Joleen

I think it depends on a few different things!!! Your age for one and what you do!!! I am a nurse and do a lot of bending and lifting (I am a home health wound care nurse). I am also 47 yrs. old. I was planning on going back to work in one week, but that wasn't a great idea. I was still having lots of pain and I was still extremely tired from not drinking a lot. I am going back to work Monday (2 wks. post op), that is more reasonable for me, and seems to be about average for most! Good luck, Joleen

I got the same run a round from Tricare!!! The reps do not know anything, you actually have to talk to the bariatric spec. that only handle WLS. I found this out by talking with my doc office. Just ask them to give you a doctor, but keep track of everything. I got a call after 5:30pm the Friday before my surgery because Tricare tried to say all the referrals weren't in, my surgery was all ready scheduled for MONDAY AM!!!! We had to fight until 6:30pm to straighten it out. The girl that handle my case in the office gave tricare her cell phone and worked on it from home!!!! Tricare requires a dietician, and a psych consult. They DO NOT require any time limit!!! That is up to your physician!!! If you have comorbidities they can ask for more ie sleep studies! I saw my doctor on November 18th and was banded March 28th. One of the reasons I had to wait is the doctors office got behind scheduling! Hope this helps!! Joleen

I had a great post op visit with my surgeon this morning. It was so nice to find out if everything I was feeling was normal! I was banded on 3/28 so this is day 10 post op! He told me the pain I have been having around my port is natural since they do sew it to the abdominal wall! They sew it to the muscle with sutures so as you heal and you are moving it takes time to heal but it does heal fine and it is sutured in tight enough not to flip or move now days! I was also worried about band slippage (the nurse practitioner also came in and answered some questions) she said that slippage usually occurs within 5 days post op and happens because the sutures the band is sewn in with become loose (usually 3 - 6 sutures) because of violent excessive vomiting or a traumatic event like a car accident. After 5 days the sutures are usually healed enough to anchor the band in place. Saying that she said it is still important to stay on full liquids for 14 days post op to ensure continued healing then slowly progress to soft diet. I can start the soft diet Monday and she told me to choose soft meats and instead of pureeing them I can cut them to the size of a pencil eraser, which I think I will try instead of pureed meat! Regarding hunger eat Protein first because that fills you up faster and try to eat/drink every two hours. I told them I was starting to get hungry! It is normal for most to get hungry after the swelling goes down. I will be getting my first fill in 4 weeks! (I think I might stick a tblsp. of Peanut Butter in my Protein shake which is ok) I can exercise, but only walk on treadmill or outside. I can resume normal activity after 6 weeks checkup, which is what all surgeons say! I feel so much better knowing that everything is ok! Hope this helps for all those waiting to see their surgeons, but this is just and FYI, letting you know what my surgeon says is not what all surgeons say!! Peace, Joleen

I was contacted by Dr. Oz producers a while back. I think they got my name from here, since I wasn't on any other WLS forums or sites. Anyway she asked me to email her my story and she would get back to me ASAP about "an upcoming episode on the lap band" I guess this was it and I missed the episode. I emailed her my story, but she never contacted me (ASAP or slow) LOL I was excited to tell my story but who knows what happened! I will watch the episode on my lap top! Thanks for posting, Joleen

Congrats on losing 20 lbs. so far!!! So in order to break your bad habits you have to first recognize them and want to change, which you have! Change is tough and it doesn't happen overnight. When you go out can you limit yourself to the lower alcoholic drinks and switch between alcohol and Water? As for fast food you just have to say NO, or have a healthy choice on the menu, but when your drinking it's harder! Are you going to a gym or working out? I think when I work out I try harder to be better!!! You live in LA so there is a lot to do. Find other interest, take a photography class, or dance lessons. Start focusing on healthy choices!!! You can do this!!! Ask yourself what you do like to do, and ask your friends to join you! There is a lot to do other then the bar scene you just have to look!!! Good luck and we are all here for you!!! Joleen

fly- so glad to hear from you I was thinking of you right before i saw your post. I know how you feel!! The gas is the worst! Keep walking! This will be my 5th day post op and it's not easy! I all ready think "boy, I hope I didn't over eat (drink)". At the most I have been able to eat at one time was about 3-4 oz of cream potato soup. I had so much gas after, I think it was too much. I am going to use my calorie counter just to keep track of my ounces. I just don't want to overeat. I still feel really full and bloated today!

