Jenn1214

It's been a long time coming...I start solid foods tomorrow! As happy as I am to start eating like a normal (banded) person, I must admit I'm also pretty nervous. Eating regular food is what got my in trouble in the first place with my weight. I also worry that some of my favorite foods may not agree with my band, but if they don't it's something I'll just have to learn to live with. This is where the real journey starts!

I had the same feelings after I was banded. I was majorly depressed and wondering what the heck I did to myself. The worst was watching other people eat in front of me. I was constantly on the verge of tears. Now that I'm getting to solids and I watch how fast everybody eats, I am frankly amazed that I used to be able to eat like that! It takes me about three times as long to eat a quarter of what they are eating. A month post op, I am starting to care about food less and less. I usually only think about it when my stomach starts to growl or I know it's time for me to eat. Before the surgery I thought about food 24/7. Often I was thinking about my next meal while eating the current one! The band has definitely changed my relationship with food for the better, and I can honestly say I'm starting not to miss food. I never thought I would ever be able to say that!

The two week post op period was extremely difficult for me. I had to fight almost every second not to go insane from lack of food, but I stuck religiously to my diet and I feel that I'm a stronger person for it. Anyone who says that WLS is the "easy way out" is full of crap! There is nothing easy about this process, but nothing easy is worth doing right?

I know someone like that. He lost a lot at first but eventually stopped. Now he does nothing but complain how he throws up all the time and doesn't lose weight. It's because he takes huge bites, doesn't chew enough, eats all the wrong foods, and his fill is way too tight. He never goes back to the doctor for fills and his band has probably slipped by now because he throws up constantly. The worst of it is that he tried to discourage me from having the surgery, telling me "Oh you'll throw up every night" and "You'll never be able to eat (insert food here) again!". Needless to say I didn't listen. I didn't go through all this to fail now!

1. My engagement ring is much looser whereas it almost cut off my circulation before. 2. I can buckle my watch one notch tighter. 3. Jeans that used to be tight now button with ease. 4. I've kicked my coffee habit and don't even miss it! 5. GYN says my PCOS is clearing up with no meds! 6. No more heartburn! NSVs are the best!

I would ask your surgeon how they feel about carbonation after surgery. My surgeon says no way no how, my fiance's surgeon says once in a while is ok. You probably will get drunk faster since you can't have liquids after meals and there won't be anything in your stomach to absorb the alcohol. You probably won't be able to drink the way you used to, but see how you feel. Take it slow at first. My doc says no booze til 6 weeks post op, but every surgeon is different.

My doctor said I can swallow pills as long as I don't take a whole handful at once. Some docs say not to swallow anything larger than a regular size aspirin tablet. I'm still too chicken to try, but I have no choice now because I have a sinus infection and I have to get antibiotics...yay. As for vitamins, I take a chewable brand called Vitaband that isn't too bad.

Rock on! Great job!

I had the same feeling recently (I'm only a month postop though). I lost 20 pounds and was feeling pretty good about myself, but then I saw some pictures of myself at my sister in law's bridal shower and I was like "ew, I'm still gross". I just reminded myself that I didn't put this weight on overnight, and it's not going to come off overnight. I'm doing the right thing for myself now and that's what I'm going to focus on. Maybe I'll never be happy with the way I look, but my health is more important. Congratulations on your 35 pound weight loss...that is definitely something to celebrate! You are doing awesome, so give yourself a break!

I can understand that people are very terrified of anesthesia because they aren't in control of what happens to them. It's an odd feeling waking up and not remembering anything! Here was my experience: I received some Versed in my IV in the pre op area (it has sedative and amnesic properties) to relax me. I was wheeled into the OR and asked to slide over on the table. By that time I was feeling pretty loopy and not completely aware of my surroundings. A mask was placed over my face and I was asked to breathe deeply (it was just oxygen) and a white medications called Propofol was put into my IV. This is commonly used to induce anesthesia so you won't be aware of being intubated. This does tend to burn especially if you have small veins like me but once you feel it, you will be asleep in seconds. The last thing I remember is telling the anesthesiologist about a cruise I just took in February (instead of asking you to count backwards they usually ask you to "pick a vacation spot" so you will have happy thoughts while you're going under) and bam! I was out and remembered nothing until I woke up in the PACU an hour later. Your vision might be blurry because they usually put some ointment in your eyes to keep them moist and protect them while you're asleep. This will go away in an hour or so. You really should try your hardest to quit smoking. Not only does it prevent possible complications during and after surgery, it's better for your health overall. You don't want to get the Lap Band and lose all the weight but keep smoking right? Be the healthiest you can be! Good luck, and don't be scared!

