OregonHolly

I can eat anything, no problem. Well...... the problem is that I can eat anything. I can't wait for my fill Nov 19. Right now it's like I never had surgery at all, except that I can feel my port when I bend forward.

I'm glad for the board (and the honesty you all give - and it is a gift) but I sure wish we could all get together in the same room to share, hug, encourage. I do go to a monthly support group locally and I feel better for those 2 hours. It's not enough. THIS TOO SHALL PASS! I too relied on food for comfort, stimulation when I was bored, social entertainment and sharing during outings/family time, etc. Eating was a great distraction from feelings. The counselor at my local support group said "Welcome home your feelings. They have missed you because you have kept them away for so long."

You guys are all so awesome. This is what "support group" is all about. Amy you're so cute - thanks for noticing I was missing in action. Carrot I think of you a lot and wonder how it's going! Coo - what's a Berocca? (Ya gotta love this international board, it's fun!) Everyone who posted, the regulars and the newbies - thank you all so much. So here's my update: I'm thinking of my new "tool" this way: I had a new tire installed, but it doesn't have any AIR in it yet. So it's not really getting me anywhere. YET. My niece had a band sometime in September. She was eating everything in sight before her first fill: I'm talking steak with baked potato, veges and bread and washing it down with a huge Coke. I'd have thought for sure she ruined her post op healing process. But NO! She got fill #1 (no results) and then her merciful doctor did fill #2 within days.... and voila! Great restriction, she can only eat 2-4 oz at a time, and she's now on her way. HOPE! Carrot I have to follow your advice about carbs. But there's this devil on my shoulder saying "your first fill is in less than 2 weeks - if you don't eat that bagel now, you'll never again experience a bagel!" Lots of mental exercise going on. Having mashed potatoes during "mushies" sure didn't help. Yeah and Halloween is truly horrifying in a whole new way: that huge bowl of "little tiny" candies lying around. So easy to say "oh it's only a little tiny bit of chocolate!" Evil. Exercise has been "hit and miss" for me. It's cold here in Oregon and my joints are killing me. I KNOW without a doubt that exercise will help and not harm me, but it HURTS. Very frustrating. It's all "grit your teeth and just do it" kind of willpower needed right now. I'm sure when 50 lbs is gone, exercise will be a joy and the joints won't hurt so bad. But I HAVE gone down a size in pants, and actually those pants are kind of loose (okay, not right out of the dryer, but by day's end.) I was wearing a tight size 20 pants (quite tight, and ugly ones too) and now a loose size 18. I'm only 5' tall so other women that look like a normal weight at my height generally wear a size 6 or 8 at most. So that's my long term goal. Right now my goal is to wear a size 16. Hey what are sizes like in Berocca land? Different overseas, no doubt! I love this international board, did I say that? Very fun indeed! Thanks again for all the love and support. Oh, and I have on many days had just a protein drink for a meal, and a frozen diet dinner (like Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice) for a meal. I have some leftover "Nurti System" meals that I'm eating as well which are very high in protein. So my weight is stable. My fill is less than 2 weeks away, so stay tuned! love you all, Holly

Wow. I should have read this thread before I started the new thread "Banded - now what?" Looks like I'm not the only one in bandster hell. Banded, hungry, discouraged, feeling like a failure, frustrated, etc. Actually it's a comfort to know this feeling is so common. But you don't see it in people who have good restriction - so this too shall pass. It will be a lot more fun to read our posts in December, and how about those New Year's resolutions? It's going to get better, I am sure of that. It's just really hard right now with that fear of the unknown "Did I ruin my new band by overeating? By going off mushies too soon? Am I a hopeless case? Will I ever get my act together? Is this band going to work? Did I just throw thousands of dollars down the drain? ...." I'm just glad to know I'm not alone. Great posts everyone, awesome support, much appreciated!

I wish I was afraid of eating solids. Once I tried them, and found out that everything slid down just fine = as though I'd never had surgery...... it's been a struggle. I'd rather be afraid again. I can't wait for a fill so I'll have a reason to be afraid. Right now it's just like dieting - some days I "do" and some day's I say "who cares?" I know..... patience, patience.......

I've been an RN since 1985. I coordinated clinical trials of investigational drugs for a few years (after being a NICU nurse for many, many years) and most recently I am on a team that helps develop computer software for clinical staff to use - I teach the classes to other nurses too once the software is developed. I had my lapband surgery in the hospital where I work and was treated like a VIP, so it was pretty cool.