Looks like we had our surgery on the same day! My post op is going OK, the gas is the worst. I walk a lot and take gas x, but it is still a problem. Everyday I wake up thinking it will get better. My doctor says Clear Liquids first 2 days then full liquids so I am on full liquids now, it is hard it's not that I'm starving, but I NEED to chew. I was on a Liquid Protein 2 weeks prior, also! I'm losing a lot of weight too, but I hope with a balanced diet and exercise I can keep it off!!! Hope you keep on the good road to recovery! PEACE, Joleen

good tip on the protein powder!!! I eat gas x like they are going out of style, but it only works so much, yes walking helps too!!

Thanks Marcy! I will try that! I know how tempting parties are! You did fine! I love Turkey burgers we make mini ones and call them sliders!!! Good choice to nix the bun!!! Peace, Joleen

Time does fly!!! April 1st all ready and we are looking back! Hope everyone is recouping ok!!! I am 5 days post op! I was banded on 3/28, the gas is still a huge problem. I am not really hungry but trying to drink! My doctor had me on Clear liquids 2 days post op, yesterday I started my full liquids! I can only eat 1/2 of a pudding at a time, maybe 3 cc's of Protein shake, 4 cc's of creamed Soup (I did make potato soup all low fat I squished the potato's to mush and did have to bite a couple), I got paranoid so I am going to strain all Soups from now on!!! I take sips of H2O in between! I did have an episode of gagging that scared me!!! I tried to open a Colace (stool softner) and put it in Jello, NEVER EVER do this. It tasted like horrible ooey, gooey motor oil. It smelt like hot tires. I gagged and it hurt my port!!! That has been my worst episode since I have been home! Gagging was rough, I couldn't figure out how to stop gagging until I kept rinsing my mouth out!!! I did call the doctor and get my 2 week follow up appointment and the nurse said, don't worry about the gagging and not going to the bathroom, it's normal!! I will stick to prune juice when the time comes!!!! For all of you who are having a rough time, I hope each day gets better! Peace, Joleen

Tina, I know it's hard to NOT weigh yourself but really try hard!!! My cousin had surgery 1 /1/2 weeks before I did and she gained 10 lbs of Fluid, air etc.! She is just now loosing that, so she is still up from her surgery weight! I love myfitnesspal.com for a program that keeps me really honest! I love these sites because we can take from them what we need and throw the rest away!!! Just be nice to yourself and remember what the other's have said it takes at least 4 wks to heal!!! Good Luck, Joleen

Hey, I love MFP!! I love the food dairy and once I can actually EAT again, I plan on using it! I got a lot of banders on their also they stood up for me when a know it all tried to be a bully to me!!! They're a great group and very protective!!! I have relied on MFP a lot through this process!! Add me at: joleens

I am just 2 days post op but I have a friend who is 2 years banded and she said about 3 weeks post op she went to a party and thought she could eat cheese off a pizza (ugh, I don't know if I will ever try to do that) , anyway she said the same thing but worse it got "stuck" then with water it finally came back up she and her band are fine!

awinner- so sorry you are having a rough time. I hope it gets better soon! Marcy- I love the idea of sharing recipes, even though I'm on a liquid diet! I saw Rocco Disperito (sp) on Rachael Ray yesterday and he has a new cookbook out that I want to get. He makes LF jalapano poppers, mac and cheese lots of goodies! I can also relate to you and your hubby with shopping. My DH loves to eat healthy but he is a snacker. He loves popcorn, and candy! I guess we have to just get used to families carrying on with junk!!! Darn it! My hubby tried to help me when we were walking out of the hospital, he got a bag of M & M's and I just looked at him, then he said should I get the plain ones they will probably fit down your whole. Gosh, he was trying to be funny!!!! LOL I guess we can still have chocolate mousse yogurt, and chocolate shakes. I don't even know why they try to pass those off as chocolate because those shakes don't taste of any chocolate I have every had!!! Take care everyone

