shellyj

i am not even at that point yet! i was just giving the info from my Post op Menu. i think it will def. be hard for me to do. but the dietician explained that it washes your food down and makes you hungry faster. being less than 2 weeks out thats all i am having is liquids!! it seems like it would be hard to get all of the Water in. how long does it take before you are hungry leo? are you on soft foods or solid foods? my dietician also says to avoid soft foods after healing stage is over because they dont last as long! my head wants me to eat more than my tiny portions size!!!! i have to wash my container and get busy to not *want* to eat! i will get used to it! michelle

i was told not to drink 2 hours after eating and 30 minutes before.... and this is how their diet plan works... 1-3 days clear liquids 3-14 days liquids- things you can suck through a straw...soups, cottage cheese, pudding, jello and even mashed taters. 14-28 days mushy foods- soft fish, chicken, etc week 5 regular diet... if anything irratates you tummy.. go back to liquids for a few days. i hope this helps good luck mj

hi birdee! i live northwest of nashville but work there every day. i was banded 8-18-03. i dont know of a support group my doc office is trying to get one going at southern hills medical cntr. Dr Morton is who banded me 832-8186. you may want to call his office to inquire. michelle 325-318-170

i to have been able to drink more than the 4-6 oz. liquids. i will be hungry in 15 mintes as soon as it drips through. so i have been going for thick soups or puree-ing veg soups till they are muck. doesnt look good but i cant drink more than 4-6 oz of it that way and i stay full much longer! i am sure as the swelling continues to go down the liquids will drip quicker! i am allowed things like cottage cheese, and mashed taters on the runny side, puddings, yogurts... alexandra-- gladware is now making 'mini's' they are 1/2 cup containers... 8 for $2.49 at wal-mart... michelle 325-318-170 getting weighed 9-9-03

thanks to all!!! i am recovering as well as can be expected! about 80-85% no pain meds and still sore! you'll be fine bunkie! i would have these items on hand for when you return... gas x heating pad gatoraide or sports drink remote control!!! lots of luck!!!! michelle

i was banded 8-18 with a girl who has a 10 month old... her mother stayed with her the first 3 days and the next 3 she didnt pick her up- she has an 8 year old to help her. but on sunday she said she couldnt take it anymoe and just from missing the hugs she held her more. i dont see how one could do it alone. i was completely dependant last week. everytime i wanted a drink i would get up and go to the fridge but i had my boyfriend beside me just in case! if she has a daycare that she uses normally maybe she could still keep the baby there through the day and just care for her in the evening???? goodluck!!!! michelle ps check out this site of a bandster at goal i think 3 years out. she post on this site as 'coffee wench' http://www.geocities.com/robinh26/lapband.html

brandi!!! so sorry i meant to say to you... i think it is a surgeons/dieticians prefference. the clear liquids didnt do much for me as far as appetite control they just passed through. now that i am healing i definatly need the full liquids!!! i use a blender and make sure its extra blended wich can add a little air so you may want to let it rest for 15 min after blending maybe call your doc!?!? good luck! michelle

Thanks again to all who replied! i am getting better every day! my incisions are looking good a little puffy but not red swollen or warm! the scars will be nothing in a year! i am out of pain meds so i am more sore than i had felt of course before i wasnt *feeling* much! but i think i'll be alright without anymore. i hope i didnt give to much info i just thought it might be helpful to some looking into being banded it is just my experience everyones are different! the worse thing is the gas and soreness but it is quickly replaced by- is that all I ate???? and i'm full??? yipeeeee I AM BANDED!!!!! i cant believe i did something this wonderful for myself!!! speedy recovery to all august lapbanders!!! michelle cant wait to weigh! 325/318/170

hi all! thanks for all your posts! -still taking the gas x the sharp pains are almost gone but i am still sore. i think by 2 weeks i will be at 100%. i am about 80% now glad things are getting back to normal! i have been doing lots of streching, walking and movement. i think and since last moday i have taken 10 gas x's. i havent called my doc knowing that *it was gas* but just to make sure i wanted to post! Good luck Brandi!! i hope your pain passes! michelle

