oldoneyoungagain

I don't call it stuck, but you will know if you didn't chew well, ate too fast, or ate too much. Haven't had any dumping, since week one, think that was caused from actually Benafiber. Not had a problem with that, but did get sliming, some call it foamies, and then it came up. Second time had to force it to come up, think I ate too much that time. You will definitely know when it happens totally uncomfortable. Never had a problem with the band in this area. But this doesn't actually bother me, as it is a signal I didn't do something right.

Since I'm a diabetic, I started noticing before surgery, that my blood sugars soared when eating white rice, so had to give it up. As far as bread, I switched to diet multi grain bread at 45 calories a slice and didn't have problems. So now I basically state that I'm allergeric to rice, white potatoes, white bread, and pasta. So those I've given up. Haven't tried anything different just yet, even though I can, but having problems trying to get both protein, fluid etc in. Just taking one day at a time with the priority being fluid and protein.

I'm 4 weeks and having trouble trying to get in 60gm of protein and when I do then I'm not hungry, so try to eat about two meals about 1/4 cup each time. I'll probably be chewed out on my next visit, but I am more concerned about staying hydrated so my priority is fluid/shakes with protein. Also, yes the first couple of weeks I noticed I was colder and stayed bundled. I have neuropathy in my feet from diabetes so they feel like they have frost bite, but I did have issues first couple of weeks. It is getting better now or it could be that I have my furnace on and I'm more comfortable. A girlfriend, who had the surgery a week after me, also complained about be cold. So think it is a normal issue.

I was 4 weeks yesterday, and stalled last Friday and still stalled. I'm still now eating that much, so I know my metabolism thinks I am starving, so it has stopped. Probably could jump start it if I could get more calories in, but just trying to get all the fluid causes me not to be too hungry and having to force myself to eat. This will pass, I am sure as my stomach continues to heal. This program will work, if you just work it. Not going to worry, I know what has to be done and I will succeed.

At 3 weeks I stalled, now week 4 still stall, but I can guarantee my metabolism thinks I'm starving as still having trouble with having enough room to eat a little after all the fluid/protein I take in, calories are well under 1000. But this too will pass. Not on my list to worry about just yet, want to make sure the stomach is healed.

So far, I tried a Cheesit (sp) and didn't care for the flavor. Also, protein powder being too sweet so have to make sure what I add to my smoothies. Tried some deli meat, it is too salty. Tried Wendy's chilli, that was okay. That is the extent of what I have noticed my taste buds changing. I'm sure more is to come. Just have to get hungry to try more things.

You are going to love that new you once this is all over. Wishing you the best and looking forward to hearing from on the Post-Op section.

Since surgery on 9/11 trying my darnest to get the protein in along with the fluid, do eat a little what I'm allowed to, but finally decided in order for me to get at least 60gms of protein in, I start in the morning with SF hot chocolate, cooled with about four ice cubes, and one scoop of unflavored Unjury protein. Yes, there is a smell which doesn't bother me, but I have found I like it because it doesn't make things sweeter, as do my others. I'm to the point when I make a smoothie with the flavored I add unflavored greek yogurt to cut the sweetness. I'm diluting almost everything either with ice, or anything that isn't sweet to begin with as things are way too sweet.

Totally agree on the potassium. My insulin use to wipe me out, and would always get leg camps.

Know what you mean about still being in your 50's in your heart, that is the reason for my screen name. I had lapband at 68 removed just before my 71 birthday and had RNY bypass on 9/11 after my 71st birthday. Went back to work two weeks later with RNY and actually 4 days after lapband. I have the same health issues, plus dystolic dysfunction of the heart. I'm doing great, slowly losing but then I actually didn't have that much more to lose. Diabetes is better controlled and hopefully in a few months will no longer have to take insulin. They dropped my cholestrol medications plus one of my high blood pressures. I'll never be off my blood pressure meds, but it is an improvement. If you feel 50 now by the time you lose your weight you should be about 29.

I've had dumping for years, even more so when I was banded, also I think medications I was on. Had two mild episodes since bypass, but for some reason things have turned around. Totally don't believe it. Of course, still watch what I eat which is mostly protein.

I'm drain came out the day I went home, staples were removed on day eight. Also had a couple of stitches where the drain was. No pain, but I have a high tolerance when it comes to something like this. What drove me mad was the itching from the healing. Nothing to be afraid of. Just close your eyes if it scares you.

Hunger will go away tomorrow morning. Use your pain medications as needed. Get up and move. Once I got up and walked, I felt a lot better. You'll be okay. I was afraid of the pain also, and when I mentioned it to the doctor he said "that is what pain medication is for". I also slept in a recliner for two weeks, so the gas wouldn't travel up to my shoulder. I'm three weeks out. Doing great and so will you.

Think this one will be a lot easier than your C-section and you actually don't need to worry. The only thing that might slow things down is how much scar tissue you might have with the band. I was lucky and hardy had any, so I was out of surgery within an hour. That was just the bypass as band removal was done ten weeks prior. My doctor won't do both at the same time, he wants to wait for the stomach to heal.

