lizzy2150

Karebear: My guess is that it's probably just some swelling from all the fluids they pump into you during surgery, but I think it would be a good idea to call the doctor's office in case it's something more than that! Also, try drinking more water--if you're not taking in enough water, your body will try to hold on to what it's already got, which can also cause swelling like that.

Hi, Tuckersmommy! I hate it for you that your dr. isn't good with the aftercare! This post-op diet is pretty much identical to the one my doctor is going to have me on--maybe this guide can help you! Lap Band Post-Op Diet meal plan This one looks good, too: Lap Band Diet Guide If I were you, I would choose one of these (probably the first one) and follow it. Will this same doctor's office be doing your fills?

As I've been reading everyone's goal weights, I've realized that I actually have three: The first is my surgeon's goal for me. He'll consider my journey a success if I get down to 170-180. The second is my "reasonable" goal: 150. At 5'6" and 40 years old, I think that would be just about right, and it puts me in the "normal" BMI range. The third is my "dream weight" goal: 135. I haven't weighed that little since college and it would be fabulous to be that small again. But I'm not sure I believe it could happen. . . Anyone else have a "dream weight" that part of you thinks is perhaps unreasonable/unattainable?

Most ancient religions consider three a magical, powerful number (most prime numbers have had mystical meanings attributed to them at one point or another). It certainly seems to have been a powerful number for you on your birthday!!

singingpeaches: What type of the Genesis liquid did you get? I was just looking for it, and they make a lot of different kinds, apparently.

Good luck to all the July 1 bandsters--and congratulations! We're thinking of you!

Thanks for starting the thread--and be sure to post here asap after your own surgery! Tell the rest of us how you're doing.

Hi, Mist: Many doctors schedule their patients for an appointment every month during the first year. Early on, those are often fills, but later, they might just be a chance to check in. Studies have shown that lap-band patients who meet regularly with their doctors lose more weight than those who do not. Having a regularly scheduled "fill" appointment allows patients to discuss their band experience with their doctors. In my opinion, advising people to "use your fills sparingly" assumes that everyone's band experience is the same. I don't think we should discourage people from seeking help from their doctors, in the form of fills or consultations about fills (and the band's "10cc" or "14cc" limit is actually a misnomer--the bands will hold more than that, actually). That said, I also think that your advice about working on consciously limiting food intake is excellent and important to remember--the band is just a tool; we have to decide what and how much we put in our mouths. ~Lizzy

BaileyRose: I totally get it. I came to terms with myself and my body a long time ago. I like me, skinny or fat. But if I want to be healthy, I need to lose the weight. So the self I've come to terms with is going to be changing--and now I have to come to terms with that new self. Sometimes it seems overwhelming!

Nechama: Looking forward to hearing from you!! Amy: Thanks for making the post-op thread! Re: fills--my surgeon has me scheduled for my first adjustment appointment on July 29, which is 23 days after my surgery. I have a 7/13 post-op checkup, too. I specifically chose a surgeon who is aggressive with fills and who has a strong after-care program including a thriving support group (which is run by the therapists who work in his office). I'm getting excited about moving into this new phase of all of our lives! And a possible TMI moment (excuse us for a moment, Stan and Kevin--this is just for the other women of the group): TOM hit this week, right in the middle of my pre-op diet, complete with food cravings and mood swings. GRRRR!!!!! As if I weren't cranky enough with this diet! (LOL!!!)

I haven't tried the Crystal Light Pure yet (though I bought some), but tonight I tried MIO, which (in my store) is in the same aisle as the Crystal Light. It was MUCH better than I anticipated!! I think it uses Splenda (aspertame gives me terrible headaches, so I'm certain it doesn't have that). Merlina: My surgeon's nurse said omeprazole can be cut in half, and that coated pills are easier to take than non-coated ones. And my PCP said that it's better to crush pills (even those that say "do not crush") than to not take them at all. And it sounds like that dr. you dealt with was a jerk! He's not your band surgeon, is he?

Hooray!!! I'm happy for you! (I'm also a little envious! ) Keep up the good work!

Thanks, Nechama! I certainly think so. And she's the best reason I've ever had for improving my life, my health, my eating, my home--everything. I never knew I could love another person so completely (I know, I know--virtually every mother feels that way. But I spent so many years living just for myself that it's something of a revelation to me still! )

Why I decided to have lap-band: I didn't have my baby until I was almost 40, and I want to live for a long, long time for her. I won't do that unless I lose weight.

Try to remember that many, many, many people with weight issues don't ever get as far as surgery (for all the reasons none of us did it any earlier than now). Quit beating yourself up; try to focus on the positives, like your determination to lose weight and keep it off using any means necessary. That takes strength. You're also organized and kind and generous--even just a week or so on this list with you has shown me that. Use those skills to your advantage and rock the bandster life. Look forward, not back (except to acknowledge problems and figure out how to avoid repeating them). (It's always so much easier to solve OTHER people's dilemmas, isn't it? So when I get down in the dumps, feel free to hand my own advice back to me!! )

Shauna: I like your goal! My husband is a runner, and one of my long-term goals is to be able to run with him. But I haven't set any definite, firm goals to lead me to that. But for years, I've wanted to do the Susan Komen 3-day Walk for the Cure. Your post has inspired me, Shauna. This year, I'm going to do that three-day walk. It's November 4-6 in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. So. Goal set.

ahassan: ME TOO!!!! I'm sorry your scale isn't moving, but I am SO GLAD I'm not the only one with this experience!

Amy: YES!! I went and got my pre-op bloodwork done today and got all shaky from pre-op nerves. I've got an appt. with my PCP (also actually a NP--could our experiences be any more alike?!) and am planning on asking her for a few days' worth of Xanax or something. At least I'm not eating to deal with the nerves!

I went to Wal-Mart tonight to gather up post-op food for the liquids and mushies stage and ended up (because of the odd combination of food I was buying) having a chat with the cute, thin 20-something checker about my planned WLS. She was very sweet and encouraging and told me about a friend of hers who had lapband and has been very successful. I guess I've decided (by default) to be pretty open about it. However, I'm not telling a group of my college friends--we get together every year for New Year's Eve in a different city (this is year 19--yipes, I'm old!). This year we're going to Las Vegas and I kind of want to just show up and surprise them all with my dramatic weight loss (I'm already 30 lbs lighter than they saw me last). Is that just totally ridiculous of me? Well, at least it gives me a goal!

14isabella: Congrats! If you haven't yet, come join us on our July threads--it's a great, supportive group and we'd love to have you!

Woohoo!!!! Congratulations!!!

I wish I had waited to have my baby AFTER lap-band--my pregnancy was severely complicated by my weight and my baby was born almost three months early. She's fine, but it was a scary time. I have a friend who had IVF with lap-band, and everything went great. You'll do fine.

Yes, yes, yes--find another doctor. Get a second opinion. And a third, if necessary. The doctors I've talked to said they would repair any hiatal hernias and not a single one of them said anything like "unless it's too big." Don't get sad--take your (insurance) money elsewhere and get even!

Melissa: I suggest that you bring this issue up with your surgeon when you see him at your next post-op appointment. Make sure he knows you're upset. Doctors rely upon their staff to pass on the important information and help take care of patients, and he needs to have it impressed upon him that his staff was not doing a good job. In my opinion, anyway.

I choked down cottage cheese the other day because it's an approved snack. I HATE cottage cheese. But I needed to kind of chew! Wow. Anyone else suspect that this pre-op diet is also intended, in part, to help us learn to fight these cravings before we can do damage to our band by giving in to them?