Sojourner

You should discuss this with your PCP ASAP...the pain you are describing is not normal, and should be evaluated. I had a bad experience with my bariatric surgeon and his missed diagnosis of a similar pain...he totally ignored red flags on my labs, where as my PCP immediately began to investigate the origin for the pain. I'm not implying that you might have a similar experience, however my PCP is board certified in internal medicine. I have implicit trust in my PCP; and his medical opinion is my "gold standard". Best wishes...I hope you feel better!

Your calories seem to be in the "ball park"...but now your focus should be on healing. Part of your healing will be to get sufficient Protein daily and to focus on getting additional SF/FF fluids to stay properly hydrated. Reads like you are off to a great start!

You did not mention if you had any comorbidities...I was approved when my BMI was 38, however I also had 4 comorbidities. One additional, essential "habit" you can begin to develop now is to begin to drink more Water or other SF/FF liquids every day. Staying properly hydrated is mandatory for everyone, but especially for bandsters. Best wishes...

I also have a Realize band, and currently have 3.5 cc of Fluid in it. I'm not quite to the "green zone", however even .5 cc of fill has made a dramatic difference in my level of restriction. I'm not convinced that I want any additional restriction, as it's important for me to be able to swallow pills. I am totally alright with my surgeon being conservative with fills...especially after experiencing how much difference .5 cc made in my restriction. I would not view conservative fills as a way for the surgeon's practice to increase revenue. Other's mileage may vary...

It's absolutely essential for you to stay properly hydrated...I ended up in the hospital because I did not recognize the symptoms of serious dehydration. If in your situation, I would not wait until regular office hours to inform the surgeon about what is going on. Accumulating fluids when you lie down is not normal...and you should seek valid medical advice ASAP. What is to be expected so soon post op is having a major challenge to take in the quantity of fluids you have been advised to have. I struggled with this for the first month...but after that I've not had any issues, and now I drink around 80-90oz of water daily. Hope you feel better fast...

The popsicles are essentially flavored SF Water without any additional nutritional value...I never had a limit on them stated to me from my surgeon. In reality, if the liquid was SF/FF, and nearly calorie free, he approved of it, and you definitely need to stay properly hydrated. When you have questions of this nature, it's always best to get the "word" from your surgeon's office.

Any WLS will have many facets involved. I agree with Maddysgram about doing additional research to more fully understand what your options are, and to get an idea of what your role will be for success long term to both loose weight and keep it off. As others have written, the band is only a tool; and only by changing your relationship with food, exercise, and sheer determination to comply with life long lifestyle changes will you be successful with weight loss. Come back to the forum often, ask questions, research threads, and learn as much as you need to. Best wishes...

And this is only the beginning...congrats!

I'm still on daily Prevacid to control my reflux, but I do find that occasionally I have heartburn anyway. This is usually as a result of taking an Advil Liquigel...but I do have the blessing of my bariatric surgeon to do this for medical reasons. This will need to be reevaluated when I attend my next appointment.

Your daily Protein goal should actually be a range of numbers to strive for, not just one. During my pre op nutrition education class, the dietitian informed me that my daily protein goal would be between 65 to 82 grams per day. At this stage, being 6 months out, I do get most of my protein from the meals I am eating. It's good to know that you can make up any deficits with a Protein shake in the evening.

My daily Protein goal range was calculated by the dietitian...for me it is 65-82 grams per day. Reaching it is not difficult if you have a nutritionally sound Protein shake every day...like NC Girl. When I mix my Protein powder with 1% milk, my shake will have 37 g of protein...more than enough to compensate for any deficits during the day!

I also have Aetna; had to complete the 6 month medically supervised diet, and also submit 3 years of medical records to document my weight history.The surgeon's practice required the psych eval and the nutrition education. It was alot of hoops to jump through, but totally worth it...

The physician's opinion will carry the most "weight" (excuse the play on words ). They have the greatest amount of schooling and responsibility. That expertise is what you're paying top dollar for!

You are supposed to stop smoking pre op...my surgeon requires 1 month no smoking pre op. If he finds out you have been smoking, he will cancel your surgery. No exceptions. There are blood tests to check for nicotine metabolites, and I know my surgeon uses that test for pre op lab work. Smoking interferes with the body's healing process...never a good idea. Why not use this surgery as an opportunity to kick the habit?

I agree with all the other posters...you have plenty of time to get the fill after vacation. Never a good idea to leave home right after a fill when there could be negative consequences... Have a great trip!

