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Journey2Health
 

Sugar Free Forever? "taste-good" Sugar Free Choices, Prices And Reviews

I know pre-op the sugar free popsicles, puddings, liquids are to help shrink the liver in preparation for surgery. However, I was reading another post on here and someone was talking about sugar free yogurt. Yogurt is a post-op food, so that made me wonder, am I supposed to do sugar free foods forever? Obviously sugar is not great for a weight loss journey, and the sugar free foods I have had haven't tasted that bad, but I never really considered making my diet sugar free forever. Is this what I should be aiming for?   I am not one to ever forgo taste for health (maybe why I'm in my current situation :/ lol). I refuse to eat nasty sugar free foods solely because they are good for you. In the end it is a waste of money because I won't eat them. So in my 2 week pre-op quest not to starve, I found a few good staple products that I will continue to incorporate in my new banded lifestyle:   ...sugar free, chocolate CARNATION INSTANT BREAKFAST (in the blue box) is SO good. Mixed with 1 cup of fat free milk, pop in the microwave takes just like hot chocolate. This has become a staple in pre and post op diet and I will continue to purchase this product. Its a little pricey (about $5.00/box of 8 where I live) but satistifes me until lunch.   ...Atkins diet Creamy Milk Chocolate Day Break shake. Be sure to serve chilled. Tastes just like chocolate milk plus 10g protein, 0g sugar and only 160 calories. Usually runs about $6.50 for 4 in my area.   ...Crystal light FIBER Mango Peach tea powder packets. Just add to a regular bottle of water, shake and its like instant Kool-Aid. Very cheap and easy way to spruce up water.   ...Sugar free Fudgesicles. So delicious, you won't even know they're sugar free.   ...Sugar free chocolate pudding. Again, you won't even know it's sugar free.   As I try more products I will definitely update. Please feel free to add to the list. REMEMBER THOUGH...these are foods/drinks that actually taste GOOD and are good choices.
journeytohealth

journeytohealth

0
Lisa Marie Humberson's Blog
 

Post-op Day 5

Well yesterday I was saying that I still felt miserable but in the late afternoon I had a huge turn around. I was drinking all the liquids i needed, i had had a bowel movement, my gas had decreased and i found out i could eat ice cream!!!!!!! I began to feel like a million dollars!   So today, I am 5 days out from surgery... again i had surgery on tuesday the 12th. I have been really careful about keeping my binder on because it is a feeling of security but last night for about an hour i took it off and it felt so good. I put it back on to sleep though... dont want anything coming apart. anywho... i fell asleep at 10pm and woke up at 2am to take my medicine then slept till 7!!!!!!! I have never slept so long since surgery and it felt great! i was going to stay awake and then realized i could take my medicine again and sleep longer... so i did! i slept till 11!!!!!!!!!!!!! I woke up feeling incredible! I do have to get my liquids down though since i missed a few hours.   Today is the day that i got to take my bandage off of my one incision and it looks great. My stomach is not gurgling as much. I think i am finally making the turn around! =]   Keep your heads up friends! IT DOES GET BETTER!
Lisa Marie Humberson

Lisa Marie Humberson

0
Journey2Health
 

Almost A Week Already???

I can't believe its been almost a week (5 days) since the procedure! The first few days were a little rough with pain but for the most part I'm doing great. The only true complaint I have at this point is still the pain in the shoulder. Apparently its because of the gas but I'm sick of it! Its so annoying and nothing seems to alleviate the pain. I've tried warm compresses (which works until the towel cools off) and my pain meds (which put me to sleep for exactly 1 hour and 40 min each time) and even Gas-X...nothing seems to make it go away...without putting me to sleep.   Anyways...as an avid belly sleeper...I am proud to report that I was finally able to sleep on my stomach last nite! I had been sleeping on my back, basically at an incline, getting lower each nite. Sleep was ok but making that ab contraction to get up was a painful experience first thing in the morning. So, I put a pillow under my stomach and I was out like a light! It was WONDERFUL!   And finally, I'm supposed to be on a liquid diet, past the clear phase but liquid not the less. Thank goodness I haven't had any issues with pills going down or stuff coming up, or nausea for that matter. Besides the fact that I'm just taking in less I can't really even tell that there's something "foreign" in my body. At a birthday gathering last night the juice wasn't cutting it. Probably wasn't the best choice to go there without having a protein shake or something prior but you do what you can. It was a fish fry, so I figured because fish is pretty soft, if I chewed well I wouldn't have any issues...and I was RIGHT! Now I'm not advocating that you go and disregard your doctors orders but I am happy that food isn't going to be a hard thing to transition back to for me. Other than last night, I've been doing yogurt, apple sauce, homemade vegetable soup (cooked overnight for extra soft vegetables, avoided meat, though very tender), water and tea.
journeytohealth

