Rutiglius

Good luck! You've been through a lot already!

That stupid head hunger hits me HARD around my time of the month. I would gnaw off my own fingers if they were covered in chocolate. I believe that self-forgiveness is hard for those of us on the weight-loss journey. Balletgirl...you have reasons to be stressed...give yourself a break. You have made the journey and will be fine!!!

Each post op diet is a little different depending on the surgeon. I could have shrimp (not fried) beginning a week after my transitional phase started (transitional phase started at week 3). There was a caution, however, in my plan materials. Many people list shrimp as one of the foods that tend to get "stuck". I had shrimp and was fine...because I haven't yet had a fill. I did chew it to death, though. You might want to check with your doctor to make sure.

As "Restless" said, scars are highly dependent upon the person. I can tell you about my experience: I am 5 weeks out from surgery. I had 5 incisions. 1 incision was directly in the center of my "tummy" and falls about an inch below my bra line. It is a tiny one, about 1/4 inch. The other 4 incisions look like a dotted line going across my tummy (about an inch below the top one I mentioned above) in this pattern: __ ______ ____ __ The first and the last are tiny (about 1/4 inch). The 2nd one is about 1 and 1/2 inch and the third is about an inch. The longest one is my port incision, and the port is slightly to the side of it. All my incisions are healing nicely. I have been using Mederma, but there are several good products out there (so I've heard). The tiny scars are barely visible (small and light pink). The bigger ones are a little darker pink. I seem to have good luck with scars, but that is my personal experience -- everyone is different! I hope this helped you with your question.

I am 5' 8" and weigh 210. I am in a comfortable 16. My friend weighs slightly less, but is 5' 3" and wears an 18. It does depend on height, and body shape like Cathy mentioned.

My doc said he preferred that his patients did NOT drink soda (because of the gas and nutrition issues) but if I decided I wanted to, I would need to wait until I have made the full transition to regular foods before I try it and then proceed with caution: don't overdo it, if it causes discomfort -- STOP, and ONLY drink diet soda. I used to drink 3 - 4 cans of diet Pepsi a day. I just started having them again last week and my goal is to have only 1 or 2 a week. Check with your doctor, because they are all different!

If your doc won't allow meat, I did the same as Susan, but without the meat. The fiber and the protein in the beans really helped keep me full, plus it felt like I was having a "real" meal.

I had it for about 3 - 4 weeks after surgery. It gradually improved.

I will hold on to weight. If I weigh in every day over the course of a week, I might gain and lose the same 2 pounds! I have found that taking a day and eating a "max-out" of calories (which for me is around 1200 - 1300), and then not weighing for a couple of days seems to make my body let go of the weight. Also, so close to being banded, you might be retaining a lot of water. I hold water like a bucket!!

My first fill is coming up and it is good to hear from someone who had a positive experience -- thanks!

Ha! Funny you should call it the port side and starboard side -- that's what my hubby always says!!

You might want to call your Dr. My port site has been very tender, but I have had no pulling sensation.

Thanks for the info. It is reassuring to hear that someone else has the same issue!

Great post -- lots of information to think about!

I have been banded for five weeks. I have been very lucky and have experienced very little pain and no complications. However, my port incision seems to be taking a looooonnnng time to heal. All my other incisions are healed over with no tenderness. My port incision is pink and very tender. I just saw my PCP and she said it looked good with no sign of infection. So...did anyone else's port incision take longer to heal than the other incision sites, and was it tender? Thanks!

Too funny!!!

Wow! You guys have really inspired me! I cannot wait for all those achievements!!

Hi, I am truly sorry about your pain. I would call your Dr. if it gets worse! As for gum, my Doc said NO GUM! When I asked why, it is because chewing causes the stomach to move and churn (even though we can't feel it). That is why we are on liquids and then mushies that don't need to be chewed.

I am a teacher and some of my pet peeves are: loosing (instead of losing), or loose (instead of lose) your (instead of you're) then (instead of than)... I would rather have ice-cream then cake... Almost anything else...I can tolerate.

Fish??? I had a fish named Freddie, but he died.:thumbup:

I would love to hear some stories too! I can't wait to have that kind of moment myself!!! Anyone have some good ones????

I think the information I got with my surgery mentioned that cold foods do bother some people. Maybe your doctor wanted you on carbs because Protein takes longer to break down and digest?? (just guessing). Anyway, the warm apple juice and cinnamon stick sounds YUMMY! Good luck, the liquid stage is a beast, but worth it in the end!

Yep --- retaining water! If you can, you should eat or drink (whatever your surgeon recommends). You don't want to dehydrate!

I have a good individual dessert: small (soft taco size) flour tortilla -- I use the low carb kind. Chunky cinnamon applesauce -- 1/4 to 1/3 cup cinnamon/splenda powdered sugar Mix the applesauce with 1/2 packet of splenda (you may not need this, but I use the natural applesauce and it needs to be sweetened a little) and cinnamon to taste. The chunky applesauce is better for this dessert. It is more like apple pie Spray a non-stick skillet with PAM (or other non-stick spray), lay the flour tortilla in the pan, spoon the applesauce onto the tortilla, and then fold the edges in like a burrito. Turn until browned and crispy. Remove to a plate and dust with powdered sugar. I like to add a teaspoon of butter or margarine to the outside before dusting with powdered sugar. I have made this with bananas and brown sugar also (instead of the applesauce).

I also had a hiatal hernia. My surgeon said they are fairly common within overweight people. I did have some pain with mine, but it was pretty mild.