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1) the pain for me wasn't too bad. I mean I definitely noticed it when I got to recovery...but in my drugged state I was able to ask for drugs and by the time I was awake enough to know what was going on they had kicked in. For the most part it just feels really sore. Nothing unbearable. 2) it was mostly just my incisions that hurt. Didn't really feel much on the inside. 3) to be completely honest I'm 3 weeks out and have yet to get the proper amount of Water in. I feel like as long as you drink a good amount you should be fine. But I'm definitely still working up to it, as you probably should too once you're post op. I've heard some crazy things about dehydration after! 4)I definitely wouldn't recommend it! I have a lot of little kids/babies in my family and I had to kind of keep my distance from them. I'm normally the fun one they liked to jump all over but I knew it would end up hurting myself if I tried to play. 5) I drove about 2 days after I got home and I regretted it. While I could do it I felt different for sure. I would wait at least a week if not 2 if you can! 6) it all depends on the person. I know a lot of people experience quite a lot of swelling and sometimes even gain weight due to that. I lost 6lbs the first week then only 2 the week after. Everyone is different when it comes to weightloss. 7) it literally gets better every day! As long as you take it easy and follow you're surgeons directions you will be fine! 8) I myself am also a stomach sleeper and was soooo sad when I wasn't able to. I felt way too bloated and it actually hurt. Some people however are able to do it even days after the surgery. It took me about 2 weeks to be able to sleep on my stomach comfortably. Even still I have to keep a pillow under my one incision that's still a little tender. 9) the diet usually goes in stages. In the hospital I was in Clear Liquids only but once I was released i was on full liquids. 2 weeks later when I saw my surgeon he put me on pureed foods. I see him again this Thursday so hopefully after that I'll be on soft foods. From then on I'm pretty sure it's all trial and error with what you can tolerate as well as just trying to maintain your weight. 10) I have head stories of people experiencing hair loss. It has yet to happen to me, but as a precaution I was advised to take Biotin. I hope this helps!!! Good luck with everything! And trust me you'll be fine! It'll all be well worth it! Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

1) I had NO pain from the surgery. NONE! Possibly because it was overshadowed by HORRIBLE back pain. My back is full of arthritis and I can't do hospital beds. I have had 14 major surgeries in the last 2 1/2 years and my back just gets worse and worse after each one. Anyway, the first thing I remember after surgery is waking up to HORRID back pain and instantly getting off the bed to stand up to end the pain. Needless to say, this sent the nurse and my S/O into a panic. Decided I would go to the bathroom while I was up. (they weren't happy with me.) Then I was moved to a recliner, crammed pillows all around me, and slept sound for the next 4 hours. Woke to look at the clock and told my S/O to go home. No use staring at me sleeping when we have a house full of kids at home. 2) The morning after surgery I felt a bit stiff, as if I had been doing sit ups when I wasn't used to that. Nothing bad. Offered Dilauded but taking only Tylenol at that point. 3) The nurse brought in sixty, 1 oz medication cups, stacked upright. I was to sip one every 15 minutes (when awake) and stack them upside down so it was easy to see how much I had drank, and how much I still needed to drink. I'm still doing this at home 5 days out. 4) No. No. and more no. I have 6 kids at home, all with disabilities. They cannot climb on me. No. 5) My weight the day I started the pre-op diet was 212. Surgery day was 204. Today on day 5 post-op I am 197. 6) Now that I have *finally* pooped, I feel about 90%. 7) I have had no real issues other than being constipated. Again, once I was able to go, life is good. The head hunger is the worst part for me. I really want to TASTE all the stuff! And I made christmas Cookies with my kids today. Killer!!! 8) The first 3 nights I was only able to sleep on my back. The last two nights I've been on my sides. (I haven't been able to tummy sleep since I had breast cancer and its required surgeries 2 1/2 years ago.) I tried it once a few weeks ago and thought I would suffocate. LOL 9) It is HARD. If I didn't have kids in the house who need to eat meals maybe it would be easier? Last night I was at a restaurant with friends (planned months ago and unable to cancel) and it was HARD, but I did it. I am having a hard time getting my Water in. Finally set alarms on my phone to drink so today is a bit better. 10) Probably but not for a couple of months. And it won't ALL fall out (I did that with chemo, liked myself better bald! LOL) just get thin. I have been taking Biotin for the the last 2 1/2 years because my hair is thin on a good day. Hoping that helps a bit. I'll start it back up again in a couple of weeks.

