lifeisjustbeginning2011

Well, 5 days of no movement on the scale. I don't really care, to be totally honest. I just want to have my energy back. I'm hoping that my blood tests next week will help me and the doc decide which supplements I need to be taking. I'm over the exhausted phase, down to one nap a day, but I'm sill feeling like a slug. I'm not allowing myself Snacks, only three meals a day as Allergan recommends. I still think about food all the time, but the only way I know I'm really truly hungry is a grumbling tummy. I try not to let that happen, because when it does, I'm usually very tired and need food immediately. I'm able to drink more Water and that is helping. I'm officially on solids now. I haven't tried steak or anything like that, but basically my diet is back to regular foods. If anyone is interested, my daily food diary is available at myfitnesspal.com. Just send me a friend request if you're on there. I can't say that my choices are always the best, but I'm trying to change a lot of really poor eating habits. It is a lot of fun tracking my foods and holding myself accountable for every bit. I have no pain or discomfort at all. 2 out of the 4 incisions are almost completely closed. No bloating or gas feelings, but I rip a few good burps after meals. I'm continuing to write daily (sometimes more than once a day) on my blog. I really enjoy doing it. Sometimes I write about recipes (I'm a sucky cook), sometimes it is about emotional struggles, but it is always about stuff I'm thinking about. Hope everyone is doing well post-op. Tomorrow marks 3 weeks post-op for me! Amy

I'll tell you a little story here. When I was researching surgeons, I asked to attend their support groups so I knew what type of support they offered. I went to a support group one evening and there were two rooms: one for Lap Band patients and one for the other surgeries. The Lap Band "group" was one person (and a psychologist). The other group had 20 people, easily. I sat in both groups for a little bit. And I'd be lying if I said that I didn't go home questioning myself over and over. But you know what? I made the decision with all of the facts. I knew what was important to me. I talked to patients that had both procedures. In the end, I was the only one that could make the choice. People fail with the Lap Band. People fail with bypass. People fail with the sleeve. Your dedication is what makes you succeed. YOU are the driver. But in the end, it's your choice of which road to take. I think that the feelings you're having are totally normal. If you really think about it, any major decision that we make in our lives involves some amount of second guessing. I believe it is human nature. Hang in there. You've got a bunch of cheerleaders (well, overweight ones, LOL) here for you. WE CAN DO THIS!!! Amy

I tried cooking my ham steak in my slow cooker today (not for very long, maybe an hour) in DIET ORANGE soda. It kept it pretty moist. I've heard of people cooking chicken in soda as well, does anyone have a favorite recipe? I've also cooked a ham steak with Diet Dr Pepper, but this was pre-band, so I used brown and white sugar in it.

sure thing. My user ID is the same as here.

Shauna, Cut yourself a break! You're only 5 days postop and you're thinking your goal might not happen? Never! Six months is a long way away. Also, you have less to lose than many of us, so you won't lose weight as quickly. Many of us have 100+ lbs to lose. Hang in there...you'll do great. My doc says exercise is ok after the first month, so once you add that in, I bet you'll see some more loss. Don't be discouraged - you've got to give yourself time to heal. Amy

Yes! I couldn't tolerate shakes after[ surgery. I lived on fruit juice (the kind with sugar), small amounts of Jello and popsicles for days. It wasn't fun, I was really dizzy, but the last thing I wanted was to throw up. Just make sure to stay hydrated and you'll be fine. I wouldn't do that for more than 48 hrs though without checking with your doc. I also found that applesauce was wonderful after the first 48 hours. Amy quote name=karmaandkismet' timestamp='1311174149' post='1642296] to any of the July bandsters who have gone have had surgery already: my doctor said I could resume my pre-op diet today (day after surgery) but the shakes are making me nauseated. I can only tolerate a few sips of Water at a time. Anybody else stay on clear liquids for a while after their banding?

Hope all goes well with Betty!! Sal and I will be thinking of you guys! Amy

I have to use the soy Proteins, too. Here is what I found at my local Hi Health store - NOW Soy Protein Isolate - unflavored. It has 20g of protein per serving (most of the time I just sneak a tablespoon in my meals. I think it was $20 for 2 lbs and I can't taste it, but wow does it thicken!! http://www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail&item_id=3236 Amy

Went to the Lane Bryant outlet today - dropped $130 there. Yikes. I got quite a bit though. I needed some good sports bras (I've dropped a CUP SIZE!) and some exercise clothing (when I get to that point). I think I'm down from a 28 to a 26 pants. Although it is nice, I really have to be careful with what I buy because of the weight loss - my exercise stuff is all drawstring so that I don't have to keep buying new clothes. The surgery really took all my money (and then some). Question - so clothing sizes are always 22-24 and 26-28, but why doesn't anyone make a 24-26? I've never seen it at any store. Kind of drives me crazy! Just a little rant there. Amy

