Ravyn

I had my surgery on 4/18 and I tried to sit in a reclining chair and it was the MOST uncomfortable ever. The best thing is to get you pain meds and then find a nice bed to stretch out on. I laid on my side, because it was too painful to lay on my stomach. Don't worry, the pain will keep you in position. You'll find the position where you experience the least amount of pain and try to stay there. You'll find a way to steal little naps throughout the first two nights. Best of luck!!

Jojo, you ROCK! Thanks for the tip. I was so hungry and so over broths, popsicles and juices. My doctor told me to wait two weaks until I started blending foods, so I actually was instructed to stick to the clear thin liquids. But I am able to tolerate the thicker, blended soups as I have discovered tonight. I went to dinner with my family and got a cup up tortilla soup, without the tortilla strips, cheese and avocado. So basically it's a think broth, loaded with veggies and chicken breast. I sipped on the broth til I was full and brought the rest home, stuck it in a blended and got my veggies and protein in. I also got full really really fast. But it was yummy! I felt more satisfied this with this too. So, thanks for the tip! My tummy appreciated it! And my body will at a pound lost a week : ) Only 64 weeks to go - yipeeeee!!

What a coincidence that you wrote this tonight, because I got the hiccups today for the first time. I was banded on 4/18. So this was my first experience with hiccups and it kind of made me nervous because I usually drink sips of Water to help me get rid of the hiccups. Well, I couldn't drink anything because I was already full of food. Haha... Guess I have to be careful about how much I eat to avoid the hiccups, cause there's nothing you can do after that point. Rave:tongue:

It's day 3 for me. I had surgery on Sunday the 18th and it's Wednesday night at 8pm and Im STARVING!!! Tuesday was a breeze because I wasn't hungry. Today, I have a headache and all the food looks and smells good to me now. Im going for my third cup of soup-broth. I don't think I can manage through 2 weeks of liquids only. I'm going to need some mashed potatos. I need to make a post-op with my doctor very soon too.

The Jello trick is a good way to sneak it in without suffering through the after taste. I'll definitely give it a shot : ) Well it's 3 days after my surgery and I'm feeling hungry. liquids aren't quite enough anymore. I need to chew on something. I ate the carrots in my Soup. Good thing is that I can't eat that much, but I had no problem getting it down. Ha!

Well, I got banded and I let my surgeon decide based on my anatomy. He went with the realize band. I had the surgery on Sunday the 18th. Today is Tuesday and I feel much better than I did on Monday. My port site is tender, so I know where it is. I'm not sure if I can feel it. I think I can though. However, I can't see it, which is good. Hopefully it stays that way. I'll keep you all abreast of the situation.

Thanks for sharing Ladies. My cousin has the band too and she is down to 150, from about 235. She says that she can see her port too and that she can definitely feel it. She has the LapBand. She didn't have an option at the time of her surgery, which was about 3 to 4 years ago. I think I'm ready to make my decision. Wish me luck. I'll be banded tomorrow morning at 6 AM.

Thanks. I really appreciate all your posts. I'm stuck with 9 bottles of the stuff now. I'm not looking forwarding drinking lumps of undissolved protein. That sounds vile! I just want to make sure I'm getting enough nutrients in while I can't eat solids. I guess I'm stuck with the isopure for now.

So is Isopure yummy? I just purchased 9 bottles for my upcoming surgery. I need to stock up on a variety of protein beverages. I also have Atkins, which is disgusting when I haven't had surgery on my stomach, so I can just imagine how nauseating it will be after I have the surgery, at least for the next week. - Ya know?

I have to chose between the Realize Band and the LapBand. The port looks flatter in the Realize product, but is wider in diameter. Is everyone able to visibily see their port underneath the skin? When you lose the weight does the port stick out like a weird petrussion (SP?)? I've asked a few people about which bands they've chosen and most didn't really have a real reason. I'm back to that question again. What to chose, what to chose??

Hey guys, I'm worried about my port showing through my skin. I wonder if the Realize port shows as much as the lapBand port. I still haven't chosen which band I'm going to get. My doctor said just let him know when I'm ready for surgery, which is on the 18th of April.

I don't want to feel my port. I'm hoping that I will never feel it and never see it, even when I weigh 127 pounds and I'm in a size 4 jean. The point is to keep it hidden, right?? Please tell me that most people can't see their port. I wanna wear my bikini again! I love two pieces and the last time I wore one was in 2005. No darn PORTs going to keep me out of my two piece!! LOL! Good luck and I hope everything goes well.:thumbup:

Twinserly - Thanks for the tips on the variety of protein drinks. I've been drinking the Atkins and they're putrid after you've had one. I really need to stock up this week. Guess I'm off to GNC! Oh and I hope your shoulder pain goes away soon. Froggie it sounds like you're doing great!! You give me hope! LOL!

