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If you are having infections, your body needs extra nutrition to recover. While you are recovering, 900 calories for a 400+ lb person is VERY low. I'd suggest something more like 1200 calories, emphasis on lean Protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs. My surgery is three weeks from yesterday. I'm easing my way into liquids for the preop 10 days by doing Protein shakes for Breakfast and lunch, protein + veggies for dinner, and low-carb Snacks if I'm hungry. I'm gradually backing off on carbs to avoid the two-three day headach-y period that comes from doing that all at once. There's a balance to be struck by giving your body enough calories and nutrition to be healthy while trying to lose some weight preop.

Thanks for sharing your story! I can tell you truly love and cherish motherhood. It's an amazing ride. I too had a lot of life before my babies came, I'm 36, and then they came one year apart. My youngest is 9 months old, such a sweet fun age. You'll get back to Onederland. You seem quite determined. I'm finding if I don't journal on MFP, I cheat, bad. I just got a FitBit this week too. If you want encouragement to get up and move, it does the trick! Good luck in conceiving #2. Blessings to you!

Hi Micki, I am still 2 weeks out before banding and I don't know if I will have to go on the liquid diet but I know it will be tough. Do the best you can to stick with it, remembering that it is only for a short time. Try and keep yourself busy. I too worry about the big life change and I try to just think about it like this. Currently, without the band, I don't eat foods that for whatever reason don't set well with me and I don't miss them because I don't have the desire to eat them. While I know the foods that I eat vs. the foods that I don't eat will change but I am thinking it will be the same result. When I don't do well with them I won't enjoy eating them so I won't have the desire to eat them. I also keep in mind that there aren't any foods that I can't eat, it will just be much smaller portions, but I will be satisfied with the smaller portion. I know some of the experience bandsters will chime in here and give you some good support. Best wishes on your upcoming big day.

My husband is taking the week of surgery off and my mom is too, so yes I do have support. Now that I am thinking about it, I'm going to save my frozen stuff for when they go back to work. I'll let them deal with the feedings of the "animals".

What is hurting is it your band or your port? If it is your port it may be that it is pressing on a nerve or something like that. If this is the case you will probably need to have it repositioned. Generally we don't feel the actual band. If it is your band and if it has slipped this can sometimes be fixed by having a complete unfill for a couple of weeks. If it is a really bad slip then you may need surgery to reposition or replace it. With a slip there are normally other symptoms such as inability to eat/keep food down, bad reflux etc. So where exactly is the pain and do you have other symptoms. If you are in a lot of pain then you are going to have to do something. The best thing to do first would be to call and discuss it with your surgeon.

Hi Zoe, Congratulations and good luck in your lap band journey. I will be banded in about 2 weeks! A little scared but excited as well. Looking forward to a new chapter in my life. Good luck to you!

i too had my surgery on tuesday. I had the dry heaves when i woke up from the general anesthesia. they kept me in the hospital over night and on morphine until i left. They sent me home with liquid lori tab and told me to sip sip sip sip sip. i am three days out now and I still feel twinges of pain in my belly. but I am also trying to keep up with the chewable GAS X that was recommended by other bandsters in my area. That really has helped to eliminate the bloating from my gut and to keep the burps at a minimum. Hopefully it will work for you too.

While I was at a support group for bandsters last night in NJ I mentioned a cookbook for weight loss surgery patients. Here is the information for all who want it. title: Eating well after Weight Loss Surgery, Over 140 Delicious Low Fat, High Protein recipes to enjoy the weeks months and years after surgery. Author: Patt Levine. this book is great because it tells you what and how much you should eat from each recipe whether you have the band, bypass or the switch surgerys. It also advised you of what portion is approiate for people who have not had the any weight loss surgery so it make sit easy to cook one meal for the whole family. An added bonus it lets you know which recipes can be pureed for that oh so wonderful mushies stage we all got to go through right after surgery.

