A New New Dawn

It's my understanding that most people are told not to exceed 1 cup in volume of food total per meal. Plus, I agree with the comments above about the healthiness of the child's meal. Unfortunately, they are often fat or carb heavy (fried or pasta).

Definitely, tell your doctor. If it is infected, it is typically an "easy fix" with some antibiotics. However, not treating it is very dangerous and could lead to not getting a fill for a long time if it progresses. Your immediate health (potential) infection is the most critical right now. I thought I had an infection in my port site incision but it turned out to be part of the stitches that weren't dissolving so he had to remove the remaining ones. I am guessing since this was one of your smaller incisions, there weren't any stitches? Good luck - safety first.

I am 3 weeks post op and slept on my belly (unintentionally) last night for the first time. It felt SO good! You will get there. I hope you are moving around (walking, etc) to help with the gas pain. Otherwise, you may want to try GasX. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I am so sorry to hear you are going through that. While it may not be intentional, it is very hurtful and frankly, abusive to you. If you have been very direct with her that what she says is very hurtful and makes you feel worse about yourself, not motivating, then I am not sure she will ever get it. It is hard now, but as you get older, you may find you need to distance yourself from toxic relationships even from a mother. Is it possible that you could get some counseling to help you deal with this? It sounds like you understand it isn't you or a reflection of you but those are still pretty hurtful and damaging things that are being said and done. It may be part of why you have issues with your weight. Some people feel that by saying these things it will motivate you to change and it has quite the opposite effect and can make you feel worse and soothe yourself with food. I am glad you realize it isn't right and that you are taking steps to feel better about yourself for your own reasons. I do hope you have other people in your life that are supportive of you. You deserve that. Stay strong and one of my favorite quotes is (Eleanor Roosevelt) - "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent". I truly believe that!! Best of luck in your endeavor and to continue to heal ~ emotionally and physically.

As for how long the band lasts, I, too, heard 10-15 years. I broached that with my surgeon (who has been doing this surgery for many years) and he explained to me that the band is made of the same materials that they make other "implantable devices" for the body. So while the band is still somewhat new in the U.S. the materials used are used in joint replacements, breast implants, etc. so they know the materials are "safe". He told me they could essentially last indefinitely. Of course, everyone is different and will react differently. My mom had a very bad experience with GB a few years ago and we almost lost her. After several months in the hospital (in and out), home nurses, 2 more surgeries, she is ok but still struggling w/ many health issues from the surgery and the malabsorption issues. That is the experience I know so I chose LB because I wanted a minimally invasive tool to help me in my Quest to be healthier and thinner. GB has worked well for others I know but my immediate experience shyed my away. I also felt this, being the least invasive of the surgeries, was where I wanted to start and then, if there were problems or it wasn't working, I would consider a more invasive method. It is unfortunate that the surgeon was trying to direct people, rather than present all the options and let people decide what would be best for them. I would question his motivation for that. I have BCBS insurance and my insurance requirements from last year to this year were drastically lessened to be approved for the surgery. Personally, I don't think the insurance would make it easier to get approved if the success rates were declining... I would suggest taking your time to continue to do the research, if there are support groups for the different WLS go to them and talk to people that are going through it and ask questions. Continue with this site (and the other respective sites for GB, etc) to feel comfortable with the decision you feel is best for you. If you do decide to go with the Lapband and this surgeon is not supportive of it, I would find a different surgeon as you want someone that believes in it to perform the surgery. Good luck in your journey and kudos to you for questioning what you hear and doing the research.

No sugar added is definitely better than sugar added but there is often still carbs and some sort of sugar in the product. For example, I am drinking Carnation Instant Breakfast - no sugar added. It is much less calories than the regular but still has carbs and 70 calories per packet (I believe). It is a good alternative just have to know there are still calories and carbs in it.

I would urge you to keep a food diary and activity log or use fitnesspal (phone app) to log those. Sometimes we think we are taking in much less than we are. Are you measuring your portions? Also, are you drinking juice or high sugar drinks? A lot of people don't realize the liquid calories they are intaking. While you may feel you are taking in <1000 calories, the food diary may help to ensure you are (and measuring your food and activities). Good luck to you. I know we all will have those plateaus and they do pass but definitely frustrating in the interim.

Can you sit while working? That will help alleviate it. Or if you did the surgery late in the week so you have your few days plus the weekend? It is really a personal challenge whether you can do it. People react very differently after the surgery. I felt really good a few days out but I also know I have a very high pain tolerance. Good luck to you and congrats!

@Allison, wow you have done really well with your band!! I started at almost the same weight and would LOVE to be at your current weight this time next year!! Congrats.

Actually, it doesn't sound normal that you cannot eat until so late in the day. You may want to call your dr. and get his/her opinion. Perhaps there is an issue with the band - especially since you mentioned having heartburn and reflux. I have read that can be a sign of a slipped band.

That is awesome on both accounts - the weight loss and that it hasn't slipped!!! You must be so proud!!!

That is so frustrating when people want to impose their viewpoints on others; especially a negative one. I am so glad your husband is supportive and was able to remind you that this is your decision and you came to it for your own reasons. Any surgery has its success stories and failures. Personally, my mother had RNY. Sure she lost most of the weight (and very quickly) but she is not a healthy person and actually has regretted doing it many times because of the malabsorption issues and health issues she has today. That made my decision very easy. I am sure several people have been successful and happy from the RNY but I had my personal reasons of choosing the path I chose. As long as you have done your homework and feel comfortable with the choice you made, only you can make that decision. Don't let one unsolicited opinion sway you as you don't know their circumstances and they don't know yours. Kudos again to having a very supportive husband! That alone will be a great added bonus to being successful!