journeytohealth

2
blackanese25's Blog
 

Finally Feeling Better... Today Was A Good Day

So here I am 6 days out of surgery.. it has been one hell of a journey already. Up until today I was getting dangerously close to being hospitalized for dehydration. And to make matters worse the gas pains were unbearable. And the icing on the cake.. aunt flow decided to start two days after surgery.. lol.. lucky me. So night before last I had asked my mom to get me some gas x, which really really really helped. And thankfully my periods only last about 3 days and are very light, so today it ended.. whew! When I woke up this morning I felt like a new person.. no gas pain, no cramps, just a little tenderness near my incisions was all the discomfort I felt. I was so excited that I decided to go for a walk outside.. which is nice because I literally hadn’t been outside since I had the surgery. I barely got out of bed for most of the 6 days. But, today I went for a walk around the block which was about a mile and a half and it felt GOOD!!!!!! Furthermore, I decided to weigh myself…. He he he.. this is where I just got a huge grin… on the day of surgery 12-12-11 I weighed in 238.1….. as of today 12-18-11 I weigh 230! I haven’t seen that number in over a year! And what really made me laugh is I have an appetite, so I go eat my jello or my cream of wheat and take a few bites and im stuffed! The only thing that goes thru my head is… HELL YEAH BABY!!!! I LOVE MY NEW TUMMY.. I AM GONNA LOVE TO EAT AND FEEL FULL EARLY IN THE MEAL AND NOT FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO DEVOUR MY ENTIRE LASAGNA THAT I COULD HAVE GOTTEN FROM BUCA DI BEPPO (FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT) BASICALLY YOU ARE REALLY NOT SUPPOSED TO EAT AND ENTIRE PLATE TO YOUR SELF!. In fact I wake up and I WANT let me repeat that I WANT TO START EXERCISING…. I almost can’t wait. In 6 days I dropped 8 lbs, my face I already thinner, I am freakin happy, and I have energy.   VSG---- I LOVE YOU!
blackanese25

