HeavyHeartland

For about three months in the mid 1990s, my doctor put me on Fen-Phen, the miracle weight loss drug. For me, the drugs curbed my appetite and helped me rapidly lose weight. My guess is, the pills were 50% appetite supressant and 50% speed. The only reason I mention Fen-Phen is, I was losing weight without trying. I continued to eat fast food and buffets several times a week and I still lost weight. Then a bunch of people reported heart problems and the drug was pulled off the market. Bye bye, Fen-Phen. Bye bye, weight loss. For the first month after I had lapband surgery, I lost weight like crazy. 50 pounds, in fact. Sure, most of that was due to the crazy liquid/soft diets, but still, weight lost is weight lost, right? I did minimal exercise, stayed full, and continued to lose weight. Since moving to regular food, my weight loss has tapered off and, over the past week, it has all but stopped. Food wise, I am almost back to my old eating habits. Well, that's not true -- I'm eating better, but I'm still eating a lot of food. Tonight I'm setting my old treadmill back up to get back on track. I want to lose a few more pounds before my band fill next week. Although I haven't gained any weight, I guess this is just a reminder that the weight's not going to lose itself; I'm going to have to work to get it off.

Thanksgiving Day, I weighed 388. I was banded on 12/3. As of this morning, I hit 338. 50 pounds in basically a month. I'm walking (on average) three times a week, drinking basically only Water, and eating normal, soft foods (scrambled eggs, Soups, you know the drill). I know the next 50 will go slower, but I'm still looking forward to it. My journey has begun with a bang.

Last week I went to my "2 Week Follow Up Appointment" , which for some reason, they scheduled four weeks after my surgery. The first thing you do is weigh you, and the nurse was shocked to see I'd lost 50 pounds. Then I told her it had really been four weeks. She was still happy about the weight loss, but less scared. Once I was back in the room another nurse came in and checked my surgical scars. "These look great for only two weeks!" she said. Actually, it's been four weeks, I explained to her. At one point she asked me why they scheduled my "2 Week Follow Up Appointment" at four weeks and I didn't have an answer. I have no idea! As I was leaving, they scheduled my first band fill. The nurse at the window said they would schedule it in four weeks, which would be six weeks after surgery. I told her that I was four weeks out. She then asked me why I had my "2 Week Follow Up Appointment" at four weeks. Again, I didn't know what to say. After confirming my surgery date in the computer, she changed my band fill for two weeks away -- January 16th, I believe was the date.

Every year for Christmas, my wife and I invite our families over for Christmas Eve and we all exchange presents, talk, but most importantly, eat. That last word made me really nervous this year for a few of reasons. One, the week of Christmas, I was still on mushy food. Two, I know I'm not supposed to be eating sweets (even if they're mushy). And three, I don't want to ruin other people's holidays just because I can't eat, you know? I'm the one who had lapband surgery, not them. And you know what? For the most part, I worried over nothing. This year a lot of people made sugar-free deserts. My wife made a sugar-free peanut butter pie that was terrific! Someone brought a bean dip with cheese and salsa that I mixed together and ate with a spoon. I even had a couple of Christmas cookies that the kids made (don't tell Santa). Instead of two or three plates of food, I only had one, and instead of half a two-liter of Diet Coke, I had water. And you know what? Everybody still had a good time. Everybody ate what they wanted to eat and no one made a big deal out of what I was having. To tell the truth, everyone was walking around so much with their plates that I'm not sure anyone even noticed, or cared. I think people (co-workers and family) are losing interest in what I eat on a day to day basis, which is pressure off of me. I didn't have lapband surgery to become the center of attention. Quite the opposite, actually.

Every year for Christmas, my wife and I invite our families over for Christmas Eve and we all exchange presents, talk, but most importantly, eat. That last word made me really nervous this year for a few of reasons. One, the week of Christmas, I was still on mushy food. Two, I know I'm not supposed to be eating sweets (even if they're mushy). And three, I don't want to ruin other people's holidays just because I can't eat, you know? I'm the one who had lapband surgery, not them. And you know what? For the most part, I worried over nothing. This year a lot of people made sugar-free deserts. My wife made a sugar-free peanut butter pie that was terrific! Someone brought a bean dip with cheese and salsa that I mixed together and ate with a spoon. I even had a couple of Christmas cookies that the kids made (don't tell Santa). Instead of two or three plates of food, I only had one, and instead of half a two-liter of Diet Coke, I had water. And you know what? Everybody still had a good time. Everybody ate what they wanted to eat and no one made a big deal out of what I was having. To tell the truth, everyone was walking around so much with their plates that I'm not sure anyone even noticed, or cared. I think people (co-workers and family) are losing interest in what I eat on a day to day basis, which is pressure off of me. I didn't have lapband surgery to become the center of attention. Quite the opposite, actually.

