legnarevocrednu

I blame everything on gas lol. I suggest some gas x strips. See if that helps. I have back pain sometimes, and someone told me it was gas...so I take gas x strips for my back pain. Who would have thought? I definitely think it has something to do with air getting into your stomach and the hiccups is your bodys way of getting it out. Just an idea!

1. I was on a 10 day pre op diet. I was told to stick to protein shakes and if I was starving, I was allowed to have some non starchy vegetables. I think the amount of time depends on your doctor and your BMI. The day before surgery, just clear liquids which includes chicken broth, SF Jello, SF popsycles, water, gatorade etc. 2. My post op diet progresses as follows: 2-3 Days of clear liquids, 5 days of full liquids (you can add in protein drinks and anything SF and non carbonated at this point), 1 week of pureed (you can basically puree anything to a baby food consistency. I ate a lot of FF Refried Beans mixed with ricotta cheese at this stage...super yummy and full of protein), 1 week of soft foods (i.e. tuna, chicken in a can...anything that can be easily flaked with a fork), then regular food. If you find you are unable to tolerate moving to the next stage, stay on the current one until comfortable. 3. Follow up care was excellent. I'm a very low maintenance patient as I have had zero complications. No complaints whatsoever. 4. The best thing about this experience so far? Definitely losing the weight! I'm happier, I feel better...everything is just better! It's been pretty easy for me thus far. I've been tracking everything I eat, keeping my portions controlled, counting calories as I had not felt restriction. I've still lost 33 pounds!! I just had my first fill on Tuesday so that might even boost my weight loss even more. Anyways, good luck on your venture! The Lap Band is an awesome tool!!

Update on the carnation instant breakfast...it's been 2 hours and I'm still sipping it. Just now getting to the end of it. NOT fun!

Yikes! Face shot came up huge! Sorry for the scare! lol

Figured I'd post a couple of pictures...they are not good ones at all. I don't think the side shot is accurate. The shirt I'm wearing flows out so it looks like my belly is making it do that, but it's really not lol. I figured I need to keep pictures posted somewhere so I can visualize my progress. Anyway, these pics are me at 225.

I just had my first fill yesterday. I want to make sure that how I'm feeling is "normal". Right after the fill, they had me drink 4 ounces of water. It took about 20 minutes to do that. I could literally feel it going down and it was making me burp. That night I had chicken broth and although I sipped it slowly, I felt okay. This morning I am drinking my carnation instant breakfast and it's taking forever. I am feeling a "fullness" feeling in my chest. It's not painful, and I don't feel sick, it just feels awkward. I've only had about 3 or 4 sips so far so I don't know what's going on. Does this feeling pass? Is this normal? Thanks for your help!

So I went to the doctors office yesterday for my first fill. Actually, I wasn't sure if I would get a fill or not as I've lost 19 pounds since my surgery. However, I told him I had yet to feel restriction so he gave me a fill anyway. 4 CC's. He had to feel around for my port for a few seconds, I felt a pinch, and then it was over. Painless. It took me about 20 minutes to drink 4 ounces of water though. I could literally feel the water going down which is a really weird feeling. I was told to follow the post op diet, 1 day per stage as tolerated. Last night I had chicken broth and I sipped it slowly and it went down okay. This morning I'm drinking my carnation instant breakfast and it's taking a while. I can DEFINITELY feel a difference. Not that I'm going to be sick. Just that I can feel everything. It's very odd. I'm hoping it passes because not sure how I'll manage real food at this point. Everyone was real happy with my progress. I am too! The band is a wonderful tool! Just gotta work it!

I debated on whether I was going to use frozen dinners, lean cuisines, and lean pockets and such. I decided to have them. Why? Because I am a single girl who lives by herself who HATES to cook. I'm tracking calories, fat, carbs, and protein and I'm sorry, but I just don't care about sodium right now. I can't be expected to keep track of EVERYTHING. I also like it because everything is portioned out so I don't have to measure. I know that once it's gone, I'm done. I've been losing weight pretty good (15 pounds since surgery on November 21st) so they haven't really hurt me. I keep everything portioned controlled and within a good calorie limit. These packaged meals are all under 300 calories. I say it's a personal choice. Also, someone had brought it up at a nutritionist meeting, and they said it would be okay. Obviously it's not IDEAL, but it depends on the lifestyle of the person. Especially if it's for only one meal a day. Who cares?? Good luck!

Ooppsss...forgot my pureed stage in between full liquids and softs...that was also for a week!

I was only on clear liquids for 3 days, full liquids for a week, softs for a week, then regular diet. Each doctor is different I suppose.

