gotmyeyeontheprize

I have had 3 C-Sections and just had Lap Band surgery on Monday. There is very minimal physical pain involved with the Lap Band. I was given morphine in recovery around 10:00 that morning and didn't have any other pain medication until I left the hospital at 5:30 that afternoon. I have taken one pain pill a day. I do this at night to help me sleep better. Most laproscopic procedures are a walk in the park compared to an open procedure such as a C-Section. On the other hand, there is more emotional/mental stress with the Lap Band. I was not prepared for the anxiety I have gone through the past few days. I went into this surgery knowing 110% that I wanted it. I followed every part of the pre-op diet and lost 21 lbs. by the day of surgery. Even so, the true realization of what I was doing did not kick in until the procedure was done and over with. Do I regret having the Lap Band surgery? Not in a million years. Just don't go into this thinking it is the "easy way out" because it is far from easy. As you probably already know, this procedure requires a complete lifestyle change. There are steps that you have to follow. The things you do without even thinking (take a pill when needed, pour yourself a glass of coke, grab a quick snack as you head out the door, lick the Peanut Butter off the knife when making your kids a sandwich, etc.) will all come to a very quick halt! I have to continuously remind myself that I am not that same person. Keep your "eye on the prize" and you will do just fine. Be prepared for any emotional changes that may come along. Stay in touch with the people on this forum as they have been a wonderful support system for me. Best of luck!

Dizzy, what other good things did you puree? I really need to find some protein packed things to puree, but I also want some flavor.

It worked out well. I had about 3 ounces of tuna mixed with ff mayo and some dill relish. I chopped it up pretty well. It made me extremely full. I think I may should have stopped a few bites earlier. Now, I am having a couple of ounces of refried beans with some mild taco sauce mixed in. It made me feel much better to actually eat some protein!

According to my surgeon, he wants me to stay on liquids until I see him on Tuesday. Well, I am so WEAK!! So, I am going by the handbook that my surgeon gave me when I scheduled my surgery. It says I can start mushies on the 5th day....TODAY!! So, I have chopped up some tuna with a bit of ff mayo and dill relish. I am about to try it out and will hopefully get some good Protein in! Wish me luck!!

I feel your pain. I am not running to the restroom constantly, but I am suppose to return to work on Monday and I am far from feeling well enough to go back. Fortunately, the pain had subsided. Even so, I am still extremely weak. Do you feel as if you are not getting in enough protein? That is how I feel. Extremely short on protein! I tried to call my nutritionist this morning to see if I can go ahead and advance to some mushy food with more protein, but she is obviously out enjoying some Black Friday shopping!

Good morning to all of my newly banded friends. I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends. Today will be my first outing since surgery. What about you? I am still on liquids, but may try some of the soup off of my aunt's chicken and dumplins. Do you older banders think this is an ok idea? I am a bit scared, but I plan on going at it REAL SLOW!!

Well, today was my first outing since surgery. So, I am pretty worn out tonight. I ate some dark meat turkey ground up in a blender with some soup from the dumplins. I could only eat about 1/4 cup and was full. It was the absolute best thing I have had since I started my pre-op diet on November 8th!

Leah, I absolutely love your outlook on Thanksgiving. I have never thought about it being such a wonderful holiday with no money or gifts involved. You are absolutely right, we all should enjoy this blessed day with family and friends. Enjoy all of the small talk and show gratitude for all that we have. God bless!

I am so sorry for all of the questions, but I am trying to learn how my new band works. My surgery was Monday, so I am still on a liquid diet. Today, I have had 2 Protein drinks, Water, Crystal Light lemonade, about 10 spoon fulls of chicken broth, and a sugar-free popsicle. When I sipped any of the liquids, I would burp. Now, I feel like I am full up to my throat. The lower, larger portion of my stomach is growling. Since I am burping and feel full up to my throat, does this mean my pouch is full?

Hello to all of my fellow banders! I was just banded on Monday, November 22nd and am so ready to feel normal again. My gas pain has not been too bad. I am just sore at the incision sites and my back is sore from sleeping on it. I just want to feel normal again and be in my new routine. How long should I expect that to take?

Awesome news and congratulations!! What an inspiration you are. My goal is to be under 300 lbs. by the end of the year. I was banded Monday and weighed 322 lbs. before being prepped for surgery. Forge ahead my fellow bander!

