vsnowrn

Well stated Restless Monkey, I too want to eventually be able to enjoy these foods, like a piece of pizza rather than the whole pizza etc Veronica

I was banded August 21st, and I found the inital 2-3 days difficult to get the liquids down, I think it was from the swelling around the band. I am now 2 and 1/2 weeks out and eating pureed foods, but I am able to eat mashd potatoes Soups, etc no problem, the Protein shakes really help with the hunger. I make sure I get two in a day. I use GNC 100% whey protein the have several flavors and they don't taste bad at all. Each Protein shake has 20 g of protien mixed with skim milk it 29 g per shake. I also drink the south beath drink mix each has 3 g of protein in it. So far I have lost about 20 lbs, but since I have been eating this week I have noticed I haven't lost anymore, I started walking this week with hope the scale will start moving a little bit lol. Overall I am pleased with my sucess, and looking forward to more. My MD does do the first fill till 6 weeks post op, which is alright with me because I never feel sick and can eat. Good luck to everyone Veronica

Yes, It is the state of ketosis, it stinks I hate it and my boyfriend hates it too, but it is a chemical fact that your baody is burning fat, if you would pee on a ketostick it would turn a shade of pink to purple depending on the amount of ketones that are in you urine. when we burn fat for energy instead of carbs the two place the ketones which are the by product of burning fat are excreted in our urine and our breath. It is a sure way of know that some fat is coming off. Rest assure it will subside Veronica

I haven't been filled yet. But I don't have a needle phobia. I guess maybe it is becuase I am a nurse and around them all day long. LOL I would suggest the xanax is a good move for you it seemed to make you more relaxed. The band is a wonderful tool and you are losing right. You would hate to lose the band now. Plus you would have to go through another surgery to take it out and that means allot more needles!!!!!! I believe we can get through anything if we put our minds to it. You can conquer this phobia, trust in yourself take the xanax before if that what it takes Good luck to you and remember you can do it Veronica

Hello, I know as far as restriction is concerned everyone is different. I was banded on August 21st, my MD does not perform the first fill till 6 weeks post op. I know the first 2 days I had a hard time swallowing Water, and I could feel it going down, but I have realized that is because I was very swollen, day 3-4 got much better. I now am almost 2 weeks post op and I have no problems, no pbing nothing. I am on full liquids but have taking a few bites of real food like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and ground hamburger and it has been fine. I wasn't because I was hungry I just wanted to taste it I guess, I guess I could have spit it out LOL. But I was curious to what it would feel like. It felt like nothing. LOL. Maybe your MD needs to unfill you, and let the band and your new stomach heal. That would be my guess from my personal experiences and what I have read on these posts. Good luck to you

Welcome, Congrads, does it feel great to lose weight. I was banded August 21st, and too have lost about 17 lbs. I am almost two weeks post op and I feel great. Best of luck and keep up the good work Veronica

Wow that is interesting, I haven't had that good issue yet although I am just beginning this weight loss journey lol Veronica

I like GNC 100% Whey Protein power if you mix it with skim milk each shake has 29 grams of protein. I am still on full liquids I have had bites of real food but the Protein shakes really satisfy me and the hunger is left behind Veronica

I am a critical care nurse and any intubation that occur the patient should be knocked out. I have seen fiber optic scopes being used to intubated patients and they were not consciuos. I was banded on August 21st, and I cannot even remember the intubation tube being in my throat. When I woke up it was already out thank god, because this was my biggest fear since I see it done everyday. A good anesthesiologist should be able to do this they have enough drugs use them. Some obese people are more difficult to intubate but I hope for you sake it can be done in the least invasive process. Veronica

My MD prescribed liquid Oxycodone, yes the good stuff. I took the whole bottle and then got a refill cause I was still sore and having pain. Don't be concerned with getting addicted, I think I took the med for a total of 6 days on and off. It was easier for me to move around after taking the meds. I would advise you that if you arehaving pain take the meds. I was banded on August 21st. Veronica

I was banded on August 21, my port site is still very bruised and swelled up a little. It is the biggest incision so I think that it is going ot take the longest to heal. I feel some pulling there but I think it is because of the swelling you are still healing, and that is what I would think Veronica

