Mommyto1

I eat a lot of nuts (cashews and almonds) and low fat string cheese. I love Laughing Cow cheese, I'll have to try it on Turkey rolled up, that sounds so yummy!

It definitely gets better. I was feeling really good by a week after surgery, 10 days post-op I returned to the gym (only doing the treadmill and exercise bike).

You should be fine. The first week around your band is swollen, so that's why my doctor had me on liquids only. Once I was past the liquids only phase, I was able to eat a lot more than I thought I would. If you just got banded, you really don't have much restriction. Just follow your doctors diet plan and you'll be fine.

My doctor uses the Realize band so that's what I have. I did my research on both bands and didn't really have a preference.

I've been buying basic items that I could wear for a longer amount of time. Leggings, button down shirts, etc. I tend to buy things when they're on sale, so prior to surgery I had bought a few pairs of pants and shirts that were on sale and too small at the time. Now, I'm able to wear those things. All the clothes I've bought have pretty much been from Target, Walmart , Old Navy or Avenue. I won't buy something unless I know I can use it for at least a couple of months.

All doctors are different. My doctor had me on clear liquids for 3 days, then protein shake and full liquids from 3 days post-op to about 2 weeks post op. Then I was able to move on to soft foods. Maybe your body isn't ready for soft foods. Do you have that discomfort when you have liquids/protein shakes?

Good for you!!! I was banded on October 15 and I'm a little more than a 1/3 of the way to my goal. It's so nice when the scale is moving in the right direction. Good luck!

I got to the hospital and they made me take off all the clothes and they gave me a hospital gown. No underwear were worn. My biggest suggestion for post-op is to have Gas-X strips and a heating pad to help deal with the gas pains. The heating pad helped me more than anything. Good luck on Monday. I had my surgery on October 15 and it is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I have an office job and I had my surgery on a Friday and could've probably went back to work within a week of the surgery. At the time when I had my surgery, I was on a leave from work to take care of a family member. Had I been working, I probably would've taken a week off, but I can honestly say that by Monday/Tuesday after my surgery I was feeling good enough that I could've returned to work.

I was banded on October 15 and as of today, I've lost 48.6 pounds, so about 3 pounds a week.

A heating pad really helped me with gas pains after surgery. The Gas X strips also helped a bit as did peppermint tea. I walked and used a heating pad constantly on my 2nd day post-op and it helped tremendously.

I was banded on October 15 and I can tell you, I was STARVING the first month or so after I had surgery. Some people are lucky and they seem to feel satisfied with only a slight fill, but I wasn't one of them. I had my first fill on November 29 and my second fill on December 20. After the 2nd fill, I felt a little better, but still I'm still hungry (especially at times). Based on what my doctor told me, most people don't start to get restriction until they have 7-9cc's in their band. Just be patient. It definitely gets better. The first few weeks are the worst, and I think it's more head hunger than actual hunger.

There are very few people that I've told that I was banded. Really, only my family and a couple of close friends know. I haven't told my in-laws because I really don't think they would be supportive and when I made the decision to have this surgery, I didn't want any added stress. I know some people say "It's the easy way out" but I know what I've had to do and continue to do everyday to be successful in my weight loss. Yes, the band has helped with my weight loss, but I've changed my eating habits and started to exercise.

Good luck at your appointment. Hopefully all you'll need is a slight unfill

You're going to do great! Getting banded was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I've never experienced that, but I would definitely discuss it with your doctor.

I was uncomfortable for the first 2 days and then I felt pretty good. My biggest suggestions are to walk, use Gas X strips for the gas and a heating pad also helped with the discomfort in my shoulder from the gas pains. I only took prescription pain meds for the 1st day and then I used liquid Tylenol because the prescription knocked me out (I have a very low tolerance for medication). Give it a few days and you'll be feeling so much better.

I've had 2 fills (totaling 6cc's in an 11cc band) and I still don't have restriction. My doctor told me most people don't get real restriction until 7-9cc's, but every person is different. My next fill is scheduled for January 31.

Congrats on your weight loss! I looked at your before and after pictures and OMG, you look great!!!!!! When I was banded (on October 15, 2010), I was at almost the same starting weight as you (I think my weight the day of surgery was 301). I'm down almost 40 pounds and I feel great. It's so exciting to hear about everyone's success.

I got my first fill on November 29 and I was so scared. I was so relieved when it turned out to be so easy.

I returned to the gym 10 days after my surgery. I waited until I went to my post-op visit with my doctor and he said as long as I didn't lift weights, using the exercise bike or treadmill would be fine.

I brought very little with me. I had the clothes I wore to the hospital, my wallet, cell phone, a bottle of water and I left a pillow in my car for when I was driven home to hold against my chest/stomach area.

The first few days are the worst. My biggest recommendation for gas pains would be to use a heating pad and walk around. Peppermint tea also seemed to help. The first 5 days after surgery I slept on my couch (I don't have a recliner), with a bunch of pillows behind me. The best Protein shakes I've found are the unjury shakes. I had surgery on October 15, and I still have 1 Protein shake a day just to make sure I'm getting enough protein in. I also recently started adding PB2 to my protein shakes and it's delicious! Don't be discouraged. The first few days are tough, but it'll all be worth it.

I keep seeing them on TV, but haven't bought them YET. My gym does have a Zumba class, but it's only offered during the morning which makes it impossible for me to attend. I think I might hold off a little longer and once I hit the 50lb. weight loss goal I have (which is only about 10 lbs. away), I may buy it as a Reward to myself.

I had really bad gas pains for the first few days. A heating pad really helped to relieve some of the discomfort.