LessLee

I had surgery this morning and am home now. Not to bad with the pain. Able to sip ok. The gas pain in my shoulders is there but manageable. All in all, not to terrible so far. I am wishing my other June 10 peeps good wishes today, ArtM and metsmomma. Hope all is well with everyone. Thanks for all of the prayers and well wishes from everyone too. It helped.
Eric

Good for you! I hope all goes great!

I am Sched for July 11th to be banded. I started reducing calories 5 days ago and swapping in a Protein shake or two for meals to make the pre op liquid diet easier. I think I've lost a pound
A premature post but was inspired by reading where folks are in their journeys!

Scheduled June 21st. Starting Pre-op diet. Scared, anxious, excited all in one. Looking for lots of support buddies, glad to have found your forum!

Welcome. I was happy to find this forum too! Still waiting to be banded, so I am no help with your questions, just wanted to welcome you. (i'm fairly new too)

They
They only let patients into the groups, so you have to request access. If you can't post you just need to call or email support and they can fix it, I had that issue as well

Well, I've made it 1.5 weeks with my band, and I'M IN LOVE WITH IT !!! It's everything I was hoping it would be. I would like to talk about my first couple of days though, in case someone is in my shoes and can find hope in it. I kept hearing that you could "have your surgery on Friday, and go back to work on Monday". Well I was skeptical, so I took Tuesday and Wednesday off as well. Friday after my surgery, I was numbed up pretty well, but then came SATURDAY. I got a little cocky and tried to eat Jello, then go outside to do my walking that I was encouraged to do. I felt like I had to burp, but couldn't, and it hurt so bad. Then came the nausea. I kept thinking, "No, no, no, no, no, I cannot throw up!!", but I did... and boy did I. Dry heaves, and it wouldn't stop. I was terrified I was messing my band up. I took my medication for nausea and it knocked me out for the entire day. Then came the gas the next day. Excruciating pain!!! It wasnt the surgical gas. It was the GI kind of gas, and it wouldnt move up or down. I have to admit, I had a few thoughts of, "Crap! What have I gotten myself into?". If anyone else is there right now, behold.... IT PASSES (and I mean that more ways than one) hahahaha. Come Monday morning, and some GasX, I was a new person!!! I had no desire to eat and felt like I could conquer the world. Now 1.5 weeks out, I have lost 16 pounds (counting my 1 week preop diet), and I can't believe I'm not hungry!!!! I am so excited about the future!!! Here's a good tip.... buy a pretty little appetizer plate (4 or 5 inches) and a good oyster fork to eat with. It's just so cute, and it makes it exciting to eat when I look at the new tiny portions, not depressed like you would think. Yes, I miss my old friend food, but the future looks bright!! I'll get over it!!

Hi All,
(probably the most honest thing I have ever posted)
I am new to online forums.... I thought to sign up in order to track my weight loss as well as get to know others who are going through the same experience.
I had my GB operation on the 3rd of June 2013, through Belgium Surgery Services. I found the whole process very quick, and the hotel we stayed in was quirky... an old prison!
The reason why I had the gastric band operation was to get my life in order. I have always been the girl 'who has a pretty face' and people always said; 'if only you lost some weight, you would be so beautiful', 'if you was to lose a stone or two you would be stunning'.... The things people say! but these things play on your mind especially if people repeat them to you, well they played on mine anyway.
Lets not be naive, we are judged by the way we look. I just didn't want my weight to hold me back anymore and hold back my confidence that I was slowly losing every stone I was putting on. Plus i love fashion, I like looking at healthy beautiful people. I admire them....
I have always been 'big'....I was born 15lb!! Most of my family is over weight. My granddad passed from diabetes a few years back and even though I have always had a 'shape', in the last few years I was finding myself putting on weight just by looking at food!
You see my family is Greek, we LOVE food... we are foodies! I am not in denial that I was eating big portions at meal times and constantly snacking, but I just couldn't stop myself. food was a big part of my life! It was always there to comfort me. When I did I would lose weight, through dieting. I would put it back on again (double sometimes) as soon as I was having a 'down time'. My BMI was highly creeping up and I was then diagnosed with PCOS (polysistic ovarian syndrome). Things got serious really... my periods stopped, my skin started getting bad.. my thighs were rubbing together and causing sores. At my heaviest I got up to 18.5 stone/252 pounds at 5'4.
I had been thinking more and more about my weight and what I could do to help aid my journey. After all I have got my career on track and my mind on focus and in a happy place. My mum had a bypass 9 years ago and lost ALOT of weight but came alot of complications. She suggested a band, I researched it. Did some soul searching, decided this was my answer. Booked the GB and paid for my flights and deposit... Started saving (longest 3 months of my life! ) and here I am...
I look forward to reading some your stories and networking with each other.
My grammar and punctuation is not fantastic... after all I can get away with it. It is a forum
Elisa
x