For my last two fills I have had my throat burn and irritated,it started both times about 1 week after the fill not in the first week and both times I had a headache with it.I was not as concerned the first time as I had Pb'd a couple nights before and put it off on that.But the second time it was just outta the blue.I was able to use an old fashion remedy for acid reflux and knock it out both times.Milk and honey works wonders for acid reflux.But it does seem to be related to the fill and maybe the swelling from the fill,I am thinking my esophagus swells from fills now that I am getting to the true restriction stage.I am currently at 6.2 in a 10cc band so I think after my next fill if it happens again I will hold off awhile before I go for another.

It's best to follow your surgeon's instructions since there is no consensus. Mine want fluids the day of the fill, a soft diet the day after, and then back to a normal diet the following day. Yes, it can take up to 2 weeks for some people to feel the effects of a fill.

I have been banded 2 years. I was banded at 285 and am down to 215. I have 15 lbs until goal. My lapband surgeon said I am a success at 75% weight loss. I had a tummy tuck 6 weeks ago and feel good. I started in a size 24 and now wear a size 16. I am 5'8 and am happy at that size. One day I may get down to 185 but for now I am happy at 200 lbs. Thanks for the post.

Hi. I had surgery on 8/1/06 and my first fill was 1.4 cc on 9/14/06 (more than 6 weeks after surgery) I have been havinf a lot of pain with solids and it has nothing to do with my band being too tight (I dont think). As soon as I swallow any solids food, no matter how well I chew, it gives me immediate hearburn. From feeling like hard stabbing pain to the burn that feels liek a fire. And its all from my throat to top of stomach. I feel this pain way before the food would have had time to reach my stomach so I know its not directly about the band rtestriction. I cannot eat any solids til late afternoon and only after Ive eaten liquids or mushies every three hours before hand. Has anyone experienced this? Can you give me some advice or insight? I have not been able to speak with my surgeon yet. Thank you soo much. Im so uncomfortable :-( PS when I can finally eat, I do not feel much restriction at all. I'm definately not at my "sweet spot".

sounds like textbook normal to me. you'll find it all over this board and any others you research on. the band sometimes takes two or three or even 4 fills to get to where you're losing at a regular rate. in the meantime, you sort of have to utilize what you know about choosing the right foods to keep from gaining weight. but yes, it's very normal. welcome and good luck to you!

Okay, I have posted on here before about my boyfriend, and his obnoxious ways. Well were at it again. This time it is so big that I am not sure that we can recover. My Bf made a remark about my past to me during a heated argument. "The best that you could get was a Momma's Boy, because you wanted to bully him." The discussion started with me expressing my feelings to him, and how his actions play a role in my feelings, and how he makes me confused. I told him that he does things that makes me feel as though he doesnt respect me as a person. Like talk over me while I'm talking, or cut me off, or change the subject, that he doesn't listen to me, he's judgemental and other things as well. Because he says one things, but his actions contradict what his words say. So I asked him, "Do I listen to what you say or do? I never got an answer from him. The feelings that I expressed to him I also gave him 3 examples for each one that happened at various times to help him understand that this is a pattern. I was so shocked and hurt by the comment. All I heard was the first part, not the bullying part, but the best that you can do. I immediately felt insulted and extremely hurt. I am really a closed person, and this is the first man in a long long time that I did open up myself to, and allow myself to be vulnerable. The day after the argument we had another discussion, and I told him how hurt that I was. He did immediately apoligized, and then explained that it wasn't meant the way that I took it. And I could understand how he meant it. I told him that because of all the feelings that I had that I needed a week, 7 days away from him. I was so hurt by the comment that I wanted to break it off at the moment, but I love this man, and know that this decision will not be an easy one, so I asked for the time to really think about us, and where we are. I am still hurt by the comment, but understanding what he meant, and what I hear are conflicting. I asked for time last thrusday this is tuesday. I went away for the weekend, and had several calls, and yesterday he called like 5 or 6 times, and I didn't answer the phone. My head is saying leave him, he can't even respect you enough to give you some time, but my heart is saying maybe he misses you , and wants to talk to try to work this out. I don't know what to do. Everytime the phone rang all I could hear was him saying"The best that you could do", and I get so mad. I am mad at myself because normally I have a wall around my heart, and my feelings. But with this man I let it crumble, and I let him in, and I am so mad at myself for allowing him into my heart to hurt me, and at the same time I don't want to be without him either. Over the weekend I did decide that I would ask him to tell me ways in which that he has shown me that he respects me. Because although he says that he does, I could not come up with one time that he has shown me. I feel like this relationship is just starting all over again. I was at a point where I was willing to divulge my entire past to this man, and now I am reluctant to tell him anything for fear that I will get slapped with it later on. I don't know what to do, and advice input would be appreciated. How do I get past this.

