lml32937

I just had my 1st appt for a fill today and my surgeon could not feel/find my port even with Ultrasound. I am scheduled on Monday to go the hospital to have flouroscopy done for my fill and he will put in 2cc's. Has anyone else had this? I was very frustrated but he said not to worry it isnt my fault. He also said the first few fills are the hardest because when you loose more weight it is easier to palpate the port... Also I found out that even though I gained some weight since being back on solid foods my total weight loss has equaled 2 lbs per week since surgery- so up and down like so many others... how do you deal with it?

MEE TOO>>>> I have a lot to loose as well + 200 if possible- I know I need to take it 1 day at a time... Thanks for the support!

This problem (drinking) has been one of my biggest hurdles to overcome- I have ALWAYS drank with my meals and it is undoubtably the hardest thing I have tried to stop doing.... I have "cheated" by including some sf popsicles or watermelon into my meal so that I can have some liquid going down- I fear something getting stuck although I know the liquid is actually pushing.... HELP!!!!

Last night like at 2:30 am I woke up extremely nauseated and with a little diarrhea. I felt like I was going to throw up but tried very hard not to... I finally gave up after 30 min of holding it in and let go- But nothing came out- I had like dry heaves and burps of air- nothing came up- I woke up feeling fine and after this happened did take a phenergan in case it happened again- I fear vomiting now but was feeling so bad I didnt know what to do- I have been on foods for 10 days and the last 5 we were out of town so my "schedule" and routing were off kilter- I have not eaten anything bad; stayed healthy- but it was weird.... I dont know if I ate too much or too fast and it just settled in an akward place... Has this happened to anyone else?

My hightest weight was 437 and that was what I was before I started this journey- I too worried about the excess skin but after doing my research I realized that oer 60% of all people at some point in time will have some sort of procedure done before they die regardless if they have weight loss surgery or not- I talked to a personal family friend who is a plastic surgeon and he said you (I) should not even think, worry, get workied up about anything until I am at least 2 years out from my surgery. My surgeon has encouraged me to exercise more and try to tone- this helps with the excess so that you are toning as you are losing and for that I have decided to join Curves; we get a discount wtih the lap band. I would hate to see you discouraged because of your fear of plastic surgery- most likely it will be inevitable... But please seek a 2nd opinon with a surgeon that will a) agree to do the LP for you and :cool2: offer some encouragement. If you have any questions I will be happy to answer if I am able... Good luck!

During Pre- Op I knew I could have Soup, yogurt, Protein shakes etc. Now being advanced it is more challenging trying to figure out serving size, portion size, protein vs carbs ets.. It was just simpler... Not that I enjoyed it anymore- I totally am happy now wtih more variety.... But it was much easier so to speak...

Congrats on the beginning of your journey! I did best with broth's, soup's, and lots and lots of crystal light- I was able to eat yogurt as well and that helped..... After the 10days you will be like "I cannot beleive I just did that"... But it is only the beginning- For me, that was the easy part..... Now 1 month later it is more challenging- Any questions, feel free to ask or email... Good luck!

Question.... Today I had my f/u with my dietician. I am doing great but am not getting enough calories and she was very worried- I am getting plenty of protein but she said 1800-1900 cal a day is fine with 75-90 gms of protein as well. She also told me to "get over my fear" of carbs and such that carbs are important and that I am not on a "diet" so to speak. this was hard for me to hear becuase in re=training my brain- I feel like I need to "think" i'm on a diet to follow direction otherwise I may end up not losing anything and fail... does this make sense to anyone? Dont get me wrong- I am not discouraged by anymeans- I was actually happy to be told I could eat some more- I have been on the verge of hunger for a long time afraid to "overeat" Any comments or advice would be apprecaited.

Ditto Ditto Ditto--- Banded 4/2/09- I weighed myself last at about 2 weeks post op- My next f/u is 5/15/09- Don't know if I will get a fill or not... I don't feel as if I am loosing lbs but I know I am losing inches because I am able to wear clothes I tucked away 4 years ago for a "thin day".... I was told to be on "solid foods" by the time of my appointment but a part of me is fearful of gaining some weight when I do- Hopefully my dietician can clear up my worries Friday.....

When di dyou all re-introduce salads to your diet? This past weekend I was CRAVING a salad- being only 1 month out I didnt for fear something bad would happen- I have not been given the green light to go to "normal" foods yet...

Thanks- To be totally honest I really dont know- There were so many no's involved (gum, straws, soda, bread, rice, sushi etc). I am being ANALLY careful so as not to mess up either "cheating" or with the band so for me personally a no means no like never again..... BUT having said that- when I get slinky enough to be comfortable and fly somewhere...you better bet your bippies that I will be chewing gum- Have to to prevent my ears from popping- Personally I think the gum thing is a bigger no for the porbability of swallowing it rather than the air part but who knows........

My doc said absolutely no gum, no straws, no sucking air into the belly- I have used some of the sugar free hard candy when needed or the SF mints and they satisfy the need for now....

