RebeccaJ

Hi there....I'm an August 31st bander too. Congrats!

I was banded on August 31st. My doctor has me staying on liquids for two full weeks, and I go to the nutritionist to get the mushy stage diet this Friday. I am still having a shake for breakfast, lunch, and then some kind of soup for supper. I am not able to get in more than 45 or so grams of protein, but I am doing the best I can. I can't wait to get to the mushy stage. Sorry I can't tell you more, but I appreciate your talking about what is happening to you. Keep in touch, because we were banded at almost the same time!:blushing:

I was very lucky and had mine the week before my surgery last Monday. However, about nine years ago I had a ruptured disc and wound up having to have a vertebrae removed and four titatanium cages inserted. I started the day before my surgery. Even though I had major pain and was in the bed four days and in the hospital nine before being released, it was not a problem. They were very sweet and took care of getting me pads. I was catheterized, flipped onto my stomach, flipped back after the surgery, and did not have a bruise on my body. A month later when I had to have a second surgery to take care of infection, I started again the day before. My neurosurgeon asked me "What's the deal?" and I had to tell him it must be all the stress. Please don't worry. This is so much less invasive, it was not hard at all. I was only out a couple of hours, and was able to take care of myself completely. You will be fine and they are professionals and will not make you feel bad about it. Just be happy you have a surgery date and don't worry about anything else! (By the way, if I had to compare the lap band surgery to my others for my back, I would say this was more like going to the dentist. Don't sweat, it will be great!):blushing:

Hi There, I agree with everything that StarsZie said. You need to make this decision for yourself, but you will not be weird and unable to eat anything when the band is working properly. I am seven days out from surgery and feeling good. I will be very happy to get off the liquids, but I am taking each day one at a time. The hospital was a breeze....I only hated not having liquids and having to swab out my mouth instead of drink right after surgery. You will do great! Continue your research, but remember that "if you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you always got". I knew this would be the change I needed and the tool to help me be the person I want to be. I had a few friends at work say to me that I was doing this so I could get all hot and sexy. No way! My husband already thinks I am hot and sexy, so that is not my reason. I know that I want to be with him a long time, and I want to see my grandchildren grow up. We can do this. You go, girl!:thumbup:

Hi there, and welcome! I had my surgery six days ago, and I don't regret a thing! I wish you all the luck in the world! My husband, thankfully, is very supportive of my efforts. He was very worried about me during sugery, but I did great. I think what helped him more than anything was going to the support group meetings with me and seeing what kinds of changes it has made in the lives of others. I think you should do this for you....no one else. But there may be some benefits for him down the road....I know I am much more receptive to lots of things now that I have lost about 65 pounds. :0) Good luck, and keep us posted!:thumbup:

I'm not positive if this is true for the person who wrote this, but I have been losing because I am not hungry...at all. I have to force myself to drink my protein shakes and then have a little soup or yogurt besides. It has taken away my hunger....that is wonderful. I have gained and lost 100 pounds at least four times in my life, but have always gained it back and more besides. I know that when the doctor put in my band this past Monday (8/31/09) he added a small fill. I can drink easily, but I am on a liquid diet until Friday (9/11/09) when I will start my mushy stage. I wieghed 375 at my last appointment with my doctor before surgery, and I weigh 354 right now. I know I will continue to lose. It will take a little time at first for the doctor to find the right amount to add to my band so that I can eat a healthy diet and feel full. I have known people who are successful and not successful with the band, but most are successful. I wish you luck!

Hey.... Well, I haven't been banded but for seven days, so I'm not sure what to tell you. I was told that the loss of hair had more to do with an inadequate amount of Protein than anything else. How many grams do you get a day? I know mine will start falling out soon. I have felt great, but I can't stand this liquid diet much more. I am hungry and yet nauseous most of the time just thinking about those sweet Protein shakes. Hopefully, I'll be able to find something today to help. Any suggestions? Good luck, and try adding more protein. Otherwise, go to your regular doctor and see if he or she has any suggestions. :thumbup:

It's hard to believe, but I made it through surgery and I am now home recuperating. It was hard in many ways, but I was so proud of myself that I did it. I am very sore, but also very happy that it is all done. Just wanted to let everyone know! I just got home from the hospital at about 12:30, and I will write more tomorrow.

