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Blog 88371
 

2 Weeks Post-op...

:biggrin:Well, 2 weeks have gone past and I feel great... not perfect but so much better every day. I am still on liquids but I'm finally on full liquids... I have my first post-op appt. with my surgeon a week from tomorrow. Luckily, I went to my primary doctor and he found i have an infection in one of my incisions... that we are treating with a strong anti-biotic... The small incisions from the lapband installation have been healing well and besides a little itching are not bothersome but the incision for the filter for blood clots and the incision to fix my hernia are still a pain in my a$$... Hopefully, I will be feeling completely like myself soon... I went to the movies once with my husband, it was hard to sit up for 2 hours but nice to get out.... I missed the popcorn...LOL I went scrapbooking for a couple hours yesterday with a bunch of friends and that felt great... So I'm doing so much better. I'm excited to be taking this journey with you all.
diznediva

diznediva

1
Blog 89625
 

My journey begins

I'd like to introduce myself to this LAP-BAND®® world. I work as a nurse in the O.R. at a hospital that is ranked as a Bariatric Center for Excellence. I've been trying to have this surgery for about 2 years. June 2009 I was diagnosed with diabetes and was at my top weight of 235. About 4 months later my husband suddenly passed away, and my life changed forever. I was finally able to have my surgery 7 days ago. I weighed 205 on the morning of my surgery, bounced up to 209 the next day, but was down to 195 this morning. I can't imagine feeling any better than I do. I had extreme shoulder pain after my surgery and a bout of SubQ emphysema or "rice krispies" in my neck and shoulders which finally resolved. I've had a few hunger pains, but 4oz. of skim milk usually does the trick. My first fill will be next Thursday. Can't hardly wait!
anabel

anabel

3
Blog 85396
 

I let it go for good!!

Ok...so that last time I posted...I took ownership of my smoking habit and finally faced the fact that if I was going to pursue this lap band procedure any longer, I was going to have to let them go for good. Besides having my surgeon flat out refuse to perform the surgery on me if I smoked, deep down I just really wanted to not be a smoker. So one day I let it go. I refused to be a prisoner any longer to nicotine. Trust me though....nicotine fought a good fight. I went through a whole week of being irritated at EVERYTHING and EVERYONE:cursing:. I couldn't sleep very well and I ate like nobodies business:eek:. It was a scary week...but I made it through it. I wouldn’t change it for anything. I am so excited that I am no longer being held hostage by a cigarette....sure, I still have the normal cravings but I like to call them "Head cravings". I am really beginning to like the fact that I no longer run to have a smoke when times get tough and I am trying a different and healthier approached when face with anxiety.
ShellieBell

ShellieBell

4
Blog 79623
 

2-1/2 week update

Wow! It's been about 2-1/2 weeks since my surgery. The time has really flown by. Except for my incisions still being scabbed over and not being able to eat yet, I feel like my old self. I'm still on clear liquids and 1/3 of a Carnation Instant Breakfast drink 3x a day. I actually feel better than my old self because I feel much lighter! Since my official starting weight at the surgeon's office in Nov, I have lost a total of 41 lb. Since surgery, I've lost 9 lb (well, really 16 lb since I gained about 7 lb with surgery). Yesterday, I went through my clothes, tried on things, and bagged up clothes that are just too big now. I'm going to offer the things in decent shape to my friend. Now I have to go shopping pretty soon because I'm running out of clothes! I used to hate shopping and avoided it as much as I could, but I have a feeling that I will really enjoy shopping again!   Easter was a challenge, but I made it through. Cooked for the family (brunch & dinner). I really had to fight not blenderizing some of the dishes and eating, but the worst I did was lick a couple of spoons. On Monday, I used my Magic Bullet & made soups from the leftover veggies (artichokes and asparagus) and then froze the soups to use when I start purees (after my followup with the surgeon on Friday, 4/09). I'm going to do the same with the other leftovers, might make a cheesy potato soup and a split pea with ham soup. Can't wait!   Even though I am counting the hours until Fri so I can start mushies, I'm a little nervous about it. I'll be going from about 100-200 calories a day to more calories, and it seems that will add weight back on. If my surgeon says I can start exercising, I think that will help. We just bought an elliptical that I'd like to get going on.   Probably will go back to work on Sat and I'm actually looking forward to it!
matilda01

matilda01

3
Blog 85870
 

Feeling better!

