margiemm2

Oh, yikes. I had forgotten the protein drinks. I had to drink 3 a day - at least 60 gm of protein a day. I like Designer Whey. It dissolves easily. Chocolate with a little DaVinci sugar free syrup for extra flavor. I have a vanilla too - it combines with lots of different flavors...there are tons of those protein powders. VitaLady has all kinds of samples at vitalady.com Now I have to have one drink a day. Last night I whipped up a half a peach with the vanilla and added a splash of amaretto flavor and crushed ice. It was good. No, its not all that difficult but I was pretty confused about it before I actually had to do it! Good luck! margie

Carolyn, It seems that doctors have different recommendations, but mine required total (almost) clear liquids the first week. I was allowed V8 but other than that, it was broth, juice with water, SF popsicles and jello, water of course. What saved me that week was that I had made a huge roast (beef) the week before for a couple of dinner parties. We ate the meat but I froze the broth and it tasted like ambrosia!! My mom had also made real chicken broth and that was great too. The second week (after my 1-week appt with the surgeon) has been the puree stage. Everything has to be very, very smooth and fine. No lumps at all. There is also a list of food I"m not allowed (beans, coconut, etc) but most things can be processed into a nice puree (sort of reminds you of baby food which is not real appealing except after you've been on clear liquids for a week it seems pretty darned good). I think each surgeon has his/her own program so I'm sure he/she will tell you what to do. If not, we're here... Good luck! Don't be scared. Keep in mind what the goal is and keep your "eye on the prize." I have been so amazed at how fast I have recovered. I'm even going in to work on Thursday just to help out. Good luck! Anything else, just ask. I'm also happy to answer any personal questions that you might want to send to my private email - that goes for anyone that might want to ask something that they are embarrassed to ask the group. margie

Wow. Lots going on now! Joann, you're on your way at last!! Congrats! Yay! Phyllser, when do you leave for the sunny south and where will you be? I'll be down there eventually for a month or so over Christmas to visit my kids in Cape Coral, FL. Don - wow good and bad! You are making good progress on your banding but how awful to be freon-blasted! And the yellow jackets - I had that same thing happen to me about 45 years ago and I still remember it vividly! ouch. Glad you are ok and did not have an allergic reaction to those stings. I'm in my second week post-op now and enjoying thinking up interesting ways to get in my protein and other things via purees. Fresh steamed cauliflower with a little cheese and chicken broth whipped smooth. Delicious! Today three shrimp liquified in a half cup of tomato soup. Not so bad. But looking forward to mushies.... Hope everyone's doing well tonight. margie

Magic Bullet....I'll have to look for that. I know that this week will pass and I'll be on mushies before I know it. Sometimes I don't think I have any restriction - can't notice any - but as my friend Guy observed tonight, I've only had liquids so of course there's no restriction. And I am very afraid to test the limits so I will be good and really liquify everything this week....You know, so much of this was so very overwhelming before but it's beginning to become more clear now and I feel like I"m learning..

Nancy, Thanks for the reply!! I saw the surgeon today and he said everything is great, no problems at all. On to the next diet phase - full liquids. oh, yummy. But a step better than clear liquids! Thanks. margie

OK. I have a question. I was doing real well. NOt much pain. Getting around just fine. Yesterday (one week after surgery) my two large incisions started to hurt when I move. It feels like they are pulling. It is a different kind of pain than before - more localized. Yes, a pulling sensation. Itchy, too. Is this normal? I assume it is. Not excruciating pain, just annoying. I want to be done with this now!! More whine, anyone? Your thoughts? thanks margie

Hi Carolyn, Welcome! A week from now, you will be banded. A week ago I got my band. I've got to say that it was not nearly as traumatic as I had thought it might be. I was not very nervous at all. Everything went smoothly and now, a week later, I am ready for my post-op visit to the surgeon on Thursday. Looking forward to "eating" more than just clear liquids - my surgeon requires continued diet on "full" liquids for awhile longer - he's conservative and I appreciate that although I am looking forward to adding in some more exciting things.... What questions do you have? Ask away! margie

Shauna - congrats. I was banded on Tuesday, so I'm just two days ahead of you. I went home on Wednesday but had to go back yesterday for CT to rule out pulmonary embolism - a pain between ribs, unrelated to incisions. No problem and today the pain is gone. How is it going at home? How much are you drinking? any problems with liquids going down? did they do a barium swallow test before you went home? Someone told me that the third day after surgery is the worst and for me it was. I feel better today. Maybe I will get through the day without pain meds?! ....maybe not.... Wont it be nice to be all healed and concentrating just on the purpose of the journey and not the pain? margie

Wow Karen. 77 pounds is amazing! congrats. I am looking forward to getting rid of all those fat clothes in my closet too!! A question: I was told to drink only clear liquids until I see the surgeon next Thursday. They want me to drink one ounce every 15 minutes - four ounces each hour. I HATE bothering with those little ounce cups and just take sips from a glass or bottle. Have no trouble, no pain. My barium swallow showed everything going down just fine. Is it possible for me to somehow damage the pouch by drinking a little faster than 1 ounce/15 minutes? I know my brother had bypass three years ago and he just sipped continuously.... what do you think? Are they just being overly cautious or am I foolhardy?? Thanks for your advice. margie

Hi Everyone, I got home from the hospital late last night. Had the banding on tuesday morning and spent yesterday having barium swallow test and walking the halls and waiting to be released. How long is it going to hurt? I have not had a lot of pain, but it does make me go "oh, ouch" when I try to lie down especially. margie

