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I am under 3 weeks post op and on regular foods since last Thursday. No problems.

So, I was banded 6 days ago. I have lost 10lbs up until yesterday, but thanks to my monthly visitor, I now have gained a pound...a pound. All this work, and I gain a pound. Jeez. There goes the next few days. Anyways, I thought I would share some of my tips. They may not work for you, but they did for me. And if you have some, please do share. I am always lookinf for info. So let me start with medicines. I was told to take a multi Vitamin, acid reducer, and Calcium. Went to Walmart, got store brand Equate Acid Reducer ($5 cheaper than Pepcid, $10 for large bottle - may change to ); Viactiv calcium chews with vitamind D ($10); Active Kids Complete with Iron multi Vitamins ($6 for 120 tablets, with one daily tablet needed only, that is three months. Kids only need half, so one will do for you). Now, my doctor said ok to Kellogs shakes, and there is 10oz in a bottle, so I get 5 servings each. I found this baby formula container, which is perfect size to measure my 2 ounzes. I bought the multipack, so I saved $2 bucks on the shakes ($10 for 8). For my diet I am using Maggies and Campbells Soups, Water, sometimes 1/4 cup of apple juice and the 6oz of shakes. I do get hungry sometimes, but I have learned to extend my eatings until a little past my hunger. And I take the pills like food. So instead of taking them with the shake or Soup, I take them, and wait a while to take either of those. It is like a mini snack. I am not doing enough with the water, but I cant drink a lot, just sip and sometimes I forget. So far it was working, until the monthly came to visit. I think 10lbs in 5 days was pretty decent. I am also walking, very slow, half hour. Do not overdo it the first days. I did on my third day, and was told to take it easy by the doctor. Last thing, applications. I use four. This application for inspiration and questions. MyFitnessPal, which logs your water, food, medicine (the viactic has 20 calories so you better count it and your vitamins will show in application totals, telling you you have taken 100% of needed supplements). The app is not used to people eating so little calories, so ignore the daily message of completion telling you that you have not eaten enough. I also use runtastic, a pedometer that syncs with myfitnesspal, and something that has the word ticker in it. It creates that little ruler you see in message boards showing your weight loss journey. Go online and find more info on message boards, forums and youtube. You will also find ideas for foods to eat. I will post some later on in this thread and a couple of youtube videos. And remember, no solids during this phase. liquids only. Your stomach is healing and a scar is forming around your band, which will help keep in place. Do not put yourself up for future complications, by eating solids now. It is not worth it, even if you feel fine afterwards. You made your stomach work. That is it for now. Just remember, it maybe painful, and hard at first, but you will fet the hanf of it soon. And the results, the energy, getting rid of medical problems and why not, the clothes, are a great reward. Good luck and God bless your journey.

Hi! I will be banded on the 29th of this month. So I don't have a hands on experience to share; however I was at my surgeon's office yesterday for the pre-surgery visit and he told me that typically he sees that patients take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks to be back to work after the surgery. He tells everyone to take at least one week to heal. He also told me that if I eat too fast or too much or don't chew enough I will most likely vomit. I think it's important that once you have found a surgeon to really ask them what they normally see, find etc with their patients and that might give you a better idea.

Hi Adam I am 5 days post op now I have only had one episode of nausea without any vomiting and I feel really great! The first couple days there was minor soreness at the incision sites and some gas pain but as long as you walk and take your pain meds its fine! If you have a desk job you would have no problem going back to work in a week (in my opinion). I am a RN and my doc said I could go back to work in a week with no restriction (but I decided to spoil myself and take almost three weeks off with a vaca thrown in the mix )

I just got over a big ordeal with a slow leak. Mine developed over the course of a month "which hasn't been seen before" I started hurting in my ribs and over the course of a week it got worse and spread to my shoulder. It got to the point where I couldn't lay down without pain. I couldn't sit up very long because of the pain. Grant it yes I was also dealing with pneumonia and a collapsed lung. The pain from the leak was very very noticeable. However not all leaks will present the same. I was told if I had a leak the pain would be in my abdomin not true. My pain was in my ribs/chest/shoulder area. If you are still in pain in the morning call your surgeons office and see if they can just check you out to make sure all is ok. I probably wouldn't have said that a month ago, but after going through it I don't want anyone else to suffer the way I did. However with you being only 10 days out you could just be dealing with excess gas pains. I was told they could last for a while after surgery..

