Sept 2011 bandsters

[Chrissy198727 0]

I was banded on 9/12 in NYC and feel fantastic! I've lost 10 lbs since surgery and 15 since the beginning of my pre-op diet, and almost 30 since my high point last January. Very little pain, and no gas problems after the first five days. I haven't had enough courage to tell most of my friends (I guess part of me thinks I should be able to loose weight on my own) but my friends are beginning to notice. YAH!! At my first post op checkup, the nutritionist was a little concerned that I was loosing too quickly, but I've slowed down in the last few days, even though I was still in the liquid phase and eating exactly the same every day. Just goes to show you that weight loss isn't a straight line. She suggested one to two pounds a week was a healthy weight loss rate.

Just started the "mushies" stage, and spent most of the weekend cooking. (I love to cook!) I made two Soups, a hearty lentil, and potato/leek -- both vegetarian and with little fat. I pureed them both and packaged in individual serving portions and froze them. I also made a vegetarian chili (with kidney and black beans) in my slow cooker, and steamed cauliflower. As above, I pureed them both. At a great middle eastern deli near me, I bought some hummus, babaganoush, and tuna fish salad made with lofat mayo. I also bought some fat-free greek yogurt, lo-fat cottage cheese, and two baby cereals for Breakfast. I'm well stocked!

After weighing myself daily during the first 14 days of the post-op liquid diet and seeing my weight go up and down, I've decided to weigh myself once a week from here on. Don't want to drive myself crazy, and begin to build a better relationship with both the scale and with food.

My main food issue has always been Portion Control, as I generally eat pretty healthy. So far, the band has really cut my appetite, and I really hope this lasts.

I think I can do this! Onwards and upward! Or I should say, onward and downward!

Best,

Lisa in NYC

Lisa, you are working it out. I went shopping too yesterday and began to cook different Soups and put it in portions. I am super excited. I haven't told all my friends either for one they live in Alabama, and for two I am not ready yet.

[Marebeth1 2]

My incision is on my left side under my breast about an inch under my bottom rib. Putting it on the right side is interesting because the stomach and pouch is on the left side. I think I read on another post (somewhere) that their port was located right above their belly button. I guess each doctor has their own way?

If your biggest worry is the port showing when you lose a bunch of weight - maybe if you qualify to get your tummy skin removed they can re-adjust the position of the port.

@wanna be....my port is at the largest incision site. It's not where I expected it to be either. It is on my right side half way between my right breat and belly button. I'm not really happy that it is there. I thought it would be much lower. I'm worried that as I lose weight, you will be able to see it since there is less fat there than the lower belly area. Now at 3 weeks out, if I push in on the area, I can feel it. Ewww....weird!!

[Marebeth1 2]

Wow, you go girl.........If I lived near you I'd come visit and we could sip, sip sip some Soup together!!!....sounds yummy!

Lisa, you are working it out. I went shopping too yesterday and began to cook different Soups and put it in portions. I am super excited. I haven't told all my friends either for one they live in Alabama, and for two I am not ready yet.

[NYC Girl 14]

Too bad you don't live in NYC. As i said, I love to cook, and love to entertain. You would be welcome!

That was part of the reason I almost didn't do the surgery. While I can stand a liquid diet/puree diet for some time, the thought that I could never eat normally wasn't appealing. I realize I have to change my eating habits, but I'm a real foodie. My nutritionist told me that after the initial phase when my diet would be severely restricted, I could begin to eat normally, albeit smaller portions. the band is a tool that will help me moderate my portion sizes. So I decided to go ahead. I'm not looking for a miracle, just a slow, steady weight loss that will mitigate my health issues.

Lisa

quote name='Marebeth1' timestamp='1317158649' post='1667820']

Wow, you go girl.........If I lived near you I'd come visit and we could sip, sip sip some Soup together!!!....sounds yummy!

[Mischief 0]

Jason: Wow - sorry to hear that your journey started out with so many issues. Hopefully, with your first fill, you will find progress at last. Hang in there!

I was banded on 9/20 - things have gone along pretty well so far - I had to return to the surgeon on 9/23 to have some of the Fluid removed from the band - I had swollen to the point where even swallowing Water hurt. The surgeon removed 3.5cc from the band and it was like heaven - I immediate felt so much better. I was really anxious about the fill process, but it wasn't painful, even though the port incision was still very bruised and hadn't had a chance to heal yet. So...I guess i worried about that for nothing.

