starfish n coffee

Hi everyone! Glad to see everyone is doing so well with their bands. I was banded on Wednesday. Have been on a clear liquid diet since- only broth, Water, Jello, popsicles, & g2 gatorade. Omg! I'm about to crack! I've never been so ready for a Protein Shake. Wednesday is my post op appointment. Keeping my fingers crossed for some weight loss... and a FULL liquid diet!

Heeeeey Gurl!!! I says wondering how you were? I shouted you out on my Vlog . Congrats on being banded!!

My Doctor seems to have an entirely different post op plan than most. First week is Protein shakes and the such, but I can have two servings of soft food a day (half cup), after second day. In hindsight, it would not have been Beans on day 3 or 4! After a week, I move to the soft foods like flaky fish, mashed potatoes, etc. However, I called and since I am doing well with everything, they said I can start on soft foods a day early. I lived on Prilosec and GasX yesterday, but things are going well. I had egg drop Soup today, which after a week of nothing but shakes can only be described as the following: A combination of sex, tropical beaches, seeing a lost loved one after a long absence, and possibly the meeting of Jesus Himself.

That is too funny!!! I had a veggie wrap from Publix that tasted like the Gods made it themselves..... That is until I got the horrendous gas pain in my back and chest.

I am only 5 days out from surgery, and made a very minor cheat yesterday... I took some Chili and used the juices and some Beans, then mashed them up. I was trying to get some Fiber into me so I can finally use the bathroom. Well, rather than that, it's become incredible gas buildup. Butt flute is playing strong tunes, but I can't burp, which feels like what I need. So, I suppose this is all normal.

Willhenry you should not be eating after 5 days of surgery. Unless your doc said so. The inability to move bowels is going to be a minute. That's the residual of the anesthesia. Drink Water and give it time. I just started going well and I'm almost 7 weeks post op.

Interesting. I haven't been banded yet. What part of the back do you feel the pain?

Please don't let this scare you, I'm learning how my band works.

The gas I feel is in my lower back. It's like I ate something that didn't agree with me, but them it moves up and down and OUT either way. Lol!

I think it takes a while post-surgery for everything to settle in. I still have way more gas than I used to have -- impressive booty trumpeting, for sure. Some people talk about burping, which I don't really have unless, sigh, I have overdone it. It took time for my digestion to work itself into a new pattern, too. I'd say that's fairly recent and it's been four months.

Sounds like you're doing great. So happy for you! First months banded not easy as you progress toward right fill, etc. Wishing you a wonderful spring season of weight loss and increased health!

Thanks Bandista. I have the burps too, which I have to weirdly admit feel awesome! Lol! My husband is like that's real sexy, I'm like hey it comes with the band. :-) I plan on calling my nutritionist on Monday. Maybe it's something I'm eating.

Hey Bandits!

I am hoping that someone has an answer for me? I am 6 weeks post op, first fill was last Wednesday. 2cc in my 10cc band.....Everyday at lunch time when I eat, I get gas, not booty trumpet gas but the gas that travels through your tummy and in your back. Later that gas turns into mouth trumpet and booty trumpet gas. I must add that this first onset of gas is very uncomfortable.

Is this normal?

Awesome!!!

I don't recall where I read this, and I don't know if it was a study or survey? But, many people who opt for the band, would never have elected to have any WLS had it not been for the band. I believe when I became interested I was only interested in keeping my body intact. Call me silly or call me an idiot, but that's just how I felt at the time.

Now, years later, I think I would look at all WLS options. But, I can understand the mental block to not having your body rearranged.

So, my point is, thank God for the band, as some people would go on dieting(and failing) if not for the band. And I do recognize that the other 3 options provide faster results with more weight loss on average.

tmf

Dead on TMF!! I wrote in my introduction that i was not down for WLS at all! My doc mentioned and I was taken aback! One year later and many failed diets only to increase my bmi and gain sleep apnea and pre diabetes and another suggestion from my doc did i decide on the band. For the very reason you just mentioned. Had it not been for the band option i know i would not have had wls.

Well said tmf!!

When I was referred to my surgeon but my PCP, I was very pleased to know that my surgeon along with 2 other surgeons are the head of the Bariatric Center at the hospital. My surgeon only does Lap Band, another Bypass only and the the 3rd surgeon the sleeve. When I head my seminar my surgeon was the one who gave it. He spoke on all three procedures. He did state that he specializes and prefers the band because it does not deplete your Vitamins and the ability to absorb new Vitamin intake.

I personally opted for band becsusr like most have stated, i wanted NOTHING removed cut or rearranged. My cousin had the bypass and was very successful as well as a former coworker who did so well that i walked right past her at a seminar.

So i guess my point is choose the WLS that's for you. Its your body, your life, your decision.

Awesome!!!! Welcome to Banderland!!

I'm am so sorry to hear about your husband. I pray that he is okay.

First you underwent surgery then had a very stress inducing life event. Like the ladies said you have swelling, meds, and co2 in your body. I'm 1 month post-op and i still have a teeny bit of swelling.

Also i DID NOT touch the scale while i was healing! I waited until my follow ups to get on the scale in the docs office. As a matter of fact i still follow that rule. I am going by how my clothes fit and measurements. For now im leaving the scale business at the doc.

Don't worry, it will come off.... I promise you. :-)

I LOVE IT!!!! Thanks! I'm going to print that so when i have those moments i will look at this as a reminder. Awesome! Thanks again for sharing that.

