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I was banded two days ago. Have been on clear liquids, and am slowly introducing a bit of other liquids today. I took some watermelon and apple juice and blended it for about 2 minutes. Poured through a strainer and let sit for about 10 minutes. Skimmed off all the 'thickness' that I could get out and am drinking it now. I found that it took MUCH less of this to help me hit full than just clear liquids.

Hello, thank you so much for your response. I’ve not come across many people that have open surgery. I’m glad to hear hopefully it will all pass. I have followed my surgeon from Paris to Istanbul, and I feel my diet is orientated around the food they eat here in Istanbul. I am allowed to eat, clear liquid broth, low fat yoghurt and low fat lactose free milk for the first 10 days and will go to purées for the next 10 days. I think it would be really helpful if I could gauge what my body wanted, at the moment nausea is my best friend and hence really low in take of everything. Thanks Rosy

I was the opposite.. Mine barely moved and the were looking so yucky, after about 10 days, I took off and put on bandaid waterproof with their neosporin like on the bandaid. Omg, those suckers were so stuck to my skin, my belly has more marks from that than my incisions! Lol..

I am excited and going to my first seminar tonight as well. My mind has already been made that the band is the way to go for me. Been looking into it for over a year now. Had a slight set back last year now I am back on track. AS far as the attention issue: I was an pretty nice size 10 about 8 years ago. I think I have had more attention on me since I have been morbidly obese. Can she fit in the booth? Can she fit on the elevator? Does she need help getting up the stairs...? All of that mess. I hate it. I felt SO much more normal being a "normal" size. I am 120lbs over now and ready to get rid of it. Trust me..if it is a cat whistle or a compliment from a stranger, it's a WHOLE lot better than the attention we get for being very large people.

I had my surgery over 10 years ago at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.. I have/had a lot of complications which I don't want to scare away anyone pre-op. I too am looking for any support groups other than in the city.

