RLittman

To update the ticker, you just go into edit signature, delete your current ticker, then go to ticker factory, update your ticker there so that you have new URL, copy the URL, go back to edit signature and add in the ticker as if you were doing it the first time. Good luck!

Welcome to you both! I think it is marvelous that you are doing this as joint effort. You will be a wonderful support system for each other. The August band crew has sort of abadoned this site and have moved to the thread "ABC chat" under Lap Band Support. Come join us there and welcome!!!!

[ Ticker help 1. First copy the URL from the ticker factory. To place a ticker on the lapband forum, go to Quick Link, then go to Edit Signature, move your cursor to the spot in your signature area where you want the ticker to appear, then above the box you will see a row of icons, click the icon which allows you insert image or picture (it has a mountain with a small box in the corner), a little box will appear asking for the URL, paste the URL from the ticker factory there, and hit enter, your ticker will appear. 2. To get a new ticker, go to Ticker factory, put in new weight, hit enter, and new ticker will appear with new URL. Copy the URL and repeat step 1. You must do this each time you want to change the ticker in your signature area. I strongly suggest that you do Step 1 before Step 2. Each time I tried to delete the old ticker and then paste the new one, it would not allow me to paste the new URL. I had to delete the old ticker and save the changes first and then paste the new URL in. quote=badmadmama]Okay, I am more of a moron than I even thought possible. I can't figure out how to get the ticker into my posts on a regular basis. I can't find the August band crew on a consistent basis, and I can't find the list of members. And there is something else that I am dumb about, but I've already forgotten what it was! Someone PLEASE take pity on me, and send me LapBandTalk for Dummies!!! And now I can't even find the little red-faced loser icon. WAAAAHHH!!! Eileen

Last night I was able to eat an entire red snapper with shrimp, 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes and 1 cup of cream corn. I never felt any restriction. I just stopped when I felt I had had enough, but I did eat quickly and did not have to chew thoroughly. Tonight I ate 1/4 lb boiled shrimp, 2 cups of crabmeat augratin, and a few bites of coleslaw. While these portions were still about 1/2 of what I would have eaten prior to surgery, (I could eat alot) they represent the largest meals I have to date and I felt no pain, no restriction, nothing. Boy I definitely going for my fill. I lost 1 pound this week. Jessica -we have the same date - September 11 - I think I am in the morning around 10 but I will double check.

All of us August bandsters have moved over to ABC chat under Lap Band support. Come join us there and welcome!!!!

I completely forgot about those. When is the next one? Where and what time? Did you see that the August Band Crewt moved over to "ABC September Chat under Lap Band support group? Meet us over there!

1. I never did just clear liquids - Dr. Spivak advised drinking beef or chicken broth, Crystal light, Isopure, and cream Soups which I started the day after surgery. 2. I definitely burped for about 2 weeks - I thought I might be drinking too fast but it happened even when I drank very slowly. It passed off eventually. 3. The sticky glue was on my skin for at least a week after I took the steristrips off. It just would not come off before then. Then one day in the shower I rubbed and it came right off on my washcloth. For the betadine color, I used alcohol to remove that but was very careful around the incisions.

I felt 5 months pregnant for about 1 1/2 weeks. I gained about 4 pounds post surgery but it was gone in about 3 days. I definitely think you have reasonable October 1 goal. Be sure to drink very slowly - that may be causing the feeling you are having. I take a chewable Vitamin but I chew it to a pulp. quote=Happy2BMe]Hi guys, I'm post surgery day 3 and have a couple of questions. 1)Whenever I eat (yogurt today) or drink the Isopure I get this wierd thing in my esophagus, kinda like spasms trying to get the food to go down. Does anyone else get that? 2) Is everyone doing chewable Vitamins? I was told I could do the flintstones chewables or crush my regular vitamins, but either way I get nauseous. 3) How long does it take for the swelling to go down? My stomach is pretty swollen, like a 6 or 7 month pregnant belly.... Also, I'd like to add that when I came home from surgery I had gained from 275 to 279, but now I am at 271! I'd like to be 259 or 260 by October 1st, is that possible? Connie

