LB4Me

Welcome to the other side.

Good job! It is doable and when you have the right attitude about it, it makes you feel strong and determined. A good start for what comes after. Keep up the good work!

Best of luck, Believe it or not, the surgery is the easiest part. See you on the other side!

You have me thinking of spandex knickers! LOL. Welcome. And best of luck.

Good reminder for those already living with the band and a great lesson for those not yet banded. The band is not a miracle weight loss. It does take work. And years, sometimes a lifetime, of bad habits, even with the band are not easy to break.

I got 5 ccs my first fill too. It took me by surprise too. And I already had 1.5 ccs in the band that I never knew about. But I say fill 'er up! I have another fill next week. Can't wait.

Food funeral.

You can do it. It is not easy, but doable. The first three days are the hardest. I found V-8, heated with some tabasco in it very satisfying. Post-surgery I had it as well with some blended salsa in it. Add extracts to Muscle Milk lite latte flavor. You can make them taste like flavored lattes. I liked pumpkin pie spice. In between shakes, sip Water with crystal light all day long. And when the sweet tooth hits, sugar free popsicles are great. I still eat them. The best thing about the liquid diet is it prepares you for after the surgery. If you can do this, you can stick to the restrictions of the band.

It will be ok. Make sure you ask the nurses for anything you need. Pain meds, ice chips if they will let you have them. It is amazing how quick the surgery goes. As soon as you are able, walk and pee. The first gets the gas out faster, the second gets you out of the hospital faster. See you on the other side.

Now that is the best Christmas present you could give to yourself.

Did you also have a hernia repaired? I've seen a trend on here that those that also had hernias repaired seem to experience much higher, longer pain.

Moving from shakes and soup to KFC "fried" chicken just doesn't make sense. You're supposed to start with soft foods. Your stomach has not broken down solids in almost a month. And the first thing you ask it to do is break down fried chicken? If you'rre not going to follow your doctor's instructions, at least make smart choices.

It is real important during the healing process that you follow your doctor's instructions. If you're hungry, add more protein shakes. I used to blend a tbsp of LF peanut butter into my protein shake when I was hungry. It added protein and had a creamy satisifying taste. Also, blending your shakes with low fat milk or soy milk, instead of just water, helps.

The first few days are the hardest. Then it just seems to get easier. But I understand whjat you're going through. It seems like it will never end. First the pre-op and then the post-op. But it does eventually end and if you are successful staying on the liquid diet for those 2 pre and however many post, it kinda gives you the strength to know that you can be successful at this. At least that was my experience. As Diane said, it really does help prepare your body and mind for the journey to come. Best of luck to all of you. You CAN do it!

For those of you who have Fios TV (or probably a lot of other cable companies), I found Walking Away the Pounds under Free Videos on Demand. I started it this weekend. There are also a lot of other free exercise videos. It gives you the opportunity to see what suits you before you spend the $$$.

The gas will go away. It is different for everyone. Just keep walking and taking GasX. I found that one or two of the strips helped me. Get used to the tummy grumbling and rumbling. It doesn't stop. I've gotten used to it, but there are times I am in a meeting and think everyone can hear it. I slept on a chaise lounge for about 5 days. Then I could not stand it anymore and got into bed with a pillow under my tummy. After that it was an easy transition. Good luck to both of you.

If you have a good surgeon and you follow their directions, you should feel exactly as you are feeling. I have never vomited or had one day of problems. I didn't even really have the excruitiating gas pains everyone talks about. Unfortunately, too many on this site do not follow their doctor's instructions, expect the band to be a miracle cure, and then complain about the results.

No need to be scared of your first fill. Just follow your doctors instructions completely. After the fill you will have to go back to liquids and mushies a few days (each dr is different on how long). Stick with it. And then chew, chew, chew and eat slow. Practice putting your fork down between bites. If you are lucky like I was, you can get a substantial first fill, feel some restriction and no stuck issues. Yet!

Chew. Chew. Chew. And slow down. It's hard, I know. I find myself still eating too fast.

Congratulations! It must be a "onderful" feeling!

I will not lie to you and tell you that the pre-opt diet is easy. It is not. It takes will power and determination. But it does really prepare you for the after-banding. I found it much easier to transition to eating less once I was back on solid foods because of the weeks of liquids, then mushies and soft foods. I believe if you are successful on the pre-opt diet, you have a much better chance of not copping out later. IMHO. I'm rooting for you!

Everyone is different, but I have 5.5 ccs and have had no problems with chicken breast (I haven't tried steak yet). I try to keep it very moist when cooking it. I'll usually bake it with the addtion of chicken broth and lemon. I cut it real small and dip it in something. Salsa or some FF dressing. I bought my husband some pork chops this week. I'm not sure yet if I will try them.

Thank you. I thought I was the only one. I've always had a heightened sense of smell and taste. But just yesterday, I was sitting with my husband in a restaurant and all of the sudden I had this strong smell of grapefruit. I asked my husband if he smelled it. He didn't. It drove me crazy. When we got up, I saw that someone at the bar had a grapefruit peel in their martini type drink. It seems like I can smell everything. I also noticed my tastes changing. I used to love the SF flavored coffee creamers. Now they are way to sweet and the smell makes me naseus.

Hang in there. Make sure you're sipping your liquids. It is the meds and anestesia.

Name, real or screen~ Joyce Age~ 52 Weight on December 1st~ 296 Goal weight for December 29th~ 284 (it will be hard, but I promised myself i would lose 40 lbs before the New year and my vacation) Dietary goal for December~ Watch portion sizes Exercise goal for December~ Just do it! Personal goal for December~ Pamper myself. It's been awhile. Date banded~ 10/20/11 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 28 lbs One thing that has improved with your health since banding~ Less pain, better attitude