1&2: My pain was horrible but I also had a hernia repair. I made sure to ask for meds when my pain level was at like a 2 or 3 because let's be real it takes nurses awhile to get the meds then for the meds to kick in. I also found that ice packs were a god sent after surgery to help with pain control. Definitely get up and walk around to help with the gas 3: keep drinking!! My doctor had a regiment set 4oz an hour...make sure you take slow sips, to this day I still get some pain if I take to big of a sip and I'm pain free (1wk post op) 4: As far as the dogs I have 2 dogs that like to lay on me as well and to be honest you won't want them on your stomach (atleast I didn't the thought made me cringe) so I kept a pillow there for "protection" just in case. 5: my post op appointment was yesterday and doc said when you are back to yourself and def not on the pain meds..makes sense since he sent me home with liquid narcotics 6: 1 week post op and I've lost 17lbs so I guess it depends on the person but from my 6 years of research and various contacts it's supposedly going to come off quickly. Yay!! 7: my recovery hasn't been too bad so far but don't over exert yourself for sure...make sure you still get plenty of rest 8: I have no problem sleeping on my stomach now but for the first few days I slept semi reclined like in a recliner...helped with the gas pain too!! 9: post op diet...I'm shocked they didn't tell you this as well...in the hospital I was only allowed Water and ice until I had my contrast test then "bariatric clear liquids" so broth sugar free Jello etc. I continuously was letting ice melt in my mouth because it didn't hurt to swallow the miniscule amount. Hospital jello was crap but when I got home for the last week I lived on Protein shakes, v8+h20, h2o, tomato Soup, jello (box has less after taste) and my doctor allowed me to have 4oz activia yogurt only the vanilla 10: my hair hasn't fallen out Sent from my XT1585 using the BariatricPal App

I had one about 10 years ago and it does make a huge difference. It is quite painful but after about 3 days the pain starts subsiding. If I had to do it all over again, I would without hesitation. It was well worth the money and pain.

at 2 weeks: -cream of wheat made with milk- kinda of thin. There is Protein in it! -pushed up cottage cheese - soft cheese like babybel- let is sit at room temp for about 10 mins. first they melt in your mouth. -greek yogurt. -if you can tolerate them refried Beans. with a little sour cream. Thats what I lived off of from 2 weeks to 1 month

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted anything. I've been so busy with my new job and so much other crap it's been insane. I feel like I've been on a vacation (too long of one) from the site. Sorry to all (if any) loyal readers of my blog. Thanx heaps for your loyalty if there are any. So many things have happened since I posted last. Where do I start. Had a Birthday on the 26th of September, the big 29, had some issues with it. So I got a tattoo.....on the top of my foot. (see profile pic) The words say "Pa Norm" and "Pa Jim" for my grandpas. In my opinion memorial tattoos are super cool, if done properly. Two of only three men I'd ever think of getting their names tattooed anywhere on my body. Daddy being the other of course. Went to the races the weekend after my birthday. The NASCAR race at Kansas Speedway. Needed to narrow it down, saying I went to the races is like saying Kyle Busch got pissed off and spun someone into the wall. (happens a lot for you non race fans out there) Always a good time. Did really well. I was very proud of myself. Usually there's some pretty good tailgate fare at the track. None of it bandster friendly. Came out of it two pounds lighter than going in. HOT DAMN! :Banane25: In other news the new job is great. Loving it. It's refreshing to work for a company that cares about its employees. Been there a little over a month and can actually see myself retiring from there if they'll have me after I finally graduate from college. Hubby has finally come around about this. Took him long enough. lol He's noticed the huge (or maybe not so huge :huh2:) difference in me since surgery. I can wear stuff he's never seen me wear that's been laying around the house. He's been begging me to get rid of most of the stuff I can wear now. Why do we do that ladies? Keep clothes around that without a small miracle (LAP-BAND®®®®®® in our case) will never fit us again in a million lightyears? Any suggestions? Went back to get my third fill. Pretty much at my sweet spot I think. I lost 6 pounds last month so I'm getting there. Slow and steady wins the race people. I'm up to 40 total pounds lost. My goal is 100 so I'm 10 pounds from half way there. That's the huge goal to meet right now. Since I never thought I'd get here. Figured out I can't have ANY TYPE OF BREAD. Tortillas, cookies, cake, bread, anything that you can ball up and throw at someone basically. Forget it. Had a VERY bad experience with a half a biscuit a couple weeks ago. :puke:NOT MY IDEA OF A GOOD TIME! However, never once have I eaten too much and made myself sick. That was my biggest fear going into this. It's amazing how my quality of life has went up. I'm actually writing this after reading all of my previous blogs from starting my journey. Holy cow how far I've come. I do notice though that I never waivered on my choice to do this. Never will. I'd do it again, in a heartbeat. Still sticking to an Atkins based structure. Pretty much high protein all the way for me. A lot of people ask me how much I've lost. When I talk to or see people I don't spend much time with that's the first thing they ask me. As if that's the only way they see me. I've told them to stop asking. I appreciate their concern for my well being and progress, but it creates a stigma about me and my LAP-BAND®®®®®® brothers and sisters that I don't like. I'm the same Erika I've been all my life, just skinnier. In my opinion it creates a worse relationship with food than I had before. They're constantly watching what/how much I'm eating. Not for me. Makes me nervous. I don't want them making special menus or only going to restaurants that serve fish (my protein of choice) when I go out to dinner with them. No. That's not what this is about nor is it why I did it. I've become weirdly shy about certain things as I've gotten older.......Maybe shy isn't the right word. Adult. Conservative. Discreet. Whatever, I don't want to be the one that puts the wrench in everyone elses plans. If I can't eat where the majority of people want to go, I'll sip my ice tea in peace and enjoy the pleasure of everyone's company, then eat when I get home. I want them to see me as the Erika I've always been, only skinnier, as I said. This has changed my life. It's amazing the difference it's made. There are no words to describe it. This site has saved me from the brink a few times. You guys are awesome. Keep up your great losses everyone. Talk to you all later.

