melboyd

I haven't checked in for a while either, so I thought that I would. I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving! I did ok and was happy with my turkey and green beans! Next Sunday it will be 2 months since my surgery and I am down a total of 84 pounds (53 before surgery) I had my first fill on 11/20 and I am going for another one this Thursday. I can usually go about 4 hours in between meals before I start to get hungry but I figured it can't hurt to get another one especially since we are in the middle of the holiday season! I am very curious to see what real restriction feels like. I hope that everyone else is doing well and enjoys the season with their loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I too am thankful for my wonderful and supportive family and friends! I am thankful for my health and this band, which I wish was a bit tighter. :grouphug: I am thankful that I have a job that I love, especially in these hard times! I hope that everyone has a wonderful, safe, and healthy Thanksgiving surrounded by the people that you love!!

Hi Lori, i was banded 11 days ago. Basically i went with my nutritionists instructions, they should be telling you what you can have post-op. I have found through reading this site that every surgeon is different with what they require. that being said, i use the designer whey protein mix (chocolate & caramel peanut chocolate) the first 3 days i had to mix them with water (not great) then i could switch to FF milk. i like them, it tastes like chocolate milk. My first week, i could only have protein shakes (3xs a day) and clear broth and jello. now i have to continue with the protein shakes and can have cream soups, pudding and yogurt! Some things i do recommend having with you are chapstick & gasX strips, possibly liquid tylenol, i got chewable brands of my calcium also because you probably won't be able to swallow pills. Don't forget some good DVDs , books, and magazines to keep you entertained while you are recovering!! Hope that is somewhat helpful. Good luck!!:tongue_smilie:

Thanks for the recommendation, i definetly will be looking into it. Another book that i read (i got the recommendation from this site) is Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band by Robert Sewell.

it sounds like you are on the right track, coming up with strategies and i will be keeping those in the back of my mind for when it gets tough for me. Keep up the great work!!:smile2:

Congratulations!!! That is awesome! I can't wait to reach onderland i am hoping by Christmas

CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is awesome! Pretty soon you won't be able to wear those pants at all!!:smile:

I also chose the Realize band because that is what my surgeon uses. I do actually like the website that goes along with it. i am just waiting for my access # from my surgeon so i can log in. you can track your food & water intake, your exercise and there is a place to upload photos of yourself to see your progress. i believe that you can also use a photo to see what you would look like after weight loss!

I agree, I think that soups and protein shakes are your best bet for work. I will be dealing with the same issue a week later but I will be in the mushie stage.

I teach second grade and i had to tell my students that i would be out for 3 weeks because i was having surgery. i have one student who has quite a few emotional issues and I spoke to him privately (he was suspended the day i planned to tell the class) when i told him he asked why i was having surgery and i replied that it was on my stomach. without missing a beat he said,"To get skinny?" So i looked right at him and said yes. He replied ok then changed the subject. (i think he expects me to come back a size 4 :wink2:) none of my other students caught on as to why i was having the surgery but some of their better questions were: "are you having your belly button operated on?" My favorite: "Are they going to put a baby in there?" :laugh: God i hope not! Anyway i thought those were cute and you might get a kick out of them.

That's wonderful!! Congratulations on fitting into an XL i think that has to be one of the best feelings, when clothes sizes start to go down. Hopefully i am done with going up and down :wink2: You are very inspiring to someone who is still in the liquid phase of the post op diet and feeling bad because her family is in the other room eating hamburgers for dinner. Thanks!

HI I had surgery on the 7th and also have the realize band. how are you doing with it?