Well Tuesday, after posting my garden pics blog after dinner, things got a little crazy around here. One of the couples going to the concert with us/old neighbors that moved close by was in the area (birthday dinner out for one of their teens). They called us and we invited them over. We invited another couple (going to the concert) over, had drinks on the patio (perfect weather) and discussed our plans while all the kids visited. The last couple (going to the concert) was returning from vacation that evening and we got a call that an Uncle in their family had died (expected, Hospice had been there). After about four more calls back and forth we found that the viewing would be during the concert, so they couldn't go. Then we got a call from DS1, that he'd been in an accident; no injuries. I always hesitate to share negative things about my kids here, but I will just incase it keeps someone else from having an accident (or your kids). He works with one of his good friends and after work his friend was performing in a band at a local bar (they have events scheduled on occasion just for underage teens, no alcohol). He was following his friend's car through the parking lot to park (probably too closely) and looked down 'for a second' to tune his iPod…friend stopped, DS1 didn't (even with hands-free phone calls there are too many distractions in cars these days with all the electronics...FYI we've always limited the number of kids he can drive and he's supposed to set the iPod to a playlist before he leaves and phone is supposed to be on speaker and only for important things). Bottom line is the friend's car had a higher bumper with a long/large trailer hitch and my minivan's front end (must be made of cellophane) was no match (minor damage to friend's car). He was going between 2-5 mph at the time (that was the prediction of the auto-shop manager the next day, as the airbags would have gone off if he was over that for the kind of accident he had, and they hadn't deployed). So that evening we spent some time sorting that out. Somehow (LOL) we also ended up with everyone's kids spending an overnight at our house, so there was popcorn to be made and sleeping bags and fresh pillowcases to be rounded up after the parent's left. We spent yesterday morning getting kids fed/home, then lunchtime calling; insurance, the friend's father (DS1 called to apologize, etc.), the rental car place, and we took my minivan to the car shop (5-6K or possibly totaled; and yes, DS1 was there at each step to hear it all); the hitch punched into my minivan killing the radiator and A/C fan (maybe more) and wrecking the hood, front end/bumper and front side panel…ouch! DS1 is going to be paying what the insurance wont (we made a deal with our kids that we'd pay for their first accident only). He had a similar wreck just about 8 months ago at the stop-light right in front of his workplace. DH's car that time…a bumper miss-match with a tall SUV in front as they were all stopping for the light "she made a hard stop sooner than he expect" and even though he was down to under 10mph DH car went under the other car's bumper (can you say TAILGATING!). Again, the SUV had hardly a scratch, but they almost totaled DH's car. Insurance yesterday said 'Didn't he just have this same kind of accident?' 'Ummm, yes, just a different car.' AHHHH! I know some of you'll think we're the strictest parents (we all do the best we can), but I'll tell you anyway (and no, he didn't get any consequences other than a long talk for the first accident, but the second time it becomes carelessness)…we'll only be letting him drive to/from work, but with us in the passenger seat for awhile to 'coach/tune up' his driving skills (punishments always seem to punish the parents too don't they...can't wait for the late night pick-up when the restaurant closes), and no, he won't have the iPod (or even the use of the radio or phone) in the car for awhile even when he returns to driving…we need this one to 'hurt' as he doesn't really have an appreciation for just some money coming out of his savings account. We'd also had already been talking to him about getting a second job as he wasn't getting enough hours at a restaurant, so we forced that issue yesterday and he called and got rehired at his old job (retail store). Of course it's not the hassle or insurance rate going up (it will) that we care about; he just needs to learn the lesson now before he or someone else gets HURT or worse…that's our real worry. Driving is a privilege and he's gotten over-confident in his abilities (we've seen that watching him drive recently…he started off as a careful driver, but now he's gotten complacent after driving for 3 years and needs an attitude adjustment). He needs to take it seriously and understand the responsibility of driving. We've had several sit-down discussions with him and I'm sure well be talking more about it on the way to PSU tomorrow (fun, fun, fun...NOT). In the afternoon we ran and got things for our tailgate and got ready. We thought we had someone set to take the now extra set of tickets, but that fell through less than an hour before departure. So more scrambling with others trying to find friends to go and finally the concert attendees suggested we take our daughter/BF (about 10 min. before departure). I grabbed DD some clothes in case they could come and off we went (the neighbors picked us up and had fully decorated the car and had bought us all kinds of whacky stuff to wear and display at the tailgate. We had a great time people watching (a major spectator sport at this concert) tailgating with the neighbors (I ate some sub (VERY carefully) and none of the sides we took, but I did have a two Corona's/Lime as it was all we had there (with some Gas X, and yes, my doc says carbonation is OK after a certain point post-op...and I nursed them forever...the tailgate is longer than the concert at JB). DD/BF got to the concert about ½ hour late (she had to work until 7pm), but they had a great time too (virgin Parrotheads). We danced, we sang, we had a blast…Buffett was awesome as always! What a way to celebrate our 50th birthdays! TERRIBLE phone-camera pic attached of us doing the Big 5-0. We picked up a rental car for me today and I'm off to pack for our orientation overnight at PSU tomorrow…it's been a busy, sometimes very stressful 48 hours. *Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

You are a great writter! Love the stories & humor! My first fill was 5/12/09 & I don't have any restriction. When my coworkers tell me I look good and ask how much weight I have lost (25lbs). For some reason I feel the need to explain that this weight loss is from the surgery diet restrictions and when I get restriction should really start to loose weight whe I get restriction. 25 pounds is huge for me but I haven't lost any more & I'm thankful. I have had a few CrAzY cravings, one night I sent my husband to get me peanut m&m's @ 10:30 at night. I don't want that to happen any more! I talked to my Dr's office & they said it may be because I'm not getting enough protein. The very next day made sure I went to CosotCo to buy the premier protein shakes & bars my Dr's support group recommended. They really help, the last couple of day's I haven't had and cravings. Beware fo CRAVINGS...

Yes, it happens, especially if you are on a very strict plan. Some are more strenuous than others. I only lost 10 lbs on my preop, but I literally have an almost zero metabolism as my adrenal glands were burned out from years of medications. However, post op, I'm now down 50 lbs at 9 weeks. Hello!!! Best. Decision. Ever. Good luck!!!

I started at 310lb, size 26. I picked my goal weight from the highest BMI I could be to get to the size I was when I felt healthy at that weight (25 yrs ago!). In uk that's a size 16 (I think 14 in USA) . I would be very happy at that. Before I had kids I was a size 10 uk size but that's took thin for me now I would think. No where near it yet though

This is interesting - certainly good to find a Protein drink that tastes great... But with only 10 grams of protein, it seems pretty low on the scale considering we are looking to get about 60 a day. I kind of doubt I will go that route.

