Jackie's girl

I was may 14th too! You should come to the may bandsters group found under the pre op section. There is lots of great conversation there

I know I am new, but when I think about it, how is swallowing pill any different than swallowing a small piece of food? Just curious? I don't see how erosion, band slippage, or any other damaging complications would be caused as long as it is not too big. I could see if the composition of the pill and what is in it might be a problem, but if you can have it crushed or liquified, it obviously is not the chemical make up of the pill that is a problem. I tried one of my pills in water to see what happens to it and it just dissolves. I guess this is a case where following your doctors orders is key. If you read enough there are so many differences. Not trying to cause trouble, just curious. I'm going to ask my doctor becasue I am curious.

Everyone's body is different depending on your activity level, but under consuming wil not help you lose weight. After surgery my doc said no less than 800 while you are healing. I had trouble with that at first. Once healed, i will go back to 1100 or so. Before surgey I started at 284 pounds and did 1500 calories to start losing, as I lost I dropped the calories slightly each week or so. By surgery, I was down 37 pounds in 2 and half months and down to 1200 calories. I use a program called lose it. I plan on going back to counting caloriess as soon as I am fully healed. I won't lose without tracking my caloric intake. Of course I track the protien as well. Pre op, anywhere from 75-100 grams of protien a day. I'm only 4 days post op and am up to 60 a day right now. Going back to what I did pre op just as soon as can.

My doc told me at least 800 after surgery, no less. I am slowly working my way to that. After the healing diet, I want to do 1200 like I was doing before the surgery. I lost 37 pounds counting calories pre op. I did 1000 calories for 2 weeks pre op, we were not required to do liquids pre op.

I had a few foods on my pre surgery food bucket list and a soft pretzel and grilled cheese were on it. I know I won't see either of those for a long time if ever, but worth it right?

We're you having any pain with the slipping? I am wondering how you know you are having a problem.

I cut all my pills in half except for the one capsule i was taking. I also took a long time to to get them all down. So my pain meds I cut in half and spent and hour getting them down. One half every 15 minutes or so. Moving slowly has been the key for me. Seems to work. The first day I took my gummy calcium it got stuck and I was uncomfortable for 20 min. Then I cut in half and take slowly and I was fine. The capsule was ok too. I also take vitamin d, colace, pain meds, all without issue. Just space it out. Good luck

Thanks everyone. I am doin much better today. I cut the gummies in half and spend about a half hour getting them in. I also spread my multi,pain meds, colace, vitamin d, out through the day. It is my first day getting all my fluids and protien in. I increased the rate of drinking as I could tolerate, now am able to do 8 ounces in 30 min with no discomfort. I just sip the rest of the day. I guess I needed a day or two to get used to drinking slowly.

I have a burning sensation too, especially when i bend over. I think that might be incision pain. Not sure. The fluids become uncomfortable for me sometimes. I just stop. I know I am working up to getting the fluids and protien, but you have to listen to your body first.

I got one with surgery, soi already have restriction. I guess everyone is different

Pb what a great idea. I also froze juice cubes and blend those in as well. Everyone raved about the unjury powder, but I think it is gross. Everyone's palate is different. I had Greek yogurt yesterday which had chunks that I blended. I ate it really slowly though. I did the same with broccoli soup today and I added melted cheese for protien. Ate that extra extra slow. I had a cup of it over 45 minutes, but then did not want anything else for hours. Just water. It is kind of fun to experiment, but sort of scary too.

Everyone is different. I don't think there is a perfect formula for anyone. I count calories because I don't like the idea of getting too few calories. Band or no band, I will not lose weight if I under eat, that's just me. Now that I have the band, I don't know that over eating will be as much of a concern, but under eating is just as damaging. I exercise, but do not subtract that from my calorie intake. I eat the calories whether I exercise or not. I don't lose weight without exercise. Again everyone is different. I like counting, so it works for me.

I am on day three and feel pretty crummy. My stomach feels like I'm carrying a ten pound baby around. I'm holding a pillow to it and that helps. I am also home alone all day, so there is nothing to distract me. It sucks but it helps to know that it gets better. I also feel weak because I can't consume more than 300 calories a day, and that is with drinking all day every 15 minutes, but I can tolerate all protien or milk based products, so I'm doing a lot of water.

