tropicaljill

Has anyone tried salad yet? I am 4 days into my "solid" food and am craving a salad. :hungry: Has anyone tried a salad, and if so how did it go? I have been eating protien & steamed veggies, but just want some fresh lettuce. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Jill

Marni, I wondered the same thing right after surgery. I didn't have one for about 4 days, then it was hardly anything. I was worried too, so I went out and bought some Milk of Magnesia, thinking it just didnt want to come out (sorry to be so graphic). Nope- nothing. Then after a few days of "mushies" everything started to work just fine. To post w/o quoting: uncheck the box that says "Quote message in reply". Jill

Thanks Vegge for the explanation! Angela, that info albout the calories helped to, thanks! Tom in Texas(texas75218)- I went through the same fear, but it didn't last long. I was still in the hospital, wiating to be relased after surgery and I kept thinking to myself, "My goodness, what did I just do?"...but that only lasted about 10 minutes (phew) and now I am excited to start a new chapter of my life! Here goes... Jill

Ohhh..vegge that sounds yucky! Althought I follow what you are saying about the experience, I have one silly question...what does "PB" stand for? I am finding this third week is a bit harder- the scale isn't moving. (I AM very thankful it isn't going up too). Someone mentioned to me that maybe my body thinks it is in "starvation" mode and it it protecting itself from dropping the lbs.. Hmm? Theres a thought. She even suggested maybe I eat just a little bit more to see what happens. What do you all think? I am not eating much at all, so I may try and see what happens. Stay tuned... Have a great day everyone. Jill

FullofGrace- I am sorry and completely understand what you are going thru. Been there myself... Vikki- I had the sharp shoulder pain for about the first week too-then it went away :-)

Apinksoprano- Wow! That is wonderful. Keep up the good work. I started going back to the gym this week too. Doesn't it feel great? For those of you who are struggleing with exercising right now- just do it! It will feel so good- physically & mentally. Every little bit helps- even if you start walking around the block a few times :-) Jill

Great job Tom! Welcome Michael, Melissa & Marni! Chris, I'm sorry. But remember everything happens for a reason and when the time is right it WILL happen. And we will all be here to support you as you have for us! Jill

I was told not to have rice, but the others were OK for me. Remember Protein is the key. If you stock up on protein you will feel better and not be as hungry. Check with your Dr. They should have a list for you to refer to. I went and got Egg flour Soup, hot and sour soup and put it in the blender- yummy. Cottage cheese, yogurt, soft poached eggs(again...protein) are good things too. Steam carrots put in blender with a little chicken broth, blend any chunky soup... believe me...I am into week 2 and I am getting creative! The blender is my buddy! Good luck! Jill

To all those who are going to be banded this week: you'll be just fine. It will be easier that you imagined. Check back with us when you are able! Jill

Hi all, My thanksgiving was great- it felt good to help others instead of stuffing my face and feel miserable. (thanks Karen & Vegge for your kind words) Afterwords, came home and "splurged" on a little bit of mashed potatoes! I am a week and half out a fell pretty darn good. Went back to the gym today, I am excited to start sweating this stuff off. Weighted myself- down 11 lbs since surgery. I dont have a scale at home (how convenient) but think I may even get one! That is a BIG step for me. I am so optimistic that this is going to work I am not "afraid" any more to have a scale. Does that sound wierd? I have a slight infection in one of my incisions, my PCP gave me topical antiboitic-didn't work. Now I am on liquid antiboitic- hope that clears it up. Vegge- what about a liquid pain reliever, maybe that will help you with the fear of eroision? Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend everyone. Jill

Here's my plan...Since I am not going to cook a meal this year, I am going to go serve someone else that NEEDS food! I am going to volunteer and help serve turkey dinner to the needy/homeless. I have always wanted to do it, but have always been so wrapped up in my own holiday. This year, since I am still on "mushies", I thought I would give up the day for people who are hungry :-) Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Jill P.S. A week post op and feeling great!

Hi everyone, I was banded on Wed am and am now back at home. I had to go 4 hours away for the surgery, so they made me stay in a hotel for a night before I left town. All is well. went in for surgery at 7:30 am, "came to" at 9:30. Was released form the hospital at 1 ish. Things first day seemded easier, now I am starting to get a little sore and swollen- but nothing toworry about. My throat hurts, but I think that is from the tube they put in there during surgery. And my shoulders/upper torso is in a little pain, but from the posts i have been reading--I think it may be gas??? Other than that- I feel GREAT! To everyone who has had it this month,thanks for your support. To those of you getting ready for it, you'll do fine. Stay stong and think positive:p Cheers, Jill

Hi Zana, Mine is wednesday too :-) Just remember we are all in this together and we are just a click away for support. Tom, great ideas. Thanks. I have a feeling it will come in handy in a few days. Amy, we will be thinking about you tomorrow. I leave tomorrow for my journey (dr. is 4 hours away) so will be back in touch when I am banded. WOW! Did i just say that?!?! Jill

We have been to Belize, Honduras (by far my favorite), Mexico & California. If you are anything like me- you'll LOVE IT. Have fun in the sun and sea!