blackanese25

4
Caribear's Blog
 

My First Ever Blog

So how does one start a blog? I suppose I should just jump in...   I'm 27 years old, and I live in Ohio with my longtime boyfriend and our adorable three-year-old son. I am a licensed massage therapist, but my physical condition makes it near impossible for me to practice anymore, so mostly I am a mommy. My boyfriend is back and forth between driving a van for Amish construction crews and taking care of his grandfather, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Our son is adorable, very friendly and smart.   My journey up to this point in my life has been long and fairly painful, both physically and emotionally. I have always been overweight, so far as I can remember. I can very clearly recall being called an elephant in the third grade by another boy at school. My mom taught me to medicate myself with food, albeit unknowingly. My grandmother would go on and on about how I should lose weight, then offer me a plate of cookies. I remember tiptoeing into the kitchen late at night, being very careful not to wake my family, and sneaking food back to my room to eat. I can't remember if I was actually hungry, but the food filled some longing that I had within me, so I ate.   The next period in my life was very difficult, full of lots of emotional trauma that is better saved for some other time. In any case, it all served to encourage me to pack on the pounds. I had done many different diet and exercise plans over the years, oftentimes losing quite a bit of weight only to have it creep back on. Fast forward to 2007, when I began school for massage therapy. I had finally found my calling, and was on my way to getting paid to do it. I lost weight fairly quickly then, being so much more active because of the massages and hauling around my portable massage table. Everyone was commenting on how good I looked, and I was sooooo happy.   In February 2008, almost exactly halfway through my schooling, I found out I was pregnant. It was almost a shock, because my boyfriend and I had been taking precautions. I immediately quit smoking and found a good OB doctor. The pregnancy was borderline high-risk because of my weight (I was obese then) and the low levels of amniotic fluid around my baby. Then, in August, I fell while I was at school. I had been going to extra classes, creating my own "maternity leave" because I knew my due date was right around graduation. It was fairly early in the morning, and I was walking through the hallway to get a drink. The school had recently stripped and waxed the floors, and the mats and rugs were still piled up along the wall. I stepped on the edge of a mat and my feet came out from under me, and I sat down HARD. Two maintenance guys, who had been standing down the hall the whole time, stood there and watched me as I tested myself to see what hurt. After what seemed like forever, a lady in the main office stuck her head out the window, saw me sitting on the floor, and asked me if I was ok. The only thing I could get out of my mouth was "I'm pregnant!"   Within minutes, the ambulance was there. They took me to the hospital, where they strapped me in to a fetal monitor and told me that I had to wait until their OB doc showed up and cleared me. Shortly after, a representative from the school came by to apologize and smooth things over. Long story short, I sat in the bed for 7 hours waiting to be checked out, and the OB never showed up. Finally they told me that everything looked fine, so I could go home. When I got up from the bed I could hardly walk. The school rep took me back to the school building and I headed home.   In October 2008, I had my sweet baby boy. He was happy and healthy, with a full head of dark hair. I had a c-section, and was in a lot of pain afterwards, but I pressed on and graduated from school with an A average.   Unfortunately for me, the pain never really went away. It would get better or worse depending on the day, but not ever actually go away. I would wake up in the morning feeling like I had steel rods fused to my spine, and I wouldn't be able to bend over for up to two hours after I got up. The pain would keep me up at night and wake me up in the morning. My primary care doc didn't seem to think it was anything, so I just tried to push through it. In 2009, we bought a house with a room in it for my home massage office, and I was overjoyed. I started getting clients and was doing fairly well. I had almost lost the 70 pounds that I had put on during my pregnancy. But instead of getting easier, each massage was more and more painful for me. I bought a TENS unit, and I would place the pads on my back before I would do the massage; then immediately after my client left, I would hook it up to the unit and turn it on so I could get some relief.   In December 2010, I started having problems with my gallbladder. I had surgery scheduled to remove it in January, and referred my clients to other therapists in the area so I could have some time to recover. It was about a week before the surgery that another healthcare professional told me that she thought I might have fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, she turned out to be right. My surgery went smoothly, but the recovery took about two months instead of two weeks. At that point I was referred to a rheumatologist.   Thus began the downward weight spiral. I hurt badly, so I wasn't as active as I had been before. I also tended to use food to comfort myself, since none of my doctors at that point were doing anything for my pain. Add to that several different medications that can cause weight gain and fluid retention, and an MRI that revealed 3 herniated discs, and you end up where I am today.   I have been doing pool exercise, which is the most I can do at this point, and had even done several months of Medifast, and I have still managed to gain weight. My rheumatologist was the one who suggested the lap-band, saying that she thought it would definitely help my back if I could get some weight off, plus it might even help my fibromyalgia symptoms. I am praying that she is right.   I was shocked to see the scale say that I weigh almost 400 pounds. FOUR. HUNDRED. POUNDS. How could that be? I know I have to do something to get my weight down. Not only am I physically miserable, but the emotional effects of chronic pain and supermorbid obesity can really get a girl down. I have been struggling with depression all my life also, and feeling like a disgusting excuse for a woman doesn't help the situation. Medication has helped lift it somewhat, but I just plain need to lose the weight. If I don't, I will follow in my dad's footsteps. He was nearly 800 pounds when he died of heart failure at the age of 52. He had already had 3 heart attacks, bad cellulitis in both of his legs, and he walked with a cane if he walked at all. I don't want to do that to my family. I want to live to see my son grow up. I want to meet my grandchildren. I have so much to live for, and I feel like this is the step that will help me extend my life and improve my health. I have my informational seminar with my surgeon in January. In the meantime, I am doing all the research I can to try and prepare for the journey that lies ahead. I know it won't be easy, but it will be worth it.   So here's to the journey.
Caribear

Caribear

2
Dadkins8's Blog
 

Journey Continues

I had my lapband surgery in July 2010. I remember thinking that I would be at my goal weight in a year. Well I am 17 months out and I am still not at my goal, but I am okay with that. I know that I have worked hard. I didn't lose a lot of weight prior to the surgery. I had a hard time exercising just due to having absolutely no energy. However, once I had my first fill I started to lose weight. Come January....I hit a block...major block and I remember getting a little frustrated. However, I made a vow to not get too discouraged and stay the course. I did stay the course. The weight loss was slow. However, from January to September, I did lose 20 lbs. I decide it was time to do something. I had to change up what I was doing to continue with my weight loss. I started going to the gym with my husband. I knew that I could not have excuses...as I had in the past to not exercise. I know that there are plenty of us that will find any kind of excuse to not exercise. However, this time I made a promise to myself to be true to me. I have gone to the gym faithfully 3 times a week for the past 4 months. I am lifting weights and doing cardio. I learned that I really feel good after I exercise. If I am stressed, It really helps me come out in a pleasant mood. I can honestly say that I don't mind exercising. Who would have after thought that I would make that statement? Now I didn't say that I "liked" it. Just that I appreciate the way it makes me feel and look. I am down 73 lbs. It gave me the courage to do so many things in life. I don't have to be at my goal to "love" me. It has been such a long time to find me again. I enjoy who I have become. I would not have had the courage to go for a promotion a year ago. This year not only did I go for the promotion, but I got the job. My rewards have been endless....
Dadkins8

