Cadets71

Summer08, I am so sorry you are having this problem with your port incision. I am also a nurse, and I agree with your husband. No swimming...you could collect all sorts of bacteria. It also sounds like a very slow healing wound. Hang in there and just follow the Dr's orders. Don't do anything to make it worse. I so understand how you feel. I also was banded on the 5th of June. I still have two little scabs on my port incision and I have not gone swimming yet. It is hard to be patient. Let us know how you are doing!

I only lost 1 lb this week, but I am following my diet and going to the gym everyday. One of these days my body is going to let go of all the fat it is hanging on to! I believe!! Name.............Current......Goal.........To Go Bunkey1965......240..........219...........21 dreamsize8.......216..........190...........26 FeliciaLevy75....266..........240...........26 laura bough......215..........190...........25 liz_hager..........169..........150...........19 NukeChik..........227..........197...........30 thininside28......271.5........245...........26.5 Cadets71.........238...........219...........19

Sharon, I order V8 juice or iced decaf coffee; you can also get iced tea. Or, bring along some individual packets of crytal light and put them in your bottle of Water. There are so many places to eat - I can't begin to narrow them down. If you have a lapband card, you can ask at any of the buffets to use it as a child's entry. I have found most restaurants very accommodating. Enjoy your trip and have good luck!

Tanya, Dr. Teng just did my surgery on June 5th! How is he when it comes to fills? Looks like you have done just great!

I am new to the Challenge...but maybe that will motivate me more! Name.............Current......Goal.........To Go Bunkey1965......240..........219...........21 dreamsize8.......216..........190...........26 FeliciaLevy75....272.2........256........16.2 laura bough......215..........190...........25 liz_hager..........169..........150...........19 NukeChik..........227..........197...........30 thininside28......271.5........245...........26.5 Cadets71.........239...........219...........20

The card is given out by the surgeons. It states you have had WLS (mine says lap band and shows a diagram of the band). It also asks that you be allowed to order a child's portion.

I am two weeks post op and I do not feel the band, I don't feel my port, and my only tenderness are the small incisions which are almost healed. I agree totally with Rugman - I was terrified that I would die from obesity. My quality of life was in the ditch. I could hardly walk anywhere without hip and lower back pain. I was short of breath and couldn't tie my shoes. Everything from shaving my legs to putting on lotion was a major chore. Lap Band was not a choice for me - it was a must!! And, I am so glad the technology is available. Good lUck!

I use little spoons that are for mixing sugar and milk in coffee or tea. For knives, I use the little knives that are used for individual bread plates at a nice dinner. Finally, for forks, I am using little appetizer forks. All of these are stainless. They are usually sold in sets of 8. I think you might find them just about anywhere. Can't remember where I got mine, but they are perfect. Good Luck!

We've been trying to pull something together for a while now. FeliciaLevy and I met today and decided it would be good if we could get together once a month. So we picked Sunday, July 13th, for an early afternoon lunch - say 1:00 pm. We thought a tapas restaurent would be good because of the small tasting sizes. Cafe Babareeba is located in the Fashion Valley Mall on Las Vegas Blvd. The food is excellent and it's about $9-10 per tapas order. If we all order differently, we can pass them around. They also have Soup if you are still on full liquids. Not sure the best way for us all to communicate. For now, let's use this thread. Keep me posted if you can attend. If our group gets large, I will make sure they can acommodate us. You can check out their web site at www.cafebarbareeba.com It was great meeting Sam - we ended up talking for 2.5 hours. We all have so much to share...and it is WONDERFUL talking to someone who is in the same place as you. Try to make this. Looking forward to meeting all of you!

Vegas Grace, Sorry you can't come, we will miss you. I go to Nellis at least once a month. Just FYI: To get to The District in green Valley, you would take I-15 South to 215 East. Take the Green Valley exit off of the 215. Go about 1/4 and you will see The District on your right! Very easy. Mary

Okay, Ladies.... How about 8:30 at the coffee Bean (in the District). They have seats outside. I will be there!