Three months post op and this is a typical daily menu for me:
When I wake up, I drink a glass of Water.
30 mns after that I have breakfast: either a small bowl of oatmeal, or a slice or two of dry cracker--like Melba toast--spread with a bit of butter and jam.
Mid-morning I drink my coffee and milk beverage (around 11 am).
lunch is always 50-100 grams of Protein, usually fish or chicken. I do not eat red meat since being banded, as I can't chew it enough to swallow it safely. With that I have a small salad usually endive with either some bits of avocado or some crumbled nuts mixed in.
I'll have a calcium-based snack in mid afternoon: a small (100 gr) plain yogurt, or a small bit of cheese.
dinner is the same as lunch, but with some cut up fruit (right now I'm doing watermelon or cantalope) instead of the salad. (No room for both in my little pouch.)
Here is the list of what I don't eat, by personal choice:
Pasta, any bread or breadlike item such as croissants or cake, rice, couscous (semolina), red meat, even hamburger, veal, pork
I sip on Water all day long. The hardest bandster rule for me is not drinking during a meal, because I'm really used to drinking when eating. (Plus I'm thirsty when I eat!)
I don't particularly use light or low-fat items, and I don't consume processed foods, Where I live it is very easy to live on whole, not genetically-modified foods so I'm lucky.
If there are any pre-ops reading this, don't let this scare you. I thought I'd really miss being able to eat "normal" (or huge) quantities of food, and that I'd feel really deprived having to follow my postop directives, but for me that is not at all the case. For that I am so grateful that I finally got the band, and stopped dieting the traditional way.

1 yr post op now. i eat lean Protein *chicken breast/96% lean beef, fruit, veggies, cheese*, aka good for me foods...i do not eat processed/boxed items...and i choose to not eat potato/rice/pasta.....just try to eat healthier stuff--alot out there to keep anyone happy/content...i control the quality and the band helps me control the quantity.

Good Luck! I am the 21st.

Hey everyone! This is my first post (although I've been reading all of ya'lls for serious support!) and Im scheduled to be banded on June 18. Im at a week of my 2 week liquid Pre-op diet. It's been an emotional roller coaster! Just wanted to post and say "hi" and Im definitely going to be a frequent visitor!! Im so inspired by everyone's journeys. :-)

Wow. This just really got real! I just had my last solid food dinner before my surgery on Tuesday. I wasn't required to do a Pre op diet so It is just now hitting home. Tomorrow I can have a "regular Breakfast and lunch" then a liquid dinner. I'm really nervous!! Excited too!! I'm ready for this. I'm tired of being overweight. I'm ready to use this tool to change my eating habits for good! Good luck everyone. Looking forward to hearing all your stories.

Going in for 7 am surgery tomorrow. So anxious but soooo ready for this!!!!!!! Many prayers for all June 10th banders!!!!!

Good luck mets! My surgery is tomorrow also!

Hang in there, I hope you feel better!

It's by no means an easy out to weight lose. I've probably worked harded with this than any fad diet or program before. You really have to learn about YOURBODY and what works for YOU and the band. Think of your band as a marriage. It's no longer just you, you need to consult your other half before making desicions.
For me the hardest park of my journey has been the excepting myself for who I am. Weightloss is hard when you've been over weight your whole life. I have to look at myself and remind myself that I'm not who I used to be anymore, and learn to love/embrace the new me.

After 3 years I can say 143 lbs down and keeping it off has been achieved!

Hi! I am glad to have found your group. It took me a little while to figure out where the posts where..lol
I read about your surgery, congrats and I hope you feel better every day.
Mine is June 21st. I am so anxious....

This list is comprised from the input I received under a thread I posted called Help Me Stock My Pantry, as well some of the things I have and will use as I progress through the different stages. Don’t feel that you need to purchase everything on the list. I wrote everything down and placed it in this document for you to print off and take to your doctor or dietician. They can mark off items they don’t want you to have or even add additional ones for you. Remember these are just suggestions. You need to know what YOUR doctor allows and at what stages. If you are unable to print the list or would like a copy for shopping please feel free to inbox me. My member name is waitingpatiently. Good Luck everyone. Stay motivated and focused and success is right around the corner.


