mrsbure

Try coconut water. It has more potassium than gatorade or a banana.

I had a very large lump at the port site where I felt intense pain. I had cat scans and an ultrasound which showed nothing. My Dr. was able to aspirate some infected fluid from the site and sent me right to the hospital. I think the hardest part right now is that I have an open wound that I have redressed every day and that is a constant reminder. I think that when it closes up I will better handle the situation. I hope you do well and that the infection stays away. Good luck in your journey. Mine is not over yet I just don't know what direction to head in right now.

I just wanted to wish you all well on your continued journeys. I was banded on Sept 30th 2010 and was doing really well until Nov 17th when I had to have the band removed due to an infection. It was a very scarey time in my life. I wish I could be strong like some of the other people on here and go back and do it again but I can't. I am too afraid of getting an infection again. I applaud everyone that is able to get the band and be able to keep it and have it work for them. Me not wanting to have the band replaced is strictly a personal decision and I would never suggest to anyone to not get the band in the first place. It just didn't work out for me. Continued luck to all of you!!

I hope everything works out for you. I recently had my band removed due to infection. I only had it 7 short weeks. I am trying to get over it all and continue on but it is very hard.

I really appreciate the advice. I am not ready to eat anything other than mushy right now. I definetly want to rest my stomach and make sure I don't make it worse. Thanks!

So, I started on soft moist foods last night. Between then and now I have been stuck twice, pb'ed once and threw up once. I have a LOT to learn!!! I guess mushies were just too easy for me and now I'm really challenged!! At this point I don't ever want to eat solid food again. (Ok only at this very moment.) My greatest fear is hurting my band. My new mantra-chew, chew, chew, chew, chew, etc..............

I went to the Dr. today for my first fill but after telling them about what has been going on, they decided I did not need a fill. Tomorrow is 4 weeks post surgery. They are going to see me again in 2 1/2 weeks. I know I just ate too fast because I waited too long to eat and took bites that were too big.

I am 4 weeks post op and after reading this thread was craving a cheeseburger!!! I cooked one on the grill tonight and ate about 3/4 of it with no bun. It was about 3oz. I was able to stop myself from eating the whole thing even though I wanted it. I have not yet ever felt stuffed which I think is good and I wasn't about to eat the whole burger and find out. I still feel guilty because it was much higher in calories than the food I have been eating since surgery. Oh well, not going to dwell, moving on.......

I am almost 3 weeks post op and I now feel fine. It is a rough time for a while. I just recently bought some unflavored protein to add to my carnation instant breakfast but you can also add it to soup, etc. I think it is hard to get all of the protein in until you actually go to real food. Hang in there, your doing fine.

I am almost 3 weeks post op and I too now feel fine. Your body went through a lot and now on top of surgery your not feeding it what it used to get. I am in the mushy stage right now and I recently went out and bought some unflavored protein to add to my carnation instant breakfast because I am not getting enough protein and it aids in the healing. You are doing great and every day will get better. I promise!

I am on mushies and my diet is supposed to consist of 1oz of mushy protein for each meal plus 3 carnation instant breakfasts in between meals. Also, I can have as many sugar free popsicles and drinks all day. The problem is, today I have had my 3 mushy meals but only 2 carnation instant breakfasts. Some days I only have 2 meals of mushies. The real problem is that I only eat so little because I'm not hungry. I forget to eat. I am afraid I will not lose weight because I'm eating too little. Thoughts? If you think I am eating too little, how do I eat more??

I spoke to Ethicon yesterday and was told that it is a 1 in 10,000 chance that you will have an issue. The reason for the recall is that the tubing can get kinked at the strain relief on the port side which makes it hard to get a fill. She also told me the fix is done in the Dr.'s office under local anesthetic. I just got the Realize band almost 3 weeks ago. I go for my first fill next week. I'm not going to worry about it unless there is a problem.

When I went for my 10 day follow-up the nurse cut the ends off of the largest incision and told me the rest would dissolve over time. She just cut the ends so they would no get caught on my clothes.

I have a friend that became lactose intolerant after a gastric bypass. Not sure if it is a WLS thing.....

I used a premixed shake made by mix1. They have no milk and are all fruit flavors. I was able to get them at my local grocery store. They were very good.

I was terrified the night before. It was amazing afterwards how easy it was. The pain goes away after a few days and you kind of forget it was ever there. Definetely was glad I spent one night in the hospital afterwards. Good Luck to everyone tomorrow!!

I did therapy before the band to prepare myself and I will do a few sessions when I feel I need a little boost. I thought I would have a hard time trying to explain my feelings to someone that had never even had a weight problem but it is really more of a mental issue anyway so it was a good thing. I am an emotional eater and that is what therapy is all about, the emotions. Keep your head up and I am sure it gets better. I am only 2 weeks out from surgery and this site helps A LOT.

I have only been banded for 2 weeks today but I am using the realize my success website to journal all of my eating and exercise. I have been told that it helps. It let's me know where I am at every day.

It seems each Dr. has their own guidelines. Did your Dr. give you any information?

I did liquids for 2 weeks before my surgery and that was harder than after the surgery. I think the main reason for the long liquid diet is to give you a good chance to heal before making the stomach actually have to work at digesting. At least that is my rationalization to stay on my prescribed diet. :smile:

You have made a HUGE change in your life and that is always scary. The worst part is over and you just need to give yourself a break and some time to heal. I am 2 weeks out tomorrow and I feel great!

Congrats!!! News like that gives us all motivation to succeed!! :smile:

My surgery was on Sept 30th and I was supposed to start mushies this Friday. When I went to the Dr this past Monday they told me I could start mushies today but no more than 1 ounce per meal and I do carnation instant breakfasts in between 3 times a day. I was on carnation instant breakfast 3 times a day with sugar free liquids in between since the day after ny surgery. I would not risk cheating and starting off this journey on the wrong foot. I went through too much to ruin what I have started.

I had my surgery on Sept 30th and I was terrified days before but strangely calm the day of. It was so much easier than I could ever think it would be and I no complaints. Good luck to you all!! :laugh:

I got my band on September 30th. Everything was great until I woke up yesterday morning with a sharp pain under my left ribcage. The pain is directly below my ribcage but well above my port (I think). The pain is actually worse today. I also woke up with a runny nose and started sneezing. OMG, I thought the pain from my sneezing was going to kill me. At one point I hoped it would. The pain meds help a lot but getting up and down and taking deep breaths hurts A LOT. I am afraid something may have happened. Just a small note, I was somewhat constipated this morning but I didn't think that it could possibly cause the sharp pains and thee pain is still here!! Help, I was on the road to recovery and missed a turn!