FLORIDAYS

I had 5 incisions. By 3 months post op I could only see 2.... And sometime in the last 24 months those have also disappeared. I didn't use anything. Now that I have had my tummy tuck I will be buying some merdema cream to help this one along since it's hip to hip...but the dr said it should fade on its on within a year since I am past the collagen producing years.... But I am not taking any chances....lol

Suzy you hit the nail on the head.... It's not complicated if you follow drs orders and eat what you are supposed to. In my opinion i never had a gain during my losing journey because I never bent the rules. Sure there are times you want to pig out and eat something that would prevent you from losing that day but that's where the beauty of the band shines... And unlike any other diet it's a constant reminder that you just cannot do it and get the results you desire. Sometimes my band and I would go to bed early so we didn't have to consider bad choices...lol I call the band my permanent reminder of a temporary feeling! Congratulations on your success!

My dr said I need to take 20 minute to eat about a cup of food...so that may be where your problems lie... I am glad you are going in for a dr visit...be sure to discuss these things with the surgeon.

Two gummy vitamins once a day

I am at goal basically so I am not dieting... And watching my calories like i did while i was losing.... But since don't want to gain back the weight, I listen to my band and stop after small portions. The band physically will not let me overeat but it doesn't stop me from eating the wrong things....that's up to me. I know if I eat too many calories I will gain weight. So I chose not to do it but I certainly don't think of it as a diet...it's more of a lifestyle change.

Wow I am so sorry to hear this. I had my tt and breast lift and aug Tuesday ...I went grocery shopping today. I wish you all the best on your recovery !!!

Just like the band...different drs and different techniques I suppose... I went out shopping again today...grocery this time and wasmfine although had a little trouble when the cart started getting heavy. Actually took the help with the carry out which I never do and had hubby unload and put away... I needed to sit down for a bit then did some laundry, cooked dinner and we went to a Christmas party... Swelling isn't too bad today but the bruising is coming in nice and pretty....lol.

Welcome! I wish you well on your journey!

Its pretty early on in my opinion but....it's just my opinion.

Don't forget our chest cavities were filled with air or gas or whatever they use and blownup so the dr could move around in there and place your band. Then he sewed your port to the inner walll of your abdomen so it is normal for it to be swollen and no doubt irritated. It will go down in time as your body heals....i i hope you feel better soon!

I had my first alcoholic drink after I lost the first 100 lbs.... 6 months after banding. It was vodka and water w a splash of cranberry...heavy on the water.

Keep to your plan and portion control. This is a great time to start tracking your foods if you haven't started already. Best wishes for continued success!

Thanks...just want to be able to help others get through the tough times ...and to know that it is SO WORTH THE EFFORT!!!! happy holidays to you too!

Rhonda..since i am not a professional in nutrition i can only tell you what worked for me. I followed my drs instruction which was the following for mushies and solids. For every meal...3 times a day..each meal no more than 300 calories 3 oz protien 1/2 cup veggies 1/4 cup starch 2 Snacks of fruit, vegetable or protien no more than 100 calories Maybe you could follow that until you can meet with your nutritionist Or dr. That 1000 calories kept me completely full and if I was really desperate and hungry I would throw in a sugar free Popsicle at 25 calories in the evening. You may need more calories so check with the dr. I hope this helps. The most important thing to do it to track every calorie you put in your mouth.

Sorry you are struggling.... And please dont take this as uncaring but you cannot eat whatever you want and lose weight. You most likely have very little restriction so you need to discipline yourself until you get to the green zone which may be several months. I know it's hard...and frustrating but The band won't help you unless you help yourself. Go back to basics... How many calories are you supposed to be eating? I was on 1000 each day with portion controlled portions of 3 oz protien, 1/2 c of veggies and 1/4 c of starch for every meal. Is your plan similar to this?

Did your dr suggest protien shakes until you got to the mushie stage? Oh wait you are in mushies aren't you.... Hmmm. How about those to go containers of fat free cottage cheese, tiny cans of tuna, v8 juice sodium free, yogurt.... And Soup always works.... I know you have a lot on your plate..... But make sure you are getting those calories in. You need your health!

It's so individualized... I had a bunch of weight to lose. I think the 22 I lost pre op was all water and salt retention....lol. I lost another 21 in the weeks of post op liquids before I moved to mushies.... And honesty when I averaged it all out it worked out to 10 lbs a month. Some months were 5 lbs and other 15.... There was no rhyme or reason with it.

Finally slept a full 8 hrs without any Vicodin!!! That was a feat in itself. But then I looked in the mirror and saw more bruises then I imagine are on those NFL players after a game.... OMG... I look like I have been roughed up pretty well. On Friday the dr warned me they would start appearing...well he was right... Yesterday I bought a Spanx like garment which is high waisted. The dr said it would help with the torso swelling. Well it helped alright... The swelling is down but the bruising has surfaced...LOL And I am exercising the girls..... So much to learn. Evidentially for the rest of my life every day I am supposed to do massage exercises to keep them soft and supple.... This cracks me up. But I am doing it... only takes a minute in the morning and night but for the next few weeks I have to add in an extra massage at lunchtime.

That is awesome. Congratulations!!!

Overeating causes strain on the band so maybe it's your bands way of reminding you not to overeat.... I would do liquids for today and let it rest....but always check to see what your dr thinks.

No sleeping restrictions for me.... My dr said to get comfortable any way you want.

After liquids my dr is not an advocate of protien. Shakes. he prefers I get my protien from food. I think it's all way too confusing to try to remember how many grams of protien i am supposed to have so he made it really simple. Eat 3 oz of protien at each meal.... Protien is fish, chicken, eggs, tuna, pork, beef, beans....look on the Internet for thousands of lists of what constitutes protien. He said if I did that on a daily basis and took my multi gummy vitamin I wouldn't have any issues...and I haven't. Maybe ask your dr or NUT what he thinks.

Happened to me numerous times over the first year. I was on a monthly visit schedule after surgery meaning i went for weigh in and visit with dr to discuss progress and get fill if needed each and every month. I lost an average of 10 lbs each and every month. Before i was in the green zone Sometimes I KNEW I needed a fill and we would discuss it and he would ask me questions about what and when and how often I was eating and he would tell me he thought I could go without. In the beginning I didn't know my band well enough to argue. As I progressed he was confident that I knew and he was less stingy.

I was on a 2 week liquid diet and lost 22 lbs

I haven't heard about the research but in my experience it doesn't work for me. I am 2 years banded and from the beginning my dr told me to not drink 30 minutes before or after eating. I did it religiously for the first few months... Then I found I was fine drinking before eating but if I drink while eating or to soon after eating it wasn't pretty. For me the liquid pushes the food back up and I cannot swallow it. So while this research may have validity I will stick to following my drs orders and not drink while eating and wait a reasonable time afterward.