stars94

I was banded Dec 14 2009, and have lost 80 pounds so far. I've noticed that people say hello to me more in the hallway at work. People I do not know and have passed numerous times before completely undetected. People hold the door open for me at the store more. Little things like people letting me in line ahead of them at the market, cafe or the library. And they tend to start conversations with me more. I am not talking about men in general, .. it is not a "man paying attention to a woman thing" I've noticed... just as much of a change in the females interacting with me. Do you think it could be that people are uncomfortable around the obese? A coincedence? Maybe it's me? I don't think I'm any more or less friendly or chipper at all, just smaller ... And I'm not complaining about it, of course .. but it just makes me wonder ... WHY? Just wondering if anyone else has experienced the "nice-ness meter" increase since they are now a much smaller size. Thanks!

I met a woman in my surgeon's waiting room that does this DAILY, and many times a day ... it totally sounded "disorder-ish" to me too... then I started thinking about it ... like, hummm maybe ??? but nope ... realized that it sounded like a way slippery slope for me too... never got up the nerve ....

I haven't found any "bad" foods yet in regard to getting stuck, but I really do try to stick to low fat, high protein ... some of my favorites are chili, protein shakes, Lean Cuisine, the bariatric oatmeal and really any kind of fruit ...bananas, peaches and strawberries right now are really good.

My surgeon said 8 weeks post op. And although I follow EVERY SINGLE ONE of his rules pre and post op ... this was the ONLY one that I just could not follow to the letter ... I think it was about 2 weeks before I felt well enough and my husband and I were going crazy ... like the other poster said above, you may need to get creative with your positions depending on your pain levels.

This happens to me too. I have had several fills, and it seems to bother me rigth below the underwire for the first couple of days, then just goes away.

Try the Listerine Thin Strips (cinnamon is my fav). They disolve immediately in your mouth and really do a number on the bad breath taste. Not much is really being swallowed at all so it might be a better solution to your sensitive stomach issue.

CARMINE THAT IS SO INCREDIBLY AWESOME! You should be so super proud of yourself! Enjoy the new you and the new lifestyle! You deserve all the praise you are getting and more!

Hi everyone. First let me say, that I LOVE this board! Everyone here is so supportive and helpful. I was banded on Dec 14, 2009 ... and have been successful (in my opinion) so far with weight loss (lost about 45 pounds so far). I have had 5 fills so far too ... 4cc, 1cc, .5cc, .5cc, .5cc ... for a total of 6.5cc in a 10cc band. At this point they (the PA at the surgeon's office) does want to do any more fills, and is starting to really push back on my fill requests at apointments, because he is afraid that they won't have any more space to fill later on, that in essence I will run out of "real estate". The problem is that I DO NOT FEEL ANY RESTRICTION! Really very, very little. Yes, I'm hungry, yes I can eat WAY more then I should be able to, yes I can still chug down water etc ... I do not get stuck, have not experienced PB'ing or any vomiting. I do not feel that my band is contributing to my success. I am doing this so far with will power alone. I am really careful about what I eat, no junk food what so ever. And I have picked up excercising 3 times a week on adverage. This is what worries me ... like so MANY diets before in my past, I've lost weight just to lose steam eventually and gain it all (and more) back. I DON'T want to see this happen! I know that they haven't found my "sweet spot" yet, I really hope it does exist ... I know that they are the "experts" but I wish they would fill me up a little more quickly, I'm getting really frustrated.

Okay I know that this is a result of my body going into kitosis ... but does anyone have any suggestions? I brush 3 times a day, floss, and use mouthg wash ... but very soon after I'm done with the hygene ... it's back. I'm really self conscience about this and am constantly sucking on mints or tic-tacs, so as to not offend. Anyone have any suggestions for some breath relief? Thanks in advance! ~Christine

Finally! I was banded on 12/14/09 and with the additional 2 weeks of liquid diet before surgery, that is SIX WEEKS now of liquids! Moving on to pureed mushies on Monday! Can't wait! I got my first fill already on 1/7/10 = 4cc ... anyone have any suggestion for a "First Real Mushie Food" to start with on Monday morning? Thanks!

Lisa so glad to hear that everything went well for you! Congratulations for taking a very brave first step to your new healthier life! Way to go!

