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This was the hardest part of this for me, BUT my secret for surviving both pre and post op was homemade Soups (we were not allowed any creamed soups pre-op). I lived on beef stew (made with, but then removed the beef and potato before I ate it). And made it with lots of broth so I'd have clear broth for after. My other staples were homemade french onion and a soup called Groundnut (lots of non-starch veggies to fill me up). I added non-fat dry milk powder or unflavored Protein to each. Plus 3-4 Protein shakes a day. At least I felt like I was having real food and not simply shakes. I am not a salad person (especially w/o dressing!), so the soups kept me satisfied.

Hope your station will replay it sometime soon, it was the medical "how bad are you" episode... I didn't meet my whole goal, but made about 50% (plus paid the bills I'd been putting off!), same as last week. I'm mad I made an excuse that 25 laps in the pool this morning was enough - I need to follow-through as much as the contestants do! I'll make it up during Project Runway? or Grey's Anatomy...

Ok - everyone watching? My goal tonight is to do at least 20 minutes total tonight (last week I did two 5 minute stints). I started at the beginning of a commercial and just kept going until I reached 5 minutes or a mile.

Elfiepoo - thank you so much for putting into words what I've been trying to tell my partner and friends lately. I was on a 5 month stall, and recently found out I was not getting enough Protein (my NUT said 45-50 g per day, and Thursday she told me 70-75! and with that I've lost 4 pounds already). My partner thinks I want to lose too fast...I don't think 54 pounds in the first year is too fast (considering I haven't lost much in 5 months), but she's very worried and doesn't "get" the tool and how it works...and some of her "information" is related to RNY and not the band. I plan to print this to help. And for family and friends who think this is easy...but do use gym, WW, or other tools and don't see them as such! Brilliant writer!

liquid Tylenol worked better for me than the prescrip pain med My recliner (I couldn't lay down for the 1st 5 days) CHAPSTICK - esp. in the hospital (you can drink anything until the next day...my lips were SO dry) My Crocs - no need for tying laces, and comfy. Flavored Crystal Light Homemade Soup broth (make regular soup like french onion, beef veggie, venison stew, etc.) and strain the clear liquid - it tasted like real food not just flavored bland broth. The Maalox chewables cherry worked better for me than Gas-X Ditto on the pillow, ice pack, heating pad

congratulations!! At almost a year I am at 54 pounds, you are doing great!

Thank you - that is a brilliant idea!! I have the same problem, but no one ever gave us solutions besides "don't do it"! This way we not only don't drink, we get really cold Water to drink when we are supposed to!

My doc has the banders stay overnight, but it's less than 24 hours, so technically out-patient surgery. He did make us do a barrium swallow before we could drink/have anything (even ice chips). I would have not been comfortable at home - not only because of the pain, but anything that felt unusual I would not know what was to be expected or not. Also, well meaning support at home is great, but they'd be worrying about me more than necessary - the nurses would just know what was needed and what was normal.

Excellent - this will be much more fun...mine is a recumbent bike too. I started with 3 commercial breaks and rode for 5 minutes, then got off and stretched. I also tried to do some of those sort of knee bending things that they were doing, but wasn't sure if I should (one knee started making a noise)... I was probably in the wrong position. So, if we touch base each week to say what we're doing, it might help us be motivated, and give each other ideas for things to do?

Great - would love to have company! I did ride for 5 minute sessions 3 times last night, and hope to build up to more over the course of the season. I tend to get problems with plantar fascitis so wanted to take it slow (all my exercise this year has been in the pool, and this is my first try at a machine). The eliptical is one that I tried in '06 and couldn't seem to figure it out - coordination wise. I could do maybe 30 seconds, so congratuations to anyone who gets it! Seeing John and James doing it makes me want to try it again though!

I am making a new resolution - to ride my new-to-me exercise bike (that I rearranged my whole office for) during this season! Anyone else up for it?

Wow 4 ccs to start? I think my doc began at 2.5 ccs, I also have a 4cc band. The first fill I did feel a little restriction for awhile but it did wear off. I'm at 6.6 now - took from Feb to October to build to that, and feel great restriction...each time it would feel restriction, then I would loosen up, and he gave me small increments, like .1cc or .2 at a time.

Yea - I'm approaching 1 year, but am not close to your success! I have lost 54 pounds, another 50-70 to go, hope I get there by year 2! Slow and steady!

