RebeccaJ

Hi There Everyone, Has anyone done any international traveling lately? My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland this summer, and I want it to be great. We have been looking at flights, and I don't think I will be able to fit in the small 17 inch seat that is on most planes. Anyone faced this problem? What did you do? Any info would be greatly appreciated!:thumbup:

Congratulations! That is awesome! Remember, it's not the amount of time or even the amount of weight you have lost. It is the way you feel! Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!:wink2:

Anyone have one? Think they are needed? Share info and tell me how to get one if you know how. Have a great day!:thumbup:

It has been a little over a month since my surgery, so I have been having protein shakes for about two months now. My favorite is Unjury (which I ordered online) because it is not too sweet and doesn't taste chalky. If you mix it with water, like I do, you get 20 grams of protein and it tastes like a Carnation instant breakfast. It comes in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry is my absolute favorite. The strawberry tastes great mixed with Crystal Light lemonade. It is great with milk, but I hate to add those carbs. Check it out online.:thumbup:

Hi Everyone, I am only one month out, because I was banded on August 31st. How are all the others doing who were banded the same month? Speak up and let us know how you are feeling and what progress you have made so far.

I had my surgery done exactly one month ago tomorrow, and I am so glad I had it done. Although I haven't lost tons of weight, I feel better than I have in a long time. I have more energy, and I am beginning to see people notice that I am losing inches if not a lot of pounds. I also have been able to stand not taking my pain meds for my degenerative back disease, and it has been eight years since I have been taking those meds. I lost weight prior to surgery, and weighed 375 or so the day of surgery. I am one month out and down to 346 and very proud of that loss. I have four more weeks to go until my first fill, because my doctor does not do fills before eight weeks. I am hungry often, but I am trying to eat a healthy diet and so far it is working. Don't give up, we can do this!

I have been banded for almost a month now. I don't know if I exactly feel restriction, but I do feel something. My port is very noticeable to me, but not to others. I do not get my first fill until the end of October, which is exactly eight weeks post-op. I have lost some weight, but not that much since the surgery. I am hungry, but I am afraid to eat too much because I am worried about stretching the pouch. Do I need to worry about that since I haven't had a fill yet? Just wondering....I know that this journey is different for everyone, and I really appreciate those of you that post your feelings and experiences online.:seeya:

What is PBing? Help, I need educating!

Congratulations, Jerry! I am so happy for you. Keep up the great work!

Uh, Jaffa? I don't think anyone is attacking you for your choices. Veronda is only stating what her pros were for her choices in getting a lap band. You may see them as marketing tools, but there is a lot of data to back up pros and cons for all weight loss surgeries. I was very indecisive right before the lap band surgery, but I am very glad that I chose the band rather than another surgery. What works for you or anyone else is great, and I hope we can share what we are doing without getting upset with each other. I have a friend who had the lap band removed recently, and it was for none of the reasons you stated. She developed cancer and had to have it removed for treatment. They do not recommend she have another weight loss surgery, but she is being thankful that she is alive today. Let's just get along and celebrate everyone's success.....I have only lost 69 pounds since I started my weight loss journey, but I am truly proud of each person who has gastric, lap band, sleeve, or any surgery that helps them stop the downward slide that continuing to gain weight can cause. Let's celebrate life and another day on this planet!

Jason, Thanks for responding. I know that you are working so hard to lose weight, and you are doing awesome! Everyone on this site has had trouble losing weight, and many of us have failed time and time again. If you have not had trouble like us, maybe the lap band is not what you need. You just keep losing, keep getting fit, and celebrate every little milestone that you reach. I know that you can do it!:mad2:

Thanks so much. I can't wait to try the spicy soup. I am very inspired by your blog. You've come a long way, and I know it has changed your life. Way to go!

Hi there. I was banded exactly two weeks ago tomorrow. I was on three Protein shakes and two small meals a day (2 cups salad and 4 ounces meat) for two weeks before, then liquids for two weeks after. I just got my pureed and soft foods diet on Friday, so I am new at eating real food. I have had salmon and about three teaspoons of mashed potato, Soup, and I had a few grilled shrimp for lunch today with a little baked potato. All of those are on my list, and I used very small bites, my knife more than I ever have, and felt fine. I am wondering about the people that say they have no restriction. How do they know? When I ate my salmon, I ate only about 4 ounces. It was so good. I did not try and get full, I just ate until it started to feel like I might get full. I did the same way with the shrimp. Isn't everyone afraid to try and eat like they usually did? I had the rest of my salmon for Breakfast this morning, and even heated up it was heavenly. I would be terrified to try and eat breads and things like I used to. I know that the doctor put in a small fill already, but I have no idea how much. I don't go back to see him until the 24th.... One other question....when you eat soup, should you eat it really slow or limit the amount to a small amount? I am having cream of chicken soup for dinner tonight, and I don't have to strain it because I can now have the small peices. Will that stretch my pouch? I am still not sure about how to eat and when and where....help. I have been stopping drinking fifteen minutes before and for 30 minutes after, which is what I am supposed to do on this stage. But isn't soup drinking? Please, answer the questions oh wise experienced bandsters! :0) Thanks so much! :tongue2:

Hi Jason, I have seen your posts and have been impressed with how determined you are. You can do it! I was curious if you had ever tried to lose weight before. I was always a heavy child, and I weighed 285 as a senior in high school. I was around 300 most of my 20's and 30's, but did lose weight when I was 36. I went on prescription medication and lost 185 pounds! It is the smallest I have ever been as an adult. I gained it all back, then some extra to boot. I have lost weight three times since then, around 100 pounds each time. I just couldn't keep it off. I was wondering if you had ever tried before. A lot of us with bands have tried and tried, never to succeed for the long term. Have you lost before?

