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Haven't had the band put in yet, but I have a question that may be redundant. I have read back on the blog's and have not seen anything or anyone talking about playing sport's. I'm on a highly competitive Softball team and also play some other physical sports. I know I have to recover for a few week's but will there be any limitations for me? I know people are active still after the surgery walking and such, but is there anyone that can give me some input on this. Aug 3rd. 2009 Band date, Mike DeMuro

Hi, I am almost at week 3 and I really want a gym partner. I use LA Fitness so I can go to any LA Fitness in AZ I go to two one by my work in Paradise Valley and the other near the Biltmore. Also I rollerblade in Scottsdale bike paths at night (pre surgery anyway) this is so much fun and a great workout. Also Yoga is the best thing for my body.I have not done any Yoga in weeks! I am so scared of hurting my belly. About me. I am a young 31, alternative, vegetarian, no kids, animal lover, very openminded to all types of people (hopefully you are too) and I am aiming to lose 80+ pounds. I have an intermediate fitness level. Thanks, Sarah

What is stage 2? My stage one will be clear liquids for 2 weeks. Then weeks 3-4 & perhaps 5 is full liquids, I have to wait until I get released to pureed, then soft, then regular foods. You are two weeks out and eating solids already or is liquids that hurt.

Surgery was Thursda in Juarez with Dr. Rodriguez. There were 3 of us having surgery together, and three support people. (family members) The trip there went off without a hitch. Everything went as planned. I was very nervous. Got to the hospital, and we took turns taking X Rays and doing ekg's. I was the 2nd one to have the surgery, I was very frightned. The staff and the Dr's took time to make sure I felt at ease. Surgery went off without a hitch as well. Came too, very sore and groggy. As soon as I got to my room I had to go potty, walked myself, with a little help from Hubby, to the bathroom and then back to bed. By the end of the day Thursday, I was chewing ice chips. Friday and Saturday I seemed to be more fatiged and had less stamina than the other two, they were walking more than me, and up playing cards. I dozed on and off for the first two days. Which is weird, because I'm high strung and I do not nap. But I did then. By Saturday evening I started really feeling like myself again, mentally and physically. Played cards in the patio area and just felt 'normal'. So much so I couldn't sleep, sat up watching TV half the night and was up showering at 5:30 am, back to the 'old' me. Sunday, again, felt even better! Cab ride back to border was crazy, jeeesh...but uneventful, thankgoodness. Back to airport, in El Paso, where we sat in a restaurant and our support team pigged out and we all played cards. By the way our support peeps, did alot of eating out, outside of the hospital, there was a Mexican food restaurant, steak house, Dennys, Starbucks, a mall....you name it. They ate and drank well! Landed home last night at 8:05. Today is beautiful here in Texas...I feel great. I have to say, I'm not hungry. Not yet, and It didn't bother me at all when they ate in my presence. I'm looking forward to new beginings. I pray everyone's journey is as uneventful as mine. I feel really good so far, and am proud of the decision I made. And all three of us had pretty much the same experience, no complications, no regrets. Everyone is feeling great. Thanks Dr. Rod and staff. Ohhhh Ohhh Ohhhh.. Dr. Elmo is a hoot. I owe him one for sure!!! I was soooo scared to have my drain out. The mere thought of it sent the worst feeling down my body. Well when it was time, he came in and got it all ready and then asked me if I wanted to bite my pillow. I was horrified!!!! OMG, Petrified!!! then....he did it.. I swear! I didn't feel one tiny thing. My husband literally doubled over laughing. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to share my experience so far. Thanks for listening... TT.

Through reading here and doing my own thinking, I have decided I'm going to try to avoid the scale. I don't think I even want to put up a ticker. I just think I want to avoid getting into the battle with the scale, seeing a number I want, etc. Back in the old days, we'd go to WW once a week and get on the scale there, and that was how we did it. I don't know if I can stick to this, but I am going to try. Once a week weigh-ins, that's it. Who's with me? Monday morning seems the obvious choice, or a Friday morning. Hmmm...

San Diego Susan, Oh, Happy Day! It sounds like you are ready to go! I'm waiting on my date (June 19) with Dr. Thoman in Santa Barbara. It will be 6 weeks between the consultation date and surgery date. It is hard to wait!