Unlike others, I didn't have my breakdowns POST surgery - but for two days PRE surgery, I would cry at the drop of a hat. Just an emotional rollercoaster ride. All's good now though. I returned to work on 9/26 - six days post-surgery. The day went fine (office worker, so no real physical stressors). I've been open with my coworkers about the procedure - and they have been supportive. I just feel that I utilize technology in all other aspects of my life - why not utilize technology available in health care. I'm 56 years old and have ridden the weight rollercoaster for my entire life - time to jump the track.

My Dr. recommends one week of Clear Liquids post-surgery, so today is my first day of full liquids. I never thought I would actually have dreams about cream of Tomato soup! It tasted like heaven. Two weeks of just Protein shakes, SF Jello and popsicles pre surgery - one week of Clear Liquids, this was the first thing I've had since Labor Day that actually tasted like food. YUMMMY......but I think I'd been thinking about it all day at work - I was like STARVING when I got home - first time since surgery I've felt that way. I'm already looking forward to diluted cream of wheat tomorrow.

[carpediem34 0]

I was banded on 9/19 and had my 1 week follow-up on 9/26. I'm sooooo freakin happy to be able to eat soup!! If anyone has a Trader Joe's or World Market around them, they have some awesome blended Soups. My fav even before the surgery is the Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper, then there's the Creamy Corn & Roasted Pepper and Latin Style Black Bean w/garlic, chipotle and sea salt. Also their Hummus is awesome. All 2 of these soups are creamy blended so we're good to go. Anywho thought I'd share.

[DawnH 9]

I was banded on 9/19 and had my 1 week follow-up on 9/26. I'm sooooo freakin happy to be able to eat soup!! If anyone has a Trader Joe's or World Market around them, they have some awesome blended Soups. My fav even before the surgery is the Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper, then there's the Creamy Corn & Roasted Pepper and Latin Style Black Bean w/garlic, chipotle and sea salt. Also their Hummus is awesome. All 2 of these soups are creamy blended so we're good to go. Anywho thought I'd share.

Thanks for the info! We have Trader Joe's here so I will have to check it out. Those sound good!

[jillkm 0]

I'm glad I found this post op group too! I was banded on 9/22 so this is day 6 for me and have been struggling with this liquid diet bad! I actually ordered the unflavored powder and cant wait for it to get here so I can try to put it in Soups and juice. I am so sick of the shakes so its hard for me to get them down. Which is making me hungry since i'm not eating. I have had the shoulder pain and its much better but still there. My insision site is still sore its on my left side in the middle area. But i'm back to work because I was going crazy in the house. I have been up and down with emotions and breakdowns. But not only did I just go thru surgery Me and my boyfriend of 4 years broke up a week before my surgery. Its been a daily struggle for me and I'm just trying to take things one day at a time. Some days are good some are bad. I cant wait to eat more. I was making mac & cheese for my son last night and I took 2 bites and i felt like such a failure! But so far today is a better day.. Also drinking all the Water is hard because i'm not used to sipping i'm used to gulping. All of these changes are going to take time I know but I hope it gets easier soon!! Good luck to everyone and hopefully we can all rely on eachother for advice and support.

[need2lose2 10]

Hey there. So sorry to hear about your breakup. That's gotta be tough.

We're all in the same boat with regards to emotions and struggling with lack of foods. I had one of those episodes the other day when i started questioning if i did the right thing. I mean i was totally ready to call the surgeon's office and yell out "take it out, take it out!!" Sometimes i can control my emotions by telling myself that i can do this, but then there are other times when i start panicking!! One word of advice, don't read the other topics where pple talk about stuck episodes, sliming, and stuff. I did that......wish i didn't.

Every day is a struggle when i come down to the kitchen and need to prepare meals for the kids or have to watch everyone eat foods i like while i'm sipping gross Protein Shakes. food was always my life and when i can't have it, i get depressed. However, at the end of every day on this liquid diet, i am so proud of myself that i got through another day knowing how hard it was. It's a good feeling, and the scale shows it too.

[Marebeth1 2]

Yes, be proud of yourself everyday, every hour - tell yourself - pat yourself on the back. Do that pep talk self talk to encourage yourself. See food as the bad in-law that came to live with you a long time ago and wouldn't leave until you had surgery and said no more. It takes a lot for you to make the decision to have surgery and be proud of that......no looking back - only great days ahead. Create new life memories to reward yourself - like go get a pedicure or manicure or take a dance lesson or have a makeover and reward yourself with things not food related. For me, rewards were always food related like ice cream or cheesecake so I had to find ways to reward myself with it being food related so I could divorce myself from food.

