kimk1999

I'm in Clearwater and was just banded on the 16th. Who is your doctor? Good luck!!

While different doctors do have different plans, I highly recommend waiting and following their schedule. It's seems that, yes, it's to promote healing, it's also progressing our weight loss quicker leading to more motivation to stick to the plan long term.

Wow that explains how I've been feeling. Good to know! I'm only 1 week post op though.

Good luck on starting this weight loss journey. Like the others before me, there are multiple paths. This office also had a self pay feature and you could essentially have your surgery next month. My first step was to attend one of the free informational seminar. This particular doctor does the sleeve or the lap band. I felt comfortable with this doctor and they were considered in-network with my insurance. They also used a technique called the 'spider' to minimize the little scars (they went through my belly button instead of multiple ports). After the seminar, I had my first visit. This was mostly with some coordinator lady, reviewed insurance requirements, expected costs, etc. I also met with the surgeon. My BMI fell within the 35-40 range, so my insurance required that I had to have a co-morbid condition (high cholesterol counted) and required a 3 month physician supervised diet. Not weight watchers, or anything of that sort, but a real doctor. Those were the 'real' qualifications. I also had to meet with a psychiatrist as well as get medical clearance from my primary. All these were separate costs from the surgery. I really only considered the lap band. I liked the option that I can have it unfilled if there were complications or even have it completely removed. The sleeve or bypass does not offer those options. I'm not sure if it's the best way to go into WLS with a 'back up option' but hey, I'm an engineer and I'm trained to have back up options. I like that it was adjustable as you gain/lose weight. My goal is to lose enough weight that I may become pregnant, and the lap band will still allow you to get all your nutrients, so I felt this was a 'healthier' option. Since you're early in your research, you'll find tons of info for why lap band is the best and why it's the worst. It's really just a tool. It won't make you magically lose a lot of weight. Like all surgeries, you'll find that some people had complications and didn't make it (either that day or down the road). There are tons of success stories too. There's a lot of youtube videos and much more. I struggled with even doing this path that if I could just eat less and avoid the 'bad' foods, then I'd lose weight. I came to the conclusion that I need the negative reinforcement that the lap band provides. If you eat too much, you'll definitely know it. Hope I didn't ramble too much and helped with your questions The WLS debate is almost like a debate that Atkins is better than Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig or some other diet. In the end, it needs to be what will work for you. Good luck on this new endeavor.

Leepers you are not alone!! My surgery was 12/16. I want texture back in my food. My doc wants 2 week post op liquid and then 2 weeks of mush. I miss my texture so terribly I'm not sure if I can wait that long. You're not alone. Thanks for venting as it reminds me that I'm not alone.

Congratulations!! I'm actually carrying with you,. I'm so happy for you. I used to love NY&C until I got too big. Was just banded a week ago but I hope to be where you are soon. Congrats again!!

My doctor used something called a spider. I have an incision in my belly button (maybe an inch) that everything wet through and one more dot in the center of my chest below my bra line. The funny thing is, is that I'm pretty bruised to the right of my belly button (visibly on the skin as if I was hit with a baseball but it doesn't hurt), but the port is on the left side and very tender.

Haha this thread caught my eye too. I was wondering how wls translated to gender reassignment. Lol. Yeah the website has the power.

I'm not trying to starve myself as I know that can't be good but with the dr liquid only restrictions its difficult to get my calories. The Protein shakes are 111 cals, broth is essentially free, Water is free, I've started adding grits as that's somehow on my approved liquid diet (it is watery) and that gives me another 100. I can't do aspartame or MSG and that limits me from a number of 'diet' options. I don't want to starve myself but I'm also not hungry and everything I am eating is fairly low cal.

Sending more virtual hugs your way. I'm not sure why but as females we feel the need to do it all. Be a guy and just lay back and relax for a change. If it doesn't get done the world won't end. Holidays are supposed to be about family but it turns into pure stress. You have enough on your plate, try to let things go. Sorry for you loss and wish you the best.

My doc had me on clear liquids just day 1, then full liquids for two weeks (protein shakes, broth, cream of soups, etc). Im having a hard time getting to 60-80 grams that they specified too. The next two weeks is puréed foods. After that, then I can start solids foods but slowly.

My dr has recommended milk of magnesia to get things moving. Just remember even though you're stopped up, liquids in basically means liquids out. I was just banded this past Monday.

Hope you're feeling better today. Yes as the others have stated do all the above. Most important seems to be walking. My pain was mostly in the left shoulder so heating pad there and ice pack on the belly. Sipping hot fluids also tends to help. Gas-x is great but I am not sure if it actually helped or not, definitely didn't hurt. Pain meds when you can. Also after a few days with no BM, I finally started taking Milk of magnesia to help things move along. Good luck and congratulations!!

Crystal - I'm actually barely managing 500 calories (most days I'm not even hitting that). I'm not hungry either. My doc recommends (per my general paperwork) to get 800-1000. I'm not sure how that is possible.

Thanks everyone. I was not expecting a miracle weight lost type results post surgery, I just wasn't expecting to gain a few pounds from the surgery itself and for them to linger. I'm out of work for the holidays and seem to be obsessed with the scale. I'll try to stop that and just concentrate on healing. Still in a decent amount of pain. Heating pad on my back/shoulder and ice pack on the belly. I guess that's why I was hoping the scale to be below my pre surgery weight for some silver lining. Thanks again for the reminders and encouragement.

Congratulations!

I'm feeling frustrated. Surgery (banding) was the 16th. I'm not hungry and not eating that much but I'm still not below my pre-surgery weight. I've been taking the milk of magnesia (so things are moving). I'm struggling to get to 800 calories but I'm just so frustrated that I'm not even back down to surgery weigh in. Anyone else have this problem?

@changing 2012 - I'm not sure how well I'd do with the liquid diet like that. It's interesting how every doctor is so different.

Oh sometimes I just hold the water in my mouth to makes sure everything gets moistened lol

Yeah somewhat but not too bad. I'm drinking hot tea, protein shakes, juices, broth, and water. I've tried to limit my broth to limit my sodium to keep me from being too thirsty. I feel like I'm constantly sipping on something. Maybe that's why my shoulder won't stop hurting. Are you always thirsty?

My doc recommends milk of magnesia to get things moving. I recommend just the half dosage. I still have shoulder pain

Congrats and good luck! I was just banded on Monday and my doc had me on a two week "slim fast diet". Protein shake morn, afternoon and a simple dinner (usually chicken and greens). It seems to vary by doctor. By reducing the fatty liver, they can move it out of the way and get to your stomach easier. Also I think the two week pre-op has made the post op easier. What did your doc have you do?

I was just banded on Monday as well. You can't gulp it anymore. I think of it like drinking whiskey or brandy or something you have to sip and savor. I definitely drink more than 1 oz per 15 mins, but it's little sips at a time. Sip, swallow, sip, swallow (and not too fast). If sips don't work, yeah you should go to the ER!

I'm about 3 days post op. I have had a decent amount of pain. It's different than what I was expecting. Some were some better, lol. Good luck and I wish you the best. Here's to a new you!!

I was banded on Monday and still in a lot of pain. I'm trying to get up and walk around and that helps but my incision site hurts the worst. I'm not hungry at all and so I'm forcing myself to drink the liquids. My incision site also is bleeding just a bit. I called the doctor and since it wasn't much at all they said not to worry. It's starting to bleed a bit more but still not bad. I'm miserable. What all are you guys doing for your full liquid diet? Protein shakes, chicken broth, juices, tea, and tomato soup. What else is out there? Can we do fruit smoothies if they are fully blended? I tried plain Greek yogurt today and it was too tart.