allheart

Thanks everyone for your help!!

That is absoltely amazing!! I'm just 2 weeks post-op and have about 150 to lose - you are an inspiration!!

I'm a little concerned about what these incisions will look like after healing - especially the large one. Have any of you used anything to prevent scaring on your incisions?

I am 2 weeks post-op also and still have some pain in my abdomen on the left -about 1 inch below my belly button - my largest incision is about 2 inches above my belly button. I figured it is part of the healing process so I haven't been that concerned. I'm not sure what they did down there but I have pain and even a slight burning whenever I reach/stretch on the left. I see my surgeon on 1/10 for my follow-up. Everyone is so different. I would say if you are really concerned, call your doctor to touch base.

I also started adding pineapple juice and a couple of pieces of pineapple chunks - it tastes really great.

I've been reading "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" and it identifies the second post-op stage as full liquids/thin purees. In this stage, it lists things like cottage cheese, sliced cheese, cream of wheat and poached eggs - I thought these were not until the puree stage. Does anyone know? :scared: Thanks for your feedback.

Happy New Year everyone. I tried something today that was delicious so I thought I'd share...I made a shake with skim milk, splenda, beneprotein, and decaf/sugar free swiss mocha international foods coffee. It was fantastic - tomorrow I'm going to heat it after I mix it in my Magic Bullet. Enjoy.... :roll:

Next week I'm going to join the "Y" and go walk in the pool - I'm so excited since I will be able to go during the day when most people are at work while I'm recovering.

Hi everyone. BC/BS covered my surgery but I'm still giving a receipt for every penny I put out in relation to the surgery to my tax guy in case he can count it from prescriptions to all my co-pays to the pre-op Protein diet. I figure it's worth a try when added to other deductions.

Hope you are all doing well today. I'm so thankful for this thread. Anyone interested in figuring out a central location to get together some weekend in Jan? I'm even up for staying over night if I have to.

On another note, went to my PCP today - blood pressure fine without meds. He said I can cut to 1/2 a pill of my anti-depressant in 2 weeks and then off in 4. This is so cool and is going to save a lot of $ - which I will spend on new clothes of course.

You are probably up from the swelling. I felt a heaviness in my stomach the 2nd day after my surgery from the swelling. Drink plenty of Water and move as much as possible. I was banded on 12/17 and am down 26 lbs. The weight will come off just be patient.

Hi Kellye. 26 pounds in 2 weeks is awesome!!:clap2:

Do any of you live in the Maryland/Delaware area?

I'm on 4 weeks of full liquids which is way better than the 2 days before surgery and 2 after surgery of clear liquids. I'm trying to be as creative as I can - I add skim milk to Soups like cream of potato, Tomato bisque, cream of broccoli, liquify them in the Magic Bullet, and then put them through a fine strainer. They are actually quite good and the extra skim milk gives me a little Protein to record. I'm also using Atkins Advantage and Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes with an added packet of splenda which makes a world of difference. My mother made stew tonight and I had the broth. I can't wait until I get to mushies so I can puree a meatball.

I was banded on 12/21 and haven't taken any of my meds since including Zantac. My father even noticed that I haven't cleared my throat at all which I used to do all the time - I guess from the acides/juices in my stomach. I even had liquified/strained homeade Tomato sauce yesterday for dinner and didn't feel a thing - that would have put me over the edge before.

Maryland Bandsters....

Let's talk about some things we need to do in the coming year. Obviously focusing on health and weight loss will be on the top of our New Years Resolutions (if we should even refer to them as such).

What are some of the things you are going to do in the New Year to be successful in weight loss and the other things you plan to do in 2008?

In the new year, I'm going to really focus on exercise. I figure the food will take care of itself - allthough, it is true that this is not a cure but a tool - yesterday I saw a Taco Bell commercial and got the strongest craving for nachos - I kept telling myself that soon enough I will be able to have a small portion of whatever I can tollerate. I've never stuck to an exercise program - partly because I was so obese. I plan on using my treadmill, then progressing to going back to curves and then hiring a personal trainer. I figure I will be able to afford it with all the $ I'm saving on food. Another thing I'm going to do is get more involved volunteering in my church and some other ministries. I'm really looking forward to getting out to meet new people instead of working non-stop.

