dcowens

OMNOMNOMNOM! man does that sound delicious! I'm still on post-op liquids, but i'm going to promise myself i'll try that when I can have solids!

think that the way fluffy took the post was as if elfie had said "well why do you THINK it didn't work for you" as if she was saying she didn't actually know if her band wasn't working for her. The way that she had actually mean the post was "why do YOU think the band didn't work for you" maybe it was just her way of trying to be supportive and figure out what it was that was causing her problems.

This is a little off topic, but I had a hiatal hernia, too. I'm 20 years old and was banded 3 days ago. I could not have been more shocked to have had a hernia. I didn't even know what a hernia was! I don't feel any difference, and I wasn't very reflux-y before, but I'm glad it was fixed. Just the sound of having my stomach hanging out of my diaphram makes me a little sick. Haha. My 21st birthday is in March and by then I will be able to have solids. I plan on taking a trip to Las Vegas to go to the Olive Garden and go to my first club. =) I will be ordering a glass of wine with dinner and I'm excited although it's a ways away.

It doesn't sound like you're getting enough. I was told to have 300 cal per meal 3x a day and that I could save 100 cal for drinks that I consume. SO, that would mean I can have 900-1000 a day.

On my pre-op diet I was only allowed 3 protein shakes, crystal light, water, sugar free jello, and broth. That's it! I wish I could have had veggies or a bar! I lost 20 lbs pre-op and it set me off to a great start. I'm happy now that I did as well as I did on my pre-op diet. I know that you feel like you're starving and I'm sorry that you do; you just need to remember that this has to be done. This is a great test of self control and practice for what's to come with the band.

Thanks guys, I am not sure if my surgeon put fluid in my band already. As far as I know my surgery center has told me not to use protein drinks anymore, so I haven't had any protein or anything. I have no MOM but I'm not so sure about taking that either. I called and left a message for my surgery center and I will call back tomorrow to try and ask some more questions.

So all day today I've been having trouble getting my liquids down. I can take little sips but in the beginning of the day it was very painful and it put a terrible pressure in my stomach. I attributed it to gas still. It burned and felt kinda like I was swallowing a ball. It was worse with my tomato soup that I made myself for my first post-op meal. I don't know whether this is normal because I haven't heard anything about this. Any advice? I would really appreciate it!!!

I'm really really glad that this was posted. This is how I"m feeling right now. I'm excited for when I can actually swallow normally. For some reason lately whenever I swallow anything at all I have this terrible burning pressure in my stomach and I don't know if that's just gas or what. I was told it was. I just need it to go away. lol. I had my surgery yesterday and all day today has been horrible. I woke up SO sore and it definitely hurts when I get up and down. It hurts to stand or to walk. My port site is the only thing hurting anymore. It's terrible pulling pain. I wish I could eat some soup though. I tried some tomato soup today and with every spoonful I had that terrible horrible bloating burning discomfort in my stomach. I hope to God that it will be better tomorrow. I'm going to take this all with a grain of salt and try to believe that the days to come will be better and less painful. I DO not regret getting my band but today and yesterday I have felt as though I may not have made the smartest decision. I'm hoping I did.

@Dora, Thank you and I know how difficult that liquid diet is. I'm still on mine today and tomorrow. I have some family in OR. Beautiful place. I'm excited about the energy as well. I cant wait to go play soccer with my little boy when he's bigger and I'm littler and be able to actually play with him. =) Your surgery is not too far away! Just keep in mind that you'll need to have this kind of strength and will power with liquid diets after your lap band is in! Now is good practice. It's awesome that you're starting your journey, too and you've come pretty far already! GREAT JOB!

So it's Sunday already and that means I make the 4 hour journey to Phoenix later this evening! I'll be meeting up with an old friend and staying in a Motel for that night at the next night. My surgery is Tuesday at 2:00 pm and check-in is at 12:00 noon. =) I cant believe that 8 months of hard work to get this lap band is finally paying off! I've been picturing myself thinner and healthier and more active for a LONG time and I am SO thankful that I have been lucky enough to have everything go through with my surgery! I'll be taking a robe, slippers, chapstick, tampons (i was advised to bring them just in case), some baby wipes, a camera, a hair tye, my incentive*sp* spirometer I was given at the hospital during testing, and of course my fiance and friend. I AM SO HAPPY!!!!! I can be healthier for my son! I can be thinner on my wedding day! I can be confident in everyday life! I may not know all of you, or any of you personally, but I want each and every one of you to know that you're doing great! Whether you're going through the motions with your Doctor to have the surgery, pre-op dieting, post-op recently, or for years! We should all be proud that we've made a commitment to even get the band! I pray that my surgery and recovery will go well as well as everyone else being banded on Tuesday or thereafter! Thank you ALL for your advice, support, words of wisdom, and stories of encouragement! One way or another your posts or replies have helped someone, somewhere! Love, Dani.