Hallen.....how are you feeling today? I'm doing so much better. Each day gets a little easier. This morning was my first "back to the grind" type morning.....woke up to snow so had to drive all three kids into town, made lunches, dishes, dinner in the crock. It's the little things that make me feel like I can get through this! I'm already down 10 pounds! Not sure how much of that is "water weight" but it sure felt good stepping on the scale! I've moved on from just clear liquids. I'm doing shakes (very smooth and runny) vanilla yogurt same way, soups with no chunks. My tummy seemed to be tolerating everything pretty well. I had a sugar free fudge pop last night, wow! It tasted heavenly! Hope you are doing good. Keep me posted! Take Care.

I have had three fills so far (my fourth is scheduled for Wed 7/23) and I don' t really feel restriction. I have a 10 cc band and have been filled 5/21 - 1.8 cc 6/11 - 1 cc 6/25 - 0.5 cc So a total of 3.3 cc. Is anyone else feeling good restriction yet? And if so, at what level is your band filled?

I'm 19 days out my incision is like 4 inches away from my boob so it drives my crazy iv been up since 430 am and I have a 3 yr old who won't let me nap lol I'm getting about 4 hrs asleep every might

My sleeve surgery date is June 16th, 2010. I expected a huge fight from BCBS, but only one denial and within 10 days, the appeal and and approval. I'm currently 328 lbs and suffer from tendonitis in the feet, sleep apnea, high BP, insulin resistence, incontinence, muscle aches and pains and asthma. I'm constantly in pain when walking. I'm tired when walking from the parking lot to my classroom! I'm excited and scared at the same time. I don't want to have to have the surgery, but know I must to be healthy. I went to the surgeon in April and was told to eat a modified Atkins diet until we got he approval. I just can't make myself start... I'm having such a hard time... I hope there is someone else out there that had this problem and has been successful after surger. I'm really starting to wonder if I will be... HELP! Courtkc:001_huh:

Actually I really did hate working out before surgery. I started to like it more when I found a work out buddy, now it is more like hanging out...working out and chatting with a friend. It took me about a month before I started to like the gym at all...but after I realized how good it made me feel after working out I started to like it. And of course it is always awesome to see improvement in the gym as well. For example: When I first started the gym I could only do 5 mins on the elliptical, now I can easily do 30. Or like when I started I couldn't even do the stair master...it was too hard, now I am up to doing 10 mins on it every time I go So those types of things have given me motivation to keep going and to keep on my diet.

Pain yes but that's why they give you Med's take them it will relax you and help you heal. Gas pain is the worst but walking helps and is a good start to getting more exersice. So walk but don't over do it take it ez in the beginning. Incision pain will go way in a few days. You will be tired all the time this to will pass. What I dident expect was rapid weight loss or as much as I have lost in the first month. I con only hope I lose 28 more pounds in the next month. Just remember after surgery do as your doctor says and you will be fine Good luck on the 10 We always room on the losers team for more losers, on this team it's good to be a loser. Anymore questions just ask Surgery Anniversary 7/30/12

What you also need to consider is that you may have drains after the surgery or extra Fluid build up and how that will be managed. How is after care managed? I just had a major surgery that included a panniculectomy - I had three drains. When I left hospital (I was in for 10 days) I still had one drain, and it ended up coming out early by accident. Ironically, I had incredible fluid build up on the other side and I just had to have 2 drains reinserted last week (3 weeks post original surgery). Now I had mega surgery and about 4 procedures done so I don't know what is actually plastics related, but I understand it is very common to have drains. You need to know if your surgeon uses drains, how they will be managed and what to do if you have fluid build up. In about 6 days I had almost a 1 1/2 litres drained manually (that kind of retention also ends up being very uncomfortable)- and this was 2 weeks plus after the actual surgery. I don't know where you live in BC (I am in Calgary), but I am pretty sure that your docs are not going to be happy in dealing with any complications - although I think they have to see you). As well, can your local area even help you if you have complications? Would you need to travel to Vancouver regardless? I know that Dr. Schulman has said that he requires people to stay in the New York area until the drains are removed and I know Frangi (both have current threads in this section) has had to go back to Florida on several occasions because of fluid and wound issues). Travelling itself may or may not be an issue. I actually felt better earlier after the surgery and feel much worse now. I think I was so drugged up early on that I felt pretty good. I don't think you should be travelling alone (the drugs really impaired my ability to think and judge) and you need to be careful about blood clots from sitting on one position for any length of time). Does your surgery include muscle repair or just skin removal? Muscle repair opens you up to a whole world of pain that you wouldn't have experienced with the lap band surgery. Good luck with your decision! Jacquie

Honestly, I love to shop right now wherever the deals are! i find great buys at Kohls', Hamricks, Charlotte Rouse, anywhere!! And it's fun to pay less than $10 for tops. I find Walmart $15 jeans to be just as good a fit (I will say Lee's are about the only brand that I like in fit...) Sadly though, I owuld love to wear Buckles, but I find them to be fitted more for the juniors. Still too snug in the shldr/bust area even though I''m in a misses med/lg.

