june09bandit

Isn't it a great feeling to get back to riding again? Congrats on being back in the saddle! You may be sore tomorrow, but it will just be muscle soreness, not port soreness (from not riding for a month). Take your time on that absess - my main mount had one and she was off for about 6 months - but she has horrible feet anyway. I learned my lesson - I won't try to let her go barefoot again! Enjoy all your successes! You've worked hard for them.

I lived on chicken noodle Soup that comes in a box - the one with the tiniest noodles. It was slightly off the diet, but it did not cause me problems - that was in the 2nd or 3rd week though. Good luck!

Nancy, I would suggest not rushing into it. I think we all go through the pre surgery anxiety immediately before surgery. However, if you've never had that period where you know this is right for you and it's definitely what you want, then I would wait a little while before committing. This is truly a life changing event. If you aren't ready for those changes, then you will be miserable and depressed and want it out a month after your surgery. Some part of you has to be ready to change. Because of the post op diet, there will be times when you are sure you will starve to death - but the desire for change will get you through it. From my perspective, there are days that I just want to eat. That's what I've always done, so it's a habit. I feel very deprived and, frankly, pissed off when I can't eat the last bite of something that tastes good. But, if I eat it anyway, I get really pissed off because it hurts so bad. It is an entire lifestyle change. Be sure you are ready before you commit. I don't regret the surgery for one minute, but there have been some difficult times to get through. It's not easy. Good luck to you!

As sexy as this sounds, I kept my tshirt tucked under my breast to keep from having skin on skin contact. I wore a bandaid to one doctor's appointment and was scolded - he said no band aids - they don't let air in to the incision. He recommended a sanitary napkin attached to the bra. I went to the store and tried on bras until I found a couple that did not have underwire and they were a lot more comfortable. Not very supportive, but better than nothing!

You can tell the doc about it and ask him to document it in your chart. I'm sure they know the rash will come and go. I have a dermatologist appt in a couple of weeks, I think I'll scratch a little before I go.....

I'll do both sides of the discussion - I'm 44, two skin cancers already removed, and 6 month "inspections" for the rest of my life. I do still tan once a year when I'm in Cancun... Yet another addiction. Now, to answer your real question - my hubby has major scarring on his shoulder from surgery several years ago. He did not properly protect it one year in Cancun - it must have hurt really badly. He now slathers it in SPF50 now as soon as he goes in the sun. Apparently, the scar will burn much worse than normal tissue. Be sure to protect your scars. An infection on top of an existing scar would really hurt I think.

Are you drinking plenty of water? If you don't drink enough, your body will retain any that it has.

Please tell me more about these shots - is it the synivisc stuff? (not sure of the real word). My knee is killing me and I'm in the same position as you - not much can be done until I'm old enough or in such severe pain that a knee replacement will be done.

I'm glad the situation resolved itself - I was one of those that read your post, but I honestly didn't have any advice to offer. My doc told me that it can take up to 2 weeks to feel the restriction, but I haven't experienced it for myself yet. It sounds like you may actually be at your sweet spot for now. Cross your fingers and hope this is your magic fill spot!

Yes, I had this happen to me yesterday. I went straight to the doctor's office and they put me in front of the people who were already waiting. I lost 5 pounds overnight - doctor unfilled me completely so that I could re-hydrate myself. Don't wait.

Went in for my third fill on Weds. I had made reasonable progress and lost 5 pounds in the month prior (reasonable according to the doc, not me, I wanted more). He asked me if I wanted a fill, and I said yes, a small one. I felt like I was close to the happy spot, but needed just a little bit more. The doc was training a new Physician's assistant, so I think we all got distracted. At any rate, he gave me 2 ccs. My brain registered it as .2cc, but the band definitely thought it was a full 2 ccs. About 7:30 last night, I took a drink of Water, and it got stuck. Oh.. bad sign, I was sure of it. From that point on, through the rest of the night, I was throwing up or PBing my own saliva every 15 to 30 minutes. I'm sure this was the longest night of my life. Got up this morning and headed straight back to the doctor's office (2.5 hours away). I lost 5 pounds overnight. He unfilled me completely and told me to re-hydrate. I go back next week to start all over. ugh Next time, I will pay more attention - do NOT get 2 ccs if you think you are close to the sweet spot.

