Kekeboo

I am on day4 of post op. Today was a better day for me. I know what your feeling and it will start to get better. I took a shower today and that made a huge difference. I still have pain over my port and gas pain. But it's not as bad today. I walked every hour for 10 minutes the first 2 days and it did help, it's hard and uncomfortable, but it's part of the the process. It's not going to be easy, take some deep breathes, be sure to sip on your protien drinks and broth. Take your multivitamin and just give yourself time to heal. It's ok to moan and groan, it's painful and that what's support groups are for. To listen and then encourage.

Well I did it. And everything that I read so far is absolutely the truth. I feel the way the descriptions said I would. The pain on Day 1 verses Day 2 is still painful, but easier to walk. Wow, the pain over my left rib cage....very painful. I have liquid lortab, it doesn't help that pain, but it does relax me enough to where I am not moving around. It's very difficult to find a comfortabe way to lay day. It feels better for me to stand, but I am sooo tired. These are NOT complaints, just some facts. I am not hungry at all. I haven't eaten since Sunday afternoon, but I am sipping on my water mixed with diet cranberry juice. I am sleeping on the couch because it is very painful to climb up the stairs. I am didn't sleep well last night because of the pain. I expect to have a rough couple of days, but the outcome will be worth it.

I am not banded yet, but have thought ALOT about the different stages. I am one for flavor, so I would add celery seed, garlic powder and maybe just a touch of dry mustard to the tuna with the mayo and hard boiled egg. I have never used the canned chicken, glad to see some great ideas.

That was the response I got at Olive Garden today when I said "no thankyou" to the complimentary garlic bread. pat pat pat myself on the back. Seems like small potatoes, but it was a HUGE triumph for me. I love breads, rice, pastas...oh and the delicious mashed potatoes made with cream cheese!!! I am a not just a food addict, I am addicted to starch. So, I orded the soup (pasta fagioli) and salad...yes with the dressing. But I did not order anything carb loaded. I thought about asking the waitress to remove the bread, but my friend was enjoying it sooo much, I just didn't have the heart. ooh ooh ooh....and you know that little mint they give you at the end, I gave it to my friend. New plan, I am going to feed all of my friends so they get fatter to make me look skinnier. Just joking. The will power is getting easier....but no bueno on the shakes 2 times day. It's too much sweetness. I bought some jerky, string cheese and yogurt to get the full amount of protein needed per day. I also eat fish or chicken and green veggies or salad for dinner. I am only down 2 lbs for the first week of preop diet, but I am still limited on my excercise with my broken toes. Note to self....stop falling down stairs. Tomorrow starts week 2 of preop. Phew....can't wait for this week to be over with. I am so excited to get banded next week.

7 days to go till I am banded. I am taking mental notes like crazy hoping it will keep me on track knowing what can be normal. I also appreciate the positive and encouraging feedback given here.

Today, 4th of July, has always been associated with hamburgers on the grill and apple pie. I am a military spouse so our holidays are spent with our military friends and celebrating. I just knew there would be more food than I could control myself with, ya' know what? There was, and I cooked every bit of it. I had some homemade chicken wings on the grill, a scoop of potato salad, a scoop of baked beans and a corn on the cob. Sounds pretty bad huh? Especially on my pre op diet, well, I did great. This was the first holiday in years that I only had one plate of food with no seconds and no deserts. I enjoyed my meal and spent the rest of the time focusing on my family and guests instead of what I am gonna stuff my face with next and what will I have when everyone is gone. I did very very good today, I am proud of myself.

Letter to myself: Dear Keke, You didn't quite get through your first day without a struggle, it's okay. Day 2 will be better. The only person you can dissapoint is yourself, and you are pretty hard on yourself. Remember all the times you couldn't do things with your kids because your weight held you back...swimming, hiking and just walking around a theme park. Your kids missed out on a trail walk at the Grand Canyon because you couldn't do it. We drove the strip in Vegas because you couldn't walk that far without your knees hurting. Couldn't explore Lake Tahoe and drove through all of Yellowstone. That was a trip of a lifetime and your weight didn't just affect you, it affected the whole family. Day 2 is here, what are you gonna do about it? Stay strong, stay positve and stay faithful. You can do this, it's your life.

