Mama Lisa

LAP BAND UPDATE DAY 25: Woooo Hooooo!!!! Since June 23, 2011 surgery day, I have lost 17 pounds!!! =) Dr. Mora also did a "fill" to the lap band since I am doing so good. So far, the "fill" hasn't caused any negative results. AND... it didn't hurt at all!!! Next appt will be July 25th. God is soooooo good! This appt really encourged me. =)

Choboni, Choboni, Choboni!!!!!! Raspberry, strawberry, Blueberry...and any other flavor I can find! I tested out the Greek yogarts before surgery to make sure I like them. They are the best tasting yogarts around and Choboni is the very best!

Banded on the same day, too! Doctor says that in the stage we are right now, it is more important to HEAL from the surgery than to concentrate on losing weight. Was your band sewn in? That takes time to heal, too. Crystal Light is my friend for sure!!! Keep one of your 64 ounce juice bottles to make your Crystal Light in. That way, once you have finished that bottle, you have done a good job at getting your Water down. Fill it up again for the next day. I'm not feeling any restriction like I did the first week. Dr. says that is good because it means the swelling is going down and I am healing. Wooo Hooo! Can't wait till my post op visit on Monday to see if I have lost anything since Surgery. We need to start a JUNE 23RD Banded group! but I'm not sure how to do that. Anyone know how???

One thing I learned on this board is that most of the surgeons SEW the lap band to your stomach and the port to a part of your mucles. Called my doctor and sure enough he does that, too. So... the soreness in that port area would be normal. Plus, the incission near the port is bigger than the others and thus more soreness. Hang in there and stay true to your diet of liquids or what ever stage you are at right now. Seems the liquid/thick liquids/mushies are all part of the healing process. Gotta be well healed on the inside before we can get our first fills.

Thanks for this thread. I am on mushies, but was trying to get use to not drinking during a meal. IT IS SO HARD! It is going to take a lot of practice to remember NOT to drink, especially at a restaurant..

Thank y'all for the answers. I didn't even think to ask that question. So many people and articles talk about "placement" of the lap band...not so much about stitching it in. Gonna ask my doctor on the next visit. I would bet that he is so meticulous that it is stitched into place.

Super interesting! I can relate so very much to the lists or stages!!! I did a very detailed and long research on banding before deciding to take the plunge. Dr. Mora requires all kind of counseling, dieticians, and support group meetings before you qualify with him for surgery. Lots of wonderful information from his staff, too. Even though I researched the proceedure, I don't think I did enough information gathering about what to expect....what to really expect.... after the surgery. I know I read things and understood the basics, but think my mind was REALLY concentrating on getting and understanding the surgery. Does that make sense to anyone?

12 days post op and don't have any problems yet. But as I read this board I understand that the Lap BAnd is stitched to your stomach during placement. ARE ALL BANDS STITCHED IN PLACE? Or is this another surgeon choice?

Glad to see this posting. I am just 12 days post op and am feeling some restriction, but not as much as earlier last week. Still on thick liquids and go on mushies on Thursday. I guess NOT feeling as much restriciton means my body is healing and the majority of swelling has gone down. Good things all around. Think I need to get some of the non flavored protein powder to supplement my protein intake. Not much protein in soups!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

HELLO!!!! We are lap band buddies because I had my Surger on June 23rd, too. My doctor requires 64 ounces of Water PLUS the Protein shakes. You might be craving water because the meds they give you in the hospital can dehydrate you. If you can't stand water, mix it half and half with juice like apple juice. Also, check to make sure your Protein Shakes have LOTS of protein in them. You might need to switch brands to help you continue to feel full. One thing I've learned on this board is that every doctor is different in how they help you manage your lap band. If your doctor can schedule it, take a Post Op Banding nutircian class. HUGS... TO MY LAP BAND BUDDY! Mama Lisa

