LindaV

Hi Cloe, A friend who was banded last year brought me some of her pumpkin soup when I was on my last week of liquids. It was delicious. Here's the recipe: EASY PUMPKIN SOUP 2 T olive oil 2 cloves garlic smashed not chopped 1 shallot roughly chopped ( just enough to release the flavor and sweetness…you can also use ¼ of a sweet onion) 1 small peice of peeled and chopped ginger (about the size of 1/2 your thumb) 2 C chicken broth/stock (you can add more if you like thinner soup) 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1tsp salt 1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree (not the one that is already spiced for pie) 1/4 C cream or half and half ( you could even use milk if you wanted to lessen the calories) 1 T butter dash of pepper Over med heat in a 2 qt saucepan heat the olive oil. Add the garlic, shallot and ginger. Cook until tender but not brown—about a minute. Add salt, and stock. Let this simmer for 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon remove the garlic and ginger, and shallots from the liquid or strain reserving the liquid. Add the pumpkin puree and stir until smooth. Add the cream and the nutmeg and the butter. Bring this to a slow boil. Let this simmer for 5 minutes. Serve with a dash of black pepper or some parmesan cheese. Makes 4-5 cups. I used powdered ginger and brown onion since I didn't have fresh ginger or shallots and it was just as good!

I had my gallbladder removed 13 years ago and got my Lapband one month ago. Once I made it past the liquid phase, I have been more "regular" than I was when I had my gallbladder. I can go out now without wondering if I should use the bathroom before leaving the restaurant or wherever else I happen to be. This has been a definately positive "side effect" of being banded that I did not even think about.

Wow, Roni - I didn't think 15 pounds could make such a difference! Boy you proved me wrong. You look great! By the way, I'm so glad things worked out well with the whole "bat" situation. As a mother, I really felt your panic and pain. Keep up the good work!

MiniMandy - Most docs want you on liquids for 2-3 weeks. After that you shoud be on mushies for another 2-3 weeks. Your stomach can handle solid food as soon as the swelling goes down, but, the idea is to stay on liquids and soft foods so that your band has a chance to heal into place. Seminole - I don't know how you are making it on so few calories with no restriction! Kudos to you! Are you starving? I am counting Weight Watcher points and grams of protein to make sure I don't over-consume. It seem to be working so far.

Hi May Bandsters, I can't believe it's June already. I have had my band for a month and the time has flown by. Here's a recap: I was banded on May 1st and the surgery and recovery went well. I started water aerobics 2 weeks post-op because my doctor said I could get in a pool and because, by then, my energy was back. While I can eat pretty much anything I want right now, I definately have some restriction. I can eat anywhere from 1 cup to 2.5 cups of food depending on the time of day. Usually I eat about 1.5 cups. I am not hungry for 2-4 hours. I usually get hungry pretty soon after I start drinking. I think the water helps empty my pouch. The only set-back I have had is an infected port incision which I noticed last weekend. It was a localized infection that is clearing up on it's own without any antibiotics. My doctor gave me some waterproof dressings for water aerobics. I had to buy a new bathing suit this week. I was falling out of my old one. I didn't want to flash the life guards at the pool . Anyway, I am down 33 pounds total! I think 19 of that is since surgery. I'll have to check my journal. Well, that's all. I'm glad to see so many good reports from those of you who just got banded and those from the beginning of the month like me. Trip2BeMe - congratulations on your incredible weight loss. Keep up the good work!

Western Bacon Cheeseburger - I'm salivating!!!!!!!!!

My husband just walked in to see what I was laughing about! He wanted to make it clear - I BAWLED!

Sorry JenMomTo3 - I didn't mean to get crude on your thread! Good catch DonnaB -Yes, I meant I bawled :nervous Yes Susan, I stlll love you!

I love, oops, I mean hate Jack-in-the-Box tacos. Love-Hate-Love-Hate! :phanvan Ok, so I really love them, but DAMMIT, I'm going to learn to hate them! I didn't go through surgery to sabbotage myself with JitB tacos! As we say in America: "JUST SAY NO!!!!!!!!":tape2:

You're showing more control than I did. I BALLED when I got approved and off and on for the next week:nervous. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kayla, That's great news! Congratulations! I know you worked hard to get the initial weight off! WOOHOO!

I remembered to ask at my pre-op. My surgeon told me as soon as I felt comfortable and up to it.

I make a pumpkin pie filling without the crust and use the splenda/sugar mix. As soon as it is done baking, you can add non-fat dry milk too it. Mix it up well then divide it up into custard cups and refrigerate. I think it tastes like pumpkin pie and depending on how much milk power you mix in and how many portions you make, you can get a decent serving of Protein. You can probably mix in the milk powder just before eating as well. My dietician told me to mix the nf dry milk in with the sf/ff instant pudding mixes. I havn't tried it yet, but she says you can't taste it and again, you get extra protein in that way. One of my favorite Snacks is to cut up a small tomato, half an avocado, and some feta or blue cheese crumbles, or cut up mozzarella (fresh is the best). I top this with 1 tbls. lite balsalmic vinegarette dressing (Ken's is delicious). Anyway, those are a few of my favorite snacks. Good luck!

