Mrs Lovee

Hi Nov Bandster
I Had my band did Nov 7, 2013 , I'm doing great people are starting to notice my weight lost I lost a total of 40LBS an I feel great. I have had 2 fills since then I go for my third fill Feb 5, I don't really get hungry a lot, I drink my Protein shakes and do special K Cereal some mornings I basically only eat chicken and fish I'm trying different stuff to see what my band allows if I get Gas I know that's a food I can't have my Gas be so bad I have to go to sleep the pain is like no other. My incision are healing great I still have a little pain every now and than at my port area, I started going to the gym 3 times a week but I'm still a newbie getting use to the band and it hard but I love the challenge !!!!! Loving my band

Hi Brown Eyes, sounds like you're doing great! I was banded 11/5 and today I'm going for a third fill. I'm doing well but finding this season of holiday festivity a little hard as there's so much going on, food and alcohol everywhere, etc. I'm still looking for a pattern to my daily life as far as when to eat. I'm not hungry in the mornings so I may be a two meal a day person. Have enjoyed shakes sometimes in the AM but not sure whether to incorporate that into my regular routine or if it's better to not "drink" my food. I am liking chicken and fish -- smoked salmon is a good food for me. Veggies can be a little tough but I just need to chew a lot. I had one stuck episode weeks ago and hope to avoid that. Eating beets too fast, went into an epic 20 minute hiccup fest followed by throwing up. I also want to bump my exercise up as I have slacked off a little due to very cold weather and busy holiday season. I am a bit stressed and want to keep my determination turned up high as I know that this time -- six weeks out or so -- can be difficult for some and it is coinciding with Christmas, etc. Need to stay relaxed and continue to choose myself first. Best wishes to all and thanks so much for creating a place for us to check in!

Thought I would make a thread for the November 2013 Bandsters to check in.



I was banded on November 7th and had my first fill last week. I am still getting used to my new lifestyle. I have lost about 20 pounds since my pre-surgery prep. I haven't had anyone ask me if I have lost weight, but I can tell a difference in my clothes.



I had an incident yesterday with getting "stuck" while eating some baked fish. I think I was eating too fast and maybe had too much on my fork. It was not a pleasant feeling. We were in a fast food place, and I felt like I wanted to throw up. I tried not to panic, took sips of Water and finally got over it.



I need to step up my exercise, I have a DVD for "walk in home". It is for beginners and has 5 different miles you can do. You can do 1 or up to all 5 depending on your comfort level.



All my incisions are healing nicely except for one, which split open on one corner after I had my staples out. I showed it to my doctor at my first fill and he did not seem to feel it was a problem. I've been putting peroxide on it and Vitamin E oil on the others.



All the rest of you November bandsters, how are you doing?

I was too in severe pain from the begining. I thought I was just a " delicate flower" but see lots more comments about the pain. My doctor (LBS FORT WORTH) told me to take GasX for the gas and the next day I was farting. Sounds gross but when you have gas pain, oh... it was great!!Liquids are begining to suck but getting just a bit worried that liquids are not filling me up. I have my first post op appointment on monday and we'll see what Dr. Smith says.

New Hope, the nutritionist told me that mashed potatoes and oatmeal were ok, which are starches? So I guess I assumed Pasta would be about the same?? But during this period, I'm to continue my Protein shakes. Once I graduate to solids, if I can get enough Protein in through my food, I won't have to drink the yucky shakes. I don't think I could eat blended meat. :/
Don't worry though. For lunch, I had scrambled eggs! Yum! And for dinner, I am having cottage cheese.
But I am DYING for a salad. I need veggies so bad...maybe I'll make some sweet potatoes!

