isaviolinist

My port incision hurt the most and I had signifigant discomfort for probably 2 or 2.5 weeks (maybe longer? Cant remember now) after surgery. Sometimes I held a pillow over my tummy when I was lying down. You should try reclining instead of sitting up right. I think reclining helps. When I was post op, for the first 2 days I was drinking about an ounce of Water every hour. I had a few spoons of clear broth Soup too. I did Clear Liquids (so water, clear broth, crystal light, etc) for 3 days. Then I did full liquids for 2 weeks (Protein shakes, thicker Soups sometimes, slim fast...kind of like the pre-op diet). I don't think I had yogurt during that time. After that I did mushies, which is when I think I incorporated thicker things like yogurt in. Then soft solids and solids after that. But its really different from doctor to doctor. Did your doctor say you could have yogurt at this point post op? If he didn't, I would just REALLY stick to what he said. You are giving your stomach time to heal. You don't want it to start churning (which is what happens when you eat, even a little) because it could cause the band to slip. Good luck!

I was feeling the same way - way more going in then coming out. I took a really mild laxative. It helped a little. I probably should take more, although lately I've been more "regular".

I am also going for my 3rd fill tomorrow. I'm hoping that does it. I have SOME restriction, but not nearly enough. I've stopped losing for the past 3-4 weeks. I also need to start exercising again - was doing great, going to the gym everyday - but stopped going. Gotta get back into it for sure.

I'm really sorry to hear that :thumbup: I understand, because my original surgery date was also postponed. I was also devastated, but I tried to look at it as one more week to do my pre-op diet and lose a little more weight before surgery. That way I knew there would DEFINITELY be no problem with my liver at surgery. Hang in there, and I'm sure your new date will be scheduled before you know it! Good luck with your test results!

I have been in a similar situation the past week or 2. My grandfather died and thus I haven't exercised at ALL for the past 2 weeks (spent all my time sitting by dying grandfather, and now that it happened, I've just been sitting around in the house visiting with people, etc). I'm trying to keep my food intake under control and eat good stuff. Generally I'm doing okay with it, but I'm slipping now and again. Emotional eating :-/. Anyways, for about a week, I gained some weight (about 4 pounds) and it wouldn't go down. Now I've dropped 2 of those pounds, but since I'm not exercising I'm trying to prepare myself to stay at this weight for at least a week. I'm sure once I get back on my normal routine, it will pick up again. I also need another fill. I have a little restriction with my 2nd fill, but not enough.

I have hiccups all the time. I had hiccups a lot before the band, and now I have them all the time.

People (esp. my family) started to notice almost immediately. Especially in my face. I've lost about 55 pounds, but its hard for me to see it when I look in the mirror. I'm sure I will be able to see it after the next 50.

how many grams of carbs are in each serving of the sandwich thins?

Like an above poster, I use the chocolate Unjury and mix in a tablespoon of PB2 powdered peanut butter. Delicious! And the nutrition facts for the PB2 are amazing. It obviously doesn't give you that creamy texture of peanut butter, but if its the taste you're after, you can't beat PB2. There is something like 2-3g of fat per serving but 6g of protein. Awesome!

Thanks for all the replies. I'm glad to know I'm not alone. I ate a full plate of salad with about .5 cup of tuna on top yesterdat with NO problems so I know I am not at the right restriction. I was actually also wondering about another thing: even though I am sticking to 800-1200 calories a day, I have been plateued for about a week now (and even gained a few pounds). When I get my fill level right, what will get me to start losing weight since I'm already within the correct number of calories currently (and still not losing)? Getting stressed out about this. Anyone have any ideas?

I was also SO motivated by the weight loss on my preop diet! It kept me going! Good luck to all those soon to be banded!

I was also on clear liquids for 3 days and then full liquids for 2 weeks. Ask your surgeon for clarification!

How long did your surgeon want you to do clear liquids for? I don't know who your surgeon is, but my recommendation is to do what he says. Where did you arrange to have follow up care in states? You could also call that doctor. My surgeon had me do a 3 day clear liquid diet following surgery, and then full liquids for about 2 weeks if I remember correctly. I didn't do Protein supplements on the clear liquids. Every surgeon is different though, so you should check with your surgeon! Good luck!

