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I am three weeks post op. I have loved reading the forums. Following this site has prepared me for many things:, intolerance to Water, intolerance to certain temperature of liquids, constipation, diarrhea, throwing up, changes in smell, changes in taste, changes in emotions...to name a few. I am pleasantly surprised that I have. It has one single issue or complication. Again, I'm only 3 weeks out and I suppose things could change at any time. I wanted to post this so that other newbies know that things can go smoothly, as there can also be complications and changes. Not everyone has the same recovery. It's just less common (and maybe a little boring) to read posts about everything being peachy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Im only1 week out and have lost 13 pounds, mostly Water weight, but Im on cream Soup, yogurt and pudding but Im not feeling the full sensation. I eat the recommended amounts which are 1/3- 1/2 cup a meal with no drinks. Now Im craving eggs!

This statement or something like it,has been said by guest speakers in my 14 week class- and the facilitator has said it many times- (they did surgey on my gut not my head)??? have you heard this- LIVED this? can you explain it to me? I am not understanding it-yet.

Oh Lizard, I was mad as hell too. I really was. It took two weeks from me before I talked myself back up. When I initially left the office, I was like you. As soon as he said that, I thought "I'm going to show you!" Now, when that day comes and I'm finally135, I'm sure he'll forget he ever said that and tell me 'Of course you could lose all your weight with the sleeve'. You know that's true, but either way, I'm losing all this weight and more. Pertaining to the vitamins, I am such a bad pill taker. I really am. But as soon as I was approved by insurance, they emailed me a slew of information, one of them being my needed daily vitamins. It said as soon as I read this, start the vitamins right away to build up a supply. So I have, which is good because it's a little tricky. There's a time frame around all these vitamins in what not to take with what. For instance, I'm on a synthroid pill where I can't take pretty much anything with, just to be safe. I take that at 5. My multivitamin and calcium can't be taken together. Those, too, need four hours apart, and both need four hours apart from my synthroid. It's been a little over two weeks and I feel like I'm now getting the hang of it. So, yes, I'm glad I started early because this is the last thing I'll want to deal with when I'm recovering. So, I take my synthroid at five am, I take my B Complex-50 with my multivitamin at ten o'clock, calcium #1 at two o'clock, and calcium #2 at dinner. And guess what? I'm actually taking them and not hating it. In fact, that B complex-50 is pretty amazing in helping me with boosting my energy and supporting my metabolism while I'm low carbing right now in preparation for my surgery. You'll love that vitamin!

Have been trying to eat paleo since hitting goal in February 2013. While I can do it without too much of a struggle, it does get a little boring. I have been considering transitioning into zone diet because it seems to be a solid nutritional platform for athletes and offers more choice then paleo. I still am going to focus on high lean Protein and leafy green veggies, but am also going to up carbs and fat more towards the zone ratios. What do you think of the zone bar as a snack: I have had these a few times last week when on a business trip and they seem to satisfy me much better then bars like pure protein (20 g protein, 1 carb). I eat one of these zone bars and do not get the nagging desire for another as low carb Protein Bars trigger. Must be the imbalance of macros in a pure Protein Bar that causes it. I try and eat real food when possible, but sometimes need to eat a bar if real food is inaccessible. Does zone diet work for maintaining after hitting goal and, more importantly, for keeping body in a state that will maximize results from cross fit (or other exercise program like that). The aspect I like about paleo is it keeps my insulin response in a neutral position. I am satisfied in terms of hunger throughput the day and eat 7-8 meals to total between 2000-2200 calories. My weight stays where it needs to, but does drop low if I increase exercise intensity or add a day. 4-5 days of working out now for about 20 min on average oh high intensity effort (total time daily is about 1.5 hours, but that includes warmup workout , mobility, skill work, lifting, high intensity workout, cool down workout). What are your thoughts on paleo versus zone for an athlete?

Thank you to everyone that has answered my questions and been so friendly! I thought I should take a moment to tell my story-- it sounds a lot like many of yours. I grew up in So. California, where everyone was so obsessed with weight (think Chrissy on Three's Company). I grew up feeling fat. At 18 I was 127 lbs and too embarrassed to wear a swim suit (CRAZY!). I slowly added a few pounds every year and then put on 100 lbs with a pregnancy. I have tried and tried to loose weight, yo-yoing up and down with every diet I struggled through-- gaining back even more each time. I reached 330 lbs a little over a year ago and finally discovered I was a big as I have always felt. My latest yo-yo was I started Dr. Oz's "You on a Diet" and lost 10 lbs over the holidays, which brought me back down to 330. I thought this time I had it! I even got up enough nerve to go to Water aerobics, even though I had to wear shorts because I couldn't find a suit to fit me. Then my clothes started to feel tight again. I went in to the Dr and sure enough, I gained 15 lbs. I'm at my heaviest ever: 446 lbs! My story is getting too long winded, so let me wrap up by saying... I reached out one last time and think I've finally found the tool that will give me that major push I need. I'm so glad I found out about the Lap Band and that I found this message board! I don't want to die! I'm in this for the long haul! ~Kathy

I have the Ninja pulse, and use it all the time. Except last week while making low carb bread crumbs the motor started making a funny noise. Customer service is great though. Call their 1800 number and they basically take down your name and number and ship you the things you need no questions asked.

