Lap2Fab

I'm a little bummed today. The weight loss is slowing and I'm starting to feel hunger....like A LOT of hunger. I feel like I'm still dieting and that I don't have this tool.

Last night was a friend's dinner party and I had chicken Tortilla Soup minus everything but the broth and a tiny bit of salad. My surgeon has me on 3 weeks of post op shakes. I am only one week out. I wanted to EAT! Had some wine with dinner too and didn't need those empty calories.

I hear some of you eating anything you want, and some of you just having Clear Liquids, some on mushies, it's like a crap shoot. Whatever your particular surgeon says is what you do.

I want to eat cause some of you can eat and I'm getting hungry. I'm afraid to eat cause I'm one week out and told not to do anything but shakes.

I think this is that Bandster Hell thing. I'm going a little crazy with it! Not happy

Jen...you were banded on the same day as me and we're down 17lbs! You are doing great! Every doctor's post op seems to be different and it may just be that they are trying to prepare us for the long road, not the quick hike. It's a tool and until you are like at fill #3, you won't have the restriction that it's designed for (or so I have read from other posts). So you slipped, just start over tomorrow, it's another day! I have had mashed potatoes and yogurt with no problem because I have no restriction yet, today I had cream of chicken soup with herbs and it was very good. Perhaps you could contact your doctor and see if you can add a little blended foods into your diet so that you can get something in your stomach other than a shake. Believe me, I hate my shakes still...I'm sooo over them, but it's important that we get the fluids and the Protein in too! Good luck hon and keep your chin up, we'll get through these weeks before we know it!

I was banded last Wednesday and had a hiatal hernia too. It took me at least 4 days to feel good, the other days were okay, but I had a lot of gas pains and I had pain from the surgery. If you had surgery yesterday and Monday, give yourself time to heal and get a lot of rest. I couldn't do much but get my fluids in. Gas X strips help for the gas, and I also used a heating pad on my stomach, it usually took away the pain. I also would put a couple of pillows on my bed and bend over the bed with my head on the pillows and feet on the ground. They usually made me burp and I felt better! I also slept on the couch during that time and proped myself up with pillows. Good luck to all of you! It's 8 days later and I feel almost back to normal, just a little achy still from the incisions, but everything else is gravy! LOL!

So after surgery, how much weight have you lost? I don't have kids to chase, but I have a dog I can. lol

I've lost about 9lbs since surgery last week, but that includes the 5.5lbs I gained after surgery. I didn't start losing the weight until this week when my body started to recover. Your body is different and may be recovering more slowly, and it's holding on to whatever you give it, it thinks you are starving it. I think Amanda gave me the same advice because I was frustrated too, not seeing a change after you go through surgery is stressful. Adding the extra calories is what made me start losing and now I get between 900-1000 a day, and I walk every day for 30-45 minutes. I have a gym membership, but I'm not ready for that yet!

has anyone had any lightheadedness since surgery. I can't seem to shake it.

I haven't, but make sure you are getting enough fluids and calories each day, it's summer and we need more liquids! If it doesn't go away, I would call your doctor and run it by them! Good luck!

Congratulations on losing 16lbs, that's 16lbs that you don't have to lose! You did it!

You need to find a way to get exercise in ways that interest you, joining a gym isn't for everyone, and going out and walking in public when you feel self conscience isn't easy either. But, when you go to work or shopping, park further way from where you would normally park. I used to get excited when an open spot was near the door, now I park away from all of the other cars. You can even grab a couple of cans of vegetables and use them as weights while you are watching TV. I agree...joining a support group is very helpful, or just coming on here more often and joining the conversation will help you in your journey.

Remember to drink your fluids, it's key to flushing your system and try every day to do something that makes you a little uncomfortable because eventually, you will form a habit and that will be your new lifestyle! Good luck to you!

For those of you looking for a new taste, today I made a whey Protein Shake instead of my premade shakes. Its the EAS whey Protein in vanilla 23 grams of Protein per scoop.

I put ice in the blender, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, scoop of vanilla protein and 8 oz of low fat milk with 1 packet of Truvia (sugar substitute). Blend...it is awesome! I'm going to freeze what is left and have it as an ice cream.

One week post op and 17 pounds down overall! Yeah! I am so impatient though. All I want is to be under 200 and like now! I'm thinking it will take about 6-8 weeks if I'm really working this thing. That's a week or two after my birthday. Just so ready to get there! I should just be happy with the current successs but can't help stating at my size 14s in the closet!

ME TOO! I'm one week post op and 17lbs overall! Yay for us! I'm now in Onderland, and it is wonderful! I love seeing the one, it hasn't been there for a long time! I'm getting my first fill on Monday, which I'm seeing people who have had their surgery before me and having to wait longer for their first fill. I must say, I hope it's all good because I'm liking my doctor right now! I too have not changed my pant size, it will be be another 20-30 lbs before I can fit into those 14s...but there are a lot of them in the back of my closet!

