Bandette08

I do well drinking "EAS Edge" protein shakes twice a day and a meal in evening or lunch. That's the best for me. But, I have been eating 'anything' past almost 2 months. Time to stop eating sweets and junk food. I NEVER went back on sodas & anything carbonated, which is great. Whenever I don't feel like drinking protein shakes, I be sure I eat protein food like hamburger pieces, chickenn, bacon, etc. I was told not to worry about calories..It's the protien I have to be sure I consumer daily. I have not excercised yet, but I do walk a lot at work back & forth fast and lift...I need to start working out, which I hope to do over the late summer. The more weight you have to lose, the faster you will lose weight firstlady Taylor. Hang in there.

After my 4th fill 3 weeks ago, I am having trouble with bread on & off. It would get stuck. I kept telling myself I won't do it again, but this is my 4th time. It hurts and I"m in fact going through it right now waiting for it to pass or come up. I had to induce it a few times 2 weeks ago. I need to make better food choices..

I can eat 2 cups before a fill....I have eaten 2 sandwiches before a fill after 3 fills...On my way for a 4th fill this Friday I hope...

High Protein shakes are good, icy and cold. Try them in a freezer until slushy on hot days...I never touched the Protein Bars. Anyways, I eat anything. LOL Just as long as I have my EAS Edge protein every morning and/or night, I"m okay!!

I have no problem eating salad. I would include hard boiled egg and/or red beans. Whatever I find on salad bar. I usually try to eat solid food first, before mushy/bland food to feel fuller.

Va Beach is a good place. But Baltimore, MD Convention may be better and cheaper as well. Plenty of places to stay in Baltimore, MD And plenty of things to see. Also there is a HUGE Arundel Mills Malls to hang out in for meals, shopping, games and a movie theater with awesome comfortable seats like a lazy boy.. D

MySpace.com - Sweet Gothic - 46 - Female - GLEN BURNIE & TANEYTOWN,MD, Maryland - www.myspace.com/dustbuddies

I would love for you to try & find a venue in the Baltimmore, MD area. I sure will go closer to home. I would choose NJ over NYC. :thumbup: Doo

Thinkingslim70; Hi, Don't worry, you should be able to go back to work after 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, your port site will still be sore, but it won't hurt to bend over by that time..Just remember not to lift over 20lbs for 6 weeks, unless your doctor tellls you differently. Just do what your doc tells ya after each follow up appts.. Everyone of them are different. I am a custodian at a middle school, so I lift heavy cafeteria tables daily. That's why I can't go in after 2 weeks. SO, just don't lift the kids out of thier chairs..LOL hahaha Feel free to ask any more questions, I'll be glad to help. I love working in the school, kids are fun, but there are days they drive us nuts. I am so glad I don't have to worry about school lunch anymore. LOL I'd rather pack my own lunch & supper now. Whenever you bend over at work, move slowly, okay. I know it hurts a little once you straighten up, so I move slowly. Al long as there is no pain, but just feeling the sorenss, you will be okay.. Healing time takes 6 weeks.. Bandette08 ( Ex-sweet gothic; I changed my s/n)

I love this thread, keep up the good postings. I am a born again christian as well. I'm soo blessed to have found this thread. Thank you soo much for starting this. I got banded for better health and to control my portions as well.

I have 2 more weeks until I see my surgeon again. That means I am off from work for 6 weeks so far. I'm sure I"ll go back day after my 2nd follow up. The reason I'm off this long is because I can't lift over 20lbs for 6 weeks..I lift heavy at work..

:thumbup: Congrats Suziecat!!! That's amazing. I am looking fwd to my 2nd bandiversary!! I am 3 weeks out this Sunday!! I'm doing good, just trying to walk more.. Sweet Gothic

Pat, it is normal for the port access area to be sore for a while. I'm out 3 weeks just about and it is still sore & red..It's normal, My 2 weeks follow up was a good one!! I started pureed food and finding myself wanting to eat more. soo, I'm trying to have liquids on and off..I don't mind liquids and shakes...Helps me from wanting to eat foods..LOL As for going back to a very physical work soon, I hope you don't have to lift heavy..I am out of work for 6 weeks, b/c I can't lift over 20 lbs according to my surgeon..I lift heavy cafeteria tables and it is going to scare me when I go back...Take it easy, don't rush.. Walk a lot and rest while you can. The only time I felt weak and tired twice was during the pre op liquids on Day 3 and 4, then since that time I feel energetic!!!! I would like to try some kind of protein powder, but don't know what to buy yet..I saw whey powder in choc. flavor. SG

Sherryred, You are on your way to the right place!! Congrats and good luck every step of the way to getting a surgery date!!!!!!! I'm soo happy for you..I got band on Oct. 6th at St. Agnes Hospital by Dr. Andrew Averbach. He's the coolest surgeon around..Also, I hear Dr. Singh's just as cool as him as well..Both are great surgeons!!!!!!!!! :thumbup: I would love to stay in touch with you if you're interested.. Are you on myspace or have yahoo ID? You can write me at justdoo62 at yahoo........ Doo:thumbup:

You will be fine, just follow your surgeon's orders. The first cple of weeks will be a challange. Use your mind, not your heart. My advice would be to keep your hands busy. Do a craft, talk on phone, hang out on lapbandtalk which really helped me first two days after I got home. The worst & most sorest day is Day 2 after surgery, at least it was for me. By end of week 1, you will be able to sleep on your side..Everyone is different. Anyways, you would not feel like eating first few days anyways Congrats on your surgery date and good luck rest of the way!!!!!! SG

Hello October Bandsters!! I"m sorry for not coming back in here for a while. I have been taking it easy and walking since I got banded on the 6th. I am doing great and getting used to it. Just wanted to congrats to all those who are banded and good luck to those that will get banded this week. If I can do it, you ALL can do it!!! I'll keep you in my thoughts & prayers... Ruby124: Don't worry about anything, you will be okay. I was nervous when I got out of surgery, I don't know why..Anyways, My mother & aunt had a blood clot in thier leg and I have varicose veins which has been treated by injections, looks great. I just wanted to help you not to worry. I had those leg wrappers during surgery and recovery until I was discharged the next day. You willl be fine!!!!!!! I received 4 blood thinner shots during my stay..It didn't hurt. And while I was there, got a flu shot which the doctor/nurses recommends for banders. When I first walked out of my room, I had to walk back in and lean over trash can, because I thought I was going to puke, but instead it was a loud gas coming up twice from my mouth and then followed by dry heaving twice which really hurt. Never happened again since..Just remember one thing, don't over eat..Eat slow and stop if you think you may be full..I had 2 protein shakes a day, Sugar free jello, chicken broth, non-carbonated flavored water, hot tea once and soup broth for 2 weeks post op. I was happy with it.. Today, I go in for my 2 weeks post op follow up this afternoon with my surgeon..I'm excited... Friday night late, I noticed a blood spot on my shirt from port site. Soo, I put on a bandaid..Will have to report that today. My steri strips are still on..Didn't come off!! Have a great day... Doo :biggrin:

Wow, I was surprised at someone taking a chance on chewing the chips down. You're lucky it didn't come back up. LOL I pay close attention to my "Full" feeling. I'm on Day 4 post op on Clear Liquids. I can not eat much, I get way too full..A 1/2 cup of chicken broth, I'm stuffed..I feel more miserable afterwards. Maybe you had your mind set on something while chewing down the chips.. TRY using your mind while you sit down and have your mushies. It should help when eating alone..I guess I am lucky the sweets and junk food laying around doesn't bother me. I try to keep my mind set on positive things like work, friends, family and future smaller clothes...I have a lot of patience to listen to my body....I agree that we all will crave sometime or another forever..It's okay to have a little extra once in a great while. My surgeon tells me to stay away from SWEETS forever..It can wreck you diet. I am still sore and starting to itch around my incisions. Hope everybody is doing okay post op...And to those whe will get banded Friday, good luck...Congrats to those who got banded today!!! SG

GO for the LapBand whether surgeon likes it or not!! Gastric Bypass is mainly for those with health problems like Diabetes,etc. Lap band is better, because you can adjust the band tighter and tighter as you get close to your goal to support your appetite all the way. Think about it. WIth GB, once its done, it's done...I, too am scared of GB...My husband wants a GB, becasue he will be able to eat meat there better than band. But it affect everyone differently. Just have to choose wisely..If you are not happy with surgeon, try another one!! My opinion...Good luck!! SG

((( Hugs to everyone and back to the one who started the Hug! ))) Congrats again on the surgery dates to all of you. You can do it,too!! It's well worth it! AND welcome new friends!! Bradley18, I am on Atkins Advantage EDGE and EAS protein drinks. I like them, I have no problem with the taste..SInce I can't have slim fast, I am happy with these. You can find them in Walmart pharmacy area. The only thing I hate the taste of is the Centrum's Mulit-vitamin orange flavored chewables..YUK..I wash then down with water after chewing and swallowin' them. ONCE A day is not bad. I LOVE Caltrate 600-D Plus chewable vitamins. They are fruity tasty..Darn, wish I could eat entire bottle. LOL I also got my first B-12 shot a cpl of weeks ago..Guess I will have to visit my doctor monthly for these.. Well, it's time to sip on my chick broth!! LOL BE back later...I could start a Yahoo grp for banders if anyone is interested in keeping touch there.. Sweet Gothic ( My nickname is Doo )

I wouldn't use the straw...It will make your pouch swell up and possibly a band slippage. Be careful and enjoy in Texas!! SG

I"m back from hospital since last night. My surgery was a successful one. I am in soo much pain and didn't think it was that bad, but today it's getting better each day. I'm in good spirits and keeping a positive mind on healing. I"m glad I had it done.. Congrats to all the OCT. banders and good luck to the rest this week. Let us know how ya all are doing when you get the chance. I am sore as crazy, but in good mood.. I had about 4 shots of blood thinners during my hospital stay overnight..Not bad at all, didn't even burn..I also got a flu shot as well..Everyone should get a flu shot, because we will not be getting as much nutrition from food after band. I wore a long t-shirt only going home, nothing else..Makes it easer w/o having to bend over for pants. Don't let the pain stop you from getting in & out of bed, it's gotta move to release gas..I had dry heaved twice and belched up gas twice thougth I was going to throw up..What an experice..eeeww....LOL No vomiting yet here, which is good.. I weigh the same before & after surgery. I guess because I have already lost weight 2 weeks prior on liquids!!! Glad I did well...Now, waiting for Post op follow up.. Feel free to add me to your friends list to stay in touch, Sweet Gothic

Congrats on your surgery date. I know I was glad to have the opportunity to get help with my health insurance. I came home last night from lap band surgery and am in pain, but it's getting better each day!!! Good luck with your surgery. Join us October Banders THread...A lot of October banders are in there.. Sweet Gothic

Hello, Checking in to see how the Oct 6th banders are doing? I did well and just got home last night. I stayed overnight as all of our WLS patients do. I am sore as crazy, but it's getting better each day. I can't wait for all this pain to go away. I am not hungry, but have had a few sips of chicken broth, Protein Drink and a popsicle. I had to drink 3 medium sized cups of Water and applejuice before I left hospital!!! Wow. I was a little depressed day of surgery, but it was all the meds I was on...Now, I'm in great mood, just taking it easy and trying to walk around and take breathing exercises in that thing. LOL It was a great experience, but the nurses call was really slow or a no show..I wasn't too happy yesterday with the hospital's room service with some. Others were great...Nice hosptial room of my own!!!! I would say, just listen to what you have to do is the most important thing one day at a time..I'm happy to get it done. Congrats to all oct. banders past few days and good luck to rest of this week. I will do my best to hang around here for yrs to come as part of my support grp..It was awesome to hear from last year's October banders. I will do same next year as part of my 1 yr celebration- cheer on. Sweet Gothic :tt1:

Thank you soo much for the wishes, Renewedhope. It's nice hearing from banders like you supporting new banders and would be banders of OCTOBER!!! I will do the same next year in OCTOBLER!!! I am ready for tomrrow morning..My surgery is at 7:45am. I'm excited and a little nervous thinking about being sore all week..I know I will walk all I can to increase healing and lessen pain. I'll be off from work for 2 weeks or more. I can not lift over 20lbs next 6 weeks..Has anyone been told? I lift heavy Cafeteria tables daily at the school when I clean the floors.. I am hoping to go back less then 6 weeks on a Light Duty. IF not, too bad. I'll like to hear from others who lift at work or home. My husband's big old, old, sweet siamese cat is going to be mad at me post op, because he LOVES to sit on my lap/belly all the time. I"m sure I will have to fight with him this week over pillows..LOL Congrats to all the OCTOBER new banders..Let's hear some of your thoughts good & bad..That's what this place is for...AND good luck to the rest this week, including me..hehehe Soon to be banded with love, Sweet Gothic