Stephanie1972

what does your doctor say? I was on clear liquids for 2 weeks, with the exception of protein drinks. Instead of mashing the banana, why don't you throw it in the blender so that it's liquid-like and add protein.

what are you eating 3 days post op? I just started mushies yesterday and I'm 15 days post op!

Weight loss is weight loss, right? I guess that's how I look at it. Use your weight from your consultation! I did...

What surgeon are you considering in NC? My experience with Anthem BCBS is that they needed a 5 year weight history, not a diet for 6 months.

Wow...welcome to my world, although I'm only an hour from a big city and 90 minutes from my surgeon. Picking your surgeon is (I think) the single most important part of this journey, so it makes sense that you're frustrated. Secondly, the after care with the lap band is SO important and I think is a huge part of someone's success. So herein lies the question. Fills typically happen every 6 weeks. I would research the doctor in Phoenix. I would find out what kind of support his office offers (after the band...for example, does he offer nutritional counseling, etc). If you love him, I would keep your chin up and plan on making it a road trip every 6 weeks! The other thing I might recommend is looking into Dr. Kirshenbaum. From what I understand, he's EXTREMELY reasonable with a set price under 10 grand and he's in Denver (I think...I know he's in Colorado) You could have your after care done in Flagstaff (make sure they're willing to do someone else's fills).

Did he mention the name of the bacteria in your stomach? By any chance is it H. Pylori?

Ladyjp...you are fine! You are normal! :-) I had my surgery 4/16 and I'm STILL showing a little bruising...and it's starting to go away. In fact, the bruise was so big, it looked like I got booted in the stomach! The bump near the large incision is your port! I can feel mine too. My incisions are not sore anymore, but I can still feel a little tension (in the muscle area where the port is attached) when I'm getting out of bed. Everything you're experiencing is totally normal. The only thing I would worry about is if the incision areas get red and hot which could be a sign of infection...but that doesn't happen often either. Relax, have fun and enjoy this journey! It's so exciting, isn't it? Oh, and make sure you're doing the following DAILY: 60 minutes of walking (break it up as many times as you need). It will help with gas pains and swelling and will help you lose weight~ 60 oz of Water daily...or crystal light...no exceptions 60-100 g of Protein daily...this is critical for energy and muscle restoration

and it is...it will eventually come off. Right now, our bodies are in metabolic shock! So few calories slows our metabolisms to a crawl, preventing weight loss from happening or causing us to get stuck. I would recommend kicking up your exercise commitment to jump start the metabolism again...I'm walking 3 miles per day and doing step aerobics on wii fit and I am losing weight. The 2 days I was sedentary, the scale didn't budge...I too am consuming less than 800 calories as I'm only 13 days post op.

I'm in NC too! Who did your band? I'm only 12 days out...

Do you drink protein shakes? Those have tons of dairy...fyi (not trying to insult your intelligence)

Could there be a chance of lactose intolerance?

I just went through that...and finally this morning the scale shows another pound lost. There are quite a few things go on...first of all, our bodies are in complete starvation mode. When we don't take in enough calories, our metabolism essentially shuts down to a crawl. The only way to boost that back up is with exercise. I would recommend making sure you're drinking 60 oz of water a day, so that you stay hydrated, but don't retain water, and that you exercise 60 minutes a day...get that heart rate up. The weight has to come off, right? You're eating much less and burning calories...be patient. The band is a life journey, not a sprint to the finish line...Easier said than done, but I have that posted above my scale at home.

Congrats to you! By the way, my best friend lives in Langley!

Do not focus on your weight right now. I know it's hard. You are still in the healing phase of this journey. The weight loss phase doesn't officially begin until you have a fill in your band. Follow the doctors orders in regards to portion sizes and types of food you can eat. The bottom line is that you are consuming so few calories on liquids and mushies that the body shuts down and goes into starvation mode. Your body will recognize the new portions soon enough. Use the band as a tool. Don't try to outsmart it by dieting.

Cathy, Did you have resolution of your Diabetes? I, too am a Type II Diabetic. My sugars are very controlled since surgery 10 days ago without medicine but I know once I'm on solids they'll hike back up. I'm hoping with significant weight loss they'll go back down. Did they with you?

Do you have the Wii Fit? If not, ask for it as a gift from someone! It takes the work out of exercise.

Your doc is right. I too have PCOS and Diabetes. Everytime I would diet throughout my life, I'd get my period. Don't freak out. Be thrilled that your body is working!

If the business conference is 1 week post op, I think you will be fine. I would double check with your doctor to make sure blood clots aren't a risk and from the nutritional perspective, make sure you are prepared...lots of crystal light, you'll need to bring lots of protein and have access to milk.

I am 10 days post op and have recovered amazingly from surgery. Yesterday, I had a pain in my side that was so excruciating, I thought I was going to die...It was a stabbing pain and it only when I was in a certain position. It is gone today (thank God) but I think it was a gas pocket. Perhaps that's what yours is? I exercised like heck yesterday to make sure that if it was gas, it was gone!

What Parrothead said! I coudn't have said it better!! I am 10 days post op...I was freaking out as well...mourning the life I knew, the beer I loved, the plates of mexican food that would stuff me to the hilt, but the better questions are these: Can I handle my life the way it is now? Am I going to live to have children, much less watch them grow old and have children? Am I going to dread getting on an airplane and praying that the person next to me is tiny or that the seat is empty. Am I going to go out to a business lunch and pray that they don't sit in a booth, just in case it's too tight. Am I tired of my girlfriends kindly letting me sit in the front seat...I would recommend thinking of all of the things you are sick of...through with...the real reasons why you're doing this, including health reason, comfort and self confidence. It is easy for someone to say, don't worry...you'll be fine...and damnit! You Will!! but I would reevaluate how life is as a fat person. Someone who gets looked at, not because she's "hot" but because she's morbidly obese. Good Luck. If you ever need anything, you found a great outlet!

I quit smoking on November 30, 2008. I was a smoker for 22 years. I was banded on April 16, 2009. The nicotine is completely out of your system after 24 hours of quitting...the rest of it is psychological. I recommend Commits losenges if you're still craving nicotine. Do not start again. It will nearly negate the benefits of being banded...this is such an opportunity for an entirely new life. You know...I have the tendency to judge people sometimes. I hate that I do, but I do...it is very ironic to me that you often see the obese person sitting at the bar doing shots and smoking. 3 addictions in 1 place...stop numbing and start feeling. (I'm not incinuating that you do shots) I have and what a ride it's been!

You are weak because you are not likely getting your 60 grams of protein...

My doctor is a huge advocate of the newly design Realize (they just redesigned in about 6 weeks ago). He was indifferent prior to the redesign. I was just banded with the Realize last Thursday.

I too was banded last Thursday and I'm starving too! I've lost a bunch of weight as well. You are not a freak. Make sure you're getting 60-100 grams of protein and sugar free popsicles work well in helping to curb the hunger. Also make sure you're getting your 60 oz of water in too.

EXERCISE! My doctor, who is a BCBS Circle of Excellence Surgeon in Bariatric Surgery DEMANDS vigorous exercise as early as day 1 post op! I promise it will make a difference. It has to, right?