Yes! I am a big scuba diver and honestly was not going to get the band in unless I could still dive. That was one of my deciding factors. If I had to give up diving I was not going to get the lapband. My doctor was pretty sure it would be OK, but reccommended that I call the manufacturer of the band and ask them. So I did and was so happy to hear the news. They told me no problem at all and they get this question all the time. BUT, you should call yourself and don't take my word for it. Find out who made your band (I dont know if they are all made by the same company or not) and give them a call. They will hopefully be able to set your mind at ease. Have fun diving- I am so jealous. Jill

Thanks for the heads up Kat. I will definately go on a fill by fill basis! For those of you who had it in Mexico, do you go back down to get your fills or have someone here in the US do it? The reason why I ask is my doctor is 4 hours away and I was thinking of trying to find someone closer to where I live to fill me, but his office says no one will fill somoenes elses patient. Anybody out there have any insight on this? thanks! jill

Poor thing. Just remember you are doing this for YOU, not them so do what you feel is best. I weight 230 and am 5'4" and when I found out about this procedure I didn't stop until I had a surgery date (which BTW is in 3 days!). But I am very lucky - almost everyone around me supports my decision. Hang in there an follow your dream.

For me only 1 fill is included with my insurance, then I have to pay $150 each. Or...the doctor will give me a "deal" --$1000 a year for all the fills/unfills I need. I am going to shoot for the first fill, see how it goes and then get my additional fills as needed. I am thinking maybe 3 per year, but we will see. My surgery is wednesday so I have no idea how many I will need- first things first!

Jackye- I heard adding unflavoerd protien poweder to juice helps your energy. I found somet his morning at Trader Joes's. Amy- how are you doing on yur pre-op? Getting excited? I am just one day behind you! Jill

Hi everyone, This coming Wednesday is my BIG (no pun intended!) day. Congrats to everyone that has already had it done this month, and a "here goes..." to those of us yet to do it. This board has been a great help, knowing that there are others out there that are experiencing the same excitement, fears & thoughts as myself. I just want to share one thing that came to me yesterday: I hope this doesn't come across "corny" but this made me stop and think about how lucky I am to be able to have this done and put it all into perspective. I met another lady online who happens to live in my city and had the lapband last November- 1 year ago. She & I met for coffee yesterday (the first time we met in person) and I asked her all those questions that I keep wondering about. (i.e. what's it like, does it hurt, can you sleep on your side, etc.) Her answer to my first question was "Geez... it seems like it was so long ago, it is hard for me to remember". That made me put everything into perspective. I am geyting all worked up and anxious and in as little time as a year I will look back on all this and think "that wasn't so bad afterall..." BTW- the lady I met with, has lost 90 lbs. in a year and looks fantastic. Her story is an inspiration to me and I hope to you as well. Just think this time next year we will reunite on this board and hopefully be able to say "Geez, it seems like so long ago it is hard to remember!!!" Best to all, Jill

Great to hear everyone is doing well. I can't wait to chime in once my band is on. A week from tomorrow is the big day for me!

I live in Santa Rosa, CA. and am looking for anyone nearby who is having/or had the surgery. (I am actually traveling to Fresno for the LAP band, but live 1 hour north of SF.) Is there a No. CAL support group? I am getting banded in a week and a half- wohoo!

Thanks for the quick reply and link. I am new to the site and am still trying to navigate it. I will look under states. You were a BIG help- i appreciate it.

Hello everyone, I have been checking out this site for months (thanks everyone for your insight) and now I am ready to chime in! My surgery date is Nov. 15th. I am looking for pals that are having thier LAP band "installed" around the same time so we can compare/contrast our journey together. I am not required to do a pre op fast- just one day before I will be on liquids. This scares me a little bit, wondering how difficult it will be after the surgery on a liquid diet. I am 40 BMI, weight 238 (am 5'4") and my goal is 160. Also, any tips on how to get the ticker on my signature would to be helpful- even though I am rather computer literate, I can't seem to figure it out! A week and a half an anxiously awaiting...