Sorry if this is repetitive. I was only told to buy two types of vitamins. A multi vitamin (Centrum) and Calcium Caltrate. They are both chewables which is perfectly fine for me. I don't think you need a liquid. I take the multi vitamin in them morning with breakfast, and the calcium caltrate at lunch and dinner. You are not supposed to take the multi vitamin with the caltrate nor the caltrate with milk or anything like that. I've heard people buy extra vitamins like Biotin for the hair. I haven't had issues with my hair yet so I'm going to wait and see on that. Also, I just went for my post op blood tests. Depending on the results of that, I may add more vitamins. I know I was low on vitamin D pre op, but I took vitamins for 6 months, plus both vitamins I take now have vitamin D in it. Anyways, maybe this will help. Good luck!

Name, real or screen~ Legnarevocrednu Age~27 Goal weight for January 29th~ 219 LBS Weight on January 1st~ As of today (12/29/11) 229 LBS Dietary goal for January~ Remain under 1000 calories per day Exercise goal for January~Walk for at least half an hour 5X a week. Personal goal for January~Lose 10 pounds Date banded~11/21/2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~29 Pounds What is your goal weight for the coming year~I would like to be at my goal weight of 145 LBS by the end of 2012.

Oh and by the way, you don't HAVE to eat the 1200. I think if you can reach 1000, you are doing real good!

I have yet to reach 1200 calories since surgery. I usually have a SF Carnation Instant Breakfast (150 calories), FF Refried Beans mixed with Low Skim ricotta cheese for lunch (170 calories), a snack (100 calories or less), and maybe a lean cuisine or lean pocket (270 calories) for dinner. That's my menu for today. Every other day I try to eat a little more. For instance, yesterday I had a smoothie as my snack and that was 280 calories. I seem to be losing weight well like this, but it's not the best suggestion. Why did you cut out cheese? Cheese is really good for protein...you can find low fat cheese. Why are you worried about the calories since you are obviously not getting enough? I'd say cheese is GOOD calories. I usually do not eat past 8PM, but if you feel the need, definitely only keep healthy snacks available. I have SF pudding and No sugar added applesauce. Good luck!

It is normal not to have any restriction. Doctors put very little (if any) saline in your band at the time of surgery. However, I do not have any restriction and I'm still being careful about what I eat. I suggest staying away from the sweets as much as possible and watching your serving sizes. Even though I have no restriction, I'm staying away from sweets and carbs and not over eating.

I kept going back and forth between the lapband and sleeve as well. I finally learned something about the lapband that made me feel better about going that route. Say after a few years of having the lapband you start to gain weight back...you can go in to get a fill to help you lose it. However, with the sleeve, there is nothing there. You fall off the band wagon, it's your own personal restraint that will get you back on. At least with the lapband there is always something there to give you a boost back up. That's just my opinion.

It's all about making the right choices. I buy sugar free pudding and have one of those if I'm wanting something sweet. Also, go grocery shopping and only buy healthy things. I have no restriction, but am still trying to make good choices. For the most part, I succeed. It's an uphill battle, but it's worth it.

My port is also to the right side of my belly button.

Thanks everyone! The support is awesome and much needed! Merry Christmas!!

I don't have much to add from yesterdays blog, but I just had to post on the fact that today is exactly a month from when I had Lapband surgery! I am extremely happy with the band thus far, and do not regret my decision at all! I've lost 12 pounds since then and I'm really happy with that. 26 pounds total and I'm getting tons of remarks from people I know AND people I don't. Plus, the guy I'm into complimented me on how good I'm looking. Also, my legs feel a lot better. Before, they would get tired real quick and when I first start to walk after sitting for a while, I'd limp. Now, they feel perfectly fine and I haven't noticed anything like that. And it's only one month in!! A lot of my coworkers have said that my face looks smaller too. It's hard for me to notice something like that, but I'll take their word on it. I'm so happy and excited!

