Leepers

The most common answer is to tell them you're having a laproscopic hernia repair.

It took me at least two weeks to feel totally normal. I had a couple of days at the beginning where I wondered why I did this. Now, four weeks later, I wonder why I didn't do this years ago.

Beautiful poem.

Congrats!!! Keep coming back after you reach goal and keep us newbies inspired.

They make plenty of protein shakes that are Ok for people with lactose intolerance. I used the Ensure High Protein shakes. They're bigger than the others (14 oz) so more to drink. I like the Vanilla. The chocolate was good too.

I'm three weeks out from surgery. I had the shoulder pains from the gas for two weeks. I also had a hard time getting in fluids. And for two weeks I really didn't eat that much. I say don't push it. You're not gonna die of starvation. I still don't eat that much. I'm embracing it. Make sure you drink enough to stay hydrated and you'll be ok.

It is probably band related, but I would call your doc immediately. Those are all signs of a heart attack. I know you're young, but I work in a Cath Lab and we've seen plenty of young people come through our doors. No need to be alarmed. Just call to be sure.

You should be proud. When you fall off the wagon, you jump back on. That road is behind you. I laughed because when I was reading about you shoveling the food in, I felt like I was right there with you, enjoying that feeling of stuffing your face full of yummy "bad" food. It's ok. We're human we all get derailed every now and then.

Ha! Just kidding. I started walking on the treadmill this week. 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week. No excuses!

I was checking out this exercise video on demand, but then I saw it says to stop if you're short of breath. I guess I just can't exercise at all. Oh well! [ATTACH]39982[/ATTACH]

I'm not normally a sweets person. My problem is overeating. I'm just a little PMS-ish.lol. As far as preop diet, I had two days of clear liquid, five days of full liquid, and then one week of of puree. I'm now in the soft food part of the postop diet. My surgeon told me this past Thursday that he wanted me to spend the next couple of weeks trying out most foods and seeing how I tolerate them but to stay away from tough, chewy foods and tough meats. I'm just being a compliant bander! Graham crackers, when you chew them thoroughly, become mushy quickly. The protein bars are a good suggestion. Feels like you're eating a candy bar and you're getting protein too. I will definitely try some.

Hi! I'm 3 weeks postop and I've been watching what I eat. The hubster has been doing a major food overhaul along with me. We have been not been eating out, eating more Protein, and have cut out most carbs. I've also been watching my calories, using My Fitness Pal, and walking on the treadmill. The thing is, I have been craving something sweet for 2 or 3 days now. The sugar free pudding cup is just not solving the problem. Tonight I had a 100 calorie pack of blonde brownies and one sheet of cinnamon graham crackers. They were really good and low cal, but I felt kinda guilty about the sugar and the carbs. I know sometimes we just have to satisfy an itch and then move on. Don't make a habit out of it. I wanna know, what is your go-to guilt free or mostly guilt free sweet?

I had a preop diet and they still pumped gas in me. There were a couple of days it hurt really bad and it was bothersome for a week or two. I don't know if the preop diet really does that much for you but prepare you to change your diet and get you away from fat, fast, sugary, carby food.

I've been reading a bunch of lapband blogs and I get such a giggle out of people naming their bands. One chick named her band Donnie Wahlberg. Hilarious!! I have named mine Brunhilde. Anyone else have a name for their band?

You are a wonderful writer, so descriptive! Thanks for sharing your story. That's why I visit this site daily. Though I was just banded, I can read every day what works and what doesn't work. The success stories keep me motivated and the others remind me that you must be prepared to use the tool you have. It's not too late to start working your band. It has been waiting for you.

