CaliGirl626

I was banded on May 12th and got my first fill on June 3rd (3 weeks after the surgery). The doctor added the fill then had to pull the liquid out 3 times until it was okay for me to drink water and keep it down.

Hi all, Thanks so much for stopping by and share your lovely comments with me. I started eating puree food today, I had to wait about an hour before I could drink my Protein shake. I was full from 1/2 cup of puree. The hardest thing now is to figure out how to get 60g of protein in everyday...

liquid diets, do about 60 grams of Protein a day (make that 3-4 servings since your body could only absorb about 20-25g or protein at a time) I did the Kellogg protein powder: 5g of protein Ready to Drink EAS AdvantEdge: 17g (3 drinks a day) Wal-mart's Body fortress Protein powder, mix with cold Water then use the liquid to make Jello: 6 - 10g You probably will lose more than 10 lbs in a month... if you are really hungry, just make soup, strained everything out and drink the broth (1/2 cup at a time).

Hi everyone, It had been a while since I posted anything related to my surgery. I got banded on May 12th and today (June 3rd) I went in for my Post-Op appointment. Since the surgery I've been doing okay. I did about 18 days of liquid diets and then switched to pureed food. (I normally pureed about 2 oz. of meat with about .5 - 1 cup of boiled veggies from a chicken Soup I made: Carrots, Spinach, pumpkin, Onion.) I bought a hand blender and I'm so in-love with it. After 29 days of liquid, puree tasted so fantastic! Although the majority of my Protein still comes from Protein shake (2 a day/ 17g of protein each). Puree was a nice addition to my daily diet. Enough about the intro... so here's what happened today. I went in for a Pre-Op around 9AM, my doctor said everything looks good, I have lost a total of 21 lbs since May 1st. He said that he would give me my first fill today (Good thing I only had some protein hot cocoa this morning!). He had me lay down on the bed with a pillow under the arch of my back. He asked me to flex my stomach by lifting my head up. The fill needle was GIGANTIC. But, I didn't feel a thing at all! After a fill (which took about 20 seconds) he asked me to sit back up and handed me a cup of Water. The first sip, no problem... second sip... Major problem! I felt like there was a tennis ball is my throat, my chest started hurting, and I kept on burping out air. :eek: I started getting nausea:confused_smile:, The doctor said he probably put too much in, so he told me to lay back down, he took some fluids out, asked me to get up. I couldn't even take more water. Still not feeling better (Tears are streaming down my face...). I felt like throwing up:drool:, the doctor said he'll take more fluids out, just try to hold it in for like 10 secs. The nurse who was standing close to the bed started backing away (I guess it really looks like I was about to go...). So we repeated the same routine, Doc took more fluids out, I got up, felt a bit better. My doctor noticed that I was drinking really slow, so he said just to be sure, he'll take a bit more out. After the 3rd try, I was okay. The first 3 hours, I could feel the tightness. It took me 2 hours to finished 10 oz. of protein shake. Now, (8 hrs later) I feel okay. My doctor said just to stay on liquid for 2 days then ease into puree, then chopped, and go to regular food... So yeap, that's my crazy day. Just wanted to share with my bandster family!! :biggrin2:

umm.. the word "chewable" and "iron pills" shouldn't be in the same sentence... sorry to say this but that sounds yucky. I went on Sam's club website and was able to find a bunch of liquid Vitamins. it might tastes better if you could find iron supplements in a form of liquid! Good luck! Thanks everyone for postings!

I totally agree with you that there should be a standardized Pre-Op for all the would-be banders. ^_____^

Hi everyone, It had been 16 days since my sugery (May 12th). Most of the pains are gone now. I guess lately i've been feeling the runner's stitch pain (?) on the left side of my stomach. I was wondering, since I have the band now. From now on would I have to find some sort of liquid medications for everything? Or could I still take regular meds (Let's say Tylenol), do I have to cut it up? How big is too big? I would hate to have medicine get stuck! Also, what kind of Vitamins are everyone taking? I've been taking the chewable type, it's not that bad, actually tastes a bit like candy...

I wouldn't mind talking at the Doctor's seminar once a month if I can get 1-2 free fills out of it a year...(I'm a cash patient. so every little bit helps!)

My band date was May 12th. I've been putting on Neosporin - Ointment kind. 4 out of my 5 incisions looks fine. it's only the biggest one in the middle ( I think that's for the band right?) that's kindda red and a bit itchy. I washed it with the sting-free antiseptic wash, dry, Neosporin and put a bandaid over it (since it is constantly rubbing against my clothes.)

