KELVINSMOM

I never had any real problems being heavy.. i was lucky that my weight was somewhat distributed evenly and many never even believed that i was 270 lbs.. my problem is that my sister is treating me differently now that i have had surgery. She had GP approximately 3 years ago and went from a size 26 to a 14.. She loves the attention and hates the fact that i am now starting to lose weight and have been getting compliments as well. She says things like , you will not lose as much weight as me and even discouraged me from getting the band.. she also talks about food constantly now, in an attempt to see if I will break down!! - that is my sad story.. but I feel good about myself.

I also work in an office and went back after a week. I was feeling a little tired.. but that was because i had lounged for a week and got used to napping during the day. I had no real pain, other than some minor gas and bloating. It all depends on the individual. do what feels best for you and I wish you a speedy recovery..

I love seeing pics. you go Girl. keep up the great work........

i am joined also.. hope to meet more bandsters there.. everyone keep up the good work

That is what I am talking about. A real Woman who identifies with her strengths and weaknesses. i just finished responding to a women who openly labels herself as "self-righteous" and knows that her opinions are right because she is successful. i cannot take it!

Good luck Indigo on all your endeavors as well. It is not what you say ..it is how you say it i guess.. that is just me.. the same message but just a little softer..

Hello new Bandsters.. congrats to all and I wish you a speedy recovery. I am almost 3 weeks post op and feeling great.. I had the same symptoms as all of you guys. the gas, the bloating and unable to get a lot of fluids. I did not start feeling myself until week 2 and as i moved into mushies and more stable foods like soup and apple sauce. Enjoy the days of feeling full! You know you are healed when you start feeling hungry - LOL. That is when the real challenges set in.. will power and eating choices.. my best to All..

WTF - what does a person's sexual orientation have to do with weight loss or Lap Banding? You personal business is just that - Personal . when they ask who is your support and will care for you just give a name and keep it moving.. Unless they will connect you with a special support group then i do not see why the question should arise.. Honestly, as long as your money is Green and the Docs are getting paid, I dont think they give a Rats behind! this from a hetero mom of three.. loving ALL people with respect!

FANNY FOR PRESIDENT.. It was really refreshing to hear you views because some people seem to have lost their minds along with a few pounds. There is no reason to think that everyone's weight loss will be the same and you are right.. we are not GP patients and do not follow the same guidelines as they do. with that being said.. Fanny, please continue to express your views and commentaries to counteract some of these other posters. I think i become too enraged and my responses are becoming a little bit "snappy"--- Bless you Fanny!

Indigo - if my statement does not apply to you.. then dont take it personally. There Have been times when people on this forum appear to be self righteous and preachy.. I am speaking FACt... the forum is to encourage and enlighten.. that is just my opinion. We all have weaknesses and i do not think that people posting their shortcomings should have to endure any more guilt . Just praise and support.. let it be a Amen to that.. !

this is not the forum to be preachy or condescending.. because if WE ALL had restraint. we would not be on this forum in the first place. To all of those who are struggling with hunger and following doctors orders to a T.. just try and gain control and always keep foods around you that will not permit you to cheat... many people have hit their goal weights and have done a great job! I congratulate you .. but you need to remember that everyone is not the same and it appears that all doctors are not the same either. I have seen that some doctors keep their patients on liquids for almost a month, some doctors require pre -op diets and also require some weight loss before surgery.. such was not the case with me.. So just to repeat. we are hear for support and not to beat each other up emotionally.. That just does not work.. Peace

banded 04/28/08 -269 lbs weight on 05/08/ 08 - post op appt - 261 have not weighed since. i will wait until fill date. so i won't get so neurotic about it!

hey Wayoflife.. congrats on your surgery and wishing you a speedy recovery. i also had the chest pains / indigestion for the first two weeks. felt like i was going to die at times and spent a fortune on rolaids, maalox, and herbal teas.. 2 weeks post op and it is pretty much all gone. now that i have moved to mushies and getting more substance in my stomach. you are going to be bloated for a few weeks. but it will pass and when it does you will feel like a million bucks. i was initially going for full by-pass, but i am happy with my decision. I also had a great medical team - the entire process start to finish was exactly 6 weeks.. :thumbup:

nice to know.. i dont get my first fill until June 19th. I actually wish it was sooner so i can get over the anxiety already.. it is not the needle that i am afraid of. it is the thought of being really full or worse.. the gas and indigestion coming back!