I started eating beef jerky around week 12. I started off with the shredded jerky, my NUT wasn't so sure, but I told her I had already been eating the jerky for a week or two. A few weeks after that I started eating the nuggets. I have yet to try a piece of steak or pork, mainly because I just don't have a desire to, same goes for chicken.

I have moved in the last four years and the only local physician in-network has stopped placing Lap Band... She actually talks negatively about it. Needless to say, I didn't go back. It has been three years since my last follow up and I am failing. I have never lost more than 15 pounds with the band, but it did not come back. My last visit I had a stretched esophagus so they took the fluid out of the band to heal the esophagus. I want to see a new physician and I am looking for someone close with a good reputation in the Hershey/Harrisburg area (17033). I would like to get back on track and If that isn't possible I am willing to consider other options. I am also currently having some heartburn after having the Flu and Bronchitis and fear something might have happened with all the coughing. Any guidance you can provide would be appreciated.

I am 7 weeks post-op tomorrow and still have not had any hunger. I do know that acid can cause the feeling of hunger. Are you taking an anti-acid pill? I take Prilosec everyday.

I am so glad I saw this because I will be two weeks out tomorrow and before surgery I was always hot and freezing everyone out of the house but now I am always freezing!!! Laying here freezing with two blankets as I speak!

At two weeks my NUT said she was more concerned about the protien intake than the calories. She said we didn't have to pay too close attention to it quite yet because she doubted we could even get in that much and gave us a 900 max. However, she was right, even when I think I have eaten more in one day, when I add up the calories I am still under 500 and I am 4 weeks now. Just can't fit in that much yet. It's really hard to get 600 calories in (when you are eating the right kind of foods anyway) So I just focus on the protien and try to make every bite count. I'm sure once the diet is back to regular solids and she wants me to try and consume more calories I will have to figure that out without adding too many carbs and fats.

I have eaten like a gluttonous hog this weekend. I know how you feel. I can't wait to get back to work tomorrow so I can't EAT ALL DAY!!!! Here's to work weeks!!!! *clinks glass*

I completely agree!! I'm freaking out big time. I'm able to get everything down really well... And I was bad on Saturday night. I had a sour cream and chicken enchilada and like 10 chips and salsa. I promised myself I wouldn't do that, but I did. Sure enough, I gained a pound the next day. I worked hard yesterday to lose it and I did this morning, but with all my up and down, I'm still stuck on the same exact number~!! During the week I keep on a strict plan and I follow it very well. I just need to get back into that... I have zero restriction right now... :mad2: I can't wait till the 25th when I get my first fill, even though it will be so little I doubt I will feel anything.

I didn't know until I joined this forum, but every doc and Nut is truly different. I went for my 2 week post op yesterday and I was told I could try fruits and veggies. Especially water based fruits and veggies, like watermelon. I'm expected to be at or near full foods at 6 weeks, but I see some on full liquids for 5 weeks. All the can tell you is no..

I took 2 weeks off fully, then worked from home for 2 weeks. If I had to I probably could have gone back to work sooner. BUT you will be very tired for at least the first 2-4 weeks and you will have to be very diligent in making sure you are sipping water all the time to make sure you don't get dehydrated. Also figuring out your mini meals while working may be a challenge at first.

I went back that soon too. I am in and out of my car all day seeing patients in their homes. I did ok. A little sore but I wore the binder for a few days because my pants were rubbing my incisions. I think 2 weeks would have been ideal I wasn't that tired surprisingly except late at night I couldn't stay up late like I used to. The hard part for me was trying to get in all my fluids. But I think if you have a desk job it will be a lot easier to do that. If I would have gotten paid to be off absolutely I would have taken every minute of it!! Unfortunately I did not get paid at all and had to go back. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh I'm so happy you are ok!!! I thought something God forbid happened. Im so glad you are doing better!!! I'm fine. Go for my labs this weekend. 12 weeks this weds! Can't believe it. All the best to you.

I have Graves' disease and I've lost 45lbs in 5 weeks!

