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I was banded yesterday morning at 11 am. So far the pain has been very manageable and haven't had too much of the "gas pains". My hubs drove me to town today and I got my mani/pedi then went to the store and walked around for 30 minutes buying some more "liquids" to get through the week. So far, so good! Can some of you please tell me what all you ate during the 1st week post-op - mine calls for liquids only. Thanks!

Yup! They are chewable. They should arrive this week. Brand New. Will not even open the box -- will just slap on another label and send out. :frown1:

Thank you for your kind words. I can't help think about my friend and what she would say to me. She was so excited for me to have gotten approval after such a long drawn out process. All three of us did this for our health. I will continue my journey. I know the risks, pray that she recovers, as today there have been no changes, but there is hope for tomorrow. I have to continue with the hope of a better future for myself. I am still so full of emotions. I think it is to be expected. Hopefully tomorrow when I wake and feel up to walking, II can see her in ICU and there may be better news. Again, thank you for listening.

I heart coffee I'm drinking it now, and I drink it every day. I have a cup black in the morning, and usually once or twice a day I'll have a cup of flavored coffee. I try different Keurig cups with different creamers. pumpkin spice coffee and creamer, Winter carnival coffee with Salted caramel mocha creamer are two of m faves. It really helps curb my appetite, so the 30 calories I spend on creamer is worth it to me. Globe, I also love the Chike iced coffee, but since it's well below zero here in Michigan, I'm sticking to Hot drinks for now! Do you drink it hot? Disclaimer - I'm a year out, and I didn't drink any coffee for the first 6 weeks. Also, I do not take Vitamins near the time I drink coffee so I don't have an issue with absorption.

That is almost exactly how mine went, but I am one week post op today. I'm loving my sleeve - wish I could have had it 20 years ago. I like you did plenty of research and talking to people on sites like this. Good luck everyone! x

Was banded on may 1, all went well the last two weeks. I found my appetite increased the last two days. I am very nervous about that because my dr has not scheduled me for a fill yet. This was a big decision for me to make. I don't want to be a failure

I had gas (burping) for two weeks! I sounded like a man lol what helped me was the gas x. The dissolving strips. Walking helped too. I was banded 4/27

This is my journey after WLS. As you can see I don’t post on the message boards. However, I have been an avid reader of the forum for over a year. I have learned so much from other people’s experience and advice. I thought it only appropriate to share mine. I’m a 41 year old woman and 5 foot 3 inches tall. I have a husband of 16 years and a 12 year old daughter. I was sleeved on October 25, 2010. My weight before I walked into surgery was 227. I had surgery in San Francisco. My surgery went fine and I stayed in the hospital for 1 day. The pain I experienced was in my shoulder. I was told it was from gas they pumped into me at surgery. All I know is it hurt. I went home and had a restless night. I couldn’t sleep in the bed because it was uncomfortable to lay flat. So I slept on the couch in an upright position. Not much sleep. I nodded off from the pain meds here and there. The next 3 days is kind of a blur for me. I remember taking my pain meds and tracking my Water and Protein intake. I also remember doing laps around the house because I was so worried that I would get a blood clot. On day 4 I stopped taking the pain meds. Day 5 is the day that I started to get excited about my journey ahead. Sipping water and Protein shakes was definitely a learning process for me. I did the post diet – liquids, soft protein, protein, protein and more protein. I drank and still drink nectar protein. I like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and Cappuccino. I tried tropical and orange and they were ok but I didn’t buy again. Below are my weight loss stats: October 25, 2010 – 227lbs. Day of surgery. November 1, 2010 – 210lbs. November 15, 2010 – 203lbs. December 6, 2010 – 200lbs. 6 weeks post-op lost 27lbs. December 13, 2010 – 197lbs. December 25, 2010 – 192lbs. January 25, 2011 – 185lbs. February 2, 2011 – 182lbs. February 9, 2011 – 179lbs. March 1, 2011 – 178lbs. March 15, 2011 – 173lbs. March 31, 2011 – 167lbs. April 25, 2011 – 160lbs, 6 months anniversary - Lost 67lbs May 16, 2011 – 159lbs. May 30, 2011 – 155lbs. June 13, 2011 – 153lbs. July 2, 2011 – 159lbs. July 14, 2011 – 148lbs. August 2, 2011 – 147lbs. – 80lbs. lost August 25, 2011 – 145lbs. September 6, 2011 – 147lbs. - gained 2lbs. yikes! September 25, 2011 – 145lbs. October 25, 2011 – 145lbs – One year anniversary Lost 82lbs. November 12, 2011 – 142lbs. December 6, 2011 – 139lbs. – 13lbs to goal! Ok, so that’s my weight loss history. I’m so glad I had the surgery. I love my new stomach. It gives me a freedom from food that I never had. It worked for me and I would do it again. Thanks for listening and I wish everyone a successful and rewarding journey.

