zil

thanks to you both for the words of wisdom. I am eagerly awaiting my first fill which is scheduled for 9/19. Like i said, this is the best place to get the real scoop. thanks again.

GREAT JOB!!!! YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION FOR ME.

I realize I have lots of questions and this seems like the perfect place to get feedback. Before my surgery (8/19/2011) I was having 2 protein drinks a day and 1 well-balanced meal. things went pretty good. Since being banded, I stayed on the liquid diet for a week, and then progressed to the smooshies. I have not had any problems with any of it goesg down or staying down. About the only thing that I find that will fill me up and hold me for a while is oatmeal mixed wth a little yogurt or one of the protein shakes (I started using the powder and mixing it with skim milk). Does this seem right? I have not felt any tightness at all and have absolutely no problems that I keep hearing about. Does this just mean that I will need the fills to help me get to where I need to be? I hate thiking about the next time I can eat, and I do not like the fact that the 1/4 or 1/2 cup of food they recommend does not satisfy me.

I am not a medical person, but the fact that your incision has stuff coming out of it and that it smells does not seem like a good thing to me. I would at least call your dr and tell them what is going on, then let them decide what to do. It is always better to be safe than sorry. I am having some type of reaction to the staples, and my dr would not remove them yesterday because they appear red. So, he has put me on antibiotic for the next week, and he said he would remove them next week.

Oh, and to top it off, they could not take my staples out...they are not sure if I am having a reaction to them, but I have to take a weeks worth of antibiotic and they will take them out next week. go figure.

OK, I am confused. I understand the process of being banded (surgery) but what I am confused about is the recovery period. I know I am supposed to be eating healthy, which I am desperately trying to do, but here is the confusion part..why am I told to eat things like yogurt, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, oatmeal, puddings, applesauce??? all these things are packed with either sugar or carbohydrates. Is this just a recovery phase while healing and waiting for the fills to start? And after having watched the DVD which was provided to me yesterday, which outlines the 8 rules...am I supposed to do this from the very beginning or after I start fills? What do you do? I truly want this to work and I know the band is just a tool, but I need to know how to make it work to my benefit. Any suggestions? Z

thank you so much. The same to you. I am sure our paths will cross here frequently.

Well, good morning. Today is 11 days post op. I go to get the staples out today. Thank goodness because they are itching. I think I am going well. According to the info I received from my Dr, I was able to start consuming thicker liquid items such as cream of wheat, soups with noodles (blended up), mashed potatoes, etc. Doing pretty good. I found that as soon as I started eating semi-solids (or thicker liquids) the gas in my shoulder seems to dissapate. Oh, if anyone had told me that gas in your shoulder could be so painful I would have laughed...not anymore. It was awful. This is such an exciting time in my life. I have been overweight for 25+ years, and no matter what I tried, I could not shake the weight. Oh, I would diet and lose 20 or 30 pounds only to put it right back on. I truly believe the lapband is the tool that is going to become my best friend. I still have to wait 3 weeks for my first fill, but I am eagerly anticipating that day. Until next time. Stay healthy, happy and stick to the rules. Zil

I think everytone will agree...you have already started your journey to good health. Congratulations. I am excited for you. I am sure everything will turn our just fine. Think positive thoughts and remember to follow your doctor's orders. Everyone here will be rooting for you.

Had my surgery a week ago today. I am feeling pretty good, tho have experienced some hunger pangs from just having fluids. Today I get to start smooshies. Does anyone have any good recipes or ideas??? I could use them. I go Tuesday to get the staples out. I am looking forward to that. I think I have lost 5 or 7 pounds since the day of my surgery, and while I wish it was more, I am happy. I went into my surgery with a very positive attitude, and did not experience very much in the way of discomfort except for the day after when my stomach felt like I had done about 50 situps (muscles were really sore), and then on Monday I started getting that darned gas in my shoulder. That has been a little rough at times, but I am weathering through. I am proud because today at work we served sub sandwiches (2 6-footers), pasta salad, macaroni salad, potato salad, chicken salad, chips and birthday cake. I stuck to my protein drink and sugar free pudding and applesauce. The thought of eating that stuff made a little queazy. Just not ready to go there yet. Although, I would like a piece of fish (and I don't know where that is coming from, because I am in no way a fish eater). Well, fellow bandsters and bandsterettes...I wish you all the best. Let me know if you have any recipes for me. thanks,

Well, here it is...just a little more than 48 hours since my surgery. Yesterday afternoon was a little rough, my stomach hurt as if I did 50 sit ups and getting up and down was a chore. Finally dug out the heating pad and took an Aleve. Thas has really seemed to help. I only took the prescription pain meds the first day, then I switched to liquid tylenol. Gosh, those things taste AWFUL. Plus they didn't very good at relieving the pain; hence the Aleve. Feeling pretty perky except I think that darned anestesia (sp) is still hanging around in my system. Not quite up to normal speed yet. But, today will be my first outing. Our granddaughter turns 2 today so I just have to go to her party. But will be taking my protein drink and Greek yogurt. I am doing pretty well in not experiencing hunger yet. But I am sure that will kick in shortly. Well, it is back to work tomorrow morning at 0630. I just hope I feel twice as improved as I did today. KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK, MY FELLOW AND FEMALE BANDSTERS.

THANKS

Yes you can. Just follow what you know is right, and you will be there. and don't forget to exercise. BEST OF LUCK.

My first day and night at home was not that bad. I expected it to be worse. Only had to take pain RX 3 times, I don't like that it makes me sleepy, except when it IS bed time, then I like it. Woke up this morning and made breakfast for 2 of my grandkids. and I had my broth and juice. Everything seems to be going along swimmingly. Took a shower and removed the bandages...not too scarry. I feel good, have been walking around the house because it is just too hot to be going outside today. I am taking each day one at a time. Will keep you posted. Please keep good thoughts for me as well as all the other bandsters. ZIL

GREAT JOB!!!. Keep it up. I will be looking to you for inspiration. You are so correct, the LB is a tool, not a diet.

Well, here I am about 7 hours post-op. Had my surgery at 9 this morning, they woke me up around 9:40 or so, and was on the road to home by about 10:30. Had a long ride since I live about 70 miles from the hospital, but was not as bad as I thought it would it. Took some pain meds when I got home, took a alittle nap, and have been walking, walking, walking around the house since it is wayyyy to hot to be outside. Juice, water and tea has been doing down very well. I am pleasantly pleased. If this is the worst, I will count myself very lucky. Of course, the real test will be if I on hold of on not being hungry and keep p with the exercise. But I am determined since I didn't spend all this $$$ for nothing. Keep me in your toughts.

I have been reading all the messages for the past few days, and I am very inspired. I will join the ranks of the banded this Friday and I am very excited. My husband is being super supportive (He had gastric by=pass about 10 years ago and is literally half the man he used to be), so much so in fact, that he said if insurance wouldn't pay, we would, so we did. All of the information I have been reading is very informative. You all area so supportive of each other. I do have one question tho, what kind of protein drink did you use when on your liquid diet? I have been drinking EAS advantEDGE and wonder if it will be OK to continue with that, or should I try something else? I am eager to hear from anyone and WISH ME LUCK. I will keep you posted.