jujuvee

Awwwwww stop!!!! Your doc should have given you a list of food phases that you will go through for the next 4 weeks. Most start off on liquids, then pureed, mushies, than soft. This is so your band can heal and if your stomach is churning to digest too early you chance your band slipping. Please double check with your surgeon on what you should be eating. I know it's the weekend but they should have an on call number to help you.

I too was banded on March 24th. I lost 30 pre op and 20 post op. First fill scheduled for May 14 and I really need it as I am starting to eat more and more and the fact that I am loosing is sheer will power!!!

ok here it goes......drum roll......... I'm seeing parts of my body that I haven't seen in years (blush, blush) And I'm only one month in!

your insurance company will let you know what there requirements are, most steps probably could be done in advance except the pre op tests, that's done 1 or 2 weeks before surgery. But if you are required to follow a special diet or go see your physician for so many months you should start that as soon as you can. So get all the details in writing from your insurance company.

How exciting, I am not that far into it all but I will say that it was the best decision of my life! The surgery itself was cake, try to get up and walk a lot, that will really help with the pain and work out the gas they put into you, get a good protein shake and you are set... You will be very swollen in the beginning so don't even think about hopping on the scale that quickly, you might see a gain. Good luck and feel free to send me a messabe anytime.... Julie

If you are going through an insurance company then there might be special requirements that must be met before surgery is approved, some require 3,6 or even a 12 month supervised diet. Also there are psychological evaluations, pre op tests like Ekg, Ecg, Lab work, Barium swallow and mine even required me to go to 2 support groups.... If you are self pay then you probably would jump right to the pre op tests. Good luck

Awesome!!!!! sounds like you are on your way.....

I started having people at work ask me every week "how much did you lose this week" and I told them that I would only give updates once a month. All in all it's not about where I am now it's about where I will be 2 years, 5 years from now. Heck we have all lost weight.... But only to regain it plus more.

Well remember, it can always be your secret if you want it to. Personally I told everyone and there mother but I also have never been one to really care what anyone else thought.. But I will say that I have not had one negative opinion, the way I see it anyone that does not want to see me happy and healthier, more active and have a better outlook on life is not a true friend.. Good luck..:crying:

The hospital gave me a really cool ice pack, it was cloth, not like when you were a kid and your mom put ice in a ziplock and it was so cold you cried.... Anyway I used mine for 4 days and I put it right on the port location. Maybe this would help you as well.

Hi Erica. This is a great site for information and many experienced members to help answer your questions. Just jump right in!!!! Good luck.

I think the air bubbles move around, that's why they say walking helps. I too would go a couple days with feeling great then have an off day. The same went for my energy as well. Good luck.

Had my 2 week check up and could not wait to get on the scale to be weighed,(imagine that) New weight 331, that's 14 pounds lost since surgery and total 42 if you include pre op loss. Surgeon checked my incision and reminded me that my port had to be put in deeper then usual due to a thick abdomen, he says this had nothing to do with my weight some people just have thicker bellies. He is hoping that he can do my fills in his office if not I will have to have them done in the hospital under xray. Next stop the dietitian and she wanted to know what I had been eating and if I had stuck to full liquids for the first 14 days, yes I did! Now I am on mushies and am so happy to have canned chicken there is a variety of foods that I can have during this phase and I am looking forward to it. My fill is not until May 14 but that's ok because so far I have been able to go close to 5 hours without getting hungry and the 3 oz amount really fills me up! Now I know that I have the lapband and not the realize band and my band is empty so maybe it's mental or maybe just having the band around my stomach is doing something to help satisfy me....whatever it is I am digging it. I must say that this has been a great experience and I am glad I made this big decision to change!

Had my 2 week check up and could not wait to get on the scale to be weighed,(imagine that) New weight 331, that's 14 pounds lost since surgery and total 42 if you include pre op loss. Surgeon checked my incision and reminded me that my port had to be put in deeper then usual due to a thick abdomen, he says this had nothing to do with my weight some people just have thicker bellies. He is hoping that he can do my fills in his office if not I will have to have them done in the hospital under xray. Next stop the dietitian and she wanted to know what I had been eating and if I had stuck to full liquids for the first 14 days, yes I did! Now I am on mushies and am so happy to have canned chicken there is a variety of foods that I can have during this phase and I am looking forward to it. My fill is not until May 14 but that's ok because so far I have been able to go close to 5 hours without getting hungry and the 3 oz amount really fills me up! Now I know that I have the lapband and not the realize band and my band is empty so maybe it's mental or maybe just having the band around my stomach is doing something to help satisfy me....whatever it is I am digging it. I must say that this has been a great experience and I am glad I made this big decision to change!

