greytz

To band or not to band is a very personal choice and not one to take lightly. We all chose to be on this forum for emotional support of each other in an effort to shed the pounds. Regardless of how we do it our goal is one in the same. This particular forum happens to be for support of people who have decided to use the band to help them lose weight. In my opinion just to say we are all in the same boat and appreciate the sharing of ideas and thougths. I for one appreciate the support and help of everyone. I certainly need it and I don't expect that I can do this alone and hope that I don't have to.

I felt the same way in my liquid stage. I swore off soup for a long, long time. I got pretty down until the mushy stage. It has been so helpful to be there. The food possibilities are so much better. Hang in there. Good Luck.

The bullet is great! I put everything in it.

I didn't have a BM for close to a week. I kept calling my surgeon all worried. She said it will come don't worry about it. When you are on clear liquids there isn't a lot to come out. I finally had the first one and then everything was back to normal.:smile2:

Thanks. I hadn't heard about the tube and hadn't considered that. That is something I will ask my surgeon when I go in on Tues. Maybe she can check it for me. I am still tonight having very bad pain. It takes my breath away. I hope it is something easy to fix.

I had that problem for the first week out of the hospital. I couldn't figure it out. I had the sweats also. I called my surgeon and we talked for a long time about it. We realized I had stomach flu. I hadn't even thought about that because my mind was on the surgery so much. It was difficult for a few days but I got over the flu and I am fine now. It could be something like don't know just putting it out there.

Why did you decide on Gastric Bypass? Just curious.

Lower Left Shoulder Pain? Jachut or Wasabubblebut are you out there? Any suggestions on that? I am really hurting the last couple of days.

Hi all, I am 50 and was banded on 06-17-09 and it took me awhile to make up my mind and find a surgeon I was really comfortable with. That said, I am doing very well and happy with my choice. I had a lot of shoulder pain last night but am better today. Keep in touch with me and let me know how it goes for both of you. You can email me if you want. kgibson6@tampabay.rr.com. Take Care and Good Luck.

Well no. You don't want to do that. You still want to keep with good proteins like tuna, chicken, eggs, etc. I wouldn't take a hamburger and blend it up just so you can eat it. LOL. Be sure it is good for you proteins and something you like.

Yeah for you. Congrats!

We are all different and I relayed my experience only. It was definitely a wake up call for me.

Thank You RM! I was really curious about that also. Good answer.

I was banded on 06-19-09 and I get my first fill on 07-07-09. Can't wait. I need the restricition asap!

I am in my third week and eating mushies. I love really mushed up tuna, Dannon light and fit yogurt. My fave is the white chocolate/raspberry. It is yummy. I love sugar free italian ice and sugar free fudge pops. I also love chicken salad all mushed up. That is what I am eating so far. Hope you are doing well.

Hey that is what this forum is for right? To ask questions and see what other people might think and may be able to help. I was at BMI 34 when I got banded and just over 200lbs. I am 5'8" and still considered obese and still feel obese. Degenerative arthritis and a heart condition, hypertension, etc. all allowed me to get banded and my insurance paid. I have lost 17lbs. and still have 57lbs. to go for my first goal. Then I want to lose about another 20lbs. if I can. I am going for it anyway. I was thin my entire life until about 10 yrs. ago. I am 50 yrs old now. It is not fun to be overweight for whatever you feel overweight is for yourself. Each person is different and no two people are going to feel the same about it. But I am glad I got banded and can't wait to get filled.

So far, my cravings have been for crunchy and chocolate and it is really hard not to give in to them. I have found sugar free italian ice that I really love which solves the crunchy for me and also sugar free fudge pops that I like which solves the chocolate for me.

My surgeon allowed me to eat yogurt and pudding after the first week. I came out fine. I was banded on 06-17-09 and I just started eating mushies. It feels so good to eat tuna!:tongue2:

I was told absolutely no carbonation by my surgeon but my releasing doctor at the hospital said it was ok to sip a little bit but don't down a 32oz. gulp or something. So, I recently tried a couple of sips of diet coke and boy did my shoulder act up. When I was drinking a lot of caffeine can I tell you that on one of my mammos my doctor showed me how much caffeine can interfere with their x-ray. When she showed me the effects of caffeine on my breasts I couldn't believe it. They were really cloudy and she said it makes it very hard to see if something is in there like a tumor! I was flabbergasted and immediately began drinking caffeine free everything. When I had my next mammo, it was amazing to see how clear my breasts were. You could see the veins and everything. A little caffeine I believe is good for you that you get naturally in veggies, etc. but not good in something you devour everyday like coffee or cokes. Anyway, I have stuck to the Crystal lights and diet Cranberry, etc. and really haven't missed carbonation at all.

Way to go. Toot! Toot! That is so great!!!!! Awsome!!!!

I was banded on 06-17-09 and I just started mushies as well. I lost 17lbs total and I gained a pound back today. Ugh! It is frustrating but you have no restriction so since you have been on fluids all this time and you are starting food, you will probably gain a little back. But you have lost 20lbs and that is great!

One more thing I wanted to add about the heating pad. I definitely had shoulder pain and still do a little sometimes. My mother-in-law taught me something a long time ago and I still use it today. Take about a half bag of uncooked rice and sew an old pillowcase to the size you want and put the rice in it. I put it in the microwave on hi for about 2 minutes and it works great without having to use electricity. It last for about an hour depending on the size.:tongue2:

Ditto on the above. I had to stay overnight and I didn't need half the stuff I brought. I just wanted to add to wear something really loose fitting and comfortable. I wore really loose joggers and a loose button up blouse. Also, I usually wear underwire bras but I bought a playtex with no wires. There will be an incision just below the bra line that smarts if you don't have something comfortable. That worked for me. I wore it for about a week after surgery.

I was banded two days before you. I do that sometimes. When I start to go for the pantry or refrigerator I stop cold and turn around. I then do something else like a lot of times I come into my computer room and get on here and start typing and reading other peoples comments. That can keep me busy for awhile and gets my mind off of food. I also get out of the house and either go for a walk or visit with my neighbor or I call my Mom. She is one of the very few members of my support group not counting all of you of course. I think it is definitely a matter of will over mind. Hang in there and stay distracted. I also put a picture that I hate of myself on my fridge and on my pantry doors. It is a pic of me and my Mom at my brother's wedding in May. The cameraman was squatting and looking up at us when he took the picture so you can imagine how I looked even fatter than usual. Looking at that really does the trick for me.

I took a bunch of stuff I didn't really need even thought I had to stay overnight. I agree, definitely something for your lips and I wore really loose joggers and a really loose button up shirt. I usually wear underwire bra but I bought a playtex without wires to wear for a couple of weeks. Catherine is right. The larger cut is just below that line. A brush for your hair. Mine was all matted. Don't forget a small pillow to use on the way home. My husband drove me about an hour drive home. The pillow helps with bumps in the road and if you have to sneeze or cough. Also take a little plastic bag in case you have to spit up a little.