn. This is particularly good to know, given that it is fast becoming a favorite pastime, after years of dormancy. I noted that the calorie burn increased as the number of items I was carrying increased. Perhaps we should put out an exercise DVD featuring cardio-shopping.

In the immediate postop period, it's not critical to load up on protein; your body has reserves (in part from the preop diet), so you'll be okay until you get your appetite back. And your appetite will come back!

OMG--the diagram! It's killing me---I aspirated iced tea when I saw it! :redface::laugh::smile2: (I had no idea Truman has a brisket...now I'm really eyeballing him! For the record, his flews are my favorite part. He is a very good kisser.) Bobbie--hooray for the new job! I'm so happy for you. I actually did change clothes to rack up calories burnt yesterday! I manually added my morning walk, then mowed the front lawn and took another 4-ish mile walk in the evening. By the time all was said and done, I'd used 2345 for the day---not too shabby! I've been motivated today, too---first a walk, then the mowing the back yard, then shopping. Now I'm heading out to the gym...and will do another walk tonight. I agree, it would be SO fun to all get together!

Your doctor will let you know about exercise in your discharge instructions. I was allowed to begin walking immediately, but was told to hold off on other exercise until after my 4 week checkup. At that point, I was cleared for all exercise, without restriction. Whether your skin rebounds is contingent on your age, genetics, how long you've been overweight, how many times you've been pregnant, whether you've yo-yoed in weight, and many other factors---none of which we really have one iota of control over. It is not dependent on creams or lotions you apply to its surface, or how rapidly you lose, or any of the things we're led to believe. That said, I use a lotion that I really like--it's probably not producing any sort of lasting effect (other than keeping my skin nicely moisturized), but it does have temporary firming properties. It's called C. Booth's 4-in-1 Multi-Action Body Lotion. I like the Lemon Sugar fragrance. It comes in a HUGE bottle, and is quite inexpensive. I've occasionally found it at Walgreen's, but usually wind up ordering it from Amazon or Drugstore.com.

:laugh:You don't look like a man! You know, the body is a weird thing, Leigha. We are told we "should" lose a certain amount of weight if we have a certain deficit, but that's only part of the picture. We don't just burn fat. We build muscle. We retain Fluid. All kinds of other things happen as we lose fat. So the scale doesn't always show the loss our calorie deficit "should" produce. You exercise. Hard-worked muscles rely on lactic acid fermentation to produce energy; the byproduct is lactic acid--the stuff that makes us sore sometimes. Because the body likes to maintain homeostasis, having lactic acid in muscle tissue creates an imbalance it wants to correct; to even out the concentration of lactic acid, fluid moves into the muscles. This produces the "pumped" look that bodybuilders strive for. For those of us who don't relish any additional plumpness, though, it just shows up as a bunch of extra Water weight on the scale. That's one thing that affects weigh-ins. Because of this, I avoid "official" weigh-ins for at least 24 hours after a hard workout. The body is pretty efficient at returning the fluid to circulation and excreting it, with the lactic acid, via the kidneys. But it doesn't always manage to do it before we hop on the scale--and we get bummed. Also take into consideration that you're building muscle tissue. It doesn't happen quickly---so you're not adding pounds per week. (It takes about 8 weeks of working a muscle group HARD to build a pound of muscle, they say.) Still---you've got lots of muscle groups in your body, and the cumulative effect can be enough to sort of seem to cancel out fat loss. Of course, it does nothing of the kind! You are still losing fat---but you are simultaneously building muscle tissue. This sucks at the scale sometimes, but (a) rocks when it comes to measurements, and (:redface: results in a body that burns more calories than the fatter (albeit not as much more heavy than you'd like) body. Finally, add to this that you are very, very close to goal. As a smaller woman, your body simply needs and burns fewer calories than it did when you were overweight. Loss is simply going to be slower going. Yes, the BB should "tell" you this. But things just aren't as black and white as a Body Bugg tells you. You're doing a fantastic job.

Okay, jury's in. LOVE IT. Best little gadget ever. EVER! Christie, it's amazing how quickly time flies. My daughter called me yesterday (from her apartment in faraway Houston) to remind me that in 365 days, she will be a college graduate. Know what? She's still the same girl she was when she was in my arms. Things change, but they just get better and better. Well, once you get past the I've-lost-a-limb sensation of sending them far away. (They do come home! I'm counting minutes until Tuesday...)

Your hospital discharge documents should spell out the level of activity you are supposed to stick to until your follow-up appointment. As with everything else, doctors differ. But mine (and many) encourages walking for exercise immediately postop---but vetoes other exercise until the follow-up. After 4 weeks, I was cleared for all physical activity with no restrictions.

It's really true! Our bodies must spend that stalled time redistributing or something, because I've been stalled for two weeks---and yesterday got into a pair of jeans that did NOT fit me at the beginning of the stall.

The risks of continued obesity, with the comorbidities you describe, is far, far, far greater than the risk of being under anesthesia for 30-45 minutes. If you've never had anesthesia, the notion is scary. But in reality, it's not. You go to sleep--and you wake up. Simple as that. You may be groggy, or shivery/cold, or in pain---but there will be a nurse right there with you at all times to address your needs and make sure you are safe and comfortable. You've tried to lose weight "the natural way" before. It hasn't worked. Your very life is at stake with the obesity-related diseases you've listed. You have a way to CURE those problems--to make them go away permanently. Don't let fear of the unknown hold you back.

I'm about 44 pounds down, and am just seeing real changes in my body. I know they've been happening gradually, but that's just it...it's gradual. The weight does not fall off, and it doesn't always come off of areas that are hugged by jeans, or whatever. But it does come off, and it is noticeable in other ways. Just today, I got into a pair of jeans that has not fit since my 7th grader was in preschool. (Yes, I hung on to them for that long--I'm stubborn!) I actually haven't lost any weight in 2 weeks---and they most assuredly did NOT fit 2 weeks ago...so the changes happen even when the scale is not cooperating. I suggest tracking your measurements every month or so. Then, even if you're not down a size (or down in weight), you can see that you are, in fact, losing inches all over your body.

That's not a slow loss--it's right in the range expected from banding! You're doing great!

There are lots of little blood vessels that can spurt like crazy when they're breached by a syringe. No biggie--it happens. It's not dangerous--just messy and a little scary to see :w00t: