VickyPR

Congrats on being banded! I was banded July 12. For about 3 weeks I had a swollen hard lump where port is. That has since gone down. If pain persists and swelling isn't reduced just call your doctor. I did because I thought swelling and bruising weren't supposed to happen, but doctor said it was normal. Good luck!

You are doing awesome, congratulations!
I also love my band. A LOT. *laughs* I have lost 124 pounds in the last 7 months and I couldn't be happier.

I'm hypothyroid and since July 4 preop diethave lost 17 but since surgery July 12 have lost an additional 4. It is not as quick as I thought but I feel good and am committed. I seem to have lost more inches. I'd like to know from Jen what type of diet she follows and how many calories she is eating. My doctor suggested the south beach diet once I can eat soft ground food which will be this Thursday. Any suggestions everyone....by the way I'm happy for us all as we are on the way to improved health.

Tricia, I am also post op one week and feeling like I can't have one more protein shake. I also have swelling and bruising but am doing much better. Today I made a. Thinned out split pea soup with milk to give it protein and to surprise my taste buds. It was all liquid and had about two ounces but it did the trick. It's very hard to deal with the desire to eat and we are physically not able to. I know it will get better for us....hang in there. I wish you continued success.

I am post op six days and have a great deal of bruising around port. My doctor said its normal but I wanted to know if anyone went thru this and how long did it last?
Also, I am swollen quite a bit, how long does this last? Other than that I feel great going for my first outside walk today. Any advice on eating at this stage is also welcome. Thank you.

Scheduled for surgery on the 19th of July, looking for a mentor friend someone to vent with .

My name is Steve i've been banded since 2006 and have succsessfully lost 160 lbs. I know that there are alot of new members joining daily looking for a mentor/buddy, well anyone who has any questions,concerns or in need of some moral support look no further. again I ask just one thing from everyone i speak with wich is, Pay it forward! in other words help someone out no matter how simple it may be, just consider that everyone needs help sometimes, regaurdless if friend or stranger, a good deed goes along way, this country was founded and built on these principals and we All have forgotten that over time dealing with our day to day events, but bottom line is no matter race, creed or color we are all just human and need help, so please pay it forward. feel free to send message if you like help or just post away... You are all a success story, some at differnt chapters keep that in mind. never quit never give in!

Some of the new members are asking about soft foods, what is considered a soft food? Mashed Potatoes, Jello, pudding, Anything that is just that soft, But So many are having issues with eating same stuff, Guess what there are some other forgotten alternatives, BABY FOOD as nasty and gross as it sounds, think about it before you say HELL NO!....
1) you have no problems giving it to your newborn right? They are growing right, So Don't you think Gerber know what they doing, not saying eat the damn strained green Beans UGH! But for those of you who have not had the joys of parenthood, take a stroll down the baby food isle next time your food shopping, go see how they have gotten better with choices.
Another trick we all forget we all have either a blender or food processer in our homes, how often do you use it? Did you ever stop to think, Well I could probably eat that if it was softer, TAAA DAAA there is your answer to making it soft enough to eat! Now don't go get stupid and toss a Big mac and fries in there and think i'll still lose weight, You got the band for that exact reason in 1st place (some of us). So Yeah I'm saying there are ways to still eat what you loved before but use it wisely! I was able to lose my weight in the most unconeventinal way not condoning it but willing to help those " MAVERICKS" who walk to their own beat like myself! GOOD LUCK !
P.S. no matter how much you lose, everyone will still have that inner fat kid living inside screaming to get out!
I just learned to tune him out much like my ex wife and son when they talk to me!