Astrasmom

As with everyone else. DO the shakes and you might want to drink a low sodium V8 once and awhile for your veggies.

CONGRATULATIONS! You were banned on my birthday. :sad: Welcome to band world. I wish you lost of success in your journey. Please keep us posted with your progress. :frown:

First let me say BLESS YOU. You certainly have your hands full. But kids are such a blessing. Next let me say CONGRATULATIONS. I am glad that you have a friend to help you through this as well. I wish you all the best and do keep us posted with your progress. Good luck with your pre-op diet. BTW I had a umbilical hernia too but had that repaired way before my lapband surgery. I did have a hiatal hernia repaired during surgery though.

The LapBand is a tool. It's not a miracle cure. If you want to lose weight bad enough you will make it work. As someone stated it will help you with portion control but it won't stop you from putting things in your mouth. This is a lifestyle change. You don't have to give up living. Don't deprive yourself of the good things in life once and awhile. Or you will fail. If you feel like having a peice of cake sometime. Then do it. Just make it a small one, not an entire cake. If you want to have a cooking once and awhile or some ice cream. Then do it. Just don't eat the entire package. Food is an evil thing that YOU need to take control over. You can't let food control you. As my saying goes, "Life is a highway, and I'm riding it MY way." Everyone is going to mess up once and awhile. Just get back on the path and try again. We can't all worry about the "What if's" in life. We just have to be ready when things hit us. Before you binge, ask yourself how far back will this set you if you were to eat it? Or even make a Pro's and Con's list and put it on your fridge. Write down the food. The pro's of having this food. And the con's of having this food. Before you binge, wait 30 seconds before you eat and then see what happens. If you still feel after 30 seconds you need to eat, then by all means go ahead but just a bite.

Congratulations to you!! Anything is possible if you apply yourself. And it sounds like you have a good attitude. Stick with the plan that the doctor gives you and work hard, and soon your grandchildren will be telling you to slow down because they can't keep up with you. Please keep us posted on your progress.

My doc said no carbonation because it will hurt. I've also heard that it can cause damage to your band if you drink it enough. So I gave up soda and coffee (because of the caffine) in August. I drink Crystal Light and decaf ice tea.

Thank you so much for sharing your website. You are truly and inspiration. And you look awesome!!

Yes I would say it's probably from the breathing tube also. As for the water going right into your stomach. Chances are you will feel that happen with almost all of your food because your band isn't restricted after surgery. There are some that have a fill during surgery and others that don't. You will experience several different things while you are healing. You may start feeling port pain also. Just remember that your port is attached to a muscle so you might get some spasms. Just remember to keep walking, and drinking your fluids. You'll be better in no time. It takes a good week 1/2 to 2 weeks to get back to normal.

"There is no better taste in the world than the taste of me being thin again." Someone at my support group said that. And I think that is an awesome quote. This band is a tool. It's NOT going to automatically make you stop eating. An alarm isn't going to go off if you eat too much or the wrong things. If there is anyone out there that has already been banned that thought this was going to be easy, honey you are in for a failure. This is not an easy road to follow. How you use the band all depends on how badly you want to be healthy again. And how badly you want to lose that extra baggage that you carry around all of the time. If you want it bad enough, you will work for it. Sometimes we all have to step back and examine our metal state of mind. We have to take a stand and not let food control us. Yes I know that's easier said then done. Believe me, you are talking to the number one muncher in the world. The doctor gives us a food plan to follow for a reason. Once and awhile we might step off that path but we have to be strong and pull ourselves back onto the track. Or else the rose thorns will take over and you will be so far in, you won't be able to pull yourself back. You ARE human. And everyone makes mistakes. We all have to learn to make better choices. And that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the better things in life once and awhile. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION. Don't take big chances that could ultimately set you back for awhile. Talk to your doctors or nutritionists. That's what they are there for. NONE of us can do this alone. Use the support that you have infront of you. Best of luck to everyone. Here's to a healthier you. :redface:

Congratulations and the best of luck to you. We will all save you a seat on the Losers bench. Do keep us posted.

I take Walgreens brand. They are called Creamies with Vitamin D. They are very yummy.

Welcome to Banders Hell. Unfortunately this stage in the phase totally sucks. You really have to rely on will power. Measure your food and eat the higher Protein foods like fish and chicken. Even if you THINK you are still hungry, stop yourself after you have eaten the portion that you have measured out. For some people it does get easier after the first fill, for others it takes a few fills. I have had 2 fills so far and am doing well. Follow the plan that your doctor gave to you and you will do fine. Best of luck to you.