Hello, on my list of mushies I can have all meats except for red meat, preferebly from a can because it's more moist but I don't have to pureed it before hand as long as it's mushy before I swallow it. Also what about eggs or potatoes? I'm suprised about the beans, would have thought they would be a staple everywhere. Hopefully others come by and give you better ideas.

Liquid Loratab as well and I only needed it for 3 days. Good luck........

I wrote one and my doc just added a few thing and sent it in along with my 6 month documented visit I included weight, family history, co-morbidities that were directly related to my weight, failed attempts at weight loss, including ww, atkins, over eaters annon, zone, I even added Richard Simmons programs. It mentioned that I had failed at physician supervised plans as well and that all this was not a lack of effort or non compliance because I was good at keeping journals of food eaten, I was good at keeping appointments and going to support groups but that I needed bariatric surgery intervention. And then it ended with my doc sating that he strongly recommends lapband, and that he felt that I have the knowledge to use this as a tool to achieve and maintain a health weight.... and that he believed that without sergical intervention I was at an increased risk for rapid progression of chronic illnesses associated with increased morbidities and mortality. of course you want your doc to copy it write it in the 3rd person, so it sounds like it's coming from him, not you! Hope this helps.

well I can't give you statistics but I can tell you that I have read many sucess stories on this board of lap banders that have lost well over 150. There is even a group on this board with a bmi of 60 and over. I have a lot to lose and I was not having bypass and my doctor had no problems with my choice. Bypass was just not for me. My thoughts is that lapband is just a tool so with my ambition and motivation and the lapband together I can achieve my goal! Good luck!

Sounds like everything is going well for you, I was banded on March 24th and by day 3 I did not need pain meds. I slept on my back the first 3 nights due to the pressure. After day 7-8 all soreness was gone but if I did too much I was exhausted. Now I am 12 days out and feeling amazing, I am still on the liquid stage for 3 more days but my liquid stage includes egg beaters which I have been having in the mornings. Good luck with everything!

chazpbg, you should follow the food stages that YOUR doctor has given you, every doc is different but why chance stretching your pouch, It's not about choking it's about letting yourself heal and they don't not want your stomach to churn during this phase. Like I said every doc is different but I was told no alcohol for 6 weeks The best thing for the gas is to walk, walk, walk, some say that heating pads are useful as well, as far as the sour feeling call your doc if you experience nausea because it's important not to throw up. And as far as the reflux my doc said to take a prilosec if I had this problem, so call and ask them what is best. No scolding. It's good that you come here and ask questions, but I was banded a week before you and when I reflect back at all the months of dealing with paperwork, insurance, and doc appts the last thing I want to do is chance having to start over because I decided to jump the gun and caused damage. The stages will pass quickly and next thing we know we are on regular diet.... Good Luck!!!!!!! and congrats on the weight loss!

Hi Tammy, well I'm not a doctor so I can't say weather you have caused any damage but you really have to remember why you did this. Maybe it would help if you started keeping a journal, not just for foods but also for your thoughts. This is the beginning of a whole new life so even though you feel like you will never get through these first stages.... you will and next thing you know you will be on a regular diet, so take a deep breath, refocus and try to keep yourself occupied. I was banded on the 24th and like you all the swelling has gone down and I too am on my period. I am on full liquids and thankfully that includes cottage cheese, egg beaters and refried Beans, those keep me satisfied in between the Protein drinks, I also drink a lot of Water and that too helps. One thing I just started doing is at night I allow myself one hersheys kiss and I keep it in my mouth until it's all liquid and if your a chocolate fan like me that really puts me in a good place. I don't know about you but getting to where I am now has been a long process and to make a mistake now while my body is in the healing process could just stall all the work I have done to get here, so I just take it one day at a time. Feel free to send me a private message anytime. Also I see you are from Cookville, my grandparents which have passed were from Monterey.

There probably is not a difference in mushies and chewing really well but for our protection and for those who don't follow rules food stages were created. Have fun with your food ideas and your blender and you will feel good knowing that you played it safe.

Also, it may not look pretty but it will taste like heaven, especially coming from the liquid stage.

well my ideas for this stage are chicken and dupmplings, ravioli, beef stew, meat loaf, speghetti or how about ground turkey with taco sasoning, tuna salad, chicken salad, hummus..... If you can throw it in a blender it can be pureed. You might need to add Water to get the consistency you need and I'm sure you can create health versions of these. Good luck.

Here are my stats so far. 373 on March 3rd (started pre op diet) 344 on March 24th - surgery day 334 on April 1 Feeling like a million bucks!!!!!! Good luck!