anonemouse

While I'm thinking about it, which band did everyone get? I wound up with the smaller band, I think.

I'll have to that to my dad the next time he opens his mouth, the "I don't tell you what to eat or how to eat" part, anyway. Gotcha! I'll get that updated tomorrow! I'll put that down for your update! I forgot to email myself the spreadsheet before I came back up to Kentucky, so it's still on my parents' computer, but I'll update it when I get back tomorrow. I live in Richmond, which is about 20 minutes south of Lexington on I-75. Thanks! I'll update your entry tomorrow! I try to tell myself that he's just trying to look out for me, but it's hard. My parents took it upon themselves to inform every single person they know that I had surgery. Even the hairdresser knows, for Pete's sake. Everyone asks me how I'm doing, how much I've lost, and most irritatingly, asks me "Are you supposed to be eating that?". I'm about to scream.

It really is hard to believe that I'm banded. I had been trying and trying (without much success) to get the surgery approved since October, and it wound up happening so fast. I'm about ready to scream at my dad, though. He keeps asking if I should eat certain foods, telling me that I've had enough, etc. All the while, of course, he has a plate or glass of fattening, greasy, high calorie food in front of him. It's really starting to piss me off.

Well, I had my two-week post-op check up yesterday. The surgeon said everything looked good and that I was cleared to go swimming and to take sit-down baths, so that was great to hear. Lots of driving, though. My mom and I drove to Memphis on Tuesday, and drove back on Wednesday (about 6 hours one-way). I made the 3 1/2 hour drive up to my apartment in Kentucky today, since I hadn't been there in about 4 weeks, so that's where I'm at now. Tomorrow, I get to drive back, just in time to go on the family vacation.

I may or may not be around tomorrow morning, so here's the updated spreadsheet. <br /> <br /> I'm not going to be able to get online at all this coming Saturday, so I'll post this week's update on Friday. If you guys want your stats updated this week, I'll need your updates by Friday morning, so that I can post them. I will be going on vacation for a week on Saturday, so I won't be able to post the 7/28 update until the 29th or 30th at the earliest.

I was on mushy food before I left the hospital, so it won't hurt you. Do what your surgeon wants you to do, though, since that's always the best policy, especially if something should go wrong. You always want to be able to say, "I was following the doctor's orders."

My surgeon said that she usually give first fills at around 6 weeks post-op, but that she would probably do mine a little earlier, since I will be starting my classes again right around that time. Since it's a two day trip when I go to see her (since it's a 6 hour drive one-way, I usually drive down one day and drive back the next), she'll probably schedule my first fill during the second week of August or so.

I can vouch for the the fact that Lee's not a troll. He's a nice guy. We've got the same surgeon.

Hi guys! I never seem to have time to get online these days, and it's frustrating as anything, mostly because I always seem to have 20+ pages to read to catch up. Anyway, I'm coming up on 2 weeks post-op (as of tomorrow), and I feel WONDERFUL. I haven't had any pain at all for the last couple of days (except if I stretch too much or try to pick up something I shouldn't). I've even been able to sleep on my stomach. I've made the transition to completely solid foods, but I'm still wary about trying things, especially if they look too tough or too dry. I had one pretty scary moment when I tried a plain hamburger patty that was apparently too dry and started having esophageal spasms because it didn't want to go down. So everyone out there, make sure your food is well-chewed and moist, 'cause it really doesn't feel good if it isn't! I am still amazed at how little I eat when I compare it to the amounts I used to eat, although it isn't as little as a lot of you post about. Apparently, I didn't have much fat around my stomach, so my surgeon said I won't have much restriction until my first fill. Although, I'm still eating far less than I used to, so I'm still happy! Someone posted about the little steri-strip things that the surgeons put over the wounds. The edges of mine are curling, but I've only lost two of them in two weeks. I do have some pretty spectacular bruising, though, especially around my port incision.

I almost forgot! Here's this week's updated spreadsheet!

Yeah, I just didn't have time to get online for the last few days. I've been helping at my parents' veterinary clinic (desk work) for the last few days, and by the time I got home, I was too tired to get online. About me: I'm 23 years old (24 on August 2). I am currently trying to finish up my Master's degree in biology, if I can ever get myself to work on my thesis. I spend most of my time at school in Kentucky, but I'm originally from Tennessee. I am definitely an animal lover, which is one reason that I got my Bachelor's degree in Wildife and Fisheries Science and is also why I am researching bird behavior for my Master's thesis.

