Booyah!!

Hi Cindy, I also would love to be band buddies witha all. I had my surgery on 2/21 and I too have had the pain shift around, and the most is at my port sight, which everyone says is normal. I now have a bit of bruising but its not spreading, so I believe that is good. I keep ice packs going most of the day, I have 5 incisions, 4 are smaller but i do have one thats much bigger than the others and asode from the port area, that big one can get painful too.
I can finally get out of bed on my own, with out Hubbies help ! So day by day it goes =)
Linda

My neighbor told me that insurance will pay for one plastic surgery after WLS. Does anyone know about this? She had a gastric bypass, and is now funding the north wing of her plastic surgeons home - LOL! But she did say that her insurance paid for the first surgery. She's had it ALL done; arms, legs, hips, face, breasts..... A little over the top, but it makes her happy :-) She is in her mid-60s, though.....and I can't think going under the knife so many times can be a good thing. But I'll tell ya, if insurance pays for one, I'm SO there!!!

i am putting this out there....its not the best but i like watching these shows..
i hate HATE honey booboo..
i love dance moms
i love rupauls drag race (if you cant love yourself, how the hell can you love someone else)
i love hells kitchen
i love the celebrity apprentice
there i said it...

I was banded Feb 15th, which in reality is not that long ago. I really do not feel any pain, just a few stomach twinches from the port and the stitches around the band when I hit my stomach on the counter or bend over for too long (I swear no one helps do anything around this house). My doctor has allowed me to start eating regular food ionly after some extreme questions concerning my knowledge of what was required and what was expected of me. So far I have discovered that I have to smother all meat with to get it down. Lately it has been stewed tomatoes, cottage cheese (I know, sounds gross) or some low calorie, fat free sauce I have concocted. I have kept portions to 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup, which is about all I can handle anyway. I have been "almost" stuck a couple of times, but I have been able to sip something to help slide it down. The doctor has cleared me to do chair exercises with minimal stretching and no lifting above 10 lbs. So basically it is ankle and wrist weights and taking it easy for another few weeks.
I have lost a total of 15 pounds (12 pre-op and 3 post-op). I think this is wonderful considering I know my body is healing and adjusting. I walk 2 - 4 miles a day (depending on kids, work and grad-school schedules). I have to work on drinking enough Water throughout the day and eating consistently throughout the day while watching the calorie counts. My weekends are fine, it is my crazy work days that I have to really work at eating and drinking the right way. I am sticking to the Protein Shakes to make it consistent and easier for now. One day at a time. I have been proud of myself for not cheating on cake, ice cream or some other fabulous concoction that someone has either made or brought into work. This is a long process, but each day I feel stronger mentally and physically. I know there will come a day when I will cave and take that bite of some forbidden thing, but I know that it is just one bite and that I cannot beat myself up too much over it.
This all sounds great now, but as long as I can keep my mental and physical focus next month and the following months......that is the true test.
I hope that everyone else is feeling positive results from the lap-band as well.

Are there any others set to get banded in February? My doctor's office called to tell me my insurance approved me & set my surgery date for the first! After going back & forth for a couple years & now just completing the 6 months (well technically 7 months) weight loss consultations, it's going to happen. I'm not so sure how to feel about it. Nervous? Excited? Worried? Happy? I thought I'd see if anyone else is getting ready for it all, & see how they're dealing with it. Input from veteran bandsters would be great too! Tips on what to expect, need, & advice would be greatly appreciated.

Farina is dry Cereal that needs to be cooked like grits or oatmeal. I personally like it with some cinnamon and sweetener.

You can do it!! We all did/will. I was super excited because I lost 18 pounds in the 3 week pre-op diet, my Dr. was very happy. I took that part very seriously, but also got out my final cravings a week before surgery! So I was content going in, I had a wonderful RN at the surgery center that was all my strength and she was so fun and friendly, it didnt seem like I was there for the reason I was.
Good Luck to all, take a deep breath and think forward a few months! God Bless
Linda

Farina is dry Cereal that needs to be cooked like grits or oatmeal. I personally like it with some cinnamon and sweetener.

Me too! Today is day 8, and I really want something to chew. I actually did cheat a bit this morning and tried a little bit of a bagel, tiny pieces, with cream cheese on it. Didn't have any problem at all, which is bad because now I want to cheat again. But I'm trying to be strong. Full liquid phase from now through Sunday, and then I can have blended food. Tonight's dinner is an unjury chicken Soup flavor Protein Shake. Yum--not. I am keeping an image in my head of when I was thin. I'm also trying to remember what it felt like to be comfortable sitting on my husband's lap, or to have him pick me up, or to have his arms around me without me feeling embarrassed because of the flab. Now that is motivation enough to go drink that chicken Soup shake.

YOU CAN DO IT! I have my surgery tomorrow!

