mrsto

It's almost impossible to predict how it will be for you. I was out of sorts for a good 2-3 weeks, although I had my gallbladder removed at the same time, and also a hernia repair. Luckily for me, I work most days from home, and was able to do some work & then rest......without having to explain it to anyone. I went to a client's office to work around day 10, and though I was miserable, I got through it. Good luck!

I'm curious.....why you're asking, since you haven't had your surgery yet? Learning to live with the band will always require control. There will be times when you want to eat right through it. This is a time to learn new behavior, and reaching for diet pills when it gets tough, isn't the healthy way to go. Mind you, I'm not saying that I don't completely understand that thought process......I took diet pills on and off for many years. But in the end, they did not fix me. If you are preparing for what you've heard is coming, my suggestion is to try & focus on other ways to get through the difficult times. Fill or no fill, those times will happen. This is a whole new way of life, and I'm guessing you're having surgery because all else has failed (including the pills). You can do this on your own, if you follow the rules and eat the way your doctor recommends. It's certainly not easy, but what things worth working for in life are? Good luck!

No issue here, either. I take very hot Jacuzzi baths, and haven't noticed a thing.

Carole hit it right on. The only thing I would add, is that it might be helpful for you to see the nutritionist at your doctor's office. He/she can help you chart a course to get back in the saddle (so to speak). But as far as your mindset......that has to come 100% from you. But you've done it before, and you can do it again. Hopefully, before anymore weight comes back on. Just remember ALL that time and effort you put into this, and imagine having to go through it again. I know that is easier said than done, but I would hate to see you climb to a high place, where the road back is long and arduous. Believe me, I've been there.....I think we ALL have

There are SO MANY variables between the different doctors. As much as some of what we read doesn't make sense (based on our own doctor's protocol), it's best that everyone follow what their own doctor prescribes.

What I started on soft foods, eggs made me ill. And I normally like eggs. I'm fine with them now, but when introducing foods back in, some things trigger that nauseous feeling. As mentioned by other posters......take it very slow. Refried beans with a little melted cheese was my savior during that phase. Also, a baked potato (without the skin) with some cottage cheese also saved me.

PS: But I would hate to see you walk away from a resource that can help you through....not only your recovery from surgery, but from all the changes that lay ahead. Stay positive.......you did something really GOOD for yourself

Deacon - PLEASE don't let the complications posted knock you off your foundation. Try to remember that this site is only a fraction of the thousands who have had problem free success with the band. I'm not saying that I don't understand how you feel. At one point, I myself had to take myself off the site, because the negative/complication posts were freaking me out. After about 2 1/2 weeks, I started to miss all of the positive/healthy support, which is a LOT more than the problems. Sure, many with the band will experience some discomfort at some point, but mostly it's from improper eating. Try & relax & and focus on the positive step you took to improve your life. Honestly, if the negatives you read here are effecting you that badly, walk away from this. It's more important that you focus on your health, and take directives from your doctor.

Dusty - I went through the same exact thing. I had SO many emotions; excitement, fear, anger, sadness.... But pre-surgery excitement was the strongest one. This decision isn't a hop skip & a jump in the park. It's a huge life changing step, and will alter your relationship with food. FOOD, our best friend, confidant, go-to place of comfort. It's pretty scary to alter that relationship, no matter HOW necessary it is to do so. Sending you the best of luck on your procedure tomorrow. Please post back & let us know how you're doing. And we're always here for the gambit of post-op emotions that come up. At first, it can be a roller coaster ride, but then it becomes the new "normal". (whatever that is.....God, I hate that word) - LOL!

I know that the doctor's office would not be able to give out any info. But that is the only link to her, other than this forum. I hoped that might open some window, where something might come through.

So true..... But my sense of her from her activity on this site, is that she would at least post a "hey, I'm still among the living". But I do get the needing a break from it. It can become ALL consuming.

I found it..... Here is the link to that thread. Parisshel posted within the content, but I think the entire post might be helpful. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/167022-i-came-out-of-the-closet-yesterday/

I will tell you first hand (as will many others), that the band is HARDLY the easy way out. It takes a lot of strength and will power to work with the band. It doesn't do the work for you, it only "assists". That being said, I felt the same way when going through the decision process. I felt like such a failure, and a total weakling. But I worked through those feelings, and knew as sure as I'm typing this note, that if I didn't go through with the surgery, I would continue to gain. I was resolved. And I haven't looked back one minute since 3/25/13, with regret. I've dropped 25 pounds so far; 25 pounds which NEVER would have come off if I reached out to yet ANOTHER diet program. A couple of months ago, (I think it was parisshel) had a great post regarding the very same thing. She outlined it in a way that really hit home for me. I'll try & find the link to that post and send it to you. Aside from so many wonderful things in that post, she likened the band to the patch to stop smoking. Would you judge a friend who used a nicotine patch to stop smoking, as being weak for not being able to do it "on their own?" By getting banded, you are taking care of YOU and your health. As said above, there isn't anything easy about it. The weight doesn't magically fall off. You STILL have to do the work. I'm going to look for that post & see if I can find it. It was really good