On July 4th, I had been banded for only one day, so all I was in the mood to do was sleep, wake up, drink something, and go back to sleep.

My nutritionist actually told me that, also. I think it is geared more towards RNY folks, though, since their stomach and intestines are actually cut. I don't think it really matters for lap-band folks.

My problem is that I never stopped at "feeling full." I always had to have those last several bites of dessert or had to clean my plate because it was SO full. I actually associate feeling "full" with discomfort, since I always over-ate. I'll settle for feeling "satisfied" or feeling like "I'll be in trouble if I eat any more."

I've got you added and will post the new spreadsheet sometime today or tomorrow.

You'll do fine, believe me. I wasn't exactly 100% compliant with my pre-op diet, either (not that it was as strict as your's is, anyway), and I'm doing fine. Your whole outlook will change once you've had surgery. You probably won't even feel like eating a lot of your favorite foods. Or, if you do want them, you'll be satisfied with a whole lot less. Don't stress out over it. I think you will do great with the band. After all, none of us were ever known for our self control, otherwise we wouldn't be getting the band. After banding, though, you'll have the extra support and reinforcement that you need to be successful.

I'm sure I will be absolutely starving when my first fill comes around. Right now, I am still amazed that I can be completely satisfied and full on one scrambled egg and a few bites of grits (went to Waffle House with my parents for lunch today). It's such a strange feeling, since I'm used to eating two or three eggs, a waffle, a big serving of grits, and a couple of pieces of toast before I feel like my hunger is satisfied.

Nurse76, I've added you to the spreadsheet. I'll probably post it again tonight or tomorrow.

Here's the updated spreadsheet. I don't think I've got the new folks added, so if anyone wants to be added to it, just post to me or PM me. I'll need your height and starting weight, and then I'll need an updated weight for you every week or so.

I don't. I still get hungry, but when I sit down to eat, I sort of have to force myself. I haven't had any really bad cravings so far.

I'm back, guys! I was out of town since yesterday afternoon, without internet access. First, the good news: I've lost another 2 pounds, which I am SO excited about. Second, the not-so-good news (also TMI, so don't read if you're sensitive): I haven't had a bowel movement since the day before surgery. I'm trying not to get worried, since I think it is just because I haven't taken in much solid food so far. Third, the so-so news: I'm trying to wean myself of the painkillers that I was prescribed. I try to take as few as I can, so that means I'm in a little pain. It usually isn't bad unless I'm leaning for something or trying to bend down, so that's a relief. I've been fairly good about staying on my diet, although I had a roll when I went out with my parents to a steakhouse tonight (but I made sure that they were chewed to a pulp before I swallowed). I usually have one protein drink a day, at least one yogurt, cream of wheat or oatmeal, soft vegetables, and sometimes a soft omelet or scrambled eggs (which my nutritionist does consider to be "pureed texture," thankfully). Chickb13, dmtjet, forgve70x7, suzielondon, I added your updates to the spreadsheet. I'm currently having computer issues, but I'll try to get the updated spreadsheet posted tomorrow.

Here is what I have for this week's update. I am going out of town in a few minutes but will be back tomorrow, so if anyone wants to send me their updated stats, just PM them or post them in the thread.

That's wonderful to hear. I've tried several Protein Shakes, but the only one that I actually like so far is the high protein Boost shake that you can find just about anywhere. It's higher calorie than a lot of them (240 per 8 ounces) and a little bit lower protein (15 g), but it tastes pretty good. And even drinking one of them a day, I am still eating less than 1000 calories. To be honest, I packed very lightly, and still didn't use anything that I brought, other than the carmex lip balm. I was too sore and out of it to read the book I brought, and I stayed underwear-free because I didn't want to have to deal with one more hassle when I was trying to get up to go to the bathroom (plus, the elastic in the waistband of the panties sticks to whatever they put on my stomach). Really, the only thing that I would recommend to bring is a comb or hairbrush, deodorant, and some type of lip balm. If you think you will definitely have problems with intestinal or chest-cavity gas, bring a heating pad and gas-z strips, but that's about it.

I haven't yet. I'll try to remember to do that if it happens again.

Has anyone else done this? I've gotten really cold a couple of times since surgery, and my body has started shaking HARD. Not the normal teeth-chattering, but whole-body shaking.