Well tomorrow is my big day!!! I am having my surgery at 11:30 am. I am excited, nervous and ready to have the surgery! The liquid diet was tough and I will still have to be on liquids for 2 weeks post-op! Today was strictly clear liquids and it was a long day! I just want to have somewhat of a normal life again! I have lost 11 lbs. this past 2 wks! Good luck to everyone!!! I will update everyone after my surgery! Peace, Joleen

Well tomorrow is my big day!!! I am having my surgery at 11:30 am. I am excited, nervous and ready to have the surgery! The liquid diet was tough and I will still have to be on liquids for 2 weeks post-op! Today was strictly clear liquids and it was a long day! I just want to have somewhat of a normal life again! I have lost 11 lbs. this past 2 wks! Good luck to everyone!!! I will update everyone after my surgery! Peace, Joleen

Hope you got to have your surgery today and are feeling good!!! My symptoms are getting better! Cough is better and sinus problems are lessoning! I am a home health nurse and I wish I could be in a bubble right now!!! 2 more days of work then I can relax!

I have lost 9 lbs. in 9 days on my 14 day liquid diet! It hasn't been easy and some days when I exercise and feel really weak, because I am not drinking as many shakes as I should I do eat some cottage cheese (2% snack size), I am also allowed to have broth, SF popsicles and Jello. The first week wasn't too bad but the more shakes I drink the sicker they make me, I am just sick of the sticky sweet stuff! I also worked up to my 2 weeks! Good Luck, Joleen

Honestly as you can see here everyone has a difference of opinion!!! I also believer my taster changes. I am also on my second week of my liquid diet, I get banded this Monday (YAY!), so I am pretty much sick of all of them! I can tell you that you probably will try different ones! Try not to get discourages, this weekend I was in tears over protein and my DH was running to the store for me!!! My doctor does let you have broth, jello SF and popsicles SF, and that really does help! Just do the best you can! I like Muscle Milk, Light Cafe Latte it gives me my caffeine fix! I also like Myoplex light strawberry and chocolate fudge. I have snytha-6 protein powder vanilla that I got at GNC, I mix it with 5 oz of vanilla soy milk (my friend who had a lap band does this), I try to mix these up, but I still gag on it sometimes!!!! A friend on another WL board also gave me this idea and it helps. I use one splenda and 2 tblsp. of lemon juice with H2O and Ice, It helps!!! Good Luck, Joleen

Thanks so much for the advice!!! I will watch how much Zinc that I take! I have a follow up appt. with the pulmo. doc. tomorrow, I will talk to him! Thanks for the reassurance regarding my lungs, I will make sure they check and recheck LOL

I have had a cold (which I thought were just allergies since Wednesday). I started taking Zicam, Ocean Nasal Spray, Zicam. Anything I can think of to kick it and can't. It was just nasal congestion and now it's turned also chest congestion, DARN IT. I have 8 days until surgery and I do not want to postpone it! I saw my surgeon on Thursday and he said "When we call Friday just let us know if you still have this and we will push it back a week". Any ideas of what I can do to quickly recover? Right now I am going to go do my Neti pot and put vicks on my chest. Thanks! Joleen

I hope you soon find your problem solved!!! It's no fun working hard and having it not pay off. I am going to be banded 3/28/11, and have lost over 20 lbs. since Christmas with just getting really serious recently and finishing up a week of liquids. I also just meet with my nutritionist and psychologist so it's all fresh. I agree that at times you have to up your caloric intake but that is usually when you hit a plateau because you have been eating well for quiet a while and your body is used to that lifestyle. I haven't heard of it happening early on in the program so I would cautiously up those calories. Do you journal your daily intake? I use an application on my phone, that is easy to use and keeps me honest! I think writing down what you eat is a must!!! For instance I had to make a birthday cake for my grand daughter and before I even thought about it I brought the knife up to my lips to taste the frosting!!!! Yikes, I stopped but as I went through out the day I had to stop myself several times before I condition myself not to "taste test" batter, cake, icing, decorations. I could have easily consumed 300+ empty calories while I was "baking". On my visit this week it was stressed, eat protein first and don't eat 30 minutes prior or 45 minutes after a meal and make sure you exercise. We should also chew are food throughly and enjoy each bite. I would call your MD and ask for a f/u appt. with the dietician to go over your food plan, if you still have questions. Good Luck, Joleen PS I am sure there is more advice that ppl can offer!