Thanks Armonet! I have another 50 to get to my first goal. Once I'm there, I'll reassess if I want/need to drop anymore :-)

Yes - you are right on track! I had surgery on 3/25/13, and have lost 25 pounds total (which includes what I lost on the two week pr-op diet). Do I wish it was going quicker....YES, of course But when I average it out, it's about 2 pounds per week, which is a "healthy" rate of loss. Try not to get too hung up on the large amounts of weight you read that others have lost. Everyone's bodies are different, and depending how much weight you have to lose, depends how fast it comes off in the beginning. I believe that the more weight you have, the faster the initial pounds drop off. PS: You haven't posted any information on your profile; surgery date, weight, etc. That info will help us respond better to some of your questions

We really are creatures of habit. I've been doing very well, also. But I think when we get comfortable with our new way of eating, we put down our guard & go on auto pilot.....which doesn't mean with our new way of eating I've found myself doing the same thing from time to time; eating without focusing. I realize that I'm eating fast, and not chewing as much as I need to. No major stuck episodes (yet), but I think I've had little ones that pass through within a minute or two.

Does anyone know her real name; IS it Missy? One (possible) way to find out what's going on, is to call her doctor, Zubin Bhesania. There was another post between Mis and another poster who has the same doctor. That was a couple of weeks ago, and I don't remember who the poster was. Would be great if we could at least know that she's okay. Her original post on this came while she was in the hospital, so she probably used her phone. The fact that the posts stopped, scares me.

First, I think it's best to talk with your doctor about it. But I will say that what you're describing sounds completely normal, being that you're only 5 days post-op. Did they do a hernia repair as well? After surgery I had a problem breathing; I couldn't take a deep breath without pain for quite awhile. Sometimes, I'd be sitting on the couch, and felt such discomfort that I'll pull off my bra & throw it across the room!! But I'm happy to say that I no longer have these issues. Although, every once in awhile, when I'm feeling full, I'll have the sensation that my bra is constricting above my ribs. And when I say "full", it's not the "I've eaten too much" kind. It can be bloat.....gas, or something along those lines.

Everyone responds differently after surgery. But I would say, if you can pull it off, take two weeks.

Spaness - sounds like a good plan!

I absolutely hate most of the Protein shakes, and some of them make me ill. But I do keep the ready made Premier Protein chocolate ones in the fridge, for the mornings where I can't stomach the thought of solid food. I didn't used to be like that, but since being banded, I'm not always thrilled with breakfast. OTERwise, I want nothing to do with those shakes......PERIOD! Yesterday, I thought I'd mix up a vanilla Isopure Protein shake with 1 tablespoon of the PB3 Peanut Butter. I was so nauseous from it, and I was sick all day. I may take all of my powdered protein canisters and toss them in the trash. That is the second or third time I've gotten nauseous from those drinks. I'll probably pick up some pea protein & try that. I used to drink it pre-band, without issue.

I love to hear this stuff - CONGRATS!

The band doesn't change, but our bodies do on a day to day basis. Since my last fill, I'm noticing the same thing; one day I'm fine, the next I'm burping & mildly nauseous for no apparent reason. Our bodies also swell from day to day, which makes the band tighter. Some people can't eat in the morning for this very reason.

What TMF said is not untrue. We don't have to be licensed medical professionals, to share what we've learned from our own doctors and self study. He WAS giving support, at the same time, making sure that the up and coming, or newly banded people understand the dangers of your food choices. Not just yours, but anyone making those choices shortly after being banded. You have gotten a lot of support in the forum, and it would be a shame for you to leave because you didn't like what one person had to say. When you post in an open forum, what comes back isn't always going to be sunshine and lollipops. As pinknsassy above said, take what feels good, and leave the rest.

Instyle - thank you. I am glad that my doctor is taking a very proactive approach. I would be scared if I had a doctor that sloughed it off as something less than what it could POSSIBLY be. I haven't been freaked out this weekend. My attitude is, that it will be what it will be. With that being said, my arm today isn't hurting as much; comes and goes. I hope he finds that nothing is wrong, because I'm very happy with the way I feel when eating, after the 2nd fill. If they have to take out 1/2 cc to bring me back to where I was before, I can live with that. I just hope that the arm/shoulder issue timing, is something unrelated, and simply coincidental to the timing of the last fill