~amy~

I was banded Feb. 10, 2010 - it took me about 6 days to really feel like myself again. This forum is great - as long as you remember that each person on here is different, and each of our bodies is unique. I had to constantly remind myself to stop comparing/contrasting my healing time, weight loss, exercise routines, etc. with everyone else's. Danielle hit the nail on the head - think positively! You're on your way to a healthier you!

You know, everybody's different. I heard of several folks having this surgery on Thursday and going back to work on Monday. I was NOT one of those people. I was in bed for 3 days straight. It wasn't until 6 days later that I actually started feeling decent. Give it a little time - be patient with yourself, and KEEP WALKING AROUND!! It really does help. Make sure to drink your Water so you don't dehydrate!! Take care of yourself!

I was under the same impression that I couldn't drink Water fast....to the point where I actually dehydrated myself shortly after my surgery. I finally called my nurse, and she told me that only applies to the first week, and after that I can guzzle until I'm full. Then I should give it a couple of minutes before continuing. I've been guzzling ever since with no problems whatsoever. I think it's all just a matter of listening to your body and being able to recognize when it's time to stop...easier said than done, but it's a learning process!

I get what you're saying - and agree with it 100%. I'm not saying it's a scientific explanation, just one that made sense to me. By saying "this is what could happen to your pouch," he bypassed the BS "because I'm smarter than you" bit and went straight to an explanation to help me understand it better. This makes it easier for me to follow. I am a rule follower by nature, but that doesn't make it easy. I've learned that when I hear an explanation about the necessity of the rule, it's just easier to follow it. I've also learned that doctors are idiots too, and I've fallen out of trust with a lot of them. That's why it's so important to me to find one that takes the time to explain themselves and their reasons. I personally wasn't offended by any of the OP's comments. It's so difficult to understand the true emotion behind a written comment, and things are often misinterpreted. I hope people try to be more understanding of that...this site is very helpful to me most of the time, but I've found myself logging on less frequently because of the attack-style responses. Makes me nervous to post questions, myself.

My doc was very adamant about the soda thing, but like you, I like to know WHY. I guess after so many negative experiences with doctors, I'm not impressed by medical qualifications on the wall and the "Because I Said So" routine. Lucky for me, I found a doctor who I AM impressed by because he explains things to me instead of using the "because I'm the smart doctor and you are the idiot patient and you must do what I say," routine. He explained to me the reason for the No Soda rule, and showed me a bottle of coke with a balloon stretched over the mouth of the bottle. Without doing anything at all, the balloon started to fill with gas until it was pretty taunt. Then he shook the bottle (not hard, just like it would be if it were your stomach and you were walking around). The balloon started to stretch really wide, and he said that's exactly what will happen to your stomach pouch if you drink soda. It will cause your band to slip, and you will have to have another surgery to correct it, or remove it all together. As far as alcohol is concerned, my doc said as long as I budget the calories in my daily allowance and it's not carbonated, I can do what I want. I have found that I am not able to tolerate much at all anymore, and that I get full really quickly. I have to watch myself though, because I don't want to let the alcohol affect my judgement on when it's time to stop b/c I'm full. I think it's important for you to follow your dr.'s guidelines, but I think it's more important for you to find a doctor that you trust. If you trust him, follow his rules, but ask him to explain things to you. Hope this helps.

Mine is also about 6 inches below the port, but I haven't asked the doc about it. Figured it was gas or something. It's only occasional, but it's a shocking pain that definitely makes me take notice! Hmm...may be asking the doc about this next time. :frown:

Anywhere in between 800 and 1000...I usually end up around 900.

100% agree!!!

I actually just finished a small piece of pizza with the foccasia style crust (kind of like a hand-tossed thickness). I've had 2 fills so far, with my 3rd scheduled for this Thursday. I have never had a problem with pizza - thick or thin crust - but we'll see how it goes after Thursday! I'm hoping that tiny bites and tons of chewing are going to help me hang on to my favorite food!!

