kimmyv

Miralax is a lifesaver.....

I drink warm tea with lemon ALL DAY..... I started it right after my surgery and have continued to do it to help from my stomach from feeling empty and hungry. When I drink really cold anything it make me feel more hungry for some reason. Also--I feel full longer when I drink a low carb Protein shake (i drink myoplex low carb-23g protein in one) vs Carnation and take like 30 minutes+ to drink it. Really little sips at a time. You will only start to get more hungry- Progressive with each week until you get filled. It is trial and error to see what foods stay with you and which ones make you hungry faster. Mashed potatoes and mac/cheese did not stay with me. I believe you are beginning what is called "bandster hell"--it's the time after surgery when you have no restriction and lots of hunger. I just had my first fill yesterday and THANK GOODNESS. With the soft foods--- Eggs!! FOr me-- nothing better than 1 egg w/yougurt or 2 eggs only in the morning. As of right now I don't have issues with tightness in the morning. Keeps me full and I don't eat till I am really hungry. Just drink away my tea. And I even did 1 eggs with a little mushy corned beef hash for dinner one night. I am limited to 4oz cooked food per meal and even on soft foods stage I measure every meal on my digital scale. No snacking-- Personally--when I have snacked in between meals it made the hunger worse. I had to really train my body and mind to get into this. My 2nd week was 2 Protein shakes a day and then yogurt or Soup for the 3rd meal. So I would do Protein Shake for breakfast, soup (tomato or brocc/chz) and shake for dinner. Same on mushie too. Hope it helps! Good luck- Hang in there and drink (water, warm tea, propel etc) thru the hunger!!

What about asking your doctor about taking actual Iron supplements vs a general vitamen with addl iron in it...... I was fortunate-I was ok when my blood work was done right before surgery but it was luck of the draw for me. When I get really anemic (and I can tell even without bloodwork-I am sure you can too) I have to take the little iron pills (from CVS/Walgreens) 3x a day to get my levels back up. That is triple the dose on the bottle but that is what my pcp told me to take. It isn't enough sometimes for me to just take my regular vitamen plus iron (post band I take Flinstones chewables with iron) and eat protein/iron rich food. I think the reason your doc asked about your periods (they asked me too due to the anemia) is to see if you're bleeding more than normal AND anemic or just anemic..... I don't really have issues with bleeding so my doctor said he wasn't concerned.

I got banded just 4 days after you and lost 10lbs right way but (and I haven't updated) I gained 3lbs the last 2 weeks since starting solids. But- I am very happy to have lost what I have. And the wierd thing is that my clothes are more loose but the scale hasn't moved. I HAVE to stop weighing myself everyday because it is driving me nuts. For me at least-- I know that I will lose slower because I am a lower bmi and have less to lose. My doc told me to hang in there and make sure I really get in the exersize and stick to 4oz a meal 3x a day. I am not going to lose as fast b/c I don't have as much to lose as some other people. Hang in there!! It will kick in-- This is a journey not a race!

Jessica--- Please don't give up! I hear you on the personal trainer thing and all the diets... Have you applied for any outside financing for the 3k? Capital One does medical financing.... Also Care Credit. You're not asking for the full amount etc so I wonder if you'd qualify. Does your doctor offer any in house financing? Typically a 3k revolving payment is going to be around $90. Is that something you could budget for? What about talking to the docs and or nurses in your new clinic to see if they have any connections to other docs that do the lap band and would be willing to work with you with the out of pocket stuff? I understand though if it is not somehting you don't want to bring up with new co workers. From docs that I know they do want to help though..... Just some suggestions. Keep fighting for you-- you are worth it.

Hey! I was banded on 9/15- I am 1 month into this journey and I can tell you... It is a roller coaster! Each week is different as you progress from your surgery. I thought I was prepared. Nope. I grieved the loss of the way things used to be- I celebrated the way they are going to be. And then the hunger came back and I freaked that nothing had changed. I got my first fill today and I am so glad. What you have gone thru and about to go thru will prepare you and START to train you about hunger, recognizing cravings and control etc. All the other diets etc are out the window. Take each day at a time. You are 1 week out.... The hardest week EVER. I couldn't eat pureed or mushies till week 3....You're lucky with that (every doc is different). For me-- withdrawals from everything--sugar, carbs, solids, fats, etc etc those weeks was really hard. I just wanted solid meat or bread. What are you having doubts/regrets about?

Hey--- I felt great at like day 4-5 and then boom...random piercing pains in my abs/side... and shoulder too. I took half doses of my pain med during the day (i was back at work) and a whole dose to sleep. Usually more of the pains in the morning after I was laying down all night. Honestly- they went away after the 2nd week... I really think that it was gas pains and just the healing of all the tissues. While the incisions are locations I am sure there was more that went on in there than just those spots. And headaches too-- but I attributed that to caffenine withdrawel and the fact that I couldn't even think about coffee with out wanting to puke after surgery. Never hurts to call your doc if your scared though....