HI Terri, I'm working in Az for 5 weeks and I need a fill. Where do you get your fills? I'm in Marana this week then I go to Globe next week. Finally be in phoenix for 3 weeks after that. Any fills docs around these areas? Are you even close to these areas?

:think Hi everyone, Okay, so I went for my first appointment with the surgical center and everyone was terrific. The nurse, psychiatrist and nutritionist all thought I'd be a great candidate for the band. I have a goal of 8 lbs to lose in the next 6 weeks (piece of cake - well actually no more cake!) and if I do, they'll schedule the surgery. Problem is, my stupid insurance won't cover it. It's an exclusion so I'm completely out of luck. I'm going to appeal but my chances aren't good. I am thinking about taking a loan from my 401K but I feel so selfish. It will be $18000 for everything (pre-op, op, post-op and 2 fills) to get started and I don't feel right spending so much money. Part of me says "stop being weak and just try (again) to lose the weight yourself" and the other part of me says "if you want to live a long life, and see your kids grow up you HAVE to do this." I really don't know what to do. I'm so sad right now.....

Happyone - I want to give you a few things to think about. - How is your fill level? Are you in the green zone? If not, see about getting another fill. - How much are you eatting? Try keeping track of your calorie intake. I use fitday.com, but there's other sites too. - What are you eatting? Are you following the lapband guidelines like protein first, then good carbs like fruits and vegies? Drinking all your water? - Exercise - now that's a tough one. I live in south Georgia so I know about the heat too. I walk on my treadmill 4-5 times a week for 30 minutes. It may not be much, but it works for me. - Try going back to the basics. Do you have the lapband booklet that they give you when you're first banded? If so, get it out and reread it, maybe it'll help. - Finally, if you're doing everything you're suppose to be doing and still not having much success, mix it up. By that I mean eat a little too much for a day or two and pump up on the exercise. Sometimes we need to shock our bodies. Our bodies get use to eating less than we need and they adjust to that, so give it more and it'll relax a little. Good luck.

I did all my testing and the last thing to was quit smoking. I went to my physician and she gave me a prescription for Wellbutrin. I started it 10 days before my quit date. I smoked at least a pack a day for over 20 years. On 10/6/14 was my quit date. I haven't smoked since. The Wellbutrin must help a ton because I didn't have the insane cravings and withdrawal like I had when I tried to quit before. 2 weeks later I had my tobacco test and passed. Just got my approval and surgery date for 12/12/14. Still waiting for that super miracle where breathing and life all around is so much better without smoking. Not happening. I enjoyed smoking. I never thought I could quit. I don't plan on smoking again, mostly because of my kids. I'm so happy I had the surgery as a huge motivator to quit. You can do this! It's not easy. The reward at the end is huge!

jsagiha please do call your dr just to be on the safe side...I know it can take weeks after your fill to start bp'ing but if you are doing it constantly and in pain...that needs to be checked out. you don't want the risk of slippage/erosion or anything...keep us posted. becky

