beanie80

Every surgeon is different in what he or she recommends for their patients. It is always best practice to follow what your surgeon has told you to do. I was banded on June 26th and had my first day today of mushies. I had 2 weeks of full liquid. It was rough, but I'm glad I did it. Best of luck

Being as you now have the band, your nutritional needs are going to be different than a person without the band. Essentially, you need less food for your body to feel like it's had enough.
You'll also find a vast array of diets and calorie ranges here, too. I personally stay around 1200 calories a day and do well on it.
One other thing to point out- according to your profile, you've lost 27 pounds since you were banded 8 short weeks ago. Why do you say you're not losing weight when clearly you are? The average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds per week. If your profile is correct, then you've lost an average of more than 3 pounds a week. I'd say you're doing great and have nothing to worry about.

Hi All, I made a new discovery. Today morning I woke up laying on my belly. This means that on postop day 14 you can sleep on your belly. Yeah! I thought it would take longer than that

No rash at all, it's all on the inside! And I haven't taken any pain meds at all (haven't needed to) so it can't be a reaction to that. I may just call my doctor's office anyway and ask.

I was out mowing the lawn on Monday.
Today I had to ask a neighbor to come over and jump start my car.
He asked me " why was your daughter mowing your lawn yesterday?"
My daughter is 39yo..... I love my neighbor!!!!

You should call your GYN. No matter what anyone has experienced, everyone is completely individual. If this is not a normal pattern for you, only your doctor can diagnose.
Good luck!

My favorite : "none of your business. Shut the hell up!"

Thanks everyone! I ended up telling my two friends tonight that my sister was making me dinner and I would come meet them afterwards. I got there when they were done eating, I ordered a virgin, frozen, strawberry margarita and only had 1 or 2 sips. I really ordered it so they wouldn't think something was up and I told them I wasn't drinking alcohol tonight because I still wasn't feeling great (I had told people I was sick with a GI bug/flu during surgery and recovery). I hate all the lies, but I don't think it is really anyone's business either. They, of course, had chips and guac at the table and kept asking me if I wanted any. It was surprisingly easy to say no. When I got home I had some sugar free jell-o

Thanks everyone! I ended up telling my two friends tonight that my sister was making me dinner and I would come meet them afterwards. I got there when they were done eating, I ordered a virgin, frozen, strawberry margarita and only had 1 or 2 sips. I really ordered it so they wouldn't think something was up and I told them I wasn't drinking alcohol tonight because I still wasn't feeling great (I had told people I was sick with a GI bug/flu during surgery and recovery). I hate all the lies, but I don't think it is really anyone's business either. They, of course, had chips and guac at the table and kept asking me if I wanted any. It was surprisingly easy to say no. When I got home I had some sugar free jell-o

Sorry beanie...I meant once you are eating solids. Agree with you 100%...it's very hard at this stage. I just wanted you to know that you have something to look forward to.

I would definitely say at least one week. Everyone responds differently to the pain and despite pain thresholds, previous surgery experience etc you'll find the discomfort inevitable. Some residual pains such as entrapped gas peak 4-6 days after surgery and that in of itself can make working super difficult (even at a desk). Others discover their bodies are ultra sensitive initially to the band and feel nauseated, acid reflux symptoms, prolonged pain etc. Waiting it out a week to learn how you are going to tolerate and recover from the procedure is better than going to work prematurely and exasperating the pain.

I was on vacation for a few days this week and then when I got home, I ate out a couple of evenings as well. I got on the scale this morning as I do every Sunday and I lost a half pound and I feel great. Not because of the weight loss....a half pound is nothing. I feel great because I feel in control. For the longest time, I gave in to my food desires and overdid at every occasion. Of course, then the guilt comes from not being able to stop.
So...this week I truly enjoyed every meal, and paid attention to what I ate and how much I ate and never ate too much...and again..I felt like I was in control...not just of food, but in control of my life. I don't know how else to explain it but I feel like I am in the driver's seat for a change and not allowing this damn food addiction to control me.
My only hope is that I can keep this up. I've lost weight before and always slipped back into bad habits. When I read posts from bandsters who have gained all or some of the weight back, it scares me. I want to be a long term success and I'm hoping the band makes the difference this time for me.

Thanks everyone! I ended up telling my two friends tonight that my sister was making me dinner and I would come meet them afterwards. I got there when they were done eating, I ordered a virgin, frozen, strawberry margarita and only had 1 or 2 sips. I really ordered it so they wouldn't think something was up and I told them I wasn't drinking alcohol tonight because I still wasn't feeling great (I had told people I was sick with a GI bug/flu during surgery and recovery). I hate all the lies, but I don't think it is really anyone's business either. They, of course, had chips and guac at the table and kept asking me if I wanted any. It was surprisingly easy to say no. When I got home I had some sugar free jell-o

It's a filter inserted via the groin into the vena cava, the main artery from the legs to the heart/lungs. In the event of blood clots, it's supposed to catch the clot so you don't die of a pulmonary embolism.
If I hadn't had one, I'd be dead right now. I'm not trying to be dramatic but my IVC filter saved my life.

They are most certainly not a waste! If I didn't have the IVC filter, I'd have been dead weeks ago. There was so much clotting trapped in the filter that they had to go in via angiogram to remove the clots from the filter because it was almost completely blocking the vena cava.
The filters do make clotting worse when they occur, but I'd rather have a worse clot than a pulmonary embolism and die.

