conservachick

HELLO! This Thursday the PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America) will come by to take a ton of things I'm donating... including a few boxes of clothes... it's very exciting to get it out of the house. And I can't wait for the time (hopefully soon) when the clothes I'm wearing now will no longer fit, either! Find a good organization or local church that may need the clothes... the money you get from selling it in a garage sell or to a thrift store isn't that much... and you have the hassle of haggling with the owner of the store... it's just more gratifying to give it to needy people... just my opinion! Good luck to you! You'll do great! Just stay positive and never give up on yourself! :thumbup:

Hi there! First of all, congratulations on your band!!! Secondly, YES - your stomach can still be swollen.. as a matter of fact, it could take a few weeks for swelling to completely go away. I'm not sure what you mean by 'bandster hell' only because there are SEVERAL things that I consider to be challenging now that I've been banded and cause moments of 'hell' .... getting stuck being the worst! :thumbup: When I was first banded, after several days, I was very hungry but really didn't feel like eating.. if that makes sense. ???? Anyway - YOU CAN DO THIS! I was banded May 11 and have lost 57 pounds... I only have 4.5 cc in my band... I guess I'm one of those that is really sensitive to the band and I don't need much in the "fills" department to do the trick... but I do my share of puking and feeling stuck, that's for sure!!!!!!! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!!

WOW! 90 lbs.!!! that's amazing! Congratulations! I was banded May 11th and have lost 50 pounds since then... I'm very happy with the results... hoping it continues to come off! Good luck on your journey! HUGS

I wish you the very best... I remember when I was at the beginning of my journey with the liquid diet... you have so much to look forward to... it is a long road with many ups and downs... but the ups are sooooooo sweet!!! Makes the downs not so bad! Keep us posted on your progress! HUGS!:thumbup:

Kim - First of all - congratulations!! I hope it all works out for you! The only advice I can think of right now is that if you are still drinking sodas and caffein, you should stop... taper it off... so it's not too much of a withdrawl.. but stop soon! You won't be able to have any of that, and I found that quitting those things BEFORE I began my liquid diet helped it to be easier... instead of stopping food (due to liquid diet) AND soda, AND caffein.. you know what I mean? Anyway.. just a thought... Also, give yourself a break... along your journey you WILL make some mistakes.. you WILL eat something you shouldn't, and you WILL eat mroe than you should... and guess what!!!??? It's ok... just know that the lap band is a tool, not a solution.. dont make the mistake some make by thinking that once the lapband is placed inside of you, you will automatically 'think' skinny... you won't! I still have to fight my 'fat person' demons... it's a process... Good luck.. I'm sure you'll be great! HUGS:wink2:

YES! ALL THE TIME! Good luck with that!

First of all, congratulations!!! Secondly, I have told very few people... the only family that knows about it - husband, children, parents, brother and his wife... a few friends know but they also know NOT to share... I just don't want people judging me... nor do I want unsolicited advice or opinions. I'm doing this for me and my family.. and as long as I have their support, nothing else matters... I'm actually quite nervous because in a few weeks I'm throwing a party for my daughter and the whole family will be coming over.... Well, I've lost 55 pounds since the end of April and I KNOW they're going to notice... and I don't like to lie.. but I'll have to just tell half truths... I'll be saying that I'm on a 1000 calorie diet, no more sodas or sugar, and I'm walking... which is all true.. just not gonna mention I had lap band surgerY! :wink2: GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!

That's super! Congratulations! You're gonna LOVE it!:cursing:

I'm with SHRINKINMOM - I only told my immediate family and 3 friends.... everyone else sees me losing weight and I just tell them I'm on a low calorie eating schedule... which is true! One day, if I want to tell, I will.. but we don't OWE them this.... Mega hugs... and great luck to you!