Congratulations! I had my surgery two weeks ago, and I can remember feeling just like you waiting and waiting....forever it seems. I got approval from my insurance and my husband's and all went great in surgery. Good luck on your journey, and ask any questions you might have. We want to help others on our journey!:wink:

Hi Liz. Thanks for the compliment! I didn't really have any big questions to ask Dr. Martin because I already had done a lot of research. My sister had the surgery four years ago, so I was more familiar with it than some. I didn't really discuss the options other than lap band because it is so much less invasive and has lots of other benefits. I basically asked him about recovery time and how much work I would have to miss. He was very helpful. On my second visit, my husband went with me and we discussed what to look out for in case of difficulties. I had such an easy time of it at the hospital. My surgery went great, I was walking within two hours of my surgery, and I felt really good. I was sore (of course) but eager to walk as much as possible so that I could prevent any blood clots or problems. My only problem was that I was so thirsty....I only had 2 ounces of ice chips or Water every four hours that first day, and my surgery was at 7:15. I used swabs to wash out my mouth and brushed my teeth several times to at least moisten my mouth. It was much better on the second day when I could have Protein shakes and water and other liquids. I am really happy how smoothly everything went, and I hope it is the same for you. You can do it!:wink:

I had my appointment with my surgeon after I attended the seminar. I was weighed, measured, a picture was taken of me, they took my blood pressure, and then the surgeon came in and talked to me. He did not examine me at all, but I had a complete physical with my general physician as part of the beginning process. I was given a CD to view "Emmi" and then I went home. My process went really smoothly except for one hitch. I had taken off a half day the Wednesday before my surgery on the following Monday, August 31st. I had spent all afternoon in Greensboro getting my pre-op things done. When I got home, I had an email from the bariatric coordinator saying that my 7 page release form was not in my file and that I needed to turn that in immediately to not have my surgery canceled. I had never seen it, heard of it, or knew anything about it. I got upset, and we wound up having it faxed and I sent it back that same night. Keep on top of things, because they can fall through the cracks if you are not careful!:wink:

Hi Everyone! I was banded two weeks ago, and I have just come back from you nutritionist. I now can have meats, green Beans, carrots, zucchini, squash, eggs, and cheese. I need to eat 5 small meals a day. I have to get in at least 64 ounces of Water, 70 grams of Protein, and very few carbs. My doctor is adamant about carbs. I think he feels that no carb is a good carb. My question is whether or not you keep a daily log or somehow keep up with how much you have gotten in? I know it will be a pain (kind of like the two years on Weight Watchers) to write down everything, but I don't know how else to keep up with it. Any ideas?:laugh:

Great answer, Dratde. I have told people, and I am very upfront about the whole process. That can be good, but it can be bad as well. I was banded two weeks ago, and I already have some people asking, "How much are you going to lose this week?" like I can control it week by week with a calculator or something. I have told everyone that lap band is slower than gastric in the weight loss, but I am in it for the long haul rather than doing it quickly. I want to be healthy, not a fashion model. I may never get down to what the doctors think I should weigh (150), but I am a lot better off than I was in January when I was at 419. My diet before surgery and the 23 pounds I lost on the pre-op diet and in the last two weeks have made me feel a lot better already. Good luck, and keep posting!

I'm not sure which book the other person was referring to, but I found the book, "Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band" to be a life-saver. It is written by Dr. Robert W. Sewell and Linda Rohrbough and was published last year. I like it a lot better than the "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" that my psychologist recommended at my first appointment with him. The book by Dr. Sewell is all about bands, while the other book is about bands and gastric bypass. My sister, who I love dearly, was banded four years ago. She went from 315 pounds to about 185 and I am so proud of her. I was banded two weeks ago, and I have more to lose than my sister. While the pre-op diet and post-op diets are restricted due to sutures healing and gradually adding back foods, your sister will be able to eat most things as long as they don't bother her. Some people love shrimp and have no problems, while others do have problems. It's like that about everything. Tell her to check out Dr. Sewell's book.....I highly recommend it. P.S. What a very supportive force you are going to be during her surgery and recovery. She is a lucky girl!:laugh:

No, thankfully lap band patients don't have to do that like gastric bypass patients do. No one I has talked to has had to go through that. I was banded two weeks ago, and I just had to not drink or eat anything after midnight. It wasn't bad at all! You can do this!

I am so happy for you! I was banded two weeks ago, and it is not bad at all. Remember, this is a life changing experience. Go out and celebrate your success!

Thanks for the compliment. I had lost about 45 pounds before my surgery, so I guess that doesn't count. I lost about 23 through my pre-op diet and the first two weeks after surgery. I am just eating what they told me to and trying to get in a little exercise. I think when you are as large as I am, it seems to be a little easier to lose at first. Don't be discouraged, you can do it! I am also from North Carolina, and I wish you all the luck in the world!:laugh:

I don't know, but I would like to visit that site as well. I had two weeks of pre-op diet with only shakes, salad and meat, then two weeks of nothing but liquids. I need a little variety!

I did not go for at least three days after my surgery, so my instructions from the doctor advised taking a dose of Milk of Magnesia. I took one teaspoonfull and had results in about six or seven hours with no pain. Since then I go about every two or three days, but not much. Only liquids does not generate much!:blushing: