MistyD65

Hi all you August Bandsters! If you haven't already, make sure you check out the August 2008 Bandsters Support Group here on LBT. August 2008 Bandsters - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum

If you stop and think about it, the way we ate before getting banded, the way of eating that caused us to need the band, is NOT normal; it's not the way a person of appropriate weight eats. I for one don't want to go back to that. I do understand what you mean though. The first month or so, until you start introducing regular solid foods back into your diet, can make you feel like a bit of an outcast. It is a shame that so many social things seem to revolve around eating and drinking.

I've had a pair of FitFlops for a while. I saw them advertised on the Bath and Body Works website and tracked some down at Macy's. I don't know that they've really done anything for me, fitness-wise, but they are pretty comfortable for flip-flops. They run about $50.

Days off of work really depends on each person, I think, and on your surgeon's recommendation, of course. I had no ill effects from the anesthesia but some do, and that can really effect your recovery time. As far as the post-op diet, each surgeon is different in what he requires after surgery. The first 4-6 weeks are really for healing-letting the band settle into place, letting the stitches that hold the part of your stomach that is wrapped around the band completely heal, letting the swelling go down. Eventually you will be able to eat most of the things you eat now, but you have to listen to your body and band. Many find they can no longer eat soft breads, Pasta, rice, stringy meats, and so on. Some have no problem with them at all. You DO have to change your eating habits though. Healthy foods, with an emphasis on low-fat Proteins, should be your way of eating for the rest of your life with the band. That's not to say that every once in a while you can't splurge and have a treat. But the band is just a tool - it's up to you to learn how to use it correctly and apply it. These forums have a wealth of information on both the good and the bad of lap band, so read, read, read! Best of luck as you take your first steps on this exciting journey.

I also was only on clear liquids the day of surgery, but then moved to "modified full liquids" for 3 weeks, which was basically clear liquids (water, broth, diluted juices, Crystal Light, popcicles, etc.) plus protein drinks. From there I moved to soft foods.

Well, each surgeon has different recommendations for post-banding diets, but I think the following are some pretty universal "Band Rules": Take small bites Chew, chew, chew, chew, chew. And then chew some more. Don't drink before, during or after meals. (This one has lots of variations. My surgeon says stop drinking 30 minutes before a meal and don't drink until 1 hour after.) Eat your Proteins first. I'm sure these will be added to as more people post.

Go back and read your post and weigh your successes since banding against this one "trespass." You should really be proud of yourself for what you have accomplished on your own. Everyone falls off the wagon every now and then. Just get back up on it!:tongue2: And don't put too much importance on the one pound you gained after last night. Instead, get back on track, weigh in on your regular day next week, and you'll probably see that this one evening of debauchery (lol) didn't have as much effect as you feared. However, there is no shame in getting a fill if you think this could become a common occurrence. After all, that's why you went to the expense and effort to get banded - to have a tool to help in your weight loss. Just curious - has your doctor given you an explanation for his pushing you for a fill, even with your success without one?

Getting too few calories can keep you from losing. I stalled out for a couple of weeks after moving to soft foods. I was getting 700-800 calories a day. Once I got myself to 1000 or more, the weight started dropping off again. And consider only weighing yourself once a week. I started out weighing myself every day right after surgery, because it was so exciting to see the pounds coming off. But after a couple of weeks, when things slow down, it is just frustrating to weigh daily. There are going to be daily fluctuations - up and down - in your weight for a myriad of reasons. So don't set yourself up for frustration by weighing daily.

I have United Health Care and they would not pay ANYTHING for an out of network doctor for weight-loss surgery. If you are in Humble, you should check out Journey Lite. JourneyLite - lapband, lap band, LAP-BAND, LAP BAND, Realize band, weight loss, weight loss surgery, weight-loss, weight-loss surgery, Houston, Tampa, Cincinnati Unfortunately, they are not a Bariatric Center of Excellence, which was another requirement from my United Health Care insurance. Good luck in your search!

Last week 270.2 lbs This week 768.6 lbs Down 1.6 this week!! And I'm out of the 270's!! 35.5 total!!:w00t: And I start at Curves today. In fact, I'm due there in 17 minutes!! Bye!

Personally, I'm staying away from all carbonation. The discomfort most people report from it far outweighs any benefit or pleasure it might give.

I've been on soft foods for almost 5 weeks now. I am supposed to be getting between 1000-1200 calories a day, but for the first couple of weeks was only getting 700-900. My weight loss slowed to a crawl, lucky to lose a pound a week. Lately, I've been more consistent in getting over 1000 a day, and in the couple of weeks that I've been doing so, I've lost 3 pounds each week. I do think that my body was holding tight to everything it could get when I was eating under 1000 calories. I had the same experience when I was on the Points program at Weight Watchers about 10 years ago (when it first came out). I lost more weight when I would eat at the high end of the Points range. So yes, I do think it can be a problem if you are not eating enough each day. My nutritionist recommends 1000-1200 calories a day, or 1200-1400 depending on activity level.

If you don't drink water, you get dehydrated, which is never a good thing. Also, your body sends out much the same signals when you are thirsty as when you are hungry. So what you might be calling "hunger" is actually thirst. Keep your body hydrated and you'll be less hungry, your body will function better, and you will feel better.

Honey, you had surgery yesterday. That's about as far from normal as you can get. It WILL get better. Just give yourself time.:thumbup:

The question about "old-timers" has come up before. I agree with Julie's theory that they are away from the computer, living the lives they've worked so hard for. There is another side to the coin too, unfortunately. Some successful people here have actually gotten nasty and mean posts from people who are obviously jealous of their success. So I can't really blame them for sticking around.

You don't usually have to have a partner. I never did. Just meant I got to dance with my cute instructor. :biggrin:

I seldom make a comment in this thread, but I get the biggest kick out of y'all's banter. :biggrin:

Do it Beth! Dancing makes me happier than anything else. I took ballroom lessons all last year, and loved it, but when I'd catch my reflection in the mirror it didn't match the way I saw myself in my head. I am looking forward to taking it back up again in a MUCH smaller body.

Just watch out for the fizz.

I found the Virtual Model website through your album, Aprilapple. It is really nifty!

I didn't touch any residue on or very close to my incisions, and did not bother the "synthetic scab" (as my surgeon called it) at all. That surgical glue came off on its own, but the residue those steri-strips left after being on there for 3 weeks wasn't budging. And it took only the very lightest touch of the eraser to take care of it. And there's always "Goo-Gone" - KIDDING! KIDDING!!!:teeth_smile:

A soft, clean pencil eraser, used gently, works wonders!

Nina, if regular burping is a problem I think almost all of us are sunk!

The bad breath is probably a result of ketosis. Your body is using stored fat for energy, rather than carbs, which results in the bad breath. It will go away once you start adding some carbs back to your diet. The gas could be left over from your surgery and it will get better too, although a lot of people do say they burp a lot more since being banded.

They posts ARE kind of stream-of-conciousness, but the more of them you read, the more they start to make sense.