rkwilliams1013

The question is: Are you exercising? And if you are, are you doing it enough? My RD told me that when you advance your diet stages, that you should also increase your exercise a little to balance it all out. I'm sure a slight fluctuation in your weight when advancing from liquids to mushies is probably normal, because by-golly you're actually eating something! Dont stress it- keep doing what your supposed to do, and you will see it drop back down!

I didn't know where my port was either until I went to have my x ray and actually could see it! I was also told that the port most likely was under the longest incision. Every doc is different and puts them in different places, kind of like a trademark so they know where to find them for fills. My port is to the right and slightly north of my belly button. I was banded on the 2nd also, and I've just now gotten to where I'm not so swollen, and if I press a little, I can feel it.

The problem is that I can't trust myself to weigh "just once" and I don't want it to turn into a habit. I don't believe that the scale is our only measure of success so I think I'm going to take pictures and measurements instead of stepping on the scale. I like the idea of doing "blind weigh-ins" and will have to suggest that to my RD.

My incisions are itching like crazy!! I guess I would rather itch than have the shoulder pain, which I have been very lucky not to have! I'm not taking any pain meds at all, but haven't attempted sleeping on my stomach yet! Glad to see everyone is doing well and that our September Sweeties group is growing!!

I first want to say that I have a Love-Hate relationship with the scale. I was banded on Thursday Sept 2nd, and since then I can definitely tell I'm down a few pounds. My pants are a little bigger than I remember, and since then I've had an intense urge to step on the scale! So do I weigh or not weigh? I can see where the scale can be a positive motivator, but if the number isn't where I want it to be, I risk discouragement and disappointment. Any Thoughts?

I had to have Lovenox right before I went into surgery and I still have the bruised belly to prove it. Gracerev, I'm still having problems drinking everything I'm supposed to, and barely am getting in three shakes a day. I feel like the swelling in my tummy has gone down a good bit today, so hopefully I will get three in today! Dont tell our nutritionist, but I'm not drinking unjury! I switched to Premier protein because it has 30gms of protein per shake and its nearly all I can get down. I'm doing well, walking a lot, still NO REGRETS!

Hi All! I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on how I was doing, I would have posted sooner but my internet has been a little screwy! I went in at 7:30am on Thursday and was leaving to head home by 3:30 in the afternoon. I've had very little pain except for gas pain which I found was relieved with a fart! The port site is to the right and a little north of my belly button and its the sorest of all the incision sites. I do feel a weird "pulling" sensation when I stand up, but was told that would eventually go away. The hardest part so far is getting down all the protein I'm supposed to be drinking. They wanted to me drink three a day, and I physically can't do it without wanting to puke. I feel so incredibly FULL that it took me two hours to finish 8 oz of protein shake. Yesterday I could only get two down, but I'm doing a little better today and sticking more with clear liquids, broth, etc. I'm sleeping sitting up and slept through the night for the first time. I'm only taking Tylenol throughout the day and roxicet right before bed to help me sleep. So far, so good! No REGRETS! Good luck to everyone being banded this week! Grace, its good to see you're doing well, I was thinking about you yesterday!

Being Banded tomorrow! YAY!

This is good to know, I've never thought to ask my surgeon where he plans to put mine. I'll be asking now! Thanks for the heads up.

Lanah, its perfectly normal to be nervous! We have the same surgery date, and I'm nervous too! I have cleaned every square inch of my house and done every last piece of laundry to keep my mind busy and not on having surgery on Thursday! I'm not so nervous about the surgery itself just everything I have to remember afterwards.

Ok Ya'll here are my most famous Protein recipes. You can modify each and every one of these depending on taste, likes/dislikes, and available Protein powder flavors! The key to these recipes is to keep them as low cal, and sugar free as possible. So make sure that you use low carb yogurt, and sugar free ingredients. The first week of my pre-op diet I had horrible brain drain where I was tired all the time and had no energy, so the Peanut Butter cup recipe gave me a few extra calories, extra protein, and the energy to keep going. I hope you all enjoy these recipes as much as I have and they make the pre-op diet so much easier! Enjoy! Morning Mocha chocolate Protein Powder Scoop of instant coffee Skim milk/Soy milk Ice Orange Crème vanilla Protein Powder Orange Crystal Lite Ice Tropical Breeze Vanilla Protein Powder Vanilla Yogurt 1 Cup Mixed Frozen Fruit Ice 　 Orange Julius Vanilla protein powder 6 oz plain yogurt 6 oz orange juice Butterscotch Candy Vanilla Protein Powder 1 scoop sugar free butterscotch pudding mix Skim milk/soy milk Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Protein Powder 1 tsp. Peanut Butter Milk/water 　 Blueberry berry Vanilla Protein Powder Vanilla Yogurt Blueberries Water/ice The Hulk Vanilla Protein Powder 1 scoop SF Pistachio Pudding Mix Milk/Ice 　 Cinnamon Roll Vanilla Protein Powder Cinnamon Vanilla Extract Ice 　 　Chocolate Almond Delight Chocolate Protein Powder A few raw Almonds/ Almond Extract Milk/Water Ice Vanilla Coffee Delight Vanilla Protein Powder 1 Scoop Instant Coffee Milk Gingerbread Man Vanilla Protein Powder 1 Graham Cracker Cinnamon Vanilla extract Ice/ Water Key Lime Pie Vanilla Protein Powder ! scoop SF Lime Pudding Mix 1 Graham Cracker Ice/ Milk/Water Strawberry Delight strawberry Protein Powder Strawberry Yogurt Ice/Water