Sounds like a great plan! I like the tickers, I get excited to change them! LOL! I have to tell you, my walking plan last night was great! I got there and notice another friend who I spent the day at the beach with, she had her sneakers on too and I said "are you planning to walk?". She said "yes, are you?"...well, when another mother heard us, she asked if she could go grab her sneakers in the car and join us. We walked a mile (it was hot and humid) and when we got back, there were about 5-6 other moms that we know who said they are bringing their sneakers tomorrow. We started a walking club on the second night of practice! They have practice 4 nights a week for 2 hours....so there is no reason for all of us to sit there an watch jr. football practice on our butts while our kids are getting all the exercise!

I've told them not to be sensitive to what they eat in front of me, because they have to eat...and with the exception of my husband...they are all healthy! Just because I have issues with food...

I've decided that I'm going to football practice with them tonight, I can walk the track while they are at practice! I'm shocked by my own behavior! Normally, I would care what other people thought of me...but I don't...I just want that scale to keep on moving!

I'm almost positive that is my problem. I've been keeping track over the last week, and I'm only averaging around 600 - 700 calories a day. Yesterday, I made it to nearly 900, and I actually got in my 80 grams of Protein. I also upped how much I was drinking. Hope this helps because it is very frustrating to know that you aren't eating, but you still aren't losing any weight.

You will...your body is probably just holding on to what you are giving it! Once it figures out that you are still going to feed it, I bet you'll see a quick drop to make up for these days that you aren't losing! That's what happened with me, I've lost almost 9 lbs in the past 3 days but I'm sure it's because my body finally is figuring it out (and it's weight that I mostly had gained after surgery)

I just had to share with everyone...I'm in Onderland!!! I can't even believe it! I'm so excited that the scale is moving now! I think it has helped that I'm moving more too and actually eating some mushy food has really helped me mentally and emotionally. My DH and the kids had football practice last night and came home with Italian sandwiches (some of you call them hoagies...ham, cheese, Tomato, onions, green peppers, pickles, greek olives and oil on a sub roll), they are my FAVORITE thing to eat in the summer besides lobster and I had to leave the room, I just couldn't watch them! I know I'll be able to eat them again, just a much smaller portion and probably without the bread...oh yeah...that's called a salad!

I'm getting frustrated in it either not moving at all or moving in the wrong direction. I know it isn't from me eating to much because I'm still having a hard time eating any thing at all.

That may be why you are not losing Tylee. I remember a week or so ago someone posted that your body goes into starvation mode under 800 calories. Can you drink more water/crystal light to flush your system? Are you having regular bm now? I was really frustrated when post op I weighed 5.5 lbs more, but it has come off and some more. Someone had suggested I get more calories in, and it definitely worked!

OMG, that sounds wonderful! I start mushies on Wednesday. What did you do for mushies?

Again, I'm so confused about all of the different stages we are all going through. I can have 2 blended meals a day and I'm behind most of you, I almost feel guilty!

Today I had scambled eggs for Breakfast, which were delicious...I think anything other than a chocolate low carb Protein shake would be delicious at this point. For dinner I had mash potatoes with fat free gravy and chicken. I KNOW...why can I eat this and some of you can't. It was sooooo yummy, I encourage all of you to eat it as a first meal. You can buy the cans of chicken (in the tuna aisle) or just cook chicken in a slow cooker, it has to be really soft. I made my bites tiny, almost like feeding a baby, and it took me about 15 minutes to each a very small portion, but I was happy to taste food! Now that I'm adding a little food, I'm finding the scale is moving, probably because I wasn't eating enough for the first 4 days! Good luck to all of us on this journey, the next few weeks are going to be hard until we really recover from the aches and pains of the surgery and get our butts moving more!

Lap2Fab:

Wow! You too. It is kinda funny to read all the posts on here and how every doctor is different post op. I have been real lucky with no gas pains. I bought 2 boxes of Gas-X just in case and haven't opened them yet. Yes, my doc focuses on liquids and Protein Shakes only at first. Are you able to get the mushies down already?

I had tuna and mayo mixed in a blender (2oz) and 1/4 cup of cottage cheese mixed with low fat milk in a blender. They tasted pretty good. Didn't care for the texture, but put the leftovers in the refrig, I'll try a little each day. I took very small bites and still chewed to make sure it would be okay, I was nervous at first. I stopped before I was even done with either and thought I would have Jello or some mashed banana, but I honestly didn't feel I needed either. I just think I'll stick with mainly shakes. You are lucky with no gas pains, that's really the major pain I have, it's not in my shoulder, it's right in my stomach and I have to bend over the bed to release it. My husband pounded on my back today while I was bent over, and I can't believe how much it helped, it was like burping a baby!

