VABandster

LOL! Nathalie! You're words were FANTASTIC!! I was just thinking this AM about how I have not eaten McDonalds food in over a Month!! For me, I used to eat it at least once a week, so that is HUGE! And I thought "wow...that's a lot of Fat I didn't put in my body...YEAH for me!!" These are the things we need to think about, and realize that we're doing our bodies good (just like the Milk commercial!). Thanks for that Kick in the A** booster talk! I definitely needed it. I had ice cream last night...which, while I didn't eat an entire pint like I normally could have, I know it is a big no-no for me, so your comments were perfectly timed! Thanks!! and enjoy that Protein Wad of Goo!

Lisa, It doesn't matter when you join us...we're just glad you did! My "Place" of surgery was in CO, but I"m actually from VA (just so people know)

STEPH - I will rarely see my Dr. I talked to him on the phone a few days post op to check in and also b/c I was having an allergic reaction to the bandages he put over my incsions, but other than that won't be back until I go for my first Fill at 4 weeks out. MYSTIQUE...I totally know how you feel!! on NYE my son had out a bowl of potato chips...and I wasn't really hungry, but there were just THERE...begging to be eaten! So I couldn't let them go to waste could I? I am so used to 'snacking' in between meals, its definitely been a hard habit to break!! One of the things that has helped though was that if I am going to snack, I make it something w/protein like cheese or Peanut Butter. Maybe that'll help you too?? Just a thought. But don't beat yourself up too much...this is a process...and it takes time to change years of eating habits that we've had!! Hang in there!!!

CAROL - Good luck w/your interview!! I just got a job offer myself (was laid off in Nov), so I'm thrilled that I won't have to spend all the severance I got and can actually put some of it into savings for my sons college! JILL & BMAN - I know the frustration you're taking about!!! My scale has not budged much in the past week but a few things I've changed in the past few days I think helped b/c I was down 4 pound this AM from where I've been "hanging" the past week! 1) I started drinking more Water. I realized I wasn't drinking enough b/c I typically drank most of my water at meals, which I can't do anymore, so I was forgetting to drink in between meals. 2) I added flaxseeds to my Breakfast (lost o'Fiber in this!)....this helped me uh...'clean the pipes', shall we say?? I hadn't been pooping much and I actually went 2x in 2 days, which was amazing for me! and last but not least 3) I went back and re-read the "rules" for eating...i.e. small portions, take 30 minutes, and I think it really made the difference b/c I had been NOT eating as slowly as I should have been and had been eating more than I should have b/c I could! So hopefully those tips help you get the scales moving. But as I type I can hear my tummy grumbling for lunch and all I have is oatmeal today....hopefully that will be enough to get me through the afternoon! NG - Thanks for the list of good Protein foods! I didn't see Peanut Butter or Tuna Fish on there? Both of those have some good amounts of protein too, right?? Sooo glad to see such a great supportive group here! I love it!!! Since I had my surgery so far away, I don't get to go to an actual group, so you guys ARE My lifeline! THANKS!!

Athena and Eric....go back to GNC and look for the Isopure products. In each scoop of that powder there is 25g of Protein in them!! Eric, I'm sure your Dr. would be OK w/you having some Protein Powder mixed in w/Water.....that would definitely help you w/the Engergy. Welcome Doug too!! Seems like we've got a few guys on here! Great to see! Glad to see all of us Bandsters hanging in there!! I am actually going to get my fill after 4 weeks!! I'm so excited! I'm going a week from Thursday....I have the VG Band so I'm hoping I get at least 3ccs for the first fill.

That is so cute about your son bringing you snacks and making sure you're boo-boos are ok!!! My boys are older, 13 and 17, and they don't even know I had the surgery!! I share custody of them w/my Ex so they were gone the week of surgery, and they just think I'm on a "diet", so they don't ask questions. I didn't tell them about it b/c I didn't want them to worry about me and I also didn't want them telling my Ex about it b/c I just don't need him asking me all sorts of questions (other than of course, are you losing weight??) LOL.

