crazy4jags

Hello All the Tenacious Tens,

I haven't posted in awhile but nice to see everyone is doing well. My surgery was 10/11/07 and so far I've lost 61 lbs. and down to a size 14:thumbup:

My doctor has me on low carbs (less than 30 a day) and I'm at the point that I am running out of variety to eat. I also know I need to get exercising, which I haven't really done too much of.

Is anyone else trying to do low carbs? If so, what types of foods are you eating? I'd love to get some other ideas.

Sue

Let's start with what is a good day of the week for everyone. OneTuesday or Wednesday per month?

Wednesday is better for me since I go to school on Tuesdays.

Hi all and congratulations those of you who have had recent surgery. It is SOOOOO worth every bit! I had a follow up with Dr. Cywes on Friday and am down 57 lbs (surgery was 10/11/07) and have discovered that I actually have a waist! It's been so long since I saw it I didn't think I had one anymore :smile2:.

This was my second appointment without needing a fill (he likes to see you lose 8-10 lbs a month and I was right at 10). After a fill, Dr. Cywes tells you to be on Clear Liquids for the first 36-48 hours, then full liquids for another day and then you can start on solids. It'll be too soon if I never see another mug of chicken broth!

I went to the support group on Thursday at Dr. Cywes' office and had a good time.

Take care! Sue

Karen - I'm a patient of Dr. Cywes and basically I have a follow up appointment with him every 4 weeks. I have had 3 appointments and got a fill at the first 2. The last appointment I felt like I had good restriction and a fill wasn't necessary. My husband skipped the fill at the 2nd appointment but got one at the 3rd (although he had to get a partial unfill because he was too tight).

We've both had pretty good weight loss (I had lost 17 lbs between visits 2 and 3) so it really depends on the results you have between appointments.

Hope this helps! Sue

Hi, I haven't visited for awhile, but in a nutshell I was banded on 10/11/07 in Jacksonville, FL. I'm at about 53 lbs down but not feeling like I've lost much lately. Finding myself going back to snacking out of boredom and not exercising at all. Everyone still keeps telling me how good I look and that they can see lots of progress but for some reason I'm not seeing it in the scale (which I make the mistake of looking at every day).

I see my doctor on 2/4 next.

Sue

Just copying and pasting from my blog on ObesityHelp.

Just returned from my pre-op with Dr. Cywes. Wow!!!

First, I've lost another 4.5 lbs for a total of 12.5. Not bad considering we took a very impromptu trip up to NW Georgia this weekend to see snow and ended up staying overnight so I had to really improvise on the food choices.

We talked about a lot! There were two other women in the group with me. Hopefully I can rehash everything. We talked about the pre-op diet and why they require it (to shrink the liver). Dr. Cywes had pictures of a good liver and then a bad one. The difference was quite remarkable. The fatty liver was easily bruised and bled very easily. He said that one bad meal before surgery could cause the liver to swell again. He said that he has closed up three people because their liver was in such poor shape it would risk their life to operate.

Let's see what else. He uses steri-strips instead of sutures, staples or glue. The sutures are beneath the skin. He will repair my hiatal hernia which is going to cause me some additional discomfort especially in the shoulder region for about six to seven days after the surgery.

I will have to be on Clear liquids two days before surgery and four days after before I begin transitioning to solids.

I also need to go to the pharmacy and pick up some surgical soap and lather my entire body up with it every day for three days prior to surgery in order to kill any bacteria on my skin. I also have to wash all our linens and use clean towels and also make sure all my clothes are clean. He is definitely serious about reducing the chances of infection.

He has only had one band erode into the stomach and that was his 13th surgery and an older type band. He has had three slips, one of which was the result of a motor vehicle accident. He has only had a few ports flip as well. He said if one does then they fix it right there in the office by making a small incision, going in and resuturing the port then closing you back up.

He uses liquid Lortab for post surgery pain and will give me phernergan for nausea. I was pleased to hear that they use a variety of medications during anesthesia to relieve nausea since I was extremely queazy after my gall bladder surgery.