I was very fortunate that my insurance accepted the referall almost immediately. I was a little suprised since I am one of the smallest patients my doctor has. When he told me that I asked him to repeat himself...it's not often i get to hear a doctor tell me I am small. I went to my consult on May 22nd and surgery was scheduled that day for June 22nd. I ended up falling down a flight of stairs and got banged up pretty good, so we resceduled for July 16. I am so very excited. Preparing myself for the preop diet. Cant wait to see the progress. I posted on another forum that I plan to purchase a charm braclet and reward myself with a new charm at every goal met. Good luck to everyone!!

I found this on a lap band site in Longview, Tx. I found a lot of good information here about what to and not to eat during the different stages. Hope it helps. Week 1 Days 1-2: Clear Liquids, at least 32-64 ounces per day) sip…sip…sip Days 3-4: May add Protein drink Look for Protein drinks with 24-30 grams of protein Try different supplements prior to surgery to find what you like Mix only with skim milk or Water Goal is 60-80 grams/protein per day Liquid Protein supplement 3 times daily between meals and before bed Remember to go slowly (4 ounces = ½ cup) Take thirty minutes to drink 4 ounces When you feel full –STOP Begin liquid or chewable Vitamins and Calcium Vitamins need to be “complete,” can take any brand Calcium, try Viactiv chews (3 different flavors) Days 5-6 May add V-8 juice, then cream Soups and applesauce Day 7 May add low fat yogurt and low fat pudding Yogurt needs to be plain (no fruit or nuts added in) Week 2 Days 8-9 Start full liquid diet Add thinned out oatmeal, cream of wheat, baby foods NO grits, rice, Pasta or Peanut Butter Day 10 May add thinned out mashed potatoes, cottage cheese (low-fat) Days 11-12 Continue low fat and sugar free full liquid diet Continue protein supplements Can add bananas to Protein shake for volume and flavor Days 13-14 SLOWLY add soft boiled or scrambled eggs, baked potato and canned fruit (packed in water) Suggestions for Thin/Clear Liquid Diet Water –bottled or tap Apple juice, cranberry juice, grape juice –choose “lite” variety if possible NO orange or grapefruit juice, too much acid and sugar Gatorade, Propel or Fruit 2.0 Diet Snapple and other diet drinks (NO sodas or carbonation) Iced tea, no sugar added (may use NutraSweet, Splenda, Stevia, and Sweet & Low) Hot tea, no sugar added coffee, no creamer or whole milk, use skim milk or low fat milk Crystal light (avoid the orange and raspberry tea flavors, too acidic) Sugar free Jell-o, sugar free popsicles Broths, any variety Sugar free Kool-Aid Protein Drinks: Read the labels Protein greater than 15 grams per serving, ideal is 24-30 grams per serving Carbohydrates need to less than 10 grams per serving, ideal is less than 5 grams per serving Sugars less than 5 grams per serving Atkins Advantage shakes Carb Solutions Isopure/Zero Carb whey Protein Stacker Protein Drink LaBrada Pro-V Suggestions for Full Liquid Diet Thin liquids listed above Sugar free pudding V-8 juice, tomato juice Cream soups (need to be strained) Applesauce (no sugar added) Baby foods Cottage Cheese (low fat) NO Starbucks, smoothie King, Jamba Juice or other high calorie drinks NO low carb ice cream (no, you may not even THINK about it)! Week 3 –Soft Diet (the Mashies) Soft fruit (banana, melon, strawberries), watch out for fruit with skins (grapes, apples, plums) Well-cooked vegetables (mushy, not crisp) –may