Here are the lists that my nutritionist gave to me for the different stages of eating after having surgery. The moderator may want to make this thread a sticky for those who don't get defined lists, as I've noticed a lot of questions about this topic in the past.
*STAGE 1 - liquids
START: When you return home from your surgery
DURATION: For 2 weeks post surgery, or until your next dietitian appointment.
DIET: Clear and full liquids
GOAL: Aim for at least 64 ounces of Fluid for the day by continuous sipping.
LIQUIDS RECOMMENDED:
Water
100% fruit juice (No sugar added)
Bouillon
Strained Soups or broths
Skim or 1% milk
Soy milk
Milk shakes - thinned
Gatorade or equivalent sports drink
Yogurt smoothie drinks - not including homemade
Crystal Light
sugar free beverages
Herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee
Popsicles (Pedialyte)
LIQUIDS TO AVOID:
Citrus juices (orange, grapefruit, pineapple)
Acidic liquids (tomato juice, Tomato Soup, buttermilk)
Caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea)
Carbonated beverages (any soda pop, seltzer, or tonic water)
Homemade fruit or yogurt smoothies
Anything that seems liquid but is not (Jello, yogurt, pudding, ice cream) *Do pour test*
*STAGE 2 - MUSHIES
START: 2 weeks post surgery
DURATION: Up to 2 weeks post liquid stage
DIET: Soft food
GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.
FOODS RECOMMENDED:
Milk (skim or 1% only)
Cottage cheese
eggs (poached, scrambled or soft boiled)
Blended cream soups
Yogurt
Low Fat Cheese - unmelted
Peanut Butter
Tofu (silken only)
Pudding
Applesauce or other fruit sauces
Canned fruits
Mashed potatoes
Cream of Wheat or oatmeal (diluted with milk)
*STAGE 3 - SEMI SOLIDS
START: 4 weeks post surgery
DURATION: 2 weeks post mushies stage
DIET: Semi-solid food
GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.
FOOD RECOMMENDED:
Deli cuts of meat
Canned flake meats such as tuna or chicken
Ground meats like ground beef or ground turkey
Beans
Tofu
Baked fish or crab meat
Pasta, rice, and corn
Fresh fruit - eliminate skins
Cooked vegetables - avoid celery, asparagus or broccoli stalks
Low Fat melted cheese
FOODS TO AVOID FOR MUSHIES & SEMI SOLID STAGES:
Caloric beverages - sweetened tea, soda, lemonade, juices
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, & smoothies
Regular Jello
Dry solids like breads, cereals, crackers, high Fiber foods
*STAGE 4 - SOLIDS
RECOMMENDED FOODS & SERVING SIZES:
Protein GROUP:
1 ounce lean meat, poultry or fish
1/4 cup yogurt
1/4 cup pudding
1/4 cup cottage cheese
1 egg, 2 egg whites
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 tbsp. peanut butter
1 ounce tofu
1 ounce cheese
1/4 cup canned flake meat
1 slice deli meat
2 tbsp. grated cheese
1/4 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup beans
1/4 cup hommus
GRAIN GROUP:
1/2 slice toast
1/4 bagel or english muffin
1/2 cup Cereal (cooked or dry)
1/2 cup broth-type Soup
1 oblong graham cracker
1/4 cup rice, pasta, or potato
1/2 small baked potato
1/4 cup corn
4 crackers
FRUIT GROUP:
1/4 cup canned fruit (in its own juices)
1/4 cup grapes
1/2 piece fresh fruit
1 tsp. jelly or jam
1/4 cup dry fruit
VEGETABLE GROUP:
1/2 cup cooked vegetables
1 cup raw vegetables
1/2 cup Tomato juice
1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa
OTHERS GROUP:
1 tsp. oil, butter, or margarine
1 tsp. Mayonnaise
1 tbsp. Miracle Whip
1 tbsp. sour cream or cream cheese
1 tbsp. Salad Dressing
2 tbsp. guacamole
4-6 almonds, cashews, or pecans
1 ounce cheese
2 tsp. peanut butter
1 tbsp. tahini
1/4 cup Cool-Whip
1 tsp. sugar, honey, or Syrup
COMBINATION FOODS:
1 or 1 1/2 cup per meal
1/2 cup per snack
CORE PLAN:
BREAKFAST:
1-2 Proteins
1 fruit
2 grains
1 other
LUNCH:
2-3 proteins
1 vegetable
2 grains
1 other
SNACK:
1 fruit
1 protein
DINNER:
2-3 proteins
1-2 vegetables
2 grains
1 other
SNACK:
1 vegetable
1 grain
I hope that this helps those who are researching getting the band, with knowing what your eating habbits will be like after surgery. I also hope that this will help those who are never given a clear eating plan after surgery too.
Please know that this is just the plan that was given to me, and I do not expect all bandsters to follow this plan. It is simply a guidline for those who need one/are not given one.
Please remember to follow exactly what your surgeon/nutritionist says, even if it is different than this list.

During the mushie stage, you can safely blend very well and eat any foods. Whatever you are preparing for your family, just blend your portion, reheat, and enjoy a nutrious, varied meal. You will feel full and content, as opposed to lliquids. Of course, make healthy choices - lean, moist meats (remove excess fat), seafood, fish, amd vegetables over Pasta, french fries, high carbs. This should help simplify eating arrangements with the family. No more need to prepare them a meal, then something else for you. And always, chew, chew, chew. I loved roast beef w/carrots and potatoes, stews, grilled liver-n-onions (with gravy if too dry), etc.