well, fwiw, even the skinniest dressage queen should use a mounting block to mount because it's better for the horse's back and the saddle. I started my late BS Paint myself when I weighed 290lbs and I weigh 250 now (having band complications that will require band removal and hopefully a revision to RNY). I ride 3-4 days a week on my 7yr old Thoroughbred and am learning Dressage now. I asked my dressage trainer whether my weight was hurting my mare and he said no basically because I know how to ride. I'm not a sack of potatoes that can't balance in the saddle. So, don't let your current weight stop you. It took me a while to get my surgery but my initial weight loss was significant (40lbs in 3 months). You'll be fine!!!

I also am very concerned about my two week pre-op diet.

I created my own combining the info./templates of the 3 hospital seminars I attended, and had it approved by the insurance expert at my surgeon's office (below- I condensed the lines/format). I was told insurance wants to see monthly goals for both weight (I was told not to gain, but not to lose much either, I'm on a step down calorie program) and exercise every month (as important as the weight), the Dr. visits must not be about anything other than this (that's how they code the visit for insurance-so don't combine it with a sick visit-someone on LBT was denied for it being a sick visit just one month.), and they also want to see some form of education is going on. I told my PCP I could initiate the topics (ie. last month I took in a family history list of all the obesity related issues in my family history-actually an eye-opener for me when I put it all down), we spent some time discussing it and my PCP educated me about them and she made notes in the Education section (this month I've prepared questions for my surgeon consult which is coming up). I attached my list to that month's visit. I fill out my self-assesment of how I did on last month's goals, the Dr. fills out the rest. Hopefully this will do it! Good luck! DIET & EXERCISE PLAN FOR PATIENT: ________________________________DOB______________ Visit #: __________ Date: ______________ Current Weight lbs.: __________ - GOALS ACHIEVED FROM _____/_____/_____ : - Patient Self Assessment: Nutrition: __________________________________ Exercise: ___________________________________ Sleep: _____________________________________ Accountability: ______________________________ - GOALS FOR NEXT MONTH: Nutrition: Pt. to Follow ____________ Calorie Diet Fluid: No Caffeine, No Carbonation, No Calories, Between meals only Quality: Emphasize Protein, Low Sugar, Low Fat Regularity: 3 meals per day, Eat every 4-5 Hours, No grazing, Slow meal down to 20-30 min. [*]Exercise: Pt. to Exercise at least ______________ Min. per Week [*]sleep [*] Pt. to Achieve 7-9 Hours per Night [*]Accountability: Keep Food/Activity/Sleep Log Support Education Stress Reduction - COMMENTS ON PATIENT’S PROGRESS: _____________________________________________ - OBESITY HEALTH EDUCATION/GOALS-Post surgery, behavior changes, history, comorbidities, etc.:___________________________________________ MD Signature _______________________________________________

According to my fitness pal, my vitamins are 50 calories. I'm supposed to stay under 600 calories. I only just entered my supplements to calculate the calories. I'm really hoping I don't have to count them. Anybody know? (6 weeks post op)

Does anyone have any advice for working out after a 12-hour shift? I feel so beat/tired while working three 12-hour shifts overnight (usually in a row), so I was wondering if anyone did anything to energize themselves?

It's most likely you won't be hungry at all for a while and won't want to eat. You may have to fight head hunger though. In the next few weeks, learn about head hunger /emotional eating and get your mind in a good place for after surgery! I read this book and also go to therapy for emotional eating. https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical-ebook/dp/B0054RXXS0?ie=UTF8&btkr=1&redirect=true&ref_=dp-kindle-redirect

Everyone heals at their own pace, but certainly by a week out you should see substantial healing of all the incisions. No muscles were cut in your surgery, but everything in your abdomen was a bit traumatized and it will take a few days to recover. I've heard lots of people say the third day out is the worst. Hang in there, you're almost around the corner!!

LessOfMe0503 you mentioned you are in NC and have bcbs, i have bcbsnc am wondering how long it takes for approval. Reading your post that would mean around 2 weeks. Hopefully its that quick when we submit all my paperwork.

Thank you! I'm in NC and I have BCBS insurance. I finished all my stuff last week and got the call Tuesday!