yes, my practice plan has us go Clear liquids in hospital, full liquids at home and then soft foods at 10 days to two weeks. nothing ever tasted better!

My 4 year old was at the hospital with us and he just knew that mommy was seeing the doctor and that she would have Owies on her belly. He didn't like me in the bed but after I was out of recovery and he got to hug me he was ready to go off with grandpa. The step son's 7, 10, 12....... think I had the same surgery as their mother did (gallbladder)......... we didn't tell them because I didn't want them blabbing it to their entire town....... I have pb'd infront of them and they just think it was something that didn't set well.. since my stomach is now finicky..... really they don't think anything about it because thats the way kids are.. self absorbed...... when we go to buffets they don't notice that I'm not eating some of the things i used to eat... not a big deal at all.

I have a 6 yrs old daughter and a 10 year old son! They actually went to the seminar w/ me. They had seen me struggle w/ my weight and doing different diets. I told them I wanted to be healthy so I could do stuff with them. I didnt want to be fat momma! Well they were both very scared the day of my surgery....just nervous because hospitals are scary. After surgery they were both so helpfull...my tummy was real sore so I had a hard time getting out of bed or off the couch so my son would give me a boost. They have been awsome. Like I have gotten food stuck and ended up throwing up because I forget and dont chew good. Well they remind me....they both will say..."Mom small bites and chew alot or else". When we go out to eat...they say Mom can you eat that???? or if they see me get up real fast...they say oooohhh no is it stuck?? So they keep me on track....I told them the rules of lap band.....and they will not let me forget them or break them. When I hit onederland last Satarday 199 pounds I was sooooo excited that when I came out of the bathroom they said are you in onederland yet mom??? I said yes...I finally made it....and they both hugged me and started jumping up in down saying Mommy is in onederland...Yea Mommy!!!!! Then my husband got home and as soon as he opened the door they ran over and told him. I felt so accomplished and there support means the world to me! My kids watch BIg Medicne and Doctor 90210...so they know a little about it.....so the other day they ask me "Mom are you gonna have to have a tummy tuck ?" I said well you guys look at my tummy and tell me....they did and diagnosed me as YES...too much loose skin. LOL!!! So they know thats next!!! LOL Sandra 255h/242s/199c/165g

I have a chocolate whey powder that's actually drinkable when mixed with water. I get it at the grocery store--it's called "Pure Protein 100% natural whey protein powder. I also have the Isopure Vanilla protein powder but it's yucky. I also like the isopure drinks. Not only are you getting 40 grams of protein, but also 20 oz of liquid at the same time! I only drink 10 oz at a time also.

