lizzy2150

Woohoo!!!! Congratulations!!!

So far, no regrets--and it's only been two weeks, so the post-surgical pain is still a fresh memory. Seriously--I had given up on ever being able to lose weight and be "normal" again. But since I started this journey (beginning with a six-month doctor-supervised diet to satisfy my insurance requirements) I have lost 47 pounds and gained the ability to climb a flight of stairs without stopping, to chase my toddler around the house without huffing and puffing, to go for walks outside with my husband and daughter without feeling exhausted. This is the best decision I've ever made for my health.

I get "gummy fish" pills at costco. They're technically for children, so I eat four a day rather than two. They're not bad. . .

Okay. It's official. I'm in bandster hell. It's been 12 days since my surgery. All of my surgical swelling seems to have gone down. My incisions are only the tiniest bit sore. I feel energetic and good. I've lost 10 lbs. But I am HUNGRY. All the time. Just like before I was banded. I could, if I allowed myself to, eat MUCH more than the 1/2 cup per meal that my doctor says I should be able to eat. I'm technically still on "soft food," but my mother just had her knees replaced and I've spent a lot of time at the hospital and have eaten out several times. Yesterday for lunch I ate two cheese enchiladas--about twice the amount I should (but still much less than I've eaten before!). I'm having to fight myself not to overeat. I am so very glad that my dr. is aggressive with fills--my first one is scheduled for July 29, only eleven days away. I can't wait to get that "Oh, I can't possibly eat that much" feeling back! Anyone else hit bandster hell yet?

The only real difference is in which part of the chicken was used to create the liquid. They're roughly the same, and there's certainly no difference in terms of consuming them after lapband. Stock might taste a little better and make you feel a tiny bit fuller b/c there is some gelatin released from the chicken bones when they're simmered (broth doesn't use as many bones in the prep stage), but I honestly have never been able to differentiate between the two very much.

sugar-free popsicles, apple or grape juice. I liked having ice packs on my incisions and heat on my shoulder for gas pains. I'll add more if I think of it, but this covers the major stuff.

K: I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I lost a whopping 4 lbs. on my 2-week pre-op diet. In the first nine days after the surgery, I didn't lose a single pound. Then this morning, I weighed (as I do every morning) and I had dropped five pounds overnight! All my years of dieting have taught me that I often see the loss in my clothing size before I see it on a scale. Just follow the rules and let your body lose at its own rate. Don't compare yourself to others!!

I'm on day 10 and today I woke up feeling good. I still have a tiny bit of tenderness at my largest incision, but other than that, all is well. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Sherrypep: I think you'd probably be fine going back after a week. I was banded a week ago yesterday, and I spent the day shopping and getting my hair done and was otherwise out and about. I'm a teacher, too, and although it would have been a little more tiring than usual, I could have taught yesterday.

I could have coffee immediately after my surgery.

My surgeon says that he allows a lot of things in the post-op stage that he might not suggest later. . .

Hooray! I'm glad it went well!

I know that I'm probably supposed to be more moderate than this, but . . . WHAT? That's ridiculous. The diet is designed to shrink your liver. Your "cheating" wouldn't even be a blip in that process. Postponing your surgery over the tiny amount of actual food you had a week before your surgery is un-frickin'-believable. Sheesh. If I were you, I'd ask to speak to the surgeon directly to make sure he or she agrees that the surgery actually needs to be postponed. But then, I tend to be pretty pushy when irritated . . .

Today is day 6 for me, and I could easily have gone back to work today. I'm sitll a little sore, but absolutely functional.

I'm not naming it, exactly, but I think I might start referring to it as "My Preciousss," ala Gollum. . .

Hi, Jengy! You probably won't even be aware of the catherization--they'll almost certainly do it after you're anesthetized and remove it before you wake up.

My nutritionist suggested these: http://www.revivalsoy.com/products/chips/index.html I haven't tried them yet, but I plan to.

I just started mine. It's not only about my new life as a bandster, though it will certainly include that part of my life journey (in fact, I haven't yet finished and posted the "I got banded!" entry): www.texasprairieharpy.com

And by comparison to wannabe, I barely made it walking about 1/4 of a mile tonight but have no problem at all drinking enough Water and then some. See? All different.

Kimiky: I was banded on the 6th, too, and I think you're doing great. I left my house for the first time today. I went out to dinner with family (I sipped Soup broth) and it wiped me out. It's important to remember that everyone heals differently. My husband, for example, thinks I'm bouncing back quickly, since when he has even minor surgery, he is out of commission for weeks. On the other hand, if we both get a cold, he's up and running the next day and I'm in bed whimpering for days. Cut yourself some slack--this is a major trauma to your body. Let it heal. You're up and moving around some, walking some, and sleeping a lot. That's exactly right for healing. If you're still worried in a few days, give your surgeon a call. That's my $.02, anyway.

I'm glad I could help some! Let us know how it goes!!

Alie: I had the same concern. I am allergic to virtually EVERYTHING. But I did some research, discovered what you've already been told--that allergic reactions are incredibly rare--and decided to go ahead with it. And so far, so good. I say go for it and don't worry; it almost certainly won't be an issue (and there's no way to know ahead of time!). That's what I did, anyway.

HA!! I like your idea of justice!!!

On the first few days of my 2-week diet, I "cheated" by having an additional Protein shake at the times I was most likely to cheat (for me, late at night)--the protein helped keep me from getting headaches, which gave me enough willpower to keep going at other times. By the last week, I was able to stick to the diet precisely. Remember, the goal is to shrink your liver--and adding a small amount of protein won't keep that from happening. You can do it!

Be direct with him. If I were you, I would say something along these lines: Although my recovery is going well, it's taken longer than I anticipate to get back up to full speed. Because I had the hernia repair, my job will allow me another week off with your approval, and I'd like to take advantage of that. I just need a note from you. I always write out "scripts" and practice for things like this! This is the script I would use. Note the lack of questions--if you state it as a fact, he's more likely to simply agree and move on. If you ask a question or seem uncertain, people are more likely to start trying to put their own interpretation on it (can you tell that I teach Professional Communications classes? ) Your doctor almost certainly isn't going to be judgmental one way or another--as long as you're walking and recovering, he shouldn't care if you take another week (or whatever) off from work. But if he does object, reiterate that because of the hernia repair, you don't quite feel up to going back to work yet. I find that when communicating with doctors (or anyone, for that matter!), the more straightforward you are, the more likely you are to get what you want. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!