Tabby Ann

I am not a medical professional but as far as what I know is... Alcohol is high in calories so we have to take that into consideration..But anything carbonated such as beer or champagne could be bad. Personally I don't think it will hurt to have a drink from time to time. I haven't drank yet but have talked to others that have drank since being banded and they are fine. I have heard a glass of wine is good for the heart. There is even a section in the papers I was given from the office that says in studies drinkers have a higher success weight of losing and keeping the weight off. I would just be careful with the empty calories... Tabby

After my first fill I was expecting to go back on Protein shakes.. I was told soft or mushy foods. Maybe I am just swelled today then.

I am sure this may have been asked somewhere before but I didn't see it anywhere. Anyway, Yesterday I had my 2nd fill. Drank my Water, it went down. The nurse told me to go have lunch, if it didn't go down to come back for a unfill. Lunch went down good... Same with dinner.. In fact I had a good appetite. Today however I did feel hungry. I rarely eat Breakfast because of tightness But when I had lunch I slimed and PB some. Now I don't feel hungry at all which is a good thing. My question is... Is it common to slime or PB after a fill or is that a sign of too much restriction. I know sliming can cause a slip and I don't want that. I'm just looking for other ppls experiences.

I have that one. It is a great book!

I just seen this board for July 2011 bandsters. I sort of feel out of the loop since I was banded on 7/27. Most July bandsters were already banded by that time and then August came and there was a new thread. Anyways: Nothing specific to say other then wondering how everyone else banded around this time is doing. Me, I have only lost 4 lbs since surgery. I realize my body is still in recovery mode & most ppl gain in the first 6 weeks so I am very happy with losing the 4 lbs. I have been to the gym 3 or 4 times since surgery so that is an area I need to really improve upon. My goal this week is to go at least 5 times to the gym. I still have bloating issues & some constipation... I use Gas X and yesterday I drank magnesium citrate (saline laxative) and it worked GREAT. I know once I get more regular with the gym that the bloating will improve greatly. I am usually not hungry until around noon. My husband has a hard time understanding this and usually gets offended when I don't have at least a protien shake. I have had one fill so far and am scheduled for my 2nd one next Thursday. all in all I am doing well & am excited for the future. Sometimes it seems so overwhelming but I can only do it one step at a time one day at a time. Until then I focus on the positives block out the negatives that cannot be changed (such as hurtful words from friends/family/strangers). Would love to hear from other bandsters close to the same stage with their bands as I am.

I understand what you are going through. Not all but A lot of ppl that isn't banded doesn't understand anything but what they have heard here and there about bandsters. I think ppl that is unaware has heard that banded ppl only can eat child size portions so when eat more then that it amazes them. I don't know you or your mom but try not to take what she said to heart. It could've been more an amazement that you were able to eat more then a handful that caused the statement. I think you did awesome. Mexican is one of my favorite foods and the hubby and I used to go to this local place on a regular basis. I have only been there once since being banded and I didn't not order. Like you I limited myself with the chips and ordered a combo plate. I only ate the refried Beans, half the rice and hesitantly took my lovely burito and enchilada off the shell and ate only the meat. Hang in there and don't let ppl get you down. You know your own limits & what you can and should have.

I agree with what PinkTulip said. I was banded on 7/27/2011 and have only lost 4 lbs since my post op visit. I was told that was great since alot ppl actually gain during the first mnth.. As Pinktulip said your body is probably in recovery mode still.. Try and stay positive and remember slow and steady wins the race!

I have to apologize. I was mistaken. My husband cleared me up today during lunch. I had 5.5 cc's in the band and she took it out and then added more which brought me up to 8.5 cc's I am very sorry for confusing anyone and also for maybe making ppl that read this think the center I am going to was doing something strange. On the upside the fill helped me tremendously! I feel restriction and am not hungry at all. I woke up with a headache this morning so had a piece of toast with very small amount of nutella (I know carb overload, I was out of peanut butter) and later drank a cup of hot tea.. Head eased off. I wasnt hungry but felt I should have something for lunch so had a cup of brocolli and a plain hamburger patty. I ate half of it and couldn't eat anymore. My headache is back however. I think it is a sinus headache though. I think I will try a cup of coffee so I can rule out caffiene (I limit myself to 3 cups of caffiene per day).... I hope you all are having a wonderful day. Thanks for the replies. It helps to know I have somewhere to come to and there is always someone that is there to talk with me that really understands.