My hernia was fixed during my Lap Band surgery... I hear that's very common.... Good luck to you and your MIL !!!! :biggrin:

I think you're fine... each surgeon has different requirements post op. Some even allow their patients to go straight to soft foods after the secon day of surgery. YOU are the best judge on what you can and can't 'swallow' yet. Good luck!!!!:thumbup:

Hi there! I know exactly how you feel! I felt the same way! I felt badly that my husband was putting up so much money for me to have a procedure done... a procedure which, in my mind, meant that I had failed to do something on my own... My parents, husband, children and brother know... I've told a handful of friends... 3 of them, to be exact. No one else knows... Perhaps one day I'll tell them, but like you, didn't want to justify or have to explain a million times... I think you'll feel better once you have the procedure... I did. I know that if you have a small support group with you during your recovery and first few months, you'll be fine... Do you have that? Does your surgeon offer a support group? Mine does, I'm going tomorrow!!! I hope you knowing that you're not alone will help you.:thumbup: GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY YOUR NEW LIFE! Monique

WELCOME! and GOOD LUCK! It seems like you're doing great... and having a positive attitude is crucial! Keep us informed of your progress! HUGS and all the best to you!

Congrats on your surgery! Yes, it's normal to feel hungry... For the next few weeks you'll probably feel hungry... no matter how low you may feel these upcoming days, just remember that IT WILL GET BETTER!!!! I had surgery May 11 and I've lost 36 pounds and feel great! It's made such a huge difference in my life and I'm lookig forward to losing the next 36!!! HUGS and best of luck to you!

Hi! Glad to know you're already feeling some relief! Those things WILL happen from time to time... I remember there were days I would have rather starved than eaten some of the stuff we are recommended to have! :puke: I wish you the best!!! You've done great so far! Keep it up! And just know that you'll have uncomfortable moments and even days! For me, everything I'm going thru is worth the feeling I get when I step on my scale, put on clothes, or see myself in the mirror! It's truly a joyous experience! BEST OF LUCK!!!!

:biggrin:I'm sure you're going to do marvelously well! I think we all "forget" we've been banded sometimes.. I know I do... all the time! And yes, we DO pay for it afterwards! LOL BEST OF LUCK TO YA!

I'm having almost an identical issue as you are!!!! Way too weird! Had my first fill on Wed. (June 30) with 4.1cc. The first two days of pure liquids I was ok.. then i started eating and everything went down hill... I've been puking since Friday... I'm to the point now where everything is sore - I guess cuz I've been puking... I can't even suck on a popscicle I just feel so uncomfortable... but I don't know if it's cuz I'm sore or because I'm way too tight... Dr.s office is closed today due to holiday and tomorrow morning we leave on vacation for a week... so I'm basically screwed... Good luck with your situation... I know this sucks!

Hi! I'm doing great! VERY excited!!!! I began my 2 week pre-op on April 27th ... weighing 315!!! On my op day, May 11, I weighed 303. It has been exactly 3 weeks since my surgery and I now weigh 288. I have lost a total of 27 pounds. I'm happy... of course, wish it were 37.. but when have I ever been able to lose 27 pounds in a month??? NEVER! And this time I KNOW I will never gain it back! LIFE IS GOOD! Hope everyone else is doing great!

Hi! I was banded on 5/11/10 - 3 weeks ago! I was 315 2 weeks before pre-op... on op. day i was 302... I'm now at 288. won't have my first fill until 6/30. I'm 5'8 1/2 " tall... will be thrilled when I get under 200 lbs... will be jubilant at 175.... anything lower than that will be the cherry on top! GOOD LUCK!

I agree with everyone - Call Your Doctor!!! Please! And about getting stuck alot... I was getting stuck all the time... realized I was just eating too quickly.... now, I take a bite or two, wait a few minutes, and take a few more bites... etc.... when I eat quicly, I always get stuck and that sucks!!! Good luck! And I hope all is well!!! HUGS:wub:

I don't judge anyone who chooses to keep this info to themselves... Very few people know about my surgery... husband, kids, parents, and brother & his wife... and 2 of my closest friends. There are a few people i would LIKE to tell ----- eventually!!! But right now, I have enough stress learning how to eat all over again, how to drink differently, exercise, etc.... it's just overwhelming... the last thing I need are kind, well-intended, and not so-well-intended people asking me the HOW'S? and WHY'S? of my life-changing decision.... ya know? Good luck to everyone!!!!!:thumbup: