Bree99

Hi, I had thyroid cancer and my thyroid gland was removed. As long as you are taking an appropriate amount of synthroid your weight loss will be normal or very close.

Yes, I've noticed that my sense of smell seems more acute since being banded.

Ask your doctor for another anti-nausea medication. One will work. Once that happens you'll be able to drink more and feel much better. I felt like you for a few days and then it was much better.

Hi All, I started to get fat in my mid twenties after years of being an athlete. When I see pictures of myself at my present weight I am appalled. I still identify as a normal weight person, though I haven't been in 2 decades. As I lose weight my body will come into line with my mental image of myself. If you are someone who still feels fat after losing weight, keep trying to get an objective view of yourself, it will come. I think my retention of a normal weight image of myself was a defense against all the cruel remarks and reactions I got as a fat person.

I was nauseous early on. Called the doc and he called in an anti-nausea med for me. I only had to take it 3 days and I was fine. Call now!

I am 12 days post-op and have never been hungry since the operation. I have very little 'head hunger' even. The bloated feeling went away as the swelling went down, but no hunger has emerged. I'm not complaining. Without the swelling its easy to get my daily requirements in. I'm down 16 pounds too.

I have a desk job and I went back on the sixth day after my surgery. It was a rough day and I got tired easily. My bra hurt. It would have been better if I had waited a full week.

Hi everyone, If you haven't seen the magazine "Clean Eating", you should check it out. It is aimed at people interested in fitness and its recipes fit very well with our guidelines. There are lots of recipes in every issue. They focus on whole foods that are low fat and low sugar. They also understand the importance of Protein. Here is my favorite chicken salad recipe: 2 or 3 large cans of shredded white meat chicken, drained 2 small bunches of green onions, chopped 1 bunch of white, seedless grapes, halved 1 cup pecan halves, chopped 3 stalks of celery, chopped Mix well Dress with the following: 1/2 cup of light mayo 1/4 cup skim milk 1/4 cup of lemon juice (Mix this well and pour over the chicken salad) My entire family likes this. It's great.

Hi Everyone, I'd like to take part in the Easter challenge. I have only been banded since 1/13, but I enjoy challenges. I have no idea how much weight I might lose by Easter. I'll aim for twenty pounds and would be very excited by that.

I will soon transition to a stage 1 mushie diet which is supposed to be the consistency of baby food. I see recommendations to put fish and meat in the blender with light mayo, etc... Honestly, I can't imagine what this is supposed to look like? I also wonder how is it going to taste? Will it be liquified or merely processed into very small pieces? I'd like to hear from some of you have passed through this stage. I don't know what I'm going to eat!

Hi, I was banded on the 13th and have had everything you describe, I have experienced, except the retching. My nausea was so severe I called the surgeon's office and he called me in an anti-nausea medicine which took it away. It is still hard to drink all the fluid and protein each day, a couple of days I miss the mark by a little. The discomfort you feel in your chest when you breath is due to the surgery itself, not the band. It's painful, but deep breathing helps. Hopefully it will be easier for us to drink soon.

Hi, I love to ride too. I was banded on the 13th, as of today, although I have not been on pain meds since the 15th, I would not be anywhere near ready for a long ride. I think you should cancel your plans. Although my pain level is just soreness my strength is not what I expected. I was winded during my shower this morning. You can't afford a mistake on a bike.

I, too, was banded on the 13th and upon coming home and trying a protein shake for the first time, became horribly nauseous. Bending over and other movements set it off. I took phenergan and was able to proceed with the protein. I still need the phenergan and wonder when I won't. I think we must try and be patient as we heal. I believe it will be worth it in the end.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the advice. I called my surgeon and he gave me some anti-nausea medication which has changed everything. This is my fourth day post surgery and will be the first day that I'll get all my protein in. I think the nausea would still be there without the med. I know I don't want to feel that bad again! I still have no appetite since the surgery. I won't complain about that. I am down 12 pounds since surgery. That seems like a lot to me. I expect I have some dehydration. Thanks again.

I was banded on the 13th and did fine in the hospital. On coming home and trying a protein shake I became very nauseated and it has not stopped. I have very little problem with water but anything else causes gagging, no vomiting but misery. I've called the doctor for an anti-nausea medication. Is there anything else I can do? Does this happen to many people?

The big day is almost here! I am to be at the hospital by 7:30 tomorrow morning. I had to stop by today for some final blood work. I was even given my wrist band to wear tomorrow. I am a little nervous and just want to get on with it! I won't be able to post again until Thursday, but I will add to the surgery stories then. Good luck to everyone tomorrow. We will be bandsters when we meet again.:thumbup:

My surgeon requires all his patients to stay for a 23 hour admit. I have already met 3 other people who are having surgery the same day, so we will be walking the halls together and will be able to compare our experiences. It's reassuring for me.

I'm set for the 13th as well. I'll be the second surgery that morning! I am excited and lucky as my surgeon does not require any pre-op diet except for a clear liquid diet the day before the surgery. For those of you who fear the surgery; some fear is natural and to be expected. I have had one laproscopic surgery before and I was thrilled to find out it didn't hurt very much at all. I was home walking around my hilly yard in less than 24 hours. There was some soreness on standing after sitting a while and on getting up in the morning, but nothing major. You can do it! We can do it together.

I'll walk with you. It's a great idea.

Hi All, I, too, am worried about hair loss. I will be banded in 2 weeks. I will make protien a priority but fear it won't matter. My doctor says getting the protien in will prevent the hair loss, but my cousin was banded and lost a lot of hair. How thin is your hair getting, if you are losing hair? How many people overall are losing hair?

It's Official!!! I will be a Jan. 2010 bandster. My surgery has been scheduled for Jan. 13. I see there are at least two others having surgery that day. I'll be very interested to keep up with you two in particular. We can compare every step of the way.

Hi Shannie, I'm writing because I see you have managed to put a TickerFactory weight loss graphic on your posts. I went to the site and made a graphic I like but can't manage to import it here. Can you help?

I was approved today and may get a surgery date before the end of the year but I don't think so. I expect to be an early Jan. bandster. I am very happy to share the experience with you all.

Hi, I'm Bree. I expect to get a surgery date this week, some time around Christmas or early in Jan. I would love to have someone to go through the experience with. I am 48, 5 feet 8.5 inches tall and weigh 284 today. I will be getting the Realize band. I'd love to hear about you. Bree