Chasnlucky

I asked my dietician this when I went in for my first fill Wednesday....She said a reasonable goal for me was 1200-1400 calories a day....I had read somewhere (*non medical source*) that the body needs 1250 calories a day just to maintain normal function and anything lower than that puts the body into starvation mode....Now how true that is...I don't know.

Mine made an early appearance two weeks after surgery.....and then I had the other normal symptoms (boobs hurt and bloating) during the normal time of month but no appearance...

Congrats!!! I can't wait for the day I join you at that size!! What an inspiration!

I also weigh in the morning, in the bathroom and before breakfast. But I try really really hard not to weigh at any other time....first few days after surgery....I weighed everytime I was near the bathroom...Not sure what I was actually expecting to see, lol!!

Sam-you might consider turkey meatballs that you can find in the freezer section too.....I think the package in my freezer now has 16 grams of protein with 160 calories total for a serving size of 6 meatballs. Pair that with frozen veggies of your choice. I saved yogurt cups (6 oz size would measure 3/4 cup) to use as frozen veggie scoops. This is what I use for lunch at work, so that I'm not tempted to run to the closest McD's or Arby's.

You might try going back to clear liquids. I had to be on clear liquids for one week post surgery but obviously, different doc. And the gas comment sounds right on.....of course, always call your doctor if in doubt. Best of luck!!

You might try going back to clear liquids. I had to be on clear liquids for one week post surgery but obviously, different doc. And the gas comment sounds right on.....of course, always call your doctor if in doubt. Best of luck!!

Just click on someone else's ticker and it should take you to the website to set up your own....then you can add the link from your profile page.

That's exactly what I got to use...keep one set at work....I like them so much better than the plastic toddler ones!! Makes me feel like a big girl now!!

Congrats!! I can't wait to join you!!!

I was banded on Dec 28th and I lost 20 lbs...but only 7.8 of it since surgery.....Seems to me that I haven't lost an ounce since starting on the pureed food....sigh...but I'm going back to work tomorrow and hoping that returning to my "normal" activity level will help. It's incredibly cold here, so I haven't been able to walk outside (was walking 6 miles 4x a week before it got really cold) but I have been doing the Wii Fit game. Apparently, Wii Fit isn't enough activity though to jumpstart the weight loss when I actually eat food.

What are you using your hummus on? I usually use baby carrots and of course, they aren't on the mushy or soft food diet.

While I'm not planning on having any more children, my doctor brought this situation up. He said in the case that I would become pregnant or even very very ill, he would simply remove all the saline from the band for the duration of the pregnancy or illness. That would allow pretty much "normal" intake of food again. After the birth (and breastfeeding if desired) or recovery from the illness, the process of filling the band would start all over again. Hope this helps!!

I was just banded on 12/28/10 and have been starving ever since stopping the vicodin on the following Monday!! Currently on the pureed diet, which couldn't have come soon enough!! I am sooo relieved to be off of the liquid diet. However, I still feel like I could eat, and eat and eat.....My first fill is on Feb 9, and of course, I've figured out that probably won't give me the restriction to end the ongoing hunger problem. I've been a good girl with drinking all the fluids (I can still chug a 20 oz mug of water in less than a minute) and keeping up on the protein supplements as well. I have noticed that I haven't lost a pound since starting on the pureeds though.. It's been freezing cold here, so I can't get outside to walk any but I'm heading back to work on the 11th, so will try climbing stairs during my lunch break (I work in a five story building). I figure that will be my exercise as well as remove me from any temptations left in the break room.

I haven't been banded very long but the one food I've found so far that I CANNOT eat are eggs also.....and it makes me so sad....I love, love, love eggs....but every time I try, they get stuck and I end up sliming and puking...and that's without a fill!!

Me too!! I was banded on 12/28 and have short bursts of hiccup everyday! and they are really, really painful at the port site!! I also had a hiatal hernia repair at the time of banding, so I assumed that the hiccups came from the diaphragm healing from the hernia repair but maybe not if hiccups are this common....I usually put one hand over my port site (for the pain) and take a deep breath and hold........Hope that helps!!

I was also banded on the 28th of Dec and have tons of gurgling. I just attributed it to gas from the surgery that I still haven't quite gotten rid of. Everyday my belly seems less bloated but still have some.

I first got samples from my bariatric surgeon but I have always ordered online. The site is http://unjury.com and they have pretty low shipping rates too. I love all their flavors!!

Hi....Congrats on the band...I was banded on 12/28! I've only lost 3 pounds since the surgery but I think that's pretty incredible. You're right....I am so ready to use the band as a tool to start the new year so much healthier!!

Hiya....I am about 4 days post band and I pretty amazed as well with how little I am missing food. I do crave a little flavor in my food after a 2 week liquid diet pre-op and now four days of liquids post. Not really that I am hungry, just that I am really really bored with protein shakes, jello, and broth!! I did pick up a scale today at the store and was pleasantly surprised to see I've lost 3 pounds since day of surgery!! Yay me! I also have the weird hiccups sometimes....it's only 3 or 4 at a time but they are quite painful with the incisions still being sore. I've never had hiccup so often so it seems very weird to me. I did have a hiatal hernia repair that they found during the lapbanding surgery, so maybe the hiccup are tied to that repair. anyway....congratz to all you!!

Hi!! I am four days post banding and not using any protein just yet. But I will say the Unjury brand is my favorite (used it quite a bit before surgery) and they do have a chicken broth flavor that would be considered "clear liquids." It's pretty tasty actually, tastes almost exactly like chicken broth and not at all like protein.

Hiya....I was banded recently as well and had some similar questions as you. I am so glad to see I am "normal." I haven't felt a bit of restriction. I was soooo excited to get on full liquids again after two days of Jello and diet juice. But I still feel like I could drink tons more than what is on the sample diets. As far as the oatmeal and the other stuff, that was on my pre-op liquid diet but now is on the pureed list for AFTER surgery.Even yogurts and puddings were on that list. I was pretty disappointed to see that! I was so looking forward to feeling some texture in my food again...ah well...just a few more days before I get to see the dietician again and hopefully get to start the pureeds! As far as the bruising.....I'm sure the doctor will say that is normal..Most likely it's not from any activity you are doing while you are sleeping. It takes a few days for the blood to settle near the surface...as it travels down from inside the abdominal cavity...My worst bruising is showing up around the top of my belly button, not over by the port incision that hurts the worst. I had a surprise hiatal hernia that my doctor repaired at that same time, so I blame that for my pain. I'm still taking 2 or 3 doses of the lortab each day but think I'll try switching to tylenol today...Wish me luck!! Here's to a Happy New Year in our slender forms in 2011!!