HOWLUCKYAMI

You've lost 17 lbs since surgery? That's fantastic! My doctor told me that I shouldn't worry about losing during this stage. Many people don't. Your body needs to heal and weight loss is secondary. He said the real weight loss will come when you start getting fills and eat solid food. I wouldn't worry a bit about it. And if you've lost 17 pounds since surgery you are doing incredible!!!

Wow Bill! You're doing fantastic! Congratulations! I was banded on the 16th. Still on mushies until the 12th, but I'm able to do eggs, chicken and the like, as long as it's pureed. Looking forward to more solid food, but for now I'm fine with what I'm doing. Just wanted to give you kudos and keep up the great work!

I just wanted to turn you all on to a thread I found that has been really helpful and inspiring for me. In case the link doesn't work you can search for it by "I'm here to help." It's a great thread with experienced bandsters who are informative and so incredibly helpful. Everyone who has a chance should really check it out and feel free to ask questions of the folks who have been there/done that. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f260/im-here-help-64725/index119.html

One more thing...if you're not on mushies yet then drinking while you "eat" (you're probably just doing Jello, broth, etc.) shouldn't be a concern. If you're on the liquid stage, everything you eat is liquid anyway. My doctor indicates that I can drink immediately following meals on the "mushy" stage, but once I move onto solid food I have to be aware of not drinking during, and one hour after, any meals.

Als...when were you banded? If you're not on mushies yet, I'm assuming it wasn't long ago. Are you sipping on Protein shakes throughout the day? If not, and your doctor hasn't told you otherwise, try doing so. The protein shakes really kept me filled up. I liked ready-to-drink Myoplex Original the best. 42 grams of protein in one shake and I could sip on it all day long. I'd do 1 1/2 to 2 of those a day and I got in my required protein no problem. They are very filling! Also, I was very tired from lack of calories, too. That's not unusual. You're supposed to be tired...remember this is the phase that your body is healing in. Just take it as easy as you can. Resting, walking, and protein intake are the most important to focus on at this point.

Hi Style...I was banded on the 16th. Didn't start feeling hungry until I started on pureed foods on the 29th. The first two weeks I got very full on the Protein drinks. I've found that cottage cheese and refried Beans w/cheese are very filling during the mushy stage of eating. As is egg and tuna salad. I also drink Kellogg's protein Water between meals along with Protein shakes. That helps to take the edge off for me.

Hi Jayne! Sorry to hear about the pain you're having. I found that when I had the shoulder pain that it really helped to walk. From what I understand, the pain you are feeling is related to gas and that walking is the best way to get rid of the gas. I'm virtually gas-free now and I walked a good deal. You may not feel like walking with all the gas, but give it a try. You might be surprised. Hi Krisann..I'm a 12/16 bander as well. Good to meet you! Good luck at your post-op appointment. I had what you're feeling as well and like I mentioned to Jayne, walking seemed to take care of it. It doesn't have to be a fast pace, rather slow and steady. If you haven't tried a good amount of walking, I'd say go for it. It truly did help me. As well, and it probably goes without saying, be sure to mention it at your appointment tomorrow. Best of luck to you!

Poodles...try to relax if you can. I had a hard time with the anesthesia and the meds they gave me really made the nausea tolerable. Don't be afraid to speak up if you wake up feeling bad...that's what they are there for...to take care of you. I was banded on 12/16/08 and I'm back to work full-time and feeling great! I've lost 13 pounds since surgery and am so happy that I did this! I finally feel like I have control. I wish you the best of luck! The first couple weeks aren't easy, but they aren't as bad as you might think. The human body is an amazing thing and you'll recover before you know it! Just take it slow, follow your surgeons instructions, and wake up each day knowing that you're starting the next phase of your life! Oh...walk, walk, walk. It really does help with the gas and the recovery as a whole. Blessings!

Hi! I was also banded on the 16th. Everyone has said it, but I'll reiterate...walk, walk, walk. I got out of the house my 4th & 5th days post-op and went shopping. I could take it at a slow pace, sit down when needed, and I know it helped. Now that I'm 6 days post-op, I can truly say that walking will help most with the gas. We stayed home most of today and I didn't get in the walking that I had on day 4 & 5. I had a good amount of gas mid-day so I got on the treadmill and walked at 2 mph for ten minutes. Nothing vigorous. By the time I was done the gas had calmed substantially. I'd also suggest you get started on those Protein shakes. I have to say that I like the ready-made ones the best, plus you can drink them right out of the can. Sip...sip...sip. It takes a LONG time to finish one, but you've got to get it in. Hang in there! From what I read and those I have talked with, this is going to be the best Christmas present ever!

I've had the gas pain, rumbling stomach, shoulder pain, and loose stools as well. Nothing that would keep me down, but definitely experiencing the same. As well, my port site has a small layer of blood under the paper, so I would guess that's relatively normal. I'm 4 days post op and getting in my liquids fine. Today I have experienced being short of breath...or rather I feel as though I can't take in a deep breath. Is this what being tight feels like??? Fortunately I am not physically hungry at all, but have had the occasional head hunger (which subsides almost immediately). It has been quite an experience to not be able to reach for food. I always knew that I was a "tester" when I cooked, but never realized how prominently different life would be not being able to do so. All in all, I'm very happy to have done this. I'm down 4 pounds in as many days and almost 20 overall. It's been years since I was able to lose 20 pounds!