My surgery was Monday (3 days ago) and I was told when I was released on Tuesday to try for 48 oz of liquids and 40 gms of protein per day for the first week. I've read so many comments from others that in the first few days after surgery, have a really hard time getting in their liquids and protein. That's what's strange....I'm just the opposite. For example, it's not yet noon and I've already had 28 oz of liquids and 34 gms of protein. Plus, I've had very little nausea and am already feeling almost back to 100% today. Could the doc have maybe made my sleeve a bit larger than normal and that's why I've had it so much easier than others who have been posting regarding problems getting in their liquids and proteins early on after surgery? I don't understand....it's really strange.

2 week out and I'm having lower back pain. Specially after eating.

I don't think you should be anymore worried about the sleeve than you were with the band. Even though the sleeve seems more radical, from a surgery and risk standpoint, the sleeve is probably safer. You're not installing a foreign body that could slip, dislodge or cause significant injury. For me, the recovery from surgery has been a relative breeze (not the case for everyone), but I honestly had very little pain after surgery and no nausea. I was drinking normally (without restricting) after 3 days and I haven't had an issue with eating at all. Obviously, there is an adjustment to the new restriction, but that's probably something you're already familiar with after the sleeve. After any surgery, there's always going to be something. My aunt has a band and, frankly, I think my recovery from the sleeve was easier than hers. I was expecting to be in a lot of pain, with terrible gas issues etc. I know everyone's experience is different, but I recall having a little pain and nausea when I first came out of anesthesia (which you can barely remember anyway). I know I told them I had pain and nausea when the attending nurse was talking to me--but I also recall thinking, give me the good stuff now because I don't want to feel pain and nausea (if it does happen). They gave me a little something and I went back to sleep. I woke up a few hours later and all I could think about was how badly I needed to pee--which isn't easy after being under general anesthesia. Aside from needing to pee, I had no nausea and no pain. I had some gas and bloating (to be expected), but it wasn't terrible at all!!! I was on the floor with a women who got a lap band the same day I was sleeved. She had the same gas etc that I had. I don't think that part of the experience really differs much between the procedures. I had gas-ex chewables that I brought to hospital with me and that really helped. I slept sitting up the first couple of nights (get a good travel/neck pillow), which was more comfortable for me. Keep walking--it helps. Longer term, I really snapped back quickly. I could drink normally after a couple of days. My program had me start on the puree/soft food stage right after I was released from the hospital (which is different from most). After a couple of days, I could eat relatively normally as well. Obviously, I can't eat large quantities any more, but I can definitely eat a 4-6oz piece of tilapia (stuffed with lump crab meat and a little ricotta) and I feel very satisfied. In the beginning you can feel everything you swallow all the way down into your stomach. I haven't felt that in a week or two. I was frankly worried that my doctor didn't make my sleeve small enough or that the surgery isn't working right--since I was able to drink so easily and eat without feeling pain or discomfort--but I think I am just lucky. I have had issues with constipation and GERD, but these are all manageable. Most importantly, the weight is coming off!!! I have lost 18 pounds since surgery (and 30 since I started my pre-op diet). I have dropped 6.5 inches off my waistline since the day of surgery. As of this week, I have been taken off all my diabetes medications. Obviously, my initial concern that the surgery wasn't going to work for me, was misplaced!!! That said, I am highly motivated to loose this weight and live a healthy lifestyle. This is the first time in 15 years that I actually believe and know that I can have the body and good health I deserve. I am also not relying on the surgery to do all the work for me. I am sticking very closely to my doctor's post-op diet guidelines. The only modification that I made was to cut carbs down to 20g net carbs per day and to focus on eating my protein first and then good fats along with it (like avocado). I have also been hitting the gym--treadmill, elliptical and spin classes (I haven't been cleared for weight training yet). In short, having this operation was one of the best decisions of my life. I have no regrets (other than not doing it sooner)!!!! Don't be nervous!!! It's going to be worth it!!!!!

Bandedchick, first of all, I am so sorry for your loss. (((hug))) Hair loss. Yeah... That one is a horror show, fo shizz! When I started this process a year ago, I had ass length, insanely thick hair. I knew, from my research, that I would experience shedding post surgery, so a couple of months before I was banded, I had my hair cut to just above waist length to make it easier to deal with. Or so I thought. Had my surgery on November 21st and in mid January, my hair started really falling out. In hanks. I would wash it, comb it out in the shower and have handfuls of hair in a ball on the shelf in my shower. Comb out after my shower and have a shower pouff sized ball of hair sitting on my dressing table. I'd just sit and want to cry. Every time I touched my head, brushed or combed my hair, more and more and more just. Came. Out. It got to the point that I couldn't deal with the hair loss and my long hair any longer, it was too depressing, I called my hair stylist, begged her to squeeze me in for a cut. She knew that I was shedding and why so she got me in that day and cut my waist length hair to just below my shoulders. My much shorter hair just made the shedding easier to take. My hair is so thin, in comparison to where it was when I started but it is so thick that I don't have bald spots, just some thinning around my hair line and a pretty skinny ponytail. LOL My shedding has finally normalized. *whew!* And, at my last colour touch up a few weeks ago, my stylist told me that I have a ton of new growth coming in! I will give it about a year for my thickness to recover then I can let my hair grow, again. Having short hair is fun but I miss my long hair. I'm ready to get it back, again. I will say this, losing my hair has been worth it. If I had to go through this to get my band, it's a price I'm willing to pay.