Okay, so where are we? Can we meet at the District tomoorw (early - because of the heat)?

You are absolutely NOT alone. The first 3-4 days were a real kick in the pants. I don't know what med your doctor prescribed for pain but I had liquid vicodin and it managed the pain very well for me. Forget about sleeping laying down in your bed. I tried every night, but it wasn't until night 6 that I could actually lay down. The next two nights I began to sleep on my side (preferred positon for me). Honey, it just takes time. I was a little surprised at how sore I was, but it gets perceptively better with each day. If you do not have vicodin or something comparable from your surgeon, perhaps your PCP would prescribe something. We have the technology to manage pain and we should. That is actually the creed and part of the patients rights at most hospitals! Good luck - Let us know how you are.

Kizzie, I am glad you found a solution!! Good luck to you. Keep posting so we'll know how you are doing!

Jack is right - call your doctor. Fluid retention can be caused by many things. Just make sure you are taking in at least 64 oz of water/fluid.

I have only been banded for 8 days but I can offer this: I have not been hungry yet - amazing thing! I have enjoyed each diet progression. I am on full liquids now, but planning for mushie food next week. I had one emotional breakdown and that was at my post-op visit when I learned I had lost 15 pounds. I broke down and cried. My band is the best thing I ever did for myself. I am looking forward to the coming weeks and months! We are fortunate to have this technology available to us!

Beautifult, Go to the forum on Pre-Op questions. There is a thread there (dated June 12, on the second page). There are lists and lists of things. The only thing I forgot to the list I posted was a high rise toilet seat. It was a life saver.

Ok! Maybe the best way to make this happen is to send an email to each person individually - in case they aren't looking at the board right now. What do you think? We could go for next Saturday.

Hi! I am up for it. Are you all by any chance in Henderson? We could do the District on Sunday morning. Lots of outdoor area and a coffee shop where you can get sugar and fat free drinks!

I have lost 15 pounds since my surgery day on June 5th. I am stunned and so happy!! Won't weigh again for a while...don't want to become obssessed with the scale!

Hi, Kizzie. The only clear liquid Protein drink I know is Isopure. That is what I was on during my clear liquid stage. It has 42 grams of protein per bottle. It does come in a glass bottle, which may make shipping a challenge. You can look it up on the internet - they might ship it to you. Another plan would be to have a fmaily member or friend in the states buy it for you and transfer it to plastic bottle and then ship it. I think it is the best clear protein out there. Good Luck to you!

Hi, Heyma! Glad to hear from you! Good luck going forward. Come back and let us know how you are doing!

Hi Cactusflower... I think there are at least 3 or 4 of us that are interested in doing this. I just had a similar note yesterday from a Henderson person, but she will be on vacation until July 2nd. I think the District at Green Valley is a good place. There are several outdoor sitting areas. Especially in the moring when it is cool. I am just getting back to feeling normal after my banding on the 5th. I would be glad to work with you to set up a first meeting. Maybe more would come if we posted it here. What do you think?

Congratulations! Sounds like you are pretty much on track with the post-op scenario. As everyone on here says - "You will get better everyday!" I hear you on the Clear liquids - does get old quickly, but it's only for a little while and it is the best way to start healing. My nurse in the hospital told me to guard my pouch like is Fort Knox. That stuck in my mind. So, as I tire of these diet stages, I keep thinking that what I am doing is protecting the tool that is going to help me into a new life. My personal experience with the gas is that it slowly diminished over the past 8 days...still get it but it is so much better. I find that walking and a heating pad is about the only thing that makes it feel better. Hang in there; you'll feel much better tomorrow!

Hi. I am just banded (June 5th) and we are gong on a cruise the end of August. I decided today that I will take my majic bullet to make a protein drink every morning. We can order up fruit and milk to mix in. I will still be on mushies, so I am looking for soups, masked potatoes, soft vegetables. I really am not worried about. I have always found the dining rooms SO acommodating! Good luck and have fun.