Beachy_Babs

Congrats to all of you for officially becoming bandsters!! I promise you, the pain will subside and you will be back to your normal selves before you know it. Gas and hydrating problems are common... I had my fair share of those. Especially gas! I would wake up every morning with a mouth so dry... you could consider it a new desert! But I am over a month post op now, hitting the gym and enjoying life. YOu'll be there... For me, I didn't know expect this surgery to take such a toll on my body (hint the word "outpatient"). I thought it was going to be easy cheesy, but boyyyyy... That was proven wrong right after I woke up from surgery. Anywho, enough rambling... keep sipping on Water, broth, Jello... Your lives are beginning again! Yay for banding!!!

Name: Babs Age: 22 Weight on June 1st: 257.4 Goal weight for June 29th: 249 Exercise goal for June: Go to the gym at least 4-5 times Dietary goal for June: More protein and veggies Personal goal for June: To not expect too much and get disappointed Date banded: May 2, 2011 Total weight loss since banding: 25.4 lbs

I have my first fill on June 13th and I am excited and nervous ! Thanks for this thread

Snow, let me just start off by telling you... I know the feeling! After I had my daughter, I was still eating for two...eating anything and everything because I felt like I deserved it due to taking care of her all day and night. I would eat in the middle of the night after feeding her and never really realized the harm I was doing to myself. She is two now...and I still have all of my 80 pounds I gained with her and then some! I'm telling you...the "eh screw it" feeling and mental thinking is a demon! I am one month banded and it is the best decision I have ever made in my life. Yes, the old habits will creep here and there, but I know I can't change all of my habits overnight. However, with the band, a red flag goes up in your head when your brain starts telling you to drive through McDonald's. It does help mentally (or at least I think so) because it made me more aware of my food choices. I actually take the time to analyze my foods! I never went to therapy before or after the band. I wish you the best of luck and hang in there

Joleng ! I am so excited for you! Remember to log and take weekly photos of yourself! That's what I have been doing and I am so glad I did.

MsLena, 41 lbs is great!!! Especially since April! Hmph...one question : How fast are you eating? Do you wait in between bites? My doctor says I have to wait 10 minutes in between meals, but realistically, that's just insane... I tried that for two weeks and barely got three bites in. So I called again and he said I can wait 2 minutes or so in between if I chew thoroughly and have small bites. It's so tempting to shove a whole bunch of food in my mouth because that's what I did prior to surgery, but i gotta stop myself.

Today marks an exact month being banded for me. In total, I have lost about 25 lbs. Since eating normal foods again, my weight loss wasn't so drastic compared to when I only had clear broth and full liquids. I have been back at the gym since my two weeks post op check up with the doctor. I have been doing the elliptical for about 30-45 minutes every day or at least four-five times a week. I know this is only the beginning of my journey, but so far, it has been a fantastic one! I am learning new things about my body as well as my band each day and I love the fact that I am making a big effort to make better choices. I have the REALIZE band and my first fill will be on June 13th. I cannot wait! However, the band seems to be working with my portion control already. I hardly eat more than a cup of food. How is everyone doing with their bands??

Reverie, I agree that it's not good to pre-plan your next cheat. That will lead to failure for sure...and the band would be useless because old habits will come back and haunt ya...

Hmph, I would say hold off on the eggs until at least a full week post op. We all make "oopsies." I oopsed today when I took a small bite of chicken nugget from my husband's lunch. Yeah....I was definitely reminded of my oopsie when my stomach started hurting.

Before lapband, I would drink 4 liters of Water a day... Now.. I barely get 64 ounces. Mushy foods ideas: cottage cheese with soft fruit, refried Beans or guac, scrambled eggs, really soft meats .. That's what I ate! High Protein will keep you full longer. I have a Protein shake at night too.. I get too hungry and my stomach would growl like a wild beast !!

I am right with you both! I will be exactly a month post op on June 2nd and my appetite is back. Of course, I am still measuring all of my food out and making sure I don't over eat. The thing I still have trouble with is the chewing and waiting in between bites. I'm still practicing. I haven't been to the gym in four days because of finals for school and I have been staying up super late. (Which isn't healthy for anyone). I have been eating bread though..it's a no no, I KNOW (for you food polices out there). Not much bread, but one carb a day. I need to stop it because it'll slow down my weight loss. Anywho... I would say try sugar free popiscles and Jello or fruit and veggies. I'm not quite sure myself since I'm going through the same thing

Hang in there you guys!! I remember not being able to take another protein powder shake, but I have found a better shake! it's PREMIER NUTRITION and you can get them at costco. it's premade in a handy little container and you can sip on it. it's actually really good.. just giving you some tips and soups are good. your body is healing so let it heal and remember that this is temporary! good luck

Thanks you guys! I feel better now knowing I am not harming my band. I went to the store and got benefiber!