i was banded monday and at times i will get a pain just beneath where i belive my band to be. it feels like something is trying to get out! or sometimes when i am talking or move a certain way i feel EXTREME PRESSURE thats the only way i can think to describe it. i havent been able to burp except teeny ones that give no relief. i have taken 7 gas x since monday. should i call my doc? i am having no problems drinking Protein shakes, Jello, broth and Water. maybe the area is just so swollen it wont let anything come up? can you burp post op after you are healed on a day to day basis. not a PB just a normal burp? michelle

i am an august bandster! i was banded 8-18 and i posted a new thread with my experience so hopefully it will be helpful to ya'll. i was banded monday and camed back to work today (friday) and i am still sore and in pain. but i'll make it! 325-318-175

well i had my surgery on monday 8-18 and today is friday 8-22 and i am back to work. this was my surgery experience... i went friday for pre-op testing they did a chest x ray, ekg, bloodwork, and i met with the anesthesiolist. it took about 2 hours. i did only clear liquids till sunday night. i went to bed at 9:00 pm and was up at 5:30 to get to the hospital by 6:30. wehn i got ther they put me in a recovery room until 10 i was given a shot for nausea and 2 pills. they took me down to surgery at 10 and started an IV then i went to sleep! i woke and everyone was telling me i made it and to breathe!! i was hot and sweaty but they took off my warming blanket i also felt like crying i was told its the aneshtesia. they wheeled my up to my room and i had to PEE so i got that out of the way! then i layed in the bed for about an hour eating ice chips. i had made friends with a girl who was being banded the same day so i walked to her room and we ate popsicles. then i got some more pain meds and had to go lay down! they came and got me for the barium swallow (tastes nasty) then i layed down until my doc could come visit! i left the hospital at 5:30. the drive home made me VERY nausous and when i got home i took 2 gas x's and went straight to sleep. i woke up at nine and think i had a PB. i was having pain in my chest so i leaned over the sink afraid i was going to vomit but i burped really loud and leaned over again and thought i was going to burp again but it was liquid and the shell of the gas x. it didnt hurt and wasnt like a vomit. i am still sore and eating only broth, protein drinks, jello and water. still taking the gas x. my incisions look good no drainage or bleeding. i have been sleeping on my back and a little on my side. i have been weening myself off the pain meds but i am sure i will finish the bottle i was given. i am so grateful i have been banded and i am glad to say i havent been too hungry. this morning my tummy was growling but i drank a shake and it is satisfied! so thats how it went! 325/318/175 i wont weigh until 9-9 so i dont know what i really weigh!

i will not be able to post again until i return on thursday! i will give a full update when i return!!!!! i cant wait to be 'on the other side' good luck to those getting banded between now and when i return... i'am not nervous just having the butterflies in the stomach... SOOOOO EXITED!!!!!!! michelle 325-319-150

oh you guys i think my stomache has been talking for me!! i printed these posts out and if i get the urge eat something of substance i will read and get a reality check like i just did!!!!! i have lots of food i can make for post op- like i said i will start with the broth from the chicken soup then puree the veggies with the broth on the 3rd day ( my doc says clear liquids for 2 days then onto full liquids for a week then onto mushies) for mushies i will be doing more thick soup... lentil soup:D black bean soup:D chili and cheese:D wow thats a lot of Fiber let me add beano to my list of foods:eek: lol i think i will do fine once banded! it is my unbanded stomach now that is freaking! michelle THANKS FOR KEEPING ME IN CHECK!

hey everyone! i have a wonderful idea for making sugar free slushies...it stems from me at home i make regular koolaide but instead of using sugar to sweeten i use splenda... 1. take 1 package of koolaide and add 1 1/2 quarts of Water. mix well. (the ice you add will make up for the water you are leaving out!) 2. get out your blender and ice and blend make as thick or runny as you like! sweeten with splenda or other sweetner! 3. pour and enjoy! this works best if you make as much as you will drink in 1 - 2 servings. since koolaide is so cheap you can pour out what you dont drink or if you have kids share! michelle

hey mary! thanks so much! so did you go to regular foods after the eggs? i think i will do what feels right. i have bought a whole chicken and my boyfriend is going to make me homeade chicken soup! yum! i will drink the broth until i feel i can tolerate the veggies and broth blended together and then move to the chicken. i also bought sugar free Jello although i dont see that filling me up more like a treat! and of course i have Protein shakes and WATER! i will also make smoothies as soon as i can tolerate something thickish! i ate taco bell today. i did so good the first week and this week not so good. its like i'm a bit obsessed. that is why i NEED the band i am so exited. michelle!

