CherieRyde

OMG I can't wait. My band is a little too tight, so I've been on a liquid/mushy diet all month. This has been BAD because it's so easy to get too many calories this way. I've gained a couple of pounds, but that's OK. It's going to come off, and take some friends with it. I'm determined! How are you guys feeling today?

My port is on the left side between two of my incisions.

My Doc has me on a strict 4 week schedule. Trust your doc.

Day 1: I had the pre-made green smoothie from the store. Day 2: I made my own. - Prune juice, flax seeds, protein powder, kale, cucumber, orange, and apple. - SO yummy!

Wow. I wonder what they do with Vegans. I'm sorry that they've given you a hard time with the diet restrictions, and that you've had a rough recovery so far. Sending well wishes and healing thoughts your way.

Yeah ... days 2 - 4 sucked. But day 5 was MUCH better. Take everything one day at a time. Also, most (if not all) of us have had moments of "CRAP!! What did I DO to myself" moments. I just went though almost a MONTH of that, but am fine now. Remember .. if your surgeon is skeptical about a fill, then listen to him / her. Mine was skeptical, I still wanted it, so he gave me a half-fill. I should have listened. I spent a month only being able to eat certain mushies and soups. Last night was the first time since my November fill that I was able to eat solids without it getting stuck two bites in.

No. Mine has actually become more attentive and snuggly. He's never been the jealous type though. But then, I'm only 4 months in. So, who knows what he'll be like this time next year. Hopefully even more snuggly and attentive.

I completely understand. But it'll all come when it's supposed to. No need to worry about the calories until the chopped stage or after your first fill.

OK ... I did it. I joined. Now ... I just have to get used to kale. O.O

I say, keep doing what you are doing. Don't worry so much about all of that right now. At this stage, your body is still healing. Don't stress about the caloric intake just yet. Great job, by the way.

The port is usually placed on the left side. The sensation you are feeling is likely the area that the port is sutured to. It has to heal, and your port has to settle in. It takes a bit of time to get used to the new sensations in your body. But anything that concerns you should be brought to your surgeon's attention.

No, this isn't my first period since surgery. I've had 2 or 3 since my surgery. Each one has been a little different so far. Also, this is the tightest my band has been, and I'm wondering if it's simply too tight.

YAAY!! You can do this!

This period is AWFUL! When I woke up yesterday, I couldn't tell if I was having hunger pains, need to poop but can't pains, or menstrual cramps. Finally, after several hours of crying, bargaining, and doing everything possible to understand, I started bleeding. THEN the other fun began. I was starving, but couldn't eat anything thicker than cranberry sauce or pumpkin pie. *EVERYTHING* else got stuck in my stoma. So, I spent the rest of the day drinking my food. So that brings me to this morning. Everything hurts. The 7lb kitty walking on my belly felt like a 10000000 TON kitty stomping all over everything. Again, I can only handle liquids. I hope that this isn't a sign of what it's going to be like every time I have my period. Older banders, have you had this issue, or have I done something wrong?

My first fill happened without question. Same with my second and third. My fourth? He wasn't as sure as I thought I was. So, I got a half fill. I'm NOT getting one in December.

I'd go ahead with the first fill. My doc also does them once every 4 - 6 weeks. You may not be thinking about food as much now, but by the time you go in for your next fill, more food will be able to make it through the band. Especialy if you are eating soup AND mushies. I now have 3.5cc's in my band ..... and I think I should have waited a little longer for that last .5cc's. I'm supposed to see him again in December, and I'm *not* getting a fill then. Instead, I'll spend the rest of November and all of December on mostly mushies. If I'm still having issues when I see him again in January, then I'll have him remove that last .5cc's. So .. it's about listening to your body just as much as it's about following the rules. And now .. I'm rambling ....

That's why I switched to a liquid. It doesn't get stuck.

This is so very normal. You will also get twinges when you move certain ways, or when you bump into something wrong.

I don't know how intense law school is, but I DO know how intense court is. My husband adopted my son .. and the court date was a week after my surgery. I was able to walk, but thinking was a bit more difficult. It's a good thing that the judge didn't have anything major that I needed to do. She focused 100% on our son, and I was just window dressing. So .. yeah. I'd go with the later surgery date.

I feel like too many people expect WLS to be the silver bullet for their overweight werewolf. I agree with what the others have said. Sure, I'm only about 4 months out, BUT .. I started making lifestyle changes in January so that I'd be ready for my surgery. Even then, I'm absolutely still learning what I can and can't handle. I've had 4 fills, am at 3.5 ccs, and have found my green zone. Yes, I've plateaued ... but that's to be expected. Especially since I caught myself slipping to old habits with the Halloween candy being in the house, and now the snow outside. I don't like the cold ... and now I'm more sensitive to it. BUT ... I need to do this. You can too.

Yeah ... get used to it. Also, be prepared to pass a lot of gas. Oh .. and the burping. be prepared for that as well. This is ... interesting to say the least.

I was wondering how we know when we hit the green zone as well.

Halloween and all the sugar that came with it has been VERY bad for my diet. chocolate is my weakness. I crave it like nothing else. I've tried taming that craving with chocolate Protein shakes and chocolate Protein Bars, but it's a slippery slope. I'm glad that I'm not alone in this. Also ... I think that I need to just ... toss the candy in the garbage. It's not like my son really needs the candy either.

I had that feeling after having gallbladder surgery, but I don't think it was related to my lap band surgery. It'a hard to tell because I was just over 2 months out from lap band when I had my gall bladder removed.

Ummm .... yeeeeaaaahhh. Gas-X is my best friend anymore. Also ... your tummy will start making growling sounds even when you aren't hungry. Be prepared for that. I didn't believe that it would happen, but it has and does.