Dadkins8

1
Nicole76's Blog
 

4 Days To Go

Wenesday is fast approaching.. i am driving my self crazy. I need to stop reading about VSG! I haven't finished my Christmas shopping!! that's not helping!!   This is all i thing about! needs to stop!! I haven't slept well the past few night! and i have terrible headache .. I am sure lack of caffeine isnt helping! This It's not like this is my first surgery. I had my Achilles Tendon replaced a few years ago and I was less nervous about that than i am this! maybe because I know more about this surgery and the fact its taking me almost a year to get to this point!   i guess I am not looking forward to the pain.. but of cores looking forward to loseing the weight!   todays weight 292.4! ( this os a big step for me!!! I never tell any one who much i weigh!! ) lol anyway thanks for listening to me vent!! sweet dreams..
Nicole76

Nicole76

2
jennilamb007's Blog
 

Appetizer Spoons And Forks

Just wanted to let everyone know that I found some fantastic silverware for lap banders. I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday and they pointed me to some appetizer spoons and forks. They are classy looking, silver, and come in a box of 12 for $15 each. The size of the utensils will help with keeping the bites small and the looks of them are nice for the dining table. If worse had come to worse I would have just eaten my food with a baby spoon that had Peter Rabbit on the end of it, but thankfully that won't be the case now. ; ) So, I wanted to let you know about my find. Also, they have adorable little tasting plates and bowls that are just right for our portions and they look fantastic. I bought a couple plates, but I plan to go back and get more. Hey, I am going to be eating like this forever and I want something nice to eat off of and with.   Take care, Jen
jennilamb007

jennilamb007

2
banditmarie's Blog
 

The Count Down..............

My lapband surgery will be on 12-20. That's three days away. I'm so happy but now It's all I'm thinking about. I'm guessing this is normal. My surgery is at 2:00 and I just found out that co-workers are gonna stop by and visit me after work. However nice that is..... I can't believe I'd feel "up" for it since I would have only been awak a couple of hours at the most.   How did you all fell 1-5 hours after you woke up from surgery? Did company at the hosptial make you nuts?   Thanks!
banditmarie

banditmarie

5
Dee3177's Blog
 

Just Had Surgery!

I just had surgery December 14th on Wednesday.   The most painful part was the gas. It was like having really, really bad heartburn.   I didn't eat anything for the first two days and now I can finally pass liquids.   I am on a liquids only diet and I can drink and eat clear liquids.   It hurts to swallow and I can't tell when I'm full or maybe I just don't know when I'm full. That still confuses me. I just know that I feel pain but I don't know if that is because of what I ate because it's right after surgery or because that is when I'm full. I can't tell and that to me is very confusing.   I hope to figure it out soon...
Dee3177

Dee3177

3
Dulci's Blog
 

Thoughts About Food Addiction

I quit smoking over 12 years ago. I didn't want to quit smoking; I quit because my husband had serious heart problems. If he didn't quit, his doctor said he would live 10 more years. My husband stated point blank that he would not be able to successfully quit if I was smoking.   I recall feeling panicky at having to quit smoking. In my nicotine addicted mind, cigarettes were paired with so many activities and I couldn't imagine enjoying any of them without a cigarette. Before we quit, I wanted to go on vacation because I couldn't imagine relaxing at the beach without smoking. I wanted to go our favorite steak restaurant so I could have a post-dinner cigarette with a glass of port in the lounge. I wanted to go to Atlantic City and play the slot machines. It took me many years to realized that my pairing of pleasurable activities with cigarettes was a component of my nicotine addiction.   Prior to being banded, I started having those same panicked pairing of activities. Could I enjoy a meal at a restaurant without overeating? Would I enjoy holidays without overeating? Could I go to a theme park and not gorge on junk food?   I am still learning to live with my band. But I am confident that I am unpairing pleasure from food addiction. Thanksgiving was a wonderful day and meal. I savored the few bites of cheesecake (low fat/no sugar) that I tasted. I enjoyed our office holiday lunch and ordered a drink and an appetizer. Because I ate slowly and chatted while I was eating, I finished my meal around the same time as the people that had three courses. I went to Disney and ordered kids meals; I was satisfied with the portion sizes and saved a lot of $$$.   I know that overcoming a food addiction is a process. However recognizing that I have one is a good beginning.
Dulci