I think that's about it. I am two weeks and two days from surgery. Next time I write will probably be the weekend before the surgery as I am sure I will be on an emotional rollercoaster especially consuming nothing but clear liquids for two days. The four days after surgery I will probably be fighting to get the liquids down as I'm not going to be very hungry from what I hear.

Right now I am just going to lose as much weight as I can before surgery so I get a good head start and so my liver is in the best shape possible. I sometimes still battle the urge to be bad and eat something that I shouldn't, but so far I have managed to fight that urge successfully. So far it has actually been pretty easy. I am very motivated right now and I have avoided putting myself in situations where I will be tempted easily. Dr. Cywes told us tonight that we will fail at times and I'm sure of that. The good thing is that the band won't let me fail too much. I feel very good about my chances of success with Dr. Cywes. He seems to know exactly what it takes to lose the weight and I have complete confidence in him.

Until next time!

Karen - this sounds a lot like my pre-op with Dr. Cywes. Some people have a problem with his directness, but I really needed it. After he showed me the pictures of the fatty liver and that there was a chance of not being able to have the surgery was incentive enough for me to stay on track before surgery. Keep up the good work...it's SO worth it. My husband (who also had the surgery) and I were talking to a friend of ours who was asking what it's like living with the band and he described it as almost "effortless". Don't get me wrong - your food choices have to change as well as your mental state, but the band really does help you with those.

Stay well and best of luck to you!

Sue

I take Cymbalta and the pharmacist said you cannot open up the capsules. I have no problem in taking them even though my band is pretty tight right now.

That sounds good to me! Dr. Baptista even told me today that 3 or 4 days after surgery I can ride my motorcycle if I'm not sore and not on pain meds! yippee!!!

Guess what???? I lost 8 lbs since last week on the pre-op diet!!!!! It wasn't even Water weight, it was actually fat! Pretty cool huh? Hope I can keep it up! LOL I've been very good so far but I know it will get hard at times to stay on track. It always does.

Keep up the good work, Karen...believe me, it's all worth it. I have gone from a size 22 to now in a 16-18 and it feels so great. It's nice to not feel like a piece of sausage stuffed into its casing!

One of my bad habits is to weigh myself every day and for the past several days, I've been hovering at the same weight - just up and down a pound. I don't feel like I'm eating right but I see Dr. Cywes in a couple of weeks and I'm sure he'll let me know what I'm doing wrong.

Sue

I'm glad to finally see a group in Jacksonville. I was banded by Dr. Cywes on 10/11 and my hubby's was on 10/15. I'm at about 52 lbs right now and have had 2 fills (my last appt with Dr. Cywes, I didn't get one).

I'm wondering now if I should have gotten another fill. I get full at my meals after only a small amount but I get hungry in between meals and find myself looking for Snacks, i.e. nuts, sf popsicles, etc.

I attended one of the support group meetings and it was fun; just wish I had time to attend them regularly or to have some alternatives to meeting outside of the group.

I'd like to know if anyone else might be open to this.

Thank goodness it's not just me! I guess I should consider it the sound of good restriction and be happy with it. How long did it take to pass?

I had my 2nd fill a week ago and feel like I have really good restriction; however, I am noticing that every time I eat I have this gurgling/burping sound coming from my throat. It's really embarrassing, especially if I'm in a meeting or classroom. Does this have something to do with my fill?

I am one month out from surgery and have been using Nioxin since a month prior to surgery. So far I haven't seen any significant Hair loss.< /p>

My husband and I had our first fill yesterday. After putting the needle in my port, the doctor had me drink some Water and nothing felt any different. Then he filled the band really tight and had me drink again and I really felt the slowness of the Water going down. He said he wanted me to feel what the tightness felt like. Then he took some out and explained that the first fill is really more of a psychological thing than anything but that I will feel some restriction. Our next fill is 12/7.

BTW, I'm on Clear liquids through today and full liquids (Protein shakes) tomorrow and then back on soft foods on Monday. I'm anxious to see what my intake is because before this fill I could pretty much eat anything.