Thanks for the encouragement, ya'll!! :smile: I kind of felt like it was a budgeted cheat. And since I felt guilty about it, I figured I had done something wrong. Afterall, I teach my kids that if their "insides" feels guilty, then it's a pretty strong indicator that you shouldn't practice that behavior again. This is why I love this forum!! I felt like I had royally screwed up, and instead found out that I'm not as awful as I felt!! :smile2: Thanks again!! :w00t:

So the kids and I were super busy yesterday with ball practice and meetings. I knew early in the day that the minute I picked up my DD from school it would be non-stop running here and there. So I budgeted (notice my clever use of terminology in hopes of justifying my behavior) my calories, carbs, fat, and Protein numbers throughout the day so that I would be able to eat with the kiddos on the way to yet another meeting. We stopped into McAlisters and I had 5 tortilla chips with 2 Tbsp. of cheese dip which I did measure out. :smile2:!!! I know - I felt awful afterwards, and TRUST ME...this is not something that I normally do anymore. I have given up fast food for good - I thought McAlisters would be a better choice. I should have had asked for a potato and had a few bites of it and then wrapped up the rest. Or I could have had the Soup or a salad or any number of things that were healthier. I realize I didn't make the healthiest choice. And I have vowed to myself to choose more wisely next time. But here's the thing....when I got home and tallied up my nutritional values for the day, everything lined up perfectly. I didn't go over in any of my categories, and I got in a mile walk/jog. But I still felt guilty for having the nachos. So I thought I'd ask you guys and see what you think. Did I cheat on my diet, or would you consider this planning ahead? How do you guys handle stressful nights of rushing kids around to activity after activity? Do you brown bag it, or do you go to restaurants or fast food?

I quit my job as a Domestic Violence Investigator at our local PD 2 years ago so that I could homeschool our special needs son. I reeeeeeaally loved my job, but I've found that I love my current one even more!

I quit my job as a Domestic Violence Investigator 2 years ago so that I could homeschool our special needs son. I reeeeeeaally loved my job, but I've found that I love my current one even more!

I started eating grits at 7 days post op as well. No problems at all for me. After all, everybody knows any self-respecting southern girl MUST have her grits and eat em too!!

::applause!!:: Woo hoo!! Go girl! Just remember that falling down and failing are NOT the same thing! You can do this!!

I would seriously suggest you talk to your doc!!! Good grief, nothing but water for 2 days?? That can't be good! Hope you get some relief soon!!

Oh - just reread your question and I misunderstood what you were asking. I bought a book at Books-a-Million that breaks down all the calories, fat, carbs and proteins for me. So I don't have to worry if my label doesn't have it, which btw is rare.

The way my dietician explained this to me was that for every 2 grams of carbs you have, you MUST have at least 1 gram of protein to break it down. So if you choose a Protein Bar that has 20 carbs, you need to have AT LEAST 10 grams of protein. Of course, that's the minimum....my dietician really urged me to try for more Proteins if I could. I use the Atkins Protein Bars and that seems to work out great for me. :thumbup: Hope this helps. :scared2:

Pickles...here's the link! Good job with the weight loss!! Our group is doing so well!! :thumbup: Congrats! Easter Challenge Spreadsheet You may want to put it in you faves on your toolbar, so you don't have to keep searching for it. :thumbup:

I'm toasting my Protein Shake with you now!!! :thumbup: To all of us!! CHEERS!!!

I almost ruined my laptop when I blew milk out of my nose just now. Toooo funny! To the OP: my hubs hasn't had any nightmares yet, but he sure seems more insecure about things now. He keeps saying how afraid he is that I'll leave him for some 20-something year old guy once I lose my weight. I'm like, "Excuse me, but I've invested too much time and energy training YOU - why on EARTH would I want to start over with a younger one who hasn't even learned how to pick up his own socks yet?!" LOL...well, at least it makes him laugh! :thumbup: :thumbup:

I was told between 50 and 60. :thumbup: I never realized how hard that would be until I started trying to get that much! I'm doing 2 Atkins Protein Shakes a day, and 1 Muscle Milk after my nightly work out. I also have a scrambled egg for breakfast, so that helps.

Holy Cow!! Now I'm ssssscared!!! I hope I never get stuck. I hope I never get stuck! I HOPE I never get stuck!!! Geez!!!

I'm down to 226 from 231!!! Woot woot!!! I went for my 1st post-op follow up appt. last week, and my doc released me for walking. WAHOOOOO!!!! I never thought I'd be so excited about that!! :thumbup: They also told me to increase my calorie intake to at least 800. I was only getting 300-400 a day (if I was lucky), and while it wasn't intentional, it was stalling my weight loss. Plus, I've actually found a Protein shake that doesn't make me gag. So... protein + increased calories + more weight loss even before 1st fill + ability to exercise = 1 happy camper!!!!!