OFFERROCKER.....My Dr. told me what size band I was getting...and he based it on my weight/size. I believe there are 3 sizes and I got the biggest. You can always call your Dr. to find out which one you have. JESS....welcome!!! I wasn't banded on the 21st...I was banded on the 15th, but I am in VA, so I'm not too far from you! So...I took my boys out to dinner tonight and ate 1/2 of an appetizer for dinner, but am still feeling stuffed, 3 hrs later! Someone else mentioned stretching out the pouch.....Is that an easy thing to do?? Does anyone know?

HAPPY NEW YEAR DecemberBandsters!! BETH and KATHLEEN...welcome to the group! Its good to see you posting! FREETOBE.....I was banded on the 15th and it took me about 10 days to feel 'normal' again. I can still feel the port area when I stand up, but its not really painful...just like a reminder its there. I was back at work 4 days after my surgery and it wasn't bad....I was actually pretty comfortable, as long as I didn't have to get up out of my chair too much! KAY...don't worry about the wheat thins...as long as you are making sure they're VERY mushie before they go down, you'll be fine!! Its not the end of the world. I am now in my 3rd week since banding, and ready for a FILL!!! I am thinking about food more and more and yesterday did some 'snacking' which is a BIG NO NO, I know......so I need some restriction! I'll be curious to see how much you all get for your first fill!! I have the biggest band (The VG), so I'm hoping I get at least 3-4 ccs put in....we'll see!! I hope you all have a relaxing first day of 2007!

Carol, When did you get banded?? Are you enjoying the food you're able to eat now? I transitioned to food a bit early myself b/c of the Holiday and Family visiting/eating out, etc....although when eating out I did tend to only order Soup or chilli, so I don't think I did too bad..... Has anyone else had a friend that got banded by a different Dr. and it caused problems b/c their "rules" were different (more strict?) than yours? I have a friend that was banded a month before me...and his Dr. is a "by the book" Dr. (a Bariatric "center of excellence" kind of thing), so he has had to follow very strict rules about liquids 4 weeks, mushies 4 weeks, and even mushies only 1/4 cup at a time, etc.... However, my Dr. is much more "liberal" and said only 1 week liquids, make sure you get your Protein in and transition to soft foods anytime after 2 weeks when you feel ready. and whatever you do, Don't Puke LOL. Soo....now the friend is "telling" me how I should be doing things and making me feel like a bad bandster that I'm not following His rules....I did tell him the other day to remember that my Dr. and his Dr. do not have the same rules and that he has to trust me that I know what I'm doing, but obviously it's still bothering me b/c I'm bringing it up here. I don't want to hurt his feelings, or make him feel like he wasted his time doing what he did, but I also don't want to feel like I'm wrong either for doing things the way MY dr. told me to do? Any friendly words of advice/support out there?? It would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hey Gang!! I'm finally going to be rid of all the holiday visiting relatives and looking forward to getting more involved in the board! I was banded on the 15th and have been mostly eating liquids, although xmas day and a few other meals have been more mushies when dining w/the extended family who doesn't know about my surgery. So far so good...only 1 bad experience w/a too big piece of chicken I didn't chew well enough! Thought I was going to be in the bathroom w/my first PB experience....but luckily it went down finally!!! I feel the same frustration as some of you others w/the scale not moving as much as I THINK it should be! But....I'm trying to have faith that it will eventually move as this is a PROCESS, not an Instant Cure! I hope you all have a Very Happy and Skinnier New Year!!

Boy guys, I can't keep up w/all of you! Especially since I've now got houseguests!! But, I've been very good so far, and have just have a few 'mushies', and that's it. My Mom is so amazed at my success so far and how fast my incisions are healing that she is now considering the surgery! I'm now 8 days out from my surgery and other than still that bruised feeling around my port area...feel great! I probably won't be posting much over the next few days, but I just want to wish Everyone a Very Mery Christmas and A Happy Skinnier New Year!!!

Drew...I was wondering how you were doing!!! My sister called me to tell me that she actually got 2 Snow Days in a Row.....she was so happy to finally be able to say that cause CO NEVER Gets snow days! I'm just glad I had my surgery LAST Week, otherwise I may not have been able to get it done if it had been scheduled for this week!!! Hope you find those slippers in the Snow!