I got two books; Eating Well After WLS and recipes for Life After WLS (had to order through B&N, not in stock). I am not at all what you would consider a good cook to be and some recipes are rather complex but the book gives suggestions for LB patients and how to eat based on number of weeks post-op, i.e. weeks 1-4, pureed; weeks 5-8, chopped.

To give you an idea, some of the recipes include chicken breasts stuffed with ham and cheese; teriyaki turkey burgers; beef stroganoff; and even a basic cheesecake with only 3.91 grams of carbs.

How about ground beef and spinach scramble; asian chicken wrap or garlic shrimp.

Even if I don't use the recipes, they've given me some ideas for dinners.

I had my first fill yesterday. the doctor had me lay down on the table while he stuck a needle in my port (only pinched a little). Then he had me sit up and drink a cup of Water. I didn't feel any resistance so he layed me back down and put more in the port. This time I could feel the Water go down more slowly. He told me not to expect too much restriction the first time but that I would still feel a slight restriction.

I'm on Clear liquids until tomorrow then I can do full liquids for a day and start back on soft foods.

Hi,

I am 15 days out. Surgery was Oct. 11.

I feel like I have no restriction. I feel like I could eat a horse (well, not a horse-but you know what I mean)

The only thing I can feel different is that I seem to get a touch of heartburn each time I eat.

I want restriction dangit! My first fill isn't until November 26.

Ok, if anyone else is in bandster &$$#, please respond. Misery loves company....

I'm feeling your pain. I was also banded on 10/11 and my first fill is not until 11/9. My weight is fluctuating daily (I know I'm not supposed to weigh that often but I'm worried about gaining back the 22 lbs I've lost). I think I'm going to call the dr tomorrow to see if I can come in sooner for a fill. Does everyone have to wait a month for the first fill or does it depend on the dr?

I am experiencing the same thing. I was banded on 10/11 and scale says I have gained back 2 lbs. I eat small meals but get hungry between. My doctor has me on low carbs and finding in between Snacks is hard. I get my first fill on 11/9 (can't wait).

Amy - I know how you feel. The day after surgery, I was friggin' hungry. My DH had surgery 4 days after mine and when I saw my doctor when he reported on my DH, I told him I was hungry and he said that was probably a sign that my swelling had gone down. He told me to do 2 days of full fluids and then I could start on soft solids.

Yesterday was my first day on the solids so I made 2 scrambled eggs for Breakfast and I couldn't believe I couldn't finish them. What a feeling to not be able to finish 2 eggs when I used to be able to have a full breakfast! I also ate them very gingerly because I was so afraid of them not going down.

For lunch I had a Protein shake and for dinner I had 2 slices of cheese and a few bites of shaved turkey breast. When I woke up this morning, I still feel kinda full.

So maybe this thing is going to work! Everything has gone down pretty easy so far, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time before I'll come across something that won't agree with me.

I don't think I have ever avoided a camera! :biggrin1: "Cheese" is my middle name. My husband would say it was "ham", but no one asked him. Just think after I lose all my weight I am going to have to hire my own paparazzi to take my picture.

Amy - my old boss used to tell me before I enter a room, she hears a little voice yell, "It's Showtime" I normally haven't shyed away from the camera and I think it's because I never realized how big I had become until after I would see the picture. I have lots of accidental "before" pictures and can't wait to show off my "afters."

One is called Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery and one is recipes for Life After Weight Loss Surgery.

:hungry:Since my doctor has given me the go ahead to start soft solids tomorrow, I've been surfing for some recipes for bandsters. I ordered two cookbooks from Barnes & Nobles for eating after WLS but the in meantime, looking for some low carb easy-to-eat recipes and thought I would share some with you.

I'm so sick of broth and SF popsicles and the texture of Jello is enough to make me gag. Any other suggestions would be great!

