GR8

Good morning Violets! Pam - I remember when I was in 6th grade - they asked If a couple of us could go and help some other kids at our lunch or PE with 4th or 5th grade with their Math in their class - it was fun and maybe your school could do the same? I was bouncing around (pateau) the same 5 lbs since 7/27 - had a fill 8/16 and still bounced around in the same 5 lbs. So I called and had a fill Thursday morning (I wasnt schedued for another 3 weeks out) - and finally broke the plateau! I am having reflux issues even drinking my liquids - but finally lost 6 pounds off the plateau -- it was really getting to me. Let's see how this goes -- have a great weekend everyone! WWJD - Thanks again Terri -- I wear my bracelet daily!

Hi LoserWannaB! Well it has been a few days - how are you feeling now? I lost 6 lbs the first week - and total 9.4 by the second week/PostOp appt - that was my best (weekly results since banding). Let us know how you do. My OB/GYN is in Norfolk - and she has some patients that went to him and she had good things to say about him. Will your fills be via flora(sp?)?

OH Juli -- Fantastic job! You are looking goood!

2. I started a journal / notebook for my notes from my research. Things I would learn and want to refer back to - here are my initial notes I think you will find helpful! - (remember different doctors have different guidelines and such) TRAINING for Weight Loss Surgery 1Focus on healthy eating 2Building exercise tolerance 3Exercise your lungs 4Move your legs 5Ensure Public Affairs are in order PreOp Diet - 2 wks (or more) before surgery Goals: Shrinking the liver Reducing the fat in the abdomen Weight Loss Preparing for the aftermath of surgery Use a high Protein shake product, as your meals -- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I used the Smart Forme individual packaged dry product mixed with 16oz of Water. Calories250ea 750daily Protein35ea105daily Carb23ea 69daily Fat3.5ea 10.5daily (I did 3 daily - and only them.) Day before surgery Clear liquids only: IDS New whey Protein - 42 grams in 3.1 oz Jello Clear broth Non citrus juices coffee Tea NOTHING after mid-night - night before surgery also - take bath or shower -- no lotions, no jewelry Discharged Continue with liquid diet sip all day to stay hydrated (try to get in 6 - 8oz glass) protein goal is 80 - 100 per day Activity: walking is encouraged - rest also stairs are okay - take time no lifting greater than 8 - 10 lbs do not drive for 3 - 4 days Medication: call doctor if fever greater than 100.5 degrees Tylenol is okay (try liquid form) Childrens chewable complete multi-vitamin - 2x a day 2 tums daily Gas-x - Strip forms are fantastic! NO ADVIL, ALIEVE or such.... Stages of food allowances following Surgery 2 weeks Liquids week 3 & 4 pureed week 5 & 6 soft week 7 & 8 solids(rest 30 minutes after eating) Stages of food allowances following Adjustments 2 days Liquids 2 days Soft then resume regular foods - maxium 4oz - 1/2 cup (Ha -- it was a challenge to keep it under 2 cups during the early fills) OKAY -- you either LOVE :bounce:me or HATE :mad:me at this point -- that is all for tonight! Wishing you all BEST of LUCK in this JOURNEY. If anyone is interested in my phone# or meeting - PM me.

Welcome LoserWannaB! Where are you located? Who's your doctor? Signgirl & Hebber - I have so much to share - so please bear with me as I give bit's and pieces. 1. Don't get into the LAST SUPPER mentallity -- I was totally shocked about the first 3 months after surgery. I had this picture of only being able to eat 1/4 cup from there forth - not being able to tolerate certain food (you know them - no need to spell them out) - well this is all wrong! Your first 6 weeks you have no real restriction - once the swelling goes down from the surgery. At surgery - they rinse the band with saline solution and then fill 1/2 way or so -- then place the band on your stomach -- and let's the Fluid run at as will -- then place the port on the end of the tube -- so how much liquid is in your band -- don't know till your first fill appt which was 6 weeks (by my doctor procedures). It could be none if tight fit when placing the band on. Mine was .5cc in the end. You will be able to eat more and more food -- but you need to make good choices/diet - during this time. They call it Bandster Hell -- And this will repeat it's self - after the first and future fills -(just a little less each time) -- for me until 3rd and 4th fill - which is what I just had yesterday.

