ValInMiami

So a little over a year ago (1 yr and 12 days to be exact) I had my lap band procedure. Before the surgery I weighed in at 237, lost 20 as suggested by my surgeon and on surgery day weighed in at 217. The first few months were great! I went down to 203 lbs and then I stopped. I stopped getting my fills and eating very unhealthy! I gained it all back and three months ago found myself at 225! I couldn't believe it! So I decided to once again get on the wagon and close to three months now I am down to 191! The trick? I gave up Rice and Pasta, low on the oat grain bread and eating my small doses five times a day! Lots of fruits and veggies to keep me going. I also have learned thar Activitia low fat is my new best friend. I am getting my fills again- going for another next week - and I am exercising ! Walking, riding my bike, light toning up of my muscles and yoga. I now see myself getting closer to my goal weight and perhaps even surpassing it! I have gone from obese to overweight on my BMI - that to me already is a big deal!

Thank you!!

Hello everyone! I got my lapband surgery done this Monday. I am super excited and looking forward to the many changes in my life. I am on liquid diet and tomorrow moving foward with the nutrition liquid diet. I have been doing great... healing just fine and thinking of going back to work tomorrow already. I live on my own but a cousin stayed with me as my parents live in another state. I lost 10 lbs *doc said to lose around that much* prior to surgery so I am down to 210. I need to get a weight scale as I already feel that I've lost some since surgery date. I look at the mirror and my face is starting to look thinner. I came in at 220 and my goal is to be at 160. I am 5'7 btw. Anyways - just wanted to say hello and thank you as this forum helped me in making my decision in going with the lap band.

Hi Jodi, My doc told me not start the nutritional drinks until the 4th day... He said to stay on Clear liquids for 3 days. When I saw juice I asked if I could drink Crystal Light and he suggested I instead would drink V8 diet juice blends as that had more nutritional value. When did u start the watery mashed potatoes? I ask bcs my doc said to not start with that 10 days after pre-op. I'm sorry to hear the pain u r going through. Let me give you the diet plan I was given: 2-3 days POST Op Begin hourly feedings and drink slowly Drink 2-4 oz of fluids every hour in sips Avoid straws Avoid extreme temperatures on fluids Drink sips of Water throughout the day between meals Sample: 8 am - 4 oz plain coffee or tea 9 am - 4 oz 100% apple juice 10 am - 4 oz sugar free Jello 11 am - 4 oz Gatorade 12 pm - 4 oz sugar free jello 1 pm - 4 oz cranberry juice (I replaced with v8 juice diet blend) 2 pm - 4 oz broth (not crazy hot) 3 pm - 4 oz Gatorade 4 pm - 4 oz sugar free jello 5 pm - 4 oz 100% juice 6 pm - 4 oz broth 7 pm - 4 oz Gatorade 8 pm - 4 oz Sugar free popcicle Note that immediately when done I would sip water and keep near me. Today I started a full liquid diet Which it's to be done from day 4 thru day 10 It's still consuming every hour 2-4 oz only this time the fluids are a bit stronger Sample: 8 am - vanilla Ensure 4-6 oz 9 am - pulp free low calorie 100% Orange juice 10 am - half a cup of fat free sugar free chocolate g 11 am - v8 juice diet blend 12 pm - Skim Vanilla Soy milk (it says skim milk but I can't do regular milk! Yuk) 1 pm - 6 oz cream of chicken Soup - strained 2 pm - 4 oz low cal 100% orange juice 3 pm - 1/2 cup of sugar free fat free pudding vanilla 4 pm - 4 oz v8 diet juice blend 5 pm - 4 oz soy milk 6 pm - 6 oz french onion soup strained 7 pm - 4 oz Butter Pecan Ensure 8 pm - sugar free popcicle I obviously will change it up and so should you... But it gives you an idea! Again the pureed diet (10-20 days post op) doesn't start yet. The watered down mashed potatoes are in that sample diet. Hope this info helps you out!! Good Luck!!!!!

KEEP AT IT! We can do this girl!

I think everyone handles pain differently. I have a high tolerance for pain and I am extremely stubborn so I found myself not feeling too much pain except as Layla's Grandma stated - when bending over or moving from side to side. Pain killers have been a blessing though!!! All I can say is make sure that you go to a doctor that can do the procedure AND be the same one to give you the fills. I have heard some crazy stories of people going to get their Lap Band done in Latin America and then having another doctor here for Post Op. Your original doctor knows your body the best and knows where exactly the band was placed... I hope that I don't have any problems like that... Do your research.. I did mine for about 5 months before deciding to move forward. So far I am happy as I haven't been crazy in pain or hungry. Let us know what you decide to do!

I think it depends on everyone. I am on Day 4 and just today started with the nutrutional smoothies, pudding and liquid Soups (not broth) AND Soy MilK! I am keeping it up as the doc advised me. EVERY HOUR I must consume 4 oz of Fluid of each. In some hours I am drinking V8 diet Splash which also has alot of nutritional value and fillers. I am not drinking Orange juice as I am afraid of the high acidity. I haven't had gas (yet) and hope to stay that way. I haven't had hunger pains... but I think its' because I have been drinking fluids non-stop by drinking Water throughout the day inbetween the "meals". From Monday through yesterday I was specifically only drinking the clear fluids prescribed by the doctor as "meals" every hour from 9 am - 10 pm. So for example: 9 am - 4 oz apple juice, 9:30 am 4 oz glass of water, 10 am - 1/2 cup of sugar free jellow, 10:30 am - 4 oz glass of water 11 am - 4 oz warm team 11:30 am 4 oz glass of water, 12 pm - 4 oz low sodium chicken broth, 12:30 pm water... and did this as routine until 10 pm. I would take the opportunity to take the pain meds during the 5 hour intervals of water. Today I started the same - only with the heavier fluids like nutritional smoothies, pudding, etc. The sugar-free popsicles are great but I found them to make me VERY thirsty after so I am limiting those to one a day - before going to bed. Also I am not allowing myself to "lay down" I am sitting up right so that I dont get gassy. In addition - I've heard of some people getting sick (cough/cold) because of the congestion build up due to the breath support tube they insert in your throat. BUT - I followed the rules and kept on breathing into the difribulator they gave me to control my breathing in case. Who knows maybe tomorrow the hunger will kick in?!? But as of today - thus far - I am doing just fine. I pray to God I can keep it up! :puke: I wish you all the best of luck!! WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Thank you!!!

Shame on your friend. You know... some friends just want us to fail at this! I am also on my 3rd day! I live alone but have a cousin staying with me who has been super supportive. He has stepped away from the room when going to eat so that I don't have to deal with it ... but in reality I haven't had any cravings as of yet. Liquid diet is going so far so good. Dont forget to drink plenty of water!