Dulci

2
Char60's Blog
 

Day 5

I had my gastric sleeve surgery on Monday December 12, 2011, that was a day in it's self. I am bi-polar and had not had any medications for 2 days before going to hospital. I was not a nice person at all even had a fight with my husband making him leave before I went under and then I didn't even see him after the surgery.   I am doing some what better still have no medication as they won't let me take pills yet, but am trying to work through it.   I did good in the hospital walking but now that I'm home it is much harder with the cold to get out and walk so I try to get as much as I can inside LOL   I have been using the season packs from Top Roman to make my meals some of them are good and some just bite. I feel like I can't get enough to drink so I have filled a 1 liter bottle with tea and lemon in hopes that I can drink it all today. The gas is unreal and have not had a BM since before surgery. I am not sure what else to take or do I have used a few different softeners and nothing is helping. Truly believe it is all about the fluid intake.   Hydrating is the name of the day for me, try to see how much I can get down without it coming up.   My bruises are looking better, the big one has spread way out and is now changing colors thank goodness. All the sites itch but that means they are healing which is a good thing. When I woke from surgery I looked as if I had been beat puffy face fat lip and all the bruising, face and lip went back to normal by day 3 was very happy.   Update appointment to check wounds is December 20 in Las Vegas Tuesday hope there will be good news.   I believe that I have taken the right steps in having the gastric sleeve surgery for my health. Starting weight was 337 heaviest was 341 can't seem to get on the scale yet to see if I lost anything guess a little scared. One thing so far that is a God send is my sugars are way down 130's never thought I would see that, they were always in the high 200's.   All in all I am feeling better day by day step by step.
Charlotte

Charlotte

0
Lisa Marie Humberson's Blog
 

Post-op Day 4

I got sleeved on Tuesday, December 13th. Right now I may be hitting myself asking myself why I would put myself through so much pain but I know this time next week I will be thrilled I made this decision. As far as pain goes, I am hurting really bad. I am so gasy I feel like someone has straw in my bellybutton and they are just continuously blowing me up. My stomach is "gurgling" louder than anything I have ever heard before. Last night my mom and I were joking about how it sounds like a thunder storm or a battle is happening inside of me. This does cause a little bit of pain because I have only made 3 very small bowl movements. Every time my "gurgles" move to my butt I feel like I am about to poop my pants but when I go to use the restroom I can sit there for 30 minutes and nothing happens. Drinking fluids are not that difficult I am just struggling with finding ones that agree with my stomach at this time. Crushing up medications was never a good idea and I am sure several of you can agree with me. I crushed up one of my medications today and mixed it with gatorade and nearly vomited because it tasted so bad. I do not know what I am going to about that one. I have so many questions and not many answers. My stomach is very itchy which I see as a good thing because the incisions are healing. Walking every so often definitely does help but I am still in pain. When should I expect to start feeling good again?
Lisa Marie Humberson

Lisa Marie Humberson

4
AmberDawn's Blog
 

4 Going On 5 Days Post Op

So I figured I would make another post since I left alot out of my last drugged up blog lol   I've now been home from the hospital for 2 and a half days.   Today has been ok, better than yesterday. I got 8 hours of sleep in 4 hour blocks. I went a full 8 hours without pain meds for the first time but i think only because i was asleep during most of that.   I've got this huge bruise on my inside arm from where they did one of the IVs, looks like chopped liver and turning all sorts of colors now.   The backs of my legs have been itchy since the surgery, its very weird. I'm not sure if its because of the inflatable things they had on my legs while i was in the hospital. Its not as bad as it was but still concerning.   I've also got 2 blisters under my steri strips. One is much larger than the other and its near the outside not near the incision. I just cut off the steri strip section that was covering the blisters and dabbed it with some hydrogen peroxide. Hope they clear up tomorrow. My stomach has also been itching all over since surgery.   I think i'm starting to get dehydrated, my tongue is whitish on top. I only got in 44 ounces today and i know even less yesterday. Its weird that I get more gassy when i drink plain water than when i drink crystal light water.   The gas is still a problem. Sometimes i have a gas bubble when i take a drink even if its a sip and it feels like i have to burp but usually cant. I've also had sharp gas pains that feel like they're near my back spine area.   I've been trying to walk every hour for at least 5 minutes at a time, not sure if this is enough, the Dr didnt really say how much.   I'm confused on what clear liquids mean because the box of powder they gave me to make into soup surely isnt clear, its also disgusting so i started taking canned progresso soups and draining them and having the broth from them. I figure as long as its pretty runny liquid(nothing creamy) it should be ok.   I've decided to stop reading the forums as they started freaking me out with the stories of leaks etc. Being self pay I literally cannot afford a leak. So i'm just keeping my fingers crossed and trying to follow every rule.   On the bright side the scale said 298 today, its the first time i've been under 300 in like 7 years.   So I lost 16lbs on the pre op diet and another 2lbs since Monday and i know I still have alot of water weight.   Well that's all i can think of for now. Off to bed.
AmberDawn