The first two days I was religious about taking in 1 ounce every 15 minutes. As you might imagine I spent a great deal of time measuring, sipping and logging. Today I decided to "live on the edge" a little bit. Instead of measuring every sip, I measured my protein intake and just sipped other liquids throughout the day.

Hi Mair! Sorry to hear you're not on the protein drinks yet. I'm surprised, as I was told to start them right away upon discharge. They really help to keep that full feeling and I feel like they give me energy to get up and around. Are you doing broth yet? I have found broth especially comforting, especially with the cold weather. Best of luck to you!

I was banded n the 16th. Stayed overnight and in the hospital until 2 p.m. the next day. I was pretty much couch-bound on the 17th. Yesterday, the 18th, we went to the mall and walked for a couple of hours. I felt much better after doing so. Rested a while after and was up and around relatively normally thereafter. Today I woke up after a very good night's sleep. I was a bit light-headed which I attribute to taking pain med prior to bed. Shook it off with a shower and some protein shake. Then off to the mall again for another 2 hour trip. Came home and have been resting on the couch again. Will probably get up now and wrap some presents and just hang out. All in all I feel tremendously better each day! I am truly amazed by how quickly our bodies recover! Best of luck to you!

I came home from the hospital yesterday. Things are going well. Pain is manageable, but I'm pretty sore. Got up and around and that REALLY helped get rid of some of the gas pains. The amazing part is that I am not hungry at all! With the swelling and constant liquids I have zero appetite. All in all it wasn't too bad. I'm still happy to have made the decision to be banded!

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to thank you all for sharing your experiences with us. I'm being banded tomorrow and I know that hearing all your positive stories have helped to ease my anxiety about the procedure. I'm really not terribly nervous, just excited and ready to get on with my new life! Hope you all have continued success and I'll look forward to getting home and getting online to read more! Take care and God bless you all!

I had an an EKG and echo as well.

Hi Mair...I'm guessing that's a twist on Mary? I have a favorite cousin named Mary and I always refer to her as "Mair." I'm so happy for you that you fought the system and won! Congratulations! You're almost there! I was fortunate not to have to do a pre-op diet...just had to lose 10% of my EBW (10 lbs) and I've done that. I've been moderately enjoying some yummy "last meals" while exercising more so I get the best of both worlds. I wanted to have a bit of wiggle room so I'm down 13 pounds, but also wanted to indulge a bit before surgery during the holidays. Thanksgiving was great and I have no qualms about missing Christmas dinner this year! They'll be many more (and happier) Christmas' to come! Best of luck to you come Tuesday. I'll say a prayer for the both of us! Hi Peaches...you're the day after me. I'm very excited as well! How long is your pre-op diet? Mine is two days Clear liquids. I'm not thrilled about the prospect, but I'm not dreading it either. And I have found that with each passing day my nerves are keeping me from having that "gotta eat it" feeling. I suspect that the two days prior to surgery will be anxious enough to curb my appetite. Do you suspect the same with you? Loved the visual I got of imaging your family as food! Reminds me of Alex the Lion in Madagascar when he imagined all the animals as steaks! Good luck to you!

Hi Mair, I'm also the 16th can can hardly wait! It's so exciting and just around the corner. I'm one of the fortunate ones in that I only have a 2 day liquid diet. How about you? I'm in CA, how about you?

Good Luck, GiJane! You're going to do great. Keep remembering why you wanted this bad enough to go through everything you did to get here. We're all with you and sending positive thoughts your way!

Candy...congratulations on getting your date! It's a pretty incredible feeling to know that it's actually going to happen! I just did my pre-op yesterday and my pre-admission work today. I'm banded the day before you...I'll look back a few days after and hope to see you're doing well with it! urbangrl...best of luck to you tomorrow! I just said a prayer for you and will look forward to reading about how you are doing in the next few days.

Hi jbyrd...looks like you and I have a couple things in common! My surgery is also on the 16th and we weigh within a couple pounds of each other with a very similar goal. Just wanted to wish you best of luck!

Hey...congratulations! It sounds like you're doing fantastic! Your progress is so very encouraging and inspiring. Keep sending the updates our way! My surgery is scheduled for the 16th and I'm really looking forward to being able to be off work and at the mall the week before Christmas doing my walking. I'm hoping that I'll find some great last minute deals that were I working I might have missed out on.

This is some really great information! I'm definitely going to take your advice about drinking as much as possible prior to midnight. I am a huge water drinker and that's the part that concerns me most...having to go so long without being able to drink anything. Thanks for the good advice. As for the rest of you who have been recently banded, I'd love to hear any other tips you have to make the process a little easier. I'm being banded on the 16th and will take any words of wisdom I can get!

Trina, Congratulations on your surgery! It sounds like you're doing wonderful! I'm two weeks out from my banding, and hope it to be half as easy as yours sounds. My doctor doesn't require a pre-op diet...just a light meal the night before and nothing after midnight. I'm going to do two days of liquids before just as a precaution and to get my mind geared up for two weeks of liquids. Keep updating us on your progress... Emily

Hi TQUAD64...I've been thinking about you and wondering how it's going with you? How's band-life treating you?