May 2007 Banders

[MPatrizzi 0]

HI everyone!!

It's been soooo long since I've posted. I am 1 month (approx.) post-op and doing pretty well. I still feel restriction and not super hungry. I am on to soft foods and sort of regular meal plan. I can only have 4 oz. of food per meal, at 3 meals a day. I try really hard not to snack and I'm pretty successful. I eat a cheese stick if it gets too bad. The drs. office gave me a scale to weigh my food and I take it everywhere I go. Once I weigh it that's all I eat! Even if I still feel like I could eat more, I don't. I push my plate away if I feel full even if I haven't finished. Also, I can't drink 30 min. before, during or 30 min. after I eat.

My question is....Does anybody else follow this? I know so many drs. are different. I find this REALLY helps!!

I have been following the magazine Family Circle's Walking challenge. It's great. It gives you times for each night to walk, and extra exercise if you want to. If you follow it, by the end of the week you've walked 10 miles. Of course you can always do more.

I would LOVE to set an exercise challenge!!

I hope everyone is well.

[NimbleBean 2]

Folks,

Metalband has already started the a-MAY-zing bandsters' Exercise Challenge for July thread! Check out http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f92/may-zing-bandits-july-challenge-37009/ You can also reach it by going to the May 2007 support section and it's one of the 3 or 4 threads listed there.

Thanks Metal!

[cindyluhu 0]

I haven't had my first fill yet. I go on June 29th. Still, I thought that I would at least have some restriction.

Is anyone able to eat a FULL PLATE of food? I can! If I don't chew properly it will get stuck, but I can eat a large salad from Applebees with NO PROBLEMS... What's up with that???

Next, does anyone STILL have gas? A month later and I'm still farting!

Anyone still with port pain? This morning I woke up with it really sore.

Finally, I would like to know about your activity restrictions. My Doc said 3 weeks and then hit the gym but no ab work. I can understand that but I often feel like other exercises are hurting my port area- like chest press, push ups, and some of the tricep work. What are you all doing?

Yes, I can eat a full plate of food. I try to be on top of it but, ya, I'm still hungry. I just make myself stop.

Count me in on the exercise challenge as well. Sounds like just the motivation I need, too. I also have trouble getting all the Water in. Usually I average around 48 oz. (and that's good for me)!

Cindy

[NimbleBean 2]

Yes! I can eat a full plate - and more! But only in the evening. And, my hunger seems to be stronger than ever. I go for my first fill tomorrow and I hope that helps.

[cindyluhu 0]

Anjul19,

Saw that infomercial on the "bean" thing you were asking about. I was wondering about that too. I think my husband would divorce me if I ordered another piece of equipment, I kind of collect them. Let's see, there's the Gazelle, Top 10 trainer, Slim n Six, Windsor Pilates, Bun and Thigh Rocker, Urban Rebounder, and I just ordered Hip Hop Abs. Between just plain walking and any of the above, I think there's plenty to choose from for the July challenge. I really think that bean thing is cool though.

Good luck and let me know if you order it.

Cindy

[ginger205 0]

Anjul19,

Saw that infomercial on the "bean" thing you were asking about. I was wondering about that too. I think my husband would divorce me if I ordered another piece of equipment, I kind of collect them. Let's see, there's the Gazelle, Top 10 trainer, Slim n Six, Windsor Pilates, Bun and Thigh Rocker, Urban Rebounder, and I just ordered Hip Hop Abs. Between just plain walking and any of the above, I think there's plenty to choose from for the July challenge. I really think that bean thing is cool though.

Good luck and let me know if you order it.

Cindy

I want to hear what you think about hip hop abs. They make it look like fun!

Someone explain to me what it means for your pouch to be dilated?

[ragdollx19 1]

I took one month post op pics yesterday and can already tell a difference in my hips, rear, and face! Too cool! I am wearing the same outfit for each pic. I bought it tight on purpose so it will still work later on. I posted them in the before/after pix. Anyone else here taking before/after pics?

[NurseLaureli 1]

Hi everyone...haven't posted in awhile but I am glad to see that everyone seems to be doing okay.

Well...I had my first fill today. Wasn't bad at all. My doctor does the first fill under fluro so once we registered at the hospital, we headed off toward radiology. I changed into a gown and went back to the room where they had me lay on a table (which was VERY cold). Then, the doctor took x-rays to make sure everything was okay with my band (which it was--thank God!). Then, he numbed up my skin and inserted the fill needle. I didn't feel a thing. Then, he had me drink barium and you could see it on the screen flowing through my band. He would fill a little, then I would drink a little until he was happy with the restriction. I got 2.2ml in my 4ml band. I'm on liquids for tonight and if everything goes okay, I'll get to go back on regular food tomorrow. Yeah!!!

I also signed up at the YMCA last week. I am no longer under restrictions so I am happy to be able to start exercising. So far, we have pretty much just hung out at the outdoor waterpark for my daughter. But, I am ready to get moving...my goal is to be under 200lbs by my birthday in August. I only have 12 more pounds to go (I need to update my ticker) so hopefully I'll make it!

[Melissa S 1]

I had a dream last night that I was drinking a Miller Lite (not even my choice of beer...) and the pain from the fizzies was awful!! It was so strange... has anyone else had food/drink dreams related to the band?

[ShayDee 0]

I haven't had dreams but I did have an extremely horrible day a few weeks ago and I drank some alcohol but surprisingly, I didn't get/feel sick!

Not that it means it's good for me, I know it isn't but.. it was just a really bad day! lol

[anjul19 0]

No dreams that I remember! Or nightmares as of yet...

I have had a beer, margarita & martini in the last few weeks...my doctor says it is fine to imbibe in moderation. I will tell you though that my hubby is excited that I am a "cheap" date all of a sudden...boy, it hits you hard! The beer tasted so damn good! I took baby sips to eliminate some of the fizziness! I haven't tried wine which is supposedly the easiest for lap-banders to tolerate.

Melissa--are you not allowed any alcohol?

[Macysgranny 1]

Just a quick note on the beer...it is a definate NO NO from what I have heard from different sources. It has carbonation so can stretch your band just like sodas can.

[Melissa S 1]

I'm allowed alcohol...just nothing with carbonation.... no more beer or gin and tonics for me. At 3 weeks out I had my first mixed/frozen drink and I sipped very slowly... My Dr does not want to promote alcohol use...only because it tends to be very high in calories.... but a drink or two every so often isn't bad in his eyes.

[ragdollx19 1]

My Dr strongly reccomended a glass or two of wine a day. He said to hell with empty calories red wine is very good for your stomach, digestive tract, and many other things. He also said I could drink other kinds of alcohol once in a while if I wanted.

[NimbleBean 2]

My first fill was scheduled for today, and boy was I nervous! It was odd because I didn't have a care in the world when I went in for the surgery. I guess I'd just read too many posts from folks who had been poked multiple times!

Anyway, it was such a non-event. My surgeon (who is just great) felt for the port and explained to me exactly what he was doing. For some reason I thought it would be some huge needle and told him I didn't want to see it. He humored me, but I saw it anyway. Small needle and barely a pinch! Frankly, I've had more painful mosquito bites!! In any case, he explained about removing the small bit of air that was in my 10cc band, and then I watched as he gave me a 1.3cc fill. Took out the needle, I sat up and drank a glass of Water. Went down okay, so I was sent on my way. The procedure itself took about 3 minutes.

So, I'll have some broth tonight, pureed food tomorrow morning and afternoon and soft fish for dinner tomorrow night.

So, for those of you who are worried like I was, be assured it's a simple procedure with a qualified doctor.

Good luck!