Ticker help 1. First copy the URL from the ticker factory. To place a ticker on the lapband forum, go to Quick Link, then go to Edit Signature, move your cursor to the spot in your signature area where you want the ticker to appear, then above the box you will see a row of icons, click the icon which allows you insert image or picture (it has a mountain with a small box in the corner), a little box will appear asking for the URL, paste the URL from the ticker factory there, and hit enter, your ticker will appear. 2. To get a new ticker, go to Ticker factory, put in new weight, hit enter, and new ticker will appear with new URL. Copy the URL and repeat step 1. You must do this each time you want to change the ticker in your signature area. I strongly suggest that you do Step 1 before Step 2. Each time I tried to delete the old ticker and then paste the new one, it would not allow me to paste the new URL. I had to delete the old ticker and save the changes first and then paste the new URL in.

So it seems many of us have hit a post op surgery weight loss plateau. I wonder why. I am still eating far less calories then before. I cut out any exercies that would increase muscle mass, and only work on exercises that burn calories and yet the scale won't move. I have been integrating soft foods like cooked chicken and ground meat into my diet for the last 2 weeks or so but I was still losing last week. What happened this week? Is this normal before the first fill?

I will be (I know I can, I know I can, I know I can) at 190lbs. It is funny how time changes perspective. Last Friday I was 206 and I have been that weight all this week. Last week I thought I should wait to have my fill and not do it on 9/11. This week I realized that as the swelling decreases my appetite is returning full force and food is much easier to digest. I am eating faster, eating more, and losing zero. It is frustrating but part of the process. I guess in a way it gives me a little break from the process before my first fill. The sense I get is that you almost start over again with liquids, mushy food, and testing what you can eat after the fill. If that is the case then the weight should continue to come off. When are the other early August bandsters going for their first fill?

We should definitely keep in touch. This forum is my link to those who stand in my shoes, and continues to offer support, guidance, and useful information on banding. For example, as I enter the next phase - my first fill - I have already started reading posts on the subject just so I know what to expect and what questions to ask. Keep on trucking August bandsters!!

You and I were banded by the same doctor but 28 days apart. Like you I could not wake up after surgery. I kept falling back to sleep in recovery. I looked around the room and everybody else was wide awake including Jessica (Clarityseeker), and I looked like death warmed over because I was so sluggish and sleepy. Maybe ths was a good thing! Best of luck to you.

Booda, Everything you are going through I did as well. Very bloated for 4-5 days but it got easier each day. Take Gas X or Maalox and that will help. I had a hard time getting off the couch and out of bed for about 5 days and then one day the pain/soreness just vanished. Keep moving - it sounds like it does you a world of good. Each day will be a little easier and then you will be on track.

1/2 a cheeseburger! Are you crazy girl??? Go slow with the solids. Forget bread for now and try to eat foods separately. I don't care how well you chew, that combo is not going to go down. Use the fear of that happening again to keep away from that kind of food. I ventured into the solids a little but now I am more 75% soft, mushy foods and 25% solid (tuna, chicken)

1. First copy the URL from the ticker factory. To place a ticker on the lapband forum, go to Quick Link, then go to Edit Signature, move your cursor to the spot in your signature area where you want the ticker to appear, then above the box you will see a row of icons, click the icon which allows you insert image or picture (it has a mountain with a small box in the corner), a little box will appear asking for the URL, paste the URL from the ticker factory there, and hit enter, your ticker will appear. 2. To get a new ticker, go to Ticker factory, put in new weight, hit enter, and new ticker will appear with new URL. Copy the URL and repeat step 1. You must do this each time you want to change the ticker in your signature area. I strongly suggest that you do Step 1 before Step 2. Each time I tried to delete the old ticker and then paste the new one, it would not allow me to paste the new URL. I had to delete the old ticker and save the changes first and then paste the new URL in.