Hey Carrot, I made chocolate fudge sf/ff pudding and added 2 scoops of Isopure vanilla flavored protein powder. I whipped it all up with a mixer and poured it into 4 pretty decent sized bowls. It tastes great, and creamy and I don't even notice the Isopure at all. Isopure (from GNC) is a protein isolate and has a LOT of protein per scoop compared to other protein powders.

It does seem like an "unrelated" place to get new pain, but as long as it's intermittent I wouldn't panic. And no fever right? Have you had a bowel movement yet?

Wow has my outlook changed already..........:wow2: Has anyone else noticed things "differently" since starting the liquid diet? I was banded 5 days ago, and everything is starting to look differently to me. I'm noticing how MUCH volume other people eat, it's astounding. Good heavens, did I eat that much? Where did I put those HUGE portions that I see other people eating? No wonder people are fat! I was recently at a family style restaurant known for it's massive portions, and good grief...... I can't believe now that people don't just leave there and go vomit in the parking lot! It's amazing to me how MUCH people can shove into their stomach -- now that my stomach is practically empty all the time. Sorry for rambling. :blabla: But I'm so GLAD I'm banded now, because I'll never be able to pig out like that again. Gross! I'm FREE FREE FREE and ready to fly! :Banane10:

I didn't notice any breakouts, but I was kind of strangely sweaty for about 3 days after surgery. Were you? Could that contribute? Did you have skin troubles when you were younger? I KNOW! Maybe you're diet changes are flushing all the toxins out, including out your pores. That could happen right? I hope it goes away! Keep us posted!

Hey gang, I will update the ROLL CALL soon. Today I am going to a wedding, or I'd do it today. Welcome to all you fellow October bandsters who have newly introduced yourselves!

OMG Carrot, check out your ticker! You're down 26 lbs already, I guess that post-op nausea really paid off, LOL! I too look in the mirror and already see a change in my face. I'm down a pants size already and it's only been under 2 weeks since banding for me. But my FACE is starting to look like me already! It's it a cool NSV (non scale victory?) POST your picture Carrot!!

<p>Coo, good luck and you'll find it's over so fast. The recovery period is a bit hard, but the hard part only seems to last from around 3-5 days. Totally tolerable! And so worth it! Actually I was like you, really prepared and even more prepared than I needed to be. I was able to do a lot more after surgery than I expected to! I didn't need some of the supplies and meds I'd bought, I purchased WAY to much soups and stuff for the mushy stage --- the whole journey is easier than you fear. I'm so excited for you!

WOW! Buckle up girl, sounds like you're in for a FAST ride! Welcome aboard! I will add you name to the "roll call" when I next update. Congratulations on your persistence, very assertive, good for you! Keep us posted! We were all nervous as hell, but the surgery is a total breeze. Recovery can be a b*tch but we all survived! Good luck Tuesday!

:wave: Ok all you TENacious boys and girls, as you can see our clan is growing ginormous! Here is today's ROLL CALL :update: I scanned and scanned looking for newbies, so if your name doesn't appear on the list, :spider: it's by accident - please send it to me! If I typo'd your data somehow, please send me that as well :doh: and I'll fix it. If you want to join - then send me your stats. I see a LOT of people have fallen off the radar, :eek: but we have our regulars, and I hope everyone will check in from time to time. UserName..........surgery date.........................name lovekatz1975..............1....................... ........Debbie hd10952....................1...................... .........Holli catnipaddict...............1...................... .........Jena realestwoman71..........1......................... .........? Woodsk.....................1...................... ............Kerry Shrinkage..................1..................... .............? KloverDad..................1...................... ..........Dylan KloverMom.................1...................... .........Mary IleneV.......................1.................... ............Ilene MistyDTX...................2...................... .............Misty mescla808..................2...................... ...........Miriam sbee.........................2.................... .............Shana BigK..........................2................... .................? pvchickie...................2..................... ..............Tara summer.....................2...................... ..........Summer BlueEyedKitty.............2....................... ...........Jill bbjerseygirl................2?.................... .............? gallygirl.....................2................... ..............Gail moopymom................2......................... .........? mona-patti.................3.................................? dinael44....................3....................................? Kim in SF...................3............................ ......Kim Kygal........................3.................... .............? MandyW................... 3.................................Mandy Nancy33....................3...................... ............Nancy marcy........................3.................... . ...........Marcy Rastis100...................3..................... ..........? cope1951...................3...................... .........Gerri cookielover.................3..................... .............Amy reneem......................3..................... .............Renee BigK..........................3................... ...............? countrygirljtl................4.................................Janet ygwlewis.....................4.................... ..............? 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Dreamchasertx...............18.................... ........? moving4word.................18.................... .......Amy tizen33........................18................ .........Tina bandster_1007...............18.................... ......Tabatha ahealthieryou.................18.................. ........Tammy BalsamChick...................18.................. ........Kim vfran............................19............... .............Vickie LalaD............................22.............. ................Lala coo..............................22.............. ...............? Donnajade.....................23.................. ...........Donna renewedhope..................24.............................Amy Bandwagon....................24................... ...........? 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OK, weird........ first 4 days postop I thought "oh woe is me, will I ever want food again? Will I ever feel normal again? Will I ever get to EAT again?" and today on Day 5 I'm like "ooh, helloooooooooooo double cheeseburgers!" Of course I'm still on liquids (full) but suddenly the surgical swelling went down (I assume) and food looked divine again. As they say on the yahoo group, "we're in bandster hell now" until we get a good fill.

