em1125

I'm eating between 700 - 850 cal/day. I can't seem to get anymore than that down at this time. I'm only 18 days out. I think once I'm on solids, it will increase. I only want to eat about 1000 cal/day once I start solids. Two more weeks. I CAN'T WAIT!!

Ladyred, I am very happy with my band. I'm only 18 days out, but so far so good. I pretty much follow all the rules so far. Drinking during or right after a meal is not a good idea. If you don't drink while you eat, you stay full for a longer period of time. Weight Loss Surgery is a personal choice. But if you look at the statistics over a 2 year period, RNY and Lapband have the same success rate. I even think LapBand has a higher success rate. If you do further research, you will see how some RNY patients have also had Lapband done after they had the RNY. I feel that Lapband is a better way to go. It's safer, reversible, and the anatomy of your insides do not change. You made a great choice. Don't second guess yourself. Remember, RNY is a much more invasive. You also have control with the LapBand. If you find your appetite has increased, go get a fill. That's the beauty of this. My surgeon didn't try to talk me into RNY, but he explained to me that if I was a grazer, Lapband would not be a good choice for me. He also said that if I wasn't a grazer/picker and just ate big portions at a sitting, then LapBand would be a good choice. I chose LapBand. And as of right now, I'm very happy with that decision. I am down about 14 pounds and I honestly cannot eat nearly what I used to eat. Good luck and keep us posted.

My doctor told me anything that I can mash with the back of my fork is considered soft foods. I have to be honest, I tried that, but I think it's too early for me. I need to stay on soft (i.e. oatmeal, soups, pureed vegetables etc.) I tried flaky fish and I had a lot of pain that night in my stomach. I'm only 17 days post op. I'm going to wait until the 4th week. Good luck.

My belly was very swollen after the surgery. I couldn't button any of my pants. It took about a week.

I just started getting hungry. I feel as if i can eat, but a few minutes after I start, I get a bad cramp on my left side. I'm not sure if that's restriction or not. I started getting this cramp right after my surgery. Anytime I eat more than 1 - 2oz of mushies I get a bad cramp. If I drink too fast the same thing happens.

Hi all, I just caught this post. I'm also from NY. Westchester. Anyway, I had my surgery by Dr. Roslin at Lenox Hill Hospital. The group is Roslin, Kurian, and Shah. We have a support group that meets on the second Thursday of the month. The next meeting is Oct 12 for anyone who's looking for a support group. It's held at Lenox Hill Hospital Aaron Hall Conference Room at 6:00p.m. Pebbles, just read your post. Hope you're feeling much better. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I am 16 days post op. I cant' eat a lot because anytime I eat or drink, I get a cramp in my stomach. They talk about chest pain if we eat too much. I don't have that. The minute I eat over 3 oz of mushies, I get a cramp. Does anyone else experience this?

I have a 10cc Band as well. I haven't had a fill yet. My first fill is Oct 12. I am only 16 days post op. Anyway, I need to understand the fill thing better. If you have a 10cc band, what happens when your fill is up to 10cc's. What happens if we don't get restriction? Another question, how does the surgeon decide on what size band to give the patient?

ItsGottaGo, This too shall pass as they say. It's really hard. I'm 16 days post op and my diet is thick puree or anything I can mash with a fork. I am starving. The first 10 days were great. I wasn't hungry at all. That has passed for sure. Last night a had filet of fish stewed and then I mashed it. I had a problem with pains in my stomach. Even though my surgeon's office has permitted me to eat foods that I can mash with a fork, I know I'm not ready yet. Yesterday was the first day I did that. I'm not ready. I can eat thick Soups but that's about it. Hang in there. You're really doing a great job. Every surgeon is so different. It's unbelievable. I was permitted to have Soup after 6 meals of liquids after coming home from the hospital. Basically, I was on Clear Liquids for a total of 3 days. You're doing a great job. We all have to keep our eye on the prize. Good luck.

You did the right thing. Thank God you were persistent. I think that after all is said and done and you're feeling so much better you may start liking your band and the results that are coming from your hard work. With most surgeries, pneumonia is a risk. I know that because 18 years ago I had open heart surgery and they told me to use the incentive spirometer (sorry for the spelling). I thought I was using it enough, but I did get pneumonia which caused me an additional 4 days in the hospital. When I had the lap band surgery, they gave me the same spirometer and I used it more than I could count. I was no way getting pneumonia again. I truly feel for you because pneumonia is painful. Please take good care of yourself. And again GOOD FOR YOU. Someone should answer to their screw up. Get better soon and wishing you a speedy recovery. Best regards,

Mine is 3 inches below my right breast. I can see it buldge a little and it feels like a lump. I just wonder if it will stick out even more after the weight is gone? I say who cares as long as I can get the weight off and live a healthy lifestyle. Regards to all,

Thanks Dedi. Appreciate the advice.