I have two weeks of full liquids, protien shakes, pudding, soup, etc. two weeks of mushy or puréed food, and two weeks of soft. I already have fluid in my band because I lost 37 pounds prior to surgery so my surgeon wants me to have restriction right away after I begin to heal. I want that too, was not too excited about the open band with no restriction at all. I want to be restricted. We will see how much foodi can eat when reaching week 6. It is interesting to see all the differences in instructions.

Am 2 days post op and I came home yesterday. I just took my calcium chewables. They are gummy and I may be experiencing my first "stuck" feeling. I tried to pulverize them in my mouth, but now my stomach hurts. They want me to have No less than 800 calories, but I can only have 1 ounce of liquid every 15 minutes, also inserting my supplements and pain meds in between. It seems impossible tofit it all in. I am afraid of dehydration, I already feels dry. Prior to surgery I drank a ton of water, so my body is most likely missing it. Since I have to drink 64 ounces of liquid and that can't all be water, I don't see how I won't get dehydrated. Anyone have this crazy drinking schedule.

I am wondering if anyone who is a singer can tell me how long it will be before I can comfortably sing again. Ihave heard that some people have trouble singing for awhile due to the possible strain on your stomach muscles. Did anyone have this problem. I am scheduled to perform at a party one month after my surgery. I also sing on a choir at my church.

Good Luck with your shopping. I found it kind of fun. I am surprised I am not focused on what I cant have. Having fun stocking my kitchen. I did a similar shopping list just based on my information books, nutrition classes, word of mouth etc. so I can be fully prepared. Preparation is key. I am saving a few things for other people who want to help can buy like Jello, pudding, SF pops etc.

I agree. I dont care what people think. I have lost weight and gained it back so many times and was alwasy ashamed of failing in front of people. Then I realized something very important, those people dont care about me and i dont care what they think. I promise as i approach 40 years old, i get this attitude. None of those people were there for me whne I was struggling, so i honestly could care less about trying to be accountable to them. This is about me!!!

The problem that I had when I told people who are larger than me who are not doing anything about their situation with weight, was that it made them uncomfortable, but I am hoping in the long run it inspires them. I told my family and close friends. No one else mainly because this is personal business that I am treating just like I would anything else that is personal. Once I have reached goal and maintained, I will tell people who are asking becasue they want more info about it, not just becasue they are in my business.

Wow everything is relative, obviously the shorter you are, you carry weight differently. I am just laughing to myself thinking my goal weight is heavier than where you started, but everyone's body is different and I am alot taller. Good luck to you!

I make my own shakes using unflavored protien, milk or soymilk, and fruit. I just got approval from my doc to use that on the liquid phase after surgery. I also use GNC Total lean shakes which are good and not full of sugar. The problem is pre surgery, they dont make you full, but give you the protien you need, but after surgery at least the first week, I am hoping hunger wont be a problem.

I don't have to do a liquid diet, but I am practicing as well and have been trying different ones for months now. I like to make my own using unflavored protien, milk and fruit, which you can do on the liquid phase. I also use GNC total lean shakes. They are low in carbs and sugar but high in protien...25 grams per bottle. Also GNC has a Muscle Meal, chocolate that I love. Good Luck! By the way, Special K are good,but I think high in sugar?? So be careful

Great update, thanks for sharing

I was feeling the same way somewhat, but then I started telling myself that Im not going to death row (like Im never going to eat again). Eventually we will be able to able to eat many things, just in moderation. that is why Im getting the band, for help with control. Try not look at it like you are being deprived, but like you are gaining new life. It is a mind set shift. Good luck!

I was 284 when I started and am 252 now. I am having surgery in 2 weeks and will really miss Zumba for awhile. I don't think it is hard. It is a lot of dancing, but if you the moves correctly concentrating on your core, it is really a good workout. Coordination is a plus, but not a must. As long as you are moving and if you have a good instructor who concentrates on the importance of the moves, it is great. It is great fun. Once you get past the intimidation of the fact that you are shaking your butt around a lot, it is so much fun. Whe I first started, I felt self conscious knowing I was the biggest one in the room, but that will be changing soon! Good luck to you.