YES, after banding Oct 9th, I feel like I was "warm" and sweating all the time, while other's here in the cold Northwest are all putting their winter coats on! I'm turning on the air conditioner. I'm sure it's temporary, LOL.

Ahhhhhhhh! It's almost here you guys! YES it will be worth it, because you've had years and years of eating the food you liked, and let's face it: once the food leaves your mouth, the "thrill is gone"......... which is why you kept eating it over and over. Well there's NEW THRILLS ahead baby! Thrills that will leave a LASTING pleasure. Good luck and God Bless you all tomorrow! Post as soon as you can, as we'll all be anxiously waiting.

LOL, he might try to pull them off! Chances are that he'll tell you to leave them on until they fall off. Hey at least you're not ready to put on your bikini yet! Have you updated your ticker? I'm sure you're down more weight since you last did!

Hey Neal (Sonic) glad to hear you came through ok. Let's see, it's the 14th today and I expect you feel like you've been stabbed in the stomach about 5 times with a knife....... oh wait........ you HAVE been stabbed in the stomach 5 times except with a scalpel! So if it's a "bad day" hang in there. By day 5 postop you're practically normal again! Hi Amy, glad to meet you! Holly

I took pictures, they're stored in a SECRET place on my hard drive. I took them in work type clothes, shorts/tank top, and underwear and bra. I look at them now and think, "hmmmm, yeah I know her very well." I'm not really having horribly negative thoughts, but I'm not posting them all over the net either! I do want a record of the "journey" though, for posterity.

Yes, I live in Oregon but I was born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, Calif. I moved to Oregon about 5 years ago. I'm a registered nurse and have been single for 16 years. I have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren, plus 2 cats and a dog. I acted in musical theater for about 6 years and have been in many, many performances. My "dream" is to get out of nursing and make my living as a Christian author. I love to read and am a book-aholic. I really don't like this picture of myself but it's "real" and it's were I started from. As you can see it's only a face shot, because I really avoid the cameras, but I started out at a size 22 and only 5 foot tall. I used to love watersports, and hope to indulge that love again this summer when I'm feeling healthier and fit. Maybe when I've broken free from the chains that have held me back for so many, many years I will open my heart up again to a nice man. I hope so anyway. And he'd better be cute too, 'cuz I'm gonna be sizzlin'! :flame:

Hey Justin! I hear other people say the same thing as you. Makes sense really - once the postop swelling goes down you should be hungry like you were before since you have no restriction. That's how I expect to feel in a week myself. I guess all you can do is hang in there for the time being, until you get filled. Seems like this band thing is a slow jog and not a sprint!

I've been banded for 2 days and I took a 1-mile walk today. Sloooooowly, but it was good. Helps get that gas moving through. I do not believe I would be able to return to work as quickly as you plan to, but it all seems to depend on your condition pre-surgery (your age, comorbidities, general fitness level, type of work you do, etc.)

Hey Lori, we were banded on the same day. I wondered how you were doing! Sorry to hear about the rash, hopefully it's going away. Did you call the doc?