I'm on the liquid diet for 14 days. I am actually going 18 days. I had my mind set to start on a certain day before I got my surgery day, and my surgery day was 18 days from the day I wanted to start. I should have known better. But I'm in it now and there is no turning back. This is day 8 and I'm feeling better with the 14 pounds I've lost already. I'm shooting for 25. I'm not gellin' on the 2 weeks after surgery. A brother wants something solid.

I had surgery on 1/28/12. I've lost 51 lbs & also feel like a slow loser at times. I've had a couple long stalls which can be very discouraging. That said I've done no excercising, so I know I really need to step it up! I love swimming laps & water aerobics but despite the fact I live in a pretty big city (Phoenix) the closest gym w/ a pool is quite a ways away & with my kids crazy.schedules it seems impossible to go there very often. My back is really messes up & I'm supposed to have surgery but my husband took 3 wks off when I got sleeved so its gonna be awhile until I can have another surgery. I know I'm full of excuses lol, but I'm truly not sure what to do for exercise!! Anyone have any suggestions?? Anyway, o think youre doing great!!! Keep up the good work!

I too am in July. I am going through the same thoughts as the time grows closer. Especially since I just had surgery for my gallbladder. But I feel better as this week passes (I just had surgery last Friday) met with the Dr today and he said that it is very similar to the sleeve surgery. So I feel as though I am getting a trial run sort of. I am surviving and know what to expect to a degree. On some things anyways. Knowing that it will be OK and I am strong enough has eased most of my anxiety. You can do this too!

Soft, mushy ones. I wasn't allowed to eat any veggies for 8 weeks. Once I could eat them again, they had to be pretty soft - well cooked broccoli was good. Canned pumpkin/yams another good one. I like to make pumpkin custard, using more eggs than normal pumpkin pie to up the protein. I use a little Monkfruit sweetener and bake without a crust. It's a great way to get in an orange veggie + protein. Canned beets, well cooked green beans, turnip all good. You can put green leafies in the blender for smoothies. 6 months out and I am just able to eat raw veggies. They have to be chewed to mush and swallowed very carefully in tiny bits. More often than not, I make a veggie soup with shredded carrot, cabbage, onion, shredded broccoli stems. Made with bone broth as stock, it has protein and is a good filler if I get the "hungries."

Hey all you twenty-somethings! I thought I'd let you know how I'm going to give you a bit of encouragement if any of you are yet to be sleeved. I got out of hospital a little over a week ago and I'm doing absolutely terrific! After all the reading I've done on this site of other people's issues post-surgery with getting food down I was a bit spooked by it all. So far so good - I've been able to eat absolutely everything I need to with no hassles what-so-ever. Milk is fine, fibrous food is fine and even Protein is fine (though it doesn't take much protein to get me full). I thought I'd share it with you because I personally was really worried about how much discomfort I would be in when eating. I'm not sure if it's because of my age, that maybe I've healed really quickly but it could be that. So don't get too worried about it - just go with the flow and test yourself but try not to overdo it. I did have one sliming incident but that because the nurses were forcing me to have some jelly the next day after surgery. I encourage burping early on in recovery - it really helps you feel better, especially cause our new stomachs don't have as much room for storing gases as our old ones did! Good luck to you all - you'll do great!

The sublingual B12 is a required supplement from my surgeon along with my multi-vitamin, calcium, Biotin. Even though, I was told not to take the mult-vitamin and calcium together because the body will not absorb both together well. So I take one in the morning and one at night. However, he suggest I only take the B12 one to two times a week. This has been a GREAT help for my energy level. I can surely see the difference when I run out of it for a couple of week. By the way, I used no special brand. I did find a cheaper brand at Walmart (cherry flavor). Shop around. Banded 12/17/07 Surgery 244.5 Current 184 Goal 165

My surgeon said no lifting anything over 5 lbs for 2 months and would not clear me to go back to work until she saw me 2 weeks post-op. Even then, I took advantage of telework to get me through the first week back to work. I can't imagine how much harder it would have been if my work were more physical. The first two months are the toughest, and I really didn't start feeling back to myself until about 4 weeks out. But, as other people have said, experiences with this surgery are all highly individualized.

I can't believe I'm actually posting anything. I've been stalking you guys for so long. I'm having my surgery by Dr. Landerholm in Edmonds, Washington on 3-29. I've already started the pre surgery diet (just because I wanted to get started--the doc didn't request that I do until 10 days before but I feel silly just sitting around waiting to lose weight)--anyway I've already lost nine pounds in the first week! I know it's mostly water but I havn't seen the scale respond like that for years!:clap2: