xavier

Dear hsj, I think I lost 9 pounds on the preop then 7 the first week post op. Today is day 10 post op and I feel great and still have zero appetite...just doing the protein shakes and now some thin soup with added protein powder because I was getting so sick of the sweet slim fast etc! Life is good...I never even think about food and that's very new to me...So far, well worth the price of my painful self pay! Cali

Dear Heather, Stay off that scale for a week! A lot of people have gone up 5-7 lbs from all the IV fliuds they give you...dont worry about it!

Sometimes it is suspected that what is inside the gallbladder may be infected and they dont want to risk 'spilling it' during the combined procedure. S o they do the gallbladder, let you heal , and then the lap band.

Dear Frank, Sorry you had a bad experience...I cant imagine and post surgical patient being able to heal/recover on 300 cals a day! That's just wrong. If the dietician conforms that and if its for more than a couple or three days, PLEASE re-confirm it with the doctor! That sounds ridiculous! Good luck, dude! Cali

I agree...sometimes when I'm out in public I see all these heavy people and I know how unhappy they are and I just wish more docs would bring this up. Especially when they are in their 40s like me or older...its like, Hello? How long have you been struggling and are you realizing you are not winning? But I thin primary care docs should at least bring this up! Cali

Well good luck and we'll be wishing the best for you. Yes, it is Barrett's esophagus and it means that that area is inflamed/damaged commonly from uncontrolled GERD. It will be good for them to get a look at it, prob take some tiny biopsies just to see how bad it is....again, best wishes! Cali

I might answer them, "If I was 'dieting' I might lose weight faster, but with the band its just reasonable healthy eating and slow weight loss is best." Not that I think 35 pounds is slow or anything to discount! You're doing great!!! Cali

So much for the weenie-eating contests...my doc told me I will prob feel the port when belly down on the old surfboard but I wont hurt it! I'm so bad at it I'm probably more likely to crack my skull!!! Cali

I think you'll find we're a great group...very supportive, lots of detailed info, and very truthful...good luck whatever you decide! Cali

My incisions are exactly the same as meem's. Did you guys get a binder that wraps around your abdomen? I had one for a week and it got me sleeping in bed and on my side faster because I think it keeps your gut from schlumping over! Cali

That sounds basically the same as mine, he advises a one cup meal. Carbonated ok anytime but prob wont like the trapped burp feeling. Cali

Oh, and the Mayo thing you can just cut from mine or anyone's and paste that into your signature box and save...give it a try! Cali

JB, So you've already made and saved one on ticker.com? OK, then go up to the top and click the "User CP" tab and choose my signature from the drop down. Then you have to paste that weird code thing into your box and save...good luck! Cali

JBDiva, Welcome! You'll meet a lot of awesome people here to cheer you on! Cali

Tinman, You'll do fine! Compared to raising two boys...its a piece of cake! I'm a wimp and had never had any surgery before and I made it! Good luck! Cali

Kellster, What do you do with the yogurt...I mean I know you eat it but is it plain? Do you put anything in it?Thanks, Cali

Sounds like were all just working the program! Today is one week out for me and I actually feel pretty good...might do some very light yardwork! Cali

MotherMary, Whoever said the protein drinks make more nausea gas cramps was right. I was banded a day before you and just today I am starting to feel ok with the protein drinks.Anything milky is kind of yuck. Just take it slow till youre ready. I did do some protein waters to get some protein in without the milkiness...good luck! Cali

Isnt it an amazing feeling (freedom?) not to want or care about food...I'm only a week out but I wish this would last forever!

Glad to hear you're ok! I felt like I got kicked by a horse and I think its because I had the hernia repair at the same time! The most amazing thing is how much better I feel every day! Still no hunger and really kind of forcing myself on the protein!! Cali

Seems like the younger you are , the better you'll recover/heal from the procedure, the more elastic your skin will be to snap back after you lose the weight, and the less years you have lived (unlike me) with really bad habits!!! I wish I had done this 20 years ago!!!

Birthday cake might be great in a blender! On the bright side, you'll also be looking 40 pounds thinner in those birthday pix! Do you always have to have the diet after a fill? Cali

I feel very lucky that I have no appetite or interest in food! I dont even think about it. I wish this would last forever. I just make myself get my nutritional/fluid requirements like any other small task of self-care. Tomorrow will be one week and I really feel great! cali

Well I'm going t wait till I'm alone and feeling very brave to get on mine!!! I dont think I need the abuse! LOL!

Dear Ram, Glad you're doing ok but sorry for the hunger. I think mine must still be really tight because I really have no interest in food and have to force things down for protein and fluid...I never thought Id say that in my life...its like bizarro world where everything is opposite. Sounds like you are a pretty fast healer...I was kind of a wimp! Well keep letting us know how youre doing...Cali