Hi Jason, When I looked down at the scale in January of last year and saw 419 pounds, I felt so bad. I knew that I needed to something. I started a modified Weight Watchers diet and lost about 35 pounds before starting the Lab Band process. When I went to my first consultation, I weighed 374. The only thing that allowed me to go ahead and have the surgery is the fact that I have way more weight in my legs, hips, and thighs than anywhere else. On the day of my surgery after the 2 week pre-op diet, I weighed 359. I know that it will be a little while before you can have the surgery, but you can do it. I did great with the surgery this past Monday, and I am looking forward to the future. Keep your chin up and keep walking!

I had my surgery this past Monday. I did not have any trouble, and feel really good. I have walked a mile or so every day and just went back to work today. My problem is this liquid diet. I think I am going to be sick if I have to drink another shake. My doctor had me doing three a day with two small meals during the two weeks before my surgery. I didn't love them then, but they were okay. The two small meals were a few ounces of lean mean and two cups of salad with no dressing, so it was okay that I had the shakes at other times. Now that the surgery is over and I am on the 5th day of recovery, just the thought of a shake is gross. I think it is because they are too sweet. Can I Water them down with a little milk to make them less sweet? Or should I just hold my nose and drink? I have to go back to the nutritionist on the 11th (Friday) for my "mushie" diet, and until then that means I have to drink a lot of shakes to get in 60 to 80 grams of Protein a day. Anybody else know of other ways to get the protein in? Help!:sneaky:

I totally understand. Although my surgery was only on Monday of this week, there are times I am really dying for something to eat and realize it's just because I'm used to eating then. I really am hungry at times, and I am starting to tell the difference a little bit. It is always a danger to put it out there when you have something like this done. So many people have told me it is a waste of money, I should do the gastric instead. I wanted the lap band because I think it was the best choice for me. Don't worry about what anyone thinks or says, just do the best you can every day. Remember, each day is brand new and you can be successful! I have thought a lot about what I would do if I found this to be hard for me to handle emotionally. Even though I have never been in therapy in my life and hated going to the psychologist, that is probably the first thing I would do. I am heavy now (and have always been heavy) because of a lot of reasons that have nothing to do with food. We all have baggage. If you are having a hard time, make an appointment and discuss it with someone who can help. I think that is what I would do. Best of luck to us all! I am sure that we each have different challenges and problems, and I am glad we can share our ideas here.:sneaky:

Hi there.... I was banded on the 31st as well. I spent one night in the hospital, and I did pretty well that day and night except for the no-liquids rule. I thought I was going to die with only 2 ounces of ice chips or Water every four hours. The next morning I loved that 2 ounces of Protein shake, and I have been doing pretty well since then. I went back to work today for the second half of the day. I have added Soups and pudding to my diet, and it seems to be helping. I can't wait to try applesauce tonight. I didn't have any luck going to the bathroom, so I took 1 teaspoon of MOM yesterday morning and finally went. It is hard to make that happen with no Fiber or much going on down there. We can do this, just hang in there!:sneaky:

Hi There.... I feel just as hungry as you do, and my kitty is sitting here laying across the computer as I write this.....I hope that I don't eat him! I know how you feel. I was banded on Monday (5 days ago) and I am starving. I have had nothing but Protein shakes and Water, cyrstal light, etc. The first couple of days it didn't bother me, but I returned to work today and I have really gotten hungry. I am going to add some applesauce and yogurt tonight and see how that goes. I am sick to death of those Protein Shakes, so I added some unflavored unjury Protein powder to Jello when I mixed it up. It is okay, but not what I really wanted. I can now have strained Soups, cream soups, and yogurt and sugar free pudding. I can't wait to add the applesauce tonight...just a bit...to see what happens. I feel like if I could just have something with a little bit of Fiber, it would help. I look so forward to those Calcium tablets because I get to chew them and they taste like sweet-tarts. I am excited about the band and want to enter this new phase, but can't wait until I am on solid foods where you can really feel a restriction. Hang in there!:sneaky:

I was banded on the last day of August, so I guess I fit this thread. I feel pretty well considering I was banded Monday. I am still really sore, but getting around pretty well. I've been walking twice a day, once in the evening and once in the morning. I had to take some MOM this morning because of no activity, but feel better now. It is just going to take some time for me to heal and get back to normal. I am doing my 3 ounces of shake now, every three hours. I am also drinking water and trying to get in about 8 ounces every hour or so, but it is hard. Last night I had three ounces of tomato soup, and it tasted so good! I have lots left over so I may try a little bit again today. Keep up the great work, everyone! We can do this!:blushing:

Hey, don't be so down on yourself. It sounds like you are struggling more with head hunger than tummy hunger to me. I know that it is hard, but you have come so far. I have only been banded since Monday, so I am still in the liquids only, forcing down every swallow stage. Just remember why you did this in the first place. You an do it!

