Hippo's Hope

Hey All, Just thought I would check in. I had my first problem with eating wrong yesterday morning. (LindaV, you and I seem to be on the same schedule) I was in a hurry and ate a hard boiled egg too fast. (Up until that point I had eated hard boiled eggs but only by smashing them up and mixing them with a little mayo) After I ate it I took a swallow of liquid yogurt. I very soon had the "golf ball" in the chest and knew for sure what was coming. I gagged several times, then wretched a couple of times and got some of yogurt and a little egg up. As soon as I did that I felt fine and the whole episode only lasted a couple of minutes. It was not as bad as it could have been but definitely made me think about eating more slowly. Then, today I had my first fill. My surgeon put 1.5 cc. in and had me drink some Water. It went down okay but he thought it went down a little more slowly than he liked so he poked me again and removed about half. Since I don't live in the same town as my surgeon, I am very comfortable with his filling me on the cautious side. Anyway, for those of you still waiting for your first fill, it is soooo simple and soooo painless. He wants me to continue eating 2/3 of a cup at a meal (never more than one cup) and that hasn't been too big a problem for me so far. I seem to be satisfied with about that much food but for the last couple of weeks I have been getting hungry again within a couple of hours so hopefully this fill will hold off the hunger a little longer. If not, there is always the next fill. Hope

I would love to see more "after" pictures of Jess. She has done an incredible job and her plastic surgery turned out wonderfully. I also think it is very helpful to others who are considering surgery after weight loss to see these photos and I really appreciate the fact that some of these women have been willing to share very personal photos. But, if I were considering posting skimpy or nude photos in order to encourage others, and if I saw requests on here from men asking to see the photos, I would probably tend not to post them. I know that everyone looks at these photos and I don't really have a problem with that. But show a little respect for these women and look quietly without comment for the sake of their comfort. Your comments could inadvertently ruin it for all of us who are so encouraged by these brave women. Hope

Okay, my big gripe is parents who are ignorant enough to take young children with them to a theater to watch a movie that is totally inappropriate for kids. I have actually watched parents, after a child has gotten interested in the movie, throw a coat over a child's head to keep her from witnessing what is happening on the screen! And all the while the child is fighting to get out from under the coat and screaming, "I want to see!" My concern is partly for the children who are subjected to sexual and violent scenes they should never have to experience, but also I am irritated because it ruins a movie for me when I am so worried about what these children are experiencing. I am actually incapable of concentrating on a movie when this happens because of my anger at these selfish parents and concern for the children. If you can't afford a sitter, tough! Go to a children's movie with your kids and wait until they are grown to see the movies you want to see! There ought to be a law!!!

Wow! You look incredible! You must be small boned because a 44 pound loss on you looks more like 88 pounds lost! You should be very, very proud of yourself! Hope

I have been eating Triscuits with no problem. Had some for dinner tonight with low-fat cream cheese. I love chewing them! Hope

Nanahanna, I'm 60 and this is going to be a great year for me!!! Don't worry, you are still young. Hope

I can easily feel my port. Smooth, flat, disc-shape. Finding mine for a fill should be easy enough for them. Hope

Genabeebs, My surgeon told me that when he did my band he would check to see if I had an hiatel hernia and would do the repair if I did. I did have one. He did the repair and gave me a picture of it. (I also had my gall bladder removed at the same time.) I have had no heart burn since my surgery and I assume that is because of the hernia repair, although I think I have heard others here who say the lap band surgery actually took care of heart burn. Anyway, it has not been a problem for me. I think I may have been a little more sore than average right after surgery but nothing out of the ordinary considering that I had three things done. Hope

I take note of what the host/hostess is wearing as well as the other guests when I go to someone's home and then decide whether or not to wear my shoes. But I must say, I am very cold blooded and keep my house warmer than lots of my friends and I have spent many a miserable evening in other people's homes because my feet were absolutely freezing without shoes. It's hard to follow the conversation when you spend the evening fantasizing about the heater in your car! When I visit close friends it is not uncommon for me to bring a throw or ask for a blanket. Goose-pimpley Hope

I weigh with an old (non-digital) scale, on the carpet, and it is very consistent. Hope

P-Nut, I notice! Every single time! Hope

I haven't had a fill yet, so I guess my limited experience isn't necessarily going to help you. I typed in my response (above) and then noticed what Carla and Dee Dee had to say. Sometimes I forget that I am pretty new at this and I appreciate the input from those of you who have a better handle on what this lap band journey is really about. I will really have to change my ways if eating out ends up being a big problem.

jojo41, I can identify with your social life that often revolves around eating. I did avoid going out while I was in the liquid stage but you can only hold things off so long. I have also chosen not to tell my friends about my surgery and I must say that the thing that has really surprised me the most is how little my friends even notice what or how much I am eating. So far, no one has even commented. I went to brunch last week and ate such a tiny bit of my meal that I wondered what my friends were thinking. Then afterwards, when I asked one of my friends to hold my "to go" box while I went to the restroom, she commented, "Oh, didn't you finish your Breakfast?" I wanted to laugh because I still had enough left over to make at least two more meals for myself and I hadn't order that much in the first place! Most of the time I have just ordered soup and that has worked out well. I decided before my surgery that if friends made comments, I would just tell then that I was trying to cut down and lose some weight. If someone suggests a sandwich I just say I am watching carbs. And it's true! Hope

