Ryno

I'm thankful for my Wife. Been a rough year with her being laid off, and me trying to support both of us. I had a couple bouts of Cellulitis this year in my legs and my wife did all the paperwork and upfront studying about the procedure. Since being Banded I'm down almost 50 pounds and now weight what I did back in 2006. My body is already reacting in a Healthier manner, and I'm just at the start of my journey. Without her none of this would have been possible, so this year I am very thankful for my wife.

5 weeks post op.

It took me a good two weeks almost three before I was able to sleep in bed. After about week 4 I was not feeling any pain just slight tenderness. On 11/18/09 I had my first fill and that was painful, doctor stabbed me for at least 10 minutes till we found the port, and its fill-hole. Hurt the rest the day and today just a little tendorness. But the results are there, and showing, and I'm happy about that.

For me I did Wheat Thins with chicken salad.... At the time it was the best meal I had in like forever. Loved it. Now to get me some Sloppy Joe for lunch. Getting past this no bread can be tricky but so far seems rewarding.

Funny you meantion this, I have a new dry patch in my inner elbow, been putting some heavy duty creme on it, and it cleared up. Not to derail the thread but has anyone else had their scars itch, mine itch all the time.

Doc and Nutrionist said no, so I've dropped it cold. I do miss the Pepsi, but in reality its not that hard to not have soda anymore.

Day 3 or 4 can't quite remember, but wife did all the work. Then a week after I was back on top doing my thing.

For me it was easy, Just tell them the truth, and since the surgery I've had nothing but compliments telling me how much weight they noticed I'm losing.

This seems to have a similar corrollary with my Wedding Band/Ring. Now that I'm down 40+ pounds my Wedding Ring is always falling off. My guess would be similar that if I retain fat and water in my hands, my feet would follow the same path and become smaller too.

It's hard not to cheat. Luckily the liquid phase I was good on. Mushies and onward have been harder. I had Meatloaf this weekend. Which isn't for another 10 days. Didn't overeat at all, but just had enough to make me happy, and knock me back on the track. I think thats the important thing to realize, we all have gone through a life altering surgery. We all used to be able to eat whatever we wanted, as much as we wanted, and whenever we wanted, I for one relished this, and revelled it like a King. Now, after being banded, this is no longer the case. We on a daily basis have to, not really struggle, but be mindful of everything we put into our mouths. The most amazing thing of all is that it works. But shoot, it's a hard process, and every once in a while you can start to make yourself a little nuts/crazy over it, and have to break the mold. It's not something any of us is proud about, but it does serve as a reminder to put us back on track. Cheating won't kill ya, but at the same time, it does defeat the purpose of the Tool we have all installed for use. So no, I don't think you destroyed yourself or your chance for happiness. But, you have to maintain on your path, and continue to follow the healing plan. Which is the hardest part of all. I'm guilty of having a Guilty pleasure here and there, but getting back on track helps. I go in for my first fill next Wed on 11/18, and I've come to the part where my swelling from Surgery has gone down, and I find myelf hungry. Its hard, and I have a long week ahead of me with my family having Turkey day this coming weekend. But I will do what I must and I will utilize my support team here and at home ALOT till my fill, and continue to do so afterwards. So yeah don't get too down on yourself, but use our support to help maintain your Healing Plan. We have all been in your shoes at one point or another, and are here to help support ya through the good and the rough times that will continue to come and go!

I just bought the Ninja myself. I haven't used it for anyhting yet, but I think tonight I am going to try to make some chicken salad with it... I need to look up the ingredients and see what I need to buy from the store I got the chicken already just need to get the rest. I really need to start using it since I just got it last week.

Yeah I'm starting to get Hungrier more and more everyday since my surgery. It's hard knowing feeling that I'm hungry and knowing that I need to wait at least 2.5 - 3 hours till lunch. Makes the days seem to move slower. On the brightside I get my first fill in two weeks on 11/18. Just got to stay strong till then. But it does seem to be a interest romp in the battle of wills.

Yeah this was my biggest concern, becuase I was a gulper and a fast eater. But really with the band now in place I'm about to start my fourth week and haven't gotten stuck yet, granted I'm still pre-fill, but still proud of myself. Just take small bites and chew until it is mush. Really it helps make the meal last much longer. The drinking during meals was hard at first, and while on liquids didn't seem important, but now that I'm on mushies, I been able to plan my day accordingly and make it work. Really it's one of thoses things that I guess you can't plan or practice for and just have to do it once the band is in place.

My first fill will be on the 18th. Which will be a day before I start my 6th week. Currently just trying to follow the Week 3 Mushies list, till I hit week 4 on Thursday 11/5.

The only fish the wife will buy for me is Tilapia, granted its the only fish she likes so I guess thats what I'm stuck with. I would also add any Soup you like and just blend the crap out of it. I also have a fondess for Applesauce. This week, still week 3, I'm just started Lunchables. As I currently eat it, seems to be going down good so far.

Mine is above to the left above my belly button by about an inch or so.

I'm in my thrid week post band and had some mac in cheese the other night and was fine. I just ate it one peice of macaroni at a time and chew it till there was nothing left in my mouth.

It was tricky explaining it to my 5 and 9 year old Nephews. My 5 Year old nephews still hasn't learned that calling Uncle Ryan Fat in public is not a-ok, but he'll grow out of the phase, but I explained it to him that I was having a Belt put around my stomach to help me Weigh less. He was like "Oh Jeez, I hate belts, but once your thin you can climb trees and stuff right?" LOL, I explained that if not at least I would be much better and hid and go seek and he was happy with that. My 9 year old nephew is like a frigging computer on feet, boy is so smart, he already new and understood what the lapband was, how I have no idea, but I did help answer some of his questions. The tricky part was when the 9 year tried to explain it to his 5 year old bro, and confused him. :sad: At some point the 5 year old thought I had the port on the outside of me and wanted to see it. LOL

I was just banded by Dr. Minkin on 10/15/09. Everything has been fantastic, my first fill is scheduled for 11/18, and I'm looking forward to it. Between the Pr Op Diet and post op pounds I've lost. I am very please, and he seems to honestly be proud in the success I'm having also. I really think for the St. Louis Area that he is a great surgery that others if looking to be banded should definitly consider.

For me from the Sugery 10/15/09 to the post op Appointment 10/26/09 was 15 pounds.

Yeah it is totally the gas, I was banded on the 15th, and I'm finally free from it all. But I can honestly say that the Shoulder pain was just downright painful... The stomach pain was more like a quick pressure, but the shoulder (left one) was rough. I didn't take any meds for it, but I really should have.... Trust me though it will go away. Just rub the shoulder and yeah try to get up and move around it helps.

Hi everyone! I was just banded on the 15th. Pre Surgery I weighed 478, at Sugery I was 452, and currently I'm 433. Overall doing well, I'm still a little sore, and finally am getting to soft foods, Yay for Mash Potatoes and Scrambled Eggs! LOL. Just a little about myself. I'm 28, married just over a year, and have been big since about 2nd Grade. I work for the USDA, and live on the IL side of the River. Overall I am extremely please with the LapBand Surgery and how I'm doing with it so far. I can't wait to hopefully see the new me.

I was banded 2 weeks ago on the 14th. Trust me it gets much easier as time progresses. I'm still having issues sleeping in bed, mostly because I slept on my side and stomach. But other than that I could be happier with how everything is progressing. Just keep making through day by day and you'll be golden. The hardest part is now that I'm on soft foods continuing to drink the Protien shake, but gotta do what ya gotta do. Best of luck to you all.