Mary Kay Lady

The first thing I would recommend is that you make an appointment with your surgeon and/or dietician to check in and I am sure that they will order some blood work to see exactly where you are and what supplements and/or dietary changes you need to make to return to your healthy state and begin to lose weight again. DO IT SOON...TUESDAY!!!

Although my dietician and doc told me no alcohol for 6 months after surgery, I went on a 2-week cruise 3 months after my banding and my surgeon said I could drink - in moderation and being very careful to choose my empty calories wisely...he said to stay clear of mixed drinks with sugary/fruity mixes and that I could drink a glass of wine a half hour before dinner...or as a nightcap. I was very careful and had a BLAST and was able to enjoy a bit of alcohol with the other 5 couples who were with us. As far as the cake I passed on those types of desserts for fear that the doughy cake would swell up and cause blockage, so I stuck with a tiny bit of Creme Brulee, or a small bit of Flan, etc. I did enjoy some sorbet types of desserts too. I was too afraid to eat much else in the way of desserts. I did not feel deprived either! I walked every day on the cruise and did manage to get to the gym...I swam every day as well...and despite all of the food available on the ship 24/7, I still managed to lose 5 pounds between my weigh-in the week before I left (when I got a fill...smart woman !!) and when I went back 2 weeks after I returned from my cruise for my next fill!!! So celebrate responsibly!! Happy Birthday!!

Each practice is different - my surgeon requires that banded patients have only LIQUIDS for the day of the fill and the next two days followed by THREE DAYS of PUREED foods, before progressing to solid foods on day 6 after each fill. Check with your doc to find out that HE/SHE prefers. PS...I tried to be a smart alec and ate a meal of regular food a day or two after my fill, and it got stuck...so I never tried that again!!

I would suggest that you purchase everything you'll for after surgery a little bit at a time before your date so you'll have it on hand. Also try out different brands/flavors of protein supplements/powders/liquids now so you will be aware of what you like and don't like. Then stock up on it. Many of the bariatric type websites sell small variety sample packs for that very purpose. I also filled my post-op prescriptions the week before surgery so I wouldn't be without them. I had everything I could need in place and it avoided a lot of anxiety post-op. I also put myself on a liquid diet pre-operatively even though my surgeon didn't require it - it helps to shrink the liver so they surgery is easier and safer. It also got me used to the liquids before hand. I bought gladware containers in the 1/2 cup size so I could "pack" my lunches for work. Also I got a good blender and J.C. Penney's version of the "Magic Bullet" for preparing protein smoothies etc...best thing I ever did! At Wal*Mart I found "measuring glasses" that were clear with red writing on them...they are actual glasses with a 5-6 oz capacity. I was able to know exactly how much liquid I was drinking and didn't have to drink out of the measuring cup, or have more dishes than I needed! Also, I would highly recommend taking a small stack of the med cups from the hospital...they put them on my bedside table when they gave me the Carnation Instant Breakfast to drink in 30cc increments. They handed me a 4oz glass of the Carnation in skim milk and I waw to measure out a med cup (30cc or 1 oz) every hour...so I took the clean ones home with me and used them and washed them out - because the first week - I was only allowed to have just that...30cc per hour. It made things alot easier! Hope this was helpful...

WOW...my doc requires that after each fill we take in only liquids for THREE days followed by PUREED foods for THREE more days....only then can we upgrade to solid food!!! I refuse to spend any money on a "transition" wardrobe...soooooo...I got out my trusty sewing machine and have been taking in all of my 2X/22W clothes...yes my one pair of jeans too!! I also have been "shopping in my closet" - trying on a lot of the clothes I haven't been able to even dream of getting into for years! It has been fun...some people think I have an entirely new wardrobe - because they never saw some of those outfits!! I am having fun sewing again too!! I've had to alter a few things two to three times already...especially my favorites!! I will celebrate with new clothes once I get to goal....even though I am finally and FOREVER in "ONE-derland"!!!!! I've even successfully taken in sweaters, and even took in a favorite swim-suit that had "let go" (you know - when the fabric is still intact, but you can actually "see" through it!) I took that in on the center back seam and on both of the side seams...essentially getting rid of the "stretched out" and see-through areas and giving me a "brand-new" swim suit that fit like a charm!!! If you don't sew...find a friend who does who will help you out, or check prices of alterations...especially if it's a dress or an outfit that is a favorite and/or that you paid alot for. I found out (the hard way) that some people were offended when I gave or offered them my cast-off "fat" clothes...so now I just keep them and alter them to fit my new shrinking body!!! Boy am I glad that I learned to sew!!!

That is a bit strange...I have read that bands have either a 10cc capacity or a 14cc capacity. I've never heard of a 9.75cm band....maybe that is the SIZE of the band - not the saline capacity??? What brand is it? I have an Allergan AP Lap-Band which is the standard, and it has a capacity of 10cc of saline. I currently have 5.25cc in it after 5 fills and 9 months out. Having 3.2cc in your band does not seem like alot unless it was put in at the first fill. I got 3cc at my first fill and when I went for the barium swallow (required), the radiologist told me my band was too tight and instructed me to drive back over to the surgeon's office so that they could remove some of the saline.

My dietician mentioned that either Pineapple juice or Papaya enzymes will work to get a bander "unstuck" too.

I don't eat real eggs at all anymore for the very reasons you all have mentioned above. I tried Egg Beaters - but that white stuff didn't appeal to me and the lack of color made it not palatable for me. I found a product called "Better 'N Eggs" which is in the same part of the grocery store and looks like eggs...tastes like eggs and is actually made from real eggs. I take a 1 cup container, spray the inside with Pam (or spray butter if I'm out of Pam) add a half cup of Better 'N Eggs and a splash of Fat Free Lactaid and a shake or two of salt free seasoning. I take that to work and nuke it between a half hour and an hour after I get there. I use my fork to break it up and smoosh it until there are no big pieces. I sometimes cut up baby bella mushrooms or onions and peppers real-l-l-l-ly tiny and add to my egg mixture before nuking for a different flavor/consistency. (I do drink my coffee on the way to work as I have at least a half hour drive.) I then enjoy my breakfast! Good Luck!!

Have you called/been seen by your surgical group who did your surgery? Aren't we supposed to be seen by them at least once per year after surgery? I would start there...if you've moved away, I would find a new bariatric surgical group and go to them. Good Luck!

I rely on the "PUREE" button on my blender for that phase! Takes the guesswork out of food preparation! (My doc requires us to have 3 days of liquids followed by 3 days of pureed after each fill!) I have learned that nearly ANYTHING can be pureed!!

My doc requires we do liquids for THREE days followed by THREE days of pureed foods before we can return to solids after each fill. You might want to advance your diet more slowly as you approach good restriction/Sweet Spot, so as not to have the sliming/PBing/actual vomiting! Just a suggestion...and certainly worth the try...can't hurt anything, but advancing to solid foods too quickly could! Good Luck!

There are many brands tht are good for you and that also taste good (very important.) Personally, I have found two brands that I especially like and use on a regular basis. One is Unjury Chicken Soup flavored protein powder (which I use as a cup of broth, or as a reconstitute to puree dry meats)...the second is GNC Soy Protein 95 in the Vanilla flavor. I use that im my blender with a bunch of crushed ice, 8 ounces of Fat Free Lactaid (I'm lactose intolerant - hence the Lactaid and the Soy protein powder) and a few Sweet Mocha Sprinkles (from Pampered Chef - only 2 calories/Tsp) ...I blend that baby up and it tastes like a Cookies & Cream smoothie!! I have that after fills...and had it during my immediate post-op period when I still couldn't have solid foods. It is a great summer "treat" and you can count the protein in both the powder and the fat free milk you use to reconstitute it! BONUS!!! I would recommend that you find Sample sizes of several brands and flavors before you commit to buying a huge cannister of anything and find yourself hating it and stuck with it. Bariatric Advantage and several other web sites offer sample packs for not alot of money. GNC will allow you to return product to them...but do ask for sample sizes packs. (I buy my GNC powder cannisters at Rite Aid...closer and more convenient. Unjury is only available online at: www.unjury.com) GOOD LUCK!!

Congratulations!!! You are truly an inspiration to many of us who read these blogs! I will check back from time to time to see how you're doing on your journey to joy and wellness!

lauraq, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers - and your Mom as well. It is doubly hard being both the caregiver and family member at the same time - damned near impossible actually. When my father-in-law was dying, the visiting nurse called me at work to tell me that he was beginning to exhibit Cheyne-Stokes respirations...I immediately took a leave of absence and stayed home to care for him...they lived downstairs from us so it was easy. But the difficult part was being both the dutiful "daughter" - as they had no daughters and regarded me as such, AND the caregiver. Also as an RN, the visiting nurses sort of backed away once I took a leave to basically do 24/7 care for him...also they recommended that my mother-in-law change him over to Hospice so she'd get more support services...BIG Mistake for our situation...they came in on a Thursday to evaluate him...and the next time we saw a Hospice nurse was the following Monday after I called them to come and pronounce - (I have pronounced many, many people in my career, but was not allowed to technically pronounce my family) so they had to come out for that. Because he was in transition from one "agency" to another - there was a gap in services - NOT more services. When I called them to request a member of the clergy come out to offer spiritual support...they said they couldn't get anyone on a SUNDAY...I didn't think they had days off! So ...I called a close friend (also a nurse), whose husband is a minister and begged her to send him. Even after having been away at a youth conference all weekend, Tim changed into his "preacher" clothes and came to pray and stayed with us for hours! even though I'm sure he was exhausted from his weekend with a bunch of rowdy kids! So....all that being said - you are doing what you need to do...but please don't hesitate to ask for help ...but don't wait like I did - because when I did - there was none available. You need to have help from whatever resources are available to you and to your Mom. Don't be afraid to request them. On your personal weightloss side...you are doing INCREDIBLE!!!! Keep up the great work - your Mom would want you to! You all continue to be in my prayers, Laura.

Actually, I have a purple ribbon that I got during Domestic Violence Awareness Week. But I suppose that isn't exactly a true medical "disease"...I can wear my purple ribbon for Obesity Awareness.....