lml32937

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-

7-11 has slurpees that are not carbonated- the cherry ones are not and neither are the crystal light ones.

I have noticed that as I incorporate more "real" foods (as opposed to liquids) into my day I tend to feel hungrier. Is this normal? When I did liquids, soup, jello etc- I felt full and satisfied. Now I eat lets say a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and 1 hr later I feel hungry again. I know it is hunger hunger and not mind hunger because it is a true discomfort from not eating (similar to before surgery). Any advice?

There is another posting (I am not sure what it is titled) that gave a great example of a variety of mushy foods- I think part of the problem is that you are on liquids for so long you long for somthing to chew or taste different. I was just banded 4/2/09 and this past weekend introduced mashed potatoes and some scrambled eggs- they went well- For the week I have also purchased grits, oatmeal, yogurts, thicker soups, and some sauce (tomatoe) with ricotta and mozzerella cheese to put on it as well as refried beans and cheese- Just to add variety to not get "burnt out" but still sticking to dr's orders..... Good luck!

I love (ed) Sushi- I was informed by both physician and dietician no more after banding- 1 rice getting stuck- 2 peices being too big. So before my pre=op diet- I had a sushi fiesta- haha- and got my fill..... I do miss it maybe one day I will be able to again but now am too afraid....

Also any advice on how to change the ticker thingy? I cannot get it changed...

Had my 1 week f/u this am and all is well and healing great! Better yet- I lost 13 lbs so total of 29lbs YIPPEE!!!!! I'm so stoked it isnt even funny- Thanks for all the support!!!!!:thumbup:

Wasnt much of a Diet Coke fan but Diet Dr. Pepper or Diet Sierra Mist was the bomb! I really dont miss it too much and I was told NEVER again any carbonated beverages due to expansion and gas....

YEAH! I was banded 4/2/09 SO I can relate....... Post op is going ok for now- I have my 1 week f/u tomorrow- cannot wait to see the weight. (or lack of) haha....

My husband and I have a Wii system but not the Wii fit. I was worried about the weight limit on the board and wanted to wait a while.. but I love the other games and personally was NEVER a gamer....

Do any of you attend any type of support group locally?

I wore a loose fitting cotton dress with my crocks and undies. In the hospital I was in a gown and my undies (no bra) with no problem. At home I was comfortable in my jammies. Everyone is right the incisions are high enough that the band from pants/panties shouldnt hurt or rub. I did have 1 incision under my left boob but wearing my bra after a few days didnt bother it. Good Luck!