Hmm... I am only two weeks and one day into my weight-loss journey. On May 17, 2008 I attended the little seminar and then saw the surgeon. He sure was one self-absorbed little so and so. He seemed VERY impatient, with ALL of us. :smile: He said that my BMI was only 37 and my ins. prob. wouldn't cover the surgery.:thumbup: May 23, Julian the ins. coordinator called and asked a ton of questions. I swear, if they ask me ONE MORE TIME do I pee when I sneeze, laugh, or cough and do I want surgery for that I am going to ask if they have a surgery that prevents me from cutting one when I sneeze, laugh, or cough. LOL!!!:sneaky: Then I found out that they were trying to say I have stress incontinence, one more co-morbidity to add to the list so insurance will cover me. We have BXBS FEHB and they cover lap band if your BMI is a little low but you have two or more co-morb's. I have GERD, athritis, DDD, and hip joint pain. May 27-phone interview w/psych. She said I raised NO red flags that would prevent me from surgery. In fact, she said I 'was mentally boring.":tongue2: May 29-Phone interview w/nut. We talked for a long time. Boy, do I wish all these services were closer but it's all good. What I am dreading is the two hour trip through LA for the surgery, should I get that far. May 31, received literature about the diets, both pre-op and post-op. One great thing about my insurance is that they do not require months and months of supervised dieting pre-op. YAY!!!! June 1-Now it's just time to sit and wait for insurance approval. No one has told me what will happen once I get approved. I have no idea of what types of testing I will undergo. I have been laying off the soda pop and I am learning to like Crystal Light and Wyler's Light drinks. Now I have to start cutting out the smokes. Nasty, stinky, dirty habit anyway. Cost too much, both in the checkbook and in the health departments. That's it for now. Lisa, grama to three on and one more on the way!

Why do people make this out to be more difficult than it actually is???? My Dr. had a 10 week course (actually a little longer).....starting from the day of surgery....it was regular office visits 4 weeks apart for weigh ins, some Q&A, perhaps a fill..... He made it perfectly clear, having that Yellow-Green-Red Chart on the wall, that that was exactly where he wanted me to be....through a series of visits and fills...... First phase - pre surgery, then then actual day of surgery 2nd Phase....series of office visits and adjustments to get the band properly working as it is designed to do.... 3rd Phase.....go live your new life to it's fullest...

In case any of you wondered what to expect. Of course I wasn't going to see my surgeon, he's too busy/important (I will see him Wednesday), but I saw his nurse and then one of the resident surgeons who I hate to say, did not instill confidence whatsoever. The nurse went over everything, was able to answer all my silly questions. Assured me the doctor will do the surgery and not the resident. Actually she herself had a gastric bypass 10 years ago, and gave me some tips (the usual ones we find here on this forum). She had me sign some more papers. She didn't have the gallbladder removal, so she went back in the computer and found that, and added it. ugh. The document did list that it was a laparoscopic sleeve with 5 incisions, or (possibly open) don't recall the exact wording. She said that is on every surgery "just in case". Not like they can wake you up if they run into a problem. I was okay with that. She gave me a pre op and post op instructions 2 pager (again, the typical stuff their nutritionist gave me months ago) I asked her about washing with hibiclens the morning of. She said that isn't necessary. To shower as usual in the morning. She said they do tell patients to wear clean clothes after showering in the morning to the hospital. (not worn before). She went into detail how the operating room staff will be putting something on my body to sanitize. I'm been dreading the dye drink leak test, but the nurse said they no longer do that. I was surprised to hear that. Maybe they check it another way, forgot to ask her that. After the nurse left, one of the resident surgeons came in. He just had it all wrong. Wanted to schedule me for surgery (I was scheduled a month ago (scheduled this Wednesday). Told me the wrong surgeon's name. (another doctor in the practice). So he went on to say, that there are three resident surgeons that the bariatric surgeons work with and one of them will be with my doctor during my procedure. I truly hope it isn't him. Then off to my anesthesia pre-op. This department was running about 30 min. late. ugh. He just wanted to know all of the clearances I had, if I had any list of issues, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, a slew of things. He determined I was healthy, checked my neck range of motion,, looked in my mouth, down my throat visually. Discussed the general anesthesia protocols. I asked him how long the surgery may take as how long I'd be under. He asked what doctor I was having, and when I responded, he said, OH, one hour, he's the best. I was happy to hear that. I brought up my surgeon thick eyeglasses. He laughed and told me the surgeon eye sight is fine, besides, he said my stomach is going to be on the best high definition gigantic screen in the OR. Funny, I know what laparoscopic is, but I didn't really think about the monitor it displays on. He did say all bariatric patients go to this one area for recovery, because so many obese patients have undiagnosed sleep apnea, so they need more nurses monitoring them while coming out of anesthesia. then I was sent to the lab for one more surgical test - a blood type screen test. then I came home and put most my Post-op stuff in one place, rather than squired away in between my families food. (see photo) I think I'm ready!!!!