You will get a myriad of different answers on here regarding this topic. Ultimately, when you go back to work is something you'll have to decide for yourself. In my case, I took off six weeks. I had short-term disability that paid at 100%, so it gave me the opportunity to take the time I needed to recover physically, conquer the serious fatigue problem that I had post-op, and devote myself 100% to the required post-op food stages. There is no way I could have gone back after a week, or even three weeks. During the last couple of weeks of my medical leave, physically I was better. The fatigue was still an issue and returning to work at that time would have really hampered me focusing on my Protein and Water intake, but it could have been done if I absolutely had to go back at that time. But early on, there is no way it could have happened. My advice is take as much time as your personal, professional, and financial situations will allow. Good luck!

I will be 4 weeks post-op on friday.... yesterday my stomach started growling and gurgling... this is after I eat...before I eat... when ever.. there isnt a specific time when this happens... but the growling triggers my head to think Im hungry... I listened to my head one time and over ate... I started burping and had chest pain which I assumed was from me being over full.... anyone else have this problem?? what does it mean?? when my stomach growls I do have a "hunger" feeling....

I had my surgery April 8 exactly a month ago. This is my first week back at work and I have absolutely no energy! I am beyond drained.. To a certain extent I think it's normal

My surgery originally scheduled for Sept. 10th has been delayed by the ladies in the doctor's office because of my food journal. Got the call first thing this morning telling me that they didn't think I was ready for the commitment that lapband surgery takes. I am a self-pay patient. I've met with the kind folks at the drs office for a total of 45 mins. tops during my 3 visits there. Yes, I did the info-seminar and was handed mounds of stuff to read that just sat in my cute little bag they gave me. My identical twin (who lives with me) went through the exact same surgery last year. I have her as my support. I know what it takes, I know what I need to do and am willing to do it. The one thing to my detriment was I gained 2 lbs (had my last supper so to speak before my 2 week liquid diet). I also was a little too honest on my food diary. One the one hand it's my fault and I am 100% committed to this (always was really-just now I'm really ticked off and want to prove them wrong). On the other hand, I feel let down by the team because I don't feel I had enough counseling and meetings with the nutritionist (never even met her - yet she's the one who called me today). Well - I had my pity party - it's ok...I will still have the surgery in September. I'm just a little hurt and feel a little run over but I will tell them exactly how I feel about this whole situation...AFTER surgery :)3

Misty - it is your body and your decision. If you want to stay where you are for awhile tell your surgeon you have decided not to fill until you feel like you need it. As long as you are still losing weight all is good. Surgeons are human and yours may want extraordinary results to feed his/her ego, but if you are losing 2 pounds a week you are doing great, are losing weight in a healthy manner and should stick to your guns. I respect my surgeon but ultimately all decisions about my health and my body are mine. Doen't be afraid to stand up for yourself - you should never be pressed into something that makes you uncomfortable.

I've had my band since March 20. 2007. The band is not a magic wand. You still need to watch what you eat afterwards not just stay away from the foods that will get stuck in the band. I have noticed that foods that are mushy like mashed potatoes, applesauce, sugar free Jello, etc. do not stay with me very long, thus I get hungry sooner. meats stay with me for what seems hours. I feel full and do not have the desire to snack. If you do eat the mushy foods, I suggest that you eat them first as they tend to help the more solid foodds slip through the band faster. Drinking Water during a meal defeats the purpose of the band. I limit my fluids to sips IF needed. If you follow the 45 minute after meal before you drink suggestion, you will get the full benefit of the band. Don't sabotage yourself. If you eat right and walk, walk, walk. You should have good results. I lost 12 pounds on the pre-op diet then didn't lose but a couple of pounds until I got my first fill (1.5ccs) almost 8 weeks later. It's during that time that you are eating the mushy foods and the swelling around the band is at it's maximum. As that swelling goes away you will notice that you are getting hungry sooner and can eat more. Be careful not to over do it. I'd be glad to answer any questions that you have. PM me if you wish. Good Luck! Donna

Do you have a teacher's assistant? Otherwise I'd say no. Energy wise if all goes well you could return in 2 weeks, but with little people that you might have to or need to pick up, I'd say, "No" unless you have an assistant who could do the picking up and stuff. Also keep in mind you need to be able to sip for most of the day.