HP - I just bought my bike - and this is my first exercise in a long time due to back injury, so I am starting slow I am sure. I can't wait till I can do 10+ miles per day. I bought a http://www.catrike.com/road.htm it is a recumbent style trike. Very cool to ride - I love it! Good night!

I saw it when we went Bike Shopping -- test rode it -- but didn't get it. My husband loved it -- so he said. I have just started my bicycle journey (8/30) -- riding 5 miles a day. How much does everyone else ride per day?

WORKMAN has a TRIKE that supports 550 lbs. ??? Check it out to see if you are interested in it: Personal Activity Vehicle

Nope -- Good Luck!

Great post! Hope you get to feeling well soon.

<p><p>I buy these Protein Bullets (42gr protein each; 2 = 84gr and 6.2 oz) and mix 2 in 16oz bottle add water to top -- they count as clear liquid, don't taste bad when dilluted either. Each day your goal is to get this 16oz bottle in (you have meet your protein goal)-- then you can have anything else you desire that you are allowed.************************************go to: your local vitamin shoppe or http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/...intsource=main or call them at 1-800-223-1216.$29.99 for 12 of the 42 gram bullets --I have a coupon -- that the website didn't recognize but I called them and they did honor it -- "Save $10 on any purchase of $50 or more" promo code VSC-3123 -- received it from my doctor's office - it also is a "Supplement and Grocery list for Gastric Bypass Patients." (Feel free to use it as well!)*************************************Let me know how this goes!I have done this coming home from surgery on the 4-9 for 2 weeks - and don't feel tired or any other side effects --I now do only 1 in 1/2 bottle for breakfast each morning. I drink this then concentrate on getting additional 64oz plus of crystal light -- and such.</p> <p>THESE ARE WHEY PROTEIN - so that is the GOOD protein choice.</p></p>

Q's you need to consider: Is there a pre-op diet? Do they do the fills using flora (sp?)? Do they give a numbing shot at the fill appt? How many surgeries (LapBand) have they performed - and any deaths or lawsuits regarding? and so on...

There is some in Suffolk that are well known and I believe Margaret Gaglione in Chesapeake (she is the ex of my GP doctor). Where in Chesapeake do you live? I live out the new 17S about 7 miles from the north carolina line.

My girlfriend had similiar pain -- it was the appendix -- get him to the doctor or hospital - and let them rule that out --- if it burst it will be a really long ordeal getting completely well. Good luck!

Hi Heather! I live in Chesapeake as well -- Zanny is away at family vacation currently - so it may be a few days before she responds. Let me say on her behalf she is doing TREMENDOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am doing well - and am having typical results I have found -- following my peers (APRIL 07 BANDERS). I would be happy to share with you and or answer any questions you may have. Who are you considering for your surgery?

Hi Janine -- let us know how this fill did for you

Hi Kat - I have a great recipe for sweet pickles / bread & butter pickles - it does take 13 days but way so good in tuna and chicken salad. They do not need to be refridgerated after completion - can be kept in the pantry. If you are interested I will send to you! Gina (catching up slowly - still on page 402! -hahaha)

Hi Everyone! I am a little behind reading (page 402) but wanted to say THANK YOU to TERRI for the wonderful bracelet -- I wear it daily! Ms Gym Nazi -- I am ready, willing and able now to start the exercise madness. I have chosen biking 5+ miles per day/session - with 20 sessions being completed in the month of September. I have a goal of 300 miles by end of the year! Wish me luck!

