crzytchr

I had seepage from one of my small incisions on day 6. I called and the PA said not to worry about it. Call your doctor's office. They need to know and may want to see you.

I was terrified before my surgery day because I had never had surgery before, and yes I remember maybe 2 breaths and that is all. it was snoozeville until I woke in recovery 2 hours later. Surgery was at 11, and I was home by 4:30.

Thank you! I am using the band how I feel it was intended. My friend was banded two weeks before me and she is telling me what all she has managed to eat. I don't WANT to know if pizza, bread and other things will work/go down. I want to do this right. I am eating my "mushies"...chicken and tuna salad, any high Protein dinner made, like chili (run through the food processor), refried Beans with cheese and ff sour cream and sf pudding. I eat my 1/3 - 1/2 cup of food. If I think I WANT more, I wait. I then realize that I am full. I am also following the guidelines about not drinking until at least 1 hour after my meals. I want to help my band help me as much as possible. I have also been going to the gym to walk since day 8. I hope my weight loss continues, but I also realize it will probably slow down dramatically soon. As long as it keeps dropping, I will be happy. If you want this, you can do it. Make the band work for you!

You are very welcome! Please continue to let us know how things are going for you.:wink2:

I assure you I have NO CLUE how they got me from the OR to recovery, because I was KNOCKED OUT! At my preop appt I was give a 12:30 surgery time and was told to arrive at 10:30. I was nervous because I had never had any type of surgery before.:wink2: So...surgery day arrives (July 14th) and my hubby and I arrive early around 10 am. I was quickly ushered back to a room. I was thinking, WOW how very efficient they are here. I was given a robe and told to change. I asked if I could wait, because I thought I was 30 min. early and I was told to change quickly, because my nurse would be in the room shortly. I did as I was told, and sure enough, my nurse came in and began asking basic questions. More people came in and started an IV, took blood (I felt this was silly at this point) and took my vitals. The nurse then said my dr had asked her 30 min. prior to my arrival if I was at the hospital yet. When I asked her why, I was told my surgery was at 11 o'clock! I was supposed to be at the hospital at 9. I had my paper from preop with the time on it, so I guess someone screwed up. It worked out well, because in all of the rush, I didn't have time to get anxious. I was wheeled into the OR.... a little scary since I had never been in one and was given the "oxygen" and that is the last thing I remember until I woke up in recovery. :hurray: Did I mention that morphine is an excellent thing?!

I was banded on July 14th. We only have around 15 min. to eat by the time we get our students seated. I have a mini fridge in my room and I plan to keep some small (4oz) containers of chicken salad and sf pudding in it to eat every spare moment I may get. I also plan on bringing my new whey protein bullets to supplement meals.

I personally have been through the same thing. I could take weight off, but I couldn't keep it off. Please check out this forum and talk to ppl to hear their different experiences. Make sure you are ready for this. The lap band won't take the weight off, it can help you do it. You still have to make good choices. Some people lose more slowly than others, you have to remember that if you are losing (even slowly) that is better than gaining. The people who lose the quickest seem to be the ones that have made huge lifestyle changes by making good food choices, exercising and getting fills regularly when needed. I researched the band for a year before deciding this was what I needed. Good Luck!

Teacher, my husband originally only took day one off, but he called for day two as well. Most people do fine, but I couldn't get out of bed unassisted until day 4 (my 14 yr old helped after hubby went back to work). I couldn't go from lying down to sitting up. I didn't need a lot of help, but just enough that I couldn't do it unassisted. I was walking, doing laundry, cooking, but could NOT get out of bed! This will probably not be a problem for you, but if he can take off, you may appreciate it.

I started mushies on day 8 with a scrambled egg. I also eat chicken salad that I prepare with the new Kraft mayo (contains half calories and olive oil) and no sugar added sweet relish. I put the chicken in the food processor and it works really well. I have also been eating tuna salad, refried beans with cheddar and ff sour cream. One night chili was made. I put it in the food processor and added the cheese and sour cream and it was good. I am also enjoying the occasional sf dark chocolate pudding . I would hold off on the mashed potatoes (yes, KNOW they are yummy beyond reason :glare:) because they don't have any protein and you really have to get your protein in. Remember....It will be the best meal you have ever eaten!!! Ok...now I realize I am hungry and must prepare my refried beans!

Southern, technically the surgery didn't cause your hair loss, but the weight loss from the surgery did. Hair loss, if you have it from dieting, normally occurs around the 3 month mark (not sure if you said how long since your surgery/pre op diet). I am also dreading this. You are doing an amazing job with your weight loss. I can not even imagine running....ugh...but I am jealous of people who do. I go to the gym everyday, but I don't run.

Welcome! I am also a newbie. I have found this forum to be very informative and helpful (also fun). If you ever have a question, just ask. SOMEONE will have an answer! Good Luck on your surgery.