Here's the amazing thing.....my "new year's resolutions" will actually come true this year - how cool is that? :eek:

Hi MollyBrown and Maryland banders. My surgery went well on 12/21. They repaired a hiatal hernia while they were in there. When I came home, I couldn't keep down any liquids - not even Water. I was getting sicker by the minute so it was back to the hospital. :sick I was dehydrated so they gave me 24 hours of fluids and nausea meds - the surgeon on call took out about 1 cc of Fluid from the band - I felt immediate relief. Came home a day later and am on the mend. It's kind of exhausting thinking about "eating" all day long but I'm keeping a log with whatever I take in, my thoughts, temp, etc. so it's kind of cool. I'm already off of all blood pressure, cholesterol, and acid reflux meds - very cool. I've been at my parents house for the past couple of nights - too hard to sleep flat in the bed - their recliner works much better. I'm ready to go home but I don't think they are - it's an adjustment for all of us.

I have been a little emotional but I figure that is to be expected. The other night, it was like I had an "out of body experience" where I was looking at someone else's life - I was very sad that I had to go this far to lose weight and for the 40 lost years failing at this on my own. I know I'm going to need to find a counselor soon for support when needed. Anyone know of a good one within an hour of Elkton? Also, do any of you attend a good lap band support group within the same distance? These forums are WONDERFUL but I need human contact with fellow banders.

Well, take care everyone and have an inspiring new year. The best is yet to come!!! :eek: (sorry - I just love these things - I'm going to work on putting a ticker in my signature)

Merry Christmas everyone. I've gained 5 pounds since being banded on 12/21. Anyone experience this?

Thanks for your feedback. I actually landed up back in the hospital yesterday - I couldn't even keep down Water. Turns out I was dehydrated - the doctor also took out some liquid from the band which made a world of difference. Let the journey begin.... :-)

Hi everyone. I was banded on 12/21 and am in a lot of pain - I'm assuming from the gas - even though I'm walking, walking, walking. If I take in anything besides water/crushed ice, I feel like I'm going to throw up. Is this normal? I can't imagine being ready to start full liquids tomorrow. Also, did you all have to sleep in a chair for a couple of nights? I tried to get into bed last night and just about died from the pain of getting up. I'm not going to call the doc unless I'm still feeling like this in two days since from what I hear this is pretty normal. Just needed some reassurance. Thanks

Have any of you ordered a medical ID Bracelet? I picked up some literature and am completely overwhelmed with the choices. Thanks for your feedback.

Thank you for all your suggestions. Today is my last day of Optifast - Yipeee. I'm actually looking forward to sugar free jell-o for the next two days. :clap2:

Hi everyone. The minutes are ticking down - I'm so excited about getting banded on Friday. I've been on Optifast for 2 weeks with a few slips like a salad here and there. Clear Liquids are going to be a little hard to manage at work on Wed/Thurs - any ideas? Thanks

Does anyone have a homemade beef broth recipe that has taste? The broth in the can tastes like tin to me. Thanks!!!

Hi everyone. I started my 2 weeks of pre-op Optifast today. The shakes are okay but the Soup is deadly. Had anyone found a way to make the soup tollerable? :help:

Thanks KimInMd for your encouragement. I got a tentative surgery date today for 12/21 - I can't believe it is so close. I need to work tomorrow on getting my sleep study move up so I can get it done by my pre-op with my surgeon on 12/13. I scheduled my 1-1 with the bariatric coordinator and nutritionist on 12/14 and am going to call the hospital to schedule my intake/labs, etc. for the same day. I start Optifast on Saturday with only Protein Shakes until surgery. I can hardly believe that after battling obesity and dieting since I was 7 years old, it is actually going to work this time. It's kind of sureal - I fell like I'm looking outside of myself at another person's life. Well, I better get to bed - big "to do" list for tomorrow during breaks at work. Have a restful night everyone. :-)