I was confused too but I figured she knew what she was doing. when I first got there she said she was going to put in 2 but then when she went to drawing it out she seen there was 8.6 so she put that much back in. I have restriction tonight for sure.

I had first fill today. The nurse took 8.6 out and then injected the same exact amount back in.. I go back in another week for another one if needed. I don't understand how taking out what was in there and putting it back in will give me more restriction this week but I do feel more restriction at the moment. when I took my first drink of water it wanted to come back up but went out to lunch and managed to keep it down. other then feeling nauseous everything is good.. The fill doesn't hurt at all, Holding my legs up while she got the needle in the port was the hardest part...

Thank you for posting this. I am anxiously counting down the days until my first fill 8/25/11. Due to this post I see light at the end of the tunnel!!! I am glad your fill helped you. Good Luck to you!

I understand what you are going through. I was banded on 7/27/11. It seems like when my appetite came back it came back full force. My first fill is scheduled for 8/25/11. Good Luck until your first fill.

That makes sense. I guess part of me thinks in that old frame of mind still. I think as a treat in moderation it would be alright but I don't want to continue with bad habits and my downfall has always been popcorn & chips. I need to stick with my 3 meals and when I need/want a snack I need to pick ones with some nutritional value. Thanks for your reply Cindy!

Oh Okay, I just seen this. We are really close. Congrats on the band!! This is an exciting time. for you. Would love to be buddys! We can never have enough support, makes it great when we can surround ourselves with ppl that is going through the same things we are going through.

Where do you live? I am from Crittenden, Ky.... I was just banded 2 weeks ago and need to lose around 170 lbs. I keep using excuses on why I can't workout but have to make that a regular part of my life from now on. It is just so hard to get back to the gym. I plan on going back tomorrow.

I know everyone is different, BUT was wondering how ppl with the lapband do with eating popcorn? Should I get rid of my air popper or hang on to it for later down the road?

I haven't seen anyone post on this board for awhile. Thought I would see if anyone paid attention to it. Anybody from Northern Ky in here? I am from Crittenden.

Hi Mason! I just seen your reply today. here is HUGE congrats to you on your weightloss so far!!!! yes I agree every lb counts. Brandi said while scales vary at least now we can see from time to time their scales and know exactly how much we are losing. I am just overly anxious to hit that 299 mark. I want to say goodbye to the 300s forever!!! I was actually without appetite until just a couple days and I swear it popped back overnight. I guess I can truley experience what everyone here on the boards call bandster He** LOL I know they said this is a time of healing not to worry about the weight but for me I don't want to go back to old habits. I have found eating something small every 2 to 3 hrs is good for me. Usually I start my day with cottage cheese and apple sauce. I have found for lunch I like those "smart ones" weight watcher dinners. I bought one the other day and tried it and really liked it so went back and bought a few more. They are really low in calories and a decent serving size. My husband LOVEs to cook so he makes soup and around 3 we each have a bowl of that and then supper is also prepared by him here at home. I haven't had a chance to get out and try different things. I know the first day on mushies I went overboard haha I am going to write the names of that soup down as well as the potatoes and get some in for lunch or whenever. I know I was told we can have 1200 cals a day now. If I find anything quick, good and easy I will be sure and let you know as well. I have had one steristrip fall off and I wanna rip these other off so bad. I was hoping at the post op appntmnt they would've at least changed the bandages but no such luck.. I get so tired of standing in the shower trying to protect them. I will be so glad when I can fill my tub to the top and soak!