Erin, I wouldn't take it personally that your aunt does not ask you to go riding. I must admit, there are very few people that are allowed to get on my horses. I have to know how they ride and feel like they will be safe on my horses and that my horse will be safe in their care. Some of us are very protective of our horses - it's not personal. I had a friend that wanted to sit in my saddle while it was on the horse. I reluctantly agreed to avoid being rude. She landed on the back with a THUD - my horse was not impressed. I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to get her off fast enough to avoid her being injured. hmarko, I'm so sorry for your loss. I also lost a horse a couple of years ago, just before the weight gain started. It's like losing a part of us.

It will be fine - I haven't felt like I was going to jar anything loose, I am just aware that something is there. I actually considered wrapping my belly with a polo wrap to hold everything in place. I didn't do it, but the thought did cross my mind. I ride western. Believe it or not, a fall is what led to the lap band. I was jogging (very very slow) one of the horses around the pasture. The goober horse didn't pick up his feet and he tripped - WE landed on my knee. This led to knee surgery and an arthritis diagnosis. The knee won't get better unless I lose weight. So here I am. I'm trying to ride a very green broke 4 year old who trots like a pogo stick. I have to sit the trot because of my knee. Therefore, my abs are having to hold my butt in the saddle. I may be taking more of a beating than those of you who can post. I have not felt like anything was going to come loose. It's more of an awareness that something is different in there. One of the best perks for me - I'm a barrel racer - just imagine how much faster the horses will be able to run when I lose the excess weight! Good luck to you all. I'm glad someone started a horseback riding thread. I haven't seen it brought up before.

Hi Hmarko - my doc did clear me to ride after 2 weeks, but he left it up to me to do what I felt comfortable with. The port is attached to something inside you, so you can feel it sort of tug on the tissue. You know how sometimes you probably want to hold your breasts at the sitting trot? It's the same sort of feeling. Not so much pain as awkward. Good luck in your journey!

Welcome to the boards! You'll find a wealth of information here. Just remember, every doctor is different and some have very different protocols. You have to trust in what YOUR doctor says. Good luck in the journey!

Then call to make the appt and tell them you're seeking a referral for bariatric surgery.

Go buy a lottery ticket!!! Congrats on your approval. I still remember how excited I was. And congrats on sticking to the pre-op diet - it's not easy to do.

I didn't make a special appt for this. Did you PCP refer you to the bariatric place? If so, then just call them and ask for the letter.

It depends on what sort of riding you are going to do. I was riding at a walk 2 weeks after surgery. It did hurt and was uncomfortable, so it was a very short ride. At about 5 weeks, I was able to trot a little. At 2 months post op, I was almost back to normal. I can still feel the port move around, but it doesn't hurt so much as just feels funny. Does that help you any?

I'm having the same problem as ocotillo. I really want to keep eating just because it tastes good. It's a true effort to watch hubby pile his plate high while I take a tablespoon of this and that. Still adjusting.

I think this is an Arizona thing - I can't seem to sip it either. Once I start to drink, I'm probably going to drink 12 ounces before I put it down. I think I will have problems after my next fill. That was one of my biggest concerns with the band - how to stay hydrated in the heat!

I went through it too. I kept reading the post op diet over and over thinking I MUST be missing something - it was then that I noticed that "blenderized soup" is a liquid on my doc's diet. Blendered cream of broccoli Soup (with extra milk) never tasted so good. Read your diet again, there may be something that you've overlooked as an option.

Ditto to the sugar free banana pudding. I made it and lots of tapioca pudding made with splenda. Now that I've said it, I think I'll make some tonight!

wow.. good question. I just got banded in June, so I'm still trying to figure out some things as well. Wake up thirsty every morning for unknown reasons. (I get up at 5:30.) Drink a bunch of water while getting ready for work. Fix coffee for the drive in (some docs don't allow coffee). Eat breakfast (either fruit, nut bar or balance bar) about 9:30. For some reasons, eating breakfast make me want to munch on crap. Some days I fight the urge, other days I have a piece of chocolate. Lunch about 11:30. Either leftover meat and veggies from night before, frozen lunch or balance bar. I am always starving when I get home at 4:30 so I try to fix dinner as soon as I get there. Usually grill a meat outside, fix veggies and a box of pasta for hubby. I will eat the meat and veggies and maybe a spoon of the pasta. So no, I really don't totally different foods. We have gone out to eat a couple of times, and I eat 1/3 to 1/2 of the meal. Hope this helps! The biggest adjustment is chewing. If I get too hungry and don't chew enough, it can cause pain. When I stop losing at all, I go back to weighing and measuring to refresh my portion sizes. Good luck!

Let me know how it went!