Go Titans!!!!! Just had to through that in there!!!! Good luck on you journey(s) the hardest part is the waiting! i am scheduled for surgery 8-18-03 Monday!!!! this site is wonderful and will answer alot of your questions and give you lots of support! its always nice to know the folks here KNOW what you are going through! michelle

i dont get as hungry as i was at first but i have been cheating a little. ok a lot. i have surgery on monday!!!! and i am going to drink only Protein shakes all day friday and saturday and sunday it will be fasting for me! if i could do the liquid diet than wouldnt need surgery. i did good the first week and lost 4 lbs but this week it was supposed to be all liquid and i just havent been able to do it!!!! i figure since so many other people docs dont require the 2 week liquid that i would be alright if i just am super strict 3 days before. i am looking forward to the after banding diet cause i know i'll be on my way to regular foods:eek: michelle

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sounds like if you have good motivation (wedding dress). i am sure you will get it done! just imagine trying to squeeze in the dress with that extra 70 lbs you lost! i have been with my boyfriend for 5 years and i have been putting off marriage because i want to look pretty in my dress and not cringe when I/people see my photo. not to mention i dont want to pay out the ying yang for a custom made tent that i call a dress. i am happy to say next year i may actually do it! keep us posted!

you know i am really not that nervous, but i am much more emotional. i have had to watch i think i have been irritable lately. and that isnt very fun. for anyone. i am just really exited and grateful that there is such a tool out there and I actually am going to be able to use it! if you get nervous this is the place to be! now if i were having the bypass i would have to be on some major sedatives because it is SO MUCH more everything... drastic, dangerous, permanent, etc good luck! michelle

hi cindy! i think 70 lbs is AWSOME and you are doing great! i'm sure your body is taking a rest. now on food portions my doc says it 1/2 cup per portion. no more. you can buy mini containers at wal-mart for 50 cents each and each meal should fit in there they only hold a 1/2 cup. this may be more do-able after a fill. or buy the snack size ziplock baggies, they are more of a bandster size! you could alway up your Water intake and restrict your carbs a little. if i lose 70 lbs though in 7-8 months i think i will be extactic!!!! GETTING BANDED ON MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D : michelle 325-319-175

hey guys thanks for all the support! i am doing pretty good i have lost 6 pounds since starting the liquid diet! i havent completely been starving myself though! i ate a chicken breast last night! yum! my stomache has shrunk though i am not as hungry. michelle 325-319-175

hey chris! congrats on the date! your lucky my dr wouldnt even see me until i had approval! sept 2 is just around the corner! i cant wait to be banded! please keep us posted on how your doing! does your dr put you on liquids before surgery? i am starving- i mean struggling through 2 weeks liquids only 4 days to go!!! michelle

as soon as i am banded that will be a priority is getting a scale. i would like to know if i am plateuing so i can watch what i eat more or exercise more. i think it will keep me in check! i will try to only weigh once a week. Leo- i just looked at your webpage! your photos look great and yes! what a difference! keep it up! michelle 325-322-150 getting banded 8-18-03!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes i have read the sugarbusters and will follow a cross between the adtkins and sugarbusters. There is a brand sold here in TN called Hodgson Mills they make Pasta and bread flour that is 100% stone ground whole wheat and if i want mac and cheese it will be made with that! same with spagetti or pasta salad or the bread rolls! the flour hasnt been refined and doesnt turn into sugar like - as much as regular bread or most any mainstream product. its no wonder americans are so overweight. Thats what is most cheap, convienent and tastes good. i never realized it till a few years ago. The foods that i eat are made from scratch and yummy!!!! of course my boyfriend is a chef! thats part of how i got so big- he just cooks so good and i do love food! do you know where to get a copy of the sugarbusters food list? i cant remember all of the veggies you are allowed to eat?!? michelle 325-322-150 GETTING BANDED 8-18-03!