Margi

I prayed for you, and you will be fine! We all had the same fears before the surgery!!! All I can say to those of us who have had this done, and to those of you who are getting it done... We are VERY BRAVE people!! It really takes a lot of guts to do what we have done, and still do!! I am amazed at all of you who have done this!!! It really, really does take stronger people than we give ourselves credit for!!! Good for us!!! You go girl, we are all here with you!!!

Hi all my fellow Shrinkers!! I am still at the 30 pound loss, but still droping inches. I am still only eating what my surgeon suggested. I do exercise every day, and walk, but my surgeon told me to exercise, but only NO situps for 6 weeks, which I have not done. I am wondering why these Dr.s are do different as I see lots of yous have been doing situps, and also eating everything????

Hi you both, thanks for your comments. Here is mostly what I eat: Breakfast I usually have a small bowl of oatmeal lots of water between meals lunch I have about a half cup of chicken with light mayo, cottage cheese, and a half cup of green beans with cheese on it, melted supper I usually have the chicken again, or bean soup, and more cottage cheese, and a half cup of mashed potato with light butter, and light sour cream. after that I have my cup of protein drink, and at night I have about 4 saltine crackers with peanut butter. For me. eating a lot of protein works. Sometimes instead of oatmeal, I will have 2 scrambled eggs, with light melted cheese on it. I do exercise every day for only 10 minutes, but I walk a lot every day, well, not really a Lot, lot but a few blocks, I am getting to walk more every day. The best thing for my weight loss is my attitude, that I refuse for this not to work, and I get that from all of yous!! i hope I can be of help to someone else. I only weigh once a week, but, I usually lose more inches anyway than pounds. So, I just go by my clothes. You guys are fantastic for my attitude, all of yous keep up the good work, and if you dont lose for a while, WAIT, and keep going, it will happen, isnt that why we did this in the first place!! Drink, drink, drink the water!!!!

Hi all, I decided that I would not even start at the junk food, or chocolate. No one ever liked that stuff more than me! I had Lap Band surgery done 3 weeks ago, and I have lost 30 pounds, and went from a size 2x to a medium, or size 13!!!!!!!! I refuse to start with any junk, cause I know I would not be able to stop!! I am some days getting quite hungry, I get a fill in 2 weeks, but, I did not go through all of this to gain it back!! Some of you that are discouraged, keep trying!! Dont give up!!!! We are all in this together!!!

Hi all, I have been busy. My Mom had nose cancer surgery. I like LauraJ feel no restriction. I eat, and am still hungry. But I am down 23 pounds, and 4 sizes!!!! Where can pictures of the lapband surgery be seen? I guess I missed something. ?? I never thot of anyone taking pictures of it. It is great to see that all of you are doing so well!! Teachlady, you of one are still my inspiration!!! Blessings to you all!!

Hi all, got my staples taken out yesterday, doin good, having a problem with the 60-80 grams daily of protein, dont know what to use, dont want to spend a fortune on it, any have any ideas, what do you all use???

Hi all, doin good, but cant seem to get the right protein. Dont want to spend a lot of money yet need 60-80 grams a day, dont know what to get any ideas????

Yes, I put a call in this morning to the nutritionist at the Bariactric center I go to, and left a message, she did not call me back all day, so reading my post surgery book they gave me, that is what I am gonna go by. It says as long as I am keeping up with the protein (and I think I will try the advice of sugar-free Carnation), and all of the water, it says I can have malt o meal, cream soups, lo fat cottage cheese, and a while ago I had me some beef bouillon, and MAN do I feel better right now!!!! Tomorrow I am gonna get me some real food. I cannot stomach that prepacked junk another sip!! Thanks for all of your advice, I was just getting a bit frantic. And,....does anyone know how much one week after surgery we actually can do???They told me nothing. Like, can we bend and pick up laundry, mow the grass, what, if anything?? I am tired of laying around, well I have been walking a lot, but that is about all.

Thanks yous for all your help 'bout the protein drinks!!! I am gonna see today what I can find, either I will call the Dr. or go to Walmart and get something. I will check out what all yous suggest!!!

I was banded last Monday, 4/16. I know before that I read so many posts that you cannot really feel the port, or that when you lose a bit of weight you may feel it. Well, Mine is very noticeable, sticks right out, and is the size of a grapefruit?? Anyone else have this? Also,I will call my Dr. tomorrow, I am just so sick of this disgusting pucky prepacked liquid diet I am on. This is going on the 3rd week of it. I dont mind a liquid diet, but this stuff is so disgusting it makes me want to vomit with every swallow!! And, because of that, I barely am drinking half of it now. I know I am not getting protein. I called the Dr. office last week and told them I really do NOT like the taste of this liquid diet, and the Dietitian told me I would just have to swallow it anyway. Well, sorry, I cannot do it anymore!! Also, one more question, ....does anyone know why when the gas empties out, then it fills right back up again????

