Visionary444

Don't compare yourself to other bandsters, I drove myself crazy doing that. I had no restriction for 6 months and gained and lost the same 4 lbs over that time. I finally got enough restriction that I lost 10 lbs in the 7th month and have lost between 1-5 lbs a month since then. It was so frustrating and still is at how slow I am going.

I don't think most bariatric programs prepare people for the first three months post op - especially considering the endless threads similar to this one.
While everyone's journey and experiences vary, a few things are VERY common (except a rare case here and there). People feel very restricted right after surgery and most experience at least some gas pain/discomfort. When the surgery swelling subsides, the hunger returns with a vengeance. Then satisfactory restriction occurs from fills (1-5). But because of fill schedules, this can be many MONTHS post op, which leaves the bandster demoralized.
Everyones fat loss may vary, but those first few months really require a tremendous amount of will power to achieve results. Extraordinary results will require an extraordinary effort. The band is not much of a helpful tool at first, but once the restriction comes it becomes an invaluable tool.
Keep your spirits up! Keep a positive attitude! And last but not least, KEEP YOUR BODY MOVING and EXERCISED!
Good luck!
Brad

weight can EASILY fluctuate 1 - 2 pounds. It really means nothing. You could get on the scale tomorrow and be down 2 pounds. Too much salt - reataining Water. Have you pooped lately. This happens to me every now and then. It usually goes away as quickly as it comes.
So, if you are not over eating or eating junk... I say don't worry about it.
Theoretically - you would have to eat 3500 calories over what you burn in a day to gain 1 pound.
So say you could maintain at 1600 calories. You'd have to eat 5100 calories to gain 1 pound.
I don't know how a lap-bander could do that unless you were drinking malts all day?

Got a 2.6 ml fill yesterday!!!!!WHOA! I was hungry after the 7th day of my second fill, only lost 2 lbs,and didnt have good restriction at all! somehow I dont think that will be the case this time. I had a lot of personal bad junk going on in my life too, but im on the mend, and ready to get back at it. My surgeon was so sweet about it all. I just knew he was gonna have my head. But he didnt. Love that guy!

Wow! That's awesome! I am sure next week will be a good week. Just keep up the good work and think positive!

Yay you!! Congrats!!!
Why so neg about next week?
Lets think positive!!

Posting for my fellow sept bandsters. Had my surgery yesterday. I was surprisingly calm going in. Last thing I remember before waking up in recovery is looking at the lights wondering if the anesthesia is gonna kick in. Lol. I was in recovery for over three hours. I just couldn't wake up. I threw up twice from the ice chips and Water. I think the anesthesia and pain killers make me nauseous. The pain is bearable today but I didn't sleep well last night. I couldn't get comfortable and I kept having to go pee.
The abdominal binder is very helpful, so wear it! I was able to get the acid blocker pill and some Advil down. That was a relief I was afraid they were going to get stuck.
I'm not feeling hungry at all. I've been drinking mostly water but have had some Vitamin water zero and a little Protein water. I'm thinking some warm broth might be nice soon.

It was wonderful to have broth (warm in my stomach). I didn't care for the broth so my husband made chicken noodle soup he ate the noodles and I got the broth. It was wonderful. Later when able tomato and cream of potato (puréed) was awesome. Congratulations!

I just finished Week 1 with one more week to go before surgery. I have heard that after surgery you won't even want food for a few days.....so.....I just keep thinking about that every time I think I am going to lose my mind. lol

Hahaha I love your sense of humor! I had this visual image of you hunched over a pack of gum like a lion with prey, growling and threatening anyone foolish enough to go near it. Too funny!
Congrats on sticking to your liquid diet and weight loss! You're off to a great start!!

There is some debate about this, but most surgeons say no carbonation after being banded. Soda passes right through the band because it's a liquid, but the carbonation expands below the band and pushes upward against it. This can cause slips.
When I had my Lap Band surgery, the woman who shared the room with me was in for a revision of her band. She had been drinking soda and it not only resulted in a slip but her stomach actually prolapsed up through her band. She also gained back 40 pounds.
I can't speak for anyone else, but you couldn't pay me all the money in the world to ever drink carbonation again. It's just not worth the risk.