Your family sounds like a wonderful one! How sweet of your little girl! You'll be alright I'm sure, and me, too. =) Sometimes I guess when going through with something like this you need reassurance. Even if that comes from your babies! I'm making sure to bring with me the stuff you mentioned plus some period supplies. My Doctors office actually told me to bring them because it's fairly common I guess for women to start there menses at the time of surgery?!?!!? Anyhow. I cant think of anything else I would bring. I'm not taking any of my liquid diet stuff because I'm sure they'll have that. (I'm only staying for a few hours after anyhow) You'll do great! CHIN UP!

You'll do great just stick to your diet!!! and if things get difficult for you remember that there are always those pre op dieters that dont get any actually food at all! LIKE ME! lol. good job and good luck!

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I really hope that this doesn't happen. I take vitamins right now religiously and plan to continue obviously after the surgery. I had a good friend that's had the lap band for 2 years now and has not lost any hair but has also not told me if she's been growing extra body hair! haha.

I'm so glad I found this post. I actually haven't been banded yet but i'm due to be on the 25th and i've been wondering about subway. I get the salads sometimes anyways so I would be so fine with eating a salad with the subway fixings. =) woot.

I'm outpatient but my dr.'s office gave me a list of things to bring. On my list is chapstick, a robe, slippers, facial wipes, and a pillow from home. =)

I have 2 friends that have been banded and their shoe size went down a 1/2 size.

Well, my surgeon and weight loss center told me no frozen dinners. So I wouldn't really know. I think that if I was in your position I would talk to my dr/dr's office first before doing it. That's my advice. =)

My dr didn't try to convince me of getting anything else. I'm happy for that. I wouldn't want to do any other surgery. Lap band is what I'm stuck on.

Yeah, I agree with you that a low carb/high protein diet would definitely be easier. My liquid diet is clear liquids only. and sugar free. So I can only have my 3 protein shakes a day, water, crystal light, broth, sugar free jello....and, well that's it. I WISH I could have cream soups.

I have always been in the medical field up until lately. I personally don't feel that it affected my ability to care for myself I think that I just made bad choices when it came to food and I was lazy exercise wise. lol. I guess that all depends though. I did have to stand on my feet 12 hours a day and tend to others...You'd think I'd have lost weight by running around all day, but I guess I outweighed the exercise with bad food choices.

Have a new surgery date of January 25. It was supposed to be done on the 11th, but I lost my job and had to pay the outrageous fee for the COBRA so for quite a while I was waiting for paper work etc. I'm happy that I have a date again and that it's not TOO far away considering all of the time that I've been waiting.

Wow, mine was sitting down and talking for quite a while, then it was two multiple choice tests....all of this took hours to complete. It was horrible. I passed but there were a couple sceptical areas. I wasn't 100% honest in answering my questions but I did alright.

Wow, that is amazing. You've done a great job! I cant wait to get my band!

I don't live with my parents. I live on my own with my fiance and son. Although that would have worked out well =(. I am figuring out what can be done. I found out that the hospitals insurance that I have, I will only have untill the end of THIS MONTH so the 1st of january I have no more coverage. I am going to attempt today to call my surgeons office and see whether by the grace of God they have an open spot TOMORROW, which is the last day of this month, to do my surgery so that my insurance will still cover it. If not I WILL find a way to have my surgery my scheduled day. My brother in law *soon to be anyways* has offered to help us with a little cash if we need it, and my mother is a nurse so she MAY help as well. I'm down because of everything that has happened but I still have hope. I'm doing everything I can to figure this out. Thanks again for all of the advice. PS. I get my last paycheck today. Since I was fired yesterday they have till the end of today to get it to me...or so I was told.

Thank you all. I've checkede out a few options. My current insurance ends the at the end of the month of termination. So Jan 1st I will no longer have the insurance. I CAN get the COBRA but you were all right about it being expensive. I was actually fired for something, but am appealing it immediately. I have already started the appeal process. If I end up being able to keep my job I will do so and will have no problem having the surgery. I think what will end up happening is that I may not win my appeal battle, and will pay the outrageous amount for one more month to keep my insurance and have my lap band placed. I have already applied online for unemployment because my family cannot survive without my income. I will also begin college next semester. between my loans and unemployment we will be fine until I can get a better job through my schooling. I am going early tomorrow morning to apply for the state insurance. I guess everything happens for a reason right?