I had my surgery on May 13th and I don't think things could have went any smoother....I got to the hospital at 5am and was prepped and taken to the OR at 7:30. The doc came out and told my hubby that everything went great at about 8:30. I rested in the room and went for my xray at about 1:00. I went home at about 6:00 that evening. Unfortunately I didn't get to rest much after I got home. My mother had a brain tumor and really took a turn for the worst on the 14th. We stayed at her bedside until she passed away on the 19th.
Thankfully, I had some gas pains that were pretty tolerable. Most of my soreness was gone in about 10 days...I haven't had any problems at all and as a matter of fact, I ate my first "meal" today. I had a small piece of salmon, some cottage cheese and blended broccoli, cheese and potatoes. It was wonderful!!
I hope you all had as good of a surgery as I did..God, I'm sure, made sure I would be able to be there and tell my sweet momma goodbye
love to all,

May 21st was a long day, but I think it went well.
We were supposed to get there at 7 a.m. for a 10 a.m. surgery slot. DH was worried about being late, so we got there at 6:30 a.m. We checked in, and were taken to a small walled-in room where the nurse went over my vitals with me. I changed into the ultra-fashionable gown, opening to the back, as well as the socks with the tread design. Once I laid down on the gurney, they put the massaging things on my legs, and connected the air.
A scopolamine patch was placed behind my ear for possible nausea. It's supposed to last three days.
The IV of saline was started, and we waited. Julie, Dr. Clark's Physician's Asst, came in to check on not long before 9, and said that they were getting ready to do a bypass, and that I was next after that. She also gave me a goody bag.
The goody bag had several items from On-Q, a pain moderating apparatus. I had it when I had my last intestinal surgery, and wondered if I would have it for this, since this was going to be laproscopic. She said no, it was just some goodies she wanted to give me. On-Q is an IV type set-up where thin lines are run on each side of an incision to deliver morphine right to the incision, instead of having the morphine affect the whole body. I really liked it how it worked, but I'm glad I didn't get it for this surgery, and I don't think I needed it at all.
The items in the goody bag were a pedometer/FM radio combination and a set of pens, and a Water bottle, all embossed with "On-Q".
The nurse gave me a shot of Heparin in the leg. That stuff burns going in! It's not unbearable, but it does sting.
The IV was turned up pretty high to really pump in the saline, and I got up at about 9:30 to pee. The nurse said that they do this so that the patients will void their bladders, since they want empty bladders for surgery. After I got up, they turned the drip rate down.
Dr. Wong, the anesthesiologist came in, introduced himself to me, and he told me what would happen once we got to the ER. I've been operated on before, so I wasn't worried about that part.
I ended up getting wheeled into surgery at 10:52 a.m. Dr. Wong put a strap over my forehead that held monitors for my sleep rate, and my arm was stretched out to the side. An injection was made in the IV, and I could smell the taste (if that makes sense). He said that most people just comment that they can taste something in their mouths once they get that injection, but I felt that I could actually smell what it tasted like since the taste seemed to be right up at the top front of my mouth.
The oxygen mask went on, I was instructed to take deep breaths, and the next thing I knew I was back in my little walled cubicle. I think I recall being in a recovery room, and getting my mouth swabbed, but I couldn't swear to anything that happened there.
After I was more awake, but still groggy, I was taken down to radiology for the barium swallow so they could check the placement of the band. Once we got there, I sat up on the edge of the gurney, and sat there for a while because I was light-headed and felt nauseated. The nurse waved an alcohol swab under my nose to help with the nausea. I finally felt ready to go in for the swallow, and they handed me a large glass full of thin barium. I almost dropped the cup, but was able to warn them before hand, so they took it from me, and gave me another minute to stand there. I finally managed to get a few drinks down, and they decided that it would be better to by-pass the standing x-rays.
They put the x-ray bed down, and I laid down on it. Then the meanie doctor made me roll over a couple times. I told him that I was going to moon him for revenge for making me roll, and he just laughed. The rolling was uncomfortable, but I managed. Everything looked good, and I even got to see the screen to see what the band looked like on an x-ray.
I was then taken back to the cubicle, and could definitely feel every bump when we crossed the elevator threshold or any doorway thresholds. I didn't feel them on the way down.
My throat was really dry, so I was able to have ice chips and a popsicle, and that really helped. I was also given a dose of the liquid lortab, and was really happy to have that popsicle as a chaser to get rid of the taste.
I was given my choice of what I wanted to try to eat. Out of the cream-of-wheat, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, cream of chicken Soup, mashed potatoes, and pudding, I chose the eggs and potatoes. No problem getting that down. I was allowed 2 medicine cups full of food.
I was finally let go at about 4:30. As I was getting into the wheelchair, I told DH that I thought he should drive home. The nurse looked startled for a minute, and then she realized I was joking!
We're looking for a car for our daughter, and since we were in Indy where there are several car dealerships within a few miles of the hospital, we decided (I insisted) that we not waste the opportunity. DH stopped and got me a bottle of Fiji Water to sip on for the drive. He drove through several lots so we could see what was available. If we saw anything that looked like a possibility, he got the details from the salesman, but no test drives. We just wanted to see what kind of prices are being asked. I had no problems being in the car for that extra hour that we spent driving through the lots.
Anyway, I slept most of the way home. We stopped to fill my prescriptions on the way home. I was given liquid lortab, Ursodiol (to prevent gall stones), and Protonix (for acid reflux). The pharmacy had to make the liquid lortab, so that took a little while. Not that I really noticed, because I was asleep in the car.
Once I got home, I took another dose of lortab, and then rested a while. I went to bed at 11, and had to make a wedge to recline on using my pillows, since lying flat was not comfortable. I woke up at about 9:30 this morning.
I'm still sore, coughing hurts even with a pillow against my abdomen, and it's a bit painful to take deep breaths. It's definitely bearable though. I am planning on wearing my binder for at least one week, since it feels good to have that support.
Good luck to everyone else!