Yep - I'm with ya. Yes, I know that physically I can eat a lot of what I did pre-surgery. But why? Yes, I want fries, ice cream, nacho cheese dip and all that useless crap. I had ice cream once, but it wasn't the same. I knew it would go right through the band and right to my butt. I had mac and cheese once, but you know what, I was hungry two hours later. Everything I've been told about carbs and junk food causing hunger earlier is completely true. I just try my best not to eat anything that isn't very nutritious. Emotionally, it is tough. But I didn't shell out all this money to do it half-arse. Stay strong!!!! Amy

Just scroll back in the pre-op section, its here in our July group. The one thing that I would highly recommend is: Biotene mouth spray (designed to help dry mouth and also freshen breath) - in the toothpaste aisle at Walmart. It is a moisturizing mouth spray. SO awesome for dry mouth. It was the first thing I asked for when I woke up. My mouth was SO dry. Even when I was lounging around, that stuff was great. It was like $5 and a very gentle mint flavor. Trust me....buy it. If you don't use it, return it. But you will, trust me! Amy

I forgot where I got this link, but it is an excellent food guide for the first weeks post op. http://www.longviewregional.com/weightloss/Documents/LapBandPostOpDietMealPlan.pdf

I found that when I was walking around every hour, it helped to hold my hands up in the air and then to my sides (just kind of moving them around) to loosen things up. Day three was burp city. I could've put most men to shame!! LOL

Good!! I'm glad you spoke up. Sorry you're having a hard time! You could also trying splitting shakes and drinking them more frequently. That might help a little. G2 was my lifesaver! Amy

Can I be your friend, too? Amy

You're welcomed to look at mine. Hopefully I have it set so you can see what I'm eating. I'm 2 1/2 wks post op, so still not the healthiest choices because I'm on mushies, but getting better. I update mine every day, I LOVE IT!!!! My user name is the same as here. Amy

Glad to hear it! Walk walk walk and sip sip sip! Amy

hahah....love it! Mine is SAL (Saving Amy's Life)

Hey Shauna - I mentioned you in my blog today! <wink> Hope you're doing well!

Best wishes - we'll see you here when you're up to it! You'll do great!!

I was always hungry, but I knocked off the mashed potatoes and high carb stuff, which helped A LOT. I have protein filled meals (1/2 C) three times a day, and I'm not hungry in between. Just blend up some chicken so it is super duper mushy and see if that helps to tide you over longer. I was miserable for a few days when I was eating mashed potatoes - but try more protein. We're all different, but we've all got to make it to the first fill! We can do it! Amy

Yeah!! I'm so happy for you!!!! :) Thanks for always reading my blog. Your comments mean a lot! Amy

Yes, I had dizzy feelings a lot. I found that sipping 100% fruit juice with some ice chips in it was helpful with that feeling. Protein shakes would also be helpful (I couldn't tolerate them post op). Once I got off pain meds and just waited a few days, it was better. I probably felt dizzy and lightheaded for the first week. I think the body is just in complete shock! LOL I know what you mean about only sitting up for a while. I could only sit for 30 minutes or so, then got up to walk, then repeated that for about 2 hours, then had to lay down. Do whatever you want - you just had huge life changing surgery - your body and mind need time to heal with all of the changes.

Welcome! The bending part was hard for me, too. My dogs stay in crates when I am not at home. I managed to find a way to close the two latches on each crate with my big toe! LOL By a week postop, bending wasn't a problem anymore. And I STILL look down every day in disbelief that I had the surgery, but in a good way. What an adventure this really is. Amy

PF Changs went great. I had plans A and B ready to go. Plan A: Adult sized orange peel chicken (only if there was attention being called to me and I couldn't discretely ask for kid food) Plan B: If the waitress was close enough to me that I could ask for the child's sweet and sour chicken without making a fuss Luckily I went with Plan B. I got a kid's size sweet and sour chicken. no rice, and sauce on the side. It was good. It was breaded and fried (gasp) but I ate half of it in small bites and tried to stay calm so the band wouldn't tighten up. It went great. As soon as the food arrived, I moved my Water WAY away on my left side (I'm right handed) so I wouldn't touch it. No problems at all. The best part was that I didn't have to ask for a kid's menu because I had already looked online and knew what I wanted. I FORCED MYSELF TO LEAVE FOOD ON THE PLATE! I ate about half of what was there, and only about 1/2 cup went into my tummy. It was SO hard to stop. It tasted so good. But I reached down and felt my port incision (kind of feels like a zipper through my shirt) and thought about my life choice, and pushed it away. I pushed it pretty far so there wouldn't be any doubt that I was done. The person across from me was a good friend and knew about the surgery. The other 8 people were strangers, so I doubt they really cared what I ate. I think eating with strangers actually made it easier! I haven't told many people about my surgery. All in all, it was great. Amy