Hey Bowers.. i feel your pain and like yourself. i was a die hard carboholic. i must say that up until yesterday.. i had not eaten any carbs since surgery. such as bread , rice or potatoes. my only advice.. just get them out of your house ( if at all possible) i revamped my whole pantry. i think the only carb i have in my house now is oatmeal.. i also work on the road alot. and you have to remember to always have the good stuff on hand. otherwise, it is a WRAP! good luck on all your efforts..

allow me to make a correction i did wait 30 -45 minutes before i had the crystal lite. i am happy for your success Salsa. and glad that you are very disciplined and reached your goal in less than a year, i do believe that i started message with, " i made a mistake by not eating all day" and yes, it appears that each doctor gives different orders as to when to graduate to solid foods. i have seen many on this board that have gone to soft foods and some solids within 10 days.

today i made a great mistake. i left the house without eating and packing my "supplies".. with that being said. my first real meal was at 4pm. i at a few slices of chicken balogna on whole grain bread. washed it down with crystal lite. so how bad did i do guys? ps and because i was soooo hungry i was afraid that i was not chewing enough. i need a fill !! - i think i am eating way too much..

I believe that cutting back on smoking does reduce the risk of complications after surgery.. you want you oxygen levels to be as high as they can.. I know it is hard , especially if you have been smoking for years.. but it is a new way of life.. you will need to get out and exercise as well..

I am also two weeks post op and feel a little more hungry.. however, i would imagine that if you are going to eat, you should eat foods that are more beneficial to you.. instead of popcorn. get a low call protein bar.. they have some really great flavors at Walmart.. for my sweet tooth, sugar free fruit bars and i have eaten more liver and onions than the law allows, but it is high in protein. i feel as though my choices are OK. but i am worried about stretching the pouch.. I do not get my first fill until mid June so I am really being conscious not to eat the wrong things.

I did not have a pain pump. My doc sent me home with a script for percocet.. The pain was more from the gas than the actual incisions.. I only used half the sciprt and now i do not feel any pain at all..The gas and bloating have gone away and i just realized that today was the first day that I did not have any shoulder pain or intense indigestion. you will do fine, just try and get up and walk around as quickly as possible. I REALLy believe this makes a difference.. BTW - i went back to work in a week.. with NO REGRETS>>

Good luck - and I wish you a speedy recovery.. try and become active as soon as you can!

yes, as you heal and start moving around more.(walking) you will see that you can tolerate more liquids. somewhere around day 7 or 8 you may start to actually feel hungry. those protein shakes seemed to have kept me bloated . which i may have confused with fullness. but anyway you slice it. the pounds are going to come off! congrats and i wish you a speedy recovery.

Melissa , dont get frustrated.. your doc should have put you on a pre - op diet. which is going to be prety similar to the diet you will have to follow after surgery.. mostly a liquid diet. NO SUGAR.. get used to Splenda.. drink lots of water, and eliminate carbs.. I did not have to lose weight before my approval ( my insurance company approved me in less than a week) - but there are many on this board who had to do the same things that you are required to do.. best of luck to you !

I was banded on a Monday and went back to work the following Monday. - 1 week. It was good for me because I also have a desk job.But like one of the other posters stated. Do what you feel is best for you.. I was able to get out and drive after 3 days. and that was only because I was still a little groggy from the pain medication. Good luck with your progress. !

I would not worry about it too much.. I just hope the syrup was sugar free. just to reduce the calorie intake.. and if you took small bites and chewed to mush .. .. Enjoy your Mother's Day.. hey, dont beat yourself up.. I ate 4 M&M's ........with peanuts of course - lol ..