I too have dealt with this for a long time (banding 1/20/09). I have a mini hersheys or 3-4 m&ms if it's late in the day. But most of the time, my 2 chocolate Viactiv calcium chews are savored like a great treat every day.

My doc never gives a fill closer than 4 weeks, and in the beginning it was 6 (to see how we adjust to it, as the early feeling of restriction sometimes takes a week or so to "kick in"). I am on fill # 7 or so, and have 6.6 cc in a 14 cc band. I still have to wait 4 weeks for a fill, but after the 2nd or 3rd fill he only gave small amounts anyway (.1 cc-.3 cc). Good luck!

I also go by my 2 week pre-op diet weight. While I tried to lose after the consultation, I wasn't all that successful, so my highest weight was well after consultation, but before the pre-op hospital testing appointment. So, I see more loss than my doc does.

Hi there, I am from Upstate NY, but will be visiting Austin in early April. I was banded on Jan 20, 2009, and would be happy to attend a support group, or forum meeting during my visit. It'll be toward the end of my vacation (I'll be in San Antonio earlier that week), so may need to talk with people who understand by then. I was also very active in high school and college. When I started working, it would tough to balance everything, though it wasn't until I had a job where I traveled a lot and had to eat out all the time, that it really started packing on. Then some injuries to my feet and shoulders, and I wasn't able to even try to lose it with exercise, so depression followed. Once I made the decision for the band, I was so excited, I would finally be able to get a handle and maybe lose enough to start exercising! I started swimming again, and now go 3-5 days a week. I haven't tried workouts yet, but got a "new to me" exercise bike for Christmas and am rearranging my home office, so we'll how it goes. Good luck as you proceed through the process, it will go fast! Nancy

I was banded 1/20/09, and use a CPAP, and couldn't use it for the month after surgery because of the gas, it was too much pressure going in and gas trying to get out. I burp a LOT still, and never thought about the CPAP being one reason... thanks! I was reduced to 13, but actually now have a variable pressure between 5 and 13 (max). they won't do another sleep test for a year. I've lost 50 pounds, and last visit to the sleep center I hadn't stopped the apnea, but it had lessened.

I have the same feelings of stuck, but I don't sneeze, I start to burb bad...hard to control it even in my office eating lunch!

I was banded Jan 09, and ditto to the heat/cold after surgery. I brought way too much to the hospital, and only really used the chapstick, loose clothes and pillow. I went to the hospital w/o a bra and didn't wear one for 5+ days after surgery (I went back to work after 1.5 weeks, so could take my time wearing "real" clothes.). Crocks were my staple for walking the night of surgery in the hospital and getting around after that.

I was Jan 20, and have lost 50 pounds, with a pretty big stall since the summer. I have had fills, and lost a little but it doesn't feel steady. I just got another .1 cc so am up to 6.6 cc in a 14 cc band. I hope to jump start in time for my bandiversary.

Congrats Sil!! I am getting a bike from my support group leader tomorrow, and can't wait to rearrange my office. I'm so glad that we can have a bite/taste of the various traditional flavors and not feel guilty (or sick).

I'm so glad I came on board today, I want to ditto so much of what you all have written. I was banded on Jan. 20, 2009 (me and Barack began our journey's together - they let me stay awake long enough to hear the swearing in - since the nurses wanted to watch too)... I knew it was just a tool, and I have worked it though not to the "t" but in a realistic, life-long sustainable way. I'm down 50+ pounds and need another fill, but have exercised, and was able to get through a near death experience with my dad only because I was feeling so much better and had more energy! I am a firm believer in things happening when they are supposed to... and life can only get better. So thanks to 2009, family, friends and co-workers who have been so supportive, and Annette - the leader of our support group - it's the beginning of a whole new way of life.

I will have a spoonful of any of the items. My doc says not to deprive yourself if there is a special occasion, but keep it at that special occasion, and definitely keeping ones head (in terms of volume). I swim 2-3 times a week (30 laps each time), and have been successful getting back on track the day after, but would obsess about it if I had to smell all the fixins and not have any at all.

Our support group does a few clothing exchanges. While the RNY folks go through clothes a lot faster than me/us, I volunteered to be the collector, and whatever's left after each group exchange, we split the clothes between the Salvation Army and our local Women's Opportunity Center (that helps women who are going through divorces, fires, entering the workplace for the first time, etc). It's like Christmas every time we do an exchange.