Best wishes for tomorrow! I was banded on Dec. 18th. It had a great experience, the staff were friendly. I got to the hospital and registered. Then they took me to a room where a couple of nurses got me ready. I had done preop labs and testing the week before so all they did was start my IV, do a pregnancy check, and give me a heparin shot in the belly. None of which were that bad. After that I got a kiss and hug from the hubby and they took me to a waiting area for the O.R. I met my Nurse Anesthetist (who was awesome) and an RN from the Bariatric Program kept me company. Someone came around and said they were ready for me. The CRNA gave me a shot of Versed and I was high as a kite! lol. Good stuff. They rolled me around to the OR and I was getting sleepy. They had me move over to the table and I felt them put my arms on these arm boards and that was it. I woke up in the post op area. I generally tend to get sick with narcotics so I was quite a bit nauseated. I stayed there for a while and then went to get a chest xray. Then off to another postop area just for the Bariatric patients. I had discomfort from the gas they pump into your belly. Most people I read about on here did not have the discomfort I did. I didn't really have much incision pain. I had to drink a couple cups of Water and pee and then they let me go home. It took me about a week to get over the gas pains. It can cause some pretty bad shoulder pain. So take your gas ex! and push yourself to get fluids in. All in all, it's not too bad. You will do fine. Just don't overdo it. Take it easy. Congrats on your new band!

Thankfully the preop diet is temporary! If you have to do protein shakes after the surgery too, I would find a couple of other brands that are comparable in calories, protein, and nutrition and take them to show your doc or ask him/her next time you see them if you can switch. I'm not sure how they compare, but I find the EAS brand to be very decent. Best wishes for your preop diet! You can do it!

One thing you have to realize is that most people don't take the time to get online and give their opinion until something is "wrong." Do you think insurance companies would pay millions of dollars out for a procedure that didn't work the majority of the time? No way! There are thousands of successful banders that don't get online. Having said that, it is not something you should do unless you are committed. Having said that, everyone had doubts and fears. I was riddled with them. But I knew I had to take control of my life and my health. One of the greatest things was meeting a woman who had the band and she told me it was the best thing she had ever done. Don't let the negative Nancy's sway you from what could be the best decision of your life. Just make sure that you are ready to commit.

The first couple of days can be rough, but then I did o.k. It helped that my hubby did it with me. I would suggest getting rid of all the tempting foods in your house.

My surgery was on the 18th. I'm starting to hit the hungrier phase and the rapid weight loss from the special pre and postop diets has come to a screeching halt. But I will persevere because I realize I chose a WLS with a slow weight loss. Keep up the good work!

Love your post. Don't let words bring you down. You have so much to be proud of.

As far as pre-made shakes, I liked the Ensure High Protein Vanilla. I really liked those because they were larger, more to drink, during the preop phase. My fave though is the EAS Strawberry Cream. Tastes just like Strawberry Quik. Advice. Don't go crazy buying and trying stuff like I did and then find out your doc wants you to use a specific brand. Also, I bought too many and found out he wanted me to stop using them about two to three weeks after surgery. You'll have to find out about protein from your doc. Everyone is different. Mine doesn't have an amount. He just wants me to eat protein first.

I got my band on the 18th. It took me about a week to get over the gas pains but I had very little incision pain. After two week I feel pretty normal except that I can't eat very much. And that makes me happy!

Former full smoker now occasional smoker here. I can't remember where I read it as I have been reading so much info online since the surgery, but I read where one doctor said he could almost guarantee that someone who resumed smoking after WLS would be in with stomach or ulcer issues. Here is a link to another site that addresses the issue. I copied and pasted the info below the link. http://www.advancedbariatriccare.com/?id=FQlapBand Can I go back to smoking after surgery? No. Not only does smoking lead to various diseases, but it also stimulate gastric juices, which can irritate the lining of the stomach and cause gastritis and ulcers in the stomach and small intestine. In figure, why take my chances, I already have a foreign object around my stomach. I also know, though, how hard it is to stop.

Hi countrysweet. I was banded two days before you. I also work in a hospital. I agree with you about the shakes and the protien bars for food emergencies. (Eating a meal every 4 to 5 hours is not a realistic expectation with my job. Sometimes ya gotta have something to hold you over). I'm gonna get on my treadmill, TODAY, darn it. I don't have any advice cause I'm a newbie too. But just wanted to say Hi! We are not alone!