So, after my miserable HUNGRY blog i am feeling better!! Monday afternoon the hunger pains started to go away and my mood lifted a little. I am not sure why. I didn't do anything different. I haven't been that hungry since. I have been trying to stay more positive and thinking about the future and how great I am going to feel. Its starting to get warm here in New England and I tried on a few Capri's that were too tight last year and they fit! That has made a big difference in my mood.   So, being 8 days post op, this is what I am eating: Water, diluted juice, jello, SF Popsicles, chicken broth, and 3 protein shakes with Calorie Countdown fat free milk. I did get a really good tip from Janet to add saltine crackers in the broth for a little something extra. I haven't done it yet but if the hungry horrors return, i will!   Weight wise, I am down 10 pounds since surgery date (March 29). I am very pleased with this and I just hope it continues. I started this journey at 224. I did the Atkins diet to lose the required weight for surgery. Pre-Op I weighed in at 211. Today the scale said 201. Doing pretty well.   Pain wise, i have next to none. I am a little sore where the port is and thats about it. I have no complaints. My surgeon did tell me to put Vitamin E on my scars to help fade them. I haven't heard of that one yet but I started it this morning.   I have my dietitian meeting on Friday where I learn about the 2nd stage of this process and graduate to pured/mushies. Can't wait! I am craving refried beans, chili, applesauce, yogurt, etc. Only 2 more days. I can make it.   So far so good. I haven't regretted my decision and I can't wait to see where this band takes me!! Hope all is well with the rest of you all out there!!
Jilly29

Jilly29

4
Blog 397
 

3 weeks 1 day post-op

Just got back from my walk. Finally can exercise!! (I had surgery on my foot and finally it is OK!) Now I have to wait till I can do those sit-ups, weights etc....Dr. Aceves said 6 weeks....I started soft yesterday. Ate some instant mashed potatoes, things went ok, I can tell when to stop and eat very slow. Forgot how I don't like instant mashed potatoes so that will be my last serving of that! Today I am going to try egg salad for lunch. Trying hard to get fluid in. My protein has been 70+ gms. Taking my vits etc. I am so glad I did this. For once I really feel like this is going to work! My clothes are getting baggy. I have smaller sizes waiting for me. Not going to buy any more clothes till I am @ goal. ONWARD!!! Next weigh-in 4/18
Dee

Dee

0
Blog 1107
 

A little update on me!

Things are going well. I still have diarrhea like crazy-but my doctor and I are working on that.   I was stuck on a stall for the past few weeks hovering around 180. Up to 182, down to 180, up to 181, etc. This just so frustrating since I am working out like crazy. (I really enjoy it) I also watch what I eat, but I felt like I was slipping in that department. Nothing ever sounded good, so I would end up eating something I probably shouldn't have. (Nothing awful, but just maybe 20 more carbs than I had planned on)   So Monday I buckled down and started on protein shakes again. I have lost 4 lbs since Monday, so obviously it is working! I have one shake when I get up, a banana with peanut butter before I go running, another shake for lunch and then a sensible, protein filled dinner. It is working! So I will stick with this for a while and see how it goes. I am so glad the scale is moving again though!
excited2lose

excited2lose

0
How I lost 100lbs
 

We have restriction, I repeat we have restriction!

So after 5 or 6 fills (I forget which, I could be lying, maybe 3 or 4, ok 5 whatever) I have yet to TRULY feel restriction, it works for a day or so then eh I could really eat what I wanted it, if I wanted to... I finally.. finally have restriction and this couldn't be better after a 15lbs gain in the last month - my doctor says not to worry because it's muscle - my measurements are way down... so they say there's nothing to "do" per say besides eat right and exercise, which I'm doing. But I gotta admit I was upset to see the scale going UP, but I think it'll be on it's way back down here.. I have no appetite.. FINALLY! YAY RESTRICTION!!!!
Yvette1026

Yvette1026

5
Blog 82799
 

Insurance Request for Surgery...Huh? 4/6/10

So I logged in to see what's going on with my insurance claims & referrals today.   I saw that there were four separate requests for surgeries rather than just one. So, do they have to spell out what they're asking for & cast a wide net by specifically requesting "bypass, v-band, rny, & LAP-BAND®"? Is that the way they do it?   I really hope that's how it's s'posta go & one of 'em "sticks", although I really do not want one of the procedures that actually rearrange your guts - I just want my guts to be "belted" :scared2:   As of a few minutes ago the status of all of 'em was "pending review". Crossing my fingers (and toes) that I'll get the thumbs-up...quickly!   I hate the ups & downs of waiting, being hopeful, disappointed, frustrated, excited, etc. Guess I swapped out yo-yo dieting for yo-yo emotions   Gotta *try* to stay positive & keep telling myself my new, healthy life *will* begin, and soon!
desperate4aband