AmberDawn

2
Helen the Cat's Blog
 

Pressure? What Pressure?

Woozers! Nine days till Christmas and I am SO busy! And of course with all the baking and cooking I am doing, it is SO hard NOT to sample, Not to graze, not to try "just a bite"! It is driving me crazy.   We arrived home (in Iowa) from California (where I have been working the last year and a half) on the 7th of December, and I feel like I have been on a treadmill ever since. My new job started on the 12th of December, and tonight I start Five nights in a row of 12 hour shifts. I wish I hadn't been SO agreeable when they asked me if I could work all these shifts. I have baking left to do, Christmas Cards left to address, sign and mail, LOTS of shopping left to do (hadn't done any Christmas shopping before I left California!), my house to clean and a meal for 20 on Christmas Eve to figure out yet!   My eldest daughter wants me to come to her house next Wednesday (the next free day I have!) and bake Christmas Cookies with her two boys, stay overnight, come home and get ready for all the overnight company that is coming on Friday.   I feel like I am going to explode from the pressure of all I have to do. AND I am still trying to eat healthy, make sure I get enough protein, enough water, take my vitamins, etc.   Tomorrow will be my 6 month Surgiversary! I have lost a total of 94 pounds since June 17, gone from a size 26/28 in tops to a 14 or a size large. Gone from size 24 pants to an 8! I have had SO many wonderful comments on how nice I look. It really thrills me! Just wish I could get off the treadmill and enjoy it a little.   The down side is that my hair has gotten so thin (never thick to begin with!) that I finally shaved my head the other day. I have purchased a couple of wigs that I think look really natural and love the way they look on me. So yesterday I told my hubby, give me your clippers (he shaves his head!) and I did mine. It looks weird when I take my wig off, but with it on, I think I look pretty good.   Oh well, I am going to slow down one of these days and enjoy all the blessings in my life, the biggest to date is my new and improved body!
Helen the Cat

Helen the Cat

3
wannabeskinny
 

5 Days Post-op Vsg

I was sleeved on Monday, 12/12... checked into the hopital around 8:30am. They took me to the back after registration, weighed me ( 10pounds lost on pre-op diet), then they gave me some meds to relax a bit. They took me back to the OR and the last thing I remember was commenting on how bright the lights must be above me. They strapped me on this table, and the next thing I know, they were waking me up. I woke up shaking and in some horrible pain. The only thing I kept saying was it hurts. When they took me back to the recovery room, they gave me some pain meds that helped me to feel a bit better. That day I was on a morphine drip, and don't remember much. I was pretty loopy from the meds and in and out of sleep. My family was there to visit with me, and one of my sisters staid in the hospital with me the entire time I was there... I am sooooo thankful for her.       Tuesday was the worst day because they switched me from morphine to some puny pain med that didn't work for me. I was nauseated and they gave me some meds for that. I got up and walked several times throughout my stay. Around Wednesday I was starting to feel somewhat better by wednesday. I wasn't able to drink much liquid because the gas pain was terrible, but I kept walking, which helped to relieve that. They put me on tramadol which has been the best with the pain control. I continued to improve wednesday, and was able to be discharged on Thursday. I was still unable to get a lot of liquids in thursday, but I kept sipping on water most of the day.     That brings me to today (Friday 12/16)... Doing ok... sleeping alot... I am currently sipping on some milk, trying to get a little nutrients in. I am a little worried about not getting in a lot of nutrients. I weighed this morning, and I have lost 17 pounds since I started pre-op... 7 pounds since surgery. I am continuing to hope and pray for healing. Keep me in your prayers, and good luck to all of ya'll on your journey! Merry Christmas also!!   Let me know if you have any suggestions for nutrients or healing!     Best Wishes,   Rachel
wantobeskinny