I've been away for a few days and I feel like I've missed so much. So many have had their surgery, and so many - Montynic and Mamasugar - are well on their way to feeling like themselves again. Glad things are going well Ladies! I look forward to hearing about marketing, post-op dieting, gas pains and general recovery stuff. I'm scheduled for Pre-op testing on Monday the 12th and my surgery is on Sunday the 18th. Can't believe it's SO close! Hope mine goes as well as all of you! Oh and congratulations to all of those banded on the 6th, 7th and 8th!! Froggy, you're Friday, tmr, right? Good luck!!

DanMarly - Everyone's experience is individual. Your best bet is to consult with your doctor and get your fills. You're doctor will know better than any of us. Please do not get discouraged and feel as if you're doing anything wrong. You just might not have the right combination yet. I do hear that learning knew eating habits is a huge part of this, but that the band should help to limit the actual intake, making you full sooner. Please, before you get to down on yourself, call your doctor! Best of Luck!!

Im1019 - I think your weight loss is great - 7 pounds for 2 weeks? I heard that you're expected to lose at a healthy range of 1-2 pounds per week. So girl, you are ahead of the game!! Make sure to follow your nutrition plan though. - Best of luck for continued success!

GMC - I hope your easter dinner went well. You lived one of my biggest fears today, "what do I do at the holiday dinners?" Some people say that you wont feel that hungry or even miss the food all that much. Hopefully that was the case with you :smile2: And you know you've always got your Bandster Bunnies for support! Hope the rest of you are healing well - HappyTrucker, Mamasugar and the others.

Im not sure who's up next for their surgery, but good luck! And for those few that went under the knife on the 1st and 2nd, I hope you're second day of recovery went well. Best Regards!!

Happytrucker, I'm just impressed that you're able to log on and give us updates. That's great! It also means you're feeling relatively well. Thanks for sharing your experience and can't wait to meet you on the losing side ; ) Wishing you a quick recovery!! Mamasugar, best of luck tomorrow. I hope it goes as well for you as it is for Happytrucker! Can't wait to hear how you're doing! Good Luck!!

OMG! I can't believe April 1st is tomorrow. So many of my fellow Bunnies will be on their journey to weight loss. Montynic - Best of Luck. Going to miss your post for the next few days. But will look forward to hearing how your doing within the next few days!! Happy Tucker, hope you got all the goodies you need for post-op! Best of luck and can't wait to hear how you're doing too! Warmest Regards!

Like Mimi, I go through morning phases, where I feel as though I'm losing a very dear friend-food! This thread has been most helpful as it provides with a sense of hope. I am still sad, but I am very hopeful that my experience will be like Josiebies. Thank you so much for all your encouragement. I long for the day to be out of my very tight size 14s and into a very comfortable size 6 or 8. I also look forward to the day that food is just a source of energy and not a coping mechanism. Until then I vasilate between fear and excitement which I gather is very normal. Nice to know I at least normal (LOL). Thanks sincerely, Ravyn

Dear Froggy and LingLing - Your words couldn't have come at a better time. It reminded me of my pregnancy 10 yrs ago. The hormones made me crave fresh fruits and veggies. Anything watery with very little sugar was what my body wanted and I didn't even care about cheeseburgers, fries or chocolate. I didn't want it, therefore I didn't even miss it. When others were eating it, I was totally fine with that. I hope the band creates this type of desire in me again. I was the cutest little pregnant girl ever. After my son was born my appetite exploded. It was so weird. And if I tried to deny myself something the cravings seemed to intensify. This makes me think theirs somethng hormonal going on in my body. I am taking all your advice to heart and using it to help me stand strong and fearless (maybe Im just a little scared). Once again, thanks Fellow Bandster Bunnies! Being here really does help.

Mimi thank you so much for bringing this to the forefront. I was feeling it hard-core today after I scheduled my EKG and bloodwork. I started to think about my relationship with food and how it fills a void when I'm lonely or sad. I became melancholy wondering what I would do if I can't eat to numb those uncomfortable feelings? Would the band change how I relate to food? How I use it as a copying mechanism? I got so scared today that I did consider postponing the surgery. I want to be successful with this, but I'm afraid of myself and my inner strength to embrace this new way of being. Today is a rough day for me and I'm just scared.

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Hey Bandster Bunnies. I just made my pre-op appointment for the EKG, X-Rays and Blood work. This is going to come up so fast. I'm starting to have doubts about the whole thing. I am afraid that I'll be nauseous, but unable to throw-up because the band will be too tight. I'm also afraid that I'll just fail at this, like I've failed with the trainer, nutritionist and all my other attempts to keep myself at a healthy weight. Guess I'm just in a very fearful place today because Im one step closer. I hope I'm not alone in this. Scared! Ravyn