I used to have Gastric reflux atleast once a week. I also had a very high blood sugar. Before the Pre-op diet, My sugar had gone as high as 250 in the morning. When i first started the liquid diet (12 days before the surgery) my sugar was 167. I had my surgery on May 12th. And now my sugar in the morning range anywhere from76-100. I'm hoping that when i go in to see my regular doc she will agree that my diabetes is going into remission... Also, I had PCOS (irregular periods). Before last month, I missed my period for 9 months. Maybe it's a coincidence, but this is now the second consecutive months that i'm having my period.... So... my health totally improved! I love it!

i heard the same thing. I've been drinking the Isopure also. So now instead of drinking the whole thing. I split Isopure into 2 servings. I also added a packet of Kellogg Protein water(powder) to it. So I'm getting about 40 (35+5) or 45 (40+5) It usually takes me about 2 hours to drink one. I just take little sip at a time....

banded on the 12th. same problem for about 3 days, then constipation sets in. It had been 9 days and I finally able to conduct what I would call "a normal business"....

hi lalaredd, I'm about 80 lbs overweight prior to surgery and my doctor still put me on preop diet. i guess he just wanted my stomach to be ready . i did all my pre-op diet using stuff you can get from Rite Aid, GNC, Wal-mart, and Target. my doctor told me to consume atleast 60 grams of Protein per day, no more than 20 grams of fat, and less than 10 grams of sugar (i'm diabetic). I've tasted many Ready to drink shakes, and I would say that EAS AdvantEdge is the best taste out there (for ready to drink). For 17 g of Protein, it's about 110 calories. Make sure you get the 17 g of protein, the other ones may have more protein, but they tasted yucky.... You can also do Kellogg Protein Water powder. Walmart sells them for about $ 5 per box, there's 10 packets in each box. Each packets can be mix with 16 oz. of water. I drink them iced cold. It tastes pretty good. that's 30 cal/ 5g of protein. At walmart you can also get the Protein Powder, i read the from LBT that many people use the Body Fortress and they just loved it. So i bought it and i use about 1 scoop to make 2, 1-cup serving of protein Jello. (get the Fat free sugar free jello if you can). just remember you have to mix protein with cold water, not the hot one... From time to time I would also drink the Glucerna. it's about 200 calories and it has 10 grams of protein. The strawberry one tastes like strawberry milk. i got banded on May 12th. this past two days i've been enjoying Lactaid Fat free milk with Inst Breakfast - no sugar. For 150 calories, you get 14 grams of protein... not bad at all.... Hope this info helps. If you need more info, or i'm not explaining it clearly, just let me know okay?

Yaherd, It only gets better from here... ^_______^

Hi guys! thanks for all the support. I weigh myself this morning and I lost like 2.5 lbs. all of you guys were right, I think my body was just recuperating and just needed to hold on to the calories a bit longer. thanks so much for all your kind words!

Hi, my surgery was on the 12th. For a full week, Instead of losing, I kept gaining about 1/2 a pound a day. I was so fraustrated. But then this morning, when I weight myself. i dropped 2.5 lbs. I think your body is trying to adjust to the weight loss. So don't worry about it. I spoke to the nurse and she said that you will start seeing weight loss after the fill for sure...

Thank you so much ladies!!! I try not to think about it. My friend said that my body is probably trying to adjust that what it thinks of as "Starvation mode". My doc has me on Protein shake, so I consumed about 600-700 calories a day. After a couple of days without any #2 activity, I did try Milk of Magnesia. Well, that produced the "liq in, liq out" effects for 2-3 days. that wasn't fun either.... Thanks for all your support.

So you had a moment of weakness.... it's fine... just don't do it again... My hubby had ice cream yesterday and he couldn't finished it. So before i threw it away, I "licked" it once. that's it... I don't want to feel so deprived, but again, I don't want for the band not to work. So don't get so upset, live and learn right? just don't do it again...

Hi all, I had my surgery on May 12th. On the surgery date, I was 208lb. It has been 1 full week and I'm now at 211lbs. Everyone tells me not to sweat it... but is this normal? I've been walking about 2 hours a day so I want to say that it's muscle gain. I'm still on protein shake diet, with about 1 cup of clear broth a day. I just need someone to tell me that it's okay and yes i will lose the weight... ( A smack on the head might be good also!!) thanks!

Hi, I was banded on May 12th. and today is my first day off work. I'm feeling okay a wee bit of pain, but other than that I feel great. Only 2-3 of my co-workers knows about it. Some people could go back within 2-3 days after the surgery. Kudos to them. I'm glad I took a week off though.

