FLORIDAYS

I am not a medical technologist but I'm not sure why they would need 7 tubes of blood. You may want to check with the lab where the tests are being done to see how much blood they actually needed. I am sure they will just redo the test on another day. Perhaps the vein gave out when she switched the tubes... but not sure why they wouldnt stick you again. I wouldnt worry... if they need more the dr will order it.

I have had my band for 24 months. I have lost 220 lbs and am actually home recovering from my tummy tuck and breast lift/aug. I never once considered failure to be an option because I knew the band would do its job if I did mine. And it did.

Just take a deep breath. You arent going to die and you will be fine. You had a successful surgery and from what I can tell seem to be recovering well. I might suggest some couseling to get you through the withdrawls going on in your life... food, Family, nicotine... those are some major hurdles and it might be smart just to speak to someone about them... It couldnt hurt. All the best to you....

I was on liquids....just 2 weeks post op so I got to cook for my family....and not eat one damn bite. But I didn't care... I was so excited to lose this weight...and honestly I really didn't even want the food..I just enjoyed preparing it for others... I started mushies on new years day. Mashed potatoes and after 5 weeks on liquid they were the best thing I have ate in my life. Lol

Just back from the doctor visit for my post op.... Told me all that extra skin weighed just under a pound.... Can you believe it...? 4 " of skin just doesn't weigh that much I guess. He did say there wasn't much fat behind it so he didn't need to do any lipo. The skin from the breast lift weighed about the same which I though was funny.... He said he was glad I decided to do the implants as there wasn't much left after he removed all the sag skin. I would have been a small A. I didn't go huge...they only put in 250ccs which should turn out to be a full B cup when all the swelling goes down. The dr kept admiring his work...and mine as several times he looked at my before pic and just marveled at the difference. He seemed happy with my recovery and anticipates the swelling should diminish in a week or so....

Thanks. I am surprised actually. I Mean it's uncomfortable but have only taken the pain meds at night to be sure I sleep....may even forgo them tonight.

Hear hear!!!

Honestly...Once I made the decision to get banded I never looked back. I find it a waste of time to dwell on things I cannot change....and since I wanted to lose the weight forever and finally keep it off more than anything else I have ever done... I accepted the drastic measures I took to get there.

Your bites should be about the size of a fingernail and even then you need to chew chew chew. You also want to take about 20 minutes to finish a cup or so of food.... if you do that you shouldn't have that horrible stuck feeling.

Bandsters aren't supposed to feel full. They're supposed to feel satisfied which is a feat until you get into the green zone... Just keep following your plan and you will get there and the weight will continue to fall off. Hang in there.

Nope... I call it my permanent reminder of a temporary feeling

Well look at AJ... A few hrs of vacation Well look at AJ... A few hrs of vacation and she is an IT genius... You go girl

It's hard to add any words of wisdom to all these great posts...but I must encourage you to weigh and measure all your portions and track your calories....and I mean everything that goes in your mouth except tooth paste. I ate 1000 calories through every stage and before getting into the green zone is very hard...but you can do it!!!

I don't think you can... I can't anyway ....and I cannot do it from my iPad either...only the online site.

As the otherrs have said right now just drink drink drink.... The first week if too had trouble getting in my calories....it gets better...I promise.

I didn't blend anything.... I just chewed it into oblivion before I swallowed. Of course I stayed away from anything like steak, pork chops ....pasta...I ate lots of tuna, applesauce, cottage cheese, Soups.... And on a separate note... We don't get more than we can handle although I know it feels like it now.... Just rest when you can and keep eating right and it will all be fine....

Wonderful news. Congrats on making a very important decision and taking control of your health

I am not sure what you mean.... We all must learn to eat until we are satisfied ...not full. Once the post up liquid was over Mr dr had me eating 3 oz of protien, 1/2 c veggies and 1/4 c starch at every meal. No more than that.

The scar is higher than I though it would be but he did the best he could making sure the top and the bottom were tight.... I think it's going to heal nicely

It's a shame you weren't given more instruction... But liquids for 2 weeks is the norm... I was on clear liquids for the first week then creamy liquids the 2nd week. The cream would be like soups with no meat or noodles, protien shakes... Yogurt with no fruit or goodies in them.... That sort of thing. Try to limit your calories during this time so you still lose... My dr had me on 1200 which was almost impossible. I just couldn't eat that much. Then the third week I was on mushies... Which is basically anything you can mush up in a blender ...I avoided meats except chicken salad and tuna basically because blended burgers just looked too gross. Lol. Avoid breads and anything crunchy. Applesauce, mashed potatoes and foods easily digestsble work well. But even during that stage I had no more than 3 oz protien, 1/4 c starch and 1/2 c of veggies at each meal.... Which totaled 1000 calories. Dont hesitate to call your drs office if you hav questions or feel you need more instruction. That's what they are there for.

Remember not to eat until you are full, eat until you are satisfied... On mushies or solids You should be eating about 3 oz protien, 1/2 c vegs and 1/4 c starch at every meal.

Hopefully you feel badly enough to avoid that mistake again... You could have caused some serious damage this early on. I know how hard this is... But I also know you must want this badly ...so jump back on board and make it happen. You can do it!

I am with you... I have been paying insurance through my employer for 30 years... They would cover high blood pressure meds, diabetes if I had it and shoot even a heart attack but they wouldn't pay for me to get help losing weight. It's just a fact of life and i agree it stinks.

This is the hardest time. It will get better.... Hang in there and do not succumb to the cravings. You can do it !

Sounds normal...and you haven't gained..... I assume you are on liquids.... But you still want to be watching calories and salt intake. You will see a loss before you know it. Your body is in recovery mode.