Leatha's post says it all, in my opinion. Lord, help me!!! Hope

Dody, Sending prayers and best wishes your way. Thankfully you have great family support with you as you go through all these problems. Hope

I love watermelon too! I had some yesterday but since I am still in the mushy stage I had to use the chew and spit method. TMI? Sure did taste good, though! Hope

Here, here! Hope

Tidge, Just read your message more carefully. You mentioned that your pain was in/on your hip. Just curious, is it in the front or the back? Hope

Tidge, I am a little over three weeks banded and I have pain that I would describe as like a side ache (like after you run too hard) that is located right at my waistline between my side and my belly button, but much closer to the side. This pain bothers me a lot more when I am up moving around and I am sure it is not gas. I had some gas pain in my shoulders and back after surgery. This is a much sharper pain. Is this anything like you are experiencing? I am going to call my doctor and ask about it. I'll let you know what they say. Hope

Okay, this isn't personal experience - but my surgeon's nurse (who is banded) told us at an informational meeting that she definitely cannot eat after flying. She actually has to get some unfill before flying so that she can eat when she travels because she will otherwise become sick after anything she eats. Sounds like an extreme case, but that is what she told us. Hope

Seminole, I'm happy to hear that you came through your surgery with no problems. I was banded on May 1 and really had no appetite at all for about the first five days. Then from the 6th day through 14th I had a little bit of hunger but not bad at all. At two weeks, I now seem to get hungry within a couple of hours after eating. I am still on mushy foods but they don't stick with me for as long as I would like. I will have my first fill at six weeks and I can see now that I am going to have to struggle with hunger for the next nearly four weeks. But I am trying to be really careful not to eat too much at a time. I don't find it too difficult to find things to eat from the "mushy menu". Hang in there, Friend! I know the gas is the pits. I have found the bloating to be the most uncomfortable lately, but other than that I keep feeling better every day. You are going to do great!! Hope

LindaV, You will be amazed at how many things you can eat in the mushy stage! Hang in there. You are doing great and it won't be much longer for you now. I have quite a long list of things that are considered mushy, some as is and some have to be pureed first. I have not yet tried eggs. I don't know why I haven't because I do like them. I have pureed (or chopped finely) both chicken and tuna but have not tried beef. I have some meat balls in the freezer that I could puree but just haven't gotten to them yet. Starting today I am supposed to choose from my mushy list and eat three meals a day with water in between. Before this I was supposed to try to eat 3-6 meals a day. I will be interested to see how this goes. I have definitely noticed that my appetite has increased the last two days. I have a feeling that I will be getting pretty hungry by the time my fill appointment comes (June 13). I have a question, not just for you, but anyone who has been banded around the same time period as us. Do you feel any smaller? Do your clothes fit any different? I have lost some weight, but my clothes don't fit a bit looser. I know I have only lost 14 pounds, but I am not naturally a large person and I thought I would be able to tell a little anyway. I wonder if my stomach could still be swollen from surgery. Waistbands still bother me quite a bit. Maybe I will stay swollen longer too because I also had my gallbladder removed and a hernia repair at the same time. I would love to split a lunch/dinner with you! I will go on regular food June 5 and will happily wait for you. Keep on sipping and slurping! (Just say no to slipping and burping!) Hope

LindaV, Remind me again - what will change about your diet in 6 days. Is that when you will go on mushies? How long do you stay on mushies before you go to regular food? Each doctor is so different. Thanks for the tip on baby wipes. I will try that. I'm a little afraid of the Goo Gone for my pansy tummy tissue! I really enjoyed talking with you also!! Hope

Laura, My tape didn't leave any residue at all. But if you get a good answer to your question, I would be interested. I use hormone patches that I change twice a week and they leave ugly rectangular goop and it is impossible to get off. I would love to know how to get those little outlines off my tummy and tush. Hope

Okay Everyone, I need to get control of myself. First I got tired of my steristrips and took them off - incisions seem fine - but I was supposed to let them come off naturally. Then I took a bath when I'm supposed to be showering still. Next, when my grandson (40 lbs) fell off his scooter I ran and scooped him up and carried him into the house. And yesterday we had a Mother's Day picnic. I chewed very well, but I ate a small amount of chicken, beans, mashed potatoes/gravy, an olive and a strawberry. The food didn't bother me at all, it went down fine, but I am only two weeks out and I'm not supposed to be eating most of that until the end of week five! I really need to crack down and stick to my program so I don't mess things up for myself!! Hope P.S. Don't slap me with that fish thing, Dawg, I would probably just grab it from you and eat it!