You can do it Cindy!! i am 5 days post-op and am still in the liquids for two weeks. I need to remember that bad eating is what got me here in the first place. And that nothing, I mean nothing tastes as good as feeling thin (ner) does!!!
Eventually we can eat it all, IN MODERATION. Good luck to all, and hang in there. h20 h20 h20 !!!!
have a postive week!
Linda

You can do it Cindy!! i am 5 days post-op and am still in the liquids for two weeks. I need to remember that bad eating is what got me here in the first place. And that nothing, I mean nothing tastes as good as feeling thin (ner) does!!!
Eventually we can eat it all, IN MODERATION. Good luck to all, and hang in there. h20 h20 h20 !!!!
have a postive week!
Linda

I'm on day 6 of the Clear Liquids and am so ready to move forward to full liquids. I have to cook for my family and it is difficult. Interestingly enough, upon discharge from the hospital the nurses gave me post op diet instructions that were outlined for the next 45 days. It says clear liquids days 1-3, full liquids days 4-15, nad then more to it after that. These instructions are totally different than what my doctor's dietician gave me, so I called her to see if things had changed. She told me to follow the original instructions and that she didn't know why the hospital has been giving these out but she was going to put a stop to it! Anyway, it has been very difficult to not move forward onto the full liquid phase, because I know it is legal with some doctors. I so want a cup of warm vanilla pudding, or a milk product. But I will be good. Just one more full day of Jello, broth, teas, and crystal light, and then I'll enjoy the next phase. Discipline--I've never been good at that. But I'm learning.

Sounds like you're doing great, and good for you getting in all that protein! I really struggled with that! Do you get to go to pureed foods on Thursday? I was on liquids for 2 weeks...just got to start the pureed foods on Monday (chicken salad never tasted sooo good!!).

FloridaSunshine - you and I have the same doctor. He told me not to do any exercise except walking for now and increase the distance a little each day. Cycling, weights and aerobics of any kind were outlawed until week 3 or 4. Each of us are different, so that may be the difference with the instructions.
I am in agreement, I do not think there will be any scars, or they will be very minimal. Our doctor has a great bedside manner as well. Started with Dr. Aguila, but switched to DiCicco and have not regretted it at all.
Happy that you are recovering well - the bloating will go down. I drink broth and it seems to help me to burp, which I think is a plus at this point.
Alita

Good luck on Wednesday! I hope for your sake the nurse is understanding and will give you that fill! Hang in there, and keep us updated!

wahhhooooooooooooooo! I finally broke 200.

How's everyone doing?
I'm 2 weeks out today, and feeling really good. I can finally sleep on my sides, so I'm sleeping MUCH better than I was. I'm starting to get hungry though...I can't move to mushies until after my appointment on Monday, and it can't come fast enough!!
My weight is still stuck, hasn't moved even in ounce (up or down) in days. I weigh myself everyday as it helps keep me accountable. I know I'm not going to have a daily loss, but it's been a week since I've lost anything. Guess all I can do is keep on doing what i'm doing, and know that one of these days there'll be a drop

Florida, are you drinking enough fluids? I was told that we won't lose if we aren't drinking at least 64 ounces of Water, but preferrably 100 or more. You will break the 200 mark. Don't give up. I'd love to see your celebration dance when you do! You can do it!

Manda, seriously I am so annoyed... I weight EXACTLY.... ON THE NOSE 200 LBS. there is a big mental accomplishment of breaking 200 and for the life of me I've been stuck there for 5 days ...
I know that it is not physically possible to maintain the same weight on 800 calories a day, so I'm just staying focused, doing my exercises and eating like I'm supposed to... the weight will come off.

I'm really not experiencing any pain at this point. A little tightness and pulling at the port site, some gas pressure, but no pain. I guess after 4 cesareans this is cake! LOL

Hi all! I'm a 29 year old mother of four banded on the 19th! 21 lbs down and feeling good!

Definitely feeling the gurgling. And the tight feeling when i burp.

Thanks! I did it !! I am a bit out of it right now, but that is the healing process. I dont have children, but I am very humbled by the women that have had a "C-Section" delivery. I have never had surgery like the lap band, but now I understand the discomfort they all carried.
My surgery it self when great, right on time. very organized team I had. I had lost 18 lbs. doing the 3 week pre-op liquid diet, which really made my Dr. an d myself pretty happy.
i wish all the best to each and everyone of you! =)
Have a positive day!
Linda

I'm no doctor or nutritionist but 400 calories a day is way too little.
I see no veggies and no fruit in your daily menu. That would be the first place I'd try to start adding in some calories. I also see no dairy, which is another food group you definitely need for Calcium (unless you're lactose intolerant). Adding a cup of skim milk or a Greek yogurt would be great.
I would take your food logs into your nutritionist, they'd be the best person to help you adjust your daily routine.
Best wishes.