Bklynike

I am sorry to hear you are not doing well. the pain in your shoulder and/or neck is from gas. They put so much gas into your stomach to help them make room for the surgery that it has no where to go. You must walk, walk, walk. It is the only thing that will help. Some people say GasX works, but I didn't need it. I walked back and forth in my condo and it passed quickly. I had my surgery on the 21st, my birthday. I am doing very well. I really didn't have much pain, but I think it is becuase I started working out at the gym 2 months before my surgery. If you hurt everytime you drink, you may need to change to warm drinks. Call your doctor and fill him in. Good luck.

Does your doctor offer support group meetings? If so, you should go. If not and you have health insurance, they will probably pay for you to visit a nutritionist. There are great tips on line. Since you have had a fill, you probably get full after 3 or 4 ounces of food. Make sure you chew really well and drink your water. Low fat, high protein is the way to go. Avoid starch, if at all possible. Exercise is very important, as well. If your doctor cannot help you, you need another doctor. Have you talked to your primary?

No more soup! I just couldn't take one more spoonful. As much as I trust my doctor and want to follow his instructions, I just had to take the situation into my own hands and last night my husband pureed tuna fish w/lite mayo and I ate about 3 or 4 oz. I felt so good afterwards - didn't run to the bathroom for a change. So, this morning I scrambled 2 eggs and cooked them in Smart Balance and kept that down. Didn't feel hungry until lunch time today. At which time I had chicken salad. I feel so good - not overly stuffed, but not sick to my stomach from the soup. As of today, I have lost 10.2lbs. I am so excited. I am working out at the gym and loving that. My visit to the surgeon is on Tues. I am looking forward to seeing him and hearing what he has to say. To all of my friends here, keep up the good work and let's all get thinner together.

I only had 3 - one in the belly button, one to the left where the port is and one above. Banded this past Monday the 21st of June and have lost 7lbs 4oz already. I love this band.

Your surgeon okayed a bread product? My doctor says no bread, pasta, potatoes for a very long time and then only in moderation, if ever. Good luck in your weight loss.

Getting off all of my medications for the horrible co-morbidities the weight has given me, shopping in a regular store - not the Avenue or Lane Bryant, Looking and feeling better, with or without clothes. Not being looked at like a lazy, fat person anymore. These will be some of my favorite things.

This surgery is only a tool to help you lose the weight. But you are the one who has got to do the work. When you cheat, you are only cheating yourself and you will only make yourself feel worse. You can do this, but you have to really want it. Your future depends on it. I am 6 days post-op and happier than I have been in years and lost 7lbs 4 oz this week alone. You can do it. Don't give up, just make up your mind to listen to your heart and what you want is a healthier, happier future. Go for it.

I was banded on my birthday, 6/21/10 and am calling it my rebirth. I have not been this happy in years. The crying is just your hormones or perhaps some nerves. I feel great and have already lost 7lbs 4oz since the 18th. Just look ahead - feeling better, losing weight, having more confidence. Hold your head up high girlfriend, you just gave yourself a precious gift. Cry tears of happiness because you are a lucky person. Keep us posted - it will get better.

Hi, all. I have to say I am doing really well since my surgery. I have had no problems getting my proteins or food down and keeping it down, although I have not had the 70-80 grams or protein they want me to have, but the doctor's office said that was normal in the beginning. I have been drinking my water. The pain is barely noticable anymore, even when turning over in bed. Today was my first day back to the gym since 6/18, with my surgery on 6/21. I thought I might last on the treadmill about a 1/4 mile, but did 1.35 miles and then was on the Sci-fit for 15 minutes. I felt really great. But the best part is that when I got on the scale I learned I had lost 7lbs 4 oz since my last visit. How amazing is that? I am totally in shock, really. My husband said I looked as if I had lost a lot, but I can't really see it. But now I believe him. I am returning to work tomorrow, wish I could win the lottery and never go back, but living in the real world...I sit at a desk most of the day so there will be no strain other than the fact that I am a Customer Service Manager and get stressed enough! Friday I start on the pureed and mushy - OMG I will get to hold a real fork and chew something other than a teeny-tiny piece of chicken from the cream of chicken soup. Enjoy your Sunday to all and I'll check back again soon. Thanks for all of your support and encouragement. This is the greatest place!!!!

Congrats on the new job and the move. You will do great. Don't forget to let us know how you are doing and how your journey is going.

I am so sick of soup, protein shakes and especially Isopure! I am doing the Isopure because of the 40 grams of protein, but I can't get it down in one sitting. So I have been doing 1/2 and 1/2. My doctor will not let me have the mushy/pureed food until a week from today. My mouth is actually watering when I think of tuna or chicken salad and I never liked them before. But that is what food deprevation can do to a person. My question is, if you are eating regular food - once past the mushy or pureed stage, how are you getting your 70-80 grams of protein a day? I would love to not drink any more proteins until after a fill. Then my doctor wants 2 days of liquids and back to mushy and then regular food. I have been eating my 3 meals a day, and in between drinking the water. I stop when I start feeling full and then I get a hunger pang or two a few hours later but they go away very quickly. Normal?