You've made a good point -- there are so many other things that affect people's weight loss other than what they eat. Living with an "eater" is one. My wife was banded last March and for the past nine months, we were probably a lot like you and your husband. I wanted to eat out all the time, where it seemed like a waste of time for my wife. It's difficult but you'll find a way through it. Don't be too hard on your mom. It's hard to know what to say people who've had (or are going to have) lapband. I've had several awkward conversations with family and co-workers, all who want to talk all about what I can eat and what I'm eating during every meal. Sometimes I feel like saying, "howzabout you worry about your food and I'll worry about mine!" As for that co-worker you mentioned ... sad to say, but that happens. I've had some people shun me since the surgery and some people be nicer to me. It's weird, and noticable. At the end of the day all you can say is that you do the surgery for you, and f other people.

Thanks everyone! Some of my clothes are definitely fitting a but looser, but all the clothes sitting in my closet that were too small are still too small. Personally I don't think there's a huge difference yet (or I would have posted pix), but a lot of people at work have been telling me I look different, especially in the face.

I moved to real food last week as well. Since my wife is banded as well she has warned me about some of her trouble foods, so I've been avoiding things like bread and salad and anything that's made her puke (might as well learn the easy way). I guess we're kind of in a limbo stage now -- solid foods, but no restriction. I get a fill in two more weeks and I think things will change then. Right now I'm able to eat quite a bit, although like someone else said, not as much as I used to.

Hey Chris, congratulations -- you look great! You can really see a difference. With all the money we are saving on food, you ladies will have to buy a stick to start beating away all the guys!

As others have said, hang in there. I had some residual shoulder pain from the surgery gas, but as others have said it all goes away soon enough. A week after surgery I was back at work feeling basically normal, and two weeks out I wasn't sore at all. The worst part for me was getting in and out of bed -- I really felt those stomach muscles then -- but I'm a month out now and sleep on my stomach regularly now. Time is a great healer.

My doctor put me on a four-week post-op diet. Weeks 1 and 2 are a liquid only diet. Week 3 consists of pureed foods, and Week 4 consists of soft foods. Although technically the end of my second week isn't until next Tuesday, I'm shaving a couple of days off the two week period and calling Sunday the last day of Week 2. I'll be starting Week 3 on Monday. The New Dimensions protein variety packs contain seven packs. Six of them are what I'd call desserts: vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, hot chocolate, chocolate pudding, etc. Only one of them, Cream of Chicken, isn't. My mid-day snacks are Cookies and Cream protein mixes. All of this sounded great pre-surgery, but let me tell you, eating four or five desserts a day for two weeks gets old. Fast. I've bought some of that flavorless protein power and have been dumping it into cans of Cream of (Whatever) soup -- Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Celery, etc. I never thought something like Cream of Celery soup would taste so good to me, but it sure is a nice break from all the sweet drinks. Next time around, I'll be buying some non-sweet drinks and mixes. I can't remember if I mentioned it here in the blog or not, but my daily protein goal is 115g, which basically means eating five times a day. By late in the evening I'm not even hungry and I'm having to force down these shakes, but I'm trying to adhere to doctor's orders. In other news, my shoulder pain is almost gone completely now. Occasionally it'll still flare up, but over the past 3 days the worst it's got is maybe a 2 out of 10. Sure beats the 10 out of 10s I was having just a few days ago.

I know it's not a popular opinion, but I'm with Roberta. I'm amazed at by how many people (and not just in this thread) admit to cheating, and so early in their post-op diets. I just went to a follow-up support group and met two women who have managed to gain weight since their surgery. They haven't been exercising and they've been eating plenty of holiday treats as well. It's a frame of mind I have a hard time relating to.

My doctor said no caffiene so no more for me. Starbucks does have a caffiene-free latte and you can get about five different sugar-free flavors as well (cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, etc.) I miss caffiene a little but I don't miss being fat (or as fat as I was.)

Don't forget about sugar-free popcicles. Although they count as a liquid, that chewing sensation can really help you get full. My doctor said I could have as many as I wanted and I helped myself to them. They are cheap at Wal-Mart.

Five days out, I was still having protein drinks.

Missy and I were just talking about this in her blog. For the first few days let's face it, there's simply nothing there to come out. If all you're taking in are liquids, that's all that's going to come out. When I was having all my shoulder pain, one of the things my doctor said was that I probably needed to poop. I eventually took some Milk of Magnesia (per my wife's insistance) and that helped things along. I took a regular, adult-sized dose. Although I am not a doctor, the only thing I would say is that if you do this you need to make sure you are taking in plenty of liquids, since that's probably what will be coming out as well.

My doctor told me the same thing. I took my first shower the day after my surgery. Over the next few days the bandages eventually began peeling away. I have been scrubbing my incisions with soap for the past week or so now (band date 12/3) with no problems. I don't take baths daily but I do enjoy my regular "Sunday soak" and am looking forward to that again.