I just got banded on Monday, and I am hoping I am doing everything right. I am really sore where the five incisions were made, but am doing pretty well. I have gone walking several times each day, today for about a fourth of a mile. I have had a little bit of bloody seepage from the port site, but everything feels right (just very sore). I am not really hungry at all, but I am burping a lot. I am drinking my 2 ounces of shake every three hours, and I have gotten in about forty ounces of water throughout the day today. I just seem to be burping like crazy. Is this normal? I want to do this right, and I am planning on going back to work on Tuesday, so I want any advice you have to give me. Thanks so much for your help and support in the pre-banding process. Together, we can do this!

Hi there, I am well on my way to telling you how long it will take. I had my surgery on Monday of this week, spent one night in the hospital, and plan to be off until the day after Labor Day. I am a teacher (first grade) and I hope it will only be a week before I am feeling better. I am really sore, but I am able to walk several times a day and I think I will be fine. My surgery couldn't have gone better, and I am feeling great about the whole process! Good luck!:blushing:

It is so hard to believe that tomorrow is the day! It seems as if I have been waiting forever, but as it got closer the time seemed to fly. Lesson plans done, lists made, and I am finally ready to pack and get ready to leave at 4:15 in the morning so I can be at the hospital at 5:30. Wish me luck, guys! Say a little prayer, too, if you have a chance!:blushing:

It is so hard to believe that tomorrow is the day! It seems as if I have been waiting forever, but as it got closer the time seemed to fly. Lesson plans done, lists made, and I am finally ready to pack and get ready to leave at 4:15 in the morning so I can be at the hospital at 5:30. Wish me luck, guys! Say a little prayer, too, if you have a chance!:smile2:

I know how you feel. Just 15 hours to go until my surgery. Wow! Time flew! Good luck to us all.

Thanks so much for what you wrote. I am having my surgery in the morning at 7:15, and I am a little scared, too. Your account of things helped put it in perspective. Thanks again! By the way, how do you add a ticker tape to your messages? I can't figure that out. Help!

I have just two more days until my surgery. I am feeling both excited and a little nervous about the procedure. I hope that all will go fine. Most of the people at work are being very nice to me, and I hope that they will understand the changes I am going through. It is hard for some people to get it. Most of them have never had a weight problem, much less weighed 400 pounds before in their lives. I had a friend ask me yesterday, "So, you think this will do it?" I had the feeling she thought the surgery was a magic pill that was just going to change my life instantaneously. I feel the band is a tool, and that I can use that tool the right way or the wrong way. My surgery is Monday at 7:15, and I will be happy when that part is over and I can begin the recovery part to the start of my new life. We can do this!:thumbup:

I have just two more days until my surgery. I am feeling both excited and a little nervous about the procedure. I hope that all will go fine. Most of the people at work are being very nice to me, and I hope that they will understand the changes I am going through. It is hard for some people to get it. Most of them have never had a weight problem, much less weighed 400 pounds before in their lives. I had a friend ask me yesterday, "So, you think this will do it?" I had the feeling she thought the surgery was a magic pill that was just going to change my life instantaneously. I feel the band is a tool, and that I can use that tool the right way or the wrong way. My surgery is Monday at 7:15, and I will be happy when that part is over and I can begin the recovery part to the start of my new life. We can do this!:blushing:

It has been a long week full of the stress of going back to school, opening my classroom, having open house, meetings and more meetings, and watching everyone around me eat like they were starving. I am very proud of myself for how well I have done, but I have a long way yet to go. Nine more days of eating like this, then the surgery itself! If there is anyone out there feeling the same stress at this important time before surgery, remember that you can do it! I want to change my life and I am willing to do anything to change my life for the better so that I can live a long and happy life. I have a husband, a wonderful daughter, and two beautiful grandchildren. My life has a lot of blessings. Please keep me in your thoughts and remember that we are not alone! God bless!:cool2:

Hi...I sure hope it works, because I have been on the pre-op diet for a week now and I have one more week to go before my surgery. Surgery is scheduled for early Monday morning, August 31st. I am doing everything the doctor and nutritionist said, so I hope my liver will be all ready to go. My weight this past January was 419, I started the process at about 380 in April, and I was 374 when I went to the doctor last Friday (a week ago). Since I started on the pre-op diet, my weight was 364 this morning. Let me know how you are doing!