Wow, I was banded on Monday, 4 days ago, and I have 3 incisions - 1 in the belly button, 1 slightly to the left side and one above. I really haven't had too much pain, except for the gas, which is why your stomach is distended. Walking gets rid of that. As for the weight loss, you need to speak with your doctor to see what you should be doing. My husband and I keep hearing you can lose about an average of 100 lbs in 365 days, then we should lose about 1lb every 3.65 days, for about 9 1/2 lbs a month. I'll take that. But whatever I lose, it will be better and healthier for me. I don't own a scale, but when I go to the gym tomorrow night, I will weigh myself and see if I have lost anything. I certainly hope so because this full liquid diet stinks. Have a great night and good luck to you.

Today is day 4 and I am doing so much better than I have ever believed possible. It must be that I am a Brooklyn chick and very tough stuff! I am so happy. I have not needed any pain medication since surgery day, I am able to get down and keep down my protein shake for breakfast (1/2 cup) with a cup of decaf coffee. Lunch is a cup of cream soup and 1/2 bottle of Isopur. Dinner is the 2nd cup of cream soup and if hungry, the 2nd 1/2 bottle of Isopur and an ice pop. I am not up to my 70-80 grams of protein, but my surgeon's office said that will come soon. By the way, I tried the Greek Yogurt and can't eat it. So, until 1 week from Friday, I will continue with this full liquid diet. When the cream of whatever soup calls for milk, I use water keeping the calories and fat as low as possible. Tonight I tried Cream of Shrimp soup. It was really good - I didn't even know they made that. So, I am healing really well and was resting very nicely until we got the call last night that my father-in-law, who lives 45 minutes from us was rushed to the hospital yesterday with some kind of bowel or intestinal blockage. They are running cat scans and other tests to determine what is going on. So we packed up the car and ran to the hospital. We will know more tomorrow. And then tonight we got a call from my brother-in-law who lives in CT to tell us he was rushed to the hospital with a blockage in his heart. Yes folks, the laughs just keep coming. So as happy and thrilled as I am for myself, I am devastated about them. We will find out more about the in-laws tomorrow, but in the meantime, please keep good thoughts for them.

I am feeling so great! Yesterday I had a lot of gas and it really hurt to get up from a seated position. Much of the gas has passed, thank goodness, and the pain is less intense when getting up and down. I did not take any pain medication yesterday or today, so far, except for a tablespoon to help me sleep last night. I really wasn't hungry yesterday at all, but this morning I had a 1/2 protein shake and a few sips of decaf coffee. For lunch I had a 1/2 cup of cream of chicken soup. It was great not having only clear liquids. I have been trying to get my water down - slow and steady. I can't wait until the mushy or pureed food stage starts. I already have a wish list! I have been hearing from so many wonderful people with good wishes and great ideas. Thank you all. Please keep them coming. I love opening my blg and finding responses to it. Today is 3 days - I can't wait for 3 weeks, 3 months, etc. I can't wait to say I have lost 20 lbs. What an exciting day that will be and a great start to a long haul. Have a great day everyone.

Yesterday was the best birthday ever! I had my lap-band done and it went really well. I arrived at the out patient center and had to wait for them to open up. Not too anxious? You bet I was. The facility was wonderful. I had a blast with the nurses and staff that got me prepared. My doctor arrived about 7:30 and after we spoke a for a short while, they gave me something in the IV to "relax" me and that was it folks. I woke up at about 10 and it was done. My new life, my rebirth, had begun. The only incision site that bothers me at all is the one with the port, which a lot of you said would be the case. I had a lot of gas last night, but I walked a lot around my condo and my husband rubbed and patted my back and shoulder a lot and today, I feel good. I have been very sleepy, so I stopped taking my pain medication - 6:am was my last dose. I don't need it and I don't want to sleep the week away. For breakfast today I had a very small amount of unflavored protein shake mixed with water and decaf coffee and low cal apple juice. I mixed 2 oz water and 2 oz apple. Just sipped. and with my pills today, I took a little plain water. About my pills, the surgeon cut my diabetes mediation in half from 1000 mg a day to 500 and my PCP lowered my blood pressure meds from 180 - 120. So I am on track. I really feel great, except I do hurt some when I attempt to lift my body weight to stand from a sitting or lying position. But that too shall change. I don't imagine I could be happier. Thank you to everyone who has granted me the pleasure of calling you friend and for giving me so much encourgement. I will continue to write and keep up with everyone. This is suce a wonderful gift. Love to you all.:tt1::thumbup:

I am jealous your doctor allowed you to eat eggs. I have had no solid foods all week, but I know the outcome will be great. I have to be at the hospital at 6 in the morning tomorrow as well. I am not nervous about the surgery, I am I think a little nervous about how to eat and lose afterwards. I know I have to do the 70-80 grams of protein daily, but I am so sick of Isopur and protein shakes. My friend had the surgery 3 years ago and said she still has shakes. I was hoping to cut them out except for after fills, but I'll speak with the nutritionist afterwards and get a complete meal plan started. Best of luck. Don't be nervous - you have a brand new life staring you in the face. Grab it and run with it. I am.