have broccoli crown and asparagus tips, not the stalks No celery or corn Small amounts ( ¼ - ½ cup) of rice, pasta (soft cooked and well chewed) Eggs, any style Toast –crackers, breadsticks, melba toast. No bread or tortillas Whole grain Cereal, with or without low fat milk Potatoes –mashed, baked, boiled Any Beans or lentils, low fat refried beans Protein Bars Atkins Advantage South Beach AdvantEdge Cliffhanger Protein: Moist skinless chicken, ham, turkey Fish or other seafood –baked or grilled (NO frying) Lean ground beef –make sure it is moist, no bun Canned tuna, chicken or turkey packed in water Low fat and low card lunchmeats (read the label!), NO hot dogs Eggs, low fat milk and low fat cheese Protein drinks/powder DO NOT EAT: Steak Pot roast Stews Your doctor will tell you when you can start these foods, usually about three months post op. Week 4 –Regular Diet Gradually add regular foods, add one food at a time and assess tolerance Eat three meals per day at set times Sit down to eat Eat slowly, fork down between bites Chew 25 times before swallowing Small portions (use a smaller plate) When you feel full –STOP NO grazing!! NO liquids with meals or for 1 hour afterwards Avoid cheap calories –ice cream, (yes, even low carb ice cream), Cookies, cakes, pies, chips, nuts, candies, chocolate, high calorie drinks (including alcohol and wine) No carbonated drinks No dried fruits or popcorn No greasy, fried fatty foods No high calorie gravies/sauces Use light tub margarine (Smart Balance, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter) Light or fat free salad dressings No butter or sour cream Use olive oil or canola oil No fast food Once you are on a regular diet, decrease or stop mashed potatoes, rice and pastas Continue protein drinks (you may always need a supplement) Continue Vitamin and calcium supplements Fill up on protein and vegetables, not on carbohydrates, fats and sugars If hunger is a problem, you probably need more protein Begin exercising and continue to increase duration and frequency. LAP-BAND POST-OPERATIVE DIET INSTRUCTION Consumption Foods to Choose Weeks 1 and 2 Liquids only: Room temperature clear liquids until nausea resolves, then may have full liquids hot or cold. Slowly drink 4-6 ounces of fluids 6 times per day. Drink water between meals Skim/fat free milk Slim-fast Optima Broths Low fat strained cream soups 100% juice (limit to 4 ounces per day) Week 3 Consume puree texture foods: Limit to ½ cup at a time to prevent stretching pouch Consume meals at least 3 hours apart Consume water or no-calorie liquids (crystal light, tea, sugar free drinks) Wait one hour after “meal” to start fluids pureed or baby foods Soft scrambled eggs Sugar free-low fat pudding Fat free yogurt (no fruit or nuts) Hot cereals, thinned Applesauce Low fat cream soups Week 4 Consume soft foods: Limit to ½ cup at a time Consume meals at least 4 hours apart Consume water between meals, waiting until 1 hour after meals Scrambled egg Soft canned vegetables Soft canned fruits (packed in water) Tuna or chicken salad Week 5 Transition to solid foods: Slowly add 2 ounces of protein 3- 4 times per day Slowly add 1-2 ounces of vegetables 3-4 times per day Stop eating as soon as you feel full Chew all foods to applesauce consistency (about 25 times) Do not drink liquids with meals Solid foods as tolerated macaroni noodles Sliced lunch meats Raw fruits and vegetables as tolerated Avoid stringy, fibrous foods and non-tender cuts of meat Avoid white bread, popcorn, coconut