I just finished Week 1 with one more week to go before surgery. I have heard that after surgery you won't even want food for a few days.....so.....I just keep thinking about that every time I think I am going to lose my mind. lol

I'm so glad you posted this! I have just recently been disappointed by viewing such things as well. For example, yesterday I went to a clinic for my EKG, bloodwork, etc. As I approached the very nice woman at the counter I noticed next to her computer a bag of chocolate chip Cookies and a Starbucks coffee. She was very sweet, and she was morbidly obese. As I handed her my chart she said "Oh, you are getting the lapband! That is wonderful! I had that done a year ago!"
Needless to say, I was very surprised (Deer in the Headlights surprised).....and to be honest, somewhat disappointed. My DH said "Honey, you never know...she may have lost 150 pounds". Perhaps food addiction is simply that and there are those that are unable to change such habits such as eating junk food in the middle of the day. Believe me, I am a compassionate person in regards to such things. I just think it would be more appropriate in a medical setting to not have junk food out in plain site for people like "me" to see. Just my two cents.....

Hello Beautiful Bandsters!
I've been reading all the forums and signed up today. I feel like I already know so many of you! Today I will be meeting the nutritionist and starting my 2 week Pre-op diet. I'm actually looking forward to it even though I am certain it will be a challenge at times.
Last night I had "Before" pictures taken of myself - and I must admit....I didn't realize fully what I actually looked like until I viewed the photos. Have you ever actually taken pictures of yourself sporting very few clothes? Oh my goodness - what a reality check! Yes, yes....I cried - however, it was tears of hope....knowing that the new and improved vision I have will be presenting herself soon. Not only only on the outside....but also the beautiful soul on the inside who has been hiding in this body for far too long.
Here's to the beautiful & transformative awakenings we will all be experiencing on this journey....together.
Much love and gratitude for each of you, Visionary444

Hello All,
So I started my 14 day liquid diet with Chike! Meal Replacement shakes and I had a terrible headache all day leading to this morning, but I feel fine now. My doctor tells me that I can only have the shakes, coffee (black), unsweet tea, crystal light, and broth. His aim is for me to enter into ketosis. But my question is, how long will it take, and how has any one dealt with the consipation that comes with it? I'm taking Metamucil before each of my shakes, but I wonder why wouldn't he just put me on a high Protein, no/low carb, vegetable diet? Any advice or insight will help!
Thank you,
DeShawn Johnson

Every office is different, I start tomorrow with 4 shakes and 1 serving each of fruit and veggies, no broth, sf popsicles, sf jello as a treat, not daily.
Good luck to you, I think this might be the hardest part.

Not wanting to waste money on clothes that I could not wear very long, I kept wearing all my baggy clothes.
I even had a box of smaller clothes I dug out and those were now to baggy.
I heard one of my favorite stores was closing (Fashion Bug), so I took a little trip there and it was true, she told me things were being reduced and soon they would close and to choose wisely because all sales are final. I bought a few things and WOW.
Wearing things that fit can really make you feel fabulous. Now when I go to work I know I look good.
Even tho I have not made my goal I do know that I look and feel so much better then I did 6 months ago.
So I encourage all of you that are still wearing those baggy clothes to go get a few new things, even if you can't wear them in a couple months it is so worth a hundred dollars to feel like a million dollars.

I made an interesting concoction just now --
I took a half-cup of organic sweet pea Soup (no chunks), added some Water to thin it, added some Raw unflavored Protein, a little Adobo seasoning, and had me some full liquid -- woo-hoo!
Blue

Congrats on the decision. The first 2 days are hard but if you keep sipping diet tea and eating the recommended veggies 1-2 times a day you can get through it. I asked my doctor and he said lime juice, hot sauce etc are fine so I used that instead of calorie free dressing that I did not like.
I wish I had tried chicken and veggie broth sooner than the clear liquid only day before surgery. If your doctor allows, that is a good option if you get tired of sweet shakes.

I don't think I'm going to be to concerned about what goal weight I want. I just want a healthy BMI.
Good luck!

Kinley, I'm right behind you! And I am soooo glad you posted that you had headaches! Today was my second day of pre-op....and my oh my - my head hurts terribly! Sending you good vibes to get you through the next few days! The 6th is right around the corner!! YAY YOU!

Welcome! I am waiting for my surgery as well. It is booked for October 19th. I am very excited to start my new journey too.

You're Rocking it Miriam!!!
I agree, baby food, not so much! Most babies don't even like it.

well done miriam...YOU go girl. in my opinion, baby food is for babies......eat adult food (my vitamixer was a life saver)...tuna/chicken/chunky soups/refried Beans........
love the positive attitude and your profile picture Gorgeous

OMG!!!! I am very happy to say that I have lost 25 lbs since I started with the pre-op diet and now banded!!! And I am healing well from the incisions, etc... I'm in the mushy stage right now and I'm looking forward to it! So what do you all suggest on foods? I had a friend suggest to try baby food, i'm lik umm no that doesn't sound appetizing. Also, have any of you tried the Speacial K shakes? I'm trying to find some that I will like, I do need to make a trip to GNC and check out the ones that were suggested to me on a prior post.
Thanks
Miriam