Umm.. I love tofu and dry fry it every couple of weeks and eat it as a snack.. No problems. I'm not sure why some would have problems with it other than eating it to soon after surgery?

Mine took less than a week to approve! I have BCBS NJ.

1 week 1 day post, and I swear I think about scallops (of all things) all day long. This is totally in my head but hoping it goes away??? Ugh! What happens when I am allowed to eat foods like scallops? I guess it could be a protein thing? It's too early for me to be eating a full amount of protein though! Does this mind stuff get easier?

I was also banded on 8/26 and lost 23 lbs immediately after, but now for 5 weeks nothing. I have started an exercise program, but I am not losing. I also have no restriction after 1 fill. I go for my 2nd fill on Monday, but I am so afraid I will be scolded by my doc since I haven't lost any. For me right now since I have no restriction it is like being on a diet and obviously I don't do well with diets or I wouldn't have needed the band. I struggle every day and am quite depressed over this. I would be happy with 1 or 2 lbs a week, but not this. I feel your frustration and I hope for both of us that we find this sweet spot and start losing again.

I got over my cravings a weird way. I chewed a bite and spit it out. Nothing tasted the way I thought it would and most cravings have ended. At first I couldn't sit at the table when others ate...now it doesn't bother me at all. I've found I can eat a bite or 2 of almost anything 10 weeks post surgery. It's amazing to never be hungry! Now I'm 60 pounds lighter and loving it!

It's true, I am. The past three years I have been learning about WLS. The past three months I have been trying to get approved for WLS. I can feel the windows of opportunity close as I exhaust every plan if action. I'm feeling defeated.

I was told to not lift more than 10 lbs for at least 4 weeks. A busy/moving/wiggly toddler, I'd imagine feels many pounds more than they actually weigh. Consider starting to train him to climb in and out of the crib with maybe a step stool. I did that with my twins being that it was 2 of them and combined they were HEAVY (that was pre-op). One word of advice...don't forget and leave the step stool in there...oh the stories I could tell being sleep deprived and forgetting that stool.

I took 4 weeks off because I have a traveling job and couldn't lift my suitcase. I would imagine you will be advised not to lift a 2 year old. Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

Hi - I guess this board does work. I was pleasantly surprised that you all replied. Thanks for that! Yes, my bloodwork showed Iron as being low and therefore the Doc had me fill a prescription of Iron with a chaser of Vitamin C. Today is much better than the last three days, so I'm thinking it was the Iron and I'm finally adjusting to it. I've been eating alot of veggy's and an apple everyday. I know that is short-lived once I have surgery I can say goodbye to that for a month. Is it a difficult adjustment going from food to liquids?

I had my second fill last week and since then, my food is getting stuck all the time. (My first fill was last month and I didn't have much restriction.) Now, I have lots of restriction. Maybe too much??? I am not PB'ing or sliming, but food gets stuck at almost every meal and it really hurts. Is this normal after a fill? I am trying to eat slowly and chew better and it seems to help. Just didn't know if this is normal, or should I ask my doc for a little unfill? :girl_hug:

I'm feeling you! I was very uncomfortable my first week home and friend who had the same surgery told me to take a walk and surprise it actually helped. So now as soon as I feel a little of anything different I just start moving around and it passes. Hopefully this will help you also!