Digital scale
Blender (consider the ones that you can blend using a travel mug) I bought this one at Walmart for $79 http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&Find.x=0&Find.y=0&Find=Find&_ta=1&search_query=ninja%20kitchen%20system%20pulse&_tt=ninja
Heating Pad
Insulated Cooler (to carry premade food when out and about)
Small Plastic food Storage Containers (2oz and 4oz)
Chewable Calcium
Chewable Daily Vitamin
Gas X
liquid Tylenol
Benefiber (I mix this with the kellog’s Protein mix below) http://www.walmart.com/ip/Benefiber-Kiwi-Strawberry-Flavored-Fiber-Drink-Mix-Stick-Packs-24ct/17325206
Metamucil Clean and Clear
ChapStick
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Stage 1 Clear liquids
Protein Power: This is just going to be trail an error. Looks like the most popular are (Unjury, Jay Robin, Premiere, NewWhey)
Consider purchasing a unflavored variety to add to Soups and juices
Premixed Protein drinks –for when you are out and about
Canned chicken broth (the night before your surgery, consider simmering it with some veggies like carrots, onions, potatoes, even some of your favorite herbs. I would leave all the veggies in the broth until the next day. Then have someone strain them off, saving the broth for you)
Mrs. Dash Seasoning (for seasoning broth)
Favorite Soups Consider lower salt versions (use the larger size cans of Soup if they make them in your band. Then mix a couple of cans of chicken or beef broth with your favorite Soup. Simmer and strain)
SF Jello (both premade for convenience and boxed for when you feel like making it)
SF Popsicles
Pedialyte Popsicles
Kellogs Water ready Protein mix (link below)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Special-K2O-Strawberry-Kiwi-Protein-Water-Mix-4.7-oz-10ct/10891803
SF Water Flavors (Crystal Light, Great Value,Mio Etc)
Gatorade G2 or Propell
Hebal Tea
Diet fruit Juices
NSA-Carnation Instant Breakfast Mix
Skim Milk
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Stage 1-Full Liquid -All of the above+
Cream Soups (thinned with water or skim milk)
(consider sprinkling ½ scoop of unflavored protein power into soup and blend…watch the temp of the soup….the protein power may clump at high temps.)
Lipton Cup-a-soup Cream of chicken soup/broth
SF pudding (premixed for convenience and boxed for later)
Yogurt (thinned out) (light or greek) blend well
Baby Foods (add a jar of baby food fruit with your Protein powder and thin with water or skim milk)
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Stage 2-Puree
Baby food meats
Chicken (pureed)
Fish (pureed)
Favorite Soups (pureed)
Cottage cheese
Egg Substitute
oatmeal (thinned)
Grits (thinned)
Cream of Wheat (thinned)
Applesauce other Fruit sauces
Canned Fruit- juice packed
Fresh Fruit (pureed)
Cooked Vegetables (pureed)
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Peanut Butter
Cheese (hard low carb)
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Stage 3-all of the above+
Boxed Cereals (high protein)
Saltine Crackers
Meatloaf (moist)
Baked Potato
Mac & Cheese
Refried Beans
Chicken salad
Tuna Salad
Chicken Stew
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This morning I walked/jogged my first 5K!! It was even more awesome than I expected it to be. I've never really been a runner. Never in a million years did I think that I would voluntarily run/walk a 5k.
But, today I for my butt out there and did it!! The feeling of running through the finish line and seeing my wife and son cheering me on was AWESOME!! I have already signed up for another one!!

The doctor's office called yesterday and I was approved. I knew I would be but now this is so real exciting and scary.... I know the band is a great tool. I tried for the past 28 years to lose weight I have been on a diet since I was 10 . Sigh.... I'm excited and nervous. It seems like life will resume as normal after I make it to solids again. I already eat pretty healthy and I feel with the band I won't be hungry as often. I have been doing the research and know what my part is to make the band work for me. Now why am I so scared??? I m afraid of the unknown as this is new to me..... I told my best friend yesterday and she was hesitant and supportive I think she reacted like I did the first time the doctor suggested this.... Then my ex decided we should try again... I'm not sure if I want to I am focusing on me but we do love each other and have a lot of history but I am afraid to tell him. He loves me as is fat and all when I lose the 150 pounds I plan on losing then what ...and what about the excess skin 150lbs has a lot of skin involved I'm sure. I walk 3x a week and spin 2-3 a week with some sculpting classes. After the surgery I plan on stepping it up once I receive medical clearance. I have a trainer in mind and all. So I have a plan did the research and am ready so why am I happy but full of anxiety? How do you all feel after being banded ? Did anyone have these fears? Any input will help I read the threads to get a sense of this unknown new life style. Btw I also have a tremendous support system from my family n select friends I told...

I'm a couple of pounds away from being under 200 for the first time in years. I should reach that goal next week or the following. I still have a long way to go..I'd like to lose another 50 lbs. but the thought of getting on the scale at my primary doctor's office and not setting the weight at 200 or even 250 (which I had to do before being banded) truly makes me smile.

I hear you! The week before my surgery and night before, I was second guessing my decision. It's hard to change. But I did it last Monday and I'm 5 days on liquid diet. I have no regret and feel happier knowing I will feel better about me soon. The gas pains are prob the worst ... But I'm new too so we will see! Good luck. If u have doubts , remind yourself what u led u to this decision

Hi, welcome. I am new also.