Mock Baked Potato Soup

1 med head cauliflower

2 Tbsp chopped onion

salt and pepper

32 oz chicken broth

2 slices crisp bacon

3 Tbsp chopped chives

3 oz shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup or more of light cream

2 tbsp butter

Steam cauliflower ‘til tender. Drain, place in baking dish, drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper and broil ‘til golden brown. Heat little oil and sauté onions ‘til soft but not brown. Add cauliflower, broth and simmer ‘til very tender. Puree half mixture in blender and return to pot. Add cheese, bacon, cream and chives and stir ‘til cheese melted. Add butter, stir ‘til melted and serve.

Serves 4 @ 4 carb, 1 Fiber (3 NET), 257 cal, 21 fat, 12 Protein

EGGPLANT pizza

1 eggplant

1 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

3/4 cup Pasta sauce

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons parmasean cheese

Slice eggplant to make 4 center cut slices. Prepare a large pot pf boiling salted Water. Drop easch slice of eggplant into Water for approximately 2 minutes. Allow to drain slightly. Spray a cookie sheet with vegetable oil spray. Place eggplant on cookie sheet.

Sprinkle with oregano, basil and thyme. Bake at 400 until starting to brown. Remove frm oven. place even amounts of Pasta Sauce on each slice of eggplant, top with parmasean and mozerella cheese. Return to oven until sauce is hot and cheese has melted and is slightly browned.

CHEESY MEATBALLS

1 pound ground beef

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp ground red pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

Mix ground beef, onions, garlic salt, and red pepper. Form into balls and brown on all sides until no longer pink in the middle. Serve on a plate with both kinds of shredded cheese on top.

Sue I wondered if that might happen :cry thanks for the warning! I have been making an effort not to 'overdo' things cause I don't want to fall in a heap ... so your experience is a great reminder for me to take things easy.

Thanks for your good wishes, you're day 4? How are you doing now?

Susie

I'm on day 5 and feel good except that I'm starving! Talked to my doctor at my husband's surgery today and he says that if I'm this hungry the swelling is probably gone down and I can do 2 days of Protein drinks and then start on soft foods. My doctor is very anti-carb, so I'm trying to find out what kind of soft foods I can eat that don't have carbs.

I'm so nervous! I have an hour and a half left of being able to eat or drink before surgery. I will probably going to sleep now since I have to get up so early to shower with their special soap and drive to the hospital. I'll try to update here tomorrow once I'm banded! Wish me luck!

Good luck to you! I'm getting ready to take my husband to the hospital for his surgery this morning, too. I was banded on 10/11 and feeling great (just really, really, hungry). Can't wait to get back on solids.

Sue

I feel really bad for you guys, I'm about 10 hours post op and I feel fabulous. It was a bit painful when I woke up in recovery, but the nurses had me comfortable very quickly and I was back on the ward in no time.

Started with ice and sips of Water straight away, about 2 hours later I was tolerating Water well so they got rid of the IV. Got up to the loo and have spent the rest of the day between, walking around the ward, snoozing, and sip sip sipping. Have my barium swallow shortly then I can start free fluids.

I feel a million dollars and can't get the smile off my face! As the first day of the rest of my new healthy happy life, this day has been the perfect start! :whoo:

Hope you guys are feeling much happier really soon!

Susie

Susie - glad to hear you're feeling so good and not to burst your bubble but I felt really good on the day of surgery, too. It wasn't until the 2 days after that felt like crap. I really do hope your good feelings continue!

Sue

You can do it Sue!!! I am so scared to hurt my band or myself that I am not even tempted by anything other than the Clear Liquids. I've actually become a huge fan of chicken broth - I add a pinch of creole seasoning to it which give a nice kick!

Stay strong, I'm sure I will be dying of hunger any minute now too! Glad to hear you are feeling pretty good today!! :hug:

Jenne

Thanks, Jenne. I actually can't wait to go to bed tonight so that i can get up and have a regular liquid. My husband is being banded in the morning and I'll be at the hospital all day with him, so I'll have to pack a lunchbox with my cans of Atkins shakes. What I wouldn't give for some chips and salsa!

Sue