We will be driving about 45 minutes away to my husband's family. I am not to sure how I am going to handle the drive or the food since I just had surgery Monday! Even so, I really want to get out of this house and get some fresh air. I am still on liquids. So, the Thanksgiving meal will not be a treat for me.

wakeuprn....I couldn't agree more. I have been battling anxiety all day today as I have come to the realization that my life is about to drastically change! If I could eat solid foods and get on a routine, I think I would feel much better.

That is what I am afraid of....the long wait! Like you, I am not in a lot of pain. My problem is the same as yours. I know I have to get in that protein, but I am tired of drinking it! I really want to eat something of substance, but I am even scared to do that!

DizzyGirl, I am not allowed to have anything but liquids for the first 4 days following surgery. So, I can not relate to the feeling you have. Even so, you stated that you think you may have eaten too quickly. I am thinking that may be the problem. You probably took in a lot of air when eating so fast. Now, that air is causing you to feel bloated. Just a thought. I would think that if you had eaten too much, it would come right back up. Your stomach is still swollen from the procedure. So, you may have more restriction than what you think. Keep us posted on how it goes. Good luck!

I think the hunger pains are setting in with me. My tummy has been growling and rolling all afternoon. The problem is, I can hardly stand to drink the liquids I am allowed to. I tried to call my Dietician, but she is out of town....yay me! I just got up and put a load of clothes in the washer. I'm not sure that was the best idea. Now, my incisions are burning from the weight of the laundry. It looks like I am going to have to put that job on my hubby or daughter...lol!

I am glad to hear you are doing well too. Also, as much as I hate it that you had some anxiety, it does help to know you are not alone! I have some chest pain too, but I have been passing gas which helps so much. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? I am on liquids until next Tuesday.....ugh! So, I won't be enjoying the Thanksgiving dinner. My doc did say I could try something mushy at the end of the week if I felt like it. I am just scared to try. Like you, I am trying to sip my drinks. Even so, I want to guzzle the Protein drink! We all need to support one another and give any advice we have!

I am so glad that you are feeling well. I have only had 3-4 pain pills since I came home Monday night. Adding the nausea pill with it this morning has really made me tired. Today, I have only gotten down 3/4 of one Protein drink. Now, I am working on getting 1/2 of one down. Between the Protein Drink and Water, I am full! I know this is how I should feel with the band, but I am afraid I am not getting enough fluids. Don't stress over your swollen tummy. Mine is pretty "puffy" itself. I just contribute it to swelling and some bloating from all of the air they forced into me during surgery. I did walk around the house a lot yesterday and passed some major gas last night. That was wonderful!

Hello to all! I was banded yesterday, November 22nd. I feel pretty good today. Just a little soreness and the gas is trying to build up. I have been walking for 5 minutes every 15 minutes to try and work out the soreness and gas. So, what happens now? I am on liquids until my post-op appointment next Tuesday. I am suppose to drink 4-5 Protein drinks a day until then. Unfortunately, I am not that hungry and am afraid I can not get all of them in during the day. Any suggestions?

I am so glad to hear that your procedure went well. I was banded yesterday and feel pretty good. Just a little soreness that I am trying to walk off. No, this isn't the easiest thing ever, but it is manageable. I wish you the best of luck as your journey continues!

My lapband surgery is scheduled for November 22nd and I can not wait!! I have been on the pre-op diet for 6 days now and lost 10 lbs. in the first two days. My goal is to be under 300 lbs. by the time we ring in the New Year. My pre-op diet consists of 2-3 protein drinks a day, 3 cups of yogurt, skim milk, or cottage cheese, as much broth and sugar free popsicles as I would like, and juice. Currently, I am enjoying tomato juice as it satisfies my salt craving. Is anyone else scheduled for November 22nd? If so, how has your pre-op diet adventure gone?

Congratulations! I was also banded yesterday and am pretty sore. Like you, I have been walking around for about 5 minutes at a time to rid myself of this soreness and try to prevent the dreadful gas! I am running a low grade fever this morning between 99.8 and 100. Is this normal? My discharge papers say to call my surgeon if my temp gets over 101. Has anyone else had this happen?

Well, my November 22nd bandters, we have crossed the finish line! I hope everyone had a safe procedure and you are all feeling well. I am a bit sore today and have been walking around the house trying to work out this soreness.

Ok, so I am on day 10 of the liquid pre-op diet. I had lost 15 lbs. as of yesterday. Today, when I weighed, I had gained a pound!! How in the world could this happen?!?!?! I have been eating (drinking) the same things through this entire pre-op diet. If anything, I have started eating less as the days go on. I have gotten tired of my limited choices. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could be going on? I am being banded on Monday!!