Karen! You and me are Band Buddies! I was banded on the 15th as well!! I am still doing the liquids, although I did have a few bites of real food yesterday and it went ok....I'm still a bit too cautious to go to mushies yet. Plus, I'm still not feeling ravenous hunger, although the "Head Hunger" is DEFINITELY there! I'm just ignoring it as best I can! Emily and Eric, Welcome to the group as well!! B-Man....I'm thinking of ya, probably all passsed out by now, getting the band wrapped around your tummy! My family starts arriving tonight for the holidays....Its gonna be a tough week this week! As long as I don't feel hungry though, I think I'll do OK! My scale finally moved!! The first time since the surgery! I'm excited! I guess that means the swelling is going down and the gas is finally disappearing!!! Hope you're all doing well!

Dawn, Good for you for getting right back on track!! I can relate to your "episode".....and your post is getting me to post and fess up to my Bad Bandster Behavior. I just got done with my company Potluck!! UGH.....no one here knows I had the surgery, although I did tell one co-worker that I'm on a Diet. So there is EVERYONE w/plates full of food, and I wonder "how am I going to get out of this w/out having to answer questions?" ...so I take a plate and put a little bit of the softest foods there, and sit. I take about 10 tiny bites of food, chew it til its as mushie as can be before I swallow....and moved the rest of my food around on the plate to make it look like I ate more than I did. Then I got up, threw the plate and the rest of the food away, and pretended I had to get back to work ASAP. I didn't even want to LOOK in the direction of the dessert table! That would have been even worse disaster! So now I'm back at my desk...hoping and praying that I didn't do any damage...and wondering how I could have been so stupid to even attempt to try 'real food', even if it was mashed in my mouth! Like you said, I"m going to go right back to liquids...but if this is any indicator of what my upcoming week is going to be like w/my family around, I'm going to need LOTS of support!!! And I had been so proud of myself last night for being able to get through serving my kids pizza for dinner while I enjoyed my lovely protein shake....UGH!! You're right, it is going to be a hard journey, but hopefully we can all support each other and know that when we screw up, we can always get right back on track!

Carol, Good luck on your surgery!!! I'm sure you're anxious now that you're at the hospital and ready to go! Don't worry, you won't even be Thinking about food once you're done! At least for a day or two!

LapHappy, Boy could I relate to your post!!! I am 6 days out...and my scale has not budged!!! I can't seem to get my brain to accept that its not moving b/c I'm still swollen and bloated....I keep thinking "I'm only getting a few hundred calories in in a day...how can this be possible"?? It is frustrating indeed!! As is the varying Doctor recommendations on when and what people can eat. My Dr. told me that basically I should be on liquids for one week and then mushies for a week and whenever I felt ready, I could work my way up to soft foods...and really that the goal is to not puke for the first 6 weeks b/c that would totally damage the band placement. But I still feel confused about what I should and shouldn't be having.....is SF pudding ok? Is a fruit smoothie ok? I guess if it's liquid enough, Its ok....but my family starts arriving tomorrow for the holidays and that is going to be TOUGH!!! I have a feeling I'll be putting things in my mouth that I can chew/liquify enough to get down that I probably shouldn't be eating...I'm going to try and resist, but it will be especially hard on Xmas day when we're with my Extended Family (only immediate family knows that I got the band). UGH!!! The next two weeks are going to be rough I think....but at least we've got each other here to support one another! Ok, I"m done rambling

Patti, I think mushies and pureed are the same thing...basically anything that can slide down your throat basicall w/out having to be chewed is my impression. Mypov, I am soooo with you on the problem w/Christmas goodies!! Today in my office there was a HUGE platter of xmas Cookies out and I couldn't have one! My parents are coming down on Friday and my Mom loves food, so there will be tons of it around for the next week...UGH!!!! Although I'm not physically hungry, I definitely want just a bite of a few of the things! But...we are strong, we can get through this right??

sweethot, I figured it was due to the swelling too....I swear, I looked at my belly and thought to myself "am I really this big or is this swelling"? Luckily it's swelling (mostly). Yes, I miss food alot!!! As my sister and I were driving around on Saturday, I looked at every single restaurant we passed and just wished that I could eat there! I have a dinner date tomorrow night....luckily the guy knows I'm still on liquids, so when he asked where I wanted to go, I said "anywhere that has soup" LOL But....hopefully no free bread on the table b/c that used to be my big downfall!! So hopefully I'll do OK and not be too tempted....I know, I'm really torturing myself by going out so soon, but what can I say? I like the guy! LOL

