NancySmiles

I remember all this very well....adn each day IS different - You need to remember to take small sips. Your surgery area and around your port and band are still swollen, and you will be very restricted for a couple weeks. When you feel you are full.....just stop...it's hard...but learned my lesson. If you need to go back an hour or 2 later, then have more then...but don't force it. and Water will just make it even worse! It won't push it down....quite the contrary...it just comes up even more.....the chest pain is typical....it's trying to go thru the band....just stand up and walk around and in a couple minutes it will.....hang in there....trust me....it DOES get better ...hence the reason for liquids >>>> strained >>>> mushies >>>> then gradually getting into solids.... :-)

Me too.....about 3-4 weeks after surgery....but I did as Bubba dod.....put a pillow under my tummy as I lay on the side...to help prop me up...it worked.....slept like a baby...but no more snoring!!!

Hey Christina!!! So happy for you!!! Glad surgery went successfully!!! I was thinking of you all day!!! I had the right shoulder pain too....which was the ONLY bad pain I had....and it was gone after about 2 days....so hang in there!!! Put that scale away and set a date once a week to weight yourself!! Otherwise you will go crazy!!! GOOD LUCK AND TAKE CARE OF YOU!!! Nancy

I'll keep watching both posts, so wherever you post it, I'll find it!!! Thanks! Here is what "giveyouthemoon" had so far....is this too much duplication? I hope I am not stepping on anyone's toes.....at least it won't hurt as much as it would have when I was 75 lbs heavier!!! Sorry....bad joke! :ermm popsicles (any recommended brands. Should I go sugar free?) crystal light Jello (sugar free?) gatorade ensure chicken/beef/veggie broths (any good brands? should I get low sodium?) Protein powder for shakes frozen fruits for Protein Shakes Soups (tomato? Other good flavors I should consider?) liquid tylenol liquid gasx heating pad Look for a line of soups by "Imagine". They come in cartons. They have a great selection of interesting soups....ie. Potato Leek, Butternut Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbells Soup. One thing I would recommend is to cook a chicken before surgery, and save the broth from the chicken and freeze it in very small containers. I know after my surgery I had bought the can stuff, and to tell you the truth I didn't like it. My friend had cooked a chicken and she brought me over some of the broth and I was in heaven!! So that is one thing you could do to prepare.

Hi everyone: Just wanted to let you know that I attended the "Making the Journey Together 2005" event which was held in Troy, Michigan yesterday, June 4th, 2005, at the Embassy Suites Troy. It was sponsored by ObesityHelp.com; with speakers in all bariatric surgery areas such as Dietitian, Psychologist, Plastic Surgeon, Bariatric Medicine, Bariatric Surgeons, Motivational Patient Speakers, Authors, Counselors/Therapists, and so much more!!! What an AWESOME event!!! Motivational, Inspiring, Informative...and loads of information, tips, vendors, ideas, etc.; and even prizes! I would HIGHLY recommend this event to ANYONE interested in keeping up with news in the bariatric surgery spectrum! I will report on this event at our Support Group Meeting on June 15th! Still pumped up and motivated after yesterday!!! Here is the link in case you are interested to see what you missed! Shocked banana

Check out this link...there are several in your area!!! Good Luck!! http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeons+in+michigan.html Nancy

awwwwwwwww and I wanted to be the FIRST to congratulate you!!! Anyway....Congrats and hope you are doing well!!! We'll talk when you're up to it!!! WAY TO GO GIRL!!! Hugs from Nancy*

Holy cow!!! I just found out last night that I have to have my gallbladder removed too!!! Been having lots of pain ...... but the diagnosis was "sludge and sludgeballs"....yikes....!!! I aksed if it's like when cats get fur balls.....if I cough really hard will it come up??? LOL....waiting for a date....need a fill too ...badly....so life is on hold at the moment! Where was your pain and when did it hurt most? Good luck!! I may be having it that same week! Nancy

I know exactly how you feel!!! Whenever I would start a "new diet" his first question would be "so how long will it take you to gain it back this time???" Infuriated me!!! I have to say his support through all this has SURPRISED me to say the least....although some days...............grrrrrrrrrr

