ChristyC

Hello Fellow Bandsters...I have been busy busy this summer!! I am now up to swimming laps 4-5 times per week for anywhere from 30 -45 minutes. That is a 50 meter lap!! I have now lost 50 lbs PRAISE THE LORD. I am so thrilled and give Him all the Glory!! :smile2: My band was put on May 20th and yesterday I broke down and went and bought some 18-20 sized pants. I used to wear tight a 24-26 size. I sure am learning a lot. I have had one 3cc fill and due for another on Sept 15th. I almost feel that would be all I'll need, just about tight enough. What a process this is, but very positive and healthy. Sometimes I think it goes slow, but I remember that is "the world" talking, and is much better for me in God's timing and way. I have had several long plateaus, then boom, lose some more. I just feel so much better and stronger. I still am trying to stick to 1000 calories per day but sure need about 70-80 grams of protein to have the strength to carry on. That Unjury is great and Soytein when I have to use it. I have been busy canning veggies, picking blueberries, and getting ready to wind down the summer here in the North Woods. ((Hugs)) to you all and I will be praying for you all. Love, ChristyC

Hi...I ate pureed chili during that stage and loved it! I used my food processor to make lots of things like that, and it really help!! Good luck, and don't go too spicy. :thumbs_up: Christy

PB is "productive burping", as in producing liquid when you burp (as in regurgitation) Haven't done it myself yet, and hope not to. Some folks report mucus first before the liquid comes up. A bit unpleasant sounding but good negative reinforcement! :cursing:

Thanks Phyllster.....love your new photo!! Yes, Bandgeek...I learned so much here by lurking around for weeks, then took the plunge and am so glad I did. Just do exactly what your doctor tells you and get some ideas from these posts. I still am on four shots of insulin a day, but the dosage is when down and I just know I will give it up someday !! Good luck, we'll be praying for you! Christy

I am still less than 30 days post op and feeling SOOOOOOO wonderful!! I am still on pureed food. My doc is very conservative, 'cannot have real food until mid July. But I started swimming laps again this week and boy does the exercise help get the metabolism going, for sure!! I am on much less insulin but still take 2 units with meals, instead of 9. My Lantes at night had dropped from 40 to 15!! AND I have gone from 312 lbs to 275.5 lbs in weight! (Gotta learn to fix that ticker!!) Thanks for all of the support and prayers, hang in there Bandsters. This Lap Band works very well, if you work with it. No cheating and pretending anymore. PTL Christy

I did something really dumb...I got too hungry and instead of eating one cup of pureed food, I ate about 2 1/2 cups. WHAT PAIN. That was yesterday, and I am still "sore" if I hiccup or move a certain way. I called the doc and they want me to report in tomorrow, to see how I feel. I don't want to have to go to the doctor, as he is 6 hours away!!!!!!! God can do anything...like help me learn my first Lap Band Lesson!!! Please pray that I will "heal" or whatever. Thanks, Christy

I am so glad that someone mentioned thedailyplate.com on a posting, What a wonderful tool. Today I am beginning my "full liquid" phase and can finally measure easier. I cannot believe how exciting it was to eat Cream of Wheat (farina) LOL That daily plate is great, calculates, records food calories, proteins, carbs, and reduces totals with specific exercises! PTL!! Wooo Hooo on my way to where the Lord has always planned me to be!!

I am suppose to drink 64 oz of fluids a day also. I am only 12 days post op and still on clear liquids. Can a person drink too much?? Today my stomach hurts. I had 2 cups of broth for dinner, got so thristy (maybe too much salt) and only waited 30 minutes and had 2 cups of water. That was a while ago and am still somewhat "sore". I usually sip all day...but maybe too much?? Please advice. Thanks

I think that the reduction in calories and fats, and any stored carbs within the liver is reduced. I know that the stomach lies UNDER the liver, which is very large to begin with. They have to "retract" it out of the way, and I am sure it is for easier surgery, less hassle and trauma to you. Don't concern yourself, :w00t: just do it. I am always very curious too!! Smile

Who is your lap band doctor??

My DD from several states away cannot get the lap band, due to insurance problems and she decided to "pretend" to have the band, along with me, lol and rekindle her Weigh Down Workshop books. They are the greatest! She is doing wonderfully....PTL

I used clear Isopure (from GNC) and protein shakes from Unjury (purchased on line). That was only for three days and it did the trick! Lost 15 pounds...BMI of 50 :w00t:

Wow Deb...do you go back to your doctor and let him know??? Throwing up everyday is not part of the Lap Band. Something is not right, physically or behaviorially. :w00t: Please let your doctor know! Good luck, Christy

Yes teacherofk, you are prayed for! :tt2: I just awoke with an odd/disturbing dream (not uncommon for me). I stumbled right into the kitchen and started eating a small size Popsicle!! That is old behavior for me :thumbup:. I am only 10 days out post-op, and am being shown that: 1. my issues are still here 2. by God's grace, it was only a small Popsicle, and not a bag of Cookies 3. I now have tools and support to deal with this Any suggestions...besides prayer, lol THANKS!

