NurseSophie

Way to go!! that is SO EXCITING for you!

If there is no lifting, I definitely think that's long enough. I am a nurse so I felt ready to do that job after 2 weeks...which entails a whole lot more than walking. After 5 weeks, I was completely doing all my job duties.

Marc...that is a GREAT start! You are going to be so in love with your band soon! I am wearing sizes I haven't seen most of my adult life!! I am off medicines I was on. It's only food...this other stuff is OH YEA!!!

It hurt for about 4 weeks after surgery and can still get sore if I wear a tighter pair of pants or scrubs. Nothing I need medicine for, though. I've always slept on my side so don't know about sleeping. OH! and if I eat and am full...and then lay down..it gets tender when I try to get up. Still...it's nothing you can't live with.

what about refried beans? i eat mine with sour cream and guacamole. YUM

I have tears in my eyes. I am so sorry you are enduring this. I have not been through this kind of stress since my band. I do know that food does not hold the same power over me as it once did. Now, "it's just food". BUT, you NEED nutrition so at least maybe get some protein shakes down or something? You need to maintain your strength. Sending hugs your way!

Congrats! I'm so excited for you! Although this is one of my top five embarassing moments, I still think asking for a seatbelt extention on an airplane was worse for me. I'll be flying soon and KNOW I will NOT need that again!

I was instructed by my doctor not to drink any juice after 6 weeks being post banded however, I still allow myself apple juice once a week to "keep things moving". I LOVE strawberries and they are low in calories and I also love Kiwi and do well with both. I often throw about 3 cut up strawberries in with my kashi cereal and have yet to miss the sugar.

I will be honest....I am having so much fun watching my scale go down and getting new clothes and hearing fun comments like, "You don't even look like Wendy!" that the food is now a second thought to me and I'm SO THANKFUL. Now, having said that, I had a really tough day at work yesterday and for the first time since my pre op diet, I wanted chips ahoy cookies with milk. Instead, I just watched some DVR and woke up with a wonderful surprise of another pound and a half lost!

I do eat the Kashi GoLean with soy milk...LOVE it..and measure out the cup. It not only has a large amt of protein, it also has a large amt of fiber! So far I've been able to get it down and usually have it daily.

I was told 30 minutes as well. I will never like this rule because there are so many foods I used to combine with various drinks however, it has kept me away from those easily since I'm a rule follower :-) (i.e. soda and pizza, milk and cookies, etc) I do the distraction thing as well.

Congrats!! This is my new life too and it's amazingly weirdly wonderful! I'm about halfway to where the doc wants me to be and I actually feel like I can do it! :-) Thanks for posting this!!

Ron, I am an RN that works in the OR. They probably put Versed in your IV and that is an amnesiac. You have no memory from the time it hits you until it wears off.

You will LOVE Zumba!!

Confession: I had a STRONG desire to chew during my pre op and post op liquids only stage but never did go there. I still have "moments" where I think about trying something and then just spitting it out. Then the brain kicks in and tells me that is ridiculous. I hope I keep listening!

Here are some suggestions because I work at a hospital with fantastic food...that I do NOT need. I buy the packets of tuna fish and no salt saltines and take them to work with me. Those would easily fit into your travel bag. I use sparkpeople.com and it is WONDERFUL in tracking calories and fitness. I'm also a grazer so I have a rule...that I do pretty well following....I eat my 3 meals...and then if I'm hungry in between I have to feel the actual grumbling in my stomach. Usually a cheese stick (another travel idea) and crackers or a SF pudding or yogurt will do. Otherwise, with the room service trays, when you are full, get rid of the tray right away. Dump tons of salt on it or something that will force you away from it. You are doing great losing 60 pounds and you are definitely in a tough spot but you can do it!! It does take some effort, though.

Way to go! BOAST AWAY! That is a HUGE accomplishment! I understand seeing yourself as the "old you". The girls at work have kept an old picture of me in a drawer and often pull it out to see the difference. I still feel like that girl in the old pic. At least my clothing size says otherwise!

Thank you for the encouraging words!! I'm there right now and am sooo hoping my next fill will put me in my sweet spot. There is a good chance since it will be 6ml. July 7th can't get here fast enough.

I drink a protein shake first thing in the morning that has around 35 g of protein. It's really easy via chicken and tuna to get the rest in and still allows me some room for fresh fruit and veggies! Oh and I add Greek Yogurt which is 15 g of protein all by itself.

Let me share what the band has done for me in less than two months.... Dropped 40 pounds. Went from Size 24 to 18 Went from XXXL to XL Lost two of my three chins Will be able to fit onto any ride at six flags more energy! no foot pain no knee pain I cannot explain what it feels like every time I step on the scale...it's like a dream come true. Every single time..even when I haven't lost! I had given up hope of ever living like this again. No more "obese waddling"... I have a waist Smaller butt Cute ankles But....BUT...it is a very personal decision and you need to be mentally ane emotionally prepared. I just wish I had done it much sooner but took 3 years to decide.

I'm a Same Day Surgery/Recovery room nurse...a lot of times people start developing low grade temps and just need to walk and deep breathe and cough. Normally it has to do with respiratory issues. An infection at the surgical site would give you a much higher temp plus terrible pain. Soooo, try walking and deep breathing and coughing to get those lungs ventilating!

Way to go!!

Thank you so much for your replies. I actually get plenty of protein in....easily 80-100 g per day! I think calling for a fill sooner might be the answer.

I was banded in April and have lost a total of 39 pounds so that part has been amazing! HOWEVER, I'm hungry all the time! It drives me crazy! I feel like I'm eating way more often than I ever did before my band. Saying that, I realize it's normal until I get to my sweet spot. I do have a 1100 calorie limitation the surgeon placed on me for now and I try to stay within that. Can you guys share with me your food ideas to help me get the most for my calories? I often eat tuna, chicken, strawberries, saltines with string cheese, SF pudding, etc. I do have a sodium issue so have to be careful with the types of foods I'm eating. I also cannot have tomatoes. Cheddar cheese although yummy is full of sodium and I retain water weight. I'm not bored with my food, I'm just super hungry! LOL My food lasts me about 2 hours and then my stomach acts as if it's never seen food before! LOL Thanks ahead of time for your input!

I thought the itching would drive me crazy. On top of that, I had to wear a binder. My stomach was raw....I would scratch it in my sleep! I did lotion fresh out of the shower....and then throughout the day..avoiding my incisions of course.