As long as I lose I'm happy, started at 211 day of surgery 9/11 and now weigh 196. I stalled for about 3 days, but dropped another pound today. I think that we lose slower as we get nearer our goal weight. But as long as I am losing, don't care how long it takes.

I actually noticed it in my face at 2 weeks post-op, but everyone at work noticed it when I went backto work at two weeks. I had to buy new jeans because of the 15 lb weight loss, as what was fitting prior to surgery suddenly got baggy really fast, and everyone was telling me I needed to buy some new jeans, so I did. They feel a lot better also, or maybe it is because I feel so good now that I'm in onederland.

I actually noticed it in my face at 2 weeks post-op, but everyone at work noticed it when I went backto work at two weeks. I had to buy new jeans because of the 15 lb weight loss, as what was fitting prior to surgery suddenly got baggy really fast, and everyone was telling me I needed to buy some new jeans, so I did. They feel a lot better also, or maybe it is because I feel so good now that I'm in onederland.

Don't even try to compare the band to RNY, it is so totally different. I loved my band, had no problems, never had a stuck moment, never vomitted, and didn't even know it had slipped until the doctor discovered it. Would I have been rebanded. No. I am 3 weeks post-op with RNY and there isn't any comparison. Love my RNY, love the fact that I'm not hungry, can watch all the food channels, commercials, see the food and think it looks good, but there isn't any craving for it. I do have dumping but I can't blame it on the RNY as have had this issue for years, and if I really think about it, I think since I have had this done, I don't dump near like I use to. This surgery was the fourth time, gall bladder first, band second, removal third, RNY fourth. This by far was much easier on me, recovery faster as far as stamia. Wish I would have done this four years ago and would be at my goal weight by now. So think positive and don't compare this to the band they have discovered the band should only be a stepping stone because of it failure rate. You'll be okay.

You are welcome. I was 68 when I was banded and did just as well. Not a problem with the band and only found out it had slipped when I switched doctors. I think, we lose focus of why we are really having this surgery done, our health. But as the weight comes off, our brain plays tricks, and we focus more on our looks and forget the advice that we were given to get to where we need to be and all the work that it takes. Not an easy journey, but for me necessary, I want to live to be 100 if it is possible. Without this surgery, I might live another ten, which is better than the five years they gave me five years ago before I started this journey.

Actually surgeries have never been an issue with me. Total hysterectomy and back to work in ten days. Gallbladder out back to work in two days. I've gotten chewed out for not using the pain medication. Don't actually know if I'm tough but I'm a survivor. An always my fear is the pain after surgery, and I have had many surgeries, yet afterwards, the pain isn't as bad as I feared. I can't explain it and not all of us are the same. But I do know after this surgery, the sooner you can get up and walk, the better you'll feel. I just know I felt a lot better straight up, then lying in bed. You will be okay.

I'm awesome

Actually, I have added a half of a banana to my shakes (usually I do strawberry). I did have a very mild dump today, but don't think it was caused by the banana as last week didn't have that issue with the banana. I think I drank it too fast. I downed a good 12 oz within 15 minutes way too fast which I think caused this episode.

Today is my third week post-op. I'm still struggling trying to get 64 ozs of fluid and a minimum of 60 gms of protein which I actually mix with my drinks. For me that is first priority and food is second. The doctor was okay with that. I do try to eat, a couple of tablespoons of tuna, cottage cheese, yogurt, egg, soft boiled or poached, refried beans with low fat cheese melted and mixed with the beans, sf pudding, sf jello, sf popsicles, and thinking of trying sf fudgesicles. I am allowed some other things at this point but just haven't built myself up to trying them. Also I get my vitamins in. My energy level is doing okay, mental status is good, I'm back to working starting last week. But will say, each day gets better regarding my stamia. I can also tell when I'm not getting enough protein as feel it in the muscles. Classic sign for me is to raise my arms up and I can feel them get tired almost immediately. I'm a happy camper that I've had this surgery. But need to win the lottery as I need new clothes, because everything is falling off and I don't want to invest because at the rate I'm losing I'll be buying new clothes every couple of weeks.

Thanks for that idea, I have sugar free syrup, like Kahula and Irish Cream, coconut and banana, think I'm going to try mixing that in.. Something different.

Ladies you don't have anything to be scared of, really. I'm 71 and just went through having my band removed in May and had RNY 9/11/13. My worst fear was the pain. When I brought this up to the doctor, he smiled at me and said "that is what pain medication is for". When he removed the band, he gave me a script for pain medication, but I gave it back on my follow up as I didn't need it. I will say, yes there will be pain, but the sooner you get up and move around you'll feel better. The nurses couldn't believe the distance I walked my first go around and I doubled it the second go around. From then on I was basically out of bed and sitting in a chair when I felt like it. You both will be okay. Follow your doctor's instructions, sip slowly and often and make sure you stay hydrated (that is more important than food at this time, also if you doctor allows it protein to keep up your muscle mass so you won't get weak), take time in eating when you are allowed to. If you have problems, post something, ask for help. Someone will tell you what you need to do as we all want you to succeed. You'll both be okay.