I am going to join when my doc clears me on 5/15/09 already went and did the tour and it looks great- and because of the lap band I get a discount- YIPPEE!!!! it works out to like 1 dollar a day and is right near my house.... Not crazy about the hours they have but I will manage... I am looking forward to it... right now- Walking is boring...

I love tropical smoothie too-- I generally just order a regular and bring the rest home- it is so easy to re-freeze. Sometimes I only want a few spoon fulls... just a thought it works for me.

It seams when I graduate to a new food or style (ie) liq to mushy- mushy to pureed- pureed to more solid.... the first time I try something new I get hiccups too... One time I know I was eating too fast but after I caught my breath and slowed down they were gone- MInd you I had only had 2 tsp of the food.. haha but I am learing to put my spoon/fork down between eacy bite and this helps a lot!

You should notify your doctor- With your history of COPD you may have an underlying cardiac condition that may be causing you to retain water or which can ultimately effect your breathing as well. RE: Diarrhea- Maybe you picked up a bug at the hospital or something..... but most def call your doctor..... expecially sicne you are already on O2

Ditto here... Viactive Caramel chews 2 per day- YUM! :rolleyes2:

I am doing well am now about 3 weeks post op and have been on mushies and am slowly graduating to more variety on puree..... I am unsure if I know what "restriction" is exactly- from what I am reading it is the feeling of fullness. I was much more full in the beginning than I am now but eating/drinking WAY less and healthier than pre-surgery. I have been averaging (during the week) a smoothie or an egg for bkfst, mid morning cottage cheese, lunch- tuna or egg or soup, dinner is whatever and pm snack either yogurt or Protein shake- Because I was not feeling as full as I thought I should I increased my drinking of h20 and crystal light trying to fill on liquid rather than food- but sometimes that is hard- I see the surgeon on 5/15 and am hoping to get a fill so I can be back to the way I felt right after surgery but dont know if that is possible.... I weighed myself today and lost 3 lbs in 10days and I think that is good- 32 all together and I am very happy- but I am not goign to weigh again until I see him- I think too I may be reading too much and have to take astep back and realize everyone is different and to take things with agrain of salt.... I am thankful for all of you and your encouragment and support! lisa

I have lived on Re-fried beans and cheese all melted with a little taco sauce, mashed potatoes, yogurt, soup, fresh smoothies etc. I have also gotten spaghettis sauce in a bowl wtih cheese and nuke it for a few- I made taco's the other night and blended everything (minus the shells) and it was great! Creem cheese melted wtih salsa and cheese- Cottage cheese- I have eaten more cheese in the last 3 weeks than I have in my life- Hope this helps!

For me personally not dwelling on what I couldnt have and rather enjoying and experimenting with what I could have has gotten me thru. I have lost all my cravings I had before my surgery and don't really have that "desire" to chow down anymore- It is only 3 weeks out..... I have been out twice with friends and havent felt out of place- Most places have soup or something mushy-last night I ate with a spoon instead of tortilla chips spinach and artichoke dip and it was good- yeah I only had a few bites but it was nice to be with friends.... I think those feelings you have is normal- That is what this board has brought me- reassurance you are not alone and encouragment to get thru this! Good luck!

I commend you for starting this journey and want to encourage you not to get discouraged. I started at 437 pre op and I am 5'7. 1 week after surgery i was down 29 lbs- 16 pre op 13 1 week post op. For me the decision to do Lap Band was a given. I considered bypass about 5 years ago but then met too many people that had bad experiences and side effects. I knew my weight didnt get on in 1 day so I was willing to do something that would work with me making lifestyle changes and re-learn to eat correctly and exercise- so I opted not to get a quick fix- Although I do agree for some the bypass my be a better option- Good luck on your journey!

I am fine with mine and no pressure changes or "extra" air in the belly...

I am in the process of adding pureed to my mushies stages but there have been a few days that I will do liquids in the morning/lunch and have Soup or liquids in the afternoon/evening because I am full. If I am doing liquids (ie Protein shakes, soup, broth etc) do I still need to wait and not drink during the "meal"? what do you do if you eat something that is nasty and you need to get the taste out or if it is too hot? Silly questions but curiosity is killing me on what others do in this situation.....

eggs are my new friend!!!!!!!!!! scrambeled, hard boiled- in egg salad etc. Tuna has been good chicken and dumplings (home made) blended was good Tacos in the magic bullet were the best!- meat, cheese, sauce and sour cream and a few tomoatoes.... Fruit smoothies- fresh fruit and Vanilla Slim fast or Vanilla ensure- Ensure shake- chocolate with a banana and ice- is just like a shake! (but healthy!) I love my magic bullet- have used it every day! Thanks for all the good ideas!

I was hospitalized over night but was up and walking 5 hrs after surgery. Once home I relaxed a little and only moved around a little. I started walking outside (around the neighborhood) about 4 days after I was home. Now I walk 4-5 x a week and after ny mext appt May 15 I plan to join Curves-