StLouisGal

I am 27 days post op now. I have followed my doctors guidelines to the letter. No it hasnt' been easy but I haven't been depressed either. Get plenty of fresh air and sunshine, that will help to combat depression, take Vitamin B-12 and B-1 (you can either get sublingual tablets or liquid or a monthly shot from your primary care doc.) I think that has been one of the keys to my quick recovery and improvement in my depression (I have suffered and been on medication for it over 20 years) Walking also helps get your mind off food, you can drink all the Water you want. Also make sure you are getting the recommended amount of Protein. Isopure clear is not bad if you mix 10 ounces of isopure clear with about six ounces of water and a propel fitness powder packet and sip slowly. That will get you 10 grams of protein in a clear liquid, low calorie form. You have come this far and it is a really brave thing to go to Mexico to have this surgery. You have worked hard to get the money together to do this and done the research to find out what you want, sticking to the diet is the easy part. Just take one day at a time, give you body and your tummy time to heal before you load it with unauthorized food. The most important thing is to follow your doctor's instructions. if you are having a problem, call him, from what I have read the doc you are going to is pretty open to patient questions and concerns. His office staff should be able to help you too. You probably want to get in touch with a good nutritionist in your area to guide you though the nutrition aspect since you won't be able to see your surgeon as often as you might lilke. Try to find someone familiar with bariatric surgery and the complications and risks. You PCP should be able to recommend someone. You are going to do great!:grouphug:

I use Unjury. The chocolate tastes like chocolate milk and the strawberry is very good if you mix it with lemonade (I put one scoop of strawberry unjury and 1 pkg of crystal light lemonade and add 16 ounces of water). The chocolate is really good if you add a splash of coconut sugar free syrup.

I had to look for something other than my old standby clothes for church yesterday. They were just too baggy. I started trying on clothes from the back of my closet. Two dresses that my SIL gave me when she lost weight (never have fit but too nice to throw out) are almost there. Probably another ten pounds and they will fit. The suit I bought about five years ago is about 5 lbs from fitting. The dress I bought seven years ago for a freind's wedding fit perfectly. I'm sure glad I hung onto them. I actually started looking at bathing suits for our vacation. I usually hide from anything related to a bathing suit. I love this band.

Congratulations to you both. You have made me so grateful for Menopause:lol: Keep up the good work!

This week is going to be a real challenge. My SIL is having gastric bypass surgery on Tuesday so we will be hanging around the hospital for a couple of days. I guess I will be walking the halls. Gotta try to find a Curves in the town where the hospital is. I'm still going to try to do at least 30 minutes every day. Monday - Curves Workout Tuesday- ?? but something Wednesday Curves workout Thursday -Walking 45 minutes Friday - Curves Workout Saturday - Curves Workout - official monthly weigh in.

Congratulatons, This kind of victory is almost better than seeing the scale move. Keep up the good work!

I have had reflux for years. My PCP told me the tests showed a hiatel hernia. When they went in for the band surgery they couldn't find it, go figure? My doctor wants us to take prilosec otc for six months after surgery so I don't know if I am just responding better to the medication or if it really is better but I feel so much better and haven't had a nighttime attack since banding (They were pretty frequent before I got my band even on the medication.) I'll have to let you know in about 5 months if it is still better when I go off the prilosec.

Not everyone has nausea and pain. I had very little pain, I think I took the pain meds twice and didn't even get the nausea perscription filled. By Monday after my Friday surgery I was pretty much doing everything I needed to do. Granted slowly but doing them none the less. I was off the pain meds and driving by Tuesday. Three and eight year old kids can at least dress themselves with little help and walk to the car, etc. and they can help you with some things. You are going to have to take meds pretty much forever with the band too, Vitamins and Calcium are really important to your general health. The first week I was pretty overwhelmed with getting them all in but now that I am a little more used to it, it's not a big deal. I pop a calcium lozenge in as I walk out the door and it disolves by the time I get to work, pop another one in after supper and by the time I can drink again it's gone. The chewable vitamins are not bad either, I have to take Iron too due to other health issues but it is all very manageable. The benefits the band will give you in being healthy to do things with your children will far outweigh a week or two of recovery. Just remember to drink as much as you can and walk as soon as you can and as often as you can. That gets the gas out and helps you get your strength back quickly. Since you have kids it would be good to have your Mom there for a few days just to take care of the kids and keep the house running smoothly. I think the key is to do everything your doctor tells you to and go in with a positive attitude that this is a good thing for your family's future. You want to stay healthy for those two kids. Good luck with your decision, it is not one to take lightly.

Hang in there and give your body time to heal. I'm three weeks out and the swelling is gone, the incision healed on the outside, I can eat mushies, and I feel better than I have in years. Just keep doing what your doctor tells you to do. We have all been where you are and know how frustrating it is. You can do this. When you go back for your post op, you will be amazed at how much you have lost and it will make you feel much better. Whatever you do, don't get on the scales right now. You are swollen, and still have a lot of the fluids from the surgery in you now so you have probably gained a few pounds. That will go away in a few days. Hang in there, we are all pulling for you!