I bought the Ready to Drink kind. To me, EAS AdvantEdge taste pretty good. I got mine at Sam's club, a case (24) is about $ 25. The Choc fudge tastes like when you mix cocoa with nonfat milk. Drink it real cold though.... ^____^

Hi everyone, I'm May 12th, My pain is pretty much gone now. But man.... if I have any more gas I would go crazy! I lost my voice for about 3 days after the surgery. Now my voice is back but my throat is still killing me. my post-Op appt is June 3rd. My doctor wants to be stay on Protein shake until then. I can't wait to see my doc. I've been walking a lot, about 2 hours a day (2-2.5 miles a day). Now my problem is that I'm actually gaining about 1/2 a pound a day. I'm hoping it's muscle gain. My nurse said not to worry though.

=== UPDATE ON DAY 2 === Okay, are you guys ready for my Day 2 update? I wanted to write this based on my experience. I don't want to make people think that it's going to be easy. But I don't want people also to think that it's going to be so hard that you won't be able to do it. Here's a recap of yesterday for me: 7:00 AM, woke up with a bit of stomach pain, took some pain meds. Walked around the house a bit (my house is tiny so it takes about a good 3 mins to walk the entire house!) Did about 5 rounds inside the hosue. I feel okay, not groggy or anything. So I started doing something I don't normally do, I clean the work room! I organized some documents. My husband asked if I would like to go for a walk, I told him we can do it after I'm done cleaning up. 8:00 - started drinking Protein shake. Took me about 45 mins to finish the 11 Oz. ** Straws are your best friends, whatever you drink, use a straw... it will help you control the amount of liquid you will be taking in at one time. Don't use straw for a hot liquid though....** 8:55 - took the doggies out for a walk. Yesterday my hubby actually hold both dogs, today he lets me hold one of them (not the puller ofcourse...). We walked for about 30 mins. **This gonna sound weird but I'll just write it because they mentioned in on the discharge paper, I finally pass some gas.. woo hoo!** Once I got home, I felt a bit funny. Turned out that since I went for a walk without sunscreen/sunglasses/hat, I ended up with a slight sunburn on my face! This sucks! 10:00 - started playing around online. Wrote an E-mail to my little sis and my parents. Letting them know that I'm doing well. No need to worry about me. You know how the internet just totally consume all your time. I looked at the clock, it was already 12:30... yikes! time for my meds again... 12:45 - took the meds. Walk around a bit, did the breathing exercise, feet exercise. Decided to try taking a shower (with my back towards the shower head). Felt a bit better after the shower. Hubby said he will take me to the mall just to walk around. Decided to sip on another Protein Shake. 2:00 - Hubby had to get some work done over the phone. We finally leave the house at 2 PM. The Sunburn is now totally getting to me. We had to stop by at Target to get a thermometer just to make sure that i'm not running a fever or anything like that. My throat is also bugging me, I'm beginning to lose my voice, so we picked up some sugar free chloraseptic lozenges also. Then we stopped at PetCo, got some treats for my doggies (They have been a very good walking buddies..) Then we headed to the mall. * I did have a couple of coughs, trust me, carry a pillow with you, you will need it! Just hug it tight, curl up your legs a bit, then do a control cough...* 2:45 - Hubby needed to eat, so we stopped by at the food court. I was watching him eat with no problem. No hunger, nothing. I did take a bottle of Protein Water (Kellogg Protein powder, 5 G of protein 30 cal) with me to the mall, so I could take a sip once in a while. We stayed at the mall for about 90 mins. Then we decided to head home. out of the 90 mins, I would say I got about 45 mins of the good-pace walk. 4:45 - took another dose of pain meds. Tried to take a nap but my husband snored too loud, I couldn't. So I stayed up, surf the net some more. 6:15 - The whole family (2 humans & 2 doggies) headed over my my in-laws house. My MIL made a really good Soup with vegetable and 98% fat free turkey. She use a fat strainer to strained all the fats out. I had about 10 Tablespoons and just couldn't eat anymore. Walked around the pool for about 10 mins, came back in, sip a bit of the protein water. had about 4 more spoons of soup. Sit and talk. 8:00 - We went out for another walk with my Inlaws and doggies. Since I've been coughing a lot more today, my stomach was hurting a bit. So I put a small towel under my jacket and hold on to it while I was walking. **when you walk, take deep breath, breath in and out slowly. It's now about how fast you walk, you are trying to improve your circulation and also exercising your lungs** 8:30 - Got back to my Inlaws house. Tried to eat another 3-4 spoons on soup. Then just had to stop, feel really stuff. *I've been burping a lot though, i figure that's another way for the gas to come out...* 8:45 - took another dose of pain meds. Then had about 15 mins nap on Inlaw's couch. 9:30 - headed home. Logged on to LBt a bit, then I decided to do a little experiment. Since I'm feeling stuffed and bloated, I decided to take 2 Strips of gas-X. It helped! Well after about 15 mins of taking that, I started passing gas. 12:00 - took another dose of pain meds, went to the restroom, then go to sleep. So i don't know, maybe my symptoms just showing up a bit later than others. I didn't start passing gass until the 2nd days. Out of 5 incisions, the big one (I think it's the band entry) hurts the most, others I can't even feel it. I had a bit of bruising. I had more pain onthe second day than the first day, but I think that could be because I'm worked myself a bit too hard. My throat hurts and I'm losing my voice. Bad sunburn, but that's my fault. I would still say, The recovery for me isn't that bad. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I know my writing might be a bit confusing, so just ask away! Take care everyone! Happy Recovering!