1. Don't underestimate the shoulder pain! It was by far the worst pain I had after surgery (including the bruise the size of Christmas on my lower abdomen from the blood thinners). Walking and deep breathing can help. 2. I suffered from some post op depression. I was very weepy for a few weeks after, wondering what I had just done to myself. My attachment to food ran deeper than I could have ever anticipated. 3. Menstrual cycle wackiness after the surgery scared me at first, but my GYN said it's totally normal. 4. No NSAIDs! 5. The weight doesn't fly off in the beginning. I'm trying to be patient and just focus on healing but I have to start wedding dress shopping soon! 6. SILS, at least for me, did not consist of a single incision. I had three. 7. There is a definite social aspect to eating that I feel deprived of now. I know it will get better, I just didn't expect it. 8. 64 oz of Water per day is nowhere near enough for me. I wake up every morning feeling dehydrated. 9. I'm still not sure how "full" feels after surgery. I eat the portions recommended by my nutritionist and my stomach stops growling for a while. I guess that's it. 10. pineapple juice/papaya extract is good to have around in case you get stuck. I learned that here! 11. There is almost always gas coming out of one or both ends. 12. My port is fun to poke!

I've just started to work out somewhat consistently, but I'm not sure if I should eat breakfast before I exercise or wait until after. I always drink water beforehand but I'm not sure about food.

I considered that but it's a brand new scale.

I was diagnosed with PCOS very recently, about two years ago. I have lost about 20 pounds in three weeks between the pre op diet and during recovery, but I was concerned because my cycle had become very irregular. I had a sonogram last week and my ovaries were totally normal. I find it hard to believe such a small weight loss could make a difference, but I guess it did for me!

I'm having scale issues. I weigh myself in one spot and then if I move the scale a couple of inches and weigh myself again, it's a 4 lb difference! How do I know which weight is correct?

I would have liked to have known more about the recovery period in the first few weeks after surgery. I wasn't expecting the shoulder pain and the random gurgling, plus not feeling hungry for a few days afterward was a little unsettling. I also didn't expect the emotional recovery to be as difficult as it was. I always like to hear "tips and tricks" from people who have been through the process and what helped them when they were having problems (i.e. stand up and walk for 10 minutes when you have gas pain, etc).

The nutritionist I met with in the hospital said it should take 30 minutes to finish a full liquid meal. That turned out to be a perfect pace for me. See if it works for you.

Most if not all anesthesiologists will ask you if you have anything loose or removable in your mouth, so I assume they would make you take the tongue ring out.

On Monday it will be three weeks since my surgery. It hasn't been easy but I've made it this far, which feels like a great accomplishment. The first two weeks were hell on Earth and I seriously considered at one point going back to the surgeon and tell him I made a huge mistake. I cried a few times when I had to drink protein shakes while everyone around me was enjoying their meal. Every day felt like an eternity of misery that would never end. When you're as addict to food as I am, it's pretty rough without it.<div> But I made it. Somehow, by sheer force of will, I made it. Now I'm in the soft food phase at last and I'm starting to get my rhythm. Staying hydrated, making good food choices, trying to move my butt a few times a week (working up to every day) and realizing that food is starting to relax its grip on me. I'm starting to learn that I need to eat to live, not the other way around. The only way to go now is forward. I can't guarantee I won't screw up once in a while, but I have to forgive myself and move on. I'm only human after all. Well, more of a bionic human now I guess. Me and Bandy against the world!</div>

I had one tiny (and I do mean tiny) taste of my fiance's slice and I was fine. I was never planning on having a whole slice anyway. The band is something I have to live with forever, and I can't see myself never eating cake or "junk" again. I will never, however, eat it in the portions I used to. The band is teaching me moderation, something I was never able to learn in 27 years. Thanks everyone for your advice!

I am so furious right now. I had a hard time getting approved for Lap Band because my insurance company just felt like dragging their feet, but I confirmed that I WAS approved for the surgery before I went under the knife. I just got a letter in the mail stating that my claim was denied because the surgery was not approved beforehand. WTF?

Saw the GYN today, she did an exam and sono and everything's fine. She said it could be from the antibiotics, the trauma of surgery, or a combination of the two. I'm so relieved!

Keep up with your surgeon's office and your insurance company and make sure everything is going along according to plan. I had a problem with getting approved in a timely manner because things were missing or not being sent out on time. I actually got my approval letter AFTER my surgery (although I did call the insurance company to make sure I was covered first). It took over two months for my insurance company to approve me. Hopefully you'll have an easier time than I did!

My fiance's birthday is this Saturday and I was wondering if I would be able to have any cake while I'm in the soft foods phase? My guess would be no but I want to see what you guys think. Thanks!

I have used Nuvaring for over a year now and I've never had any problems with breakthrough bleeding. About a week or so after the surgery I started bleeding like a regular period with small clots which I NEVER have. It's been over a week and I am really freaking out. Is this normal? I'm going to the GYN tomorrow just to make sure everything is ok.