I went to my first post-op follow up at the surgeon's office. Since Monday 12/28 will be two weeks since the surgery, the nurse practitioner gave me the green light to start "mushies" on Monday. When I asked her about the two-weeks time frame to move on from full-liquids (they origionally said 4 weeks from the surgery before moving onto pureed food), she said "oh, well nobody EVER sticks to that, so it's fine to start pureed at two weeks". (????) ... So I asked her, "well WHY do you tell people to be on liquids for the first four weeks then?" ... "Is it better to be on the liquids for a longer time?" ... she said yes, it is better for healing, but it is okay to start mushies anyway. Okay, so here is my question ... Yes, it would be really nice to move on ... (I also did liquids for two weeks PRIOR to surgery) so now I've been on liquids for 4 weeks total. No, I didn't cheat once. But do you think if I can keep the liquids going, I should? Why would they tell people 4 weeks, but then change it to two weeks, just because other people struggle with the liquids? What do you think? Thanks in advance!

Hi Excited... have you tried GNC's 100% Whey Protein? It is a powder that comes in lots of flavors, and gets mixed into 8oz of low fat or skim milk. For a total of 29 grams of protein per shake! The Chocolate and Chocolate Caramel are actually really good! Slim Fast w/ Protein (Chocolate Royale) is okay, and convient, but doesn't taste as good. Be careful if you make it to Disney. Week Two for me has been up and down. The gas settled into my lower back and caused extreme pain to the point that I wasn't able to get around at all. Not trying to scare you, but just keep an open mind about the possibility that you may need that time to contine re-cooping. Good Luck though! And if you are welll enough to go, hope you have a great time!

We tried many over the last 6 months since hubby was banded, from the free one the hospital sent us home with, to the pricey one purchased at the surgeon's office, to many in between purchased at various pharmacies etc ... The best one we found is the GNC (General Nutrition Center) brand (the red and white one)! I bought it for $5.00 from GNC and it has a great splitter, crushes great too and even has a storage compartment. The best by far! Works great for me to split those huge white gall stone pills now too. I tried crushing them, but the taste was so bitter that I just couldn't cover it up in anything. Now I can split them into 4 pieces and since each is smaller then a tic-tac I'm allowed to swallow each piece down no problem. Just thought I'd share!

Phantamagoria, I couldn't just read your post and not comment. Your situation breaks my heart, and I pray that your boyfriend will see the pain that his lack of support is causing you. I pray that he "sees the light" before he destroys your relationship, and I pray that your will be able to find strength to do what is best for YOU, whatever that may be.

I was banded December 14th. And was on full liquids 2 weeks PRIOR to the surgery, clears for the two days PRIOR to the surgery, and have to be on full liquid for 4 WEEKS post-op. Then, after 4 weeks, I can move on to the pureed stage for another 2 weeks, before trying "regular" textures. So I'll be welcoming Feburary in a BIG way!

This has been the worst for me. The back pain is TERRIBLE! And I've had multiple herniated disks from a car accident and needed to go to 6 months of physical therapy, and get cervical and lumbar blocks in order to heal to a functioning state ... that had nothing on this pain! Since day three of post-op it's been terrible. I can't straighten out and can only take a few steps before the pain is just too much. The only time that I can straighten out completely is to lay down in bed and stay perfectly still, no pillows at all. And this is the way I've been sleeping for the last three days. And our heating pad has now become my best friend. At least it gives me a few moments of relief sitting in our recliner with the pad turned way up! I know that this must be the gas, and that it's settled in my back. I've heard that the best thing is to walk is out, but how can I when every step is agony? Also, how long does the gas hang around? I need a light at the end of my tunnel. Thank you!

Nothing tastes as good as homemade broth. It's not as difficult as you think, make a ton of it and freeze it, then defrost whenever you need it. I have 4 small containers of it in the fridge at all times anyway. In one large pot: about 16 cups of Water chicken breast, or beef boiled for 20 minutes, skim off the yucky stuff that rises to the top. Then add: carrots celery potatoes whole tomatoes (canned) onion salt and pepper (we use garlic and pepper seasoning) boil everything together for 1 hour (or more). strain off all liquid into a fine strainer, VIOLA enough broth to cover your tiny tummy for a very, very long time! Freeze in small containers and defrost in fridge, then just pop in the microwave when needed. The meat and veggies (save) and freeze them when cooled in a zip lock baggie. When you get to the pureed stage, defrost and mix with some broth in the food processor or blender. and again, there you go a delicious pureed meal.