rocketray

I ordered one after reading all the entries a week ago. If you're unconscious and you have someone not familiar with lap bands in the ER, it could be damaging. Whether or not I actually wear it will be another story. I was already thinking of what I'll say when my colleagues ask me about it. I do think it's worth it.

I was banded this morning and have to say it's gone a lot better than I thought it would. I felt good when I woke up from the procedure but about an hour later was hit with a wave of nausea, they gave me something and I was okay. The worst was having a major headache but I don't even feel like I had anything done really. I was expecting a lot of pain but I don't even think I'll take my pain meds. I went for a walk before and have had no gas pains or shoulder pains. Last night I thought about calling the whole thing off, I was really stressed so I'm glad I didn't have such a poor reaction. I know some have and I know that can be tough. I'm drinking chamomile tea with honey, vegetable broth, isopure and water to stay hydrated. I have to do that for two days and then go to full liquids. I wanted to write this in case anyone was feeling like I was the night before.

Last night I made dinner for my husband and since I'm not cooking, I stocked up at Trader Joes. They make a "Turkey Bolognese" sauce that I would call a "mushie". I'm a vegetarian so I didn't eat it but if I wasn't I would have. It's 80 calories a half cup and 7 oz of protein. He said it was very good and the consistency was perfect for that stage of lap band eating. You can just microwave it or put it in a sauce pan on the stove--already cooked. He said it tasted homemade and from what I could tell, I agree. I recommend it.

Today is my eleventh day. Most of the coverings on my incisions have fallen off so they're healing well. I don't really have any pain, once in awhile there's a kind of "twitch" inside by one of the incisions, not where the port is. I don't have any pain by the port which I was kind of surprised since so many talked about it. I have hunger pains every three or four hours and I'll eat half a cup of something. And that seems to take care of my hunger. Head hunger--got plenty of that! All my old haunts/habits like buying a donut when I go to the supermarket or munching at night, they are still there but I don't give in. I've lost 6 pounds since the surgery day but that's because I'm eating only about 850 calories a day but getting my Protein. Full liquids for another week. I've made some really good Soups that I eat for "dinner". My nutritionist said not to worry about eating on a "schedule" that at this pt. I should eat when I'm hungry. I have not told anyone at work except for one person I'm close to. No one has said anything about my diet change. Last week it was really hard to sit at my desk, I had some pain for sitting so long. But with the three day weekend now past, I got a lot of rest and I think I'll be ok today. How about you? Tell me how it's going for you.

Mushies should include mushed up protein also. Cauliflower is an easy one to mush up and brocolli, sweet potatoes, peas. I heard asparagus is really difficult to digest so you might want to avoid that. You could take a hamburger and crumple it up or mix it in with some mashed potatoes. Think things you'd eat if you just had some teeth pulled! Good luck, I'll be there next week. :thumbup:

We had our surgery the same day but I'm still on full liquids. But I have made some soups with potatoes in them--pureed with other vegetables as well. I think it's fine to have some potatoes but you want something with protein also so make sure you have a shake or something else high in protein. I guess every doc is different, I can't go to mushy food until two weeks are up. Beans are high in protein and easy to make soft. Or if you melted an ounce of cheese in your potatoes instead of marg., that would give you 8 oz of protein. Just an idea. Plus it would taste good!:thumbup: I've done that with pureed veg. soup just to boost the protein. Good Luck!

Mine is sugar free fat free pudding, any pureed soup--I made some black bean soup and pureed it--potato soup thinned down/pureed. Yogurt--I eat Voskos, it's a greek yogurt and has approx. 10 grams of protein in a 5 oz cup. And then there's runny cream of wheat or oatmeal. Protein drinks made with soy milk or fat free milk with a tsp. of peanut butter thrown in. That's basically what I've been eating all week. Everything seems to go down fine and it all satisfies my hunger. And water which I have not been drinking enough of.

I am one week post op and I too thought I'd go back to work on the 4th day, no way, I went back on the 6th day and had to leave early, went back again the next day and left early. Everyone is different and I guess it depends what kind of work you do. I basically sit in front of a computer all day but sitting up caused a lot of pain and gas after several hours. Everytime I swiveled in my chair, my incisions hurt and my pants felt like they were pressing on them---not a good situation, luckily I have the type of job where I could leave. I'm hoping with this three day weekend that I'll just lay around and heal more. I find myself eating about six times a day-does that sound right to everyone?? I was given a "schedule" of what I should eat and when and that doesn't work for me. I am still on full liquids another week, then mushies for two weeks. I'm supposed to see my doctor before I go to reg. food. I'm basically eating when I am hungry and finding half a cup of food or a 4 oz Protein shake fills me up for a few hours. I'm averaging 900 calories a day. No burping for me, I never had the shoulder pain which sounded awful. Been walking everyday for a half hour. It hurts if I bend down to pick something up. Still using a heating pad cause it feels good. Right before the surgery, when they put the IV in, I wanted to bolt, I pictured myself saying--please, take it out, I've changed my mind. But now I'm glad I did it although I realize I must be more hypervigilant about what I eat and that takes work. I'm really afraid of damaging my band or even of throwing up. Good luck to everyone--