Oh my goodness, I just saw this thread! I am so touched! :wub:
Yes, I was really sick. Truth is, I was in the ICU for 8 days dealing with severe blood clots. It was really scary and to be honest I'm really lucky to be alive. If you want to read about what happened, I made a blog entry here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blog/6349/entry-26062-a-warning-about-blood-clots-grahic-pic-beware/
I'm very sorry I couldn't pop on. When I originally posted that clot status, I didn't realize the severity of it all. Soon after I was airlifted to another hospital and spent the next 5 days totally immobilized on my back. Needless to say, anything internet wise was the last thing on my mind and totally impossible to even do.
And yes, my real name is Missy. PattyGirl626 on these forums does know how to reach me in real life so in the future if someone is worried, you can always PM her. She'll know for sure where I am and what's going on.
But I am home and doing well recovering. It's going to be a long road but I'm alive so I'm happy
Love you all!!!

Sorry hon but it's impossible for any of us to answer your questions. Every insurance company covers different things and sometimes it's specific to locale, even employer. You will have to consult with your insurance company

Karen, I would advise against consuming alcohol for a couple reasons (at this stage). 1) right now your stomach is on the high acidic side. Making you prone to things like acid reflux and ulcers. Alcohol and caffeine alike increase acidity in the stomach and can predispose you to these complications. 2) I know you may feel like you don't have to watch calories, but these mindless liquid calories are not what your body needs right now. Protein is essential for recovery. Alcohol is a blood thinner and thus slows healing. It offers no nutritional value. and 3) Right now is the prime time to follow the rules, being diligent with healthful choices etc. You are establishing new habits and a foundation for the remainder of your banded life. Yes, alcohol can be consumed when you are banded. I would just advise against it until you are well established on solids for now.

I have been in my bed since the day of surgery (last wednesday, June 26th). I felt better laying flat on my back in bed than in a chair/recliner. I got a little step stool and have figured out how to step-up, get on the bed on my knees and kind of fall over with my little pillow over my stomach. Sounds kind of ridiculous writing it, but I was proud when I could get into bed by myself haha. Getting out of bed takes a little longer but includes my little pillow over my stomach, some fancy rolls, and my bedside table. You'll figure it out. I think after the first week you will have learned some tricks that work for you. My sister was with me the day I had surgery, but I've been alone during the day since then. I stopped taking my pain meds last night so I can drive, but I'm not quite up to it. I think a week out you should be ok. good luck!

I avoided eating out for a long time because I didn't want to fess up, didn't want to make eating more complicated than it already was, and it's just too difficult to eat healthy eating out anyway. I did eventually share with my close friends, and everyone was way more supportive than I imagined. It's hard though. I meet new people now "after," and I don't want to tell any of them. But maybe you could go out and order Soup and say you'd eaten a big meal earlier in the day. Soup was always my fall back restaurant meal.

I was scared about missing food too, but I was surprised to see that I don't miss it. I still eat, I still get the satisfaction of eating, but it is not a mindless, fill up my emotions and soul eating anymore. You will be surprised with how much you emotionally DON'T need food. I used food as a crutch for when I was lonely, bored, sad, happy etc. etc. Now I actually interact with people instead and deal with my emotions head on. Best of luck to you. Anything new and uncertain is scary, but you will never know how wonderful life can be without taking a chance

I was scared about missing food too, but I was surprised to see that I don't miss it. I still eat, I still get the satisfaction of eating, but it is not a mindless, fill up my emotions and soul eating anymore. You will be surprised with how much you emotionally DON'T need food. I used food as a crutch for when I was lonely, bored, sad, happy etc. etc. Now I actually interact with people instead and deal with my emotions head on. Best of luck to you. Anything new and uncertain is scary, but you will never know how wonderful life can be without taking a chance

Broke in yesterday at 299.8 - and today 298.8. Feels goooood to be on this side of 300 again. First time in over 18 months. ONEderland - see you in 12-24 months!!

Thank you! I love your posts, but my poor old eyes were struggling to read them

Woah, sorry for the small font..I reposted in larger font:
Hello. All of us struggled with the what ifs prior to getting banded. It's all very new and it's hard to grasp it all until you are finally banded. B52 is correct. You will go through transitions after being banded. Fastforward past the postop healing phase and to your first fill, you will begin to understand how the band helps with Portion Control. Initially you will eat super healthy, emphasis on Protein, low fat etc. You will maintain this until fill 2, 3, 4? until you reach green because you don't want to sabotage your wl you already achieved. When you get to green, you will have to experiment with your foods and relearn your band (as you do after each fill) and figure which foods are problematic and which are not. From there, you get creative. You experiment with new foods, new meals. You become much better at estimating cals, portions etc. You are forming solid healthy habits. Now is when you understand that having an icecream today is ok... or maybe today I will eat out and enjoy something I use to love (but don't be surprised if you leave 80% of it on your plate lol). If you are motivated by your wl and protective of that success you'll balance those occasional 'cheats' with your healthy habits and 1) not sabotage yourself and 2) feel satisfied. I am near 4 years out. The only things I don't eat is Pasta, rice and bread because those are no-nos for me, but I don't miss them. Everything else like high cals meals, treats etc I have on occasion (once a week?) and I feel completely satiated because I don't feel like I'm craving or restricting myself. The band is such a tremendous tool if used properly.