lifeisjustbeginning2011

April, Eeeekkkkk!! ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS to fix the car. That's after I called around and got estimates and everything. Turns out it was the fuel pump. Funny thing - this morning I've been on the phone and totally busy - didn't eat anything today until 12:30. Then it hit - I thought I was going to eat my fingers off! LOL. Thankfully I had scrambled egg leftovers in the fridge all ready to go, or I would have overeaten!! Amy

Welcome aboard, Alan! We've got a pretty nifty group here - I always feel better after I read posts. Amy

Hi all, I had quite the afternoon. My car died in the middle of the road right at the start of rush hour (and remember I live in Phoenix, where it was 102 today (I guess it could have been worse, I've seen 118 before). After the car got towed to the shop and I got a ride home, guess what I wanted to do? EAT. I realized it right away and stopped myself. I was stressed out. I had a small amount for dinner and I felt uncomfortable a lot sooner than usual. So --- yes, what we hear about stress making the band tighter is correct! Amy

glad to hear you're doing well.

AWESOME!!! When we don't have restriction, it's all about the willpower! Don't let go of that goal Amy

SAL - Saving Amy's Life.

The one thing I noticed about lunch today was that I thought it was really salty. I'm a cheese lover, so I have to watch the sodium, but today I had a fistful of onion strings from Chili's and WHAM! - hit me like a ton of bricks. So salty!! Even had to take a drink of water while eating (shhh!). Of course, the salt made me want more salt, so I ate more...duh. My doc said that my palate will change post-op -- I'm guessing that's what that was about? Hopefully the palate will start letting veggies in - because I can't say that I've had ANY post-op. My likes are corn and raw carrots - not good choices with the lap band. Someday I'll eat them. Just not today. Amy

I had to wear a diaper for my surgery (or as they called them, "Briefs." LOL But it was a diaper I didn't pee in it during surgery (I was all proud about my dry diaper) and didn't pee until some time after I got home. I've only seen one person on here that had to get a cath. I was really paranoid about that, I soooo didn't want one of those! No thank ya! LOL

Oh my gosh - 4 hours in the same position! You deserve a medal!!! I can't imagine being squashed in a middle seat for that long right after surgery!

Whew....this is truly a test of my willpower. I don't have restriction and ate out for lunch today. Aye. I could have eaten the entire plate (and usually did), but ended up with a palmful of onion strings and 4 small chicken tenders. I wanted to eat everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My tummy isn't grumbling, so I know I'm not hungry, but dang...I just want to open up the fridge and rip open the take out box!! Exhale....I can do this. I am doing this....whew......exhale....I miss the "full" feeling but I know it will come soon. Having to stop mysefl when I'm not full is really hard. I know I'm preachin' to the choir here...

I've been doing the liquid calcium twice a day and now the gummy multivitamins once a day. I just had to buy some because I had quite a few samples of the multis, so I've been taking them since surgery. I have a feeling that I'll be buying iron soon, as well as a possible adjustment in my thyroid med (I'm still very sluggish since surgery). I saw gummy fish oil pills at Trader Joe's last night and I thought they sounded yucky! You're brave!!! Amy

Hope everyone is doing well. Seems to be pretty quiet on the post-op side lately. I grabbed some multivitamins today - I'll wait to buy a larger quantity until I know where my deficiencies are (I'm guessing that I'm going to need Iron). Still taking my calcium twice a day like a good little patient. <<hugs>> Amy

You'll be fine One of the benefits of being in the July group (and being at the end of the month) is that you get to see us be all nervous, dramatic and generally freaking out. And you also see us now, perfectly fine. I read the message board nonstop in the days before my surgery. All of you guys are what got me though it (and continue to support me). I'm a giant weenie. If I got through this, anyone can. I really mean that!! Amy

Hang in there!! I went 6 days with no weight loss (and I was very careful with my food choices, well, except once...) but finally the scale shows a loss today. I've also started walking on a treadmill, so that probably gives the body a nudge, too. Doc says nothing much exercise wise for the first month, so I just walk about 20 minutes. Amy

I feel your pain! LOL I used to wear 26-28's, but now they're too big, but as many of us know, there is no 24-26 size!! BLAH! There's 18-20, 20-22, 22-24, 26-28.....where is the 24-26??? There's my rant for the day! LOL Amy

Welcome! Hopefully they can use the same scars from your GB surgery....I'd ask for sure if you haven't!

It was probably about 2 weeks for me. I'm a side sleeping, but I found that sleeping on my back with a pillow or two under my knees helped me to be more comfortable. I was happy when I could sleep on my side again, I missed it.

From what I've heard, PBing should be something that rarely happens....so if you're PBing "all the time" I think you need to record what you're eating and the quantities very carefully. Please stay in contact with your doctor - this is worrisome! Report your food logs to your doc or nutritionist so they can help you. Perhaps you're eating too fast, too much or not chewing - this should not be something that is taken lightly. The band can be damaged by doing this. I have a one minute sand timer that my doc office gave me to train myself to eat slowly. After using it for a week, I can see a difference. Maybe that would help? I just don't want to see you flip your band or damage it so it won't work anymore. Take care & let us know how you're doing!

When I was researching docs, I went to five. Out of the five: 1 used ultrasound, 2 used nothing and 2 used fluro. I haven't gotten my first one yet, but my doc said she'll use fluro, lidocaine, etc if I want, but she really doesn't need any of them. I liked that she was flexible and that it was basically my decision. Amy

I know what you mean. I was so tired of sweets, too! I wanted a different taste so one day I stuck my finger in the BBQ sauce and licked it off. What can I say - I was desperate for a change of taste! LOL Amy

Mmmmm....that faux pizza sounds good! I'm all for quick and easy. I run into problems when I'm starving and don't have something to eat immediately. Thanks for sharing Amy

I'm sorry Know that I'm thinking of you and hoping for the best! Amy

Here is the thread that you were referring to that has all of the recipes for the different stages. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/3908-lapband-food-stages-lists-suggestions/ Amy

I had full labs drawn right before surgery, and I plan on having them drawn regularly to see the effects of my new diet. I was prediabetic with high cholesterol....I can't wait to see those numbers go down. That's one thing that won't change - it can only get better! Once I meet with my PCP next week I'll post some more details on my blog. Amy

I think that dropping so much during my pre-op week (16 pounds) kind of fooled my head a little bit. Every day I lost...and now, well....I'm not. I think my body was in such a state of shock after the sudden drop that it is now in a protective mode. I'm not gaining, I'm not losing. But I did have a non-scale victory - NO MORE PRILOSEC!! I've been taking it for TEN YEARS. Now....GONE. Woot!! Amy