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. We sent to the surgeon yesterday. Final pathology of the tumor, benign grade meningoma. So the 4 others that are there, we will monitor with MRI's to make sure they are not becoming a problem. I will return to work on December 14th. The surgeon wants me to see a neurologist about my headaches. He will make the referal and I will be contacted. I am feeling pretty good, I get tired quickly and still get dizzy spells. I am praying these next two weeks that I gain more strength and the dizzy spells stop. Thank you all again. It has been a blessing to read the support and having my beautiful angel by my side (my Mom) has been very comforting.

I asked my Dr. to write a RX for Aqua P.T. for core strengthening. I'm completing my 7th week and my back pain relief is remarkable. My Dr. thought that I just forgot how to use my stomach muscles and had to rebuild my core muscles so they could support my back more. Whatever the reasoning, my back pain has gone from a #8 to a #3. I'll take that any day of the week. I actually joined the pool so I can continue exercising in the Water until I feel that my back/core is strong enough to exercise in the gym itself. It's worth a try. Hopefully, it will work for you, too.

I was banded just over 3 weeks ago and I am experiencing this strange back pain about 5 or so hours after I've fallen asleep. The pain isn't sharp and it doesn't feel like I'm pulling anything, it's just general pain between my shoulder blades and down to the center of my back. I always wake up at the same time every night with the same pain and eventually I fall back asleep without any pain (so I've ruled out the bed). I'm still wondering if it's the CO2 that's doing this. Or if it has something to do with my digestive tract? Has anyone else felt this?

I was banded on 7-10-08. In the first two weeks, I also experienced some back pain. I didn't even say anything to my doctor cause I thought it was normal. Now I'm in my third week post-op and I haven't had any pain for a couple days. If you are that uncomfortable and can't sleep, that definitley sounds like a red flag to me. :confused2: I would get checked out. Good luck to ya and hope your feeling better soon!

I'm on week 2 of pureed also. Sleeved 6/26/2012.

Yes, I had my surgery on a Thursday and went back to work the following Monday. I thought I could do it with no problems, but found that I was so incredibly tired, that I had to do half days for part of the week.

I was off 4 weeks I don't think I could have comfortably went back sooner. I would have problems setting in a chair . I would have to walk around to feel better. I guess it just depends on what type of working conditions you would be returning to.

Go Megan, GO Megan Go megan!!!! Wow! You will be a banded person in less than 2 weeks. We are rooting for you!!! By the way, the description of the AMI band sounds so sexy!!! It reminds me of the old advertisements about the "Corinthian leather" that Ricardo Montablan used to do for a car company........ But Megan, you are probably too young to remember!!! I am an old bird!!! Babs in TX 334/285/180 6/23/03