Lewanda, I am 6 Foot 4 and i started out at 540 pounds. i got down to 490 pounds on the day of surgery. I am 10 months out and weigh 338 pounds. i have about 60 more pounds to go. Losing the 200 pounds is definitely possible, i have lost just over 200 myself. Now loosing 100 pounds in 4 weeks is drastic and probably not healthy, but the larger you are the more you lose initially. my first 2 months i lost around 55 pounds. i do have loose skin and will probably need to have surgery to remove the extra skin. But im only 24 so i will wait at least 1 year to give my skin some time to retract before i have surgery.

Krisk - First off, Dont give up! You can do this! It's vital medicine. It sounds like you're mixing your own shakes instead of using the Ready To Drink (RTD) ones. Am I right? If you're mixing them, I highly recommend trying some premade RTDs to identify flavors you can stand. Then try making them at home to match that target flavor and thickness. A lot of the problems are in the making. I find all milk makes them too think so I cut it with Water. I also find the powder clumps if its too hot or too cold. So I sit my milk out and use some room temp water, mix it, then put it in the fridge to chill post-mixing. (It also lets the 'froth' die down). For non shakes - Try adding your unflavored to other soups you can buy at the store. Start with a little bit and step it up. Dont make it too hot. I found wegmans tomato soup had a little spice to it that covered up the Protein 'nose' completely. You can buy it one little cup at a time and experiment. Also, dont be surprised if your tastes change daily. You can mix up a vat of SF Jello and add unflavored to that too. It's a clear liquid. For RTDs, Premier chocolate IS really chocolaty. They taste like real shakes. You may think its too sweet. Try to buy one and try it before getting a case. For non sweet, I found the less thick they were, typically the easier I could get them down. And vanilla is the least sweet (some would say bo-ring). EAS carb control vanilla will probably go down very easy for you. It's almost watery, with just enough vanilla flavor to mask the protein in it. I think you can get a 4 pack at GNC to try. They're also best COLD, very cold. Vitamin Shoppe is real good about making samples. They have lots of open jugs under the counter. Tell them protein makes you wretch and they take it as a challenge! 10 mouthwash-sized dixie cups later, you may find one you can handle. There are also tricks. How did you take medicine as a kid? In Peanut Butter? Mary Popping sang "a spoonful of sugar" - we cant do THAT. But bust open a SF popcicle. Take a drink of shake, take a lick of pop. Hold your nose. Smells are powerful. Put something that smells fruity under your nose while drinking the protein. It's medicine. You can add SF Torani flavored syrup to ANYTHING. hazlenut is my favorite, but they make them all. It will mask the taste and also the smell. Be creative! You only have to survive this grueling phase a short time. Finally, contact your NUT, maybe they approve you to switch early. But don't do it on your own. We're all pulling for you. You can do it!

Hi all.. my name is Wendy. I had the lapband surgery on 05/31/11 and had done really well until about a month ago. My highest weight was 286 and my weight as of Saturday was 141. I started throwing up blood about a month ago. My stoma was becoming eroded from acid reflux. Long story short, I ended not being able to hold anything down and got really dehydrated. I ended up having an emergency revision this past Monday. I am unfamiliar with the sleeve. Can you tell me some of your experience with it?

I doing great all my incision look good except the big one on left fills like a knot on top n its a lil warm is this norm an today I see its starting to bruise under it

90% driver and 10% flyer lol

I have RA also I had to stop taking methotrexate 4 weeks before surgery and can't start taking it until 4 weeks after surgery. I had surgery 1/19/17 And I haven't had any bad pain since surgery thank goodness. I've started to work out a bit more and I do feel more soreness but that just might be from the work out or both. Hopefully I can make it another two weeks without pain because lord knows RN pain is the worse ever! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App