Congratulations on your accomplishments so far. Are you exercising as well? You sound like you are doing an amazing job. I too am very afraid of being overfilled. I was banded on the 14th and already have restriction without a fill. I have a fill appt on Aug. 20th and if I don't feel I need it, I will cancel. Even though I feel I "may" could eat more than I am right now (doc allowed soft foods since day 8), I am eating the amounts I should and I find that if I wait 10 min. I realize that it was enough. I haven't tried foods that I am not supposed to have. I think I am afraid I will tolerate them (and I don't want that to happen). Well, keep up the amazing work. I hope I can do half as good as you have!

Congratulations on your amputation! I can't wait until I am close enough to do it. I will keep your surgeon in mind. I might like a drive to Dallas. I will also need my boobs put back where they used to be....hanging on my belly isn't quite working for me.

The New Whey bullets are really easy. They are only 3 oz each, so it is really easy to get down. They sell them at GNC. They are a little thick, but I just drink it straight, because 2 swallows is enough to get 1 oz down! Good Luck!

Isn't it wonderful to have such an amazing cheerleader. She is going to be such a help on your weight loss journey! Good luck and hug her for me too!

Your wait and the number of hoops you have to jump through depends on your insurance. I have BCBS Louisiana group plan through my employer. They cover the surgery if necessary. I went to a seminar at the end of May, called the surgeons office on June 24th, approved June 26th, Preop July 3rd and surgery on the 14th. It was easy, but that was due to the person working my file in the drs office and the fact that I qualified. I definitely feel that my surgery was worth it. I am glad I didn't have to wait, because school starts here on AUG 4th!!!!!!!

Ok, first, have a WONDERFUL time on your vacation. I am sooooo jealous! I spent mine working summer school (to pay my 2500 co pay) and now recuperating :mad2: And school starts back here Aug 4th.:biggrin: I have been on mushies since day 8. I only eat 1/4 to 1/2 c per sitting. Even though it is mushy, I still chew. It takes me about 15 min. to eat my "meal" and then I am done. If I feel like I want more, I wait. A few min. later I always realize that I am, indeed, FULL. I never would have thought this would happen!!!! I am eating mushies every 4 hrs and it is working well for me. Oh, your first mushy meal will be the best food you have EVER put in your mouth. What made you think you could eat a whole cup of food? Did your dr/dietitian give you that amount? I don't think I could eat a whole cup, and I don't want to know if I can. Continue to have a fabulous time with your family in Florida, and let us know how it is going.

YOU didn't get it wrong, your DR. did. Please do not blame yourself for this. For now, try to let it go and move forward. If you dwell on this it will make you feel worse. Follow your eating plan and enjoy the restriction while you have it. Hopefully next time will be much easier. Good Luck!

Jamie, I am so sorry you are having a hard time with it so far. Where did you have your surgery and have you been getting your fills regularly? I was recently banded and was fortunate to have some restriction just from the band so far. I have made my 6 week appt for a fill in case I need it though. I certainly don't want to go without some restriction.

Diva, I promise if anyone would have even suggested a gym to me on day 5 I would have hurt them. But from day 6 on I felt a lot better each day. You will get there! As for the gym, I'm just walking on the treadmill. I'm not cleared to weight train until 4 weeks post op, but I plan on waiting 6 weeks to make sure! I will not jeopardize my band! Good Luck!

I think many drs prefer to do bypass because the weight loss is more. I was told to expect to lose 50% of my excess weight, possibly more, possibly less. On here though, there are people who have lost 100 lbs and more! You just have to be willing to work (exercise, go for fills, watch what you eat) for it. I believe after the initial surgery, the bypass has easier weight loss. You have been on here, probably researched the lap band and decided it was for you. Have your surgery, begin using the tool in the correct way, go for your fills (don't miss the appts.) and do your thing. When you move, find a fill doctor in your area and keep on the program. Please don't wait if you really want this. You've already gotten the approval; you DON'T want to go through that again. Oh, and yeah, it is much easier to get upset when you are hungry!!!! It will be over before you know it! Good Luck and keep us posted!

I was banded on the 14th. I didn't get out of bed unassisted until day 6. My stomach muscles were too sore. By day 8, I was in the gym and have been each day this week on the treadmill. My incisions are still tender, but other than that I feel good. Good Luck and move around as much as you can, it will ease the gas pains!

GNC sells New Whey liquid. I buy the 42g ones. It is only 3 oz of liquid, so if you drink that you are almost done for the day. They have a tart taste, but since it is only 3 oz. it is easy to drink. Some people also mix it with sugar free punch. You may want to give it a try! Good Luck!

April, I was feeling like you are just two weeks ago. I was TERRIFIED, because I had never had surgery before. Everything turned out fine and it was easy. I went for my followup appt today and everything is good! You will do wonderfully!

Sthernbrat try not to be too nervous. I was terrified because I had never had surgery before, but it was easy. You will do fine. Good luck on starting your preop diet. Plan you last "free" meal wisely. I hit the buffet at the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi...It was AMAZING. Strangely enough, though, I don't miss it. I am now satisfied with my little 3 oz of food at each meal.