Well, it's Thursday morning. I had my final clinic appointment on Monday - there were a few glitches but I think they will all be resolved. I'm on Dr.s ordered South Beach (as I have been for four months!!) for this week. Next MOnday breakfast will be my last meal as an unbanded person!!! I'm amazingly calm. I suppose I'll get scared eventually but I am thinking of this more like the anticipation of Christmas of a fun trip than surgical apprehension. Does that make sense? We'll go up to Buffalo on Monday and stay over since I am 1 1/2 hours away and I have to be at Buf Gen by 7:00 AM. I've really enjoyed reading all of your posts and they have helped me SO much to get a good idea of what I am facing. Thanks to everyone. margie

Thanks, Phyl. I knew, when I was planning to have bypass, that he was the doc I wanted. But he convinced me that lapband would be better for me for a number of reasons - now I would just like to hear from some people who have had him do their lapbands that I have chosen wisely. Nurses who have observed the surgeries and patients would certainly know too. I found him to be very professional - my support persons and I all liked him real well...just looking for a little reassurance...

Hi Everyone, I keep getting lost on this site - but I"m back - at least for tonight - maybe if I bookmark this specific page, I'll find my way back more easily. I tried the pic but couldn't get it on so I will wait and struggle more another day. Congrats to Don for tomorrow's appointment. I, too, have an appointment tomorrow - my last weigh-in at the clinic in preparation for surgery on the 16th. People keep asking me if I'm scared yet. Strangely, I am not. At least not yet. Resolute. Has anyone had lapband with Dr. Posner in Buffalo General? margie

Help! Trying to decide between GBS and lapband. I need advice! margie

P.S. The surgeon, when I told him what she had said, was disgusted - said that they no longer recommend that people contact that woman, that she was "over the edge."

It was a support group originally recommended by the surgeon's office. (Buffalo, NY) The leader is very capable and knowledgeable but I think she is using old info and not really current with lapband techniques. And she is heavily invested in her GBP surgery. She tends to personalize everything - she thinks that her experience is everyone else's experience. I resented that because I really have not experienced most of the rejection and depressioin that she has. agghhh.. I am just happy that I no longer belong to that group - I unsubscribed. AND I am very happy that I have now committed 100% to lap band and will have it done on Sept. 16. Have all my preop stuff scheduled and my last weigh-in at the clinic on the 8th. Fingers crossed.

Many thanks to Phyllis (for the acronym explanations!) - Yes, Buffalo, NY. And to Mary, Karen and Linda. I am worried about my weight loss. I used to lose really easily (just kept gaining it back...) but the last couple of years it has become REALLY DIFFICULT. For example, I have followed South Beach religiously for 2-3 months, lost only about 13 pounds (officially only ten but I was 3 higher at one time) Then last week at the shore I stuck to the South Beach with only one or two very minor lapses (ONE sandwich for lunch ONE day and one piece of salt water taffy...that's IT!) and gained back FIVE! All this while everyone else was stuffing down pizza and fudge etc. etc. I don't mind eating healthy foods - in fact I actually have good habits, but it's discouraging to not be rewarded by seeing the weight go down. I guess that is EXACTLY why I am going to do the lapband - so that I will be able to lose once again. I will, won't I? It's good to see others being successful. Gives me hope...

I guess I'll jump in here. I'm margie. I'm 61 and have lap band surgery scheduled for September 16 - Dr. Posner in Buffalo. It's been quite a journey - the decision (I was told emphatically by a director of a support group that she would NEVER recommend it for me. Only for very young people with not too much to lose who had not been fat very long.) I was really surprised when my doc recommended it - but he will let me choose. Anyway, I am 99% sure it will be lapband. The more I read here and in other threads, the more certain I am that I CAN do this with lapband. Right now he has me on the South Beach so I will learn how to eat (I already know how to eat...and I like eating this way...why the heck have I not done it consistently all my life???) So now I am just waiting, waiting, waiting. STarted the process in February so it seems like a loooong time. I have enjoyed reading your posts...stupid question: what is PBing? I can guess but what does it stand for? Just wanted to say hey.

Yep! My blood has been boiling too - for months I have listened to her dis the band. She is SO invested in her surgery and the power that she has over her loyal band of followers...!!! Today I unsubscribed from that group - overdue! Thanks.

I became interested in lapband a year or so ago when I saw the ads. I felt that the bypass was just not right for me, but this seemed plausible. But when I raised the issue in a support group online, the leader of the group "leveled" me, saying that she would NEVER recommend the band unless the person was very young, had little weight to lose and had not been fat very long. She continued that it could erode into the stomach and cause problems. Lots of people end up having GBS anyway. SO! She totally intimidated me. When I finally got to see the surgeon (3 weeks ago) he said I am a good candidate for either one. Tell me about the AGE thing. Am I (at 61) too old? I am seeing lots of people losing LOTS of weight here so I pretty much am discounting what she said. Opinions? margie

Please forgive me - I've never really done this kind of messaging before and I am insecure about it.... But I really appreciate all those responses. Another question: what about long term with the band - do people just keep them in for the rest of their lives? I guess so... Will I have to have fills forever or do you get to the point where you have found your "sweet spot" and don't need to change it? I live far from the doctor and hospital where they will do the work, so Im worried about making that trip (it's 1 1/2 hours - fine for now but what about when I'm 85? lol)