New_Jewel: wow i can't believe you can eat the blenderized stuffs already. I'm such a scaredy cat, I won't even eat Jello (I know we suppose to be able to do that, but me being all paranoid...I'll get over soon, I promise, hahaha) Yes, I love the sexy hospital gown and the party hat. I forgot what the hat is called it's sounds like a french word though, I was even thinking "man, they sure try to make it sounds pretty..." When I had to get on or off the bed with the designer one-of-a-kind gown, I had to be really careful, I didn't want the "Paris/Britney" incident... if you know what I mean, hehehe. Glad to hear you are doing well~!! MStrina27: I luv you too! Everything will be okay, just stick to your Pre-Op diet, walk a lot. Go in to the hospital with your big lovely smile. Before you know it, the surgery will be done and you will be "As Sexy as you want to be". Just a warning, if you weigh yourself the day after the surgery, your weight might go up a little. Who would've though the Lapband weighs that much (hehehe just kidding). And yes, you boy will evjoy the walk outside. I don't have kids yet, but my two lovely furry kids really enjoyed all the walks, they probably think "What's up with her, all of sudden it's 2 long walks a day...something is fishy.." Good luck and I wish you the best, keep me posted after the surgery okay? =========== My friends have been calling me, they were pretty surprise at my sexy voice. I told them they did the surgery while I was awake so I kept on screaming. I think one of my friends really believed that. Poor girl, now I have to go explain myself to her.

Fluffycat: The nurse gave me this little instrument with a tube on one side and i'm suppose to breath-in using the tube. I think it's to exercise my lung. It's weird now when I breath deep, I could hear a wheezing sound, I think I sounded like a leaking beach ball to tell you the truth...hahaha. Yaherd: I try to sip a bit at a time. Before the surgery it would take me 5 mins to down an 11 oz. shake. this morning it took me from 7 AM - 10:30 to drink one (through the straw). I alternate between Water and shake. So far it's 5PM my time and I'm on my 3rd 16 oz. bottle. Since I walk a lot, I tend to drink more than 64 oz. a day anyway. So no gulping, sipping is the way to go! Disneyfreak: I didn't get the magarita! Instead of the lovely red socks, I got the gray one instead. And that comes with the lovely one of a kind designer back-less gown. The one they gave me was ginormous, I could wrap the gown atleast one extra time around me. When I had to scoot over to the surgery bed, I asked if I could just climb over there instead. I told them I don't want any "Paris Hilton/Britney Spears flashing" incident. Don't want to be cruel to them. Last thing I want is for them to have temporarily blindness because of me flashing them. hahaha SueAZ: I think I was blessed to recover this quick. Like "Picturemethin" said, it's different for everyone. All I can say is "Stick to your Pre-Op diet. Start walking as much as you can." I truly believe that if I didn't lost the weight Pre-Op, It would take me a lot longer to recover. Just remember that if you cheat on your Pre-Op diet, you are cheating yourself. So the better shape you are, your recovery will be a lot faster. I feel okay now, but I'm still going to stick to my 1 week off work. I don't want to go back too soon. Plus it's my throat that is totally killing me. My voice is just gone.... Picturemethin: Totally agree with you on the fact that every recovery is different. I just wanted to share my experience, yes there can be a good recovery after the WLS. Before the surgery, I stocked up on the supplies and Med supplies like there's gonna be a WW3, Now i'm stuck with 2 boxes of Gas-X. Well, I guess it's better that I'm not needing it than having to need it and don't have them. I did feel a bit of gas pain the in esophagus, but I just burp them out... It appears that whatever gas I have prefers to come out on the upper exit than the lower exit...