desperate4aband

1
Blog 89502
 

24 days till Surgery

I am new to this site. I am happy to be able to journal my progress. My weight right now is 218. I have been denied by my insurance two times. I am two years out from a breast cancer diagnosis. I have had surgery, chemo and radiation. I am healthy except for my weight. I am wanting to loose the balance of my weight because the only contributing factor to the breast cancer was obesity MY top weight was 267 and I lost 100 lbs and have put on 51. I am afraid I will continue to go up. I also don't want to gain weight on purpose so my insurance with pay for the surgery, therefore I am paying for the lapband myself. I am praying for peace and wisdom in this path to being healthy.
thinatheart

thinatheart

3
Blog 74845
 

Sacrifices...

I'm down another 3 pounds from my last weigh-in which is awesome and wonderful and exciting! I feel like my recent pound droppage is at the expense of my sleep lately though. I had a 5-8 week battle with severe acid reflux at night then I started prescription prilosec, some home remedies, changed my eating time, propped up my head at night and I finally have noticed an improvement in the acid reflux. Now I'm left with the chronic cough brought on by acid reflux along with some strange clear liquid stuff that comes up on occasion even though I don't drink water near bedtime. So very odd, but it's not acid and it's not painful or uncomfortable. I'm starting a cough suppressant tonight and here's hoping that this wonderful weight loss I've been experiencing lately won't be at the sacrifice of quality sleep....
Alyce24

Alyce24

1
Blog 50043
 

so very thirsty!

dinner took 37 minutes to eat. it was 2 scrambled eggs. definitely feeling some restriction. i think ill hit my sweet spot at my next fill....which is next month.     it is REALLY hard not to drink while eating and waiting an hour for a drink is HELL!   so thirsty...
harliquinn

harliquinn

5
Blog 89385
 

Frustrated

I am so frustrated. I was banded on 12/07/09, and the first month I lost a bulk of my weight, 14 lbs. then I would go up and down, on a good day, I've lost 20 lbs. but it is so inconsistent. I have one fill and since that fill, I can feel the restriction and on several occasions I have apparently over eaten, an have a lot of pain and then I vomit, not very much, but after that I feel better. But I just don't know what to do about the pain and the not losing weight. I know the ultimate goal is to eat solid food, but when I started to eat solids is when the weight loss stopped. I am so tempted to go back to the protein shakes w/few carbs. Any suggestions would be helpful.
sueblicious

sueblicious

1
Blog 69714
 

Long Time...Life Continues

Greetings! I am happy to say that my wt loss is continuing to progress. I've lost 110lb since my surgery 7/20/09 (actually, that includes pre-op diet), but regardless, I'm only 20lb away from my goal. I'm really finding that sugar impedes my wt loss dramatically, so am re-focusing on whole foods, veggies and meats mostly. I will say that over the last few months I have become a HUGE fan of Muscle Milk and have at least one per day, two if I'm being good. No PBing and sometimes band irritation, but it passes in a day or two. I can't expect to have zero pain with a plastic zip tie cinched around my stomach. My only other real news is that I was diagnosed with uterine cancer at the end of Feb 2010, related to my previous obesity and PCOS. A shock really (esp at 31yo) and very sad as I have not yet had any children. But I'm working through it and doing my best to remain positive. I'm also trying to stay away from refined foods for cancer health. It's finally warm here again, 95 degrees I think and I have to say I'm ok to say goodbye to the snow for now. So hope you are all doing well out there in the interweb. Until next time.
bestbette

bestbette

4
Blog 85448
 

The No-Progress Zone

Lost 10 pounds the first week after surgery; lost 31 in the three months prior. Have gained four pounds; then dropped two. My husband asked me what the point of the surgery was, since it was my own efforts that made the most significant change? Good Question. I have no restriction, and can eat normal foods, although the oddest things make me queasy - today it was two pretzels I ate as a precurser to my Oracea. The first fill is next week...I haven't been doing as well as I should with my protein shakes, so I actually had to force myself to work in a few extras yesterday which helped on the scale. A lot of the time I'm not hungry, so I find myself going too long between meals and then being ravenous.
RavenClaw779

