mmesmama

I was banded on May 19th and have eaten Enchiladas. It sounds like your problem had nothing to do with sliming or PB'ing, but that you had Diarrhea. Maybe I misunderstood. It sounds like it didn't have anything at all to do with your band, but rather after eating such a limited diet, the richness of the dish didn't agree with your system.

My doctor recommended taking Milk of Magnesia to help with constipation. I had to take it post-op and it helped in a few hours. I have since added in fiber to stay regular.

The restriction you likely felt post op was swelling. Some people say they feel restriction after the first fill, others do not and it takes several more fills to feel restriction (the sweet spot). I'm in similar shoes, I am 26 days post op, could eat anything I want, but am not scheduled for a fill until June 30th. Ask your physician how aggressive they are with their fill schedule and how can soon you can come back for another fill if you don't get proper restriction the first time. This is what they call Bandster Hell....welcome.

After having a horrible time choking down what seemed to be every Protein shake known to man and having them all taste like...blech! I've found nectar to be the best tasting. The Cherry and Roadside Lemonade are the best flavors. I order them online (Amazon). The ready made EAS low carb shakes are good in a pinch, and sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast ready made drinks aren't bad, but are fair for protein. The best bars I've tried are the Pure Protein bars - they are 20 grams of protein. They actually taste a little rich, but they are very filling. I hate their shakes though....blech! I hear the Snickers lo-carb bars are good, but I haven't been able to find them locally and haven't wanted to commit to spending a bunch on a box without trying them first.

Time and movement. It stinks, but it's really all that works. The nurse at my pre-op education class said you can take all the anti-gas meds in the world but it isn't going to help gas in the abdominal cavity - which is what they use during surgery. You just have to wait (and burp and toot) and walk to get it moving outward.

I went to my DH's college graduation 3 days post op. It was fine. There were 650 graduates so the ceremony was long and I was sitting on bleachers. I didn't feel nearly as bad as I thought I might. As far as food is concerned, you will probably be on full liquids at that time. Plan ahead and pack a small cooler full of your favorite liquids and shakes. Will you be outside the whole time or will there be places indoors to sit comfortably? Will you have access to a microwave to heat up Soup? Do members of your family know about the surgery? You won't be able to eat the food there, or participate in a bunch of games and activities, but you can still go and visit with relatives. I wouldn't reschedule.

I'm 19 days out and my doctor prefers that we stick to 2oz of food at at time - essentially it equates to a shot glass full (egg beaters, tuna, beans, cottage cheese etc). It seems every doctor is different, but a whole can seems excessive to me. Especially since I'm in the same stage and am eating much less than that, I physically could eat it I think but it's against my doctors recommendations.

I'm glad to have found this thread. I was banded on 5/19/10 and am 19 days out from surgery. I had this pain for the first 3 or 4 days after surgery and then it went away but in the last 3 days it has returned. It's been frustrating and I was fearful that I had done something wrong. I called the nurse today and she didn't have an answer for me, but the doctor is calling me tomorrow. I hope this isn't chronic/long term pain - I don't know if I could deal with that. In the short term I'm eating my mushies very slowly and taking GasX.

Hi Everyone! I was banded on May 19th and am doing really well. I have lost 19.7 lbs since my pre-op appointment. The surgery went very well and the recovery process was pretty easy. As a SAHM, I took advantage of the time and process to rest a lot. The past two days I have had a reoccurance of pain in my shoulder but other than that things are well. I'm trying to be careful with foods, but that has been the biggest challenge of course - I feel like I could eat anything and everything. Hummus has been my favorite food so far!! I think I could eat the entire container. My first fill is June 30th. Good luck to everyone.

I was banded on May 19th and I feel completely back to normal. I have minimal pain at my port site and really only feel it when I'm trying to get comfortable at night. In the past two days I have had a small reoccurance of pain in my shoulder. I'm back to normal activities with the exception of watching what I lift.

