StLouisGal

St. Louis is a great city. There are lots of interesting things to do. I still prefer the country and am looking forward to retiring back to central MO in a few years.

Congratulations. You are paving the way for the rest of us. Your second fill is before my first one. Good luck and let us know how you feel in a few days. I'm nervous about my first fill and I can't wait to get it. Is that crazy or what? Take care!

I have lived in St. Louis, MO for the past 32 years so I guess this is home. I grew up on a farm in Central Missouri, near Jefferson City.

Monday - 30 minutes walking the halls of the dorms (hey it was icy outside) Tuesday- Curves workout and stretching Wednesday - 30 minutes walking the halls of the dorms and outside (beautiful 40 degree melting snow) Thursday - 30 minutes walking outside, cold but nice, 30 minute Curves workout

I got some calcium lozenges from Bariatric Advantage. They are cinnamon flavored and taste good but the texture takes some getting used to. They are Calcium citrate with vitamin D (the only kind my doctor allows) I also got some calcium powder called UpcalD that mixes in great with protein shakes and scrambled eggs. No taste, not residue, etc. I got both of them from this website. Vitalady.com - Protein Supplements, Vitamins & Minerals, and Safe Snacks! That is where I get my chewable vitamins too. The texture bothered me at first but I have kind of gotten used to it.

4Jin, I'll join your pity party. My first fill is April 3. One day shy of 7 weeks after surgery. I didn't feel like I had any restriction until I ate an oatmeal cookie yesterday (Big mistake, I don't recommend it) and I guess I have more restriction than I thought I did. Hang in there. We can do this together!

Have you tried cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, egg beaters, etc. I find them quite easy to get down and they stay with you a little longer. My favorite is 1/4 cup low fat ricotta mixed with 1/4 cup egg beaters, a shake or two of Italian seasoning, microwave until it sets, put a little spagetti sauce on top and it tastes really good. It's high in Protein, low in calories and carbs and pretty filling. :rolleyes2: Thanks for the tip on the beans. I'll avoid them for a few more weeks.:biggrin:

This is a fantastic thread. User name.....................# of minutes...................# of days per week 4jin....................................30............................ .......5............. patticNJ..............................20.............................. .....5............. becca.................................20.............................. .....3............. abeaher..............................15............................... ....4.............. aliwatt................................30............................. ......4............. Rhapsody............................15................................ ....5............. Angie4b1g...........................30................................ .....5............. Marathinner.......................45-60....................................4............. DancingBelly.......................15................................. ......5............ mhazelrigg...........................30............................... jaunderwood 20 5 joyaddison...........................45-60.................................4.............. jlobyxmas............................30............................... .......4+ StLouisGal............................30.......................................6 Yesterday I walked 30 minutes up and down the dorm halls The students thought I was a little nuts but who cares. Today I am going to Curves.

I don't have pain where you describe yours but I have noticed if I do too much or get too tired I have a pain between my shoulder blades. I never had that before my band.

Hi! I was banded on February 15. According to my bathroom scales I am down 18 pounds since surgery. I won't update the ticker until I see the doctor again.

I'm two weeks post-op. I've lost 14 pounds since surgery, 27 total since Jan 1. I feel great! Haven't had any complications that I know of, no nausea, no problem eating or drinking, I don't htink I have any restriction because I can eat about a cup of food, and then don't really feel all that full. I'm measuring my food and only eating what I am supposed to. Luckily I haven't been particularly hungry. I am making sure I am getting the required amount of Protein each day and drinking lots of Water between meals. Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Can't believe some of you have already had fills. My first fill is April 3. Take care,

Sorry I can't help you on self-pay rates because my insurance paid for mine. Good luck on your journey. You'll be glad you did it. Welcome to our group!

I had a weird pain this afternoon as I was stretching after my workout. I felt a pull in my chest, about three inches below the breastbone. I stopped as soon as I stopped the stretch and I haven't had any pain since. Has anyone had a similar experience. The nurse said if I didn't have continuing pain I probably hadn't damaged anything but I am still concerned. Thanks for any insight!