I was just wondering if anyone had experienced a little bit of restriction but felt like it was not enough, on the way to the 'sweet spot'? I definitely feel some restriction, but I don't think that it is enough (I can definitely eat more than a cup and I get hungry sometimes in less than 4 hours). I have had 2 fills so far, and am at 7ccs in my Realize Band. I'm really anxious to get to the right restriction, but this doesn't feel like its it. I'm trying not to get down about it Any help or experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

I have been overweight for my whole life. There was like a year or something when I was 8 or 9 years old when I was not overweight. Other than that, I have been overweight for my whole life (and continuing to gain more weight every year pretty much). I'm relatively new to lapband (about 2.5 months post op) but so far I have done pretty well! I'm frustrated because I just finished a liquid diet (my doc requires 3 days clear and 2 days full liquids after a fill) and lost SO much weight on the liquid diet (like 8-9 pounds or something in those 5 days), but have put back on like 4 pounds since. I'm hoping I'll start losing again soon. But overall, I have been successful. And if I can lose some of this weight, I think anyone can!!

OMG I am so jealous of you right now. I don't know the answer to your question, but I sure wish I had your problem! I am about 2.5 months post-op and I REALLY hope that at 11 months I'm in the same boat (looks like we have/had about the same amount to lose too). Congrats on all of your weight loss!

I also never got a carbs, fat, or calories guideline from my doctor. I try to do between 800-1200 calories a day, but I was thinking of making an appointment with the nutritionist to talk about carbs and fat. My carbs are usually between 50-70 at this point, but sometimes I think my fat intake is too high. Not sure. But I probably will try to talk to the nutritionist about it. We'll see...

I can empathize with you. I'm already banded but recently I have fallen off the wagon. Just been eating the wrong foods lately and not exercising :blushing: Lets get back on track together!

I gave myself Lovenox shots for a week after my surgery. They said I could give them to myself in my arm (since there was enough fat there to do it) and they weren't so bad.

I had surgery on June 18th of this year. So far, I have lost about 55 pounds. I feel better than ever and am looking forward to being thin and healthy. I would do it over again in a heartbeat.

Darce, I'm glad to hear that your husband is so supportive and is keeping you calm and making sure you get your rest! I'm also a teacher, so I completely understand your panic about school starting soon. If you have to take a few days off, then just do it! Your students will be happy that you are healthy, and maybe it can prevent surgery (which would in turn, prevent you having to take even MORE days off). Thank you very much for the compliments I hope everything works out very well for you! Please keep us posted on the progress!

I'm not sure about the pulled muscle feeling, but the headaches could definitely be due to lack of Water, calories, and other nutrients. I'm on liquids because I just had my second fill, and today I irresponsibly did not have a Protein shake or drink anything all morning or early afternoon. Then around 2PM I went for a 9 mile bike ride and when I was finished, I had a HORRIBLE headache and was dizzy and dehydrated. I chugged a bottle of water, got home, rested for a few minutes, and then made my Protein Shake and felt worlds better after drinking it. Good luck and make sure you are eating your recommended amount from your surgeon every day!

I'm finished with college and grad school, but this summer I had to do a post-grad workshop at a college and this is what I did pretty much. I drank 1-2 protein shakes a day. These are really easy because you just pour the milk and your powder in the blender. Blend it for a minute and your good to go. I also ate the tuna in the foil packets. No can opener required and if you are SERIOUSLY on the go, you can throw some fat free mayo IN the foil pack, mix it up a little, and just eat it right out of the packet. I also kept egg beaters around and what I did was spray the inside of a cup with that fat free cooking spray, pour in the egg beaters, microwave them, and then eat them with a little dipping sauce of some kind (I love peanut sauce, so thats usually what I used). That was a one minute meal. If you have a little more time (but not much more, just a little), and you like tofu, I kept a couple packs of tofu in the fridge. I then cut what I wanted, added a little sauce of some kind to the top of them, microwaved them for a little bit of time and ate them (for example, I put a little low-sodium soy sauce on them for flavor, microwaved, and then used a sesame asian sauce of some kind for dipping). This is not the tastiest way to prepare tofu, but its fast, and gives you a lot of protein.

I am SO sorry to hear this :wub: However, I am glad that your doctor is trying a less invasive procedure before he makes a decision to operate. Just follow his instructions for cleaning the wound and resting. I will hope for the best for you!

Congrats to you!! Just remember to take it easy, give your body a rest, and let yourself heal! Good luck on your new journey to a healthier, happier you!! Keep us posted!