Thanks!!

I am really scared because I could not even finish one day on liquids! If I cannot do one day- how am I going to do this? I will try again tomorrow-

I am so excited, only 3 more weeks until my surgery day!! I have been on this journey for some time now and now that it is so close, I would like help making a pre-op checklist. I guess I am looking for things that were important, or things you wished you would of done before surgery. With the Holidays coming up, I would like to be prepared. Thank you in advance!! :rolleyes:

I'm Having it done Nov ,7 and I'm a little nervous but more than ready for my new beginning

I'm Having it done Nov ,7 and I'm a little nervous but more than ready for my new beginning

I think that disclosure is a personal thing. I've told people and my family and friends know. I don't think there is anything wrong with not telling people however! Most of us have been plagued with weight issues our entire lives and don't want or need outside input to our decisions! And at the end of the day, the band doesn't lose the weight WE do!

I wonder what everyones views is on this. I personally tell everyone I am going for LapBand, I'm a naturally lazy person so if I start losing weight drastically with no gym membership, I don't assume people are stupid.
I know a few people who have either done band or sleeve and they don't tell ANYONE about the surgery they just make people think they lost weight naturally on their own.
What does everyone think about people who lie about going for surgery? Does everyone you know, know about your surgery? What about the surgery embarasses people that they feel the need to hide it?

My surgery date is 11/7. I met with the surgeon yesterday from True Results in Scottsdale. I'm very nervous but excited!

Nov 5, 2013.

I'm Having it done Nov ,7 and I'm a little nervous but more than ready for my new beginning

I am in Chicago too. Who is your doctor and what hospital?

Dr. Elli at Day One for me too!!

I had surgery on Friday afternoon and was back to work Monday morning. I wish I'd taken a couple days. It really was too soon.

I returned to work on Monday, and was banded on last Thursday! It may vary from person to person! I felt great on the first day back, but was worn out by the time I made it home. Was in bed by 7!!!! I also started my workouts back up on yesterday! Listen to your body and not your mind!

Well friends....I took off for 8 days a total of 10 with the weekend in there. I felt AWESOME after surgery! I was up and out and driving to pick my hubby up from his surgery a couple days later.
BUT...after that I crashed. I was so tired, and achy a few days later that by the time I had to go back to work I wished I had take the extra time and took the full two weeks.
That's me though, everyone is different. I work long hours, at a desk job sitting butted up against my desk was not optimal for me as it hit right at the level of my incision, and the seat belt same thing and I drive about 60 miles a day. So the first couple of days back were exhausting, but I made it through and every day was better and better.
Take care of yourselves while your home. Extra extra TLC, so your ready to go back to work and be realistic with yourself when you go back. Take it slow if you need to stop and rest do it. If you have to go home half the day cause your not feeling great take it.
Soon your gonna be feeling great, but give it time after all you just had Major life altering surgery.
Best of luck to you all!

I am only taking 5days off I hope that's enough!