You know that miraculous restraint I mentioned in my previous blog?? Well, scratch that! I caved yesterday. In my defense, I was sick. I skipped breakfast (I know, BAD!), then had 4 or 5 tortellenies(sp) from the healthy choice soup and threw the rest away. About two hours later, I took some meds to help with my horrible cold and the headache that came with it. 45 minutes later, I was throwing up muccus (I apologize for the TMI). It was awful! It was the first time I had thrown up since surgery and I am so nervous that it hurt something. I was at my moms and had such a horrible taste in my mouth, that I grabbed the first thing I could find and ate it...which happened to be a chocolate rice krispy treat. That was the first thing I've had sweet since surgery. That wasn't the only thing I had either but I won't bore you with the details of the day's menu and my bad choices. I did still manage to stay under my calories, but they certainly weren't GOOD calories! Then this morning I get to work and the post man brings in a Harry & David treat basket! I feel like crying. I had one chocolate covered cherry (50 calories) and that's all I'm planning on having. I didn't have breakfast yet again (not on purpose, I thought I had something in the fridge, but I didn't). I feel like crying! It's funny because I helped throw a bridal shower on Sunday and there were sooo many yummy treats but I didn't cave then! I didn't even have the baked zitti (which I LOVE!). I had 4 meatballs. 2 for Lunch, 2 for dinner. I actually skipped breakfast that day too. Totally not like me. Also, another bad thing I've been doing, is taking a sip here and there either right before and/or right after eating. It's not a lot. Just sips. I feel like it's really unrealistic to not drink anything at all an hour before and an hour after eating. I'm trying my best and most of the time I succeed, but I just can't help myself. I know I just need to jump right back on the band wagon. I've proved to myself I can do this. I just hate this feeling of guilt!! I hate feeling like I'm on a diet. Oh and another interesting story! I went to pick up a friend from the airport and we stopped at Cheesecake Factory on the way back. The cool thing about that place is that they tell you how many calories is in EVERYTHING and they have a separate menu for people who are trying to eat better. Anyways, I ordered the crab bites (suuuuupppperrr yummy!!! and only 400 calories!) and a peach smoothie (300 calories). My friend that was with me told me I needed to eat more...that I was starving myself. I thought that was hilarious! Actually, that was the most calories I've had since surgery (counting my breakfast and lunch that day). Miraculously, I lost weight over the weekend. 1.2 pounds to be exact. Very odd. I have a feeling my bad behavior from yesterday will catch up to me though. I pray it doesn't, but these things have consequences! I also heard that we are having pizza delivered as a Christmas gift to us on Friday. I love pizza! I just want to cry :*( I'm afraid I'm starting to become obsessive and psychotic about food. I didn't want that. I don't want to be weird about this. I just want to be NORMAL!! Anyways, that's today's rant!!

I can feel my port. Not the band itself however.

Sounds like you did everything right! If it wasn't, you would have felt it! It's horrible when are choices are cut so slim. Like, I'm having difficulty finding things that don't have bread or pasta involved. I told myself i would wait for 6 months after surgery before I tried that stuff. But the dish you ordered sounded good. I had broiled crab cakes (only ate one) and mashed potatoes (only ate half). Half the game is making better choices and I think we are both winning that part. Doesn't make it any less frustrating though! Merry Christmas!!

I would keep your protein drink as one of your meals. I drank SF Carnation Instant Breakfast for breakfast. For lunch (in the soft phase) I would have some chicken in a can or tuna in a can mixed with low fat mayo. I wouldn't be able to finish it all, so I would have the rest for dinner. Sometimes, I mixed it with Low Fat cheese. I've been losing pretty consistently throughout the whole process. You will still lose as long as you maintain your portions and don't snack between meals. Good luck!

So as I'm sure we all know, the Holidays can be a little rough for those of us with the band...especially for those of us who just STARTED with the band. I just began regular food on Tuesday. I understand the phrase "bandster hell" because although I've been staying below 800 calories, I'm so super conscious of everything I put in my mouth!! I have yet to feel restriction but most of the time (depending on the portion size) I force myself to only eat half the meal. It can be mighty frustrating. I've been doing what I'm told and eating really slowly, chewing well, and I've noticed that I only get half way through my meal by time my friends are done (I've been out to eat twice now). This works because when they are done, I just stop and get the rest boxed up. So now I have leftovers that are also in a good portion size. Last night was my work Christmas dinner and I just kept praying the waitress would hurry up and bring me my box so I could stop looking at the delicious food on my plate. I just knew I could finish eating it, but I was holding myself back. This part stinks because I feel like I'm on a diet. I also had to stop myself from eating the bread and the salad that came with the meal...as well as dessert afterwards!! Although I am proud of myself for holding back, I have not lost anything all week. Nor have I lost any inches (I measure myself once a week). Yes, I do realize this can be normal, but I still feel like I'm torturing myself to get little or no results. I have lost 10 pounds since surgery on November 21st, so I shouldn't be complaining, but I also believe all my good decisions and restraint should show for something!! I'm just trying not to get discouraged. Also, to be honest, I have yet to start exercising. I was told to wait 4 to 6 weeks, yet I see a bunch of people on here exercising sooner than that. I haven't even walked for fear that I would damage something. Well, even though now I realize I probably didn't have to wait this long, I'm going to start walking next week, and then join a gym 2 weeks after that. I'm hoping this helps with the weight loss! I really just want to lose at least 3 more pounds before January 3rd (my next doctors appointment and possibly my first fill). I am glad that I have not GAINED weight since I started back on regular food. That's probably due to my miraculous restraint lol. Anyways, that's my rant for this week. Tune back next week for all new ones! Haha!!