Want2lose, Thank you so much. I just took Tylenol. I am so upset. Before my surgery, I lived on Advil. This will take some adjusting. I think Advil is the best thing out there for over the counter medication. Tylenol is not as good as Advil. Anyway, thanks again. Best regards,

Hi Larry, Welcome to LBT. This is a wonderful site of great advice, knowledge and support. I am 11 days post op. I'm doing very well and have lost 12 pounds. I have two weeks of liquid/puree consistency. The first two days was Clear Liquids. After that, I started out with chicken broth, split pea Soup, and protien shakes. I added a quarter of a banana in the protien shake and added ice and pureed it. It was very filling and satisfying. I still can't finish 8oz at a sitting yet. I get full very easily. I am rarely hungry . I think its a comination of the band and ketosis. The liquid stage for me has moved to thin puree. I started eating ricotta cheese, cottage chesse , yogurt, basically anything that rolls off a spoon easily. I also make a stewed cauliflour with diced tomatoes, garlic, salt and pepper and stew the cauliflour. I then mix it to a thin puree. It's very tasty. I hope I was a little helpful. Best of luck to you in your new journey.

I can't believe that. WOW. Do you know why?

lap-Montreal, What are they going to do for you. Do you need it replaced/removed? Good luck. Hope all goes well for you.

Is this written in your insurance booklet or somewhere for people to see. If not, you have a better chance of getting approved. After hiring an attorney, I learned a lot and how insurance companies try to get away with things even when it's unethical. They're hoping that you will just go away and forget about having this surgery. Insurance companies make it difficult because they're hoping that the person is not serious. In the long run, they know that it will eventually come out of their pockets. But, the only way this will happen is if you continue to fight and appeal all the way to an outside external review if it has to go that far. Good luck.

Leila, Thank God no cancer. It's also good that you're not having a full hysterectomy. Leaving your ovaries in will not cause you to go into full metopause. That's a good thing. The best of luck to you and keep us posted on the date of your hysterectomy. Wishing you the best. Feel good and take care of yourself. Regards...

WELCOME TO BANDLAND. Happy to hear you're out of the hospital and recovering. Take it easy and don't push yourself. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Regards,

Michelle, Happy to hear your good news. Good luck with your next fill. Hopefully, this will be enough. You've gotton so far. You'll get to your goal. Hang in there. Regards,

Want2lose, so happy you're home and recovering. Wishing you a very speedy recovery. You may be better off coming home after the surgery. Staying at the hospital overnight was the worst. NO SLEEP! Rest and Relax.

Can't wait. It's been a week and one day since I've been with my dh. I see my surgeon tomorrow. I think it's really about how we're feeling. If you're feeling up to it, GO FOR IT. Have fun.

I just realized I posted this on the wrong thread. Want2lose, Im with you all the way. Wishing you the best tomorrow for a quick and painless surgery. I'm thinking all good things. For all of you who are having all kinds of anxieties, and probably will have some right up unitl you go into the OR Room --REMEMBER: Beautiful thoughts. When you lye down on the operating table, close your eyes and picture yourself at goal. Picture yourself thin, sexy, and living the healthiest lifestyle. Picture yourself at your favorite vacation spot, walking the sandy beaches sporting your two piece bathing suits. Picture every wonderful image in your head. Picture everything that makes you happy and safe. It truly works. My girlfrend helped me use this positive imagry. It helps having a psychologist as a best friend. lol Everything will go smoothly. God Bless and Good luck. My thoughts and prayers are with you all who will be banded tomorrow and throughout the week. Ok. I feel better now that this post is where it should be. Regards, <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________ Emily:) Banded 9/5/06 Dr. Roslin Manhattan Minimally Invasive & Bariatric Surgery

Want2lose, Im with you all the way. Wishing you the best tomorrow for a quick and painless surgery. I'm thinking all good things. Want to hear from you as soon as you can. For all of you who are having negative scared thoughts , and continue to remian nervous right up to the OR Romm-(like I did) --REMEMBER: Beautiful thoughts. When you lye down on the operating table, close your eyes and picture yourself at goal. Picture yourself thin, sexy, and living the healthiest lifestyle. Picture yourself at your favorite vacation spot, walking the sandy beaches sporting your two piece bathing suits Picture every wonderful image in your head. Picture everything that make happy and safe. It truly works. My girlfrend helped me use this positive imagry. It always helps when you have a psychologist as a best friend. lol Everything will go smoothly. God Bless and Good luck. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Regards,

The only diet I needed to do is one day before the surgery. I had to do liquids. Every surgeon has different rules on dieting before surgery. I did start eating lighter the week before. Other than that, I pretty much maintained my weight. I have lost 7 pds in 6 days. Don't have much of an appetitite since the surgery. My advice to you is to call your surgeons office and ask what he expects before the surgery. Good luck.