Thanks for the encouraging words. 12 cups???? What was funny about going to see my friend is that she was cooking allll sorts of wonderful things and I was OK until I walked into the refirdgerator and saw the Pasta salad marination. OOOOOOOOOO And STEAK is one of my favorite things, too. But once I can tolerate it, I plan to order a filet mignon, small baked potatoe and salad AND a TO GO BOX. When the meal arrives I will put 1/2 of EVERYTHING in the to go box, close it and put it by my purse. Then I'll proceed to eat Protein then some potatoe then some salad if I have enough room. This will probably be about 4 weeks before even trying this. BUT I HAVE A PLAN!!!! OH, and for those of you who CAN have pasta here is my friends receipe.... Summer Pasta Salad 3 color cork screw Pasta Grape or Cherry tomatoes cut in half Cucumbers chopped Italian Dressing Add pasta to boiling Water and cook until just done. Don't over cook. Rinse and set aside in bowl. Mix in all other ingredients together and chill at least a few hours or over night.. Add the ingredients to make as much as you want. For about 4 cups of cooked pasta, add about 1 cup tomatoes and 1 cup cucumbers and enough dressing to coat everything. Enjoy when your Banded self is allowed. My grandbaby loves this too.

Doing well on day 9. Gotta love those Protein shakes and Soup never tasted soooo good! BUT ... one of my best friends owns a restaurant and I went by to visit with her. She was preparing for a catering job and had made one of my favorite dishs : COLD Pasta salad. I had to REALLY talk to myself and MOVE AWAY from the pasta salad!!!! I wasn't hungry because I'd just had a Protein shake. It was just a mental thing... my brain was saying..."you want it you want it you want it!!!" GO AWAY BRAIN!!! Anyone else have this reaction to smelling food? And by the way, is the NO PASTA rule a thing for life? Or are there just certain types of pasta that are on the NO list? Thanks for you answers....

Where can you buy none flavored protein poweder? All I can find are the flavored stuff.

My doctor was checking my incision and my mouth casually said... "How in the world am I gonna wear a bra?" and he said "Just don't wear one" without skipping a beat. Now, I am...umm... about a 44EEE and with a bra my girls take a vacation down SOUTH! I am 7 days post op and haven't left the house or had visitors so letting the girls enjoy their southern vacation is find. However, the thought of going with a bra OUTSIDE the house is messing with my mind. Sure hope these incission heal up quickly. For those of you who are heavily endowed like me, how long before you could wear a bra????

Being only 7 days post op I am not very experienced, but wanted you to know that your post is being read. At 4 days, I wasn't hungry but DID get a headache. It can be from your body still trying to get all the anesthesia out of your system and the other drugs you had during the surgery. Also,. have you been drinking lots of Water along with your clear liquids and Protein shakes? I JUST went to protein shakes today, but still drinking at least the 64 ounces of water prescribed by my doctor. If you are still hurting and hungry tomorrow call your doctor. Hope you feel better soon HUGS... Mama Lisa

Gonna go look for some cool little baby spoons/forks!!! I already have demitas spoons that I could use, too. I think the visual of such small portions on a large plate would be discouraging. As the song says.... "It's alright to be little bitty!"

Once we can actually eat mushies and then food, would using smaller spoons/forks and plates be helpful? Would that help us to chew the right amounts? Would it help us to take longer to eat? Has anyone done this?

Where do you by the syntha Protein powder?

:lol: ..... ummmm... .....celebrating, too!!!! :lol:

I did this last night and you should have HEARD all the popping going on! ... mainly in my right shoulder area. Didn't hurt and actually felt good. Walking seems to bring the most relief.

ALSO... There was pain, especially at the incision area, and more so at the port area. Part of the pain is the GAS that is trapped all in your abdomin and seems to be pushing against the port, etc. Walking will really help this pain. Also ask for your pain meds, too. Good luck!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: The KEY to getting the gas outta your body is to WALK WALK WALK. Thought for sure the nurses were just kidding about that, but it realllllly works. I got up and walked every 2 hours. Even walked at 4 am after they finished prodding and poking me! The first time you get up you think you are gonna fall apart, but you won't. WALK WALK WALK!!!

OK... talked to the doctor's staff. They said that black watery stool is normal for now. " It's going in liquid, it's coming out liquid. The black stool is fine. You're still getting rid of the anesthesia and other drug by-products you had in the hospital.

I think I better go invest in a nice little BULLET. Still on clear liquids...get to go on creamy liquids on Thursday. Wooo Hooo!!!