I believe that the pattern of automatic thoughts which keep your thinking in a pattern of "catastrophic" thinking are not self sabotage, but instead indicative of a belief in a lack of self confidence to be able to actually be successful to achieve a goal you have set for yourself. There is a psychology behind our thoughts, and it is often difficult to stay grounded in accurate thinking rather than to revert back to the previous inaccurate beliefs which keep us emotionally handicapped and primed for failure so then you are able to validate yourself that you were correct all along that you could not/would not be successful. This maladaptive pattern of thinking is common, and highly evident when we think about the progress we are actually making with weight loss, and instead focus on not believing what the scale says or the reality of trying to continue to wear the clothing which no longer fits. It can take some time for the "head" to catch up with the body in both automatic thoughts and in establishing an accurate self body image. It's a major adjustment, and as with other changes you are in the process of making, this does take some time. Self sabotage is more about intentionally eating something you should not, then gaining weight, and then validating the series of events by telling yourself "I told you that you would fail." It's a negative thinking cycle which can be broken...it just takes practice and accurately acknowledging that you can and are being successful with achieving your goals. Best wishes...

Beware of the empty calories...and you will likely find that less alcohol or wine will affect you faster and stronger than prior to your surgery. My surgeon advised his patients that a bandster can be considered legally drunk according to their BAC with only one drink. Be certain ahead of time that you will not need to drive.

The only safe place for me to get exercise at this point in time is in the pool, as advised by my orthopedic surgeon. My bariatric surgeon still insists that I should be taking brisk walks daily, and I tell him that I would love to, and wish that I was able to. I attend Water aerobics class at my local "Y" several times a week...it does help with toning and flexibility, though I do find it difficult to get me heart rate up. Swimming laps is also excellent exercise, but physically that's not an option for me. Not only does exercise in the water provide very low/no impact, the resistance exercise does alot to help tone muscles. The "Y" was very affordable for me to join, as mine is only an individual membership. They have an indoor therapy pool, and has everything I need to stay active and relatively pain free. Best wishes...

Yes, this definitely does read like the hot flashes associated with menopause. I remember waking up at night and the only thing which soothed me was a cool wash cloth to my forehead and then completely brush over the rest of my skin. The other great lifesaver was eating popsicles, yes even in the middle of the night, because they were like cooling me from the inside out. How fortunate that SF popsicles are allowed on the bandster diet! By the age of 46 I was completely through menopause...but I remember it well for how I would even have hot flashes during the day and within minutes my skin was flushed and red, and my hair was plastered to my scalp because of the perspiration. And yes, my husband learned his strategies to keep me from getting on his case for no legitimate reason. It doesn't last forever...take a day at a time. And enjoy those popsicles...

Your surgeon did not give you any information about the liquid diet you are supposed to follow during the post-op stage??? Amazing... You need to be drinking Protein shakes as a temporary Meal Replacement while your stomach heals. There are many options...but the best protein choice will be shakes which contain 100% whey isolate protein...still the gold standard for bariatric patients. You should be aware of what your daily goal for protein is, and strive to reach it every day. Don't forget about having your "free fluids" also, such as SF/FF popsicles, Crystal Lite, decaf tea, and yes, also Water. There should be threads on this topic to research on this site. You likely still have many questions, so come back to the forum and ask them. This is an excellent community of knowledgeable individuals who are willing to share their their best practices.

I also have asthma...but keep my rescue inhaler with me at all times and especially when I am exercising. I usually am indoors...either on my recumbent exercise bike or in an indoor pool for Water aerobics class. I have had asthma since I was a young child, though I did have around a 20 year long hiatus from flare ups until this past winter. It nearly caused my surgery to be postponed again. I've made it a life long pursuit to not allow it to restrict my life to the greatest degree possible.

I was not aware of any rule about drinking prior to eating a meal...my surgeon never advised me that there was one! I am not allowed to drink anything until a full hour after a meal, so for me it's important to be properly hydrated prior to eating a meal. Good to read that you are doing well...

I agree with the previous poster...you need to be certain to get sufficient fluids and calories every day. Though I did not have a band at the time, I lost a substantial amount of weight while breastfeeding, and I was actually trying to maintain my weight at the time. I remember being told that it took about 1000 calories a day to make sufficient milk for my son. It's important to continue to make healthy food choices while nursing...I'd definitely consult with my surgeon as to how to adjust the bandster diet to ensure proper nutrition for both you and your infant. Good luck and best wishes...

Congrats on reaching your initial goals...and very sorry to read of the delay in your procedure. I can relate, as for reasons beyond my control, my band surgery was delayed for over a year. I wanted to suggest to you to continue to be involved with some form of counseling as you move forward to an even healthier you. Addiction substitution is quite common, as you have already shared, but your post op adjustments may also create challenges you may not anticipate to remain compliant with your diet and exercise. Best wishes to have a minimal impact with Isaac and a successful surgery...

I'm glad you got in contact with your surgeon's office...and I really hope you feel better fast!