I was also banded on August 21st, I have been on the full liquids since post op. No problems so far. I have had small bites of like mac and cheese and hamburger chewed up very well without any problems. I am hungry at night time in the morning I feel like the band it tighter if that makes sense. I will stick to the full liquids for the rest of the week till I see the MD. Then on to mushies. I have had no pucking episodes so far so don't even know how this feels. Thanks for the advice and good luck with your bands Veronica

I was banded August 21, 2008, and yes I can feel my port. I also am a stomach sleeper and being almost 2 weeks post op I can lie on my stomach without any problems. I can feel my port standing up and feeling the incisions, it feels very weird. My incisions are healing well and going back to work this week. Thank everyone for all the support Veronica

I am 2 days post op, was banded August 21, I too was having trouble drinking. The gas pains were the worse, and the more I drank it seemed the gas would get worse. First day post op I only took in about 14 oz of Water, I knew I needed to drink more. Here I am post op day 2 feeling a little better. I was able to eat 2 sugar free popicles and a few ounces of my Protein drink. I know it will get better. I must have been pretty swollen around the band because yesterday I could feel every drink I took. Once the gas gets better it is easier. I have no appepite and all I have been doing is sleeping. I hope it does get better this is a rough stage to go through Veronica

I was banded today and my post site is so swollen. Actually I feel swollen all over. I can feel every drop of Water I swallow, did anyone else feel this??? Veronica

I was banded this morning. I feel you pain, I too am having terrible gas pains, I have it in my neck and left shoulder and my diaphram, it is terrible and the pain medication does not work at all for this pain. Yes my belly is sore but that is tolerable. All I want to do is sleep but laying down is so uncomfortable and I can only take it for a short while. There are several times today that I thought to my self what have I done to myself. My band feel so tight, either that or it is the gas pains. I have been walking all night long and I have been belching. I must have quite a bit of swelling cause I can feel every liquid I swallow. I know everyone says it will get better but it is just terrible right now. Veronica

Welcome Michele, I am getting banded Thursday morning. Welcome to the group there is allot of support on here Veronica

Hello Everyone, I am getting banded on Thursday morning 8-21-08, I am excited and a guess a little nervous. I am a nurse and I am well aware of what is going to occur during surgery. It the post op diet that worries me. Were you hungry during this liquid phase? I have no problem sticking to the diet if my hunger in in check. Well good to meet you ladies, wish me luck and good luck with all the insurance stuff. It took me about 6 months which was pretty quick from what I have read on here. Veronica

Good Luck to you. I know how you are feeling, I will be banded Thursday morning and I feel the same way. I had my last "meal" tonight and tomorrow all Clear liquids I am excited to get going. Best of luck to all of us Veronica

I am also getting baned this week, August 21st. Seems like it took forever for this day to come. I have a friend that had it almost 6 months ago and she is doing wonderful she has been my support system for pre-op. Best of luck to all of us Veronica

I am getting banded August 21st and I ask my surgeon about this liver shrinking thing, he said there was no evidence of the liver before the diet so how do we know it really shrunk. It funny how they all have there little recommendations before surgey, some make you go on a pre-op diet, some none, all I am required is to be on Clear Liquids the days before and nothing after midnight the night of surgery Veronica RN

Good Luck tomorrow, I too am getting banded this week, August 21st is the big date, everyone keeps asking me if I am nervous, I tell them no. I guess being a nurse I am very aware of what is going to happen during surgery. Although this is the first surgery I have ever had in my 32 years LOL. I had to take this week off of work just to prepare my self for what I know I have to do after surgery. I went to the local health store yesterday to buy some Protein shake so I could see which one I like and can tolerate drinking. To my amazement they were not as bad as I thought they would taste. I drank one this morning with my coffee and they really do curb my appetite, so that had made me feel much better about my success with my band. I have been on this computer all week reading post and trying to mentally prepare myself for what is in store for me. I am getting excited to start a new part of my life. I am also very anxious and really just want Thursday to come. So wish me luck and I enjoy reading everyone's experiences on these posts. Veronica RN:w00t:

I am newer to this support group, looking to get banded hopefully by end of summer. I meet with the MD April 22, and hoping I will know more about when after that appointment. Already saw the shrink, those tests were nuts, and if you weren't nuts before then, you might just be after LOL. Just wondering if anyone from this group is from Wisconsin. Thank you

Hey that is an excellent idea, I too am not yet banded but think I will too try this