We can't change the past but can certainly impact the future. Be strong, you didn't go through all of this not to be successful. Now that things have settled, I hope you find that strength (and the recent fill) to get back on track. We only have one body and need to make the best of it. I had initially started pursuing the lapband in January 2011. I had a lot of personal struggles last year and knew I wasn't in a good place to focus on me. I am glad I waited and am in a much better "place" where I am the priority. Now that you are able to put the other big life events behind you, you will get to that place and realize you owe this to yourself and you deserve to be healthier. Good luck and be strong.

What an amazing job you are doing and what an inspiration as I begin to embark on this journey!

Yogurt is a good additive too, there are light ones you can add that will add flavor and protein!

Great pictures and great work!!

I was also able to have pureed fruit (1/2 c) w/ the cottage cheese if you like that or I saw another person that made homemade guacamole and put that on top of it and really liked them together. Also, I have been having Soups (surprisingly even a cup of Soup at Panera is only 150-300 calories, depending on which one). It, too, makes me feel like I am eating real food and I am able to go out in social settings and feel "normal" eating w/ everyone else. Good luck!

Have you tried cottage cheese or scrambled eggs? Those are foods you don't have to puree and give you a sense of "chewing" that you may be missing. It will get easier. I am 3 weeks post op and still on mushy food and it has gotten easier.

I am not sure where the phrase was coined but "living large" no longer has negative connotations for me! I used to hear that and think instantly of my size. Now it is about how I want to live my life. Only 3 weeks post op and I already am feeling like a new person. I feel much more confident in myself and am already feeling revitalized and a renewed outlook on the future. I have found myself wandering the clothing aisles at stores and not dreading looking at size 22 but venturing down a few sizes thinking that will be me soon!!!! I had heard the "BMI" term used over the years and never gave it much thought before this surgery. Now, I am excited by that #. I have had two visits with the surgeon post-op so far and the # has dropped from 50.5 to 45.5 already! If I can make that significant of a difference in it in just weeks, imagine months from now!!! I have found strength to not long for my (former) favorite foods, even when they smell and look so good within my reach. It is actually quite empowering to have that will power now. I am not saying I will never mess up, but that "flub" doesn't have to define me and doesn't mean I am completely off the wagon. It just means I need to make better choices for my next meal. Heck, people that are healthy and thin overeat or indulge from time to time. It's all about moderation and being accountable to myself. I know I can do this. Admittedly, the first couple days I had a few "feel sorry for myself" moments but I got myself into this and I need to get myself out! My goals are not to look like Cindy Crawford or Kim Kardashian. My goals are what will make me feel good, not worrying about going to events where there may be a turnstyle, not having to retake photos all the time because I don't like how I look in them, getting off BP meds, hopefully ridding myself of sleep apnea and then all the little things - enjoying going clothes shopping in the misses (not women's) dept, not tiring as easily, crossing my legs (cannot wait for that, even if it isn't good for your circulation), and my goal for next summer - going to the amusement park I have avoided for years!!!! No time for pity parties ~ time to start LIVING LARGE!!!

Thanks. I lost 10 lbs. during the pre-op diet and 15 since surgery. I, too, was very itchy from the steri-strips they put over the incisions. I got a benadryl type spray and sprayed it on my belly which helped. If your incisions are itching that bad, and if they are red and irritated, you may want to consult your surgeon as it could be the issue I had with the stitches. It started with the itching profusely for days and then became inflamed and sore. Thanks for the compliments! You are doing well too.

Good luck w/ that! Hope it works better for you!

Please keep up with your breathing machine. The mucus is not good and you want to get as much of that out (cough up/spit out) as you much as you can so you don't get pneumonia.

I didn't experience any of that. I am not sure if that is normal or not. No harm in calling to talk to nurse at your surgeon's office for piece of mind.

My story was very recent. I am only 3 weeks post-op. A few weeks ago my daughters went to my dad's house together. My stepmother was sitting with my eldest talking about my surgery and how I should have been able to just watch what I eat, etc. Then she went on about how I don't like Protein drinks. Sorry, I do have "texture" issues with certain foods and they make me gag. I just cannot do the OTC Protein drinks. To which she told my daughter, well, I am sure if you put it in a McDonald's cup she would drink it!!! My daughter was so hurt but didn't want to start a fight and just ignored the comment. To my face, my stepmother acts like she is so proud and excited for me. Seriously!! Way to make my daughters feel comfortable with their mom having surgery and putting me down. Now my daughters and I have made a bit of a joke of it that I should show up with a McDonald's cup the next time I am there (even if it is just Water in the cup). People can be so heartless and cruel ~ even family!

Ugh, so I thought my port site incision was infected (red, inflamed, yuck, pain). I went to see surgeon today and he said it was part of the stitches that didn't dissolve. He gave me a local pain killer (couple shots) and had to reopen part of the incision to remove the tail end of the stitches. Apparently, they tie a knot at the end of them and sometimes it doesn't dissolve. My tummy is sore (not even where the incision was). It just feels so sore all over and somewhat queasy today. Not sure if it is just because the procedure still hurt while he did it or just more healing. It is just weird that my whole belly area is sore. Anyone else have any issue with their incisions?