Debora Anne

:Banane34: OUTSTANDING JOB~

Welocme back good for you

How exciting for you~ And your weight loss in 1 month is outstanding! Congrats - I am right behind you Banded JUne 8th

weight loss

It's July now, and I wanted to give an update. In five days is my one month bandiversary. I am serious; this is the best decision I have ever made. I think part of what has helped me is that the only expectations I am placing are on myself to work with the band, and not on the band to help me. (Hope that makes sense). My weightloss had slowed down this week from 2 pounds a day (water weight), to about 5 pounds over the whole week. I am running 2.5 miles a day instead of walking now, and doing yoga for an hour and a half; plus I've been a ton more social and wanting to go hang out with my friends more often.

I am sure that I'll come to some roadblocks and have some challenges at some point, I imagine everyone does; I'm trying to be realistic... but at this point, it's all good; and I'm LOVING it. I can't wait to go for my 6 week follow up soon.

One really great thing that I want to share is that my partner Greg was very worried about the surgery and thought I would get an infection or would throw up all the time, or that something bad would happen, he was upset that I would look different, etc; but now he LOVES it, and he's really happy about the health that I'm achieving. He's even started exercising in the morning with me (He's got about 40 to lose himself). I'm just thrilled.

I sincerely hope that everyone else is doing well. Congratulations to all of you for giving yourself the gift of health. ♥

I use the site www.puritanpride to order my Vitamins - they are cheaper than anywhere I have seen in stores or online they have everything and most in liguids and chewables They also run specials all the time - I just received 6 bottlles of liquid Calcium for the price of one -for a total of $7dollars including shipping

I am going to pay more attention in the mornings and in hot weather -- geez like arthritis when its going to be cold maybe we cna start cchecking weather stats with our band

Glad to hear your better Drinking will not stretch your pouch since it slides through the band - Solids can stretch if you take too big a bite or do not chew properly because the food will sit there in the pouch Hope that answers your questions

Thanks for the reply. I had already started sipping some tea. All is well now. I often wonder about liquids and stretching the pouch. Do you think its possible to drink too much and stretch your pouch?

Hi there - based on your Medical issues you stated above I would definitley consider the Lap Band - I am older than you (50..ouch I still hate writing that nimber : ) 5'2" and my weight is a tad just a tad lower than yours - I am not an expert and only 3 1/2 weeks post op but already feel so much better - I am happier, i am not as tired as I was it has just been great. I was (am) Type 2 diabetic on oral and insulin meds ...I discontinued my meds when I went on the Protein diet pre surgery and watched my sugar numbers caefully - i was concerned about taking my meds with no food ..however I have not taken any Diabetic meds since - i have tested every day - before and after meals and my sugar numbers are right at NORMAL EVERY TIME~~~ And this has only been 5 weeks that I stopped taking my meds WOW~ I am impressed ..my next goal is to get off High Blood pressure meds ...

My point being that I have proven to myself that with weight loss- eating properly and some excercise (even if it is a walk around the block)

my health WILL IMPROVE~ Now I have like all of us done the above without the Lap Band been successful and then gained it back - the great thing about the LAP BAND IS I WILL KEEP IT OFF -- I LOVE MY BAND and reccomend it to anyone

Utilize this FORUM and several people have BLOGS that are so helpful - Good luck to you and keep us posted. If you would like to email me with questions concerns or just to vent send me an email deboramo@att.net

Warm Water - and follow your liquid diet I am sure you are fine - just keep in mind we are on liquids for the first couple weeks so the band can settle where it needs to be and to heal

You should check with your doctor - he will tell you when to start

Interesting I live in Texas as well (good ole san antone) :Banane38: I spend a lot of time outside in my pool and have not experienced tightness -could be although I am sunning on my raft my bum is still getting wet ....

I have only been banded for 3 1/2 weeks but my experience has been wonderful - no problems at all including surgery - I had a small hernia repair as well by day 5 I was on my stationary bike onlt took pain meds the day of surgery and a couple times the next day - 3rd day only when I went to bed and its been pain free since~

I LOVE MY BAND

Along with what Cindy C said --- I spent 2 years researching weight loss surgery and finally decided on the LAP BAND - I am 3 1/2 weeks post surgery and it is the BEST descion I have ever made~ Keep us posted

it is understandable you have concerns - I am newly banded (3 1/2 weeks post op) but here is my experience and comments so far from my Journey

Since your job is a desk job 0ne week off should be more than sufficient - Most people have surgery We or Thursday and are back to work by Monday - (I travel extensively for my job and when I am not traveling I work form Home -) I had surgery Wed and checked emails Thursday and back to conference calls and paper work Friday - I took my pain meds all day Wed - 2 xs Thursday and then Friday before bed - I have not taken any pain meds since.