Hello and Good Luck on your up coming surgery!!! We have a lot in common. Our surgery dates are the same, we read a lot, and of course we have the same fears!!! I asked questions of my psychologist and dietician at Temple, but realize after reading these boards not everyone gets all their questions answered. Regarding pre-op diet. I have followed mine to the "T", the previous post is exactly right about the liver etc. That being said, your mind and body plays tricks on you, so I journal, blog and I play my own version of Survivor. I keep telling my self this is getting my body ready for my "new life". The people I have chosen to tell are supportive, if someone says something negative or says something that sways my motivation "like, how can you only drink shakes?, or how can you only live on bites of food after your surgery?", I explain it to them, but I almost start to feel superior!!!!! I explained this to the psychologist and he said it is normal and that is a tool that would help in my success! I am not going to let people make me feel bad about my choices in life anymore!!!!! I'm done, so I think everyone should surround themselves with a great support system first and foremost and educate themselves and the motivation to succeed will come also! Regarding the post-op. My team has me following a two day clear liquid then two weeks shakes then progression to full, then slowly to healthy eating (I am speeding it up here!!!), it's explained to me simply but when I was stressed out about reading some of the failure rates. If you don't follow the plan EXACTLY, the likely hood of failure greatly increases (that includes, slippage, hernias, increase reflux, ulcerations, pouch expanding, etc). So it is important to learn healthy eating habits with this tool. The first thing they said is to avoid eating and drinking at the same time (your banding will act as a funnel, and flush the food out), drink 1/2 hour prior to and 45 min. after a meal to stay full longer. Eat Protein first, ALWAYS. You will always fill up faster and less bloating. Our neurotransmitters that tell our stomachs that we are full lay at the top of our stomachs so if the band fit in that area food hits those transmitters sends a signal to your brain saying you are full. Of course the trick is getting to the reason of why we have to stuff ourselves! Tips that Temple has gives me to help overcome this are: Like previously posted, chew your food (over chew actually) When we actually chew are food we start sending those signals to the brain that trigger those transmitters telling us that we are starting to get satisifed and in 15 min. we should be full. (that's why it helps to have a small stomach because it takes us longer to eat!!!! pretty cool huh!!! So don't over stuff never ever!!! The no no on eating and drinking together! Keep a food journal, this is a must!!!! I use one on my phone. Myfitnesspal.com It also has a forum great tool!!!! Exercise, we all know why this is important! Small bites, no carbination, preferred no alcohol for at least first 18 mths. No sweet drinks that slide through or ice cream!!! Call MD for anything out of ordinary and keep all appointments. I think these are the important ones that stood out for me, but I know this board can add to this!!!! They are great support. Peace, Joleen

Sorry to hear that, with your sleeping problems ask your doc. to check for sleep apnea, the odds are high you might have at least mild and that would qualify you. I have a low BMI and have Tricare Prime. My hubby is Active Duty and the said I didn't need any comorbidities, but I have heard it helps. Make sure you call Tricare yourself and ask to speak to the WLS person for insurance auths. Not just a regular authorization person, they will tell you say to everything without throughly checking!!!!! Good Luck, Joleen

Congrats to all the March bandsters that have been banded so far!!! Looks like most are doing OK! I have 13 days, So I am on my 2nd day of the yummy liquid diet Temple wants me to be on! I also have a busy week. I have appts. tomorrow up there for pre admission screening, and the dietician. Then I see Dr. Demspey for my last appt. with him on Thursday, yippee. I don't think the liquid diet will be too bad, I worked my way into it by really cutting down my caloric intake last week! The weekends might be tougher!!! Good Luck and keep up the good work!! Joleen