lauragshsu

I talked to my nutritionist and she said that during the full liquid (maybe y'all call it mushies, not sure) phase the two weeks post op, don't try and stick to just 3 meals, as you're not getting a whole lot of protein/hearty foods. Don't know if that helps!

Does your Dr make the adjustment appointments for you, or does he suggest every four weeks? Congrats on your loss so far! I'm glad you had a good first adjustment experience!

It does get better, I promise! The third day was the worst for me, because I had gone cold turkey on caffeine, and started getting caffeine withdrawl headaches. If you can make it through the liquid diet phase, you can definitely make this (the band) work for you!

I was banded 3/15/10, after trying for years to lose weight on my own. At 24, I was diagnosed with PCOS, and it took almost 2 years for me to become pregnant. I had thought about lapband, but not too seriously in the past. The kicker for me was when my dad (at 59) was diagnosed with diabetes, and told me it was because of his high weight. He weighed one pound more than me. I suddenly didn't see myself living long enough to see my (now 2yr old) daughter getting married, and that terrified me. The hardest part about post-op life is learning to slow down (when eating) and really listening to your body. You're body tells you when you're hungry, and when to stop eating. It tells you when your band is too tight or when you need a fill. It tells you when a food is good for you and when it's not going to work anymore (like eating chips). The hardest part by far was slowing down while eating. I had become accustomed to cleaning my plate at every meal, and it was a foreign concept to put the fork down and push the plate away when there was still food there. Good luck in your decision!!

I had to be on the clear liquid diet for two weeks, and had some GNC brand chocolate protein powder and I used isopure unflavored. I only used isopure to add to my clear broth to bulk it up, and it wasn't bad. It didn't ass any weird flavor, because the broth seasoning overpowered it.

I agree with everyone else. If you're having trouble getting liquids in and keeping them down, you need a slight unfill!

I called my surgeon a few days ago because I was having some issues. He told me it's not uncommon for the stomach/band area to swell first thing in the morning, and to try drinking some warm herbal tea. I understand icecream going down easier than, say, cereal, but cookies and cake shouldn't easily go down if that's the problem you're having. I know it's probably a comfort food, which makes it a lot easier to get down than, say, brussel sprouts. If the band is too tight right now, why not ask for a partial unfill?

I definitely would wait. I had the same thing after a band overfill, where I was dry heaving, then actually vomiting. It was sore/tender around my band and in my stomach as a whole for about 3 days, but everything went back to normal. Hope you're feeling better!

Having been filled too tight (even though the Dr filled me with the amount he normally gives everyone), I can tell you I would much rather have felt less restriction than I had hoped for than over restriction.

Dang, mine is expensive, then! Just for the surgery day (no preopcare/meetings/checkups, postop checkups or fills) was a little over $16,000. I was banded 3/15 in Salt lake City, Ut.

Omg, I treated myself to wonton soup *(just the broth) while in preop, and it was heavenly!

I had a fill done 4/14, and had to be completely unfilled on 4/17 because it was too tight, I was vomiting for more than 24hrs, and was dehydrated. I'm going back this Wednesday for my second attempt at a first fill, and I'm scared! I know they Dr won't be putting as much in as he did last time (3.5 cc), so I shouldn't have the same reaction, but I'm still terrified!:thumbdown:

I was able to find them at a super target.

I'm going to ask that he put in no more than 2cc (he did 3.5 last time). I have a trip out of state in two weeks, and don't want to have any band (being too tight) issues while down there!

There is only one good thing about biking up a hill: being able to coast down the other side!

No, he didn't do it under a flouro the first time. He actually had to try twice the find my port the first time, which is why I think I ended up with a huge welt.

I would definitely have the Dr include it. ANY type of ammo that can be used to win should be included.

I have to add: after two weeks on clear liquids only, pudding, applesauce and yogurt never tasted so good.

Let me put it this way: You wouldn't ask a high school band teacher why your son/daughter is failing chemistry. You wouldn't ask a photographer why a baker is charging you so much for a wedding cake. You wouldn't ask the mailman why FedEx is taking so long with your package. You wouldn't ask the optomitrist to look at a cavitiy you think you might have. My point is this: they are all in related fields, but are specializing in something. Why would you expect something else from a Dr?

I had to describe the lapband system, what it did, and why I wanted it to my PCP. He was too busy telling me about how his religion is building a new temple in Rome. I'm glad all I needed from him was a referral.

My surgeon called is the "full liquid" phase. We were allowed to eat cream soups (like cream of mushroom, cream of potato, etc), yogurt, SF pudding and SF fudgesicles.

It really is a lot better with the band. I hated the preop diet and the semi-liquid and "mushy" food post op diet. Once you can add in "real" food, like chicken, it really does change. Food is still everywhere, but you don't want it because you are satisfied.

PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrom (PCOS) counted as one for me, as well as being borderline diabetic (another symptom of PCOS). If you have ANY family history of weight-related health problems, make sure your Dr puts it down in the paperwork he sends to insurance. Mine put down my dad's diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which helped form my "case" for surgery.

That's sales people for you, especially if they work off of comission (which I'm not sure they do at Sports Authority). The only problem I'v had with riding my bike at this heavy a weight is all these hills around here!

I have tricare and had a BMI of 44, and got approved within 5 days of it being submitted. If you have any type of family history of any weight-related health problems, flaunt it to them. My dad was just diagnosed with diabetes and has high blood pressure and cholesterol. I made sure all that was included in the report the Dr sent to insurance.