I don't notice a bad after taste, it almost tastes like banana taffy.

i bought what my doctor sells at his office only because he has banana flavor and i mix it with the chocolate......taste like a chocolate covered banana!!!! going back for the orange cream flavor. i was also told to have 2 shakes a light meal, but I was also told to have a small healthy snack in between. You may want to check into that, you need to keep your energy up.

I am not being banded until the 16th. I was given a pre-op and a post-op diet outline. Its so your body can get used to eating the smaller amounts, if you're eating whatever you want you may be stretching the pouch. My doctor said I would get my first fill 2 weeks post op though. Hang in there and remember that you did this for a reason. It's a tool to use with the right type and amount of food.

So, I did all my grocery shopping today for my pre op diet. I am sooo very scared to fail, but I am working on that. I know I need a positive attitude to get through this. I know some people may think.."OMG, its only 2 weeks!!". Well, if I the will power to control my food intake I wouldn't be getting the Lap Band. I have spent many hours researching, reading articles and mentally preparing myself for this. It's not easy, I can't imagine it was easy for anyone. I do, however, have the desire and determination to be healthy again. I amcurrently looking for volunteer work or a project to do during these 2 weeks to keep my mind preoccupied. Sitting home just opens up way to much time to munch and fail. I have a really good friend that had gastric bypass, she is a huge support for me especially since she went from a size 20 to wearing her bikini at the pool yesterday. I felt like a beached whale, but it was very encouraging for me to want to lose the weight and just wear smaller clothes. Her family is moving to Hawaii in a couple of months and for my reward next year when I meet my weightloss goal is to fly out to Hawaii to see her. I start my pre op diet on Monday. I know I can do this, not without struggle, but with determination.

My surgery is July 12th. I am using myfitnesspal starting with the preop diet. Would love some support through this.

I agree that we should listen to the doctors we chose and follow the plan given to the letter. However, lap band isn't a brain transplant, and there are many of us that will not just wake up one day and say "oh, I get it." It's a lifestyle that each individual has to adapt to. I have paid a ton of money to dieting consultants, pills, special shakes and food. That didn't change the way my brain worked either. Lap band is a tool....just like many other "tools" it's still can be a struggle for those who have the food addiction. That's when counseling may need to looked into. Just like alcoholics or drug addicts....a food addict cannot do it on thier own either. I am greatful to find a site that has so much diversity, and hope to find the support I need to continue this process. Hi my name is Keke, and I am a food addict.

I have esophogial reflux and when it's acting up, nothing seems to work except for throwing up. I am 2 weeks from my surgery and I am worried about the reflux and heartburn...this will hopefully help me as well. Thanks for posting.

120...wow that sounds like a lot. I know there are different studies done by different doctors. I have heard anything from 45-90 and atleast 60g of protien. It really depends on the doctor and what they have researched. I was only told to cut down my carbs and increase my protein, my surgery is in 2 weeks and I plan to follow the South Beach plan, only because you are able to add healthy carb counts back into the eating lifestyle over time and it's real food. I like all that low carb atkins stuff. It works for some people, but I need flavor.

Weekends are the hardest for me. We don't go anywhere except the pool right now and that means snacks. I am sucking down water like a fish, I am trying to pack fresh fruit for snacks...but it's 101-105 out there and even my cooler isn't keepin' it cold. Then when we are home, we are so drained from the heat, nobody wants to cook so we usually end up with pizza. I say to myself, well I will just have one peice or I will make a quick iceburg salad. NEVER WORKS!! What's wrong with my brain. My answer: NOTHING!! It's an addiction. An alcoholic can't have just one drink, a drug addict can't take just one pill. I can't be around sweets and junkfood, pizza or a bowl of pasta without wanting to jump right in with a shovel. I am learning to chew my food more, savor the flavors and eat small meals throughout the day. I am doing it....most days. It's a process. I start my 2 week pre-op diet on July 2nd. Ewwww, that's cutting into 4th of July. My friend that knows I am doing this asked if I will cheat on that day. Hmmmm, will I? I want to say "no". I don't want to be negative about it. It's 4th of July, it's fun in the sun and fireworks...and BBQ's. I am mentally preparing myself now, I can have a turkey burger (i like those), load it with lettuce, tomatoes, mustard and pickles. Instead of potato salad I will make some coleslaw. I will make some crystal light mojito flavor, I will be the only one without a hangover...not a bad thing. So, here's to the weekend, the good food, the fun in the sun and the knowledge to know when enough is just enough.

My husband supports me and I am very blessed for that, HOWEVER... He did ask me to try harder to eat healthier and excercise. I thought about it and then I asked him about his cigars. I said why do you smoke? He said well he is addictied to the caffiene and he didn't want the cigaretter smell on him anymore. I said; My eating is like your smoking. It's a vice, and addiction, my comfort. He thought about that for a minute and I couldn't believe my ears..He said; I get it now. It's not that i don't want to try...I am mentally incapable of doing this on my own. I wake up everyday and say "that's it, this is the day" then I find myself planted on the couch with a bowl of grits with cheese and think to myself...there is always tomorrow. food IS as addicting as drugs for some people.