The 2 week diet is to help shrink the liver before the surgery. I know some surgeons don't require this but I think it's really a good idea. I am an ultrasound tech. I have scanned myself and know that my liver is way too big and it's due to excess fat in it. During surgery the liver can flop right over where the surgery is happening, so if there is anything I can do to keep the surgeon away from my liver, I am doing it. Good luck withyour research! Christine

I've been having lots of issues with my weight loss the last two weeks....I've been using dailyplate, exercising, and limiting my carbs. I was only eating between 500 and 700 calories, realized was probably in starvation mode so I upped my calories to 1000-1100, started my period, had a 7 pound Water weight gain and now I've been drinking water like crazy trying to get rid of the extra weight fast. Well my period is over and so I decided to weigh myself last night. Before my period I was at -24...then I stepped on the scale...-31.5...I ran into the living room and excitedly told my dh. Then I thought...I will weigh myself again before putting my jammies on...I will probably weigh a pound less......... I pulled out the scale an stepped on it...My scale had lied...my digital scale that has NEVER read wrong...had....I was up 7 pounds still. How could this be?? I cried and cried...I thought everything was going well since my fill except for the low calories, which I had just changed days ago. Was my water weigh going to go away... I just don't understand! I certainly ton't want to go down to my second fill appointment with a weight gain on the 1st. So now I'm just disgusted and second guessing myself. The scale thing...I may have had it off center of where I usually have it, but I weighed myself twice and our home is only 5 years old so it would not be because the floor is uneven... Should I up my water intake again? Take water pills? Exercise moring and night? I'm just disgusted. I make great food choices and have been right on track with healtheir foods and such. This water weight gain is really bringing me down again. This is my second period since surgery and I lost the other water weight relatively fast after my period. I really need to get out of this Funk I'm in.... Any ideas.... I'll have my 2 month bandiversary on Friday!

We have really had to adjust to get used to this as well - I had my first restaurant meal last week - a 7 oz. sirloin that I worked on for days - was eating it each meal and I still couldnt finish it before I couldnt stand how 'leftover' it had become lol. The first few weeks I feel like I threw out tons of food - now I am using the freezer more and realizing my husband and I just cant eat that much - it helps having a 16 year old who has dubbed herself "The Black Hole" because she is happy to eat our meal leftovers - she is not overweight but has lost a few lbs. herself with no carbs or sugar in the house - well, except for low fat tortillas, we don't eat those and she likes them. I think it takes a little bit for our brains to catch up to the fact we won't be able to eat that much - it is such an ingrained habit to cook a mountain of volume - even cooking normal portions is too much - just gotta keep practicing

Do you have the option to use the specialty sections of your grocery rather than the pre-packaged? Here in the states I can go to a fish monger and ask for 2-4oz cut of fish, 6 prawns, 3 scallops; or to the cheese counter where they have all the fancy cheeses, and ask for just 2oz of what you like. That's what I do to keep waste down, plus eating the same thing multiple times in a week. It's not ideal, but I figure it's better than not wasting food and staying unhealthy! Sometimes I'm paying a little more by not buying pre-package or bulk, but then I'm not wasting on the back end. I rotate that one week I will have Greek yogurt, the next week cottage cheese -- but I won't buy both in the same week since my husband eats neither.

Stalls are a part of our reality, but they do not mean that you're failing. I go through cycles...I'll lose 6-7 pounds over the span of 5 or 6 days, then sit still for 7-10 days, then starting dropping quickly again. Unfortunately, I'm currently in one of my "sitting still" periods. LOL It can be extremely frustrating, and makes it difficult to focus on the amazing progress I've made so far. In the end, all I can do is keep doing what I've been doing....keep eating healthfully, keep exercising daily, and keep my eye on the prize! After all, what can I do about it?? I mean...its not like I can put the missing 80% of my stomach back in...right?? LOL

hi bandista , I am hoping to see my dr this week to discuss whats going on , its been suggested today it could be stress related , the trouble is if I have trouble trying to eat I then dread the next meal incase I have problems again . Its so good to be able to get advice from others that have actually had the same operation