I wanna wear a size 10 but the number for me is not as big of a deal as the number on the scale. My goal is 160lbs. That means I will have lost 200lbs by then, so that is my ultimate goal. I am now 221 and a size 16 so with another 60 pounds gone, I think I am going to be very close to that size 10!!

on the whole I wear a size 14 - sometimes a 16 pants if the legs are narrow and I would love to be a 10/12. Don't know what weight it will take to get there, I was a 12 in college when I weighed 172; add in I'm having some PS done its all a mystery

Well I had my first unfill. Since my last fill on 2/10/10 where I got .4 ccs in my band - I've been STRUGGLING. I would go for days where I could barely keep anything down. At first it was mostly just the morning and early afternoon - but usually by late evening I could eat. I figured I was just getting used the the band and I was losing weight like CRAZY! My thought process was, losing weigh so quickly my band would quickly become loose and thus I just need to wait out the tightness of the band. I tried to just stick to soups, Hot tea, water, but it got to the point where I could keep down nothing and was throwing up 5 to sometimes 9 or 10 times a day. I started waking up in the middle of the night coughing up stomach acid. I read about throwing up so much causing acid reflux - with this information and going 4 straight days not keep ANYTHING down I knew that I needed an unfil :-( . So I called my doc. He got me in this past Saturday. In just over 2 weeks I had lost 14 lbs ! I lose about 5-8 lbs a month so I was floored with the 14 lbs. My doc unfilled me 6 whole CC's - to put this in perspective my last two fills I got .4 ccs each time. 6 CCS removed takes me back down to about 6 months post surgery and since thens I've lost like 40 lbs so that impacts it as well. My doc said that I needed to rest a bit - he said I will be able to eat like normal so I need to be careful. I dread gaining any of these 14 lbs loss - I needed that burst! It brought me under 300 lbs which was definitely a milestone. He's going to have me back in in 9 days for a fill and I can't imagine gaining too much in those few days - but the idea of water weight scares me. I will be okay with no more than 4 lbs - I'll be sad for any more than that. Don't want to get back to over 300 - NEVER AGAIN. I ate pretty sparingly today and yesterday. I did kinda test my band today and was happy with the result - I can't eat like "normal". I ate 1/2 of a burger - and a little dessert. Normal would have been to eat the whole burger, and all of the dessert plus 3-4 glasses of strawberry lemonade (I had water :rolleyes2:). It was interesting though - I've become used to eating so little food that I forgot about how heavy your stomach feels after eating. A cup or so of food does not feel heavy but 2 or 3 cups can really weigh right on your midsection - never really noticed that before. So, we'll see how this goes :thumbup:. Wish me luck!

I was such a pop addict before surgery!!! I loved diet coke and dr pepper. After surgery I tasted them and even the taste was different. I love the fizziness, but there's no way I can drink it now like I used to. Maybe I can have a little bit and sip it slow over a long period of time. But after surgery I've just been trying to keep up with my fluids and protein, and I wouldn't waste it on soda unless I was all set on everything for the day already. Crystal light is my fave. I have 10 different kinds and switch it up everyday.

This is really sad. It has me crying and I am trying not to let my tears out. The loss of a loved one brings back many of our losses that we haven't healed from. There are 10 stages that flow in different orders. Hang in there and please share with your wife how you feel about her making that decision without giving you a chance to say goodbye to those loved ones. She meant well but was beside herself making those decisions.

Wow! Ebby, I am super jealous! I only wish that my husband would do the surgery. He claims to have gained 10 lbs in 1 week. He has super slow metabolism, and he has finally started to try a liquid diet. But, he doesn't eat much, he is just a major couch potato. He has lots of co-mortibities, so he would be great candidate . I wish you and your hubby luck, you sound like the two of you will have much success. Good luck, Karen

You have to do what feels right for you. If you think you will have success at losing with just doing the diet ok fine. Myself? That doesn't work for me. I have been dieting and gaining for 10 years now. My problem is not the food its how I respond to food. I am an emotional eater I eat for fun, out of boredom, stress. So while a traditional diet may work for my friend who needs to just drop 20.lbs-at 265 lbs and an emotional eating issue-um weight watchers cannot even touch my issues...I need professional help here. Lmao!!