C 282 (- 32 total, - 1 this week) :biggrin1:

One hour walk with 10 year old son and dogs. I had to give up Water aerobics for now because I have an infected port incision. I think it's a localized infection that is not all the way to my port, but, I see my band Doc tomorrow. I'm sure he will tell me to stay out of the pool for a couple of more weeks at least! Bummer - I really like the water aerobics!!!!!!!! I saw my dietician today and she did her little test with the electrodes on my hand and foot and told me I have gained 4 pounds of muscle. WOOHOO!

Hi Yasmin, Welcome to LBT! This is a great place to find support and friends. I am from Idaho and was banded 4 weeks ago. I am soooooooooooooo... happy with my decision. Most of my friends, actually all except one have been very supportive and excited for me. People who havn't been there just don't get how fat people are treated differently. Pretty much everyone on this board totally gets it! A lot of people here were banded in Mexico. Who is you surgeon. I probably would have gone that route but, I was one of the lucky ones whose insurance covered the procedure. Where are you from? Have you found a local support group in your area? those are great if you can find one. Well, take care and good luck!

Hello All, I am hoping some of you medically knowledgable bandsters are watching the posts tonight and can offer me some advice. I was banded on May 1st, 3.5 weeks ago and have been doing great! My only concern has been my port incision which is also my largest incision. It has taken the longes to close and it has been red around the incision site since my surgery. Although red, I have not had any pain or swelling. Today, the area was itchy and after I scratched a bit, I notice part of the incision had opened up and puss was draining out. Sorry to be explicit, but, I probably got about 1/2 to 3/4 of a tea spoon of puss mixed with blood out of the area. My doctor is not on call this weekend so I spoke with the other surgeon in his office. She told me that draining it was the most important thing and that I should put warm compresses and hydrogen peroxide on it for a couple of days and the redness should start to go away. She told me to call her if the site looks worse or if I get a fever. What I want to know is if I shoud be on antibiotics? She doesn't do Lap Band surgery and I don't remember if I mentioned that it is my port incision that is involved. I don't want to make things worse if my port is at risk of becoming or already is infected. My gut instinct tells me this is more of a superficial infection that is at the site of the incision and just underneath. Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Andrea, Welcome to LBT! This is a great place to get answers. You should post an intro in the "May 2006 Band Crew" thread. There are almost 100 of us May Bandsters now. It's a good forum to meet people who are going through a similiar experience at the same time and compare notes. Again, welcome!

Thanks Geezer and Donna, I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place because it is a holiday weekend and I spoke to the only on call doc already. It's the next morning now and I had some drainage last night. I am using the hydrogen peroxide as directed and I still have no pain or swelling and the area is not hot to the touch. I think I'll see how it goes today and if I get really concerned, I'll go to an urgent care later. I might pay a visit to a pediatrition who lives down the street as well. She is usually pretty helpful.

Hi Patty, I already posted a welcome to you and I didn't see the post where you said your port incision is infected. I discovered the same problem just today. What kind of antibiotics did your doc put you on? My band doc is not available over the holiday weekend and the oncall doc told me to put hot compresses and hydrogen peroxide on it and call her if it gets worse. I would rather be on antibiotics to be safe, but, like I said, I can't reach my own doctor. Anyway, there is a pedetriation that lives down the street who I think will write me a prescription so I'm curious what you are taking. Thanks.

Hi Biker Grammy, I'm from Idaho so I don't know if there is a support group that meets in your area, but I'm willing to bet there is. There are a lot of Texas bandsters here at LBT. I was banded on May 1st and I there is a "May 2006 Band Crew" thread that is great. There are almost 100 of us now that have been are will be banded this month. Anyway, it's a great thread to compare notes with others who are going through banding at the same time as you. Hang in there till he mush stage. It requires some chewing and is definately more filling than liquids!

Hi Marci, Glad to hear you are doing so well. I have had the same problem with my pants. I got so tired of my crotch hanging down to my knees that I came up with a solution. I have threaded elastic through most of my pants. I then can just tie the elastic tighter as they get loose. It beats having to buy a whole new wardrobe for the summer. My husband just shakes his head and laughs when he sees me pull out the scissors, safety pin and elastic. I am way to thrifty for my own good sometimes, but, I like my summer clothes and I don't want to spend money on clothes that I will only wear one season. When I hit -50, I will Celebrate with a new bra and outfit! I might not make it to -50 for the bra. The "girls" just aren't what they used to be :grouphug:. That's actually a good thing! Anyway, I was glad to hear good things from another early May bandster.

Hi Angie, Welcome to LBT. Where are you from? Somewhere in the Northwest I assume. I'm a pretty new bandster (May 1), but I have found so much support and friendship on this board. I think your weight loss is great. Without the band it could have gone the other direction. Some people just lose more slowly. I think any loss is a huge success. Keep up the great work!

Thanks Penni, By the way, I think you pictures look great. I know you have struggled since losing your band, but you courage and your choice to continue fighting the battle have really encouraged me! I had a fewof systemic bacterial infections when I was pregnant and had to have a picc line in for several months. I know the symptoms and at the first sign I will definately be on the phone with the doc. to get antibiotics. I never want to experience that again!

Hi Patty, Welcome to LBT! I was banded on May 1st. You shoud post an intro on the "May 2006 Band Crew" thread. There are quite a lot of us and it has been great to interact with people who are going through all this at the same time. Hope to see you there!