Welcome!! I had my surgery on 9/15... This is a great site!! Good Luck fellow Bandster! When is you first fill? Mine is tomorrow and I can't wait! ' Yippee for u!

I lost 10lbs but am up 2lbs now---Surgery was 9/15. But I am on solid food now and am trying to keep things on track so I don't gain anymore. My first fill is tomorrow and I am totally ready for it!!! Time for some serious exersize too! But I am a low bmi'r and am not anticipating (or getting my hopes up) for huge losses at one time.....

No worries-- I really didn't think that you didn't want this. Sometimes this whole email thing doesn't really express our personalities well enough. This is a really big thing for all of us... And I cannot even imagine having it drag on for months only to be let down and given the run around. It's totally stressfull, exciting, nerve racking etc etc..... Keep strong and stay the course-- you'll soon be a band sister!!! It's storming like crazy at my house-- I am logging off before my house gets hit by lightning.... Have a wonderfull night-- tomorrow is another day!

I wasn't assuming that at all actually... And I completely understand your feelings about paying for insurance--Believe me. I've been paying for insurance too. And they told me to take a hike. I guess what I was trying to say was that if it was a doctor that didn't waste your time or that maybe treated you better etc then the fee that insurance didn't cover wouldn't seem like such a rip off or something. From what I gather from this site alot of docs have separate fees that insurance doesn't cover. Please don't get me wrong---I was NOT saying you didn't really want this. If you didn't want this you wouldn't have even gone to a seminar-- or gone thru all the other stuff to get to the point of surgery.

Hi! I am in Melbourne and was banded by Dr Fusco too.... 9/15--- He is AWESOME and so is his whole staff. I have my first fill on Wednesday...... Honestly- there are going to be some things that insurance won't pay for. I couldn't get my insurance to pay anything and did self pay--- I refused to go another year and gain another pound, and I have been lucky so far with no co-mobidities--but it is only a matter of time. "Shop" around and find a surgeon and program you are comfortable with. If there are extra costs then it will come down to a choice for you. I have a feeling if you find the right doctor and get more comfortable with your choice the cost will seem a little less...... Good luck on your journey!!! Slimteacherin08--HI fellow Fusco lifeshaper!!!

I had my surgery at 9am at a surgery center and was home by about 2pm.... (i was a little doped up so I may be off an hour or so). But--- I am not on any meds, have really no issues that warranted me being in a hospital (heart, lung blood pressure etc). I didn't feel any risk with coming home to recoup and was SO happy to be in my own jammie pants with my own couch and bathroom. I could not WAIT to get out of there. But it is about what you and your doc are comfortable with and your personal feelings and medical situation. If your doc thought for a minute you needed to stay he will have you stay. I made sure to drink alot of liquids, do my breathing with that thing, and I took my pain meds every 4-5 hours and slept.....

Oh.... I forgot-- the gas pains. Everyone is different with if the get them or have them. For me-- wowza. But it goes away. Don't worry.

I didn't have to stay overnight-- but I will say I am glad I had a variety of things to drink.....I got a bunch of kinds of Gatorade and apple juice, lemon for my Water and warm tea..... and popsicles. And Jello. I also had a really bad taste in my mouth so the popsicles were crucial for me. Also--really comfy pants to put on when you go home and a shirt that is dark so you don't have to attempt the bra. I found that it really helped me to use an 8-10oz glass and MADE myself drink at least 1 every hour that I was awake. Sipping and sipping and sipping..... But I told my fiance not to get me anything-if I wanted it I had to get up and walk and get it. That way I was forced to walk around. Every 15-30 min I would try to do the breathing machine thing (which totally blows but actually really helps). Take your pain meds and sleep. CONGRATS!

OMG--- I did the same thing as you and broke down. Ok... the pain meds didn't help the situation at all (not exactly in the right frame of mind to see the scale go up like 8 lbs). I refused to weigh myself for like 4 days and voila! I was down all that post surgery "weight" plus another 2 lbs. I am now holding steady and haven't lost any more but I have my first fill in like 5 days-- And that can't come quick enough for me. Take a shower-- sip your broth and look foward to the day you are done with jello forever....

Call your doctor immediately..... It is NOT good for you to be throwing up-- both for your band and for dehydration. Are you feeling sick after you take pain meds? Sometimes they can make some people really sick to their stomach.