Listen. This is a lifestyle change. No one said you have to give up living. Once and awhile a drink is good. I enjoy a glass of red wine, maybe once a week. I won't drink the mixed drinks because they do have alot of empty calories in them. If we deprive ourselves of rewards once and awhile, we will fail. That's why all of those diets failed for us. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION. I also enjoy a peice of pizza once and awhile. I am 4 months post op and I have lost 67lbs. My point? Be careful but enjoy the finer things in life once and awhile. We have all worked hard to get where we are today. We deserve it once and awhile.:thumbup:

Your doing great. Try eating higher Protein foods like chicken or fish. Are you still taking the Protein drinks? I am allowed to have 3 - 8oz shakes a day. I'm really only taking 1 now because I use Protein Bars also

Woo hooo!! Congratulations. We will save you a nice warm seat on the losers bench. Everyone is spooked before the surgery but you will be fine and losing weight before you can even blink your eyes. Make sure you have some Gas-X strips and be sure to walk walk walk after your surgery. Keep us posted on your progress.

hah cabin fever. We all go through that. You will be up and running in no time. Don't rush yourself. Congratulations by the way. I did the same thing as you. I decided a few days after surgery that I was going to walk more than I should have and I paid for it the following day. Good luck to you. And I'm glad that the bad pain is gone.

It's normal to feel discomfort. It's your body healing. I am almost 4 months in and I occasionally feel port discomfort. What types of activities have you been doing? Maybe you over did it a bit? I would suggest taking it easy for a couple of days and definitely don't gulp your Water. You can temporarily stretch your pouch and that hurts. Your port is attached to a muscle. That muscle has to heal. It's probably a muscle spasm. Try putting a heating pad on it.

Welcome BJ. Feel free to read and ask questions. We are like a big family here. Are you banded yet, in the process or thinking about being banded?

Congratulations on taking your first step. I would say take things one day at a time and ask alot of questions. You are in the right place. There is alot of information here. If I had this to do all over again I would do it in a heartbeat. If you follow the plan that your doctor gives to you, you will be successful. I won't lie, the surgery does hurt but that's what your pain medication is for afterwards. It takes about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks to be back to normal. Remember you are doing this for you, not your friends. It's pretty suprising when you start losing the weight how differently people look at you. In a good way that is. And the compliments you get are pretty awesome. I have to admit my self confidence was pretty much in the crapper before my surgery. Now I feel much better about myself. Anyway I wish you lost of success and please feel free to ask any questions you like. We are all here for each other.

So many people will say that lapband surgery is the easy way out but there really is nothing easy about this process. I was banded on Oct 23, 2009 and I have thus far lost a total of 67lbs. Let me tell you what I had to do to get there. So before I had my surgery I was a whopping 304lbs. YIKES. Figure it out as to how much I weigh now. :redface: I have about 87lbs to go. Anyway in 2001 I had open heart surgery for an Aortic Anuerysm and a valve replacement. Since a porcine valve (Pigs valve..no bacon jokes please) was used I will need to have the surgery again in another couple of years because unfortunately they don't last more then 10 years. Why did I have that kind of valve put in? Because I was young and didn't fancy the idea of taking a blood thinner for the rest of my life. So I have been following a Cardiologist. Anyway for years I have been battleing a weight problem. I have tried every diet that you can think of. And I have actually lost weight. Only to gain it back again by hitting a major sink hole on the highway. One day at a check up my Cardiologist told me that it was time to start thinking about my surgery again. Then told me that if I didn't really think about losing weight I could possibly die on the table or run the risk of several infections. So I think that was the day that I really woke up and said, "Hey you need to do something about this." So I started doing research. And after attending a Bariatric Weightloss Seminar and 6 months of nutrional visits along with other types of doctor visits I finally had my surgery. So now I am down 67lbs and EXERCISING!! But along with that weight loss comes endless calorie counting, vitamin intake, making sure you chew your food so it doesn't get stuck. And lots of will power. People think once you get that lapband in you aren't gong to be hungry. BULL CRAP. You are hungry and the thing is it does take alot of will power because you can keep eating. You have to teach yourself the difference between head hunger and real hunger. You can't let food control you. The band is a tool. It's not a get thin quick type of deal. It does require alot of work. And you can eat pretty much anything in moderation. I don't do bread, pasta or beef. They don't agree with me. So here I am riding the Highway of Life without hitting the pot holes anymore. Oh I do hit those speed bumps once and awhile. I'm only human. I have to 'cheat' once and awhile. But unlike before I know how to control myself. And I know that if I want to be healthy and stay alive, this is the end of the road for me. I have to be serious. This is probably the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I have NO regrets and if I had it to do over again, I would.