If I ever get to a size 12 I will be thrilled, :thumbup:I don't care what the scale says. I think 155 will do that for me but I have no desire to get smaller than that. Keep up the good work, you are an inspiration to all of us.:tongue:

That is great, only one birthday party! My two were born exactly 23 months apart. They are 27 and 29 now. Enjoy every minute, it goes by fast.

You go girl! :tongue: As hard as it is for us Moms to take care of ourselves, ya gotta do it. You are off to a great start. How many little ones do you have?

soft cooked pasta is on my list of things I can have. I have been eyeing the mac and cheese but have held off because they don't have a lot of protein compared to the calories. I will probably cave and give myself a treat. They have this Italian Herb Marinara flavor that sound tempting. I'm trying to be strong because Mac and Cheese is one of my trigger foods that makes me want to eat more and more. I'm trying to stick to low fat, high protein foods.

My first fill is April 3. Do you have a fill doctor close to you or do you have to go back to Mexico?

It is kind of neat isn't it. The special in our cafeteria was tortellini on Monday. When I ordered mine I told him I only wanted about 1/2 cup (the usual serving is about 2 cups plus extra sauce and cheese) he looked at me like I was nuts. The cashier wouldn't even charge me for the special because I got so little. This is going to be fun!

I feel better than I have felt in years. I actually have enough energy to take a walk. I've lost in the neighborhood of 18 pounds since surgery but I don't really trust my scales at home so I haven't updated my ticker. The liquids aren't bad, I got really tired of chicken broth and other clears but the full liquids and mushies are pretty good. Had refried Beans and salsa last night. It tasted very good. You are doing terrific too! I was lucky that my insurance paid for my band. I was way over the limit (BMI of 47 when I started this journey. I think it is something like 42 now.) You are really fortunate to get it when you are so young. You will get to enjoy many more years of your children's lives feeling well enough to go out and do their activities. I did this so I would have enough energy to keep up with grandkids (if I ever get any) I feel like I really missed out on a lot of my kids activities because I was heavy and didn't want to or couldn't participate.

Double V means Victorious Valentines, our group name. I can add deli sliced meats, crumbled hamburger, Peanut Butter, and fish next week (week 4) I can add everything else Week 6. My doctor is a little bit conservative but I want this to work so I am doing my best to comply. Fortunately I like scrambled eggs and cottage cheese.

My weight loss is from January 1, when I unofficially started my pre-op diet. I had lost 13 pounds prior to surgery and have lost 14 officially since surgery. I think I have lost more but don't want to update the ticker until I weigh on an official scale, either at my doctor's office or Curves.

I was banded on the 15th also. I'm not on solids yet, just mushie stuff like cottage cheese, eggs, etc. Not drinking with meals is the pits in my opinion but I can understand the logic so I am trying to comply. I try to wait about an hour but don't always make that goal. One thing I have noticed, if I am tempted to eat, I think about not being able to drink for an hour afterwards and I can usually wait until the next mealtime to eat. Drinking a lot between meals helps too. Good luck! February 15 was a great day to get banded.

Of course it doesn't. In the summer time I get one every two weeks. We have to be good to ourselves.:tt2:

I can feel the port but no clue about the band. I don't feel anything (except when I ate that oatmeal cookie (oops) and then I felt a lot of pressure in my chest and started sliming. :crying:

What a neat thread. I am going to run a 5k in my hometown when I reach my goal. My sister always runs and usually wins. My goal is to at least keep up with her and hopefully beat her. In three years we will both be in the same age category. That will be my year. I may try walking one next year just to get the feel for the route. It would be kind of neat to win the 5K walk too. I think I'll go get that massage when I am down 30 too. It sounds like a good idea. Good luck everyone.

Great thread 4jin. I went shopping last weekend and actually found pants in the misses dept that fit. Granted they are stretch pants but they are XL none the less. The 1X in the same style was huge on me. I haven't shopped in that department in about 20 years. The woman's department is going to miss me. I went walking yesterday and could actually walk up a long flight of stairs without stopping to catch my breath two or three times. I won't have to go looking for elevators anymore. I too am waiting to go to the doctor's office for an official weigh in because I don't trust my home scale. It hasn't moved in about a week but I still feel great! Hang in there everyone!

We went to Alaska a couple of years ago. We spent two wonderful weeks traveling from Anchorage to Fairbanks and the Arctic Circle and back and then down to Seward. I am ready to go back. Mount McKinley (Denali) was awesome Kenai Fjords were amazing. I am hooked. I want to go in the winter and see the northern lights.

You should also have Vitamin D with your calcium because it helps it absorb better.