~*leeann*~

Last Friday:220 today: 213 Lost 7 lbs this week. Although this is great, it is also due to the tragic and unexpected death of my 4 month old niece. I know that normal weeks wont be like this (as far as the amount of weight loss) , however next week I am cleared to start working out again. hopefully i can keep that momentum going. Great job to everyone....keep up the good work!

This is my first post into this thread. I just got my first fill on Wednesday..and WOOHOO! It took me outta bandster hell!!! YAY! Last Friday (and the 2 weeks previous): 222 Today: 220 Total since surgery:16 Total since start of Pre-Op: 24 WOOOHOOOO! Keep it up everyone!!!!!

well...its 7:50pm...and I had my fill at 3. A little disappointed. I have been reading on here how everyone is getting pretty significant amounts in their bands..and I only got .8cc's!!!! When talking to the nurse, and she was asking me about my diet...she said in so many words that I wasnt making good food choices. Today Marks the end of my "mushies" phase. My surgeon told me during my mushies phase to eat baked/mashed potatoes (no skin obviously), Soups, oatmeals, creamed corn, etc. She wasnt feeling this. She was definately not happy that I have had avocado. I didnt really realize how high it was in fat and calories, so that was my fault..but it was good, and mushy...and i was getting so tired of the other stuff. So she said that she was only giving me .8 (she said a normal fill is 1cc). This makes me concerned because the past 2 weeks i have been stuck on a plateau, and felt little to no restriction on the amount or what I am eating. I have been nervous to eat alot, for fear of stretching, or slippage. The .8cc's brings my total to 3.8 out of a possible 10cc's. I hope this gives me a better satisfaction level than I have had the past 2 weeks. As for the fill itself..I opted to not get the numbing meds..and it was fine. A little stick, much like giving blood...and a very small amt of pressure, but was over in maybe 30 seconds at the most. She was awesome...she knew exactly where it was by touch, and only had to stick me once. WHEW!!!! I was very thankful for that. ESPECIALLY since I declined pain meds. It has been about 4 hours since my fill...and I have no soreness, or anything.

I have my first fill this afternoon! Im excited!!! I have been stuck in bandster hell for about 2 weeks...I lost a total of 24#s (Pre/Post op...15 Post op the first 2 weeks) and then 2 weeks ago it just stopped. I feel like I have NO restriction..and have been trying to be so careful about eating, and portion control. I havent had anything get stuck, havent gotten sick...etc. The weight loss just STOPPED! GRRR! I hope i get enough to make a difference on this trip! I think I am a monthly filler as well. So I dont expect much. Im crossing my fingers and will update Post-Fill!

The other day I went walking, and walked about 3 miles without my knees popping out of place or getting very stiff. I also put on a pair of jeans that I keep in my "Skinny" drawer (my drawer full of all my fav jeans, shorts, and tank tops I cant fit but refused to get rid of!!)...they arent skinny...they are an 18....but coming from 22W..I was really excited!

If you like Tuna, I have discovered something...where the tuna is in the grocery store there are now 3oz packages that you can just rip the top off of (as opposed to being in a can). This 3oz packet of tuna has 20g of protein!!!! I have make tuna salad with it. (My favorite is Albacore White Tuna...it almost tastes like chicken salad..not as fishy)...It is the perfect serving size..and lots of protein for the amount. Not too difficult to eat, since it breaks up pretty small...and it is really lean.

Today makes our 2 week mark! YAY! How is everyone doing? How is eating... My appetite is BACK in FULL FORCE! AHHHH! I eat very little and get full...but I dont stay full for long. A couple hours later I am hungry again. I have lost a total of 22 lbs since the start of Pre-Op diet on May 6th...and 14 lbs since surgery! That is exciting! I am so ready for real food. I am sick sick sick of Protein shakes! It has gotten to the point that I get so sick to my stomach if I drink one. UGH! I dont care for sweet stuff...so pudding and Jello (Even SF) are getting really old. I am now on to sweet potatos, oatmeal, creamy Soups, and mushies. THANK GOODNESS! :confused: How about the rest of you?