Food was always my life and when i can't have it, i get depressed. However, at the end of every day on this liquid diet, i am so proud of myself that i got through another day knowing how hard it was. It's a good feeling, and the scale shows it too.

[NYC Girl 14]

Some advice: try to not set yourself up for failure by trying to be perfect! 2 bites does not failure make!

I was making mac & cheese for my son last night and I took 2 bites and i felt like such a failure!

[need2lose2 10]

Yes, be proud of yourself everyday, every hour - tell yourself - pat yourself on the back. Do that pep talk self talk to encourage yourself. See food as the bad in-law that came to live with you a long time ago and wouldn't leave until you had surgery and said no more. It takes a lot for you to make the decision to have surgery and be proud of that......no looking back - only great days ahead. Create new life memories to reward yourself - like go get a pedicure or manicure or take a dance lesson or have a makeover and reward yourself with things not food related. For me, rewards were always food related like ice cream or cheesecake so I had to find ways to reward myself with it being food related so I could divorce myself from food.

Great advice and encouragement.

I always turned to food for anything....celebrate, angry, bored, sad, stressed, reward, tired, and so on. It's why i knew i had to do this so that i am forced to limit portions and find other ways to make myself busy. It's not easy but there's no choice anymore.

Hey, has anyone asked their docs when they can have caffeine?

[need2lose2 10]

I'm glad I found this post op group too! I was banded on 9/22 so this is day 6 for me and have been struggling with this liquid diet bad! I actually ordered the unflavored powder and cant wait for it to get here so I can try to put it in Soups and juice. I am so sick of the shakes so its hard for me to get them down. Which is making me hungry since i'm not eating. I have had the shoulder pain and its much better but still there. My insision site is still sore its on my left side in the middle area. But i'm back to work because I was going crazy in the house. I have been up and down with emotions and breakdowns. But not only did I just go thru surgery Me and my boyfriend of 4 years broke up a week before my surgery. Its been a daily struggle for me and I'm just trying to take things one day at a time. Some days are good some are bad. I cant wait to eat more. I was making mac & cheese for my son last night and I took 2 bites and i felt like such a failure! But so far today is a better day.. Also drinking all the Water is hard because i'm not used to sipping i'm used to gulping. All of these changes are going to take time I know but I hope it gets easier soon!! Good luck to everyone and hopefully we can all rely on eachother for advice and support.

....did the 2 bites of mac n cheese go down ok?

[jillkm 0]

Thank you all for the encouragement!!! Your right i need to reward myself more! It did go down ok but i had a bit of a stomach ache. I dont recommend it! Today is much better so far

[LovelyT 3]

I'm glad I found this post op group too! I was banded on 9/22 so this is day 6 for me and have been struggling with this liquid diet bad! I actually ordered the unflavored powder and cant wait for it to get here so I can try to put it in Soups and juice. I am so sick of the shakes so its hard for me to get them down. Which is making me hungry since i'm not eating. I have had the shoulder pain and its much better but still there. My insision site is still sore its on my left side in the middle area. But i'm back to work because I was going crazy in the house. I have been up and down with emotions and breakdowns. But not only did I just go thru surgery Me and my boyfriend of 4 years broke up a week before my surgery. Its been a daily struggle for me and I'm just trying to take things one day at a time. Some days are good some are bad. I cant wait to eat more. I was making mac & cheese for my son last night and I took 2 bites and i felt like such a failure! But so far today is a better day.. Also drinking all the Water is hard because i'm not used to sipping i'm used to gulping. All of these changes are going to take time I know but I hope it gets easier soon!! Good luck to everyone and hopefully we can all rely on eachother for advice and support.

I was banded the day after you! I too had a moment where I caved. I was so hungry that it hurt to stand up straight! I ate 4 bites of a piece of ham & cheese. I was so embarassed even though noone saw me, I felt HORRIBLE, & not because it hurt physically, but because I feel like I let myself down. Sounds a little cheesy (mmm cheese), but I just went through this whole ordeal with surgery, all the pre-op testing, & pain....& I felt like I was throwing it out the window. But, it happened & it WILL NOT happen again.

Also, breakups are rough-let alone dealing with this weight loss process. This is your time to focus on you! Remember that, & look forward to him eating his heart out when he sees the "new" you!