Kay, glad to hear you're up and about!! I know what you mean about the gas thing! LOL....who knew we'd get so excited about it, huh?? Beth Israel is a great hospital! My Mom was treated there when she had breast cancer years ago (and is now 100% cancer free). Do you live in Boston?? I grew up in Concord, and lived near Fenway for a few years when I was in grad school. Steph C, Thanks for the warm welcome! I can't WAIT To sleep on my belly again too! My chiro told me the same thing that its not good for me, but I just can't help it! I wonder if it has to do with the way our parents put us in our cribs as babys?? Anyways, I'm at least able to get on my side now and support my tummy w/a pillow and sleep that way...progress I think! Ok, can I ask you all a question?? I would think that I would have dropped a lot of weight since the surgery, but it seems its only 4 pounds or so. Another friend of mine said he gained weight in the first few days? Do you all know why this is?? When does it start dropping again?? I know the first 6 weeks are for healing, but dang....I'm eating so little it's a bit frustrating to see the scale hardly budging!

Thanks for the warm Welcome Patti and Beversman!! Its good to know that others are going through the same thoughts and pains as I am. OMG, I just had a hiccup and boy was that painful! Do NOT want that to happen again anytime soon! Just curious how you all are handling the holidays...my family is all going to be visiting for a week so it's definitely going to be a "foodcentric" week. I'm able to eat 'mushies' by the time they all arrive, but I'm sure I'm still probably going to try to stick to more liquids just b/c I"m paranoid LOL. I'd love to hear what you all have strategized for getting through the holidays!

Hey December Bandsters! Mind if I join your group?? I was banded 5 days ago, on Friday the 15th..and so far things have been good! My only problem now is that I still have pain in the port area when I stand up/sit down (feels like I did 10000 pushups). Anyone know how long it takes for that feeling to go away?? I had my surgery in CO b/c I'm self pay, but actually live in VA. I'm still on liquids, although my Dr. said I could go to "Mushies" after 5 days, so I may work my way up to mushies on Friday. Is anyone else afraid of actually eating solid foods one you get to that stage? I'm so afraid that my first bite of real food is gonna get stuck! I know, I'm probably the only one, but thought I'd throw it out there. Anyways, its nice to see people that are in the same (or about to be) stage I am! I look forward to posting more soon....

Very cool! We're practically neighbors LOL Yeah, my spirits are pretty good for now, although I have to say I can't wait for the pain to go away! I'm hoping by Friday I'll feel fully recovered, but I'll keep you posted! If you have any other questions about Dr. K, let me know!

Mark, Yes, he gave me 3 prescriptions to get filled prior to the surgery 1) Antibiotic to prevent any infections, 2) a suppository to use if you feel naseous after (b/c throwing up is VERY bad before the band has healed onto the stomach), and 3) A liquid form of Vicodin to take for pain. The antibiotic is the only one you actually HAVE to take...obviously the other 2 are for "as needed" and since they put one of those anti-nasuea Patches behind my ear before the surgery, Luckily I haven't needed the suppository (the patch lasts 3 days they say) and I've only taken the vicodin at night to help me sleep.... Where in MD are you? I live in northern VA Near dulles!

Thanks for the Advice Carol!! I actually didn't use a wheelchair...since I figured I need the walking anyways to work the rest of the gas out I did however, ask to pre-board the plain so I could have some extra time to get myself seated (that was the hardest part!). So now I'm home safe and sound and just waiting for the pain at the port site to go away!

Scout, I'm now 3 days out and feeling pretty good except I still have a sore throat from the anesthesia, and my port area feels bruised so it makes getting up and down difficult, but I know that it takes about a week to go away, so I'm not too worried. Everything w/Dr. K went so smoothly, I couldn't believe it! I flew home yesterday, and it wasn't too bad.... I think someone else on this thread said Dr. Pinnar would do fills if referred by a US Dr., but that he doesn't do fills for Mexican drs. I am planning on going back to Dr. K for at least my first fill, but after that may look for someone more local.... Good luck to you! If you have any other questions, let me know.