If you think about the amount of protein you're supposed to eat daily, that may help--it's 60 to 80 grams--plan your meals around that. Whenever you can up your protein you should, for example using nonfat milk or soy milk to make cereal or pudding instead of rice or almond milk. Also, your doctor should have given you some guidelines to follow. I am not allowed anything but full liquids for two weeks. So check with your doctor. Drinking, staying hydrated, is also important. I wouldn't worry about calories too much although you probably won't come in with over 8 or 9 hundred a day. Good Luck!!

Yes, I agree with all of the above. I was banded Friday morn. so it's my 4th day and all I really have is soreness at the port incision. I didn't have the shoulder pain but lots of gas. The heating pad was a miracle for me, I got the most comfort from that and am still using it. GaxX strips, took them, they helped a bit. Walking definitely helps. Stay hydrated. It does get better. Once you get off Clear liquids and go to full liquids, you'll also feel a lot better. The other thing and most important---it took four days for me to go to the bathroom. I didn't want to use milk of magnesia or any of those other brands. So once that happened I also felt better, like things will go back to normal. One thing I found that I love--Ralph's carried Vosko's Greek Yogurt, it comes in a 5.5oz cup and it has 9 grams of Protein, I found the yogurt went down easy and felt fine in my stomach. good luck!

I went thru that a bit. I had two weeks notice til my surgery and was told to cut back to two shakes a day and then a reasonable dinner. I did the day thing and at dinner I made/ate whatever I wanted. As it got closer, I felt more out of control and found myself eating things I normally would have said no to. I think it's scary to think you won't eat certain foods again but you will but in moderation. I'm only 4 days post op so I don't have much exp. yet but I can tell you not to beat yourself up over whatever you're feeling. You'll be okay.

Just an update for those of you who may be in the same place I am...banded on Friday morning. Sat. and Sunday I was really sore, I woke up this morning and am much less sore. I attribute that to taking double the amount of pain meds last night so I would get a solid sleep. You heal while you're sleeping, that coupled with a heating pad on low was heaven. I woke up feeling pretty good. I did two days clear fluids and started full liquids yesterday, I had soupy cream of wheat, pureed soup, two shakes and some sugar free/fat free pudding. All about 1/2 cup. Plus water. I only got about 45 grams of protein but I figured for the first day, that was pretty good. I had a very full feeling, my chest felt kind of tight, that's the only way I can explain it. I'm not sure what it means. This morn. I didn't eat cream of wheat til 9:30 and I was actually having hunger pains at that pt. I'm going to stay on full liquids for two weeks, that's what my nutritionist rec. but she also says to see how you feel and if I want to incorporate soft foods to go ahead. I'm concerned about going back to work, I really don't want it out there and know my colleagues will think what I'm eating is weird. Not sure what I'm going to say yet. One other thing that was really helpful. When I got out of surgery, my mouth was so dry--I asked my doctor if I could have a lifesaver. He said "knock yourself out", and I've had some thru out the three days, it's a small thing but in a way very gratifying. :tongue2:

My post op instructions say three weeks!

I think it's a very personal decision and so I've only told 5 people, my husband, my brother who had it last August, one friend at work who I know will keep it to herself, and two close friends. I eat lunch with three other people and it will be difficult not to tell them but I really don't want to so I will make something up. They all think I had some "female minor surgery". People are quick to judge and I think on some level I'm still dealing with having done it. I don't want to have to defend my decision to people I don't know well or care about.

Well, I have to say, I spoke a little too soon :-) Late last night, I felt really sore so I did take the pain meds, I wanted to make sure I slept well. And I took some this morn. as well. You're right about staying ahead of your pain. But still no shoulder pain or any gas pain. Not hungry but I want to eat (that's my brain talking), I guess this is the beginning of thinking differently. I am looking forward to eating a little something of more substance tomorrow. Clear liquids for two days after and then two weeks of full liquids. I'm staying hydrated with veg. broth, isopure, tea, and water. I have a big shot glass for mixing drinks and I'm drinking from that for my 2 to 3 ounces. I also brought out the heating pad and found that very helpful. My brother got banded in August so he's been a good source of advice. He's lost 55 pounds and has never had a fill yet! Thanks for your support.

I think the Isopure is great for when you're feeling hungry, it definitely takes away the hunger pains. I've only tried the apple, I like it diluted with ice and water. You could probably put it in the blender and make a slushee.