gottobeme

So I have to admit that this post is a chance for me to whine a little, but I would like some advice too. I work in an elementary school and was so proud of myself because I had not had a cold this school year. Well we have about 4 weeks left of school and BAM, I now have a cold. I was banded April 13th so this is my first "banded cold". Earlier today I had a little bit of an upset stomach, my thinking is that it was from things in my head draining down to my stomach. I've never really had issues with this before but was wondering if having a band may make me more susceptible issues like this. I can never remember if you are supposed to "feed a cold and starve a fever or feed a fever and starve a cold" so basically I've always just ate. Now I think I'm hungry but wondering if it is just a response for comfort. Any ideas? I'm on mushies right now and thinking some refried Beans sound good... Thanks for any advice!

LOL! Love your choice of words! I have had problems with constipation. Now I'm in the mushy stage and have found that adding Beans to my diet has helped keep things moving.

My clinic also say no straws and no gum. At my pre op nutrition appt she told us about a patient complaining about some of her problems while she was chewing gum (she also used a straw). Once she stopped the gum and the straw her problems went away. My nutritionist also said since there is no real "standard of care" for lap band patients at this time we will hear and read a lot of different recommendations. My thoughts are follow your doctors orders, then they can't blame you if something isn't going as expected. lol If your doctors directions don't seem to be working for you, look around on here. I would say go with what seems to be the most conservative advice and see if that works better for you.

MMmmm...Coke Zero! I haven't had one since March 30th! That was my drink of choice also. I never thought I would be able to go this long without soda. I'm hoping not to want it anymore, so far it's been easier than I expected...but then again it has only been 6 weeks so far.

Wow, it's so cool to see how everyone has had different experiences! For me Lap Band was easiest. I have to wonder if weight and age make a difference also. I had my gall bladder out when I was 23 and probably around 180. I had a full open surgery with it and they did not get all the stones so I had to go back a week or so later for an ERCP. After that experience my C-section (at 26 and around 220) was a breeze, although I was upset that none of the nurses had me up and walking before I left the hospital. When I think back on this I can't believe they did not make me walk! I was up walking a few steps the same night I had my gall bladder out even though I was in extreme pain!...Okay time to get back to the topic... My highest weight last summer was 270. I was down to 199.5 (and 43) the day of my lap band surgery. Maybe it was the knowledge of how to move with incisions from my previous abdominal surgeries that helped but for me the lap band was the easiest. I was also lucky not to have any shoulder pain from the gas they use.

That would be tough living in a dorm! If you have a fridge keep cottage cheese on hand. I am also allowed soft low fat cheese. I keep some farmers cheese and reduced fat string cheese on hand at home and in the fridge at work. Living in Wisconsin I have many cheeses to choose from. I am also allowed low fat or vegetarian refried Beans. If you have a microwave they would be easy to have. It is recommended to add a little broth if they are too dry. These are all excellent sources of Protein for you. Instant mashed potato's might be easier for you also, although not high in protein.

Thanks - I'll have to stock up!

I prefer the chocolate over the vanilla. The vanilla seems a too sweet to me. I am not allowed to have fruits yet but I have a feeling blending them like n2animals suggested would taste better.

I have heard a lot of people having chili. I'm not allowed red meat for approx 6 months. Anyone else have this restriction?

Don't be scared about it! Just consider it PMS for your band! I can't say that I didn't have any ups and downs but it wasn't really that bad.

I was banded on 4/13 and have not taken communion since. I plan to eventually but not for a while. We use a gluten free bread due to gluten allergies in our congregation. My pastor knows that I am not able to have communion but I do go forward for a blessing. Since I am a member of our worship "team" (I run our projector) I receive communion at the beginning of the meal. This puts me in front of everyone and they see that I am not receiving communion. I have been open with everyone about my surgery so I don't have a problem with this. It is also something to consider for yourself. Today we had a guest pastor and I simply said I am not able to take communion at this time, no problem, he gave me a wonderful blessing.

I have heard of people adding unflavored protein like powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury to it so there is protein there.

I have been on 50 mg of zoloft for many, many years. Be sure you continue to take it your meds after surgery. As long as it's not a time release you can crush it up and take it. If it is a time release talk to your doctor and pharmacist about an alternative. I recommend mixing crushed tablets in a little bit of SF chocolate pudding. Crushed meds taste horrible and the choc pudding has a strong taste that helps cover it up. I learned this from my sister who has to give her son meds this way.

For me refried beans are on the mushie stage so I don't think you messed up big time if you kept them moist. My only concern might be that they are higher in fiber than you are used to at this point, but maybe that is actually a good thing!

Thank you for your post. As a newly banded person I really appreciate that you used this opportunity as a teaching moment for us - not a negative warning! This helps us stay positive while learning about watching for those possible complications!

Do you have any post op appointments with a nutritionist? I was banded on the 13th and have post op appts with my nutritionist at 2, 4 & 6 weeks post op with more later but farther apart. I have only seen her once since surgery but it was very helpful for me.

I've never heard of liquacel. What is it? I guess that means no for me!

There are so many legitimate reasons for choosing to tell or not tell people you are having WLS. This is a perfect reason not to tell! I am very fortunate to have a lot of supportive people in my life who know. I have not tried to hide it from anyone....With that said, there are a few people in my life that I don't see very often that can be negative. Maybe if they were more positive they would be lucky enough to see me more often!

I really think days 3-4 are the worst. The thought of some things even seemed to turn my stomach at that time. It gets better every day. I'm thinking it was probably somewhere around day seven that things really started getting better for me. Hang in there and remember it gets better every day!

Thank you for sharing your story with us!

I had it. I bought a pair of Dansko Professional clogs - they took care of it! Not over night mind you but they are wonderful. I always thought a "soft" shoe would make things feel better - not the case. Dansko's have a hard sole, take a little getting used to and are not cheap. They are however the best investment you can make in footwear! I now have 4 pairs and if I wear other footwear for more than a day or two I can tell a big difference.

I agree with all that has been said. I was banded a little over two weeks ago and had my post op today. I will probably be on this forum less and less over time. It has been a great source of information but I find myself on here all the time and I need to get away from my computer and get out working in my yard among other things. I still plan to read and post but it's time to get on with my life. I think this is probably common for most of us on here.

I did send an email. The reply was that group forums are not accessible yet on mobile devices. The hope to have it fixed in a few weeks.

Along the same lines think of it as a journey. It's about the journey and not the destination! Along the way remember to appreciate all the little changes like buying new underwear because yours is now baggy in the butt! Here are a few of my little victories along the way. Remember to take time to appreciate these - kind of like stopping to smell the roses. My wedding ring is now too big (married 22 years on May 19th) Shopping for clothes with my 16 year old daughter in the same store. I now like the way I look with earrings that dangle. (Before my face was too fat and it looked silly!) I am able to paint my toenails! I am able to walk up and down stairs without getting winded.