wantobeskinny

4
I-wanna-be-a-loser's Blog
 

Just Over 2 Weeks Post-op

I am 16 days post-op and down 20 pounds!! Heck yeah! Well in the last few days I gained then lost 2 pounds and it felt like it took forever!! yeah, yeah, I hear you - we didn't put this weight on over night... lol. I think my issue was eyeballing 1/2 cup of food and not actually measuring... I fixed that issue now!! I eat 3 times a day, 1/2 a cup each meal and I am never hungry - but I could eat more if I let myself......   I slipped and fell 1.5 weeks post-op and my port spot still hurts pretty bad. It doesn't feel dislodged, just like a pulled muscle so I am not too worried about it. Stupid ice!!     I am hoping to lose 6 pounds by Jan 1st - That will put me at an even 200 for the start of 2012... 6 pounds over Christmas?!?! That is going to take some hard work!!!   LETS DO THIS!!!     Happy (insert your holiday here) to everyone!!! <3 <3
I-wanna-be-a-loser

I-wanna-be-a-loser

6
newdes' Blog
 

I Think I May Finally Be There.

Ok, I need someone to tell me what I am feeling. I had my second fill on Wednesday. that makes 5cc's in my band.   When I eat after two bites I feel pressure in my chest and if I wait a couple of minutes it goes away. It also happens when I take a drink first thing in the morning. I am wondering if this is what everyone calls tightness or do you think things are getting stuck.   I am not complaining at all, I think it will make me slow down and think about what I am eating and drinking. But, I just need someones advice.
newdes

newdes

4
legnarevocrednu's Blog
 

Restraint

So as I'm sure we all know, the Holidays can be a little rough for those of us with the band...especially for those of us who just STARTED with the band. I just began regular food on Tuesday. I understand the phrase "bandster hell" because although I've been staying below 800 calories, I'm so super conscious of everything I put in my mouth!! I have yet to feel restriction but most of the time (depending on the portion size) I force myself to only eat half the meal. It can be mighty frustrating. I've been doing what I'm told and eating really slowly, chewing well, and I've noticed that I only get half way through my meal by time my friends are done (I've been out to eat twice now). This works because when they are done, I just stop and get the rest boxed up. So now I have leftovers that are also in a good portion size. Last night was my work Christmas dinner and I just kept praying the waitress would hurry up and bring me my box so I could stop looking at the delicious food on my plate. I just knew I could finish eating it, but I was holding myself back. This part stinks because I feel like I'm on a diet. I also had to stop myself from eating the bread and the salad that came with the meal...as well as dessert afterwards!! Although I am proud of myself for holding back, I have not lost anything all week. Nor have I lost any inches (I measure myself once a week). Yes, I do realize this can be normal, but I still feel like I'm torturing myself to get little or no results. I have lost 10 pounds since surgery on November 21st, so I shouldn't be complaining, but I also believe all my good decisions and restraint should show for something!! I'm just trying not to get discouraged. Also, to be honest, I have yet to start exercising. I was told to wait 4 to 6 weeks, yet I see a bunch of people on here exercising sooner than that. I haven't even walked for fear that I would damage something. Well, even though now I realize I probably didn't have to wait this long, I'm going to start walking next week, and then join a gym 2 weeks after that. I'm hoping this helps with the weight loss! I really just want to lose at least 3 more pounds before January 3rd (my next doctors appointment and possibly my first fill). I am glad that I have not GAINED weight since I started back on regular food. That's probably due to my miraculous restraint lol. Anyways, that's my rant for this week. Tune back next week for all new ones! Haha!!
legnarevocrednu

legnarevocrednu

8
Matt Z's Blog
 

1 Month Post Op

I'm considering reducing my blog posts to either every 2 weeks or once a month+ anytime I have issues I need to voice, I don't know, I guess we'll see.   This past week has been interesting. Being firmly locked in Bandster Hell I'm having slight intake control / willpower issues. I'm still well under my calorie burn totals for the days, but I'm eating more. When I'm at work, it's easy to keep my intake under control, but weekends and at night, not so much. Just need to tough it out until the 28th for my fill.   I've had to drop a size in underwear because the 2x i was wearing, was falling down while I walked, so I had to drop down to just XL and I was shocked that even those, are fitting just right / not tight. My stomach fat is getting soft and squishy, my pants are VERY loose to the point where I cannot wear them where I used to (under my gut) now I have to wear them around my belly button / waist.   Not sure where my weight is right now, I'll weigh in either Saturday or Sunday and I'll update when I do.   Emotionally I've been great! And I'm glad that things are going so well.   Stay Strong!
Matt Z