So many people will say that lapband surgery is the easy way out but there really is nothing easy about this process. I was banded on Oct 23, 2009 and I have thus far lost a total of 67lbs. Let me tell you what I had to do to get there. So before I had my surgery I was a whopping 304lbs. YIKES. Figure it out as to how much I weigh now. I have about 87lbs to go. Anyway in 2001 I had open heart surgery for an Aortic Anuerysm and a valve replacement. Since a porcine valve (Pigs valve..no bacon jokes please) was used I will need to have the surgery again in another couple of years because unfortunately they don't last more then 10 years. Why did I have that kind of valve put in? Because I was young and didn't fancy the idea of taking a blood thinner for the rest of my life. So I have been following a Cardiologist. Anyway for years I have been battleing a weight problem. I have tried every diet that you can think of. And I have actually lost weight. Only to gain it back again by hitting a major sink hole on the highway. One day at a check up my Cardiologist told me that it was time to start thinking about my surgery again. Then told me that if I didn't really think about losing weight I could possibly die on the table or run the risk of several infections. So I think that was the day that I really woke up and said, "Hey you need to do something about this." So I started doing research. And after attending a Bariatric Weightloss Seminar and 6 months of nutrional visits along with other types of doctor visits I finally had my surgery. So now I am down 67lbs and EXERCISING!! But along with that weight loss comes endless calorie counting, vitamin intake, making sure you chew your food so it doesn't get stuck. And lots of will power. People think once you get that lapband in you aren't gong to be hungry. BULL CRAP. You are hungry and the thing is it does take alot of will power because you can keep eating. You have to teach yourself the difference between head hunger and real hunger. You can't let food control you. The band is a tool. It's not a get thin quick type of deal. It does require alot of work. And you can eat pretty much anything in moderation. I don't do bread, pasta or beef. They don't agree with me. So here I am riding the Highway of Life without hitting the pot holes anymore. Oh I do hit those speed bumps once and awhile. I'm only human. I have to 'cheat' once and awhile. But unlike before I know how to control myself. And I know that if I want to be healthy and stay alive, this is the end of the road for me. I have to be serious. This is probably the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I have NO regrets and if I had it to do over again, I would.

It actually is your body not getting enough Protein. The anesthesia is out of your body in 48 hours so I don't think that it could possibly be that. I haven't had any problems with hair loss and I am almost 4 months out. Just make sure that you take your Vitamins and consume enough protein.

Right now it's all a mental thing. You have no restriction so basically it's all up to you and a 'diet'. Make sure you are drinking your Protein shakes and with your meals, make sure that you weight and measure everything. You can eat more then you are supposed to at this stage, so you really have to portion your food out. If you feel yourself getting hungry, drink some fluids instead, or try and find something to get your mind off of food. If you find yourself reaching for something that you shouldn't, WAIT - think of the positive of having the food, and the negative of having the food. Chances are the negative out weighs the positive. Make yourself a food journal and write down everything you have for the day. And don't beat yourself up over a pound or 2. It will come off again. Try increasing your exercise if you are able to do that. Maybe walk longer? There are all types of exercises that you can do in your home if you feel uncomfortable exercising infront of people or can't get out of the house. Even chair exercises. Also try eating higher protein foods that will keep you fuller longer like chicken or fish. I also live on sugar free Ice Pops. They are my lifesavers because they take care of my sweet tooth even though they are sugar free. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

Everyone is fearful of moving to the next step. The point is this is a learning process. And you will learn different things along your journey. Like what you can and can not eat. I am almost 4 months out and still take the protein supplements. 1 to 2 times a day. It all depends how my mood is that day. If I feel myself more hungry then I tend to have 2 drinks. Sometimes I may even have 3 drinks. There is no reason why you have to eliminate them. But you do have to try different foods. If you don't you will get bored of what you are consuming and go on a binge eating down the line. Don't be afraid of food. Don't let food control you. You control the food. Yes it's easier said then done, but we all need to over come those fears in order to be successful in our journeys. Our moto in our support group is 'Everything in moderation.' Remember this is a lifestyle change, not a give up living your life changing experience. I tend to eat alot of chicken and fish myself. The red meat doesn't agree with me. To be honest with you everytime I get a fill I am fearful of what I can and can not eat, but I know that I have to try different things. Good luck to you and I hope it works out. Your doing great.

Congratulations. The time will arrive faster then you could imagine. I would be happy to help you. I was banded on 10-23-09. You can email me at cc-dmtermini@comcast.net if you like or write here. My name is Dawn.