As far as hunger goes the first week you will not be very hungry - once you get off the liguid diets and start mushies (very soft foods) and then get to solids your hunger will go away - there is also of course head hunger which is not real hunger but your head is tellign you to eat

As you go on in the journey and become hungry more than 4-5 hours between meals - that is when you get a fill to help alleviate the hungry's

For me the band is working very well - I eat 3 meals a day without hunger in between - I do not even think about food until I get hungry -- which is totally different form before the lap band - food was a big part of my day prior to surgery

I was fortunate and did nto have significant gas pains (which are typical with this surgery) until the 4th day - a heating pad, Gas X and Hot tea and walking helped tremendously (which you could probably do at your job If needed)

I was on my sgtatioanry bike by 5 days (slowly yes bit still excercising)

It sounds like you are wanting this for all the right reasons - keep researching and ask lots of questions

Its sounds like you have the desire and motivation to make the band workj with you I wish you luck and let me knwo your progress and descion

Sorry it is so constant - the reason for the gas is air that is blown into your stomach during surgery - Try drinkling some hot tea - peppermint seems to work as well as a heating pad - it will get better promise

I am just now starting on solids and like everyone so afraid of vomiting and getting stuck...I choice very carefully what to eat and CHEW CHEW CHEW CHEW CHEW- I mean it is liguified before I swallow (which is what my doc said to do) I take very small bites - and watch the clock and take my time to give the swallow time to move down.Another thing I did to start was have something moist to add to the food I was trying ..such as ketchup to help moisten my first go with a new food.< /p>

I actually had porter house steak tonight and told my Hubby I was afraid to try it -- he gave me the tenderest part and said you have to start sometime and I am right here with the hot Water ready if you need it! So i went for it (i am a conavore and coiuld eat meat all day - I took teeny tiny bites and dada I ate about 2 oz~~~!!! Of course everyone is different and they say after you have a fill you may not be able to eat things you did prior --- Here is to all of us for no PB Vomit or SLIMING~~

I only know that sugar can trigger your appetite for more sugar and they are considered empty calories

Welcome!!! I am 3 weeks post op and LOVE MY BAND WELCOME ABOARD YOU WILL LOVE IT TOO~

Sounds Yummy I will definitly be trying out this one Thanks for sharing

Welcome - you will find this forum very helpful. The poster's are freindly and informative - I have found this to be a great place for information and to ask questions. They are also so motivating~~~

Of course I am only 3 weeks post op but this is what helps me -

• 3 meals a day if I snack it is usually 1x a day and my choice is sugar free Jello or sugar free posicle - now that watermelon season is here I am going to have watermelon
• LOTS AND LOTS of liquid- Sugar free only no calorie drinks 9Sugar Free Crystal lite- Kool Aide - Hawain punch and plain old Water is great in this HOT Texas weather (Sugar Free Hawain Punch is sweet so takes any sweet cravings away~ I was a big sweet eater)
• Protein as main food -keeps me satisfied- have some fruit in the am with Breakfast and lucnh, veggie with dinner
• Very few carbs - I love Sweet Potatoes so if I really want potatoes I choose Sweet vs White
• Excercise daily - like someone above posted anything to keep your body moving for a period of time
• Use small plates- bowls and my grandson sppon and fork
• If I feel "head hungry" I will usually sip on something till i figure out if it is real hunger - if it is I eat
• Keep myself busy - reading- walking or do my needlepoint instead of previous habit of bored - watching TV and eating a bag of chips or Cookies
• I do not focus on food all day such waht will I eat - when can I eat etc.

Hope this helps Good luck

Can someone tell me what the Tricare requirements tog et the band are?

I need ab excercises as well and at a loss (I had back surgery so limited on floor excercises) have tried crunches on ball but I quess I am not coordinated enough yet because I slip off the ball or rather roll ......hubby finds it funny ..i find it annoying

What is Plank? And Body Pump? Any suggestions would be great -- I have a pool does anyone know of pool excercises for the abs?

I agree I think that was rude~

Since she has been banded for two years and never got stuck before - she obviously does not know what to do - hence the reason for posting her question and attempt for help....

What a horrible way to respond to someone who is scared. One day you might need some compassion. I hope you get it when you need it and remember how helpful a compassionate response can be.

You are both only 4 and 5 days post op I would not focus so much on the Protein - I too became satisfied on 1/2 Protein Shake 4 oz each meal (drinking 2 a day maybe) which is what my doctor advised for the first 5 days - drink the protein shake slowly to avoid getting "full" Protein will keep you energized and satisfied - you do need your liquids - tea- water-crystal lite - sugar free Kool aid and Hawain punch (they have great flavors in individual packets) you do need to stay hydrated- If it is any consoliation I was concerned because I could not "eat" much and mdoctor said that is typical for at least the first week. Remember you are still healing --- :scales:

I was an addict - Diet Coke Addict~~~ monimum of 3 a day usually more -- I gave it up 3 weeks pre-op (I am now 3 weeks post op) and even I can;t beleive I do not miss it like I thought I would -- so far so good - hang in there may not be tto bad for you either Heres to hoping for ya :bananajump:

I'm being banded July 5 too!!!!! I'm not nervous - but I think about it all the time (and giving up diet pop I think will be the hardest thing)! Good luck to all of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!