mrsto

I said to my husband "ya know, these stairs could be a problem as we age". He, who doesn't have a weight issue and runs around like a 25 year old, said (knowing that I was talking about "me", and not "we", that we can install a lift. REALLY?! I thought to myself, I ain't goin' up a few stairs on an f-ing LIFT! One client that I go to every Wednesday, has his office on the 2nd floor. There is an elevator at the other end of the building, but I drag my ass up the stairs, with an extra added 50lbs with my work tote. By the time I get to the top, I have to stop and wait a couple of minutes to catch my breath. I'm so humiliated, that I pull out my cell phone & pretend that I'm checking my email. That building is all open, and when I come up the stairs, I'm right in front of another office. I always wonder if they know that I'm about ready to pass out. Geez..... I'm doing really well with the stairs at home, but I'll dance a fricken jig when I'm able to go up THOSE stairs effortlessly, EVEN with the extra 50 pound work bag

Catfish - I SO get the "feeling like I was gonna die from exhaustion". I'm not where I'm going to be, but with just the first 23 pounds, I'm able to go upstairs without feeling like I'm gonna need the cardiac care unit!

I know you feel FABULOUS!! How liberating that is!

PERFECT!!

LOL - yes, I actually returned two Keurigs. I know a lot of people like them, but it didn't work out for me. I had also tried a Hamilton Beach single serve machine, and it went back the next day. This is the one I bought today, and so far, so good. I'll see how I like it over the next few days. The place I bought it said that I have up to one year to return it. Really?! And it was on sale today in the store for $134.99; $45 cheaper than Bed Bath & Beyond. http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-1102490/Capresso-la-Carte-Cup-to-Carafe-Coffee-and-Tea-Maker

I had my gallbladder removed at the same time my band was placed, and I was never instructed to avoid those foods.....other than following my lap band post-op diet. I've known numerous people that have had gallbladder surgery, and do perfectly fine without any special limitations.

That's exactly what mine said.....

I use Coffeemate powder creamer. Not the sweet flavored ones; the original. I know it's crap, but I've used it for so long, I don't even like real cream. I use that, with some Splenda.

Your Timmies sounds like our Starbucks Okay, this thread got me so excited today (either that, or too much caffeine), that I went out a bought a new coffee maker. It makes a single small or large cup, or a whole carafe. It also makes tea. And the GOOD news is, that it makes a cup of coffee in 60 seconds, and tastes great! I'm so picky when it comes to coffee, and have bought and returned a few single serve/pod type machines. AWFUL! This, however, is great....which I never thought I would say, coming from a French press. Yeah, God forbid I should have to wait longer than a minute for my morning brew

Jean - you are such a beautiful writer; articulate and eloquent. Thank you so much for this, and all of your posts. I think you are spot on, that we should take a look back & never forget from where we came. It helps keep us humble, and (hopefully) continually diligent down our life path.

Fashion - my husband was, and still is VERY supportive. We talked a lot about it before, and I'll (lightly) share some of the struggles, now. But the reality is, as much as our men are our life partners; best friend, lover, etc., they are not girlfriends. My conversations about this with my best friend of 52 years, are very different than the ones with my husband. We can sit & talk with our girlfriends for hours on end about the same things, but men are more "cliff note" beings. They want to know what's going on, but they don't want to talk talk talk about it. Given that, I'd say......lean on your friends to share a lot of the excitement, fear......ALL the feelings that you go through with this. And just give your husband the cliff notes

I love that he decided to start lifting weights. Sounds like you getting your health together, has made him start to "think".

Do you drink/like Crystal Light? It's allowed, and a good alternative. I was strung out on diet coke for a long time, but stopped drinking it a couple of years ago. And I'm glad, because that was ONE less thing for me to give up with the surgery. Giving up Advil was hard enough!!!

I have an excellent surgeon, but they do not use fluoroscopy for fills. Many don't unless there are issues. I asked about it, and was told (by the front desk person) that it's too expensive to use on a regular basis. I've had two fills so far (by the nurse), and she feels the port & gets the needle right on. I've had no issues with the fills, and each one has had the intended effect.

No carbonated drinks - EVER. The gas plays havoc with the band, and can cause issues you probably don't want to experience. Alcohol is another story, but certainly not early in the post-op phase. You have to take into consideration that there is zero nutritional value in alcohol, and it also tends to bring down our resistance to eating in a way that we shouldn't. I know for me, eating a lot of finger foods goes hand in hand with drinking. But if you do decide to have a drink or two, make sure & count the calories in your daily allotment.

No, it's not consistent. And you will find that from beginning to end as you participate in these forums. My pre-op diet was two weeks at 1200 calories per day - low fat. I was on full liquids for only two days pre-op. Then, clear liquids for two days after surgery, then moved to full liquids for another 10 days. Then mushy foods, and every 7-10 days something else was added. I've read of people being on full foods within two weeks. Not much progression, other than liquids right afterwards. Then some had to stay on clear liquids for a full month post-op. Every doctor has their own spin on this part, and it's just important that you follow what YOUR doctor prescribes. Don't get thrown off by what you read here. It can be confusing, but you chose your doctor for this procedure, and need to lean on him and his staff for guidelines.

LOL!

I'm having some right now as well - zero problems. My doctor's instructions were no coffee, ever. The concern is that the acid can cause ulcers. Doesn't matter if it's caff or decaf - it's the acid that is the issue. This is the one "instruction" that I couldn't adhere to. I drink only one small cup in the morning, and I'm fine with it. Also - when I spoke with one of the counselors in his office (also a long term lap band patient) she kind of chuckled & said that most ALL of them drink some, anyway. So.....I decided that a little bit of coffee isn't going to make or break me. HELL, I have no vices left! Give me my damn cup of coffee!

Good Job - CONGRATS! I'm so close.....4 pounds and ya'll will here me screaming all the way from SoCal!

In the beginning, my taste buds were a bit off, too. But it passed and I'm back to normal. Your doctor allows carbonated drinks? Wow - that is completely contrary to what 99% of us have been told.

Mine is also a 10cc band; placed on 3/25/13. I also read in these forums that there are more issues with the 4cc band. But that doesn't mean that everyone is going to have issues.

Terry - SO true, and well put. I myself have days where I "test the band", and I (if I choose) can eat past every signal it gives. Last night for instance.... I'd eaten my 3/4 cup of dinner, but had this burning need to "hand to mouth it". I made popcorn, and though I was done early on in that bowl, I had to (slowly) eat the whole thing. I went right past the signal, and ate through the discomfort. Clearly, the band doesn't work on the compulsion/addiction, but it IS a pretty damn good "helper" when we have our heads on straight. Glad to say......today has been a much better day

YES - don't EVER lose your sense of humor! Without it, life is just waaaay too heavy

Awwwe ........you're a doll CG

You are doing GREAT! Good for you! Keep up the good work I'm past bandster hell, and I have to tell you......the desire and cravings for "bad" foods doesn't necessarily leave. I've had days where I want to stuff a bag of potato chips, and that's not even a "go-to" food. As they say, the band goes around our stomaches, not our heads! I don't have the intense cravings every single day, but when I DO have them, it freaks me out. It still ALL boils down to will power (or, want power, as Carolinagirl refers to it). It can be very frustrating, at the same time, very rewarding.