Musarion

As of today, I'm down 20 pounds from my pre-op weight! Woo hoo!! Just hoping it continues to go down when I start mushies this Thursday - two weeks after being banded.....

Mine is in the upper left quadrent of my stomach, about 3" above my belly button. I can feel the port under my skin. Yucky. My understanding is that the largest incision is where they put in the band and near where they place the port. Mine's still red and tender, almost two weeks after surgery.

I had soup for the first time last Thursday and I swear it was the best thing I've ever tasted! I was banded on 4/21 and on liquids only for a week. I wasn't very hungry at first, but now I'm so sick of protein shakes and so thankful that I can at least have soup! I move on to mushies this Thursday and I. can't. wait!!! I can't eat "regular" food until week 6. So far I've lost 18 pounds, so it's all worth it to me!

I started adding soup and yogurt to my protein shake regimine today - woo hoo!!. I, too, am SO sick of protein shakes! My doctor has such a strict food progression plan... I can't eat "regular" (non-chopped/mashed) foods until week 6! I am so excited for mushies next week, although I'm really not that hungry. Just eating real food will be great.

I was also banded on the 21st and I am not feeling so great, either. I have the start of an infection ("maybe," they said) at my port site and it has been extremely tender since surgery. I'm actually moving around a little better today, but it still is very, VERY uncomfortable. My surgeon said pain at the port site it expected. I'm also really tired b/c of the liquid diet and hope my energy picks up tomorrow when I can start adding soups, yogurt, etc. Last night I started with the left shoulder pain, too. Great! Probably because it was my first day back to work and I generally sit at my computer all day. I have to admit, this is not the type of recovery I thought I'd have.... I just hope the issue at my port site resolves itself soon.

I went to see my doctor today b/c my port site has been bothering me so much and he said it "might" be infected. I'm now on antibiotics for 7 days and need to go back in a few days to see how it's doing. It was very bruised after surgery, so he isn't sure if it's the redness that comes after brusing or an infection. I'm SO bummed out. It does hurt a lot still. Just thinking good thoughts that antibiotics resolve the issue. It's been red since the hospital and I told the nurse and the fellow who saw me afterwards about it, but they weren't concerned. Grumble. Just hoping this goes away!!!

I was banded on 4/21 and have lost 11 pounds so far. I am really, REALLY sick of Protein shakes! Angela

Thanks very much!

To PP, can you do a combo of protein shakes to get in your protein? I'm on liquids and protein shakes only, as well, but only until next week when I can add yogurt and pureed soups. I was banded on 4/21. I'm also a bit weak/tired and still very sore. I dont' think I could manage on only two shakes a day! I have like 4-5 to get in all that protein! (81 g is my target) .

My fellow April 21st bandsters - do you have one incision that's much bigger than the others? I have one that is about 2.5 or 3 times larger than the others. I'm assuming it's near or at my port site. And it still hurts like crazy, especially when I stand up! Anyone experiencing this? Everything else feels fine, but that one is giving me lots of trouble. I was hoping to go back to work tomorrow, but looks like I'll be "working" from home instead... Thanks, Angela

My surgery was the 21st - all went well and I'm glad it's over! I'm still a bit sore, but feeling better today. Just trying to get in all my Protein, which is tough right now. Glad everyone is doing well! Angela

My doc said no exercise other than walking for the first six weeks. I haven't started yet other than walking around the house and stuff since I'm still really sore. I'm going to try to start next week. Angela

Hi, I was also banded on the 21st! Surgery went well and I had a hernia repair. My first night in the hospital was a little rough and my port site hurt more than I expected. I went home yesterday and I'm feeling ok. Still very, VERY sore on the left side, though. When you all stand up, do you feel like your stomach is really tight and sore? I'm not hungry at all right now and have to force myself to have enough Protein. It's tough to get all that liquid in! In the hosptial I had an Opti Source shake and it was GOOD! I'm going to order some of those to mix it up a bit. Right now I'm using EAS and Oh Yeah shakes, which are okay, but it will be nice to get a little variety. I wish I liked the clear Protein drinks, but I don't. I'm going to get a few new ones to try and then cut them with Water. Hopefully that will help! When I was weighed right before going into surgery, I had lost 14 pounds on my pre-op diet. Woo hoo! I have about 100 more to go..... Angela

I'm on my pre-op diet (two Protein shakes a day and one meal) and am feeling pretty good. I cheated a little the other night and had veggie Soup and three bites of lasagne for dinner and felt so gross the next morning. It's kind of amazing how quickly your body adjusts to the shakes.... I'm on a clear liquid only diet the day before surgery. That should be a fun day! I met with my surgeon last week and I love him. I'm still really nervous, though. REALLY nervous! I like hearing everyone's stories - makes me feel a bit better. Glad everyone's doing well! Angela

Oh my!!! I am sorry you had to go through all that! I'm so glad you are feeling better - keep us all updated. Angela

Glad things are going well!!!

Good luck today Carlene! Hope everything goes well. Let us know how you're doing!

Good luck tomorrow! Let us know how it goes!! Angela

Hi Everyone, I'm Angela, I just turned 40 and I'm the mom of an amazing 4.5 year-old. I've been considering the lapband for about four years, but wanted to have another child before doing so. Well....that did not happen (probably b/c of my weight), and I'm also recently single, so I figured it's now or never. I'm getting banded at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles with Dr. Burch on April 21st. I managed not to lose any weight on my 6-month supervised diet, which yet reinforces why I need the band. I've been heavy all my life and while I've managed to lose 40+ pounds on several occasions, I always gain it back. I really want to do it this time and not look back! I'm also a huge horse lover and I had horses growing up in FL (Quarter/Arab). I took riding lessons a few years ago to get back into it until one of the directors of the riding school came up to me and told me she thought my weight was jeopardizing the horses. She told me I needed to stop my lessons and gave me a refund. I was mortified. (And about 220 at the time.) Even though that was years ago, it still stings. I'm also looking forward to crossing my legs, not having to worry if I'll fit into tiny seats, being able to wear knee high boots and buying clothes I like - not just what I can fit into! I'm an attorney and trying to find "plus size" suits that are not absolutely unattractive is almost impossible. More than anything, I want to make sure I'm here for my daughter and be a good role model for her. I also don't want to miss out on stuff (pool parties come to mind!) because I'm too self conscious to wear a bathing suit. So, nice to "meet" all of you! Angela

Am I the only one whose doctor does not require a liquid diet pre-surgery?? It's freaking me out a little....

Hi, My surgery is scheduled for April 21st in Los Angeles. I'm also getting a bit nervous, but I'm excited to finally have it done (after years of "thinking about it").

I'm in Los Angeles (Westside)! Angie

I just finished my pre-op UGI and ultrasound at Cedars today! I have my surgical consult next week, and I've already been approved by the nutritionist and psyche. I'll probably be about 1-2 weeks behind you! Angie

I was cleared for my surgical consult today at Cedars (after my 6-month waiting period, etc.). Yay! I went to an informational seminar last year with Dr. Burch and loved him, but I note that Dr. Cunneen is more experienced. I've read the reviews of Dr. Cunneen and the one of Dr. Burch, but was wondering if anyone can explain why you chose one over the other, or if it was more of a timing issue? I have a consult scheduled with Dr. Cunneen because Dr. Burch is booked for a month! But I'm on the waiting list for a quicker appointment.... Thanks in advance, Angie