Welcome back and glad you are doing so well. Keep walking and sipping and resting. Don't overdo it. Congratulations!

I lost 13 pounds pre-op and 14 post op. I think that is pretty amazing. My clothes are already getting baggy :blushing: Good luck on your journey.

Are you getting enough Protein. My doctor had me on Clear liquids plus 2 Protein shakes (mixed with skim milk) a day until Day 10. I found that when I got all the protein shakes in and drank the full 64 ounces of Water, juice, crystal light, etc. I didn't get hungry. I had a lot of head hunger issues, where I felt like I should be eating something because it was that time of day. Staying hydrated goes a long way to filling the hunger void. Good luck and hang in there. It's worth the price.

I'm glad it isn't just me. I don't feel any restriction. So far my surgery has been picture perfect and I am still on Phase 2 of the post-op diet, full liquids and soft foods like mashed potatos, cottage cheese, low fat cheese, mashed cooked vegetables, creamy soups, scrambled eggs, etc. I have been measuring everything. I can eat about a cup of Soup and I have only been eating about a half cup of more solid foods. I don't feel very different than before the surgery. Starting Week 4 I can eat deli shaved meats, crumbled ground beef, chunkier soups, tuna, soft fish, etc. I hope I will start feeling a little fuller then. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I had my staples out 10 days post-op. All of the little incisions are completely healed, except for the little holes the staples left, They are kind of red and inflamed, but getting better. The port incision (about 3 inches long) has steri strips over it. The Doctor told me to leave them alone and not pull them off. So far they aren't too bad. He didn't say how long they would stay on. I'm glad someone here knew. Thanks.

Have broth, Jello, sugar free popsicles, etc. on hand for when she needs to eat something. It's important that she stay hydrated. Walking is also important for her. If the weather is nice outside several short walks a day will help get the gas out of her system. You are sweet to help your Mom. She will let you know what she needs. Good luck to both of you.

I had my surgery on Feb 15. I stayed overnight. I am sure I was much more comfortable in the adjustable hospital bed than I would have been in my own bed. It was nice to have the nurses help when I needed to go to the bathroom. I also liked having the leg massagers on my legs to prevent blood clots. I had a private room at the hospital (that is all they have on the Bariatric wing) and my daughter stayed with me so it was a pleasant experience. The nurses were extremely caring and encouraging. They monitored my vitals every 3-4 hours and tracked input and output, etc. I didn't have any complications but if there had been I like the idea of being close to help. My best advice is get up and walk as early and as often as you can. I had no gas pain and I think it was mainly because I walked so much right after surgery. Good luck to all.

You'll be fine and you will survive the pre-op diet. I even survived 10 days of Clear liquids after I got my band. This board is great for encouragement and support. My best advice is as soon as you are awake enough to do it, walk, rest a while, and walk some more. I had no gas pain, I think because I was up and walking so soon after surgery. I am 12 days post-op and feel great! Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

Shel, I'm sorry you have had such an upsetting experience. Hang in there it does get better. I am a bit surprised that you got real food in the hospital. I was on Clear Liquids for ten days and only today got a scrambled egg. Every doctor is different and you have to do what yours tells you to do. Take it easy and get as much rest as you can. Walking helps a lot too. In a couple of weeks most of the pain will be gone and you will be losing weight.

More than likely the dreams are due to the narcotic pain killers. I had really weird dreams when I took it. I had Hydrocodone and I guess it is too strong for me. I don't know about the night sweats, I was just hot but not sweating. If I hadn't taken a fan to the hospital I would have been extremely uncomfortable. Good luck and hang in there. It gets better.

I had my ten day post op today. Got the staples out, thank goodness. I'm down 14 pounds since surgery He said my surgery was picture perfect. My first fill will be on April 3 and best of all. I can eat full liquids and soft Protein now. I have never had an egg taste so good.:smile2: Can hardly wait for supper and tomato Soup and cottage cheese. This band is awesome.

Glad to hear that it went well. I've been away for the weekend and didn't get to check your post. Keep resting. You may not really be as good as you feel. Have a great day!