I understand your concern! I went 7 days with no #2....and I asked my dr, and they told me that it not normal. I got pretty nervous...and didnt want to get backed up and have more pain...so I did an enema per my dr's advice. Not fun...but it worked....then I went about 3 days with nothing...then went on my own. So it will come...but you may have to help it along. Appearantly the pain meds are a major reason for that backup (at least with me..they gave me hydracodone..which causes it pretty bad)....and the lack of food intake. Good luck!

i am the opposite...hrmm...i feel like I eat a small amount until im kinda full ...then a couple hours later I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Hungry!!!! For example...this morning around 830 I ate half a packet of oatmeal...it is now 10:30....2 hours later and my tummy is growling like i havent had anything AT ALL!

mm....man my tummy is growling now just reading all of this! Here is my list of favs... -Pasta & Garlic bread(grew up in an italian household full of all different kinds of pasta dishes!!mmmm...) -pizza (yummm...guess that goes along with the italian ) -Fajitas with flour tortillas -baked potatos...and dipping the skins in ranch dressing -pbj sandwiches man...im starvin now. doh!

well we have hit the one week mark (today is actually day 8 post op) ....how is everyone doing? I hit a milestone last night...I was able to sleep on my right side for a couple hours..with the support of a pillow on my stomache. YAYAY! What a relief. I am getting SOOOOOO Tired of Protein shakes its not even funny. Im still drinking them...but wow. On a good note..I weighed this morning and I am down 11 lbs since surgery day. That is awesome! That makes 19 pounds since starting the Pre-Op Diet...I know I will hit a couple more pounds before the month is up. May has been a good month!!! I am so ready for different foods...only 3 more days til i can have creamy Soups and mashed potatoes etc. (*my mouth is watering already*). I made dinner last night for my family...so that I could live through them...and i sipped on my broth. It was pretty funny. Still having some gas pains on and off. Yesterday I had a pretty bad one. (if that is what it was...) It hurt to breathe. Anyone else still having this? :thumbup:

I very much agree! I love my magic bullet! It will be easy to take to work and mix and blend things for lunch! Definitely comes in VERY handy!!!!

Carrie: About my port site, (at least what I am guessing is my port site...cuz im not really sure...i was a little morphined out when my surgeon was talking to me) is what I am guessing is hurting from time to time. Its like a stinging sensation every once in a while. especially when I turn the wrong way..or stretch too much. You mentioned you have had broth ...popsicles...and Jello. I have figured out that 4 oz of skim milk, 1 scoop of vanilla soy Protein powder, and a few shakes of cinammon makes a pretty good Protein shake. It curbs the hunger, and gives you the protein your body needs to recover (and helps prevent that hair loss!!!!) WIP: glad to see you can sleep comfortably on one side at least...man i am SOOOO not a back sleeper...I have a pretty expensive king koil pillowtop, and it might as well be a straight piece of plywood. It is so uncomfy for so many hours...I am looking forward to turning! I tried last night...and nope...wasnt happening. Wsully:Sorry to hear about that sickness. That is no good. That is awesome though, that you are getting so much protein in. My intake is supposed to be between 40g-60g...and i seem to struggle with that...how are you taking in so much??? Remember liquids will not really fill up your pouch...(according to my surgeon) they will go right through. So i was told i could have as much Water, broth etc that I wanted...I didnt drink much water for the first couple days, BIG MISTAKE! I started getting dehydrated, and having leg cramps and muscle cramps. I have been drinking more water, and actually drinking on my favorite gatorade as well...to help prevent dehydration. And about that shower....its a great feeling! I was able to shower the next day, but just to stand in that hot water is so relaxing! How is everyone doing taking chewable Vitamins?