steelerfan

I was also told I could drive as long as I wasnt taking perscription pain meds. I had no need to actually drive myself until a week after...had no problems at all.

Catherine, You look fabulous and are truly an awesome inspiration!

Sarah, dont worry!! From all the reading on these boards, that is such a normal experience. Most people say not to expect any restriction for first few fills, from what i've read its around the 4th-5th that you really feel the restriction and it will work. You just need to be patient and do what you can on your own until then. I can not speak from experience tho because my doc actually put fluid in my band at the time of surgery so I've had some restriction from day one. I recently had my first office fill and they had me drink thin liquids for 2 days, then 2 days of thicker liquids (cream soups and oatmeal) and then mushy food for a day...after all that I lost 5 pounds, but I'm not really feeling any more restriction than I did before the fill. Good luck on your journey.

Hi, because I am bored and should have been an accountant....here are some interesting numbers. there are 39 of us that 'signed up' weighing in for a total of 8572.9 pounds!! Our combined goal is to lose 349.3 pounds. Thats an average of 8.956 pounds each for the month and 2.239 pounds each per week. The first week, as a group of 31, we weighed in at 6791.3 for a total loss of 49.5 pounds and an average of 1.6 pounds each. I think thats pretty damn good as a group...lets keep it up. Lisa

brendap, if you can only eat approx a 1/4 cup of anything at a time, you may already have fluid in your band from the time of the surgery. I had my first post op appt after just one week, everything looked good, but they had no intention of putting more fluid in. I think they usually wait 6 weeks before they add. I did have my 2nd post op at 7 wks and they did add more fluid. Since your appt is at 2 weeks, i wouldnt think they would do a fill, but each doc seems to do things very differently. Good luck! Lisa

Lisa checking in at 238, down 5 this week. Of course, its because i had a fill and i've been on primarily liquids for 4 days. I just hope i dont gain next week.

i think mine were on for about 3 weeks and then i started taking them off...they itched so bad and they itched worse after i took them off. the skin around the incisions where the strips were was all red and irritated, but the incisions themselves looked great. i used a little neosporin, even tho they said i didnt need to, mostly to moisten the area.

i was walking the day of the surgery, i was at the gym after 2 weeks and i just had to take it really easy on the treadmill, it tends to make you go a little faster than you may be ready to handle and i would feel some discomfort and slow down. i felt a little stupid going 2 mph when everyone around me is running and speed walking but its better than hurting yourself.

my doc said 50-60 grams of protein and 30 grams of fiber. Nothing else was specified in grams, just serving size etc.

got my first fill today. very informative visit as far as protein, food etc. My PA refused to tell my what size band I have or how much fluid is in it or going in it. She said she wants me to focus on how everything feels rather than how much fluid is in the band. I guess I can see where shes coming from but I really like to know whats going too. Anyway, turns out my doc already put fluid in at the time of surgery. She removed all she put in, then put that back plus a little more. So at least I know it wasnt just the plication that had me feeling restriction. So now its fluids only for 2 days, pureed for 2 and soft for 2. So, I should have a decent weigh in this Thursday It will be interesting to see how the next couple weeks go.

got my first fill today. very informative visit as far as protein, food etc. My PA refused to tell my what size band I have or how much fluid is in it or going in it. She said she wants me to focus on how everything feels rather than how much fluid is in the band. I guess I can see where shes coming from but I really like to know whats going too. Anyway, turns out my doc already put fluid in at the time of surgery. She removed all she put in, then put that back plus a little more. So at least I know it wasnt just the plication that had me feeling restriction. So now its fluids only for 2 days, pureed for 2 and soft for 2. It will be interesting to see how the next couple weeks go.

i also think "starvation mode" is overused. I happen to be a 'Survivor' fan and the first few seasons when the cast wasnt given alot of food, those ppl LOST a lot of weight. As far as I'm concerned its about the calories going in vs the calories being burned.

was banded 10/25, going for my first fill on Monday, and I can't wait! Lisa

i was also told by my doc that i needed to quit before the surgery. so, i quit the day before the surgery, lol. Altho, i have not started again. I had 1 night stay in the hospital and I refuse to smoke in my house...so i used my recovery time to kick it, hopefully for good!

going for my first fill Monday morning...cant wait. I've really been looking forward to this step.

Lisa checking in...at 243. Down 2! Yay! Been working A LOT this week, but I've done really well packing healthy foods, like grilled chicken, grilled talapia, steamed brussel sprouts and broccoli. Snacks of yogurt, cottage cheese and of course my daily Protein drink. Only negative was no time for the gym will try to make up for that next week Only had a chance to quickly browse the check ins, but it sounds like for the most part most had a good week, and those that didnt dont seem discouraged so our first weeks seems like a WIN. Looking forward to this challenge but I am going to take it one week at a time. Lisa

Lisa 42 Weight 12/1- 245 Goal weight for December- 235 Dietary goal for December- continue to log all calories, continue eating heathy (no bread or pasta) Exercise goal- gym 5x's a week Personal goal- get my head in the place as my new stomach Date banded- 10/25/11 Total weight loss- 26lbs One thing that has improved with my health- n/a (yet)

thanks for the encouraging responses. I'm going to keep doing it the same way and hopefully I'll see results soon!

Hi, I got my lapband on 10/25 with plication. I have been on regular foods for about 3 weeks but because if the plication I cant eat enough calories. I haven't eaten more than 1000 calories since and most days i'm closer to 700. I am exercising daily, 40 mins of heavy sweating on the elliptical....but I'm not losing weight. I'm losing inches because my clothes fit better but the dang scale isnt moving. I'm down 26lbs since my pre op visit...but I'm only down 6lbs in the past 4 weeks. I feel like I should just keep going and it will eventually come off, but I have to admit I'm starting to get a little frustrated. The majority of my calories are Protein, Im getting about 60g a day, I feel like the only way to get my calories up to 1200 would be to add, fats and carbs, and I dont want to do that! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks Lisa

i am an october bandster...banded 10/25/11, i have to say, Thanksgiving was a complete victory, but mentally disappointing. I was not able to eat much of anything...i had about 2oz of turkey first, then a tiny bit of stuffing and broccoli quiche, then i was completely full and unable to enjoy any other part of the feast. I do consider the day a victory because i could just imagine how much i would normally have eaten!! But, I think its going to take a little time to mentally adjust to not being able to eat the foods i used to love. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these posts and having the "october" group is cool because everyone is at the nearly same point in the process. Thanks for the support, Lisa

Got my band on 10/25/11. Doing pretty good, only took the pain meds on the 1st day home...still a bit sore but able to sit and walk around comfortable enough. still on a clear liquid diet which is getting more and more difficult, because i am starting to feel hungry. Looking forward to this wednesday 1st followup and should be able to add full liquids to the diet, yay! Good luck with your surgery. Lisa

Hi Randi, im from Neville Island...northwest of the city. My doc was out of magee, dr. ramanathan, so far pretty happy with how things are going. How are you doing, being a couple weeks ahead of me?

i got my band last tuesday 10/25. Im 42 and doing pretty well. Pain is minimal. My first doc appt is this wednesday. my parents live in NC and im in Pittsburgh, my dad came up to see me and now wants me to ride back with him, 11 hour drive, and visit my mother, who didnt want to come up here. Then i would fly home sunday. Anyone else travel this much within the first couple weeks of surgery? lisa

I am also scheduled for my surgery tomorrow morning! I guess we are going into this thing together Good Luck with yours! Lisa

i have bc/bs it took over 2 months...however they approved me on 10/18 and my surgery is scheduled for 10/25.