This one really cracked me up! I was explaining the lap band to a young neighbor man, as his wife is very obese and he was very interested. Then he turned and asked me, "After you lose all of your weight are you getting that Origami thing done with all of that extra skin?" All I could visualize was a big folded swan on my body!! We gotta laugh along the way. :thumbup: LMBO

Jerry...sleep apnea is a co-morbitity for being obese. I had it and had already had a sleep study. It is a requirement usually for the insurance and doc to check out your surgical risk factors. Nothing to it, don't worry. Good luck.

I am 58 and just starting and you are darn sure I am getting PS! I have suffered too long with this huge pannus (apron) and gobs of skin and fat! I laughed so hard the other day as I was explaining the lap band to a young man to tell his obese wife. He asked, "Are you going to get that origami done with your stomach skin afterwards??" LMBO!! (I can just visualize a big folded swan on the old belly!)

I was banded on May 20th and suggest you keep a bag of frozen peas over the area! I did and it really helps. I will pray that it heals quickly!! Otherwise, shake the bushes at their office to "hear" your pain!!

Oh Kim...You poor thing. God be with you and make this a quick recovery!! What a bummer, there must be something good that will come out of it. I will pray for you. A sister Bandster

Katie...Hang in there. You are just losing the swelling around the band in the stomach after surgery, and you can eat some more. It sounds as if you may need to step up your protein consumption to meet your hunger??? Do you talk to the nutritionist?? If you lap band doc does not have one, find one you can talk to. I am 11 days post op and still on clear liquids, and will be on liquids and soft foods until the end of June. I am NOT hungry. I used to eat tons, 24/7...but I know the proteins help. I drink clear Isopure (from GNC) and use Unjury powders and it really boosts that protein for me. My doc wants us to get 50-60 grams a day. Remember, this is a tool and we have to work with it. It is not a struggle anymore, just a job. Good luck, and get some medical advice about that protein. Christy

Hi Summer08...yes God is Awesome!!! I know what you mean, about being "ready" ahead of time. I go thru that all the time...I think He gets us on the right track, ready and sets the scene and then we are saying "Wow, this is what I have been praying for and I was following the path just recently not even recognizing it". I can't explain it, it is like Anticipatory Success....maybe recognizing His Will a bit slowly. I studied Lap Band info, found this site, prayed, and then went to an appt, got approved right there on the spot and had the surgery 20 days later. WOW! I was the only one at the seminar and app't who got approved and scheduled. I am now 10 days post op and still smiling and LOL, saying "I can't believe my burden has lifted". Every time I get on the scales, I think..."I will never see that weight again, PTL" All we have to do is Give Him the Glory. I am down 30 pounds (that was only since surgery and three days of pre op liquid) I don't think I would have ever experienced the feeling of hunger w/o being a diabetic first, I don't think I ever would have experienced wanting to be healthy w/o the miserable co-morbidities first, and I don't think I would have been "broken" or ready enough at an earlier age. His timing is perfect. Keep Lookin' Up :wink2:

When you you banded and what types of food are you eating? I am still on clear liquids being only 8 days post op. And I too, can only take in about 300 calories and worry about losing too fast. (I am down 27 pounds in 11 days.) 'Something I prayed for and boom, here it is! LOL I think if we keep up the daily protein levels and if we don't feel weak, we are okay. I take in about 50 grams of protein a day, and find that clear Isopure and sometimes unflavored Unjury really help. If you are still concerned, call your doc or nutritionist. Best of luck to you. A happy Fellow Bandster :sad: ChristyC

Hi Gwenn and others...just found this thread. I think that shoulder pain this far out for you is not necessarily gas, maybe stiffness from before or new sleeping positions. (I get that shoulder thing with hard sleeping). Of course I am no doctor. I am 58 and 8 days post op, and had to get more pain meds! :frown:. I walk quite a bit, and am probably too active. (Had to push my 79 yo cousin in wheelchair yesterday to her doc's office). We're all a bit different. I sure am grateful all of the knee pains and other obesity related pains have subsided with my recent weight loss, that is a miracle for me, lol.I am down 27 pounds since three days before my surgery (all liquids since then). I am thrilled to think I will never see them again, then worry a bit I have lost too fast. Aren't we silly animals, us humans! LOL Well, just finished by hot tea...Mmmm soothing my tummy, hopefully bad to bed. But have been reading here and could relate lots to Gwenn. Best of luck to you all...ChristyC from Michigan :sad:

Good Weekend NeverB4! I had one too. God helps us through anything, if we invite him to before hand. (No ice cream at a party, isn't that just like His sense of humor?) We had a big picnic in the woods with lots of family and friends, 'had to take a big pot of homemade soup for all. (only 50 degrees here). I was up there dipping and straining my portion of the soup behind a tree, taking out the noodles & veggies so I could only get the clear broth! Between that & some sips of clear Isopure (the greatest stuff) I am one week post op today! Only one more week of clear liquids. I still am amazed at how much I used to eat watching others at an event like that. I love eating like a thin person now!! I give HIM the glory for all that I have been thru. Have a great week all, ChristyC Good bless all of our warriors also, I pray for their safe return!

This is also my 5th day post op. I am missing crunchy food a bit but know also, I can eat regular food someday soon...just less. I think I'd spent so much time, eating, I actually have lots of spare time. LOL I am getting cabin fever sitting around, so had hubby just drive me to a park and walked a little. It made me feel great, but noted my strength is not 100% yet. I had my box of soymilk for dinner (very lactose intolerant) and am suppose to be on liquids for four weeks!! Oh well, gotta do this right