SignGirl -- Welcome! You have made a great decision. Dr. Terricina is my doctor at the WLSC. He is more laid back than Dr Clark - and he is more agressive with fills as well. He did not require pre-op diet but suggests it - and I did it for 3 weeks. I know you have many questions and I will be glad to be you WLS buddy - and give you my 2 cents. Ask away!~ Let me start by saying -- you will lose slower than you are anticipating! you will need to "diet" - I know I hate that word as well, but I want you to know the truth. Some of your toughest time will be from surgery to 6 weeks out = for the majority of this time you will not have the restriction - so willpower and following the rules will come into play (if you want results). I am a straight shooter and a realist! Ask away -- and congrat's on your decision.

Danielle - Congrat's on making the decision to get banded. If I were you I would call the insurance company and ask your questions. My insurance company did not cover LBS - and would not have covered any issues that would have - or will happen as a result of LBS. They will not cover my fills as well. But each policy has different clauses -- so give them a call and you will have the best information possible. Good Luck!

That's not fact yet! That is a tactic by her to play with his mind -- I bet he told her he needs to stop the affair - or something similiar! Been there -- Stay strong!

Zannie -- my heart goes out to you. I have been there approx 7-8 years ago. You sound like you have a big heart and good head on your shoulders. FYI -- the whole situation brought me and my husband closer to gether -- but that to took time for ME to heal. What opened his eyes - was seeing me hurt so bad - realizing how HE was hurting me. It was tough - but I am sure you will do the right thing for YOU and your family! Hugs and kisses -- Gina

Okay here is my advise for what it is worth. Your band area is irritated. It needs to heal. So go on liquids ONLY for 2 days then start back at trying your mushies for 2 days - remember small bits, chew, chew and don't eat to fast. (These are the HARDEST things for me). This is from my experience -- I have episodes - but I am still hungery. The episode is not that I am to tight - but rather I did not chew enough or eating to fast. With my doctor - if you are hungry(not head hunger), can eat to much - or able to tolerate certain items steak - bread - he will give a fill. I have copied this portion from someone elses post - just as FYI: getting progressively tighter for about 10 days and then i level off. Now this could be for a couple of reasons. Let's say it's day 3, and i'm tighter than I was on day 2...but I'm eating the same things I did on day 2....but now I'm tighter and get stuck. This irritates my band, which makes day 4 even worse. So I think I'm going easy with my foods but now my stoma is irritated and the things I could eat on day 3, now I cannot eat....and I certainly can't eat the stuff I ate on day 2! So it gets to be kind of a vicious cycle as you're getting used to your new restriction. By day 8 or 9 I could barely eat anything (except for ice cream, gosh darnit). I am now prepared for my next fill (I think) and as I progress to solid foods I am going to go very very slowly, chew my food very well and pay attention!! If I get the slightest bit stuck I WILL STOP EATING....and go find something mushy or liquid to eat. The next day I will stay on mushies and liquids. Then the following day I will try solids again....going very very slowly. Make sense? Just do yourself a favor and follow the bandster rules to a T for the next 2 weeks and you'll probably be just fine. The support groups can be frustrating -- at least I found so as well. I liked the first one - I meet someone that had the surgery before I did - so that answered a lot of questions I had. The second one was so-so. I actually get more education and support here at LBT -- and can't beat the convenience-no driving, no set time, get to know everyone and feels like family - the good and the bad. LOL. Best wishes -- I have a fill tomorrow - I will be thinking about you! Hugs! Gina

This is wonderful Sara!!!!! Good luck keeping the restriction. Gina:clap2:

Hi Janine --could your discomfort be where you did get stuck and it is swollen and you are having tenderness. Or where you didn't chew and it is inbetween the 2 stomachs. Coleslaw and spinach has done this to me. I try to stay away from soups when I am not in liquids stage -- remember liquids go through the band quickly - the goal is to eat to fill the pouch - feel satisfied - keep the feeling by not drinking for 1 hr -- When you have information regarding your vabeach trip let me know and I can cordinate the get together!