I'm a big fat liar because I haven't told anyone and actually did a happy dance when they told my husband that they fixed a hiatal hernia while they were in there. So, now that I'm recovering, I'm just telling everyone my diet is part of that surgery. Yes, I'm lying to all of them and there are times I feel guilty, but I just don't want anyone commenting on what was a very hard and well thought out decision. There is a reason they make you take your time and jump through hoops to get the surgery, you take the time to educate yourself. There are tons of people on here who have succeeded! I've showed my husband some before and after pictures and he has been so impressed! He knows he's going to get a healthier wife, and he's said that's all he's worried about...is me getting healthy again. So, I'm a big fat liar, but someday...I'll be a big skinny liar!

I find it so hard that the doctors all have different approaches to the pre-op and post op diets. I can have Protein Shakes or Protein shakes with 2 meals of blended foods like yogurt, chicken, tuna, mash potato, etc. etc. I just have to used a blender and no chunks. My tuna was actually good today and I at least enjoyed something different. My doctor said the most important thing is getting in the fluids and protein, so because I'm not really hungry yet, I think I'll stick to the shakes. Every day I seem a little bit better and didn't need the pain meds today, but the gas and pain is still there. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm only 4 days out and to not rush it!

No hernia repair that I am aware of. I hope it does go away. It can get painful

Do you have a heating pad? It helps too...and keep taking the gas x, almost before the pain starts. It really has helped me. I sneezed today and I thought I was bleeding all over the place, it hurt soooo bad, worse than any gas pain has yet. My husband laughed at me because he thought I was trying to be funny, it wasn't, I seriously thought my sneeze ripped open my wounds! Ouch....I won't forget that for a long time!

Walking has helped me too, and also, if it's really painful, I put two pillows on the side of my bed and I lay my head on them while bending over with my feet on the ground. I have found that the gas actually passes and I can burp instead of just feeling the pain from it.

Yeah! It took me forever to go down a size.....50 lbs and down from an 18 to a 16....

Good Luck!

I am the exact same way! People say 12 lbs, but not for me! It's my butt! It takes me about 30-35 lbs to go down a size.

So excited for you! I have a box of shorts that are one size smaller and I'd like to think I'll be able to wear some of them before summer is over or at least on a hot fall day! I know your surgery was 5 days before mine, how long did the gas and bloating last for you? I gained weight from the surgery, but I'm assuming it's gas and Water, I'm taking walks to get rid of it and I haven't had anything but liquids since last Monday, so I'm assuming, it will all wash away eventually and I'll see a big drop in the next week or so. I'm not worried about it, but I'd like to see some change in the scale!

I'm on day 4...my doctor told me to use Mirilax and/or add Benefiber to my Water. I've done both and still nothing. I agree, I'm not eating anything so why would anything happen yet? My doctor says I should be though....and so I wait...I may take some Smooth Move hot tea, it helps me usuallly (and the name cracks me up!)

I'm day 2 post op and I have a couple of questions. I'm not hungry at all, I have no desire to eat. Yesterday I had 2 11 oz shakes and some crystal light, today, I've had 1 11 oz shake and a yogurt. I've been able to take all of my medications (I take about 6 pills a day for my heart) and everything seems to be going down fine. I'm certain that I'm not eating/drinking enough but I don't feel like it. Has anyone else experienced this in the first few days? I am having gas issues too, I feel really bloated and uncomfortable. I've been taking gas x strips, they seem to help. I also gained 5 lbs since surgery, it's gas and liquid, right???? I figured I'll have a big loss when my body gets back to normal...I hope!

I told no one but my DH. I also found out on Wednesday during my surgery that I had a hiatal hernia, so if anyone asks, that's what "procedure" I had fixed. My DH asked me how long I was going to keep it a secret, and I said that eventually, I will tell my friends and family, but not until the weight comes off. They know I'm trying to get healthy because of other medical conditions, so they won't question me too much on how I lost it. They have already seen me eating smaller portions and being more active.

I think it's a personal decision that you have to make for yourself. But once it's out there, you can not get it back and you can't trust family and friends to not gossip, most will.

I had my surgery yesterday and when I weighed myself today, I gained 5 lbs. Is this just Water weight or weight from being bloated? I haven't had any "food" since Monday, so I can't imagine that it's actual weight gain. But, I have a heart condition and have to also watch my Fluid retention, so I'm wondering if I should take a water pill or just let it run it's course over the next few days and give it a chance to leave on it's own. Also, when does the bloated stomach go down? The top of my stomach area is bigger than my bottom and I'm assuming it's just from the gas and swelling. I'm looking through my paperwork, but there is nothing there listed about looking bloated. I haven't had any pain in my shoulder, just around my port and getting in and out of bed has been a struggle. I'm finding that sitting in a chair is easier for me.

I'm banded! Surgery was @ 7:00 am and I'm

still at the hospital! My poor husband! They didn't have a room in short stay until 4:00! Now I have to

drink 24 oz before they let me go! Found out that I had a hiatal hernia during surgery,

so now I have my excuse for everyone since I haven't told anyone about the surgery! Similar surgery to repair! Yay! I haven't had really any pain or gas pain. The surgery went great and I've been comfortable all day. To those of you who haven't been banded yet this month, it's not bad and I'm

sooo happy I did it!