As I approach my fill date (9/11), I wonder whether or not to have it done. I certainly still have a restriction due to the swelling and I understand that it will, and has, lessen over time. I do feel some hunger pains but they are minimal. I am able to eat more each week, but there are still many things I cannot eat, and certainly while the volume has increased weekly, I am nowhere close to what I could consume before. For instance, the other night, I ate a cup of gumbo (w/o rice), 1 1/2 cups of soft fish, and 1 cup of cooked mushrooms. I ate and chewed slowly, but I never felt a sense of fullness or any restriction. I just stopped eating because I wasn't interested in eating anymore. However, later that evening, I did feel some discomfort, some pressure, which lasted most of the night. I did not have a BM till much later the next day. Without a fill, and once the swelling reduces completely, do our stomachs return to the size they were pre-band placement? Are we then capable of eating anything and everything even though the band is present? So should we do a fill before we are totally starving? :help:

Faybie, I have not had any cola since late July and I don't miss it. I have so much constant energy that I don't need the cola high anymore. I drink ice tea or coffee and I am just fine. The pre-op diet was hard for me, too. I had alot of last suppers, but I noticed I was having smaller portions. I guess I was preparing myself mentally but I did not give up carbs completely until the last few days before the surgery. It is hard to believe that 3 weeks have passed since my surgery because I remember I thought it would never come. And now after only 3 weeks I put on some slacks tonight that I had not worn in 2 years - and they were too big!!! Your procedure will be here before you know it and then you will be well on your way to your new life. Our weights and goals are pretty similar so we should keep in touch. I know you are nervous, I was too, that is only natural. I kept saying to myself, "you are going under a general anesthesia and letting someone cut on you, voluntarily?" But I knew this was the only answer to what I have struggled with for a lifetime. You have already survived so much in your life that you have a well of strength to get through this. I put my faith in Dr. Spivak and allowed this tool to help me toward my goal. You are going to do fine, and positive changes in your life are just around the corner.

I am so excited as I finally approaching the 100's. I am about 8 pounds from Onederland which is my first goal. I hope to be there by September 16th. Keep the strength!!!

Oh, I definitely felt depressed the afternoon of surgery for aboout 4-5 hours. I thought I was going nuts. I thought it was because of how uncomfortable I felt - feeling 5 months pregnant, sore, mid-backache, belching, gassy, etc. I thought, "What have I gotten myself into" Am I going to feel like this for days?" But then the depression passed off around early evening and I was back to normal. It was the anesthesia???

bug, 6 pounds in 9 days is great! Remember you have alot swelling that has to go down as well. Have you started walking yet? Even the smallest amount of exercise will help burn calories. I quickly at first, then slowed down. Your body is adjusting. . . so give it time.

How to Update a Ticker <HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->1. To update a ticker on the lapband forum, first go to Quick Link, then go to Edit Signature, cut or delete your current ticker and then hit the save signature button. Then go to the ticker factory, make your new ticker, copy the URL, go back to Lapband forum, hit Quick Link, go to Edit Signature, move your cursor to the spot in your signature area where you want the ticker to appear, then above the box you will see a row of icons, click the icon which allows you insert image or picture (it has a mountain with a small box in the corner), a little box will appear asking for the URL, paste the URL from the ticker factory there, and hit enter, your new ticker will appear. 2. To get a new ticker, go to Ticker factory, put in new weight, hit enter, and new ticker will appear with new URL You must do this each time you want to change the ticker in your signature area. I strongly suggest that you do Step 1 before Step 2. Each time I tried to delete the old ticker and then paste the new one, it would not allow me to paste the new URL. I had to delete the old ticker and save the changes first and then paste the new URL in.

The mushy stage has been challenging for me but I still prefer liquid nutritional supplements, bananas, mashed potatoes, soft fish, tiny bites of chicken, 1/2 cup of fine ground beef, applesauce, well cooked vegetables, runny oatmeal, eggs. I have not attempted steak, salad, potatoes, bread, pasta, and I have sworn off rice forever! Tuna is not easy for me because I still find it too dry even when mixed with a little mayo.

I had hiccups for the first time the other day and it drove me crazy. I realized I had eaten too much too fast. I also found Gas X did not help much. I use Mylanta instead. I have found the mushy stage challenging because I tend to eat faster when I am hungrier. I have to keep reminding myself to chew slowly because I risk taking in too much food.

Losha, I loved the too full feeling as well. I felt good on every level. Now I don't want it because it spells trouble! You will really lose an interest in food, but what is great is that your attention will likely turn to other things that are better for you. As I said before, you will eat to feed your body, not your mind.