Hi guys! I can't believe I am being banded this week! I like premier protein shakes too and their great when I'm out and can't mix my own. I have created a book of protein shake recipes I will be happy to share with everyone. Variety keeps the taste buds happy! I have been on my liquid diet for almost two weeks and am feeling great! Not to mention I've lost eleven pounds!

Wow, you have some really serious concerns and it sounds like genetics isn't working in your favor. Like the other posts, most insurance companies won't cover the band for BMI < 35. However, that's why having WLS is such a big decision. If it doesn't cover it, are you willing to invest in your health anyway?

This has to be my favorite post EVER! It made me laugh so hard!

That's not gross that's actually a good question! They may cath you, but you'll never know it, they usually put them in and take them out before you ever wake up. Most of the time, because the surgery is so short, they just make you pee before hand. Catheters are used in longer, more invasive surgeries just so they can monitor fluid intake and output. And Aunt Flo, They're not working down there, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Nope, you're not the only one... great huh? We all have diarrhea together. LOL

Pooky, we have the same day! I started my pre-op diet three days ago and so far its going ok, but I must warn you of the diarrhea. No, its not pleasant, but I wish someone had warned me! Alot of us have been posting under the other September 2010 thread- there you can find a complete list of people who share September Bandster Birthdays!

My doc didn't actually require a two week pre-op diet, but I needed some time to wean myself from all my bad habits and my addiction to diet coke. So I started with a week of full liquids and then a week of clear liquids. At first I felt completely drained of energy, but yesterday I actually had enough gusto for a power walk around my neighborhood. So far, not as bad as I thought minus the diarrhea.

It makes sense its there's no solids going in there's not going to be solids coming out!! (sorry, gross nurse humor!)

Well, for those of you who have yet to start your pre-op diets, let this be a warning to you to start popping the imodium now and stock up on some extra TP. JerseyDiva, here's what I did to keep from starving- I eat SOMETHING every two hours. I had a protein shake at 8 am, a carb control yogurt at 10 am, a protein shake at 12, and sugar free pudding cup at 2pm and PLENTY of water. My surgeon says not to chew gum because it stimulates peristalsis which causes hunger. If i'm not eating something, I'm drinking... water, crystal lite, powerade zero, anything calorie free. You can do it! We're here to help! Hang in there!

I remember being nervous but excited too. My advice would be definitely to ask questions, but write them down tonight, so you can keep a level head and find out the information you need to know.

I had my first consultation with the Doc July 13th, and am scheduled for surgery September 2nd.

TMI ALERT!! (Consider yourself warned) So I started the pre-op diet yesterday of full liquids and I think my intestines are in shock, I have had nothing but diarrhea. Seriously, I'm afraid to leave my house and I'm going to need more toilet paper if its going to be two more weeks of this. Imodium would be ok but not for two weeks. Did this happen to anyone else?

I just started by pre-op diet today... Doing full liquids for the first week, then all clear liquids the next week... Its going to be really tough, but I keep telling myself "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!"

As a nurse, I chose the band because I have taken care of a lot of bypass patients and needed to make an informed and educated decision on what was right for me. here's why I chose the band: 1) I didn't want the long-term mal-absorption issues that bypass patients have. I needed more control over what and how much I lost. 2) Its not completely permanent. While I'm a strong believer that the Lap Band is a life long decision, if I ever need it removed for any reason, its possible. 3) I don't have kids. I wanted a means to lose weight effectively, but still safe for baby when the time comes. 4) The weight comes off gradually, allowing me enough time to change lifestyle habits, and adjust psychologically. 5) I didn't want a "quick fix", but a tool to help me get healthy. Lap Band won't change what you put in your mouth- its up to you to change that, but it will train you to make healthy choices. Hope this helps. Every person has their own individual reasons for choosing the band/bypass, but like I said, As a nurse, I felt this was right for me. Good luck with your journey!