As Chris Isaak would say "Baby did a bad bad thing." When I was on call last night, Faye was talking about McDonalds in the Galleria. We walked over, and as I passed the Subway I said, oh I should be good and go there. But I didn't, of course. I walked with her to McD's, got the purple food haze and ordered a small fry, 10pc chicken nuggets AND a medium milkshake. SERIOUSLY!!! I also had waaaay too much for lunch, veggie burger (plain no bun), frozen yogurt with snackwells cookies, small serving of veggie lasagne. I was so full after that lunch, I can't believe I went on to eat McDonalds - it wasn't even that good. I think there are a couple things leading to this: 1. The fact that I have this card with tons of money and I can have whatever I want for free. Solution: Think of it as having as many healthy things as possible, pretend the other stuff doesn't exist. This is not easy. 2. The "reward" thing, I'm on call - I deserve to have whatever I want Solution: There are some rewards down there in moderation. Fruit bars, small amnt of frozen yogurt, snackwells 3. The fact that I am very hungry, have to rush down when I get a second to eat. Also not many good choices. Solution: Eat smaller meals through the day, pack a few things... protein bar etc. 4 The fact that I have access to foods that I don't usually have access to at home and that I want them. Nothing can change that, hopefully the fill with help. Ok, so now to turn over a more positive leaf. Saturday: Joined the gym, did 20 mins on the elliptical and it was rough. Sunday: Gym closed so did 30 minutes on the recumbent bike, it wasn't that hard, nice to watch tv. Monday: On Call Tuesday(today): Went to gym post call and did 30 mintues on the elliptical at 20 resistance and 0 elevation, found it a bit easier without my hands on the arm swingies. I also did a good job on the nautilus, figured out the big bugee machine. Still feel a little fragmented on them, like I'm not picking the right weights or doing enough reps/or few enough, and repeating the way I should. Regardless, I was there for an hour. I feel pretty beat now. So, this is actually a pretty good week overall. Monday holiday (even though I was on call I wasn't at Neuro), Tuesday post call, Wednesday lecture, so just really a full two day week. And I'm on call Friday, so I don't have to stay late. Then I have eight days off!!!! I sort of feel that I'm wasting my vacation though. Not going anywhere or doing anything. Truth is, I can't really afford it. I could get together with Jill, take care of more annoying busy work (insurance/accident thing, apartment condo thing). Hopefully I won't sit around and eat all day. Ok, so overall, winning on the exercise front, losing on the food choices front.

I was fine last week but now I am feeling hunger pangs. What can I do? I am on full liquids. Any advice? Lauren 326/318/175 Dr. Bertha 1/24/05

I'm assuming my new tummy is pretty swollen because I'm definitely not getting in the ounces or calories I thought I would be. I was actually pretty nervous about following the post-op liquids only diet but it's been much better than I thought. I am trying to stay hydrated and not be overly concerned with Protein right now. My liquid diet so far is as follows: Breakfast - 3 oz. of warm tea mixed with 1 spoonful of unjury unflavored Protein powder Snack - 2-3 oz. of Water or water mixed w/ crystal light lunch - 2-3 oz. of warm low sodium chicken broth mixed with 1 spoonful of Unjury Snack - about 1/2 a container of Jell-O, 2-3 oz water dinner - 3 oz. of warm tea (or broth) mixed with 1 spoonful of Unjury unflavored protein powder Water whenever I think of it. Sip, sip, sip! Gas pains are getting better as I've been walking. I haven't walked outside yet because we are having nasty Santa Ana winds today I am following this liquid diet for another 9 days so hopefully it'll be this easy next week! genepha lapband replaced, plication performed 2-7-11 Starting weight 281, I gained 2 lbs. in the hospital so my SW was 283 , Today I weigh 274

Your doctor has you on pureed food until your first fill? Wow! I didn't get my first fill for 8 weeks! That would have been agony, that is for sure. I got to eat regular food after 2-3 weeks.

My surgeon had me take a stool softener after day 3. It worked (a little too well). Pain meds make you constipated. I did have to use a half dose of Miralax every few days fir the first few weeks. Important—get the sugars free Miralax. I git the cherry flavor which must of had sugar and it made me ill. I would call your surgeon and start with a half dose. Wait 12 hours then try another half dose.

It has been a long week full of the stress of going back to school, opening my classroom, having open house, meetings and more meetings, and watching everyone around me eat like they were starving. I am very proud of myself for how well I have done, but I have a long way yet to go. Nine more days of eating like this, then the surgery itself! If there is anyone out there feeling the same stress at this important time before surgery, remember that you can do it! I want to change my life and I am willing to do anything to change my life for the better so that I can live a long and happy life. I have a husband, a wonderful daughter, and two beautiful grandchildren. My life has a lot of blessings. Please keep me in your thoughts and remember that we are not alone! God bless!:cool2:

I quit about 10 years ago and I don't think I could have done it cold turkey. I tried a lot of times without the nicotine gum and never got past a few, awful days. With the gum it was really doable (although still about the hardest thing I've ever done). Now I am one of those terribly obnoxious ex-smokers who can't even be in the same room with a lit cigarette. I don't know the answer to your ultimate question, but one thing for sure I don't understand a doctor who advises you to quit cold turkey. To me it just seems like being set up to fail. The last thing I want to say is that I think the dangers of cigarette smoking are worse than the dangers of obesity. I don't think it makes sense to think of quitting smoking as a minor detail you'll take care of easily on your way to getting the lap band. I think it's going to be really hard, and might involve additional relapses. My recommendation would be to put the surgery on hold for a little while and focus totally on quitting smoking. Once you have that really under control then think about the surgery. Quitting smoking is hard. Doing it two weeks before lap band surgery is, in my opinion, just piling too much difficult change on your poor self. I just think it is really asking a too much of yourself to try and do all that at the same time. Don't underestimate how hard it will be to quit smoking. I don't think you can easily commit to yourself that you'll quit smoking two weeks before surgery and definitely stay quit. That is a really, really hard thing to do.