Matt Z

6
h0pefullh3art's Post-Op
 

Day 2 After Banded

Well, Day two post-op has come and gone, went out shopping with my mom for a few hours to get out of the house. Pain isint as bad as i thought it would be, I take tylenol now for my sore throat from the breathing tube i had during surgery. Taking it one day at a time. REALLLLYYY looking forward to finally moving onto the next stage in my diet where i actually get to eat something other than clear liquids, yes its pureed but at this point idc!!! this broth and water n gelatin isint cutting it or making me feel "full" at all. Unfortunately i also havnt been eating that much because i havnt really had an appetite, my mom is tryin to make sure i eat but its so hard when i have no desire to. Sleeping has gotten a lot easier, since i have always been a side sleep or belly sleeping on my back was difficult but now im able to lay on my one side with no problems. Incisions are really starting to itch, and its soo hard not to put lotion on them to calm it down but i know i cant. my 8 staples are coming out monday afternoon!! Cant wait!!. and i took my first post-op shower today, the hot water felt amazing on my sore shoulders, made sure i didnt soak my incisions, and i feel cleaner now thankfully. IDK why but to me it still seems like i had nothing other than a regular surgery done. My stomach doesnt feel any different but that is prob due to the fact im still on only liquids. well see how tomorrow goes.. Well thats my update so far, I dont think i forgot anything...... -K
h0pefullh3art

h0pefullh3art

2
SumthinsGottaGive's Blog
 

The Importance Of Being Honest...

I posted this as my status today:   "This journey, regardless of how much or how little support we have, is an individual one. No one else can lose the weight for you. Take the encouragement, the support, the good w/the bad and separate the meat from the bones... and ultimately do what works and what's best for you! That is always a key in success!"   How does this tie in to honesty? Well, I'll tell you. I've noticed, not only in the few short days I've been banded, but in the entire time I've been researching lap band, that everyone has advice to give. We all want the keys to success; what it took for others to lose the weight; the exercises and the food they ate. But the truth is, what works for one won't always work for everyone else.   Not everyone gained the weight because they've over eaten or because they're lazy. Just like everyone has their own reasons for gaining the weight, everyone will have their own means of losing it, even if we are all using the same tool. Encouragement and advice are great and I know we all have a lot to learn on this journey, but it starts with being honest with ourselves.   We were honest (or vain) enough to realize we needed the lap band and now it's about being honest enough to admit our limitations and strongholds. Food is an addiction that we're trying to kick (we know that), but my food addiction isn't yours. My habits are not yours, and I have to be real enough with myself to understand that if I'm going to succeed, I have to do what is going to work for me.. and you need to do what will work for you. This starts with listening to your surgical team, dietician, nutritionist, etc.   If there's one thing that remains consistent in all of the advice I've received from successful lap banders, it would be, "If you follow the rules, you'll lose the weight." Not just the universal lap band rules, but those set forth for your individual program, for your individual needs. One of the dangers of trying to follow the regimen of someone else is that you may not be able to live up to it, because it's not tailor made for you. And on this journey, that is one thing I think is definitely a plus; the capability to contour the band to work for YOU! Remember that there are people that have health issues and co-morbidities that may affect their regimen. Don't waste time trying to compare yourself to everyone else, do what works for you!   We all want to be successful.. get this weight off and strut our stuff! Be healthier...be happier! For me, it's starts with doing what works for me and building from there! =)   O well, that's enough ranting for now. Just had a few things on my mind I wanted to share.   All the best!! -Mary-
SumthinsGottaGive

SumthinsGottaGive

5
Journey2Health
 

Hard To "go"...anyone?

I was banded 2 days ago and since this I haven't had a BM. I feel very bloated like my tummy is all puffed up and I think it's contributing to my discomfort in my post op healing. I got a little worried when I searched for "constipation" and read some horror stories about some people still having these issues years down the road. I DESPERATELY hope this is just a phase as I'm transitioning back to real food. I've never had any issues and I've always been regular before this. I just don't like this feeling...any advice?? Is it too early to try Milk of Magnesia???
journeytohealth

journeytohealth

6

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