RavenClaw779

1
Blog 80443
 

I got a date 4-13-10

I finally got a date and I am so excited. I have been busting my tail on this pre-op diet. I was so excited that I started the pre-op diet a week in advance. I mean I have never been so excited and nervous at the same time. Like I said once before I like to thank everyone on this site and continue to pray for me. Thanks family!
bsmithpbs1914

bsmithpbs1914

3
Blog 81574
 

Calories = Money

I have noticed a new way that I look at calories. I equate them to money. Before the band, I had a vague idea about needing to eat around 2000 calories a day to maintain my weight but I never really counted them, it was like a checkbook with an unlimited supply of money.   Now when I get up in the morning I think about how I have 1200 calories in my "account". If I eat (spend) more than that my account gets overdrawn. I can make a deposit by exercising, if I choose to. Or I can just "live within my means" and choose my food wisely. Obviously the band helps tremendously in this with portion control, but I often look at something and decide it just isn't worth the "cost".   Just like if I were shopping, I would never buy something without seeing how much it cost, now I would never eat something without seeing how much it "cost" in calories.   So here is my food budget, 250-300 for each of my three meals, and 150-200 for my snacks. If I want to spend more, I have to work harder (exercise) and make more.   So keeping a journal of my food is similar to keeping a checkbook journal for me, and equally effective.
LeighaMason

LeighaMason

1
Blog 85662
 

No restriction???

So I was given my first fill of 4.5 cc's on March 27th and I feel no restriction. Is there something wrong or is this normal to get what I thought was a good fill and not have any restriction yet? Is this a sign of a leak?
outdoorgirl

outdoorgirl

2
Blog 61819
 

15 days post op

Today i start mushies! I feel so good! sometimes when i do to much i feel a little pain in my band area then i realize ohh-oh gotta take a brake. its tuff to "recover" with a 2 year old and a 4 year old taring apart my house. Laundry still needs to get done floor need to get moped..ect. I have not won the lottery yet so i have to do all that my self. I got on the scale this morning 223!!! (started at 245) I officially love my band. Hopefully i will love it even more when i can eat real food. I hate to vomit so right now my prayers include please lord never let me vomit.
princesslaurie1

princesslaurie1

2
Misadventures of a Bona Fide Diva! ME...
 

Incisions, Accidents & TOM - OH MY!

SO I'm officially on week 3. YEAH! Not really. This has been one heck of a week. I only lost about 3.8 (yes point 8) pounds this week as opposed to 5 each of the previous two weeks. So I automatically assumed it was A STALL! But along comes TOM and since I hadn't seen TOM since January, I was certain I would be retaining something. But the awesome thing is I didn't gain 5-7 lbs like I normally do and I didn't even know it was coming I didn't have any insane cravings at all. Hopefully the scale will start to move in the GOOD direction once this is all over.   Remember I said I thought I was gonna die from an infection...I may not have said that but that's what I was thinking :scared0: Well I did what Dr. Aceves said and VOILA! My scars look like bad acne that I just couldn't stop scratching and the long one looks like a cat got to my belly. All is well on that front, thank goodness.   Today I was involved in a car accident. I was rear-ended taking my daughter to her first day of nursery school. I'm sitting at my desk slumped over. My back hurts really bad and I just hope and pray I'm not going to be putting off exercise anymore. I haven't done enough of it as it is and really don't need the "excuse". But I will go see a doctor just to be safe.   Did I mention I LOVE MY SLEEVE? I've been trying mushies and since it's on the list...I'm going to try some melon tonight. I tried a scrambled egg and it was OK but after about 3 nibbles it just felt like a creepy crawler going down, I didn't like it too much. It didn't come back up so I guess that's a good thing.   The weather is warming up, my tummy is slimming down or at least the back rolls are (these thighs look like they won't go without a fight) and I can't wait to be in full swing with losing.
Bona Fide Diva

Bona Fide Diva

2
The Sweet Spot
 

4/6/10 Blog Updates

4/3/10 Easter Crazy 4/4/10 In My Easter Bonnet 4/5/10 The Secret To Weight Loss 4/6/10 OK You Scale Whores, Get Out your Spreadsheets   All Here: http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/  
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

1
Blog 88043
 

Going for fill #2 on Saturday

I don't feel restricted as I thought I would So I am going for a 2nd fill on Saturday, plus a support group meeting. I need to get recharged, my zeal has waned, guess the honeymoon is over. Now the real work begins. I sometimes get the feeling I can feel my band, especially when I drink cold water. It feels like its right under my ribcage YIKES! :scared2: Does anyone else feel this way? I met a lovely woman from Canada who got banded the same day as me. We have shared so many stories, I am blessed to have found her. I want to feel full and satisfied, I don't want to be hungry 2 hours after I eat. Right now I don't know if its my nerves or am I truly hungry. My stomach is growling all the time but that is from the band I think. OH well I guess I will get the hang of this soon, I hope.
Cmor2k

Cmor2k

1

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