bigbirney

I have not had my first fill yet, its next week, but my surgeon does all of his own fills as well. I have heard bad stories about techs and nurses doing fills and missing port, causing infections, and overfilling. I would make sure your Dr. does it, or find one locally that will.

I had mine on March 9th. Usual first week pain. Weight is coming off well, I feel really good and been walking every day. I am down almost 50 pounds total, and about 24 in 2 1/2 weeks since surgery. I have been cooking a lot, and planning meals ahead, so it has been a lot easier this week.

Congrats! You are well on your way!

With all of the support I have received on here, and in my life, I figured it was my turn to pay it forward. Most of us on here have unhealthy addiction to food. Its part of life, and part of our journey for better health. There are going to be times, pre-op, post-op, and forever that we fall, cave into a doughnut, piece of birthday cake, a few sips of soda. A week where we put on a few pounds. The key is to not beat yourself up, pick up and move on the next day, or next meal. Cheat is such a bad word, it reeks of failure and degradation of self esteem, many of us are already in short supply of this. We are going to run into detractors, whether friend, family, or stranger, that does not understand what we are doing. There may be ridicule, but most of us have put up with it forever. At least now we can hold our heads up and know we are trying, to change our lives, and the lives of our families. My mom died from Cancer when I was 17. I spent my whole life trying to fill a never ending hole inside of me. Blaming everyone else for my faults and mistakes. Thinking I was owed something. I tried to fill that emptiness with food, booze, and most drugs you can think of. Changing everything externally to find the happiness I sought. Doing this surgery was hardest thing I have done. I spent better part of three years in hospitals watching people die. I have such a fear of death it was crippling me to the point of agoraphobia, and waiting to die and be dragged out of my house by a crane, while drinking every night and gorging on food. When I started this road I did not know what to think. Some therapy, a great Dr., and much support has turned my life around. I am only down 50 lbs., but I feel like I have shed a gorilla. To anyone considering this surgery, look hard, go to a seminar, get into a support group. I have never been so excited about the future. If one person finds some support in this I have succeeded. With much love, Eric

Corn is easier, 1 small bite of flour caused minor discomfort, and I dont have any restriction.

Mine is Lolita. She is a saucy Latina that craves spicy foods.

Trust me I know. I am on my 4th month of unemployment, so every day is a weekend and a challenge. Best advice that works for me is to stay away from T.V. Its all food commercials, and it triggers something in me that tells me I need food. I try to occupy my time outside, washing cars, working in yard. If its still cold then I have been trying to go to mall and walk, even Wal Mart. Just to make the day go by without grazing.

Well here in Texas the spring allergy season is well under way. I have had so much stuff run down my throat today, that I have gagged. I dry heaved 5-6 times. Nothing ever came up. I am 12 days post-op. I have not vomited or had anything stuck as of yet. Just this today.

I am about 10 days post op. Except for a little gas floating around my abdomen its like I never had the surgery. Retraining to eat slow and chew chew chew is tough. A few bites I thought I would hurt myself, even though its pretty soft. I am even swallowing pills without trouble. Is this normal until you have a fill? I know everyones different, and it takes a few fills usually. I just didnt think I would feel this good this fast.

What a douchebag. I would definitely switch Dr.s. I have been reading a great deal about weight loss and 1-2 pounds a week is great. The bypass is for people that want to lose weight without any effort. Keep your head up!

We all go through this. Part of much of our recovery is breaking the bond with food. My dad told me that in our family we always lived to eat, instead of eating to live, which is part of reason we struggled with weight so much. The trick is to look forward, push on, not beat yourself up and pick up where you left off. Its going to be a struggle for a while, but take it one day at a time.

I just bought the greatest little single serve Hamilton Beach blender. I have not even been the smoothie route until today. Yoplait, milk, fruit and protein powder is yummy.

I was told any good childrens chewable. I compared Bariatric Advantage to the Costco Sugar free childrens chewables I bought, and they are the same. Way cheaper and the BA are terrible tasting. The ladies in my class were told Viactive, or any good chewable for calcium.

I have been craving the scrambled eggs, but also oatmeal of all things. Its funny the things I used to turn my nose up to, that now sound like Thanksgiving dinner.

5 days post op, with 3 week pre-op diet. I almost would rather not eat than have another shake. I know I have to push through I am just feeling whiney today. Starting to feel normal. A little sore still, especially around incisions, but I notice my clothes are getting looser.

Surgery at 9:30 a.m. I am nervous and excited, but looking forward to the future. Thanks to all for help and support. We are all in this journey together.

Im on Cymbalta, and still experienced some of that. I guess it all depends on the person.

Congrats and good luck, mine is tomorrow, We will recover and live together.

Iam going through kind of the same thing. Its probably withdrawals from all of the bad food, combined with surgery worries, and just not eating much.

Self pay will be the quickest. It all depends on how busy your pre-op appointments are. Mine was about 2 months from initial to banding, with pre approval from insurance. My psych and nutrition was long wait, but you may not have to do that. Anywhere from a 4-8 weeks.

Well 17 days into 3 week pre-op I am down 26 pounds. Surgery Tuesday, I met with put me to sleep Dr. today and weighed in. It feels so good. I even had one bad day and still did well. For all that struggle with pre-op diet, you can do it!

I did the same in my pre-op, learn from it, dont beat yourself up, and get right back on it. I am 17 days into pre-op, in the first week, I had some wine, and hot dog from bowling alley and still lost 26 pounds. Just get right back on it.

This is as big of step as the surgery, or it was for me. If I cant change my mindset for pre-op, then how will i for surgery. The first few days are tough, and there are cravings. I even fell off for a day, but I got right back on the next day. 2 weeks later the cravings are less and less. I eat slower and enjoy more what I do eat, and it has helped tremendously. I am down about 20 pounds, and already feel better. If you feel urges coming on, get on the forum and read, it has been a great tool.

I even thought about having one fry, the licking of one didnt cross my mind. lol I figured its something I needed to do. We still go out with friends often to eat, or wine taste. I need to learn restraint for myself and my future. I love food, it has been a love affair since I can remember. I am learning that I can cook healthy, or have a lean cuisine that I like and be just as satisfied, without the guilt. In the last two months I have heard of many lap band "cheaters". Let me preface by saying we all struggle, and fall off the wagon, its part of the process. What I dont understand are the people that go through this, only to find a way to cheat the band. I have met a 4 year bander that only eats puffy cheetos and regular Dr. Pepper, others that live on ice cream, pudding and sweets. For the first time in my 34 year old life, I feel like I have some control over what I consume, I feel empowered, strong, positive, and yearn for the future. Bring on Tuesday, 5 more days til my band.

Well coming home tonight I called my brother to see if he needed anything. Drove thru McDonalds and ordered meal for him and delivered without as much as tasting a fry. I kind of wanted to do as a test. I am 15 days into 3 week pre-op diet. Aside from one day early on, I have not even had much for urges. Its almost as if a switch has turned in my head in the last few months of preparation. A lot of it has to do with this forum, and all the encouragement I read. I have a long way to go, but its got to be a life change for me.