Lanie M

Hi! I"m looking for fellow lap-banders in Chicago's western suburbs. (I'm in Bartlett.) I can never find any local support groups or even workout partners and looking for others who can share in what I'm going through. I'm 27 months out and down 100 pounds, with about 20 still to go for my soft goal and 40 for my hard goal. Anyone out there?

Trust me... my run was more of a clumsy fast walk. I figure any kind of movement is an improvement compared o what I've been doing.

I just started this today. I actually tried a couple of years go when I was 40 pounds heavier and it was next to impossible for me. Today was GREAT. I completed it with no stopping, no cheating... just did it all the way through. Is anyone doing it now or do you want to start it back up? I'd love a virtual run buddy. (And trust me, anyone can do this. I'm 5'11, weight 285 pounds, I have osteoarthritis in both knees and I'm 43 years old.... AND I DID IT!!)

Me too!!!

My food has to be spicy.... the hotter the better. I haven't had any issues since being banded. I'm a little more cautious around my fills, but generally every meal of mine is a little zippy.

I had the same pain after my surgery and I was really concerned about is at first. The doc said it was just gas pains and it went away after a few days. It just kind of disappears. Good luck!

Hey Tracy... looks like we have the same surgeon. Where are you located? I'm in Bartlett.

Mine didn't hurt at all. My doc gave me lidacain (or however you spell it) to numb the area first then did the fill. It didn't hurt one bit, only a little sting.

Not being "judgy", just stating my opinion. Every time I turn around, people are talking about "lifestyle change". (Including me.) To change your lifestyle doesn't mean keep eating the same things you ate before your surgery. I don't know about your surgeons, but mine was very clear about me changing my eating habits. That doesn't include pizza. Not all bands will work the same way for the same people. We all know that. BUT, we all use change the way we eat. If not, we'll be the same fatties we once were. (Or in my case, still am.) If the band is still not filled enough and you want to eat.... then go ahead and eat. But just try to make better food choices is all. We're all works in progress and no one is failing. We're all struggling and learning.

I have an 11cc band and I just got my first fill last week, 3cc. I can not come anywhere close to what you're eating. I can have one grilled cheese sandwich for dinner, but that's it. I can have 2 scrambled eggs for breakfast and I'm stuffed. I know we're all different but that just seems like a lot of food. Before my banding I would eat like it was my job. Now, I just can't (and won't) eat like that again. I don't mean to be rude, but I didn't have this surgery to turn around and eat pizza. It's a lifestyle change for me and pizza/fast food just isn't a part of my life anymore. Good luck!

I have 6 incisions, all different sizes. I was banded on 12/13 and none of the strips have come off yet. They sure do itch though!

I was banded on 12/13 and had scrambled eggs exactly one week later. It was HEAVENLY!!!

I had to do it. When I first smelled the stuff, I thought, "not bad... cross between lemonade and red bull". When it hit my lips, I thought, "not good, cross between motor oil and ass". It wasn't as big of a party I had thought though.

I was banded on the 13th and went back to work on the 19th. IMO, 6 days just wasn't enough as the anesthesia kicked my butt. I was in the hospital for 40 hours. You people who go back to work after just a few days are beasts! I have a desk job too, but man.... it's been rough! (I'm a pansy though.) Good luck!

Haha.. great post. I'm on day 7 now and tonight I had a spoonful of mashed potatoes for dinner. MASHED POTATOES!! It was a little slice of heaven on a plate. I'm excited to try new things to see what I can tolerate. I think I'll stay away from pork though....

I got banded last Tuesday, the 13th. For the past few days, I've been experiencing these random, "rolling" type pains in my stomach. Almost like gas pains, almost like a burp coming but not quite either. I can feel it coming and what I do is straighten up in my chair to stretch my torso and hold my breath for a few seconds and it passes. I've been sticking to my liquid diet to a T and have NO food so I know it's not a reaction to something I've eaten. I know it's not gas.... cause you know.... that still works ok the normal way. I've also been reading that people are able to drink 2-3 ensure Protein drinks a day..... I struggle to get one down. I know I'm not getting my protein in and my body it letting me know with fatigue and exhaustion. How do you get past this first week? (Please don't say broth, popsicles or sugar free Jello because if I see another popsicle, I might just stab someone with it.) Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

Thanks - got some gas-x... we'll see if it works.

I'm with you Brian... these gas pains are AWFUL. It's like rolling thunder in my tummy and sometimes it stops me in my tracks. Went and bought some gas-x tonight. We'll see. Good luck!! (I was banded on 12/13 too!)

I was banded on 12/13 and I'm struggling to get anything down as well. If I even see another popsicle i might throw up. I've only had endure protein shakes, about 4 ounces at a time. I'm hoping to see some improvement as I go back to work on Monday, Part of me says, "what in the world were you thinking?" I know It'll get better, but it's been a hard recovery so far.

Oops... I mean Mike.

Hello Vin! I'm new here too and getting banded on Tuesday. (YIKES!!) I'm never been ready for anything in my entire life! We're all going to get through this together. This is a great community we have here, with tons of support, encouragement and advice. Good luck on your journey!

BCBS of IL approved me in 7 days. It was submitted on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and I got the approval the following Tuesday. I have no health problems, on no medications and got my clearances done quickly. I went to the seminar on 10/5 and my surgery is 12/13.

My whole "not planning on cheating" blew up in my face. Last night I had a Greek salad and today I had a veggie bugger. I figured if I was going to cheat, I might as well pick something healthy. My surgery is Tuesday... in my twisted brain I reason with myself by saying, "I have 2 full days to get back on track and just do shakes, it won't hurt anything." The good thing is that I AM back on track! Tomorrow is a new day.. and then Monday is clear liquids only. I feel so guilty for cheating, but glad I made smart choices. Has anyone else cheated?

@tandi04, you can do it! It IS hard, I know, but it truly does get easier. I'm on day 8 now and really, I've never felt better. Yes, I"m hungry, but I feel great, my mind is clear and my body is on it's way to better health. I had an appointment with my surgeon yesterday and he asked how the liquid diet was going and I told him that it was mentally the hardest thing I've done, letting go of the food. So much of this liquid diet is psychological. (By the way, my doctor admitted he's never tried one of those nasty protein shakes. I told him that that all of the doctors should go a week on them, so they can relate to what we're talking about. He just laughed.) Keep your chin up and think of the end result. This couple of weeks is just a drop in the bucket in the big picture.

WOW!! That's fantastic!!