Last night was my mother-in-law's 60th birthday party, which they had at a local steak house. As I am just starting my fourth week (soft foods) so I knew steak was out. The restaurant's menu was really limited -- although in their defense, it IS a steak house. Pretty much my options were steak, steak, and more steak. They had no soup (my primary choice when eating out right now) and no mashed potatoes (my backup plan). Near the bottom of the menu I found their very small seafood selection; shrimp, or salmon. I remember reading or hearing that shrimp qualifies as a soft food, so that's what I ordered. After choosing the shrimp, the waitress wanted to know what side items I wanted. The shrimp came with rice (which I couldn't eat) and I had my choice of a baked potato (can't have), french fries (can't have), or green beans (maybe). I picked green beans. Then the waitress wanted to know what kind of salad I wanted. Finally, I levelled with her. "Look, I can only eat soft foods or liquids right now. Do you have mashed potatoes, or soup maybe?" No, of course not. And what options did she give me? I could sub the rice for green beans, and the salad for more green beans. I couldn't imagine eating three servings of green beans so I told her I would just pass on the salad. Eventually dinner came and I got my shrimp, green beans, rice and toast. The rice was easy enough to avoid and I gave the toast away to my son. That left me with the shrimp and the green beans. I popped the first shrimp into my mouth and -- WOW -- it was terrific! I barely chewed the first one and popped a second one into my mouth. Then I had a few bites of green beans. And then I felt it; the green beans weren't going down. They were sitting there in my throat. Oh, SHIT. My first meal in public, and I was going to puke. I got up with a panicked look and quickly walked outside. Walking helped, apparently. When I got outside, I felt the shrimp slide down, followed by the green beans. Thank goodness! I really wasn't looking forward to puking in the restaurant's parking lot. I returned to the table and everyone was concerned. I told them everything was fine, something just didn't go down the right way. I can tell you what, I chewed the HELL out of the rest of that shrimp. I mean, I chewed them until they were little tiny shrimpy bits. I think I made four bites out of each one, and then chewed those tiny bites to bits. I've been able to put down lots and lots of liquid and pureed foods. I was under the impression that my band was not doing anything for me currently. Last night, I was proved wrong!

Wowee, what a hottie -- you look great! Whatever you are doing, KEEP IT UP! I'm totally stealing that Reese's recipe. I am missing me some peanut butter and chocolate.

Three words, sister: Milk of Magnesia. I had the exact same problem and in fact my doctor suspected some of my shoulder pain was because of the lack of a bowel movement. A little MoM will get things "flowing" so-to-speak and back on the right track.

Last week was supposed to be pureed foods, but I ended up doing liquids most of the week before moving to mushies a few days early. Let's face it, getting pureed food is pretty difficult while travelling on the road, but mushies are a little easier to come by. While probably not the greatest choices, I had some mashed potatoes from KFC and an order of pintos and cheese (mushed beans with cheese on top) from Taco Bell. And man oh man did they taste good compared to the steady stream of protein drinks I've been gulping down over the past 20 days. I've noticed that with soft foods, I can eat way more than I expected to be able to. This morning I had two scrambled eggs and was barely full. For lunch I had a serving of mashed potatoes, followed by some leftover egg from breakfast. It was tough to cheat on the liquids (everything was measured), but when it comes to solids it seems like, at least right now, eating too much is easy to do. My first official follow up meeting with my doctor is December 28th (next Friday). I suspect at that time he'll schedule a fill for me. Then, things will begin to kick in.

Last week was supposed to be pureed foods, but I ended up doing liquids most of the week before moving to mushies a few days early. Let's face it, getting pureed food is pretty difficult while travelling on the road, but mushies are a little easier to come by. While probably not the greatest choices, I had some mashed potatoes from KFC and an order of pintos and cheese (mushed beans with cheese on top) from Taco Bell. And man oh man did they taste good compared to the steady stream of protein drinks I've been gulping down over the past 20 days. I've noticed that with soft foods, I can eat way more than I expected to be able to. This morning I had two scrambled eggs and was barely full. For lunch I had a serving of mashed potatoes, followed by some leftover egg from breakfast. It was tough to cheat on the liquids (everything was measured), but when it comes to solids it seems like, at least right now, eating too much is easy to do. My first official follow up meeting with my doctor is December 28th (next Friday). I suspect at that time he'll schedule a fill for me. Then, things will begin to kick in.

Congrats, man. I found the recovery to be fairly swift. Other than the nagging shoulder pain I had for a week or so, everything else went really fast. I pulled all my bandages off last week and have been scrubbing them vigorously to get all the leftover "dirty glue" off.

I guess I am lucky, as my wife is banded as well. The kids though, that's another story. They're still chomping on left over Halloween candy and oh, the smell of cereal in the morning, it smells so good ...

Well Chris I have a confession ... I moved to mushies a few days early. I've been on a week long trip and kind of got pushed into it. It's easy to do Protein drinks when you're home, but when you're driving for 12 hours it becomes more difficult. I know I'm supposed to wait until Monday but I ended up having a cup of Pintos and cheese from Taco Bell and some mashed potatoes from KFC while on the road. And yes, they were DELISH! YUM.