Congrats of having the surgery and doing well. My surgery is tomorrow. I am so excited. But you are not alone - most people here have complained about the port site being the one place that really hurt afterwards. I am expecting that. I only had to do 7 days full liquids and today was clear. After the surgery 2 weeks of liquids and then mushy. I can't wait to use a fork, too. Best of luck and keep posting so we know how you are doing and what we, those of us not yet banded, know what to exped.

On the full liquid diet, any Whey Isolate protein mix will do. Just watch the carb count. I don't do chocolate, I like the Vanilla Creme Super Advanced Whey Isolate you can purchase at WalMart. It says it is 60g of protein, but you are only going to use 1 scoop, not two. But, I mix 1 scoop unflavored protein which is 13.5g protein and 1/2 scoop of the vanilla creamfor 15g protein w/6 oz of decaf coffee and 2 oz plain water it in the blender with ice. It isn't bad - you really get used to the taste. I have done the 7day full liquids and today was the clear liquids diet. My surgery is tomorrow - good luck to you.

I have set the alarm clock for 4:00 AM and have given my husband my picture ID to put in his wallet. I am ready to boogie. I did my full 7 days of full-liquids and today's clear liquids. Only 2 more weeks until I can use a fork again. I can't wait. It truly wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and the end is in sight. I hade the hubs take pictures of me today - and thank goodness they will be the last of their kind. I can't wait to change my avatar! For anyone who is having surgery tomorrow, the 21st, my birthday, my re-birthday, the first day of summer and the first day of the rest of my life, I wish you well. It has been a very long road and it is finally here. I'll check back when I can with updates after the surgery. Wish me luck and please keep good thoughts.:smile2:

Congrats on the nomination and doing so well with your surgery. How long did you wait before having the surgery? Did you have to jump through any insurance hoops to get it? I would go for the fill. I am a self-pay and my surgery is on Monday, my birthday. This is my priority right now, but it doesn't mean it has to be yours. I wish you luck with whatever decision you make and i hope you win the 1st place prize. very exciting. You go girl, in both cases.

I made it almost an entire week on full liquids. Only 1 more day to go. I never thought it would be as easy as it has been. I am not "enjoying" it, but I have stuck to the rules to the letter. I can't imagine going through all of this and cheating. Who would I be cheating - no one but myself. Sunday is the clear liquid day. And then, and then, and then, my re-birth day. When I tell people that my surgery is actually on my birthday they think I am nuts. But I couldn't think of a better gift to give myself. To all of you who have had the surgery and found your "sweet spot", congrats. To those of us getting ready for the surgery I wish us all the best of luck - we have a long, hard road coming. But if I have the will power and strength to carry on and get it right, so do you all. To all my bandsters out there, I wish you a life of happiness and good health.

I am getting banded on Monday and I am very inspired. Thanks for sharing. Keep it up and let us know what your secret is.

You need to see the doctor. The PA probably was not as tactful as she should have been, especially if you walked away feeling like a failure. You are not. Look how well you have done so far. Get on track, call the Doc and set some goals for yourself. You can do it. We all can. Go, make a call.

I got "that call" today from the hospital to make sure I remembered my surgery was on Monday and to get pre-registered. HOW COULD I FORGET? I AM SO EXCITED!!! I actually don't know why they pre-register you because when you get to the hospital, they register you all over again. Today is day 4 of liquids and I swear I can actually hear sloshing when I walk. My pants are fitting much looser; I know have baggy but pants. I tried the cream of mushroom last night and it wasn't bad. I still prefer the cream of chicken and the chicken broth, but I have to mix it up a little. I can't wait until this phase is over - in about 3 weeks. OMG, OMG, OMG. I will make it work, I can do this. Heck, I survived breast cancer, I can certainly overcome my growing dislike or should I say hatred for soup, right? According to the scale at the gym I have lost about 3 lbs this week. I spoke to a friend today who had gastric bypass surgery on 7/7 this past year and she has lost 105 lbs so far. I am hoping that in a year from now I am off all of my medication, thinner and feeling better. I am really looking forward to a good night's sleep. Hopefully the sleep apnea will subside once some of the weight comes off. I can't sleep with that awful machine. Well, got to get ready to watch So You Think You Could Dance! Have a great night all.

Cream of chicken soup is really good. Cream of brocolli is OK. Cream of celery, I thought, was awful. Tonight I will try cream of mushroom. I like mushroom gravy, so it can't be that bad, right? Isopur is not bad. I have tried 3 flavors and my fav so far is grape forest. At least I am getting 40grams of protein from each bottle. When this liquid diet is over, I don't think I will look at soup again; well not until I have a fill. Then it will be 2 days of liquids again. Monday can't get here fast enough for me! Hope you all have a great night.