I told my husband, my mother, and two friends. That's all. One friend is already acting differently and keeps telling me that we can't be friends if I get skinny. It's funny to me and she's says it in a sort of joking, but not joking manner...if that makes sense. I'm only two weeks post-op but she only calls to see how much weight I've lost - not how I'm feeling or anything else. *shrug* I guess as with every phase in life (marriage, babies etc.) you learn who your friends are and who aren't - sometimes you have to purge. We'll see how this goes - but I'm definitely not putting the surgery on blast.

Ok, pathetic choice of a game....but I need some suggestions! What are/were your favorite mushies? I'm just about "souped" out...egg beaters, fat free refried Beans, tuna and cottage cheese are on my list. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of shredded cheese to melt on top of the eggbeaters. I'm just starting the mushied phase and have 2+ weeks before I can progress to the next phase. So I need some choices. I'm still drinking Isopure drinks and Protein shakes too. What was a typical serving size for you? I'm two weeks post op and my nutritionist recommends only a medicine cup full of mushies at each meal, is that common? Thanks!

Hello everyone. I was banded on May 19th and everything seems to be going well. I'm sore with a little gas pain, but other than that doing well. I am staying hydrated without issue, but am not even close to meeting my Protein requirements. Is it impossible on clear/full liquids to get 90 grams of protein. I don't want to make any mistakes. My food items right now pretty much consist of broth, EAS shakes, popscicles, orange Protein Drink and lots of Water. All in all I'm getting about 1/3 of the amount of protein that my nutritionist said to work on. Any ideas or suggestions.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions - keep them coming...my list making is on over-drive!! Catherine - I LOVE your blog, I'm reading the entire thing!! The soup recipes are fantastic...I'm a total foodie and LOVE to cook (and eat clearly which is why I'm here)...the recipes you have posted are great! I'm getting more energized and excited now! Bring.It.On!! :thumbup:

What are the things you needed on surgery day and post-surgery to make your life easier and make you comfortable? I'm trying to prepare by freezing some broths/soups and was just wondering what else I should be putting in my aresenal to make sure everything goes as smoothly/comfortably/successfully as possible. Please include it all from your favorite cup to lip gloss, heating pad etc. :thumbup: Thank you guys so much!!

Thank you everyone for the advice. When I told my daughter about the surgery she was very concerned and suggested that we have a low key birthday at home on her actual birthday (the day after my surgery) and something more fun out on another day when grandma will be here (my mom is coming the week after surgery to lend a hand). I really love that kid. :thumbup: My husbands graduation obviously can't be rescheduled and I will have help that day with my In-Laws, and I SOO don't want to reschedule (and my husband doesn't want me too either), so I'm going to go for it and hope for the best. Worst case scenario is that I miss it - and my loving husband understands that it is a possibility. I'm sure i'll be around ALOT more asking tons of questions so thanks for all the advice and input!! :smile:

Hi everyone - I'm Amy and my surgery date is scheduled for May 19th, 2010. So excited and nervous all at the same time!!!

Hi! I'm new here - my name is Amy and I have just been approved by my insurance for banding and my date is set for May 19th. My question is - that is a pretty big week for us as far as activity. My daughter's 9th birthday is the 20th, and my husbands college graduation is the 22nd - which means my IL's will be in town. Will I be ok and able to attend graduation. DD's birthday will be dinner out and cake (which obviously I will not be partaking in, but I'd like to be present). It's a good time for us though because my husband typically travels for work and will be home on vacation. My mom will be here the following week to lend a hand if needed. Am I crazy to try to fit it all in? I've previously had 3 c/sections and a nasty hernia repair surgery so I'm no stranger to pain and post surgery discomfort - but I'm older now and a bit more nervous this time. :scared2: Thanks!!

I am going to be attending the educational seminar on October 22nd with Mid-Atlantic Weight Loss. I was so happy to find this thread. Please keep the stories coming - I'm anxious to get started and hear more!! ~Amy