target is having a sale on the generic spanx (made by the same company though) 10$ a pair!!! i plan to go get a few pairs i found that when i wear them bc my legs arent reshaping well that they take off about 3 extra inches when wearing them!!!! give them a shot cant hurt huh!!! they are called assets Assets : Shapewear : Intimates : Clothing : Women : Target

Hi Kim, I was banded on 4/5/10. I have had my share of ups and downs but the band was the best decision I have made for myself. I lost my father at the end of August and he was very young, only 66. It was unexpected and there was a lot of drama with my family. It was a very rough time but I did not let myself slide into bad habits. I kept my eating and exersice a priority. You can do this. Log what you eat and get moving with some exercise. I exercise 5-6 times per week. I started out slowly so as not to burn out, as I have done that in the past. I am not perfect but I strive to eat like a bandster 90% of the time. I also recommend some sort of support group. I do an online support group that emails digests every day. I read them everyday. I don't always post but I do read becasue it keeps me thinking about how to use my tool. The group that I am part of is a yahoo group called SmartBandsters. It's a great group. They recommend the Shrink Yourself program http://www.shrinkyourself.com/?404;http://www.shrinkyourself.com:80/obsession?gclid=CMON3YLZ9KYCFRJY2godVX9ADQ&bhcp=1. This will help you with emotional eating. You can do this - you just have to take the steps to make it work.

My doctor did not allow lapband patients to return to work until after 2 full weeks of recovery at home. I kept myself somewhat active by short walks and the like, but no lifting whatsoever during that period. Although I have a desk job, I really needed the full 2 weeks to heal and get my strength back. I had a laparoscopic procedure done about 10 years ago & at the time I felt the need to return to work within a few days time. I paid the price. I ended up with a number of complications and then developed adhesions from being too active too soon, which I still feel to this day. I learned my lesson & felt no remorse for "babying" myself for this procedure!

I was banded on 1/4/08 which was a Friday and I went back to work on Monday 01/07/08. I was very tired but I made it! I am an accounting manager, I do sit at a desk, but I also have to walk alot!

You'll do great. I got my lapband 10 months ago - I down 103lbs. It feels great. I am older than you and wish that I had done it sooner.

I had sleeve done by Dr Kim on 9/10. So far, so good! I do feel actual hunger at times throughout the day, but I'm hoping that will diminish as I am able to 1) increase calorie count (hard to get above 400 calories right now) and 2) am eating more "solid" foods - still on liquid only.

My surgery is on the 12th and I am doing the liquid diet as well, my scales at home say I've lost 6 pounds but the scales at my pre-op appt at the hospital this morning say 10! I'm going with those ; ) The liquid diet is not fun but will be worth it in the end I'm sure. Losing any amount of weight helps I'm sure, I mean if you went in for emergency gallbladder (sp?) suregry you wouldn't have been on a liquid diet and they still are able to operate. I think it is also to help prepare us mentally and emotionally as well...just my opinion. Good luck on your surgery, and your new journey!

I was banded December 19th, 2013! I am glad I made this choice, to-date I've lost 83 lbs on the Lap-Band, 275 lbs on day of my surgery to 192 lbs this morning (7/16/2014). Also went from a pant size of 46 to 32! I still have my struggles/questions, where I feel like: I am eating more than 1/2 cup of food, eating too fast and I don't know if I've found my green zone, etc. I currently have 10 cc in on a 14 cc band. Starting on the day of my surgery, I started walking, after 2 months I was cleared to start exercising and joined a gym. I started walking on the treadmill and weight lifiting, increased that to running, started running up to 4 miles a day and weight lifiting, and did those pounds come off! Now, I've joined a boot camp style gym where I go 5 times a week for 50 mins and still run every other day 3 - 4 miles. I've learned to eat more healthy such as: salmon, ground turkey, chicken, with veggies. Sometimes, in the morning I don't feel hungry, so I'll just drink a Protein shake or have oatmeal. I still have an urge to have a bad meal, but it's very limited, because I am afraid of getting stuck or taking too large of bite. I've only had 2 times where I gotten stuck one: the chicken was too dry and took a big bite; second: ate a hamburger that was grilled and was too dry and took a big bite. I feel that I still struggle with eating way too fast and eating more than 1/2 a cup, but the P.A. at my surgeons office, told me that I shouldn't be too concerned as, I am exercising a lot, and she liked that I was pushing myself at the gym. Does anyone feel like they have found their green zone or still think they eat too fast? If so, what do you do slow down on your eating habits?