ROFLMAO!!!! You are AWESOME!!! And remind me so much of my son!!! Now I feel old!!! He is also a really great writier...because he is not afraid to say what he really feels....and I see that in you too! AND you're open to new things...!!! He took a couple classes online from the Gotham Writing School of New York and loved it. He does stand up comedy and improv in State College, PA and Open Mike sessions with his music. Bravo for having the (excuse the expression and no pun intended) "balls" to do it!!! The universe is yours!!! Nancy*

Good idea Trish!!! I was thinking the exact same thing. Is there a certain procedure you will need to go to for the ID part? Are they copyrighted or can anyone buy them. I would love to wear one but till LaurensHope they were all so horrid looking. I would want a few to change with outfits....but they have to be durable, strong, maybe sterling silver or 14K gold. Maybe that is why the price is so high. Let me know ....maybe you can start your own LBT bracelet business...made to order by Trish!!! Nancy

I would LOVE to wear one; but so many, until Lauren's Hope, were horrid looking. If I could afford it, I would have one for every outfit. Something tasteful...something durable like sterling silver and 14K gold, and oh yes...has to have some PURPLE in it!!! I am a PURPLE-holic!!! Does that help at all? Thanks Sherita!

The ONLY thing that worked for me was going "back to the basics"....kind of a "cleansing" period. I went back on my pre-surgery liquid diet for a week, then the mushy stage for a few days, and so on.....This happened to me at Christmas and it was the ONLY way I could get back on track. And you are all right....the cravings DO go away! I am starting this today again, to get back on track....good luck! Nancy

I'm a regular old bandster too....what made you think I wasn't??? I am always surfing for different input and ideas and info from other band support groups or websites; personal, hospital, surgeon, etc. It doesn't matter if it's your personal blog or journal or your group's or surgeon's site; I just thought it would be fun to see what others are doing to keep motivated... Nancy

Wow...people are just so cruel.....glad to hear everyone has the same issues going on...that's why I love this place!!

At our last support group meeting, which I am co-leader of, several members had a common problem. So many of their relatives are making negative comments about their surgery...saying they "took the easy way out", "you'll just gain it back again", etc etc. I am sure we've all heard them. What do I tell them? How do YOU deal with negative comments from yoru relatives and friends before and after surgery??? This negative energy can destroy our efforts if we let it....but how do we stop it??? I know it's all in the attitude...our attitude...but relatives and friends can be a powerful influence on us...both positively and negatively.... Need your ideas.....I am trying to help them/us through this. Thanks! Nancy*

We are excited to announce that the "Making the Journey Together 2005" tour will arrive in Troy, Michigan on June 4th, 2005, at the Embassy Suites Troy 850 Tower Drive Troy, Michigan 48098 Just off I-75. The cost of the event is $40 per person early registration and $60 per person at the door. Here is the link in case you are interested: http://www.obesityhelpevents.com/june2005-michigan.html Nancy

Any new Lap-Band websites out there?

Sounds great!!! How are you doing on your weight loss journey???

Sounds like you're doing all the right things....I was going to suggest more water cuz that brings it up...but you're already doing that.

GOOD LUCK!!! We're here for you! You are NEVER alone in your journey!!! Nancy

My family has been VERY supportive also....but I DO know several who are having a really hard time with theirs...like the ones at the support group....hence the reason for my question here..... As I said.....if those people had a weight problem...they would know better than to say those things... It's been our lifestyle all these years.....so the lap-band is a tool for our new lifestyle....

Welcome Krystal!!! and good luck with yoru surgery June 2nd!!! It doesn't matter HOW you got here....just that you ARE here and taking control of your life!!! You're only 22 and have the rest of your life to live!! You have to be happy, healthy, and strong and able to keep up with your daughter! We'ra all here for the same reason and we're all hear for each other.....you are NEVER alone in this journey..... Good luck on the 2nd...it's the BEST thing I ever did for myself....and it's the BEST thing you can do for yourself too!!! ...... I wish they had this surgery when I was your age.....it would have saved me lots of health problems and social issues.....but they didn't and they do now...so on to a healthier life!!! Take care Nancy*

i agree totally.....like the doc always reminds us...it's just a "tool"...the rest is up to us!!! We still need to follow some sort of diet program, calories, etc..... People who have never had a weight problem just DO NOT understand......

It's not as bad as it sounds.....believe it or not...you will NOT be hungry!!! I NEVER thought I would EVER say that!!!