I used this while on my pre op diet... It's creamy chicken Soup from herbalife. 80 calories & 16 grams of protein. not a bad price either: http://www.shopherbalife.com/catalog/catalog.jsp?dsext=health2000&pid=546830&start=null&cid=1269384689024&LocaleSelect=en_US&_requestid=2778328

Thanks for all the replies! I believe I did eat too fast & too much. The doctor gave me a paper saying I could have all the above on this stage. I double checked because I am so scared of doing something wrong. I agree reading it back it does sound off the wall. I had to do 1 week of Protein & then I moved to weeks 2 and 3 of soft and pureed foods. I am glad it went as easy as it did & that I didn't make a scene in front of a place full of strangers LOL I am learning though and have done better today. Am not being such a pig and just taking a bite.. Chewing it extral careful and not rushing for the next bite. I know it will be there later. Jen120 I would love to be your buddy. I haven't been able to get online as much as I would like to lately but hope we can stay in touch!!!! Thanks again for all the replies. It's good to have some place to come to and share goals, setbacks, triumphs etc. Tabby

today was the first official mushy day for me. I was so excited! I decided I wanted to go out for lunch... We went to Dennys and I ordered tilapia, mashed potatoes and spinach. I mashed it all up super fine on my plate (ordered off seniors menu, then took half off my plate)... Still couldn't eat a quarter of what was left on my plate but knew I had to STOP. Felt like food was still setting in throat.. Not painful because I was extra careful but a diffy feeling... Wasn't long until I had I guess what was called a PB. Luckilly plenty of napkins there. I didn't realize this was possible so soon since I haven't had a fill. I am amazed at how little it is taking so far to fill up!!! I know stomach is probably still swelled some so that will cause restriction. I am loving this experience so far and know I am going to be amazing on this long Journey ahead of me.

Thanks Debora Anne. I never thought of that but makes a lot of sense!

I think each doctor has a different guideline but personally I was allowed 800 calories on my liquid pre op diet. I am allowed 1200 calories now. I am getting ready to start the mushy stage tomorrow. I know I haven't been all that hungry since surgery. The nurse told me thats because my stomach being swelled from the surgery was causing restriction but as the swelling goes down I will become hungrier. I think it will be hard to get in the 1200 when I only eat 3 times a day and maybe not more then 1/2 cup servings of whatever I am eating. Now you got me thinking. I may have to call up the nurse and ask tomorrow. I sure don't wanna go into starvation mode.

I know head hunger is about the hardest thing to deal with. I dont know if their is really any solutions other then distracting yourself as the other ladies suggested. Only bit I have to add is to be sure and pat yourself on the back when you realize you are stronger then it. I know I love the feeling of knowing that I am in control of my food instead of the food controlling me. You can do this.

This morning woke up feeling kinda bad. My stomach looked like I had swallowed a watermelon and I had some pain shooting through right side. I promise this is not an all negative post LOL Anyways figured it was normal for the bloating. I bought some Gas X and that seems to help. The nurse told me that the port is placed about where the pain was so that was understandable. I had also slept quite a bit on that side last night. I weighed over at the hospital the day of surgery and it showed me 322 lbs meaning I had lost 33 lbs. Well today according to the doctors office scales I was 331 lbs meaning I have only lost a total of 24 lbs. I know that is great but its kind of disappointing too. I am just so excited to get to 299. I know it won't happen overnight but it's going to happen! Everything seemed to be going well though. Tomorrow I can start mushy foods. I am looking forward to that but at the same time I am going to have to be careful and do it right. I need to quit babying myself and instead of sleeping in I need to plan my meals out and really do this right. during this post op liquid phase I have just been having something as I want it. I don't want to fall back into bad habits. My hubby and I went to the fair tonight and I walked around and felt better then I have in a long time. It was humid out and I got kind of hot but I could've walked all evening it felt like! I have constantly been drinking Water to keep from dehydrating. Maybe someone would know what might cause this... While I said I walked and got hot but felt great...Went to the fair, went to walmarts and came back home... Soon as I got in and sat down I got very shakey and sick to my stomach.. Does anyone else do this? Do you think that is a sign of doing too much too soon? How is everyone else doing? I also wanted to say that I am sorry if I don't always reply back to postings. This is the first msg board I have been on since MSN groups a few years ago. I am still learning my way around and sometimes can't always find my way back to previous postings LOL thanks for reading my ramblings, I know it's all over the place! Tabby