We are still having almost the same exact problem! Finally! last night the gas gone, and got up this morning, and it fills back up again???The pain where you describe it is the same place mine is only mine dont really hurt, it is just there annoying, feels like a baby sitting there. Anyone know why does the stomach keep filling up like that???? The other day I noticed the pupil of my eyes were very large, I thot it must be the medicine. Then this morning I put on a new patch, the one for nausea, and right away I did not feel good, dizzy, weak, and again the blacks in my eyes got very large! I asked the Pharmacist and she said she things it is the patch. I did not notice the patch says to keep on for 3 days, and used as needed. I would just put on a new one every 3 days. Anyone heard of this??

Can anyone tell me how to send a private message!! I have looked, cant seem to find out how. thanks!!!

Well, after a long day of bad gas pain, FINALLY! it all came bustin loose tonight! I feel good all under!!! Me...slappin hi-5's to all of ya!!!First day with no pain meds!! I really am surprised how BIG the port area is, I did not think the port itself was so large.Or, maybe there is present swelling around it, anyone know?:clap2:

I got all of it, and right back to Edit Signature, then pasted it where it should go, and then nothing? What am I doin wrong, jeeeeeeeeez, this should be so easy!!!!

GR8, thanks so much for your help with the Ticker. I think I did it right, except the last thing ya do it edit signature, I could not find where.

Hi you all, sorry if I am being a pain, but I forgot to ask how to get a ticker on here!

Yesterday my entire bottom lip broke out in 8 cold sores. It is so sore! A nurse told me that is the first sign on dehydration. But. I have been drinking so much water! How can this be. Also, this morning I noticed on the back my right arm is a very dark black and very dark purple bruise!!! It is the size of a grapefruit! Right in the middle of it is what looks like a thumb print. But it does not hurt. I am wondering if maybe when I was out, someone tried to scoot me onto another table? Does anyone have a clue what this might be??? Thanks for all your help

I blows my mind how much our symptoms have been and are so much alike! Tonight..I got the same pain you have, it started when I laid on the bed, flat for a bit. But..I really thing it might just be gas. I also have given up on the jello,(disgusting). and I absolutely cannot drink that strawberry shake thing!!! And....also I was wondering too, no # 2 at the potty for me either, is this pain maybe somethin to do with that!! Come on all you pros,,I am sure some of you have had this same couple of problem?? Help us out here, and we thank you!!:nervous Also, does anyone know, is it ok to CHEW gum? Someone just pointed out to me about the protein bullets, so I will try that. Also, I took the chocolate drink, put it in the blender with milk, and ice cubes, crushed away, and that makes it taste much better!

Suz, I can only tell you how it went for me at Hurley. The nurses were very efficient, helpful, and cheerful. I heard there that Dr. Farhan is very good. I had Dr. Wagner, and I thought he was very good. Whenever I needed anything, someone was there right now! I was really very surprised at how good things went there. Dont be too stressed about it!! I think you will do fine also. If it really bothers you, Maybe ask for Dr. Wagner. I was supposed to have Dr. Obeid, and after I met him, then he had some problems, and could not be there, so they asked me if I would take Dr. Wagner, I said yes. The morning of my surgery, which was last Monday, They had a cancellation, and called my at 430 am, and asked if I would like to come in and have my surgery early! I had problems through the nite, and they were right on it!!

Hi all, I am just trying to figure out why I did this? Well, I know why...but WHY Like Lauriaj23 says, almost ditto from me! I am SO So sick and tired of this prepacked junk!! It just tastes so rotten, I have been on it 2 weeks Monday. Like she says also, about half of it, and I am full! I started to dehydrate today, blisters all over my lips, and I feel a bit weak. I know cause I am not drinking everything they sent. And, I cant!! I called the Dietician and she said I have to drink everything they sent! Help from any of you would be great!!!

Hi All, I was banded on Monday! It went well, :clap2: I woke up with very little pain, and no gas!! I found out that it really pays to work out and walk a lot before the surgery, goes better! Prayers to all having the band done this month!!

Hi all, I am back home! Tried to get on here yesterday. but could not. The surgery went well, I have had very little pain, and NO gas!!! PTL! Have been sleepin and walking. I have a bit of a pain at the porthole site. It was an experience! Teachlady, you have been a great inspiration to me! And. all the rest of yous also. Lauria, good to see you are banded, and all my fellow April bandsters! Thanks for all of your support!!!

Hi you all, well, I am ready! Surgery is tomorrow! I am on the last leg of this presurgery liquid diet, of course I will be on it after for a while also. Everyone remember me in your prayers ok? Thanks for all of your help and support that got me this far!! TAlk to you all on Tuesday!!...

Lauria and anyone else being banded on Monday..I will be also!!!! Keeping you all in my prayers and hope you all remember me. I am on day 6 of the liquid diet, I am sick of it!! But, I can do this! We can do this!!!:mad:

Hi all, prayers to all of yous getting banded today!! Well, today is day 5 on my liquid diet! I have dropped 10 pounds! Man, am I hungry!!! Can't wait till Monday and this is over with! I am so blessed to have all of you on this board!!