I have the list below of clothing that I just cleaned out of my closet - I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Please message me if you are interested. I would love to swap for some size 18 clothes if possible but I know we are all losing weight and smaller size clothes are what we all need!!! Dress Barn – size 3X – burnt orange sweater with brown underlay ¾ sleeve Size 18/ 20 – brown tone paisley dress Dress Barn – size 22/24 sweater – burnt orange Dress Barn – size 22 turquious dress with black print and black shrug HIllard & Hanson size XL – red sparkly turtle neck sweater Lane Bryant – size 22 / 24 black cardigan sweater Old Navy – size 20 khaki pencil skirt George – size 22 / 24 blue long sleeve button up Size 18 black skirt w/ pockets – elastic waist band Size 2X black skirt Size 18 plum sport jacket Old Navy size 2X black tank top (qty 2) Size 18 Navy blue sport jacket Dress Barn size 22 / 24 wine scoop neck sweater with black underlay Lane Bryant size 16 black turtle neck dress Dress Barn size 22 /24 blue geometric pattern button up Dress Barn size 22 black skirt – below the knee with a while polka dot ribbon around waist Old Navy size 2X brown sun dress CJ Banks – size 2X floral skirt Dress Barn size 3X black and purple plaid short sleeve button up Dress Barn size 22 / 24 khaki color button up – ¾ length sleeve Dress Barn size 18 / 20 brown scoop neck ¾ length (this shirt fit me when I was wearing 3x) Size 24 – Brown plaid full length skirt Leslie Fay – size 20 navy blue dress pants Dress Barn – size 22 / 24 black button up ¾ length sleeves Size 2X plum shirt – short sleeve George – 2X black skirt Size 18 Jeans Leslie Fay – size 20 sport jacket – green with floral pattern LL Bean – size 20 khaki pants Hunt Club – size 20 light green pants Dress Barn – size 22 / 24 red button up ¾ length sleeves August Max Woman – size 1XL Light green cardigan Faded Glory – size 22 /24 pink button up ¾ length sleeve Dress Barn – size 2X long skirt – blues and green vertical strips – very summery Dress Barn – size 3x – sleeveless paisley shirt – wine, silver and black Fashion Bug – size 18 / 20 black floor length skirt Dress Barn – size 3X – cream colored shrug Lane Bryant – size 20 New with Tags – Sleeveless dress – black and gray colors – price on tag $49.99 George – size 2X Charcoal Skirt Lane Bryant – size 22 /24 gray sweater – never worn Other Items: Three 22 /24 swim suits: (1) one piece and (2) two piece Two old navy floor length sun dresses size 2x Three t-shirts size 3X Some pajamas

I found out with the surgery, my sense of smell was heightened! So things that were always there, you can just smell them! I am at 6 weeks post opt from the Sleeve, anc my nose is starting yo get back to normsl!

"India Times" published an article on Monday said the issue of joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is currently in India on new pressures to bear, an early and Central Asian countries to conclude free trade agreements and development of mineral resources in Central Asia share more of China's economic prosperity bring great benefits, India may consider joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The article said, India is the SCO's development trends closely, are not yet willing to become full members. Report quoted sources as saying that inviting India to join Shanghai Cooperation Organization has become the organization's official discussion issues. SCO's two official members have been to India, China and Russia issued a proposal. The article said, the SCO invited India to join China's performance on the issue seems to be more urgent, because the U.S. economic slowdown and the debt crisis in Europe, two traditional export markets to China under threat, while India has 1.2 billion people are expected to become China's next major export market. Shanghai Cooperation Organization referred to the SCO, formerly known as the "Shanghai Five" meeting mechanism. April 26, 1996, China, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan held their first meeting with heads of state in Shanghai. Since then, the "Shanghai Five" meeting mechanism was formally established. June 14, 2001 to 15, the "Shanghai Five" summit meeting held in Shanghai in the sixth, Uzbekistan to join as a full equality "Shanghai Five." And the next day, six heads of state held the first meeting and signed the "Declaration on the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization", the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was officially established. In September, Prime Minister of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states held their first meeting in Almaty. The Prime Ministers in the meeting unanimously decided to start the process of six-nation multilateral trade and economic cooperation, announced the formal establishment within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization prime ministers' regular meeting mechanism. Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an intergovernmental regional economy committed to international organizations. Currently, in addition to the five Central Asian countries Turkmenistan, but have joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States the total area of ​​nearly 30,189,000 square kilometers, accounting for three-fifths of the area of ​​Asia and Europe; population of 1.5 billion, a quarter of the total world population.

Has anyone else found the IM system - called Personal Conversation here - seems pretty flaky. I've received several messages from folks here and I go to check them and get : [#10229] We could not determine which message you were attempting to view. I go the other route and directly enter the IM system and see the message headers but then they give me a similar error. Last week I had a couple of messages and looked at one, decided to delete it and BAM! ALL the messages were gone. Is there some sort of trick to this forums version of IM? BTW: If you've IM'd me and I've not responded please try again.

I have read that back pain could be a sign of a leak. My question is - What type of pain. Both the left and right sides of my back have been aching for a few weeks, It feels as though it's a muscular issue & not actual internal pain. I had my friend try to rub on each side & it was too painful - She told me she had not even rubbed my back yet, only applied light pressure with her hands. I'm thinking it could possibly be the way I'm sleeping ? anyway, did any of you have this ? (It's def not my kidneys)