Had my first fill today. No pain, no nausea, an overall great experience! On liquids the rest of the day and soft foods tomorrow and back to normal after that. I'm down 30lbs from my highest weight. (need to adjust my ticker). Have an awesome day everyone!

It's the residual (Thrush/yeast) of the antibiotic used during surgery. My surgeon sent me home with a Rx for diflucan. Helped solve the issue.

I'm so sorry to hear that about your port. :-( i feel like he owes you an explanation. Have you done any unusual activity?

Hi starfish. gosh I love your name...gotta tell us what it means. anyway, I don't know that I'm a veteran but I am nearly 14 months post banded so I figured I'd respond. yes...protein Protein Protein. I supplement my daily food intake with a glass of unjury Protein Powder in Water so I can keep my protein at or above 60 grams. Breakfast is sometimes eggs but also oatmeal or cream of wheat. (very convenient to bring the packets to work) lunch and dinner almost always the same in that I eat 3 oz protein, 1/2 cup veggies, 1/4 cup carbs or if I crave a sandwich, obviously no additional carbs at that meal. bread is always a bagel thin or the thin sliced wheat bread...or low carb/low calorie wraps. I also eat mostly fish and chicken and when I eat meat, it's either filet mignon (because it's soft) or chopped meat (like a meatball or meatloaf). I also have dessert 'cause I do have a sweet tooth. usually it's SF Jello, or SF pudding, or 100 calorie Klondike bars. I also have some fruit as well. Sugar is high but everything in moderation is how this gal works it. Good luck...I'm sure you'll do great.

Hi! I am a huge Prince fan!! Starfish n coffee is the title to one of his songs. Check it out!

Thanks for the input. You are definitely a veteran as i am only 3wks and 2days post-op. Today started my easing into regular foods. I just wanted to make sure i had some type of "guide" of my fellow "bandits". Thanks again.

Awesome, awesome, awesome catfish and leepers!!! You are helping me so much. Yes i see no starchy stuff which is great. I don't intend to partake in those. Yes exercise is on my list. I do that now. Treadmill and some light resistance using my own body weight. Thanks again peeps!! :-) keep it coming y'all!!

Thanks 2muchfun. Sounds great! I'm still mushing around and still really don't have a big appetite. I guess I'll get to a stable appetite soon.

I wanted to take a poll a consensus if you will of the veteran bandsters. What does your daily food consumption consist of? I'm 3wks 1 day post op and i'm getting close to the regular food stage in about another week. Thanks in advance. :-)

Honey32 & ksc1965, you all are fine. liquids are not going to get stuck. Some people have zero appetite after sx that even drinking Water is a chore. That's why we say to "sip, sip, sip" so hydration doesn't become a factor. So "sip, sip, sip: and you can with no problems "drink, drink, drink" :-)

Congrats!!! In about 2.5 weeks you will feel GREAT!!!

If you're allowed dairy, two tablespoons of heavy cream is 100+ calories. In the early stages when I was trying to get in a bit more, I added this to my Protein shakes and Soups. I stopped when I entered mushies food stage as I was then getting in the recommended calories. I found this to be very easy to do as two tablespoons isn't much to add especially when about 4 oz of liquids made me feel SO full.

Best of luck!

Thank you Tara-U. :-)

Depending on when your surgery was and at what point of your food you are at determines when you should count calories. In the first weeks after surgery I would say up to at least six weeks or your first fill then no but you still should be aware of what you are consuming. If you are a fresh post op then I would not no matter what my surgeon said would be consuming any food products no matter how soft they are. But that is just my opinion and what my surgeon does. Once you are at the point that you are consuming real food then yes you should still count calories until your band is properly adjusted. I can not stress enough the importance of letting your surgery heal. This is the time that some people run into band slips or other complications because they were told to go ahead and eat real food. The band and sutures need that time to adhere to your stomach.

Dang Cheryl! Are you specifically answering MY question since i started the thread? You sound kind of harsh in your answer. Kudos to you on your teaching lap band patients. However that does not give you the right to downplay anyone elses doctor and nutritionist! However i will listen to my nutrionist and my doctor. All i asked was help getting in the calories that i was told to consume. And since my doctor and my nutrionist know MY needs i'll go with that! I am so sick at some of the bullying in posts that go on here sometimes with you being one of the bullies!! Thanks for everyone else's positive input to my question.

I didn't have a problem with calories after I did a log of what I was eating. most Protein Shakes have 100cal or more. some of the ones with the most Proteins can get to 180 calories. I was mixing my Protein with fat free milk, so my protein and milk equaled 210 calories a pop. I was very surprised.it sounds like you are to the mushie stage. add healthy choice cream Soups, refried Beans and a few baked corn chips, add some low fat cheese and microwave. chili. it was one of my most favorites during this phase. yogurt, make it greek like lite and fit. low fat cottage cheese, hummus, one egg is 70 calories so eat a couple of eggs, add some hot sauce to them orlow fat cheese. good luck.

That sounds yummy!!! I'll try that and adding the skim milk to my shakes. Thanks. :-)

Who told you that you "need" more calories? Maybe they'll provide you with suggestions.

If I wanted to get in more calories and was limited on solid food choices,...I'd do a Protein shake or Liquid Protein. I've never been told I needed MORE calories to lose weight though. ..

Catfish.... My nutritionist told me I needed more calories..... I'm sorry that no one told YOU that. It is my understanding that we all were given different directives.

Thanks for the suggestion.