I went to use the bathroom and found out that I am very constipated. I sat there trying to focus on going, but no such luck. My main worry is that I was pushing so hard to get my bowels out that I became lightheaded and my stomach started hurting. Is there any chance that it could damage or harm my band from pushing too hard? I went to Rite Aid and got a laxative, so we will see.. I am just concerned about the pushing. I felt like I was giving birth all over again....... NOT fun. Thanks in advance.

Try the Protein shakes from costco called PREMIER NUTRITION. It has 30g of protein in an 11oz bottle. 160 calories and 3 grams of fat. 1g of sugar. Sounds like a good shake to me. I have been drinking one for Breakfast and one before/after work out. (I just drink half of it and then the rest when i get home from the gym). It tastes pretty good and I like it. So try that...

Even though you will feel some discomfort from being swollen, I don't think you will necessarily refer it to feeling crappy because when I had pain, yes...it was uncomfortable, but as soon as I tell myself that I have the band, I would smile! I don't know if others feel this way, but I will endure any type of pain knowing that there will be a good result out of it. Congratulations on your surgery date and I am excited for you!!!!

I had my surgery May 2nd and have been going to the gym for more than a week. I'm only allowed to do elliptical and treadmill. I won't be able to do strength training for another two weeks. If you feel good, start doing light cardio

I am four weeks out and like the topic title states...I have been eating salad left and right! I would add diced boiled egg, avocado, fish, some cheese and drizzle it with a vinaigrette such as raspberry or balsamic. Are you a salad lover? I don't have restriction yet, but I have read and heard that many people cannot tolerate salad after getting fills..

Thanks for the advice! I am still sticking to small portions, but I can't seem to get away from bread......especially toasted baguettes. (I'm french so it's a stamp in my life). Other than that, I am making sure that I measure food. When I eat something that I haven't measured out, I feel really bad about it.

Great idea! Well for pre op diet, I only lost about 5 lbs. After surgery, I lost about 17 lbs, but once i started eating solids, my weight came to a stop. I understand why because I am eating and that's fine with me. I'm hoping to start losing again, but I understand that this is healing month for me..

I'm three weeks out and won't get my first fill until June 13th. I have been hungry and wanting to eat. I try to make good choices and measure out everything I eat as well as drink Water. It gets harder day by day. I could really use some advice and tips. Thanks for your time

Your choices aren't bad at all honey! I seriously thought I was going to read that you had went out and got yourself a bucket of fried chicken or something! LOL! I snacked for the first time today and kept taking a bite of everything I saw in the fridge. I then figured that I'm doin this because I'm hungry! So I'm now eating a Protein packed lunch of chicken and tofu. Glad you're on track again!

Hi Jessy! I was banded on May 2nd, 2011 and I agree with Judy that the first two weeks will be your hardest. I am almost three weeks post op and I feel great!! I did lose alot of Water weight after surgery because I wasn't eating or drinking much so now my weight is at a stop temporarily. I just started working out this week and have been enjoying solids. Mentally, I nearly went crazy when I wasn't allowed to eat food, but just remember that it's all temporary!! You'll be able to resume your eating soon. The pains will go away. Even though this surgery is mainly same-day outpatient, it should not be taken lightly. You have just been cut open so it is vital to take care of all of your incisions and your body. Make sure you have someone there to help you get up. I live in Tustin so we aren't so far from each other! I wish you well and keep me updated on your progress Best wishes.

For the few days, my lips have been swollen, chapped, and burning! I have never had this experience before and my husband thinks it's because I am beyond dehydrated. I try to drink as much Water as I can. I saw my family doctor yesterday and she couldn't tell me what was wrong either.... has anyone experienced super chapped/burning sensation to your lips?? Help

How funny that I found this post! My doctor's office told me to wait 10 minutes in between bites too! I did it because they stressed that this was important, but I do agree that it is a bit ridiculous. It takes me literally almost an hour to finish 2 oz of chicken! And by the third bite, I'm sick of it because the food gets cold (I know I can always reheat). So seriously..I DON'T have to wait 10 minutes? That sounds so great. I'm just scared of stretching my pouch that's all. I haven't had my first fill yet... still in bandster hell!!