roziecakes

Hi there I've lost 50 pounds total since starting my pre-op diet; so 25 pounds of that was the pre-op diet, and 25 pounds is since the surgery. I've lost weight kind of scary fast since the surgery. I really like to exercise, and I exercise A LOT. I would love to run a marathon someday. I find that losing weight helps me exercise more, and exercising more helps me lose more weight, so it's just kind of snowballing; in a good way. I walked 7 miles today; normally I walk 2 miles a day, and I do yoga for 1 hour four days a week. Once I heal a little more I'd like to take zumba and start jogging; and I also take Belly Dance classes (haven't started back up yet since getting the surgery, I'm waiting a couple of weeks) Anyhoo, I didn't have a hernia repair, so I don't know how that will affect your healing time; but I didn't have a lot of pain. Where I had the most pain was in my shoulders and neck from gas, but walking a lot helped more than anything! I just mostly felt tight and bloated. It did hurt when I tried to lay down the first couple of days, so I slept in the recliner (thanks to the suggestion from someone on the board here) and put a heating pad behind my shoulders and neck. That was great! At this point, I haven't really had any pain for almost a week now. The most pain I have is if I do too much bending, my port feels a little sore. My greatest advice thus far, and I don't know that much yet since I'm only 2 weeks post-op, but anyhoo, is to do what your doctor says. My doctor has a fairly conservative plan in regards to diet, and he advances his patients fairly slowly. I actually think it's helped me a lot, since I haven't had any sliming or nausea at all. Hope that helps, sorry for those who've read my info before and I'm repeating myself. Just remember though, that we're all different, and we all have different metabolisms and rates at which we lose or don't lose. You may lose a lot more than me, and you may lose less. Just remember to focus on healing first and don't compare yourself to others after your surgery. Some people will lose a ton of weight and never have a fill or only have one, and some people will need a lot of fills; some people lose quickly, some lose slowly. The best thing you can do is listen to your body and what you need! Good luck!

My doctor also says that when I get a fill to do clear liquids for a day after, and then full liquids for a couple of days before going back to regular food. Of course I haven't experienced a fill yet, but I remember them telling me that in the office.

Oh my gosh, I want one! That is so cool!

I had to be at the hospital at 7AM for an 8:30 AM surgery. I was the first one on the list, so I got in pretty quickly

You can do yoga even when you're a big person! If you learn how to modify the moves in a way that suits your body you can do some of it at any size!

I personally do not, obviously, since I was banded only 2 weeks go; but a good friend of mine got pregnant with her third child right after she got banded, and as far as I know everything went well for her. She was still able to maintain weight loss after her son was born too.

I'm 2 weeks post op, and I am still a little itchy there too... my steri strips all fell off within a few days of getting them. I had staples first though; don't worry too much!

Sugar free popsicles were my best friend after surgery. A sno-cone is similar as long as you let it melt... enjoy!

My best friend Karen is someone I've always regarded as just one of the most amazing looking people that I know. She literally looks like Lucy Lawless (Xena) and is the same height as me, but is slim and healthy, and graceful, and a health nut. I've always admired her. We are in a pirate singing group together. This last weekend at a performance, I had noticed that my costumes were all huge big gigantic and looked SILLY. I had one that didn't look so bad, and I was wearing it, but I had to wear two belts to get it to stay on right. She said to me in regards to the costume she was wearing. "Well, I'm getting tired of this bodice, and I think it would fit you. Do you want it?" You cannot believe how thrilled I was that she said that. I never thought I would live to see the day. I can't wait to try it on!!

I just had a really funny image of someone happily munching the sprouts off of a chia pet. HA HA.

Thank you Jennifer! I will certainly take your advice to heart. I appreciate it. It's true, I've always had some amount of fear about vomiting since childhood. Thankfully, I've only vomited maybe four or five times in my entire lifetime, so I feel quite lucky. It's gone from being terrified of it, to just some small amount of paranoia. What I definitely need to do is shift my thinking from being scared of sliming or puking to preventing sliming or puking because I care about myself and my new anatomy. Thanks again

It is true that people will follow by your example. My partner Greg, while not heavy enough to be a bandster, does have about 40-ish pounds to lose; and he has seen me getting healthy and being extremely happy, and I've inspired him to start walking with me in the mornings. He's walked a total of four miles this week! I'm so proud of him! I agree with what others have said that your sister will probably be inspired by you. Some people have a really hard time with change, and it's true when they say that someone has to really be READY. It sounds like you're ready! Don't let your sister's hesitation stop you, focus on your health and happiness. You have chosen life and health! Good for you! Good luck with your surgery.

I noticed you posting about them on another thread. I have definitely been curious about them, and every time I pass them in the store I think about getting some. I think I'm going to try them, since I've heard such good things, and now I've heard a good review from a bandster, so I think I'm on it once I'm back on regular food again.

WOW! You are truly an inspiration! What a great job you have done, and you look so GREAT!

Just wanted to say good luck to all of the June bandsters who are getting surgery this week (and congrats to those who have gotten since I was on this thread last!) I'm so excited for you all!!

It's so awful how news spreads like that!! Sometimes I wonder if people have anything better to do! I think you have a really positive attitude about it, and yes, it will work for you! It's just too bad that people have to be nosy sometimes... best of luck!

Thank you so much! I'm glad that this is a positive experience for you!

Honestly, there are a TON of people I didn't tell. I only have told my nearest and dearest about the surgery. Obviously, people know that I'm losing weight; but the methods that I use to do so are my personal business. Really, it's no different than any diet / exercise program, except that I have a little tool to help me eat less. I'm sorry that people are asking you so many questions and pestering you. I think you have every right to tell them that it's your personal business and you don't feel like talking about it. I don't think it's being secretive at all; I think it's a matter of personal boundaries and comfort level.

I know that I'm definitely a 'scale stalker,' but I don't let any minor changes bother me.

I keep hearing about chia seeds, and I saw them in the store and pondered getting some... so they're really as great as I keep hearing? I think I want to get some.

Another fun thing I've noticed is that now when I go shopping, I stop in the clothing department and look at things just for fun, and in sections I've never dared look before! And then the best part, is I say, "Well, I'd better not buy that now, because in a few months, it will just be way too big for me." Heh heh heh!

My doctor told me that the first six weeks are for healing and learning new techniques, and if I lose some weight, great! But the real work starts after the first fill. Just be real with yourself, do what you're supposed to do, and then your doctor will have a realistic idea of how much of a fill to give you, and then you can really start working from there! I think you're doing awesome already, and that you're on the right track. Seriously!

I make my protein shakes for the next day the day before, so then I just pour some out at breakfast time and I'm good to go!

I'm starting my second week tomorrow; I have never slimed, PB'd or stuck. I started out with 2ccs in my band. I can eat eggs just fine. I love having one egg scrambled for breakfast with my smoothie. Gives me fuel until late afternoon. What kinds of mushies are you eating that you are sliming? I am somewhat paranoid, so I eat really really slowly; I guess it's kept me from having problems though! I can drink water really fast, however.

I was back to work after 2 days, but I am a different case as I work from home and I work at a desk. I think that you'll probably hear a lot of different answers because it depends on the kind of job that you do. I think that a really physical job I would recommend at least a couple of weeks, maybe longer depending on what it is; but a desk job, I would say a few days to a week. It all depends on the person as well. We all have different healing times. What do you do for your job?