Also-- we "midwest" gals need to stick together-- I grew up in Iowa--maybe it's all the steak and pork chops I ate!! :biggrin:

Hey Chickie! I did the same thing... I got banded a week before you *(and I am self pay too) but on 2nd to last day of mushies-- I did WAY more than just 10 chips. I had soft tacos for lunch and a cheeseburger from McD's for dinner. Totally caved to old habits and came in here to confess. My post was "confessing, moving forward" in a General Surgery or General Discussion. I got some REALLY honest and helpful feedback. I know EXACTLY how you feel but we need to make sure to be realistic. We're not all banded because we're cool with food. ANd this is a total learning process. I can tell you this--- I will probably NEVER eat those things again because the after effects were not good. I felt really sick and had some issues the next day too.. little loose. I know that I will never be a total angel all the time and for me-- I never did great with super strict diets-most people don't. We're just starting our journey of using this band to help us. Move onward and forward. I cannot WAIT for my fill next week because I am now on solids (4oz at atime) and am getting the appetite back big time. KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT!!! Rock that band baby.

I have a BMI of 35 and my doc told me not to expect to lose fast.... I am 5'3 (just a little taller). I have only lost 10 lbs but I really feel like it is a real 10 pounds and just a beginning. I am going to begin an at home pilates program this week-- body resistance vs strength or weight training. I have done strength/cardio training but based on my results (yeah- lost nothing) I have a feeling that I will do better with a resistance (pilates) and cardio work out vs weight training. I am going to see how it goes... Also-- I think Luluc is right on--- you may just need to boost your calories or intake to speed things up for the work outs you are doing. Takes energy to burn energy.....

I haven't had my first fill yet either and am now feeling the hungries as well.... the "appetite" is back. I cannot wait to get REAL restriction-- next week! I know EXACTLY how you feel-- I am SO scared about falling into that abyss of eating because we just went thru weeks of liquids and pain and all that jazz--But you still lost 21 lbs-- I keep going up and down each day (yes-- I shouldn't be weighing every day but i am so excited and can't help myself). Think about it-- Any other diet we've ever been on--if some one said you could drop 21 pounds as quick as you have-- You KNOW you would have done it in a heart beat. This is a head start and you're beating me! I am not hungry between meals either but the 4oz I am on is not "filling" me up right now--- It's a learning process. I drink hot tea to get me through it.... KEEP ROCKIN~!

Congrats! The 1st 2 days are the WORST. At least for me anyway...The gas and the cotton mouth and the sick feeling from the anesthia/pain meds. I wasn't stuffy but feeling sick--it came in waves. Personally, I had better luck with warm tea w/lemon and apple juice rather than water or anything super sweet. EVen unsweet tea with lemon as well-- But I HATE sweet tea sooooo. Better safe than sorry---never hurts to make a call. Also-for me at least- Take the pain meds and sleep. And a shower on like day 2 or 3 is the best thing EVER.

You all are so AWESOME!! I guess I was confessing not staying on "plan" by making healthy choices and got that self sabatoge feeling that I am sure we have all felt on the many diets that we've tried. I can say though---I felt so sick and the next day was not pretty either--It is a good way to move towards healthier choices or healthier versions at least. And I won't beat myself up over the slip ups-- The major jist that I get is we need to keep our eye on the prize and keep moving forward--even if we stumble along the way. I just felt so guilty because I am a self pay and I really don't want to screw this up both for financial and health reasons. Thank you all for your persepctives-- It really helps alot! chicamam1-- We have the same surgery date and I haven't really been that hungry either. 4-6oz really fills me up. We're both learning about this band- I am sure that we will both feel differently after we get our fills. Mine is next week and I cannot wait! LET'S ROCK THIS BAND!

I am a newbie and found out today the hard way that I can NOT handle processed food. I haven't had my first fill and am starting to experience hunger and cravings now. But..... I think the answer may be in your own post. Learning what fills us up and keeps us full is what this journey is all about. If we were all cool with food we wouldn't be in the situation we are. And-if you didn't have the band would you have lost the weight you have? So this is what I am thinking. Dinty Moore stew is delicious but really mushy for the most part. Plus- it is processed to all heck. A sandwich however--even if you are eating white bread and mayo and cheese etc---has a lot more substance and would expand and fill you faster. What are some other things that really make you feel full quickly and also taste good and are good for you too? What about grilled chicken salad or grilled chicken sandwhich with only 1 piece of bread but with cucumbers and lettuce, bean sprouts etc... What ever you can eat like that with your band.. I know everyone is different with what they can eat. Just NOTHING processed or mushy. Commit to an organic, unprocessed food and I bet you'll find alot more stuff that you can't eat a can of. Do you weigh/measure your food? How about a journal and also log how you felt when you ate them? Full vs not full etc. I know the biggest thing my nutrionist and doc said was Protein and drinking tons of water/calorie free liquid through out the day. Also- are you working out? In order for me to work out I have to be forced. So I signed up for a 5k run/walk for a charity today. If I don't work out and do the run (ok jog) then I am not helping out some really needy children. Girl-- you can do this..... What about a different doc? If you don't like him or click it is important to have good communication to get you to that sweet spot.