Elisabethsew

Stay on liquids but make sure you get in 60 grams of protein a day... protein shakes. After a night like you had, I would do ONLY liquids for at least 2 days before trying soft foods. Lastly, get some over the counter Pepcid for the heartburn and ask your MD for a prescription for an acid blocker. I'm an RN, the dose of Pepcid we use is 20 mg twice a day. I'm not sure if the over the counter stuff is 10 or 20 mg but you need the 20 mg. Try a warm cup of tea before you go to bed.

Mine is about 4" below the bra line on the left side and doesn't give me a problem.

I drink with my meals and the surgeon said that's fine. I don't find not drinking helps to keep me "full" any longer than if I do so what's the point? Different people have different experiences with the band and I think we all find what works "best" for us as we experiment.

I'm sorry you had to have the band removed but it's good to hear you're on the mend and so positive.

I'm glad to hear you're doing well. Make sure you get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

After the first 2 weeks when the swelling went down I could feel the port and I don't know anyone who can't feel theirs. Because the fat is dependent and the muscle is stable, when you lie down the port is more pronounced.

Obesity is a physical handicap that we carry with us everyday. In public, you never know what kind of nasty comments you'll hear. In fact, I think this is the greatest prejudice of all. If you see a person in a wheelchair, you don't go up to that person and say, "How long have you been cripple?" If we see a blind person with a cane or seeing eye dog would we ever think of screaming out, "Can you see ANYTHING or are you TOTALLY blind?" Sadly, it's not the same with obesity. It's a turn off for many people and they feel obligated to express that. I feel sorry for them but it does nothing to lessen the pain. It's best to educate children, try and ignore insensitive/cruel people, and hold you head high and move forward. We know we're special and have a lot to offer... even if others can't see past the obvious.

You look WONDERFUL! Congratulations on the pregnancy!

Unfortunately, there is not one right answer for your question. I believe I have proper restriction now. I have no problems getting liquids down so no, I don't feel a trickle. You're supposed to be able to get hard protein (beef, chicken, fish, pork, etc) down by cutting it into small pieces and chewing it thoroughly. If you can eat a hamburger, that's fine. But, how long does it take? Do you have to take baby bites? Are you full afterwards? If you can take big bites and not chew much and get it down with no pain, you likely need a little more fill.

I am a critical care RN. Have you determined if the bleeding is rectal or is it a heavy period? If you're bleeding from the rectum, you need to go to the ER ASAP. It's not from an ulcer. You said it's bright red, if it were from an ulcer, it would be like coffee-grounds. So, you either have a bleeding hemmoroid or something more serious. GO TO THE ER NOW! Let us know how you are after the ER visit.

Breakfast - 4 oz lite ricotta cheese and coffee Lunch - salad with tuna or turkey or 1 cup of cereal with 4 oz skim milk Dinner - 5-6 ounces of chicken or fish, 1/2 cup of steamed veggies, 1/2 cup of rice. Snacks - 100 calorie packs of pretzels, chips, etc. or 100 cal or dark choc. or 60 cal pudding or 80 cal fudge bar. Water, water, water throughout the day.

In the U.S. we now have ways of preventing this. Also, there is usually a divider up on the OR table that separates the surgical site from the upper part of your body. Did you have general anesthesia? Where did you have it done?

I find it was a lot less after I was completely healed... give it 6 weeks.

Start by making a food diary and try and exercise in the evening after your mother comes home. Go out walking. She'll see you exercising and it will give you time to be alone. If you don't lose weight after making the food diary, print out the diary and go to a dietician so he/she can make suggestions. Can you take some summer classes or get a job or volunteer to be out of the house more?

Best of luck for a smooth surgery and a quick recovery.

To "work the band" optimally, you should have hard protein for your "main meal" of the day. This includes beef, pork, fish, chicken, soy, etc.). You need to cut the protein into SMALL pieces, THOROUGHLY chew each piece, and eat 4-6 ounces. I was told to eat all the protein first, then the veggies and then the starch. Often, I can get in the protein, about half the veggies and just a few tastes of the starch. When people are too restricted, they go to "softer" foods and avoid hard proteins because they can get these foods PAST the band. Often, this can result in weight GAIN not to mention damage to the esophagus, etc. if left too tight for too long. I will sometimes have spaghetti with a meatball and that's fine. We're supposed to eat like "normal" people. I typically have 4 oz of lite ricotta cheeses, coffee and vitamins for breakfast, cereal or a salad with some turkey or tuna for lunch and a balanced dinner (fish, steamed green beans, rice for example). I buy 100 calorie pack snacks and 60 calories puddings and 80 calorie fudge pops for treats. I hope that helps.

Congratulations on having the surgery and for sharing the picture of that beautiful grandchild... a wonderful payoff!

I started at 314 and weighed in yesterday at 304 so that's 10 pounds. My personal goal is to get out of the 3's and into the 2's.

"Cleanses" are NOT necessary and you should be very careful with experimenting with them because they could alter the electrolyte balance in your body and land you in the hospital. As an RN, I know firsthand the damage some of these "cleanses" can do and more teens are doing them for a "fast weight loss."

Chicken, bread, some fish dishes, etc. all give me trouble going down but salads go down well and pose no problems... thank God! LOL. I love salads and would hate to give them up.

If you're weak and starving, you need to call your surgeon or his/her dietician. You are NOT taking in enough water and the protein level is low. They will clarify your questions and likely advance your diet. Make the call.

Welcome and congratulations on being banded. You'll find a lot of good info. here. Jump in and ask questions as they arise.

I really don't find myself craving food but, if I had to choose between the two listed, it would be the salty/crunchy.

Welcome and congratulations. It takes a full 6 weeks to recover completely from the surgery so don't push yourself. Follow the MD's diet instructions, stay hydrated, stay away from processed foods and get plenty of rest. Also, gradually increase your exercise.

My meals are challenging because I work 12 hour night shifts. Therefore, on days off, I live like a "normal" person and on nights I work, I have to "alter" the meals. I do this by taking one measure cup of cereal to work and have it at 3 AM with some skim milk. That a 2 cups of coffee during the shift keeps me from starving.